Letters: Last Day of Classes Far Less Rowdy Thanks to Many

Thanks to the Hamtramck Public Schools family and the city at large for helping make the last day of classes for Hamtramck Public Schools students safe. The end of the 2008-2009 school year brought a much improved and calmer dismissal throughout the district.

Although not 100 percent shaving cream and egg throwing free, it was the safest dismissal in the last several years. Hamtramck Public Schools administrators, teachers, security staff, custodians and other support staff worked as a team to curb rowdy and dangerous behavior. The Hamtramck police, and Hamtramck police reserves, of course were a big help.

Parents being on the “the same page” as the school district in terms of agreeing what are acceptable school/community behavior standards is also a big help. Changing the culture of inappropriate behavior being “acceptable” is still a “work in progress,” but inroads are being made. Some students still hid eggs and shaving cream in bushes and alleys but total chaos did not occur, far from it. Students ended the year the way it should end with youthful exuberance but with a sense of school, family and community pride along with understanding safety issues and respect.

Hamtramck Public Schools staff outside of the high school, middle school, and elementary schools felt the dismissal was the calmest in years due to planning. The preparation before the last day of school which included not allowing backpacks, checking lockers, phone calls to parents whose son or daughter were heard bragging about throwing eggs and instructing parents to pick those students up from school, staggering student dismissal by several minutes, checking outdoor areas beforehand, and discussing community perceptions of wild students with the students etc. did make a difference.

Having a prepared plan is far better than just reacting. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Thanks again to everyone that helped with the Hamtramck Public Schools end of the year dismissal, you made a positive difference.

Thomas Niczay

Superintendent

Hamtramck Public Schools