Public asked what to name consolidated Ypsilanti-Willow Run district
The Ypsilanti-Willow Run school district merger was intended to wipe the slate clean, and starting over means a new name and mascot.
So, the unified district’s administration is asking the public for ideas.
The appointed school board for the Ypsilanti-Willow Run consolidated school district, from left: Anthony VanDerworp, Daniel Raglin, Gregory Myers, Maria Sheler-Edwards, Don Garrett and David Bates. Not pictured is Celeste Hawkins.
File photo
After the districts’ winter breaks, on Jan. 7, suggestion boxes also will be set out at the main offices of each school building.
A posting on the unified district’s website, together4ss.org, encourages people to “be creative.”
“Explore our local history; milestones that have shaped our community can be incorporated into a name,” the post says. “Think about our future aspirations and craft a suggestion.”
Name ideas also may be dropped off at any branch of the Ypsilanti District Library.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
Mark Wilde
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 8:21 p.m.
"Ypsilanti Community Schools", that fully acknowledges the "City Area" as most city based schools do, and by using "Community" it helps remember "Willow Run Community Schools". Someone posted use the Flyers for the sports, instead of the Phoenix or the Braves, that makes a lot of sense too as it adds to remembering Willow Run and the bomber plant. but naming the "mascot" is still down the road, this is just about naming the district itself.
jns131
Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 7:17 p.m.
If anyone is still reading these comments? I just got word from the horse, everyone and I mean everyone in Willow Run and in Ypsilanti will be laid off and have to reapply for their jobs back. And not everyone is going to get their jobs back if they do exactly what WISD did to the bus drivers when the consolidation occurred 2 years ago last August. Willow Run, Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor school bus drivers were all laid off. Then forced to reapply for their jobs back. Not everyone got their jobs back. This will happen to these two school districts. What a mess this is going to be. Glad I am not involved in it but glad to hear new teachers will be hired over ones who do not know how to do their jobs.
Mark Wilde
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 8:25 p.m.
Hiring new teachers does not guarantee, that they will know how to "do their jobs", does it ?? As far as all employees getting laid off, that was all laid out in the meetings that took place last summer leading up to this.
jns131
Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 11:54 p.m.
Not everyone is going to want their jobs back. Most I know are buying out and retiring. They are done with the Willow Run experience. I really don't blame them.
Tom Todd
Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 11:22 p.m.
you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 2:24 a.m.
"Explore our local history; milestones that have shaped our community can be incorporated into a name," the post says. be sure it's pc. don't want any native groups getting upset.
Gretchen Ridenour
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 8:24 p.m.
All these negative comments, even if said in jest, do nothing to move the new school district forward nor convince the students that we adults are committed to providing them with the best education possible. Change is hard, the transition will have many challenges, and everything will not be perfect. But we owe this to our children since this is how we voted as a community to consolidate districts and educate them. Please be constructive in your comments for the kids' sake. Thank you.
jns131
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 6:53 p.m.
Name it for what it is on the school buses, Washtenaw Consolidated School District. Or simply put? Ypsilanti Consolidated because it is two sections merging as one. I wish this district luck. Mine will never set foot ever into the babysitting school. I have been told you need to be a military person to drive for the Willow Run District. What a tough crowd these children are.
HB11
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 1:43 p.m.
"Ann Arbor East"
snapshot
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 7:23 a.m.
Custer Unified.............
Tom Todd
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 3:17 p.m.
Huh? to all your comments.
beardown
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 6:38 a.m.
If it is supposed to be a consolidated school district that incorporates all of the public districts in the city of Ypsilanti, it should be the Ypsilanti School District. To make the transition easier for the people of the Willow Run area, they should name the school mascot/sports team Flyers and keep the WR colors.
jns131
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 6:54 p.m.
Have you seen the new name on your buses? I guess not. I have a feeling the name has already been chosen.
Ypsi Eastsider
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 6:35 a.m.
Call it the Ann Arbor Area School District (AASD)
jns131
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 6:55 p.m.
No. No way. AAPS is a lot better then these two districts by a long shot.
thinker
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 2:09 a.m.
Ypsilanti
Themadcatter
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 1:37 a.m.
Ypsi Ru{i}n School Dist.
ypsi
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 12:37 a.m.
Eastern Washtenaw School District.
The82Wolverine
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 12:09 a.m.
East Ann Arbor.
obviouscomment
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 12:08 a.m.
I agree with something generic like Ypsilanti Unified Schools, but for the mascot we should definitely go with the iconic Ypsilanti water tower :D
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 11:18 p.m.
Call it "Snyder's Right to Work like drones academy"
katmando
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 11 p.m.
Ypsilanti-Willow Run school district
An Arborigine
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 8:03 p.m.
Dub-Lo Run Ypsi-Ti
hroad
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 7:50 p.m.
Name it Woodruff's Grove after the first settlement in that area.
Gretchen Ridenour
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 8:31 p.m.
hroad, here's the email I sent to Emma Jackson: I read the article in annarbor.com today titled "Public asked what to name consolidated Ypsilanti-Willow Run district". I saw a suggestion of Woodruff's Grove School District. Despite having lived in Ypsilanti and Pittsfield Twp for the past 27 years I was unfamiliar with the significance. After some research I think that is an excellent idea. According to the Ypsi Historical Society, Woodruff's Grove was the pioneer settlement in Washtenaw County. The marker is located at the intersection of S. Prospect and S. Grove. Prospect travels through Ypsi, Ypsi Twp, and Superior Twp. Grove travels through Ypsi and Ypsi Twp. It would have significance for both school districts without trying to combine their names or give preference to one of them. It's historical significance would be something we could all be proud of. I like the mascot name of Flyers to reflect the B-24 Liberator, the military aircraft built at the bomber plant, and the Yankee Air Museum. They have historical significance for all of us in Eastern Washtenaw County, specifically Ypsi, Ypsi Twp and Superior Twp. I think this can be a win-win name for everyone.
jns131
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 6:51 p.m.
Settlers, traders and explorers? Sounds like School Choice to me.
MrsB
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
Or the mascot could be the Generals, so it's based on both of the town's origins.
BenWoodruff
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 6:38 a.m.
Ben would be honored...you could go with the "Settlers", the "Traders", the "Explorers"...
Piledriver
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 7:30 p.m.
If we're promoting truth in advertising for this region, how about the "OPSDSB District" short for "Overpaid Superintendent Dysfunctional School Board District" or take a page from the Ann Arbor School Board playbook, the "LHECFO District", which is short for "Lets Hire an Expensive Consultant to Figure it Out".
Tom Todd
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.
Call it a Charter so everyone will believe it's the second coming.
snapshot
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 7:26 a.m.
what do have against creating jobs, Todd?
Basic Bob
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.
Ann Arbor Eastern School District
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 4:07 p.m.
I call it: "Not for my kids. Ever."
jns131
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 6:50 p.m.
I could not agree more. Two districts that compete to babysit children who do not want to learn. Scary School should be the new name.
Dog Guy
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.
I suggest a literary name consonant with Flyers and appealing to students: Neverland Schools.
Dan r OBryan
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 3:48 p.m.
two broke schools
Dan r OBryan
Tue, Jan 1, 2013 : 1:14 a.m.
travel away district / wake them early deceived schools two flunked schools economic schools New Beginning ,Hope for future Just drop them off schools /will educated Slogan for the new district Dont drive them to school .put on the great AATA Our schools are better .we will lye to anybody the schools with all new teachers ,cheapest is always better Close some schools and fire a bunch of teachers ,do it with a smile Take a chance .voters did
Basic Bob
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.
Ypsilanti Flyers. Place names and history are both important. Ypsilanti is the name you can find on the map, and the one the post office uses. Nearly all residents live in either the City of Ypsilanti or the Charter Township of Ypsilanti. Look at any of the statewide sports reporting and they will describe the local teams as "Ypsilanti", "Ypsilanti Willow Run", "Ypsilanti Lincoln". So the Ypsilanti name stays. Goodbye, Willow Run. Keep the Flyers name for the sports teams. Historical, unique, and not controversial. Ypsilanti already rejected their historical name (Braves).
Y-TownMom
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.
Hopefully, the new district will be in business for another 150+ years. How about something straight-forward like Ypsilanti Unified Schools.
mady
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 3:16 p.m.
"Ypsillow?"
In doubt
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
Desperation District.
Jeffersonian Liberal
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
Let's give credit where credit is due, let's name it the Memorial Teachers Union District.