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Time To Count Heads In Michigan Schools

DETROIT (WWJ) - Wednesday is student count day in Michigan.  It's the day in which state funding for school districts is partially determined by how many students are in class.

Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager Roy Roberts is encouraging his Principals  to create a little excitement around count day.

"Whatever works for a school that is legitimate and above-board is good - and I think the story I would tell kids is ... your reward for going to school is, you are going to be able to live a fruitful life," said Roberts.

Roberts says that many schools will spice up the menu - bringing in pizza or creating a little excitement for the school day.

He says that kids are looking for some of that excitement.

In Detroit,  Davison School Principal Dianne Holland has planned special activities to make sure students are in class.

"We've got movies and popcorn coming, we have ice cream ... we have creatively planned  our PT conference (Wednesday) the parents will be here in the evening from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.," said Holland.

The DPS budget target student population is just over 65,000 students.

This year, count day was moved from the fourth Wednesday of September to the first Wednesday in October.

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