New Piano @ Mitchell School

I am very happy to announce a new piano has been purchased for Mitchell School!  The purchase of the piano is a collaboration between the Ann Arbor Public Schools and generous donations from:

-       King's Keyboard House - http://www.kingskeyboard.com/

-       Savitski Design - http://www.savitskidesign.com/

I want to note that Mike Savitski, the owner of Savitski Design, is a Mitchell School graduate!  On behalf of the entire Mitchell School community and staff, thank you!  We appreciate your support!

Pictured below are our new piano, Mrs. Rothman's first grade class, Mr. Tolly, and Mike and Annmarie Savitski.

PHOTO: Sorting books for the used book giveaway next week!

 

Thanks to following for their help in sorting used books at Mitchell today:

• Chelsee Rowley
• Jamie Snyder
• Kate Sears
• Wendy Blackman
• Lajuanna Castle
• Bonnie Nolan
• Audra Keahl
• Carrie Nelson
• Wendy Rothman
• Anne Reader

We are looking forward to the Used Book Giveaway next week and the distribution of Brain Freeze packets for students to work on during break!

AAPSEF gives out nearly 10K in Karen Thomas grants |

Congrats to Mrs. Atkins and Mrs. Reader who recently received grants from the Karen Thomas Funds which are given out through the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation.

More info by clicking the following link:
http://news.a2schools.org/aapsef-gives-out-nearly-10k-in-karen-thomas-grants/

Mitchell Literacy Fund Grows

You might remember that earlier this year we shared that an endowment had been started to help fun literacy initiatives at Mitchell School.  This was began as an outgrowth of discussions that began at with the Mitchell School Improvement Team! 

Our goal for the fund is to accumulate $50,000.  I'm happy to announce that as of 10/21/2013 the fund balance is just over $15,000! 

If you, your family, your friends, your business or anyone else you know would like to donate to the fund, please direct them to: 

http://tinyurl.com/mit-lit-fund

All donations go directly to the purchase of books and the funding of literacy initiatives at Mitchell School.

If you have questions, please contact Mr. Karr at 997-1216.

Announcement: Mitchell School Literacy Fund

Dear Mitchell School Community, 

I am excited to announce the creation of the Mitchell School Literacy Fund in support of achievement at Mitchell and the literacy goals in the Mitchell School Improvement Plan.  While I realize that we have shared bits and pieces of this initiative over the past weeks and months (with many of you), today is our official launch date!  Please read the information below about this initiative ... and check out our video! 

Of course if you have questions, please let me know.  

Sincerely,

Kevin

Help Narrow the Achievement Gap 

by contributing to an Endowment Fund

at

The Ann Arbor Area  Community Foundation

to support

Mitchell School Summer Reading

See our video at: 

http://bit.ly/1h0WFGL

To donate online to the Mitchell School Literacy Fund, CLICK BELOW: 

http://tinyurl.com/mit-lit-fund

"Summer reading loss is one of the important factors contributing to the reading achievement gap . . . "

Allington, Richard. Summer Reading: Closing the Rich/Poor Reading Achievement Gap. New York: Teachers College Press, 2013. Print. 

At Mitchell Elementary School in Ann Arbor, a significant number of students come from families who are disadvantaged.  Some families have few or no books in their homes and have limited access to local libraries.

In the spring of 2013, Mitchell educators, with the help of Children's Literacy Network and a grant from Galens Medical Society, selected 1300 new books to give to all kindergarten, first, and second grade students.  Teachers and volunteers helped 130 students choose 10 books each for their very own - at no cost to families.  With your help, we would like to continue and expand this vital program to include all students at Mitchell School.

OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE $50,000 TO CREATE A PERMANENT ENDOWMENT TO PROVIDE FREE BOOKS & FAMILY LITERACY EVENTS

We begin with a $10,000 matching grant

To donate online to the Mitchell School Literacy Fund, CLICK BELOW: 

http://tinyurl.com/mit-lit-fund

OR

Send your donation to:

Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation

301 N. Main Street #300

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104

memo line: Mitchell Literacy Fund

Used Book Sale Donor Thank You!

This past week, the Mitchell School PTO held their semi-annual book fair fundraiser . . . and each student left the fair with at least one book from the gently used section of the book fair.

It is our hope that each student took their book home this past weekend to read and enjoy - more than once!  We are also hoping to continue to supply students with books for them to build their "personal library" at home.  This is important because we know that the more students read (and enjoy reading), the more they are likely to learn. Parents - please consider helping your child find a special place for them to keep their books for their library.

The books children received were made possible with the help and donations of several generous Friends of Mitchell School including:

• Joanie Binkow
• Nell K. Duke
• Dan Chapman
• Louise Lutton
• Helen and Noah Kaplan 
• Mary Anne Drew
• Ellen Rambo, Tim and Charlie Markel
• Charles Reinhart Company Realtors
• Orchards Children Services
• Anonymous
• Anonymous

Donations To Mitchell School - Thank You!

I want to recognize several donations made this past fall to Mitchell School from our greater community in support of a variety of school needs.

Please join me in thanking the following people and organizations for their support at Mitchell:

• Jean Karr (Mr. Karr's mom) for her support of the Mitchell noon hour program and 34 new board games used during indoor noon hour;
• James and Edna Mae Caris (Mr. Karr's father and mother-in-law) for their donation supporting needed school supplies as we go through the second half of this school year;
• An anonymous donation of $1000 (Wow! - Thank you!) for general support and school improvement initiatives;
• Bethel A.M.E. of Ann Arbor, a local church, for donating $525 to the Mitchell School fifth grade camp fund;
• Heather Strack, Nancy Neff (former Mitchell parent) and NSK Corporation for their support of general school supplies.

On behalf of the Mitchell staff and the greater Mitchell School community, we appreciate your help and support of our mission. 

Sincerely,
Kevin Karr
Principal
Mitchell Elementary School
Mitchell Scarlett Teaching & Learning Collaborative