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Holmes STEM Academy needs volunteers for the upcoming school year !!! Please consider volunteering, even if for just one day, for a couple of hours. It will make a world of difference for our scholars to see Caring in Action being modeled. We need passionate and enthusiastic supporters to help these kids navigate through school and real life. Remote and onsite opportunities open.. Please submit your application today.
Link to Volunteer Form:
https://form.jotform.com/221887886279176
Link to Volunteer Form:
https://form.jotform.com/221887886279176

Holmes STEM Academy Please click the link to complete this form.

Today I read an article in the Educational Beat section of East Village Magazine about the state of Flint Community Schools(FCS). I have provided a link to this article at the end of this post.

But here I will quote a portion this content:

“ From this writer’s journalistic perch, the chief cause is FCS instability from top to bottom, beginning with the board of education and central administration reaching down through the hierarchical structure to building administrators, teachers, and support staff.
An accompanying malaise of dispirit punctuated by lack of academic and athletic success in and on deteriorated school buildings and facilities contribute to continuing abandonment of the district.” - Harold Ford, author.

As someone who works in a Flint Community School, I can agree with a lot of what Mr. Ford is saying. Some of these children are being failed at every turn. Grown adults who cannot, or will not, do what's in the children's best interest, only being self serving or self promoting.

But I must take pause to stop at blaming building administrators, teachers and support staff for the condition of these schools. I see them come in daily, like a balloon puffed up with hopeful air that “today will be a good day”, only to slowly deflate by constantly breaking up fights, and spending more time on behavior management, than actually being able to teach.

Much of this is due to lack of parent/caregiver engagement. I am not saying that parents don't have very good reasons for not showing up to support their child(ren), such as work or other obligations. But your child and his/her education must be made a priority, and a reason to modify your routine to include checking in regularly with teachers and staff regarding your child's academic performance and behavior.
As it is now, the only times I have seen parents show up is because their child got kicked out,mostly for fighting, or because they are sick. I have seen moms show up to school dressed like st*****rs, and dads loudly cursing their kids out and threatening them if they keep running their mouths.

Some parents don't send their kids to Flint Schools because they are concerned about their child's safety. There may be other children suffering from undiagnosed and/or untreated mental health issues, anger management issues, and kids who just need counseling or mentoring, a little “added support”.

A lot of these kids have personal issues at home that no one is aware of, and are not their faults. Some don't even have a stable home. They definitely need more structure and discipline, because I have never seen more “grown” kids anywhere in my life. Many of our children are being fast tracked to prison or poverty through “alternative” education.

But I can't fully blame the parents, most are probably doing their best, and their kids are under the influence of social media and peer pressure. I can't fully blame the kids either. If parents and students need help, there are resources available at the school. Unfortunately, many parents and students don't reach out, for fear of being judged, or penalized.

Yes, there are political nuances that affect the quality of education in Flint Schools, but some things are not the responsibility of the teachers and staff, it is both the student and parent who must come together, and self advocate for their academic and life success.

So really it's not instability that is causing the demise of Flint Community Schools ,as much as it is apathy. Many parents, many students, and much of the community. Sadly, few adults are showing up, nor putting their money where their mouth is. It is easier to tear something down, than help to build it up. If this doesn't change, then be aware, the same apathy that is being served now, may be on our plates when these same children are adults, and we are elderly. At the middle school level, they are at a fork in the road, let us, as a village, collectively push these kids in the right direction. Today you can be the change that these young people urgently need.

Holmes STEM Academy, is the only 6-8 middle school in Flint Community Schools. In the upcoming 2022- 2023 school year, we are raising our expectations for students, parents, staff and the community. We need parents, alumni, and community members to serve as volunteers, mentors, and reading and math lab tutors, or just help with community closet. This is an especially exciting opportunity for people to experience "urban middle school life", a vastly underserved and overlooked population, and be “a part of the solution”, while contributing to the school’s success. We also have virtual opportunities for those who would like to help us secure monetary funding through grant writing, solicitation of In Kind donations, or just helping to recruit more volunteers. Come be a part of a positive change! Our application process does include a background check. Call Susan at 810-269-7787 or PM me at Holmes STEM Academy Boosters… like, follow, and share.

So don't be a keyboard warrior. Come on by the school, 6602 Oxley Dr., Flint, MI 48504. School begins August 2,2022 we need all hands on deck, community support is essentially one of the best ways to contribute to the transformation of this school, and our global community as well. There's possibly untapped billions of dollars worth of talent and skills that will come out of this school, if only these children are given a real chance.

Link to full article:

Education Beat Analysis/Commentary: Monumental challenges for Flint Schools; progress slowed by instability By Harold C. Ford [Editor’s note: For this special “good governance” issue of East Village Magazine, we have invited Education Beat writer Harold C. Ford, who’s been covering the …

Holmes STEM Academy is seeking parents, alumni, and community members to serve as volunteers, mentors, and reading and math lab tutors. This is an especially exciting opportunity for education, social work, counseling, psychology, math and ELA majors, to sample "urban middle school life", a vastly underserved and overlooked population, while earning community service credit and boosting your resume. We also have virtual opportunities for those who would like to help us secure monetary funding through grant writing, solicitation of In Kind donations, help with community closet, or just helping to recruit more volunteers. 2023 is going to be an exciting and transformational year at Holmes STEM Academy. Come be a part of a positive change! Our application process does includes a background check.

Holmes STEM Scholars Serving their community!

Holmes STEM Cleanup

Parental involvement in their children's education helps them to succeed !!!

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