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Making Waves

Making Waves at DCS

 

Making Waves 2025-2026

A student drawing of the book cover of "Winter Friends."
School Day Preschool: Where Little Learners Grow
During March is Reading Month, the showcase near the entrance of Bates School displayed colorful book art created by the students in Dexter’s School Day  preschool room. Each child was assigned a book that they had previously read in class and they were asked to draw a detailed front cover of their book. 
 
“We talked about what type of details they saw on the front cover of their book like the colors, the characters, the borders, etc.,” says teacher Katie Penix. “We love to hear the excitement in the children’s voices when they explain to their families how they made their piece of artwork.”

These four-year-old students are being prepared to move on to Young 5s or Kindergarten using the Highscope curriculum used in all Dexter preschool classrooms.

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Two students work together at laptops.
Crash Code: Mill Creek students apply science and technology to make vehicles safer
A 7th and 8th grade mixed-age science class at Mill Creek recently combined science and technology skills to solve a real world problem: “How can we make vehicles safer for everyone?”
 
This exciting project began in July 2025 at a summer training opportunity for science teachers. Mill Creek staff members learned about using “micro:bits” (mini programmable computers, about half the size of a credit card) and “CuteBots” (mini self-driving vehicles, controlled by micro:bits) with middle school students.
 
Inspired by the learning possibilities, teachers Liz Melvin and Melanie Dever wrote a grant for a team set of equipment so that all 108 of their students could program and experiment with these mini-cars. Thanks to generous funding from The Educational Foundation of Dexter, the project was off and running!
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Three students sort through a large pile of books in a locker room setting.
Wylie 4th grade class shares love of reading with those in need

During March is Reading Month 2026, Wylie fourth grade teacher Jessica Elkin’s students thought not only about their personal reading goals, but also about helping others achieve theirs. They decided to become advocates for Metro Detroit-based nonprofit Making Spirits Bright. Making Spirits Bright is dedicated to promoting and providing access to books that brighten the lives of youth, while enhancing literacy and the love of learning. They distribute thousands of like-new books directly to children and families, often through free book fairs.  

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