DPS To Keep Some Schools Open Over Holiday Break
UPDATE: DPS Names 21 Schools To Stay Open Over Holiday Break
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Public School announced Friday that it will keep a portion of the district's schools open and expects to serve thousands of students over the holiday break by providing extended academic opportunities, free meals and food baskets for the first time ever this year.
The full list of schools will be announced Monday.
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, fun activities and nourishment for students.
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.
The district said breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge to all students and parents daily, and they will provide students with free food baskets to take home.
The district also will be offering special parent workshops in the eight Parent Resource Centers.
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 will hold two volunteer in-service trainings on a date that will be announced soon, as well as volunteer training for the building leader. DPS is only seeking volunteers who have already undergone a criminal background check with fingerprinting and can show proof.
To volunteer and for more information, call 313-873-7490.
