DPS Names 21 Schools To Stay Open Over Holiday Break
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Public Schools announced 21 buildings will remain open over the holiday break, with 18 of them providing extended academic opportunities, free meals and food baskets to students. The district also will be offering special parent workshops in seven Parent Resource Centers.
Through the brand new Holiday Learning Fest, a program sponsored in part by the Office of Food Services, schools will remain open to students for six days (December 27, 28, 29, 2011 and January 3, 4, 5, 2012) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide learning activities and nourishment for students.
The schools to remain open and offer enrichment activities and free meals are:
- Bennett Elementary, 2111 Mullane
- Beard Elementary, 840 Waterman
- Beckham Academy, 9860 Park Drive
- Bow Elementary-Middle, 19801 Prevost
- Clemente Academy, 1551 Beard
- Coleman A. Young Elementary, 15771 Hubbell
- Communications and Media Arts High, 14771 Mansfield
- Detroit City High, 13141 Rosa Parks
- Dossin Elementary-Middle, 16650 Glendale Street
- Durfee Elementary-Middle, 2470 Collingwood St.
- Harms Elementary, 2400 Central
- Keidan Special Education Center, 4441 Collingwood
- Marcus Garvey Academy, 2301 Van Dyke
- Northwestern High, 6050 Linwood
- Osborn Evergreen Academy, 11600 E. 7 Mile
- Phoenix Elementary, 7735 Lane Street
- Priest Elementary-Middle, 7840 Wagner
- Sampson Academy, 4700 Tireman
Each site will be funded for two teachers-in-charge, one mathematics and one language arts, to plan and lead learning enrichment activities that will take approximately 2.5 hours per day and can be facilitated by volunteers.
At seven schools where there are Parent Resource Centers, parents will be also able to take part in engaging workshops. The PRC locations are:
- Central High School (only PRC open -- no enrichment activities and meals), 2425 Tuxedo
- Cody (only PRC open -- no enrichment activities and meals), 18445 Cathedral
- Detroit School of Arts West -- Langston Hughes Campus (only PRC open -- no enrichment activities and meals), 19501 Berg
- Osborn High School, 11600 E 7 Mile Rd
- Marcus Garvey Academy, 2301 Van Dyke
- Priest, 7840 Wagner
- Phoenix Elementary, 7735 Lane Street
To keep the program running, the district is calling on the entire community to step up to volunteer their time for this first-time effort.
Steven Wasko, Assistant Superintendent for Community Relations, said they "will need an army of volunteers" to keep schools open and assist staff members.
DPS is only seeking volunteers who have already undergone a criminal background check with fingerprinting and can show proof. In the event that external employers' background checks are considered, the district would require a release from the subject/volunteer in order to obtain the background check from the external employer.
To volunteer, call 313-873-7490. You can also fax the registration form to 313-873-7446 or email parent.engagement@detroitk12.org.
