A2 Virtual – Semester Change

Over the past semester, I've had conversations with some families that expressed interest in exploring asynchronous instruction that is offered through A2 Virtual+ Elementary.  While we'd love to keep your child here at Mitchell, this we are offering families an opportunity to adjust their enrollment selection. As you consider your options, please note that the Classroom Connect/Student Link program and A2Virtual Academy follow different pacing and sequencing of the learning standards. This may result in gaps and overlaps of instruction.  

An A2Virtual Academy informational meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 6:00-7:00 p.m.  Join the meeting with this link: https://a2schools.zoom.us/j/91756772137. Information is also available at a2schools.org/a2ve.

Click HEREto express your interest in enrolling your child in the A2Virtual Academy by Tuesday, December 15th, 2020.  

Mitchell School Update

Dear Mitchell Families,

 

This past Wednesday at a study session of the AAPS Board of Education, phase 1 of the 2019 bond plan was discussed. Included in this discussion was the possibility of a new school building for Mitchell! This, of course, will have to be approved at an upcoming regular meeting of the Board of Education yet, this is the first step in the process. 

 

While I don't have many of the details, I am very excited about this development! Of course, there will be many things to figure out (pending board approval) - timeline, process, staff, student and community input, etc. For now, I'm SUPER excited and I hope you're excited too! 

 

I will continue to communicate all developments including the opportunities for students, staff and parents to engage in the process. If you have questions now, I'm happy to talk with you!

Mitchell School Clinic – A Message from Nurse Shipley

Mitchell School Clinic – A Message from Nurse Shipley

THE CLINIC IS STILL OPEN REMOTELY

 

Dear Mitchell students and families,

 

I hope you are all doing well and successfully navigating this virtual way of learning. As we continue in this direction, I wanted to let you know that the clinic is "open." You may still have many health-related questions and I wanted to encourage you to reach out to me, just as you would have when we shared physical space. I miss contact with all of you!

 

If you have not yet heard from me, regarding updating your student's health plan, please feel free to contact me. I hope you will continue to feel that my "virtual" door is always open, even if just to say hi or share a thought! 

 

I can be reached via text, phone call, or email during normal school hours, Monday thru Friday. If after hours, please leave me a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing from you! 

 

Wishing you all good health,

Nurse Shipley

shipleyl@aaps.k12.mi.us

cell: 734-661-9742

 Elementary School Nurse Care Corner

 Secondary School Nurse Care Corner

 CDC Recommendations for the Holidays

Sora – eBook Library

Over the past few weeks, students have been engaging in lessons to learn more about Sora, an eBook library resource for students. AAPS has put together an FAQ to support families in using Sora at home. You can find it HERE.

Science Olympiad

We have received an update from the Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad. They are transitioning this year's program to be fully virtual. This shift, understandably, comes with some sweeping changes in categories, structure and assessment as compared to past years. Please see below the bullet points on the new structure. In addition, we are in search of a head coach(es) for this season, which is required for our building to participate. The head coach duties are described below. If you are interested, please reach out to Mr. Hilton as soon as possible at hiltonm@aaps.k12.mi.us. The first coach meeting is Dec. 3rd. 

 

Science Olympiad 2021 Event Format:

• Events will be monthly from Jan-March.
• Events will be student self-directed and include a combination of hands-on activities, recorded content, and assessment. They will include the use of common household items, and encourage student investigation and observation. 
• Student work will be recorded and submitted to the school's head coach for credit.
• Monthly themes will be complied from past and current WESO events such as "health Sciences" and "Back to Nature." 
• In order to participate students must have access to a device, internet, and a google email. Assessment will be given using Pear Deck.
• Any student at a participating school grades 2-5 may participate in 1-5 months of the program. 
• Assessment will be given the last Saturday of every month Jan-June. Tests will combine grades 2, 3 and 4, 5. The number of questions on each assessment will vary and tests for grades 2 and 3 will last approximately 20 minutes and tests for grades 4 and 5 will last approximately 30 minutes.

 

Science Olympiad Head Coach Responsibilities: 

 

• Information Distribution 
• Disseminating information from the WESO Board to participating students;
• Maintaining a list of which students are participating each month; and
• Acting as the one point of contact between the WESO Board and participating students and their families. Since we won't be utilizing event coaches for this year's Olympiad, we invite the school head coach to recruit others as "monthly event liaisons" to assist with any questions, the collection and review of assessments, and the distribution of awards.
• Materials
• Distributing WESO supplies to students participating in each monthly theme as needed; and 
• Assessing the needs of individual students. It is important that WESO 2021 is as accessible to as many students as possible. As Head Coach we will ask that you communicate to the WESO Board any potential barriers to participation that individual students in your school might face. This includes access to devices, internet bandwidth, and materials for hands-on activities. 
• Collecting REQUIRED permission slips for participation from all students' parents and keeping records up to date. 
• Accessibility for Students
• If any participating students require accommodations or supplies - we ask the head coach to communicate this information to the WESO Board so that we can take appropriate steps to ensure the student's success. 
• Assessments/Projects
• Organizing assessment and project collection for participating students; and 
• Communicating to the WESO Board which students completed activities for each month's theme.
• Event Recognition
• Distributing participation awards on behalf of WESO Board to participating students.

 

Thanks so much for your consideration! 

Mitchell PTO

Closing Circle

Dear Mitchell Families,

 

As we continue to remain in virtual learning status, we are continually seeking ways to provide needed support and flexibility for our families.  Based on feedback from our community and building participation data, a decision has been made to move the closing circle up earlier in the day.  

 

Closing Circle is a valued Responsive Classroom practice that we want every student to experience, however, it is still considered "optional" for students & families.

Beginning the week of November 30th, closing circle for students in Y5-5th grade (the entire school) will occur any time between 1:13 p.m. to 1:43 p.m. Classroom teachers will communicate the details to you very soon. Teachers will remain available to assist students individually and/or in small groups and provide asynchronous feedback to students. Please note: While the closing circle will move to earlier in the day to provide more flexibility to families, this does not mean the school day is over. The one-on-one sessions, small group sessions, and additional supports will still take place as scheduled with kids and families.

Food Distribution

Next week, due to the Thanksgiving holiday, AAPS Food Distribution will only occur on Monday, November 23. Seven day's worth of food will be distributed at each location. Regular twice-a- week food distribution will begin again on Monday, November 30 until winter break when AAPS will again distribute seven day's worth of food on December 21 & 28 at all locations.