Detroit Mayor Bing visits Green Elementary

Green Elementary School in the West Bloomfield School District welcomed Detroit Mayor Dave Bing on Wednesday, May 25 for an assembly in celebration of the school’s spring theme, “Detroit-Downtown and Around Town.”

“This theme was designed to teach the children and parents of our school the history of the city of Detroit and the wonderful things that we can do in the city,” said Green Principal Katherine Shieko.

For Bing’s visit, the school’s students and teachers transformed the building’s halls into the streets of Detroit with displays for Bing to tour.

At the assembly, songs including Sammy Davis, Jr.’s “Hello Detroit” were performed, and students demonstrated their knowledge of the city.

Bing was also presented with a check for $2,100 that was raised by Green’s students to go toward the Blight Busters “Motor City Makeover” program.

“Mayor Bing talked about the importance of people coming to Detroit and its connections to the suburbs and all the good things happening down there,” Shieko said. “He also told the students that the one thing people can’t take away from you is a good education.”

As part of the school’s theme this spring, Green students took field trips to different parts of the city, including the Parade Company and the Detroit Institute of Arts. The school also welcomed different speakers who spoke about how Detroit shaped them.

Students were also served lunches with products from Detroit-based companies and Detroit cuisine, including Coney Island hot dogs, Better Made potato chips, Faygo pop and Sanders hot fudge.

The theme will continue on Thursday, June 2 at 1 p.m. with Green’s version of a Thanksgiving Parade, complete with student-made floats, classic cars and an appearance by Detroit Tigers’ mascot PAWS.