The Supe's Newsletter

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OUR MISSION IS TO DEVELOP A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS WHO ARE PREPARED TO LIVE, WORK, AND CONTRIBUTE TO AN EVER-CHANGING SOCIETY.

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As we honor Black History Month, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each one of you. Your dedication and unwavering support for our scholars have been nothing short of remarkable. Your commitment to their academic, emotional, and social growth has made a profound impact, and I am truly grateful for the passion and care you bring to our educational community.

This month, as we celebrate Black History Month, we also celebrate significant milestones in our district's journey. The continuation of renovations at Brownell STEM Academy and the completion of the Holmes STEM Middle School campus mark important achievements made possible by substantial grants and federal funds. These projects represent our commitment to providing cutting-edge educational facilities for our students, thanks to the generous support of the Mott Foundation and federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.

Despite the challenges we face, your commitment to our scholars remains undeniably inspiring. Together, I am confident that we will continue to make a significant difference in their lives and provide them with the best possible education.

As we entered the second half of the school year, I am filled with excitement about the possibilities that lie ahead. The dedication and hard work of our school community have laid a robust foundation for success, and I have unwavering faith that we will achieve remarkable milestones together. Let us approach the upcoming months with renewed energy and enthusiasm, fully aware of the power we hold to shape the lives of our scholars.

Our vision of "Reenergizing the Pride, Renovating the Plans, Rebuilding the Possibilities, and Repurposing for a brighter future" is becoming more of a reality each day. We are setting the stage for our scholars to excel in a safe, secure, vibrant, and forward-thinking environment.

I want to acknowledge that our district is currently undergoing significant changes. While change can be challenging, these transformations are essential to propel us into a more financially stable school community and better support the academic needs of our scholars. These changes ensure our district's sustainability and create an academic environment where our students can thrive.

I encourage everyone to celebrate each achievement, regardless of scale, as they collectively contribute to our vibrant school community. Flint Community Schools is an ever-evolving beacon of hope, change, and growth, and together, with your continued support, we will pave the way for a more prosperous educational future.

Educationally yours,

Kevelin B. Jones II

Superintendent, Flint Community Schools

"My Goal is OUR success!"

In a world often shadowed by tales of struggle and hardship, there emerge stories that shine bright with resilience and hope. Such is the remarkable journey of Taylor Williams, a second-grade scholar at Durant Tuuri Mott, and his devoted mother, Tiantha Williams, as they navigate the challenges posed by the Flint Water Crisis.

Recently, Angie Hendershot, Evening Anchor, ABC 12 News had the privilege of interviewing Taylor and his amazing community of support, shedding light on Taylor's incredible progress since his neo-natal days amidst the crisis. This poignant segment encapsulated Taylor's remarkable evolution, from the silent struggles of infancy to his current strides in education and communication. This is personal for Mrs. Hendershot, this is more than a story, this is a relationship with Taylor and his family that has spanned from his birth to now, she is vested in his journey and at times during the interview could not hold back her joy in his remarkable accomplishments.

A happy, full of joy "always smiling" young scholar. Taylor's journey serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Born into a community grappling with the repercussions of the Flint Water Crisis, Taylor faced obstacles that few could imagine. From his early years marked by the debilitating effects of lead exposure to the uphill battle of mastering basic skills like walking and speaking, Taylor's resilience has been nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Last year's segment chronicled Taylor's introduction to Educare, at that juncture, Taylor was just beginning to find his voice, with verbal communication being a newfound milestone. Fast forward to the present, and Taylor's progress is nothing short of miraculous.

Under the guidance of his dedicated mother, Tiantha Williams, who is a champion and advocate for the needs of the child to his team at Durant Tuuri Mott, Victoria McKenzie (Guest Teacher), and Kimberly Ellis (Behavioral Specialist), Taylor has not only mastered the art of conversation but has also surpassed expectations academically. From struggling to keep up with his peers at the beginning of the school year, Taylar now stands on the brink of meeting grade-level benchmarks by the year's end.

Taylor's journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and unwavering support. It speaks volumes about the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of community rallying behind those in need. As Taylar continues to defy the odds and reach new heights, he serves as an inspiration to us all.

In a world often fraught with challenges, Taylor's story serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that with determination and support, anything is possible. As we celebrate Taylor's victories, let us also renew our commitment to stand by those facing adversity, offering them the support and encouragement they need to thrive.

Taylor's path is far from over, but with each step forward, he reminds us of the boundless potential that lies within us all. Let us continue to cheer him on as he embarks on the next chapter of his remarkable journey.

The segment will air on ABC 12 News with Angie Hendershot in the coming weeks. Stay Tuned!

Don't miss a moment of #FlintJags Athletics action! Stay up-to-date with all the games and matches to cheer on our incredible athletes. Let's go, Flint Jags! For all event dates, please visit www.flintschools.org

Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, “…a parent/guardian applying to have a child registered for the first time in kindergarten or first grade in a Michigan school shall comply with having their child receive a dental oral assessment no earlier than 6 months before the date of the child's registration with the school. Parents/guardians will be required to provide a written statement certifying that the child has received the dental oral assessment within the time frame required…” (PUBLIC HEALTH CODE (EXCERPT); Act 368 of 1978; legislature.mi.gov.

Cavities are common and can cause pain that can prevent a child from doing well in school. Flint Community Schools is partnering with the local health department and Mott Children’s Health Center to assist in providing access to this free, quick oral health assessment for students getting ready to register for kindergarten.

This letter is to inform you that Flint Community Schools has arranged to have Mott Children’s Health Center present at our upcoming kindergarten round-up events to offer access to this service. Mott will be performing this quick assessment and providing the needed documentation for every preschool child that is present at school on those days. If you have any questions or concerns related to these screenings, please reach out to Health Services at 810-424-4087.

Jennifer Holland, BSN, RN

Coordinator of Health Services

923 E Kearsley St, Flint, MI 48503

810-424-4087

Stay Connected, Stay Updated! All upcoming events and notices are available under the District's Events on www.flintschools.org or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/flintcommunityschools.

[FLINT, MICHIGAN February 9, 2024] – Flint Community Schools is excited to announce the upcoming Family Literacy Celebration, an event aimed at fostering stronger bonds between families, educators, and community partners while promoting the joy of reading and learning. Scheduled for March 6, 2024, the Family Literacy Celebration will take place at Flint Farmers’ Market from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. This event is designed to involve more parents and family members in their children's education by providing them with valuable insights into nurturing readers at home. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn effective strategies and activities to support literacy development in children of all ages.

"We are thrilled to host “A Taste of Literacy,” as a testament to our commitment to community engagement and educational excellence," said Kevelin Jones, Superintendent of Flint Community Schools. "This event underscores the importance of collaboration between families, educators, and community partners in ensuring the academic success of our scholars."

Flint Community Schools is excited to extend our warmest invitation to our school community for an evening filled with joy, learning, and family bonding! We firmly believe in the power of collaboration between families, educators, and community partners to nurture a love for learning and reading in our scholars. A Taste of Literacy will feature a variety of fun, free, and multi-generational activities led by dedicated FCS staff, families, and community partners. From dynamic features to engaging games and workshops, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

"We believe that reading should be celebrated and embraced as a fundamental skill that opens doors to endless possibilities," added DeLynn Smith, Curriculum Development Specialist (Humanities), FCS Office of Academics. "Through events like A Taste of Literacy, our goal is to instill a love for reading and learning in our scholars while fostering a sense of community and belonging."

Flint Community Schools invites all families, educators, and community members to join in this special celebration of literacy and learning. Save the date, spread the word, and let's come together to make a positive impact on the lives of our children.

For more information, please contact DeLynn Smith at dsmith1@flintschools.org or call 810-760-1000 and ask to speak with a representative from the Office of Academics.

Bridging the Gap and a Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Our primary goal is to enhance the communication bridge between our schools and the community. With real-time updates and a wealth of resources at your fingertips, we aim to keep our families well-informed and engaged in their children's education. As we embrace this digital transformation, we remain committed to improving and updating our digital tools to meet the evolving needs of our community. We encourage our families, students, and staff to explore the new website and download the mobile app to stay connected with Flint Community Schools.

Please contact Bridgett Jones, District Communications Specialist at bjones@flintschools.org