March 03, 2021 FridayMusings is your source for what we love about Livonia
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Chamber endorses LPS bond proposal
Plan good for community
Business and community leaders that govern the Livonia Chamber of Commerce endorse the Livonia Public Schools bond proposal designed to enhance educational technology, facilities and programming.
LPS voters will decide the fate of the $186 million bond proposal in an election set for May 4. The debt would be repaid by extending the term for the current 4.1 mill tax rate district property owners pay for improvements to school facilities and infrastructure.
“Livonia has been a home buying hotbed for five years and this proposal would help maintain that momentum by upgrading our schools,” said Chamber President Dan West. “This proposal helps LPS proactively maintain an education system that benefits students, families, homeowners, and business owners without any increase to the current tax rate.”
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The proposal would fund new furniture, building and technology enhancements, renovations to athletic facilities, and other infrastructure upgrades. Also, the district is looking to expand capabilities for the district’s robotics program, career technology education (CTE), and science technology engineering and mathematics programming (STEM) – all of which are skills that are critically important to local employers.
The Livonia Chamber of Commerce has been actively involved with educators, business leaders, and policymakers about workforce development for years. Industry leaders are working with school district officials on how to best deploy the funds to better prepare young talent for skilled and technical trades and health careers, which are among the most in-demand jobs in Michigan.
The Chamber’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to support the measure on Feb. 26.
“Our Board felt this proposal accomplishes many good things for our community and deserves Chamber support,” West added.
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With about 14,000 students, LPS is the state’s ninth-largest school district. LPS recently completed a $195 million program to enhance buildings and upgrade security at all district buildings in a bond proposal approved by voters in 2013. School officials said the 2013 projects made a big difference but they did not meet all infrastructure and technology needs for LPS buildings, most of which were built in the 1960s or earlier. |
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Having spent a week in Colorado I enjoyed getting caught up to date on the goings and comings in our hometown.
On Monday I complimented the smooth running of Livonia's vaccination effort but continued to marvel as I followed a number of threads on Facebook.
Smiled upon reading about our member of Congress, Haley Stevens, one of the most active, visible and transparent Congressional leaders Livonia has had in years.
Here, read what impressed me in her own words:
"After passing the American Rescue Plan Act into law last night at nearly 2am, I was able to get the first flight back to Michigan this morning. And at 9am I was Schoolcraft Community College witnessing their vaccination site first hand.
"They’re vaccinating about 1400 Wayne Co residents a day (sometimes more!). Not only was I able to meet the incredible people running this operation and the Schoolcraft officials who have made it all possible, I was able to say: more help is on the way!
"This my friends is where unity comes from: delivering and doing the work. Thank you for a great morning— our beloved Schoolcraft College and the vaccination efforts supported by Wayne Co are doing a fantastic job and they are supported by a lot of amazing volunteers and police officers as well!"
Voting at 2:00 AM in Washington DC and working at Schoolcraft College at 9 AM, 7 hours later. Now that is dedication to the people she represents.
Thank you Congresswoman Haley Stevens.
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Students excel with access to the arts |
The PTSA Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.
Each year nationwide, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+-year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.
The theme for the 2020-2021 program year was "I Matter Because. . . ."
Our Michigan PTA has announced its Reflections winners! The typewriter is excited to share that our hometown schools had 11 winners at the state level, including three students who came in first place in the state, which qualifies them for the national judging!
Please join FridayMusings in congratulating our winners! This is a tremendous accomplishment!
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Outstanding Interpretation Winners
National Qualifiers
1st Place in State
Dance Choreography
Primary Age Division
Jolin Van Acker
2nd Grade
Kennedy Elementary
"Because She Mattered"
Film Production
High School Age Division
Zoe Zagar
12th Grade
Stevenson High School
"My Journey"
Visual Arts
Primary Age Division
Alexis Tsang
2nd Grade
Webster Elementary
"I Matter to My Family"
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Award of Excellence Winner
2nd Place in State
Visual Arts
High School Age Division
Olivia Van Acker
9th Grade
Churchill High School
"A 'Peace' of the Puzzle"
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Award of Merit Winners
3rd Place in State
Dance Choreography
Primary Age Division
Arsenia Wittek
1st Grade
Cleveland Elementary
"Feeling the Beat"
Literature
Primary Age Division
Shubhi Agrawal
2nd Grade
Webster Elementary
"I Matter Because"
Music Composition
Primary Age Division
Lyra Backus
2nd Grade
Coolidge Elementary
"The Heart"
Visual Arts
Middle School Age Division
Lucianna Lothamer
7th Grade
Frost Middle School
"Chaos & Me"
Visual Arts
High School Age Division
Emma Szabo
11th Grade
Stevenson High School
"Dancing for the Universe"
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Honorable Mention Winners
4th Place in State
Photography
Intermediate Age Division
Hardikhkumar Vijayakumar
3rd Grade
Webster Elementary
"Preserve Nature"
Photography
Middle School Age Division
Sriyansh Priyadarshi
7th Grade
Frost Middle School
"My Brother's Million Dollar Laugh"
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Sister Rose Marie Kujawa Honored by His Holiness, Pope Francis |
Another reason for our hometown to smile as many are overjoyed to hear this great news.
Madonna University President Emerita Sister Rose Marie Kujawa, Ph.D., CSSF, class of 1966, has been honored by Pope Francis.
His Holiness has awarded Sister Rose Marie, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal in recognition of her many years of dedicated and selfless ministry to the local and universal Church.
The award, established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888, is given to Catholics who have demonstrated distinguished service to both the Church and the Papal office. Throughout her six decades of ministry, Sister Rose Marie has worked tirelessly to further the cause of Catholic education, most notably as the sixth president of Madonna University, a position she held from 2001–2015. Since 2015, she has served as Delegate for Consecrated Life for the Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit.
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Madonna University Crusaders take on the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils this Saturday in a football game hosted on the field at Churchill High School.
The game starts are 12:30 and will be the first time the two teams meet in this first year for the Crusaders.
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Churchill High School serves as the home field for all football games for Madonna University.
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, all venues for Madonna sports will have a limited capacity. The current policy is that each Madonna student-athlete (except football) will receive three tickets, coaches will have access to limited numbers for family and recruits, and MU students, faculty, and staff will each be allowed one ticket per contest. Due to roster size and crowd restrictions, football will be limited to two tickets per student-athlete.
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Spring and Soccer right around the corner |
With the promise of warmer weather comes the prospect of outdoor sports and our hometown 11v11 adult soccer league is ready for it.
This league will play games Thursdays and Fridays at Bicentennial Park starting in early May and run for eight weeks with three officials per game.
The $755 team fee (less than $70 per person!) includes referee fees and team shirts.
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the Livonia Symphony Orchestra shares
on youtube "I get to love you" By Ruelle.
" I feel it is a good time to share it since the release to remind myself and everyone - my dear friends - that we got each other to love and there are lots of kinds of loves in our lives and all of them matter as a wise man said: “all we need is love.”
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