Madison/Preparatory High Newsletter
Eagle Pride January 'Fresh Start Frenzy' Challenge
Fadi, McKenzie, Cius, Layla, Zuriel, Adrienne, Braylon, Keshawn, Ian, Jacadyn, Dai'Von, Devin, Jaquan, Azaria, Josh and Geavanni!!!
CIS Peer Mentoring
On Tuesday, our group of Eagles mentors helped their mentees at MES create posters featuring African American leaders that will be displayed at the Black History Live Museum event at Wilkinson on 2/26. Shout out to our mentors for being patient and encouraging with your mentees :)
HAVEN's Healthy Relationships Grade Level Assemblies
Today, our Eagles attended an educational presentation from our CIS partner HAVEN around the topic of healthy relationships. Our students were reminded about concepts we all need to be familiar with such as self-respect, mutual respect, boundaries, things that we can control, and where to find support when needed.
Thank you so much Olivia, Chrissy and Bellamy for your support and engagement to ensure Oakland county students receive the knowledge refresh about what healthy relationships are.
Financial Aid, Scholarships and FAFSA
Class of 2025 Families:
*Virtual Financial Aid Webinars: Students and families interested in learning about financial aid basics are encouraged to register for a virtual financial aid presentation provided by the MI Student Aid team: February 25 at 12:30 p.m., March 12 at 6:30 p.m., March 25 at 12:30 p.m., April 16 at 6:30 p.m. or April 22 at 12:30 p.m.
Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics:
- FAFSA application information, Federal financial aid programs, State financial aid programs and Scholarship searching resources
*Scholarship Opportunities: MSGCU is proud to provide scholarships to dedicated students to help them follow their passions and reach career goals. Starting in 2025, we are providing 10 additional scholarships, an increase of $25,000! In total, we will award over $130,000 to 57 recipients!
*24/25 FAFSA application is now OPEN!!! Create an account or Log In
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid your student is eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, and loans. While the window for completion does not open until December 1st, creation of your FSA ID can be done ahead of time and a FAFSA checklist is available for reference.
FSA ID creation - federal student aid website - & FAFSA checklist
Class of 2025 Scholarship Opportunity - Rho Sigma Scholarship
The Rho Sigma Scholarship is offered through the Rho Sigma Foundation in partnership with Rho Sigma Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Our goal is to achieve greater progress in the areas of education, health awareness, and leadership development.
● High School Seniors: Three (3) scholarships will be awarded to students graduating as a high
school senior entering a 4-year college/university in the fall of 2025.
See details below!
February Family & Community Events
FAMILY FUN
- Saturday, February 15th & 2/22: Project Art Teens, Detroit Public Library, Lincoln branch. Registration at: Project Art Teens, Feb 15, 22 Detroit Public Library
- Tuesday, February 18th: Tinker Tuesdays - Celebrate Presidents’ Day with MH Public Library! Prepare yourself for your own future presidency with activities and crafts! Registration at Tinker Tuesdays Feb 18
- Wednesday, February 19th: Zine Making Workshop, presented by our friends at MH Public Library. For Tweens and teens in grades 5th-12th. Learn how to write, design, and create your very own Zine! Enjoy snacks, bring a friend, and get ready for some creative fun! Registration at: Zine Making Workshop
- Thursday, February 20th:
*Ages 18 and up: Silent Reading Party, presented by our friends at MH Public Library.
What is a Silent Reading Party?
We will get together and read. You don't need to talk to anyone unless you want to!
6-6:30 Get settled in, optional chatting
6:30 - 7:30 Silent reading time
7:30 optional chatting, wrap up
Enjoy a quiet place to read alongside other reading enthusiasts. Light refreshments and ambient sounds provided. Cozy blankets optional (bring your own if interested). For ages 18 and up.
Registration at: Feb 20 MH Public Library Silent Reading Party
*Family Crafts! Detroit Public Library, Franklin branch.
Come learn simple, fun new crafts with us! Bring your friends and family! All materials are supplied FREE by the library! Registration at: Family Crafts! Detroit Public Library Feb 20
- For parents/guardians only: Coffee Concerts in February! Wednesday, February 19th: Coffee Concert ($5 cash per person), presented by Madison Heights Active Adult Center - AAC City of Madison Heights, Madison Heights Public Library, Michigan Arts and Culture Council Michigan Humanities.
This project is funded in part by Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.
- Saturday, February 15th: our CIS community partner PAL presents Girls & Women in Sports Day. Celebrate the power of sports and leadership with an inspiring event designed for girls. Register your youth NOW as space is limited at: https://sheriffpal.com/program/2025-winter-girls-&-women-in-sports-day/
- Free Admission Days at Metro Detroit Museums
Detroit Institute of Arts: Always free for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne County residents.
https://www.metroparent.com/things-to-do/attractions/metro-detroit-museums-free-admission/
Educational Events
- Feb 18th, online event presented by MH Public Library: I Am Nobody’s Slave: An Author Talk with Pulitzer Prize Finalist Lee Hawkins
From MH Public Library: We welcome you to our conversation with journalist and author Lee Hawkins as he talks to us about the examination of his family’s legacy of post-enslavement trauma and resilience in this riveting memoir, I Am Nobody's Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free.
About the Author: LEE HAWKINS was a 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist as a lead reporter on a series about the Tulsa Massacre of 1921 at the Wall Street Journal, where he worked for nineteen years. He has received several fellowships, including The Carter Center’s Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism, the Alicia Patterson Foundation Journalism Fellowship, the O’Brien Fellowship for Public Service Journalism, the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism National Fellowship for reporting on child well-being. Hawkins is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists’ “Salute to Excellence” Award. He is the creator and host of the podcast “What Happened in Alabama?” and lives in the New York City area.
Registration at: https://libraryc.org/mhlibrary/67343
- Feb 22: 9th Annual African-American Family Book Expo & Read-In 2025, hosted by Detroit Book City, to promote, preserve and sustain literacy in Metro Detroit while celebrating the heritage of Black History. The book expo is Sat. Feb. 22, 2025 from 12 Noon - 5pm at Ernest T. Ford Field House, 10 Pitkin Highland Park 48203.
More info & registration at: https://AAExpo25.eventbrite.com
- From our friends at MH Public Library: February is Black History Month! Biographies are a great way to celebrate. Find books for all ages in the library catalog:
MH Library catalog Black History Month
- Check out the upcoming events of our CIS partner 4H MSU Extension!
https://www.canr.msu.edu/oakland/uploads/files/February%202025.pdf
- From Feb 1- May 1: 4-H Healthy Horizons Club, Pontiac. FREE 12 week Health Education Programming for Youth Aged 8-18! Topics on Nutrition and Physical Activity. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A45ACAF2FA6F5C25-54075195-healthy?useFullSite=true#/
Contact- Autumn Walton, waltonau@msu.edu or 248-858-0894
Family Supports and Resources
- Feb 20th: Free Salon Day for domestic violence survivors, Troy. See flyer for details.
- Every Friday, starting 1/21 (9am-1pm): Case Management Services(Pontiac), presented by our CIS partner E-Community Outreach Services, in partnership with Gary Bernstein Clinic to connect families to resources and support.
- Saturdays by appointment only from 1/25 to 4/12: Free Tax Preparation, Pontiac, provided by OLHSA in partnership with AccountingAidSociety. More info and locations at: IRS Get Free Tax Prep Help
- Start registering now for the April 5th MHYA and OCSD Women & Girls Self Defense Awareness Program. Girls ages 13 and up. Written permission from parent/guardian required for participants 13-17 years, not accompanied by parent/guardian.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MadHgtsYouth4-5-25
- Wellness Wednesdays, Baldwin Center, Pontiac. Open to all Oakland county residents. More info on flyer and at: https://www.oakgov.com/community/health/partnerships/wellness-wednesdays
Beginning January 15, 2025, visit the Baldwin Center every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for a meal and connect with free health, housing, and employment resources.
All Oakland County residents have access to the following resources:
Showers
Laundry facilities
Housing resources
Career and employment support
Community navigation
Medical services
Additional services will be available on a rotating basis.
- Secretary of State Mobile Office, Waterford: Start registering now for this Feb 19th free service: Michigan Secretary of State's Office will be back at the Parent Empowerment Center on February 19 from 10am-3pm. Call today to get an appointment. More info on the flyer.
- Every Thursday, Pontiac Public Library is offering FREE TUTORING from 5:30-7 p.m. So please bring your child/children out and let us help them be the best they can be! A light snack will also be provided.
- Ferncare free clinic: to become a Patient, call 248-677-2273. This is an appointment only clinic. All calls are returned within 24 hours Monday through Friday. More info at: https://www.ferncare.org/
- The City of Pontiac is offering free carbon monoxide detectors to Pontiac residents through our Carbon Monoxide Safety Program.
Click the link to apply on our website today: https://tinyurl.com/PontiacGrants
Applications are also available at Pontiac City Hall in the Grants and Philanthropy office.
- Buyer's Assistance Program, Oakland County Treasurer's Office. More info at: Buyer's Assistance Program
- Consumer Reports: New Research Tool available with your MH Library card. More info at: Digital Library & Online Resources | Madison Heights, MI
- Need help with improving your computer skills? Check out Michigan eLibrary. Thanks Madison Heights Public Library for the tip! More info at: MeL Computer Skills Center
- Smart Recovery program offered by Oakland Family Services: every Tuesday at 1pm, Pontiac.
- The Hardship Assistance Program:
The Hardship Assistance Program can help eligible Oakland County residents. The program is open to Oakland County residents who get their water from a municipal water system, not a private well.
Pay their current water or sewer bill for up to three months.
Eliminate past-due balances.
Pay for plumbing repairs.
For more info, visit: https://www.oakgov.com/government/water-resources-commissioner/affordability/hardship-assistance-program
To apply: United Way for Southeastern Michigan Utility Assistance Application
- Need connection to resources such as utilities assistance, housing resources, education support, and employment help? Check out the Parent Empowerment Center, Waterford - for Oakland county residents. Community Resource Request Form
- Supervised Visitation & Exchange Services at the Parent Empowerment Center, Waterford.
- E-Community Outreach Services has an ECOS store: join for free (Oakland county residents only for now):
Free Membership ECOS Family Membership Store
Volunteering opportunities:- Volunteer with Madison Heights Public Library! Volunteens is every last Thursday of the month! Get recorded volunteer hours, a snack and help our library!
- Volunteer with Lighthouse. More info and registration at: Volunteer with Lighthouse
- Volunteer with Oakland Literacy Council. Schedule an info session at: Oakland Literacy Council online info sessions. Next session Feb 18 & 26. More info at: Become a Tutor
Basic Needs & Local Food Pantries
Tomorrow Saturday, February 15th: MH Food Pantry. 10:30am-12pm, 1529 E 12 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071, Central Church.
Pontiac Pop-Up Pantries. See flyer for more info.
WoodWard Outreach: Free meals every Monday and Friday from 1:00pm to 2:30pm, First United Methodist Church of Ferndale.
Gleaners Mobile Food Distribution
Type your zipcode to find a food pantry near you: https://pantrynet.org/
https://pantrynet.org/mobile-distribution-events/
Please check the Gleaners Drive-Up Distribution Reminders for a safe and smooth process!
Gleaners is hosting a food distribution on 2/19. Visit the Oakland County Farmers Market if you are in need of food. No registration is required and food is distributed on a first come, first served basis. See flyer for details.
Monday 2/17:
9:00am - 11:00am
Our Lady Queen of Angels (Drive-Up Only)
4200 Martin Street Detroit, MI 48210
Tuesday 2/18:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Warren Woods Schools Administrative Building (Drive-Up Only)
Wednesday 2/19:
9:00am - 11:00am
Oakland County Farmers Market (Drive-Up Only)
2350 Pontiac Lake Road Waterford, MI 48238
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Lasky Recreation Center – NEW TIME (Drive-Up Only) (Jayne Field Lots, enter from Luce St)
13200 Fenelon Street Detroit, MI 48212
Thursday 2/20:
9:00am - 11:00am
Fraser VFW Post 6691 (Drive-Up Only) (formerly Fraser High School)
17075 Anita Avenue Fraser, MI 48026
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Oakland County Health Department – Southfield (Drive-Up Only)
27725 Greenfield Road Southfield, MI 48076
Friday 2/21: 1:30pm - 3:30pm Urban Neighborhood Initiative – NEW TIME (Drive-Up Only) 8300 Longworth Street Detroit, MI 48209
Monday 2/24:
9:00am - 11:00am
New Apostolic Church (Drive-Up Only)
37800 Utica Rd. Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Wednesday 2/26:
9:00am - 11:00am
Salvation Army – Warren (Drive-Up Only)
24140 Mound Rd Warren, MI 48091
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Perfecting Community Church – NEW TIME (Drive-Up Only)
7616 Nevada St. Detroit, MI 48234
Forgotten Harvest: https://www.forgottenharvest.org/find-food/?
Monday 2/17:
Feed Your Neighborhood (12530 Mack, Detroit 48215) – Monday 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Bethesda Christian Church (14000 Metropolitan Pkwy, Sterling Heights 48313) 4:00– 5:30 PM
Tuesday 2/18:
Silver lake Church of the Nazarene (520 W Walton Blvd, Pontiac 48342) 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Catholic Charities/ La Casa Amigas (76 Williams, Pontiac 48341) – Tuesday 9:00 AM -11:00 AM
New Bethel Baptist Church (8430 Linwood St, Detroit 48206) – Tuesday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Northwest Church of Christ (5151 Oakman Blvd, Detroit 48204) – Tuesday 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday 2/19:
First Baptist Institutional Church (17101 W Seven Mile Rd, Detroit 48235) 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Jesus Tabernacle of Deliverance (11001 Chalmers Rd, Detroit 48213) 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
NEW WEEKLY PANTRY: Jalen Leadership Academy (15000 Trojan St, Detroit 48235) – Wednesday 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
New Prospect (6330 Pembroke, Detroit 48221) Wednesday 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Nexus Detroit (15042 Burt Rd, Detroit 48223) – Wednesday 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Thursday 2/20:
Northwestern Community Baptist Church (20225 Fenkell St, Detroit 48223) 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Pilgrim Baptist Church- Survival (18474 Binder St, Detroit 48234) – 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Alternatives For Girls (903 West Grand Blvd, Detroit 48208) – 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
ACC-Arab American & Chaldean Council (62 W 7 Mile Rd, Detroit 48203) –9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Second Canaan Outreach Ministry (9435 Hayes St, Detroit 48213) -10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Friday 2/21:
Unify Detroit/St. John Presbyterian Church (1961 East Lafayette, Detroit 48207) 9:00– 11:00 AM
New St. Paul Missionary Baptist (21050 Ascension Ave, Warren 48089) – 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Body Of Christ International (9555 St. Mary’s St, Detroit 48227) – Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Triumph Church (2760 E. Grand Blvd, Detroit 48211) – Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Bussey Center (24501 Fredrick St, Southfield 48033) – Friday 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Saturday 2/22:
Madison Heights Church of Nazarene (555 East 13 Mile Rd, Madison Heights 48071) – Saturday 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Senior Cap & Gown Photo Orders
Senior cap and gown photos can be ordered online.
Orders can be placed online at mylifetouch.com with the picture day ID: EVTCJGRDT