Schools win public relations awards for informative campaigns in
Macomb County. Three distinguished and one commendable honor were granted by the Michigan
School Public Relations Association for efforts highlighting innovative curricula, teacher
appreciation, career focus, and bond issue information. Good PR is increasingly important
now that Michigan students have more choices due to charter schools and inter-district
choice laws. To earn recognition for your school, contact Michigan Education Report at admin@educationreport.org.
School employee unions suffer blow in Milwaukee school board
elections. All five union-backed, anti-school choice candidates were defeated, giving the
board a 7-2 reform-minded majority. Milwaukee was the first U. S. city to implement school
vouchers, found constitutional by Wisconsin's supreme court last year. Democratic Mayor
Norquist calls the election "the end of excuse-based education" and says,
"Now we can liberate good teachers on our own."
Students negotiate labor contracts in an innovative simulation
sponsored by the Kalamazoo Area Labor Management Committee. Students bargain over working
conditions as members of either a labor or management team. Reacting to hours of
negotiation without agreement, Parchment High student Angela Knapp told the Kalamazoo
Gazette, "I'm getting sick of negotiating." Loy Norrix Senior Philipp Jonas
later said, "Isn't it amazing? Once we get tired, we reached an agreement."
Michigan K-8 tuition scholarships are available to children who want
to attend tuition-charging parochial, religious, independent, boarding, or public schools.
The Children's Scholarship Fund is granting $170 million for 40,000 four-year partial
scholarships. Parental contributions are expected to be $1,000 and income limits apply.
Call (800) 805-KIDS for an application.
Senior year sticker shock hits those who have to pay for proms,
pictures, and parties, according to The Detroit News. Typical expenses totaling $4,180
include $1,000 each for a class trip and graduation party, $620 for prom expenses, $450
for a varsity letter jacket, and $400 for a class ring. Some say businesses play on
emotions to drive up sales, but a parent in the story said, "I want my daughter to
have all the best memories."