Tell your family, friends, and neighbors about DPSCD’s 2022-23 Picking the Perfect School Guide, your comprehensive resource for enrolling in a DPSCD school this fall. A reminder, the 2022-23 school year starts on Monday, August 29, 2022. We can’t wait to see you in a DPSCD school.

The District has a school for all learners and students. District teachers and staff are prepared to offer students an amazing educational experience, and we welcome and embrace the diversity of our population. 

Happy 2022-2023 School Year!

Happy Friday DPSCD Community! 

Despite the District being in the middle of summer break, we have been heavily engaged with summer programming, advocacy, and community engagement. This week’s legislative update will consist of information regarding the August 2, 2022, Primary Election, community engagement, and advocacy opportunities! 

August 2, 2022, Primary Election 

On August 2, 2022, Detroit will be voting for Michigan’s next governor, congressional representatives, state representatives, and state senators. If you need to register to vote or need to verify your registration, please visit Michigan’s Election Website now! Although online registration is no longer available for the August 2 election, you can still register to vote at your local clerk’s office in person! 

We have created a comprehensive August Primary 2022 Election Guide to help educate the community on who exactly is on the ballot. The election guide contains candidates in the District’s community and their websites. Please utilize this election guide to research and contact candidates before you fill out your ballot. This will help to ensure you are voting for a candidate that represents your interests. Please review the August Primary 2022 Election Guide for information on candidates and this election’s statewide proposal on adjusting state legislators' term limits. 

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission passed new maps meaning your District may have changed. You can check for your new congressional, state house, and state senate district using interactive maps. Also, you can view your sample ballot and polling information at the Michigan Voter Information Center! 

Community Engagement 

The District’s work does not begin and end inside the schools. A key priority of the District is to ensure we are meeting our stakeholders where they are and maintaining a strong presence in the community.  

This past Thursday, the Government and Community Affairs team, along with other District teams, hosted resource tables at Thirkell’s Summer on the Block!  

On Sunday, Community Engagement Leaders were out at the Eastern Market and Heilmann Park’s Picnic talking to community members about enrollment opportunities and District updates!  

Community advocates also wrote letters to their legislators thanking them for passing an education budget that increases per-pupil funding and provides $475 Million for school infrastructure. Take 5 minutes to contact your legislators today! 

To conclude, the District continues to monitor legislative updates and looks forward to collaborating with the community. Text DPSCDVOTES to 22999 to stay up-to-date with news and events within the District. 

Dear DPSCD Students, Families, Staff, and Supporters…THE EDUCATION BUDGET HAS BEEN SIGNED by GOV. Whitmer!

On July 14th, Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer officially signed the Michigan 2023 fiscal year education budget. This bipartisan education budget is truly historic - it includes the highest state per-pupil funding allowance in history at $9,150 for each individual student. Also, for the first time in Michigan history, the state has provided an investment of $475 billion toward school building infrastructure. DPSCD was a leading voice in advocating for this funding at the state level. 

The official education budget signed by Gov. Whitmer also includes: 

• A $246 million increase in special education funding for nearly 200,000 special education students.
• $214 per-pupil mental health and school safety funding for every kid, in every public school district.
• $223 million for at-risk students and support for economically disadvantaged students.
• A 27% funding expansion for career and technical education programs in schools.
• $575 million is dedicated to teacher recruitment to address the teacher shortage.
• Funding for 1,300 additional free preschool slots in the Great Start Readiness Program.
• Funding for Governor Whitmer’s MI Kids Back on Track program, which will offer every child tutoring to help catch up and get back on track for long-term educational success.

Although our education advocacy is far from finished, please join us in celebrating this historic investment in our students. Please take a moment to show lawmakers your appreciation for putting Michigan students first! Take 5 minutes to contact your legislators today!

GCA Team Out in the community!

On July 14, the GCA team hosted a table at the District’s Summer on The Block event at Ben Carson High School. Community members stopped by the table to learn about the recent successful K-12 budget signing, signed up for the GCA newsletter and text service about legislative updates, and learned more about how to get involved with grassroots advocacy efforts on behalf of the District. Stay up-to-date on our community events by visiting our Community Engagement Calendar!

Don’t Forget DPSCD is at Sunday’s EASTERN MARKET! 

Detroit has one of the largest urban farmer’s markets in the country! Aside from fresh fruits and vegetables and delicious sweet treats, you can find District representatives hosting a resource table on Sundays from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm! Speak with District representatives about our legislative agenda, student enrollment, school updates, and much more! There will even be free swag giveaways at the table! We hope to see you there! 

To conclude, stay tuned for more important details about education funding and legislation, and District updates by texting DPSCDVOTES to 22999.

Dear DPSCD Supporters! 

Thank you again for all your support in helping the District advocate for an FY2023 Education Budget that invests in Michigan students and schools. Through your letters, tweets, and phone calls, last week the Michigan Legislature passed a historic $19 billion budget that increased per-pupil funding from $8,700 to $9,150. This year’s budget also includes $246 million for special education, $250 million for student mental health support, $575 million for teacher recruitment and retention, and a $475 million investment for school infrastructure! 

This is just the first step! The fight for equitable education funding is not over, but this budget is a significant step in that direction. 

Please take a moment to show lawmakers your appreciation for putting Michigan students first! Let's encourage them to keep students first. Take 5 minutes to contact your legislators today! 

DPSCD Returns to EASTERN MARKET 

Detroit has one of the largest urban farmer’s markets in the country! Aside from delicious treats and fresh fruits and vegetables, you can find District representatives hosting a resource table on Sundays from 9 am-4 pm!! Speak to District representatives about our legislative agenda, student enrollment, school updates, and much more! Hope to see you there! 

To conclude, stay tuned for more important details about education funding and legislation, and District updates by texting DPSCDVOTES to 22999. 

Dear DPSCD Students, Families, Staff, and Supporters... The EDUCATION BUDGET IS HERE! 

Thanks to all your efforts via our latest advocacy campaign, sending nearly 300 legislative letters to Lansing, the Michigan Legislature produced a School Aid budget that emphasizes the importance of investing in our students and schools. The 2022-2023 budget features over a 5% increase in foundation allowance funding (a total increase of $610 million) which will increase the per-pupil funding from $8,700 to $9,150. The District has been urging legislators to fight for increased per-pupil funding, and this gets us closer to equitable funding for our students. The budget also includes: 

• $246 million for special education support for nearly 50,000 students.
• $223 million for at-risk student support for economically disadvantaged students. 
• $210 million for school safety support and programs.
• $475 million for infrastructure funding. This is the first time the state has provided any funding for school facilities! The District has been a leading advocate for this funding.
• $575 million for teacher recruitment to help address the teacher shortages in the state.
• $250 million for student mental health support and programs.
• $41.7 million for pre-K education programs, including the Great Start Readiness Program

Although our education advocacy and grassroots efforts are not complete, please join the District in celebrating this historic investment in our students. This year’s education budget reflects all the letters sent, phone calls made, tweets drafted, and community engagement efforts by our stakeholders. Thank you, and let’s continue to put students and schools first! 

To conclude, stay tuned for more important details about education funding and legislation, and District updates by texting DPSCDVOTES to 22999. 

Former US Representative and civil rights activist John Lewis once said, “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you HAVE TO SPEAK UP. You have to say something; YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!” DPSCD families and supporters, Michigan has not adequately addressed its education funding issues. It is imperative for our students and Michigan’s future, that schools receive the funding they need.

Currently, the Michigan Legislature is negotiating an education budget, and with the additional COVID-19 funds, they have the opportunity to support students and schools in a historical way. Governor Whitmer recommended a budget that demonstrates the value of public education, its children and families, as well as the staff who serve them. The Investment in K-12 public education is an investment that will improve staff retention and hiring, expand wraparound services for students, and address infrastructure challenges.

On Tuesday, the Government and Community Affairs team along with other education advocates spent time in Lansing speaking about the need for this year’s budget to support students in schools. Particularly investments for:

• Increasing the per-pupil funding
• Mental health services
• School Infrastructure
• Special Education funding
• School Safety grants
• School-Based Health Clinics

Unfortunately, the fight for DPSCD students and schools cannot end there. We need our students, staff, family, and community to amplify and further spread our message! Join us in our 2022-2023 Budget Campaign by contacting state legislators and telling them to pass an education budget that puts students and schools first.

CLICK YOUR GROUP BELOW AND CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR TODAY!

Students Campaign

Parents Campaign

Staff Campaign

DPSCD Supporters Campaign

Happy Friday District Families and Supporters! Detroit has experienced extremely hot temperatures and we wish everyone safety during these times. It was another busy week in the legislature and this week’s update will consist of a recap of the State Board of Education meeting, updates from Detroit’s City Council, and information about recent education legislation. 

State Board of Education 

On Tuesday, June 14, the State Board of Education met for their monthly meeting. Their agenda included how to improve the health, safety, and wellness of all learners; school vouchers; and the effectiveness of pre-kindergarten. 

Improving the Health, Safety, and Wellness of all Learners 

• Providing adequate mental health services for students is extremely important; there needs to be more financial investment. 
• Michigan has one of the highest reported mental health concerns for children in the nation. 
• Teachers are not therapists; legislators need to provide funding for schools to hire social workers and other support staff. 
• Investing in mental health services will have a positive impact on student behavior and academic achievement. 

The Effectiveness of Pre-Kindergarten 

• PreK can make a profound impact on its students, but to be effective, it needs to be high quality. 
• Universal and blended PreK has been shown to produce better results than income-based programs. 
• Not only does PreK have a positive academic impact on a student, but it also helps with social and “soft” skills. 
• Not only does Michigan need increases in K-12 funding, but PreK funding too in order to create smaller class sizes. 

President Ulbrich and several board members expressed the dangers regarding the school voucher programs that are being petitioned to be introduced to Michigan. She warned the public that these vouchers will take away funding from the public school system.  

Detroit City Council 

Detroit city council has postponed a vote on a $60-million-dollar tax abatement for the development of the former Hudson site. The decision comes amidst fierce pushback from community members as well as members of the council themselves. Citing unfinished design and increasing costs, a spokesperson for the project says costs have increased to 1.4 billion from an original price tag of 904 million dollars.  

Opponents such as Council Member Angela Whitfield - Calloway say: 

• Rich investors such as Dan Gilbert do not need more taxpayers’ dollars. 
• The project has already begun and is scheduled to be completed within 2 years. 
• Abatement of further taxes is unnecessary and harmful.  

Supporters such as Council Member Scott Benson say  

• The tax abatement is necessary for the site to be successful; not just “finished”. 
•  Member Benson is planning an education series with DEGC to “inform the community about the positive benefits of tax abatements”. 
•  The first workshop is planned for June 30th at Farwell Recreation Center. 

The issue will be taken up during the next formal session on 6/21 at 10 am.  

Legislative Education Bills 

• HB 6013 (Rep. Pamela Hornberger) passed the House and is being sent to the Senate for further discussion. This bill creates a grant program that would provide funding for public schools to pay mentor teachers and student teachers.  
   
• HB 6183 (Rep. Jeff Yaroch) was introduced this week. This bill requires high school civics courses to include law enforcement interactions for students. 
•  
  HB 6230 (Rep. Felicia Brabec) and HB 6231 (Rep. Ranjeev Puri) were also this week. These bills would create a grant program for current paraprofessionals to obtain their teaching degrees. 

To conclude, the District continues to monitor legislative updates and looks forward to collaborating with the community. Text DPSCDVOTES to 22999 to stay up-to-date with news and events within the District.