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Dr. Meir Ben-Hur assists a stu...

HOLLY, Michigan – To Kristie Brown’s 5- and 6-year-old students at Rose Pioneer Elementary School, it was another fun exercise with dots, but in reality, the young students are getting a jump start on math and language skills.

It’s all part of a cognitive learning program set in motion last year by Dr. Noni Miller, superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, and her colleague, Kaye Thorsby, director of Instructional Services.

Partnering with Oakland Schools in 2008, Holly Area Schools became involved with the Feuerstein’s Instrument Enrichment (FIE) course offered by the International Renewal Institute (iRi) of Chicago. With the diligent guidance of Dr. Meir Ben-Hur, iRi’s lead trainer for Cognitive Pathways to Mathematics Achievement, Holly students are getting a dose of the cognitive training twice a week.

“Last year, the teachers became familiar with the philosophy and the instruments (exercises), but this is the first year we have tried to fully implement the program,” Miller said. “Our intent or hypothesis is to reduce the number of K-2 students that are being identified as requiring special services.”

ROSE TOWNSHIP, Michigan – The students of Rose Pioneer Elementary School rallied to the cause last week, raising $1090 for “Hope for Haiti Now,” a program belonging to CARE, one of the world’s largest  international humanitarian 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations dedicated to helping the people of Haiti after last month’s devastating earthquake.

Principal Michael Beattie said Student Council members embraced the service learning project to benefit the people of Haiti, holding a “Pennies for Hope” drive and a movie night to raise funds for the crisis.

Beattie said students raised nearly $1,000 in cash and coin donations alone, and added another $90 by hosting “Movie Night” at the school. Beattie said the classroom earning the most money was promised a special treat, courtesy of Family Council parent, Rita Bentley who initially approached Student Council with the idea.

While several classrooms raised over $100 in cash and coin collections, it was Teresa Cantarella’s fourth grade class winning the top prize with $164.67 in collected funds.

“Everyone did a great job,” Beattie said. “We are especially appreciative to Christine Widdis, Jennifer Faulkner and Aimee Highfield for their sponsorship of our Student Council, and to TCF Bank in Clarkston for counting all of the change free of charge, and waiving the fee on the cashier’s check to Hope for Haiti Now.”

HOLLY, Michigan – Twenty seven Holly High School band students participated in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 3 Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday, Feb. 20 at Imlay City High School.

Director of Bands William Deal said all students performed as either soloists or members of ensembles, and had been practicing diligently over the past few weeks in preparation for the event. “All of the students performed at a level that earned them a medal, and those students who received a Division I rating qualified to attend the MSBOA State Solo and Ensemble Festival next month,” Deal said.

Students who participated in the district festival include, Max Allen, Colin Biezard, Julia Bovee, Sam Boyhtari, Ashley Brendel, Abby Darnell, Robert Dillenbeck, Mitchell Drake, Amber Feltrin, Nicole Feltrin, Kaytlin Glover, Larry Hilbert, Travis Kerton, Sarah Lauinger, Andrea Lewellen, Nicole Longrie, Joe McDonnell, Spencer McKay, Kayla Mills, Katjana Nagel, Eric Parker, Heather Russik, Justin Snyder, Justin Thorington, Kelsi Trest, Beth Williams, and Lindzy Worthington.

Deal said he is extremely proud of all of the students, and looks forward to March when many of the students decide to push their musicianship further by participating at the State Solo and Ensemble festival on March 27.