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Walter Flickinger Elementary School has been part of the Utica Community
School district since opening its doors in 1964. Flickinger Elementary is the
only one of 25 UCS Elementary schools to be located in Utica, Michigan and as
such, we enjoy a school-community relationship that is uncommon in larger
municipalities. Like an “only child” in the family, we feel a special closeness
with our entire school community and feel valued by them.
Mr.
Flickinger, a local businessman, had served on the UCS Board of Education for 21
years at the time of the building’s dedication. When he began his service on the
board, the district was approximately two square miles of farm land, with two
schools and a total student population of 439 students. Today, the Utica
Community School District encompasses 66 square miles, including the northern
two-thirds of Sterling Heights, all of the city of Utica and Shelby Township,
and portions of Ray Township, Macomb Township and Washington Township providing
educational excellence to more than 31,500 students in 36
schools.
Since its opening, Flickinger Elementary has had many
changes in its structure and students. The building opened with 12 classrooms.
We have grown to include a gymnasium, research/media center, and 14 additional
classrooms, including a recently completed addition of a suite of rooms
dedicated to science, art, and music instruction. Flickinger’s enrollment has
continued to change. Our population of 503 students includes a diverse
socio-economic community that is becoming more culturally varied. Our parents’
employment includes city services, blue- and white-collar manufacturing jobs,
trades, the education field and service industries. Our families mirror state
population trends, and we have more blended/merged and single parent families
than ever before. Flickinger is a school that draws from two very different
areas. One area includes the homes and apartments that surround the school with
approximately 54% of our students walking to school. The homes in this area are
older and smaller than the second area. The second area is 2.5 miles from the
school and is located in Shelby Township – the homes are newer and
larger.
While there have been many changes in our student body
over the years, one constant is that Flickinger parents have always placed a
high value on quality education. They express their support not only financially
but as involved parents and volunteers at our school. The Flickinger staff is
very appreciative of its close ties with our school communities. Our families
entrust their children to our dedicated staff and support our educational
beliefs and practices. In return we prepare our students to leave our school
armed not only with high academic achievement, but with good character and
compassion for the uniqueness of others.