Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Instrumental Music is Important!

The Haigh PTA believes that instrumental music is an extremely important part of the 5th grade curriculum at Haigh School. This program gives everyone the opportunity to experience a musical instrument in their formative, elementary years. For some, this will be their only musical opportunity. For others, instrumental music will become a major focus of their educational careers as they move through their middle and high school years. Our children should not be denied this wonderful and educational experience!

Parents can make a difference! Please contact your Dearborn School Board members before the final budget is approved for the 2008-2009 school year and let them know that "Instrumental Music is too important to lose!".

http://www.dearbornschools.org/Board/ OR

Sharon Dulmage 561-6569
Joseph Guide 278-2702
Aimee Blackburn 563-7964
Darrell Donelson 792-1098
Pamela Adams 278-3938
Mary Petlichkoff 582-9478
James Schoolmaster 982-1674

Friday, May 23, 2008

Dearborn Public Libraries - Museum Adventure Pass

Looking for a fun and educational experience for the family? Visit anyDearborn Public Library this summer and check out a museum - for free! TheMuseum Adventure Pass, presented by Macy's, is a partnership between 162metro area libraries and 25 local arts and cultural organizations. Just useyour Dearborn library card to receive 2 or 4 free admissions depending onlocation. For further information and to see a list of all the museums participating, go to http://www.detroitadventurepass.org/

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Haigh Spring Concert and Relay For Life - Broacast Schedule

Here's the schedule for WDPS – Channel 19 -- for the Haigh Spring Concert, the Honors Choir Spring Concert, and Haigh Relay for Life broadcast times.

Tuesday, May 20th
2pm - Honors Choir Spring Concert
3pm - Haigh Spring Concert

Wednesday, May 21st
9am - Haigh Spring Concert

Thursday, May 22nd
11am - Honors Choir Spring Concert
3pm - Haigh Relay for Life
9pm - Haigh Spring Concert

Saturday, May 24th
11am - Honors Choir Spring Concert
3pm - Haigh Relay for Life

Sunday, May 25th
11am - Honors Choir Spring Concert
3pm - Haigh Relay for Life

Monday, May 26th
11am - Honors Choir Spring Concert
3pm - Haigh Relay for Life

Tuesday, May 27th
1pm - Haigh Relay for Life
2pm - Haigh Spring Concert

Wednesday, May 28th
9am - Haigh Spring Concert
10am - Haigh Relay for Life

Thursday, May 29th
1pm - Haigh Spring Concert
2pm - Haigh Relay for Life

Monday, June 2nd
3pm - Haigh Relay for Life

Thursday, June 5th
6pm - Haigh Relay for Life

The schedule may be subject to change as some of the programming has not been edited yet and could be pushed back in the event of an unforeseen problem. All programs that were taped after May 16th will be on the next schedule that will be sent on June 6th.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Dearborn Public Schools - Instrumental Music Update

From the DHS Band Boosters -- Here is a link to a Petition to save instrumental music in Dearborn. Please sign it, it only takes a minute. http://www.petitiononline.com/ds2006/petition.html

From Christina Viscomi -- The document below was forwarded to her by a friend and teacher in the DPS. It outlines a proposal to keep (although reduced) a form of the elementary instrumental program for next year that wouldn't cost the district any additional money.

Instrumental Music Instruction Option for 2008/09

With the budget crises throughout the State of Michigan, I understand that Dearborn has to look at how to operate with a balanced budget, yet still be able to offer a well rounded education for our students. One of the budget cuts that is being considered is the elimination of 5th grade instrumental music, totally eliminating the elementary instrumental experience from the elementary school. I would like to recommend a change in the way that 5th grade music is configured, allowing for instrumental music to still be an experience that our students would receive.


Music Instruction Option for Fifth Grade Students:
For schools that have the inventory to accommodate all fifth grade students to play an instrument at the same time, students would attend general music for one period a week all year long and have instrumental music for one period a week , all year long. There are some different options as to how the instrumental class would run, depending on the individual school and the inventory at that school. The following are some instructional options:

Scheduling 5th grade Music

In schools that have an even number of fifth grade classes:
Two classes would be scheduled for music at the same time in different rooms. Students in both classes would be divided into band or string students, trying to keep the numbers as balanced as possible. The orchestra students would attend instrumental music one class period a week and general music the other class period a week. When the string students are attending general music, the band students would be meeting with the instrumental teacher.

In schools with a 4/5 split and one fifth grade:
For this example, let’s state that the numbers for the 4/5 split are ten 4th gd. and ten 5th grade. The fifth gd. class consists of 28 students. I am suggesting that the 4/5 split and fifth grade class be scheduled for general music and instrumental music at the same time, just as if they were two 5th grade classes. The configuration would be the following:
The 38 fifth gd. students would be divided into two groups, band and string students, trying to keep the numbers balanced between the two groups. The schedule for the fifth grade students would be the same as the above scenario. The only difference is that the ten 4th gd. students would attend general music all year long.

In schools with an odd number of 5th grade classes
When a school has five 5th grade classes, the schedule would look like the following:
5A and 5B would be scheduled at the same time between instrumental music and general music. Students would divide into band and string students and follow the schedule for the first scenario above.
5C and 5 D would be scheduled at the same time between instrumental music and general music. Students would divide into band and string students and follow the schedule for the first scenario above.
Class 5E would be divided in half between band and strings students. The band students would attend instrumental music once a week and general music the other music period in the week. String students would attend instrumental music when band students are attending general music.

Pro’s
--Students would still be receiving an instrumental music experience, making there decision to continue in instrumental music more informative for middle school.
--Two fifth grade classes would be scheduled for prep at the same time, allowing for built in collaboration between those teachers.
--General music teachers would still be seeing the students in fifth grade.
--Current instrument inventory should accommodate this plan.
--This configuration could utilize the cadet program to a greater extent. This program uses HS students to provide private lessons for the elementary school students. This program is in place at all three high schools, with the feeder elementary schools taking lessons from the school that they feed into.

Con’s
By attending general music only once a week, students are missing one semester of general music.

Dearborn Chamber of Commerce Names Teacher of the Year - Dale Donelson

Dearborn Chamber of Commerce President, Jennifer Giering, welcomed more than 300 people to the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center for the annual Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Award Ceremony and Reception held on May 14. Dr. John Artis, Superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools, spoke of the impact that teachers have on their students, not just during the school day, but for their entire lives. The Chamber's Education Committee, chaired by Patti Jones, had the tough job of selecting three winners from a field of more than 240 nominated teachers. The winning teachers for 2008 are:

Dale Donelson, Haigh Elementary School
Ryan Cook, Lowrey Middle School
Eleanor Shepherd, Berry Career Center

Mr. Donelson started his career in Dearborn at Howard Elementary in 1989. He worked at several schools in the district before coming to Haigh in 2005. The fifth grade teachers' ability to challenge students while keeping learning interesting were key points in the nomination letter written by student Karl LehmKuhl. Karl's nomination letter included the following comment:

"I have always felt that my teacher is fair and divides his attention equally between students. He is always happy to see his class every morning. He greets us with a warm hello and makes me happy to be in his class."

In 1996 Ryan Cook started teaching at Lowrey School. He thought that Lowrey would be a good place to start his teaching career and then eventually move to a school closer to his home. Eleven years later Ryan is still at Lowrey and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The middle school science teacher told the audience how much he appreciates the support he receives from parents, staff, and administrators at Lowrey. Ryan's nominating essay from Zeinab Hassan credits him for her potential future success:

"Next year when I go to high school, I am confident that I will be outstanding in science. He didn't just teach me, he inspired, encouraged and helped me be a better person. I am positive that later in life I will be successful because of the methods taught by Mr. Cook".

Eleanor Shepherd arrived in Dearborn in 1989 and began teaching in the Culinary Arts program originally located at Fordson High School. In 2005 the program, and Ms. Shepherd, moved to the newly constructed Berry Career Center. Student Lauren Stevenson nominated Ms. Shepherd and made these comments in her nomination:

"She motivated me everyday with her passion for what she does and the bright smile on her face. She shows her dedication to her job by coming to work even when she is meant to be on bed rest. She shows us that you can do anything you want if you never give up".

Teachers selected receive a $1,000 cash prize, a plaque commemorating their achievement, and are now part of a select group of Dearborn Teachers who have been recognized by the community for their dedication and passion for teaching.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

New Dearborn Public School Superintendent

Board Selects Candidate for Superintendent

By a vote of 7-0 the Dearborn Board of Education approved a resolution to appoint Mr. Brian Whiston to serve as Superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools. The offer is contingent upon acceptance of a mutually agreeable employment contract subject to Board approval. He succeeds Dr. John Artis.

Mr. Whiston is currently serving in his 11th year as Director, Government & Community Services, Oakland County Intermediate School District. He has also served 17 years as a board of education trustee, is the President-Elect of the Michigan PTSA and has lobbied many times on education issues in Lansing and Washington, D.C.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Dearborn Public School Toolbar

Do you want to stay informed? Would you like the most important links and district news at your fingertips? How about just an organized list of school websites in your browser?

Get the DPS Toolbar!

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need the new Dearborn Public Schools Toolbar! The toolbar installs in your browser and is very similar to Google and Yahoo toolbars in that it is loaded with district news, Board Meeting videos, PTSA news, school closing information and much more! You will be able to QUICKLY navigate all the various areas of the district and school websites! The DPS Toolbar puts our website information right at your fingertips.

Please see the district homepage for more details and a link to install the Dearborn Public Schools Internet Toolbar:
http://dearbornschools.org

Check Out These Features:

--DPS Hot Links - District Departments, School Websites, Contact Info, Calendars, Maps, Guidelines and Policies, Lunch Menus, and more!
--District News Feeds - Get the latest district news, school news, and Board Meeting Videos.
--School Closings - Get the latest school closing information right in your browser without having to go to the district website!
--Custom Search - The toolbar is designed to offer a Dearborn Schools Website search as well as support for eBay, stocks, News, images, dictionary, encyclopedia, and more.

Your security and privacy is important. The DPS Toolbar does not collect any information that can identify you and will not install any spyware/adware.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Planting Day Schedule - Friday, May 9th

This schedule indicates the teacher's name, the time the children will be planting, and where to meet:

Mr. Donelson / Mrs. Lahooti
8:45-9:15
4th grade door

Mrs. Stage / Mrs. Mroczka
9:30 - 10:00
kindergarten door

Mrs. Belczak / Mrs. Serazio
10:00-10:30
Main door

Mrs. Eggleston / Mrs. Smith
10:30 - 11:00
Main door

Mrs. Joachim / Mrs. Donelson
11:00 - 11:30
2nd grade door (back garden)

Mrs. LaCaprara / Mrs. Ottenbreit
11:30 - 12:00
Main door

Break 12:00 - 12:30

Mrs. Carr / Mrs. Young
12:30 - 1:00
2nd grade door (back garden)

Mrs. Mazza / Mrs. Nantau
1:00 - 1:30
Kindergarten door

Mrs. Goodenow
1:30 - 2:00
Main door

Mrs. Bundas / Mrs. Stage
2:00 - 2:30
3rd grade door

Monday, May 5, 2008

5th Grade Events

American Revolution "Wax Museum" - Presented by all 5th grade students
Thursday, May 22
1:00-2:30pm
Tea and refreshments will be served in the cafeteria upon the completion of the wax museum.

Pool Party & Picnic at Levagood Park
Friday, June 6
11:00am-3:00pm (Rain or shine)
Parents are welcome, however siblings will not be able to attend.

Ice Cream Social
Monday, June 9
2:30 pm

Honors Ceremony & Reception
Tuesday, June 10
9:00 am / Gymnasium
Students and their family members will enjoy a reception following the ceremony.

4th Grade Events

4th Grade Picnic
Wednesday, June 4th

3rd Grade Events

3rd Grade Picnic
Friday, June 6th

2nd Grade Events

Field Trip to The Henry Ford-Ford Rouge Tour
Monday, June 9th
9:30 am - 2:00 pm

2nd Grade Picnic
Thursday, June 5th
10:00 am
Levagood Park

1st Grade Events

1st Grade Picnic
Wednesdy, June 4

Kindergarten Events

Kindergarten students eat lunch in the Haigh Cafeteria
Tuesday, June 3rd

Friday, May 2, 2008

Teacher Appreciation Week - May 5th-9th

To honor our wonderful Haigh staff, the PTA recommends that during Teacher Appreciation Week each student bring in one or more of the following items to show their teacher how much they are appreciated:

--A thank you note, a drawing, or a poem
--A real or artificial flower, a picture of a flower, a drawing of a flower, or an item with a flower on it. Be creative!
--A school supply to replenish the classroom supply (pencils, pens, dry erase markers, glue sticks, etc.)

If you or your child's class as a whole would like to go above and beyond this list, please feel free to do so.

The PTA will be honoring all Haigh Staff by hosting an Italian Feast on Wednesday, May 7th.

Thank you for helping to make this week a success by showing our staff how much they are appreciated!

Haigh Planting Day - May 9, 2008

The Haigh PTA is excited to announce its Planting Day on Friday, May 9th. Please participate in the beautification of our school by donating annuals or perennials on May 9th. A school planting schedule will be sent home and parent volunteers are requested to help with the planting.

Special Request: If you are dividing some of your hostas or other perennials, please bring them to school anytime and we'll be happy to plant them on school grounds.

We also need parents to help with the flower bed clean-up. Due to the Teacher Appreciation Lunch on Wednesday, and no parking day, we will now meet up on Monday, Tuesday and if not done, Wednesday. Please show up Monday morning at the main door if you would like to help out.

Please contact Saba Khan at 563-8497 if you are interested in volunteering or have any questions.