Pair of students attacked by pitbulls during recess at Detroit 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.
mlive.comDetroit Public Schools Aim To Catch Up, Then Some, With US Aid
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.
detroit.cbslocal.comDetroit Public Schools Community District Announces Program To Provide COVID-19 Vaccines For Students
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...
detroit.cbslocal.comJames Craig says underperforming schools should lose funding, Michigan can’t accept ‘status quo’
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.
mlive.comFrustrations mount after COVID-19 protocols forced Cass Tech football to play game with just 19 players
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.
mlive.comWhat to know as Detroit public schools resume in-person learning
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.
In-person learning resumes today at Detroit public schools
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 public schools say there aren’t enough teachers to meet the demand as schools reopen Monday
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.
Student demand for in-person learning far outweighs the number of teachers willing to return in Detroit
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
Detroit public schools to resume in-person learning on March 8
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 public schools reopen learning centers after COVID closures
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.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer to announce youth contact sports can resume
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.
Everything to know about COVID in Michigan before Gov. Whitmer’s Thursday (Feb. 4) briefing
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.
Extending Michigan’s school year? It could happen, teacher representatives say
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.
The difficulties of gauging learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic
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 Public Schools Community District set to reopen learning centers for students
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.
Michigan high school contact sports ban: What Whitmer said about possibility of resuming
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.
Extended pause of winter contact sports in Michigan draws vocal opposition
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.
Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports
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.
Metro Detroit schools torn on Whitmer’s goal to return to in-person learning March 1
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 schools extend Nikolai Vitti’s contract
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.
Flashpoint 11/15/20: Michigan healthcare and education leaders discuss future as COVID cases surge
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.