OU/Pontiac Partners hip 
e-blast5
February 19, 2016


Here is yet another e-blast full of news about our partnership network. The next Town Hall meeting is March 5, 8:30 a.m.-noon and will be held on the campus of Oakland University. Invitations went out earlier this week; make sure to RSVP so we have enough coffee and seats for everyone. A link to the campus map with parking information is below.

If you would like to request an article about your group, business or organization in this e-blast or if you have any events or news items, send them to baldwin2@oakland.edu.

Happy Reading!
MICPA conference brings Pontiac students to OU

by Paige Brockway
 
Back on Nov. 12, Oakland University welcomed over 240 students from all over the state to participant in the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) High School Leaders Conference.
 
Twenty of those students came from Pontiac High School and the International Technology Academy, and were sponsored by the OU School of Business Administration (SBA). The day-long conference brings together student leaders from across Michigan to visit the campus and learn about career opportunities in accounting.
 
"[The students] absolutely loved the event, they learned a lot, and it excited them because they wanted to learn more about accounting and how they could come to OU in the future," said SBA Events Manager Theawiana English, who worked with counselors at both Pontiac high schools to coordinate the students' attendance.
 
The SBA provided lunch and transportation to and from the event for Pontiac students.
 
The MICPA has held leadership conferences at OU for 14 years. This year, OU's Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the SBA's Accounting and Finance Department also assisted in hosting the event, which was organized by Professor Buck Dillon.
 
For more information on MICPA, visit https://www.micpa.org/ . Parents or students who are interested in learning more about next year's conference can contact MICPA Membership Director David Johnson at djohnson@micpa.org for more information. 

Pontiac school district millage 

Do you have questions about the upcoming millage for the Pontiac School District? If so, you should attend the community forum, ' The Truth about Pontiac School Millages.' This forum, hosted by the Oakland County Ministerial Fellowship, the Crystal Lake Missionary Baptist District Association and the Pontiac City Council, is intended to present the pros and cons of both the non-homestead and sinking fund millages so voters can make informed decisions. 

The panel members include Brian Whiston, State Superintendent, Wanda Cook-Robinson, Oakland Schools Superintendent, Robert F. Moore, Jr., Oakland Schools Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations; Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press columnist; former Pontiac School Board Trustee Grant Mason; and Mattie McKinney Hatchett, former Oakland County Commissioner. The meeting will include a moderated Q & A session.

The meeting will take place Monday, February 22, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Newman AME Church, 233 Bagley Street in Pontiac. Click here for the event flyer.
New girls' group at PHS fosters cultural awareness
Pontiac High School (PHS) social worker, Angela Powell-Medlock recently teamed up with OU AmeriCorp VISTA, Gabriela Sullen to brainstorm about a new girls group at the high school. They envisioned a group where girls with different backgrounds could meet to discover shared interests and plan for their futures after high school. 

The resulting group, the International Club, is aimed at raising cultural awareness and increasing the value of the Hispanic and Hmong Community/Culture throughout PHS. Approximately 25% of PHS students are non-Caucasian/African American with a good portion of them being English as Second Language (ESL) students. The group is looking to foster visibility and awareness, empowerment and consistent school attendance and to reduce  barriers to academic achievement. Powell-Medlock intends to help the students reach their full academic potential, establish specific career and educational goals, develop a healthy and strong self-concept as well as have a pleasant and joyous high school experience.
 
The students have completed surveys of needs and goals. They are also discussing purpose and ways that they can bring out more cultural awareness as well as be inclusive to all. The International Club meets once weekly during Advisory.
Ascend Foundation hosts career builder fair at PHS
 
Students at Pontiac High School will be attending the 4th annual Future Builders Scholarship and Career Planning Fair, March 3. Representatives will be on site from the military, two- and four-year colleges, trade schools and apprenticeship programs. Students will also receive financial aid and scholarship information that day. Teachers are involved, too. They have been busy prepping students for how to interact at the tables and what to do with the information they receive. There are over 68 booths and 1,400 students are expected to visit this year. Pontiac High School students will attend as will students from ITA, Pontiac Middle School (AVID students) and the Pontiac Academy for Excellence. New this year is an elementary introduction piece that will have two  elementary schools bringing their 6th graders to the event. The event is mandatory for all 11th and 12th graders in the district.

When asked about his vested interest in this work, Kaino Phillips, foundation president said, "time and time again, I have heard the phrase, 'lost cause' used in reference to our children. It is amazing   to me how easily we as adults can throw that statement out and apply it so easily to a child. It is absolutely  saddening how little support a lot of these children receive in their own households. They are exactly just  that: A CHILD!!! They are too young to TRULY recognize their potential and promise, so we help."

The Ascend Foundation was founded on behalf of the late Mayor of Pontiac and Michigan State Representative, Clarence Phillips and is now run by his son, Kaino. Visit their website for more information: The Clarence E Phillips Ascend Foundation
14th annual community health fair in April
The 14th Annual Healthy Affair, sponsored by the Greater Pontiac Community Coalition, is a community health fair that will take place April 23 at Welcome Missionary Baptist Church. Services will be provided by area hospitals, doctors, Oakland County agencies and health professionals. The list of services is growing and includes: breast exams, Ask the Doctor, Ask the Pharmacist, dental screenings, hearing tests, family medicine, eye care, breast exam vouchers, podiatry, breathing test, kidney disease test and screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and more!  For information, contact Sharon at 248-335-8740. 
Summer jobs at Oakland County Parks & Rec. dept.
If you know a student who wants a summer job with Oakland County Parks & Recreation Dept., now is the time to apply. The online application portal closes Monday, February 22, so fast action is needed. Due to the communication efforts of the OU/Pontiac Initiative network partners, all Pontiac High School & ITA counselors received notice of the portal opening in early February. Hiring will take place in May.   Oakland County Summer Jobs information
OU/Pontiac Initiative town hall mtg


Mark your calendars for the next OU/Pontiac Initiative Town Hall meeting: 

Saturday, March 5, 2016
8:30 a.m. - noon
Location: School of Engineering and Computer Science on the campus of Oakland University

RSVP to stoves@oakland.edu

Contact us
OU/Pontiac Initiative contacts:
Bob Maxfield, maxfiel2@oakland.edu
Diane Baldwin, baldwin2@oakland.edu
Cassandra Barragan, barragan@oakland.edu
Tom Kimble, thomasekimble@aol.com
Jane Bais-DiSessa, jbais-disessa@pontiac.mi.us

Communication interns:
Paige Brockw ay,  prbrockw@oakland.edu
Shaqela Chapman, sgwenchapma@gmail.com