Superintendent’s Corner
Dr. Stephen L. Piereson
Teacher of the Year
C.L. Phelps School computer teacher Heather Swanson has been named the District Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Swanson is noted for her work in developing the computer instruction program and for bringing the Rachel’s Challenge character education program to our schools.
I.H.S. Named as One of America’s Best High Schools
Each year U.S. News & World Report conducts a study of high schools in the United States. The 2009 study ranks Ishpeming High School as among the best high schools in the United States with a bronze award. Ishpeming High School is the only ranked high school in Marquette County. This is yet another indicator (along with high graduation rate, great test scores at all levels, extracurricular options, scholarships) of our high quality standards.
Highly Qualified Teachers
Federal and Michigan statutes require that all teachers meet the “highly qualified” standards. All Ishpeming teachers have met the “highly qualified” standards for the grades and subject matter that they teach.
School Safety
We continue to emphasize school safety and security. All school employees have been subject to a Michigan State Police/Federal Bureau of Investigation background check via electronic fingerprints. In order to rapidly identify employees, all school employees wear a photo identification badge. We have worked with the Ishpeming Police Department to have uniformed officers randomly visit the schools so that there is visible police presence.
Board of Education
The Board of Education holds regular meetings at 7:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. The meetings are held in the Ishpeming High School library and are open to the public. Periodically, the Board holds special meetings that are announced in the news media.
Scholarships
Ishpeming High School seniors have access to more college scholarships than our neighbors combined. There are 41 college scholarships that are open only to Ishpeming High School students. In addition, there are some 30 scholarships and loans that are open to Ishpeming High School students as well as to students from other schools. We also have a low interest loan program open only to Ishpeming High School students. The Alumni Association is working on a campaign to support even more scholarships for I.H.S. students. In a time of escalating costs for higher education there scholarships are invaluable.
Project Newborn Rock & Read
Every Monday morning the Project Newborn playgroup for preschool children meets at the Birchview School gymnasium form 9:30 – 11:30 A.M. There are games and reading for the children and refreshments for parents and grandparents. Early childhood specialists are available and IHS Key Club students supervise the children. For additional information, contact Superintendent Stephen Piereson at 485-5501.
State Mandated Michigan Merit Curriculum
In March 2006, the Michigan Legislature and Governor enacted laws that establish the mandatory Michigan Merit Curriculum for all public high school students effective with the Class of 2011 (the current junior class). By law, students must complete the state mandated Michigan Merit Curriculum in order to graduate.
The state mandated high school graduation requirements include:
| English | 4 credits | |
| Mathematics | 4 credits | Must include Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, plus 1 additional credit |
| Science | 3 credits | Must include Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, plus 1 additional credit |
| Social Studies | 3 credits | Must include Civics, Economics, American History/Geography, World History/Geography |
| Health/ Physical Education | 1 credit | |
| Visual/Performing/Applied Arts | 1 credit | |
| World Languages | 2 credits | Begins with the class of 2016 |
Schools will also have additional credit requirements to receive a high school diploma.
If you have questions or comments on any of these items, please feel free to call me at 485-5501.