Family Literacy Nights

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 and Mitchell parents, coming up that I'd like to invite all Mitchell families to attend! Please save these dates:

·       On January 29th 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. Finally, there will be crafts for kids and families to do together. We hope all families will attend!

·       On February 6th at 4:30 PM we will host an event, entitled Latinos con Libros (Latinos with Books), which is designed to bring families together to highlight the importance of reading to students in their native language while also experiencing Latino and Hispanic culture. This evening event will include a read-aloud in Spanish followed by a discussion to help students make connections and understand the text. A craft for kids and families to do together will also be part of this event. 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.

If you have an idea for a family literacy night that involves literacy and your unique culture, I'd like to hear from you! 

Mitchell Free Food Distribution

All Mitchell and Scarlett families are welcome to pick up free food at Mitchell School on Saturday, February 3 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.

Mitchell PTO Book Fair

On Wednesday, January 31 through Friday, February 2 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. 

Mitchell PTO Movie Night – 2/2 @ 6:00 PM

All families are invited to join us in the multipurpose room at Mitchell for family movie night on Friday, February 2. 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 will be showing, Honey I Shrunk The Kids! 

La’Ron Williams, Storyteller Assemblies – February 5

During the month of February, Mitchell School will be recognizing Black History Month in a variety of ways. To kick-off this month, La'Ron Williams, an engaging storyteller, will visit Mitchell School on Monday, February 5 for a series of assemblies. If you can make time to attend, we would love to have you join us! Please see the calendar section of our webpage for exact times!

Nationally acclaimed and multiple award winning storyteller La'Ron Williams shares both original and traditional tales that appeal to a wide range of ages and social backgrounds. His energetic, music-spiced presentations are always fun, highly participatory, educational and entertaining. Every program is specifically designed to promote diversity, foster community building, encourage peaceful conflict resolution and teach a host of "pro-social" skills, including empathy, self-expression and attentive listening.

International Baccalaureate Community Information Meeting – January 23 @ 6:00 PM

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:

Students growing as humans and as learners

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

*Please note: This is a kid friendly event and your children are more than welcoming to attend!

Early Release Day – Wednesday, January 31

All AAPS elementary students will be released at 1:29 PM on Wednesday, January 31. 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 here at school, buses will continue to run on this day and will depart Mitchell by 1:40 PM. Buses will run the regular routes. 

International Baccalaureate Community Information Meeting @ Scarlett – January 30 @ 6:15 PM

Please come to an informational night for new families interesting in exploring the IB Middle Years Programme at Scarlett Middle School. We will also share basic information about the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme at Huron High School in Ann Arbor.

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Event – Hosted by The University of Michigan – Children & Youth Program

All students in grades Kindergarten through High School in southeastern Michigan are invited to spend a fun filled day commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the University of Michigan.

• Monday, January 15, 2018, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  At the U-M Modern Languages Building, 812 E. Washington Street, Ann Arbor.
• The program features:  free lunch, entertaining performances, and engaging workshops.
• To register or learn more: https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/mlk

Rec & Ed Classes at Mitchell

Dear Mitchell Families,

 

Afterschool classes are starting soon at Mitchell!

Check out these fun-learning opportunities. Sign up now to make sure your child gets a space. The titles below go directly to registration. For more information, visit Rec & Ed after school classes. Scholarship information is available here.

 

Mitchell School Classes

Little Bands ​
​Sense-ational Science
​A2 Sports After School

Mitchell PTO Meeting

The Mitchell PTO will be meeting on Tuesday, January 16 at 6:00 PM in the school media center. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend!  

Free Sensory Friendly Open Rehearsal:

UMS has teamed up with the Russian Renaissance to make a free and inclusive live classical music experience available for audience members who would benefit from a more relaxed concert environment, including people with autism spectrum disorders, sensory or communication disorders, and their friends and families. You can find more information at:

 

https://ums.org/performance/sensory-friendly-open-rehearsal-takacs-quartet/

School Improvement Update – From Mr. Hilton

Dear Mitchell Families,

Over the past few months, the Mitchell staff and Mitchell School Improvement Team have been working to identify and brainstorm ways to improve achievement at Mitchell. Both groups started by analyzing our school data and identifying areas of improvement. One key area of improvement identified by both groups was that of literacy and family engagement. To leverage achievement, our already established family literacy nights were a key connection for both groups. As part of our efforts to increase achievement, we want to continue to connect with families around literacy in a variety of meaningful ways.

 

How has Mitchell Done This in the Past?

We've held family writing nights, family reading nights, and established an after school kindergarten family literacy program. We've also held family literacy nights where we've highlighted authors that represent the diversity of the families that make up Mitchell School. These programs have been important because achievement increases when students personally connect to what they read. Further, this is important at Mitchell because diversity is our strength and we believe that students and families benefit when we highlight our diversity through literacy.

 

The School Improvement Team has already received two new proposals for family literacy nights that we hope families will attend. The two proposals involve literacy and are culturally representative of families at Mitchell. If you have an idea for a family literacy night that involves literacy and your unique culture, we'd like to hear from you.

 

Why Family Literacy Nights?

When children see themselves in both the curriculum and in the school environment, achievement increases, relationships are fostered, and community is built. Like many other schools, Mitchell sees disparities in achievement for African American and Latino children, children who speak a second language, economically disadvantaged children, and children with special needs. We want this to change.

 

The Mitchell School Improvement Team and Mitchell Staff believe that hosting family literacy events at our school, which we hope all families will find interesting and attend, will increase student achievement and strengthen our community through our common love of stories.

 

When are Family Literacy Nights Scheduled for this Year?

Family literacy nights will be scheduled over the next few months. The dates will be shared through the eNotes, flyers, and on our website. We hope all families will make plans to attend!

Sincerely,

Matt