NORTHVILLIANS,

Last week, we celebrated the accomplishments of dozens of volunteers in Northville who dedicate their time and talents to the Sustainability of our natural resources and are involved with Arbor Day and Earth Day activities.

This week, we are transitioning to our community’s schools and staff that have guided us to being the top school district in the state.

Before looking at our Schools, let’s see what’s happening today:

Downtown Social District Update

• 44 Band Concerts have been approved for the remainder of the year, so get ready for some great downtown entertainment.  
• Also, the DDA Street Closure Survey is still open for those who have not completed it.  You can take it by clicking on the following link: Click Here

• Wed, May 11^th at 7:00 PM, Northville District Library – State of the Community Address and Q & A with the Mayor… Register Here.
• VIDEO – Northville Chamber event, State of the Community Luncheon at Schoolcraft College, held April 13^th. Link to Mayor's presentation: State of the City

• Northville has had 714 cases/6 fatalities, Township 5994/82, Michigan 2.4M/36K, Nation 81M/992K, Global 510M/6.2M. (CDC.com)

Now let's transition to School activities through time (according to The Northville Record)...

1826 – The first schoolhouse in the Northville area was built out of logs and located east of downtown. It was not uncommon for the 10 students who attended here to see wolves emerging from the surrounding woods.

1829 – Two other district schoolhouses were built in Northville, and thus the Northville School system began (Griswold School & Taft School).

1833 – The first school board was elected, including: Cady, Dunlap and Mead (of Meads Mill). The group decided to erect a schoolhouse built of cobblestone for 100 students, which remained until 1923 (by CVS/The Exchange area).

1865 – A two-story brick building close to where Old Village School sits today was built at a cost of $11,000 (about $200K+ in today’s money). The structure was known as the Union School and became the first High School.
 
School Names - Through the years, many of the schools were named after early educators such as Ida B. Cooke and superintendent Russell Amerman. Later on, Schools were named after unique natural local geography or activities in the vicinity like Mead's Mill, Thornton’s Creek, Moraine, Silver Springs, etc.
 
Citizen of the Year – At the State of the Community event, it was my honor and pleasure to present this year’s highest award, “Citizen of the Year,” in honor of John Genitti, to Mary Kay Gallagher, our retiring superintendent. It was noted she has spent the majority of her life (37 years) educating generations of students in our schools.

1985 Happenings when Mary Kay began her education journey:

• Fred Meijer opened his newest store on 8 Mile & Haggerty.
• Main Center building (downtown) was taking shape, replacing a bowling alley.
• A fund for our present-day band shell in Town Square was started.
• This was the first year of the town’s Santa Parade.

Just like our city, you can see our school system coming up on their bicentennial. As the seasons start transitioning, I encourage you to get out and enjoy our downtown Social District, including dining at our local restaurants. Stroll along our historic streets of Main and Dunlap and then relax around Ford Field & the Mill Race Village where one of our early schools is located next to the River & Mill Pond. And congratulate Mary Kay Gallagher next time you see her!

Keep that Northville Faith!