WELCOME BACK DCPHW FAMILIES

If you have not downloaded the Class DOJO App on your phone, please do so now. Here is where you will be able to connect with your child(ren) teacher, learn about updates for the 2026-2027 school year.

Also, remember to visit our website and social media platforms regularly for current news and upcoming events. Because a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child(ren)’s education, we want you to be involved in school, volunteer when available, and communicate with your child’s teacher as needed with any questions, concerns, or celebrations! Our educators are easily accessible via email, and will communicate with you in a timely manner. Home/School partnership is the KEY to success!

I’m honored to serve as the principal of DCPHW! It is great to be a part of a community where students, educators, and parents care for each other and strive to build meaningful relationships that support academic and social-emotional growth. As your principal, it is important to me that everyone stepping through our doors is excited to be here! This attitude enables us to meet the challenges of academic excellence in a positive, fun, and nurturing environment. My door is always open and I welcome your input. Please feel free to call or email me to discuss any concerns you might have throughout the school year. I am looking forward to working with you and your family.

Mrs. Dietz

DCPHW Principal

erika.dietz@dcpschools.org

We're excited to kick off another amazing school year with our 2026-2027 theme:

Built Different: Excellence Is Our Standard

At DCPHW, "Built Different" means we are committed to providing every student with a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where they are challenged to grow and encouraged to reach their full potential. Throughout the year, our focus will be on building a strong school community through Culture, Commitment, and Consistency. Together, we'll foster high expectations, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for every student to succeed. We look forward to partnering with our families as we continue building a school where every child is known, valued, challenged, and celebrated.

Here's to an incredible 2026-2027 school year—together, we're Built Different!

• Our scholars made great strides in attendance the last school year! Thanks to the commitment of our students, families, and staff, Discovery Creative Pathways increased our school-wide Average Daily Attendance (ADA).

  By the Numbers

  • 2024-2025 School Year ADA: 85%
  • 2025-2026 School Year ADA: 88%
  • School Improvement: 3 Percentage Points

  Every percentage point represents more students in class, more learning opportunities, and stronger academic success.

  
  

  If your child is healthy, they should be in school.
  
  

  Chronic Absenteeism: Most children miss a few days of school each year without long-term consequences. However, when they miss many days, the effects are almost always negative. The Michigan State Education Department classifies a student as being “chronically absent” when they miss 10 percent of school days. Students are considered chronically absent when they miss 18 school days a year for any reason (10% of our 180 school day calendar). That works out to less than 2 days per month.

  
  

  2024-2025 57%

  2025 -2026 43%

  Why Attendance Matters

  When scholars attend school every day, they:

  • Build strong academic skills.
  • Stay connected with teachers and classmates.
  • Develop positive routines and habits.
  • Increase their chances of long-term success.

  Our Goal for 2026-2027

  This year, we're aiming even higher!

  School-Wide Attendance Goal 2026-2027: 95% Average Daily Attendance 35% Chronically absent

  We'll be celebrating attendance all year long with:

  • Monthly attendance incentives
  • Attendance assemblies
  • Classroom competitions
  • Movie Day & Game Room rewards for scholars with 95% or higher attendance
  • Weekly Random Days of Perfection
  • Fun school-wide celebrations and special events

  We Need Your Help!

  Attendance is a team effort. Families play a vital role in helping scholars arrive at school every day, on time, and ready to learn.What Can Families Do? Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves.

  • Avoid scheduling vacations when school is in session. They are considered unexcused absences.
  • Build regular routines for bedtime and the morning.
  • Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
  • Talk about the importance of regular attendance and about how your child feels about school.
  • Don’t permit missing school unless your child is truly sick. Use a thermometer to check for a fever. Remember that stomach aches and headaches may be signs of anxiety.
  • If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school social workers, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
  • Avoid medical appointments when school is in session
  • Seek support from school staff or community groups to help with transportation, health problems, or no safe path to school.

  Every Day Counts. Every Scholar Matters. Every Minute Makes a Difference.

  Let's work together to make the 2026-2027 school year our best year yet!

Our goal is to have a daily average attendance of 95%.

Resources:

• Attendance Matters
• EveryStudentPresent.org
• AttendanceWorks.org

Please click the link to our schools class dojo page! Here is where you will find all important information and upcoming events. A great way to stay connected to our school community

Before your child can participate in “Back to School Carnival” on August 20th, you are required to register for the 2026-2027 school year. If you have registered before, it should only take you a few minutes to reenroll your student for 2026-27. For clarity, no child will be allowed to participate or be added to a class roster on August 20th if they are not registered. Any student not fully registered in our will not be allowed to attend classes until they are registered.

If you need assistance, please contact the office team at 313-640-0060 or you can reach Mr. Benard at sbenard@phalenacademies.org.

Thank you very much for taking care of this as soon as possible!

Please note:

• House stops are NOT authorized unless specifically approved in writing by the Transportation Coordinator. Your child must be at the designated corner stop when the bus arrives.
  
  
• Routes are developed based on the needs and location of students. Stops are not automatically added year to year. Students will not always have a stop close to their home; walking to the bus stop may be required. PLEASE DRESS FOR THE WEATHER.

• Parents and/or family members are NOT allowed to board our buses. Parents and/or family members that create disturbances around our buses or at the bus stop may cause their child(ren) to lose their bus riding privileges.

Please see the above school calendar for the upcoming school year.

School hours are:

8:05am -3:30pm

Monday-Friday

Day: Thursday, August 20th

Time: 1:30-3:45pm

Event Details: This is an opportunity for families to find out their child(ren) teacher for the upcoming school year, meet their child (ren) teacher, and enjoy fun carnival activities.

**Food trucks will be on-site**

Aug 17- Back to School Skating Party 6:00-8:00pm ( The Great Skate $7)

Aug 20- Back To School Carnival @DCPHW 1:30-3:45pm

Aug 24- 1st Day of School--> 8:05am-11:30am

Sep 4 NO SCHOOL

Sep 7- NO SCHOOL

Sep 8- Grandparents Day Celebration (more information to come)

Sep 14-17: Mobile Dental on site for Preventative Care

Sep 16- Meet the Teacher Night/Title 1 Night 4:00pm-5:30pm

Sep 18- NO School- Staff PD

Sep 21- Fall NWEA Begins

Sep 21-24: Mobile Dental on site for Restorative Care

Sep 24 & 25- Q1 Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00-5:45pm

Sep 28th- Q1 Progress Reports Go Home

Oct 7- Count Day