Friday, October 31, 2014

November 4th - No School, Election Day

As a reminder, there is no school for students on Tuesday, November 4th

Halloween Candy

Halloween candy is not allowed at school. When children bring their candy to school it becomes a distraction to their learning. Please keep the candy at home.

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. 

Friday, October 24, 2014

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences were well attended this week. One parent asked, "Are the students at Mitchell School supposed to read at home every night?" The answer is, YES! Students at Mitchell School are expected to read at home every night. This is an important part of our partnership and will help students be successful here at school. 

Student Pick-Up & Drop-Off Procedures

Please do not park in the circle drive in front of school. For the safety of all students, we are asking parents to keep this area clear of parked cars so traffic can move smoothly for pick-up and drop-off. If you need to come into the building, please park in the lot in front of school or in the Scarlett lot behind the school. Thank you. 

November 4 - No School, Election Day

As a reminder, there is no school for students on Tuesday, November 4th

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Fall Festival - October 24th

The Fall Festival is a school celebration with games and food! This event is a family event and children cannot attend unless their parent or guardian comes with them. Please remember, no violent or scary costumes are allowed at Fall Fest. No blood. No toy weapons. Thank you for your attention to this important detail. The PTO is still in need of parent volunteers. Please sign up HERE.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

October World Language News


Spanish: ¡HOLA PADRES!

We have been having a great time in Spanish class! The students all welcomed me in on the third week of school and we got right to work! We spent the beginning days of class practicing and cementing our classroom procedures and routines.

Kindergarten through second grade has been working on colors, numbers, and shapes. We are going to be learning the days of the week next!

Third grade has been learning greetings, introductions, and the alphabet.

Fourth grade has been reviewing vocabulary about classroom items and furniture.

Fifth grade has been reviewing food and pets.  We are going to move to family and descriptive words soon.

If you would like to contact me, please email me at kairiss@aaps.k12.mi.us


Arabic: Marhaba!

   Students 3rd-5th grades have been reviewing previously learned vocabulary and structures to activate knowledge and skills using stories, songs and games. They have been engaged in a small project about their evolving interests in order to talk about our personal likes/dislikes in order to build community with other classmates.  Also, they created " a map of their life" where they shared some stories about themselves in class.  We have been learning some songs and playing games to learn new Arabic vocabulary and to practice new structures to communicate our ideas.  They also write in Arabic, and for most of them, this is the first time using Arabic alphabet and WRTIT.

Our focus for this month is the sounds of the letter "Daa".  They will learn many new Arabic words have the letter "Daa" through reading stories.  My students are very engaged in their work and are making great progress. It is a lot of fun to work with them.  Parents, encourage your children to be consistent in their efforts both in and outside the Arabic classroom. If you have any questions please email me at: basuni@aaps.k12.mi.us

Friday, October 17, 2014

Mitchell PTO Fall Festival

The Fall Festival is a school celebration with games and food! This event is a family event and children cannot attend unless their parent or guardian comes with them. Please remember, no violent or scary costumes are allowed at Fall Fest. No blood. No toy weapons. Thank you for your attention to this important detail. The PTO is still in need of parent volunteers. Please sign up HERE.

Flu Clinic

There is a Flu Clinic Scheduled for Mitchell families on Monday, October 20th, from 4pm-7pm in the Conference room.  It is run by Michigan Visiting Nurses out of U/M.  It is free with covered insurance or $25.  Make sure you bring your insurance card! Children 9 and over can get it as long as a parent/guardian can sign for them. Families who do not have insurance or the $25 can call Nicole at Scarlett RAHS (734.677.2708) to make an appointment with her. 

Parent Teacher Conferences

The dates for parent-teacher conferences are October 20 and October 23. If you have not scheduled a conference please contact your child's teacher. Our goal is to meet with all families! 

World Language Takes off at Mitchell School

As a part of our work to become an International Baccalaureate school, we now offer world languages at Mitchell. In the video below you'll immediately notice the power of this new initiative as a native Spanish speaker leads a choral reading of a Spanish language book the class has written together.  It is a great example of how students from around the world have strengths that enhance learning.  Wow!

Direct link to video:
http://bit.ly/1rfQ5k8

Friday, October 10, 2014

World Language

Dear Mitchell Families,

 

In connection to the Ann Arbor Public Schools work to bring the best school offerings and educational practices to students in Ann Arbor – like Mitchell working to become an International Baccalaureate school – I am excited to share that all students at Mitchell are now learning a second language. Kindergarten through second grade students are learning Spanish.  For third through fifth grade, students began the year learning Arabic and are now learning Spanish.  In not too long, students in third through fifth grade will make a choice about which language to continue studying this year.  Please know that these choices on language will continue to exist for students as they move through Scarlett Middle School and Huron High School.  This means students who continue with the same second language have the opportunity to reach a high level of proficiency. One question I've been asked is why was Arabic chosen as the other world language to offer at Mitchell after Spanish.  This answer is that Arabic is the second most spoken world language at Mitchell – after Spanish – so it connects to our community. Please join me in recognizing this important development at Mitchell.  It offers students learning opportunities never before available at our school.

If you have questions, please call, email me, or stop by.

Sincerely, 

Kevin Karr

End of Day Procedures

I'm updating you about end of day procedures at Mitchell. If you need to pick up your child early, please go to the school office and make your request to pick up early.  Please be sure to have your identification. If someone else is picking up your child at the end of the day, they must be listed on the "green student emergency card." A person may not pick up a child from school if their name is not listed that child's emergency card. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact me directly.  I am happy to talk with you and explain the necessity of following this direction. Sincerely, Kevin.

Mitchell School Fun Run - Oct. 17th

This is an event that promotes fitness and fun while raising money for the Mitchell School PTO.  We are still in need of volunteers. If you can volunteer please email the Mitchell PTO at ptomitchell@gmail.com The kids are really excited about this event! 

Flu Clinic

There is a Flu Clinic Scheduled for Mitchell families on Monday, October 20th, from 4pm-7pm in the Conference room.  It is run by Michigan Visiting Nurses out of U/M.  It is free with covered insurance or $25.  Make sure you bring your insurance card! Children 9 and over can get it as long as a parent/guardian can sign for them. Families who do not have insurance or the $25 can call Nicole at Scarlett RAHS (734.677.2708) to make an appointment with her. 

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Mitchell PTO October Update

Good afternoon Mitchell Families!

We have a lot going on over the month of October and cannot wait to share with you.

First of all, I want to thank you so much for a great Book Fair. Special Thanks to all of our volunteers! It could not have happened without you.

Here is a look at upcoming dates:

10/10Pledge forms for Fun run are due! No money due at this time. We will send the pledge forms back with the number of completed laps.

10/14PTO Meeting – Join us for planning of Fun Run, Fall Fest and much more  -6PM in the Media Center.

10/17Mitchell Fun Run!!!! Join us for a great day of Fun and Fitness, and earn money for the school!

10/23 – Send in any Box Tops you have around. For every Box Top, we send in, we get $0.10. And you can find Box Tops for Education EVERYWHERE!

10/24 - Fall Fest! Have fun with science experiments, Science Olympiad ideas and a lot of fun games. There will also be food for sale. We will be asking for Cookie and cake donations for the Cake Walk, and 2-litres of pop for the ring toss. Look for the flyer to come home soon.

If you can help, please sign up here:Fall Fest 2014 - Friday, Oct 24th

As always, please let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you and have a great day!

Mitchell PTO

Friday, October 3, 2014

PHOTO: Wild Swan Theater Visits Mitchell School

Thank you to Mike and Annemarie Savistski for sponsoring today's Frog and Toad production in connection to the first grade Friends and Neighbors unit of inquiry.  Students explored, asked questions and wrote about friends and neighbors from around the world.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

World Languages Now A Part Of Curriculum At Mitchell


Dear Mitchell Families,

In connection to the Ann Arbor Public Schools work to bring the best school offerings and educational practices to students in Ann Arbor – like Mitchell working to become an International Baccalaureate school – I am excited to share that all students at Mitchell are now learning a second language. 

Kindergarten through second grade students are learning Spanish.  For third through fifth grade, students began the year learning Arabic and are now learning Spanish.  In not too long, students in third through fifth grade will make a choice about which language to continue studying this year.  Please know that these choices on language will continue to exist for students as they move through Scarlett Middle School and Huron High School.  This means students who continue with the same second language have the opportunity to reach a high level of proficiency. 

One question I've been asked is why was Arabic chosen as the other world language to offer at Mitchell after Spanish.  This answer is that Arabic is the second most spoken world language at Mitchell – after Spanish – so it connects to our community.

Please join me in recognizing this important development at Mitchell.  It offers students learning opportunities never before available at our school.
If you have questions, please call, email me, or stop by.
Sincerely, 
Kevin Karr