The Okemos Education Foundationis an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting academic excellence at all levels of the district, from kindergarten through high school. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. It's a plane! The principals of Okemos High School, Christine Sermak, Hiawatha Elementary, Julie Bellinger, and Cornell Elementary, Tara Fry, are all retiring. The school offers programs in art, athletics, choir, journalism and orchestra. Christine Sermak M in 2016 was employed in Okemos Public Schools and had a reported pay of $426 according to public records. at the Okemos High School cafeteria. Chief Okemos was the tribe leader (of the Chippewa Tribe) so I thought it was meant out of respect, Bailey said. I'm also bummed that Christine Sermak retired last year. Everyone really wanted to come back in-person, he said. I mean we are honoring Chief Okemos by being the Chieftains, said Josh Robison, a senior at Okemos and varsity athlete. Its A-wing and each wing of the high school is set on its own foundation. I will certainly be back. Over the past decade, schools throughout the state of Michigan have been changing their Native American school mascot. I can give a sneak preview, Sermak said. Academically speaking, you can't get much better than Okemos Public Schools. If you see your name among the Okemos High School graduates, someone is looking for you! Write A Review Samluk Be the first to leave a review! It was stupid but that's TikTok for you. We have a very veteran administrative team, he said. I remember when Okemos High School was THE pinnacle of all the high schools in the area. It is the only high school in the Okemos Public Schools district. Her role as a counselor is to help students with all kinds of concerns ranging from emotional college stresses to career planning. We are proud of you! Christine Sermak is graduating from her time as Okemos High School's Principal with the class of 2021. There is a part of the hallway on the 2nd floor where you can see it and measure the distance exactly between the concrete blocks if you would like to see it personally. Register to let other graduates of Okemos High School find and contact you. 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. Another interesting part of the Okemos logo change seems to be the timetable on the logo switch. I think I will miss the positive aspects of Okemos which truly are the people, Sermak said. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. Im an OHS grad but would like to be in the loop of whats currently been going on? I would like OHS to continue thriving and being a safe place for learning and growth for everyone. o Okemos High School Located on Jolly Road 1,500 Students Facing Potential Budget Cuts 7:50-2:40 School Day Principal: Christine Sermak. Forest Parke Library and . After extensive backlash from students, parents, staff, and the community as a whole, the Okemos administration will still begin enforcing that rule on January 24, claiming it increases school safety. The smaller-than-normal school population allowed teachers and students to more easily acclimate to in-person learning and non-traditionalschool days. Due to confidentiality, the student's name cannot. I started my career teaching at Okemos High School in 1994 which was the very first year this building opened so I spent ten years as a teacher in the building, and then this is my eleventh year as the building principal. To honor her legacy, the OHS Press is reflecting past few decades with an in-depth interview about her time here. Is it true that they want students to use clear bags as alternatives to backpacks? She has always known she wanted to work in education but not only that, as a kid Sermak had always wanted to go to Okemos High School but wasnt able to go, so she made it her mission to teach there one day. Contact Mark Johnson at 517-377-1026 or atmajohnson2@lsj.com. The names listed below are alumni who have been searched for on this site from Okemos High Schoolin Okemos, Michigan . I want that sense of empowerment to be able to go to adults and say This isnt working, here is a solution, Sermak said. - Room fee was waived ($450) because we ordered$20 worth of food per person. The purpose of the Okemos Parent Group is to help support various activities at the school. I do not see the big deal though because we are still the Okemos Chieftains, we just lost the logo, Bailey added. I personally think it is OK to use the name, but not the image.. Okemos High School senior Gavin McDowell explains a complex physics equation. Hood was not necessarily surprised by the exodus of principals from Okemos. Created with. Their decision was Dr. Dan Hyliard, who had lots of experience in education and was the principal at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor before coming to Okemos. Jun 6, 2019 Congratulations to Hunter Hollenbeck on being selected as the Division 2, Michigan Diver of the Year!!! Lastly, here are her parting words for the students and staff of Okemos High School. This hasnt felt like a job or career, its been more like a calling. Okemos Public Schools: Principal: Christine Sermak: Vice principal: Russ Verrell and Asja Wilcox: Grades: 9-12: Number of students: 1,434 [1] The old Chieftain logo, represented here in the weight room at Okemos High School. 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 things that you all did, the dialogues, the conversations. Not being able to ask questions directly to her teachers made learning difficult for Rudolph. The mood of this music video is pretty similar to how most students are feeling right now, so I guess we'll just wait it out and see what happens. 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. By: Mikayla Temple Posted at 12:00 PM, Dec 17,. (517) 706-4900. www.okemosschools.net. And even though clear backpacks would be somewhat of a pain and are kind of weird, I think it would be a lot better than the "solution" they have right now, both in terms of convenience and safety. Christine Sermak. The center court for basketball used to be the Chieftain Head and we had to change it to the O so that could be upsetting to some.. Megan SampTickets can be bought online or at Studio C in Okemos. 2800 Jolly Rd. A fantastic read. "We have seven buildings and we have five principals leaving us.. Website User Guide We got Fruit Kabobs, Jumbo Shrimp, Mini Chicken Quesadillas, Beef Wellingtons and desert table all for $30 pp. Gretchen Whitmer encouraged Michigan schools to resume in-person learning by March 1, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. I do not believe that the intention of the logo or name Chieftains was hurtful in any way, Fahy said. 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. The Lansing State Journal adds: "I spent 21 years at Okemos High School as a teacher, varsity basketball coach, advisor to extra curricular activities and most . LANSING Students once again filled the Okemos High School halls with chatter and laughter, nearly bringing Christine Sermak to tears. Christine Sermak is graduating from her time as Okemos High Schools Principal with the class of 2021. Okemos High School is a public high school in Okemos, Michigan, USA. MSU University Club 517-353--5111 Stephanie Parish, Catering Sales Manager, 517-353-5620 Karen Grannemann, CEO & General Manager, www.universityclubofmsu.org 3435 Forest Rd., Lansing, MI 48909, - Room fee was waived ($450) because we ordered$20 worth of food per person. Because this is somewhat personal to me, I would like to sincerely thank all of the Okemos Public School principals who are retiring or stepping down, for all that you have done for our children over the years. She said Okemos High School feels like home to her and she is thrilled to be back. OKEMOS, Mich. Okemos Public Schools has narrowed down it's ten mascot choices to four. 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? He said he looked forward to trying to regain a sense of normalcy andhopes the return eases the burden for his classmates and his teachers. Join the discussion, Playing Nov. 3-10: East Lansing Film Festivals silver anniversary. Now, even though it's probably not fair to blame problems on one person, I'm throwing Hyliard under the bus here because I never got a good vibe from him and many students would agree with that. This year the meeting dates are as follows: Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Photo courtesy Christine Sermak. I think it was freshmen year, but they really started enforcing it my sophomore year, Robinson said. My daughter Aubrey just graduated from Okemos High School and is getting ready to attend college sometime in the fall. For a long time we have been a desirable district in which to work.. (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2018/02/okemos-high-school-prepares-students-for-future-learning/). JRN@MSU Code of Ethics 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I've met her a couple times while out walking my dog, and I'm . - $9.50 for any meal prepared fresh while you tour the cafeteria/dining room. Follow him on Twitter at@ByMarkJohnson. She hopes to succeed with that tough looking, non-wimpy logo to represent Okemos. So Im going to take this summer and rejuvenate and try to find balance. Write A Review Gloria Rozeboom Be the first to leave a review! This video and your writeup of the issues at the school are awesome. 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. Megan SampVoters at the Hannah Community Center share why voting matters to them. blog. Claim This Account & Page. 48864. Gov. Not quite so. 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. Select from these options: Neighborhood News, Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines, and Daily Forecasts. Call 888-694-6735 Domain for Sale Sermak.com $79,888 USD Take Advantage of Our Special Limited Time Offer! Principal: Steve Delp. In an effort to ensure you have up to date and accurate information, we will be. I dont take that for granted.. Asst. So you want to make a news show? Tyler Bailey, a sophomore at Okemos, is indifferent on the mascot issue. While COVID-19 didn'thelp with staff retention, Hood stopped short of calling it the sole reason for the departures. Contact Information. Okemos High School 2800 Jolly Rd. Christine Sermak is an EOS Integrator at Total Security Solutions based in Fowlerville, Michigan. "At our next board meeting, I will be presenting to our committee, standardizing our logo." Sermak went more in-depth than just the idea, though. That's right people, not Superman, but a group of students from Okemos High School who are transforming the lives . My hobbies were attending band concerts, musicals and sporting events. See a Mistake? "At our next board meeting, I will be presenting to our committee, standardizing our logo." Sermak went more in-depth than just the idea, though. Okemos High School is a public high school in Okemos, Michigan, United States.It is the only high school in the Okemos Public Schools district.