February Redford Union Newsletter

Dear Panther Families:

February is a time to celebrate belonging and acceptance —ensuring that every student, family, and staff member feels valued and supported in our District. This month, I am excited to share several initiatives that reflect our commitment to providing a Tradition-Rich, Future-Focused education and reinforcing that Redford Union is “Where U Belong.”

In this newsletter, we highlight the importance of fostering inclusiveness through a variety of new and continuing partnerships and opportunities for our students and families. This includes a generous donation from Pat Milliken Ford to support our high school automotive program and a new dual-credit enrollment partnership with Lawrence Technological University (LTU) that will expand academic pathways for our students. Additionally, we are committed to strengthening family engagement through our adoption of the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program, which launched last month and is already making a positive impact within both Hilbert Elementary and Beech Elementary.

Having introduced a variety of new programs and community partnerships this school year to ensure our students have access to the high-quality education they deserve, we also want to make sure the facilities, in which they learn, provide a safe and nurturing environment to develop academically and socially. To that end, we are introducing a 2025 Bond Proposal, a $44.375 million initiative on the May 6th ballot with a zero tax-rate increase to our District residents. This multi-series bond will build on the significant progress made since our last bond was passed in 2021, ensuring our schools continue to evolve and meet the needs of every student, without any additional fiscal impact on our community. Additional information on this important bond proposal will be provided in the coming weeks, but please mark your calendar and remember to vote on May 6th.

I encourage you to embrace the ideals of belonging and acceptance by engaging with our schools, supporting one another, and celebrating the diverse strengths of our students and community. Thank you for being a part of Redford Union Schools and for making it a place where everyone truly belongs.

It’s always a great day to be a Panther!

Your Partner in Education,

Jasen Witt

Superintendent

We remain committed to providing students with a safe, engaging, and nurturing learning environment that fosters success. To continue this mission, the District is proposing a $44.375 million bond on the May 6th ballot— at Zero tax-rate increase!

This bond will support still-needed, District-wide facility improvements and build upon the progress made through our 2021 bond program. While significant noticeable upgrades were completed over the past three years, additional projects, such as infrastructure and site work, HVAC system updates, and improvements to instructional technology are needed to further enhance the long-term functionality and life of our schools and maintain our Tradition-Rich, Future-Focused vision. We will provide more information regarding the 2025 bond proposal in the coming weeks.

We are thrilled to share that Pat Milliken Ford has generously donated an RUSD-themed Ford Mustang to support our high school automotive program! This incredible contribution will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities and help drive their passion for the automotive industry. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Pat Milliken Ford for their generosity and for being a valued partner in our students’ success.

We are proud to announce a new partnership with Lawrence Technological University (LTU) aimed at enhancing career readiness and expanding educational pathways for our students. Beginning Fall 2025, our high school students will have access to dual enrollment opportunities, including certificates, credentials, courses, and associate degree programs. This collaboration is designed to inspire students to explore technology-driven careers and prepare them for future success. We look forward to launching this initiative next school year and seeing our students thrive.

We are excited to share the successful launch of the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program at Hilbert and Beech Elementary. With over 100 "dads" and kids joining us for the official launch of this program between both schools, the energy and enthusiasm were truly inspiring. By the end of the night, more than 40 volunteers had already signed up to spend a day in our schools, making a meaningful impact in the lives of our students. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and showed their support. Your involvement helps create a positive and engaging environment for our students. We look forward to seeing our Watch DOGS in action and continuing to build strong connections within our school community.

Here at Redford Union, our staff is dedicated to ensuring our students receive proper and adequate help academically and personally. Madison VanDyke, a Mental Health Clinician here at Redford Union, is passionate about providing mental health services to students. With Madison’s help, Panther students have access to on-site mental health support free of charge. Thank you for supporting our students, Madison!

Earlier this month, we proudly celebrated our athletes who committed to continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this exciting milestone, and we can’t wait to see you thrive in the next chapter of your journey!

Our athletic department recently hosted 20 schools that came together for the Coaches vs. Violence Showcase. Together, the schools played 19 games and honored and paid special tribute to a beloved super-fan, Jimmy Rollin. Thank you to everyone who made it a success!