Students in Rogers City will get an extra day off May 9

With 15 people coming forward to express an interest in attending the Michigan Association of School Boards awards banquet in Lansing, 11 of which are teachers, Rogers City Area Schools superintendent Paul Mancine decided to cancel school on the day of the event May 9. About 23 hours of time had been used this school year because of adverse weather conditions, but the district still has quite a bit of time still banked, Mancine said. Staff that will not be making the trek to the state capitol will need to report for work as usual, while students will be able to sleep in that morning. ?This is an important celebration,? said Mancine. ?I am really proud that we are ahead of the curve.? In this case, the district could be considered three years ahead of the curve, as the school board just had to adopt a federally mandated wellness policy, something that already has been getting addressed in Rogers City.

THE IMPLEMENTATION of the Focus on Fitness program proved that staff at Rogers City Elementary School are innovators, not just imitators. ?I can honestly say that I really b

elieve we got the award because we have addressed the issue of children not being active,? said school nurse Kathy Winemiller, who started the program two years ago. This year, students in the RC Middle School also joined in. ?Just as important, I think what they saw as important, was the involvement of the community.? She said mayor Beach Hall has marched in parades, as has school board members and the PTO. School representatives will receive a trophy and a metal street sign proclaiming RC Elementary as an ?Education Excellence Winner.? The school is among 30 recipients, but one of only a handful in their category.

Rogers City schools decided to address the issue of childhood obesity with a month of fun exercise, special events, and educational programs in hopes of engaging students in living a healthy lifestyle. ?I did start it, but they (teachers/staff) really jumped on the band wagon with a lot of great ideas,? said Winemiller. ?It is an honor, but an honor I share with lots of people.?