April is Autism Awareness Month – Tomorrow is World Autism Day. We are celebrating to raise awareness. And yes, this is actually six things you need to know this week.

School Spotlight of the Week Bates Academy: Congratulations to Bates Academy Academic Games teams who competed in Mathematics, English/Language Arts, Social Studies and Logic. DPSCD would like to recognize our state champs in elementary/ middle school division for winning First Place and State Championship in Current Events and First Place in the game of Onset. Click here to learn more about Bates Academy.

Student Spotlight of the Week Arthur Gee: Congratulations to Arthur Gee, a senior at Detroit School of Arts for his acceptance to The Dance Division and Academic Committee of Julliard. Mr. Gee will attend Julliard this fall as part of the Bachelor of Fine Arts program. We are #DPSCDProud of your accomplishments! #TheFutureIsRising. For more information on the DSA Pathway program click here. P.S. Watch Live in the D on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 to learn more about our DPSCD High Schools.

Parent Academy Free Workshop - The Power of an Hour: This Parent Academy session is a discussion on the impact and influence related to community service and volunteering. Join us Thursday April 4, 2024, from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Academy of Americas High School 5680 Konkel St. Detroit MI 48210. To access the full list of free Parent Academy sessions happening this week, click here.

8th Grade Parents and Families, the Level up to High School Expo is this Saturday, April 6, 2024: 8th grade students and families, the Level Up to High School Expo is Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at King High School (3200 E. Lafayette, Detroit). The morning will begin with an information-packed Town Hall to set the tone on what your incoming high schooler will need in order to stay on the path to success in high school; register today to save your seat. All Neighborhood, Application, and Exam schools along with support services departments will be present. In addition, our community partners will have valuable resources for students leveling up. We will see you at the Level Up to High School Expo on Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Spring State Testing is Coming Monday April 8: This spring, DPSCD will administer state tests designed to provide important information on student knowledge and their progress toward being career- and college-ready upon graduation. Results from state assessments will be used to evaluate the progress and achievement of our students as well as make decisions about the support they need. To learn more about when assessments will be administered, please review the DPSCD assessment calendar. For state testing, DPSCD is required to test all students in eligible grades. DPSCD families can support the District in meeting this goal by ensuring their students are well rested and regularly attend school. For more information about state testing, contact your school.

Reminders:

Stay updated weekly by reviewing DPSCD's Family Newsletter; an updated weekly version is sent every Monday at 6 p.m. by SMS text and posted to the web: detroitk12.org/families. Don’t miss a robo call/text -- If you opted out of receiving text messages but would like to receive them, please text START to "60680" from the phone line that has opted out of non-emergency messages. Reply START to "54968" for emergency messages.