VOL. 47 — NO. 10 POSTMASTER: All forms 3579 are to be forwarded to Federation of Teachers, 2875 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202 JULY/AUG. 2009 Carstens is Named a Top Five School in State

hy is Carstens Elementary ciency scores by 59 percent and its math reflected in your student proficiency Improvement. School, in a decimated east side scores by 80 percent since 2005-2006. scores,” said Mike Radke, Assistant “It’s teamwork here,” Prograis says. Wneighborhood, such a success? “The efforts of the entire staff are Director in MDE’s Office of School “And there’s no ‘I’ in teamwork.” Answer: the staff quit the blame game. The staff decided to do everything to meet the needs of the whole child. If that means a student needs a coat, there’s a closet at Carstens with clothes. If it means feeding a hungry child, it’s done. They call it no-fault decision making. “We go out and get it for the kids,” says science teacher Elbert Bennett Jr. “We’re not blaming the parents. We’re not blam - ing downtown. We’re coming together to make this the best building we can.” The reform of the building started about 12 years ago with the principal, Dr. Theresa Mattison and her staff. Mattison was not hierarchical by nature. She lis - tened to teachers’ ideas and delivered what they needed. “It starts with her,” said language arts teacher Vilanda Prograis. “She has mopped floors and wiped tables. She takes kids home throwing up in her van. You never see her dressy and prissy.” According to Prograis, Dr. Mattison turns to them for their best solutions. In return, she gets their professionalism, their expertise, and their dedication. She gets retirees to volunteer at the school and a business owner to donate a turkey to each family at Thanksgiving. For all this toil, the garden feeds the family. The school regularly receives Adequate Yearly Progress and was hon - ored by the Department of Carstens students and teachers Elbert Bennett, Jr., Vilanda Prograis and Deborah Limage, hold the Education as one of the top five Title 1 school’s latest awards. schools in the state making significant growth. The school raised its language profi - District Looking to Layoffs, Concessions

he Detroit School Board’s budget trict is considering all options, including Attention Members for the 2009-2010 year has poten - bankruptcy. Ttial negative implications for DFT President Keith Johnson said the with Layoff Notices members of the Detroit Federation of budget outlook was “devastating.” How - Teachers. On June 29, Emergency ever, he has put in place a seasoned negoti - DPS employees with layoff notices Financial Manager Robert Bobb ating team that is continuing to bargain. are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED announced that an additional 685 “I have said many times that the salaries TO ATTEND a worker's orientation employees would receive layoff notices meeting on July 28 from 11 a.m. to and benefits of our teachers are not the (which categories of employees is not yet 7 p.m. or July 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 reason for this deficit,” Johnson said. known), bringing the total to 2,451. p.m. at Martin Luther King High In April, the union was optimistic that School. The orientation is spon - The budget also calls for nearly $87 mil - most of the 600 layoffs would be rescinded sored by the Joint Adjustment lion of labor concessions to be negotiated. due to retirements and normal attrition. Committee, a coalition of DPS, Although the layoffs and budget cuts With the two additional rounds of layoffs, it state and other agencies to aid with result in a budget surplus of $17 million is possible that some layoffs will not be issues facing laid off workers. For for the 2009-2010 year, the district still has rescinded. The final number of teachers more info, visit www.detroitk12.org/ a deficit of $259 million from previous who lose their jobs will be based on student resources/staff/jac. years that needs to be repaid. In addressing enrollment in the fall, and the number of were due to teachers not completing required certification. the deficit, Bobb announced that the dis - teachers who resign or retire. **Calculated on years as a DPS contract teacher. Page 2 The Detroit Teacher July/August 2009 July/August 2009 The Detroit Teacher Page 3 THANK YOU DFT: Updates... Detroit Broadcast Students Receive Accolades Standing Strong in Time of Transition DFT/COPE Endorses Candidates s we close another school Thank you for enduring the Detroit City Council year I feel compelled to change in leadership at DPS, as Alvin Sims thank all of the members of Robert Bobb was appointed the V A Mohamed Okdie our great Union for standing so emergency financial manager and V strong during a time of tumult and instituted measures to restore this O transition. school district to fiscal solvency. Derrick Hale O The June 9 personal pickup of pay - T Saunteel Jenkins checks and remittance advisements Brenda Jones President’s Report was an inconvenience, and the ben - T efits are not yet known, but we E Raphael Johnson complied and proved once again Gary Brown E Keith that we are not the ones who have James Tate Johnson pilfered this district through fraud and misrepresentation. Southfield City Council Thank you for answering the Janna K. Garrison “$10 political call to action.” Through your contributions of at State Senate Thank you for not wavering in least $10 per member, we were Irma Clark-Coleman your commitment to your craft as able to double our COPE political DFT President Keith Johnson being interviewed on the multitude of DPS continued its downward spiral action fund, which will allow us to issues facing the Detroit Public Schools. of corruption, dysfunction and provide financial support to candi - Vote August 4th Golightly Career and Technical Center students were honored at inner chaos. You maintained your dates and causes that are in the best ideas to address the structural, to bring you the level of service the 2nd Annual Media Night. focus on delivering quality instruc - interest of public education and financial, and operational chal - you demand, and together we will tion even as the Secretary of educators. lenges we inherited when we took do it. Thank you and have a great, Retirements Before the UNION, By Dana Hughes Honor Society Members Education Arne Duncan called us a Finally, thank you for helping office. With your support our mem - safe, and restful summer. Announced • 13 students who will be attending national educational disgrace. Little me with the transition in the leader - bership meetings have been more Notice of Apology: the word was “NO” he radio and television stu - The following DFT members have various Michigan colleges and uni - ship of our Union. Your support has orderly and informative, our infor - dents of Golightly Career and does he realize that it was grace I had technical problems receiv - announced their retirements: Juanita versities helped me to begin to restore soli - Technical Center celebrated that carried us through the inepti - mational forums have been produc - ing my DFT email. Now it is work - Sanders, Margaret Redmond-Squires, No seniority T their 2nd Annual Media Night on • 14 Michigan Association of tude of our elected school board darity to our fractured Union. tive, and our quality of service has ing. Feel free to contact me at work Clester Lewis, Alice Kelley-Booker, Whether you voted for me or not, improved. No job security May 28. The event honored students Broadcast Awards and the mismanagement of our at [email protected] or at Ronald Patrick Johnson, Betty for academic and broadcasting abili - • 8 Michigan Association of school district. you have given your support and We still have a lot of work to do home at [email protected]. Thomas, Marcia Hunt, Robbie ties. Rhodes, Alan Schrecengost, Sharon L. No representation Educational Broadcasting Awards Donato, Patricia Saddler, Juanita In attendance were advisory board • 1 2009 Carl E. Jacobson Sanders, Ellen Hechler, Carol Votruba, No grievance procedure members, Adrienne Reynolds of Educational Achievement Award Detroit Enter tainers and Musicians Day School for Deaf Perseveres Carolyn Mattison-Wright and • 6 Detroit Media Showcase Winners Marilynn Mattison-Wright. If you No prep periods News Magazine, Harold Meeks of tellusdetroit.com, independent film If the Day School for the Deaf educates students have retired in the last six months and • 2 National Finalists in the producer Hamisi Robinson, Edward “Courageous Persuaders” P.S.A. community is one thing, it’s persist - who are hearing would like it announced in the Detroit No standard work day Teacher, please call the editor at 313- Foxworth of Foxworth Marketing Video Competition ent. The staff planted a garden and impaired, deaf or Group, and Wayne State University’s 875-3500 ext. 776. No uniform pay scale • 1 Recipient of the “$24,000 Ford it was vandalized. So the staff hard of hearing. (ISSN 0011-9695) television director Darryl Shreve. Motor Company High School planted again. Fast forward, and the “This is a very The Detroit Teacher is the official pub - No health care Journalism Scholarship” new Birds and Butterfly Garden unique school and Success! Union Wins Foxworth, the keynote speaker, lication of the Detroit Federation of spoke to the future broadcasters on • 1 Michigan SkillsUSA Recipient planted this spring is the fifth gar - unless you’re in it, Teachers, American Federation of Teacher’s Grievance marketing and branding themselves Teachers Local 231, AFL-CIO. No paid holidays den in as many years. it’s hard to describe. in the industry. • 1 President Obama Inauguration Member of the Union Teacher Press The DFT has won a grievance for a Winner “We’ve had obstacles and road - The main thing that Association, Inter national Labor high school teacher. The DFT member No paid sick days blocks not only with our garden but helps this school is Press Association and Michigan was teaching six hours, instead of the “What crosses your mind does not • 1 Detroit City Council Testimonial always have to cross your lips,” with developing our school,” said the leadership.” Labor Press. customary five hours a day, for more No pensions Resolution Principal Jan Goike at a June 5 cer - According to Foxworth said. The theme of Media than four years. The DFT brought for - Night centered on the negative media • 4 Spirit of Detroit Awards emony. “But we’ve persevered.” Croskey, the princi - The Detroit Teacher is published ward the case and the teacher won. monthly, except for July and August, No prescription drugs toward the Detroit Public School sys - • 1 Detroit NAACP “ACT-SO” Youth On a balmy June day, friends of pal advocates for the for $4 per year by The Detroit “The arbitrator unequivocally tem. Council Winner the Day School for the Deaf cele - students and teach - Federation of Teachers, 2875 W. rejected the District’s defenses,” said No family dental care The Mass Media Program is Principal Jan Goike, right, unveils the new but - Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202. the DFT’s attorney Marshall Widick. Golightly’s Mass Media Program brated that perseverance and chat - ers and finds sup - accepting applications for 10- and terfly garden. Periodical Postage Paid at Detroit, The Detroit teacher was awarded Managers Dana Hughes and Dennis ted about what makes the school plies and staff devel - No family vision care 11th-graders for the 2009-2010 MI. nearly $38,000 in back wages. Moore pointed out to parents and work. For five-year teacher Becky opment opportuni - serve the various needs of its stu - school year. “Once again the arbitrator support - guests the numerous achievements Croskey, it’s the cohesiveness of ties for the staff. and NO way to win them with - dents. POSTMASTER: Send address ed the union’s contention that the and accolades received by the media Students who are interested in pur - out a strong UNION ! the staff and the leadership skills of The school works so well for its “This school is very, very impor - changes to The Detroit Teacher, 2875 contract language is binding and the students this school year. suing a career in radio and television W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202. broadcasting should contact the principal. 40 students that Mayor Dave Bing tant,” Bing said. “We need to make district cannot decide which part of “This is where I want to be,” attended the June 5 butterfly cere - sure we get a commitment from the Courtesy of Those awards included: Golightly Career and Technical the contract it will honor and which it • 13 Honor Students Croskey says of the school at mony and said he fully supports the Editor — Margaret Weertz Metro Detroit LaborNews Center at (313) 822-8820 for more city and the Detroit Public Schools will not,” said DFT President Keith • 6 National Vocational Technical information. Forest and the Lodge freeway that school’s mission to stay open and to support this school.” Johnson. Building Rep Dinner a Huge Success

he power is in the people. And for the DFT, that means its 5,500 changes in the district’s leadership and the DFT’s leadership, attacks on the members and its 194 building representatives. Detroit schools and Detroit teachers from the Capitol to the Detroit News.

Keith Johnson, DFT president, commended the building reps June 5 for One of those attacks came from Education Secretary Arne Duncan who Tdoing the union’s most important work during a very difficult year. said he was “losing sleep” about the state of Detroit’s schools and said our schools are “a national disgrace” when he visited in May. “Certainly being a building rep can be a thankless job,” Johnson told the building reps at the 25th Annual Building Rep Appreciation Dinner at the “For all his sleepless nights,” Johnson said, “The people who work in DoubleTree Hotel. “You have classes you have to teach too. DPS, specifically the ones who work in DFT are not ashamed of the work we do. It doesn’t mean we’re satisfied with the results.” Through all of these “The strength of this union does not lie with the people in its offices,” attacks, Johnson told the teachers to remember their worth and their mis - Johnson said. The strength and work of the union, he said, is done at the 194 sion. schools where building reps work. “The ones that appreciate you the most are the ones you stand before every DFT President Keith Johnson Dave Scott of Deltal Dental The 2008-09 year was one of the more challenging, Johnson said, with day.” Sharon Brock of BCBS Dinner Coordinator Mershira Oliver ing With the S nc tar Da s

Co-Op Optical Representatives Sherold Riddles, Ethelle King and Dinner Planning Committee members are pictured above. Back row: Ben Edwards. Mark Grier, Danny Coleman, Curtis Dunlap. Front row: Mershira Oliver, Samele Ambrose, Sandra Ambrose, Keisha Allen and Glenda Booker.

Othniel McGriff and Jackie Ross Dorothy Burk and William Brown Bldg. Reps Corey Stokes and Vanessa Parnell

Heritage Optical President George Barnes and S. Renee Ross. Samele Ambrose working sign-in table.

Past Vice Presidents Marjorie McWilliams, John Butler and Lois Doniver Building Rep Dinner a Huge Success Building Rep Dinner a Huge Success

Left to right standing: Shalonda Staples, Vanessa Rasheed, Marcus Barry Cannon, Johnny Mickles, Sandra Ambrose and Daryl Left to right standing: Margaret Redmond-Squires, James Left to right standing: William Brown, Peggy McConnell, Walton, Edith Buckley and Jan Curry. Left to right seated: Mitzi Davis, Newman. Britton, Marjorie McWilliams. Left to right seated: Sandra Richele Oliver and Joe Quesnelle. Left to right seated: Pat Judith Harper, Evelyn Foreman and Lillie Gladney. Hughes, Marshall Widick and Sidney Lee. McPherson, Imani Hines and Dorothy Burk.

Left to right standing: France Bowers, Robin Partmon, Left to right standing: Marva Fletcher, Desiree Left to right standing: Mark Moroni, Janis Schoenherr, Jill Left to right standing: Erica MacDonagh, Frances Sandra Battle, Marva Fletcher, Desiree Clinkscale and June Price, Donna Rowell. Left to right seated: Kay Clinkscale. Left to right seated: Sandra Battle, Caprathe, Rosemary Sholtz, Virginia Sellers, Kurtis Borg, Doris Jordan-Smith. Seated: Emily Kathy Halliburton. Nevels-Shavers, S. Renee Ross and Linda Thomas. Miranda Washington and Melaine Tillman. Brown. Left to right seated: Thea Hines, Josephine Raupp, Kimbrough. Sherrie Tyler and Kathy Halliburton

Left to right standing: Joseph Hines, Edith Boatner, Vanessa Left to right standing: Alice Willis, Lenny Barnes and Sherold Left to right standing: Michelle Puryear, Wendy Left to right standing: Jeanne Bunn, Joyce Spencer, Becky Parnell, Markita Hall, Marcy Wells-Davis. Left to right seated: Riddles. Left to right seated: Ethelle King and Danielle Doniver. Newberry, Valda Adams and Victor Gibson. Left to right Szymaszek, Joi Anderson, Chris Abood and Bill Taulbee. Left to Yvette Willingham, Marion Frehsee, Susan Ramos. seated: Doris Flaherty and Jennetta Clark. right seated: Mary Helen D’Angelo, Tracy Arneau, Rita Herrera and Prestine Massey. Building Rep Dinner a Huge Success

Left to right standing: Toni Clover, Shirley Morrison, Standing: Liz Dunn and George Left to right: David Fuqua, Carla Henry, Sherry Yolanda Stewart, Marjorie Jones. Left to right seated: Adams. Seated: Jewel Gines and Samuel and Nona Harris. Anita Daly, Wanda Lundy-Colquit and Vilanda Prograis. John Elliott.

Left to right standing: Beverly Wilkerson, Catherine Croft, Ivy Left to right standing: Brenda Snow, Diane Smith, Laveta Browne, Bailey and Gena Porter. Left to right seated: Kimberly Liddell- Clyde Lewers and Patrick Falcusan. Left to right seated: Jackie Love, Brenda Jones and Robin McDaniel. Ross, Debbie Pruitt, Sharon Guyton-Rogers and Mearon Lewers.

Left to right standing: Karin Whittler, Linda Wilson, Estella Left to right standing: Corey Stokes, Felicia Langford, Wanda Burnette, Lisa Downey, Barbara Downey. Left to right seated: Hogg, Karen Reed, Gregory Phillips. Left to right seated: Kim Terrence Martin, Margaret Weertz and Mike Guyton. Ewing-Travis, Lisa Scott, and Audrey Hamilton.