February at DPSCD Opens with Black History Month, Count Day and More
With the calendar turned to February, Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) has reached the halfway point of the 2022-23 school year. Let’s take a closer look at some of the significant activities and events in February, which include: the celebration of our top teachers with the Educators and Leaders of the Year awards, Black History Month, Count Day and the Expect Respect character trait of self-control. We also have a new Parent Academy catalog with free courses to support our families and students visit detroitk12.org.
Congratulations to all the students and staff who achieved perfect attendance during the first semester, and congratulations to all the educators who were nominated and recognized at the Champions of Education: Teachers and Leaders of the Year.
Black History Month:
DPSCD Schools are planning fun and educational activities all month long, some of the activities include:
Legacy Academy: Black Heroes and Icons in honor of Black History Month: Students and staff will participate in a presentation on Friday, February 10, titled, What Black Hero and Icon Do you Most Identify With? Students and staff will paint their favorite Black History quotes and describe their favorite Black hero and icon. The quotes will also be shared during the daily announcements in the morning and in the afternoon for the month.
Palmer Park Preparatory Academy: Due on February 3, students, teachers, and staff will celebrate with Black History door décor throughout the school. They’ll also take part in a Black History Living Wax Museum, planned for February 16.
Communications and Media Arts High School (CMA): On February 10, students will participate in a Black History Showcase and Poetry Slam. Students will represent their favorite Black hero/celebrity and share speeches, music, and poetry.
Gardner Elementary: Staff and students will take part in daily reflections about an African American who made important contributions to the world as part of Gardner’s Black History Month program.
Moses Field School: On February 28, a peace march will be held inside the school as a tribute to Black History month.
Emerson Elementary-Middle School: At the end of the month, the school is planning to hold a live student museum, where Emerson students will portray a famous African American and provide details and facts about the person they will become.
Spring count begins with Count Day on Wednesday, February 8:
Regular attendance is the first step in learning. The spring count period starts with Count Day on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Please make sure your student is in school on Wednesday, February 8. If your child is absent, please make sure they provide a note to excuse the absence. Be prepared to make every day count. If you need resources, please visit the Family Resource and Distribution Center, or contact your school’s attendance agent. Visit detroitk12.org/families for a list of resources.
Expect Respect Character Trait for February is Self-Control:
If you are not familiar with DPSCD’s Expect Respect initiative, launched and supported through the Expect Resolution that was approved by the Board of Education in September of 2019. The goal of the program is to foster positive relationships in all schools district wide.
Through February, DPSCD school counselors, school social workers, Deans and School Culture Facilitators and the Culture and Climate Leadership Teams (CLT) will involve students in activities and lessons related to self-control. How can students display self-control? By practicing good character traits such as honesty, kindness, being responsible, following school rules and being respectful towards their fellow students, teachers, and their schools’ leaders.
Keep an eye on DPSCD’s website and social channels for other activities and events in February. DPSCD, the Future is Rising!