Dear Mitchell Families,
On behalf of the Mitchell staff, I welcome you to the 2016-17 school year. This letter contains important information about the beginning of school.
International Baccalauerate Update
We are excited to share an important update in our work to become a pre-K – 12th grade pathway of authorized International Baccalauerate (IB) World Schools.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools is pleased to announce that the following schools are on track to become authorized IB World Schools during the 2016-17 school year:
1. Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Mitchell Elementary School, grades PreK-5
2. Middle Years Programme (MYP) in partnership at Scarlett Middle School and Huron High School, grades 6 – 10
3. Diploma Programme (DP) at Huron High School, grades 11 – 12
Over the coming school year, the schools listed above will develop into authorized IB world schools. These schools share a common philosophy that values high quality education through an inquiry approach to teaching and learning, local, national and global connections to our curriculum, world languages, taking action and providing service.
As we celebrate this moment and look forward to the work ahead, we want to thank the Mitchell, Scarlett and Huron teachers and the community for their work, focus, collaboration, and support.
Hopes And Dreams 2016-17
The Mitchell staff is ready to support your child's learning this year. In fact, much like you, we are hoping and dreaming for great success this year!
What do you hope for your child in 2016-17?
What is your dream for your child in 2016-17?
Please share your hopes and dreams for your child with us at the Welcome Back Picnic!
Welcome Back Picnic - Classroom Assignments
We hope all families will come to Mitchell on Wednesday, August 31 from 6 – 8 PM to receive their teacher assignment for the school year. *
We are inviting all families to pack a picnic dinner, come to school and spend the evening together!
The picnic is also the time to bring back your child's Think Stretch workbook. They will be collected at the picnic and children will receive a medal for their work!
*If you are not able to come to the picnic, teacher assignments will be available by calling the school on Thursday or Friday.
First Day of School
The first day of school is Tuesday, September 6, 2016. This day will be a full day for students. Starting and ending times are as follows:
· 8:47 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Each day, the first bell rings at 8:47 a.m. at which time students will enter the building. Before the first bell, students should line up outside the front doors.
Curriculum Night
All parents should attend Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 beginning at 6 PM.
Breakfast/Lunch
As in the past few years, all students have access to free breakfast every day at school.
Lunch will be served the first day of school in the cafeteria. The prices are as follows:
Regular lunch: $2.50
Reduced lunch: $0.50
Students may also bring their lunch from home. Milk may be purchased for $.40. It is preferred that payment for hot lunch is made by the week or the month; however, lunch purchases can be made the same day. The Ann Arbor Schools DOES NOT ALLOW STUDENTS TO CHARGE LUNCHES.
Free/reduced price lunches are available for qualified students. Please complete the application completely and bring it back at the Welcome Back Picnic or the first day of school. The District uses family applications so only one application per household is needed but each child must be listed on the application. A new application is required every school year.
Students who received free or reduced meals during the 2015-16 school year are eligible to receive free or reduced meals for only the first two weeks of the 2016-17 school year.
If you are applying for free/reduced lunch for the first time, please know you are expected to pay for lunch until you have received a letter from the food service office indicating you have been approved for the 2016-17 school year.
Meal Pay Plus is the online payment program for breakfast and lunch offered by the Ann Arbor Public Schools. You are able to pay for student meals using your credit card or by calling 877-237-0946. You can combine payments for multiple students, access their accounts to monitor what they are purchasing, and ensure they have sufficient funds in their accounts. An informational flyer will be sent home with your student in their first day packets including information on how to register and what the program offers.
Health Center
The health center for medical needs at Mitchell is called the Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools (RAHS). A member of the RAHS team will be at the welcome back picinic. Please stop by the RAHS table to get more information.
Immunizations for 2016-17
Please be sure that your child's immunizations are up to date by the start of school! All pre-school, Kindergarten and new students at any grade MUST provide proof of immunization before Sept. 6. Please bring the immunization records to the school office.
For information about free/low cost immunizations, how to get a waiver, and more, visit the AAPS immunization page: http://a2schools.org/
Updated Medical Response Plans and Medication
As a reminder to parents/guardians whose children are medically sensitive, please turn in updated medical response plans from your child's physician to the school office before school begins. An updated plan is required each year and/or any time there is a change in your child's health.
Also, as a reminder to all parents, children may not take medication at school unless we have written instructions from your physician. This includes over the counter (non-prescription) medication. For families with medically sensitive children, please turn in medication on or before the first day of school.
Mitchell School Is Nut-Restricted
Nuts are allowed at Mitchell School; however, there are students in the building with life-threatening allergies. This means the building is a nut-restricted building. Some rooms in the building are designated as "No Nut" areas. If this is the case, a sign will be posted outside the room.
Student Pick Up/Drop Off
If you drive your child to school or pick them up at the end of the day, please follow the posted signs around the school.
§ NO PARKING in the front drive. Stay in your car. Pull all the way forward. Kids exit the car on the curb side of the drive.
§ NO CELL PHONES in the front drive. When we are driving around children we want to be as watchful and safe as possible.
§ Unless you have enrolled your child in Morning Care through the Rec & Ed department, please do not drop your children off at school before 8:40 a.m. as there is no adult supervision until this time.
Parking at Mitchell
There are some parking spots available in front of Mitchell School. Additional parking is available in the Scarlett parking lot behind Mitchell School. If you need to come into the building we ask that you parek your car in one of our parking lots. Please, NO PARKING IN THE CIRCLE DRIVE – traffic backs up and creates hazards as other parents have to pull out and around parked cars.
First Day Packet of Information
After the first day of school, your child will bring you a packet of information. If possible, please set aside an hour or so to review the packet and fill out the necessary forms. It is helpful if the forms are returned the next day.
We look forward to working with you and your child(ren) to make this school year a great one. If you have any questions, please call the Mitchell office or your child's teachers and we'll do our best to answer them. Let's have a great year!
Mitchell News
The Mitchell website has information you will find helpful. The address is:
Educationally yours,
Kevin Karr Matt Hilton
Principal
