If you’re a regular reader of this site, you know that my friend Maria Cotera has, over the past few years, been sharing reports with us on the status of Ypsilanti’s public schools. From the closing of Chapelle elementary to the the adoption of the recent deficit elimination plan, she’s established herself, at least in [...]
Posted in Education, Sustainability, Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Also tagged ballot initiatives, class size, community gardens, consolidation, curriculum, Deficit Elimination Plan, dismantling of public education, Emergency Financial Manager, Emergency Financial Manager’s Act, food justice, Houghton Mifflin, Lead and Learn, Maria Cotera, public school challenges, social justice, student court, urban agriculture, Washtenaw IntermediateSchool District, Willow Run Community Schools, WISD, Ypsi Public School District, Ypsilanti Public School Alliance, Ypsilanti Public Schools | As you may know, there’s a movement afoot to merge the struggling school districts of Ypsilanti and Willow Run. The hope is, if we’re able to accomplish this, it may save us some money, by eliminating redundancy. Perhaps more importantly, though, it would demonstrate to the Republicans in Lansing that we’re willing to do whatever [...]
Posted in Education, Ypsilanti | Also tagged Andy Fanta, Chapelle Elementary, clubs, consolidation of services, dismantling of public education, East Middle School, education reform, Emergency Financial Manager, Kira Berman, Maria Cotera, MIke Flanagan, public education, restorative justice, save Chapelle, social justice, Washtenaw Intermediate School District, Willow Run Community Schools, Ypsi Public School District | By Mark | October 10, 2011 A letter went out yesterday from the organizers of Ypsilanti’s Heritage Fest, encouraging new people to get involved with the planning of the annual event. According to an article on AnnArbor.com, Barry Marshall, the chairman of the festival’s Board of Trustees, has said that without the influx of new people and energy, the event, which [...]
Posted in History, Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Also tagged 1979, Barry Marshall, blackface, bombers, Centennial, festivals, Frog Island Park, Heritage Fest, Heritage Festival, historic reenactment, hobo jungle, hobos, Iggy Pop, little people, runaway slaves, slavery, vaudeville, Ypsi festivals | By Mark | October 21, 2010 I’m tempted to have my daughter do it. It is, after all, about time she started pulling her own weight around here. Seriously, though, would you ever consent to being stuffed into a bag by a stranger? As for little people, I’m not sure what kind of local population we have these days, but legend [...]
I received the following note from a friend today: I’m wondering what the future holds with GM’s Willow Run plant closing. Think the township might be more interested in merging? Ypsi Township’s foreclosure rate is the highest in Washtenaw County right now, and without Willow Run, they are in trouble. When we’ve broached the subject [...]
