SPS District Newsletter
April 26, 2024
Spring Open House
Mark your calendars for May 9th, from 4 to 7 PM, for the Southfield Public Schools Spring Open House! Discover what makes our schools special with a delightful evening of exploration and engagement. Meet our passionate educators and get a feel for the exceptional educational journey we offer!
April is Autism Awareness Month
Southfield Public Schools promotes Autism acceptance.
Stevenson Elementary School Featured on Education Week
Empowering families, empowering students! Discover how Stevenson Elementary School transformed by making parents key partners in education. This inspiring story from Education Week, a national publication, highlights the journey toward community-centered schooling!
Employee/Partner of the Month
Celebrating Excellence! Join us in congratulating our Partner of the Month, Jesse Baker from GDI, and our Employee of the Month, Edward Hill, Principal of Birney K-8 School. Your dedication and hard work inspire us all!
Levey Middle School Marching Band Dominates at Universal Orlando Resort STARS
We are so proud of the Levey Middle School Band for being awarded 1st place Marching Band, 1st place Percussion, 1st place Dance Line, and Grand Champion at the Universal Orlando Resort STARS Performance Program! Congratulations!
Welcome to SPS, Former NFL Super Bowl Champion Keith McKenzie
Big News, Southfield Community! We are thrilled to announce Keith McKenzie, former NFL Super Bowl Champion, as our new Head Varsity Football Coach and Student Support Network Coordinator. With a wealth of experience both on and off the field, Coach McKenzie is here to inspire, lead, and support our scholars in reaching their full potential. Let’s give him a warm Warrior welcome!
Solar Eclipse
On Monday, April 8, millions across North America witnessed a rare total solar eclipse. Enjoy a few photos of our scholars and staff safely enjoying the amazing and educational experience of the eclipse with their glasses.
Oakland Schools' STEMi Mobile Innovation Station Visits Southfield
The Oakland Schools' STEMi Mobile Innovation Station visited Southfield schools this month! The STEMi Mobile Innovation Station, is a mobile lab designed to engage K-12 students, teachers, and families in a one-of-a-kind Industry 4.0 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) experience.
The 1,000 square feet mobile lab provides schools with access to high-end industry equipment, staff with subject matter expertise, and an engaging hand-on experience that sparks students interest in engineering practices, build career awareness and self-efficacy.
Bridge Detroit: Detroit teachers to visit world-renowned Ron Clark Academy
University High School Academy Senior Pinning
Southfield A&T Senior Awarded Outstanding Achievement in CTE
Southfield A&T Senior Racheal was honored on April 22nd at Oakland Schools as earning Outstanding Achievement in Career and Technical Education (CTE). (One student is selected each year for this honor from each high school in Oakland County.)
Racheal is in her second year of the Fire Academy at A&T, which was started during the 2022-23 year. The Fire Academy is the only state-approved CTE program with an occupationally-certified instructor in the county. Captain Desmond Denham from the Southfield Fire Department is her instructor. Racheal will be the first graduate of the Fire Academy and will test to earn her Firefighter I and II certifications to become employable after high school.
You're Not Alone: Coaching and Webinars for Parents
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
In an effort to proactively support students' overall well-being, Southfield Public Schools is partnering with ParentGuidance.org to deliver monthly webinars developed by licensed therapists. This series will be virtual, interactive, and is designed to help parents and caregivers support students. Registration, attendance and interactions are kept totally anonymous from other viewers.
May 2, 2024 - 7 to 8 pm via Zoom
“Emotional Regulation 1— Recognizing What’s Wrong”
https://cookcenter.info/May2Southfield
Emotional regulation is the key to life! Nothing else matters more than being able to control our
emotions. The first step to creating healthy emotional regulation is recognizing what’s wrong.
Session topics include:
• Why do we have emotions?
• The Impact of Inward Emotions on Mental Health
• Why Emotions Being too High or Low Can Be Harmful
• Tools to Understand Our Child’s Emotions
- Course created by Brett Williams, LMFT
May 9, 2024 - 7 to 8 pm via Zoom
“Emotional Regulation 2— Interrupting Negative Emotions”
https://cookcenter.info/May9Southfield
Emotional regulation is the key to life! For many adults, they know what’s wrong but are at a loss as to how to respond. The second step to respond to negative emotions is to interrupt. Session topics include:
• How to intervene early to interrupt negative emotions
• Tools to quickly interrupt emotions by changing the physiology of our body
• Tools to quickly interrupt emotions by changing thinking
- Course created by Brett Williams, LMFT
May 16, 2024 - 7 to 8 pm via Zoom
“Emotional Regulation 3— Strategies to Replace Negative Emotions”
https://cookcenter.info/May16Southfield
Emotional regulation is the key to life! Help your children replace and create new patterns by
practicing and applying new tools, at the right time.
Session topics include:
• How to create effective quiet time for kids to center themselves and regulate
• Positive parenting-How to talk to your child to help them regulate and neutralize their emotions
• Positive parenting-How to effectively discipline and reward in a positive way that helps manage emotions
- Course created by Brett Williams, LMFT
May 23, 2024 - 7 to 8 pm via Zoom
“ABCs of Substance Use and Vaping”
https://cookcenter.info/May23Southfield
In this course we address concerns around substance use, the health issues from vaping, and possible mental and emotional influences on your child. The discussion will center around some of the facts behind e-cigarettes and behavioral changes to watch for in your child. In addition, we will answer the big question - how do you talk to your teen about substance use, and what signs to watch for if you suspect your child is using or addicted to substances?
-Course created by Shannon Clauson, LMFT, and Dr. Kevin Skinner, LMFT, CSAT, EMDR
May 30, 2024 - 7 to 8 pm via Zoom
“Effects of Screen Time”
https://cookcenter.info/May30Southfield
Multiple studies have shown a strong link between heavy social media usage and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Dr. Skinner explains the rapid acceleration of anxiety and depression and how it may be linked to the amount of time teens are spending on social media.
• Encourages parents to create and teach healthy boundaries
• Share ideas with parents on how to talk to your child about screen time usage
• Importance of having a preventative plan implemented in your home
• Planning activities to replace downtime when kids likely turn to screen time
Register for UHSA 5K
Fire Academy Information Night
Thompson K-8 Blood Drive
Levey S.T.E.A.M. Middle School Program Application Now Open
The application window for Levey S.T.E.A.M. Middle School is now open!
Opens: January 24, 2024
Closes: April 30, 2024 at 4:00 PM
The mission of Glenn Levey Middle School is for all students to successfully learn to the best of their ability in an environment conducive to social, intellectual, and personal development.
Offering "The BEST of Both Worlds," including courses in S.T.E.M. = Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics AND Visual and Performing Arts.
To view the application, please click HERE.
Levey Middle School S.T.E.A.M. Program
248-746-8740
SPS Summer Learning Manual
We are delighted to introduce the 2024 Summer Learning Manual, your go-to resource for a summer filled with learning and fun. This year's manual offers a rich array of reading lists, skill plans, camp recommendations, and social-emotional learning resources, all designed to support our students' growth and enjoyment.
Attendance Matters!
Friendly reminder to all our scholars, parents, and guardians: Punctuality is key! Let's kick off each day on a positive note by being on time and present. Your commitment to attendance sets the tone for success. Let's make every moment count!
Upcoming Dates and Events
- May 9 - Spring Open House
- May 14 - Board of Education Meeting
- May 24 - 27 - Memorial Day Recess
- June 7 - High School Graduation
- June 11 - Board of Education Meeting
- June 13 - Last Day of School