April Redford Union Newsletter
Newsletter 25.10
Superintendent Letter
Dear Panther Families,
This month, we’ve embraced the power of mindfulness. Mindfulness helps nurture relationships that support both academic, social-emotional, and personal growth. Whether inside the classroom or at home, we encourage our community to embrace mindfulness by taking a moment to be present with one another and themselves. This month has been full of exciting celebrations and I can’t wait to share them with you.
In April, we celebrated National Volunteer Week – allowing us the opportunity to thank and honor our dedicated volunteers across the District. From the Watch D.O.G.S at our elementary schools to The Blue and Gold Club at our high school, we are so grateful for the work that you put in to ensure our students, staff and schools are supported. National Volunteer Week also gave us the perfect opportunity to teach our students to give back to their community. Our Junior High Hope Squad, for example, is partnering with Redford Interfaith to assist families with grocery shopping and serving food. To all those who volunteer for our District, we deeply appreciate you. You help us make Redford Union a place where everyone belongs.
We also celebrated Earth Day. We talked with students about the importance of taking action toward preserving our planet's beauty and resources for future generations. At Beech and Hilbert Elementary, our students are learning about the power of sustainability by utilizing new hydroponic systems to grow lettuce, which is used in their school lunches. Earth Day reminds us all of the power we have to protect and nurture our planet.
We hosted our Ignite Your Future Career Fair in our newly-built High School Gymnasium on April 25. Large corporations and local businesses alike spent time with our students to help them explore potential career paths. Our students were able to gain valuable insights, connect with industry leaders and discover new career opportunities. Thank you to all the businesses and individuals who attended to make this career fair successful.
Looking ahead, I am excited to remind everyone about The Best School Day Ever—a surprise-filled, off-campus adventure designed to bring learning to life! Students and staff will head out for an action-packed, hands-on learning experience at a fun, carefully chosen location at no cost to our families. Stay tuned for more details from your child’s school.
I also want to share important information about the 2025 Bond initiative on the May 6th ballot. If passed, this $44.375 million bond proposal, which comes at Zero tax-rate increase, will allow us to continue improving our buildings and ensure our students have the best possible learning environments.
Lastly, we encourage our school community to help spread the word about enrollment at RUSD. Our enrollment team is ready to assist families with any questions. Visit our website to learn more about our district and its commitment to student success.
As we approach the end of the school year, I want to personally thank you for your ongoing support in making our district a wonderful place to learn and grow. Redford Union School District is truly Where U Belong.
It's always a great day to be a Panther!
Your Educational Partner,
Jasen Witt
Superintendent
School Stories
District Wide
2025 Bond Proposal: Continued Investment in Our Students’ Futures
We are dedicated to ensuring a safe, engaging, and nurturing learning environment where students can thrive. To continue this commitment, the District is proposing a $44.375 million bond program on the May 6th ballot—at Zero tax-rate increase!
This bond would fund important District-wide improvements, building on the progress made through the 2021 bond program. While many upgrades have been completed in recent years, additional projects—including infrastructure enhancements, HVAC system updates, site work, and instructional technology improvements—are essential to further strengthening our schools. You can learn more about the bond here.
Get Ready for the Best School Day Ever!
We are excited to launch The Best School Day Ever—a surprise-filled, off-campus adventure designed to spark curiosity, foster community connections and create unforgettable memories. Students and staff will embark on an action-packed, hands-on learning journey at a carefully chosen destination, bringing lessons to life in an engaging and dynamic way. The best part? The exact date for each school will remain a surprise, adding more excitement to the day. The entire experience is fully funded by the District, so there are no fees involved. Be on the lookout for more information from your child’s school, including permission slips and other important details. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school or the District office.
Redford Union School District is Where U Belong!
Redford Union High School
Students Ignite Their Future at Career Fair
On April 25, we hosted our Ignite Your Future Career Fair in our newly-built High School Gymnasium . Various businesses attended to showcase their industry and help our students explore potential career paths. Our students were able to ask questions, explore large corporations and local businesses, and discover new career opportunities. Thank you to all the businesses and individuals who attended and made this career fair successful.
College Decision Day: Celebrating the Class of 2025
On May 2nd, we will be spotlighting and celebrating the class of 2025 during the College Decision Day Assembly! Our students will share their exciting plans for life after graduation – whether they are heading to college, joining the military, enrolling in trade school, or entering the workforce. We are so proud of our students and the hard work that has brought them to this moment. We can’t wait to celebrate their accomplishments and cheer them on to the next stage in their life!
Redford Union Junior High
RUJH Students Shine at History Day State Finals
On April 19th, four of our students participated in the History Day State Finals at Central Michigan University, showcasing their projects and putting knowledge and creativity to the test. Our students were judged by a panel of esteemed social studies educators and were able to learn from them and other contestants. We are Panther Proud of our students for representing the District and extend congratulations to our four finalists for making it to the state competition.
Beech and Hilbert Elementary
Learning Sustainability Through Hydroponics
Our students at Beech and Hilbert Elementary are discovering the power of sustainability through their STEAM Hydroponics curriculum. Led by Ms. Maggioncalda and Ms. Leedom, the program introduces students to the science and care behind hydroponic gardening. From planting seeds and monitoring growth in the hydroponic chambers to harvesting fresh lettuce, students gain hands-on experience with every step of the process. Their favorite part? Getting to enjoy the finished product in the cafeteria, where their harvest is served as part of their school lunches—bringing the farm-to-table concept right into the classroom.
Getting To Know U: Staff and Student Spotlights
Getting to Know U: Kimoni Sherrod-Carter
Getting to Know U: Andre Marable
