At  this year’s MASA Distinguished Administrators’ Luncheon, 10  new MASA members were inducted into the Winners’ Circle. These members were honored by the Membership Services Committee for initiating a unique, successful program or implementing an innovative idea that has had a significant, positive impact on their school districts that can be used by other districts across the state.

Jumpstart! program
Denny Patzer, Otsego Public Schools
with Amy Nieuwenhuis and Lori Bronkema

The Jumpstart! Program is a beginning-of-the-school-day program for students who have ADHD characteristics, appear unmotivated, and/or are “at-risk” for reading. Second- through fifth-grade students are selected to attend Jumpstart! five days a week for twenty minutes each day. Students use Bal-A-Vis, Brain Gym, GameBikes, juggling activities, a running course, obstacle courses, fitness weave and cardiovascular equipment in 1 ½ minute rotations to get their brains ready for learning.

This program has increased student’s self esteem, improved early-morning focus and “jumpstarted” student’s zeal to be at school.  It has also increased student reading scores by 13 to 68 percent in just several months.

MASA accepts nominations for the Winners’ Circle year round. You can find more details on previous winners online.