PHOTO: Mitchell Kitchen Updated

The Mitchell school kitchen needs to be equipped to serve more students than it has in the past. Because of this it has been updated over the summer to provide more space for food preparation. In the picture below, the space is in progress with some of the new updates showing: sink area, old counters removed.

Mitchell School Parent Update - August

Dear Mitchell Families and Community,
I have three pieces of information to share.
1. We are excited that the school year is getting closer and that 40 new families are coming to Mitchell School this fall.  Our new spaces are almost complete!  Check out these photos: http://mitchellschool.blogspot.com/2016/08/photos-mitchell-expansion-pictures.html
2. The school office is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.  New families who need to turn in enrollment paperwork (birth certificates, proof of residency, health appraisals, etc) can bring those to the school office.
3. Students and families can meet their new teacher on Wednesday, August 31 at 6 PM. We are looking forward to seeing you!
Sincerely,
Kevin Karr and Matt Hilton

Estimadas familias y la comunidad, Mitchell

Tengo tres piezas de información para compartir.

1. Estamos encantados de que el año escolar se acerca y que 40 nuevas familias están llegando a la escuela Mitchell este otoño. Nuestros nuevos espacios son casi completa! Echa un vistazo a estas fotos: http://mitchellschool.blogspot.com/2016/08/photos-mitchell-expansion-pictures.html

2. La oficina de la escuela está abierta de lunes - viernes de 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Las nuevas familias que necesitan a su vez en trámites de inscripción (certificados de nacimiento, comprobante de residencia, evaluaciones de salud, etc.) pueden llevar a los de la oficina de la escuela.

3. Los estudiantes y las familias pueden encontrarse con su nuevo maestro el miércoles 31 de agosto a las 18:00. ¡Esperamos con ansia verte!

Sinceramente,

Kevin Karr y Matt Hilton

PHOTOS: Mitchell Expansion Pictures

As we are getting ready for the 2016-17 school year and the opening of additional classroom and family spaces at Mitchell School, here are some photos to preview what is to come.  We hope to give tours of the new spaces during the welcome back picnic on August 31 from 6-8 PM. 

The brown connector and "blades of grass" green siding of the Mitchell expansion

The interior of one of the new Mitchell classrooms

The hallways of the Mitchell expansion (without lockers installed yet)

Looking into the new family space where resources for families will be available

PHOTOS: Mitchell expansion- family space and classroom cabinets!

	Kevin Karr (@A2_IB)
7/21/16, 12:00 PM Touring the Mitchell Expansion with @A2Scarlett admins-excited to see progress on family room and classroom cabinets pic.twitter.com/fZDTfpL9ob

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PHOTO: The GREEN siding (think grass) for the @a2mitchell expansion arrives!

PHOTO: Use Scarlett Parking Lot This Summer - Mitchell Front Drive Closed

PHOTO: A2IB Family/Community Room Construction Begins

	Kevin Karr (@A2_IB)
7/1/16, 8:09 AM Construction begins on Mitchell family/community room-goal to connect our community with resources and access #a2ib pic.twitter.com/lP3db9OWJv

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Front Drive of Mitchell Closing - July 1 - August 12

Dear Parents and Community Members,

Due to Mitchell School expansion and related site work, the front drive of Mitchell School will close (i.e. be blocked) from approximately July 1 - August 12.

The Scarlett parking lot will remain open.

If you have questions, please email karrk at aaps.k12.mi.us

Mr. Karr

PHOTO: Just before cement was poured for the floor in the @a2mitchell expansion

Mitchell Expansion Construction Report - 4-12-16

Time Period:   – April 30- May 13

Project Name:  Mitchell Expansion I

CONSTRUCTION

1.  All exterior walls have been erected.

2. All underground plumbing inside the building has been installed.

3. All underground electrical inside the building has been installed.

4. The concrete floor for the entire building has been completed.

5. Erection of the interior bearing wall has commenced and is ongoing.

PHOTO: Mitchell School Expansion Progresses

PHOTO: Mitchell Expansion

Exciting News: 

The walls to our new addition are going up! It's an exciting time to be at Mitchell School. If you have a moment, stop by and check out the progress! Please know that safety continues to be our number one priority. Children are not allowed near the construction site. 

Mitchell Expansion Construction Report - 4-29-16

Project Name:  Mitchell Expansion I

1.  The building pad has been complete for the entire new addition and connecting corridor.
2.  Exterior wall panels have been constructed on the ground to expedite erection.
3. All concrete footings/foundations have been completed.
4. The masonry perimeter block has been installed and fully grouted.
5. The exterior wall panels are nearly complete and ready for erection

BIG NEWS: Mitchell School Expansion Update

The walls of the new Mitchell School addition are planned to go up on Monday, May 2!!!!!

Mitchell Expansion Consultation Team Forming

Dear Mitchell Teachers, PTO and SIT,

As we move forward with the Mitchell expansion, there will be additional need for input from a representative group. My hope is to form a small representative team who will help.

The known needs now include:

- Input on classroom furniture

- Input on furniture for the family resource room

- Input on interior colors

- Other needs as they arise

I am proposing the following dates to meet (BUT MEET ONLY IF NEEDED)

April 28 from 4-5 PM

May 5 from 4-5 PM

May 12 from 4-5 PM

May 19 from 4-5 PM

May 26 from 4-5 PM

June 2 from 4-5 PM

Note: as you can see I'm trying to block time out on my calendar and schedule these dates well ahead of time....we will only meet if it is needed.

If you would like to help, please let Mr. Karr know.

PHOTO: Mitchell School Expansion Rendering

The general look of the @a2mitchell expansion-6 new classrooms for the future Primary Years Programme school #a2ib

PHOTO: Mitchell Expansion Update Tweet

	Kevin Karr (@A2_IB)
4/17/16, 9:57 AM Mitchell Expansion Update: walls are being built and getting ready to pour footings #a2ib #spaceavailable #enrollnow pic.twitter.com/9j0stA3VBD

Mitchell Expansion Update - Colors of New Addition

​​​​​​Dear Mitchell PTO and Staff,

Thank you for the feedback about the colors of the Mitchell phase 1 addition.

It isn't surprising I've heard a range of reactions and input around the color choice of the outside of the building.  To be perfectly clear, I am thankful and happy to receive this input.  It is helpful especially in a moment that requires a quicker decision.

The input I've received about the proposed vibrant green colors has included the following (which includes general reactions from parents and/or teachers):

- I love it.

- I wish it was a slightly darker shade of green.

- I wish it was blue.

- I like the vibrant greens but I want to understand and know more about the overall look of the building that includes phase 2 and 3.

- Vibrant greens make perfect sense for an elementary building

- I connect with the "blades of grass" idea....connects to being a World School for me.

- I like the idea of multiple colors being represented like at King School

- The pop of color is exciting, and I think the kids will love it.

- The color is good, but I think it is really about what happens in the classroom.

In response to this, I have:
1. Checked in with teachers again today to get another read on their input.  All teachers have expressed a range of positive input that includes "I love it" (which is most teachers) to "I like it" or "I am OK with it."

2. I am emailing this to the group that includes PTO parents to receive any additional feedback that was not expressed last night.  The feedback I received last night seemed about 50% "I love it" or "Looks good" and 50% "I'm fine with blades of grass but how about something darker" or "I'm thinking of multiple colors" or "I'm not in love with the green".

In making this decision (albeit with a quick turn around), I want to be clear I'm listening.  Most of what I'm hearing (especially from our teachers) is that the bright greens are exciting and will be a welcome update that connects with the change our school is going through.  It will also say our school is different and special as opposed to the current colors which say our school is a drab eye sore.

I'm also hearing that it would help to know more about what the overall look of the building would be if phase 2 and 3 were completed.  I've asked for some help from the architects with this piece.

In addition, I've also asked to see a version of the school with blues instead of greens.  I've done this to entertain the ideas, but at the same time I also know the majority of input (~85%) is saying "go green".

I also want to remind there are other opportunities for input if you'd like to give it:

- Parent resource room (colors, furniture, uses of, etc)

- Classroom furniture

- Input on phase 2 and phase 3 of the Mitchell expansion (if and when that occurs).

Thank you for any additional input.

Kevin​

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PHOTO: Groundbreaking at Mitchell School Expansion

Schools of choice means enrollment opportunities for fall 16! Call 997-1216 or check out http://IB.a2schools.org for more info. #greateducation #greatopportunity

Mitchell Expansion Update - 3/25/16

Work is beginning on our building expansion project! As we return to school on Monday, March 28 you'll notice a fence around the construction site in the back of the building. This fence is designed to act as a safety barrier. Students will not be allowed near the site. Please know this:

 

-The path from the Scarlett parking lot into the building will NO longer be accessible. You must come to the front door.

-Construction traffic will occur in the back of the building. Therefore, parents must drop-off and pick-up in front – only.

-Safety is our first priority. Please be patient during drop-off & pick-up out front. NO PARKING in the front circle drive. Thank you.