http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/ Latest News from Skillman.orgen-us Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:29:19 PMThu, 11 Mar 2010 06:37:54 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58498 DETROIT — A broad and diverse cross-section of Detroit’s education, government, civic and community, parent, and philanthropic leaders today released a citywide education plan that calls for sweeping changes to improve the city’s schools. Its goals: By 2020 Detroit will be the first major U.S. city where 90% of students graduate from high school, 90% enroll in college or a quality postsecondary training program, and 90% of enrollees are prepared to succeed without needing remediation. The Excellent Schools Detroit coalition said it would take multiple steps to achieve these goals, including: Establish an independent watchdog Standards and Accountability Commission to set citywide standards for all schools and preK programs, and publish annual reports on each Educate and train parents to become “smarter school shoppers” Build public support to make the mayor accountable for Detroit Public Schools, providing leadership and stability Keep the pressure on DPS, charter authorizers and independent school trustees to close persistently failing schools Create at least 40 more new quality schools by 2015 and 70 by 2020. The focus is on creating new academic programs, not new facilities. Some of the new schools might be in new buildings, such as those now being built by Detroit Public Schools with the 2009 school bond money. Others will be located in existing buildings, replacing school programs that will be closed because of consistently low performance. Develop a citywide “community schools” initiative  Mount a major campaign to reward, recruit, develop and keep enough talented principals to lead our schools and excellent teachers to teach in them Advocate for the increased school-based autonomy over staffing, budgets and programs that will make Detroit an attractive place for the best and brightest school leaders to work "This citywide education plan is designed to help all children, whether they happen to attend a traditional public school, public charter school or independent school. Every Detroit child should be attending an excellent school, period,” said Carol Goss (President & CEO, the Skillman Foundation), who convened the coalition. “The status quo is unacceptable and indefensible.” The citywide plan was based on months of discussions by coalition members, as well as a series of six community meetings in November and December, youth focus groups, small group discussions with multiple stakeholders, and other outreach efforts. The Parthenon Group, a prominent national consulting firm, led an extensive research effort, which drew on successful practices in districts such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans and other cities whose reform strategies have produced strong student achievement gains. The group pointed to multiple indicators in making its case for bold changes. For instance, only 3 percent of Detroit’s 4th graders and 4 percent of 8th graders meet national math standards; experts say that Detroit students could have done about the same if they’d just guessed on the test. Only 2 percent of the city’s high school students are prepared for college-level math and 11 percent for college-level reading. “Ensuring every child has access to an excellent school is a moral imperative and economic necessity ... for them and for all of us. Quality schools will be the foundation of the revitalized city we are creating,” said Mayor Dave Bing. The coalition pointed to more than two dozen high-poverty schools that already are providing an excellent education to Detroit students. “Schools like these provide inspiration and hope. They show what’s possible. If these schools can help children succeed, we should expect the same from all Detroit’s schools,” said Sharlonda Buckman (Executive Director, Detroit Parent Network). “Having independent, quality report cards on each school will help parents become much more informed and much more demanding.” Leaders of the following organizations signed the plan: David Esselman, Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation; Mayor Dave Bing and Sue Carnell, City of Detroit; Ralph C. Bland, Detroit Edison Public School Academy; Robert C. Bobb, Barbara Byrd Bennett and Robert Boik, Detroit Public Schools; Michael J. Brennan, Michael Tenbusch and Kelly Green, United Way for Southeastern Michigan; Sharlonda Buckman, Detroit Parent Network; C. David Campbell, McGregor Fund; Clarke Durant, Cornerstone Schools; Lou Glazer, Michigan Future, Inc.; Carol Goss, Tonya Allen and Kristen McDonald, Skillman Foundation; Greg Handel, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce; Rip Rapson and Wendy Jackson, Kresge Foundation; Doug Ross, New Urban Learning and University Prep; Sterling K. Speirn and Gregory B. Taylor, W. K. Kellogg Foundation; Shirley R. Stancato and David Gamlin, New Detroit; and Daniel S. Varner, Think Detroit PAL.  Through the Excellent Schools Detroit coalition, these individuals and groups pledged a coordinated approach to follow up on their own commitments and to build the community support for others to act in areas where they don’t have direct control, such as creating Mayoral accountability for DPS. Copies of the 20-page plan (Taking Ownership: Our Pledge to Educate All of Detroit’s Children), a four-page summary and related background material are available at www.excellentschoolsdetroit.org . A PDF of the plan is also available here . Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:28:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58494 Local foundation, nonprofit, Detroit Public Schools and government leaders will announce a citywide education plan at an 11 a.m. news conference on Thursday at The Skillman Foundation. The diverse group of leaders have been meeting several months to develop the plan, which will be available after the news conference at www.skillman.org and www.excellentschoolsdetroit.org . The Excellent Schools Detroit coalition, formed in late 2009 with hopes of utilizing the community's new sense of urgency and hope to improve Detroit's schools, includes ARISE Detroit, the City of Detroit, Detroit Edison Public School Academy, Detroit Parent Network, Detroit Public Schools, the Kellogg Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, the McGregor Fund, Michigan Future, Inc., New Detroit, New Urban Learning and University Prep, The Skillman Foundation, Think Detroit PAL, and United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Three nationally regarded firms are assisting the planning process. Led by the Parthenon Group, the team includes the Community Building Institute and KSA-Plus Communications. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:45:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58493 DETROIT — Michigan Future, Inc. has launched an ambitious, multi-million dollar effort to open 35 new, college-prep high schools in the Detroit metro area over the next eight years. This accelerated expansion of high schools, Michigan Future Schools, is being funded by The Skillman Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Kresge Foundation and the McGregor Fund. The initiative will begin with the expansion of the successful Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA). The DEPSA High School will open this fall. Michigan Future is accepting applications for two additional high schools to open in the fall of 2011. Additionally, the Detroit Public Schools is preparing a proposal for support of a new Science and Medicine High School to open in the fall of 2011. Application details can be viewed at http://michiganfuture.org/schools/ . Schools will feature high expectations, excellent teachers and principals, enrollment of fewer than 500 students, project-based learning, and strong social and emotional support for students. "We expect that all students enrolled in our high schools will succeed in college," said Lou Glazer, president of the nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank, MFI . "We have committed to our funders that at least 85% o f enrollees will earn a college degree." To date, MFI has received $13 million in grants to launch seven high schools during the next three years. The group hopes to raise $38 million more to fund 35 schools by 2018. "We care about students and their success -- not who's in charge," said Skillman Foundation Vice President of Programming Tonya Allen, who chairs the Governing Council for Michigan Future Schools. "We will support schools throughout metro Detroit (south of Twelve Mile Road and east of Telegraph) provided that they are open to Detroit students. We believe foundations work for the common good and that everyone in Michigan should have the opportunity to live in a community they can be proud of." Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:32:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58485 Creating opportunities for youth employment while engaging and cultivating Detroit's future workforce is the focus of the first-ever Youth Employment Summit on March 1. The day-long event will feature leaders from the philanthropic, nonprofit, public and private sectors and will include speaker Janet Howard from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. The summit runs from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the DTE Energy Corporate Headquarters, One Energy Place, Detroit. To register for the event, email rsvp@cityconnectdetroit.org . For more information, please click here . Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:25:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58479 DETROIT — Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss envisions her future Detroit having " vibrant neighborhoods with strong schools designed to meet a wide variety of needs for our children." That was the resonating message during the panel discussion, which focused primarily on ideas of repositioning Detroit to move forward as a world-class city. The event, which was hosted by TIME Inc. and the Brookings Institution, was titled “Reimagining Detroit: Making Washington a Partner in Detroit’s Next Economy.” The event was moderated by TIME’s " Assignment Detroit" correspondent Steven Gray and John Austin, Brookings non-resident senior fellow and vice president of the Michigan State Board of Education. Sharing the stage with Goss as panelists were Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and New Economy Initiative Chairman Steve Hamp. The conversation took place Feb. 11 at the College for Creative Studies’ Argonaut Building. The audience of more than 200 was a diverse mix of people, including Detroit’s top leaders in community, business, government, philanthropy and education. Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods – Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon), Brightmoor, Osborn, Cody/Rouge and the Northend – and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit. Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:07:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58478 Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss was honored at the 23rd annual Soul Food luncheon on Tuesday for her work to improve educational opportunities for Detroit's children. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing presented the award at the luncheon held at the federal courthouse. Read the full story in the Detroit Free Press here . Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:02:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58472 The Matrix Human Services, a Skillman Foundation grantee, is featured in a WDIV Channel 4 story about the center's partnership with this weekend's Motown Winter Blast. Matrix will be collecting donations from Winter Blast participants — items such as nonperishable foods, clothing and used books — at the festival. They'll also be distributing the items at several booths. To view the video, please click here . Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:36:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58457 Providing more support for Detroit students, families and teachers ranked as the most-supported ideas among nearly 600 surveys given by Excellent Schools Detroit. The partnership released results from its initial findings, gathered from online surveys and at six community meetings in November and early December where facilitators led several small-group discussions. Overwhelming support was expressed for more financial aid to families, more after-school programs for students and better professional development opportunities for teachers. Additionally, people expressed a strong desire for safer schools, more parental involvement and making teachers and administrators more accountable. The report notes that bolder strategies, such as closing consistently failing schools or asking qualified outside school managers to take over schools, received less support. The partnership explains that "the relative lack of support for interventions such as these is not surprising: Change is hard, and significant change is even harder." To read the community meeting survey results, please click here . For more detailed results, visit www.ExcellentSchoolsDetroit.org . The Excellent Schools Detroit initiative is a partnership of Detroit's education, government, community, parent and philanthropic leaders that aims to develop a citywide plan that will ensure all Detroit children attend excellent schools. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:59:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58455 Southeast Michigan soon will have a new source of local news written and produced by Detroit youths in an unprecedented venture to bring young voices and concerns into public debate.     KidSpeak Neighborhood News, a multi-media, youth-focused information network, will utilize a wealth of untapped talent to create citizen journalists and provide opportunities for Detroit youths to make themselves heard on neighborhood and school issues often overlooked by mainstream media, business leaders and policymakers.  Participating youths will be recruited from high schools and colleges from six neighborhoods within the The Skillman Foundation's Good Neighborhood Initiative. Support for this project comes from The Skillman Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.   The project is aimed at boosting involvement in Detroit issues while filling a growing gap in local news reporting on issues affecting children and families, said Jack Kresnak, President & CEO of Michigan’s Children, the project’s lead agency.   “The voices of the citizens, especially young citizens, must be heard by the general public and policymakers at the city, county, state and federal levels to strengthen communities in the city,” Kresnak said. “Young people have a huge stake in the future of their communities and our state. Now, we will have an opportunity to hear directly from them about their lives and how they are affected everyday by the world around them. And they’ll be learning real-world skills from a very talented group of current and former journalists.” Close to 40 percent of Detroit's population is functionally illiterate, and many Detroit parents lack a high school diploma — creating obstacles to their children's success.  Also, many low-income families don't have Internet access that could bring them vital information about their communities. Engaging families by providing opportunities for their children to create high quality content for local Web sites and broadcast TV and radio will help fill the communications gap and empower residents and communities to create positive changes. Stories will be shared with the viewing public online via partner websites as well as a main website currently under construction. Some stories will be broadcast on Detroit Public Television. Stories also will be available for use by mainstream media outlets.   Michigan’s Children was formed in 1992 by business and philanthropic leaders as a multi-issue organization operating independently of government funds as a voice for children and their families. The organization works with lawmakers, business leaders and communities to make Michigan a place where all children have the opportunity to thrive. Funding comes from foundations, corporations and individual donors. Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city Detroit. For more, visit www.skillman.org . Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:17:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58431 Detroit News editorial writer Amber Arellano reports on the challenges facing city and state leaders and the hope that city stakeholders and residents are offering in the fight to save Detroit's schools. The first story in a two-part series paints the scene at Detroit's Southeastern High School at a recent ExcellentSchoolsDetroit community meeting. "Those two Americas will be collliding tonight in Southeastern High School's cafeteria as dozens of parents, students and teachers try to map out a new vision for education in the city - and often challenge one another in the process," writes Arellano. The editorial points out that for the first time in decades, "Detroit has the expertise and leaders empowered to make dramatic changes." But that change is dependent on a few unknowns, such as whether Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb is given authority over academics and whether the state will give Detroit Mayor Dave Bing authority over the district. Still, Arellano writes, "the accountability movement that is flourishing in other cities finally appears to be taking root in Detroit." Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss says that accountability is what parents want. "The problem is, often, they don't know who or how to hold educators accountable." In the second story, which focuses on the lack of success for Detroit Charter Schools, Goss points out that "f or the first time, there's the right leadership, the alignment and the will. I think the community really wants change." To read the first story in the two-pat series , please click here . To read the second story in the two-part series, please click here . Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:59:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58429 Adults have failed the children of Detroit and must be bolder in taking next steps. That is the message Skillman President & CEO Carol Goss and Detroit Parent Network Executive Director Sharlonda Buckman emphasized in an opinion piece published in last Friday's Detroit News. Goss and Buckman urge leaders and residents that finger-pointing isn't the answer. "Taking the necessary bold steps to ensure every child attends an excellent school must be the responsibility of every leader, parent and adult in this city and state. We all own this. We all must help build a better ark," they wrote. The commentary lists many ways residents can make a difference, such as through supporting state and city leaders, attending a citywide education summit and making your ideas heard through surveys and community meetings. To read the entire commentary, please click here . Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:45:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58423 DETROIT — Skillman President & CEO Carol Goss called the failing math performance results by Detroit Public Schools' fourth - and eighth -graders an "academic catastrophe for our children and our community" and emphasized that "tinkering at the margins" isn't going to fix the problem. Goss delivered a response on Tuesday on behalf of the ExcellentSchoolsDetroit partnership after test scores for the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a standardized test given to 18 urban school districts, were released. Students are ranked from "below basic" to "advanced" in the math test. About 69% of DPS' fourth-grade students scored below basic. In eighth grade, 77% were below basic. The test scores mark the lowest performance in the history of the NAEP. Read the entire statement by ExcellentSchoolsDetroit and delivered by Goss here . Read the complete NAEP report here . Read the following news stories for more information on the test scores: Detroit Public Schools students' national test scores at record low (Free Press) Detroit students score record low on national math test (Detroit News) Some urban districts show progress (Education Week) Bing: DPS scores signal wake-up call (Free Press) Leaders: DPS scores stress need for change (Free Press) The ExcellentSchoolsDetroit initiative is a partnership of Detroit's education, government, community, parent and philanthropic leaders that aims to develop a citywide plan that will ensure all Detroit children attend excellent schools. For more information, visit www.excellentschoolsdetroit.org . Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:36:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58393 Building on the success of the Fix Our Schools community meetings last year, The Skillman Foundation is participating in an effort -- which involved a broad cross section of Detroit’s education, government, community, parent and philanthropic leaders -- to develop a citywide education plan to help ensure that all Detroit children attend excellent schools. “All Detroit children deserve a great education. Our goal is to develop a shared vision of what that looks like and a roadmap for how to get there. We need to strengthen the whole system: all schools as well as early childhood and after-school programs,” said Carol Goss, Skillman Foundation President & CEO. Participants in the ExcellentSchoolsDetroit partnership want to take advantage of a unique window of opportunity: a new sense of urgency and hope in the community; results-driven and accountable school and city leadership; and additional federal, state and philanthropic funding and support for bold initiatives. This includes about $5 billion in federal Race to the Top and innovation funds that will be distributed to states and school districts that are willing to raise learning standards, improve teaching effectiveness, close chronically failing schools and offer excellent alternatives, and use data to monitor student progress and hold schools accountable for results. An important early step in the planning process is to gather ideas and concerns from all sectors of Detroit through community meetings in November and December, small group discussions with multiple stakeholders, and other outreach efforts. "We will forever be limited if we continue planning in silos. This process allows all Detroiters concerned about the city's educational future to envision the matrix of educational offerings that will best suit our children's needs for 21st century teaching and learning. And, it will create the opportunities to plan the best possible set of options with minimal duplication and overlap, allowing all those engaged in public education to build upon their particular set of strengths," said Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb. More than 100 people attended Monday's initial meeting at Osborn High School, hosted by Detroit Parent Network. The following meetings are set: Dec. 1, Youthville, 7375 Woodward Avenue Dec. 2, Southeastern High School, 3030 Fairview Street Dec. 3, Most Holy Redeemer Church, 1721 Junction Street Dec. 7, Henry Ford High School, 20000 Evergreen Road Dec. 8, Detroit Community High School, 12675 Burt Road All meetings will be from 6-8 p.m. They will feature a range of small group discussions on topics such as transforming high schools, enforcing accountability, hiring great teachers and principals, and expanding early childhood development. There will be no long lectures or presentations. Each meeting will offer free dinner (5:30-6 p.m.) and child care, plus a raffle with $300 in Visa gift cards.   The discussions will be designed to generate the ideas that ensure our educational systems truly prepare all students for college, work, and life, whether students attend Detroit Public Schools or public charter schools. Topics will include creating diverse and engaging academic options; strengthening leadership and teaching effectiveness; fostering transparency, accountability, and integrity; and increasing parent and community participation. The meeting results will be shared widely and will contribute to a citywide education plan, which will be released in Winter 2010. Participants include: ARISE Detroit, the City of Detroit, Detroit Edison Public School Academy, Detroit Parent Network, Detroit Public Schools, the Kellogg Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, the McGregor Fund, Michigan Future, Inc., New Detroit, New Urban Learning and University Prep, The Skillman Foundation, Think Detroit PAL, and United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Three nationally regarded firms are assisting the planning process. Led by the Parthenon Group, the team includes the Community Building Institute and KSA-Plus Communications. This effort builds on a series of Fix Our Schools community meetings that the Skillman Foundation conducted last year with residents and stakeholders in its six Good Neighborhoods (Brightmoor, Cody/Rouge, Chadsey/Condon, the Northend, Osborn and Vernor). For more information, visit www.excellentschoolsdetroit.org . Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:34:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58372 DETROIT — Motown's rich music history and a colorful turtle were the inspirations for The Skillman Foundation's 18th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade float and balloon winners that will be featured in Thursday's event. Tierra Bascomb, an eigth-grader from Bates Academy, will ride on her float, which was created from her drawing entitled, "Past, Present, Music!" The standing microphones and Motown record and earphones represent music that has originated from Detroit the past 50 years. Eighth-grader Tierra Bascomb stands with Bates Academy art teacher Robin McDaniels (left) and Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss in front of her Motown-themed float, which she'll ride on during America's Thanksgiving Day parade. Seventh-grader Freddie Burse from Clippert Academy drawing of a colorful turtle was transformed into a 35-foot, vibrant, bright-eyed sea turtle balloon that he'll walk next to during the parade. The entries by Burse and Bascomb were selected among hundreds that the Parade Co. received. The Foundation's balloon and float contest, which was open to all Detroit Public Schools students in grades fourth through eighth, encourages students to participate in a rewards-based competition that is educational, fun, creative and positively promotes Detroit. The contest gives children an opportunity to contribute to positive programs and build stronger communities in Detroit while supporting new and creative elements for America's Thanksgiving Parade. America's Thanksgiving Parade is one of the country's largest and most spectacular parades. Established in 1924, it fills Woodward Avenue with holiday magic. The event begins at 9:20 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day and runs along Woodward from Mack to Congress avenues. Honorable Mention winners (from left): Steve Michel, De’Sha Downer, Cindy Amoles, Asia Abney, Alexis Barajas, Elba Lara, Juan Orozco, Alexis Edge, Felicia Salinas, Jailene Sanchez and Sydney Aldridge. Not pictured: Monica Garcia. Several students also received honorable mention awards: Float: Alexis Barajas, 7th grade, Clippert Academy; Monica Garcia, 8th grade, Clippert Academy; Asia Abney, 5th grade, Fleming Academy; Cindy Amoles, 4th grade, Cesar Chavez Academy; De'Sha Downer, 5th grade, Clara B. Rutherford; Steve Michel, 4th grade, Latino Family Services After School Program. Balloon: Elba Lara, 6th grade, Clipper Academy; Juan Grozco, 6th grade, Clippert Academy; Alexis Edge, 8th grade, Bates Academy; Felicia Salinas, 4th grade, Harms Elementary; Jailene Sanchez, 5th grade, Cesar Chavez Academy; Sydney Aldridge, 6th grade, Bates Academy. To see past winners, please click here . Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods - Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon), Brightmoor, Osborn, Cody/Rouge and the Northend - and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:43:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58342 InsideOut Literary Arts Project's Citywide Poets received a Coming Up Taller Aw ard for 2009 at the White House on Wednesday. Coming Up Taller, an initiative of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, recognizes after-school arts and humanities programs throughout the country, with an emphasis on programs that reach underserved children. Fifteen national awards were presented in a ceremony at the White House on Wednesday. Recipients receive $10,000. Certificates of excellence were also presented to an additional 35 programs. Read more about the Coming Up Taller Awards here . Visit InsideOut's website here . Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:26:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58337 The new High School Accelerator Program, funded by several local foundations including The Skillman and Kellogg Foundations , should be " welcomed and supported," the Detroit News wrote in an editorial in Wednesday's editions. The program aims to create 11 new high schools within five years in the Detroit area. Any type of school can be funded, whether charter, private or public, "as long as it meets the core characteristics of high-performing schools, such as performance-based teacher hiring, " the editorial said. The editorial also notes that the Accelerator Program should serve notice to the Detroit Federation of Teachers . For new high schools to be funded in the Detroit Public Schools, "the teachers union would need to agree to clear bureaucratic obstacles to innovation and allow leaders to staff their schools with the best-performing teachers, not the ones with the most seniority." To read the entire Detroit News editorial, click here . Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:34:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58324 Sphinx musicians from the Sphinx Preparatory Music Institute at Wayne State University, Sphinx Competition Alumni and Sphinx Performance Academy will attend the White House's Classical Music forum on Wednesday. First lady Michelle Obama will welcome Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, Grammy Award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin, renowned cellist Alisa Weilerstein and acclaimed pianist Awadagin Pratt as part of the Classical Music Student Workshop Concert. The forum is part of the White House's music series, which focuses on arts and arts education and its important role in the development of youth. Sphinx participants include piano students David Valentine II, Alexandra Halladay, Breanna Lockhart, Jaina Bennett, Lindsay Walker; alumni violinists Maia Cabeza, Robert Switala, Alexandria Switala, Clayton Penrose-Whitmore; and musicians Anna Maria Litivenko, Gabriel Cabezas, Khristine Raymond and Jordan Boucicaut. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:02:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58322 Students planning on attending college and parents with college-bound children are invited to attend a scholarship forum from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday. Attendees will receive free scholarship booklets and flash drives with valuable information that can be shared with other college hopefuls in the community. Free dinner and childcare also will be available at the event, which takes place at YouthVille, 7375 Woodward. To RSVP, contact Chris at 313.309.1460. The event is sponsored by The Skillman Foundation, Detroit Compact, Detroit Parent Network, UNCF, Coleman A. Young Foundation, The Detroit College Promise, NCDI, Michigan Colleges Foundation and Real Life 101 Scholarship Fund. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:21:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58316 Detroit Public Schools emergency financial manager Robert Bobb will stay in his role for another year, the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reported Thursday. Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced the commitment Thursday morning at Detroit's Davis Aerospace High School, saying that his "zero-tolerance approach is exactly what the doctor ordered." NAACP President Wendell Anthony and Detroit Federation of Teachers President Keith Johnson were in attendance and praised the decision to keep Bobb after his current $260,000 deal ends March 1, the Free Press reported. Granholm referred to Bobb as "fearless" and a "fierce advocate for children" during the announcement, the Detroit News reported, that will allow Bobb and the district deal with problems beyond finances, such as absentee employees, safety and security problems and improved academics. Read the Detroit Free Press story here . Read the Detroit News story here . Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:29:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58305 Local foundations are reinventing themselves, rethinking strategies and directing much of their efforts at public schools, Dome Magazine reports in a recent article . The article examines how foundations such as The Skillman Foundation, United Way of Southeastern Michigan and the Kresge Foundation are picking up the slack during a time when state legislators are cutting budgets, often with education losing funds . "All the bleak news coming out of the state Capitol only heightens the role of Michigan-based private and community foundations, which -- while facing their own financial strategies -- are rethinking their strategies for rebuilding lives and communities," the article reports. Click here to read the entire article. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:04:00 PM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58299 The BoardWALK series for nonprofit management kicks off with the first of seven workshops on Nov. 6 with a discussion of best practices for board members in management roles. The series, which focuses on improving a nonprofit board's function, offers a monthly class at Lawrence Technological University. Participants may register for individual workshops ($35) or the entire series ($225). For more information, call 248.204.3095 or visit www.unitedwaysem.org/boardwalk . Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:27:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58288 DETROIT — Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss will moderate the "Kids Can't Wait - Child Welfare Reform" conversation on Thursday at the Grace Temple in Detroit. The briefing, which takes place from 10:30 a.m.-noon Thursday in Room 300, will feature Olivia Golden, Urban Institute fellow and author of Reforming Child Welfare, and representatives from Casey Family Programs. The discussion will begin by examining the role of foundations to affect child welfare reform. The Greater Grace Temple is located at 23500 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit 48219. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:50:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58282 DETROIT — Voters can learn more about Proposal S, a bond referendum that will use $500.5 million in stimulus dollars to build new schools and modernize existing schools, through the Detroit Public Schools' website and a series of upcoming town hall meetings . The website ( http://www.detroitk12.org/proposals ) states that taxes will not increase if Proposal S is approved. The funds, part of President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan, would be available to the district at no- or low-interest bonds. If Proposal S is approved, the local economy stands to benefit as well. The State of Michigan estimates that nearly 11,000 jobs will be created and $500.5 million will be spent in Detroit neighborhoods within a 3-year period. DPS emergency financial manager Robert Bobb is discussing Proposal S at various town hall meetings: King High School, 3200 E. Lafayette St., 5 p.m. Wednesday Marcus Garvey, 2301 Van Dyke St., 7 p.m. Wednesday Cooley, 15055 Hubbell Ave., 5 p.m. Oct. 20 Duffield, 2715 Macomb St., 7 p.m. Oct. 20 Durfee, 2470 Collingwood St., 5 p.m. Oct. 21 Northwestern, 2200 W. Grand Blvd., 5 p.m Oct. 27 Noble Elementary, 8646 Fullerton St., 7 p.m. Oct. 27 Bethune, 10825 Fenkell St., 5 p.m. Oct. 28 Mark Twain, 12800 Visger St., 7 p.m. Oct. 29 Visit http://www.detroitk12.org/proposals for more information, including a frequently asked questions section. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:42:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58256 MINNEAPOLIS -- Grantmakers for Children, Youth, and Families (GCYF)  announced that Carol Goss, president & CEO of The Skillman Foundation,  is the recipient of the 2009 Fred Rogers Leadership Award in Philanthropy for Children, Youth & Families. The award was presented to Goss Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the GCYF 24th annual convening. Goss was presented with a $5,000-donation for the charity of her choice, Don Bosco Hall Community Center, located in the Cody/Rouge neighborhood of Detroit, one of the Foundation's six communities in its Good Neighborhoods program. In an emotional speech, Goss recalled Fred Rogers' lifelong commitment to children as motivation for her work on behalf of Detroit kids. "We  won’t give up, because no child in Detroit – nor anywhere, for that matter – deserves to grow up in a place where adults have closed the door on their futures, or in a place where there is no love." Since 2003, the Fred Rogers Leadership Award in Philanthropy for Children, Youth & Families has been given annually in memory of Fred Rogers—star of the longest running program on public television, "Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood," and one of the country’s most beloved advocates for children. At the award presentation, Goss received a replica of Mister Rogers' iconic trolley car. Each year, the award recognizes outstanding contributions by staff and trustees in the field of philanthropy on behalf of children, youth, and families. Goss has devoted 20 years to philanthropy, with extensive work experience in Michigan and California and active involvement in numerous nonprofits and philanthropic organizations, including GCYF.  Her leadership has impacted the way The Skillman Foundation makes its philanthropic investments and how philanthropy engages with communities of color in Detroit. “Carol Goss is an exceptional leader, respected for her passion and understanding of strategic philanthropy,” said Stephanie McGencey, Ph.D., MPH, executive director of GCYF. “In striving to address the needs of Detroit’s most vulnerable children and youth, she has served as a model of outstanding leadership and effective philanthropy for Detroit and the national philanthropic community.” Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods – Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon), Brightmoor, Osborn, Cody/Rouge and the Northend – and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:00:00 PM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58255 DETROIT — Goodwill Industries is seeking two part-time support advisors for its popular Flip the Script program. The advisors would work with and empower young men ages 10-17 in Goodwill's minority male training program that begins Oct. 5. Applicants must reside in the Central Woodward/North End community, be available to work 4-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and be at least 21 years old. To get a full list of qualifications and begin the application process, please visit www.goodwilldetroit.org . To learn more about Flip the Script, please click here . Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:24:00 AM