January Redford Union Newsletter

We are currently seeking dedicated community members to join our Strategic Planning Committee. This is a vital opportunity for you to share your voice, provide valuable input, and help shape the long-term vision and goals of our district. If you are passionate about the future of our schools and want to play an active role in our growth, we would love to have you at the table. Please express your interest by emailing Jackie Warren at warrenj@redfordu.k12.mi.us to learn more about how you can get involved.

Redford Union Schools is excited to welcome new families to our Panther community! This is a wonderful opportunity for families living outside our district boundaries to experience the academic growth and supportive environment that define RU.

Please note that all applications must be submitted by the deadline to be considered. Acceptance letters will be sent out to families on Monday, February 2.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.redfordu.k12.mi.us/pub/news/posts/1444

We’re thrilled to announce the return of one of our most popular initiatives: The Best School Day Ever! This unforgettable experience was launched last school year and took students on a surprise off-campus adventure designed to celebrate learning, spark creativity, and enhance our Panther community.

The best part? No one knows when it will happen! The anticipation makes the day even more exciting and memorable for our students. Just ask students at Beech Elementary who recently participated in the first Best School Day Ever event this school year (see article below for more information).

Stay tuned for more details coming soon from your student's building, but one thing is certain: it’s a day your student won’t want to miss. To make sure they’re part of the fun, please help us by ensuring your child is at school every day they are healthy and able to attend.

The sorting hat has spoken! Beech Elementary experienced an exciting House Sorting Ceremony, inspired by the Ron Clark Academy’s House System. Students and staff were sorted into one of four distinct Houses, each named for a positive character trait: Givers, Friendship, Courage, and Dreamers. This system encourages students to actively exemplify these traits daily through various activities. Furthermore, the Houses will foster student leadership and ownership by developing and executing their own initiatives, such as academic challenges or community service projects.

We congratulate everyone on their House placements and look forward to seeing the wonderful work and positive traits they will bring to their respective Houses.

Before the December holidays, the atmosphere at Beech Elementary was filled with festive cheer as Kindergarten and first-grade students and their families built one-of-a-kind gingerbread houses. This was a wonderful opportunity for the school community to gather and engage in a creative, hands-on activity. Over 50 families attended, fostering a sense of community spirit and holiday tradition. It was truly heartwarming to see the diverse and imaginative designs emerge, showcasing the unique creativity of each family. From snowy-capped roofs to candy cane fences, every house was a masterpiece in its own right, reflecting the joy and excitement of the season.

During Hilbert’s “Cards and Cocoa” event last month, our Houses united to craft Christmas cards for local senior communities. Students enthusiastically poured their creativity and love into the cards while enjoying warm cups of hot cocoa, complete with marshmallows and whipped cream, making the gathering festive and enjoyable. We extend our thanks to the House Leaders and Heads of House for putting together such a thoughtful activity. The students then delivered the cards, successfully spreading joy to both the seniors and themselves.

Team 1776, the Hilbert Robotics team, made a remarkable debut in their first robotics competition! Stepping up to the challenge, this dedicated sixth-grade team won an impressive four out of the six rounds in which they participated. This accomplishment is a testament to the significant time and effort the team invested, meeting after school and even spending weekends at the library to practice, troubleshoot, and perfect their robot. A big thank you goes to Ms. Robinson, the team moderator, for her invaluable mentorship and support of these students!

The Redford Union Junior High Hope Squad partnered with Redford Interfaith to host a highly successful Food Drive. This remarkable community service effort saw seven dedicated Junior High Hope Squad members volunteer for two hours. Their enthusiasm was infectious, as they greeted shoppers, handed out flyers and tirelessly collected non-perishable food items.

The students' collective effort resulted in an incredible haul: four shopping carts overflowing with groceries. This significant donation will be distributed through Gleaners Community Food Bank's network of partners, directly assisting families in need within the Redford community.

We are immensely proud of these junior high students. Their leadership, teamwork and profound commitment to service that exemplifies the core values of the Hope Squad and makes them outstanding representatives of Redford Union Junior High. They demonstrated compassion, dedication, and a desire to make a tangible, positive impact on their neighbors' lives.

In the spirit of the holidays, before Winter Break, RUHS students brought festive cheer to the wonderful and kind seniors residing at the Village of Redford. The event was a heartwarming success, with students and seniors decorating Christmas cookies, crafting ornaments, and singing carols, creating cherished, lasting memories for everyone involved. We extend our sincere gratitude to all the students who participated and the organizers for making this event possible. We are incredibly proud of our students' commitment to community service.

Veritas is proud to celebrate Donavin, our most recent graduate! Donavin returned this fall with a clear objective: to focus on his academics and earn his diploma. He successfully completed all necessary requirements through sheer determination and focus. His journey is a testament to his resilience and proves that setbacks do not define a person or their future. The entire staff is thrilled to have witnessed Donavin achieve his goal and has great confidence in his future success.