willow run

Ypsilanti Community School Teachers Given Assignments

Bob Eccles — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:25:43 +0000

Teachers who'll be making the jump from the Ypsilanti and Willow Run school districts to Ypsilanti Community Schools have been given their building and grade assignments.

Willow Run Superintendent Laura Lisiscki says trying to place teachers where they wanted to teach was a daunting task.

Calendar and Schedules Set for New Ypsilanti Community Schools

Bob Eccles — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:21:49 +0000

Bell times, bus scheduling and an academic year calendar are now in place for the Ypsilanti Community School District that begins its official existence on July 1st. As WEMU's Bob Eccles reports, the decisions were finalized Monday night.

Ypsilanti Community Schools Schedule and Transportation Plan Near Completion

Bob Eccles — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:12:33 +0000

The unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board last night talked about proposed bell times, transportation details and a district calendar for Ypsilanti Community Schools. WEMU's Bob Eccles was there, and filed this report.

Unified School Board Discusses Naming Rights for District Facilities

Bob Eccles — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:56:33 +0000

The Unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board last night talked about setting guidelines for naming Ypsilanti Community Schools facilities. WEMU's Bob Eccles reports on the details

Unification Of Ypsilanti And Willow Run School Districts Fast Approaching

Bob Eccles — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:26:11 +0000

The process of unifying the Ypsilanti and Willow Run school districts into Ypsilanti Community Schools is rolling along. The new district is officially "born" on July 1. WEMU's Bob Eccles spoke with Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Menzel about the unification process, and what's left to do before the end of June.

YCS Chooses Former NFL Player As Athletic Director

Bob Eccles — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:13:14 +0000

Ypsilanti Community Schools will have a former National Football League player as its first Athletic Director.

Lamanzer Williams has approved an offer to assume the position when the district is officially created on July 1st.

Williams played football with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, along with the Berlin Thunder in NFL Europe.

He's a Willow Run High School Hall-of-Fame inductee who has earned degrees from Eastern Michigan University, Concordia Chicago University and Grand Valley State University.

Pay Scale Approved For Ypsilanti Community Schools Teachers, Principals

Bob Eccles — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:27:00 +0000

The unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board has approved a performance-based compensation system for Ypsilanti Community Schools teachers and principals.

Ypsi-Willow Run Unified School Board Approves Mascot, Colors

Bob Eccles — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:50:05 +0000

It’s official – the mascot for Ypsilanti Community Schools is the Grizzlies, and the school colors are black and “Vegas” gold.

The unified school board Thursday night accepted the recommendation of its Name and Identity Advisory Group.

A new mascot and colors means buying things like new uniforms and signs. Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Menzel says that’ll be covered by a six million dollar grant from the state.

Students Choose 'Grizzlies' For YCS Mascot

Bob Eccles — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:25:12 +0000

Students in the Ypsilanti and Willow Run school districts have voted, and it looks like the mascot for the new Ypsilanti Community Schools will be the Grizzlies.

Students in grades seven through 12 voted, and more than 45 percent chose Grizzlies. A little over 30 percent liked Trailblazers, and Flyers got less than 20 percent of the vote.

YCS Internal Teacher Interviews Wrapping Up, Process Has Had Glitches

Bob Eccles — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:44:26 +0000

The interview process for internal Ypsilanti and Willow Run teacher candidates who want to continue their work with Ypsilanti Community Schools next year is just about over.

Ypsilanti Education Association President Krista Boyer says Ypsilanti teachers have been notified that all but three of their internal candidates have been interviewed, with the last interviews taking place next week.

Principals Hired For Ypsilanti Community Schools

Bob Eccles — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:48:10 +0000

The new unified Ypsilanti and Willow Run school district is expected to hire nine principals, and six of those jobs have now been filled by internal candidates from both districts.

Nearly two dozen internal candidates applied for the jobs, and some may find other positions with Ypsilanti Community Schools.

Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Menzel says there are three principal positions yet to fill, and those will likely go to external candidates.

Ypsilanti Community Schools Colors Set; Mascot To Be Determined By Students

Bob Eccles — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:01:17 +0000

The unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board has approved black and “Vegas” gold as the colors for Ypsilanti Community Schools.

That was the recommendation from the board’s Name and Identity Advisory Group, which also suggested the board put three potential mascots up for a student vote: Trailblazers, Grizzlies and Flyers.

Students in grades seven through 12 will vote on a mascot next week, with the winning choice to be approved by the unified school board at its April 24^th meeting.

Consolidated District Sets Schools Configuration

Bob Eccles — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:31:16 +0000

High school students in the new Ypsilanti Community School District will attend Ypsilanti High School next year. Middle school students will attend classes at what is now Willow Run High School and the adjoining Willow Run Intermediate Learning Center. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

Meeting Saturday on Building Use and Small Learing Communities

Bob Eccles — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:19:59 +0000

This weekend you have the chance to learn more about the Small Learning Communities educational model chosen for middle and high school students in the Ypsilanti Community Schools.

A public meeting Saturday will also help to determine which school buildings are best suited for Small Learning Communities, and which might not be used next year.

Saturday's meeting runs from ten to noon at Ypsilanti New Tech at Ardis, 2100 Ellsworth Road.

Generational Differences Evident At Mascot/School Colors Forum

Bob Eccles — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 02:15:07 +0000

A group of about 35 people, most of them students, got together last night in the Ypsilanti High School media center to talk about mascot and school colors suggestions for Ypsilanti Community Schools.

The generational divide between the students and the adults was obvious, as most of the adults favored a mascot with historical significance, such as Bombers or Liberators, and the kids preferred something new, like Royals or Grizzlies.

Board Acts on Layoffs and Schools of Choice

Bob Eccles — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:35:29 +0000

The joint Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board approved layoffs and schools of choice designation at its meeting Monday night. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

Mascot, colors forum for unified district Saturday

Bob Eccles — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:10:25 +0000

The unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run school district holds a public forum Saturday morning to give the public a chance to talk about suggestions that have been received for a district mascot and colors.

Board member Maria Sheler-Edwards is co-chair of the committee looking into mascots and colors. She says the process will be similar to the way the district's name was chosen, with a pair of public forums to narrow the options down. She says a final recommendation is expected at the board's March 28th meeting.

Year-Round School Recommendation Accepted

Bob Eccles — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 03:01:20 +0000

The unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board last night accepted a recommendation that the consolidated district move toward a year-round educational model. The board's High Quality Teachers and Teaching Advisory Committee believes year-round school will help keep students from losing much of what they've learned over an extended summer break. The board will now establish a work team to look into the different types of balanced calendar models and figure out which is best for the district. The public's input on the idea will also be sought. Year-round school wouldn'

Public Forum Saturday for New School District

Bob Eccles — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:08:30 +0000

The unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board holds a public forum Saturday at noon to update progress toward merging the districts, and to address questions and concerns from the public. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

Now Hiring: Teachers for New School District

Bob Eccles — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:59:27 +0000

Teachers in the Ypsilanti-Willow Run school districts who would like to work in the new unified district have between now and March 15th to apply. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.