Week of April 27, 2020

Dear Mitchell Families, 

 

I continue to think of each of you and I hope that everyone is well. If there is anything you need, please let your teachers, Mrs. Epler or myself know. We will do our very best to help.

 

This week marked the second week of forward learning online. It was great to see more kids engaging with their friends and teachers online! I hope your children are logging in everyday and engaging with their teachers and the learning opportunities. It's important that children are accessing these learning opportunities! If you need support, please reach out to classroom teachers or Mrs. Epler and myself – we want to help! 

 

If you have not been able to login and access the learning opportunities that teachers are providing, I really encourage you to do so now. We are moving forward with learning and I hope all Mitchell students take advantage of these learning opportunities. 

 

The intent of this learning plan is to provide structure and learning opportunities for all of our students. These opportunities are NOT meant to add to the stress that many of us are already facing. While I hope students are able access as much of this content as possible, I also understand that your family's health and well-being are the top priority.

 

Be well,

Matt

Schools of Choice Window – Opens April 28, 2020

Families who are looking for an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme schooling experience at Mitchell should apply through the schools of choice window. The window will remain open from April 28 through May 27, 2020. Please help spread the word! You can find more information at THIS LINK. 

YouTube Channel – Mitchell

Dear Parents,

 

As we've transitioned into online learning, we thought it might be helpful to create some videos that would be supportive to you, as parents, while kids are learning at home. These videos are intended to provide some "How-To's" and some helpful ways to support learning. As we move forward, the Mitchell team will continue to create videos and place them on the Mitchell YouTube Channel- you might even bookmark this channel! 

 

If you have ideas on videos that would be helpful to you as you support your kids at home, please let me know. We will do our very best to create them. Again, this is intended to be helpful - not to add any stress. I hope you'll check it out if/when you have time. 

 

Many, many thanks to Mrs. Sanmiguel, Ms. Grenfell and Mr. Culbertson for creating these videos! 

 

These short videos include topics such as: 

• Logging into Clever on various tech devices
• How to support literacy at home:
• Read-Alouds
• Comprehension 
• Echo Reading
• Partner Reading
• And more to come!

 

Queridos padres,

A medida que pasamos al aprendizaje en línea, pensamos que podría ser útil crear algunos videos que podrían ser de apoyo para usted, como padres, mientras los niños aprenden en casa. Estos videos tienen la intención de tener algunas formas útiles de apoyar el aprendizaje. A medida que avanzamos, el equipo de Mitchell continuará creando videos y colocándolos en el canal Mitchell de YouTube. ¡Incluso puede marcar este canal!

Si tiene ideas sobre videos que podrían serle útiles para apoyar a sus hijos en el hogar, me pueden decir. Haremos todo lo posible para crearlos. Una vez más, esto pretende ser útil, no agregar estrés. Espero que lo compruebes si tienes tiempo.

Muchas, muchas gracias a la Sra. Sanmiguel, a la Sra. Grenfell y al Sr. Culbertson por crear estos videos.

Estos videos cortos incluyen temas como:

• Iniciar sesión en Clever
• Cómo apoyar la lectura en el hogar
• Leer en voz alta
• Comprensión
• Lectura de eco
• Lectura de pareja
• ¡Y más!

Important Information for ALL families Attending Ann Arbor Public Schools

Families not currently receiving food assistance benefits (SNAP), but are on the Free and Reduced program, will receive in the mail pre-loaded Electronic Benefits Transaction (EBT) Card. It will be listed under the oldest student's name in the household. The benefit for March/April will be $193.80 per eligible student. Then, at a later TBA date, there will be $182.40 per eligible student loaded for May/June. Look for the card to be mailed to your house by the end of the first week in May.

 

Families that have lost their jobs and/or have applied for unemployment during this pandemic can also apply for free and reduced priced benefits NOW. Not only will it continue through the first 30 days of the 2020/2021 school year but you may also be eligible for extended food benefits through the state as well. 

 

Please apply at the following webpage: https://www.a2schools.org/page/8315

Connecting Together: AAPS Parent Support Group

Join members of our school psychologist team for an informal, co-facilitated parent support group to discuss your current challenges, bounce ideas around with other parents and generally find non-judgmental support and connection. Learn more and register here.

Week of April 20, 2020

Dear Mitchell Families, 

 

I hope you and your family are doing well. I also hope the online distance learning went well this week and that your child(ren) engaged with their classroom teachers on Seesaw or Google Classroom. I'm sure there were some "bumps in the road" this week. There were for me too! As with anything new, there will always be a transition period or learning curve. If you need support, please reach out to classroom teachers or Mrs. Epler and myself – we want to help! 

 

If you have not been able to login and access the learning opportunities that teachers are providing, I really encourage you to do so next week. We are moving forward with learning and I hope all Mitchell students take advantage of these learning opportunities. For any child/family who has not logged into the online learning platforms, the Mitchell building support team, Mrs. Epler, and myself will be reaching out directly to you next week – again, we want to help! 

 

Most importantly, please know that I understand we are living in unique times and this approach to schooling is new for everyone. Furthermore, I understand that everyone's daily lives are unique. Some families might have limited time to engage in school work while others might have more time. The intent of this learning plan is to provide structure and learning opportunities for all of our students. These opportunities are NOT meant to add to the stress that many of us are already facing. While I hope students are able access as much of this content as possible, I also understand that your family's health and well-being are the top priority.

 

Be well,

Matt

Remote Learning Resource Center

Remote Learning Resource Center - Launched

The Ann Arbor Public Schools Remote Learning Resource Center is designed to provide support to students and families to navigate the remote learning plans during the Michigan state-mandated school closure period. While learning expectations and additional resources can be found here, please know that daily lessons for all courses are posted within each teacher's learning platform. The information listed on this web page is dynamic and will be updated regularly in response to the needs of our AAPS community. You'll notice:

·      Learning Plans and Resources

·      Technology Support Options

·      Student and Family Supports

o   Special Education Hotline

o   Social & Mental Health Resources

AAPS Continuity of Learning Plan

Dear Mitchell Families,
I hope this letter finds you and your family safe, healthy and well. Beginning the week of April 13, we will initiate forward learning in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. You can read the full announcement here.

 
I understand these are unique times and this approach to schooling will be new for everyone. Furthermore, I understand that everyone's daily lives are unique as well. Some families might have limited time to engage in school work while others might have more time. The intent of this learning plan is to provide structure and learning opportunities for all of our students. These opportunities are NOT meant to add to the stress that many of us are already facing. While I hope students are able access as much of this content as possible, I also understand that your family's health and well-being are the top priority.

Beginning Monday, you will receive a message from your child's teacher that outlines this forward learning. The daily schedule will look something like this:

Recommended Elementary Teacher Schedule
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Teachers will post a Learning Menu daily/weekly by 8:00 a.m.   Students will receive a Daily Message of Care   Students will complete ELA (1 act.) Math (1 act.) Social Studies or Science   P.E., art, music, etc. (1 special per day by parent choice)	Teachers will post a Learning Menu daily/weekly by 8:00 a.m.   Students will receive a Daily Message of Care   Students will complete ELA (1 act.) Math (1 act.) Social Studies or Science   P.E., art, music, etc. (1 special per day by parent choice	Teachers will post a Learning Menu daily/weekly by 8:00 a.m.   Students will receive a Daily Message of Care   Students will complete ELA (1 act.) Math (1 act.) Social Studies or Science   P.E., art, music, etc. (1 special per day by parent choice)	Teachers will post a Learning Menu daily/weekly by 8:00 a.m.   Students will receive a Daily Message of Care   Students will complete ELA (1 act.) Math (1 act.) Social Studies or Science   P.E., art, music, etc. (1 special per day by parent choice)	Teachers will post a Check for Understanding by 8:00 a.m.    Students complete this Check for Understanding   Students will receive a Daily Message of Care       P.E., art, music, etc. (1 special per day by parent choice)
Students may complete daily activities such as Lexia, Dreambox, and independent reading throughout the week.

Essentially, teachers will provide daily lessons and suggested activities for kids to complete in the content areas of English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Additionally, kids will have learning opportunities from their special area teachers as well. I want to allow as much flexibility for students and families to do their work throughout the week based on family needs and schedules. You might not complete all activities on the designated day but you can come back and finish when it works for your family.

I wish you all the best. Your teachers and I are here to help. Please tell your kids that Mr. Hilton says hello, and that I miss them!

Technology Distribution

Any family who is still experiencing technology needs should call our parent/student technology hotline at 734-997-1222. They will take your information and work with you to supply devices that will support the AAPS Continuity of Learning Plan. 

ThoughtExchange Survey – From Superintendent Swift

In addition to the town hall meeting, as another opportunity to collect your valuable feedback, we are using the online ThoughtExchange tool. Please share your thoughts here - and rate the thoughts of others - by next Thursday, April 16th. Remember to return to the exchange a few times over the next days to rate new thoughts.

 

Together, we maintain our unflinching focus on our children - Every Child. Every Day. Ensuring that our children are well, growing and learning is what provides meaning and gives us hope during these tough days. Thank you for all your support of our students, staff and this Ann Arbor Public Schools community.

AAPS Virtual Town Hall Meeting

Dr. Swift will convene a virtual AAPS Town Hall for Parents next Friday, April 17th at 4 PM. We will share more details about how to access this event over the coming days. 

AAPS Food Distribution

AAPS Food Service is committed to food distribution throughout this closure time. See the full list of locations and times.

 

If you have food allergy needs or cannot make it to a pick-up location please call the food hotline at 734-994-2265. Arrangements will be made.

Week of April 6, 2020

Dear Mitchell Families,

 

I'm sure by now you've all heard the news from Governor Whitmer directing an extended closure through the end of this school year for all Michigan schools. If you haven't had the opportunity to read the message from Superintendent Swift, I encourage you to do so - you can read it by CLICKING HERE. 

 

I know this announcement might bring some anxieties and worries for kids and families. Please know that the Mitchell staff and I are here to help in any way we can – we miss you and our number one goal for the entire "Mitchell Family" is to be safe and healthy. I'm sure this announcement will also bring many questions. I want you to know that, while I might not have all the answers in this moment, I will work to find answers to your questions. I'm thinking about things like:

·      Yearbooks – I know this is an important memento from our school year together 

·      Technology – I'll continue to work to get technology to those who do not have it

·      Fall Enrollment – Please see below

·      Spring Report Cards – I'll update you as soon as I have more information

·      Building Access – Most likely, some kids have still personal items at school

·      And Much More! 

 

I'm also thinking, with a bit of a heavy heart, about our fifth graders. Graduation, the year-end video and the last day of school "clap-out" for our fifth graders are Mitchell traditions. I want our fifth graders to know that while me might not be able to celebrate in our traditional ways, I am thinking about how to celebrate each one of them and their accomplishments. When the time is right and it's safe to do so, we will celebrate! I'll share thoughts and details in the coming weeks…

 

For now, the Mitchell teachers are ready for a virtual return to school next week. The details for next week are posted below. In the days following spring break, we will transition to a more significant distance learning education model for students. The details of this model will be shared soon. 

 

Stay safe. Be well. I'm thinking of you,

Matt

AAPS Food Distribution

AAPS Food Service is committed to food distribution throughout this closure time. See the full list of locations and times.

 

If you have food allergy needs or cannot make it to a pick-up location please call the food hotline at 734-994-2265. Arrangements will be made.

AAPS Continuous Learning Plan – Post Spring Break

We return to school the week of April 6. The continuous learning plan for April 6 – April 9 will continue to be a daily message with review and enrichment opportunities for students. This week will look and feel much like the week before we left for spring break. It's intended to be an opportunity to connect and engage with one another while offering learning opportunities for kids. Please remember, there is no school on Friday, April 10. 

Hungry Howie’s Fundraiser – Mitchell PTO

Hungry Howie's orders are in. The PTO will start sorting orders and reaching out to families soon. If you have questions, or would like to make mailing or porch drop arrangements please email Meghan at fundraiser@mitchellptoannarbor.org