Dearborn's Program For Immigrants Featured In National Film

DEARBORN, MI— A new professionally-produced video touting the success of Dearborn Public Schools' programs for immigrant students will be shown during a special screening and the public is invited to attend.

The screening will take place at 3:30 p.m. June 10 at Salina Intermediate School.

The video was created by Colorin Colorado with cooperation from the District and the Dearborn Federation of Teachers (DFT), a branch of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The project showcases how the District nurtures and integrates the newest members of the Dearborn community into school culture.

Dearborn Schools students, teachers, administrators, school staff and families are featured in the video. Crews were at Salina filming last year, school staff said.

The video will be featured on the national website of Colorin Colorado, a partnership of the AFT and the PBS station WETA in Washington, D.C. Colorin Colorado is the most widely used national website for educators and families to help English language learners in grades preschool through 12.

"Since the first Salina School opened 100 years ago, the neighborhood around Ford's Rouge Factory has always been a starting point for new immigrants in this country. We are proud of Dearborn's long heritage as a place for the newest Americans, and we are glad to be recognized, along with the DFT, for the District's success in helping English learners to succeed," said Superintendent Maleyko.

The video's production is an example of one of the great partnerships Dearborn Public Schools has developed with its unions, said Superintendent Glenn Maleyko. In a joint letter, he and Dearborn Federation of Teachers President Jane Mazza invited dignitaries to the video's screening.

Dearborn Schools students, teachers, administrators, school staff and families are featured in the film. American Federation of Teachers Michigan President David Hecker is expected to attend the screening. AFT National President Randi Weingarten was originally scheduled to attend however an urgent matter requiring her attendance at a meeting in another state created a scheduling conflict. Ms. Marla Ucelli-Kashyp, Assistant to the President for Educational Issues, will attend to represent Ms. Weingarten.

Salina Intermediate is located at 2623 Salina Street in Dearborn. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP with the school office to ensure there is space. Guests can call the office at (313) 827-6600.

A sneak peek at one of the pieces in the video, "A Warm Welcome for Immigrant Families in the Front Office" is available at http://www.colorincolorado.org/video/warm-welcome-immigrant-families-front-office