Campus News

‘It was so sad’: How coronavirus pandemic impacts students studying abroad

By |

“The whole reason why I went to MSU was solely based on the Korean program.” 

Yvonne Phillips felt lucky. She was one of four students accepted to a study abroad program in South Korea. She planned to finish her undergraduate minor in Korean. 

Phillips couldn’t take enough pictures or videos during her first week in Korea. She figured it was going to be a great 4 months. And then…

“It was so sad,” said Phillips.

appoint

Meridian Township board appoints Phil Deschaine as new treasurer

By |

Change is in the air for Meridian Township as Julie Brixie steps down from her role as township treasurer to become a state representative. “I’m really humbled and honored to have been elected the next state representative for the 69th state district,” said Brixie. Those who applied to fill the remainder of Brixie’s term included Dante R. Ianni, Linda P. Burghardt, Phil Deschaine, Thomas E. Klunzinger and two others who chose to remain confidential. After a final interview session took place, the Meridian Township Board voted 3-2 in appointing trustee Phil Deschaine as the next township treasurer. On Dec.

News

Meridian Township invests in renewable energy by installing a solar panel array

By |

When a group of Okemos high schoolers raised funds to install solar panels at their school, they had no idea they would inspire Meridian Township to follow in their footsteps. The Okemos project caught the attention of Meridian Township Board Supervisor Ron Styka and ultimately led to a new solar panel array being constructed in front of the township Municipal Building in October. “I happened to be driving by the high school and noticed the panels on the roof,” Styka said. “I contacted the current president of the Okemos School Board and he told me how the students led the movement to get it up there.”

According to a WLIX article from Mar. 10, 2017, the Okemos students raised more than $70,000 for their school to have this renewable energy source.

Greater Lansing Community News

Haslett teachers demonstrate the advantage of technology in the classroom

By |

 

When Christopher Luea, a middle school Spanish and robotics instructor, teaches a lesson, a robotic device, called a SWIVL, records him while rotating to follow his movements. “Our Spanish language instructional theory is based heavily on comprehensible input and focused immersion,” he said. “Therefore, when students are absent or would do well to revisit lessons, these recordings offer a high-quality audio and video recording for them.”

During a Haslett School Board Meeting on Nov. 12, teachers from Haslett Middle School and Haslett High School showcased how they are incorporating modern technology into the classroom. Chelsea Pennington, a high school math teacher, records her algebra outlines using a different kind of device.

News

Meridian Township Fire Department hosts fire prevention open house

By |

Due to recent fire statistics, Fire Inspector Tom Millerov is concerned about the safety of the community. He said: “The numbers currently are above average for the number of fire fatalities per year in Michigan. So there is a really big push right now to remind people to make sure that they have a working smoke alarm in their home and to make sure that they are practicing fire safety and know how to get out of their home in case of an emergency.”

On Oct. 13, the Meridian Township Fire Department had its fire prevention open house where community members had the opportunity to visit the fire station and learn about fire prevention techniques. Millerov said that this event is important because it allows kids to interact with the fire department in a nonemergency setting so that they can know what to do when an emergency does arise.

News

Lansing-area townships clarify instructions for absentee voters

By |

When Meridian Township voters opened their absentee ballot marking instructions, they were presented with directions on how to vote straight party even though straight ticket voting is banned for the Nov. 6 general election in Michigan. “I was contacted by a voter last week who was confused because the instructions that are included with the absentee ballot that was mailed to them included instructions on how to mark a straight party ballot,” said Ingham County Clerk, Barb Byrum. Although the instructions were incorrect, voters do not need to worry because the ballot is accurate. Meridian Township Clerk Brett Dreyfus said that there is no need for voter confusion because there is no straight party option on the ballot.