The San Francisco 49ers, in town Sunday to play the Detroit Lions, are planning to practice Saturday at Dearborn High School’s football field, DeepsaidWhat.com has learned.

San Francisco is 4-1 and plays the undefeated Lions at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit.

The 49ers are scheduled to practice at my alma mater between noon and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Dearborn Police will be at the field to keep an eye on things and manage any crowds that may gather if the practice is held.

Now Dearborn High School can brag that they really do have the best football field in Dearborn, good enough for the five-time Super Bowl champ 49ers to ask to use.

Go Lions!

A community wide plan to address bullying, organized jointly by Dearborn Public Schools and the City of Dearborn, got off to a strong start this month due in part to an unanticipated boost in funding provided by a leading Wayne County official.

Dearborn Public Schools Supt. Brian Whiston (left) and school board president James Schoolmaster (right) accept a ceremonial check from Wayne County Commission Chairman Gary Woronchak for a $20,000 county grant to support the anti-bullying effort launched Sept. 14 jointly by the school district and the city of Dearborn.

Wayne County Commission Chairman Gary Woronchak secured a $20,000 county grant which was formally announced at the kickoff for the anti-bullying effort held Sept. 14 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

Planning for the city schools program to combat bullying had been in the works for a year, but Woronchak approached school officials with the offer to help fund the effort less than two weeks before the kickoff event.

Woronchak explained that the funding is a county PASS grant. PASS (Prevention Action Services System) provides grants for programs that help young people develop academically and socially and to avoid the juvenile justice system. The county’s 2011-12 budget, which was approved by the commission last month, included funding for the grants through the Department of Children and Family Services.

“As word got out about the school district and city’s anti-bullying efforts, around the same time as we were putting final touches on the county budget, it seemed to me that this program would fit perfectly with the prevention service grants,” said Commissioner Woronchak, himself a product of Dearborn Public Schools.

School officials were pleased to learn of the grant and expressed gratitude to Woronchak for taking the initiative and quick action to obtain the funds.

“In working to put this plan together over the last year, organizers came up with many good ideas and concepts to address bullying, but some seemed out of reach because funding was going to be limited with tight budgets in the school district and city,” said Superintendent Brian Whiston. “Commissioner Woronchak bringing this unexpected grant to us just as we were about to kick off the program gave us great momentum going forward.”

Parents, students, staff and elected officials attended the Anti-Bullying Extravaganza Sept. 14. At the event, Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly Jr. and Superintendent Whiston shared details of the plan, including the intended curriculum and activities for schools.

Students presented videos they created that capture the anti-bullying theme and the district rolled out the “Response to Bullying Behavior” poster contest. The winning poster will be distributed and displayed at schools, shops and homes throughout the city.

The kickoff program also featured costumed team mascots from the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Pistons, and emceed by WXYZ-TV reporter Anu Prakash.

From left to right, Dearborn's newest principals, Jamel Lawera, Kristin Waddell and Daniel Hartley.

Students at three Dearborn schools will begin the school year with new principals.

The Board of Education recently approved the appointment of the following principals:

Mr. Daniel Hartley, Principal of DuVall Elementary (my childhood elementary), previously Assistant Principal at Bryant Middle School

Ms. Kristin Waddell, Principal of Whitmore-Bolles Elementary, previously Assistant Principal at Maples Elementary

Mr. Jamel Lawera, Principal of Salina Intermediate, previously Assistant Principal at Salina Intermediate.

The Dearborn School District was fortunate to have had many outstanding candidates for these positions. We wish all three of these administrators a great school year.

After months of discussion, a plan to bring student housing to downtown Dearborn to serve the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus is expected to soon become a reality.

The existing building (foreground) will be connected via corridor to a new 4-story building (background).

The apartments will be located directly across from the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus at 760 and 780 Town Center Drive, the road that circles the Fairlane Mall. These two buildings formerly housed Ford engine engineers.

In addition to the two existing buildings, construction on an all-new four-story building is expected to begin this year at the same location. Corridors will also be constructed to connect the new building with the two existing structures. In all, there will be 506 beds consisting of studio and three- and four bedroom apartments, according to Bowers and Associates, the architect for the project.

One of the buildings also would serve as a student union hall where students could gather and purchase food.

In this rendering, all three buildings for University of Michigan-Dearborn student housing can be seen.

 A fourth building could be build at this same location if demand exceeds apartment availability.

The apartments, which will be privately owned rather than managed by the U-M Dearborn, are targeted to open in August 2012, according to the architect for the project.

Just how many of the current 8,700 students at the University of Michigan-Dearborn will utilize the apartments isn’t known but being able to offer student housing is expected to help the university reach its target of growing to 12,000 students by 2012.

This project has been a long-time coming and could go a long way towards helping the Fairlane Town Center, as well as downtown West Dearborn.

Interesting story in today’s edition of the Detroit Free Press. The paper is reporting that Dearborn teachers have approved a contract that gives the union full control of their health plan and such vexing decisions as coverage levels and co-pay amounts.

It’s a first-ever twist, in line with Gov. Rick Snyder’s idea that public employees should pay more toward their health insurance.

Under the agreement, Dearborn Public Schools has capped its contribution at $12,000 per employee, and the union will have to run the health plan and figure out how to best spend the money.

The paper says it’s a risky move for the union, which would have tough decisions if the plan goes over-budget. On the other hand, the plan would bank any savings to cover future cost increases.

Read the full story HERE.

Hundreds of Dearborn students from kindergarten through high school will share their artistic talents at the first ever Dearborn Youth in Arts Festival, sponsored by the Dearborn Community Fund, on May 11 at 7:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend this free program at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., in Dearborn to watch hundreds of talented Dearborn students perform, display and demonstrate their arts.

“We called this the Youth in Arts Festival—not just a concert—because of the variety and high spirited energy of the program,” explained EmmaJean Woodyard, executive director of the Dearborn Community Fund (DCF). “It’s really exciting for everyone involved because it’s the first time that all of the schools in Dearborn have pooled all of their arts initiatives together at one time, in one place, to demonstrate how many of our young people are involved in the arts.”

Visual Arts

The Youth in Arts Festival includes the all school exhibit in the Padzieski Art Gallery featuring the artwork of K-12 students.

Fifth grade students will demonstrate the ancient art of kumihimo, a decorative form of Japanese braiding. Their work will be for sale with all proceeds donated to the Red Cross to aid Japanese earthquake victims.

In addition, high school students from the Pockets of Perception (POP) design team will be on hand with designs of their project which culminates later this year with the installation of two outdoor sculptures, one in west Dearborn and one in east Dearborn.

Choral

Choral performances will highlight the voices of students in the Elementary Honors Choir directed by Jim Walters, the Secondary Honors Choir directed by Jennifer Pegouske, and the Edsel Ford Choir, directed by Robert Doyle.

Dramatic Arts

Edsel Ford High School Musical Theater students will add a dramatic element to the program under the direction of Robert Doyle.

Instrumental Arts

Representing the power and passion of instrumental arts, performances include the Fordson Jazz Band conducted by Scott Guthre, Dearborn High School 10th Grade Concert Band conducted by Jeff Oshnock, and the Maples Music Ensemble conducted by Catherine Prowse. The Dearborn Youth Symphony Flute Choir directed by Donna Olkowski will perform in the theater lobby as guests arrive.

Special guests for the evening will highlight Dearborn schools graduates, all of whom have gone on to pursue careers in the arts. The guest list includes: pianist John Boonenberg; comments from Mike Mosallam, director of the Film Initiative for Wayne County; and, conducting the program’s closing number,

G. Kevin Dewey, director of choirs, Henry Ford community College.

The Youth in Arts Festival is sponsored by the Dearborn Community Fund (DCF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to support cultural and recreational programs in Dearborn.

Honorary chairs for the event are Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr.; Karen Nigosian, chair, DCF; and Brian Whiston, superintendent, Dearborn Public Schools.

The Youth in Arts Festival Honorary Organization Committee includes: AAUW Dearborn Branch, Artist Society of Dearborn, the Dearborn Public Schools, and the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra.

For more information about the Youth in Arts Festival, other projects sponsored by the DCF, or how to contribute to the Fund, call 313-943-5478.

Dearborn parents, teachers and community members are organizing to march on Lansing on April 12 to push back on Gov. Snyder’s proposed budget cuts to schools.

Four buses – provided by the Dearborn PTSA Council – have been reserved and will leave Dearborn School’s Administrative Services Center, 18700 Audette at 9 a.m.

Organizers are asking that attendees pack a lunch and arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. Buses will return from Lansing to Dearborn about 2:30 p.m.

Those interested in attending should email Colette Dunsmore, Dearborn PTSA council president, by Friday, April 8 at donoval@dearborn.k12.mi.us

“We want everyone to know up in Lansing that Dearborn is there and that we want to make sure our quality education continues,” said Dunsmore in an email to DeepsaidWhat.com. “Make signs, bring letters to the Governor, have your children write letters for you to bring up with you! WE NEED PEOPLE and lots of them!! So, please spread the word! . . . Let’s make Dearborn proud with the strong support and showing of our people in Lansing on Tuesday, April 12th!”

Separately, Morris Goodman, a Dearborn attorney, past president of the Dearborn Democratic Club, a longtime political activist and observer and regular reader of Deepsaidwhat.com sent along this column asking “Did you get what you voted for?”

Goodman says that July 1, 2011 cannot come soon enough because that is when Gov. Snyder will have been in office for six months  . . . and a recall can then be started.

His column begins below:

When the polls closed on August 6, 2010 in the Michigan primary election, 34 percent of Republicans voted for the Bill Milliken and Bill Ford endorsed self proclaimed non-ideological nerd Rick Snyder for Governor. Forty-two percent of Democrats voted for the two term moderate Majority leader of the Democratic controlled Michigan House of Representatives Andy Dillon.

How many of those Snyder primary voters thought he would put forward the kind of draconian cost cutting and tax burden shifting agenda he has so far? How many of those Dillon primary voters thought he would not endorse for governor the candidate he lost to, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, and later go to work for the Snyder Administration as Treasurer?

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The Dearborn High School Marching Band appeared on “Ireland AM” today (Wednesday)  at about 7 am. You can watch the band by clicking HERE. 

Some of you will recall that we wrote about the Dearborn High School band and Orchestra last September when they were invited to march in the 2011 Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Members, parents and supporters held numerous fundraisers so that some 119 people could travel to Ireland, including 18 chaperons.

Not just any high school band gets invited to perform in Dublin. You have to be good. And under the supervision of Dearborn High’s Music Director Jeff Oshnock, the Pioneers are outstanding. One proud parent tells us that Dearborn High School’s musicians score top rankings at solo/ensemble competitions and band reviews.

In 2008, the Dearborn High School Marching Band participated in the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC. It was that performance that helped the band secure a position to perform in the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin.

The Dublin Parade will be streamed live over the Internet.  To watch, click HERE.You will have to get up at 6 am to view it live.

Official Festival Site is HERE.

The Dearborn High School band was featured on Local 4 News, WDIV and you can view that HERE.

Michigan Gov. Snyder’s budget proposal will cut deep into school budgets across the state and Dearborn could feel the pain to the tune of $14 million. In addition to the cuts in revenue, our district may face as much as a $5 million increase in the amount paid to the State’s pension fund.

So Dearborn School Supt. Brian J. Whiston is asking community leaders and parents to contact the Governor’s office and explain how the impact these cuts will have on children in Dearborn. As residents of this city, we need to do all we can to ensure that at a minimum our per-student funding isn’t reduced. So please consider dropping a letter to the Gov.

Whiston’s letter begins below:

Dear Community Members,

Now that Governor Snyder has presented his budget proposal, the debate in Lansing will continue for several weeks as legislators work out the details. In order to better understand how this plan will impact our classrooms, I would like to take a moment to provide the following summary of the key components of the Governor’s budget proposal.

Impact on District:

— Per-student funding reduced by $470/student $8,695,000

— 31a At-Risk funds eliminated $4,900,000

— Section 41 Bilingual funds eliminated $435,000

— Total $14,030,000

In addition to these cuts in revenue, the district may face as much as a $5 million increase in the amount paid to the State’s pension fund.

As concerned community members, it’s important that you voice your opinion on the Governor’s cuts. Every parent, business owner, home owner, and community member should contact Governor Snyder at:

Governor Rick Snyder

P.O. Box 30013

Lansing, MI 48909

(517) 373-3400

Rick.snyder@michigan.gov

Explain to the Governor that:

 Reductions in funding at this level will be devastating to our classrooms.

 Dearborn students across the district will see reductions in staff, resources, and services.

 These budget recommendations hit Dearborn harder than other district due to the elimination of needed funds for “At-Risk” and bilingual students.

 Reductions in funding will mean fewer resources, human and material, needed to help students achieve the new state mandated college-ready test scores.

I highly encourage you to contact the Governor’s office and explain the impact these cuts will have on our students, your children.

Fortunately our representatives in the state house and senate are aware of this situation and are working to help Dearborn students. We thank them for their support and caring about our students.

Despite several years of declining state revenue, the Board of Education and the administrative team have remained committed to timely budget planning and being fiscally responsible to the citizens living in our district. Working with our staff and community, the district will continue to take a proactive stance on budget issues and maintain our commitment to devote available resources that meet the academic needs of students.

 As state lawmakers move through the budget process, we will continue to provide you with information on any changes that could impact funding for Dearborn Public Schools. Although school districts do not have the ability to raise revenue locally or control spiraling state retirement costs, we will work to preserve quality instructional programs so that all students will continue to be successful in the classroom.

Sincerely,

Brian J. Whiston

Superintendent of Schools

Periodically the Dearborn Public Schools provides us a column from Supt. Brian Whiston as a means to communicate information to the Dearborn community.

His latest column begins below

Supt. Brian Whiston

Do you remember learning to ride a bike or teaching a child how to ride a bike? It usually starts with riding a tricycle, then a bike with training wheels. The next step is to take one of the training wheels off the bike, and finally, someone will steady the bike, only letting go once the rider is balancing on their own. The key to success, in not only learning how to ride a bike but in all types of activities in our work and social lives, is following a step by step process.

Our district has an enrollment process, an employment process, and a grading process, just to name a few, that ensure the smooth operation of our schools. When things don’t go according to plan we also have a process in place to solve problems and make corrections. As a parent, if you have a concern, question, or a more serious issue regarding your child, it’s important for you to know that the district has a process in place to help you resolve these matters.

Your child’s teacher is the best place to start. They are the expert when it comes to your child’s classroom experience and the best person to start with when you have a concern. If the issue is between your child and a teacher, then the next person who can provide help is the building principal. Principals have the advantage of knowing the teacher, student, and other building related conditions. Ninety-five percent of the time the teacher and principal, working together with the parent and student, will be successful at solving the problem.

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