@Farmington 09.09.22

September 9, 2022

Farmington High School Assistant Principal Chris Meussner selected to serve as new Principal

We're pleased to announce that Chris Meussner has been selected to serve as the next principal of Farmington High School (FHS). Chris currently serves as one of the Assistant Principals at FHS. Former FHS principal Tom Shelton is moving to a new role in the District; he is now the District’s Director of Athletics and School Safety.

Chris has served as Assistant Principal at both North Farmington High School and FHS since 2019. Prior to that, she served as the Assistant Principal of Crestwood High School in Dearborn since 2017. While in the Crestwood School District, Chris was also a special education teacher and a school social worker.

Chris earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Central Michigan University and her Master of Social Work from Wayne State University. She also earned her Secondary School Administration certification from the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), Path to Leadership.

“I am honored and humbled to serve as the new principal of Farmington High School,” stated Chris Meussner. “I look forward to working with our students, teachers, parents, and community members. My door is open to you, and I sincerely welcome your input and support. I am excited about all we will accomplish together for our learners and I look forward to celebrating our collective success together!”

We are so excited to have Chris Meussner as the next principal of Farmington High School.

Lynda Shannon selected as the new Assistant Principal for Farmington High School

Farmington High School (FHS) Mathematics Instructor, Lynda Shannon, has been selected to serve as one of the two assistant principals at FHS. Lynda has taught at FHS since 2002 and in 2014 and 2016 served as the Interim Assistant Principal.

Lynda earned her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Mathematics Education from Western Michigan University and her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Oakland University. She was also a member of the Galileo Leadership Consortium from 2017-2019.

"Lynda impressed the interview committee with her extensive knowledge of instructional best practices, passion for students, and dedication to Farmington High School,” stated Principal Chris Muessner. “I am extremely excited to work with her while she transitions her skills from the classroom to the whole school as assistant principal."

“I am excited to take on the role of Assistant Principal of Farmington High School,” stated Shannon. “My classroom at Farmington High has been my home for the past 20 years. I look forward to working with all the amazing staff, students and families in the Farmington High community as Assistant Principal."

We are so excited to have Lynda Shannon as an assistant principal of Farmington High School.

Torrie Maas selected as the new Assistant Principal for East Middle School

Farmington Public Schools is happy to announce that Torrie Maas has been selected to serve as the new assistant principal for East Middle School. Torrie was selected from a wonderful pool of candidates for this position.

Torrie currently serves as the AP Capstone Teacher/Test Coordinator/Department Chair for the University High School Academy where she has served since 2014. Prior to that, she was an English teacher at Southfield-Lathrup High School.

Torrie earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and her Master of Arts in Education from the University of Michigan.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have Torrie join our team here at East,” said Drew LaCroix, the new principal at East. “Her passion for kids and calm approach will be felt immediately throughout the East community.”

“I am thrilled to be a part of the East Middle School family,” stated Torrie. “I eagerly look forward to partnering with Mr. LaCroix, and will work hard for the students, parents, and staff members at East. As a member of the community, I am invested in this school district and excited for what is to come! It's going to be a great year!”

We send a warm welcome to Torrie as she joins Farmington Public Schools.

Jennifer Katz selected to serve as Interim Assistant Principal for Power Middle School

Jennifer Katz, current middle school Spanish teacher and educational leader, has been selected to serve as the Interim Assistant Principal at Power Middle School. Jennifer has been working at East Middle since 2020. Prior to coming to Farmington Public Schools, she worked for Berkley Public Schools and Wayne-Westland Community Schools.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Michigan State University, her Masters in Elementary from Wayne State University, and her Masters in Administration from the University of Michigan - Flint. She currently serves as the co-leader for one of the strategic planning committees entitled “District Organizational Effectiveness.”

"I am so excited to be joining the fabulous team at Power Middle School as the Interim

Assistant Principal. For the past 15 years, I have taught Spanish to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade in both Farmington Public Schools and other districts,” stated Jennifer Katz. “I have a passion for building a positive and equitable learning environment while promoting a culture that supports staff, students, and families across the district. I am beyond excited to partner with Mrs. Robinson to work with the students, parents, and staff at Power Middle School.”

Dr. Jackie McDougal bestowed Beekman Award from the Michigan Association of Administrators in Special

Education

Farmington Public Schools’ (FPS) Dr. Jackie McDougal, Executive Director of Special Education Services, has received the Beekman Award from the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE).

Since 1973, MAASE has honored a special education administrator with the Beekman Award that exhibits excellence in addition to an extensive list of requirements.

The Beekman Award nominee must:

Be a special education administrator at the local, regional, or state level.
Have made significant contributions on behalf of special education.
Have demonstrated quality service in the field of special education.
Have exhibited integrity in his/her daily work and relationships.
Have diverse involvement in both the community and educational arenas.
Have made contributions to special education with statewide significance.
Have made significant contributions to MAASE.
Have proven him or herself to be a visionary.
Possess personal attributes that make him/her an outstanding representative of the Beekman Award.

Dr. McDougal has been in special education for more than 30 years and at FPS for 10 years.

"I feel so blessed and honored to receive the Beekman Award. I could not have gotten it without the great team I work with here in Farmington, and it validates the work we all do to support our students and families,” said Dr. McDougal. “This work is a calling. If you don't love children and especially children with disabilities, you should not be in it. Everything we do is designed to benefit those we are charged to help develop. I am so appreciative of this recognition."

According to their website, MAASE provides opportunities for leadership development, collaboration, and advocacy. They do this in partnership with their members to shape policies and practices to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

Congratulations Dr. McDougal! The entire Farmington Public Schools District is so proud of you!

Farmington Public Schools’ Robin Thomas earns Business Office Specialist Certification

Farmington, MI – Robin Thomas, Bookkeeper and Grants, Farmington Public Schools (FPS) Business Office, has earned the Business Office Specialist certification. Ms. Thomas has been a member of the FPS Business Department since October of 2019 after spending over 30 years in the private legal industry.

The Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) declared that Ms. Thomas has met all the requirements for the certification under the MSBO Voluntary Certification Program. This award reflects an extremely high degree of both academic and professional work and preparation that was established by the MSBO Board of Directors through their Professional Development Committee in conjunction with the Facilities Management, Transportation, and Food and Nutrition Services Committees.

The MSBO voluntary certification program provides focused training to school officials and offers them useful information that will help them excel in their field. This certification provides information on numerous topics including laws, regulations, and the overall standards and procedures for a functioning Michigan school system.

“The certification was very helpful,” said Thomas. "Everyone in the FPS business department has been very supportive during my learning process.”

Congratulations, Robin! We are so proud of you and your accomplishment.

Thank you to everyone that attended the 2022 Back-to-School Celebration! We hope you all had lots of food and lots of fun! Have a great school year!

Detroit Goodies Giveaway!

Interested in Better Made, Faygo, licorice, and more? Enter to win this gift basket by CLICKING HERE.

The winner will be selected on September 16^th and contacted via email. The winner can pick up the basket at the School/Community Relations Office at Central Office.

Attention Teachers, Coaches, and Staff!

We would love to showcase the amazing things your students are doing in real time! Simply snap some photos, and email a brief sentence or two including who, what, where, when, and why to [email protected]. We would love to post on our social media pages and keep our website updated with the most current and exciting student information.

Some ideas include: experiments, spirit weeks, achievements, awards, school projects, teacher highlights, and so much more! Don't forget to follow us on social media to

stay connected:

Interested in a 2022-2023 desk calendar compliments

of the Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union?

Stop by Central Office and pick one up!

H.E.A.R.T. of Farmington:

Helping Educators Attain Resources to Teach

For the new Jotform link, QR code, and contact information, download and open the flyer HERE.

IN THE NEWS

The "In the News Section" is a compilation of news stories about Farmington Public Schools. We feel it is an important resource for staff to know what is in the news.

School is a Place for Learning. School is a Place for our Children

to Feel Safe.

A local school board member opens up about school gun violence, how it affects him as a school official and what you can do to prevent it in your child's school.

Farmington Hills teacher receives national recognition

Danya Stump was recognized this year by the Council for Exceptional Children for her work on behalf of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.