DEARBORN — Whether it’s making sure they know where to go for each class or changing their sleep schedule, kids (and parents) have a lot to deal with when the school season begins each fall.

But heading into the 2011 school season, it seems as if more people than ever are being affected by the current downtrodden economic state in the Dearborn Public Schools system, which begins classes on September 7 this year. 

In addition to budget cuts made by the schools, parents and kids seem to be feeling the crunch as well.

According to DPS Communications Director David Mustonen, about 75% of all students, or 14,000 out of 18,500, are on either free or reduced lunch in the district. 

It’s a key indicator that seems to be rising every year in the Dearborn area.  

“We see it at the school level with more and more students enrolling each year,” said Edsel Ford Principal Hassane Jaafar. “We’ve increased about 10-15% each year and that by itself is an indicator of how the economy is going throughout the state of Michigan this year.” 

Mustonen said that economic issues can affect kids and their ability to concentrate in school. 

“We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of kids on free and reduced lunch over the last five to ten years…economic distress can impact in the classroom,” he said. 

“Students may not come as prepared as they should, they might not have as much time for homework because they are needed at home to perform chores or help with younger siblings, or they may not be getting the proper sleep, nutrition, or parental support.” 

Jaafar said that the cycle of poverty can be devastating but the district is doing everything it can to provide the necessary support. The school has a referral system between social workers and agencies including ACCESS to make sure that kids and families with challenges are helped as much as possible. 

Fordson Principal Youssef Mosallam said he has noticed the same trend and said his school has a similar referral process as others in the district do. 

Distractions related to financial issues can be difficult, but issues related to bullying can be even more devastating when it comes to feeling comfortable and productive in school. 

The district has renewed its focus on combating the problem this fall and will begin with a kickoff event for its Response to Bullying Program  on Sept. 14 at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. 

The event will include activities for kids and a visit from the Detroit Pistons’ Hooper mascot along with information about how to recognize bullying, what to do in response, the perils of cyber-bullying online, a poster contest for kids and more. 

The schools will also have multiple anti-bullying events each year teaching sensitivity and treating others with respect. Staff training along with annual lessons and surveys will also be implemented. 

Academically, the district is focusing on literacy and numeracy according to Mustonen. All classes, even art and physical education, will include reading, writing, and math in their lessons if possible. 

In Fordson, teachers are teaming up as part of its new 9th Grade Academy initiative to help freshman. Students will have the same math and science teachers in many cases allowing for better direct communication and more help in addressing areas where deficiencies are present. Freshman also will have all four core classes in the same area to make the transition easier. 

On a wider scale, Mustonen noted that district administrators stop by twice each year in order to check in on School Improvement Plans at each school. Associate Superintendents and the Superintendent visit the schools another 10 or so times to see if the plan is in place and making a difference, or whether it needs to be adjusted. 

Jaafar also said that the economic difficulties highlight even more the importance of succeeding in school.

“Our students in Dearborn are competing globally over jobs that have not been created, we have to instill more venues for them to be successful,” he said. 

“We’re working with nationwide agencies to project employment forecasts over the next 5-10 years in different fields so we can counsel students to go into the right ones.

“The bottom line is that kids have to work harder than ever and more seriously than ever because we don’t want to repeat this cycle…we need to push for more help in education as well.”