Friends of Mitchell School Update + Donations Request

Dear Friends of Mitchell School,

I am writing to keep you informed about the good work and results at Michell School.  I also want you to be aware of our current needs.  If you are looking to make an end of year tax donation, please consider making it to Mitchell.

The Mitchell School Good News Updates:

1. Achievement - Mitchell School has improved over the last three years as signified most recently in the school being removed from the State of Michigan focus school list.  More at:  http://mitchellschool.blogspot.com/2014/09/mitchell-school-achievement-increases.html

We are proud of this achievement, but we are not done yet.  We want to see greater improvement as outlined in our School Improvement Plan.

To note: In looking for other schools in Southeastern Michigan who have similar demographics (most diverse school in Michigan, high % free/reduced lunch percentage, high % of English Language Learners) to Mitchell School and have been removed from the focus school list, Mitchell stands alone. There are not other similar schools who have achieved this.

2. Mitchell Literacy Fund - Our $50,000 goal was achieved last spring thanks to many of you.  This money is being allocated as soon as this weekend at the Scholastic Book Warehouse to support buying books to support family literacy initiatives identified in the Mitchell School Improvement Plan:  http://mitchellschool.blogspot.com/2013/10/announcement-mitchell-school-literacy.html

Thank you to those who continue to make contributions to the Mitchell Literacy Fund.

3. International Baccalaureate coming to Mitchell - The next step in making Mitchell School the best it can be connects to Ann Arbor's work to establish International Baccalaureate schooling at Mitchell, Scarlett Middle School, and Huron High School.  It will be the only K-12 Pathway of International Baccalaureate schooling in Washtenaw County and one of only three such pathways available in Michigan.  This is a significant teaching and learning move for Mitchell and for Ann Arbor.  I want you to know more about this work: http://a2-ib.blogspot.com/2014/12/ann-arbor-international-baccalaureate.html

4.  Current Needs at Mitchell - We have needs that are unmet...copy paper, field trip scholarships, office supplies, playground needs, etc. 

If you are looking to make an end of the year tax donation, please consider donating directly to Mitchell.  Checks made out to "Mitchell School PTO" with "school support account" in the memo line will be used to support our current school needs including the development of our International Baccalaureate work this school year. I'd be happy to tell you more about these needs over coffee if you have time to visit.

note: The Mitchell PTO is a 501(c)(3) and will provide you with a tax receipt.

If you have questions, please email or call me (cell 734 323 3119). 

Sincerely,
Kevin

Kevin Karr
Lead Principal of Mitchell/Scarlett K-8 International Baccalaureate Campus
International Baccalaureate K-12 District Facilitator

Ann Arbor Public Schools

Follow me on Twitter @A2_IB