Detroit School Part Of New Reality TV Show
Detroit Public Schools have reached their limit for volunteers to help give Detroit's Communication and Media Arts High School a makeover.
The makeover will be featured on "School Pride," a new NBC reality show debuting this fall. It is scheduled to air on Friday nights at 8 p.m.
District emergency financial manager Robert Bobb says people are welcome to donate their time during filming Sunday and Saturday. The district also has set themes for each day during the week. They include alumni day, sports hero day and corporate day.
"There are some exciting changes in store for CMA, but with only seven days to make everything happen, I am counting on the entire community to help," Bobb said in a statement.
"We've had over 1,500 volunteers sign up to work on this project – so many that our website actually shut down," said Executive Producer Denise Cramsey. "No other city we've been to has had this many volunteers sign up before we even started building.
"It is a true sign of the importance of this school to its community, and of the community's commitment to making things right for the students," Cramsey said.
"The response has been overwhelming," Bobb said. "There are so many volunteers that the district is actively seeking projects at nearby schools for which principals have identified volunteer needs."
Work will be done on classrooms, public spaces, athletic facilities and music halls.
The school pride volunteers website says people who want to be involved can sign up to be put on a standby list.
Large groups or people who want to donate goods or services may call (313) 873-4542.
Volunteers are welcome anytime during the filming on Sunday Aug. 1 and Saturday, Aug. 7. Each person will receive lunch and a School Pride T-shirt. The shifts are: 8 a.m. -2 p.m., Noon to 6 p.m., 5 p.m.-11 p.m., 11 p.m.-5 a.m.
Volunteers will show their "Detroit Pride" by volunteering one or more of the following days:
Sunday Aug. 1 - DPS Alumni Day
Did you graduate from CMA or any other DPS school? Regardless of when you graduated and which school you graduated from, we want to see you.
Monday Aug. 2 - Detroit Public School League/Detroit Sports Heroes Day
This day is dedicated to the student and professional athletes who, at some point, have called Detroit home.
Tuesday Aug. 3 - Community Day
For churches, non-profit organizations, fraternities, sororities, community groups of all sizes and interests, this is the day to come together to help transform this school's building.
Wednesday Aug. 4 - Teachers and Students Day
The entire DPS family is encouraged to volunteer on this day. Teachers, students, staff, alumni, Detroit residents and more are welcome.
Thursday Aug. 5 - Corporate Day
This is the chance for the business community to show their Detroit Pride while supporting a school that needs help.
Friday Aug. 6 - Reveal Day
Join the CMA family as we see the results of the community's efforts. The reveal will take place at approximately 8 a.m. Aug. 6. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
Saturday Aug. 7
The final day of the transformation will include the cleanup of the work site.
Detroit Public Schools officials say the reality series empowers communities to take charge and improve their broken schools, motivating students, parents and teachers to renovate their neighborhood educational institutions.
© MMX WWJ Radio, All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to his report.
