DPS kicks off month-long enrollment/school readiness campaign, Hundreds of school-based events including Parade, All-Schools Open House/Alumni Invitation, Spirit of Detroit Dressing, Taste of DPS/Multicultural Event

Campaign promises to be the most grassroots to date through intensive door-to-door canvassing, new initiatives to involve faith-based organizations for a new DPS Church Sunday event and pledge, special outreach to DPS’ largest ethnic groups, and a focus on individual school/community campaigns

Hundreds of school-based events showcasing programs and community partners, a month-long intensive neighborhood by neighborhood grassroots campaign, a week packed with popular citywide events including the annual Woodward Ave. Back-to-School parade, and brand new partnerships with faith-based organizations including a pledge of support from ministers’ wives associations, highlight Detroit Public Schools Summer Enrollment Campaign efforts ongoing now through the first day of Teaching and Learning, September 4^th.

“It’s critically important that we raise more awareness than ever before about the importance of the start of the new school year, exemplary attendance for all students, the essential value of parental involvement, while communicating our new programs and services to everyone inside and external to Detroit Public Schools,” said Emergency Manager Roy S. Roberts.

DPS will be showcasing new programs and three brand new schools, new initiatives to put technology in the hands of students and their families at home, new Individualized Learning Maps for children, and parent involvement programs, transportation, healthy meals and safe routes to schools. New opportunities for alumni to become involved will also be introduced.

Throughout the month, Detroit Parent Network parent organizers, volunteers and partners will work with new families looking for school choices, young families with new PreK and kindergarten students, parents affected by school transitions, and families whose children attend DPS’ 12 schools in southwest Detroit.

Dr. Benjamin Carson High School students work on a project.

DPS’ new “Detroit Rising College Preparatory Schools” will be specially featured. This fall at nine DPS schools, decisions about hiring, curriculum and budget will all be made at the school level. These schools have a commitment to work with parents to ensure each child graduates from high school and goes on to college or technical school. They also feature small class sizes, a college prep curriculum, school uniforms and strong discipline to ensure safe, orderly schools that support learning. The nine schools, including the small schools at Cody and Osborn, Ben Carson, Detroit Collegiate Prep and DSA, are self-governing, where key decisions are put in the hands of the principal and teachers who know each child best.

A highlight of the month was “Detroit Public Schools Week, Presented by Comcast” including:

DPS Church Sunday – August 19

25+ faith-based supporters spread a positive back-to-school message!

Dressing of the Spirit of Detroit Statue – Monday, August 20

The Spirit of Detroit Says “I’m In.”

Spirit of Detroit Statue: Dressed in an authentic “I’m In!” T-shirt August 20 – September 4.

Taste of DPS Multicultural Day – Tuesday, August 21

Participants enjoyed foods, sights and sounds from various cultures representing DPS! The event was 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Davison, Earhart, Gardner and Garvey.

DPS/Comcast Back-to-School Parade, downtown – Wednesday, August 22

ALL DPS schools participated in the DPS/Comcast Back-to-School Parade, downtown, coordinated by The Parade Company. It included the DPS All-City Marching Band, alumni marchers, school step teams, parent marchers and more! Step-off was 11 a.m. at Grand Circus Park, Woodward at Adams. Limited backpack vouchers and uniform vouchers from Forman Mills were passed out and redeemable at the All-Schools Open House!

Detroit Branch NAACP-DPS-Black Family Development, Inc. Back to School/Stay in School Education Day – Friday, August 24, Delores Bennett Park, New Center area

Hundreds of students received school supplies, food, and entertainment.

ALL DPS Schools will be featured in the parade on Wednesday, Aug. 22!

All-DPS Schools Open House and Alumni Celebration – Saturday, August 25

All schools were open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with giveaways, opportunities to meet staff, program showcases, and more! A “DPS Pride” incentive was available for the first 1,000 alumni at schools!

The Saturday, August 25 All-Schools Open House built upon the successful first open houses held at all Detroit Public Schools during the earlier Open Enrollment period in March at which 5,000+ guests participated. Recent surveys reinforce the influence that personal visits to schools and testimonials from other parents are among the strongest influencers for parents choosing schools. New for the August 25 Open House, all alumni were encouraged to visit their alma maters that day, with the first 1,000 DPS alumni at schools receiving a new DPS Alumni Pride license plate holder.

As an example of the depth of support from community associations, corporations, non-profit and service groups, fraternities and sororities, dozens of ministers’ wives signed a public pledge to be present on opening day of school and invest in long term partnerships with local schools, during a new event held as a brunch on Saturday, August 11 at Detroit International Academy, DPS’ and Michigan’s only all-girls public K-12 school.

Roy S. Roberts is on the cover of BLAC Magazine, which is on stands now. See a full 16-page sectionon DPS, as well.

The district sent information home to all households in the city and provided additional informational cards, flyers, and magazine inserts. New social media and video contests were announced. Giveaways including T-shirts, wristbands and fans took place at stops along the route for the DPS Blue Enrollment Van, which is scheduled to visit dozens of block parties, reunions, cook-outs, and sponsored back-to-school events during August.

“It’s a new day in Detroit and anything is possible!” Roberts said. “Detroit Public Schools has never been more focused than the present at making sure that no child is denied access to a high quality education.”

Comcast is serving as the presenting sponsor of this year’s events, and additional support is being provided by Mr. Alan’s, Forman Mills, Office Depot and Sodexo.

ON STANDS NOW! IN MAILBOXES SOON! AND FOUND ACROSS THE CITY!

DPS Advantage Newsletter being mailed to every Detroit household!

Pick up the August issue of BLAC magazine, where you will see a 16-page special section on Detroit Public Schools!

See fliers about DPS in your neighborhood stores, beauty and barber shops and more. See ads about DPS in publications that cater to families that speak Spanish and Arabic.

And enjoy your DPS newsletter — sent to every home in Detroit!