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Observer; Sunday, November 5, 2006
Topic Started: Nov 5 2006, 09:53 AM (605 Views)
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Livonia PTA groups merge, aim to grow
BY STEPHANIE ANGELYN CASOLA
STAFF WRITER


For a parent-teacher organization that has consistently held the title of having the largest membership in the state, the Livonia Public Schools PTSA Council is in a state of change this year.

As the school district adjusts to a reorganization under the Legacy Initiative, its PTA organizations are working to get members involved.


"We are trying to maintain interest," said Jerilyn German Petersmark, president of the PTSA Council. She estimated PTA and PTSA membership at 12,000 last year, a number the organization hopes to keep or surpass despite school closings and consolidations.

Petersmark attributed the high level of involvement in the district to support for "the quality of education for our students."

"It is important for parents in the community to be involved, as it should be for grandparents, business leaders and community leaders," she said. "We have a strong school system because we have strong parent involvement.

"Every single school has a PTA or PTSA unit. And that's not common. Throughout the state, Livonia PTSA is looked to for our innovation, our programs and our training methods. People ask to know what our secret is."

The Livonia PTSA Council supports its local school groups, and provides guidance. But the council does not have jurisdiction over the local PTAs as far as fund-raising activities or generating membership. The council, made up of 24 members, handles events like Youth Making a Difference and the annual Reflections program.

While most school PTAs blended this school year, Petersmark said "things are going really, really well."

"People are trying very hard to make things work," she added.

And Karen Bradford, president of Hoover Elementary PTA, agreed.

"We're seeing a really good blending of families," she said. Hoover's PTA includes families from now-closed Taylor Elementary and some from Randolph Elementary. Elections for the PTA gave a voice to families from all three schools, and the group met throughout the summer.

While Bradford can't say for sure whether membership has been impacted by the switch, she noted there is an increase in involvement for activities. From Donuts with Dad to the Hoot & Howl Halloween event, the group has drawn in crowds.

"We've done well this year and been really active," said Bradford.

Cindy Haycock, president of Frost Middle School's PTSA said the group has already reached its goal for 100 percent membership this year. For every Frost student there is at least one PTSA member.

"Frost has always done very well with PTA," said Haycock. "Everything is running very smoothly," she said.

The school has a total of 942 current PTSA members.

"Certainly the PTA benefits every student," said Petersmark. "We really encourage everyone to support PTA."

For more information, or to get involved, visit www.livoniaptsacouncil.org.


Originally published November 5, 2006

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/.../611050466/1027
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CORRECTION


A story in Sunday's Observer about the community conversations stated incorrectly that the Northville school district had lost more students than anticipated. In fact, the district gained students, though that number was smaller than projected by that district's officials.


Originally published November 5, 2006

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/.../611050464/1027
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Ladywood Thespians bring childhood alive with You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown


The Ladywood High School Thespians will present their fall musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Nov. 16-18.

Inspired by Charles Schulz's classic "Peanuts" comic strip, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown shows us an average day in the life of our favorite lovable loser whose honesty and kindness make him a winner.

Clark Gesner's original 1967 production featured Gary Burghoff of "M*A*S*H" fame as Charlie Brown. The 1999 Broadway revival earned several Tony award nominations and a win for Kristin Chenoweth as Sally and Roger Bart as Snoopy.

"Although this show is very simple in its storyline and execution, there's something heartwarming about the joys and frustrations of childhood," said director Ellen Purrenhage. "This musical celebrates those moments."

This family friendly play features plenty of songs, including "Happiness," "Beethoven Day," and the eleventh-hour number "Suppertime."

Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for students, seniors and children. A limited number of reserved seats are available for $14. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. each night with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. All performances will be held in the DeSales Activity Center on Ladywood's campus, 14680 Newburgh in Livonia. Call the school at (734) 591-1544 for more information.


Originally published November 5, 2006

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/.../611050468/1027

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CITYSIDE


Talks focus on drugs
Certified addiction counselor the Rev. Ed Conlin hosts two discussions about drugs and alcohol this week.

High school students can attend "Drugs and Alcohol: What's Really Going On?" from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6. Parents can learn more about youth and substance abuse from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8. Both sessions take place at St. Genevieve Activity Center, 28933 Jamison, one block east of Middlebelt between Schoolcraft and Five Mile roads. For more details, call (734) 261-5920, ext. 3.

Preschool auction set


Garfield Cooperative Preschool hosts its annual auction at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 19801 Farmington Road, north of Seven Mile. The event includes dinner, silent and live auctions, raffles and door prizes and a cash bar.

Tickets are $19 for dinner and the auction, or $5 for the auction only. Call (734) 891-3972. Tickets will be available at the door after 6 p.m.


Originally published November 5, 2006



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Vote 'no' on 5 state ballot proposals


After selecting candidates in Tuesday's election, voters face a decision on five statewide ballot issues ranging from school funding to dove hunting. We recommend voters say NO to all the statewide proposals.


Proposal 06-1 is a constitutional amendment to require money held in conservation and recreation funds can only used for intended purposes. Although well-intentioned, Proposal 1 duplicates some current statutes. It earmarks funds and ties the hands of the governor and state Legislature. The amendment would add sections to the constitution that would shift several restricted DNR funds by combining them into one large fund, the Michigan Conservation and Recreation Legacy Fund, and places the fund within the state Constitution.


Under statute, these funds could certainly be subject to legislative diversion to balance the state budget. Diverting these funds would be a disservice to the programs they are intended to support and would constitute an extra tax on those who pay these fees with the understanding that they will support DNR activities. We agree that these funds should not be raided.

But we also believe that an addition to the state constitution is not the best way to proceed. Altering the amendment in the future would require a statewide vote.


Proposal 06-2 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban affirmative action programs in public employment, education or contracting. The proposal is a misguided and mean-spirited attempt to roll back the progress Michigan has made in addressing inequality.

Proposal 06-3 is a referendum on Public Act 160 of 2004 which allows a hunting season for mourning doves. Doves are not overpopulated, not pests and do not damage crops. A no vote will continue the state's 100-year-old ban on hunting mourning doves -- a traditional backyard bird. There's no overriding economic or social reason to enact a permanent dove hunting season.

Proposal 06-4 is a constitutional amendment to prohibit government from taking private property by eminent domain for certain private purposes. We understand the concern about overreaching government and the misuse of eminent domain. But we also know that there are times when eminent domain is necessary for economic development. The proposed amendment would create barriers to eminent domain that could have serious consequences for future urban development.

Proposal 06-5 is dubbed the K-16 initiative. This measure would guarantee annual funding increases to match inflation for local public elementary, middle and high schools, as well as intermediate school districts, community colleges and universities.
It is hard to argue about giving our children the best education possible. Unfortunately, the only effect this ballot proposal would have is tying the hands of the governor and Legislature in the annual budget process, and shifting ever-increasing retiree pension costs from local districts to the state. Although we support additional funding for public education, Proposal 5 is bad public policy.

For more information pro and con on state ballot proposals, visit www.hometownlife.com and click on Election 2007 or visit the League of Women Voters Web site at www.lwvmi.org.


Originally published November 5, 2006


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LETTERS



Give education stable funding
Phil Power's editorials usually make sense, but two recent articles in September were totally contradictory. On one hand, Power ranted and raved against the K-16 Coalition's initiative on the funding for education (Proposal 5); yet two weeks later he bemoans the fact that Michigan is falling behind in higher education -- in fact, receiving an "F" on affordability and accessibility from the Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.

Let's face it, Michigan is falling behind in funding for public schools and college when its funding mechanism does not match inflation. Phone bills, electric bills, heating bills, gasoline bills, technology equipment, maintenance labor -- and yes, teaching salaries and benefits all rise with inflation. In the past, funding has been static and even been cut in the case of higher education.

Michiganders must put their priorities in order. Either we are going to financially commit to molding brains to their highest capacity to greet the new world order and compete in it, or we are going to be content to develop only minimal skills in our children for subservient jobs.

No, Mr. Power, you can't have it both ways. A sterling K-16 education system based on inconsistent fragmented funding policies cannot survive. Give it some stability against inflation. Vote yes on Proposal 5!

Elaine Miller

Livonia

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




A Prop 5 dilemma
Anti-prop 5 advertisements scream that not one nickel of expanded funding for education would make it into the classroom, rather itwould go toward teacher's pensions.I don't know if that's true or not, but it wouldn't surprise me, because the State of Michiganlikes to "play" with the teachers' pension fund.

Almost no one remembers that when John Engler took office, in an early attempt to balance the state's budget, he and Legislators "borrowed" funds from the state-run teachers' pension fund -- just like our federal government "borrows" money from Social Security. Same concept, except for one thing -- if anyone does that in the business world they're thrown in jail.

Like it or not, the state has a moral, and legal,obligation to make sure the pension is fully-funded, not just when government officials (past, present or future) feel like it. When that legal obligation is met, all remaining Prop 5 money will absolutely go into the classroom.

Tom Lang

(son of retired teacher), Livonia


Originally published November 5, 2006



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Jimid
Nov 5 2006, 10:59 AM

Proposal 06-5 is dubbed the K-16 initiative. This measure would guarantee annual funding increases to match inflation for local public elementary, middle and high schools, as well as intermediate school districts, community colleges and universities.
It is hard to argue about giving our children the best education possible. Unfortunately, the only effect this ballot proposal would have is tying the hands of the governor and Legislature in the annual budget process, and shifting ever-increasing retiree pension costs from local districts to the state. Although we support additional funding for public education, Proposal 5 is bad public policy.


I agree with the Observer. I want more funding for the schools. But I want guarantees that the money is for classroom instruction only. Proposal 5 will only create chaos among our other city services. Vote no on Proposal 5.
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Pete
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"Certainly the PTA benefits every student," said Petersmark.


I was very disappointed to learn the PTA commonly assists the MEA in elections.
The PTA opposed the recall and helped fight to prevent it. I therefore take comments as that above with a very large grain of salt. The PTA is more beholden to the MEA than the parents, IMO. I wish the PTA would stay out of non-PTA activities and I could then be more open-minded to the good they do.

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ILIkeLI
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"For a parent-teacher organization that has consistently held the title of having the largest membership in the state, the Livonia Public Schools PTSA Council is in a state of change this year."


I wouldn't be surprised if they lost that title this year.
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ILIkeLI
Nov 5 2006, 03:44 PM
"For a parent-teacher organization that has consistently held the title of having the largest membership in the state, the Livonia Public Schools PTSA Council is in a state of change this year."


I wouldn't be surprised if they lost that title this year.


I wonder what the deadline is for them to announce their numbers?

;)


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ILIkeLI
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Jimid
Nov 5 2006, 09:54 AM
CORRECTION


A story in Sunday's Observer about the community conversations stated incorrectly that the Northville school district had lost more students than anticipated. In fact, the district gained students, though that number was smaller than projected by that district's officials.


Originally published November 5, 2006

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/.../611050464/1027

Kudos to Mr. Varga for making this correction. Also to the citizen that made him aware that the statement made by Liepa was misleading. Community members need to continually be on top of the info. that the LPS admin. is disseminating. Otherwise, many mistruths and half-truths are bought by the masses reading the Observer.
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rooseveltmom
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Jimid
Nov 5 2006, 09:59 AM
Vote 'no' on 5 state ballot proposals



Proposal 06-4 is a constitutional amendment to prohibit government from taking private property by eminent domain for certain private purposes. We understand the concern about overreaching government and the misuse of eminent domain. But we also know that there are times when eminent domain is necessary for economic development. The proposed amendment would create barriers to eminent domain that could have serious consequences for future urban development.


I cannot think of any reason the government would have a right to take our homes away for "private" purposes. EVER. I have to disagree with this one, and am taken away with the stance the observer takes.
This bill is specific about "private" and I feel that the 125% is less than fair. Really. IMHO.
Eminent domian will still exist with the passing of this proposal, but not for private transfers.
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Recalla
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Perhaps Observer Editors et al, you could get your info correct - the first time.
It seems that MANY ARTICLES dealing with LPS lately have needed CORRECTIONS. Unfortunately in most cases, your report of the news has incorrectly informed your readership, and your small attempt to 'correct' the information goes unnoticed by the masses.
With a topic this sensitive, you should "measure twice - cut once" and double proofread your articles. In many cases, the damage is done, and your correction is worthless.
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Grant1
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We have just begun to fight!
Sounds like this last post should be a "letter to the editor" so it gets published
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ILIkeLI
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Recalla
Nov 6 2006, 12:58 AM
Perhaps Observer Editors et al, you could get your info correct - the first time.
It seems that MANY ARTICLES dealing with LPS lately have needed CORRECTIONS. Unfortunately in most cases, your report of the news has incorrectly informed your readership, and your small attempt to 'correct' the information goes unnoticed by the masses.
With a topic this sensitive, you should "measure twice - cut once" and double proofread your articles. In many cases, the damage is done, and your correction is worthless.

I really hope that Mr. Varga has learned to check every statement that comes out of Liepa or his crew's mouth before it is printed.
What really needs to be highlighted here is the false statement made by Liepa. Did he really know that Northville had GAINED students and just decided to infer they hadn't? Or was he actually unaware that their numbers were up and just decided to say they were down? An outright lie? A misleading statement? Or simply an inept/uninformed super? I don't know. You choose. What do you think supporters? Doesn't this type of statement damage his credibility? Tarnish his integrity?
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