Press Release #40/2019-20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 5, 2020
Contact: Jill Chochol, Executive Director of Student Achievement for Edsel Ford Feeder Track
(313) 827-3025 chochoj@dearbornschools.org
David Mustonen, Communications Director
(313) 827-3006 mustond@dearbornschools.org

Kindergarten Roundups start on March 18 in Dearborn

Dearborn Public Schools is inviting parents of next year’s kindergarten students to attend Kindergarten Roundup meetings at their local elementary school to learn more about starting school and how to enroll their child in the district.

Kindergarten Roundups will be held at all 21 of the District’s elementary schools this spring.  A full meeting schedule is listed below.

There are many reasons for parents to choose Dearborn Public Schools.  Dearborn Schools is proud to offer one of the lowest teacher-to-student ratios of any district in Wayne County, with an average classroom size of 22 students in kindergarten through second grade and 23 for third through fifth.  Dearborn students show above average academic growth each year as measured on national tests, and nearly all of our third grade students are expected to meet the state requirements for advancement under the Read by Third Grade Law.  Dearborn Schools also maintains a 95 percent high school graduation rate and has been recognized for the high number of students who enroll in college.

Kindergarten Roundups provide important information to parents with details about the special kindergarten schedule, needed student assessments, classroom structure and instruction, preparing your child for school, and more.  Enrolling students this spring, if possible, is also important so the district has accurate information to make staffing decisions for the fall.   

To enroll in kindergarten, students must be five years old by September 1 and live within the Dearborn Public School District. Waivers are available for students who will turn five after September 1 but before December 1.  For parents already living in the district, the waivers need to be submitted by June 1.  See the District website at https://dearbornschools.org/enroll for the waiver and more information.

Dearborn Public Schools also offers a free Young Fives program for students who will turn five between June 15 and December 1 this year.  That all-day program is offered at select schools and follows the kindergarten curriculum.  The extra year allows those children to better develop the academic and emotional skills they need to succeed in school. The following year they would enroll in kindergarten at their neighborhood school.

Space is limited for Young Fives, so interested parents should check for availability at the school they are interested in attending. Young Fives is held at DuVall, Geer Park, Haigh, Henry Ford, Lindbergh, Maples, McCollough, Oakman, River Oaks, Salina, Snow, Whitmore-Bolles and William Ford elementary schools.  For more information, contact Student Services at (313) 827-3005.  Busing is available only if the student will attend their home elementary and lives in an area where busing is provided.  In most cases, parents will need to provide transportation for their child.

Kindergarten parents should also be aware that Dearborn Schools this year will again use a special schedule for those students.  Kindergarteners will have a soft start, meaning half days of school for the first week of class from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3.  There will also be three additional kindergarten-only days off school on Sept. 25 and Nov. 20, 2020 and Feb. 5, 2021 to allow for additional professional development for kindergarten teachers.

Parents now have the option of starting student enrollment online.  Parents can save much of the paperwork by entering information online such as student name, birthday, address, and emergency contact information and completing some required forms electronically.  Parents or guardians will still need to visit the elementary school to provide documents and complete the kindergarten enrollment, but starting enrollment online should make that process simpler and quicker. Online pre-enrollment also can be found at https://dearbornschools.org/enroll.

To see which school your child would attend, visit our elementary school enrollment map, which is also available at www.dearbornschools.org/enroll, or call Student Services at (313) 943-3005.

Dearborn Public Schools 2020 Kindergarten Roundup Schedule:

Becker Elementary, Thursday, March 26, from 2 – 3 p.m. , 313-827-6950, Principal Zahra Zreik

DuVall Elementary, Thursday, March 19, registration at 6 p.m., program from 6:30-7:30 p.m., 313-827-2750, Principal Robert Attee

Geer Park Elementary, Wednesday, April 1, from 1 – 2:30 p.m., 313-827-2300, Principal Jamel Lawera

Haigh Elementary, Wednesday, March 25, from 5 – 6 p.m. 313-827-6200, Principal Zachary Short

Henry Ford Elementary, Friday, April 3, from 9 – 10 a.m., 313-827-4700, Principal Lamis Srour

Howard Elementary, Thursday, April 23, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.,  313-827-6350, Interim Principal Ron Bukowski

Howe School, Monday, April 27, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., 313-827-7000, Principal Tammy Fournier

Lindbergh Elementary, Wednesday, from March 25, 6 – 7 p.m., 313-827-6300, Principal Zainah Tiba

Long Elementary, Thursday, April 23, from 6 – 7 p.m. , 313-827-6100, Principal Veronica Jakubus

Lowrey School, Thursday, April 16, from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., 313-827-1800, Principal Rima Younes

Maples Elementary, Wednesday, April 22, from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., 313-827-6450, Principal Donna Jakubik

McCollough Elementary, Thursday, April 16, from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., 313-827-1700, Principal Chadi Farhat

McDonald Elementary, Thursday, March 19, from 9 – 10 a.m., 313-827-6700, Principal Adnan Moughni

Miller Elementary, Friday, April 17, from 2 – 3:20 p.m., 313-827-6850, Principal Radewin Awada

Nowlin Elementary, Wednesday, March 18, from 6 – 7 p.m., 313-827-6900, Principal  Joshua Tynan

Oakman Elementary, Thursday, March 26, from 9 – 10 a.m., 313-827-6500, Principal Mahmoud Abu-Rus

River Oaks Elementary, Wednesday, March 25, from 1:30 – 3 p.m., 313-827-6750, Principal Joseph Martin

Salina Elementary, Friday, March 27, from 8 – 9 a.m., 313-827-6550, Principal Susan Stanley

Snow Elementary, Wednesday, April 15, from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. and 5-6 p.m., 313-827-6250, Principal Amal Alcodray

Whitmore-Bolles Elementary, Friday, March 20, from 9 – 10 a.m., 313-827-6800, Principal Kristin Waddell

William Ford Elementary, Wednesday, March 25, from 9 – 10 a.m., 313-827-6400, Principal David Higgins 

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Greetings, 

With the March 10th primary election just around the corner, I thought it might be helpful to share a few thoughts regarding the safety and security of our schools.  

Changes in the Wayne County common calendar, and our obligation to follow that calendar, have resulted in November elections becoming a Professional Development (PD) day for all school districts and perhaps adding another PD day every four years in March might be part of a future conversation. For now, our district, along with just over half of the other districts in Wayne County, will be open on March 10th just as we were during the 2016 primary election. 

For those schools where voting will occur, there will be a bit of change in the daily routine. Principals and engineers have plans in place that will ensure a minimal amount of disruption but it will require a little patience from all of us.

As for the safety and security of schools, please know that myself and others have been in touch with the City Clerk’s office and Dearborn Police. Our City Clerk is a long time supporter of the Dearborn Public Schools and he too understands the balance between running a smooth election and keeping schools safe.  His office is estimating about 12,000 to 15,000 people voting at about 50 different precincts scattered throughout the city. That works out to an average of 300 people stopping by each voting location (actual numbers will vary by location but some polling locations may have fewer voters due to changes in absentee voting laws that have made the process easier and accessible to a larger number of voters).  As with most elections, the busiest times will occur in the morning between 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. and then again between 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. 

From the beginning to the end of election day, communication and organization is key to keeping everyone safe. I have communicated with principals, engineers, and all other staff members providing them with guidance and suggestions to ensure a secure school environment.  Of course, we have our outstanding Dearborn Police School Resource Officers who, as always, will be in our schools on election day. We have a great partnership with the Dearborn Police and they will once again be making an extra effort on election day to visit schools not just once, but frequently throughout the day in a program they call “Safe and Fair Elections.”

Our schools are part of the neighborhood and fortunately the people coming in to vote are the friends, neighbors, and parents of the students we see everyday. As a school community we need to take pride in the role we have to support a free and fair election process.  At the same time we must balance that with the very real concern for the overall safety of the staff and students in our schools. By all of us doing our part to work together, communicate, remain vigilant, and follow a few simple precautions, our schools will remain safe, not only on election day, but every day. 

Have a great day,

John Leacher

Health, Safety & Security Supervisor

Dearborn Public Schools

leachej@dearbornschools.org

313-827-3203

The Chief/Department would like all Dearborn schools to be aware of the special needs registry.  It is designed to identify individuals who have special needs during an emergency (physical, emotional, or mental). 

Please see attached document.2020-special-needs-registerDownload

Th. March 5 Room B2 at 9:30 A.M. at Stout Middle School

You are invited to attend a meeting to transform your child’s behavior at home and at school. Stout will be hosting a training with the best strategies for how to question, support and guide your child through a life of success. This will be Part 1 of 2, in-depth parent workshop.

February 28, 2020Sherry Candea

Greetings Dearborn Community,

Typically, national and world events are only a small part of our daily dialogue but on occasion they can grow to a point where they consume and dominate our conversation. This is the current status regarding the discussions taking place about COVID-19, or more commonly known as the coronavirus.  

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as of February 28, 2020 there were five people tested in the state of Michigan (3-Washtenaw, 1-Macomb, 1-Oakland) for the  COVID-19 (coronavirus) and fortunately results showed that none of the five tested had the virus. 

There are many news stories, articles, and websites providing information about this new strain of the flu virus and it is vitally important for all of us to keep focused on accurate information. Several articles indicate that more people may be infected by this virus but there are no forecasts on how many, where, or for how long this will continue.   

As state, county, and local government agencies begin to formulate plans to address the possibility of a potential widespread outbreak, our administrative team has also been monitoring developments related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). We have been in contact with a variety of educational organizations such as the Michigan Department of Education, Wayne RESA (our local Intermediate School District), Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA), and others in developing protocols and procedures that would aid in preparing our district in the event of a widespread outbreak in our community.  

We are also closely following the medical recommendations from health care professionals such as the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Michigan Department of Health, and the Wayne County Health Department. These sources remain the best place for the most accurate information regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus).  We are also very fortunate to have nurses on our staff who have a professional relationship with these organizations and can provide us with timely information. 

While the CDC has not yet provided formal guidance for schools on how to prepare for a potential community outbreak, the State of Michigan, Wayne County Health Department and other local health departments have emergency preparedness systems ready to be activated if an outbreak occurs in Michigan. Our own staff has been in contact with the City of Dearborn’s Emergency Manager to ensure we are able to coordinate efforts if needed. Also, we are talking with our cleaning supply vendors in order to make sure we are using recommended products and methods to keep schools clean and safe. 

As we have done in the past, when other flu related illness was a concern, it is important to remind everyone that the CDC recommends following these simple but very effective methods to limit the spread of respiratory diseases:  

• Always thoroughly wash hands for at least 20 seconds.
• When soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer to wash hands. 
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or cloth when sneezing and/or coughing.
• Stay home when you are sick. (This is a good habit to follow for any illness but even more important given the unknowns surrounding  COVID-19)
• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. 

If you are planning to travel overseas it is important to stay up to date on any travel advisories issued by the federal government and consider postponing travel in areas of concern.  Additional information is available on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website including a downloadable fact sheet in English and Arabic. Information is also available on the CDC website. 

• CDC COVID-19 Info
• CDC Fact Sheets
• MDHHS COVID-19 Info

The spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) is a serious topic that needs to be closely monitored and requires all of us to stay informed.  We all need to show restraint in sharing any unsubstantiated reports on social media or other internet outlets. Creating unnecessary panic by spreading rumors will only create more fear in our community.  Our schools, our city, and our community will need to continue to stay informed as we work together to keep all of us safe and healthy. 

Regards,

Glenn M. Maleyko, Ph.D.

Superintendent

March 2, 2020Sherry Candea

Press Release #39/2019-20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2, 2020
Contact: Summer El-Mubarak, Career Academy Lead Teacher, Edsel Ford High School
(313) 827-7296 elmubas@dearbornschools.org
David Mustonen, Communications Director
(313) 827-3006 MustonD@dearbornschools.org

Free speaker helps students to be career ready

Dearborn Public Schools middle and high school students and their parents are invited to a lively presentation from a nationally known speaker connecting the dots between education and career success.

The talk, titled “Why Should We Hire You? Turn Learning Into Earning!” helps draw connections between decisions students make today and their college and career success tomorrow.  The presentation will be held on Thursday, March 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Edsel Ford High School, 20601 Rotunda.

Brooks Harper’s high-energy, amusing presentation has made him one of the top career readiness speakers in the country.  The talk will look at why every day is an interview and an opportunity to turn learning into earning.  The presentation also will encourage students to discover, develop, network and sell their skills and abilities and to show that they can bring tangible value to the workplace. Other themes include discovering the power of gratitude and learning to manage stress and avoid burnout.

The presentation is being sponsored by the Academies of Dearborn. All three traditional high schools in Dearborn Schools now use the academies model to encourage students to start exploring career fields while still in high school.  The Academies of Fordson started a few years ago, and Edsel Ford and Dearborn High started their programs with this year’s freshmen class.  The talk is open to all Dearborn Public Schools high school and middle school students and their parents or guardians. 

Edsel Ford High School is providing a school bus to transport students and parents from Salina Intermediate at 5:30 p.m. to the high school for the program and back to Salina at 7:30 p.m.

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PR 39 Brooks Harper – National speaker Brooks Harper will talk to Dearborn Public School students and parents to help youth make the connection between education and careers during a free presentation on March 12 at Edsel Ford High School.

The public is invited to the free kick-off of the Dearborn Public Library’s Big Read, a two-month celebration of the memoir Lab Girl, with activities centered on science and other associated themes.

This is the fourth time that Dearborn has received a NEA Big Read grant to encourage citywide reading and participation in interesting, educational, and fun events for all ages.

The Saturday, March 7 kick-off is at The Henry Ford, Anderson Theater (20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn) and runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Follow this link for the kick off flyer.

There will be crafts for children, speakers talking about different aspects of science and agriculture, and free copies of the book for guests. More details are expected soon.

Lab Girl is an award-winning memoir written by Hope Jahren, a geobiologist who focuses on soil, plants, and trees. Her story is about a woman’s journey in the world of science, her friendship with her longtime lab partner, and her experience dealing with mental illness.

It is an eloquent depiction of navigating the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). By selecting this book, the 2020 Big Read-Dearborn committee is hoping to inspire young students to explore STEM opportunities.

At the March 7 kick-off, Dr. Selena Smith, a professor from the University of Michigan with her own science lab, will be giving a presentation on Lab Girl and talking about her career.

And because Jahren encourages readers to plant an oak tree, guests at the March 7 event will be asked to take cups of dirt and acorns with them to plant at home.

An extensive wrap up event is planned for Saturday, April 25.  Learn more about the Big Read and all the scheduled events at www.bigreaddearborn.org.

NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. 

February 28, 2020 Sherry Candea Press Release #38/2019-20 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 28, 2020 Contact: David Mustonen, Communications Director (313) 827-3006 MustonD@dearbornschools.org Mackinac Center analysis recognizes the success of 19 Dearborn Schools The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is recognizing 19 Dearborn Public Schools for their outstanding performance on its recent report card.  The Center’s report placed the schools in the top 100 for one of three performance comparisons when state test scores were adjusted for the number of low-income students in the building. “Michigan’s third-largest school district, Dearborn Public Schools, once again distinguished itself on the CAP Report Card. For the second straight edition, the district had five of the state’s top 10 scoring schools, and more than half of its schools — 17 of 29 — finished in the top 100,” the full report says. The Center releases its Context and Performance (CAP) report every two years.  The analysis adjusts state standardized tests according to the number of low-income students in that grade at a school.  About 76 percent of Dearborn Public School students are low-income, but those figures vary widely between buildings. “We are proud to be recognized for the continued success of our students, and I applaud the hard work and dedication of our District staff and our families to help all of our students succeed,” said Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. In addition to a base score, schools were compared on long-term performance and most-improved based on test results going back to 2009.  The report compared 2,203 schools for the current CAP report, 2,112 for long-term performance, and 2,075 for most improved. Dearborn Public Schools recognized in the report include: Iris Becker Elementary ranked second for the current CAP scores with a score in the 99.95 percentile.  Becker was the top school for long-term performance and 74th for most improved. STEM Middle School ranked third in the state, with a score in the 99.91 percentile on the report.  Opened in 2014, STEM did not have enough data to be included in the long-term or most-improved comparisons. Maples Elementary was fourth in the report, with a score in the 99.86 percentile. Maples was also ranked fifth in long-term performance and 74th in the most improved category. Lowrey Middle School placed sixth in the state, scoring in the 99.77 percentile.  It ranked fourth for long-term performance. Lowrey Elementary School placed seventh overall, with a score in the 99.73 percentile, and was sixth for long-term performance. Oakman Elementary placed 24th in the state, scoring in the 98.96 percentile overall, and placed 30th for long-term performance. Miller Elementary School placed 28th, scoring in the 98.77 percentile, and ranked 29th for long-term performance. William Ford Elementary ranked 37th overall, scoring in the 98.37 percentile, and was 32nd for long-term performance. Unis Middle School ranked 41st in the state, scoring in the 98.18 percentile, and was ranked 45th for long-term performance. Geer Park Elementary ranked 44th, scoring in the 98.05 percentile, and was 17th for long-term performance. McCollough Elementary ranked 53rd, scoring in the 97.64 percentile, and was 50th in the most improved category. Woodworth Middle School ranked 57th statewide, scoring in the 97.46 percentile, and was ranked 25th for long-term performance. River Oaks Elementary ranked 81st, scoring in the 96.37 percentile, and ranked 29th in the most improved category. Henry Ford Elementary ranked 85th, scoring in the 96.19 percentile, and ranked 79th for long-term performance. Salina Elementary School ranked 87th, scoring in the 96.1 percentile, and placed 52nd for long-term performance. Stout Middle School ranked 97th, scoring in the 95.64 percentile, and placed 74th for long-term performance. Haigh Elementary School ranked 100th, scoring in the 95.51 percentile, and ranked 59th on the most improved category. Salina Intermediate ranked 121st, scoring in the 94.55 percentile, and placed 82nd on the long-term performance list. McDonald Elementary ranked 141st, scoring in the 93.65 percentile, and placed 84th on long-term performance. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonpartisan research and educational institute which touts itself as dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Michigan residents. “Parents and educators should be able to see more clearly what kind of impact their school has on student learning, rather than simply seeing results that are strongly linked to student poverty,” said Ben DeGrow, Mackinac Center’s director of education policy and co-author of the study. “Our Context and Performance Report Card adds another important dimension by going beyond raw test scores.” Dr. Maleyko said, “While we know there is always more work to do, we take to heart our motto ‘Students First – Inspire, Educate, Celebrate.’ For most of our elementary and middle schools, this report is something to celebrate.” # # # PR 38 CAP report Becker teacher – Becker Elementary teacher Janan Hider works with a small group during a reading lesson on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy recently listed Becker as the second best school in the state on its Context and Performance Report and the best school for long-term performance. Five of the top 10 schools on the report were from Dearborn Public Schools. Every Dearborn elementary school has extra staff who assist across classrooms to provide additional small group reading instruction.

Press Release #37/2019-20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 24, 2020
Contact: John Bayerl, Career/Technical Education Supervisor
(313) 827-4808 bayerlj@dearbornschools.org
David Mustonen, Communications Director
(313) 827-3006 MustonD@dearbornschools.org

Open house helps families explore
Dearborn’s high school programs

High school and middle school parents are invited to an open house at Michael Berry Career Center to explore the District’s many special high school programs.  The open house is March 4 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

MBCC houses or oversees several career and technical programs for students including culinary, construction, business, criminal justice, computer programing, medical careers, digital design, education, welding and more.  Automotive technician courses are also offered at all three high schools.  Students and families can learn more about what is offered and specifics for each program.

The open house, though, will also provide information on other high school programs offered in the district.  For example, the District now offers three Henry Ford Early College programs – one each for medical, education and manufacturing.  Manufacturing covers careers ranging from HVAC to welding to maintaining/programing manufacturing robots.  All three programs are housed on the Henry Ford College campus, with transportation provided from the student’s home high school in Dearborn.  All three allow students to attend for five years and earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree at no cost to the family.  The medical and education programs also accept students from outside the district, but those students need to have their own transportation.

Similarly, the District offers the Henry Ford Collegiate Academy.  However, those students attend two years at their home high schools – Fordson, Dearborn or Edsel Ford.  Then if they score well enough on their 10^th grade PSAT, they are invited to participate in the academy and start taking college courses.  Students would again attend for a total of five years to graduate and get their associate degree.

In all four of the five-year programs, Dearborn Schools students are eligible to participate in activities at their home high school, including sports and clubs, through 12^th grade.  The programs differ in degree options, school environment, transportation, and more.  The open house is a great opportunity for students and parents to get more specific details to find the best fit for the student.

The open house will also have information about the Dearborn Center for Math, Science and Technology (DCMST), a selective program for top performing students in the district.  Those students attend half a day at the Dearborn Heights Campus, and half at their home high school with busing provided.  The selective Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Middle School also will be on hand to talk to students and families.

Representatives will also attend from the Dearborn Magnet High School, Henry Ford College, Michigan Institute for Aviation Technology, Dearborn Adult and Community Education, and more.

The District hopes curious parents and students take this opportunity to explore what Dearborn Public Schools has to offer.  The Early Colleges and DCMST are currently accepting applications for next year’s ninth grade class.

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PR 37 MBCC graphics lab – Michael Berry Career Center students work in the computer graphics lab. A March 4 open house at MBCC will include several programs Dearborn Public Schools offers for high school students, including the vocational/technical classes at the center.