NIKOLAI VITTI

Typically Detroit Public Schools Community District brings the students back after Labor Day, but Tuesday (May 10) night, the school board passed a change to the calendar.

A first grade student at Fisher Magnet Lower Academy was found wandering more than a half a mile away from the school

DETROIT -- Two students at the Bates Academy school were injured Thursday after being attacked by a pair of pitbulls. The injured students were among a group of children who were playing in a field near the school with the dogs. Adults allegedly told the students to stop playing with the dogs and while some of the students left the area, others did not. It is unclear if both dogs attacked the students or if it was just one. The identity of the students has not been released as they are minors, however the AP reports the school educates students ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade.

If the academic calendar approved, Detroit would join a growing number of school districts and charter schools across Michigan that have sought permission to start the school year earlier.

The district is one of few in Michigan that have required weekly COVID testing for students and staff this school year.

DPSCD has been holding public town hall meetings across the city to get community feedback on its facilities master plan. For schools slated to be demolished, the district has started doing smaller parent meetings at each school.

Detroit school board moves toward recommending rather than requiring employee COVID-vaccines.

As infection rates across Detroit and the school district remain low, school officials are considering lifting their mask requirement.

This week, COVID313 covers updates on the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, which mask protects the best and DPSCD virtual learning.

Student activists in the Detroit Public School Community District want to eliminate a dress code policy they say is unfair.

Detroit's public school system is investing much of its $1.3 billion in federal COVID-19 relief aid to improve learning for its students and help fix what has been broken for decades.

For years, Laela Bullock moved to her own rhythm when it came to schoolwork. The switch to remote learning, if anything, brought a welcome break from fights in the hallways of the 15-year-old's Detroit school, but her grades still lagged.

The reaction was mixed Monday (March 14) night after the superintendents presentation; it’s one of seven community listening sessions DPSCD is doing to fully explain the plans and hear what the community thinks.

DPSCD is investigating the death of a veteran school employee who intervened in a fight near Henry Ford High Thursday afternoon.

Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti joins the COVID313 Town Hall to discuss mask mandates in the district.

Even as the DPSCD has committed to improving the virtual school, families are finding that being enrolled in the program is not easy.

The Detroit school district is considering rescinding its vaccine mandate for staff, the deputy superintendent said at a school board meeting

Community members commented on the Detroit district’s plan for reopening, selling, and closing school buildings.

Many school districts in Michigan have lifted their mask mandates. But low vaccination rates call for caution in the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

The superintendent of Detroit public schools said the district will wait until at least mid-March to consider removing its mask mandate.

Staff members had until Feb. 18 to be fully vaccinated. "I do not believe that I will be recommending terminations for those who are unvaccinated," Superintendent Nikolai Vitti told Chalkbeat.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District rolled out a plan to pour $700 million into improving facilities over the next two decades.

Recommendations for the $700 million investment will be vetted through seven public meetings and feedback will be used to help draft the final plan.

The future of dozens of Detroit school buildings will be examined as part of a 20-year improvement and investment plan by the city’s public school district.

DPSCD will wait for a recommendation from the city health department, even as other Michigan counties have lifted their mask mandates.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District announced that in a new partnership, it is the first school district in Detroit to become a childhood immunization provider and the first district to be fully authorized to administer COVID-19...

Nikolai Vitti’s plan for Detroit schools includes rebuilding Pershing and Cody high schools and renovations, additions in other buildings.

Before a vaccine mandate kicks in, Detroit school employees seek religious or medical exemptions from getting COVID vaccinations, to avoid losing their jobs.

The concept of snow days has undoubtedly changed for many Michigan schools thanks to remote learning during the COVID pandemic.

School districts across southeast Michigan are preparing for the winter storm, which could bring more than a foot of snow.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District plans to shift to virtual learning in the case of heavy snowfall this week, the superintendent said in a statement Tuesday.

Monday marks the deadline for parents in the Detroit Public Schools Community District to consent to COVID testing for their children.

Across the nation, many schools have returned to in-person learning after the winter break. But not Detroit.

Schools are struggling to purchase enough rapid COVID tests, which are a critical part of keeping schools safe and open.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District has delayed the return to in-person learning because of high infection rates and low vaccination rates in the city

Students in Detroit's public schools could return to their classrooms in about two weeks.

The return to in-person learning for the Detroit school district will require mandatory student COVID testing, as well as employee testing.

Regular testing has become a crucial part of strategies schools employ to fight COVID spread and keep buildings open

Leaders of the state’s largest school district, Detroit Public Schools Community District, made the call to keep all 50,000 students home until Jan. 14, in hopes the number of COVID cases will be down by then.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) will be all virtual learning through Jan. 14, the district confirmed Tuesday.

The continued rise in coronavirus cases across Michigan and an expected surge following Christmas and the New Year is extending the holiday break for some students.

All Detroit schools will be closed through Wednesday during the first week of January so that teachers and staff can be tested for COVID-19 amid a statewide spike in cases.

Staff members at Detroit public schools will soon be required to get vaccinated for COVID-19 if they have not already, officials announced Friday.

In-person and virtual classes have been canceled for Detroit public schools next week as the district conducts widespread COVID testing and works to establish a learning plan amid an ongoing virus surge.

Students in the Detroit district won’t return to classes until after Wednesday and the district will begin requiring student testing for in-person learning.

All teachers and staff members in the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be fully vaccinated by Feb. 18.

The Detroit Board of Education voted unanimously for the mandate in a special meeting Thursday.

The closure will extend the winter break one day. The district also cited health and safety reasons in social media posts announcing the closure

The draft mandate, introduced during Tuesday’s school board meeting, specifies a Feb. 18 deadline for district employees to be fully vaccinated.

One of the looming questions facing James Craig’s gubernatorial campaign is whether he has the experience and knowledge to run a state government. On Monday,...

DETROIT, MI -- Republican gubernatorial hopeful James Craig said underperforming schools should be held accountable by losing state funds if they don’t demonstrate improvement in standardized test results. Craig also expressed interest in changing the Michigan Constitution to make it easier for charter schools to access taxpayer dollars. Critical race theory isn’t taught in Detroit schools, Vitti said, but the district embraces its goal of acknowledging historic inequities based on race, class and gender. State Superintendent Michael Rice addressed concerns about critical race theory during an August meeting of the Michigan Board of Education. Rice said that while some teachers have read about CRT and had their thinking informed by it, critical race theory itself is not being taught to children.

Vaccine mandates for school staff are rare in Michigan, which had the second most COVID cases per capita in the country over the last week.

The closings show that students and educators are struggling as COVID outbreaks and staff shortages pile on top of nearly two years of pandemic-related disruption.

The teacher’s lawsuit could test the Detroit school district’s COVID protocols, specifically its requirement that most teachers work in person.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District said it will switch to online learning on Fridays in December in response to rising COVID-19 cases and the need for mental health relief.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is shifting to remote classes in order to slow COVID spread, clean, and provide a mental health break.

The proposed Michigan dyslexia laws have drawn unusually broad support from lawmakers and experts who say the state has not done enough to identify and support struggling readers.

The COVID vaccine for young children is safe and effective, and could help reduce disruptions to education.

Mayor Mike Duggan held a news conference Friday morning to detail plans to vaccinate children for COVID-19 in Detroit following federal authorization.

The district is taking a different approach to keeping schools safe, reducing the role of its armed police officers and shifting more responsibilities to unarmed security guards.

Four Detroit public schools have temporarily shut down in light of rising student COVID cases.

The Detroit district is seeking revised guidance from the city’s health department.

Action by Detroit schools is swift Tuesday night following a huge brawl at East English Village Preparatory Academy.

Three weeks into the school year, Detroit Public Schools Community District officials are still fielding complaints from parents about its new virtual school.

Up until 6:30 p.m. on Friday last week, Cass Tech did not know if it was going to play a football game or not. After 50 players were quarantined due to a player testing positive for COVID-19, Cass Tech was on the verge of forfeiting. Instead, Cass Tech got the green light to play with one major catch: Only vaccinated players could participate in the game. According to first-year Cass Tech head coach Marvin Rushing, that meant he could only dress 19 players – only five of which were starters. Despite the circumstances, Cass Tech managed to keep things close as Renaissance pulled off a 13-6 win.

“It’s a great opportunity for those that want to make a difference in our schools and support our students,” said superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti.

After a school year in which few security guards were needed, the Detroit school district is looking to boost pay and host job fairs to recruit more applicants.

Early enrollment numbers in the Detroit school district has Superintendent Nikolai Vitti feeling "cautiously optimistic."

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is spending $70 million for COVID testing for students and staff.

An outbreak at Renaissance High School within the football team has caused concern among some Detroit Public Schools Community District teachers.

Teachers will receive annual raises during the two-year contract, including 4% yearly raises for veteran teachers at the top of the pay scale.

The Biden administration says the historic amount of federal pandemic aid flowing to the nation's K-12 schools presents a moment for reimagining all aspects of American education.

School districts across Michigan are preparing for students to return to the classroom after the pandemic forced many to attend school virtually.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District and its teachers have reached an agreement to return to classrooms for in-person learning under updated COVID safety standards.

Detroit will see an increase in funding of about $27 million. That money could go a long way to help repair buildings, replace books and equipment and set the district on a better path forward.

The district announced Thursday morning it will receive about $1.2 billion in federal funding.

The district announced Thursday morning it will receive about $1.2 billion in federal funding.

Here’s what's coming up on Local 4 News at Noon.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is offering a recurring bonus of $15,000 for certified teachers to teach students with special needs.

Schools within the Detroit Public Schools Community District will be allowed to resume in-person learning starting Monday, May 24.

The U.S. Department of Education has denied Michigan’s request to waive the federal requirement to administer the state summative assessments, the Michigan Department of Education announced Tuesday.

DETROIT – In-person instruction resumed Monday at Detroit Public Schools Community District buildings. Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti estimates only about 1,000 of the returning students will receive full face-to-face instruction right now. READ: In-person learning resumes today at Detroit public schoolsAdSome teachers are still teaching remotely, even if their students are at the school. Students will either have supervision from a teacher or an adult if they are physically at school. READ: Detroit public schools say there aren’t enough teachers to meet the demand as schools reopenWatch the videos above for the full report.

DETROIT – In-person instruction is resuming Monday at Detroit Public Schools Community District buildings. About 20,000 students have opted to return to the classroom amid the COVID-19 pandemic this spring. Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Viti estimates only about 1,000 of the returning students will receive full face-to-face instruction right now. Teachers are being offered an incentive of $750 more per quarter if they return to in-person instruction. More: Return To School updates

DETROIT – An estimated 20,000 Detroit Public School Community District students are set to return to classrooms Monday, but their teachers may not be there. READ: Detroit public schools to resume in-person learning on March 8The DPSCD said there are not enough teachers who are willing to go back into classrooms to meet the demand. AdREAD: Student demand for in-person learning far outweighs the number of teachers willing to return in DetroitSome parents spoke out and said they don’t want their children to be taught on a screen in a classroom. Even thought schools within the DPSCD will return to in-person learning Monday, some parents -- like Kimble and Ta’Mara Williams -- are choosing to keep their students at home. “The teachers are not ready and the students are not ready as well.”The bottom line is that the in-person demand for in-person learning exceeds number of teachers willing to return to the classroom.

READ: Detroit public schools to resume in-person learning on March 8That amounts to about 20,000 children, but Detroit teachers willing to return to the classroom are only about at 20-30%. Detroit teachers were moved to the head of the line and anybody wishing to have the vaccine has had access. “We’re going to need services relative to trauma, we need mental health services,” Martin said. Constant cleaning, a max of 20 children per classroom, masks and social distancing, plus an extra $750 per quarter for teachers willing to return to the classroom. In the beginning Vitti says, “There will be a disconnect between family demand for in person learning and teachers willing to teach in person.”More: Return To School

In a letter to families, Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) officials announced that all grade levels at all schools will resume face-to-face learning beginning Monday, March 8. Students do still have the option to continue with online learning even as schools reopen amid the pandemic. Earlier this week, Detroit public schools reopened learning centers in the city following COVID-related closures, allowing students to learn remotely while in a classroom setting. Gretchen Whitmer “strongly encouraged” Michigan public schools to reopen for in-person learning by the beginning of March. Whitmer gave for Michigan schools returning to in-person learningWhitmer’s administration prohibited face-to-face learning for high schools in mid-November to help curb the spiking coronavirus cases.

DETROIT – The Detroit Public Schools Community District opened learning centers across the city on Wednesday. The centers are places for students to learn remotely while in a classroom setting. READ: Educators weigh in on standardized testing during COVID pandemicSakina Bolden is the superintendent of Detroit International Academy for Young Women. On Wednesday, Bolden and Detroit schools superintendent Nikolai Vitti toured the school’s new home and welcomed back students who chose to use the building’s learning center. Now that learning centers are open again, school officials are working toward getting back to in-person learning in March.

Gretchen Whitmer is expected to announce that Michigan youth contact sports will be allowed to resume with COVID-19 safety measures in place, Local 4 has confirmed. UPDATE: Michigan youth contact sports can resume Monday -- here are all the rules, specifics and detailsParents, coaches and athletes involved in contact sports that are currently shut down due to the pandemic have voiced their desire to return. Ad“To be direct, winter ‘contact’ sports need to start,” Vitti wrote. “The continuing suspension of winter ‘contact’ sports contradicts the message that it is safe to return to in-person learning,” Vitti wrote. Their lawsuit is asking a judge to grant an injunction, sending high school athletes back into action, not just practice.

Youth contact sportsWhitmer is expected to announce that Michigan youth contact sports will be allowed to resume with COVID-19 safety measures in place. “The continuing suspension of winter ‘contact’ sports contradicts the message that it is safe to return to in-person learning,” Vitti wrote. Two shutdowns, partial reopenings: How Michigan restaurants have been handled during COVID pandemicOn Monday (Feb. 1), restaurants were allowed to open to 25% capacity after being shut down for two and a half months. She had traveled to the UK and returned with the variant, officials said. U of M athletics shut downAll athletics at the University of Michigan are still shut down because of the outbreak.

LANSING, Mich. – The battle to provide education for all during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to become more and more complicated. READ: Return To SchoolState superintendent Dr. Michael Rice called on the state Legislature to extend the school year Tuesday for students to make up for the lost time. “This school year, in and of itself, can’t even last five minutes longer,” said Paula Herbart, the president of the Michigan Education Association. Students need a break.”It’s undeniable that the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years have exhausted teachers. Detroit Public Schools Community District superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said he can’t realistically extend the school year, but he can expand learning opportunities in every neighborhood.

DETROIT – School officials said remote learning has had a detrimental impact on students and their parents. There have been impacts on test results and the way teachers can spot any possible lag in learning. Dr. Nikolai Vitti, the superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District, is grappling with just how much his students suffered. Officials with the School District of the City of Pontiac said there was a huge learning loss in their district. Educators said they don’t really know how far many of their students have fallen behind because of parents helping children at home.

DETROIT – By the end of the month the Detroit school district is reopening learning centers for students. Detroit Public Schools Community District superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti made an announcement. READ: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sportsThe learning centers are set to reopen on Feb. 24. As more COVID-19 vaccines are administered and the community spread stays below 5 percent the district wants to step back into the face-to-face model which will hopefully phase back in starting in March. AdIf community spread remains low then actual face-to-face learning will resume in March.

Gretchen Whitmer was asked Monday about the ban on certain Michigan high school contact sports and whether they might be allowed to resume in the near future. Right now, only certain sports, including football, are allowed to compete at Michigan high schools. This has become a controversial topic across the state as the governor urges all schools to resume in-person learning by March 1. On Monday, during a COVID-19 briefing, Whitmer was asked about contact sports resuming. “I was wondering if there’s any way you could set a date certain for contact sports to resume,” a reporter said.

It said many student-athletes have started to cross state lines to play or are losing faith they’ll ever play again. “They are doing what you asked them to do, but it’s been 10 months since we’ve played basketball in our state ... A petition is also circulating with more than 25,000 signatures to get the governor to restart contact sports. On Monday, a petition was started by group calling themselves a coalition of Michigan athletes asking for 5,000 signatures to show support for lifting the 2-week pause. “The opposition, despair, and anger to the continuing suspension of winter ‘contact’ sports is rapidly growing in the city and across the state.

Dr. Nikolai Vitti started the letter by clarifying that he supports Whitmer, but he has grown frustrated by a lack of clarity about when winter contact sports can resume. He said there are continuing and legitimate fears about COVID-19 in the Detroit community, but 31 female and male high school coaches want to play basketball. “The continuing suspension of winter ‘contact’ sports contradicts the message that it is safe to return to in-person learning,” Vitti wrote. “Please do not let this frustration reach the level of a lawsuit against you and the state,” Vitti cautioned. “Coaches, student-athletes and their parents are in conversation with attorneys.”Mental health, physical well-being and scholarship opportunities are being affected, he said.

DETROIT – School districts across Michigan are struggling to meet Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s target to return to in-person learning by March 1. Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said 10-20% of students have been absent since the COVID pandemic started. The Southfield Public School District, has been 100% since March and while recognizing the importance of bringing students back to their teachers, Dr. Jennifer Martin Green said the science dictates the district remain remote. Both districts believe vaccinations are a key part in getting students and teachers back in the classroom safely.

DETROIT – Superintendent Nikolai Vitti’s contract has been extended another three years beyond its current expiration, the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) announced this week. His current contract is set to expire June 30, 2022. Vitti first stepped into the Detroit superintendent position in 2017. He previously served as Duval schools superintendent. An amendment to the contract links his percentage of salary increase and one-time bonuses to that of teachers for a given contract year.

DETROIT – While you were voting coronavirus cases surged just as many feared they would. Michigan witnessed its highest single daily case count on Friday. Meanwhile, the state is overwhelmed as hospitals and schools try to adjust to the concerning situation fast. Guests on Sunday’s episode which included Michigan education and healthcare leaders discussed the future as cases continue surging. MHA represents all the community hospitals in Michigan.