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It’s a Jungle Out There!  April 19th

The 5th Grade Class at Suttons Bay Elementary School is spending countless hours preparing for their performance of “The Jungle Book.”  Based on an 1894 novel by Rudyard Kipling, it caught the attention of Walt Disney in the late 1930s and later became a blockbuster hit.  The story begins deep in the heart of the jungle with Mowgli, a young boy who was abandoned in the jungle as a baby and is now being raised by wolves.  Mowgli encounters a not-so-friendly character by the name of Shere Kahn, a ferocious tiger who decides that Mowgli is no longer welcome in the Jungle.  With the help of Bagheera, a panther who becomes a friend to Mowgli, Shere Khan plans to guide him to the safety of the man village.  But Mowgli is resistant to leave the Jungle, the only home he has ever known.  From the giant bear Baloo to other friends like Shanti, King Louie and Kaa, Mowgli encounters a cast of colorful characters along his journey to self-discovery.  Vultures, elephants and prickly pears make it a tale that you won’t soon forget.  The play boasts humor, drama, music and songs that include “I Wan’na Be Like You” and “The Bare Necessities.”  So charge your camera batteries; you won’t want to miss out on any Kodak moments!

UpGrade Vision Statement

We believe that the quality of our public schools is at the heart and soul of our measure as a community. Ongoing budget cuts in Michigan and other economic pressures on young families have reduced educational opportunities for our kids affecting all aspects of life in Leelanau County. Our kids deserve better. And the health of our community demands it.

We have, therefore, launched UpGrade, a privately based community initiative dedicated to broadening the educational opportunities for all Leelanau area public school students. Through UpGrade we will support academically based programs and competitions that go beyond the current required curricula to give our kids the best, most well rounded educational experience possible. UpGrade is an enhancement, not a replacement for current school activities. It is a private initiative, but it will require the support of local businesses, schools and community groups to make it work. UpGrade was formed to accomplish the followiing:

• Kids should love to learn. By increasing the number and quality of enriched classes, programs, activities and academically based competitions available through our public schools we hope to create life long learners in our schools.
• Teachers should be allowed to innovate. We will support teachers, staff and volunteers in the development, coordination and promotion of academically based activities outside the current required curricula.
• All kids should be able to participate. We will assure that every student, regardless of his or her ability to pay, can participate in the full range of academically related experiences available through our public schools. In addition, we want to assure that all members of our local community, irrespective of their ability to pay, are given the opportunity to attend and/or participate in school based activities open to the public.
• The community needs to be aware. We will promote greater awareness of, and support for, the value of area schools to the community and the quality of life we enjoy through constant outreach to our citizens.
• Awareness should lead to involvement. We will work to increase daily involvement in our local schools by all segments of the local community through greater outreach and participant opportunities.
• Our efforts should be known by many. We will strive to expand awareness and appreciation of the community support for our public schools beyond Leelanau County.
• We will continually reinvent ourselves. We will identify, create and promote new opportunities for community participation in our local schools.

Upgrade is a non profit organization founded by Oneupweb, a Lake Leelanau, Michigan based online marketing firm. If you would like to learn more, please email us at info@upgradeourschools.org or phone 231-271-8600.