Christine's daughter and my daughter became pretty good friends in high school. I'm quite sure I won't get in trouble because I was very careful to not do anything against the official school rules (this is essentially just a peaceful protest) but mostly because the admin have bigger fish to fry. I would like OHS to continue thriving and being a safe place for learning and growth for everyone. I'm hopeful that the next full-time principal is at least to her level, and I hope this all gets sorted out before fall of 2023! Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Zipcode 48864: Phone (517) 706-4900: School Website okemosk12.net/Domain/14: Principal or Headmaster Christine Sermak: Registered Administrator; First Name Principle: Christine SermakOkemos High School(517) 706-4902christine.sermak@okemosk12.net, Facility Coordinator:Cathy McKenna 517-706-5032 cathy.mckenna@okemosk12.net, Athletic Director: Brian Fuller 517-706-4930 brian.fuller@okemosk12.net, Director of Guidance Services:Hedlun Walton, MA, LPC 517-706-4921(office) hedlun.walton@okemosk12.net, Choir/Drama High School: Clare Bellamyclaire.bellamy@okemosk12.net, Science: Dave Chapmandave.chapman@okemosk12.net, Media/Okemos Channel: Matt Ottingermatt.ottinger@okemosk12.net, Superintendent of Okemos Public Schools: John Hood john.hood@okemosk12.net, Tour Chippewa Middle (the old High School starting 1960), Principle Jody Noble jody.noble@okemosk12.net, Choir Director for Kinawa Middle: Elizabeth Reedelizabeth.reed@okemosk12.net, Hampton Inn 517-349-6100 discounted rate of $129.00 at Okemos Rd and Jolly Rd (NE corner) 2200 Hampton Place, Okemos. After school programs include events such as robotics, solar car racing and debate. Her role as a counselor is to help students with all kinds of concerns ranging from emotional college stresses to career planning. Third through twelfth grade students will vote for their favorites, ranking the four choices from their first pick to their last. Website User Guide Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines, and Daily Forecasts. The morning had the excitement of the first day of school as students greeted each other and walked inside. A current look already in use is similar to the new Okemos O being proposed by Principal Sermak, We are in the process (of a new logo), said Christine Sermak, principal of Okemos High. Okemos Public Montessori at Central Principal Shannon Nedds will be moving out of the state and Bennett Woods Principal Noelle Palasty will be changing careers. It has dealt with many cases similar to Okemos High Schools, usually in the defense of Native American tribes. Red Cedar 6th Boys Comp Basketball-Wittenborn. The principals of Okemos High School, Christine Sermak, Hiawatha Elementary, Julie Bellinger, and Cornell Elementary, Tara Fry, are all retiring. Gov. 4000 Okemos Rd. All rights reserved. I want that sense of empowerment to be able to go to adults and say This isnt working, here is a solution, Sermak said. Everyone really wanted to come back in-person, he said. It is located southeast of the main campus of Michigan State University, between Bennett and Jolly Roads on the North and South, and Hulett and Hagadorn Roads on the East and West.The current building was completed in 1994, replacing the now Chippewa . I'm also bummed that Christine Sermak retired last year. This includes: SAT/ACT Testing Snacks, Lanzetta Scholarship, Caught Reading Program, Teacher Luncheons, Wish Lists from OHSStaff,OEF Banquet, Okemos Cares, Post Prom and Senior Farewell. It was a hard choice to Christine Sermak, principal of OHS, said that she strives to overcome any trial and tribulation that may come her way and will continue to offer students and faculty with the ideal learning and working domain. For subscribers: The Okemos Chiefs face a name change 30 years in the making, More: 'Chiefs' no more: Okemos school board votes to nix nickname, adopt replacement by 2023, More: Now hiring: Greater Lansing school districts trying to fill 87 teaching vacancies. No shots were fired and no violence happened at Okemos High School or any other school building, police and school officials said. It was a hard choice to make for Sermak, but ultimately the wear of the pandemic was what made her decide to make this her last year as an administrator. Gretchen Whitmer encouraged Michigan schools to resume in-person learning by March 1, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. We are proud of you! OHS Parent Group Agenda Wednesday, April 21, 2021 9am Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting. I certainly knew there was the potential for turnover.. The high school looks different from her previous position as principal at Williamston Middle School. Faboulous food prepared by chef's. The report was a hoax. Its almost like when you get your vaccine, you just want to tear up, she said. Street . Im more of a discussion-based learner and I felt like I wasnt getting a lot of conversation over Zoom, she said. Tyler Bailey, a sophomore at Okemos, is indifferent on the mascot issue. Meanwhile, The Michigan Department of Civil Rights had no problem discussing the situation. Content is produced by MSU students under the guidance of journalism faculty. Theyre really the energy. When Okemos High School students resumed in-person learning Monday, they joined the rest of the school district and 13otherGreater Lansing school districts that now have kids back in the classroom. Okemos Public Schools: Principal: Christine Sermak: Vice principal: Russ Verrell and Asja Wilcox: Grades: 9-12: Number of students: 1,434 [1] Hood said he believes COVID could have been a contributing factor to the turnover. I'm from the Okemos area and have lived there for the past twenty years. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Speaking of which is the school still sinking or did they sort that out? . Comment why voting matters to you at the end of this story. And, Im excited to find some balance and have a lot less emails.. It wouldnt have happened without students encouraging each other to stay safe, he said. By Allen Martin Meridian Times staff writer It's a bird! Address: 2800 Jolly Rd, Okemos, MI 48864 Principal: Christine Sermak Number of students: 1,267 (2015-2016) District: Okemos Public Schools Color: . All Rights Reserved. Principal: Russ Verrell." Original yearbook in the collection of Okemos High School. News and information from the Michigan State University School of Journalism. Stewart said the district is ready to shut down a classroom or adjust academic schedules if needed. Michigan Princess Dinner/Dance Recommended by Class of '65, 2023. Middle and high school students no longer eat lunch at school to avoid large crowds in the cafeteria, DeFrance said, and officials shortened the school day. Due to confidentiality, the student's name cannot. I always thought I would be an educator, always thought I would be a teacher, and to do it in Okemos and to be here, I am just so proud, I am so grateful, and its because of the people. Each November, the East Lansing Film Festival showcases independent films. Okemos is a highly acclaimed school district and our high school is ranked in the top 10 in the state of Michigan. Its like you read my mind! For reservation or more information on banquet room contact Henry by phone: 517-449-2580 or email: hnk7919@gmail.com. But we hope current teachers, students and alumni will understand that if it is hurting students, it needs to be changed., Sermak agrees, saying it was a conscious effort to be respectful and have cultural sensitivity.. Write A Review Alex Ruan Be the first to leave a review! Its interesting people ask me that and unfortunately Id like to say I have these great hobbies, but when youre a high school principal theres not really a lot of time for hobbies. Okemos High School is a place that exudes rigor and relevance in its curriculum and has the highest standards for conduct among its learning community. This hasnt felt like a job or career, its been more like a calling. About 70%of students opted for in-person learning, which resumed on Jan. 19, according to Superintendent Bill DeFrance. According to Sermak, the new look O will cover all sports and represent the entire school. To address the tired and worn out myth of the sinking school. Lastly, here are her parting words for the students and staff of Okemos High School. This is an administrative and policy issue. Key Data. Okemos Public Montessori at Central Principal Shannon Nedds will be moving out of the state and Bennett Woods Principal Noelle Palasty will be changing careers. (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2013/04/okemos-high-school-hopes-change-of-native-american-logo-is-embraced/), By Patrick Mullen Neighborhood Pub offering 24 rotating draught beers, scratch kitchen & craft cocktails. Maybe not quite as bad as some other schools, but it got to the point where they ended up locking all the bathrooms in the front half of the school and keeping them that way. Ive played school or thought about being a teacher and educator since I was twelve, and we used to have chalkboards, so I would have a chalkboard in my basement where I could play school; some people played house or ball but I played school, Sermak said. Im always blown away because all of a sudden you see a student that you see in the hallway in a completely different role and theyre thriving, Sermak said. This year the meeting dates are as follows: Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Big private dining room, check in reception and audio/video set up. blog. That's where the description of the YouTube video comes in, so I'll just quote it here: On December 17, 2021, Okemos High School administration released an email saying that to increase student safety and due to recent events, backpacks will no longer be permitted in classrooms starting second semester. Same for Class of '67 in June 2017. You appear to understand a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or I know Im taking precautions and I just hope that everyone else is, she said. These issues are occurring all over the state of Michigan, not just in Okemos. Bridge wins McCree justice award for stories on prison rape. Christine Sermak. Also, the fact that most people hadn't been to real school in 1.5 years and half of the student body was different meant that some people had literally forgotten how school works and how to behave, which led to the first major problem: devious licks. It is similar to the Oregon O with script through it similar to the Kansas City Chiefs.. OKEMOS, Mich. (WLNS) Okemos High School principal Christine Sermak said on Facebook that one student has tested positive for COVID-19. Address 2800 Jolly Rd Okemos, Michigan 48864 Information School type Public School district Okemos Public Schools. Megan SampTickets can be bought online or at Studio C in Okemos. and Hulett and Hagadorn Roads on the East and West. My job really is to make people happy, make people successful, and when I couldnt do that, even when I gave it my best, that was hard because you do want to set people up for success. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Delhi Twp - Holt - Dimondale - Southside Lansing, East Lansing, Haslett, Okemos & Williamston, East Lansing, Haslett, Okemos, Webberville & Williamston, East Lansing - Okemos - Haslett - Williamston - Webberville. Since 1984, the OEF has given more than $1 million to enhance academic experiences for our students. RU; DE; ES; FR; . With Michigan High School Sports approaching a month into the winter season, Colin Jankowski breaks down how Meridian Township Schools are tackling the return to sports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not being able to ask questions directly to her teachers made learning difficult for Rudolph. We werent allowed to put it (the Chieftain Head) on any uniforms or any of our sweats that we would buy anymore.. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. This decision did not involve typical public comment and school board input before it was made, and its sudden revelation surprised almost everyone. Sophomores: 324. OKEMOS, Mich. Okemos Public Schools will be seeing a big staffing change for the upcoming school year after losing five of their seven principals. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. JRN@MSU Code of Ethics Okemos Board of Education Administration Center. According to the Lansing State Journal, the Okemos High School's principal greeted students who chose to return for in person learning at the high school for the first time in nearly a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. It is still a struggle for people (the alumni), but more on an emotional level, not an intellectual level, Sermak said. It is the only high school in the Okemos Public Schools district. . Shared by Christine Sermak Join now to see all activity Experience EOS Integrator Total Security Solutions Feb 2022 - Present1 year 1 month Okemos High School Principal Okemos Public. The school offers programs in art, athletics, choir, journalism and orchestra. Sermak said she would miss the students and community of OHS the most. A celebration to honor Dr. Lanzetta is scheduled for Thursday, May 13 from 4p.m.-7p.m. I've met her a couple times while out walking my dog, and I'm . His departure was also significant because this was the second time he'd done something like this: back in the 2017-18 school year, he left his principal position at Columbia Central High School less than 10 days into the school year. It's dumb that they thought a proper solution to bathroom vandalism was to simply not let students use the bathroom, but it's even dumber that it's stayed that way for half of the school year so far. "While retirement is bittersweet and I am not sure what I will do next, I look forward to the next chapter with optimism. Dr. Hyliard announces he's leaving his position as principal at OHS and returning to his job in Ann Arbor. 48864. The entire Okemos community has recognized Dr. Lanzetta's care for students, and is showing its support and thanks. Hood is confident the remaining vacant principal positions will be filled by the start of the school year. Even after dozens of emails, discussions, board debates, and plenty of media exposure, the administration has yet to provide sufficient reasoning as to how exactly keeping backpacks in lockers improves school safety. Date Created: 1993-01-01T00:00:00Z Data Provider: Capital Area District Library (Lansing, MI). Okemos High School 2800 Jolly Road Okemos MI, 48864. Okemos High School This is isnt just me assuming this, this came straight from staff when I attended the school and family members who were former staff. Basically, we went from having two great school leaders last year to having three mediocre administrators now that don't really know what they're doing. I've watched my kids grow up in the Okemos area while attending Okemos Public Schools. Sermak added, These pressures on faculty have pushed some excellent teachers into other professions or early retirement from teaching. Okemos High School Tomahawk. Christine Sermak is an EOS Integrator at Total Security Solutions based in Fowlerville, Michigan. o Okemos High School Located on Jolly Road 1,500 Students Facing Potential Budget Cuts 7:50-2:40 School Day Principal: Christine Sermak. . See a Mistake? Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Not quite so. If you see your name among the Okemos High School graduates, someone is looking for you! He was a fine principal and a nice guy (I only really had one discussion with him) but compared to Sermak, he just wasn't nearly as good. Haslett High School 5450 Marsh Rd. Write A Review Gloria Rozeboom Be the first to leave a review! Megan SampVoters at the Hannah Community Center share why voting matters to them. OKEMOS, Mich. Okemos Public Schools has narrowed down it's ten mascot choices to four. It gives me hope for our future. I took pride in wearing the Chieftain Head on my chest because I knew I was not only playing for Okemos High School, but Okemos as a whole, Robison added. My hobbies were attending band concerts, musicals and sporting events. I do understand why he wanted to leave, as he probably didn't feel very welcomed by people and all he saw was pretty much the worst of the school, however I do think it's kind of petty to leave two months into your new job (especially one moderate prestige) just because of some problems that he could've worked to find solutions for. It was stupid but that's TikTok for you. It is the only high school in the Okemos Public Schools district. - News and information from student journalists at the Michigan State University School of Journalism, Okemos High School hopes change of Native American logo is embraced, About the Michigan State University School of Journalism, Michigan Chile Investigative Journalism Program, MSU journalism COVID-related reporting guidelines, Meridian Township officials react to Okemos High School fake shooter threat, Why does your vote matter? Category Archives: Okemos High School. I've met her a couple times while out walking my dog, and I'm friends with a few friends of hers, and I've heard nothing but good things about her. Doing Business As: OKEMOS HIGH SCHOOL. This was not how Sermak had originally planned to end her career at OHS. Printer Friendly View Address: 2800 Jolly Rd Okemos, MI, 48864-6506 United States . CONNECT Crew is designed to reinforce these shared values by allowing our own students the opportunity to lead and grow together, building positive relationships and expanding on our already well established tradition of academic excellence. Created with. Red Cedar 7th Grade Boys Basketball-Aktulga. Write A Review Jason Saros The smaller-than-normal school population allowed teachers and students to more easily acclimate to in-person learning and non-traditionalschool days. After the shooting at Oxford, just over an hour away from Okemos, administration decided that they had to do something if only to make it look like they were actually doing something to stop violence. OKEMOS, Mich. - Christine Sermak takes over from Principal John Lanzetta, using the passions of her past to tackle the struggles as principal at Okemos High School. 2023 www.lansingstatejournal.com. For a long time we have been a desirable district in which to work., About the Michigan State University School of Journalism, Michigan Chile Investigative Journalism Program, MSU journalism COVID-related reporting guidelines, Okemos High AD pleased with return to sports, Why does your vote matter? All Rights reserved this year the Meeting dates are as follows: Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. all Rights.! Join Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting the.. 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