by SEMIS Coalition | May 17, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
“This diagram is a hand representation of our Voice Level chart at The James and Grace Lee Boggs School. For younger kids who find it harder to understand the current chart, I think it would be best to have a diagram that is familiar to them and appealing. I...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 17, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
A voice chart illustration shows three birds, a sun, a palm tree, and a house with footprints leading away from it. Labeled “Level 0/zero through Level 4/four with examples of the different sound levels “This diagram is for K – 2 classes for the hallway. I...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 17, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
A voice chart diagram in the shape of a flower. Labeled “Stay Safe!, with 5 petals of a flower illustrating decibel levels 0 -5. “This diagram was created as a flower because the design would grab the attention of little kids. The petals present the order...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 17, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
Wylie students were inspired by Mother Earth Water Walkers to bring awareness to the importance of clean fresh water, here in Michigan.Note: Student projects may be difficult to hear in spots. Please stay tuned while full written transcripts are being prepared! By:...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 17, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
This project was inspired by Wylie students expressing concern about the first day when masks would become optional. Our class found that there were students that were so excited about the opportunity to be maskless at school and others that were very anxious and...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 17, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
A voice chart that’s labeled “3-5 Hallway Voice Level Chart”, with 0-4 decibel levels, with 4 at the bottom of the pyramid. Side note: “Without a mask, when you breathe droplets travel 1.5 meters. That’s decently far. When you cough, to...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 17, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
This group will present information about what we have learned about pertaining to our exploration of beavers who have taken residence near a local creek. By: Carson Creehan, Dez Meiers, Hudson Perrine, Kaya Rossi, 3rd Grade Teacher: Betsy Schmidt, Wylie Elementary,...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 17, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
Third graders at Wylie Elementary school became aware of beaver activity on Mill Creek in downtown Dexter after reading an article in the SunTimes News. Our class invited expert guest speakers to teach us about the importance of beavers in an ecosystem and did lots of...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 17, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
My name is Uriel and I have created two survey questions that could help our school further understand the data collected from our water fountain regarding 20 oz bottles saved. By: Uriel, 8th Grade Teacher: Charlene Jones, The James and Grace Lee Boggs School, Detroit...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 17, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
The 7th graders studied data from the school water fountain about the amount of 20 oz bottles have been saved. Students studied trends, predicted daily amount saved, and challenged the student body to analyze a graph to predict amount saved by 5/31/22. The students...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 17, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
A voice chart that’s labeled “How Loud Am I?”, with 0-4 decibel levels “This diagram was created to represent my influence as an older student in the school for good! This will help the 3rd-5th graders regulate their voice levels in the hallway...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
Students share data collected from nearby Paint Creek including Google maps and photos of erosion from water. By: Ashton Alexander, Amin Campbell, Luiz Figueroa, Aawaiz Khan, Ali Mahmoud, Langston Singleton, Trenton Szymchack, Kevine Tengo, Furious Turner, and...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
Students share knowledge about rain gardens. By: Robert Caddell, Kamren James, Damarko Jordan, Muneeb Tahir, 11th Grade Teacher: Paula Sizemore, Ypsilanti Community/ACTech HS, Ypsilanti Subject: Earth Science/Environmental Science Theme: Climate Change Resilience and...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
The Detroit skyline with a bridge and the Huron River in front of it, view from the highway This image was chosen because this picture looks like home to me. I was born and raised here, and it will always be my home. I was told growing up that “Home is where your...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
What can we do to take matters into our own hands and care for our school/community? Check this out to learn what one class did and how it morphed into so much more. By: Leander, Xuily, Phoebe, Erin, Ryan, Dom, Yuika, Iris, Ellis, Tenzin, Henry, Ily, Madison, Gabby,...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
A grassy cemetery filled with gravestones of various sizes and trees This image was chosen because cemeteries are a sacred place and I had a recent connection with the sacred nature of a cemetery. This is a poem from a student inspired by how they connected to...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
Many people don’t pay attention to where they throw their trash and recycling. We want to teach people how to properly get rid of their “disposable stuff.” By: Ben Prall and Brady Gross, 4th Grade Teacher: Anouk Weiss, Wylie Elementary, Dexter Theme:...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
A greener Detroit means more trees in our public parks and better air quality.Note: Student projects may be difficult to hear in spots. Please stay tuned while full written transcripts are being prepared! By: Jacento, 8th Grade Teacher: Kimberly Finley, Bates Academy,...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
For our presentation we will be talking about how bullying has a negative impact on student learning. When students are more concerned about others opinions of them, they can be distracted them from getting an education.Note: Student projects may be difficult to hear...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
A color image of a pond with a rocks around the perimenter. A gravestone is on the right side. This image was chosen because while at the cemetery for the field trip, I had the impression that when people come to Bloody Run Creek they think of the ugly past, instead...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
Close-up of a half burned cigarette laying in a groove on a white piece of plastic This image was chosen because I felt like the cigarette was nasty and ugly because smoking harms us and nature. This is a poem from a student inspired by how they connected to...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
Yellowing grass and a chainlink fence with trees and a grey sky behind it This image was chosen because I felt like the fence in nature was a crime against nature. The fence is dividing the land and the vines are rebelling against it.This is a poem from a student...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
A flock of 21 birds flying across a grey sky This image was chosen because birds are important to nature. They are creatures that can do anything; they are like humans but are freer.The following is a poem from a student inspired by how they connected to nature during...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
A black and white pencil drawing of an egg with a hole cracked into it, laying on the ground The is a drawing from a student inspired by how they connected to nature during a fieldtrip to test the water at the Detroit River, and Bloody Run Creek this school year....
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
A black and white drawing of a seagull sitting on a lamp post, with two clouds in the background This is a drawing from a student inspired by how they connected to nature during a fieldtrip to test the water at the Detroit River, and Bloody Run Creek this school year....
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
Black and white drawing of a tree of two geese on Belle Isle, with a chainlink fence in the background This is a drawing from a student inspired by how they connected to nature during a fieldtrip to test the water at the Detroit River, and Bloody Run Creek this school...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
Black and white drawing of a tree with a chain link fence in the background This is a drawing from a student inspired by how they connected to nature during a fieldtrip to test the water at the Detroit River, and Bloody Run Creek this school year. Enjoy! “This...
by SEMIS Coalition | May 16, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
A colored pencil drawing of a cigarette in grass This is a drawing from a student inspired by how they connected to nature during a fieldtrip to test the water at the Detroit River, and Bloody Run Creek this school year. Enjoy! “This image was chosen because it...
by SEMIS Coalition | Mar 20, 2022 | SEMIS Staff Spotlight
Nigora is a first-generation immigrant, person of color, international student, indigenous to Central Asia, ecofeminist, ecojustice, decolonizing, and place-based scholar. She is also a mother and a constant learner. Nigora joined the SEMIS Coalition leadership team...
by SEMIS Coalition | Mar 2, 2022 | Civic Engagement, Events
Civic Engagement in SEMIS Lisa Voelker, SEMIS assistant director, presented on Nov. 7, 2021, during the monthly Ypsilanti Sustainability Commission meeting. Our goal was to re-introduce ourselves and share how local teachers and students are engaged in place-based...
by SEMIS Coalition | Feb 23, 2022 | Community Forum 2022, Student Gallery
Lynwood Powell by Ta’Naija T’oliver-Jones Lynwood Powell was born on August 18, 1981. He has 3 kids, 2 boys and 1 girl. Lynwood grew up in Ypsilanti and went to YCS schools. He played football, basketball and ran track. Lynwood graduated from...
by SEMIS Coalition | Dec 7, 2021 | Blog, Humanizing Education
We would like to express our sadness and sorrow over the tragic loss and trauma the Oxford High School community is experiencing. Our hearts are with all those who have been impacted. Youth deaths through gun violence have taken the lives of many this year in...
by SEMIS Coalition | Sep 21, 2021 | Disability Justice, Events, Place-Based Education
On July 22, 2021, coalition members had a critical discussion facilitated by Jason DeCamillis (teacher consultant at Washtenaw ISD) and me after watching the movie Crip Camp on Zoom. As a result, it launched a year-long initiative to create a universal design for...
by SEMIS Coalition | Sep 21, 2021 | Blog, Gratitude
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Mariann Lupinacci-Kosinski on April 9, 2021. We would like to take this moment to express our deep love for her and our gratitude for all that she brought to the Coalition and the world. As the principal of John Paul II...
by SEMIS Coalition | Sep 21, 2021 | Blog, Humanizing Education, Power of Community, Readings
I took a vacation this summer. Maybe you did too. It was not enough. Not enough to heal, rest, and re-set my body and mind after close to two years of constant tension and stress. As we head into the school year, let’s remember to: Listen to our bodies—We are...
