MESSAGE FROM DR. JAMII HITCHCOCK REGARDING CURRENT EVENTS IN MINNESOTA
Dear Oak Park Schools Staff, Families & Students,
As the Derek Chauvin trial enters the fourth week, many of us are deeply hurt and frustrated as we relive the details of the loss of George Floyd, events surrounding the fatal shooting of 20-year old Daunte Wright and countless others. The pain and frustration have become all too familiar. It was just last June that our Board of Education passed the following resolution in solidarity with protests in Minneapolis and around the world. The resolution reads:
Our district is acutely aware that around the world, a movement to stop violence and uplift Black humanity-- formed in the phrase #BlackLivesMatter-- is inspiring action and conversation. Our district believes in diversity, equity and inclusion, while we cultivate the whole child into a global leader in a community that embodies compassionate citizens.
The senseless murder of George Floyd is just one of the countless incidents that are much too familiar, and must end immediately. Racism has been brought back into the light, where it needs to stay so that it can finally be eradicated. We stand in solidarity with those who have championed this mission, and know that now is the time for not only words, but actions as well. We are committed to engage in fairness and moral responsibility for our district. Now, more than ever, we know that we must get behind this movement. We must continue to evaluate our practices and priorities to ensure that we bridge the gap and continue to make strides toward a school district, community and a world that is inclusive for all. We must speak out, we have to stand together, and it is our duty to act now.
Efforts of the Oak Park High School Change Honesty Acceptance Diversity (CHAD) and Distinguished Knights student-groups, the Oak Park High School Anti-Racist Education Avengers (AREA), commitment of our Board of Education and excellence and equity for all through the use of equitable, anti-racist instruction and safe, culturally competent learning environments included in our Strategic Plan, underscores the significant role race and social justice play not only in our society, but in the learning and development of our students. Many of our teachers and staff feel a responsibility to help students process and make sense of these events and many others.
In anticipation of the impending verdict of the trial, we believe that we have a shared responsibility to support students; therefore, we will share resources with our staff to help foster developmentally appropriate student discussions.
Please review the following resources to help you navigate any discussions that you may have with your children.
· Living with the Bear, from Teaching Tolerance (https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/living-with-the-bear)
·Trial Resources for Families, from Minneapolis Public Schools (https://mpls.k12.mn.us/trial_resources)
·How Teachers Are Exploring the Derek Chauvin Trial With Students, from The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/.../derek-chauvin-trial-students...)
· Tips for parents during the trial of Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd, from Children’s Minnesota (https://www.childrensmn.org/.../tips-for-parents-during.../)
· Should Children Watch the Derek Chauvin Verdict?, from USA Today (https://www.usatoday.com/.../derek-chauvin.../7153928002/)
Thank you for your continued partnership in the education of all children and the efforts to create a fair, just society for all. We stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Sincerely,
Jamii J. Hitchcock, Ph.D.
Superintendent
VOTE MAY 4!
Q & A WITH OUR DISTRICT NURSE VANESSA LONG
Question:
What are the most important precautions that should be taken to minimize my chance of contracting COVID-19 or spreading it to others?
Answer:
There is no single precaution that is considered most important in minimizing risks associated with the spread COVID-19. Even with the spring sunshine and the ability to plan for more outdoor activities, it is important for everyone to remain vigilant to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Everyone should continue to:
Stay home when they are sick, and seek medical guidance as needed
Wear a face mask around others, especially when a six-foot distance cannot be maintained
Wash hands frequently
Disinfect commonly touched objects and surfaces frequently
Cover coughs and sneezes
Avoid touching face
Get tested as often as necessary, especially if there is an increased risk of exposure from things such as travel or sports
Get Vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine
It will take an entire community working together to do their part in slowing the spread of COVID-19, but if we all do our part, we can minimize the risks to our entire community.
Stay Healthy!
Vanessa Long
Oak Park Schools District Nurse
(248) 342-9944
MLK DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE ORAL ADVOCACY COMPETITION
It is with great pleasure that the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association and the Wolverine
Bar Association announce their 26th Annual DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE ADVOCACY COMPETITION (“MLK Advocacy Competition” or “Competition”). The membership of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association and the Wolverine Bar Association primarily consists of African American lawyers who practice in Oakland and Wayne counties. Both organizations endeavor to serve the communities where we live and work.
Each year, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Advocacy Competition Committee, on behalf of the sponsoring Associations, invite 11th and 12th grade students from select high schools in the Detroit Metropolitan Area to participate in this exciting and worthwhile Competition. The purpose of the MLK Advocacy Competition is to promote oral and written advocacy among high school students and encourage students to
develop and improve their analytical and writing skills.
To participate in the MLK Advocacy Competition, students must submit an essay analyzing an issue using the principles espoused by Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. Typically, the essay topic relates directly to academic and/or societal realities that some students
encounter each day.
This year’s essay topic is:
On August 28, 1963, a mass protest brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and some 250,000 others to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. What is today phrased as the March on Washington, was officially known as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. One specific demand of Dr. King was linked to the horror still facing us today, police brutality. As part of his “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. King states: “We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality.” Fifty-seven years later, citizens descended upon Washington D.C. to address the same injustice of police brutality and daily protests are being held throughout the Nation. If Dr. King were alive today, would he support the call to defund police departments across the Nation as a reform to police brutality? If so, explain why? If not, explain why?
Each participating student must submit an essay of not more than 1000 words on the above stated topic. These essays will be due by 5:00pm on April 23, 2021 and should be emailed to the undersigned. Members of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, the Association of Black Judges of Michigan, and the Wolverine Bar Association will review the essays to select the finalists.
Typically, five finalists are selected to receive a monetary scholarship. This year’s competition will be decided based upon the quality of each student’s essay.
Every student who submits an essay will receive a Certificate of Recognition. In addition to a Certificate of Recognition, selected finalist will receive a monetary award intended to assist them in achieving their educational goals. Cash prize awards will range from $500to $5,000 (First Place). The first-place finalist’s name will be memorialized on a perpetual plaque. The First Place Winner will also have the opportunity to participate and compete
in a virtual oral advocacy regional competition for an additional monetary award.
The essay requirements are described below and strict adherence to the stated requirements is necessary. Failure to adhere to the guidelines may result in the disqualification of the submission.
We encourage teachers to consider using this Essay Competition as a starting point for a class assignment. In the past, students attending various schools in Oakland and Wayne counties have successfully participated in the Competition.
We believe that your students will find involvement in this Essay Competition most rewarding, and we look forward to their participation. Should you have any questions regarding the Essay Competition, please do not hesitate to contact Committee Member
Carlton Watson at 313-647-1293 or via email at carltondwatson@gmail.com
CONGRATULATIONS ERICKA WATSON!
Congratulations, Ericka Watson, Director of Specialized Student Services in Oak Park Schools! Ms. Watson is presenting at the Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN) Institute on Monday-Tuesday, April 19-20, 2021. The institute is a virtual professional learning experience focused on developing anti-racist school leadership and teaching practices. Ms. Watson's presentation is titled: School Discipline and the Role School Leadership Plays in the Suspension and Expulsion of African American Students.
MSAN is a national coalition of multiracial school districts that have come together to understand and eliminate opportunity/achievement gaps that persist in schools.
We are proud of our OPS staff for leading on a national stage during this unprecedented time in our history!
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN OFFERING JUMPSTART COURSE - THE JOY OF CODING
ATTENTION:
Oak Park Schools Students interested in engineering and coding.
Grades 6-12
About this course
The Joy of Coding is an online course specially created for anyone who wants to experience first-hand the power, and thrill, of coding computers to do amazing things. Created with high school students in mind, it is a great way for anyone to step into the wondrous world of coding. No prior coding experience is required!
Using Python, course students will learn how coding powers apps such as Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and Siri, and even learn how to code their own versions of Snapchat lenses.
The course includes weekly video lectures, reading, and coding assignments.
Students will:
- Learn to code at their own pace w/ support from Michigan ECE faculty & students
- Receive a certificate of accomplishment to include in college apps
- Have our commitment to help you get unstuck when learning to code
Important dates
The course will run from July 5, 2021 – August 13, 2021
- Application deadline (Updated): April 15, 2021 (for priority consideration)
- Important Dates:
- Acceptance Decisions: May 1, 2021
- Submit coding module: May 15, 2021
- Confirm Participation/Payment Due Date: May 18, 2021
Cost
$99/person
For more information please visit:
https://continuum.engin.umich.edu/programs/jumpstart-coding/
Oak Park High School Students!
Thinking about college? Here's your chance to hear firsthand from those-in-the-know at hundreds of colleges and universities nearby, across the country, and around the world.
How?
The National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is hosting FREE virtual college fairs! Students may attend as many fairs as they wish! Click to see a list of colleges that will share information about their programs, majors, financial aid, and much more on each fair date.
Virtual Fair Dates
On each fair date, more than 600 colleges will offer Zoom sessions and meetings. Students everywhere can log in, drop in, and ask questions. It's a great opportunity for you to explore your college options.
You'll want to sign up now at virtualcollegefairs.org.
Spring 2021 Schedule
Students may attend as many fairs as they wish! Click to see a list of colleges that will share information about their programs, majors, financial aid, and more on each fair date. Additional colleges will be added throughout the spring.
Four of these events are smaller Focus Fairs and are especially for students with special interests or residing in specific regions: STEM (Mar. 7), Performing & Visual Arts (Mar. 16), Western US (Apr. 10), Southeastern US (Apr. 20).
Connect Virtually
COVID-19 has shut down many opportunities students previously had for visiting, learning about, and connecting with colleges. NACAC aims to bridge that gap through these special one-day events.
At each virtual fair, students attend college presentations, learn about their options, ask questions, and demonstrate interest... all without leaving home.
WHY OAK PARK?
Our mission is to provide a quality education that promotes respect for the individual and cultural differences of students and provides college and career readiness skills to become lifelong learners and productive citizens.
The Oak Park School District’s nearly 4,500 students are served at Einstein, Key and Pepper elementary schools (grades PreK-5), the Oak Park Preparatory Academy (grades 6-8), , Oak Park High School (grades 9 -12), NOVA (grades 3-12) the Oak Park Alternative Education Center (ages 16-19 years old) and My Virtual Academy of Oak Park (grades 5-12) in Oak Park, MI in Oakland County located in a suburban community near Detroit with approximately 30,000 residents. Our district consists of over 450 staff members, including 250 teachers and 11 building administrators.
Our school district boasts an abundance of educational and co/extra-curricular programs to meet the needs of a vast array of learners from Pre-K through twelfth grade. We encourage students to challenge themselves academically, explore comprehensive course offerings, and take risks to discover their individual gifts. We are dedicated to providing an intellectually challenging educational experience in safe, nurturing school environments that thrive on cultivating and empowering students to be their authentic selves. In addition, our academic and co/extra-curricular opportunities provide agency and shape self-identity, which are critical components to the adolescent development process.
Oak Park Advantage
The Oak Park Advantage is a holistic approach to education that not only prepares students academically, fosters a sense of belonging but creates long-lasting connections to the Oak Park community. While attending Oak Park Schools, students develop a confidence that is woven throughout their post-secondary, professional and social-emotional well-being years after they graduate.
Contact an Oak Park School District principal and take a tour! Get the Oak Park Advantage!
Our 2020 Goals
Maintain dynamic, healthy, and safe learning environments that inspire unlimited equitable opportunities for optimal classroom instruction to increase student achievement.
Implement ongoing transparent best practices to reduce operating costs to create opportunities to invest in human capital and professional learning, sustain quality facilities, establish a healthier organizational culture, and ensure fiscal stability.
Strategically design and implement organizational systems to increase efficiency, boost productivity to allow staff and students to focus entirely on student learning and social-emotional well-being.
Review and refresh curricular needs and resources employing planned adoption schedules based on current research with technology integration for classroom instruction.
Operate collaboratively district-wide and abandon ineffective silos.
Website: www.oakparkschools.org
Location: 13900 Granzon Street, Oak Park, MI, USA
Phone: (248)336-7700
Facebook: facebook.com/oakparkschools
Twitter: @oakparkschools