DPS kicks off back to school readiness campaign

Campaign promises to be the most grassroots to date through intensive door-to-door canvassing, new initiatives to involve faith-based organizations for a new DPS Church Sunday event and pledge, special outreach to DPS’ largest ethnic groups, and a focus on individual school/community campaigns

DETROIT - Students, parents and residents from across the district are invited to attend the first annual Taste of DPS Multicultural Expo where attendees will learn about the various cultures of DPS including Hispanic, Bangladeshi, Hmong, African, African-American and Middle Eastern. During the expo, attendees will experience international cultures, taste cultural food, receive exciting gifts from community partners, and have the opportunity to buy Michigan grown vegetables from the Eastern Market Corp. “Mini Farmers Market” set up at each location. The expo will be held at four DPS school sites as part of Detroit Public Schools’ most expansive Back-to-School enrollment campaign to date. The campaign features a brand new DPS Week, which kicked off with Church Sunday on August 19; the Taste of DPS Multicultural Expo; an expanded Back-to-School Parade; and an All-DPS Schools Open House and Alumni Celebration, including immunizations, ribbon-cuttings at three brand new schools and thousands of School Readiness giveaways.

"It's critically important that we raise more awareness than ever before about the importance of the start of the new school year, exemplary attendance for all students, the essential value of parental involvement, while communicating our new programs and services to everyone inside and external to Detroit Public Schools,” said Emergency Manager Roy S. Roberts.

A highlight of the month will be “Detroit Public Schools Week, Presented by Comcast” including:

DPS Church Sunday - August 19
25+ faith-based supporters spread a positive back-to-school message!

Dressing of the Spirit of Detroit Statue - Monday, August 20
Spirit of Detroit Statue: Dressed in an authentic “I’m In!” T-shirt August 20 - September 4.

Taste of DPS Multicultural Day - Tuesday, August 21
Participants can enjoy foods, sights and sounds from various cultures representing DPS! The event will be 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Davison, Earhart, Gardner and Garvey.

DPS/Comcast Back-to-School Parade, downtown - Wednesday, August 22
ALL DPS schools will participate in the DPS/Comcast Back-to-School Parade, downtown, coordinated by The Parade Company. It will include the DPS All-City Marching Band, alumni marchers, school step teams, parent marchers and more! Step-off is 11 a.m. at Grand Circus Park, Woodward at Adams. Limited backpack vouchers and uniform vouchers from Forman Mills will be passed out and redeemable at the All-Schools Open House!

Detroit Branch NAACP-DPS-Black Family Development, Inc. Back to School/Stay in School Education Day - Friday, August 24, Delores Bennett Park, New Center area
Hundreds of students will receive school supplies, food, and entertainment.

All-DPS Schools Open House and Alumni Celebration - Saturday, August 25
All schools will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with giveaways, opportunities to meet staff, program showcases, and more! A “DPS Pride” incentive will be available for the first 1,000 alumni at schools!

The Saturday, August 25 All-Schools Open House builds upon the successful first open houses held at all Detroit Public Schools during the earlier Open Enrollment period in March at which 5,000+ guests participated. Recent surveys reinforce the influence that personal visits to schools and testimonials from other parents are among the strongest influencers for parents choosing schools. New for the August 25 Open House, all alumni are being encouraged to visit their alma maters that day, with the first 1,000 DPS alumni at schools receiving a new DPS Alumni Pride license plate holder.

As an example of the depth of support from community associations, corporations, non-profit and service groups, fraternities and sororities, 100 or more ministers’ wives will sign a public pledge to be present on opening day of school and invest in long term partnerships with local schools, during a new event being held as a brunch on Saturday, August 18 at Detroit International Academy, DPS’ and Michigan’s only all-girls public K-12 school.

The district will send information home to all households in the city and provide additional informational cards, flyers, and magazine inserts. New social media and video contests will be announced. Giveaways including T-shirts, wristbands and fans will take place at stops along the route for the DPS Blue Enrollment Van, which is scheduled to visit dozens of block parties, reunions, cook-outs, and sponsored back-to-school events during August.

"It’s a new day in Detroit and anything is possible!” Roberts said. “Detroit Public Schools has never been more focused than the present at making sure that no child is denied access to a high quality education."