October Redford Union Newsletter

Superintendent Message

Dear Panther Families,

Autumn has arrived, and Redford Union Schools are buzzing with energy! Students across all grades kicked off the school year with House Sorting Days, launching a year filled with community, character building and school spirit. This month, we proudly celebrated National Principals Month by honoring our dedicated administrators, while our secondary students engaged in Michigan College Month to explore career pathways, financial aid and post-secondary goals.

Creating a safe and inclusive environment remains a top priority across our district. For National Bullying Prevention Month, Redford Union took the statewide "Be a Buddy, Not a Bully" pledge to foster empathy and respect in our halls. Working alongside this effort, our student-led Hope Squad continues to promote peer connection, crisis awareness and suicide prevention—ensuring every student feels supported and knows where to turn for help.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

Go Panthers!

Judy Nachman

Interim Superintendent

District-Wide Stories:

New Panther Phone Policy

This school year, Redford Union School District is aligning with newly enacted Michigan state legislation requiring all public schools to prohibit student cell phone and electronic device use during classroom instructional time. Designed to minimize classroom distractions, boost academic engagement, and support student mental health and face-to-face social connections, this policy ensures our classrooms remain vibrant spaces dedicated to learning.

Exceptions will be honored for documented medical necessities, IEP or Section 504 accommodations, specific teacher-directed educational assignments and emergency situations as outlined in our district safety protocols. We encourage families to review the updated guidelines in our Student Code of Conduct and talk with their children about storing devices away during instruction.

Thank you for partnering with us to create a focused, high-achieving environment for all RUSD students!

Upcoming Schedule

Please note the important upcoming dates!

School Stories:

Hilbert Elementary

Trunk or Treat

Hilbert Elementary was buzzing with excitement as costumed students paraded through the parking lot for this year’s Trunk or Treat! Families and staff went all out with creative trunk designs, sweet treats and festive games. A huge thank-you to our volunteers and school community for making it such a fun, safe and memorable event for our students.

Beech Elementary

House Sort Day

Earlier this month, Beech Elementary was buzzing with pure excitement as students and staff gathered for one of the most anticipated events of the fall—our annual House Sorting Day!

Our House System isn't just about fun and friendly competition; it’s the heartbeat of our school culture, building belonging, character, leadership and kindness across all grade levels. Seeing our students eager to get settled into their house crews showed what being a Panther is all about!

Keeler School

Scarecrow Contest

Fall spirit was in full swing at Keeler as students put their creativity to the test for the annual Scarecrow Contest! Working with everything from straw and flannel to recycled materials and imaginative props, students brought a colorful variety of friendly, funny and spooky scarecrows to life across the school grounds.

Thank you to our students for showcasing your team working skills and staff for making this hands-on autumn tradition so much fun. Congratulations to our winners!

Redford Union Junior High

Anti-Bullying Walk

In honor of National Bullying Prevention Month and Unity Day, the entire Redford Union Schools community joined forces on Wednesday, October 21, for our districtwide "Be a Buddy, Not a Bully" anti-bullying walk and pep rally!

Students and staff from across the district marched side by side, with Redford Union Junior High students and the district's Hope Squad leading the way. With more than 100 dedicated peer leaders across RUJH and RUHS, Hope Squad members took center stage to mentor our elementary youth—sharing real-world strategies on standing up to bullying, choosing empathy and ensuring every student feels valued.

The high-energy morning culminated in students from all grade levels taking the official pledge together, proving that across all of Redford Union, kindness always leads the way!

Redford Union High School

"Be a Buddy" Pledge Signing

The cafeteria was alive with purpose and Panther pride this month as Redford Union High School hosted its "Be a Buddy, Not a Bully" pledge signing during all lunch periods!

Led by dedicated student leaders from our Hope Squad, Panthers lined up to add their names to the pledge banner, officially committing to building an inclusive, supportive campus culture. By signing, students pledged to look out for their peers, shut down bullying, reach out to anyone sitting alone and choose empathy every single day.

The signed banners now proudly hang in the halls as a bold, daily reminder of what our high school stands for: a community where everyone belongs and Panthers always lift each other up.

Panther Proud Spotlights

Staff Spotlight: Gaeb Griese

Our Panther Pride Staff Spotlight is happy to celebrate Gaeb Griese, fifth-grade teacher at Hilbert Elementary.

Gaeb is an outstanding educator who consistently goes above and beyond to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences for his students. His creative use of instructional strategies keeps students actively involved in their learning and reflects his true dedication to helping every student succeed.

Though Gaeb is in only his fourth year as a teacher, his passion and impact on the Hilbert Elementary community shine like a veteran educator. Thank you, Gaeb, for your hard work and commitment to our students!

Student Spotlight: Ke'Vionne Austin

This month’s Panther Proud Student Spotlight is shining down on Redford Union High School senior, Ke’Vionne Austin.

Congratulations to Ke'Vionne for being appointed as the new Student Representative to the Redford Union Schools Board of Education! From tackling AP courses to college-level psychology classes at Schoolcraft College, Ke'Vionne leads by example every single day. We are so proud to have him representing the student body!

October Redford Union Newsletter