Woodhaven-Brownstown principals highlight service learning, inclusion and FIRST LEGO League

Woodhaven-Brownstown School District elementary principals and students described this week how buildings are implementing service learning, inclusion efforts and extracurricular programs that the district says develop students’ social and civic skills.

The presentations, delivered to the Board of Education Feb. 11 at the Board Office, summarized schoolwide drives, student leadership teams, buddy programs, inclusion week activities and an elementary team that qualified for the FIRST LEGO League state competition. District staff said the items reflect priorities in the district’s strategic plan beyond classroom academics.

Tom Martin, introduced as an elementary principal, told the board the goal of the evening’s presentations was to “talk about other parts of the strategic plan and how we are implementing those things that you all approved for us to follow as our guide through the school year.”

Bates Elementary School Principal Mrs. Godfrey described student-council–led service projects, including an Apple for Ryan food drive, a Kids Against Hunger packing event and the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge. “We are also mindful of anyone who maybe didn't have representation,” Godfrey said, describing how staff made sure every child was included when parents left notes for students during parent-teacher conferences.

Irving School Principal Mrs. Berry introduced the Irving Student Lighthouse team. Student Chloe (fourth grade) said the Lighthouse group meets monthly to run spirit days and service activities; she described a two-part drive for the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit and fundraising through bracelet sales. “The money we make on the bracelets go to Ronald McDonald House,” Chloe said.

At Goodeth Elementary School, staff described a new leadership team and student ambassadors who pair with new students, provide tours and prepare welcome bags. Teachers described signage and classroom work tied to Random Acts of Kindness themes such as courage, integrity and respect.

Wiginka Elementary School Principal Michelle Bridal described cross-grade “buddies,” a greet program where fourth graders welcome students each morning, and a grant-funded “Blankets for Hope” project in which upper elementary students write letters to accompany donated blankets. Bridal said the school collected “over 25 boxes of food” during an Apples for Ryan competition.

Yake Elementary School Principal Tim Podluski highlighted inclusion programming there, including two ASD classrooms, an inclusion week with lesson plans and spirit days, and a peer-to-peer program coordinated by the building social worker. Parent Kelli Jamieson described her family’s experience and said inclusion week grew out of community interest: “After learning about the unified sports program, I was motivated to become involved in any way I can,” she said. Jamieson said she hopes inclusion week expands districtwide.

Teachers and students described unified spirit-squad activities that support the district high school unified sports teams, peer-to-peer interactions between typical peers and students in ASD classrooms, and other inclusive practices such as adapted trick-or-treating and shared field day obstacle courses.

Principals and staff also highlighted the district’s elementary participation in FIRST LEGO League. A Goodeth team that advanced to state provided a short demonstration and described the teamwork and coding work required for the competition. One student said teammates “took turns” with coding and “all worked at it together to figure out what job would be better with each.”

The presentations concluded with board members thanking students, staff and families for participation and noting the programs are intended to build empathy, leadership and community engagement in students.

The district’s next scheduled community event referenced in the meeting is a unified sports basketball game versus the Woodhaven Police Department, with tip-off at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at Woodhaven High School.