Rake N Run Friday! Nothing says service in a more pronounced fashion in Whitmore Lake than the community service our students put in during Rake N Run. (Note: If you have never heard of it, Rake N Run is an event planned by the WLHS National Honor Society with a goal of raking as many yards of senior citizens in one day as possible. All students in grades 7 through 12 participate.) Today's Rake N Run was a commitment not only to battle the leaves but also the cold, wind and rain. Proudly, the students AND dedicated staff/volunteers rose up against the forces of nature and prevailed. I thank all of them, as well as our transportation department, for their service today.
Speaking of service, this week we celebrated Veterans Day--a day dedicated to honoring individuals who have served in our military. As a special salute to the servicemen/women who have graduated from WLHS, we have been posting on our Facebook page short bios of some of these fine individuals. You can enjoy the last installment of the series posted below. Our elementary students also gathered outside at the flag pole this past Wednesday to say the pledge and sing our National Anthem in honor of Veterans Day (a video is below).
Thanks to all the men and women charged with protecting the United States of America, and an extra special thank you to the Trojans who have served or are currently.
Matthew Fraley: Final Installment of Veteran's Day Series
We finish our week-long series featuring WLHS graduates in the military with Matthew Fraley, Class of 2003. Gunnery Sergeant Fraley was born on January 5th, 1985 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He enlisted in October 2003 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduating the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, Private First Class Fraley reported to Aviation Structural Mechanic school in Pensacola, FL for basic aircraft airframe training. After graduating at the top of his class, PFC Fraley was promoted to Lance Corporal and reported to MCAS New River for V-22 Airframes Organizational Maintenance Course. Lance Corporal Fraley then reported to VMMT-204 in September of 2004 and was promoted to Corporal in January 2005.
In April 2005, Corporal Fraley was reassigned to Phase Crew where he served as the Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI) and Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. On the second day of November 2005, Corporal Fraley was promoted to Sergeant. In October of 2006, Sergeant Fraley reported to VMM-162 where he continued to serve as a CDI and was also assigned as the hazardous material supervisor. Then, in November of the same year, Sergeant Fraley was selected to represent the MCAS New River men’s soccer team. Throughout 2007, Sergeant Fraley completed Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course, Sergeants Course and earned the qualification of Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative (CDQAR) .
In March 2008, Sergeant Fraley deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served as an airframe CDQAR, hazardous material NCOIC and an MV-22 Aerial Observer. Shortly after reporting to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) at MCAS New River in January 2009, Sergeant Fraley was promoted to Staff Sergeant in February 2009. At CNATT, Staff Sergeant Fraley would be assigned as an MV-22 airframes instructor. During his time there, Staff Sergeant Fraley earned numerous qualifications and recognitions such as Instructor Evaluator, Master Training Specialist, Instructor of the Year and also graduated with honors from the Staff Non-Commissioned Officers Academy’s Career Course. In August 2011, SSgt Fraley was assigned to VMM-261 were he served as the Division Chief for the Airframe Division. He continued to serve as the Division Chief during his deployment with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from March to December 2012.
In October 2013, Staff Sergeant Fraley was moved to the Quality Assurance Division to serve as the Airframe Quality Assurance Representative. He then deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in February 2014. In March 2015, Staff Sergeant Fraley received orders to his present duty as a Faculty Advisor at the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. On August 1, 2015 Staff Sergeant Fraley was promoted to his current rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Gunnery Sergeant Fraley, father of 11 year-old Alexandra who attended WLPS kindergarten-5th grade, married in 2009 to the former Elizabeth Moses, and they have one son together, Carter age 1.
His personal decorations include the Air Medal (numeral 2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5th award), Good Conduct Medal (3rd award) and Combat Air crewman Wings with 3 silver stars.
Join me in thanking Matthew and all the veterans for their service to our country.
Cyber Safety Parent Presentation
Throughout the year our Student Success Team at the secondary level brings in a variety of programs to address issues our students face, providing them with the knowledge to make smart and safe decisions. Next week our parents are able to participate in one of these programs focusing on internet safety. While the use of lap tops, tablets, smartphones, etc. let our students have any information they need at their fingertips, it also opens them up to some serious risks making internet safety a crucial topic to discuss.
Next Tuesday, November 17, from 6 p.m.-7 p.m in Whitmore Lake High School's Media Center, parents can come to participate in an internet safety workshop hosted by the Washtenaw Area Council for Children. During this workshop parents will learn strategies to keep their students safe while they are using the internet. Students, grades 7-12, will then participate in a workshop tailored to them on Monday, November 23, during the school day. I look forward to seeing many of you there. And I want to thank the Student Success Team for their efforts in keeping our students safe and providing them with the knowledge to make good decisions.
Throughout the year our Student Success Team at the secondary level brings in a variety of programs to address issues our students face, providing them with the knowledge to make smart and safe decisions. Next week our parents are able to participate in one of these programs focusing on internet safety. While the use of lap tops, tablets, smartphones, etc. let our students have any information they need at their fingertips, it also opens them up to some serious risks making internet safety a crucial topic to discuss.
Next Tuesday, November 17, from 6 p.m.-7 p.m in Whitmore Lake High School's Media Center, parents can come to participate in an internet safety workshop hosted by the Washtenaw Area Council for Children. During this workshop parents will learn strategies to keep their students safe while they are using the internet. Students, grades 7-12, will then participate in a workshop tailored to them on Monday, November 23, during the school day. I look forward to seeing many of you there. And I want to thank the Student Success Team for their efforts in keeping our students safe and providing them with the knowledge to make good decisions.
Board of Education Interviews
We have three candidates who have applied to replace Jim Vibbart, who resigned late October, on the Board of Education. There is a special Board of Education meeting next Monday, November 16, 7 p.m. at the Whitmore Lake High School Media Center for candidate interviews, and the public is welcome.
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