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VOL. 49 — NO. 3 POSTMASTER: All forms 3579 are to be forwarded to Federation of Teachers, 2875 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202 November 2010 Our Deficit Elimination Plan for DPS By Mark O’Keefe DFT Executive Vice President mergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb is proposing two Edeficit elimination plans. You can ignore Plan B because its only purpose is to look so hor rible that everyone will accept Plan A. Plan A also is completely unac - ceptable. It gets the state to assume the district’s debt in exchange for Bobb giving away something that’s not his to give: teachers’ rights and the district as we know it. Dr. Therese Smith with MacDowell Arabic Language Students. Plan A would turn the district into two districts – one with traditional schools and the other, larger district with schools that sound a lot like charter schools. The district would Teacher Brings Detroit’s First embrace Race-to-the-Top reforms that limit seniority rights. Our plan says, yes, the state Arabic Class to English Speakers should take over this debt. The debt was accumulated on the state’s watch eventh-grader Delon Tillman Dr. Therese Smith, a curriculum greetings to visitors. on two occasions — when it took visited a neighborhood party development specialist, approached “The kids are very excited because over the district in 2005 and again store and thought to use some - the principal with the idea and soon they can go in stores around here and under Bobb. Let’s remind everyone S thing he learned at school. the program was launched with a cur - greet and order,” Smith said. Smith that the district had a fund balance of “Sabah el kheer,” he said at Jerry’s riculum in conversation, language is her own quick study. She graduat - $115 million when the first state on the northwest side. The greeting and culture. ed from high school in takeover occurred. We now have a in Arabic was met with delight. They will take field trips to the and entered the University of deficit of over $300 million. Cawan Mueller used another Arabic Arab American National Museum in at 16 on a scholarship. Second, we should do what the phrase. Dearborn and to Arabic restaurants Several degrees later, she earned her new documentary “Waiting for “He froze with my money and my for the kids to learn and observe doctorate in curriculum and instruc - Superman” suggests. The movie chips,” said Mueller, 12. The man first-hand the culture of the Middle tion and was an adjunct professor at shows waiting lists for charter behind the counter gave back his East. WSU in the School of Education. schools and students hoping to get in. chips and his money. Dr. Smith told her students that a Smith has been a language arts and Half of our schools should have wait - “I don’t have to pay?” Mueller high school graduate who is fluent in social studies teacher with Detroit ing lists. They don’t because we let asked. “No.” Arabic can earn up to $100,000 in for 17 years. everyone in and double-up our class The students are learning classic varied careers, including translating. “It’s important to have a visionary size. Arabic at MacDowell School, the Ara bic is one of the five world lan - principal,” Smith said of Principal first school in the district to teach guages of the United Nations along Mildred Davis. “She felt the kids We could spend our Special Arabic to non-Arabic speakers. with Chinese, Spanish, English and need a language and Arabic is a very Purpose Funds to lower classroom The program is being offered thanks French. important language nowadays. She size, giving better instruction and to risk-taking Principal Mildred Davis The MacDowell fifth- through sev - listens and she knows what’s best for and a teacher fluent in standard Arabic enth-grade students seem to be quick the kids. Now they can speak and See ELIMINATION, on Page 6 and the script language. learners, pronouncing and spelling converse.” 35356 Teachers pages:35356 Teachers pages 10/29/10 8:11 AM Page 2

Page 2 The Detroit Teacher November 2010 DFT Gains National Praise for Leading Education Reform

t a time when public school dis - without receiving the coveted “Race tricts like Detroit and unions to the Top” federal funding promoted like the Detroit Federation of by the Obama administration. Teachers are being vilified in so- As AFT President Randi called documentaries like “Waiting Weingarten travels the country, she for Superman,” the DFT is gaining consistently points to the DFT as an national recognition and praise for example of teacher unions leading the embracing teacher-driven reform charge to improve the quality of edu - through collective bargaining. cation for the nation’s public school At a forum sponsored by the AFT children. President Weingarten details that brought union leaders, superin - how getting our membership to tendents and school board members embrace these reforms and make eco - together from across the country, the nomic sacrifices due to the district’s DFT was heralded as an example of a financial distress was “a heavy lift.” union that had the courage and the However, our willingness to accept that we could not improve by staying the same, challenged us to drive the President’s Report reform train rather than be run over by it. At the 54th annual Council of Photo by Steven Portnoy Great City Schools conference in DFT President Keith Johnson and Gov. Jennifer Granholm at a Royal Oak Keith Tampa, Fla., the DFT was heralded screening in October of the documentary “Waiting for Superman.” Johnson as a union willing to make a differ - ence by accepting the need to ers, rather than working with the the negotiations, you are the ones embrace reform rather than fight it. union to develop strategies to improve who are making it happen, under the During their presentations, the educational quality. most adverse conditions. Despite all superintendents from Baltimore, We were able to demonstrate that of the challenges you face, you con - vision to not only recognize that Philadelphia, Hillsboro County, Fla., you do not have to sacrifice the rights tinue to provide the best education reform was inevitable, but to seize the and Atlanta specifically referenced and benefits of teachers to initiate possible for the students in your opportunity to adopt reform initiatives Detroit as an example of the need reforms. We maintained seniority charge. that were proven successful in other, for collaboration with the union to rights, tenure, and due process rights, As I consistently tell any audience I smaller AFT locals and modify them drive education reforms. This and avoided salaries based upon stu - have before me, when you come into to fit our needs in Detroit. allowed the union to have ownership dent performance, specifically test a Detroit Public School, don’t just We were recognized for taking on of the destiny of the school district scores, as part of our contract. look at what my members are doing, this challenge despite working in a by empowering the practitioners Even Secretary of Education Arne look at what they are doing without, district that is in dire straits financial - (teachers) to make the difference in Duncan, who referred to Detroit as and still finding a way to make a dif - ly. Education reforms — like all their schools to raise student “ground zero” for the need for educa - ference in the lives and futures of our aspects of quality education — comes achievement. tional reform, has praised the DFT for students. with a price tag. Yet we are success - This was in direct contrast to the our vision to “not only embrace Thank you DFT for making our fully acting upon reforms such as strategies used by Washington D.C. change, but to lead it.” great union a shining example of Peer Assistance and Review, revamp - chancellor Michelle Rhee (who was As I accept these accolades on what we can do when we are given a ing the evaluation tool, shared deci - in attendance). Rhee attempted to behalf of the DFT, I am acutely aware voice and a choice to make education sion-making, and Priority Schools, impose punitive reforms upon teach - of the fact that while I may have led happen. Visit the New DFT Website a (ISSN 0011-9695) The Detroit Teacher is the official pub - Resounding Success lication of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, American Federation of It may be a busy highway, but you salary schedule, and The Detroit Teachers Local 231, AFL-CIO. Member of the Union Teacher Press DFT should get on it. We’re talking the Teacher. Association, Inter national Labor DFT website. Schwartz was curious how we Press Association and Michigan The DFT’s website has tons of traf - worked up such interest in our site. It Labor Press. fic. In fact, it’s the busiest website of is true that the Detroit Public Schools The Detroit Teacher is published 500 locals that are served by the AFT. are in a constant state of crisis, which monthly, except for July and August, In one month, from Sept. 6 to Oct. leads members to seek out informa - for $4 per year by The Detroit Web site 6, the DFT website — tion. In addition, DFT officials use Federation of Teachers, 2875 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202. www.dft231.com — got 29,000 page the site daily to communicate to the Periodical Postage Paid at Detroit, MI. views. membership. POSTMASTER: Send address “There is no other local with your “I think you’ve done an amazing changes to The Detroit Teacher, amount of traffic,” said Jared job of training people to go to your 2875 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI www.DFT231.com Schwartz, associate director of AFT’s website,” Schwartz said. “Your web - 48202. digital communications department. site is very active. It’s the most visit - Editor — Margaret Weertz [email protected] The busiest features are: the contract, ed website in the whole system.” 313-875-6776 35356 Teachers pages:35356 Teachers pages 10/29/10 8:11 AM Page 3

November 2010 The Detroit Teacher Page 3 Updates...

Divers Wins 2010 Dr. Walter G. Bergman was an AFT Michigan educator, union organizer, and the first president in 1935 of the Walter Bergman Award Michigan Federation of Teachers. He AFT Michigan President David was savagely beaten by the Ku Klux Hecker presented the 2010 Walter G. Klan in 1961 as one of the first Bergman Human Rights Award on Freedom Riders and suffered a May 15 to Dr. stroke 10 days later. He never Arthur Divers, a regained his ability to walk and used retired Detroit a wheelchair but was an indefatiga - Public Schools ble civil rights advocate who fought counselor and for social justice until his death at administrator and 100 in 1999. vice president of the DFT Retirees Retirements Announced Chapter. Divers FRATERNITY DONATES BACKPACKS – The Detroit Alumni Chapter of Art Divers was presented the The following DFT members have Kappa Alpha Psi donated 60 backpacks filled with school supplies award at the 71st announced their retirements: Richard to four Detroit schools, including Greenfield Union, above. “Many of Annual Convention at the Detroit Langlois, Kathleen McComsey, Gail our fraternity members are in education – teachers, counselors and Marriott . Williams, Imani Hines, Gloria Chap - principals,” said Dr. Robert Bryant, retired Loving Elementary School "Thank you for all your hard work pelle, Colette Cook, Linda Howard, principal. “So it feels great. We’re children oriented and we love chil - and commitment to enrich the lives Gwendolyn Robertson, Karen O’Neill, dren.” Pictured with Bryant are Vivian Welcome (left) and Principal of the less fortunate," Hecker said as Evelyn Inempolidis and Shirley Britton. Beverly Campbell. he presented the award. The award is If you have retired in the last six given to a tireless worker for equali - months and would like it announced, ty and social justice. please call the editor at 313-875-6776. Not so Super Retired Detroit Teacher Begins Term on Optimist Int’l Board Charter Schools Fatima Plater, a recently retired Detroit Public Schools teacher and longtime community volunteer in Detroit, has been elected to the Board of Directors of By Patrick Falcusan Did you know Optimist International, one of the world’s leading serv - DFT Financial Analyst that the district ice club organizations. Plater’s three-year term began has to contribute on Oct. 1. here’s a lot of buzz about the 20 percent of For 15 years, Plater has been involved with new documentary “Waiting for payroll to the Optimist International, an organization that aims to TSuperman” that paints charter state retirement “bring out the best in kids” by conducting positive schools as the answer to failing public system to fund service projects that reach more than six million schools. But think about these statis - your pension? tics when you’re watching the movie. But most charter young people each year. She was elected at the 2010 Patrick Falcusan Optimist International Convention in Denver, schools are not Colorado. Did you know that the charter part of the retire - schools in Detroit have nearly the Plater has been a member of the Optimist Club of ment system through a loophole in Fatima Plater same foundation grant as the public Metro Riverfront-Detroit since 1995. She also was the law and they contribute zero per - schools? But unlike Detroit schools, active in other clubs, including the Loving cent to the retirement system. where nearly 10 percent of the stu - Community-Detroit Optimist Club, the Shining Stars Optimist Club of Detroit dents are involved in special education, and the WSU Warriors Optimist Club. In 2009-2010, the tri-county area the average charter school in the tri- had 67,000 students in charter She served as president of her club in 1996-1997 and again in 2004-2005. county area has less than one percent schools. Some 89 charter schools Her club was recognized at the international level for its accomplishments dur - of their students in special education. operate in the tri-county area, about ing both years in office. In 2001-2002 she served as governor of the Michigan half of them in Detroit. District of Optimist International. Everyone knows it is extremely Plater became more involved at the international level several years ago. expensive to educate special education There may come a day in the near She served on a committee that focused on strategic growth and on a commit - students. And further, these special future when more Detroit children tee that provides guidance for Junior Optimist Octagon International, the youth education students as a whole don’t attend charter schools than public club component of the organization. score particularly high on MEAP tests. schools. This may happen before the Plater graduated from Western Michigan University in 1968. She received public fully realizes that they fail to a master’s degree from Wayne State University in 1973 and received her train - But achievement at charter schools achieve what they set out to achieve, ing as an educational specialist from Wayne State in 1987. is painted well in the movie. In reali - even after accepting fewer children Plater is retired from a 41-year teaching career with Detroit Public Schools. ty, only 17 percent of charter schools with disabilities. This may happen During her years in education, she was named the State of Michigan Service- show higher achievement than a tradi - after the teachers were sold a Learning Educator of the Year in 1995; received the Wayne County Regional tional public school. That is according demanding job with lower earnings, Education Golden Apple Teaching award in 1997; and was a finalist for State to a study from The Center for fewer benefits, no pensions. Indeed, Teacher of the Year. She also received the Spirit of Detroit Award in 2003. Research on Education Outcomes at charter schools, Superman and kryp - Stanford University. tonite have a lot in common. 35356 Teachers pages:35356 Teachers pages 10/29/10 8:11 AM Page 4

s y Super Heroe eryda en- Ev the new docum propaganda in d sponded to the ls are portraye oit teachers re charter schoo Detr an,” in which and public ing for Superm as good tary “Wait d. The schools as ba e fault movie lays th ools at of failing sch achers, the feet of te advan- not the “dis overty, tages of p job- homelessness, nutri- lessness, poor arents, tion, absent p Sleep Deprivation a B Diane etc.” as critic Detroit Ravitch said. t being teachers are no lenty of Detroit kids go to spond- silent. They re school tired and sleepy. Detroit ut and ed by passing o teacher Tania Curtiss noticed eryday wearing “Ev this phenomena at every one of o” buttons. P Super Her the four schools she’s taught in. tudents Even some s As much as she lectured her kids to Shown sported them. get a “good night’s sleep,” it wasn’t arstens above at C happen ing. As simple as sleep is, it’s as School Elementary though everyone wonders: How do you teach- students with do that? es and ers Vanessa Jon “A lot of our kids come late and Jr. Elbert Bennett they’re sleepy and they’re hungry,” said Curtiss, a 12-year Detroit teacher and literacy coach at Glazer Elementary School. So for years, Curtiss put in a bid to get the non-profit organization Sweet Dreamzzz to come to her school. Sweet Dreamzzz, based in Farmington, pro - vides sleep education and bedtime essentials to at-risk students, their par - ents and teachers. Turns out, sleep is misunderstood, for both children and adults. “People take sleep for granted,” said Ann Raftery, director of the sleep pro - Glazer teachers Tania Curtiss a gram. “It’s so overlooked. Without it Dreamzzz to Glazer Sept. 29 for a you can’t learn. And yet it’s a free com - modity.”

Stud ents Prep for M EAP at Scienc The fifth-gra e Center de students at ME! at the Marion Law A Detroit Science cademy took The D Center Sept. 2 part in the ME etroit Science 7. AP exper Center’s educa ience for Detro tion departme fo it Public Schoo nt prepared a r our fifth-gra ls completely free group ders. The stude focused on ME game show w nts attended a AP objectives here they answ MEAP rally an They a ered sample M d competed in ttended variou EAP question a activit s demonstratio s. ies on space, l n stations to En ife, earth and p explore MEA gineering The hysical science P–related ater took the st , and chemistr of real-life en udents on an in y. The Toyota gineers! teractive journe Their sc y into the worl ience teacher, d them be Jane Sucaet, w better prepare as confident Oct d to achieve h the experienc ober. igher science M e helped EAP scores o n the test in Sleeper teachers (from left) Jill Ulle and Diane Henri, with Ann Raftery, director of Sleep Programs for Sleep Dreamzzz Inc. 35356 Teachers pages:35356 Teachers pages 10/29/10 8:11 AM Page 5

Members Go All Out for Count Day By Ch arlene Uresy, Spain teacher The trife cta of academ and fun ics, athletics was the them Coun e of this year t Day at Spain 's st School. Teac udents and hers, A Principal R lexander dress onald ed in their favo uniform. Som rite sport e of the athle tennis, soc tes were: footb cer, swimmers, all, basketball, Big Issue for Students athletic skate boarders baseball, hock prowess , referees ey, throughout the , and dancers s The schoo building. It w howing their l was entertai as a fun day! The Detr ned by the dru oit girl group m-line, cheerl musi Boi performed eaders and dan c business alre . These beautif cers. m ady have a foll ul young wom uch delight, S owing on YouT en in the pain was hono ube and Twitte Elijah Johnso red with the c r. Also with n. Elijah is fro hild stage acto Simba in t m Detroit, an r, 12-year-old he Las Vegas p d for the last profess roduction of t two years play ional acts were he Lion King. ed In brought to Sp How exciting! the afternoon ain by compute These , the fun went r teacher Debr Train line, with outside. The en a Blocker. tunes provided tire school dan of old schoo by Spain's ow ced in a Soul l dancing were n D.J. Andre H played a at least three arlan. In that m different song different hustle ix footb , a different hu s. When D.J. H all player to th stle ensued. Ev arlan e tallest basket eryone from th Student attend ball player wer e tinniest ance was recor e jammin'! every studen ded at 767. Spa t here on this d in students un $7,000. A ay, the State o derstood that fo t several grade f Michigan wo r Cel s, every studen uld give the sc ebrating the im t was present. hool ins portance of c pires its studen oming to scho t body to the f ol is another un of learning way Spain and education. Walk to School Day ights Burns School F ighted Obesity and Bl ss and Althea Buckner in pajamas on Count Day. Curtiss brought Sleep for a sleep education program. Houses

er 100 By Janet Ray parents and ov l Day rallied 20 he Sleep is being studied by researchers. Recent studies say sleep Walk to Schoo thy children. T entary School's d promote heal deprivation is linked to obesity and academic problems in children. Burns Elem nsafe streets an ing in unison. awareness to u nd parents walk dents to bring ents, teachers a Detroit to Sleep deprivation can disrupt hormones that trigger hunger. So stu a.m. with stud or the City of walk began at 7 well as call f ed for sleep-deprived people tend to eat more. Oct. 6 udent health as e house request t to improve st he number on They wan s on the block. T “We’ve done some parent surveys and most parents only think angerous house demolish 11 d it 48227. 50 percent of 10 Terry, Detro ago. In 1969, their kids need eight hours,” Raftery said. “That’s not adequate for a molition is 142 st a generation nt do. In de was common ju r than 15 perce child.” Elementary children need between 10 and 12 hours of sleep king to school nd today fewe round Wal led to school, a and pollution a alked or bicyc doned houses ck and need to get to bed between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., she said. children w affic jams, aban drop off and pi other states, tr for children at Michigan and g safety hazards get out of the Raftery and a crew of volunteers do a half-day program of sleep onplace, causin better time to ools are comm oline there’s no sch ing price of gas chool. education, instructing children to eat fruit, not chocolate or soda, es. With the ris ur children to s alking up tim d walk with yo rns School a w before bed. They show them that reading and brushing their teeth are the fresh air, an ort to make Bu ch car, enjoy ents in their eff s, a compact te to support par said Tracy Jone best before bed, not watching TV. “My goal is ic outcomes," y. Our school alth and academ safe and health ool to better he l when they are want to On Sept. 29, Sweet Dreamzzz donated backpacks with Beenie sch better in schoo t lunch. We now ns. "Children do nd vegetables a chool. Babies, toothpaste, socks and a book. They raised money to donate at Bur ve fresh fruits a by walking to s f the first to ha can be healthy ht was one o ets so children step in the rig 130 new sleeping bags to Glazer. They hope to visit 10 Detroit urrounding stre ol awardee is a improve our s Routes to Scho schools this year to educate and donate sleep kits. “We don’t want to cted as a Safe urns being sele e momen- B that builds on th just go in for 30 minutes,” she said. “We want to involve the teach - ion.” nal movement tes ini- direct is an internatio gin a Safe Rou ers and parents. We want the kits to remind kids: ‘This is what I need outes to School in Michigan be Safe R Many schools to School Day. Day. to go to bed.’” tum of Walk Roll to School w-up to Walk & tiative as a follo 35356 Teachers pages:35356 Teachers pages 10/29/10 8:11 AM Page 6

Page 6 The Detroit Teacher November 2010 ONE NATION RALLY P h o t o s

b y

R i c a r d o

T h o m a s

Thousands of Americans rallied on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Oct. 2 as an antidote to the Tea Party movement. Americans at the One Nation Rally reminded political leaders that they serve all Americans, including the middle and working class. Protesters committed to putting America back to work and pulling America back together. “We all do better when we all do better,” one sign read. DFT members (above) filled two buses traveling to the rally and came back committed to taking back our country from corporate and reactionary interests.

Life After TIP: Our Deficit Multiply Your Savings Elimination Plan By Mark O'Keefe grow on a tax free basis, until you ELIMINATION, from Page 1 DFT Executive Vice President take the money out. Most people more individualized attention. do this during retirement when Instead of making 90 percent of When the TIP program ends a they are in a lower tax bracket, so our schools charter schools, let’s year from now, your TIP account they save two ways. make them application schools. will be worth $10,000. After sav - Parents will have to commit to excel - ing $10,000 in two years, what Although the TIP deduction Mark O’Keefe lent attendance and students will will you do next? Consider ends after the first paycheck in have to abide by the Student Code of investing in a tax deferred 403(b) November 2011, you don’t cash in Conduct. Imagine this: the majority of and live 25 more years, you will savings plan. your account until you quit or DPS schools will have low-class size, get $25,000 from your TIP high attendance, high parent partici - retire. One thousand people did so account. pation, good behavior, and most like - The 1 percent raise on Aug. 29 this summer. Some just took a ly, improved test scores. will add about $30 to each pay - check minus a substantial amount Here’s what Deficit Elimination Plan check for members at master’s of taxes. Others found an addition - C looks like: The state should take over step 10. The end of the TIP pro - al savings opportunity. the $300 million debt that is rightfully gram will bring your pretax pay up theirs. It should issue new long-term by another $250, but about 40 per - At retirement, you can use your bonds at a lower rate and repay the cent of this will be taken out in TIP account to buy time from the high-interest, short-term debt. taxes. state’s retirement system. Your We would get back on track with a clean slate, make the district account - $10,000 should by about one year able to not overspend, and put money You don’t have to give your of service. For those at master’s on the front line where it belongs – in money to Uncle Sam. You can put step 10, that translates into an the classroom. All without surrendering part of your pay into a 403(b) plan extra $1,000 per year in your pen - the rights that the district and the union on a pretax basis. This money will sion check. If you retire at age 60 have collectively bargained. 35356 Teachers pages:35356 Teachers pages 10/29/10 8:11 AM Page 7

November 2010 The Detroit Teacher Page 7 Detroit Public Schools Homeless Unit Gets Huge Donation

early 2,000 backpacks reached Detroit homeless children this Nfall, thanks to the Feed the Children program and Detroit school Longtime friends from Southwestern High School (from left): Tim Michalak, Bob Platte, Rick Sale, Willy Yee, and Stever Kruckemeyer. social workers. The Detroit Public Schools Homeless Program received a huge donation Oct. 12 of food and school supplies to aid Timothy Michalak—A Memoriam children who are homeless, or at risk of By Rick Sale becoming homeless, to have the resources they need to stay in school. Tim Michalak taught business for over 30 years at Southwestern High Feed the Children, an international, School, where I also taught and where we became lifelong friends. For 20 of nonprofit relief organization in those years, Tim was an Alternative Rep and then DFT Building Rep. Tim Oklahoma City, donated 1,920 back - also was elected to multiple terms on the DFT execu - packs filled with school supplies, 1,920 Cynthia Reynolds tive board, a DFT treasurer, and served on the bargain - food bags and four pallets of books. ing team. The district’s homeless program has ognized by the Michigan Department of For the last few years of his career, Tim was hired as served homeless children for more than Education, which commended the dis - an Administrative Assistant (now Labor Relations 18 years and last year served more than trict for the high level of public support Administrator) at the DFT office. 1,800 students and their families. It col - represented by in kind contributions, Tim was married to his beloved wife, Anne, for 40 laborates with homeless and domestic donations, and strong partnerships with years. The light of his life was his daughter, Alison, violence shelters that house school-aged local organizations. The state applauded whom he walked down the aisle of her wedding last fall. children in Detroit. The unit provides the program, saying it “has succeeded in Tim Michalak Despite his outstanding career as a teacher and transportation assistance, uniforms, making the McKinney-Vento law come union representative, his greatest challenge came with shoes, school supplies, books, food and alive for children and youth... and your his struggle with brain cancer. hygiene items, social work services and leadership involving the entire commu - For far beyond any diagnosis, Tim took all the surgery, treatments and educational assistance. nity is a great asset to students." chemo in order to fight on. He finally succumbed on Oct. 10, 2010 at the age “Our program allows us to help chil - Homeless children and their families of 65, but not without putting up a mighty struggle right up until the end. dren who would normally go unnoticed are eligible to receive services under Tim and Anne were music fans, especially of Bruce Springsteen. Just in our schools,” said Cynthia Reynolds, The McKinney-Vento Homeless weeks before his passing, they went to a concert to see the Boss. school social worker of the Homeless Assistance Act, which ensures that all Neil Young once wrote, “Ride on, old friend, ride on in peace.” Unit. “This donation helps serve our children, regardless of their housing sit - The many people who were touched by Tim—students, other teachers, friends mission to ensure all children have the uation, receive a public education. and family—can only wish Tim peace and quiet. He will be sorely missed. resources they need to be successful in This is the fourth year that Feed the Rick Sale is a retired DPS administrator, DFT administrative assistant, school.” Children has partnered with the DPS to and longtime union activist. The Detroit Homeless unit is one of distribute the backpacks and food to dis - the oldest in the state and has been rec - trict students. New Books for Johnson McKinney Center

Like all teachers, Mariann Watson ued to gather books on her own. in a traditional talks shop around her family. “She went to every school in school. Watson, a special education Owosso,” said Watson, an 18-year Watson (pictured teacher at Turning Point Academy on teacher. This September Megan head - on right) has a theory the east side, lamented that her stu - ed to the University of Michigan to about her students — dents had an empty library. Sure the study psychology. But Turning Point, mostly boys — and teachers bought books for their class - which merged with Johnson reading. rooms out of their own purses. But McKinney Day Treatment Center, got “I believe that the library had empty shelves. boxes and boxes of bestsellers, clas - most EI (emotionally Watson’s niece, Megan Phillips, sics, and history. They got Hardy im paired) boys are comes from a family of avid readers. Books, Goosebumps, and EI because they’re so The Owosso High School senior said, Encyclopedia Brown. embarrassed about “Maybe we can do something.” Johnson McKinney works with their reading skills,” “Well, get on it,” Watson told her. severely emotionally impaired stu - says Watson, who earned her Ph.D. Watson’s minivan when it arrived with As vice president of her student coun - dents who need more structure, indi - last year. Watson incorporates science the books. Watson saw the students’ cil, Megan spearheaded a book drive vidual and group counseling, assis - one day a week. “Boys love science delight and a goal accomplished. for the students. When her council tance to form positive peer relation - but most of the teachers are women “Most of them picked out books members got diverted by another com - ships, and individualized approaches and they do reading.” for themselves while they were munity service project, Megan contin - to education beyond those available The students helped unload shelving them.” 35356 Teachers pages:35356 Teachers pages 10/29/10 8:11 AM Page 8

Page 8 The Detroit Teacher November 2010 Detroit Public School Social Workers Start Clothing Fund

ike most school social workers, it always bothered Curtis Stout Lto see students in worn or dirty uniforms. He sometimes saw a stu - dent who could not afford a uniform at all. In Detroit, the many students who are homeless or living in shelters have an education. But they don’t have their basic needs met. When he retired this year, Stout wanted to do something about this. One of his first orders of business was to start a fund to build a closet of new clothes for students. He called his colleague — social worker Mary Ellen Bell — and she loved the idea. Doris Alexander, social worker in the Homeless Education Program; Mary “When Curtis called I shared my Ellen Bell and Curtis Stout, retired school social workers; and Phyllis positive experience with having a White, supervisor of the Homeless Education Program. clothing store at my school,” Bell said. my mind for the past couple of The Clothes Rack will be available Phyllis White, supervisor of DPS Stout and Bell started the fund this years,” Stout said. “When I saw kids for the social workers to tap for kids Homeless Education Program, “so fall with their own seed money: $500 without a uniform or a dirty uniform, in need, not only those who are this will go to good use.” each from their own pockets. Mary it was worrisome.” homeless or in a shelter. If you would like to donate to the Duncan, another school social worker, Like all good programs, they put a Students will get a $35 voucher for fund, call the Homeless Education donated $75. name on it and they’re keeping it sim - a shirt and pair of pants. Program at the DPS Office of School “This is something that has been on ple. “We get lots and lots of calls,” said Social Work at 313-866-0858. Detroit Teacher Keeps the New York Times on its Toes Spain School teacher Norbert Kidd retired this year after 40 years. Perhaps All meetings will be held at 2875 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, unless he now has more time to pore over his beloved New York Times. otherwise noted. Dates and times are subject to change. This month he found a rare grammatical error in the esteemed “All The News That’s Fit to Print.” “First, I must say I am a devoted NOVEMBER admirer of the NYT,” wrote Kidd, a Executive Board Meeting, 4:30 p.m. Detroiter. “My daily subscription is vital 4 to my day.” 9 School Social Workers Chapter, 3:45 p.m. In an article "Debate Rages over 9 Attendance Agents Chapter Meeting, 4:00 p.m. Standoff in Ecuador," a paragraph began, "Inside the hospital, doctors, 11 Veteran’s Day, Half Day nurses, patients and journalists lied on 15 Special Education Chapter Meeting, 4:30 p.m. the floor....” Kidd always taught that the past of lie, 16 Retirees Chapter Meeting, 11:30 a.m. meaning to recline, or be situated, is lay. 18 General Membership Meeting, 4:30 p.m. “Has there been a change?” Norbert Ed Tech Chapter Meeting, 3:30 p.m. Kidd asked. 18 Philip B. Corbett, the Times associate managing editor for standards, wrote back. DECEMBER “Dear Mr. Kidd: Thank you for the 2 Executive Board Meeting, 4:30 p.m. note and the kind words. And no, there's been no change -- you're absolutely 7 Attendance Agents Chapter Meeting, 4:00 p.m. right that "lay," not "lied," is correct. 9 General Membership Meeting, 4:30 p.m. Fortunately that fix seems to have been made quickly for later versions, but I'm sorry the one you saw had the error. 13 Special Education Chapter Meeting, 4:30 p.m. We'll keep trying.” 14 Retirees Chapter Meeting, 11:30 a.m. Kidd doesn’t know if he should have made a fuss. Early Childhood Chapter Meeting, 4:15 p.m. “Probably I should just have said, ‘I know’ and let it pass,” Kidd said. “I did 16 sent a copy to Mr. A. to tell him his teachers are still on their toes!” 17 Last day for teachers and students