Welcome BPSSG Members and Friends!

PARENTS, DISTRICT BPSSG MEETING, 4th MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7:00 PM, HURON HS TEACHER'S LOUNGES. PLEASE JOIN US!

Welcome to the Ann Arbor Public Schools Black Parents Students Support Group (BPSSG)! This is the on-line home of the District's Black Parents' Student Support Group. This is our forum for exchanging ideas while working to help our kids reach their potential.

See the Calendar of Events for the list of upcoming events. You may also obtain information about our organization by sending questions to Sheryl Prince: sherprin@comcast.net.

See the AAPS Website: www.aaps.k12.mi.us/ for information on the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

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Scarlett Address & Phone Numbers

Scarlett Middle School

3300 Lorraine Street
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

Principal: Carol L. Shakarian
Assistant Principal: William M. Harris

MAIN OFFICE: (734) 971-1694
6TH GRADE OFFICE: (734) 971-1697
7TH GRADE OFFICE: (734) 971-1698
8TH GRADE OFFICE: (734) 971-1699
Scarlett Website: scarlett.aaps.k12.mi.us/
AAPS Website: www.aaps.k12.mi.us/
FAX: (734) 971-1274

All offices are opened from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Parent Information/Homework Hotline - 973-2510.

The Hotline can be called any time during the day or night; however, messages are usually updated after 4:00 pm.

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BPSSG School Information

This page will provide you with information on BPSSG activities and other school events for the schools within the district that have active BPSSG chapters. Check in to see what happening at your school.

We'll added fresh information as it becomes available during the school year. Make your selection and start learning more about our schools. We're very proud of them and happy to share them with you.

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Scarlett's Mission and Goals

Scarlett Middle School students, parents, and staff work together to ensure that all students will achieve beyond their own expectation in a safe and comfortable school environment.

School Improvement Goals

1. All students will achieve academic success from experiencing the same basis core curriculum.
2. All students will develop life skills as outlined in the District's Exit Outcomes.

School Expectations

We expect students to:

• Attend school and classes every day
• Arrive at school and class on time
• Know and follow all system-wide, school and classroom rules
• Treat each other and adults with with respect
• Take appropriate care of all school property
• Keep the school clean and free from litter and graffiti
• Act as a link between school and home by taking home all newsletters, reports, etc.

These school expectations are designed to help us achieve our goals of Success for all Students - No Excuses! Your teachers will discuss rules and consequences with you throughout the school year.

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BPSSG History

The Black Parents and Students Support Group (BPSSG) was founded several years ago at a meeting organized by the Ann Arbor NAACP and a group of concerned parents, educators, and community members to address the educational disparities facing Black students in the Ann Arbor Public School system.

Membership is open to parents, care givers, and families, regardless of race, of Black children enrolled in any Ann Arbor Public School. Students, educators and community members with an interest in helping the BPSSG achieve their goals are also welcome and critical to our success.

The main purpose of the BPSSG is to ensure that Black children attending school in Ann Arbor have the highest quality of effective academic, social, and cultural experiences available to them in the Ann Arbor Public School System.

We recognize the fact that the needs and interests of Black students and their families are sometimes different from those of the non-Black population. Even similar needs remain unfulfilled for Black students. The BPSSG will advocate for the Black student population, and work with trustees, teachers, administrators, other school personnel, families, and the community to get those needs met and interests fulfilled.

Finally, the BPSSG will seek out, recognize, and celebrate the many achievements of Black students in the Ann Arbor Public School district.

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BPSSG Agendas and Minutes

Check here to find BPSSG Agendas and Minutes from accross the district. Use this as a resource to stay in touch with what's happenning in your school. Select your school or the District BPSSG to see agenda for upcoming meetings or minutes from past meetings.

Have any questions? Please contact Sheryl Prince: sherprin@comcast.net

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Parent's Resource Information

BPSSG Parent's Resource page provides links to information that parents of African-American kids may find useful. This includes school related data and also links to academic and community sites of interest. We're always on the look out for other links that can benefit our parents. If you have any suggestions please write us at: smcdonal@att.net.

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BPSSG Origins & Goals

The Ann Arbor Public Schools' research data and an analysis of that data shows that African-American students show consistently lower levels of achievement than any other category of students in the district. And, in the US Department of Education's report, A Nation At Risk (1983), it was stated that African-American students are subject to school failure because of exclusion based on their culture, race and social class. The report suggested intervention - teacher training, staff development and parental involvement.

Origin of BPSSG:

The establishment of the Black Parents' Student Support Group is not a mandate. They are needed and encouraged at all school levels - elementary and secondary. African-American parents have always cared about the well-being and education of their children and that will continue. This group has come about partly as a result of concerns expressed by parents and students, and because of the benefits that can develop from a supportive and collaborative group for the entire school as well as the district.

Goals of BPSSG:

1. To network and to be supportive of African-American parents and students so that students will attain their full educational potential.
2. To address and determine strategies to counter the lack of achievement of African-American students.
3. To encourage and support a culturally responsive curriculum in the district at all levels - elementary and secondary.
4. To address the reasons for the disproportional suspension rates for African-American students.
5. To encourage African-American parents to foster strong, meaningful alliances with their student's teachers and school.

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Scarlett BPSSG Meeting: October 8, 2002 Agenda

Dear Parents/Guardians,

You're invited to attend the Scarlett Black Parents' Student Support Group 2nd meeting for the 2002-2003 school year on Tuesday, October 8, 2002 at 7:00 PM in the Media Center. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Barry McDonald @ 528-0219.

AGENDA TOPICS

• 7:00 Welcome/Introductions
• 7:10 Guest Presentations
• 7:25 Old Business/New Business
• 8:00 2002 Goals/Programs
• 8:20 Future Agenda Topics
• 8:30 Adjournment

OLD/NEW BUSINESS

• Identify other BPSSG Officers - Group
• What does the "Title 1" designation mean for Scarlett - Title-1 Coordinator
• How can we support the Black Student Union (BSU) - BSU Chair
• Present Scarlett MEAP Scores over last 3-5 years - Carol/Bill
• Review School Improvement Goals - Carol/Bill
• Brainstorm ideas for program to do/support - Group
  • Developing personal contact lists
  • Getting resource/program information out to parents
  • Encouraging parents to become involve with the BPSSG
• Identify BPSSG representatives for PTSO, SIT, PTSO Council and District BPSSG

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Scarlett BPSSG Meeting: September 10, 2002 Agenda

AGENDA TOPICS

• 7:00-7:10 PM Welcome / Introductions / Sign In w / E-mail
• 7:10-7:20 PM Purpose of BPSG / Structure of BPSG
• 7:20-7:30 PM Nomination for Officer
• 7:30-7:45 PM Where do we go from here?
• 7:45-8:00 Additional Items from the Floor / Action Items for Next Mtgs.

Meeting Dates:

• October 8, 2002
• November 12, 2002
• December 10, 2002
• January 14, 2003
• February 11, 2003
• March 11, 2003
• April 8, 2003
• May 13, 2003

Meeting Times: 7:00-8:30 PM in Scarlett's Media Center

Parent Volunteer Opportunities:

• After School Tutoring (to commence shortly)
• Black Student Union(BSU) (see handout)
• Fund Raising
• Study Groups for Test Preparation

Committee Volunteers:

• PTSO,
• School Improvement Team(SIT)
• Title One (we're a new Title One school this year!)
• District BPSSG

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