To start off the last regular board meeting of the school year, eighth grader Janai Misner read a poem to celebrate the retirement of longtime Glen Lake English teacher Lisa Nadlicki.
“Mrs. Nadlicki you don’t just teach, you inspire. Your kind loving heart spreads comfort like fire. You truly care about what you do, I hope you know we feel that it always shines through. You change every student’s life for good and know a love of learning they never could. You played a huge role in everyone’s life, including mine.
I hope you never forget that line.
You taught me my passion for writing, You changed my life and made it exciting.
You are like a candle consuming itself to light the way for others and me, Introducing us to a land of reading where we can be free.
Paving the way for our imagination and creativity to reach our souls, helping us reach all of our goals.
Shaping the future for many generations to come, You are where our greatness comes from.
It takes a big heart to shape a little mind, but you have always inspired me with your heart being so kind.
Thank you for all you’ve done for me and all the students you’ve ever taught, each and every one, we truly appreciate all that you have done. Your impact is something that I will remember forever, You’ve truly changed my life for the better,” Misner said.
Nadlicki’s first teaching job was at Ludington.
Two years later, the Traverse City native’s husband, Steve Nadlicki, had a job transfer. She applied all over the place before securing an interview with Glen Lake.
“During those interviews I knew this was a special place ... Kind of like the big leagues,” she said. “To be hired here was such a blessing and it paved the way for an incredible journey both professionally and personally ... I love my students so much. I love my colleagues and I love it here. It is time for me to retire, it feels right after 32 years.”
Glen Lake had several discussion items on the agenda including a Leelanau Investing For Teens (LIFT) presentation; hiring of additional paraprofessionals; new middle school pilot courses, to name a few.
LIFT presented to the board asking for $40,000 funding for the 2024-25 school year.
Lift will need roughly $30,000 to pay personnel and about $10,000 for program supplies including snacks, event costs, and equipment.
In 2023-24, 94 Glen Lake middle schoolers (95%) enrolled in LIFT programs with 157 total days of instruction, 393 hours of after school programming with the help of 55 volunteers and 10 high school volunteers.
“I can’t thank you all enough from on behalf of our team for the generous partnership with Glen Lake Community Schools has provided our organization It has been truly enriching for our entire team,” LIFT presenter Audrey Sharp said.
Glen Lake announced the vacancy of a mental health specialist; secondary special education teacher (part time); secondary interventionist that needs to be filled for the 2024-25 school year.
New middle school courses approved by the board include creative writing (7/8 grade); Community Connections (Grade 8); 6th grade choir; Intro to theater performance; story seekers.
Glen Lake is switching communications software from a variety of applications to ParentSquare. The new portal will include analytics and reporting, alerts of various kinds, newsletters, social media and website shares, direct messaging within a classroom, and forms & permission slips to name a few. This will cost the school $3,273 a year.
