Parent Information

Women’s History Month

March is recognized as Women’s History Month, a time to honor the contributions women have made throughout history. During this month, we celebrate not only notable women around the world, but also the women in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities who inspire and make a difference every day.

Parent Teacher Conferences Wednesday March 11, 2026

Parents and guardians are invited to attend our Semester 2 Parent-Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, March 11 from 1:00–5:00 PM. This is a valuable opportunity to connect with teachers, discuss student progress, and collaborate on ways to support continued success. To better inform your meeting, please ask your son/daughter to share their March Progress Report, which was distributed on Friday, 3/6. We look forward to seeing you.

Safety, Security, and Late Arrivals

Student safety remains a top priority at CMA. Please be reminded that all students are required to go through the security screening process upon arrival; this procedure is not negotiable. Any student who attempts to bypass or breach a security search will incur an automatic suspension. We have also noticed an increase in students arriving after the 8:15 AM start time, and we strongly encourage all scholars to arrive on time and ready for the day. As a final reminder to parents and guardians, students arriving after 9:00 AM must be escorted into the building by a parent or guardian.

From the Desk of Superintendent Vitti

“Perfect Attendance Pays” initiative began January 5, 2026. Students can earn a $100 gift card every week (5 school days in a row) of perfect attendance. Students must be present in all six (6) of their scheduled classes to be eligible for the incentive. The program runs through March 20, 2026, for a chance to earn up to $1,000 in total gift cards! If you have any concerns of fraud, please have your student email Giftcards@detroitk12.org.

Cycle Attendance Period Payment Date

6 February 9-13, 2026 March 6, 2026

7 February 23-27, 2026 March 13, 2026

8 March 2-6, 2026 March 20, 2026

9 March 9-13, 2026 March 27, 2026

10 March 16-20, 2026 April 10, 2026

313 Day is Career Day at CMA

Career Day at CMA will take place on March 13, featuring representatives from a variety of career paths and professions who will be sharing insights and experiences with our students. We encourage students to dress to impress as they explore the many possibilities for their future. You never know where an opportunity might appear, so it’s important to show up prepared, confident, and ready to make a great impression. We also extend our sincere thanks to our guest speakers and community partners for taking the time to invest in our students, and to Mr. Fresh and his team for their diligence and hard work in preparing for this exciting event.

Coming Soon...Panorama Family Survey March 16, 2026

Parental involvement and input are key to improving students’ academic and social outcomes, as well as improving school climate. CMA’s Administration kindly asks that all families participate in completing the Family Survey either online or via the distributed Family Survey hardcopy. Students and families can return the completed copy to the Main Office during the school day or at the PTA Meeting, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Thank you.

After-school Tutoring & Credit Recovery (Edmentum)

After school tutoring is available for all students, grades 9-12. Students who need additional academic support should sign up for extended after-school tutoring on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 to remain in good standing and enrolled at Communication & Media Arts High School. Additionally, students enrolled in Edmentum for Credit Recovery should be actively working to complete courses required for graduation by May 1, 2026. Please contact Assistant Principal James at 313 866-9300 or Damarco.james@detroitk12.org if you have any questions.

From the Office of Athletics

Baseball and Softball Teams will practice at Stoepel Park. Student athletes will ride the shuttle bus to Stoepel Park (Route 405). The bus will leave CMA at 2:40 pm promptly. *Girls and Boys Track will practice will take place at 3 pm. here at CMA.

All tickets must be purchased prior to 3 pm on game days. Tickets will no longer be sold at the door. You will not be able to enter without a ticket purchased through Gofan.

Home games: CMA students must provide a school ID at the door. No ID NO ENTRY!!

Away Games: CMA students who wish to go to an away game MUST be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian over the age of 21. Acceptable Forms of payment: Credit cards /Debit Cards, Apple Pay, & Google Pay.

Senior Dues

The 4th installment of Senior Dues is due by Thursday, April 2, 2026. Only cash, money orders, or cashiers’ checks are accepted. Parents and students can pay for their Senior Dues on any day of the week during their lunch hour and at 2:35 pm.

Mobile Pantry

The School Food Mobile Program provides nutritious, healthy food for families. The mobile pantry includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Items distributed from CMA’s parking lot on:

*Monday, April 13, 2026 *Monday, May 11, 2026 *Monday, June 8, 2026

Spring Break

School will be closed for Spring Break, Mon., March 30 through Friday, April 3, 2026. School will re-open Mon., April 6, 2026 @ 7:30 a.m.

Mark your Calendar & Save the Date

PSAT 8/9 & PSAT 10 – April 14, 2026 / SAT & WIN Career Readiness – April 14 & 15, 2026

Parent Corner

Our next Parent Workshop: Hustle & Flow will be on Tuesday, March 24 at 4:30 pm followed by our PTA meeting at 5:30 pm. Refreshments will be served. Come join us! If you need to contact the parent group, please feel free to contact President Daniels by email cmapharaohsptsa@gmail.com, Facebook page CMA Pharaohs PTSA.

 

A.M. Entrance

Students must have an I.D. Any student who does not have their I.D. will be required to wait. Also, any students that have issues with I.D. cards, dress code, etc., will be processed after students that have their I.D. are processed to ensure a timely entrance. No student will be admitted without a valid CMA ID card. All students entering without I.D. will be processed after students who have their IDs are checked in.

Students must enter the building at Door #6 and exit the building at Door #6. These doors are opened at 7:30 a.m. on school days, doors are closed at 8:15 a.m. Students arriving after 8:15 a.m. must enter via the main entrance doors. Late students will not be permitted to interrupt first-hour class. Students will not be allowed into school after 8:55 a.m. without a parent and will not be allowed to attend their first-hour class. (No Exceptions To This Policy)

Counseling Center

During the school day, students cannot have an early dismissal without permission from the counselor or administration. Notes for counselors must be given to the counselor at the beginning of the day before the second hour.

If a student becomes ill during the school day, the student must notify their counselor who will then make the necessary home contact. No phone messages are delivered to students.

Parents cannot give verbal consent for student release to a person not listed on the Student's Data Sheet or Emergency Contact. Students can only be released to a parent, guardian, or emergency contact person on the contact list.

Lunch/Food Policy

CMA provides a free hot lunch program for all its students. Students may bring their lunch. No outside lunches may be dropped off for students (No Exceptions). No glass bottles are allowed. No food can be dropped off or delivered to students during the school day.

Parent Newsletter

Our parents' newsletter is distributed to students electronically monthly. Students will receive a hard copy during their sixth-hour class. It serves to notify parents and students of upcoming calendar events, student activities, scholarship and career opportunities, and other important news.  It is the responsibility of each student to take the newsletter home to the parents. Additional copies are always available in the main office. Parents Newsletter can also be accessed on the school's website (detroitk12.org/cma).

After School Pickup Time

All students must clear the campus by 3:00 p.m. unless they are in a designated area with a supervised adult. Parents and students will not be allowed to wait in the building after 3:00 p.m. Students must exit the building and its grounds within 10 minutes of the end of their schedule unless they are remaining for a school activity. Only door #1 is used at exit time.

Bus Schedule 

Buses will pick up students in the morning at the old CMA building at 14771 Mansfield Detroit, MI 48227. 

Times: 7:15, 7:30

Buses will pick students up after school at 2:40 and drop them off at 14771 Mansfield Detroit, MI 48227.

Mondays through Fridays, the academic day begins at 8:00 AM and ends at 2:55PM

Revised Bell Schedule - 2025-2026

9th-10th Grade 

A Lunch 

I. 8:00am to 9:00am

II. 9:05am to 10:01am

III. 10:06am to 11:01am

IV. 11:06am to 12:31pm

V. 12:36pm to 1:31pm

VI. 1:36pm to 2:31pm

VII. 2:37pm to 2:55pm (record room)

Lunch A1(9th) 11:06am to 11:31am

Lunch A2(10th) 12:06am to 12:31pm

11th and 12th Grade 

B Lunch

I. 8:00am to 9:00am

II. 9:05am to 10:01am

III. 10:06am to 11:01am

IV. 11:06am to 12:01pm

V. 12:06pm to 1:31pm

VI.1:36pm to 2:31pm

VII. 2:37pm to 2:55pm (record room)

Lunch B1 12:36pm to 1:01pm

Lunch B2 1:06pm to 1:31pm

The CMA Dress Code for 2025-2026 is described below. Students are required to wear CMA school colors, which are black, dark purple, and/or white.  

Dress Code Expectations

• CMA paraphernalia (Pharaoh sports, clubs, and/or organizations). 

• Solid black, white, or purple pants 

• Solid black, white, or purple shirts and/or sweaters 

• Solid black, white, or purple skirts. Skirts must be at least finger-tip length. 

• Shoes must have a hard bottom and completely cover the entire foot, no exposed heels, or toes. 

**All student attire must be free of rips or holes of any kind. 

Unacceptable Attire

• Any article of clothing that contains/references violence, drugs, or hate speech.  

• Bedroom attire or shoes 

• Clothing that is revealing, see-through, or provocative. 

• Midriff, crop tops, or tank tops 

• Jumpsuits/catsuits/onesies 

• Shorts 

• Attire (pants, shirts, skirts) with rips or holes 

• Non-religious head coverings such as hats, scarves, bandanas, hoodies, etc...  

• Jackets, coats, or other articles considered to be outer wear may not be worn inside of the building during school hours. 

• Dresses/skirts cannot be worn cheer skirts, tennis skirts, micro, miniskirts, or dresses, bodycon dresses/skirts, etc.

Communication & Media Arts Dress Code Policy is subject to change as needed by school administration, stakeholders, and Detroit Public Schools Community District Student Code of Conduct.

Parent Academy Catalog

The goal of Parent Academy is to provide parents the tools and skills to build capacity and confidence to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. All classes are free and offered in convenient locations to meet parents where they are. Parent Academy focuses on three key pillars: Student Achievement, Personal and Professional Development, and Parenting/Advocacy.

PowerSchool Login

Parent and student login for PowerSchool.

PowerSchool's Parent Student Resource Center

Click the link below to get help with PowerSchool logins, passwords, district codes, and more. 

PowerSchool's Parent Student Support Page

Get help with PowerSchool login and password reset.

Mental Health

Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Authority 

24 Hour Referral & Crisis Help Line

313-833-2500

The Children's Center

Licensed psychiatrists and therapists work with children who struggle with behavioral, emotional, educational and physical challenges.

The Children Center

Ruth Ellis Center 

 Provides case management and outpatient mental health services for LGBTQ youth.

Ruth Ellis Center

The Guidance Center

Services spanning Early Childhood, Children and Youth Services, Adult Services, and Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities are delivered with excellence and professionalism in an atmosphere of caring, hope and respect.

The Guidance Center

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

800-273-8255

Available 24 hours. Provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Absence Excuse/Field Trip Permission Slips

All students must have a verified and processed absence excuse in order to receive any make-up work. This means class work, homework, quizzes, test, etc..

Late Work

Teachers are strictly prohibited from accepting late work from students unless the student has presented a verified and processed absence excuse, or a teacher signed Field Trip permission slip.

Field Trip Permission Slips

All teachers must sign the student field trip permission slip at least 2 school days in advance. Teachers are not required to sign permission slip outside of this time frame.

Grading Scale Breakdown

Do Now/WAC/SSR	5%
Class Work and Labs	30%
Quizzes/Test/Projects	35%
Class Participation	5%
Homework	10%
Final Exam/Post Test	15%

The Standard Grading Scale applies with the exception of Advanced Placement (AP) Classes.