• Dear UCS Community,

    It is hard to believe that we are now more than half-way through the 2023-24 school year. Among other accomplishments, this school year we have opened a new high school academy, added new resources focused on wellness, received honors at state and national levels for excellence, dedicated a facility to a 42-year coach and teacher, and invested in teaching and learning initiatives across all subject areas as we work together to inspire remarkable achievement.

    I expect the second half of the school year will have the same level of energy and success. As we move into this second semester, I want to take the time to update you on a few important district items.

    2023-24 School Calendar Change
    Recently, the State of Michigan established Tuesday, February 27 as the date of the presidential primary election. Our schools remain the centerpiece of the community, and we are proud that many of our school facilities are used to support the voting process. During these elections, school facilities need to be open and easily accessible to allow voters to cast their ballots.

    As has been the practice of UCS for past elections, there will be no school on Tuesday, February 27. The cancellation of school maintains our commitment to safety within our schools while also providing professional development opportunities for staff related to current Teaching and Learning initiatives.

    Preparing for 2023 bond issue
    Since the adoption of the bond issue, we have been planning the projects that will represent the first phase of this package. In December, our Board of Education set into motion the first set of projects with an authorization to sell $130 million in bonds. This sale is expected to occur later this spring.

    The focus of the first set of projects has safety as the centerpiece. In addition, given the wide support of the issue, we are also pursuing highly visible projects that were important to our community as we created the project lists.

    The changes are significant and impactful. However, we will need to be flexible as we balance the disruptions that will occur with building renovations and school operations. For some communities, this may require a temporary relocation to other facilities so we have the time to safely make the necessary improvements. We are fortunate to have an existing resource – Rose Kidd Elementary in Sterling Heights – to help us with these transitions.

    For impacted communities, we will need to work together closely with our eyes on the end result – safe learning environments that will allow our teachers to do what they do best, to empower our students. The improvements from the 2023 bond issue moving forward will establish a legacy that will benefit generations for years to come.

    We will begin sharing more information on summer construction plans over the next several months. We will also continue to update our website.

    UCS Pathways to Success
    I would like to invite UCS families to learn more about the academic opportunities and programs available in our district at the annual UCS Pathways to Success event, scheduled from 6-8:30 p.m. at Henry Ford II High School on Thursday, January 18.

    Our status as Michigan’s second-largest school district gives all students multiple pathways toward excellence and achievement. To take advantage of these choices, the UCS Pathways event was created nearly 17 years ago by the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board. It is a single evening where we bring everything together in one place to give parents and students a snapshot of the unique opportunities available in our schools.

    More information on the sessions and informational booths available at the event are at this link.

    As we look to the future, we remain focused on empowering our students by providing engaging and enriching teaching and learning experiences. As always, we appreciate your partnership and continued support of our schools.

     

    Sincerely,

     

    Robert S. Monroe
    Superintendent of Schools