Extended Day Classes Ending

Please note that several extended day classes will be ending in the next two weeks – El Sistema, Michigan Makers, Mighty Mustangs Math.  Chess club will end on May 8.

Science Olympiad – Thanks to all of our coaches!

I'm impressed by the parent coaches for Science Olympiad this year.  Thank you for your time and commitment. You are a valuable resource that will make a difference this year at Science Olympiad. Great job!

Disability Awareness Day – One more thank you!

Thank you to the girl scouts for their help during our recent Disability Awareness Day. 

Mobile Dentist – April 30

The Mobile Dentist will visit Mitchell on April 30. Please look for paperwork in your child's backpack soon.

AAPS to Phase in International Baccalaureate Program

FROM:  http://news.a2schools.org/aaps-to-phase-in-international-baccalaureate-program/

 

March 27, 2014

By Tara Cavanaugh

The Ann Arbor Public Schools is set to become one of the few districts in Michigan with a comprehensive K-12 International Baccalaureate program.

The AAPS Board of Education voted to approve the program during its March 26 meeting. The board first discussed details of the program, including how students would be admitted, during a study session at Skyline last week.

International Baccalaureate offers high-quality international programming to more than one million students in 146 countries. IB works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. IB diploma certificates are given in addition to the high school graduation certificate and are accepted at universities worldwide.

Starting during the 2014-15 year, the district will begin the three-year process of fulfilling IB requirements and receiving IB authorization. The program will be in place for the 2016-17 year.

"We know that this program will satisfy a tremendous demand that we have," Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Swift said at the meeting.

"We feel that as we look into phasing in the International Baccalaureate program, we will be leveraging quite a lot of an investment back into our own Ann Arbor Public Schools and we will be able to provide that world-class and globally-connected program right here at home in our own district."

During the 2013-14 school year, 218 AAPS students participated in the Washtenaw County Consortium programs. The county offers a variety of alternative consortium programs for high school students, and the most popular one is its IB program. The district covers the cost of AAPS student attendance in those programs.

"That's $1.9 million we are paying to the county," Dr. Swift said, "And a good amount of that is for its International Baccalaureate program."

The board trustees voiced their support of the new program.

"This is absolutely wonderful," trustee Susan Baskett said. "I think this is a great opportunity for our students across the district. …This is going to be a very, very exciting adventure."

PHOTO: Big Bully Assembly

I want to thank the Performance Network Theater performers for their presentation today of Big Bully. Mitchell students really enjoyed the assembly and benefitted from hearing an important message that bullying does not make sense - in line at school, on the bus, online, or anywhere.

During the assembly, the performers shared what kids can do help prevent bullying including:
Set a good example for others.
When you see someone who is getting bullied, help them get away.
Tell a trusted grow up when you need help.
Sometimes bullies have very few friends. You might try being their friend today.

Tweet from Kevin Karr (@kevinkarr_aaps)

	Kevin Karr (@kevinkarr_aaps)
3/28/14, 10:10 AM Disability Awareness Day at Mitchell pic.twitter.com/hv5S2nmWCI

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