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There is no law that says you have to wait until you are an adult to do wonderful things for other people. Just ask Sarah Fisher. She is a straight A, 7th grade student who is active in a number of sports and who loves to read. Since she was at the age to become a bat mitzvah, Sarah began looking for a project to fulfill one of the requirements-community service. She knew that she wanted to use her love of reading in the mitzvah project but she wasn’t sure how it should be done until she met a DPS teacher. The teacher told her about the children in her class and about Carver school. Sarah was taken by the differences between her school experiences and those of the Carver students, especially those in the second grade who were trying to improve their reading skills but who did not have access to books outside of the classroom.
That helped to firm up her project. She decided that she would read books and take pledges to raise funds to buy some of the books she enjoyed so much when she was a first and second grader, and give them to the children in the teacher’s class. She began by writing a letter explaining her project which she sent to everyone she knew. So that her donors could keep up with her progress, she set up a website for the project. To say that Sarah’s read-a-thon was an overwhelming success is just about right. She raised a total of $3,245 in just about a month! She took $430 to Barnes and Nobles where she bought tons of her favorite books. She then took the books and a check for $315 to the teacher she met so that she could buy more books for the students. The rest of the money Sarah donated to the school to buy even more books for the school library. From the Carver and DPS family, thank you Sarah. You have most certainly made a truly great contribution to education and quite a lot of new friends.
200 middle-school students from 16 schools in the Metro Detroit area recently participated in the Generation With Promise Youth Summit held at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn. Many of the students represented 11 Detroit Public Schools. All of the students who attended are members of their schools’ Student Action Teams that work on projects to promote healthy lifestyles in their schools throughout the year. The summit is a reinforcement of the students’ work where they come together to share information and ideas and to create new projects that promote health.
As a result of the GWP conferences, some of the teams have instituted tobacco-free policies on their campuses, more time for physical education and recess, healthier snacks in the vending machines, made nutrition a part of the science curriculum, instituted PA announcements about healthy eating, created walking clubs, and added salad bars to the choices for lunch. The GWP participants can easily and enthusiastically go back to their schools and spread the word about their experience because the summit motivates them. Here are some participant comments from the mouths of babes... “I like the part about what a leader should be and what their actions should be,” “I will tell them everything I learned and try to convince them to do better,” “I can look at a bag of chips and not demolish it in 3 minutes.”
Students at Lessenger Academy are getting two lessons for the price of one. The first is in geometry as they learn that only a certain polygon can be combined to produce a flat, unbroken design that needs no extra pieces. The second is in color as they use specific hues for the best effect for their finished piece. The students are working with volunteer artists including Grace Serra, an art professor at the Henry Ford Community College on a creation that is made up of glazed and fired hexagonal tiles that the students prepared.
When all of the tiles are assembled, they will create a mural that is approximately 12’ wide and about 4.5’ high which the students will help to frame and mount. It will be hung in the Neurology waiting area on the third floor of Children’s Hospital of Michigan. On May 20 the piece will be officially unveiled in the presence of many hospital staff, the students, parents and school staff. The project stems from the efforts of Lessenger teacher Ms. Amatullah Ahmed. Last summer she sent a request for artist volunteers who would like to work with her students and for the benefit of the students, she found them.
Hally Magnet Middle School is a Skillman Foundation High Performing Middle School recognized not only for its academic excellence, but also for its exceptional dedication to improving the community and lives of others. So far this school year, Hally’s Jr. National Honor Society has raised over $500.00 for the Red Cross, $908 for the Diabetes Association, donated canned goods for the needy to the Salvation Army and donated Thanksgiving Turkey Baskets to three Hally Families. Pictured is the Hally Magnet Middle School National Junior Honor Society along with sponsors Patricia Moore, Kelly McDonald, Principal Rita Davis and representatives from the Salvation Army.
The Central High School Alumni hosted ‘An Evening Of Dining And A Movie,’ Fundraiser. The movie was Obsessed staring Mrs. Jay-Z and the dinner was a scrumptious buffet. The atmosphere…perfect for a movie with state of the art projection, Dolby Digital sound, and stadium seating in soft, leather Tempur-Pedic seats.
It is a fact. HIV/AIDs, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and teen pregnancies are 100% preventable. The public only needs to be educated about the methods needed to keep them out of their lives. That opportunity was presented by the DPS Health Education/HIV Prevention Program. During the summit, attendees learned about what makes a healthy and safe relationship, and the long-term emotional, social and physical effects of sexual involvement at too early an age or too early in a relationship. Participants also learned about the data that clearly defines the enormity of the problem of HIV/AIDS, STDs and teen pregnancies here in Detroit and left with the facts needed for dispelling myths that can cause the uneducated to make the mistakes that lead to the topic problems.
They were also armed with the necessary refusal skills and communication techniques that can help reduce or prevent risky sexual behavior. The information was presented by the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, the Horizon’s Project from Children’s Hospital of Michigan, the Wayne State University HIV/AIDS physicians and other community agencies. Now is the time to learn. Now is the time to do something about living long and staying healthy. The M.C. was Dr. Darrius from WJLB, the guest speaker was Jeff Johnson, formerly of BET’s Rap City. There were also performances by Teen HYPE and God’s Army.
The Murphy School family celebrated Green Week with the help of The Greening of Detroit and with a State Farm Insurance, "Good Neighbor Citizen Grant." This allowed the purchase of ten young trees that were planted on the school campus. Of course students and teachers volunteered to help. Murphy students are bonafide members of the Green Movement that is sweeping Detroit.
Campbell-Ewald, the country’s 8th largest advertising and digital communications agency just happens to be one of the hundreds of business partners that work with students in Detroit Public Schools. It provides DPS students with a most unique opportunity to learn about the many advertising career options. Recently, the agency held it’s Color Of Success event where juniors and seniors from DPS got to meet and talk to some of the best writers, art directors, photographers, illustrators and more, in the local advertising community.
It took place at the College for Creative Studies (CCS). Many CCS alumni and Campbell-Ewald representatives were on hand to answer any question that the students asked. It was an opportunity for many youngsters who never thought of a career in a creative profession to meet with the actual professionals for a more realistic understanding about the work they produce. This is the fifth year that the agency has sponsored this event. CCS and DPS have collaborated on the event since 2001.
The Detroit Public Schools Office of School Social Work Service, Psychological Services, Communication Disorders, Primary Education and Detroit City High hosted the annual Swap Meet - "Global Sensitivity and Excellence Day.” The event was held for parents and guardians of students, educators, and service providers for children and families of Detroit Public Schools, along with administrators, agency representatives and university policy makers.
The goal-to help them become more informed about the services, innovative ideas, interventions and techniques that are available for DPS students and families in need of assistance. If you could not attend the Swap Meet and you would like to know more about the services that are offered, please call Carolyn Phillips, Event Coordinator at (313) 866-0849 office/carolyn.phillips@detroitk12.org or Arezell Brown, Director/arezell.brown@detroitk12.org (313)866-0483 or 84 (Office).
Pasteur Elementary School is very lucky to have an Alumni Association that is so interested in the steady flow of children through the school. The Association has over 200 members. For Earth Day, 16 volunteer alumni came to the school and read The Lorax, a famous Dr. Seuss book, to the children. After the story, they discussed ways of saving the earth. Every class in the school had its own private reading and was given handouts that contained tips for living green. It was a great learning experience for the students and an opportunity for Pasteur graduates from the 60s to the 80s to reconnect with the school. For more information about the Alumni Association, visit www.pasteuralumni.org.
As the school year winds down, at Carstens’ Elementary they’re still gearing up with their phenomenally successful, health and fitness project, Seasen For Change. Currently in its second year, the simplicity of the program is right on target for keeping the children interested in what it takes to stay fit. They emphasize the easy to do of fitness. It teaches the children to make healthy food/snack choices; to drink plenty of water; the children exercize during the last half hour of school, everyday; they have a monthly Student Wellness/Nutrition assembly with motivating speakers; they hold monthly parent workshops about child nutrition and health and give away healthy food; then there’s the newsletter and fitness calendar bulletins. Carstens’ leadership created what amounts to a universal fitness program that is free of charge-especially important during these tough economic times. If you want some tips for creating a program at your school, just call Carstens’ Principal, Dr. Theresa Mattison on 852-8070-72.
The students at the Frederick Douglass Academy have a new incentive for going to college-a charitable organization dedicated to helping students find the funds they need to pay for a college education. It’s called the Detroit College Promise (DCP). Cody High School is already participating and has 138 eligible students. The program is intended for all DPS seniors who live in Detroit and attend high school and DCP hopes to eventually add each high school to the program.
DCP is designed to help change the educational culture so that almost all students will consider themselves as college-bound and work to improve their academic performance. However, there is no financial need or academic requirement for the senior student to meet. If a DPS student wants to go to college, they need only fill out the DCP application and the Federal financial aid forms (FAFSA). DCP currently meets with parents at the schools and with students in assemblies or in classes to inform them about the program. Once DCP locates as many funds as possible for a student, if it isn’t enough to cover the tuition, they can contribute up to $500 to help cover the cost difference.
The sixth graders at Pasteur recently staged the play ‘Cinderella Meets Motown’ and put a different spin on an old theme. In the play, Cinderella enters and wins an essay contest at school. A visit to the Motown Museum was her prize. Before going to the Museum, Cinderella met her dancing ‘Good Fairy Godfather’ who turned her into a Princess for the day. While she was visiting the Museum, she was treated to live performances by some of the legends of Motown and when Cinderella left the Museum, she had more self-esteem and confidence. The End…
Pasteur extends the study of African American history throughout the year partly because it never ends. The first graders really showed their creativity for the African American Museum that was put together at the school. First they researched legendary and contemporary African Americans who had made significant contributions to humanity.
They used that information to create large, two and three dimensional dioramas for the museum. As people entered they were greeted by a Docent who instructed visitors to push a red button in front of each diorama exhibit. They turned out to be ‘magic’ buttons because when they were pushed, the first graders, dressed up like famous African Americans who were sitting in the dioramas, came to life and told listeners about their accomplishments.
The ‘Violin Lady,’ also known as Flo Paterni is taking her group of talented young violinists and the 4th grade Chime Group to Lansing on May 13. They will perform in the State Capitol Rotunda. Along with the performances, the students and parents are hoping to meet the Detroit Representatives and to visit the House Chambers. The students will be departing from Vernor, Schulze, Barbara Jordan, Pasteur and Ludington schools.
Bart Scott. A former Detroit Public Schools student and New York Jets defensive end, did not forget his foundation. He surprised the DAPCEP students at the school with a new color laser printer/laminating machine. It arrived just in time for the students to print colorful, clear labels for their science projects that were part of the Detroit Science Fair.
On the weekend of March 13 and 14th , Cass Technical High School was the hub of high school robotics activity in Michigan. Over 2,500 high school students from southeast Michigan who made up 40 robotics teams, packed the school and the gym for ‘LUNACY,’ the game for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics District Competition.
he event was heavily supported by Michigan State University. It was the first joint venture between Cass and Michigan State since Cass became the first MSU Signature School-an honor that holds the promise of a very close working relationship and many benefits for Cass students. The ‘mass meeting of minds’ also included over 100 mentors from several local, technologically based companies who work with the students throughout the school year.
With their guidance, each of the teams was able to take the standard kit of robotics parts provided by FIRST, and design and build a robot to perform specific tasks, within the six week time limit. Here are some of the images from that weekend of pure student intellect, ingenuity and energy!
When Principal James Ellison and his event coordinator, Ms. Patricka Rossell decided to do something really special for the annual book fair at Noble Elementary, they pulled out the stops. The fair turned into a colorful, lively, informative and fun event. It got the students, parents and friends of Noble, excited about reading and exploring the magical worlds that books can take them to…and they bought the books to prove it.
The Noble School Book Fair was a fantastic interpretation of their African Safari (Safari is Swahili for journey) theme. Because reading helps children dream and grow, SOMA! OTA! KUA! was seen in many places. Those are Swahili words for Read! Dream! Grow! Everyone who attended took a ‘safari’ through Noble book-dom that featured a safari bus where you could pose for a photo; large, colorful pictures students created of animals on the African savanna that decorated the book display room and the halls, an ‘Acacia tree’ that the children could write their names on, a ‘safari campfire’, safari games to play for prizes and hundreds of wonderful books, toys and trinkets to buy.
Some of the children had their teeth checked and came out all smiles. The book fair at Noble is an annual event that is co-sponsored by Scholastic Books and a wonderful event it was. Just take a look!
Dr. Bernard Harris did not have an easy life. His parents divorced when he was young and times were hard. But, he had a dream…to be an astronaut. It came true because of his focus, hard work, love of science and determination. He topped reaching his goal by becoming an aerospace physician, entrepreneur and the first Black astronaut to ‘walk’ in space. ExxonMobil and the Harris Foundation realized the value of his life experiences and his gift for reaching children and in 2008, created “The Dream Tour” with Dr. Harris as the presenter supported by an exciting, interactive video presentation. The Tour’s purpose is to get middle school students interested in math and science. He came to Detroit…to Brenda Scott Middle School where he mesmerized over 500 students by relating his personal adventures as an astronaut and scientist, stressed taking advantage of the many opportunities the students have for great careers and futures and passed out school awards for achievement. He also officially announced the plans for this year’s tour which will take him to middle schools in several major U.S. cities. Dr. Harris is a master at reaching children with his strong messages about preparing themselves for a future that holds options that we haven’t even dreamed of yet. But he didn’t stop at just one school. Impressed by what he’d heard about it, he also visited the Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Aerospace High School where he was greeted by members of the Tuskegee Airmen and over 100 eager students. He also got to see the inner workings of the only high school of its kind in the country. Dr. Harris left gifts that will be used to raise funds to expand the Davis piloting and aircraft mechanics programs. But most of all he left a message…reach for the stars for they are surely within your grasp.
…at Brenda Scott Middle School
In honor of the bi-centennial observance of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the students at Mason Elementary paid tribute. Students in grades 3-5 recited the Gettysburg Address and the best speaker won a savings bond. Those who recited the speech were chosen by their classmates to represent their room. Two classes of first graders also participated by reading the address. It was not a competition to be taken lightly. They were judged by a retired Librarian, Johnnie Johnson, a retired Principal, Naomi Fair, Rex Smith of Beech Communications and DPS Board member, the Honorable Terry Catchings.
At Crockett Career and Technical Center, job shadowing has proven to be a truly successful method for helping students get the real feel of various workplaces and professions such as the careers at Red Level Networks. The company became a job shadow partner with the school. Seven students spent the day at the Novi facility where they learned what it is like in the day of a technical engineer. Red Level sells technology services from hardware to repairs which is still a strong option for technically trained job seekers such as the students who pursue those studies at Crockett.
If you’re looking for the perfect place for your child whose focused on putting new learning and skills to immediate use, consider the hands-on learning programs at the District’s four CTCs…Career Technical Centers - Breithaupt, Randolph, Golightly and Crockett. At Crockett, by graduation, your child can be ready for an entry level job or continued education in fields such as medical, patient care, optometric, dental, pharmacy, sports medicine, and physical therapy assisting through training in the allied health programs. Students get hands on experience and develop skills in those fields through rotating praticums at Veterans, Children’s, Harper/Hutzel and Detroit Receiving Hospitals. Crockett also offers equally high-quality training in cosmetology and manicuring, commercial art, digital photography, desktop publishing, and graphic communications. For more details, call 313-494-1805.
…that another DPS Principal was in the spotlight at a Pistons’ game? Dr. Delores Harris is our star. She drove to the Palace of Auburn Hills one day after school, to audition with a few hundred other hopefuls for the chance to sing the national Anthem for a Pistons’ game. Shortly thereafter, she received THE call informing her that she was one of the ten people selected for that honor. On the night of her Palace debut, her family, friends, some staff members and students were there to cheer her on. It was truly a night that left Dr. Harris on cloud nine especially after shaking hands with several of the Pistons’ top players.
Students from Fleming Elementary were treated to a behind the scenes trip to see what magic is needed to create the annual America’s Thanksgiving Day parade down Woodward Avenue. They visited the Parade Company. While they were there the children got to see the winning balloon that was designed by a Fleming student, Kenyatta Dearing for the 2007 parade. Each child was also given a clown nose (great for free dress day), and a coloring book.
Ten of the restrooms at Northwestern High School will be wearing a new coat of paint when students return from the Easter break. It’s because during that week, Home Depot and parent volunteers will fire up their paint brushes and get to work. It is part of the company’s ‘Team Depot’ volunteer project. Securing the project for Northwestern began with just a letter of request.
The work of the Wayne State Math Department with WSU and DPS students is the subject of a film produced by Oscar Award winner and local film producer, Sue Marx. The documentary, ‘It All Adds Up’ follows the inner city, high school, middle school and college students and the instructors as together, the students teach and learn vital math and life skills. A small group of WSU faculty developed the project in 1992. The film was shown at the Mitten Movie Project at the Royal Oak Main Art Theatre.
Most children don’t really know what it’s like to pay rent, buy food, work in a bank, be a police officer, be the mayor, or even be a parent. But in the Exchange City program, students get to take on those and many more roles that are normally the exclusive property of adults. Webster Elementary has become one of the latest schools to sign on with the project. It provides the school with a complete curriculum for the classroom sessions and a unique real-life, off-site experience for the students. In the spring, the Webster 4th and 5th grade students will visit the over 20,000 square foot, Exchange City facility in Taylor which is filled with down-sized buildings that make up a complete city. There they will take on the roles and perform the duties of the adults of a city that they learned about in class. Chrysler Financial helped fund the program which is focusing on schools in southwest Detroit.
When you put together a good show, the experts tell you to take it on the road and that is just what the students at Jerry L. White did. They composed an opera…Winter Time and first performed it at school as part of the Winter Program. The opera had two parts. The second half depicted scenes from the universally popular Nutcracker Suite. The response was so good that the show hit the road and the J.L. White students made the lives of many elderly shut-ins in nursing homes, a little happier when they performed their creation.
Thomas Burt Elementary School Newsletter - January 2009
The Detroit Public Schools can boast of having two single sex education programs. The newest is the 3 year old Detroit International Academy, an all girls’ facility, that has proven to be popular and successful. For boys, there is the Frederick Douglass Academy, a college prep school that was originally created for troubled young men. Both schools are featured in an article that appeared in the Boston Globe.
The young ladies who attend the Detroit International Academy are a proud group who are also known as ‘The Pink Panthers.’ ‘Just because,’ the school was presented with a piece of art representing their mascot that was created and donated by local artist Vito Jesus Valdez. Per Mr. Valdez…”looking downward from its perch on a 12-foot vertical beam, the muscular mosaic panther is on the verge of pouncing. The height of the beam symbolizes the number of years of school needed to educate students to go out into the world ready for success.” The beam that will hold the sculpture will be anchored inside a tire at its base. Flowers, plus a perennial vine that will be trained to climb up the beam, will be planted in the tire. The Pink Panther was recently unveiled at the school and will be installed near the entrance of the building.
…for Thanksgiving…
Randolph Career and Technical Center: The members of the school’s Business Professionals of America club and several Public Safety students collected donations of turkeys and non-perishable foods to provide a meal for three families on Thanksgiving.
Spain Middle School: Through the school’s ‘Warm the Hearts of Others’ blanket program, the staff and students collected and donated 85 new blankets which were distributed to Genesis, Oasis For Men, Covenant House of Michigan, COTS, Mariners Inn, Barat House and the Neighborhood Service Organization.
Oakman Elementary/Orthopedic School: The severely multiple impaired (SXI) classroom at the school hosted a Thanksgiving feast for the parents and the staff. The annual affair was the culmination of several weeks of studying about the first Thanksgiving meal. Students prepared foods similar to those eaten by the Pilgrims such as a turkey, cornbread, and vegetables. It was a great fellowshipping and learning activity for students, parents and the school staff.
Marquette Middle School: The Gentlemen’s Club, young men in grades 6 through 8, donated Thanksgiving baskets to the families of 9 needy students at the school. The baskets contained a turkey, dressing, greens, and all of the other tasty fixings.
Edmonson Elementary School: The neediest students at the school took home a box of food supplied by the Fort Street Presbyterian Church. Two of the families were ‘adopted’ by an academic department at Wayne State University and they also received the gift of food for a true Thanksgiving feast.
Northwestern and Cody High Schools: About 30 students from Northwestern and 10 from Cody, joined forces to provide much needed volunteer services at The Homer Ferguson Foundation. The food was provided by Southern Fires and Steve’s Soul Food.
Cleveland Intermediate: Thanks to the combined efforts of the Cleveland Student Council, National Junior Honor Society and the Cougar Social committee, over 25 Thanksgiving gift boxes were donated to Cleveland families. The boxes contained a ham or a turkey, fresh greens and everything you’d expect for a great dinner. Community businesses such as Buddy’s Ham Palace, Vegas Market, HoneyBaked Ham, Krowne Market, Ronnie’s Meats, Entenmann’s, Piquette, Grobbell’s, Dearborn Spiral, Glory Market and many others, made the children’s project a reality and Thanksgiving a true day of thanks for families in need.
Calvin Coolidge Elementary School: They celebrated with a Pre-school Thanksgiving meal. The four year olds created the invitations to the feast and were ‘involved’ in selecting the menu. For about two weeks they also worked on making the placemats. About 25 parents, other family and friends of the students arrived and worked with the students to craft colorful paper turkeys. Then it was time to eat because each parent brought a delicious dish for a royal pot-luck family feast enjoyed by all. It was the first year for this type of celebration which involved 16 pre-k children.
Academy of the Americas: They celebrated by reenacting the first Thanksgiving through skits and displayed students’ work about what makes them thankful.
Columbus Middle School: The students helped put together baskets that were donated to 10 needy families in their community. With support from MGM, 50 students at the school received new coats and 20, $25 coupons for Meijer’s. Christian Community Church/Higher Ground also donated food. The students read Thanksgiving poems, learned about the cornucopia, what took place at the first Thanksgiving and shared their thoughts about why they are thankful.
Bennett Elementary School: The students and staff worked together and were able to distribute 15, $50 gift certificates that could be redeemed at the E & L Market. They also gave food baskets to 18 needy families through Bridgepoint, a community/schools organization in Novi that has partnered with some DPS schools. Also, thanks to Meads Mill, many students in need received warm winter coats.
Finney High School: The students set a goal of 250 cans of food, and non-perishable items for their ‘Mountain of Food Drive.’ They reached their goal and all of the items were delivered to the Rescue Mission.
Hamilton Elementary School: Their hard work paid off. The staff and students were able to distribute 48 baskets of food to their school families. The Honor Roll and Principal’s Club students plus their parents were treated to an early Thanksgiving dinner that was prepared by the principal and the staff.
Noble Elementary School: The students held a canned foods drive and the staff donated turkeys. The result…they were able to donate a Thanksgiving basket to 20 needy families.
Beard Elementary School: Beard Early Childhood Center hosted a "Be Thankful Breakfast" for parents, students, and the community in all classrooms. Teachers and support staff prepared the pancakes and served them along with bagels, donuts, fruit, and an assortment of drinks.
Fisher Magnet School: For weeks the children worked on their Thanksgiving projects. Pre-K students helped develop their fine motor skills by cutting out feathers for a Native American headdress. After hearing the story ‘Dream Catcher,’ they made dream catchers. Kindergarten students saw Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving video. First graders wrote a turkey poem. They also learned what it was like to live during the time of the Pilgrims. The children then had a modern day Thanksgiving feast wearing their homemade Pilgrim or Native American costumes. Their feast consisted of ‘turkey’ hot dogs, ‘corn’ chips, carrots with Ranch dressing, apple cider/juice and of course, pumpkin pie. Second graders used math problems to complete a cornucopia. Third graders used factual data to write essays about the first Thanksgiving and made a list of what they are thankful for. Fifth and sixth graders used internet information to compare the 1620 and the 2008 Thanksgivings. Other students developed map reading skills by studying the travels of Native Americans. Seventh and eighth graders answered questions about Thanksgiving and designed and completed a spreadsheet that listed items needed for a true Thanksgiving feast. Students in specialized classes made cornucopias, wrote stories about the original Thanksgiving, shared cupcakes and poems and wrote a Thanksgiving article.
Stewart Learning Academy: Primary grade students drew Thanksgiving pictures that were displayed in the school halls. The 4-8 grade students wrote letters, cards and kept journals about gratitude and giving thanks. After reading the story Stone Soup which is about being thankful for what you have and making the best of it, kindergarten students were treated to soup. Other students saw the movie, ‘The Mouse On The Mayflower.’ With the help of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, school counselors delivered Thanksgiving baskets to 25 Stewart families.
Barbour Middle School: The students were treated to an hour with recording artist and Wayne State student, ‘Princeton’ plus several local and national celebrities and motivational speakers. The groups performed and talked to the children about the importance of education. They responded well to the positive messages.
Birney Elementary School: The school held a ‘Turkey Trot.’ The students were each asked to donate 5 cans of food in return for three free dress days. They brought in enough to fill 15 baskets to be given to Birney families. Also, 20 students won turkeys and the LSCO received three turkeys for their raffle. General Motors engineers, Detroit Youth Development and staff/family members contributed to the food drive.
Rutherford Academy: They held their 6th annual Harvest Feast, a collaboration between students, parents and staff. Parents and staff contributed funds and food for the special occasion that filled the schools hallways with tantalizing aromas. The students were more than ready to dig in to the delicious dishes for one of the best lunches of the school year that was enjoyed by all. The children in the third grade in room 212 wrote short phrases inspired by aYak’s Corner Poem in the newspaper. They completed the phrase…
…I am thankful for…
…the clothes on my back and the food that I eat…Kyra Smith
…my mom and dad creating me into this world. If it were not for my parents I would not be on this planet…Thomas Adams
…my shoes that are on my feet. If I did not have on shoes my feet would be cold…Imya Baker
…food because if I did not have it I would be starving…Eric Beaty
…my brother and family because I am surrounded by love…Stanley Coleman
…the clothing I have on my back and the roof I have over my head because this shows I have someone who cares about me…Terence Jones
…my mom because she cares for me when I am ill. She never leaves me when I am sad…James Scott
…my brother and my surroundings. It means to me that I’m being taken care of …D’Naye Fisher
…Thanksgiving because it is a time when you spend time with family…Antanasia Dozier
The project ended with a story…’Thanksgiving At The Tappletons’…all about being thankful for family and the real meaning of the Holiday Season.
…for Christmas…
Philip Randolph Career Technical Center: The school held its annual Holiday Open House in combination with parent-teacher conferences.
Barbour Magnet Middle School: Barbour's Beta Club and the Student Council sponsored a service learning project. The school received 50 turkeys from Plymouth United Church of Christ which has adopted the school. The students brought canned goods to the school and collectively, they were able to give 50 boxes of food, with a turkey, to need Barbour families. It is the firs service learning project sponsored by the student organizations and it was quite a success.
Duke Ellington Conservatory: The students performed for the Noel Night festivities at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, they had breakfast with Santa at Our Lady of Good Counsel, and the students presented their annual Holiday Concert at the school.
Houghten Elementary School: A group of DTE employees gave up their Safety Bonus (money they receive for safety on the job) and used it to make the Holiday Season a little warmer for some Houghten Elementary students. Driving their big DTE trucks, three employees led a caravan of cars from Houghten to Westland to Children’s Palace to shop. It was the right place. The store had a 40% off sale going on but gave the DTE crew an extra 15% off to buy items for the students. A few children came along on the shopping trip. They were most in need because they had no warm coats or hats on when they arrived at school. Their joy was immediate. The DTE crew then spent the remainder of their $1,500 budget on more coats, hats, scarves, mittens and other items for the teachers and students to take back to Houghten. The money bought considerably more than they’d imagined because of the discount. Also, Walmart donated a small stipend that day so that they could buy the students something to eat. Back at Houghten, staff put decorations on the girls’ hats and made sure that the hats, scarves and mittens matched the coats. Then Principal Cecelia Muhammad made sure that they were passed out to about 30 other children who had no on coats and other cold weather wear as they left school. Houghten is the first school that the DTE crew has brought this project to. Next year, they’ll spread the warmth at another DPS school.
Maybury Elementary School: Three events marked the Holiday Season at Maybury. Over 100 volunteers from Bridgepointe, a group in Novi that has partnered with several DPS schools, brought gifts for each of the 650 Maybury students. They also provided a Holiday party in each classroom. The Maybury Girls’ Choir and the band provided entertainment while Santa and Mrs. Claus circulated throughout the building spreading Christmas cheer. The students and staff were also treated to a special concert performed by the Heritage Band-senior citizens who only perform twice a year for the public. And then there was the holiday arts and crafts workshop. Students (including a group of would-be reindeer) and their parents worked together to create decorative pieces for the Holidays.
Edmonson Elementary School: Two families at the school were adopted by a department at Wayne State University. Each family received food and each child in the family received a toy or game. The WSU benefactors delivered the items personally. Through the school’s Edmonson Outer Wear Project, staff donated gently used or new, cold-weather wear. The neediest children received hats, scarves, mittens, snow outfits, boots and more to keep them warm. The school also held its annual Christmas Program that featured songs by the Glee Club, performances by the Cheer Team, and a Power Point of the children’s Christmas art while in the classrooms, students were involved in more Holiday activities. The special education department added to the festivities by performing a most appropriate play…‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.’
Clara Rutherford Academy: They held a school-wide Literacy Pajama Party and Breakfast with Santa. All of the students wore pajamas to school and brought their favorite book to read. The breakfast featured delicious pancakes provided by the Covered Wagon and photos with Santa. Students also brought in canned food and the staff and students donated funds to buy turkeys. They put together baskets and gave them to the families of some of the neediest students. Since Reading Is Fundamental, each child in the school also received a book. And finally, the festivities ended on a high note-the annual Winter Wonderland Program.
Burt Elementary School: Christmas was in the ‘hair’ at Burt. Twenty-five young men were treated to complimentary hair cuts provided by Big Daddy’s Barbershop and Top Dolla Cutz and Fades. To help the students become readers, the Reading Is Fundamental program donated a book for every child. And what would the Holiday Season be without a visit from good old Santa who was sponsored by the Chrysler/Jeep Adopt-A-School program.
…But the crowning achievement at the school is their Holidays newsletter. It contains wonderful examples of the children’s creativity…
and a sampling of what Christmas means to them…
Christmas means that it’s time for joy. I love Christmas… Joseph McMath
Christmas means more than one thing to me. The two most important things about Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and presents. I love Jesus and presents… Danieriah Preston
Christmas means a lot to me. It means loving and caring because people buy other people gifts. Sometimes people sing songs. Jesus was born on that day and that’s what Christmas means to me… Kerrion Lancaster
Christmas means a lot when you have lots of gifts. Jesus was born on Christmas. We go out to the movies. My mom and I have birthdays are coming up on December 20 and 22. I love Christmas because I get to do what I want and go outside and make a snowman… Anonda Watson
I like it because you’re out of school. I love Christmas because you get a lot of Christmas presents. It’s the best holiday, that’s what I say. I like it because you wake up in the morning. My mom likes when she gets presents and she gets happy and cries…Jonathan McMath
Christmas is a day you celebrate Jesus’ birthday. Christmas is about sharing with others. I get things from people and Santa…Desmond Gentry
It means Santa and his reindeer are coming down the chimney and bring presents in a bag and ready to spread holiday cheer…Joseph Holley
It means that I get presents and it means that Jesus was born on that day and he did nice things to help us. You have to be good to get presents…Bre’Auncia Lawrence
Christmas means a lot to me. It means a lot to me because it’s God’s birthday. It’s also special to me because a lot of your family members come to visit you and you have a big dinner. You also get lots of presents…Tiana Randolph
Christmas is a really happy holiday. Christmas is the best holiday to me. Christmas is everything to me. People really love Christmas…Zaia Coleman
Christmas, it means so much to me. I get to see my family and because it is Jesus’ birthday, the food and the games with the people I love. Mostly I love to see people I was missing. I love to play around the Christmas tree. I like Christmas Eve. We get to open a present. I love Christmas because I get to be with my mother…Davon Miller
To me Christmas is a day you celebrate Jesus’ birthday. It is a day you open up your presents and eat dinner. You can even go out and eat. If you go out to eat you can go to Red Lobster or Fire Mountain. I went to my aunty’s house in Lansing…Isaac Tolbert
Christmas is the time for peace, hope and kindness. You can’t fight, argue or put hatred towards anyone. Also, you have to appreciate the things given in life. Also, I can say Christmas is the prettiest holiday because the white frosty snow dusted on the trees and a white fluffy blanket lying across the Earth’s surface. Christmas is the holiday to share and love others and to have the holiday spirit like believing in Frosty, Santa Claus and the mistletoe. So have a smile and; I say “Merry Christmas, to one and all.” …Sarah Welborn
Happy Holidays!
This semester, McColl students spent weeks learning about the election process, the political parties, the candidates and politics in general. In October they held a mock election at the school using voting equipment supplied by the Wayne County Department of Elections. Obama won by a 5 to 1 margin. The children were somewhat surprised when they learned how easy it is to vote and vowed to encourage their parents to do the same. Now the culmination of their classroom work – their very own Inaugural Ball. On Tuesday, January 20, McColl’s students will gather around televisions and watch the swearing-in of President elect, Barack Obama and Vice President elect, Joseph Biden. There is sure to be some interesting discussion after the ceremony because the children are well versed with regard to what led up to what will truly be a history-making moment. Then as the clock strikes 4:30 p.m., the Inauguration Ball begins with all of the 1st through 5th graders in attendance. They will be transformed into elegant, diminutive images of tens of thousands of adults attending Inaugural Balls, nationwide. The students will be decked out in their Sunday best or semi-formal attire, attended to by their parents who will make up the wait staff at the affair, be entertained by the dulcet tones of a volunteer parent orchestra, and dine on chicken strips, mashed potatoes, a salad, Obama Cake and punch. There will be no more perfect evening anywhere…even in D.C.
Fifty-three Clark Elementary students will be among the hundreds of thousands of people in Washington D.C. on January 20th, cheering for our new President of the United States, Barack Obama. The youngsters are excited beyond description about this once in a lifetime opportunity. They will take their place along the parade route down Pennsylvania Avenue where they’ll have a great view of the President elect as he makes his way to the swearing in site. This very special field trip was conceived over six months ago which gave parents ample time to save the money to pay the $125 cost of the trip. While the students are in D.C., at the school, the rest of the students will join billions of other people, worldwide, who will watch the inauguration on television. Then the students will work on classroom projects based on the Inauguration and the First Family.
Every year, the U.S. News and World Report magazine conducts a review of high schools across the country and awards medals to the best. They work with School Evaluation Services which provides education data. They analyze academic and enrollment information from more than 21,000 high schools to find the best. This year, 4 of the schools are DPS schools. They are Cass, Communication and Media Arts, Davis Aerospace and Renaissance. Renaissance received a Silver award-the other schools received Bronze awards. Congratulations.
As national, state and local news grows increasingly dismal, “Voices of Hope” ring out. Due to budget cuts and enrollment decline Denby Technical and Preparatory High School has been without a music department for over 3 years. Six weeks ago students approached principal, Ms. Beth Cole, to ask permission to sing. They explained that the majority of them were involved in their Church choirs and although there isn’t a formal choir class offered in the curriculum they just wanted to be able to meet and sing. Christmas was around the corner. They already knew the Carols and songs of praise (in 4 part harmony). All they needed was an adult to supervise and permission to meet. Within a day their mission was accomplished. On Monday December 15th they met for a dress rehearsal for a school assembly. When Ms. Cole entered the auditorium there stood 50 young people, with a piano accompanist (Ms. Sylvia Williams), adult (Mr. Darryl Clark) as well as a student choir director and drummer. At the count of 3 their voices rang out-a testimony to the resilience of young people and showing that if we can’t give them what they want, somehow, someway they will rise and with grace and guidance accomplish what adults often feel is the impossible. They have since performed excellently at a school assembly, entertained the staff at their holiday mixer and have a couple of appearances lined up over the next couple months. They call themselves Voices of Hope. These young people have organized themselves and sing like angels.
Written by Cynthia Martin of Denby High School- 30 years at Denby
Over 40 volunteer DPS employees including Acting General Superintendent, Teresa Gueyser, Esq. - plus Board President, Carla Scott, M.D. and Board member Marie Thornton and parents - have been spending hours judging the approximately 1,800 entries submitted for the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Creative Expression Contest.
The competition was created by the Detroit Board of Education to recognize the works of Dr. King and President-elect Obama; to give students a chance to expand on the lessons they learned about politics, the candidates and the election process; and to give more students the opportunity to attend the inauguration in Washington, D.C. The Contest opened the doors for the students to express themselves creatively using one of two themes as a guide:
Every DPS student in grades K through 12 was eligible to submit an entry in one or more of several categories – essay, poetry, music/Rap, power point /video or artwork. The entries are nothing short of fantastic and a testament to the many talented and motivated students in the District. Every child who entered a project will receive a Certificate of Participation and ten will receive trophies. A few of the entries will be selected for display at Board Meetings and in the Welcome Center for the public to view. When the judging has been completed, the students who created the 49 best entries will learn that they have each won the prize of a lifetime-an all expense paid trip to the inauguration of the Nation’s 44th president. The winners will be announced shortly after the schools reopen.
The tradition of being a member of the student Safety Patrol is long and revered. They are the children who stand in the rain…the wind…the heat…and the cold to help their schoolmates cross the streets safely. Such students are well trained, very proud of what they do, and take their responsibilities seriously. On the down side, some of these youngsters come from families that simply cannot provide them with all of the cold weather gear they need to stay warm while they serve at their post in the winter…yet they serve. The needs of the Safety Patrol students at Lodge Elementary were brought to the attention of the Lawrence Group Company and the Detroit Lions. The result, the company and the Lions gave the school’s brave little ‘soldiers’ proper ‘uniforms’ of Lions hats, scarves, mittens…the stuff that keeps you warm. After the gifts were distributed, all of the fourth and fifth grade students were treated to special time with Lions tackle, Damieon Cook who talked to them about the importance of a good education, keeping their body healthy, and focusing on their future.
Corporate partnerships are making great contributions to education in DPS schools. One of the newest partnerships is with the law firm of Foley & Lardner. Their focus is on teaching high school students about what it takes to become an entrepreneur. The firm developed a program, Improving Detroit through Entrepreneurship Advancement (IDEA) for DPS students, because they wanted to do more for the students than just raise money. Most recently, the 90 students from Breithaupt, Crockett, Golightly and Randolph Career Technical Centers, Davis Aerospace Technical High School and the Detroit School of Arts who are in the year-long IDEA program, attended the second of the six work/learn sessions. It was sponsored by Little Caesar’s. The students presented their assignments from the first session and that was to develop plans for potential businesses. They came up with a variety of business possibilities from catering to a magazine to manufacturing aircraft parts. The students then heard presentations from top local executives including the president of Little Caesars, Dave Scrivano, Mike Jones a Little Caesar’s franchisee, the CEO of the Detroit Renaissance Venture Fund, Chris Rizik, and Foley & Lardner representative, Steve Hilfinger. They discussed the topic of the day, obtaining financing for a business. The next four sessions will cover human resources, business contracting and intellectual property. Nowhere else but in DPS.
It’s very simple. If a child can’t see well and nobody does anything about it, that child will not be able to adequately learn. Enter DPS See To Achieve, and of course corporate partners. Ford Motor Company-Ford Land Division, Luxottica Group Foundation and Midwest Eye Bank support See To Achieve developed by the DPS Office of School Social Work Services from a project originated by Lenscrafters (now Luxottica). Over the past 10 years, the latter has donated millions of dollars worth of free eye care services and glasses to over 11,000 needy DPS students. Students in 200 DPS schools and six other school Districts have benefited from this program that is structured to find and fix students’ vision problems. They are pre-screened and pre-selected by the School Social Worker, then picked up at their schools and bussed to the project site that which is annually active for two weeks. Last year, 84% of the children seen needed and received free glasses. Removing the vision barrier to learning has been shown to improve academic achievement and behavior. This year the project will help over 4,000 students. See To Achieve is also funded by the Office of School Social Work Service, local vendors, school social work organizations and local Lions Clubs.
Once again the powerful voices in the Catherine C. Blackwell Institute’s Gospel Choir thrilled the crowds. This time the 55 students sang the National Anthem at a University of Detroit Mercy activity- one of several pre Final Four NCAA Championship Games events hosted by Ford Field from now until the games begin at that facility in April. The Blackwell choir was asked to sing based on their stellar reputation. Under the direction of Blackwell Principal, Patricia Hines, the choir has far surpassed its original mission of promoting charity and a positive image of American youth in Performing Arts to traveling the country for command performances from Florida to Illinois, and many stops in between. They have also performed with world renowned artists such as Aretha Franklin and Orthea Barnes. They sing for all who will listen and bring joy to those who live without it such as the homeless and lonely elderly citizens in the Metro Detroit area. They would ultimately like to perform in Africa and complete a live recording. But for now, they will remember well their latest performance at U of D Mercy where they saw a dunk contest, a women’s and men’s alumni game, met the Titans team and just had the opportunity to soak up the feel of their future on a college campus.
He is a knight in shining armor for a group of Southeastern High School alumni who were in town for their (roughly) 50th year reunion. At the last minute he was pressed into service to be the personal guide for what turned out to be one of the highlights of their Detroit homecoming-a tour of their beloved high school.
After the tour, JoAnne Lindsley, one of the alumni in the group, wrote a letter to the principal, Brenda Gatlin, praising their young guide who took them through most of the completely renovated building and informed them about the many academic and other programs such as the Foch Success Academy. Lindsley remarked that he was so very confident, proud of his school and “skilled at shepherding us old folks” even though it was his first time. She added that they were thrilled that the building is still beautiful, but she was most impressed by the spirit of the students at Southeastern and their belief in their ability to succeed. The tour was a special treat for the group-a precious step back to the ‘old days,’ reviving memories that they will treasure for years to come.
So who is our young man? He is Trevion Elmore, 10th grader with a good GPA, a member of JROTC and the 100 Black Men Project Success Mentoring Program. He is the true face of the majority of the students at Southeastern and in all of your Detroit Public Schools.
At Denby High School the students have learned quite a lot about voting such as voter registration, absentee ballots, candidate and party platforms, the candidate debates, campaigning, and of course voting. The comprehensive lesson culminated in a mock election which was kicked off with a school-wide, voter registration drive for students who are 18 years old who had not registered. Voter registration cards along with absentee ballots were passed out to make it easier to fill them out. Students also learned about the candidates respective platforms and were trained to work at voting sites. Finally, when it was time to vote, the students used actual official polling equipment provided by the Office of Elections, to really get a feel for the most important step of the voter preparation process…
…and on the elementary level…
On Monday, October 27th, the second through fifth grade students at Clark Elementary will get a jump on just about every other voter in the country when they hold their mock election and presidential forum. This activity is designed to help the students understand the process and the importance of voting. On Tuesday, the 28th, the pre-K and 1st grade students will cast their ballots. Will they predict the winner? November 4th will tell us.
Now is the time to get those shrubs and trees into the ground for a long winter’s nap. It’s a gardening fact that the students at Clara W. Rutherford Academy know very well, thanks to a partnership with The Greening of Detroit. Their volunteers came to the school and helped school staffers and students plant 10 trees to help beautify the campus and to help reduce air pollution. It was a lesson well learned because in the years to come the students might continue to plant things that grow ad help the environment.
The lobby of the Fisher Building is serving as the backdrop for one of the most highly anticipated art displays of the year...children's art...created by students in the Houghten Elementary and Fisher Magnet Middle Schools’ primary grades. Visitors can view the childrens’ graphic expressions of memories they have of various books and stories that were read to them, that they read, and of course, their classroom academics. You can view these wonderful works of art through Friday, October 17th.
From the soul of a Detroit Public Schools student comes this inspirational writing…
I’m an eagle
I fly alone
I’m blind when it comes to trouble, but I can see
when it comes to success…
I’ve got a jar full of dreams
I expect the best
When I look in the mirror, I see a millionaire…
It ain’t all about the money - it’s all about my dreams
Gerry Robinson – 15 years old
Barsamian High School
Third through eighth-grade students throughout the U.S. and Canada are participating in the “O Ambassador’s Club.” The project teaches children about the lives of other children around the world, and what they can do to help children who are in need of assistance. The students at Mark Twain Elementary are part of this social issues project. It is an excellent opportunity for students to learn that regardless of their age, there is something they can do that can have a positive impact in this world. The ‘O Ambassadors-Roots of Action Tour’ visited the students. Michel Chik-wa-nine from the Democratic Republic of Congo, captured the students’ attention when he described his life as a child soldier. The students were moved to take action and began a coin drive that raised about $500 to help needy children in Sierra Leone by funding a safe drinking water system, and to purchase goats for a source of nourishment and income for families.
Touched by the sudden death of one of the schools teachers, the children sent the money in her name-Charlotte Huby. Interest in the club is growing and the children will be involved in other projects during the school year. The O Ambassadors program is a joint project of Oprah’s Angel Network and Kids Can Free the Children, You can help too. Just go to www.oambassadors.org .
There’s more news… Mark Twain teachers Cheri Kozlowski and Madeleine Karcz were in the group of five DPS teachers who recently completed the Oracle Educational Foundation’s 21st Century Learning Institute. It was jointly sponsored by Wayne RESA and the Michigan Department of Education. The sessions trained teachers to use a Project Learning website that helps them create activities to teach children to be creative, to develop teamwork, improve communication, and to develop cross-cultural appreciation- necessary skills for 21st century success. Teachers in many countries have gone through this training and post their projects on think.com, which is accessible by all of them. Every student in the program can go to the website, access the projects and participate in them, putting them in touch with children around the corner or around the world. The local teachers in the training program worked on a six-week long online component and completed the training at Schoolcraft College. Each will receive an MI Champions Technology Grant of $500 to help them create learning projects such as Ms. Kozlowski’s project to research ecosystems and food chains in the coral reefs and Ms. Karcz’s project that integrates geometry principles with those of art and technology. The other DPS teachers who completed the training are Marian Williams-Chatman from Breithaupt/CTC; and Diane McCloud and Sybil Sharpe from Northwestern High School.
Two DPS student Jazz Ensembles were featured performers at the 29th Annual Detroit Jazz Festival. The Duke Ellington School of Performing Arts Jazz Ensemble played under the direction of Ms. Deblon Jackson and the Renaissance High School Jazz Ensemble played under the direction of Mr. Willie McAllister. It was an excellent opportunity for residents in the tri-county area to see and hear what our students can do.
