Munising Public Schools

MPS TRANSPORTATION UPDATE - SUNDAY, JANUARY 12TH: We will continue to run 4 Bus Routes this week (Jan. 13-17). So there will be no changes to pick-up/drop-off times or routes this week. Our new driver needs another week of in-house route training with the tentative plan to transition to 5 Bus Routes on Monday, January 20th.

Shoutout to our 5th graders showcasing their creative engineering minds on the playground! Using teamwork, problem-solving, and plenty of determination, they’ve been grating snow to craft the perfect blocks of ice. ❄️✨ It’s incredible to see how hands-on activities like this inspire collaboration, critical thinking, and innovative ideas. These students are applying real-world skills while having fun and embracing the winter weather! Amazing job, 5th grade—we’re so proud of your ingenuity!

Mather Elementary is pleased to announce that Audrey Grimm is our Student of the Week!

MPS TRANSPORTATION UPDATE FOR FRIDAY, JAN. 10TH PM Due to two bus drivers off sick today, this afternoon there will be no 9A (Camel) bus. Those students who normally ride 9A (Camel) will ride Bus 7 (Frog). Out of town students may be 30-40 minutes late getting home. Please contact Bus Driver Coordinator, Rick Stephens for questions at rick.stephens@mps-up.com.

MUNISING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IMPORTANT NOTICE JANUARY 9, 2025 POWERSCHOOL CYBERSECURITY ISSUE Please review letter image below. This information was also sent via email and is available on the district website in the "LiveFeed" section.

The HOP is this Saturday for grade 9-12! Get your tickets today!

Mather celebrates Nora Schierschmidt as our Student of the Week! Way to go Nora, keep up the great work!

MPS TRANSPORTATION UPDATE - SUNDAY, JANUARY 5TH: Happy New Year to all of our parents and riders. We will be maintaining 4 Bus Routes this week (Jan. 6-10). However, the good news is that we will be running 5 Bus Routes beginning next week on Monday, January 13th. Our new driver Ms. Dawn Kleinhenz has passed all required components of the required driving course and state road tests. She will complete the remaining in-house preparations this week as she completes route training with Mr. Kevin Westcomb as he is returning this week from medical leave. Things are falling into place and we are excited to soon be running 5 routes which will mean less crowded buses and shorter ride times. More info regarding the new routes and pick-up/drop-off times will be shared later this week :-) Please email mike.travis@mps-up.com for questions.

If you are looking for an event to attend over Christmas Break, we have two great ones!

Mrs. Nebel’s class had a great time making gingerbread houses today!

A Great Opportunity for Youth! The fourth "H" in 4-H stands for Health. 4-H encourages youth to make healthy choices such as participating in healthy extracurricular activities. Join us again this winter for FREE cross-country ski lessons for youth at Valley Spur! WHO: YOUTH AGES 8-19 WHERE: VALLEY SPUR WHAT: FREE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS FOR YOUTH WHEN: SMALL GROUPS WILL SKI 1X/WEEK 4 WEEKS OF JANUARY AS NOTED TO FOLLOW Registration closes 1/20/2024; the plan is as follows: - Advanced, instructed by Michelle & Rhonda, to start on Sun 1/5/2025 at 1pm. - Intermediate, instructed by Peggy, Denise & Duray to start Tues 1/7/2025 at 4pm. - Beginner group, instructed by Marcie & Sandy to start Thurs 1/9/2025 at 4pm. Please only register if this works for your youths schedule as capacity is limited. Ski lessons will be offered in small groups of 8 or less youth to 2 adult volunteer instructors. The number of participants is limited due to the optimum youth to volunteer ratio so join the club soon to ensure youths participation spot. Groups will meet with their instructors 1x per week after school or on weekends for 4 weeks in January (weather permitting). Groups will meet at different times/days, so the lodge and parking lot are able to accommodate the level of participation this program has historically had. Once the youth is registered, they will be put in a group with a specific time and day, and you will be contacted with that information by email so please be open to days and times for your kids to attend. All kids will need to be registered as a 4-H member to participate. Registration, joining the SPIN Club Valley Spur XC Ski Club, will be pulled on 12/20/2024 for rentals and on 1/2/2025 to share with the volunteer instructors as the MSU Extension office will be closed 12/23/2024 until 1/2/2025. Ski lessons will begin 1/5/2025. Lessons will be canceled in extreme weather conditions. Ski lessons will follow the school schedule for incremental weather (meaning if school closes there will not be lessons that day). Ski equipment will be loaned out for the season at South Bay Outfitters in downtown Munising starting on 12/20/2024. Make sure to pick up equipment prior to the first scheduled ski lesson. How to join the Club: Log in to 4-H online and you will land on the member list. Click on the youth member (view button), then on the left bar look for clubs (midway), then click on that. On the right there will be an add button and you should be able to add the club (by name or scroll down to it - SPIN Club Valley Spur XC Ski Club). PLEASE NOTE IN THE MANDATORY REQUEST REASON YOUR YOUTHS SKIING EXPERIENCE (BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE, OR ADVANCED). Repeat for each youth (back to the member list, etc.). If NEW to 4-H for the 24/25 enrollment year: Enrolling is easy, just follow the simple steps below. There is no enrollment fee for Michigan 4-H so come join the fun! Select the SPIN Club Valley Spur XC Ski Club and the project area Outdoor Education/Recreation. PLEASE NOTE IN THE MANDATORY REQUEST REASON YOUR YOUTHS SKIING EXPERIENCE (BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE, OR ADVANCED). 1. Head over to https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in. 2. If you are a returning member, use the same log-in and password as last year. If you are new, you'll create a family profile, and then a profile for each youth you are enrolling. 3. Make sure you complete ALL the pages (you will see submit at the end and will get a confirmation email once complete). A HUGE THANK YOU to the Valley Spur 4-H Volunteers and to South Bay Outfitters for this healthy outdoor education program for our youth! With thanks, Tyreen Prunick

MPS TRANSPORTATION UPDATE - Wednesday 12/18 - 11:15am - Good News! Please note that we now have 4 Bus Drivers and contrary to the messages yesterday, if all 4 drivers stay healthy we intend to run 4 Routes with normal pick up and drop off times through the rest of the week. We look forward to a new driver (Dawn Kleinhenz) joining the ranks shortly after the Holiday Break. For questions, please contact Bus Driver Coordinator, Rick Stephens at 906-450-4379.

MPS TRANSPORTATION NOTICE - Wednesday 12/18 - 7:05am - Please note that we have 4 Bus Drivers this morning and are running 4 Routes this morning. Pick Ups and arrivals to school should be close to normal times.

Please see our job posting for a Special Education Paraprofessional at the middle/high school!

MPS TRANSPORTATION UPDATE - TUESDAY, DEC. 17TH, 2024 We apologize for the late pick up that some of our student riders experienced this morning. We have one bus driver absent that was prearranged, however we had a second driver call in sick this morning just before the buses were to depart and it resulted in immediate route changes at the last minute with limited ability to provide advanced notice to parents and riders. Therefore, we are planning for 3 bus routes for the remainder of this week. Please note the following changes for this afternoon as well as Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. ROUTE CHANGES FOR THREE BUSES: There will be no Bus 8 (Deer) Students on Varnum and Prospect that normally ride Bus 8 (Deer) will ride Bus 9A (Camel). Students on Bus 8 (Deer) from the Shingleton area, Star Siding, and Wetmore south of M28 will ride Bus 3 (Bear). Shingleton students will have a morning pick up of approximately 6:15 am. Students from Bus 8 (Deer) on Connors Road, Miller Road, Gates Road, Flynns Flooring, and Alger Heights will ride Bus 7 (Frog). Morning pick-ups and afternoon drop-offs may be delayed by 30 to 40 minutes. Students on some buses may arrive to school later than normal. Breakfast will still be available for students arriving on later buses.

MUNISING PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECOGNIZES & CONGRATULATES MS. KIMBERLY LAGRAND, former Mustang on her successful completion and graduation this month from the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) This residential military school is housed near Fort Custer in Battle Creek and is run jointly by the Michigan National Guard and the Marshall Public Schools. In addition to earning her high school diploma and a CTE certificate in welding, Kim also earned college credits through MYCA and she has already enlisted in the National Guard as an E2 class cadet. We are very proud of Kim and she expressed a willingness to speak to any students that are struggling with traditional school and may be a fit for MYCA. School administrators, counselors, and the school resource officer also know a great deal about this program for those wanting to learn more. Keep up the great work Kim!

MPS TRANSPORTATION UPDATE - LATE BREAKING - MONDAY 12/16, 2:45PM Due to a bus driver calling in sick at the last minute, we are making the following adjustments down to 3 bus runs in order to get the students home this afternoon. Please note the following bus changes for the PM bus run today.: There will be no bus 8 (Deer) Students on Varnum and Prospect riding Bus 8 (Deer) will now ride Bus 9A (Camel) Students from Bus 8 (Deer) from the Shingleton area, Star Siding, and Wetmore south of M28 will ride Bus 3 (Bear). Students from Bus 8 (Deer) on Connors Road, Miller Road, Gates Road, Flynns Flooring, and Alger Heights will ride Bus 7 (Frog).

Congratulations to Keelan and his parents!

Mather Elementary celebrates Jonathan Mattson as our Student of the Week! Way to go Jonathan!

This Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Mather Elementary hosts Christmas at the Movies. Elementary Concerts & MS/HS Band Concert. Come out and enjoy the many talents of our students. Thank you Mrs. Gaunt for all your hard work and dedication.