Life Remodeled partners with local Detroit Public School in Support of Annual Count Day

On February 12th, Life Remodeled’s Youth and Community Engagement department hosted an exciting Fun Day for Durfee Elementary-Middle School students in support of Detroit Public School Community District’s (DPSCD) annual Count Day. This vibrant event emphasized the importance of consistent school attendance while offering students an unforgettable experience filled with fun and learning.

More than 400 students from 15 different K-5 classes participated in a variety of engaging activities, including face painting, laser tag, balloon art, and arcade games at the beloved Durfee Innovation Society (DIS). To ensure the event’s success, 10 dedicated Central High School students and members of the Life Remodeled Youth Alliance (LRYA) volunteered their time, helping to create a joyful and engaging atmosphere for all.

Transforming DIS into an Adventure-Filled Playground

For the day, the first and second floors of DIS were transformed into a lively activity hub, where students explored different themed areas:

• Auditorium: Students enjoyed live music, intricate face painting, balloon artistry, and an interactive science experiment hosted by Mad Science. As a bonus, students were able to take their science creations home to show their families!
• The Dive: This space became an electrifying laser tag arena, complete with low lighting and neon effects for an immersive experience.
• Gymnasium: High-energy activities, including basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, and hula hooping, kept students active and engaged.
• Arcade: A gaming paradise featuring PlayStation 5s, a pool table, air hockey, a giant Pac-Man game, and more.

Every student had the opportunity to rotate through each activity, ensuring they experienced the full spectrum of fun throughout the day. To wrap up the celebration, each participant received a goodie bag filled with a beverage, chips, cookies, and candy—a sweet ending to a fantastic event.

Click here to see more photos of Fun Day!

More Than Just a Fun Day

Beyond the excitement, Fun Day served as an introduction to the various youth programs available at the DIS. By experiencing firsthand the enriching opportunities offered within the space, many students expressed interest in joining ongoing programs designed to foster learning and community engagement. 

Your support allows us to provide these programs and services every day. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the students, volunteers, and staff who made this event such a tremendous success. The Life Remodeled Youth and Community Engagement Department continues to create impactful opportunities for students at Durfee Elementary-Middle School, Central High School, and five additional DPSCD schools (DPSCD). Their efforts help students stay engaged in school and enroll in afterschool programs that support learning in reading, math, science, and beyond.

Want to learn more about the 30 plus nonprofit organizations supporting students at the Durfee Innovation Society? Visit https://liferemodeled.org/dis/tenants/

Supporting Attendance and Student Success

For students who regularly participate, stepping into the DIS on Count Day means being greeted by familiar staff and a welcoming environment they associate with growth, support, and enrichment. This familiarity helps create a positive link between school attendance and rewarding experiences at the DIS, further encouraging students to stay engaged in both their education and the community programs that support their success.

As of the 2023-2024 school year, DPSCD has a chronic absenteeism rate of 65.8% across the district, with Durfee’s chronic absenteeism rate at 82%. Research indicates that contributing factors include poverty, crime, and health problems. Studies further show that chronically absent children are more likely to drop out of high school.

The goal of Life Remodeled has been to support Durfee in increasing attendance by celebrating and incentivizing students for maintaining regular attendance or showing improvement. According to Durfee Principal LaToya Webb, 92% (570 out of 621) of Durfee students attended school on Count Day, with an average daily attendance rate of 80%.

Life Remodeled is committed to creating engaging initiatives that support student attendance. When students miss school, it can lead to reduced funding, which directly impacts essential resources such as academic programs, extracurricular activities, and overall school support. Our Count Day event is just one of the many initiatives we host to support Durfee Elementary and Central High School with attendance. Life Remodeled provides necessary resources and fun activities for students, reinforcing the importance of regular attendance.