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	Kevin Karr (@kevinkarr_aaps)
3/28/14, 10:10 AM Disability Awareness Day at Mitchell pic.twitter.com/hv5S2nmWCI

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PHOTO: Disability Awareness Day at Mitchell School

Thanks to the Betas of UM for sending 12 volunteers to today's workshop at Mitchell!

Jon Muncie@jmmuncie   @Beta_Michigan brothers volunteering at Mitchell Elementary this morning!@BetaThetaPi @tri_4everpic.twitter.com/s2thb3Ias5       01:42 PM - 28 Mar 14       Reply to @jmmuncie Retweet  Favorite

International Baccalaureate Program Coming To Mitchell, Scarlett, Huron

Dear Mitchell Families, 

The news below from the AAPS News website shares some exciting developments about the future of Mitchell School.  I believe the newly announced International Baccalaureate Program will be a fit for our students, families and teachers in extending the excellent work we already do in helping kids to show at least one year of academic growth during every school year.

Please expect that I will share more information as this develops. Of course if you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.  You can email me, call the school office, or stop by!

Sincerely,
Kevin

 

AAPS to Phase in International Baccalaureate Program

FROM:  http://news.a2schools.org/aaps-to-phase-in-international-baccalaureate-program/

March 27, 2014

By Tara Cavanaugh

The Ann Arbor Public Schools is set to become one of the few districts in Michigan with a comprehensive K-12 International Baccalaureate program.
The AAPS Board of Education voted to approve the program during its March 26 meeting. The board first discussed details of the program, including how students would be admitted, during a study session at Skyline last week.
International Baccalaureate offers high-quality international programming to more than one million students in 146 countries. IB works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. IB diploma certificates are given in addition to the high school graduation certificate and are accepted at universities worldwide.
Starting during the 2014-15 year, the district will begin the three-year process of fulfilling IB requirements and receiving IB authorization. The program will be in place for the 2016-17 year.
"We know that this program will satisfy a tremendous demand that we have," Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Swift said at the meeting.
"We feel that as we look into phasing in the International Baccalaureate program, we will be leveraging quite a lot of an investment back into our own Ann Arbor Public Schools and we will be able to provide that world-class and globally-connected program right here at home in our own district."
During the 2013-14 school year, 218 AAPS students participated in the Washtenaw County Consortium programs. The county offers a variety of alternative consortium programs for high school students, and the most popular one is its IB program. The district covers the cost of AAPS student attendance in those programs.
"That's $1.9 million we are paying to the county," Dr. Swift said, "And a good amount of that is for its International Baccalaureate program."
The board trustees voiced their support of the new program.
"This is absolutely wonderful," trustee Susan Baskett said. "I think this is a great opportunity for our students across the district. …This is going to be a very, very exciting adventure."

MEAP Parent Reports

Dear Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade Families,
Today your child will bring home their fall 2013 MEAP test results in their backpack.  Please look for an envelope with your home address on the outside of it.
For more information about these results for Mitchell School, please go to:
http://mitchellschool.blogspot.com/2014/03/fall-2013-meap-update.html
If you have questions, please feel free to ask me or your child's teacher.
Sincerely,
Kevin

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROPOSED FOR MITCHELL, SCARLETT, AND HURON

FROM:  http://news.a2schools.org/district-discusses-proposal-for-international-baccalaureate-program/

March 19, 2014

By Tara Cavanaugh

Grab your passports and hold onto your hats: the Ann Arbor Public Schools could soon be going global.

AAPS Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Swift is presenting a proposal for an International Baccalaureate program to the Board of Education at its March 19 meeting. The program would be infused into K-12 grades at Mitchell Elementary, Scarlett Middle and Huron High School.

International Baccalaureate currently offers high-quality international programming to more than one million students in 146 countries. IB works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. IB diploma certificates are given in addition to the high school graduation certificate and are accepted at universities worldwide.

If implemented, AAPS would be among the first large districts in the State of Michigan to offer a comprehensive K-12 program.

Fully implementing an IB program takes three years. The district would need to fulfill IB requirements and receive IB authorization.

Starting the process now is opportune timing for the district, Dr. Swift said. AAPS is working to attract more students and increase revenue through strategic programming. The district is opening a new K-8 STEAM school at Northside as well as offering 750 Schools of Choice seats to students who reside outside district boundaries. The district is also implementing more world language instruction, a new alternative high school campus and launching the A2 Virtual+ Academy.

All of these new initiatives will take place during the 2014-2015 school year and are meant to attract more students, and therefore more revenue, to the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Dr. Swift calls it "value-added programming:" infusing innovative programming and opportunities into the schools in order to increase enrollment and also to broaden the excellence for which the district is already known.

The IB programming was also a consistent request heard at Dr. Swift's Listen and Learn meetings last fall.

If the program is implemented, students who reside in the Mitchell, Scarlett and Huron attendance area will receive top priority for enrollment. Students who live within AAPS boundaries will receive priority for the in-district transfer process. Students who live outside AAPS boundaries will participate in the Schools of Choice process to enroll. Wait lists will be created for students who express interest in IB beyond the available capacity.

The IB program will be discussed and potentially approved during the second briefing at the BOE meeting on March 26.

School Improvement Input for 2014-15 - PLEASE GIVE YOUR INPUT

Dear Mitchell Staff, PTO, Parents, Friends and School Improvement Team, 

I'm asking for your input about the Mitchell School Improvement Plan for 2014-15.  

Would you please share your thoughts by filling out the form linked here:

https://docs.google.com/a/aaps.k12.mi.us/forms/d/1NjrC-uEOrz5bropawtosYLsb0inLDqCHliUj8BZI6kI/viewform

In case you need to read the current plan, please CLICK HERE.  

Info about our current data:  http://mitchellschool.blogspot.com/2014/03/fall-2013-meap-update.html

Thank you.  If you have questions, please let me know.  

Kevin

PHOTO: All-School Reading Time

As part of our celebration of March Is Reading month, everyone in the entire school read at the same time today. It was a beautiful moment. In the photo, some of our kindergarten students were enjoying some of their favorite books!

Our theme this month:
Be Strong! Be Powerful! READ!

PHOTO: Noon time band practice

A group of fifth grade musicians practicing during the noon hour. It sounded beautiful.

Scarlett Middle School Incoming 6th Grade Parent Orientation - 3/17/14 @ 6:30 PM

ATTENTION:  5th Grade Parents = SAVE THE DATE

Monday 3/17/2014 6:30-7:30pm

Scarlett Middle School Incoming 6th Grade Parent Orientation

We are excited to meet all of you and look forward to having you join the Scarlett Nation full of Passion, Pride, & Productivity!!!

~ Mr. Vazquez & Ms. Peterson

Fall 2013 MEAP Update

The fall 2013 MEAP data have been released by the State of Michigan. The current reading, writing (only given in 4th grade), math, and science (only given in 5th grade) scores for Mitchell show below. For purposes of comparison the previous data for a given cohort group of students is also shown.  We use this cohort data at school to best see if a given group of students is making progress relative to the MEAP data.  

3rd Grade Cohort
2013 Reading - 38.6% proficient + 4.5% advanced = 43.1% proficient/advanced (passing)

2013 Math - 20.5% proficient + 13.6% advanced = 34.1% proficient/advanced (passing)

4th Grade Cohort - data from the group's third and fourth grade years
2012 Reading - 66.7% proficient + 0% advanced = 66.7% proficient/advanced (passing)
2013 Reading - 61% proficient + 2.4% advanced = 63.4% proficient/advanced (passing)

2012 Math - 33.3% proficient + 4.8% advanced = 38.1% proficient/advanced (passing) 
2013 Math - 31.7% proficient + 9.8% advanced = 41.7% proficient/advanced (passing)

2013 Writing - 34.1% proficient + 0% advanced = 34.1% proficient/advanced (passing)

5th Grade Cohort - data from the group's third, fourth and fifth grade years
2011 Reading - 43.8% proficient + 6.3% advanced = 50.1% proficient/advanced (passing)
2012 Reading - 54% proficient + 0% advanced = 54% proficient/advanced (passing)
2013 Reading - 49% proficient + 14.3% advanced = 63.3%proficient/advanced (passing)

2011 Math - 29.2% proficient + 4.2% advanced = 33.4% proficient/advanced (passing)
2012 Math - 28% proficient + 10% advanced = 38% proficient/advanced (passing)
2013 Math - 38% proficient + 14% advanced = 52% proficient/advanced (passing)

2013 Science - 5.9% proficient + 7.8% advanced = 13.7% proficient/advanced (passing)

Please note the progress that fourth and fifth grades have made on the MEAP test during their time at Mitchell - with the exception of the fourth grade reading data where we've seen a slight downturn.  Upon analysis of that specific data, the difference in the scores had to do with students who scored one point lower on the MEAP reading test in fourth grade as compared with their third grade results.  I anticipate that those students will continue to learn at a rate of at least one year of academic growth for each year of school . . . and that they will perform higher on next test.

Other than the notable fourth grade MEAP reading exception, Mitchell has demonstrated incremental growth over the last two years and has demonstrated that academic progress is being made in significant ways.  Great job to Mitchell students, parents, and teachers!

It is also important to note that we track other data points at Mitchell - not just MEAP results - to gauge performance including NWEA MAP test results, SRI test results, and report card results.  We do this to get the most accurate picture of what is happening for individual students and their learning.  These multiple data points enable us to answer questions like:
- Is a student meeting the state standards as measured by the MEAP test?
- Is a student on track for making a year of growth in reading or math as measured by the NWEA test (or SRI test for reading), even if the student did not "pass" the MEAP test?
- Is a student meeting expectations in the grade level curriculum as measured by the report cards?
- What specifically does a student need to learn next in order to make the next "jump" in their learning?

Given these other data points, it is apparent that while fourth grade MEAP reading scores are valuable, they do not tell the full story of fourth grade reading success at Mitchell.  Using NWEA results, for example, we see that students are making growth as measured by fall and winter NWEA testing.  We expect further growth will occur as measured by winter and fall NWEA testing (along with some exceptional teaching).  In the end we anticipate our fourth graders who were slightly lower on this year's MEAP reading test to make progress as measured by other assessments we use.  In fact, we're carefully watching and working to make sure this occurs to the best of our abilities.

The questions above (and the answers to them) are important because they give a more full understanding of success.  Some might remember I've previously shared that the Mitchell program helps almost all students to grow at least one year academically for each year they are in school.  At Mitchell we report this because some of our students do not currently meet the state standards (for lots of valid reasons like they are learning English), BUT they are definitely making a year or more of academic growth.  It gives a perspective that can't be seen when looking at just MEAP data.   

Mitchell is a high-quality academic experience, and we are working to help students and to be the best we can be.

Thank you to the Mitchell staff and parents for their work in supporting our students. Most of all, congratulations to our students for their efforts!!! We still have a lot of work to do, but we're excited about the current progress!

Mitchell Student Enrollment Survey for 2014-15

Dear Mitchell School Families,
The time has come to begin planning for the 2014-15 school year.  Please let us know your plans for next year and give your input on class placement for your child(ren) by doing one of the following:
Click this link:  http://tinyurl.com/md2xk2y
OR 
Fill out the form in your child's backpack today.
As you make your decisions for next year, I want to remind you that Mitchell is an exceptional learning environment.  Kids at Mitchell make at least a year of growth academically.  Other schools (who may have higher MEAP scores) can most often not say this.  My purpose in sharing this is to remind you of the excellence of your neighborhood school.  I'd be happy to meet with you to share more.
Sincerely,
Kevin

Photo: Tarun Reads At Night!

During March is reading month, Mr. Karr hopes families will send him photos of their children reading at home! 

Below is Tarun, a FANTASTIC reader and student, reading before his goes to bed.  Nice job, Tarun!

Mindset: Winter 2014 Program Information

Dear Mitchell Fourth and Fifth Grade Parents,
Please check your child's backpack about the winter 2014 Mindset program, an exciting opportunity for our fourth and fifth graders at Mitchell.

Mindset is hosted by a UM honor society and has been highly valued by Allen and Pittsfield School families over the last three years.  I'm excited the opportunity to participate in this Saturday program has been extended to all Mitchell fourth and fifth grade families.

If your child is interested in participating in Mindset this fall, they should return their permission slip not later than Friday, March 7.

If you have questions, please call or email me.
Sincerely,
Kevin

Disability Awareness Workshop at Mitchell - March 28 - You Should Volunteer! :-)

On March 28, Mitchell will host a wonderful learning opportunity called Disability Awareness Workshop.  Parents who volunteer to help with the event rave about the experience.

The event is targeted to fourth graders each year but all parents can participate.

Want to help or find out more? Please check for an email sent on March 3 or check your child's backpack for a paper flyer about the workshop.

Thank you.

Kevin