Once again, AAPS Rec & Ed is offering several after school classes focused on fun, learning, movement, and discovery. Registration is now open, and spots are filling fast! Please see class options below and visit Rec & Ed afterschool classes for details. For scholarship information, click here.
Mitchell
Little Bands
G-Powers Little Hoopers
Little Medical School
Pound Fitness
Parent/Guardians, please remember to follow the posted speed limits. Ann Arbor Police have informed us that they will be a present in the Mitchell/Scarlett neighborhood due to excessive speeding. Especially, Fernwood Street.
The Mitchell PTO will be meeting on Tuesday, January 15 at 6:00 PM in the school media center. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend!
One of our goals here at Mitchell School is that all students will spend time reading each day at home! This extra reading practice helps children develop as readers and develop an enjoyment for reading. To achieve this goal, we give away gently used books before winter break, spring break and summer break. Our winter break book give away is coming up the week of December 17. Please know this:
All Mitchell School students will have the opportunity to choose a free book to add to their at home reading libraries. It is important that students continue to read during the winter break. After your child reads his or her book some questions you might ask your child are, "What was the problem in the story?" "How was the problem solved?" and/or "What did you learn from the book?" This opportunity is made possible through our partnership with the Children's Literacy Network.
AAPS tested the new text message delivery of school closing announcements for families on December 6th. If you have not texted "YES" to 67587, you will not have received the test message. If you have texted "Yes" to 67587 and still did not receive the text, please confirm that the number of the device you would like to receive the text messages on is included in PowerSchool.
The Mitchell PTO will be meeting on Tuesday, December 18 at 6:00 PM in the school media center. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend!
It's a good time to review weather protocols and prepare for the potential of school closings due to inclement weather. Remember, if your phone number is not current, or you have checked opt out of notifications; you will not receive calls from any AAPS building - including inclement weather notifications. Families must update contact information with the building secretary any time there is a change. If this information is not updated you will not receive school closing information.
The district will always strive to make weather-related decisions on regular school days by 5:00 AM. The district will brief media outlets & post on the AAPS website immediately after the decision. Checking in to local media is a good way to stay in the 'know' regarding weather-related district closures. Also, we only notify when schools are closed, so 'no notification' means that school is open for the day. You may review school closing protocol by clicking HERE.
Parents are welcome to visit Mitchell at any time but must stop at the office to sign in and wear a visitors pass while in the building. Anyone who arrives at the office and is not immediately recognized will be asked to show photo identification and will be cross checked against the emergency contact list provided by parents.
Thank you for your help in attending to this important safety procedure.
Next meeting: Monday, December 3, 2018
Updates and Enhancements from SISS and Instruction by Lee Ann Dickenson-Kelley and Concetta Lewis.
Location for December 3, Tappan Middle School from 7:00-9:00 PM.
We are noticing some students are not being picked up on time from school. As a reminder, the bell rings at 3:59. It is not okay for students to be left unattended at school. Please plan to arrive in the school pick-up line by 3:59. We will do our very best to move the line of cars through the pick up line as quickly and safely as possible. Thank you for your help.
Dear Mitchell Families,
If you pick your child up at the end of the day, I'm asking that you please do not block access to the handicap parking spaces. It's important that these spaces remain accessible for people to enter and exit without others blocking the spaces. If you have questions about this, please contact me at school.
Thank you for your help!
Matt
We are looking for some more Science Olympiad coaches. Science Olympiad is for 2-5th grade students, but we need coaches before we can form teams. Check out the links for the events! You can do this! You do not need to be an expert. YOU, the coach, set the practice schedule day and time. Contact Cathleen Haglund at haglundcathleen@gmail.com
See the events at the link below
https://wesoscience.org/events-2019-final/
GIRLS ON THE RUN is need of coaches. You do not need to be a runner! We just need coaches to supervise and motivate the girls on their journey! The commitment depends on the number of coaches. It's about a 10-week program from March through May and practices are 2x a week-- less per coaches if we have more coaches. Please contact Jan Duncan, the media specialist. duncanj@aaps.k12.mi.us
Check out the organization at https://www.girlsontherun.org/
Student report cards will be sent home on Tuesday, November 20. This is an opportunity to talk with your child about their learning and celebrate growth. It's also an opportunity to set improvement goals. If you have questions, please talk with your child's teacher.
All Ann Arbor Public Schools will be closed from Wednesday, November 21 through Friday, November 23. School will reopen on Monday, November 26. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving break!
The Mitchell PTO will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday, November 27 at 6:00 PM in the school media center. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend!
We are noticing some students are not being picked up on time from school. As a reminder, the bell rings at 3:59. It is not okay for students to be left unattended at school. Please plan to arrive in the school pick-up line by 3:59. We will do our very best to move the line of cars through the pick up line as quickly and safely as possible. Thank you for your help.
As a reminder, there is no school for all Ann Arbor Public Schools students on Tuesday, November 6th. School will resume on Wednesday, November 7th.
All families are invited to join us in the multipurpose room at Mitchell for family movie night on Friday, November 16. The movie will begin at 6:00 PM and food will be available for purchase. Children may only attend with a supervising adult. I hope to see you there!
We are noticing many students who are arriving late to school. As a reminder, the bell rings at 8:56. Please make sure children are dropped off for school on time. Late student arrivals cause disruptions to classrooms when kids and teachers have already begun their day of learning. Please do your very best to have your children to school on time.
Halloween candy is not allowed at school. When children bring their candy to school it becomes a distraction to learning. Please keep the candy at home. Thank you for your help!
Mitchell School picture re-take day is scheduled for Friday, November 16. Information about picture re-takes will go home in backpack mail. If you have additional questions you can call the school office at 997.1216.
As a reminder, there is no school for all Ann Arbor Public Schools students on Tuesday, November 6th. School will resume on Wednesday, November 7th.
Halloween candy is not allowed at school. When children bring their candy to school it becomes a distraction to learning. Please keep the candy at home. Thank you for your help!
As a friendly reminder, please send your children to school with the appropriate clothing to be outside for recess. It's important for kids to be outside playing together and getting some exercise. Please send them with a coat, hat, gloves, etc. and we will be sure to have them wear it.
Next meeting: Monday November 5, 2018
District Reading Initiative, Upper Level–Sarah Andrew-Vaughn, District Dept. Chair, 6-12, English Language Arts
Pending: New Adapted Sexual Health Curriculum for Self-Contained Classroom Students–Shalyn Yandura Furton, Autism Spectrum Disorder Coordinator, SISS
Important: Location for November 5 (only) is Slauson Middle School Media Center.
If you have not yet set a time with your child's teacher, please reach out to him or her this week. Conference nights are scheduled for October 29 and November 1.
All AAPS elementary students will be released at 1:29 PM on Wednesday, October 24. All teachers will participate in professional development in the afternoon. Please plan to pick your child up on this day at 1:29 PM. Lunch will be served at school, buses will run as normal and will depart Mitchell by 1:40 PM. Buses will run the regular routes.
The annual Mitchell PTO fall festival will be held on Friday, October 26 beginning at 6:00 PM. The fall festival is a fun family event with games, food and music that celebrates fall. Students are welcome to wear costumes to the fall festival but not during the school day. This is a family event, please:
· Children May Only Attend with a Parent or Guardian
· No Scary Costumes
· No Weapons or Weapon Replicas
· No Fake Blood
Thank you for your help in making this an enjoyable festival for all students!
The Mitchell PTO will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday, October 16 at 6:00 PM in the school media center. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Mitchell parent-teacher conferences are coming soon! If you have not yet set a time with your child's teacher, please reach out to him or her this week. Conference nights are scheduled for October 25, October 29 and November 1.
During the week of October 15, Mitchell fifth grade students will have the opportunity to attend a three-day, two-night camp event at Camp Storer. This is an annual trip taken by our fifth-grade students each year and is designed to build, among other things, community, friendship and teamwork skills. It is always a highly anticipated event and the kids have a great time. I'd like to say thank you to the fifth-grade teachers who commit to this event and to the Mitchell PTO for supporting this trip!
Thank you to all the parents and PTO members who helped to run a successful and enjoyable Fun Run for the Mitchell students. We all had a great time running together and enjoying the day!
Curriculum night was a wonderful community event this past Tuesday at Mitchell. It was great to see so many parents at school. If you were unable to attend, please connect with your child's teacher to ensure that you have the information you need to make this year a great year of learning!
The fun run is coming up on Friday, October 5! This is a PTO sponsored event that promotes wellness and exercise while raising funds for our school. The PTO is still looking for parent volunteers to help with the fun run! You can find contact information HERE.
We are noticing many students who are arriving late to school. As a reminder, the bell rings at 8:56. Please make sure children are dropped off for school on time. Late student arrivals cause disruptions to classrooms when kids and teachers have already begun their day of learning. Please do your very best to have your children to school on time.
Thank you for help,
Matt
On Wednesday, September 26 through Friday, September 28 the Mitchell PTO will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair here at school. Children will have the opportunity to visit the book fair, make a wish list and buy books if they would like. The book fair will also be open during curriculum night the evening of 9/25. If you'd like to volunteer, please click HERE.
Dear families,
Hispanic Heritage month starts on September 15th! This year we will have a unit of inquiry for all students at Mitchell and we will study a specific country in each grade. We chose Hispanic countries that were represented by the Mitchell community. The students will do activities about the countries in Spanish, music, art and physical education classes. We will also talk about Hispanic cultures, indigenous cultures and immigration. If your family is from one of these countries and you would like to come in to share about your country, culture or language with students please contact me. We will also put links for books, songs and resources on this web page: https://sites.google.com/a/aaps.k12.mi.us/mitchell-media-center/hispanic-heritage-month At the end of October students will present about what they have learned. We are very excited about this new unit!
The countries for each grade wiil be:
Pre-K/Y5 – Bolivia
K – El Salvador
1 – Puerto Rico
2 – México
3 – Panamá
4 – Honduras
5 - Cuba
Sincerely,
Rachel Gryak
734-997-1216
Queridas familias,
¡El mes de la Herencia Hispana comienza el 15 de septiembre! Este año tendremos una unidad de investigación para todos los estudiantes en Mitchell. Estudiaremos un país especifico en cada grado. Escogimos países hispanos representados por la comunidad de Mitchell. Los estudiantes harán actividades acerca del país en las clases de español, música, arte y educación física. En adición hablaremos sobre la cultura hispana, la cultura indígena y la inmigración. Si su familia es de uno de estos países y quería venir para compartir algo sobre su país, cultura o idioma con los estudiantes por favor póngase en contacto conmigo. También pondremos libros, canciones y recursos en esta pagina de web: https://sites.google.com/a/aaps.k12.mi.us/mitchell-media-center/hispanic-heritage-month Al final del octubre los estudiantes presentaran sobre lo que aprendieron. Estamos emocionados acera de esta unidad nueva.
Los países de cada grado serán:
Pre-K/Y5 – Bolivia
K – El Salvador
1 – Puerto Rico
2 – México
3 – Panamá
4 – Honduras
5 - Cuba
sinceramente,
Rachel Gryak
734-997-1216
Please plan to attend curriculum night on September 25. You will learn about the curriculum that your child will be learning this school year and have an opportunity to talk with your child's teachers. You will also sign up for parent-teacher conferences.
6:00-6:30 Classroom Teacher Presentations
6:35-6:55 Mr. Hilton's Presentation in the Multi-Purpose Room
7:00-7:30 Classroom Teacher Presentations
Thank you for coming!
All AAPS elementary students will be released at 1:29 PM on Wednesday, September 26. All teachers will participate in professional development in the afternoon. Please plan to pick your child up on this day at 1:29 PM. Lunch will be served as normal. Buses routes will run as normal on this day and will depart Mitchell by 1:40 PM.
The Mitchell PTO will be holding the first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 18 at 6:00 PM in the school media center. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend!
The Mighty Mustangs Math program is an after-school math intervention program focused on developing mathematical skills in students. This program runs in the fall for students in 3rd through 5th grade. Parents of students who demonstrate a need and could benefit from this intervention will be contacted.
On Wednesday, September 26 through Friday, September 28 the Mitchell PTO will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair here at school. Children will have the opportunity to visit the book fair, make a wish list and buy books if they would like.
The Community Action Network of Ann Arbor (CAN) is providing a free art & design program to 4th grade students this fall. This program is for students who have an interest in creating, designing, and thinking outside the box. Space is limited to 20 students total and will fill up fast. Permission slips have been sent home - return yours as soon as possible to secure your spot. Families must provide transportation home! There will be multiple sessions throughout the year and kids who are waitlisted will be offered spots in future sessions. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Williams.
There are some parking spots available in front of Mitchell School. Additional parking is available in the Scarlett parking lot behind Mitchell School. Please DO NOT park in the front circle drive - ever. Parked cars create a traffic flow problem that can cause unsafe situations.
If you need to enter the building, please park in a parking space in one of our lots. Do not double park and block others in. You can park in the Scarlett lot in the back, in the front Mitchell lot or in the neighborhood. Thank you for your help!
I want to take a moment and reinforce our safety procedures for entering the building. We are safest when we work together, go slowly and look out for one another. Please know:
Entering the Building
· As is our current practice, entry during school hours is limited. At the beginning of the school day and at the end of the school day, the main front entrance will be open for a short time. The doors will lock shortly after the entry bell and unlock shortly before the exit bell.
· When requesting entrance, parents and guests will stand in front of the camera and press the buzzer to signal their request. The main front door and the main rear door have a buzzer & camera system. These are the only two doors in which you can enter. Please press the buzzer and be prepared to share why you're visiting school. If the office staff does not immediately answer the buzzer, please be patient and they will be with you shortly.
· Guests and visitors should then go immediately to the office to sign in and wear a visitor's sticker.
I want to make sure that our parent community feels welcome and encouraged to visit school. I also want to make sure we provide a safe and secure environment for children. To do that, I need your help with these procedures. If you have questions, I'd be happy to talk with you.
Dear Families,
It is helpful if families fill out and return to the free & reduced lunch application now. If approved, the form helps students get food at school and it helps bring other money to the school to help us teach.
You can find the application HERE. The form is in many languages at the bottom of the page. Or, you can fill the form out online.
Thank you for your help!
The Mitchell PTO will be holding the first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 18 at 6:00 PM in the school media center. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Dear Mitchell School Families,
I'm writing with an update regarding Curriculum Night. Our originally scheduled Curriculum Night for Thursday, September 13 needs to be changed. There was a scheduling error and our night coincides with Scarlett Middle School's Curriculum Night.
We have now scheduled the event for:
Tuesday, September 25 at 6:00 PM.
I'm sorry for this change and I wanted you to have this information as soon as possible. If you have questions, please call me at school.
Thank you,
Matt
The last day of school is Friday, June 15 and students will be dismissed at 11:39 AM. This is a half-day for all Ann Arbor Public Schools students. Please plan to arrive at 11:39 to pick up your child. Additionally, year-end report cards will be sent home on this day. Please make sure to look over the report card with your child and celebrate the growth they have made as learners!
The Ann Arbor Public Schools is preparing for the 2018-19 school year. We will be using InfoSnap, an online registration system, to confirm your student's enrollment for the upcoming school year. The system is a secure process, which allows the district to verify all student demographic, emergency and medical contact information for your child prior to the start of the new school year. The system will also allow you to electronically sign the annual permission forms for school district policies.
This week you should have received an email communication in email from backtoschool@a2schools.org with instructions on how to access the system for your student. The email will contain a link/instructions and a secure "snapcode" that links directly to your student's information. Please check your inbox or SPAM folder for a message from backtoschool@a2schools.org.
Dear Parents,
If your child has medication that is kept at school, please make plans to stop by the office and pick-up the medication by Thursday, June 21. The office will close for the summer on Friday, June 22. Thank you for your help!
The lost and found is piling up again with spring weather gear. Please plan to stop by the lost and found and claim any items that you own. All items not claimed by Friday, June 15 will be donated to charity. Thank you!
Our annual, year end Ice Cream Social celebration will be held on Friday, June 8 beginning at 6:00 PM here at school. This event is sponsored by the wonderful Mitchell PTO! A flyer came will come home detailing the event and details! It's going to be an awesome time – I hope you all can make the event!
On Thursday, June 14 at 6:00 PM we will be holding our 5th grade graduation ceremony in the multi-purpose room here at Mitchell. We hope all of our fifth grade students and families can attend this event! The Mitchell PTO will be serving light refreshments after the ceremony. Thank you to Mr. Krigbaum, Mr. Popkey and Ms. Padgen for organizing this event.
As we prepare for the 2018-19 school year, interest from the community in our exceptional schooling program continues to be high. Going forward, we are planning to add another modular to the existing site for the fall. This modular will accommodate our growth and will provide us with more high-quality teaching and learning spaces. I want you to know the modular addition is on track and construction will begin shortly after school is out for summer vacation. I will keep you posted as to the progress of this construction over the summer months. If you have any questions, please call me at school at 997.1216.
Dear Parents,
If your child has medication that is kept at school, please make plans to stop by the office and pick-up the medication by Thursday, June 21. The office will close for the summer on Friday, June 22. Thank you for your help!
Our summer book giveaway is fast approaching. During the last week of school your child will have the opportunity to select new books to add to your home library. Please check your child's backpack and set time aside daily to enjoy the books at home over the summer. The at home reading practice this summer is really important to prevent students from regressing over the summer months.
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! Anyone and everyone who volunteered at Mitchell School this year is invited to attend a THANK YOU RECEPTION on Wednesday, June 6th in the Community Room from 3:00-4:00. If you have served pizza at movie night, helped in a classroom, set up for an event, assisted at International Night, etc.... please join us so we can show our appreciation.
The last day of school is Friday, June 15 and students will be dismissed at 11:39 AM. This is a half-day for all Ann Arbor Public Schools students. Please plan to arrive at 11:39 to pick up your child. Additionally, year-end report cards will be sent home on this day. Please make sure to look over the report card with your child and celebrate the growth they have made as learners!
The lost and found is piling up again with spring weather gear. Please plan to stop by the lost and found and claim any items that you own. All items not claimed by Friday, June 15 will be donated to charity. Thank you!
All Mitchell and Scarlett families are welcome to pick up free food at Mitchell School on Saturday, June 2 at 9:30 AM. If you have registered before, you will not need to register again. If you have not previously registered, it is a short process.
This is available to all Mitchell and Scarlett families on the first Saturday of each month. Thank you to Community Action Network and Food Gatherers for their partnership in bringing this service to our community.
Our annual, year end Ice Cream Social celebration will be held on Friday, June 8 beginning at 6:00 PM here at school. This event is sponsored by the wonderful Mitchell PTO! A flyer came will come home detailing the event and details! It's going to be an awesome time – I hope you all can make the event!
We will be holding our annual field day on Friday, June 1. This is a time when we all participate in fun activities as a school. Given our growth over the past few years, we've had to think a little bit differently about how field day will run. This year, the schedule looks like this:
· 9:30-10:30 Kindergarten and First Grade
· 10:35-11:35 Second and Third Grade
· 1:45-2:45 Fourth and Fifth Grade
The kids always look forward to this event! Obviously, this event is dependent on the weather. If it looks like rain, classroom teachers will plan indoor activities.
A friendly reminder…Please, no parking in the circle drive.
· MITCHELL PARKING LOT: At the end of the day, please do not block the entrance/exit of the parking lot or park illegally. If no spots are available, you can park in the Scarlett lot or wait in the pick-up line. We will do our very best to move quickly at the end of the day but will not sacrifice student safety.
· SCARLETT PARKING LOT: You may park in the Scarlett lot if the Mitchell lot is full. The rear door off the Scarlett parking lot now has a camera and buzzer system to enter. DO NOT PARK NEAR THE CURB – THIS AREA IS FOR BUSSES ONLY! Park in a parking space!
· PICK UP LINE – ENTERING MITCHELL: As you arrive for pick up at the end of the day, please make certain that you are not blocking access to the driveways of houses that surround Mitchell. Thank you for your attention and help with this important process.
All Mitchell and Scarlett families are welcome to pick up free food at Mitchell School on Saturday, June 2 at 9:30 AM. If you have registered before, you will not need to register again. If you have not previously registered, it is a short process.
This is available to all Mitchell and Scarlett families on the first Saturday of each month. Thank you to Community Action Network and Food Gatherers for their partnership in bringing this service to our community.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools is preparing for the 2018-19 school year. We will be using InfoSnap, an online registration system, to confirm your student's enrollment for the upcoming school year. The system is a secure process, which allows the district to verify all student demographic, emergency and medical contact information for your child prior to the start of the new school year. The system will also allow you to electronically sign the annual permission forms for school district policies.
This week you should have received an email communication in email from backtoschool@a2schools.org with instructions on how to access the system for your student. The email will contain a link/instructions and a secure "snapcode" that links directly to your student's information. Please check your inbox or SPAM folder for a message from backtoschool@a2schools.org.
The Mitchell PTO will be meeting on Tuesday, May 22 at 6:00 PM in the media center at school. We'd love to see many families attend this event. Everyone is welcome!
There is no school for all Ann Arbor Public Schools students on Tuesday, May 8th. Please get out and vote!
Our Mitchell Family Talent Show is coming up in just two weeks!
The show is Friday, May 11th. Doors open at 6:00pm, Show begins at 6:30.
Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
We still need help on the night of the show, especially supervising the kids "backstage" (in the library).
Please help make this show run smoothly.
Here is the link to sign up...
Please call/text Christine Payne (708) 790-8662 with questions. Thanks!!
The Mitchell School Science Olympiad team will be in action at the county tournament on Saturday, May 12 at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. Kids will be competing at various times throughout the day. We would love to have you stop by and see them in action!
On May 17th at 4:30 PM we will host an event, entitled Black Men Read, which is designed to bring families together to highlight the importance of storytelling in African American communities. The evening will center on the cultural experiences and history of African Americans through story. This event will include a read-aloud and story discussion to help students make connections and understand the text. Finally, there will be crafts for kids and families to do together. We hope all families will attend!
Families who are looking for a high quality, International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme schooling experience at Mitchell should apply now through the schools of choice window. The PYP programme at Mitchell is an exceptional, international schooling opportunity for children and families - please help spread the word! You can find more information at www.a2schools.org
Please come to an informational session for families interested in exploring PreK-12th grade International Baccalaureate opportunities in Ann Arbor starting with the Primary Years Programme at Mitchell. We will also share basic information about the Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme and Career-Related Programme in Ann Arbor.
Learn About Mitchell, an IB World School - This night will feature information for new families interested in exploring/coming to the IB Primary Years Programme at Mitchell.
Mitchell Elementary School is all about:
Student Achievement
Social and Emotional Learning and Well Being
Effective IB programming, including;
- Inquiry - students asking questions, students finding answers;
- Global awareness - connecting to the local, state, national and international community;
- Action and Service - learning by doing, making a positive impact;
- World languages - all students learning a world language;
- Access and Equity - intentional development of curriculum and supports connected to the needs of learners.
Extended day and extended year (summer) learning opportunities
University and community partnerships
Families who are looking for a high quality, International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme schooling experience at Mitchell should apply now through the schools of choice window. The PYP programme at Mitchell is an exceptional, international schooling opportunity for children and families - please help spread the word! You can find more information at www.a2schools.org
We are now enrolling Kindergarten students for the 2018-19 school year. You can find enrollment information on the AAPS homepage or you can stop into the school office between the hours of 8:00 – 4:30 PM for help with enrollment. If you know of someone with a Kindergartner, please tell them to come to school!
Ann Arbor Public Schools' annual School Climate Survey is live now through April 17. All parents, employees, and students in grades 3–12 are invited to participate. This survey will help us to identify trends in perceptions, monitor the climate in our school, evaluate our progress, and understand the ongoing needs of our community. All parents/guardians with a current email address on file received a personal invitation and survey. Independent research and communications firm K12 Insight is administering the survey and compiling the results and ALL responses are strictly confidential. We hope you will take 15 minutes and share your experiences and perceptions with us.
An information night for new families interesting in exploring/coming to the IB Middle Years Programme at Scarlett. We will also share basic information about the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme in Ann Arbor.
During the week of April 9, 5th grade students will begin the MSTEP test. The MSTEP test is required by the State of Michigan for all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. If you have questions please contact Mr. Hilton at 997.1216.
The Mitchell PTO will be meeting on Tuesday, April 17 at 6:00 pm in the media center. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend. I hope to see you there!
The Mitchell School PTO will be hosting movie night on Friday, April 20 beginning at 6:00 PM. Everyone is invited to attend! Children may only attend with a supervising adult. Thank you!
We are now enrolling Kindergarten students for the 2018-19 school year. You can find enrollment information on the AAPS homepage or you can stop into the school office between the hours of 8:00 – 4:30 PM for help with enrollment. If you know of someone with a Kindergartner, please tell them to come to school!
The time has come to begin planning for the 2018-19 school year at Mitchell. It is really important that we project enrollment as early and as accurately as possible. If your child will be staying at Mitchell for the 2018-19 school year, please indicate that on the form below and complete it by Friday, March 23, 2018.
A friendly reminder…Please, no parking in the circle drive.
· MITCHELL PARKING LOT: At the end of the day, please do not block the entrance/exit of the parking lot or park illegally. If no spots are available, you can park in the Scarlett lot or wait in the pick-up line. We will do our very best to move quickly at the end of the day but will not sacrifice student safety.
· SCARLETT PARKING LOT: You may park in the Scarlett lot if the Mitchell lot is full. The rear door off the Scarlett parking lot now has a camera and buzzer system to enter. DO NOT PARK NEAR THE CURB – THIS AREA IS FOR BUSSES ONLY! Park in a parking space!
Current Mitchell 5th grade students who are advanced in math will have the opportunity to test out of Math 6 for next year as they transition to Scarlett Middle School. The testing out opportunity will take place in May. Information has come home via backpack mail. If you have questions, please contact your child's teacher.
We've got you covered for dinner ideas Sunday, April 8th. Come in to the Chipotle at 3354 E Washtenaw Ave Ste A in Ann Arbor on Sunday, April 8th between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Bring the flyer or show it on your smartphone or tell the cashier you're supporting the cause to make sure that 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Mitchell Elementary PTO.
All Mitchell and Scarlett families are welcome to pick up free food at Mitchell School on Saturday, April 7 at 9:30 AM. If you have registered before, you will not need to register again. If you have not previously registered, it is a short process.
This is available to all Mitchell and Scarlett families on the first Saturday of each month. Thank you to Community Action Network and Food Gatherers for their partnership in bringing this service to our community.
It's time for the Mitchell School Family Talent Show! Permission slips have gone home. Anyone wishing to be in the show this year must return their signed permission slip to the school office by Friday, March 23rd. Thank you to Christine Payne for organizing the show again this year!
Details:
Do you play an instrument, sing, dance, tell jokes, perform magic tricks, compose poems or songs, or have another talent? We want you to come share your talent! Your family members are welcome to be in your act too!
*Acts will be expected to be ready to perform at the first practice. All acts must be appropriate for an elementary school audience. Let's keep it positive! Positive messages, positive actions, no swearing, child appropriate language and topics, inclusive and welcoming to anyone viewing. Acts are expected to practice on their own between the dates of practices to improve their performance. Participants are expected to be supportive, cooperative and respectful to all. Acts may be asked to be shortened. Permission Forms are due by Friday, March 23rd.
One of our goals here at Mitchell School is that all students will spend time reading each day at home! This extra reading practice helps children develop as readers and develop an enjoyment for reading. To achieve this goal, we give away gently used books before winter break, spring break and summer break. Our spring break book give away is coming up the week of March 19. Please know this:
All Mitchell School students will have the opportunity to choose a free book to add to their at home reading library. It is important that students continue to read during the spring break. After your child reads his or her book some questions you might ask your child are, "What was the problem in the story?" "How was the problem solved?" and/or "What did you learn from the book?" This opportunity is made possible through our partnership with the Children's Literacy Network.
In a previously shared school improvement update, and as part of our plan to increase achievement at Mitchell, we want to connect with families around literacy in a variety of meaningful ways that also engages the cultural uniqueness of Mitchell families. There are few events, led by teachers, UM partners and Mitchell parents, coming up that I'd like to invite all Mitchell families to attend! Please save these dates:
· On March 21st at 6:00 PM we will host an evening event, entitled Black Men Read, which is designed to bring families together to highlight the importance of storytelling in African American communities. The evening will center on the cultural experiences and history of African Americans through story. This event will include a read-aloud and story discussion to help students make connections and understand the text. We hope all families will attend!
We believe that hosting these types of events at our school, which we hope ALL families will find interesting and attend, will strengthen our community through our common love of stories. After all, literacy and language, when used wisely, is a powerful way in which we can connect with one another, learn from one another, and express our shared humanity.
The time has come to begin planning for the 2018-19 school year at Mitchell. It is really important that we project enrollment as early and as accurately as possible. If your child will be staying at Mitchell for the 2018-19 school year, please indicate that on the form below and complete it by Friday, March 23, 2018.
You can find the form HERE.
Dear Mitchell School Community,
On March 14, the Ann Arbor Public Schools will support the nationally planned School Walkout Day and will be using a developmentally appropriate plan at the elementary and secondary levels while being respectful of the first amendment rights of all students. At the elementary level, AAPS will focus our efforts in ways that are safe and elementary students will not exit the building unless they are signed out and under the supervision of parents or guardians. If you would like your child to participate in the planned walkout, please stop into the office and sign them out. This will be an excused absence. When returning, you must sign your child back into school at the office.
At Mitchell School, we will recognize this day by focusing our attention in positive ways that reinforce a sense of community through the IB Learner Profile Traits and Attitudes of being caring toward others, showing kindness, and being respectful of one another. Further, we will use this moment to help all students feel a sense of significance and belonging at Mitchell School. In their classrooms, children will participate in morning meetings and stories read-aloud that focus on the bolded words above. Together, we can ensure that every child feels safe, cared for and belongs at Mitchell School. If you have any questions, please contact me at 997.1216.
I want to take a moment and reinforce our safety procedures for entering the building with you. We are safest when we work together, go slowly and look out for one another. Please know:
· Entering the Building
o As is our current practice, entry during school hours is limited. At the beginning of the school day and at the end of the school day, the main front entrance will be open for a short time. The doors will lock shortly after the entry bell and unlock shortly before the exit bell.
o When requesting entrance, parents and guests will stand in front of the camera and press the buzzer to signal their request. The main front door and the main rear door have a buzzer & camera system. These are the only two doors in which you can enter. Please press the buzzer and be prepared to share why you're visiting school. If the office staff does not immediately answer the buzzer, please be patient and they will be with you shortly.
o Guests and visitors should then go immediately to the office to sign in and wear a visitor's sticker.
I want to make sure that our parent community feels welcome and encouraged to visit school. I also want to make sure we provide a safe and secure environment for children. To do that, I need your help with these procedures. If you have questions, I'd be happy to talk with you.