Madison/Preparatory High Newsletter

Reminder school is not in session on Monday 1/20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

As we honor his life and his legacy, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History invites you to join us for a profound and inspiring annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2025 Theme: The Strength to Dream -- MLK, Jr. Day at The Wright -- January 20, 2025

Semester 2 schedules are available in MiStar Parent and Student Portal. Eagles, please be sure to log in to view your new schedule by Tuesday morning.

As we close out the first half of the school year, Semester 1 marks will be posted and available to view on Thursday January 23rd in MiStar Student and Parent Portal.

Parent Portal: https://mistar.oakland.k12.mi.us/madison/parentportal/

Student Portal: https://mistar.oakland.k12.mi.us/madison/studentportal/

Segment 1 Winter Session:

Segment 1 Schedule: February 3, 2025 – February 27, 2025, Monday through Thursday for 3 weeks, 3pm-5pm (February 17, 2025- February 21, 2025 = Winter Mid Recess)

Our Segment 1 course is designed for teens ready to embark on their driver’s license journey. This course includes classroom instruction and behind the wheel training to prepare students for their Level 1 License (permit) in Michigan.

How to register -- Visit the Website: Go to the official website Sdadriversed.com

Sign Up: Find the Segment 1 course and hit the “Register” / “Teen” button. Click on it.

Last week our Seniors took their cap and gown photos.

Orders can be placed online at mylifetouch.com with the picture day ID: EVTCJGRDT

In December, our Eagles continued to learn more about mental health through a word search activity and journaling. They enjoyed personalizing their journal with beautiful motivational stickers provided by our Mental Health & Emotional Wellness MSU Extension Educator Kea. "Mental Health Matters". This helps break down barriers around mental health and empowers our students to engage with an educated mind in a safe and respectful environment. This is the core of our 4H CIS BeKindToYourMind program: to equip our health ambassadors with the knowledge and understanding of mental well being in order to reduce the stigma around mental health and utilize coping skills.

During our last session, our health ambassadors reflected on their emotional exploration journey through the "Weather in There" activity. Thinking of our current emotional state as if it were the weather helps get a better grasp of how we're feeling, and how our emotions look like. As Kea explained, "there's no good or bad emotions". "It is important to slow down and check our temperature internally. What am I feeling and why?" Just like the weather, our emotions are varied, there can be clouds, rain, and also rays of sunshine. Learning how to identify and express what we're feeling inside is the first step toward emotional regulation and healthy coping.

We can't wait for our 2025 session next Friday!

Our senior Eagles had the opportunity to sign up for the High School Transitions presentation by our local Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities. Students learned about strategies, resources and opportunities to help them begin planning their post secondary pathways after high school.

Thank you so much to the presenter Kayla for an exciting Kahoot game to wrap it all up, with amazing prizes!

Class of 2025 Families:

*Virtual Financial Aid Webinars: Students and families interested in learning about financial aid basics are encouraged to register for a virtual financial aid presentation provided by the MI Student Aid team: January 28 at 12:30 p.m., February 12 at 6:30 p.m.,February 25 at 12:30 p.m., March 12 at 6:30 p.m., March 25 at 12:30 p.m., April 16 at 6:30 p.m. or April 22 at 12:30 p.m.

Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics:

• FAFSA application information
• Federal financial aid programs
• State financial aid programs
• Scholarship searching resources

*Scholarship Opportunities: MSGCU is proud to provide scholarships to dedicated students to help them follow their passions and reach career goals. Starting in 2025, we are providing 10 additional scholarships, an increase of $25,000! In total, we will award over $130,000 to 57 recipients!

APPLY TODAY!!!

*24/25 FAFSA application is now OPEN!!! Create an account or Log In

Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid your student is eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, and loans. While the window for completion does not open until December 1st, creation of your FSA ID can be done ahead of time and a FAFSA checklist is available for reference.

FSA ID creation - federal student aid website - & FAFSA checklist

Class of 2026 and 2027:

Oakland Schools Technical Campus Programming 25/26

Any current sophomore or junior Eagles interested in OSTC for the 25/26 school year may attend the upcoming Career Night:

Oakland Schools Technical Campus Career Night: January 16, 2025 @ 4:30-7:30pm

https://www.ostconline.com/southeast/career-night

OSTC and CASA will also be visiting MHS in January for detailed presentations when Eagles may sign up to tour each campus at a date TBD after the presentation:

OSTC @ MHS 1/23

CASA @ MHS 1/30

MHYA and OCSD Women & Girls Self Defense Programming: Eligible for girls ages 13 and up, as well as any girls team coaches, teachers, social work staff, etc. The Sheriff's department staff are very experienced on the topic and great at helping all grasp the info and techniques and feel more empowered by the end of the class!

Written permission from parent/guardian required for participants 13-17 years, not accompanied by parent/guardian: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MadHgtsYouth4-5-25

Camp Kangaroo Feb. 15th and Sunday, Feb. 16th at Wilkinson Middle School in Madison Heights. FREE children’s bereavement day camp that AccentCare Hospice & Palliative Care.

https://seasonsfoundation.org/camp-kangaroo/camp-kangaroo-michigan/

Each year children and teens can journey through grief- and embrace life- in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Camp Kangaroo is a grief camp experience offered free of charge over 2 days and is open to any children ages 5 to 17 who have experienced the loss of a loved one in the last 3 years. Campers receive grief education and emotional support combined with fun camp activities. The only national bereavement camp of its kind, this program is psychotherapy and creative arts therapy based and is led by dedicated professionals and trained volunteers from AccentCare Hospice, formerly Seasons Hospice. Camp Kangaroo helps children feel less alone in their grief, provides them with a supportive environment to express their emotions, and helps them learn effective coping strategies. It gives an opportunity for children to find new meaning following the loss of their loved one. Camp Kangaroo is a source of healing and fun for the children in our communities who need it most.

For more insight into our Camp experience, please visit our website for videos of our campers describing the weekend: https://seasonsfoundation.org/camp-kangaroo/

Please call us at (800) 370-8592 to request more information about Camp Kangaroo and schedule a camper assessment

FAMILY FUN

- Friday, January 17th until 8pm: Celebration and Education on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Detroit Public Library, Hubbard Branch.

Starting December 1st and running through January 31st: Winter Reading Challenge: Bundle Up with Books, presented by MH Public Library. More info and registration at: Winter Reading Challenge- Winter Reading Challenge: Bundle Up with Books, presented by MH Public Library. More info and registration at: Winter Reading Challenge

- 2nd Monday of every month: Deep Peace: A Singing Bowl Meditation, Berkley.

*Little Guide Detroit: Your guide for free family fun in the Metro Detroit area

*Cold Weather Precautions, Oakland County

Warming centers:

*Oakland county:

https://www.oakgov.com/community/emergency-management/need-to-know/safety/warming-and-cooling-centers

Many warming/cooling centers are only open during a severe weather event. A facility will be marked GREEN when it is operational. Most of these sites are not open 24-hours/day. Use the map below to find the facility's hours of operation and other information.

*Detroit:

https://detroitmi.gov/departments/homeland-security-emergency-management-detroit/shelters-warming-and-cooling-centers/warming-centers

*Macomb county:

https://www.macombgov.org/departments/macomb-community-action/warmingcooling-centers

*Wayne county:

Warming Centers Wayne County

*Give back to the community and help save lives! Wed, Jan 22: Blood Drive, Masonic Temple, Madison Heights. Make your appointment by visiting https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time?zipSponsor=48071 and use sponsor code: MASONICTEMPLE

- Start registering now for the April 5th MHYA and OCSD Women & Girls Self Defense Awareness Program. Girls ages 13 and up. Written permission from parent/guardian required for participants 13-17 years, not accompanied by parent/guardian.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MadHgtsYouth4-5-25

- For Oakland county residents: January is National Radon Action Month. You can’t see or smell radon and testing is the only way to know your level of exposure. Visit OCHD to pick up a FREE radon testing kit. More info on flyer and website: January is Radon Action Month: Protect Your Home

- Sat 1/18, every 3rd Saturday of the month: Free Covid Testing, Greater Grace Temple. No registration required. For more details, please call 313-543-6000.

More info at: http://greatergrace.org/event/3389812-2025-01-18-free-covid-testing/

- Mon, Jan 20th 8am-6pm: Medical and Mental Health FREE Clinic, iAmerica, 19454 W Warren Ave, Detroit. Free clinic for anyone who does not have insurance and can not afford to pay. Contact: (734)-324-0055/ (313) 307-0088.

- Wellness Wednesdays, Baldwin Center, Pontiac. Open to all Oakland county residents. More info on flyer and at: https://www.oakgov.com/community/health/partnerships/wellness-wednesdays

- Secretary of State Mobile Office, Detroit. The Mobile Secretary of State Office is coming back to Focus: HOPE! Wednesday, February 5th, the Michigan Secretary of State will be bringing it’s mobile office to us from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Services include renewing driver’s license or ID, transferring of title and more!⁠ Call 313-494-4600 to reserve your appointment today!

- Secretary of State Mobile Office, Waterford: Start registering now for this Feb 19th free service: Michigan Secretary of State's Office will be back at the Parent Empowerment Center on February 19 from 10am-3pm. Call today to get an appointment. More info on the flyer.

- Every Thursday, Pontiac Public Library is offering FREE TUTORING from 5:30-7 p.m. So please bring your child/children out and let us help them be the best they can be! A light snack will also be provided.

- Ferncare free clinic: to become a Patient, call 248-677-2273. This is an appointment only clinic. All calls are returned within 24 hours Monday through Friday. More info at: https://www.ferncare.org/

- The City of Pontiac is offering free carbon monoxide detectors to Pontiac residents through our Carbon Monoxide Safety Program.

Click the link to apply on our website today: https://tinyurl.com/PontiacGrants

Applications are also available at Pontiac City Hall in the Grants and Philanthropy office.

- Eviction prevention resource, brought by E-Community Outreach Services: "Are you a Pontiac resident facing eviction? We may be able to help! Limited funds are available to assist with eviction prevention. Call the Parent Empowerment Center at (248)622-4334. Monday–Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM."

- Buyer's Assistance Program, Oakland County Treasurer's Office. More info at: Buyer's Assistance Program

- Consumer Reports: New Research Tool available with your MH Library card. More info at: Digital Library & Online Resources | Madison Heights, MI

- Sign up for My Way to Wellness, a free online nutrition course! More info at MSU Extension My Way to Wellness

- Need help with improving your computer skills? Check out Michigan eLibrary. Thanks Madison Heights Public Library for the tip! More info at: MeL Computer Skills Center

- Smart Recovery program offered by Oakland Family Services: every Tuesday at 1pm, Pontiac.

- The Hardship Assistance Program:

The Hardship Assistance Program can help eligible Oakland County residents. The program is open to Oakland County residents who get their water from a municipal water system, not a private well.

• Pay their current water or sewer bill for up to three months.

• Eliminate past-due balances.

• Pay for plumbing repairs.

For more info, visit: https://www.oakgov.com/government/water-resources-commissioner/affordability/hardship-assistance-program

To apply: United Way for Southeastern Michigan Utility Assistance Application

- E-Community Outreach Services has an ECOS store: join for free (Oakland county residents only for now):

Free Membership ECOS Family Membership Store

- Need connection to resources such as utilities assistance, housing resources, education support, and employment help? Check out the Parent Empowerment Center, Waterford - for Oakland county residents. Community Resource Request Form

- She Shines Foundation - Work Day and Clothing Kits + Educational Programming

- Supervised Visitation & Exchange Services at the Parent Empowerment Center, Waterford.

Message from the Parent Empowerment Center:

Get the Support You Need at the Parent Empowerment Center!

Are you or someone you know in need of assistance? At the Parent Empowerment Center, we’re here to help! Our team of certified MiBridge Navigators and Family Service Coordinators is dedicated to supporting families in accessing vital resources.

Mental Health Resources – Receive the support you need for emotional well-being.

Housing Resources – Find the right solutions for safe and affordable housing.

Employment Resources – Assistance with job searches, resume building, and career advancement.

Education Resources – Access learning opportunities and support for academic success.

Utilities Assistance – Help with manage utility bills and finding solutions for keeping the lights on.

Benefits Assistance – MiBridge Navigators can assist with applying for benefits through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

How to Access Help:

Visit us at the Parent Empowerment Center, where our friendly staff will guide you through every step of the process. We’re here to empower you with the resources you need to thrive.

Location: 951 W Huron, Waterford, MI

Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 3 PM

Membership-Based Program: Become a member and access all the resources we offer.

Contact Us: Call us at 248-622-4334

Volunteering opportunities:

-Volunteer with Madison Heights Public Library! Volunteens is every last Thursday of the month! Get recorded volunteer hours, a snack and help our library!

WoodWard Outreach: Free meals every Monday and Friday from 1:00pm to 2:30pm, First United Methodist Church of Ferndale.