Winter Break Camps & Winter After-School Classes

AAPS Rec & Ed is excited to offer winter break camps and winter after-school classes focused on fun, learning, movement, and discovery. Registration is now OPEN! For more information, click on each link below or visit www.aarecedonline.com. For the health and safety of all participants, the AAPS Covid-19 Protocols will be followed.

 

Many scholarships are still available! Please call (734) 994-2300 ext. 0 and ask whether the class or camp you're interested in has any remaining spots reserved for scholarship recipients (even if the class or camp appears to be full). Chances are that it does!

 

Winter Break Camps

Morning Drop Off

We are noticing parents dropping off children too early. Please remember there is no adult supervision and children may not be dropped off until 8:40am. If you have any questions, please call us at school.

 

Thank you for your help with this safety measure. 

Lost & Found – Update

The lost and found photo link has been reorganized and updated. From the link below, click on "albums" for easy sorting. To claim lost items, screenshot the item and contact Liz at e.thomas9812@gmail.com with the picture, your child's name, and the teacher's name. With this system, we've been having great success reuniting items with their owners. If you prefer, there's also an unofficial school community Facebook group- you can locate Liz Allison Thomas and message her directly. 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/194122866@N03/albums/with/72157720159601365

Inclement Weather

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. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

The Ann Arbor Public Schools is partnering with the Michigan Dept of Health and Human Services to offer COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics to AAPS students ages 5-18 years old and their family members. The clinics will be administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

 

These school-based vaccination clinics are just one of many ways for students to receive the vaccine. The Washtenaw County Health Department, pediatricians/doctors' offices and local pharmacies also have vaccines available for students.

Late After School Pick-Up

We are noticing some students are not being picked up on time from school. As a reminder, the bell rings at 3:48. It is not okay for students to be left unattended at school. Please plan to arrive in the school pick-up line by 3:48. 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. 

Quarantine Learning Support

Live Quarantine Learning Support is available to families to support continuity of learning for elementary and secondary students during short term quarantine or extended illness. Students may elect to join daily, grade level or content-specific live video conferencing hosted by AAPS Learning Facilitators. More information can be found by CLICKING HERE.

 

This is support is entirely optional for students. Mitchell teachers will place assignments on their Schoology pages for students to access while in quarantine. 

No School – Thanksgiving Week & Report Cards

With the announcement of no school during Thanksgiving week, we are needing to adjust the date that report cards will be sent home. Please know that report cards will be sent home electronically on Tuesday, November 30. Additionally, please know that SISS progress reports will be sent home hardcopy on Tuesday, November 30 as well. 

 

If you have questions now, I'm happy to help. 

 

Thank you,

Matt

Thanksgiving Break

The Ann Arbor Public Schools will be closed from Monday, November 22 through Friday, November 26. School will reopen on Monday, November 29. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving break! 

Early Parent Pick-Ups

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

I'm noticing more early parent pick-ups. Of course, if this is for an appointment or something similar it makes sense. Please let the teachers and office staff know in advance.

If you're doing this to beat the traffic or match your pick-up time to older siblings at Scarlett, please stop – it's not okay.

When we receive many late calls for early pick-ups it becomes unmanageable and interrupts our end of day procedures. I'm happy to work alongside you in this regard to ensure safe procedures for all kids at the end of the day.

If you have questions, please call Matt at school. I can be reached at 997-1216. 

Thanksgiving Break

All Ann Arbor Public Schools will be closed from Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26. School will reopen on Monday, November 29. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving break! 

Report Cards – November 23

Student report cards will be sent home on Tuesday, November 23. 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. 

COVID Testing Sites & Information

Testing is available from local health care providers, pharmacies, and urgent care. If you have a health care provider, contact them about testing or see the information below. Please check about costs before going to any testing site. At certain locations, some types of tests are free or covered by insurance, while others have an out-of-pocket cost. Click on THIS LINK for testing site information.

Mitchell Parking Lot

Dear Parents,

As you drop off your children in the morning, please do not park in a way that blocks other cars in or limits entrance/exit to the front lot parking area. I've had some situations where someone needed to leave but couldn't because cars were illegally parked.

Lastly, if you're dropping off in the morning please stay in the drop off line – I need the parking spaces in the lot for staff who are coming into the building.

Thank you for your help!

A2 Virtual Village

Over the past trimester, I've had conversations with some families that expressed interest in exploring online instruction that is offered through the A2 Virtual Village.  While we'd love to keep your child here at Mitchell, families have an opportunity to adjust their enrollment selection for the second trimester. As you consider your options, please note that enrollment in online programs is based on available space.

 

More information about the online programs is available on the A2 Virtual Village website.  You are welcome to email any questions that you may have to a2velementary@a2schools.org.

Click HERE to express your interest in enrolling your child in an online class by Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

 

On the other hand, families who'd like to return to in-person learning can do that as well! Please complete the Request to Return to Home School form by Wednesday, November 17, 2021.  You can also take a few minutes to review the Elementary Program Transition FAQs. 

Early Release Day – Wednesday, November 17

All AAPS elementary students will be released at 1:18 PM on Wednesday, November 17. All teachers will participate in professional development in the afternoon. Please plan to pick your child up on this day at 1:18 PM. Lunch will be served as normal. Buses routes will run as normal on this day and will depart Mitchell by 1:30 PM. 

Halloween Candy

Halloween is coming up next week. If you could please help…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! 

Colder Weather

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. 

No School for All AAPS Students – November 1 & 2

There will be no school for all Ann Arbor Public Schools students on November 1 & 2. School will resume on Wednesday, November 3. 

October 29 – Half Day

Dear Mitchell Families,

Friday, October 29 is a half-day for all elementary students. We will dismiss at 11:28am. Please arrive for pick-up no later than 11:28am.

 Typically, this day would also be the day of our Fall Festival. As you know, there is no in-person Fall Festival this year. Instead, we've designated this day as a Pajama Day and the Mitchell PTO will be making Fall Fest goodie bags for all students. We will not be wearing Halloween costumes to school – PJ's instead! 

While we know this isn't a replacement for the Fall Festival, it is a way for us to have some fun and enjoy the half-day. 

IB Reauthorization Year

Dear Mitchell, Scarlett and Huron families, 

This year represents our IB reauthorization year. As part of this process we would like your input on a parent survey about the Ann Arbor International Baccalaureate (IB) Schools. The Ann Arbor IB Schools are:

·       Mitchell Elementary School (grades pre-kindergarten - 5)

·       Scarlett Middle School (grades 6-8)

·       Huron High School (grades 9-12).

We hope you will share your thoughts about the IB programs at the schools your family attends. We want to know more about what we do well and where we can improve. We will use your input to help our schools become even better. As the year goes along, we will be sharing more information about reauthorization as well as the feedback from these surveys. We hope you'll take the time to participate!

Please CLICK HERE to take the survey.  

The survey text has been translated into the most spoken languages in AAPS other than English:

Español

한국인

عربي

日本

中国人

If you have questions, please contact Matt Hilton, Bernard Bell or Wendy Rothman.

Parent Pick-Up at Dismissal

I've noticed a few parents who drive and pick up kids at the crosswalk to Colonial Square.

If this is you, please do NOT park near the cross walk. This creates congestion at the cross walk as the buses exit via the Scarlett drive.

Instead, you'll notice two light posts – one on either side of the crosswalk. This tends to be a good rule of thumb and gives space for the buses at the crosswalk. Please do not park between the two light posts. 

Early Release Day – Wednesday, October 20

All AAPS elementary students will be released at 1:18 PM on Wednesday, October 20. All teachers will participate in professional development in the afternoon. Please plan to pick your child up on this day at 1:18 PM. Lunch will be served as normal. Buses routes will run as normal on this day and will depart Mitchell by 1:30 PM. 

Lost & Found – IMPORTANT UPDATE

Returning students' lost and found items in the era of covid presents unique challenges. We recognize the money parents and caregivers have spent on these items and we want them to get back to your student. One of our building employees (Liz Thomas) who is a PTO member has volunteered to serve as a liaison for student lost and found items in the school.

There is an online photo album of these items updated frequently at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWRTyRQ

If you see your item, please email Liz directly at ethomas9812@gmail.com with a description of the item (label, brand, color) and your student's name plus their TEACHER'S name. The grade level is not important. Once a week, the lost-and-found coordinator will drop off the items to the student's classroom to be claimed.

 

Unclaimed cloth masks left for more than one week will be recycled, for sanitation we don't want to keep those in the building any longer than necessary. 

Email e.thomas9812@gmail.com directly with any questions. Also, please visually check the east playground fence every day when leaving school for jackets left behind that day. Thanks again for all your understanding and flexibility as we keep our building safe and sanitary.

Safe Routes to School Group

I'm looking to put together a Safe Routes to School group of parents would be willing to work together, with me, to create a Safe Routes to School plan for Mitchell. There are is also grant funding that we can apply for to help fund our efforts. If you're interested, please let me know.

 

You can find a bit more about Safe Routes to School on the AAPS website. 

NWEA Testing

Over the next two weeks, Kindergarten through 5^th grade students will be engaged in the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment. We give students the NWEA MAP Assessments each year to determine your child's instructional level and to measure academic growth over the school year in the areas of Math and Reading. As in previous years, your child will take these assessments on a computer.

 

You can find more detailed information about the NWEA Map test by clicking here. 

Staff Vaccination Rates and Ongoing Testing

AAPS Staff COVID vaccination rates remain very high. At this time, of approximately 2,300 AAPS staff members confirmed from across our schools, the AAPS maintains a 94% rate fully vaccinated, and this number represents almost all staff have reported.  However, we will continue to update this information throughout the remainder of this hiring season. We will publish a full, public report once the hiring process stabilizes so that we accurately share the facts about vaccination status of those working on our team to serve students in our schools during this 2021-2022 school year.

Mitchell PTO Fun Run

The Mitchell PTO is honored to support our Mitchell community beginning with our annual Fun Run this year!  This year's fun run will be held on 10/8/21 (rain date 10/15).  Packets and pledge sheets will go out on 9/24/21 and pledges are due by 10/15/2021. There will be a predetermined course in the field next to Mitchell where each child will complete a 1 mile run!  As we prepare for our annual Fun Run we would like to ask for your support in raising pledges. We hope to raise as much of this budget as possible from this event! This year the top two classes will get to slime the principals on 11/5/21!

 

More information about Fun Run times will be shared soon.

 

Thank you so much for your support! Go Mustangs!

Early Parent Pick-Ups

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

I'm noticing many early parent pick-ups. Of course, if this is for an appointment or something similar it makes sense. Please let the teachers and office staff know in advance.

·       If you're doing this to beat the traffic or match your pick-up time to older siblings at Scarlett, please stop – it's not okay. Additionally, do not bypass the pick-up line by driving up the exit lane of the driveway.

 

When we receive many late calls for early pick-ups it becomes unmanageable and interrupts our end of day procedures. I'm happy to work alongside you in this regard to ensure safe procedures for all kids at the end of the day.

 

If you have questions, please call Matt at school. I can be reached at 997-1216. 

Mitchell School Picture Day!

Picture day for Mitchell School is on Thursday, September 23. Hardcopy information for ordering pictures will come home early next week, if it hasn't already. You can also order your pictures electronically to minimize the backpack mail. Parents can follow these steps:

 

Parents can go online to place a pre-pay order.
https://hrimaging.com

Type in the school name and click on submit.
Click on the yellow icon (order pictures).
Click on the date the September 23 date. The November 12 date is a make-up date.
Type in the first and last name in the boxes provided.
If you have any questions, you can speak with customer service directly at (815) 433-1766. 

Early Release Day – Wednesday, September 22

All AAPS elementary students will be released at 1:18 PM on Wednesday, September 22. All teachers will participate in professional development in the afternoon. Please plan to pick your child up on this day at 1:18 PM. Lunch will be served as normal. Buses routes will run as normal on this day and will depart Mitchell by 1:30 PM. 

Neighborhood Traffic and Speeding

Dear Mitchell Families,

 

As you drive your children to and from school, please be mindful of the following:

·       Follow all posted speed limit signs within our neighborhoods. Many families use Fernwood and Lorraine as the access roads to Mitchell. Please be safe and follow the speed limits signs.

·       As you arrive for pick up, please do not block the neighborhood driveways.

 

Working together, we can be safe during pick up and drop off while also being good neighbors with the residents who live near Mitchell. If you have questions, I'm happy to talk with you.

 

Thank you!

Matt

Early Release Day – Wednesday, September 22

All AAPS elementary students will be released at 1:18 PM on Wednesday, September 22. All teachers will participate in professional development in the afternoon. Please plan to pick your child up on this day at 1:18 PM. Lunch will be served as normal. Buses routes will run as normal on this day and will depart Mitchell by 1:30 PM. 

Mitchell PTO Meeting – September 21 at 6:00pm

The Mitchell PTO will be holding the first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 21 at 6:00 PM at school. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend! You can join the Zoom meet at 6:00pm by CLICKING HERE. 

Zoom Accounts

Dear Mitchell School Parents and Guardians,

As you know, most of our parent meetings and events will occur virtually this year. To this end, I'm asking all parents to sign up for a FREE ZOOM ACCOUNT – if you haven't already done so. This will allow all parents and guardians to access our virtual events while also increasing Zoom security for students, staff and parents. If you have any questions, please let me know. 

UPDATED INFORMATION -- Community Eligibility Provision

This school year I'm asking all families to fill out the Household Information Report linked below. This form replaces the previously used free & reduced lunch form. This report will allow families to receive your EBT and PEBT cards.

NOTE: If you don't fill out this form, you won't receive your EBT/PEBT card.

Below is the link to the new Family Portal. When you get to the first page, sign in as Guest. Then choose, Household Information Report.

CEP Schools are: 

Mitchell, Pittsfield , Scarlett, and Pathways.

https://annarbor.familyportal.cloud

Important Arrival & Dismissal Information

At arrival, please have your child's backpack packed and ready. You will STOP – QUICK HUG – EXIT – AND GO! This will help to keep arrival traffic moving quickly, yet safely, through the front circle. Thank you for your help!

 

At dismissal, please pull all the way up to the end of the front circle. The more cars we can get in the front circle, the more efficient we can be with dismissing students. Thank you for your help!

AAPS Health & Safety Protocols

I've linked the AAPS health and safety protocols below. You might consider bookmarking this page. As information and guidance is updated from the WCHD, this page will be updated to reflect our health and safety protocols.

·       Please Note: Quarantine guidance has been updated. All unvaccinated close contacts will require a 10-day quarantine. As our understanding of transmission risk increases this fall, we will consider adding the "testing out" option for unvaccinated students.

 

AAPS Health & Safety Protocols

Parents/Guardians Visiting During The School Day

In an effort to mitigate potential COVID exposures, AAPS is limiting parent/guardian visits to school, by appointment only, for essential business such as enrollment paperwork and medication drop-off. Parents/guardians will not be allowed to enter the building unless you're working as a noon hour supervisor and you've previously communicated with me. If you need to drop something off at school please call ahead, set a time with Mrs. Dumas, arrive to the front door and someone will meet you there.

 

Additionally, all meetings such as IEP meetings, PTO meetings, teacher conferences, etc. will be done virtually. 

Important Health Care/Medical Information

Hello, families!

  

As we approach the beginning of the 2021/2022 School Year, I am reaching out to families to update our health care plans at school.  Below is listed the required documentation for students with health care needs and/or medications at school. 

 

Ann Arbor Schools requires a Medication Administration Form signed by both a physician and a parent or guardian in order to administer medications in school.

1. Medication Administration Form is for Administration of Medications by School Personnel - Prescription/ Non-prescription Medications.  Inhalers, Epi-pens, Ritalin, own supply of Tylenol, Ibuprofen) that are given to the student by school personnel.  Medication Administration Form

2. Self-Carry and Self-Administration Medication-This is for both prescription and non-prescription medications that the student will carry and administer (Ex: Ibuprofen, Inhaler, Epi-pens).  Medication Self-Administration Form

3. Medication Administration Forms from your doctor's office may also be used.  Please be sure there is a parent/guardian signature on the form along with the physician's signature.

 

MEDICATIONS: All medications must be dropped off by a parent.  Please make sure all medications (prescription and over the counter) are in their original packaging with prescription labels that match the medication forms.

Health Plans

Please submit updated Food Allergy/ Asthma Action Plans for those students with Asthma and/or Food Allergies.

 

Lunchroom:

There is a specific allergy table in the cafeteria that your child can sit at if preferred. The lunchroom staff are trained and assist students sitting at this table. Please let me know if you want your child to sit at the allergy table.

 

School Lunches:

If your child will be eating school lunches and has dietary restrictions, call the Food Service Office to speak with the Dietitian at 734-994-2265. Print and complete the Request for Dietary Needs form: Request for Special Dietary Needs Form

 

Another helpful item is that AAPS uses an interactive school menu called Nutrislice: https://a2schools.nutrislice.com/menus-eula You can use this link to find out what is served for breakfast and lunch and navigate ingredients.

 

Immunizations

All students entering Y5, Kindergarten or new to AAPS are required by Michigan State Law to submit documentation of childhood immunizations. Please go here for more information.

Please feel free to contact me with any concern you may have or if your child has any health needs that may require an individualized Health Care Plan (HCP) prior to him/her starting school, please reach out to me by email at shipleyl@aaps.k12.mi.us  or my district cell phone 734 661-9742 as soon as possible.

 

Leslie Shipley, RN, BSN

Mitchell School Nurse

Important Arrival/Dismissal Information

Arrival 

• School begins at 8:45am. Families are NOT permitted to drop their child(ren) at school any earlier than 8:45am unless you've enrolled in before care through Rec & Ed.
• Parents will pull up in the front circle drive, allow their children to exit the car and proceed out of the parking lot. Parents who drop their children off should pull all the way to the end of the front circle drive, allowing other cars to pull up behind you. DO NOT stop in front of the school and do not park in the front circle.
• Children who ride their bike or walk to school should arrive at 8:45am.
• Children who ride the bus will unload in the back of the building. Buses will line up near the curb closest to Mitchell. This is a no parking zone – please leave this lane open.

Dismissal

• Dismissal is the busiest time of day. Be patient and go slowly – Safety First! 
• Dismissal is at 3:48pm. Parents should plan to begin arriving at 3:40pm in the pick up line.
• We will use the Driveline App to manage dismissal for students being picked up. Please watch this video to learn how Driveline works. 
• New families will be given a Driveline family ID at the welcome back Meet & Greet or it will be sent home on the first day of school. Upon arrival for pick-up, staff will enter the family ID into the system. This will alert the classroom teacher that the child's parent/guardian has arrived.
• Families who received their Driveline tag last year – The ID is the same. You're all set and will not receive a new tag.
• Students will remain in the classroom during dismissal until their parent arrives at school. 
• All students must depart immediately. Students are not allowed to remain on the playground after school and must be picked up by 3:48pm.

Bus Riders

• Students who ride the bus will load in the back of the building.
• Bus riders will be dismissed at 3:48pm and buses will depart by 4:00pm.

Walkers

• Children walking home will be dismissed at 3:48pm and will walk straight home. Again, students will not be allowed to remain on the playground.

Welcome Back to Mitchell School!

Dear Mitchell Families,

On behalf of the Mitchell staff, I welcome you to the 2021-22 school year. This letter contains important information about the beginning of school.

Hopes And Dreams 2021-22

The Mitchell staff is ready to support your child's learning this year.  In fact, we are excited to return to five days per week of in-person learning and, much like you, we are hoping and dreaming for great success this year!

Please share your hopes and dreams for your child with us at the Welcome Back Meet & Greet!

Welcome Back Meet & Greet - Classroom Assignments
Our PTO sponsored Welcome Back Meet & Greet event will be held outside on the Mitchell playground from 6:00-7:00pm on Tuesday, August 24. When you arrive, please visit the welcome back table on the basketball court. At this table, you'll receive an information packet as well as find out who your child's teacher will be this year. The Mitchell teachers will be spread out on the playground – please look for the ballon color of your child's grade.

Y5/Kindergarten – Yellow

First Grade – Blue

Second Grade – Orange

Third Grade – Green

Fourth Grade – Red

Fifth Grade – Light Blue

The Mitchell PTO will have welcome back popsicles for all!

Families needing to turn in enrollment paperwork may bring the documents to this event or make an appointment by calling 997-1216 over the coming week.

Small group school tours will be given to new and new to Y5/Kindergarten families only. Please meet at the main entrance and a Mitchell staff member will provide tours. Please be patient as we do small group tours. Masks are required inside and while optional outside, are encouraged.

*If you are not able to come, teacher assignments will be available by calling the school on Wednesday.

First Day of School

The first day of school is Monday, August 30, 2021.  This day will be a full day for students. Starting and ending times are as follows:

·     8:45 a.m. – 3:48 p.m.

Each day, the first bell rings at 8:45 a.m. and students will enter the building.  Please do not drop your children off early. There is no supervision before school.

Curriculum Night

The Mitchell School curriculum night is being planned for Tuesday, September 14 beginning at 6:00pm. I'm planning for this event to occur virtually, over Zoom. More details will be communicated as we near the date. For now, please mark your calendars!

 

Nametags

Please use the enclosed tag to prepare a name tag for your Young 5's, Kindergarten and/or First grade student. Include all of their vital information (name, address, phone number, bus number, and teacher name) and tie it to your child's backpack for the first week of school.  This will assist the staff that will be helping students (especially students new to Mitchell) find their way to classrooms and buses.

• Name tags for Y5, K and 1^st grade families will be sent via US Postal Service.

Breakfast/Lunch

Breakfast and lunch will be free of charge for the 2021-22 school year!

Of course, children may also bring snacks and a lunch from home.

 

Immunizations for 2021-22

Please be sure that your child's immunizations are up to date by the start of school! All pre-school, Young 5, Kindergarten and new students at any grade MUST provide proof of immunization before August 30, 2021. Please bring the immunization records to the school office.

 

For information about free/low cost immunizations, how to get a waiver, and more, visit the AAPS immunization page: http://a2schools.org/Page/8151

 

Updated Medical Response Plans and Medication

As a reminder to parents/guardians whose children are medically sensitive, please turn in updated medical response plans from your child's physician to the school office before school begins.  An updated plan is required each year and/or any time there is a change in your child's health. 

 

Also, as a reminder to all parents, children may not take medication at school unless we have written instructions from your physician.  This includes over the counter (non-prescription) medication.  For families with medically sensitive children, please turn in medication on or before the first day of school.

 

Mitchell School Is Nut-Restricted
Nuts are allowed at Mitchell School. However, there are students in the building with life-threatening allergies.  This means the building is a nut-restricted building. Some rooms in the building are designated as "No Nut" areas.  If this is the case, a sign will be posted outside the room and teachers will communicate with classroom parents.

Bus Schedule

The bus schedule for Mitchell and the morning pick up times are posted! You can find this information posted at this link:

Mitchell School Bus Routes  

Student Pick Up/Drop Off

If you drive your child to school or pick them up at the end of the day, please follow the posted signs around the school. 

§ NO PARKING in the front circle drive.  Stay in your car.  Pull all the way forward. Kids exit the car on the curb side of the drive.

§ NO CELL PHONES in the front drive. Safety first!

§ ARRIVE ON TIME. Late arrivals disrupt the learning of others. Please be on time.  

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Unless you have enrolled your child in Morning Care through the Rec & Ed department, please do not drop your children off at school before 8:45 a.m. as there is no adult supervision.

 

Parking at Mitchell

There are some parking spots available in front of Mitchell School.  Additional parking is available in the Scarlett parking lot behind Mitchell School. If you need to come into the building, by appointment only, we ask that you park your car in one of our parking lots. Please, NO PARKING IN THE CIRCLE DRIVE – traffic backs up and creates hazards as other parents have to pull out and around parked cars. Thank you!

We look forward to working with you and your child(ren) to make this a great school year.  If you have any questions, please call the Mitchell office or your child's teacher and we'll do our best to answer them. 

Sincerely,

Matt & Alison 

Welcome Back COVID Information

Dear Mitchell Families,

 

On behalf of the Mitchell staff, I want to share with you the COVID guidelines that will be in place as we begin our school year together. As we go through our year together, I will certainly keep you informed and updated if any changes occur.

 

Universal Masking

Children will be expected to wear their masks at all times, except when eating or drinking, while in the school building. To assist with mask breaks and to help mitigate the spread of the COVID virus, whenever possible, teachers will be coordinating to provide students with opportunities to learn, eat, and socialize outside during the school day. When children are outside, they may remove their masks and will not be expected to keep them on.

 

Physical Distancing

We will do our very best to maintain physical distancing of 3 feet. Yet, there will be times when 3 feet of physical distance will simply not be possible. Seating charts will be in place in classrooms, the lunchroom and all special area classes. In the event of a confirmed case, our seating charts will allow for timely and effective contact tracing.

 

Contact Tracing

The procedures and expectations for contact tracing are included in the Health & Wellness section below.

 

Cohorting

At the elementary level, we will work to maintain cohorts of students by grade level. To the extent feasible, we will maintain these cohorts throughout the day. Students will go to recess as cohort groups and will not mingle with other cohorts while outside. There will be times, specifically at lunch, where two grade level cohorts may be in a space together – see below for lunchtime details.

 

Breakfast/Lunch

Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students through the entire school year. There are a few important procedures that I want you to be aware of regarding food service.

• Breakfast – As students enter the building, they will have the choice of taking a pre-packaged breakfast off the breakfast cart stationed just inside the front door. Students will eat breakfast in their classrooms.
• Lunch – We will do our very best to utilize outdoor spaces and spread out during the lunch hour. Having said that, I also want you to understand that there may be times when there are two grade levels in the MPR at the same time for lunch – one grade level at each end of the MPR. We will stagger the entrance of each grade level into the building, space kids out in the lunch line, have assigned seats by classroom at tables and ensure kids have the opportunity to wash their hands before eating. Additionally, we will clean and disinfect all tables between lunch sessions. Kids will be expected to keep their masks on from the moment they enter the building and keep them on until they sit down to eat. When finished eating, kids will be expected to put their masks back on. With the above in place, we will minimize close contacts. 
• Noon Hour Supervision – To help support our ability to supervise and spread kids out during lunch, I am looking for additional noon hour supervisors. I'm hoping there may be some parents (or others you may know) who are interested in becoming a noon hour supervisor at Mitchell. Here are the details:
• Commitment – I'm hoping to find people who can commit to five days each week. Yet, I'm certainly open to those who may only be able to do a few days per week. A typical work day will run from 11:30-1:30.
• Expectations – Interact and supervise children with a positive, warm and caring approach.
• Pay Rate – The rate for noon hour supervisors is $16.50 per hour.
• If you're interested, please email me at hiltonm@aaps.k12.mi.us as soon as possible. Additionally, please fill out the AAPS Noon Hour Application as soon as possible. The job ID # is 11658 – Noon/Lunch Hour Supervisor.

Bus Transportation

The following rules apply on the bus: 

• All drivers, monitors and students are required to wear a mask at all times while riding the bus.
• Hand sanitizer is placed on every bus and all staff and students are required to use sanitizer upon entry to the bus.
• Windows will be open, weather permitting (dress appropriately), to circulate air. 
• Assigned seats will be established to ensure distancing and to limit contact.

Arrival & Departure Procedures

Mitchell's parking lot is very busy at the beginning and end of the day. In order to ensure everyone's safety, please take caution when driving through the parking lot.

 

Please read the guidelines below as there are additional COVID safety protocols. 

 

Arrival 

• School begins at 8:45am. Families are NOT permitted to drop their child(ren) at school any earlier than 8:45am unless you've enrolled in before care through Rec & Ed.
• Parents will pull up in the front circle drive, allow their children to exit the car and proceed out of the parking lot. Parents who drop their children off should pull all the way to the end of the front circle drive, allowing other cars to pull up behind you. DO NOT stop in front of the school and do not park in the front circle.
• Students who ride the bus will unload in the back of the building. Buses will line up near the curb closest to Mitchell. This is a no parking zone – please leave this lane open.

Dismissal

• Dismissal is the busiest time of day. Be patient and go slowly – Safety First! 
• Dismissal is at 3:48pm. Parents should plan to begin arriving at 3:40pm in the pick up line.
• We will use the Driveline App to manage dismissal for students being picked up. Please watch this video to learn how Driveline works. 
• New families will be given a Driveline family ID at the welcome back Meet & Greet or it will be sent home on the first day of school. Upon arrival for pick-up, staff will enter the family ID into the system. This will alert the classroom teacher that the child's parent/guardian has arrived.
• Families who received their Driveline tag last year – The ID is the same. You're all set and will not receive a new tag.
• Students will remain in the classroom during dismissal until their parent arrives at school. 
• All students must depart immediately. Students are not allowed to remain on the playground after school and must be picked up by 3:48pm.

Bus Riders

• Students who ride the bus will load in the back of the building.
• Bus riders will be dismissed at 3:48pm and buses will depart by 4:00pm.

Walkers

• Children walking home will be dismissed at 3:48pm and will walk straight home. Again, students will not be allowed to remain on the playground.

Health and Wellness

COVID Safety Protocols

• All staff and students are required to wear a mask at all times inside the building, except when eating and drinking.  
• Hand sanitizer stations are placed in every classroom and throughout the building. All staff and students are encouraged to use sanitizer upon entry and exit of classrooms and other spaces.
• Seating charts will be established in every classroom to support contact tracing, as needed.
• All parent/guardian and other meetings, including school events, remain virtual.

Family Responsibilities

• Screen your student for symptoms each morning before sending them to school. Do not send them to school with symptoms.
• Immediately notify the building principal if your student or someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19. Speak with a district contact tracer as needed for an investigation.
• Ensure your student has a mask and water bottle every day. Masks will be provided to those who do not have one. 
• Be available to pick your student up from school should they begin to show symptoms while at school.
• Understand that students or staff may need to quarantine if there is a classroom case.

Student Responsibilities

• Wear a mask at all times, except when eating and drinking or when outside.
• Bring a personal water bottle daily. 
• Follow school rules and stay in assigned seats. 
• Monitor health status and report symptoms immediately to an adult.

What Are The Public Health Protocols for Students & Families?

The Ann Arbor Public Schools is closely following the Washtenaw Community Health Department guidance administered on August 9, 2021. We can expect to see new research, new guidance and new waves of cases throughout the year. I will certainly communicate any and all changes to Mitchell families.

What Happens If There Is A Confirmed Case?

Families must notify their principal immediately of a positive case. Families must cooperate with district contact tracers and follow all isolation procedures. The procedures for close contacts and quarantine are as follows:

• A close contact is defined as being within 3 feet for 15 minutes or more, cumulative.
• If asymptomatic, vaccinated close contacts can attend school with a PCR test recommended 3-5 days post exposure.
• If asymptomatic, unvaccinated close contacts can 1) quarantine at home for 10 days or 2) attend school and get tested twice per week using the Rapid Antigen Test during the quarantine period. Until a vaccine is approved for those younger than 12, this will be the case for most all elementary students. 
• If symptomatic, stay home through the quarantine period and until feeling better.

Communication will be made to both close contacts and the classroom community. No confidential information will be shared.

What Happens if My Child Develops Symptoms Related to Covid-19 at School?

1.     If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 at school, they will be brought to our health support room, an isolated location away from the rest of the school population. Children will be supervised.

2.     The child's family will be contacted and a member of the family is expected to pick the child up from school immediately. 

3.     The child must remain home until: 

• They receive a negative COVID test,
• Receive a differential diagnosis from a physician,
• 10 day quarantine and symptoms are gone.

We are looking forward to the start of the school year at Mitchell School! Certainly, we will all work together to ensure the health and wellness of all Mitchell students, staff and families. If you have questions now, please reach out and we will help.

Sincerely,

Matt & Alison