Detroit-Area School Suicide Highlights Gun Control Debate

Tragedy struck at a metro Detroit school in late March. ABC Action News 7 WXYZ reports that a eighth-grade boy brought a handgun to Davidson Middle School in Southgate, Michigan, and shot himself in the school bathroom. In light of incidents like this and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, The New York Times reports that gun control advocates led by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) are pushing for stricter federal gun regulations, especially on assault weapons.  Detroit-Area School Suicide Highlights Gun Control Debate

Michigan GOP Challenges Detroit Schools Over Right-to-Work

Detroit-area school officials were taken to task by state Republicans about contracts approved just prior to the date Michigan's right-to-work law takes effect, says the Detroit Free Press. Michigan Democrats want Gov. Rick Snyder and GOP leaders to quit antagonizing schools and colleges about collective bargaining.  Michigan GOP Challenges Detroit Schools Over Right-to-Work

Detroit-Area School Closures Due to Camo-Dressed Visitor

 School was closed Tuesday at L'Anse Creuse High School in Detroit-area Harrison, Michigan, after a man entered wearing camouflage, reports the Detroit Free Press. Was this overreacting by school officials, a logical consequence of post-Sandy Hook fear, or simple common sense? At first glance, they seem to have over-reacted, especially given that Selfridge Airforce Base is nearby. The sad fact is that to prevent school shootings, like Newtown, staff has to be over-cautious. It's a wake-up call to all school visitors to use common sense. The guy didn't need to go clad in full BDU and flak jacket, holster, empty or not. I think we all need to show a little more common sense about messages we send to kids. Is it his right to dress as he pleases. Sure. But can and should are not the same thing. If guns were so readily available yet stupidly used, if gun rights advocates cared less about the second amendment and more about society's rights to safety, this wouldn't be an issue. Detroit-Area School Closures Due to Camo-Dressed Visitor

Cybersafe: Why Teachers, Students, and Social Networking Don't Mix

As technology advances, kids are being exposed to increasing amounts of digital interaction. Cyber communication is even supplanting face to face. While there are advantages to social networking, there are times when it's not appropriate. Speaking as a teacher and parent, I'm concerned about adults and specifically teachers communicating with students via text and social sites. Here's why, plus suggestions for parents. Cybersafe: Why Teachers, Students, and Social Networking Don't Mix

Detroit to Lose 51 Parks - Impact on Residents

Detroit's City Council nixed a plan to lease Belle Isle to the State of Michigan last week. In response, Mayor Dave Bing announced plans to close 51 area parks, cut maintenance at others, and greatly reduce recreation center budgets overall, says the Detroit Free Press. These cuts will impact residents, particularly kids, in significant ways. When municipalities cut recreation services, children and teens have fewer opportunities for healthy activities. Defunct or unmaintained parks become attractive nuisances. Here's how  Detroit to Lose 51 Parks - Impact on Residents

Right-to-Work Not Right for Michigan, Now or Ever

Protesters opposing right-to-work legislation rallied at Michigan's Lansing capitol earlier this week, says WXYZ. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has been flirting with right-to-work since Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker ousted collective bargaining in his state last year. In fact, the Washington Post dubbed Gov. Snyder "the Scott Walker of 2014." However, when lawmakers forwarded right-to-work, Gov. Snyder said it wasn't the right thing for Michigan then. Operative word: then. Teachers, pay attention. This legislation will strip you of rights even if you're not unionized. The photo left was taken by my son at an anti-RTW rally. Those are armed guards. They shot tear gas at some kids. For peacefully protesting. So much for the bill of rights.  Right-to-Work Wrong for Michigan

Michigan School Elects Special Needs Homecoming King

Fall in high school means one thing perhaps more than others: football. And with football comes the ritual homecoming king and queen selections. In Linden, Michigan, a small rural community located between Flint, Michigan, and Detroit, it's no different. Linden is just an average small town, but in quality of life and paying it forward, it's a world leader, particularly at the local high school. Students at Linden High School elected a special needs boy, Danny Leideker, as their homecoming king. Michigan School Elects Special Needs Homecoming King

Closed Detroit Science Center Might Reopen

The Detroit Science Center closed in September because of financial hardship. The facility faced foreclosure and a public auction of collections on July 5. But a businessman is looking to buy the museum and reopen it as an educational science facility, the Detroit News reports. Let's hope the DSC, a world-class educational venue, can reopen and continue serving visitors. Let's hope, too, that this venture will be a genuine give-back to the community that has so faithfully supported it and not just an expansionist marketing ploy. It's a shame with vital educational enterprises get exploited by privatization. Closed Detroit Science Center Might Reopen 

'You're Not Special' Graduation Speech is Spot On

When I first read about the graduation speaker who told students "you're not special," it hit a discordant note. Then I realized that he's absolutely correct, pragmatically and in the larger point he was making. According to BostonHerald.com, Wellesley High English teacher David McCullough Jr. demonstrated in his speech that, by the numbers, students are a pretty pedestrian lot and that they've got it pretty easy. I think kids and we parents, too, need to hear more of this kind of thinking. It may seem harsh, but it's realistic. Read on   'You're Not Special' Graduation Speech is Spot On

Michigan House Approves Changes to 4-Year-Old Kindergarten Age

Currently, the state of Michigan says 4-year-old children may be enrolled in kindergarten as long as they turn five by December 1. State lawmakers are considering whether children are, in fact, mature enough to start school at that age, says Michigan Radio. The Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would gradually narrow age requirements for children enrolled in any given year.  Michigan House Approves Changes to 4-Year-Old Kindergarten Age