CHECK OUT THE EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING AROUND THE DISTRICT!
Marching Warriors win big at district band festival
The stands were packed as marching bands throughout Oakland and Livingston counties gathered for a night of fanfare and flourish. On October 17, Bloomfield Hills High School hosted bands from approximately 10 high schools for the 2018 Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 4 Marching Band Festival. While it was a delightful exhibition of color and sound, the night was more than just a celebration of musical talent, but also an important assessment to rank the bands based on the quality of their performances.
The Marching Warriors rated superior in every category; music, marching and general effect showmanship. They received a final overall rating of superior.
Congratulations to Dr. Charles, Mr. Gray and the Marching Warriors!
Gardens sprout into learning spaces
This school year, students across the district got their hands dirty in the name of learning. Working closely with Big Green, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing food literacy among children, students got an upfront look at how real food grows with their very own learning garden.
From laying the soil in the beds to planting little tiny seeds, to setting up the water irrigation systems and to planting various vegetables, this opportunity brings learning outside of the classroom. Southfield Public Schools' students are learning about nutrition and urban gardening. The gardens are model classroom for science, art, English and engineering just to name a few.
This October, students got a taste of their harvest, making salads and smoothies. Each school has its own garden team and all Southfield Public Schools will have a learning garden by the end of this school year.
See more learning garden photos below. Click on each image to enlarge.
The power of pink
Southfield Public Schools joined the fight against cancer by raising funds and awareness in recognition of breast cancer awareness month. On October 26, district leaders, board of education and staff, including transportation, custodial and food services, participated in a district-wide pink out.
Early in the month the athletic department held a pink out volleyball game. Schools across the district decorated doors, held best dressed contest, held walks and marches in addition to hanging pink ribbons in the halls that were dedicated to loved ones.
The district will be donating a check to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute at the November 13 board meeting.
See more pink out photos below. Click on each image to enlarge.
District awarded grant to conduct new art program
Southfield Public Schools is a proud recipient of a Michigan Council for the Arts & Cultural Affairs grant to conduct a new art program in special education classrooms at Levey Middle School.
The theme of the project is Mindfulness through the Arts. According to Dr. Lanissa Freeman, director of support services and special education, the grant will allow students to engage in hours of learning in creative dance and visual arts taught by a dance artist and a renowned sculptor/muralist. Students will have the opportunity to share what they learned during their learning experience with parents and family members.
Educator wins photo competition
The city of Southfield sponsored the second Southfield Photo Prize competition and outdoor exhibition this summer to showcase the natural and architectural beauty throughout the city. Nearly 200 submissions were received and initially reviewed by the Total Living Commission which selected the top 25 photos that were eligible for public voting.
The results were determined by the most overall votes each finalist received. First place was awarded to Birney K-8 School educator Sheronne Moorer for her photo of Burgh Historical Park. Her photo will be featured in the city of Southfield's 2019 calendar and other city marketing materials.
Thompson K-8 host Native American experience
Thompson K-8 International Academy 5th-grade students participated in a fun and educational experience featuring a program to enhance student learning of the Native American way of life.
The dynamic and interactive presentation was followed by “hands-on” time where students could touch and interact with an extensive collection of materials that the Native Americans used in their daily lives. This also included handmade, authentic reproductions of Native American artifacts and a large collection of European trade goods.
Rock the Vote
Election day is right around the corner, and there is a new wave of young Michiganders who are eligible to vote. District high school students were schooled on how to register and what to expect in the November 6 election. Members of the Southfield Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. made visits to the district high schools and Lisa Brown, Oakland County clerk visited Kennedy Learning Center to conducted a voter's registration drive and dozens of students are now registered.
So much as changed since the beginning of the 21st century: how we read the news, the cars we drive and even the way that we communicate. Know what else has changed? The cost of education in Michigan.
Thanks to new research from the School Finance Research Collaborative, which is a statewide, diverse, bipartisan group of business leaders and education experts, we now know what it costs to equip all Michigan children with a quality education.
The research, Michigan’s first school adequacy study, determined that the way schools are funded must change. The state’s economic comeback relies on providing all students with a high-quality K-12 education, and that begins with reforming Michigan’s broken school funding system.
Click here to learn more.
Stay up to date on your scholar with MiStar Parent Connect
MiStar Parent Connect is a communication tool that allows parents to stay up to date on important information including their scholar’s assignments, grades, attendance, cafeteria accounts, and more. Also, MiStar Parent Connect gives the district the ability to communicate important school and district information as well as connect with parents in case of an emergency.
Parents can receive their login or update their contact information, such as phone numbers and e-mail addresses, by contacting the school office.
Distinguished Educator Award
At Southfield Public Schools, we value and appreciate our staff and employees who show incredible dedication and care for preparing our students for success. Do you know someone (teacher, bus driver, custodian, etc.) who makes a difference in the district? Nominate him or her for the Southfield Public Schools Distinguished Educator Award. Submit your nomination below.
Join the U
The Fall 2019 application for University Middle School Academy and University High School Academy is available here: http://bit.ly/JoinTheU2019-20. New students (entering 6th - 11th grade) must apply by November 16 to take the exam. Open to Southfield and Lathrup Village residents only.
Interested in applying? Join us for an open house, November 1, where you will have a chance to meet the students and staff, tour the campus, learn more about the application process, "U" life and curriculum. For more information, please call 248.746.4370.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Mark your calendars. Here's what to look forward to in November:
- November 1 - University Middle School and University High School Academy Open House, 19301 W. 12 Mile Road, Lathrup Village 48076, 6:30 p.m.
- November 2 - Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry, Thompson K-8 International Academy, 16300 Lincoln Drive, Southfield 48076, 9:30 - 11 a.m. Open to Southfield and Lathrup Village residents.
- November 6 - Election Day - No School
- November 13 - Board Meeting, John W. English Administrative Center, 7 p.m.
- November 14 - Parent and Community Forum, John W. English Administrative Center, 6 p.m.
- November 14 - Special Education Support Services Parent Advisory Committee Meeting, 16299 Mount Vernon, Southfield 48075, 6 p.m.
- November 21 - 23 - Thanksgiving Recess - No School
- November 27 - Special Board Meeting, Levey Middle School, 25300 W. Nine Mile Road, Southfield 48033, 6:30 p.m.
- November 28 - District Wide Half Day
Detailed calendar information including upcoming events can be found on the homepage of the district and school websites.
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The Message is published by Southfield Public Schools. Submit story ideas to marketing@southfieldk12.org