HP Pulse Spring 2022 Edition

THE

PULSE

SPRING 2022 | Hazel Park Schools To d a y ’ s L e a r n e r s , To m o r r o w ’ s L e a d e r s

MAKE HPS YOUR HOME Math Whiz

Young Artist

COACH HIRED

CAREER PATH

Class choice

HPJH eighth-grader assists other students around the state with solving math problems.

HPHS senior inspired by watching Bob Ross videos on YouTube to get started creating her artwork.

State champion coach, John Callahan, hired as Varsity Football coach. Callahan won a state title in 2014 with Loyola.

Hazel Park Schools is offering a rare opportunity for its students, a welding class for our High School students.

Hazel Park Schools offers numerous AP courses as well as an abundance of CTE offerings.

2

3

5

W W W . H A Z E L PA R K S C H O O L S . O R G

6

8-9

District News

From the Superintendent Schools are most successful in their educational mission when they integrate efforts to promote children’s academic, social, and emotional learning. Here at Hazel Park Schools, we are committed to educating and supporting the whole child, through programs that span kindergarten through 12th grade.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides the foundation for safe and positive learning and enhances each students’ ability to succeed in school, careers, and life. During these last two years due to the pandemic, schools have seen a dramatic increase in students of all ages carrying anxiety, adversity, and trauma. Social and emotional learning programs are critical for addressing these emotional and mental challenges.

The Five Keys to successful SEL programs are Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making. Hazel Park Schools provides resources to support all five of the keys to successful SEL programs. Research shows that SEL not only improves academic achievement, but it also increases prosocial behaviors such as kindness, sharing, and empathy. These programs also help improve student attitudes toward school and reduces depression and stress among students. Effective social and emotional learning programming involves coordinated classrooms across the district, family and community support that help students develop the skills necessary to be successful in school, careers, and life.

The SEL programs at Hazel Park Schools have policies and procedures in place that support effective social and emotional learning that supports all students who may have physical, intellectual, emotional, and social gaps. It is our responsibility as educators to serve students with different motivations for engaging in learning, behaving positively, and performing academically.

Our SEL program is and has been working very well. It’s all about developing positive relationships with our most important asset – every Hazel Park School student.

Please know that our team is always available to answer any questions in regards to the policies and procedures we put in place to support all students. Our policies and procedures are in place to support the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social needs of all students.

If I can be of assistance to your family, please do not hesitate to call me at 248-658-5221 or send me an email at amy. kruppe@hazelparkschools.org.

With Students In Mind, Dr. Amy Kruppe Superintendent, Hazel Park Schools 2

|

SPRING 2022

|

THE PULSE

Eighth-Grader Helps Others With Math equations ‘I love Geometry and algebra’

T

o say Husam Alriyami is good in math is probably a huge understatement.

This eighth-grader at the Junior High School is actually brilliant at solving equations.

He’s so good in fact that he helps others around the state of Michigan that need assistance with math problems.

“He’s a pretty smart kid,” said Mrs. Muzzarelli, Husam’s junior high math teacher. “Trying to keep him challenged is tough.”

Because of his efforts, Husam was named the Math Nation’s October 2021 Karma Points Prize winner.

The email Mrs. Muzzarelli received about his win stated, “Because of his good work interacting with students across our state with EXCELLENT math talk, he will receive an iPad mini!”

“He rose to the challenge and got his iPad,” Mrs. Muzzarelli said.

“And he still posts to the wall.

He can’t win it again, but he still wants to help out.”

On the Algebra Wall on the Math Nation website, students answer questions and are awarded “Karma Points” from study experts. Points are awarded to students who offer thoughtful and constructive feedback to peers.

Needing 1,000 points to get entered in the drawing for the iPad, Husam amassed 1,100.

“You can earn 100, 200, or 500 points at a time,” said Husam, who began really enjoying math as a fourth-grader at Webb Elementary. “I love geometry and algebra.

I love to solve hard equations like binomials and polynomials.”

Husam recently went on social

Husam Alriyami

media requesting some tougher math equations for him to solve.

He got what he asked for.

“Someone gave me a trinomial inside a geometric equation,” Husam said with a smile. “That made it really, really hard.”

Did he solve it?

“Yes, yes I did,” Husam said enthusiastically. “That was fun to solve.”

It took him all of 15 minutes to solve it.

Husam also likes to fiddle with the inspect element of web pages.

The inspect element is a way to learn what makes the web tick by actually being able to view and even edit the HTML and CSS source code behind the web content.

“I opened it accidentally one day and I memorized every line of code on the Google site,” Husam said. “What I memorized was years ago so I’m sure the code has changed a lot.”

Husam, who also loves his coding class, has been fascinated with the space program and astronauts growing up.

See MATH On Page 3

Self-taught Senior ‘Hooked’ on putting paint to canvas

Watching Bob Ross videos on YouTube got her started

O

ne day a couple of years back, Katlynn Artan clicked on a Bob Ross painting video that appeared on her YouTube feed.

After watching five of his videos in a row the Hazel Park High School senior wanted to immediately delve into the art of painting.

“They were very calming to watch and I really liked what he was doing,” said Katlynn, who started painting in 2019. “I was hooked.”

Next up came a shopping trip with her mom to buy paint and canvas for her to begin creating her own art.

Then, her first brush to canvas occurred.

“I look at a picture then I make it how I want to make it,” Katlynn said of her process. “I change it up a bit.”

Her first piece of art was her take on a Bob Ross piece.

“I was very happy with it,” Katlynn said. “My mom was very happy.”

Up until that point the only art class Katlynn had taken was studio art as a junior.

“It’s hard to blend (colors), but it was easy to paint it,” Katlynn said.

“Her first painting took her roughly

Senior Katlynn Artan poses with her piece of art that was displayed during the “Community First Student Art Showcase” in November at Great Lakes Crossing.

two hours to do.”

Bob Ross used a wet-on-wet oil painting technique of painting over a thin base layer of wet paint.

The painting can progress without first drying. By combining the wet

painting method, as well as painting knives, allowed him to quickly complete a landscape scene.

This budding young artist, who has already produced over 20 paintings, recently had her artwork

showcased in the “Community First Student Art Showcase” this past November at Great Lakes Crossing.

“Mrs. Sly (her art teacher) asked

See ARTIST On Page 4

MATH Continued From Page 2 “I’ve always wanted to go to space,” Husam said. “I’d love to go to space. I want to become an aerospace engineer.”

Another example of just how much of a wiz

this eighth-grader is had already completed i-Ready reading and math levels for his grade.

“When the growth chart came around it said I tested out of both of them,” Husam said.

Husam is the second Math Nation winner at the Junior High School in the last six

months.

Symphony Bland was a “Math Nation Test Yourself!” challenge winner last April. That challenge consisted of SAT-style questions and if a student scores 60-percent or higher they get entered into a drawing for a prize.

HAZELPARKSCHOOLS.ORG

|

SPRING 2022

|

3

Fifth-Grader wins Bookmark making challEnge at Hoover

K

hloe Hang, a fifth-grader at Hoover Elementary, was a bit surprised when she heard her name announced over the intercom.

The announcement was being made to tell her and her classmates she was the top vote getter in the Bookmark Making Challnege held at her school.

“It’s very exciting,” Khloe said after getting called down to the library to receive her prizes. “I got a lot of compliments from all of my friends.”

Khloe, who was one of 21 entries, loves to spend her free time drawing.

“I was hoping to get at least fifth place,” she said. “I was very shocked to hear my named announced as the top vote getter.”

4

|

SPRING 2022

|

THE PULSE

ARTIST Continued From Page 3 me to make something because we didn’t have anything to enter, so I made it for her,” Katlynn recalled.

“It’s the first painting I’ve had on display.

“I’d love to sell my paintings one day,” added Katlynn, who received a gift card from Great Lakes Crossing for her entry. “That would be very cool.”

The pieces entered at the event were from grades kindergarten to 12th grade.

“There were so many different types of art there,” said Katlynn, who calculated it took her four hours to finish the entry. “There weren’t many paintings entered.”

Her art teacher at the High School, Mrs. Nancy Sly, sees a very bright future for Katlynn.

“Katlynn is an all-around great student,” Mrs. Sly said. “I had her as a student in ceramics, Winter 2020, which unfortunately ended March 13 and moved to remote, not so fun for clay work.

“It is so nice having her as a student again and in person,” Sly added. “While her painting skills are excellent, she is also very talented in sculpture and ceramics. I look forward to working with her next semester in Advanced Placement 3-D as she further develops her skills as she works on her portfolio.”

Along with painting picturesque scenery, Katlynn also paints characters and portraits. She’s done Lisa Simpson, an anime character as well as rapper, Tyler, the Creator.

“I really love just teaching myself,” Katlynn said. “I’m not sure if I’d want to take actual lessons later.”

After graduation, Katlynn plans to attend Oakland Community College where she will enter the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

“Painting is a stress relief and lets me take my mind off things,” said Katlynn, who listens to music off her playlist as she creates each painting. “I get a whole six hours to just think about my painting.”

Unlike Bob Ross, Katlynn, who also draws and has started making sculptures, does not have a pet squirrel or puts a name on her

“Painting is a stress relief and lets me take my mind off things.”

-- Katlynn Artan HPHS Senior paintings.

Bob Ross famously said when asked about his relaxed and calm approach to painting, “I can create the kind of world that I want, and I can make this world as happy as I want it. Shoot, if you want bad stuff, watch the news.”

But one day soon, Katlynn could be an inspiration or the nudge needed for a new artist just like Bob Ross was to her.

“Katlynn is an all-round great student.”

-- Nancy Sly Katlynn’s Art Teacher at Hazel Park High School

HPS TABS next head football coach Callahan won a state championship in 2014; runner-up three times

J

ohn Callahan wasn’t done coaching high school foot-

ball.

That became abundantly clear one early morning at his dining room table.

“It was like four in the morning and I was at the dining room table and I had the playbook scattered all over it,” Callahan recalled.

“My wife looked at me and said, ‘So, you’re coaching again?” I just looked at her and smiled. You need that support and thank goodness I have her support. She’s very special and is very supportive.

“I missed it,” Callahan added.

“I wasn’t ready to start painting birdhouses or whatever else you do when you retire so I decided to see what else was out there.”

Callahan was named the next Vikings head football coach in early January.

“I did get contacted by a few people but when this came up, it kind of piqued my interest,” Callahan said. “When I was at Loyola we played a lot of our home games at Hazel Park. I knew the facilities and whenever we were there everyone was so polite and always took care of us. They are just good people.

“I got a hold of (HPS Athletic Director) Tom (Oestrike),” Callahan added. “The first meeting I had with him I was impressed. He’s what any head coach would want in an athletic director. I don’t mean just football, but he’s behind all the sports at Hazel Park. If you’re going to work for someone he’s the kind of AD any coach would want to work for.”

Callahan brings with him an impressive resume.

He led Loyola to the Division 7 state football championship in 2014 and placed second in the state in 2016, 2013, and 2012. He led his schools to 10 Catholic League Prep Bowl championships and has been named Catholic League Coach of the Year nine times as well as a Regional Coach of the Year three times.

“Coach Callahan’s resume

“We have a very good chance at being a very successful program soon.”

-- John Callahan Vikings football coach speaks for itself, he is a Hall of Fame coach, but he is a better human being,” Oestrike said. “He lives what he believes and models that on a consistent everyday basis, which is huge for our kids and the culture of Hazel Park Schools.

“Obviously this is huge for our football program,” Oestrike continued. “We’re in the midst of a culture change in our athletic programs at Hazel Park and he is going to help set the precedent for all programs with his disciplined, selfless approach.

Callahan believes the strength of good programs has been having a good running attack on offense.

“It’s not a question of being old fashion,” Callahan said. “When I played college football I was a receiver and I wanted the ball thrown every play. But two out of three things can go bad when you throw the ball. Our philosophy is going to be, not that we’re not going to throw the ball, but we have to establish the run. We’re going to need to run the football.

“So many teams these days are going to the spread and more of a passing offense,” Callahan added.

“But you look at the state playoffs and look at the teams that are in the state finals and semifinals every year they’re running the football. There are reasons for it.

Physically you can get after it.”

The defense Callahan will be bringing with him is the 4-4.

“For the last 15 years, that’s all we’ve run,” he said. “It’s the type of defense that’s fundamentally sound,

John Callahan led Loyola to the Division 7 state football championship in 2014, defeating Ishpeming, 29-8. He also led Loyola to the Division 7 state championship game in 2016, 2013 and 2012. (Photos courtesy of Jeff Harris.)

it’s easy to implement. It’s all about knowing your assignments.”

Hazel Park opens the 2022 season at home against Imlay City on Thursday, Aug. 25. The Vikings play two of their first three games of the season at home.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Callahan said. “I just want to go in

and establish what our philosophy is and make sure the kids know what to expect. We’re going to be there for them and support them.

“We have a very good chance at being a very successful program soon,” Callahan added. “It’s going to be a very exciting time here at Hazel Park.”

HAZELPARKSCHOOLS.ORG

|

SPRING 2022

|

5

HPS OFFERS Pathway to a career in welding By 2024, there will be a shortage of about 300,000 welders

H

azel Park Schools is offering a rare opportunity for its students. It’s an opportunity not many schools in Michigan even offer.

A welding class for students.

“This is great, there aren’t many schools that have these kinds of facilities anymore,” said HPS welding instructor Adam Shirley. “They closed them. They got rid of all the equipment for many reasons.

“The reality is, 50 percent of all man-made objects have a weld that touched them,” Shirley added. “They all have at least one weld or several welds in them. There’s huge demand out there for welders. This will give them that technical training and that’s an asset.”

According to the American Welding Society, the industry will encounter a shortage of about 300,000 welders by 2024. Because of this shortage, welding will be a sustainable career choice for years to come with numerous job opportunities for those wanting to enter the field.

“Once they get this information they can easily go and take a few more classes to get certified,” Shirley said. “They are pretty short classes to get certified and then after that they go and get licensed.”

The shortage is due to attrition. Whether it is retirements, people leaving the industry, or simply choosing a university over a trade school after high school.

“There is a huge demand for trade welders right now,” Shirley said.

Shirley thought growing up he’d be earning a business degree from Michigan State University and following in the footsteps of his dad and brother to the auto industry. That all changed at Groves High School when he took his first welding class with George Landino as his instructor.

“George was the first person to say to me that I could go to college for metals,” Shirley said. “I got very good at it. Without meeting him I probably would have had a different life.”

In the class, students will learn all aspects of metal working. They’re

going to learn welding and become proficient at it.

“They’re going to learn how to form, forge, fabricate forms and how to refine those,” Shirley said. “We’re going to apply these skills to making objects. First, they’ll be assigned, but we’ll get to a point where they have the skill set and I’ll ask them what they want to make.”

The student’s first project was making wire cars.

“I get to get in here and do stuff with my hands and my mind,” said freshman Xhaire Bell, who made a Tesla Model X. “I really like it.

“The class is very beneficial,” Bell added. “I’m glad I chose this class.

I really don’t have any regrets.”

Senior Laniaya Thomas is also happy she took the class.

“I’m learning new stuff, working with metal and putting it together,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to try and meld metal together so I took the class. I’m so glad I did. It’s so much fun. I’ve learned so much.”

First Graders write personal narratives Writing a personal narrative is one of the first writing genres first graders learn. That’s what the first graders in Mrs. Wilkins’ class at Webb Elementary got a chance to do.

“It’s so great to see these kids find joy in something,” Wilkins said.

Her first graders could write about any experience, from something as small as playing a game with their brother or sister or as big as going on a family vacation.

“As they’re writing they’re thinking of the order they’d like it to move in,” Wilkins said. “I want to see a beginning, a middle and an end. I want to see some dialogue, not just them talking about the story. We want to have a feeling of how they’re feeling as the story is going on.”

They are also learning capitalization and punctuation, the basics, to help them be better writers.

“It’s a cohesive story that they buy into,” Wilkins said. “They write about things they know because it’s their story, it’s their life.”

Next up for these first graders is realistic fiction that they will be writing.

6

|

SPRING 2022

|

THE PULSE

Mrs. Wilkins’ first graders at Webb Elementary completed their personal narratives. They worked to write a beginning, middle, and end, adding capital letters, spaces, punctuation marks, dialogue, and action words.

senior has a seat on state council

mauney ‘super excited’ about next chapter Senior enrolls early to begin training for next hoops season

Student perspectives are heard to aid in ongoing MDE efforts

T

his past September, State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice invited district leaders in Michigan’s public schools to nominate high school students for the Michigan Department of Education’s Student Advisory Council (MDE-SAC).

Senior Jade Rybinski was nominated by HPS Superintendent Dr. Amy Kruppe to serve on this first of its kind committee.

Nominees then had to apply.

Each of them had to include a personal statement sharing why they were interested in serving on the council and sharing relevant experiences in their schools and communities, as well as what they hoped to gain or learn through their participation on the council.

The council’s nearly 30 members in 8th through 12th grade were selected from these applications in order to provide a representative group of students from school districts across the state.

Jade was one of applicants chosen.

“This allows me to go out and have the voice of students heard,” Jade said. “I love that I was chosen to be on this committee. We’re going to try and make a difference.

It’s nice to have a voice.”

The MDE-SAC meets monthly virtually with Dr. Rice and depart-

ment leadership. Council members provide student’s perspective and feedback to help along new and ongoing MDE initiatives and efforts.

The goal of this year’s council is to support the creation of safe spaces in schools to discuss race and racism. When complete, these materials will be shared with school districts across the state.

“Dr. Rice and MDE value student voices to help guide our work to support all of Michigan’s public-school students,” a spokesperson for the MDE said.

“We’re very happy to have Jade representing your district on the MDE-SAC.” Jade admitted to being a bit intimidated when she met with the council for the first time.

“I’m not very big on speaking in front of large groups of people,” Jade said. “It’s a group of kids that I didn’t know and there are a lot of powerful people in that group from around the state. You want to make a good impression.

“The more we talk the more comfortable I get,” Jade continued.

“And when I hear other students speak it makes me more comfortable. And you don’t want to offend anyone when speaking on topics.”

Jade also has been on the student advisory committee here at HPS all four years, where she

“The committee was a great creation that allows kids to have a voice. That’s important. We’re the ones experiencing things happening around the school.”

-- Jade Rybinski HPHS Senior

W

Hazel Park senior Jade Rybinski is one of 30 high school students in the state to be selected as a member of the Michigan Department of Education’s Student Advisory Council.

meets regularly with Dr. Kruppe.

“We listen to the student’s concerns and we’ll bring them to Dr. Kruppe,” Jade said. “My first year we addressed the phone policy and dress code. Once we decided on what we’d like them to be we presented it to the board. We got the phone policy changed, but the dress code did not.”

COVID hampered the work of the committee her sophomore and junior years but they’re back at it this year.

“This year we’re focusing on equality throughout school,” Jade said. “We’ve also discussed safety throughout school, proposed new doors and not having such big windows.

“This committee was a great creation that allows kids to have a voice,” Jade added. “That’s important. We’re the ones experiencing things happening around the school.”

Despite this experience, Jade doesn’t see a political career in her future.

“It’s crazy for me to think that some people think one person can control so many different things,” said Jade, who would like to pursue a Forensic Science degree in college. “I don’t want that kind of pressure put on me. It could be stressful.”

hen Megan Mauney was going through the recruiting process, her main goal was to find a place that felt like home.

She found it.

Mauney will continue her basketball career at Olivet College.

“It wasn’t a hard decision, it’s a decision that just felt right,” said Mauney, who had a number of offers to choose from.

Mauney also chose to graduate from Hazel Park early so she could get acclimated with her teammates and new campus in order to be better prepared to earn a spot in the starting lineup next season.

“I just feel like I’m ready for the next stage of my life,” said Mauney, who will be enrolled in spring classes at Olivet. “I can’t play, but I’m going to get some good workouts in with the coach so I’ll definitely be ready for next season.”

Olivet College, which is located about 125 miles west of Detroit, is an NCAA Division III school that’s a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

“I’m nervous but I’m super excited as well,” Mauney said.

HAZELPARKSCHOOLS.ORG

|

SPRING 2022

|

7

8

|

SPRING 2022

|

THE PULSE

School-to-work two-year program HAZELPARKSCHOOLS.ORG

|

SPRING 2022

|

9

DECA eXCELLENCE Once again

Hazel Park High School has a Red, White, and Blue Medallion recipient for a third straight year; another qualifies for states

Y

ou might not find anyone anymore relieved when an interview was over than London Aleith.

The outcome of it made it all well worth it.

The sophomore at Hazel Park High School earned a Red, White, and Blue Medallion at the DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) competition earlier this school year which qualified her for the state conference in March.

“It was really stressful for me,” Aleith said. “It went way quicker than the prep time. I knew what I wanted to say and just said it.”

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

This is the third straight school year HPS has had a student get awarded the Red, White, and Blue Medallion at DECA. “This is so useful because it’s teaching me business skills,” Aleith said.

Alyssa Carroll earned a Blue Medallion for her comprehensive exam. She too was a bit shocked she received the award.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” said Carroll, who’s also a sophomore.

“I thought I did alright but it

London Aleith

Alyssa Carroll

turns out I did pretty good. I thought I did OK in the interview, but I missed touching on a few points. I was pretty anxious.”

Each of them competed in Principles of Business Management & Administration.

This was the first year competing in DECA for both Aleith and Carroll.

“I wish I would have done it last year,” Carroll said. “I joined thinking we were just going to be learning about business stuff. I didn’t know we would be competing.”

The first part of the competition is a multiple-choice test where

participants have 70 minutes to answer 100 questions regarding business, financials, what protocols businesses have to take, and other regulation-related things.

About a week later, participants do a role-play event which is discussed with the judge right on the spot.

The prompt they were given was managing a company they leased out. They had to weigh out the benefits of having multi-year leases with different customers and how it could benefit the customer and the company.

“This is so good to put on your resume when you’re trying to get into a college you want,” Carroll said.

With their medallions, Aleith and Carroll qualified for the State Career Development Conference which will host over 4,200 Michigan DECA members at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit.

Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, Carroll was unable to attend. Storm Morris replaced her.

DECA Club advisor Mr. James Haas is super impressed with how well his team performed.

“London is always working hard,” said Haas, who’s also a CTE Teacher at the High School.

“She has done a great job as a team member and has been able to participate in all of the DECA disciplines when practicing.

“Alyssa can respond and adapt quickly to the role-play scenarios,” Haas added. “She is also an asset in keeping the club organized.

Storm has done a great job taking notes to make improvements on each of the role-play scenarios.”

With a nearly 75-year history, DECA has impacted the lives of more than 10 million students, educators, school administrators, and business professionals since it was founded in 1946.

Three HPS STUDENT-ATHLETES REACH STATE FINALS in respective sports A number of Hazel Park High School student-athletes had quite a successful winter season.

Two juniors qualified for the Division 3 Individual State Bowling Finals and a senior advanced to Ford Field for the Individual Wrestling Finals.

Shaylyn Neys finished tied for fourth at the Regional at Flat Rock Lanes with a six-game pin count of 1,039. Freshman Kathryn Chappell was just nine pins off from quali10

|

SPRING 2022

|

THE PULSE

fying.

Nathan Brown had a six-game pin count of 1,142 to place eighth at Flat Rock. Senior Nathan Johnson was just 19 pins off from reaching the state finals.

Jon Reini scored a 5-3 decision in the “blood round” over Dundee’s Connor Collins, avenging a loss a week prior, at the Regional in Richmond before finishing fourth to reach states.

Jon Reini

Shaylyn Neys

Nathan Brown

Schools where every child belongs and every child thrives

HPS teams up with United Way on Community Schools program

A

t Hazel Park Schools, “All In All The Time” is centered on four primary implementation goals for the district: Climate and Culture, Curriculum and Instruction, Community Relations, and Resources.

We’ve been able to take that a step further as HPS has partnered up with United Way to form a “Community School” at United Oaks Elementary.

“Community Schools are truly transformative,” said Kenya Abbott Jr., program director for the United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Community Schools initiative.

“They bring together students, families, staff, and the surrounding community to provide holistic support to each student and their family to ensure they are able to thrive.”

This wrap-around model addresses each students’ needs including academic supports, social and emotional learning, physical and mental health services, family and community engagement; all to produce a safe and supportive climate that nurtures the child’s development.

Research shows that young people need a wide range of learning opportunities and supports to succeed. A quality academic program is necessary, but it is not sufficient. Schools must address the myriad of factors that affect young people’s success, including the rising opportunity gap and the inequities in many students’

“Schools want to eliminate barriers.”

-- Dr. Amy Kruppe Hazel Park Schools Superintendent lives. Community Schools are the vehicle for doing both.

Community Schools are a transformation of school strategy that focuses on results with participation from school and community leaders, educators, community partners, students, families and residents.

Community Schools see the community as a resource for learning and development and as a partner in the education of its children.

Parent engagement plays a vital role in the Community Schools model.

Studies show when parents and families are actively engaged in their children’s school, students are more likely to demonstrate academic success.

“We want to make sure parents understand the connection between home and school,” Hazel Park Superintendent Dr. Amy Kruppe said.

“Students have to take the skills they learn at school and practice them at home. We help parents understand that and offer whatever additional supports they need.”

With schools affected by the pandemic over these last two years, the start of this Community School endeavor could not have come at a better time.

“This pandemic had a tremendous impact on our students academically and emotionally,” Kruppe said. “In a way, it seems like we’re back at square one. With the help of the United Way with the additional resources, this will help us jumpstart our students’ success.

“Many have fallen behind in literacy,” she added. “We have some on grade level and others that are almost two levels below where they should be.”

Community Schools also help

our elementary students make the transition to middle school.

“Transitions can be difficult for everyone, but for young people, one of the most difficult transitions is from elementary to middle school,” Kruppe said. “Middle school students are generally expected to be more independent and responsible for their assignments as well as other commitments.

“Schools want to eliminate barriers,” Kruppe added. “Sometimes our families don’t know where to go or who to ask for help. We’re invested in our families.”

HPS’s vision is to exceed the expectations of what Community Schools look like therefore everyone will thrive.

HAZELPARKSCHOOLS.ORG

|

SPRING 2022

|

11

Hazel Park Schools 1620 E. Elza Hazel Park, MI 48030

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Hazel Park, MI Permit No. 22

A chance to Grow as musicians Pair make Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony

O

ne of the oldest youth symphonies in the state of Michigan, the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony, has two Hazel Park School students on it.

Junior Katie Norris and sophomore Amiya Pace each nailed their audition to earn them a chair with the Detroit MYS so they can advance their skills to a new level.

“We are looking to grow as musicians,” Amiya said.

“This gave us the experience in an orchestra setting,” Katie said.

Getting accepted wasn’t easy. Each of them had to audition in front of the director.

“We had to practice on our own leading up to the audition,” Katie said.

“For the audition, we had to memorize eight scales and then we needed to do the entire solo piece in front of the director.”

Once the audition was done, which took place in November, the director tells you right away if you had made it.

Amiya went first and made it.

Katie followed and made it.

Katie Norris

Amiya Pace

“I’ll admit it, there were lots of butterflies,” Katie said.

“The time leading up to the audition was nerve-racking,” Amiya said.

This amazing learning experience for these two might not have occurred had it not been for the pandemic.

Because of it, the audition fee was waived.

“There are a lot of rich kids there, that drive real fancy cars,” Amiya said.

“They all had private teachers.”

“On the audition form they ask for who your private teachers were,” Katie said.

“We both don’t have one.”

Clearly that didn’t matter

for these two talented musicians.

“It’s so really, really wonderful,” said HPS band instructor Jennifer Lentz.

“There is a financial barrier to classical music which we’re starting to disassemble to participate in it.”

The cost per year is $435, plus $200 per concert. They practice once a week, every Saturday for three hours.

“It was well worth it,” Amiya said.

Students come to the Detroit MYS looking for more of a challenge, and stay because it is fun.

Katie and Amiya are doing just that, staying.

Board of Education

Laura Adkins, President Melissa Baldwin, Vice President Beverly Hinton, Secretary Heidi Fortress, Treasurer Rachel Noth, Trustee Dawn Rice, Trustee Kristy Schlak, Trustee Dr. Amy Kruppe, Superintendent

Join The HPS Team Today

Connect With HPS www.hazelparkschools.org @HazelParkSchools @HP_Schools @hazelparkschools

To d a y ’ s L e a r n e r s , To m o r r o w ’ s L e a d e r s