The Superintendent Speaks

Full-day, five days a week Kindergarten

 

Recent measures in Lansing signed into law will greatly impact the way Michigan’s school districts offer services to children in the earliest grades. In Detroit I am very pleased to report that all of our Kindergarten students already have full-day services provided five days a week. In fact, 10,500 young learners in Detroit are attending school, all day, in the safe, clean, nurturing environment of 190 Pre-K and 300 Kindergarten classrooms in schools throughout the District.

 

 

Opening of Schools Meeting for Principals

 

Earlier this week, principals and assistant principals from all Detroit Public Schools joined me, our leadership team and Board members for the Opening of Schools meeting held at Renaissance High School. The program included recognition of principals receiving awards, those achieving perfect attendance during the 2007-08 school year, and greetings from Board of Education President Carla Scott, M.D.

 

There I asked all of those involved with Detroit Public Schools to enter this school year by shifting the lens….Much like the way in which even the slightest turn of a kaleidoscope provides a brilliant colorfully changed display, every shift in our focus can produce effective improvements for our school children who are our clients. I am asking that you join me in viewing all that we will face this year through the lens of “What the children need” and “What is best for the student?” By moving forward together in this regard we can make a dramatically positive impact on our students, our schools, our city and indeed, our region and state.

 

I encouraged all staff to review School Profile Reports, copies of which for each school in the district are presented for the public on the school district website. Such data demonstrates, particularly at the high school level, the challenges facing the district in meeting each student’s needs and creating conditions for all students to achieve. I also encourage you to review our demographic data which shows the population/economic forces and opportunities facing the school district, parental needs, and health factors such as the high incidence of lead poisoning among Detroit’s children.

 

I hope all of you saw a published editorial in which AFT Michigan President Dr. David Hecker called on union members, community members and agencies and district officials to be partners in implementing effective programs

 

Even as we face academic and economic challenges, we have many excellent successes to celebrate in DPS. Families of more than 96,000 students chose Detroit Public Schools this year; therefore we remain more than three times the size of the next largest district in the state. Our challenge is to replicate the successful schools and programs, and create new ones, to assure that all of our children will succeed. By 2014 Federal No Child Left Behind legislation requires all students must meet the achievement standards.

 

Board Member Annie Carter also attended the session, as did representatives from Wayne RESA in support of the High Priority Schools initiative.

 

                                               

 

Board-Superintendent Retreat

 

Members of the Detroit Board of Education and I participated in a goals-setting retreat this past weekend.

 

Vice President Joyce Hayes-Giles, who in her capacity as Acting President organized the program, commented, “I was very pleased with how hard the Board and the Superintendent worked together through the wee hours of the night Friday and all day Saturday. We were able to mutually agree on five major goals that will move the district forward. More work will be done outside of the retreat as Dr. Calloway and her team work to flesh it all out. I am very excited with the future of Detroit Public Schools given the positive nature of the work we did together and how we will continue to work together for the children of DPS. I am also very grateful to the Skillman Foundation for their continued support by funding the retreat. The commitment we made to Skillman in terms of striving for the desired outcome was met. I also want to thank Skillman for their continued faith in us, and my appreciation goes out to the Board and the Superintendent for these accomplishments.”

 

In addition to Giles, President Carla Scott and Board Members Terry Catchings, Marvis Cofield, Otis Mathis, Ida Short, Marie Thornton and Rev. Dr. Jimmy Womack attended the Friday session. I provided the Board with baseline data on all aspects of the school district. Board members attending Saturday were Catchings, Cofield, Giles, Mathis, Scott, Short and Thornton.

 

Facilitating the retreat were Arthur Griffin Jr., former president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) Board of Education, and Dr. Alfred Hawkins, President of the African American Superintendents Association in Michigan. Members of the public and the Cabinet also attended.

                                                                       

Detroit Promise

 

I was very encouraged to learn about the efforts of a local businessman to start Detroit’s version of the Kalamazoo promise. This has the potential to be great news for our students and we look forward to learning more about it from the organizers.

 

The impact the Kalamazoo Promise has had not only on the students and schools but on the overall vitality of the community, is well documented.

 

Like the recent announcement of a venture fund to help fund turnaround school initiatives, this is a strong example that within our community including among our business leaders there is a sense that positive change is forthcoming at DPS.

 

Here is the news release sent out about the project:

 

The Detroit College Promise, a nonprofit organization modeled after the Kalamazoo Promise, announces its intent to begin providing college tuition scholarships to the Detroit Public Schools high school graduating class of 2010. 

 

The scholarship program, when fully funded, will be offered to every Detroit Public School high school graduate who completes a simple one page application form. Dr. Nat Pernick, Executive Director, indicated that “the only requirements for the scholarship are graduation from a DPS High School, with at least 4 years of continuous enrollment and City of Detroit residency.  There are no income or academic restrictions.”

 

The Detroit College Promise hopes to emulate the success of the Kalamazoo Promise (https://www.kalamazoopromise.com) which has led to an increase in public school enrollment in Kalamazoo The Kalamazoo Promise has also changed student behavior, with 34% of students surveyed indicating that they are working harder, and 87% indicating that they plan to use the Kalamazoo Promise to enroll in a community college or university.

 

The Detroit College Promise has started seeking pledges of financial support along two tracks.  First, it is seeking 1000 or more pledges from individuals of $20 or more, so community residents feel invested in the program, and to demonstrate widespread support.  Second, it is pursuing larger pledges from the business and non-profit community, to provide funding for the initial years and for an endowment that will support the program in perpetuity.  Pernick indicated that “we need $500,000 in pledges to begin the program at a pilot high school.  If this happens soon, we will start the program with this year’s graduating class.  All funds raised will be used for tuition and mandatory fees, and sent directly to colleges and universities.  No money will be sent to parents, students, the Detroit Public Schools or other entities.”  The Detroit College Promise is also seeking endorsements from our political leaders.

 

Pernick noted that it is important to make Detroit area parents aware of The Detroit College Promise at this time, so those interested will enroll in the Detroit Public Schools for this school year.  Children who enroll in the Detroit Public Schools after 9th grade will not be eligible for the scholarship, due to its 4 year enrollment requirement.  In addition, earlier enrollment is recommended, because the scholarship benefit increases the longer a student attends DPS, ranging from 65% of tuition and mandatory fees for 4 years to 100% of tuition for 13 years, and nothing if less than 4 years.

 

The Detroit College Promise website, at www.DetroitCollegePromise.org, contains complete information about the scholarship and regularly updated news about its progress.  It also contains suggestions for parental activity, in anticipation of the implementation of The Detroit College Promise. 

 

 

First Class School District

 

Governor Granholm has signed into law the School Aid Act. In it, the definition of a First Class School District is changed, from a threshold of 100,000 students to 60,000 students. Please join me in applauding all lawmakers for taking this historic step which puts DPS enrollment in context of citywide, regional and state population trends and recognizes the unique contributions DPS makes and will make to Michigan’s economic recovery. Please join also in encouraging our elected officials to make this change consistent in the Revised School Code as quickly as possible.

 

 

Staff Accolades

 

At the end of the last school year I invited you to submit items for a special section on our DPS staff members’ notable accomplishments. I am pleased to present these here:

 

Linda L. Brown, Media Specialist, J.R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy, earned an additional endorsement of Educational Technology (NP) 6-12.

 

Viviana Muriel de Bonafede, NBCT, Spanish Teacher, Detroit School of Arts, was selected by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to lead the Michigan/National Board delegation on Hill Day as part of the Policy Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C.

 

Michael J. Harries, Special Education Teacher, Osborn High School, received a Specialist in Administration and Supervision degree from Wayne State University.

 

Deana Harries, Special Education Teacher, Pershing High School, received an M.A. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Detroit-Mercy.

 

Bessie Harries, Assistant Principal, Sampson Webber Academy, is the President of the Metropolitan Detroit Alliance of Black School Educators.

 

Cassandra Jackson, Clerical Level III, Office of Specialized Student Services, graduated from Central Michigan University with a M.S. in Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management.

 

Wayne RESA honored Phyllis Carmen Williams, Northwest Early Childhood Center, Kathryn Meloche, Clippert Academy and Todd Losie, Renaissance, as Teachers of the Year; Camille Burden, Logan Elementary as Rookie Teacher of the Year; Gail Nawrock, Carstens Elementary as Ancillary Professional Staff Member of the Year; and Toni Hartke, Early Childhood Education with a Leadership Award.

 

Anne Harding, Preschool Teacher, Hanstein School, received an Education Specialist degree with a major in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Early Childhood Education, from Wayne State University.

 

Vanessa Spencer, Director, Breithaupt Career and Technical Center, received the Administrator Certification: Central Office and Elementary/Secondary education (K-12)

 

Sylvia Tillman, Educational Technology Teacher, Dossin Elementary, coached students during Academic Games all year, partnered with Lawrence Technological University to bring the Robofest Robotic Competition to Dossin, took a group of 30 students to Lansing for Tech Day, completed a six Robotics NXT training course for Vetal students, and is on a mission to help her colleagues create “Digital Age Classrooms.

 

 

 

First Day of School, Tuesday, September 2, 2008

 

I look forward to visiting DPS schools on the first day of school, Tuesday, September 2.

 

 

I receive many email responses from staff members desiring a return phone call. Please include a phone number in your correspondence if you are seeking a phoned response.

 

Please always remember the heart of instruction is what takes place in the classrooms of this district.  Teaching and learning is the most important business of DPS.  Please take care of the children; they are our investment in our future. 

 

 

Respectfully,

Your Superintendent,

Connie Calloway

 

For those who were able to enjoy some R & R over the Spring Break, I welcome you back, and to all DPS staff I welcome the opportunity to again update you on several major initiatives.

Phase One Turn Around Schools

The Superintendent and the Detroit Board of Education have had the opportunity for open dialogue for several months on the topic of small high school design. DPS administrators, union representatives and elected officials have participated in several state and foundation sponsored field trips on small high school design. Governor Jennifer Granholm, State Senator Irma Clark Coleman, the Michigan Department of Education and others have conferenced with DPS on positioning our district to be in the vanguard for turnaround schools.

This is a great time for the children, their families and the entire community in the City of Detroit. An EXTREME MAKEOVER is coming for students at five Detroit Public Schools.

Based on data, conferences and principal recommendations, Cody High School, Cody Ninth Grade Academy, Henry Ford High School, Osborn High School and Vetal K-8 School have been selected as Phase One Turn Around Schools. This initiative is intended to accelerate our students’ academic achievement through rigor, relevance, and relationships. A more rigorous curriculum means increasing the level of challenge in our academic standards. Academic rigor is to incorporate competitive proficiency levels in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts and technology required for success beyond high school. Relevance is to better address the need of the current employment market, to better prepare DPS graduates to enter the workforce in career fields and at skill levels needed to move our city and state forward. Building sustained positive relationships between students and educators is key to increasing the graduation rate, maintaining student engagement and course completion.

This historic initiative will significantly move Detroit Public Schools toward the AAA Schools model where everyone is held accountable, is expected to add value, which will result in increased academic achievement for our students, thus positively impacting the communities we serve. This paradigm shift filters every school function through the lens of effective instruction, what is best for each child. Phase One of the Turn Around School initiative is intended to transform the curriculum, classrooms, technology, staff, buildings and grounds in these five schools.

National studies show that students perform better in smaller, more personalized settings. Large single schools will be redesigned to house three or four independent, autonomous schools on a single campus. The new initiative offers students the opportunity to attend a school aligned with their interests and allows for real-world career connections. Each smaller school has an administrative team, a designated staff, a unique instructional program, and a maximum capacity of 450 students. The smaller school is a platform for creating the kind of learning communities needed for higher levels of achievement.

The neighborhoods surrounding The New Schools at Cody, The New Schools at Cody 9, The New Schools at Henry Ford, The New Schools at Osborn and The New Schools at Vetal represent areas within the State of Michigan with the highest densities of families with school age children. There are 19,000 school aged children in the Osborn community alone — the densest school aged population in the State of Michigan.

A new administrative team, union representatives, parents, students, foundations and all stakeholders will work collaboratively for the turnaround of our schools. All district staff will have the opportunity to apply for these positions. Parents will be invited to join in the planning and redesign of each school. Small school themes will be developed in collaboration with the community, business partners and other stakeholders. Students currently enrolled will have the first opportunity to select a school of choice. An initial information meeting is planned for Monday, April 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Cody High School, 18445 Cathedral.

This is an exciting time for the Detroit Public Schools and the Detroit Board of Education. Models in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Providence and elsewhere are working and give hope for this initiative. Governor Jennifer Granholm’s proposal for smaller high schools, which aims to reduce the dropout rate and requires partners in the process, creates an opportunity for Detroit to step forward to submit multiple proposals for this funding. The support of the community and philanthropic partners such as New Detroit, Gates Foundation, United Way and particularly the Skillman Foundation allows us to move forward on a more rapid timeline by providing data, expertise and successful models.

District Food Service Contract

I continue to receive inquiries because of considerable public interest in the food service contract, and as I have reported to you before, I have assembled key staff to review the current food service contract between the District and Aramark. In particular, I have requested, among other things, the following information: (1) a detailed report regarding the specific deliverables required under the contract with Aramark; (2) a timeline associated with the deliverables, including scheduling requirements related to commodities orders in the best interest of the District and in accordance with the contract; and, (3) the obligations of the District under the contract to meet the timelines and to ensure compliance with federal and state law.

Upon review of this information, I will submit a report of the findings to the Board of Education. It is anticipated that this report will be completed within the next thirty days.

In addition, on March 19, 2008 we received a letter from Mary Ann Chartrand, director, grants coordination and school support, Michigan Department of Education (MDE), about the school district’s food service management contract with Aramark.

The letter stated that the Detroit Public Schools has full approval from MDE for the 2007-08 contract extension with Aramark, based on a March 12, 2008 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) memorandum that clarified the allowability of procurement fees. For contracts that pre-date the effective date of a USDA Final Procurement Rule dated November 30, 2007, “procurement fees are allowable, even if they are tied directly to the amount of discounts, rebates, and applicable credits to be returned to the school district…and that the DPS contract “has met this newly clarified standard.”

Nonetheless, our ongoing challenge is to establish the best possible services for our students, and we will continue our review of all aspects of the food service contract, including its deliverables, timelines and costs. All action regarding this and future contracts will rely on data-based decision-making.

We will continue to meet our commitment to the community to demonstrate integrity and transparency in all financial programs and functions of this school district.

Maritime-Themed Board School

Mayor Kilpatrick announced at the State of the City Address his plans to present to Detroit Public Schools a proposal for a maritime-themed boarding school to be located on Belle Isle. The concept was developed by a Michigan State University Professor. How great it is that the Mayor would state that he wants this to be a DPS collaborative endeavor! I support the Mayor’s efforts on behalf of our schools and appreciate his renewed confidence in moving forward with DPS. Recognizing that the Mayor wants to have sound educational options for all of our school children, I look forward to working with the City of Detroit on this and other educational programs.

Title I, Section 31A and other federally funded programs

At my most recent meeting with the school district’s principals, I learned about an impending issue regarding Detroit Public Schools Title I, Section 31A and other Federally funded programs. To summarize, we were informed that a number of schools had large balances remaining in their budgets from these programs, and a deadline is approaching before which the funds must be utilized to ensure that they will not be lost. Key staff members in the Offices of Funds & Development and Contracting & Procurement were immediately charged to accelerate their work with the schools and also coordinate with the Michigan Department of Education to assure that our building principals will be able to use all available funds for programs that improve student achievement.

As General Superintendent I have promised this community that we will have integrity in all financial programs and functions of this school district. We are putting in place policies and procedures to assure that grant funds are always utilized in compliance with all regulations and in a manner that benefits Detroit school children.

Coats for Kids Plus

I was a little surprised to learn that a longtime and beneficial voluntarily organized project by one of our own classroom teachers, Mearon Lewers, has received very little response. It provides knit hats, gloves, scarves, undershirts, socks, tights and other essentials to DPS school children

As you search your heart for ways to assist, you may receive more information by contacting Ms. Lewers at (313) 822-6587 or mearonlewers@aol.com.

Realignment Plan Phase II

The Board of Education has approved the recommendations of the Superintendent and the Board Facilities Committee regarding Phase II of the Detroit Public Schools Realignment Plan– the closing of approximately a dozen additional schools at the end of the 2007-08 school year.

The Board has agreed that we should suspend all school closings for this year. Having experienced approximately 35 closings in 2006 - 2007, we have gained knowledge and insights from this process.

Decisions up to this point have been made based primarily on enrollment targets, building capacity and facility conditions. In addition to these requirements we have learned that we need to have a more complete set of variables: we need to hear the voices of all of the stakeholders including the community, staff, students and businesses. We need to consider the academic performance of the school and to assure that no student will be assigned to a lower performing school. We have to consider the impact on our Class A School District status. Additionally we have to consider these questions: Is there a DPS replacement anchor school for the particular neighborhood or community? What is the distance that students would have to travel to find an equally competitive DPS academic program? What is the economic position of the local community, such as planned new housing starts and other economic development factors? What are the population trends in the impacted neighborhoods?

The General Superintendent and Board of Education members have determined that we must evaluate what resources we have provided to struggling schools, and what additional academic programs, after-school programs, and training and in-service opportunities for teachers and staff we have provided at these schools.

Given the above, closing additional schools is not a decision we want to rush into or conclude without hearing from all of the stakeholders.

Presently, the critical variable that would affect a school’s ability to remain open is if the facility structure itself places our students or staff at a safety risk.

Monthly Parent “Conversations with the Superintendent”

I was very, very pleased by the participation of our parents at the inaugural monthly forum on March 10. In fact, we will now be moving to a larger site for future sessions! We will continue to hold these on the Monday preceding each Board of Education meeting, with the next session set for Monday, April 7. Each session will continue to begin with informational presentations on key school district initiatives and, of course, opportunities for parents to ask questions of myself and other district leaders.

Help our King Crusaders and HDQ Seniors

There have been significant contributions made by area foundations, the credit union, and others, but the marching band at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School still needs your support to raise the funds needed to travel to China. At this point a very modest contribution on the part of every staff member, who can, would easily help the students to surpass their goal. Contact the school at 494-7373 if you can assist this deserving band whose participation in China would serve as a great source of pride for all of DPS.

Also, we want to ensure that each of the graduating seniors in our Heroes Don’t Quit (HDQ) initiative have graduation gifts to encourage and support their next major educational steps. Contact the Office of Public Relations at 873-4542 if you can help.

Again, I thank you for your many e-mails and responses to these messages. While I read every response that is sent, I now have assembled a team who helps to ensure that every request is followed up.

Please always remember the heart of instruction is what takes place in the classrooms of this district. Teaching and learning is the most important business of DPS. Please take care of the children; they are our investment in our future.

Respectfully,

Your Superintendent,

Connie Calloway

This week I have a number of items to share with our Detroit staff.

Vacant Buildings Security

I want to share with you the actions that we continue to take to assure that school district properties, including our currently closed school buildings, are protected. As you know, the skyrocketing price of scrap metals, combined with the state’s economy, create a challenge for all property owners regardless of their size. Recently high profile thefts have vandalized facilities and disrupted programming of the major utilities, City government, churches, and private schools, not to mention countless incidents affecting individual homeowners. The school district is not alone, and the number of schools decommissioned—processes set in motion under previous administrations—makes Detroit Public Schools a major target as well. The previously unbudgeted costs of maintaining these properties present a major concern.

Last week I asked Chief of Facilities, Maintenance and Auxiliary Services Mr. Nathaniel Taylor and Public Safety Chief Charles Mitchell to work closely with the Detroit Police, Crimestoppers and legislative bodies in a coordinated effort to deter vandalism at our sites. A news conference was held on Tuesday afternoon to announce this partnership and to engage the larger community to speak up when they witness destructive and costly crimes against our property. They reported 114 total arrests including the arrest and confiscation of vehicles belonging to non-Detroiters at one of our buildings; announced a $1,000.00 reward for information leading to arrests, increased security around and inside the buildings, and the “yellow jacket” community policing effort; and spoke about a campaign to engage local salvage companies and research the recent City Council and state legislative initiatives regarding salvage company documentation, among other items.

District employees who travel from site to site as part of their regular work day have been asked to pay careful attention to vacant buildings during their travels. All district staff will be encouraged to do their part as stakeholders to report any unusual activity at our sites. I have asked that a Community Forum be held very soon to provide all interested persons an opportunity to hear programs, voice concerns, and to learn how stakeholders can help protect district resources from theft and vandalism. Chief Mitchell and Mr. Taylor have provided a detailed analysis of current conditions at each site, along with responsible parties for board up/removal work. I am pleased to report that in a very short period of two months DPS staff have worked to fully secure more than 22 of the closed sites. Priority has been given to locations where citizens have reported substantial criminal activity, where children or resident safety is at issue, and where buildings have the highest opportunity for re-use.

Self esteem, employability and the impact of food addictions.

We met with Dr. Calvin Trent, a leader at the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, regarding adding a health focus to the successful new Detroit Public Schools Heroes Don’t Quit (HDQ) initiative. As a result, I will ask principals to announce to students a second opportunity to become a part of this program through a second cohort, “Healthy Heroes Don’t Quit.” Students will write essays about their own stories related to food addictions or substance abuse and the impact on self esteem. Those selected will be publicly recognized and receive the range of support services which we have put in place for the first HDQ cohort, including teaming them with a successful adult hero in our community, counseling services, summer employment, financial awards and more. In addition to Dr. Trent, we will have sought the participation from other leaders in the local medical community, along with other leaders already involved with the HDQ initiative.

Several additional updates: Council of the Great City Schools, Student Showcase Events, DPS Radio Station, and Graduation Rates

Briefly, you should be aware that the Council of the Great City Schools, which represents the nation’s largest school districts, is visiting Detroit Public Schools on several occasions this year to review district programs in key areas. After having conducted a review of Curriculum last month, teams will return before the end of this school year to study our finances, our facilities and our organizational structures. I will report their findings to you when we receive them. Additionally, the Office of Public Relations is working to assure that DPS makes use of a key communications vehicle—radio station 90.9 FM.

While there are contractual limitations, there are many opportunities to increase our “telling our story right the first time” through our own station. There are many opportunities to provide educational opportunities for our students to learn about the broadcast world as well. Look for new programs and features coming very soon. We are gearing up for two traditional DPS annual events, among others: the Excellence Awards Banquet and the Evening of Fine Arts. Creating programs to assure that our students remain in school and succeed is an urgent priority. Ultimately it will take the kind of adult-child mentoring and support systems that programs like HDQ put in place to assure that students are supported. Exaggerated accounts that attempt to paint a broad stroke about the overall school district success rate, without taking into account students who transfer or take five years to graduate, are detrimental and flawed.

Dr. Sophie Jan Womack

Detroit lost a tireless leader and champion for children, a selfless and energetic volunteer and a true pioneer in countless ways, when we gave tribute to the life and contributions of Dr. Sophie Jan Womack. Her unexpected and sudden loss is without question a tremendous time of grieving and sorrow for all those that knew her and in particular her immediate family. Our thoughts and prayers surround Rev. Dr. Jimmy Womack and their two daughters at this time. The Sampson Webber Clinic has been renamed the Dr. Sophie Womack Henry Ford Health Clinic at the recommendation of the principal and staff. Please always remember the heart of instruction is what takes place in the classrooms of this district. Teaching and learning is the most important business of DPS. Please take care of the children; they are our investment in our future. Respectfully, Your Superintendent, Connie Calloway

Respectfully,

Your Superintendent

Connie Calloway

Hello again Detroit staff!

AAA Education School House

In each set of these e-mail greetings I’ve begun to include the “AAA” graphics, and you might have seen it appearing on other new documents as well. The Detroit Public Schools AAA Education School House is a schema of how the district will work collectively to strengthen teaching and learning in every classroom. Our primary focus is to serve the needs of all students and the communities they live and grow in. It is our commitment to assure that as students step into each of our buildings, we teach them the skills which will allow them to have productive and promising futures. This school house represents a transformation, a paradigm shift, where we begin to filter everything through the lens of effective instruction. The learning needs of our students will determine every phase of our daily operations. Every department, every administrator, every teacher, every staff member, every parent and every student is accountable and will be challenged to add value to the role he/she performs in the school house, thus assuring achievement for students and our communities.

Click to view larger image

Successful adult heroes work to assure that the city’s young heroes don’t quit

Some of you may have heard me speak about an extraordinary group of our DPS students whose stories have been recognized through our new Heroes Don’t Quit (HDQ) initiative.

When I was invited to be the keynote speaker at City Year Detroit’s annual community service rally on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, I sought to use the occasion to recognize local young heroes who, like Dr. King, encounter roadblocks, rigors and resistance, yet they overcome. I asked high school students from across Detroit to write an essay about a hero in their lives—the only limitation being that the hero they write about had to attend their school.

The result: the heroes written about by the selected 28 essayists and the student writers themselves were recognized at the January 21 event, and at an earlier special luncheon at one of Detroit’s finest restaurants, Sweet Georgia Brown.

Also there were a number of support programs and mentoring as well as a new HDQ Wall at each participating high school. Additionally, the first cohort of students’ stories of courage, sacrifice, fate and perseverance overcoming abuse, broken families, homelessness, illness, disease and tragedy will be documented in a booklet.

We want to make certain that each one of our heroes has every opportunity for success, particularly with the support of successful adults. An advisory panel of successful adults many of whom are DPS graduates will serve as mentors to ensure the youth’s success. The panel includes Detroit businessmen and former NBA stars Dave Bing, Derrick Coleman and Tarence Wheeler, attorney Floyd Allen, businessmen Jamar Thrower and Andre Smith, Detroit Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Joan McCray, Atlanta-based entrepreneurial trainer Jerome Edmondson, and others. The group envisions support additionally through counseling services, summer employment, and financial awards.

Student Safety and Student Code of Conduct

I have asked Principals to provide input into proposed revisions necessary for our Student Code of Conduct. I have heard many stories in my time in Detroit regarding the Code and its potential deficiencies. The overall issue of student safety is one which is occupying a greater share of my time and I am committed to ensuring that all of our students as well as adults find their school to be a safe and secure environment at all times.

Respectfully,

Your Superintendent,

Connie Calloway

Beginning this week I would like to share with all district staff regular updates as we work together to achieve a Detroit Public Schools AAA Rating: based on Accountability + Added Value = Achievement.

I have now served as Superintendent for approximately seven months and I appreciate the many, many demonstrations of support from staff members in all classifications and from across the schools and departments of the district.

Through this series of communications I hope to keep you briefed on major district initiatives in a timely and accurate manner and as necessary to directly clarify or refute rumors that arise. Further, I want to create a feedback mechanism for our employees to raise questions and concerns. Your e-mails to dr.calloway@detroitk12.org will be responded to within one week’s time whenever possible. I welcome your feedback on the content and the process.

Distinguished Educators

Nearly one-in-four of the state’s teachers certified by the prestigious National Board for Professional Teaching Standards teach within the Detroit Public Schools. The 58 Detroit educators are among 241 in the State of Michigan and 64,000 teachers nationally who have voluntarily committed to advancing excellence in teaching and learning by participating in a rigorous one-to-three year process focusing on reviewing content knowledge, evaluating their teaching practices and preparing portfolio entries.

Further, over the past three years, three Detroit Public Schools teachers have been named national Milken Award winners. In 2007 Randolph Career and Technical Center Teacher David Robinson joined the ranks of the country’s most exemplary middle/high school teachers. He is one of only 80 teachers nationally to receive the recognition for his efforts at furthering excellence in education. A total of ten Detroit Educators have received the Milken honor and accompanying surprise presentation visit by the State Board of Education President and $25,000 cash awards.

All of Detroit Public Schools’ National Board-certified teachers, its national Milken Educator Award winners and a number of state- and county-recognized teachers were invited to join us January 15 at a special program to celebrate their classroom excellence.

Detroit’s National Board-certified teachers demonstrate the highest levels of personal excellence toward the profession of teaching and I count them among the strongest assets that the school district has in terms of focusing on instruction as the fundamental component of educational transformation needed to enhance student achievement. I am looking forward to working much more closely with each of the current and future Board-certified teachers as we cultivate instructional leaders whose individual excellence inspires all and is transferred toward creating system excellence.

I was very pleased to be joined by Detroit Federation of Teachers President Virginia Cantrell and Executive Board Members, Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick, business leader Mr. Dave Bing and National Board Chief Operating Officer Tom Broitman, as well as DPS National Board certified teacher Michelle Ballard along with many community and district leaders in recognizing these outstanding educators.

Our Distinguished Educators include: Susan Adkins, Rosemary Amene, Asenath Andrews, Sherry Andrews, Elana Backstrom, Michelle Ballard, Terry Barker-Labeau, Diana Baumstark, Cathleen Brackett, Lisa Marei Briegel, Nancy Carey, Victoria Catalina, Flonia Chillis, Terry Chvala, Stephanie Coates, Denise Davis-Cotton, Mary Crotteau, Mary Edmonds, Betty Edwards, Michael Ehmann, LaDawn Ellsberry, Helena Fisher, Shawn Forman, Eula Glenn, Gayle Glenn, Kathi Goggin-Lewis, Maria Goike, Nina Hawkins, Catherine Hernandez, Christopher Holstein, Dr. Richard James, Jr., Enid Johnson, Linda Keteyian, Mary Kovari, Kimberly Kyff, Rhoda Littles, Mary Lowe, Anita Lyons, Linda Mangiapane, Alana McKibben, David Menczer, Ann Mies, Barbara Misuraca, John Mitchell, Jr., Danyeal Morrison, Lisa Moultrie, Viviana Muriel De Bonafede, Mary Ann Nelson, June Green-Rivers, David Robinson, Jeffrey Robinson, Sheryl Rucker, Marsha Sakwa, Cynthia Salhi, Nicole Samuel, Catherine Schrock, Maureen Schwartzhoff, Joan Sheehan, Michele Shorter, Stacie Smith, Tamika Smith, Denice Snyder, Maia Stephens, Mary Tomaszewski, Sandra Truitt-Robinson, Debra Ware, Kim Winston-Radden, Sheila Winters, and Rosa Williams

Updates on Technology

The technology department’s website is currently undergoing major revisions and reconstruction to provide the district staff, students, and community an up-to-date informative resource. If you have suggestions for changes, updates, improvements, etc. please contact Joann Ellison joann.ellison@detroitk12.org in the Technology Department.

The transition from Compuware to Vision IT is complete. If your department or school is in need of technology assistance, please use the district’s Help Desk feature. There are three options available for the DPS community to use to access the Help Desk. They appear on the DPS website in several instances. In general the following methods exist and are shown at various sites on the DPS Internet and Intranet: The methods are:

• The DPS Self Service Portal
• DPS iMail where you can email your issue to help@detroitk12.org
• By telephone at 313.873.0123

Several links on the DPS Web site point to the above options, however the most noticeable one appears on the Intranet page, via the Technology Services box or the Help Desk box on the left side of the screen.

• If the Technology Services box is selected the user can then scroll the screen to the Technology Support section on the left and select the Help Desk or choose the DPS Self Service Portal showing in the middle of the page.

No Plans for Additional DPS Charter Schools

From time to time comments are made at Board of Education meetings or through newspaper letters-to-the-editor that this administration is pursuing the creation of new charter schools. Let me be perfectly clear: Detroit Public Schools will not engage in the further establishing of charter schools in this city. We must continue to find the best ways to respond to the wishes of parents and must continue to look at new programs that best meet the educational needs of our current and future students; however these must be undertaken within the context and framework of DPS. We have no interest in or plans for charter schools.

Visiting Leaders

Last week through different programs State Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael P. Flanagan, U.S. Secretary of Education’s Deputy Regional Representative Todd Zoellick and groups of visiting superintendents from across the state of Michigan toured schools and programs at the Detroit International Academy, Davis Aerospace High School, Roberto Clemente Elementary School, Hally Magnet Middle School, Crockett High School, Brenda Scott Middle School, and the Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies School. All spoke with praise and extremely favorable remarks about our schools, school leaders, teachers, students and programs based on these visits. I appreciate all staff members who took time to make these visits possible. Next TimeIn my next e-mail update, I will speak about safety and student conduct, class size, and a special group of our young DPS heroes.

The Detroit Public Schools Leadership Filter:

c. 2004 Connie Calloway

Welcome to the “Supertindent Speaks“, an online area reserved for articles, communications, and commentaries by Dr. Connie Calloway, Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools.