Message from the Superintendent
March 2008

Dear Residents:

 March has been a particularly busy month in L’Anse Creuse Public Schools.   In the past two weeks, we celebrated the groundbreaking for two facilities:  the new Green Elementary School and the DiAnne M. Pellerin Center, to be the home of the district’s alternative education programs.  These exciting events are hallmarks of the district’s 10-year bond program, which residents generously approved just three years ago.

Actually, the new Green Elementary School will be the fourth building for students. The first Green Elementary School was built in the early 1860s by a group of settlers who demonstrated over a century ago a commitment to education.  The first school was a one-room schoolhouse resembling a log cabin and it was named Chesterfield #6.  Just 10 years later, the community replaced the log building with a wooden framed one room school.  In the early 1900s, a two-story, brick building was constructed adjacent to the wooden framed school and the one-room school became a community center.  The school’s name was changed to honor Martin Green, a Spanish-American War veteran who resided in the area.  Over the years, a number of additions were made to the building to accommodate an expanding student population. 
Students will remain in the existing building for the next year as they observe firsthand history being made with the construction of the fourth Green Elementary School.

The DiAnne M. Pellerin Center, on the other hand, will be the first building constructed to house the district’s alternative education programs including Riverside Academy, Lakeside Alternative Middle School, and the L’Anse Creuse-Mount Clemens Adult Education programs.  In the past, these programs have been housed in existing vacant spaces within the district or in rented facilities. Often the limited physical space of the programs presented unique and challenging circumstances.  However, it has not deterred staff from providing quality educational experiences for their non-traditional learners.

L’Anse Creuse Public Schools is most fortunate to service a community that considers the education of young people one of its most important civic responsibilities.  Neither of these projects would be possible without the support and generosity of our community.

Students and staff are very excited about their new homes.  I can assure you that while the facilities may be new, our commitment to quality education for all students is not, and the legacy of excellence upon which this district is founded will continue well into the future.  Again, on behalf of our students and staff, thank you for your continued interest and support of L’Anse Creuse Public Schools.

Sincerely,
DiAnne Pellerin, Ed.D.