Free food distribution at 6 pm tonight, 4/8 at Giving Tree Food Pantry.
Good evening Cardinal families,
Due to our current situation, we are moving back the student return date to Thursday, April 10.
Our staff are reporting Wednesday, April 9 and will be making family contacts to assess the needs of our families. Please answer their calls so we can be best prepared for all of our students.
A transportation plan will be forthcoming, we know our buses will not be able to access all locations so alternate plans will need to take place. We are hopeful our drivers can establish some batch pick up points to make it as easy as possible on families.
We recognize that returning on Thursday may not be possible for everyone, we ask that parents excuse their children from school if it is not possible for them to attend.
We highly encourage attendance as we will be assessing needs, providing meals, and trying to establish some normal during this disastrous time.
The parking lot at the high school will continue to be used as a staging area as it is desperately needed by the crews working so hard to get power restored to our communities. Drop off and pick up will be changed and communicated later in the day on Wednesday.
Michigan Works has financial support available for those with lost wages due to inability to work during the recovery from the ice storm. You can reach out to Michigan works for more information. And as we have communicated in the past, for any needs, you have due to the storm recovery, call 211. They are most efficiently able to address and connect you with resources for these needs.
We know the ice storm crisis has brought unexpected challenges and disruptions to your daily lives, and our hearts are with each of you as you navigate this difficult time. Please know that your strength, resilience, and care for your children do not go unnoticed. As we begin the journey back to school, we want you to feel supported every step of the way. Our priority is the safety and well-being of your children, and we are here to work together to restore a sense of stability and routine. Together, we will rebuild, reconnect, and rise—stronger than ever.
Hang in there Cardinals!
See you soon!
I had an amazing opportunity today, thanks to Tyler Smith at Talley's, to speak with the Governor regarding what our districts and the surrounding districts need from the State at this time. Thank you to Governor Whitmer and her team for showing up in Lewiston to see what a small community can do, listening and learning about what needs we have.
JLAS will be closed for students Monday and Tuesday (4/7, 4/8). A notice will go out Monday with an update on return dates. Charlton Hall is hosting HS students on Saturday from 12-5. Students are encouraged to go to the hall to hang out and play games. There is NO PARKING at the school. Students should park near the hall, but away from all power company equipment. Food truck distribution will be on Sat. at 12:30pm at the Otsego Co. United Way in Gaylord. At this time, we ask everyone to work on being safe and not go to either building. Keep being helpers out there; call 211 to report any needs as this is the fastest way for resources to be allocated!
Dear Cardinal Families,
We hope this message finds you safe and surrounded by support. Our thoughts are with all of you as we navigate the challenges brought on by the recent storm. If you or your family need assistance, please know that help is available. By dialing 211, you can access a variety of essential resources. Additionally, shelters are open to provide a safe place to rest, shower, and receive meals. Charlton Hall in Johannesburg, Saint Francis Church in Lewiston, and EFree Church in Gaylord are all available to those in need. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support during this difficult time.
Returning to School
We understand that many of you are eager for information about when and how we will return to school. Our top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families. As we assess our ability to reopen, we are considering several key factors:
Student and Staff Safety – It is crucial that our schools are not only accessible but also fully operational. This includes
restoring power, ensuring adequate heat and water, securing food and resources, and verifying that our communication
systems are functioning.
IT Systems – Reliable internet service is necessary for school operations, including phone communication. Our primary
internet connection is based in Johannesburg and extends wirelessly to Lewiston. We are working to ensure full restoration
as soon as possible.
Food Service – Our food service team will assess inventory to determine what is usable and what needs to be replenished.
They will have to coordinate orders to ensure we have the necessary supplies for student meals.
Transportation – Our transportation department will evaluate road conditions to determine whether bus routes need to be
adjusted due to storm-related damage.
Will We Have to Make Up Days?
At this time, we do not yet have a definitive answer. The governor’s state of emergency does not automatically waive missed school days. However, we are actively communicating with the state superintendent, local legislators, and the governor’s office to advocate for our district and ensure we are not unfairly penalized due to this unprecedented weather event. We will share any updates as soon as we receive guidance from Lansing.
Dual Enrollment Classes
For students participating in dual enrollment, we encourage those with internet access to continue attending their courses online. If you experience difficulties due to connectivity issues, please communicate with your instructors so they are aware of your situation. We believe the colleges are working closely with high schools to accommodate affected students, and we will continue to support you in any way we can. Mrs. Nowak is the point person for dual enrollment questions. She can be emailed for assistance, but like others, she also has limited access to internet or phone services.
Spring Testing
Once we have a firm return-to-school date, our administration and testing coordinators will review the testing schedule. Any necessary adjustments will be made to meet state requirements while prioritizing what is best for our students.
A Message of Encouragement
We know that this is an incredibly challenging time, and we wish we could provide clear answers about when life will return to normal. While we don’t have all the answers just yet, please know that we are in this together. Let’s continue to be patient, kind, and supportive of one another. We are grateful for the many helpers in our community who are stepping up to assist those in need, and we encourage everyone to lean on one another during this time. Keep an eye out for all of the helpers! We have some great ones right here!
Thank you for being part of our Cardinal family. We appreciate your resilience and understanding as we work through these challenges together.
Your Partner in Education,
Katy Xenakis-Makowski, Superintendent
Due to the ongoing damage from the storms, all events and activities are cancelled at the schools this week. We will reschedule the kindergarten and preschool open house. Please do not come to the buildings, they are closed for the week.
Due to the continued emergency in the area, JLAS will be closed the rest of the week. If you are in need of assistance, call 211 for help with resources. There are many helpers out there. Keep being a helper!
Due to the damage from the storm, JLAS will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday April 1st and 2nd. Stay safe and help each other out. The buildings are not accessible for anything at this time.
Due to the ice storm, power outages, and downed power lines, JLAS will be closed Monday, March 31st. Please stay safe and stay away from downed wires. Fitness centers are also closed.
Thank you to Mrs. Goddard's last hour English class for helping to create an amazing end to March's reading month.
Spring Break
Kindergarten March Madness came down to a tough decision today!
The 2025 champion is "Mustache Baby" by Bridget Heos
Attention JLAS K-5 families-Bare Necessities , Forget Normal-Wear Pajamas tomorrow!
It seems like the weather keeps working against us! Due to freezing ice on many of our roads, JLAS will be closed today in order to keep students and staff safe. Please be careful if you have to go out.
Our 3rd grade scientist from Miss Kucherak's class explored toys in motion.
While learning about plants and hydroponics, 6th graders were thrilled to have the Sklarczyks visit our classroom!They shared information about their farm and how hydroponics is used to grow their potatoes. We learned a great deal today!
Thank you Neil Drzewiecki and Meemic for the sponsorship towards a new score table for basketball! Coach Pudvan has been working hard to make this happen! Thanks Coach and thank you Neil for supporting JLAS! Just wait until you see the before and after pictures.
More sponsorships for advertising on the new score table are available. Reach out to Coach Pudvan if interested.
Lewiston kindergarteners worked on their monthly self-portrait and name journals today! ✏️
Attention JLAS K-5 families: First Day of Spring-Wear Sandals for March is Reading Month tomorrow!
During the 3rd marking period the Advanced Foods class learning about other countries. They worked on posters, recipe books and made some different recipes. Mr. Pudvan made wooden gnocchi rollers so we could make gnocchi. Take a look👀
