January Redford Union Newsletter

Dear Panther Families:

January is a time for fresh beginnings and renewed focus. Throughout this month, we have been setting new goals, embracing the opportunities ahead, and strengthening the connections that make our school community so special.

In this month’s newsletter, we have a special announcement about a new initiative—The Best School Day Ever. This initiative emphasizes the District’s effort of making learning fun and, most importantly, encouraging students to be in school all day, every day. There’s more on this exciting initiative on the following page.

We also have some exciting updates about ongoing programs and recognitions that highlight student growth and well-being within our tradition-rich, future-focused schools. As always, if you feel your child could benefit from additional support or resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child(ren)'s school(s). Your input helps us provide the best possible educational experience for our students.

As we enter the second semester, let’s maintain our momentum by prioritizing attendance and active participation in learning. A strong start to the year sets the tone for great achievements ahead.

Wishing you a joyful and fulfilling start to the new semester and reminding you that it’s always a great day to be a Panther!

Your Education Partner,

Jasen Witt

Superintendent

We are thrilled to announce our Best School Day Ever initiative—a surprise-filled, off-site experience designed to get students excited about learning and community involvement, while also creating unforgettable memories for every student and staff member!

The Best School Day Ever is a staff-planned, one-of-a-kind opportunity where students and staff will leave the classroom behind for an exciting day of hands-on learning and fun at off-site locations carefully selected by each school. This initiative will provide engaging and safe learning opportunities for our students and staff members. Permission slips are required, and any special items to bring will be communicated by your child’s principal.

The exact date for each school's or program's Best School Day Ever is a secret! Students will find out when they arrive at school that day, making it an even more thrilling experience. To ensure your student doesn’t miss this unique experience, please do all you are able to send your students to school every day.

Finally, no fees are involved—these unique learning experiences will be fully funded by the District and/or District partners through financial or in-kind donations. If you have questions regarding Best School Day Ever, please reach out to your child’s school or the District office.

Let’s make it the Best School Day Ever for everyone!

We are thrilled to share that CWA Local 4009 has made a generous donation of winter essentials—including hats, mittens, gloves, socks, coats, boots and more—to help stock our Fresh Den at Beech Elementary. CWA was the first to contribute to the Fresh Den, and their ongoing partnership since then has been invaluable. We are deeply grateful for their support and commitment to our students, including plans for future contributions as available.

In addition to CWA Local 4009's generosity, our community has rallied to support the Fresh Den. The District has also received:

• Monetary donations to support various student needs
• Clothing donations to keep our students comfortable and provide season-friendly items
• Food donations to keep our Fresh Den Food Pantry stocked
• Two washer and dryer machines to help students and families maintain clean clothing

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive community dedicated to helping our students look and feel their best. Thank you to all who contribute to creating a nurturing environment for our schools!

If you would like to donate items to the pantry or want to learn more about its services, please email Melissa Nickel at nickelm@redfordu.k12.mi.us or call (313) 242-6100.

We are excited to announce that Redford Union High School has received the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). We are honored to be presented with this recognition, and extend our congratulations to the female AP computer science students and their teachers on this step towards equal representation in computer science education. One requisite for schools honored with this prestigious award is for one of two AP computer science courses to reach 50% or higher in female representation. Out of the 21 students in the class at RUHS, 16 of them are female. Computer science skills are on the rise in today’s career market, and we are proud to offer classes and programs that make developing these skills accessible. We are proud of this accomplishment and look forward to seeing our students continue to thrive in computer science education and beyond!

This month, we’re shining a spotlight on David Lesmeister, our dedicated Athletic Coordinator. With two years of service with the District, Mr. Lesmeister - himself a former high school and NCAA Division 1 student-athlete - has been instrumental in fostering teamwork, sportsmanship and school spirit among our students. When asked for his advice to students, David shared, “Be yourself, be kind and try to create as many memories and friendships as possible!” Thank you for all that you do, Mr. Lesmeister! We are grateful for your commitment to supporting our students both on and off the field.

Abby is a fifth grader in our Redford community with a deep sense of empathy and compassion for others! Abby has been working with a fourth-grade class as a peer tutor, supporting academic growth and fostering a love for learning. The fourth-graders love learning from their peers and we’re so proud of Abby for stepping up as a leader! Keep up the great work!

This month’s "Panther Proud" spotlight features Tiffany Carlton, our Social Emotional Learning Specialist at Redford Union Junior High. Ms. Carlton is proud to partner with the AKA Sorority to provide impactful lessons for our female students. Through this collaboration, the sorority is teaching young girls about feminine hygiene and personal care—valuable life skills that foster confidence and self-care. We’re “Panther Proud” to celebrate this meaningful partnership and Ms. Carlton’s dedication to supporting our students’ growth and well-being. Check out the video to learn more!

‘Labor of love.’ Laundry service, food helps get truant Redford kids back in schools

Redford schools offering clean clothes, essential foods with new program