Spirit of Detroit in DPS Blue T-shirt begins countdown to Parade, Rally, and Expo

Dressing of Spirit is part of DPS’ expanded enrollment campaign, which focuses on the importance of attendance and touts new initiatives parents, students will see in DPS this fall

DETROIT - The Spirit of Detroit statue today began sporting a custom-designed iconic Blue T-shirt made of 300-square feet of fabric as part of Detroit Public Schools’ expanded 2011-12 Back-to-School enrollment campaign touting the new initiatives parents and students will see in DPS this fall. The campaign features a brand new Education and Enrollment Expo on Saturday and expanded parade (full details below), including school performances and hundreds of marchers, immunizations, a rally with Mayor Dave Bing and Emergency Manager Roy Roberts and much more.

For the second year, the statue, located on Woodward Avenue near the entrance of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center downtown, is wearing an “I’m In, We’re In” T-shirt through August 31 in celebration of Detroit Public Schools. DPS is seeking photos of people in front of the newly-dressed Spirit. Post them on the DPS Facebook page or send them to communications@detroitk12.org for a chance to have them appear on the district’s website.

The newly dressed Spirit will stand watch over Woodward as the more than 40-unit parade makes its way into Hart Plaza. Thousands are expected to participate in the Rally and Education and Enrollment Expo, which will feature the city's largest one-stop school shopping fair, thousands of free School Readiness giveaways (see below) for attendees, as well as free immunizations and workshops for parents. Mr. Alan’s Shoes and Sportswear is the presenting sponsor of the event. Other sponsors include Office Depot, Forman Mills, Sodexo and Comcast.

This year’s expanded enrollment campaign seeks to educate parents, display DPS’ competitive advantages, and drive home the importance of attendance. It reflects the journey every parent must make to ensure that their student is ready for school. It also reflects the journey that DPS is on to improve and create new educational opportunities for students.

“Our number one goal is that DPS is at peak readiness on all counts for Day One – the first day of teaching and learning. But we also want each of our students ready to learn and in the classrooms on Day One,” said DPS Emergency Manager Roy Roberts.

Itinerary for Saturday, August 27
DPS Back-to-School Parade - 11a.m.
The parade steps off south of Grand Circus Park at Woodward Ave. and ends at Hart Plaza. It features 10 floats, including the City of Detroit float, Bookworm and more; the All-City DPS marching band, which is making its first appearance since reconvening after a seven-year dormancy; clowns and hundreds of student, parent and alumni marchers. The DPS parade is produced by the Parade Company, the same organization that coordinates nationally-televised America’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Some of the floats will feature celebrity riders and surprises for the crowd.

Grand Marshal: Award winning Gospel artist Vickie Winans is the grand marshal of the parade. Give-aways: DPS will hold a scavenger hunt for free give-aways and school supplies, and Curious George will give away books to children along the parade route.
Return of the Band: The All City Marching Band’s appearance will be its first performance since 2004. The band is comprised of 88 musicians and auxiliary personnel from Cass Tech, Detroit School of Arts, Martin Luther King and Renaissance high schools. The band is gearing up for a half-time show appearance in the DPS City Championship Football game, an appearance in the 2011 America's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and performances in 2012 Gator Bowl Parade, Half Time Show and Field Show Competition.

Performers and Marchers: Highlights include Detroit Public Schools League athletes and the PSL coach, Urban Cowboys Equestrian group, Citywide JROTC leaders, Cheerleaders, Charles L. Spain Dance Team, Detroit International Academy Robotics, Cheerleaders, JROTC and Staff, The Gentlemen's Club of Brenda Scott Academy and much more.

DPS Back-to-School Rally - noon
The fun continues at a high-energy rally hosted by Winans and Hot 102.7’s Shorty Da Prince at the Hart Plaza Amphitheater and features a host of live performances, including R&B singer/songwriter John Brown and Detroit School of Arts Senior Betty Pride and her band, who will give their first live public performance of the brand new DPS “I’m In” song, which she wrote and produced.
Mayor Dave Bing and Emergency Manager Roy Roberts will address the crowd.

DPS Education and Enrollment Expo – 10 a.m.-3:30p.m.
School and enrollment info: An afternoon featuring all130 DPS schools on site, as well as new DPS charter schools, to give parents information about curriculum, special programs, enrollment and support services available.
Immunizations: Free immunizations will be offered.
School readiness giveaways: Expo Day sponsors will be on hand to give away free schools supplies, uniforms, T-shirts.
Information galore: Information tables staffed by DPS Transportation, Food Services and other teams will abound.
Brand new Student Performance Stage: To highlight the exciting opportunities offered in DPS and students talents, a new student stage will boast performances by student African drummers, dancers and more.

Thousands of “School Readiness” Freebies
Event sponsors and supporters have combined their resources to help parents get students ready for the school year by giving away thousands of free school supplies and uniforms. Supplies are offered on a first come, first served basis, and require tickets which will be distributed at the event.

Some of the free items include:
• 2,000 school uniforms from Mr. Alan’s
• 4,000 book bags from Office Depot
• Free hot dogs and chips from Sodexo
• Immunizations
• “I’m In” T-shirts
• Lawn signs
• Lanyards

All of the back-to-school festivities are designed to focus on DPS’ educational advantages to students throughout the district’s 130 schools, including expanded time for reading and mathematics under a common core curriculum, pre-algebra for 7th graders, 9 different languages and robust ESL programs, Advanced Placement courses at every high school, Fine Arts programs with instrumental music, vocal music and dance, 10 new state-of-the-art school buildings or major renovations along with millions of dollars in school building improvements district-wide, extended day opportunities, business partners for every school to help raise student achievement and safety and security enhancements.