When it comes to DPS and Michigan, I see darkness, trial's, tribulations, depression, frustration I hear crying and screaming. Why? The Government is trying to destroy the lives of the working class citizens, the back bone of our Government. What I have come to realize is that the Govenment is not creating jobs but destroying them, they are spending more money than what they have, bends their backs to save other countries that are in need, and refuse to put a dent on their bank accounts and paychecks. So where does that leave the average tax paying honest citizen? Homeless shelter, squatting in a house on a nearly vacant street, or dead?
When you are working everyday, life is good especially when you have a six figure job working three days a week. Life is good when you have people looking up to you and supporting you with donations and fundraisers. Life is good when you are in a position of authority and everyone who is under you head is under the sand and their 20 weeks of life support is cut off. Life is good when you don't worry about collective bargaining agreement and concessions. Life is good when you don't have to worry about pay cuts. Life only gets a little scary every two years but you have enough people to swindle, lie to, manipulate and bribe.
When it comes to Education, I am the most furious. Yes I work for the public school system but what i fail to understand is why do children have to suffer because adults can not balance or budget? Why do children have to be inconvienced and bothered when the adults just can't seem to get it right. Last time I checked,
Education in the largest sense is any act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character or physical ability of an individual. In its technical sense, education is the process by which society deliberately transmits its accumulated knowledge, skills and values from one generation to another.
My favorite song of all time is Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston. The first verse of this song says "I believe the children are our are future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me"
Are we really teaching the children well and allowing them to lead the way? No, because we are broadcasting on the news that our children in Detroit are dumb, illiterate, telling them that they can not learn, closing down neighborhood schools, shrinking the city, and allowing music videos to raise them. The only beauty we are showing them is to use their body as a tool to get money. Yes it is okay to place tatoos all over your body. We are not making it easier for them, we are making it hard for them to learn, we are making it hard for them to adjust, we are stressing them out. Our children do need someone to look up to, but the government is making it hard for them to do that. Teachers are getting lay off notices by the dozen, we are seperating good teachers from good needy children. Some of these children only have stability in the school-education. Some are homeless, others are in abusive homes, many live in single parent homes with either a new man or woman in their lives every few months. Who cares about that when money is the main issue. It takes money to make money and if we don't have the dough, we can't go.......any further!
It is not from nature, but from education and habits, that our wants are chiefly derived.
Henry Fielding (1707-1754)
Friday, April 15, 2011
Monday, August 31, 2009
It's been a minute, but now i'm back
Good afternoon Detroit,
So much has been going on in this wonderful City, I just don't know where to start. We have a new Mayor, 18 candidates for the upcoming elections in November, DPS is on the ball, the only thing that has not changed is the mess in the State Capital. I am so ready to report on this, it is driving me wild. I am starting my facebook page, and I will be working on a website pretty soon. This is a very exciting year, Let's get to blogging :)
So much has been going on in this wonderful City, I just don't know where to start. We have a new Mayor, 18 candidates for the upcoming elections in November, DPS is on the ball, the only thing that has not changed is the mess in the State Capital. I am so ready to report on this, it is driving me wild. I am starting my facebook page, and I will be working on a website pretty soon. This is a very exciting year, Let's get to blogging :)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Mayoral Debate Heats Up......Sort of
Last night Mayor Kenneth Cockrel and Dave Bing went head to head on a debate over who can run the City more effectly. As you all may know, the election is May 5, 2009. I am a bigger fan of Dave Bing, if you haven't already known that. I have personal issues with Cockrel and I don't think he is a good fit for the City. I also happen to know that voters have tobe careful when voting. Candidates will do all the good while on the campaign trail. Cockrel is doing all he can do now and once he get in we will see a three year freeze. He is doing everything in his power to win over the votes of Detroit residents and I hope people will see that.
When we say we need a change, that is what we mean. According to Webster dictionary, Change definition is as folows
Ken Cockrel will not be a change. The only difference will be the position he holds. Believe it or not, but he was in office when our beloved City was turned upside down and shamed. President Barack Obama was change for America. New Face, new ideas, not to mention he was different from the rest of the previous president. I believe Dave Bing is change, he is new, with fresh ideas and he is not like any other Mayor Detroit has had.
Corruption has got to go, and unless you are just as corrupt and you like to see the City embarassed, Ken Cockrel is our Man. He know the game, he know how to pass corrupt contracts, he is an excellent fighter, he will lie, and if he don't like you, he will treat you like DIRT!
When we say we need a change, that is what we mean. According to Webster dictionary, Change definition is as folows
to make different in some particular : alterb: to make radically different : transform
c: to give a different position, course, or direction to
2 a: to replace with another b: to make a shift from one to another : switchc: to exchange for an equivalent sum of money (as in smaller denominations or in a foreign currency) d: to undergo a modification of e: to put fresh clothes or covering on
intransitive verb
1: to become different
2of the moon : to pass from one phase to another
3: to shift one's means of conveyance : transfer
4of the voice : to shift to lower register : break
5: to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution
Ken Cockrel will not be a change. The only difference will be the position he holds. Believe it or not, but he was in office when our beloved City was turned upside down and shamed. President Barack Obama was change for America. New Face, new ideas, not to mention he was different from the rest of the previous president. I believe Dave Bing is change, he is new, with fresh ideas and he is not like any other Mayor Detroit has had.
Corruption has got to go, and unless you are just as corrupt and you like to see the City embarassed, Ken Cockrel is our Man. He know the game, he know how to pass corrupt contracts, he is an excellent fighter, he will lie, and if he don't like you, he will treat you like DIRT!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Kwame Kilpatrick May have EMBEZZLED $1.3 Million BUCKS....CHA CHING :(
The City of Detroit is hit with yet another blow. I mean damn, how much abuse can we get in one year. Let me just get ight into it. According to freep.com Kwame has some MORE explaining to do.
Well he is not the only one, but that does raise some eyebrows. Will he try to use that money to pay the City back. Did his wife and family use the money to make ends meets while he was "locked up"? Did he try and pay off his lawyers with that money? Was that money used to hush people up? There could be many reasons and places that money could have went. I think that regardless of how big or how small a case is, offenders should be prosecuted. I think that they are only letting people off in this case becasue they are the people choice. It's not fair, but it's life. People we have to do better and we have to start doing it NOW!
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has failed to file a required campaign finance report, violating state law and raising questions about what happened to the $1.3 million he had on hand at the end of 2007.
The report is now nearly two months overdue.
Maurice Kelman, a retired Wayne State University law professor and expert on election law, said the public has a right to know how Kilpatrick used those campaign funds as he faced felony charges stemming from last year’s text message scandal.
“What he has to gain by not filing is continuing to conceal how he’s spent his money,” Kelman said.
Kilpatrick’s long-time campaign treasurer told the Free Press he resigned last year. Kilpatrick’s current treasurer could not be reached.
Kilpatrick by far had the largest war chest of the scores of candidates who have not filed campaign finance reports. The penalties for not filing, however, are relatively minor in Michigan.
120 others also failed to file
Kilpatrick isn’t the only politician who failed to file a 2008 campaign finance report: 120 other office seekers in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties also missed their deadline.
The issue is a challenging one for officials. While missing one finance report can result in a fine, candidates and campaign committee treasurers can face up to 90 days in jail for failing to file if they miss two reporting deadlines. Still few — if any — candidates get prosecuted.
In Kilpatrick’s case, his second deadline would come in January 2010 before it would rise to a potential crime. Kilpatrick historically has filed his reports late.
Candidates in Michigan who file late reports can be fined $50 initially, with costs rising to a maximum of $500.
Records on file with the Wayne County Clerk list Jacquelyn Watts — Kilpatrick’s cousin — as his campaign treasurer. She could not be reached for comment Monday.
Gregory Terrell, who prepared Kilpatrick’s campaign finance reports since his first mayoral run in 2001, said he resigned as treasurer last year.
“I’m not involved in preparing the report so I don’t have any information with respect to the filing or when it would be filed,” he said in a voice mail message left with the Free Press Monday.
Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett notified Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy on Feb. 16 that Kilpatrick and dozens of other candidates were delinquent in filing their campaign finance reports by the beginning of February, as required by state law.
Worthy’s office declined to comment Monday.
Because prosecutors emphasize more serious crimes, most candidates get off with paying late fees.
John Sellek, a spokesman for Attorney General Mike Cox, acknowledged that state law requires clerks to notify the attorney general, but it does not require the attorney general to prosecute such cases. So they are typically referred back to the county prosecutors.
Roger Cardamone, Macomb’s chief elections clerk, said he is unaware of any local prosecutions. He said his office uses the county treasurer to collect the fees.
The Oakland County Clerk’s Office sends a list of its delinquents to both the attorney general and the county prosecutor while also using the treasurer to collect fees, said Jim VanLeuven, deputy clerk and register of deeds.
Oakland elections officials have not asked to prosecute delinquents, VanLeuven said.
“We’re not in a position to suggest they prioritize their workload,” he said of prosecutors. “How much time and energy do you spend collecting $100 for a committee that’s been disbanded?”
Paul Walton, deputy chief prosecutor in Oakland, said he could not recall any prosecutions for a delinquent filing.
“We’re never going to summarily ignore anything,” he said. “Whether charges are issued or not is dependent on factors that are only going to be revealed in the report itself.”
Rich Robinson, executive director of the watchdog Michigan Campaign Finance Network, said he isn’t surprised, because cracking down on violators isn’t a priority for any public official. “It’s a bad situation,” Robinson said, “and I’m not sure exactly what the answer is because I empathize with the Prosecutor’s Office.”
Contact M.L. ELRICK at 313-222-6582 or mlelrick@freepress.com.
Well he is not the only one, but that does raise some eyebrows. Will he try to use that money to pay the City back. Did his wife and family use the money to make ends meets while he was "locked up"? Did he try and pay off his lawyers with that money? Was that money used to hush people up? There could be many reasons and places that money could have went. I think that regardless of how big or how small a case is, offenders should be prosecuted. I think that they are only letting people off in this case becasue they are the people choice. It's not fair, but it's life. People we have to do better and we have to start doing it NOW!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Councilman Kwame Kilpatrick defaults on mortgage
DETROIT (AP) -- A Detroit city councilman who plans to run for mayor and his wife have walked away from the mortgage on their house.
Kwame Kenyatta told The Detroit News for a Tuesday story the couple moved out in December and decided to default on their mortgage after unsuccessfully seeking a solution with a mortgage company.
The newspaper says Monifa Kenyatta bought the two-story brick house for $225,000 in 2004, but it's now worth about $100,000.
Kwame Kenyatta has announced plans to file to run in the city's regularly scheduled election. The primary is in August, followed by the general election in November.
NBA legend and businessman Dave Bing and Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. are on the ballot for a May 5 election to complete ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's second term.
Well check him out. City official fiving up on the City. There goes another blight in the neighborhood. This guy has the nerve to run for Mayor. I am not at all surprised becasue he did a terrible job managing on council. Please Lord send us an Angel..If this is all we have to choose from, we're in TROUBLE
Madison Heights Superintendent Calls DPS A "Wasteland"
I am totally offended by the comment of Superintendent Dr. John Telford. Why would he say such a mean thing about DPS. Yes, DPS has made decisions that has hurt their reputation however, wasteland is not the proper word. You see DPS need someone to come in and take over. Someone who really care about the students and education. DPS also need dedicated teachers.
Correct me if I am wrong but if Dr. Telford cared so much, why didn't he come to DPS? Believe it or not but schol districts receive $7500.00 for each student that they have. More students more money. Poor children does not even have a chance. It's all about the DOLLAR DOLLAR BILL YALL.
I also believe that he is not only calling DPS a wasteland but he is calling the Administration, Teachers, Students and Parent a waste. We make up DPS. Don't forget the CITY OF DETROIT....That is another article
My thing is this....When you take the students, don't try to give them back. Provide transporation for them everyday single day. Even those who reside in Southwest Detroit. When the fights break out, don't send them back, when the parents curse you out and try and beat on the teachers, don't send them back. When the cars get stolen, don't send them back. When they decide they want to drop out, don't send them back. When your school does not make AYP, don't send them back. When the little white girl get pregnant, don't press charges and don't send them back. When the crime rate rise in Madison Heights, don't send them back. Bottom line, when your District bear the problems of DPS. PLEASE DON"T SEND THEM BACK!
This is what those over at DPS have to go through each and every day. Dispite what they say about DPS, WE HAVE WINNERS!
CASS TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL TO HOST FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Detroit, MI -- If you don’t think that this year’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics District Competition is going to be tough…think again. Registration reached capacity in just 4 hours. 15 Detroit Public Schools are in. Cass Technical is one of those schools and along with being a strong competitor the school will host the competition, March 12-14, making Cass one of the first public high schools to earn that honor. The activity begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, and runs from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. There will be a total of 40 teams and 2,500 students from Southeast Michigan participating. There are about 118 FIRST teams in the state and seven District competition sites. The winners from the District competitions will go to the state finals.
The competition is the first joint venture between Cass and Michigan State University since Cass was recently honored by being named MSU’s first Signature School. That translates into a very close working relationship between the institutions, major support from MSU, more student-focused projects in the future and increased learning for all involved.
The robotics teams members have received support and guidance from mentors from major technology-based corporations such as Ford, Chrysler, ITT, BAE Systems, DTE Energy, the GM Tech Center and more. There are between 15 and 32 youngsters per team with three robots which is called an alliance. FIRST provided them with a kit of parts that they had to use to design and build a robot in six weeks. In competition, their robots will have to perform specific tasks on an enclosed course, guided by a student using a remote control unit. The team members not only learn about the electronics and physics of building the robot, they also pick up some design skills such as customizing their units to accommodate certain equipment and functions.
For the 2 days of the competition, the first three floors of Cass will be filled with robotics and MSU information, representatives, family, friends and fans, along with invited DPS elementary students who will get a chance to see what might be a part of their future. Those students are learning from a curriculum created by the Cass robotics team. There will also be MSU registration on site, 20 DPS counselors and some from MSU, food served by Golightly CTC students, a display of engineering award winning cars built by MSU students, a presentation by former astronaut, Dr. Catherine Clark from NASA, video presentations, Q&A with engineering students and a theatrical presentation. In this competition, the cheering sections count so supporters will sit under the logo of their favorite team and try to be the loudest. The competition will also feature a high-powered opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Friday, featuring the marching band, the pom-pom team, cheerleaders and the robotics teams.
Competing is a great preparation for the real world of engineering and related sciences. It requires discipline, sacrifice, a desire to learn the skills of technology and to practice one of FIRST’s most important rules, gracious professionalism - tasks DPS students haven proven to be up to year after year.
DPS Students Shine In Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT)/Joffrey Ballet Christmas Production
If you caught a performance of this year’s Nutcracker at the Detroit Opera House, among the many children on the stage was a natural born star… Sara Keene, a 10 year old 5th grade student at Coleman A. Young Elementary. She played the part of one of the dancing dolls. Sara may be new to you but she’s no stranger to the stage. In the first grade, she performed in the opera, Margaret Garner and in the 3rd grade she was in Porgy and Bess. Both productions were at the MOT. In the 4th grade she received a ballet scholarship for a special program at Marygrove College and rounded out the year with a part in “Stars of Ballet and Broadway” at The Music Hall. She is an honor student, has Received citizenship awards and she’s on the Principal’s (good) List. Sara is also a cheerleader, a member of the Future Teachers club, an active member of her Church and a budding choreographer. She was joined on stage by over 100 other children including four more from DPS-Aisha Carter and Lyrik Enoex from Spain Middle School, and Camille Hall and Callie Munn from Bates Academy.
Amanda Burden Goes To Washington
The National Society of High School Scholars is a most prestigious academic honors organization that only has 543 members. Amanda Burden, a student at Western International, is one of the three members in the state of Michigan. Her academic diligence earned her this honor, and one of the coveted invitations sent to the membership to be special guests at the history making inauguration of Senator Barack Obama, in Washington, D.C. The invitation was provided by the Presidential Classroom Inc. Amanda carries a 3.87 GPA, she completed 2 years at the A. Philip Randolph Career Tech Center, she is a co-op student and has spent 600 hours volunteering in the community. Earlier this year, she received the Claes Noble award for high scholastic achievement and community service. This is a young lady with a great future that will get a boost as soon as she decides which one of the six colleges that have accepted her, she’d like to attend.
The Walking Teacher
Walking 452 miles in 18 days is like walking a marathon everyday and that’s what Sean Shearon, a 5th grade teacher at Roberto Clemente school did. He wanted to do something to raise funds for breast cancer and raise awareness about the disease, so he walked the entire length of Michigan, from Sault Ste. Marie to Campus Martius, this summer, on behalf of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. He called it the Victory Walk. Shearon can relate to breast cancer patients and families. He lost his mother to breast cancer and was diagnosed with cancer himself when he was just a boy. His good works did not go unnoticed and he was recently honored with a prestigious Heroes of Breast Cancer award for philanthropy from the Institute. Shearon, (on the far right) was in the company of (L to R) The Most Compassionate Physician, the researcher who has identified a possible inoculation to prevent breast cancer, and an active volunteer survivor. Although his mega walk is over, he has excited his fifth graders to follow in his footsteps by participating in a mini walk-a-thon to help raise awareness about the need to help others. It will be a civics and health lesson combined into one. Good for the children and good for the community of Detroit.
America’s Thanksgiving Parade ®
The Renaissance Phoenixes and the Martin Luther King Crusaders, two of the finest bands in the Detroit Public Schools District, will proudly march in this years AMERICA’S THANKSGIVING PARADE® on Thursday, November 27th, stepping off at 9:20 a.m. from Woodward and Mack. King and Renaissance beat out four other DPS bands for the honor and will join nearly 60 other parade units in the march to Congress and Woodward. Be there to cheer them on!
Salute To An Outstanding Student
Henry Ford High School student Jennora Walker was chosen as a Channel 7/McDonald’s High School Athlete of the Week . She is 17 years old and has a 3.5 grade point average. Jennora excels in cheerleading, volley ball and Track and gives to the community by coaching in the Police Athletic League. She is a student with a bright future and plans to attend Spelman College where she will major in Chemical Engineering or pre-med.
National Academic Honor Goes To Renaissance Student
Kayla Shelton, a student at Renaissance High School, has been selected for membership in the National Society of High School Scholars. The Society only accepts the top scholars who have achieved superior academic excellence. To be tapped for membership is one of the highest honors any student can receive. It is a unique and very select organization. There is currently an average of only about 2,000 members in each of 120 participant countries. As a member of the society, Kayla will benefit from scholarship opportunities, academic competitions, free events, member-only resources, online forums and publicity.
Carstens Students Win Again!
Students at Carstens are a shining example of academic achievement and teacher Deborah Limage is a shining example of what a little elbow grease can accomplish. In 2006 and 2007, she involved her students in the Project Citizen competition. They were the first and only fifth grade students to participate in the highly respected program when the coordinators decided to let elementary grades compete. Project Citizen encourages students to take on issues that might be discussed by and of interest on the state government level. Students identify an issue, analyze it and come up with suggested solutions. They then take it to Lansing and make a presentation at a mock Legislative hearing. Those first two years, the Carstens students amazed many when they earned the second highest ranking of Exceptional! This year, their portfolio took the top honor on both the state and national levels with a ranking of Superior! It’s as good as it gets.
A Voice To Be Heard
The winners have been selected for the statewide, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association essay contest that took place in the spring and Nor’risha Lawson, a student at Southeastern High School, took fourth place. The theme of the contest was “Why My Voice Matters’ and was sponsored by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. Nor'risha will be honored at the “Student Voices: Celebrating the First Amendment” event that will take place in the State Capitol Building on September 17 from 4 - 6 p.m.
Breithaupt SkillsUSA
Ricardo Ramirez, a student at Breithaupt CTC won second place in the nation for his Michigan Pin design for the National SkillsUSA Conference. A pin design was submitted from each state.
His pin was extremely popular and had attendees scrambling to get one.
National Academic Honor Goes To Renaissance Student
Kayla Shelton, a student at Renaissance High School, has been selected for membership in the National Society of High School Scholars. The Society only accepts the top scholars who have achieved superior academic excellence. To be tapped for membership is one of the highest honors any student can receive. It is a unique and very select organization. There is currently an average of only about 2,000 members in each of 120 participant countries. As a member of the society, Kayla will benefit from scholarship opportunities, academic competitions, free events, member-only resources, online forums and publicity.
A Voice To Be Heard
The winners have been selected for the statewide, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association essay contest that took place in the spring and Nor’risha Lawson, a student at Southeastern High School, took fourth place. The theme of the contest was “Why My Voice Matters.’ She will be honored at the “Student Voices: Celebrating the First Amendment” event that will take place in the State Capitol Building later this month.
Carstens Students Win Again!
Students at Carstens are a shining example of academic achievement and teacher Deborah Limage is a shining example of what a little elbow grease can accomplish. In 2006 and 2007, she involved her students in the Project Citizen competition. They were the first and only fifth grade students to participate in the highly respected program when the coordinators decided to let elementary grades compete. Project Citizen encourages students to take on issues that might be discussed by and of interest on the state government level. Students identify an issue, analyze it and come up with suggested solutions. They then take it to Lansing and make a presentation at a mock Legislative hearing. Those first two years, the Carstens students amazed many when they earned the second highest ranking of Exceptional! This year, their portfolio took the top honor on both the state and national levels with a ranking of Superior! It’s as good as it gets.
Two members of the Pittsburgh Steelers and one member of the Baltimore Ravens are illustrious alumni of the Detroit Public School League.
#36 Jerome Bettis
#50 Larry Foote
Bart Scott graduated from Southeastern High School in Detroit. He now plays for the Baltamore Ravens.
#57 Bart Scott
There are many more where that came from.
The superintendent of the Madison Heights School District just started his first week on the job, but he is already stirring up controversy with comments he made about a neighboring school district.
Dr. John Telford told a local radio station Monday that the Detroit Public School District was a "wasteland." "Now when I say 'wasteland,' I'm not criticizing the teachers, the principals or those intrepid folks who are on the front line," Telfod told Local 4 in an interview.
Correct me if I am wrong but if Dr. Telford cared so much, why didn't he come to DPS? Believe it or not but schol districts receive $7500.00 for each student that they have. More students more money. Poor children does not even have a chance. It's all about the DOLLAR DOLLAR BILL YALL.
I also believe that he is not only calling DPS a wasteland but he is calling the Administration, Teachers, Students and Parent a waste. We make up DPS. Don't forget the CITY OF DETROIT....That is another article
My thing is this....When you take the students, don't try to give them back. Provide transporation for them everyday single day. Even those who reside in Southwest Detroit. When the fights break out, don't send them back, when the parents curse you out and try and beat on the teachers, don't send them back. When the cars get stolen, don't send them back. When they decide they want to drop out, don't send them back. When your school does not make AYP, don't send them back. When the little white girl get pregnant, don't press charges and don't send them back. When the crime rate rise in Madison Heights, don't send them back. Bottom line, when your District bear the problems of DPS. PLEASE DON"T SEND THEM BACK!
This is what those over at DPS have to go through each and every day. Dispite what they say about DPS, WE HAVE WINNERS!
CASS TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL TO HOST FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Detroit, MI -- If you don’t think that this year’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics District Competition is going to be tough…think again. Registration reached capacity in just 4 hours. 15 Detroit Public Schools are in. Cass Technical is one of those schools and along with being a strong competitor the school will host the competition, March 12-14, making Cass one of the first public high schools to earn that honor. The activity begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, and runs from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. There will be a total of 40 teams and 2,500 students from Southeast Michigan participating. There are about 118 FIRST teams in the state and seven District competition sites. The winners from the District competitions will go to the state finals.
The competition is the first joint venture between Cass and Michigan State University since Cass was recently honored by being named MSU’s first Signature School. That translates into a very close working relationship between the institutions, major support from MSU, more student-focused projects in the future and increased learning for all involved.
The robotics teams members have received support and guidance from mentors from major technology-based corporations such as Ford, Chrysler, ITT, BAE Systems, DTE Energy, the GM Tech Center and more. There are between 15 and 32 youngsters per team with three robots which is called an alliance. FIRST provided them with a kit of parts that they had to use to design and build a robot in six weeks. In competition, their robots will have to perform specific tasks on an enclosed course, guided by a student using a remote control unit. The team members not only learn about the electronics and physics of building the robot, they also pick up some design skills such as customizing their units to accommodate certain equipment and functions.
For the 2 days of the competition, the first three floors of Cass will be filled with robotics and MSU information, representatives, family, friends and fans, along with invited DPS elementary students who will get a chance to see what might be a part of their future. Those students are learning from a curriculum created by the Cass robotics team. There will also be MSU registration on site, 20 DPS counselors and some from MSU, food served by Golightly CTC students, a display of engineering award winning cars built by MSU students, a presentation by former astronaut, Dr. Catherine Clark from NASA, video presentations, Q&A with engineering students and a theatrical presentation. In this competition, the cheering sections count so supporters will sit under the logo of their favorite team and try to be the loudest. The competition will also feature a high-powered opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Friday, featuring the marching band, the pom-pom team, cheerleaders and the robotics teams.
Competing is a great preparation for the real world of engineering and related sciences. It requires discipline, sacrifice, a desire to learn the skills of technology and to practice one of FIRST’s most important rules, gracious professionalism - tasks DPS students haven proven to be up to year after year.
DPS Students Shine In Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT)/Joffrey Ballet Christmas Production
If you caught a performance of this year’s Nutcracker at the Detroit Opera House, among the many children on the stage was a natural born star… Sara Keene, a 10 year old 5th grade student at Coleman A. Young Elementary. She played the part of one of the dancing dolls. Sara may be new to you but she’s no stranger to the stage. In the first grade, she performed in the opera, Margaret Garner and in the 3rd grade she was in Porgy and Bess. Both productions were at the MOT. In the 4th grade she received a ballet scholarship for a special program at Marygrove College and rounded out the year with a part in “Stars of Ballet and Broadway” at The Music Hall. She is an honor student, has Received citizenship awards and she’s on the Principal’s (good) List. Sara is also a cheerleader, a member of the Future Teachers club, an active member of her Church and a budding choreographer. She was joined on stage by over 100 other children including four more from DPS-Aisha Carter and Lyrik Enoex from Spain Middle School, and Camille Hall and Callie Munn from Bates Academy.
Amanda Burden Goes To Washington
The National Society of High School Scholars is a most prestigious academic honors organization that only has 543 members. Amanda Burden, a student at Western International, is one of the three members in the state of Michigan. Her academic diligence earned her this honor, and one of the coveted invitations sent to the membership to be special guests at the history making inauguration of Senator Barack Obama, in Washington, D.C. The invitation was provided by the Presidential Classroom Inc. Amanda carries a 3.87 GPA, she completed 2 years at the A. Philip Randolph Career Tech Center, she is a co-op student and has spent 600 hours volunteering in the community. Earlier this year, she received the Claes Noble award for high scholastic achievement and community service. This is a young lady with a great future that will get a boost as soon as she decides which one of the six colleges that have accepted her, she’d like to attend.
The Walking Teacher
Walking 452 miles in 18 days is like walking a marathon everyday and that’s what Sean Shearon, a 5th grade teacher at Roberto Clemente school did. He wanted to do something to raise funds for breast cancer and raise awareness about the disease, so he walked the entire length of Michigan, from Sault Ste. Marie to Campus Martius, this summer, on behalf of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. He called it the Victory Walk. Shearon can relate to breast cancer patients and families. He lost his mother to breast cancer and was diagnosed with cancer himself when he was just a boy. His good works did not go unnoticed and he was recently honored with a prestigious Heroes of Breast Cancer award for philanthropy from the Institute. Shearon, (on the far right) was in the company of (L to R) The Most Compassionate Physician, the researcher who has identified a possible inoculation to prevent breast cancer, and an active volunteer survivor. Although his mega walk is over, he has excited his fifth graders to follow in his footsteps by participating in a mini walk-a-thon to help raise awareness about the need to help others. It will be a civics and health lesson combined into one. Good for the children and good for the community of Detroit.
America’s Thanksgiving Parade ®
The Renaissance Phoenixes and the Martin Luther King Crusaders, two of the finest bands in the Detroit Public Schools District, will proudly march in this years AMERICA’S THANKSGIVING PARADE® on Thursday, November 27th, stepping off at 9:20 a.m. from Woodward and Mack. King and Renaissance beat out four other DPS bands for the honor and will join nearly 60 other parade units in the march to Congress and Woodward. Be there to cheer them on!
Salute To An Outstanding Student
Henry Ford High School student Jennora Walker was chosen as a Channel 7/McDonald’s High School Athlete of the Week . She is 17 years old and has a 3.5 grade point average. Jennora excels in cheerleading, volley ball and Track and gives to the community by coaching in the Police Athletic League. She is a student with a bright future and plans to attend Spelman College where she will major in Chemical Engineering or pre-med.
National Academic Honor Goes To Renaissance Student
Kayla Shelton, a student at Renaissance High School, has been selected for membership in the National Society of High School Scholars. The Society only accepts the top scholars who have achieved superior academic excellence. To be tapped for membership is one of the highest honors any student can receive. It is a unique and very select organization. There is currently an average of only about 2,000 members in each of 120 participant countries. As a member of the society, Kayla will benefit from scholarship opportunities, academic competitions, free events, member-only resources, online forums and publicity.
Carstens Students Win Again!
Students at Carstens are a shining example of academic achievement and teacher Deborah Limage is a shining example of what a little elbow grease can accomplish. In 2006 and 2007, she involved her students in the Project Citizen competition. They were the first and only fifth grade students to participate in the highly respected program when the coordinators decided to let elementary grades compete. Project Citizen encourages students to take on issues that might be discussed by and of interest on the state government level. Students identify an issue, analyze it and come up with suggested solutions. They then take it to Lansing and make a presentation at a mock Legislative hearing. Those first two years, the Carstens students amazed many when they earned the second highest ranking of Exceptional! This year, their portfolio took the top honor on both the state and national levels with a ranking of Superior! It’s as good as it gets.
A Voice To Be Heard
The winners have been selected for the statewide, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association essay contest that took place in the spring and Nor’risha Lawson, a student at Southeastern High School, took fourth place. The theme of the contest was “Why My Voice Matters’ and was sponsored by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. Nor'risha will be honored at the “Student Voices: Celebrating the First Amendment” event that will take place in the State Capitol Building on September 17 from 4 - 6 p.m.
Breithaupt SkillsUSA
Ricardo Ramirez, a student at Breithaupt CTC won second place in the nation for his Michigan Pin design for the National SkillsUSA Conference. A pin design was submitted from each state.
His pin was extremely popular and had attendees scrambling to get one.
National Academic Honor Goes To Renaissance Student
Kayla Shelton, a student at Renaissance High School, has been selected for membership in the National Society of High School Scholars. The Society only accepts the top scholars who have achieved superior academic excellence. To be tapped for membership is one of the highest honors any student can receive. It is a unique and very select organization. There is currently an average of only about 2,000 members in each of 120 participant countries. As a member of the society, Kayla will benefit from scholarship opportunities, academic competitions, free events, member-only resources, online forums and publicity.
A Voice To Be Heard
The winners have been selected for the statewide, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association essay contest that took place in the spring and Nor’risha Lawson, a student at Southeastern High School, took fourth place. The theme of the contest was “Why My Voice Matters.’ She will be honored at the “Student Voices: Celebrating the First Amendment” event that will take place in the State Capitol Building later this month.
Carstens Students Win Again!
Students at Carstens are a shining example of academic achievement and teacher Deborah Limage is a shining example of what a little elbow grease can accomplish. In 2006 and 2007, she involved her students in the Project Citizen competition. They were the first and only fifth grade students to participate in the highly respected program when the coordinators decided to let elementary grades compete. Project Citizen encourages students to take on issues that might be discussed by and of interest on the state government level. Students identify an issue, analyze it and come up with suggested solutions. They then take it to Lansing and make a presentation at a mock Legislative hearing. Those first two years, the Carstens students amazed many when they earned the second highest ranking of Exceptional! This year, their portfolio took the top honor on both the state and national levels with a ranking of Superior! It’s as good as it gets.
Two members of the Pittsburgh Steelers and one member of the Baltimore Ravens are illustrious alumni of the Detroit Public School League.
#36 Jerome Bettis
#50 Larry Foote
Bart Scott graduated from Southeastern High School in Detroit. He now plays for the Baltamore Ravens.
#57 Bart Scott
There are many more where that came from.
I AM DPS
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
I continue to Keep it Real
Why is it that when African American get in control of something it falls apart. Don't know what I am talking about, let me see Pontiac, DPS, City of Detroit, must I go on. Granted there are alot of successful African Americans in this country, however, when it comes down to each and every decision maker being African American, WE HAVE A PROBLEM. My heart goes out to each and every educator in the urban communities. Why are they getting the short end of the stick. If it was not for my teachers, I would not have the ability to read, write, socialize, tell time, count money, blend sounds, write complete sentences, you get my drift. The City of Pontiac is laying off the teachers, ALL THE TEACHERS, for what, mismanagement of funds. According to freep.com
I just found out that the payroll manager at DPS was altering his own paycheck, go figure. According to the free press
Lastly I want to address Detroit City Council...................................................................................................................................................................
I am at a lost for words with this bunch. Every single day of the week, including Sundays, these fools makes the news. At first it was depressing, now it is my daily dose of laughter. Obviously these folks are not qualified to run a City. Did I have to say that? Yes and NO. Yes because they need to be reminded constantly the bad job they are doing. No because they can see it on television everyday and plus they are the living, I mean actual example. So what is going on in the City today. Well yesterday, they were crying about Jay Leno doing a FREE, not ticketed, but FREE concert in Pontiac. Free brings in NO MONEY, NADA, ZIP, ZERO. Here is what freep.com is reporting
Leave all the crying at home and get down to business. I sorry to say but please Mr. and Mrs. White man come back to our urban communities and take over. We can't do it without you!
The state's largest teachers union is questioning why the Pontiac School District would lay off all of its employees when the district is to receive an estimated $27 million in federal stimulus money.
"They are getting significantly more than any other district in Oakland County," said Doug Pratt, spokesman for the Michigan Education Association. "And the vast majority of it is ... intended to avoid layoffs."
But it may not be that simple.Nearly $10 million of the money Pontiac is to get is targeted toward programs for students who are low-income or who have special-education needs. The rest is part of budget stabilization funds.
Georgette Johnson, spokeswoman for the Pontiac district, said some of the money must be spent on construction. And she said the mass layoffs are necessary as the district tries to determine how it will operate fewer schools.
"There are new programs that are being developed that will in the long run mean fewer being laid off at the end of the day," Johnson said. The $27 million is only a one- or two-year fix, and Pontiac's enrollment and budget problems are long standing. Pontiac has 7,200 students enrolled in a district with buildings that can hold 20,000. To accommodate that decline, and to trim a projected $11.6-million deficit, the district plans to close eight schools, including one of its two high schools.District officials have said they have until April 30 to address how many employees will be recalled for jobs for the 2009-10 school year. Layoffs will be effective June 30.
I just found out that the payroll manager at DPS was altering his own paycheck, go figure. According to the free press
A payroll supervisor has been suspended without pay by Detroit Public Schools, based on allegations he inappropriately altered payroll records. Emergency Financial Manager Robert C. Bobb on Tuesday ordered the employee, who the district said has worked in the payroll department as a supervisor for six years, to be placed on administrative leave without pay pending a human resources hearing.The district did not identify the employee by name but alleged he altered his own payroll records while processing the district's Feb. 26 payroll, reducing the number of vacation days to be deducted during that time. Another district employee noticed an inconsistency in records and reported it to administrators.
In a statement Tuesday evening, Bobb said payroll is one of several divisions that will be the subject of a forensic audit in the coming weeks. He also praised the employees who reported the suspicious activity.
Lastly I want to address Detroit City Council...................................................................................................................................................................
I am at a lost for words with this bunch. Every single day of the week, including Sundays, these fools makes the news. At first it was depressing, now it is my daily dose of laughter. Obviously these folks are not qualified to run a City. Did I have to say that? Yes and NO. Yes because they need to be reminded constantly the bad job they are doing. No because they can see it on television everyday and plus they are the living, I mean actual example. So what is going on in the City today. Well yesterday, they were crying about Jay Leno doing a FREE, not ticketed, but FREE concert in Pontiac. Free brings in NO MONEY, NADA, ZIP, ZERO. Here is what freep.com is reporting
Today, Detroit City Councilwoman Martha Reeves --known as the lead singer of Motown’s own Martha and the Vandellas -- said she was pleased that comedian and “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno will perform a free, local concert for the out-of-work masses on April 7.What more can I say?? SO Effing WHAT MARTHA. Hell you are a motown legend, why don't you top that and get some of your old Motown buddies like Smokey, Stevy, the Temptations, heck yourself and do a FREE Motown Review Legends show for the People of Detroit. You Do Have Connections.......Right?
However, Reeves was not thrilled that the show, which is scheduled to be at the Palace of Auburn Hills, wouldn’t take place in the city limits, like possibly at Ford Field.
Council President Monica Conyers asked Reeves, head of the council’s Entertainment Task Force, to contact Leno, or his people, to make a change of venue happen.
“Who do I call?” Reeves asked, looking around the council table to no one in particular. “Who do I call?”
If Reeves’ efforts don’t pan out, “Jay's Comedy Stimulus Plan,” will be in Auburn Hills as originally planned.
Leave all the crying at home and get down to business. I sorry to say but please Mr. and Mrs. White man come back to our urban communities and take over. We can't do it without you!
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