Greetings from the Norway-Vulcan Area Schools,
My name is Bruce Tapio. I am the newly hired Superintendent of Schools for NVAS. It is my pleasure and honor to serve each of you and the community as a whole in this position.
In order to help you all understand my passion and capacity for this important role I would like to share a few personal truths about me. I have been married to Denise Tapio for the past 20 years. We have 6 children and 4 grandkids. Five of our children are college graduates and the 6th child is headed to college this fall. We live in Iron Mountain (please don’t hold this against me) and are the proud owners of three Golden Doodle dogs.
I hold a Michigan Department of Education license for both educator and Administrator. I have 9 years of experience as a JR/SR/ High School Principal where 4 of those years were acting as both JR/SR HS Principal and District Superintendent. It is my intention and purpose to use my experience and talents here at Norway-Vulcan Area Schools to continue the successful trend this District has achieved. Just in case one did not notice, I believe education is the key to my children’s futures and I believe it is vital to yours. Enough about me.
We have through exhausting effort and planning, and with School Board approval, began the change from a three separate school model (which were a Pre-K through 5th grade Elementary School, a 6-8th grade Middle School, and a 9-12th grade High School) to (in progress) creating a Junior/Senior High School consisting of 7-12th grade and a Pre-K -6th grade self-contained Elementary School. The two schools will be renamed (State of Michigan Department of Treasury requirement) to the Norway JR/SR High School and the Norway-Vulcan Elementary School. Please note the fact that Vulcan has and will stay in the identity of this District. The purpose for such a change is based on several factors. The enrollment in the District does not necessitate a singular Middle School. We are in the planning stages of; scheduling students in the appropriate classes, ensuring certified teachers are in front of your student and the logistics and placement of teachers in their classrooms. We are planning the necessary student “orientation” program to help incoming 7th grades and Freshmen. Although I have only been here for a month I am pleasingly amazed at the courage, dedication and thoughtful care the people directly involved in this change have shown during this transition to ensure your students' education and needs come first.
Also, NVAS has undergone a few needed changes to help with staffing, fiscal responsibilities and upkeep within the District. Your generosity through a “yes” vote on the recent bond proposal has created ample opportunities to enhance the learning outcome for students. Yes, the track and parking lot renovations are part of the picture also and truly need an upgrade. If you swing by the football stadium you can observe the progress. Inside the school our newly hired IT specialist, Mr. Mike Malone has been, nonstop, preparing the class rooms with new Smart Board, Chromebook, and IPAD technology provided by the bond monies. By the end of the restorations within the school, classrooms and hallways will be retiled or carpeted as required. Desks, tables, and some furniture for the classrooms and offices will be replaced. Gym floors will be refurbished to help make our gymnasiums functional and aesthetically pleasing during the use of them. The largest endeavor is the H-VAC System. Replacing over 30-year-old boilers and associated systems for a building this size is a huge endeavor. Expensive too. Please keep in mind this transformation is going to happen over a two-year period. We are working with the contractors and specialists to complete the scheduled project on time and within budget. All of the work being done by teachers, construction companies and the Administration are on point and moving forward as desired.
As I mentioned Administration, I would be remiss not to inform those who may not know of the promotion to JR/SR High School Principal/Athletic Director, Mr. Tony Adams. He has already proven his strengths and abilities in the position.
Although I have had mixed feelings of doing the next thing I am writing about, I am going to do it anyway because I always have. I am available to speak with or visit during the school day and early evening and if a person has exhausted the chain of command within the school for an issue with a student, teacher, or administrator. Good or bad. My email is btapio@nvknights.org and my cell# is (906) 396-1325 (yes, you may share this number with those who may need it). I only request that if you contact me, we keep it civil and time of day appropriate.
Ok, I believe this is good for now. I know a lot is going on and trust is a hard thing to give these days. Please believe, we are doing the best we know how to do while getting ready to see your students on the first day of school.
My door is always open!
In Education,
Bruce Tapio
NVAS Superintendent