Operation Motown Muster Day 2: Project Restore

Central High School is the oldest secondary school in Detroit, Michigan. It sits at the center of a historic neighborhood that played a key role in the success of Motown Records and in the civil rights movement. Following the municipal bankruptcy filing in 2012, the State took over the lowest performing five percent of Michigan public schools—which included Central High School. Once an iconic institution responsible for educating 1500 students a year—including notable graduates such as Eli Broad, William Davidson, Senators Carl and Sander Levin and Nobel Prize winner Melvin Calvin, the school now has fewer than 350 students enrolled, and last year had a graduation rate of less than 50 percent. That’s all changing now. The school is in turn-around mode thanks to a refreshed administration, a new principal and an energized team of teachers and staff—all of whom are committed to student success. But they’re under extreme financial pressure. They need help in making the school a safe, inviting and welcoming place for students to learn. Desired outcome: Refurbish and refresh indoor and outdoor spaces to make the school a safe, inviting and welcoming place for students to learn. Objectives for the Project: • Convert one of many unused classrooms into an Art Gallery for all the student artists in the school. Can start by repainting and bringing in new supplies. Prepping use one of the closets for supply storage; • Repaint common areas and remove old colors, text and fixtures from the walls. Encourage students to design murals that represent colleges, prominent figures from Detroit and/or inspirational quotes; • Renovate a little-used courtyard according to student design. Improve the look by planting flowers, buses, remove decaying brush, and build seating areas for people to enjoy the fresh air; • Work with students create an urban garden/beekeeping area. Build raised garden beds, high tunnels, benches, etc.; • Transform one side of the underutilized tennis courts into basketball court by removing tennis netting, repairing surface, and installing new surfacing. Hoops will be installed and lines painted, and benches or seating for spectators added; • Resurface and update the baseball field, including repairing/replacing infield, adding fencing and dugouts, bleachers, etc.; • Convert a classroom into a mediation and inspiration space by repairing and painting walls, student artists collaborating on a mural, bookcases, furniture, etc.; • Revamp existing tech lab and computer room including re-painting, new furniture, and other updates to the space; and • Partner with participants from area Boys and Girls Clubs to build up 20 benches and picnic tables to add much needed outside seating area for their six local clubs. Potential additional projects (capacity depending): • Painting murals designed by the students; • Create fitness stations with equipment for neighborhood adults to utilize; • Take down the old playground and install a new safer, and secure play space for children; • Clear out the unused greenhouse and install new work tables, shelving, replace broken glass, etc.; and • Complete general landscaping around the school (mulch, gravel, remove dead plants/bushes/trees and add new flora)

Type

Service Project

What To Wear

Wear close-toed shoes and clothing that you are comfortable getting dirty. Pants are recommended.

What to Bring

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and reusable water bottle. The Mission Continues will provide tools and one-size fits all gloves. Feel free to bring your own safety equipment.

Inclement Weather

In case of rain bring umbrella and/or poncho. Indoor space is available for extreme conditions.