Flowers sit atop the Roeper School sign in memory of Annemarie Roeper. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (WJBK) -
There was laughter and learning Monday in a non-traditional classroom setting at the Roeper School in Bloomfield Hills. It is just what founder Annemarie Bondy Roeper wanted. The 93-year-old started the school for gifted children with her husband, George, back in 1941 after they barely escaped Nazi Germany with their lives.
"We came out of the Holocaust and the idea was that scared, frightened people are easily manipulated, so Annemarie and George wanted a school where people would learn to create their own identity, speak up for truth and not ever march people into concentration camps," said Roeper Alumni Director Emery Pence.
Mrs. Roeper believed in giving children freedom and room to grow in an emotionally and intellectually supportive community.
Today, 560 students attend Roeper from preschool to high school.
"She's like my role model and Roeper is like my home," said 11-year-old Cecilia Cousins. "I consider her an amazing person."
Mrs. Roeper last visited the school about three years ago for her ninetieth birthday. A memorial service is being planned for August when her family members can attend from out of state.
With a flag at half staff and flowers left at the school entrance, Mrs. Roeper's pioneering spirit is being remembered. Students also took part in an assembly in her honor.
"Her and George's ideas live on. The idea of respect, tolerance, safety, speaking truth to power and each person growing in their own way, but for the betterment of society," Pence said.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
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Friday, June 14 2013 7:45 PM EDT2013-06-14 23:45:59 GMT
Thousands of police and fire retirees could face painful cuts to their pension and healthcare benefits because Detroit does not have the money to live up to its obligations.
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Friday, June 14 2013 6:31 PM EDT2013-06-14 22:31:19 GMT
Highland Park police shut down an adult bookstore where they say illegal sex was also for sale. Fox 2 talked to a former security guard about the things he witnessed.
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Thursday, June 13 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-14 00:19:03 GMT
Vandals target a popular place for children in Detroit. They broke in and damaged a recreation center on the city's east side, and it is bad timing for a local sports league.
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Thursday, June 13 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:51:57 GMT
Detroit's police and fire pension board makes a controversial move. The board's former attorney was indicted in a bribery scandal. They have now voted in a new attorney loosely connected to the scandal himself.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:26:37 GMT
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
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Flowers sit atop the Roeper School sign in memory of Annemarie Roeper. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
