karen’s & chris’s corner – notes...dec 19, 2018 · parking spot near school to park...

A2O Wednesday Packet ISSUE 7|December 19, 2018

Non-Discrimination Statement: No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity in any school on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, creed, political belief, age, national origin, linguistic and

language differences, sexual orientation, gender expression, socioeconomic status, height, weight, marital or familial status, or disability.

AAO website & calendar • http://aaopen.a2schools.org http://news.a2schools.org

Karen’s & Chris’s Corner – Notes

CHILDREN COME TO SCHOOL IMMERSED IN THEIR OWN LEARNING. SCHOOL AND

HOME ARE BLENDED TOGETHER INTO A LARGER COMMUNITY AS CHILDREN, TEACHERS, AND PARENTS

WORK TOGETHER.

Wednesday, December 19 Multi Culti For those of you new to the school, Multicultural Fair is one of Open’s dearly held, and highly attended traditions. It is an immersive experience and our entire school will be transformed. Students truly appreciate sharing projects and accomplishments with family and friends! There is quite a bit of hustle and bustle that evening so here are some tips:

• Eat dinner or a substantial healthy snack before you arrive. • Consider a little before multi-culti nap or other down time for younger kids. • Bring a water bottle or other hydration drink. • Dress in layers - it can get a little steamy. • Have a pre-arranged meeting place and time for your family at the end of your travels. Cell phones often don’t

get reception inside our building. • Leave time to get to and from your parked car - you may get in a nice evening walk so wear appropriate

footwear for the weather. • Visit the lost and found while you are here! Any items remaining after Friday in 2018 will be donated when we

return in 2019.

Behavior Expectations at Multi Culti Students Teachers and other faculty are on duty for this event but are mainly serving as guides in classrooms. This means faculty are not supervising students. We very much appreciate your support in maintaining a safe environment by reminding your kids and any kids you are bringing along to:

• Walk (rather than running, skipping or jumping) • Keep voices to an appropriate level for indoors • Say goodnights in a timely way at the end of the evening so our teachers can get some

needed rest • Respecting personal space of others • Be mindful and respectful of the projects, papers, and other displays or materials throughout

the building

Adults There will be many, many people here on Thursday night.

A2O Wednesday Packet

2 AAO website & calendar • http://aaopen.a2schools.org

http://news.a2schools.org

ISSUE 7|December 19, 2018

IMPORTANT DATES: 12/20 Multicultural Fair, 6:30-8:00pm 12/21 Winter Break begins at end of day 1/7/19 School Resumes 1/9 Finance/Fundraising Mtg, 7pm 1/16 Wacky Hair & Wear Day 1/17 Coffee with the Principals, 8:30-9:30am AAOCC Mtg, 7pm 1/18 MLK Assembly 1/21 MLK Day/No School 1/22-1/25 Focus Studies

Shop the Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop and Support our School!

Donations are up so the store is full. Stop by and find your deal. The Shop is located at 2280 S. Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor.

The Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop is a nonprofit 501c3 organization supporting the Ann Arbor Public Schools and its students’ enrichment. Profits from sales are distributed to participating AAPS PTOs, PTSOs, and 501c3s which sponsor clubs, organizations, teams, and enrichment activities in

their schools. http://www.a2ptothriftshop.org

This night provides a great opportunity to make adult connections! Be sure to say hello to familiar faces and to new faces. Long time families, please help our newer families know where to go and what to see. Just a few extra hello’s and introductions can help make this a welcoming event for everyone! PARKING Parking gets kind of crazy around the school the night of the Multi-Cultural Fair. It's pretty common for Open parents who are desperately seeking a parking spot near school to park illegally. Please help us stay on good terms with our neighbors and with the laws in place for pedestrian and traffic safety.

Please remember: • City ordinances prohibit parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, and

within 15 feet of an intersection, even in the absence of "No Parking" signs. This allows for adequate sight-lines for both drivers and pedestrians. This is particularly important on the night of Multi-Culti, as there is a lot of foot traffic and car traffic, and it will be dark outside.

• Likewise, vehicles may not block driveways or park within 4 feet of a curb-cut for a driveway.

• Vehicles may not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (unless the operator remains in the vehicle).

• Also - there is NO parking in the bus loop in the Brooks St. lot. It is an emergency fire lane 24/7.

Thanks! I hope this helps avoid many of the problems we and our neighbors have experienced in prior years.

Borders will open at 6:30 pm and close at 8:00 Thursday night. Passports will be available to be stamped at each location throughout the school. The 7/8 classes will be set up in the auditorium. The Passports are designed for kids, but interested adults are welcome to pick up a passport for the journey, too.





FUNDRAISING CORNER Happy New Year and welcome back to school!

Thank you to everyone who took part and supported the school’s famous Multicultural Fair. As always it was an energetic affair that was fascinating and which took much less than 80 days to get around the world.

Last Week! Already we had a fabulous fundraiser to start off the new year! Thank you to all who joined us at Karaoke Night - Jan 10th, 2018 6-8:15pm! You helped fundraise for the 7th/8th grade classes. All ages welcome. K-6 sang from 6-7pm Food was available from 5:45-7:30pm, the 7/8th graders took the stage from 7:00-8:15pm. No doubt the singing was all better than the originals! For more information contact Abbey Woodman, [email protected] or Rebecca Richardson, [email protected].

Upcoming! Restaurant Night - Jan 23rd 4-8pm! Come eat at Chipotle and mention Ann Arbor Open so proceeds will go to the school. Located at 3354 East Washtenaw Ave, Ste A. This fundraiser helps support the General AAOCC fund so that A2O can continue with exciting projects, programs and field trips. For further information contact Melissa Lloyd, [email protected].

Around the corner! Big News! A singing showcase will be occurring in February. Students will show off their musical talents and public performance abilities. This is always a wonderful event that can move you to tears with pride and enjoyment. Prepare yourself for the show coming in February. More details to follow soon. For further information contact Alexia Andoni [email protected].

For more information contact Fundraising Chair Lisa Querijero, [email protected] or Fundraising Coordinator Kaarin Piegaze Lindquist, [email protected]

Tips of the week: Keep your eye on the “Panda-monium” poster in the front hall to watch the outcome of our fundraising

efforts.

Use Amazon smiles to support the school. Sign up for Amazon smiles and pick Ann Arbor Open as the charity of interest.

Mabel’s Labels

• Get organized and stop losing items to the lost and found with stick-on, iron-on, stamp, and bag-tag labels, 20% of your purchase will go to the AAOCC.

• Order at: https://www.mabelslabels.com/c/?type=fundraiser&b=1640

• No deadline, order anytime. • For more info contact

Elaine Oberlin-Nesbit: [email protected]

Resource Supports Families in need of resource supports over break (or any time) may find the following helpful:

Friends in Deed can help prevent utility shut off and can help meet furniture needs. https://www.friendsindeedmi.org

The State of Michigan provides emergency relief for qualifying families for paying utility bills, home repairs, burials, and weatherization. For more information: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_5531---,00.html

Food Gatherers maintains a list of food pantries and free meals. Visit: https://www.foodgatherers.org/?module=Page&class=Pantries

For other services that may require a referral, just dial the number 211 from any phone. From there, a specialist can make referrals to other local service agencies including job training, support for older adults, food, health, and mental health. For more information about services available, see this informational flyer: http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/211.pdf

We hope everyone is able to rest, recharge, and celebrate safely over the winter break. We will see you back in 2019!

Karen & Chris

Vote for AAO: It’s Time for PTO Thrift Shop Show Your Support Weeks! Dec. 9 - Dec. 22

For two weeks, Ann Arbor Open will compete with Bryant, Clague, and Lakewood for the most “votes” to earn part of $1500 from the PTO Thrift Shop.

Here's how it works: For each $5 purchase PTO Thrift Shoppers make, they receive one token ("vote") to drop into a school's bucket. The more votes a school receives, the more support it gets from the PTO Thrift Shop. So, for example, if the AAO bucket receives 50% of the total tokens sold over the two weeks, then AAO will receive 50% of $1500. Don't forget to stop by the PTO Thrift Shop in December to cast your vote for AAO and score some great deals!





Welcome Back to After School! Once again, AAPS Rec & Ed is offering several after school classes focused on fun, learning, movement, and discovery. Registration is now open, and spots are filling fast! Please see class options below, and visit Rec & Ed after school classes for details. For scholarship information, click here.

Ann Arbor Open

The Power of Drawing: Early Winter

The Power of Drawing: Late Winter

Beginning/Intermediate Chess: Winter

Beginning/Intermediate Chess: Early Spring

Robotics 2

French

Toys for Tots

We are collecting for the Toys for Tots campaign this year. This program is run by the US Marine Corps Reserve, and distributes holiday gifts to children who may not otherwise have received any. All toys should be new and unwrapped. The collection will continue until Friday, December 21. The box is located at the wall opposite the entrance of the office. Thank you for your generosity!

A2O Wednesday Packet

5 AAO website & calendar • http://aaopen.a2schools.org

http://news.a2schools.org

ISSUE 7|December 19, 2018

U-M is offering an awesome opportunity that you are welcome to share with any of your families of children who may benefit. The university is conducting a research study on how kids with anxiety respond differently to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is an evidenced-based treatment for youth experiencing anxiety, and with so many therapists in the area on long wait-lists and asking high out-of-pocket costs, this could be a great option for some. The study is FREE and for kids ages 7-17. Below is the link with more info and directions on how to sign up. https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/study-offers-free-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-young-people-anxiety

Please see me or email me with any questions that I can try and help answer. You can also tell families to reach out to me directly for further info. Kelly Maveal [email protected]

JOIN THE AAO SYNCHRO TEAM

Open to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders

Practices are 3:30-4:30pm Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays

Starts Tuesday, January 8th

Be on the pool deck and ready to have fun! Bring suit, towel, goggles and enthusiasm!

Questions, please contact: Chad Downs: [email protected] Sarah Kairis: [email protected] Suzy Curtis: [email protected]

WEEK 7 - 12/19

FUNDRAISING CORNER For a complete list of AAOCC fundraisers, please visit: http://www.aaopencc.org/fundraising

December Fundraising Highlights

PTO Thrift Store Show Your Support - runs through Dec. 22! ○ Shop at the PTO Thrift Store during AAO’s Show Your Support

Week - for every $5 you spend, you can “vote” for AAO to receive part of $1500!

○ When: December 9-22 ○ Where: PTO Thrift Store located at 2280 S Industrial ○ More info at: https://www.a2ptothriftshop.org/

Amazon Smiles Ongoing School Fundraiser ○ About to do some holiday shopping? Your purchase could donate

money to AAOCC, here’s how: ○ Set your Amazon account to Amazon Smiles and 0.5% of your

purchases will be donated to AAOCC! ○ Click here to direct your account to AAOCC:

http://smile.amazon.com/ch/38-3336334 ○ Then do your regular Amazon shopping from: smile.amazon.com.

Box Tops Ongoing School Fundraiser ○ Chances are, you’re already regularly purchasing something

with the “Box Top” symbol. ○ Cut them out and drop them off across from the front office. ○ This helps our school get money for tons of important items! ○ Plus, this is a fun and easy way to get your kids involved with

raising money for their school! For more information or if you would like to get involved with AAOCC fundraising, visit: http://www.aaopencc.org/fundraising or contact Stephanie Hall: [email protected]

http://www.aaopencc.org/fundraising

https://www.a2ptothriftshop.org/

http://smile.amazon.com/ch/38-3336334

http://smile.amazon.com/

http://www.aaopencc.org/fundraising

CALLING ALL MUSICIANS!

COFFEE HOUSE RECITAL

Thursday, February 7th @ 6:00pm

A Fundraiser for the A2O Music Department

What is it? The 2019 Coffee House Recital is Thursday, February 7th at 6:00pm, featuring K-8 music students at Ann Arbor Open. This annual Music Department fundraiser presents solo, small group, and class performances throughout the evening in the Media Center, Auditorium, and Vocal Music Room.

How do I get involved? We are seeking musicians who play guitar, piano, or other instruments outside of school. We would prefer students with formal instrumental training, but if you are self-taught and practice often, please feel free to audition! We are also seeking singers to perform as a duet, small group, or soloist. Acts will be limited to 2 minutes and only one entry per person unless we are short on performers. If you are interested in performing you will need to audition. *Instrumental Solo/Ensemble students & 6th grade chamber groups do not need to audition!

How do I audition? In order to perform at the Coffee House, we will need to hear you play/sing the song you would like to perform at the recital. You should be prepared and adhere to the 2-minute time limit. Auditions will take place after school beginning at 3:30pm in the Vocal Music Room on Thursday, January 10th and Friday, January 11th. Auditions will take no more than 5 minutes. You must sign up ahead of time! There will be a sign up outside the Vocal Music Room door.

Questions regarding auditions? Contact Lexi [email protected] Questions regarding how you can volunteer and get involved? Contact Alexia Andoni or Sue Ann Savas [email protected] [email protected]

Thanks for considering getting involved! Lexi Schneider (Vocal Music), Ms. Carolyn Bybee (Band), Mr. Tim Wilkins (Orchestra)

Put your thinking caps on!

Science and Maker Fair have combined and are

coming your way!

Mark your calendars for February 28, 2019

2018-2019 Field Trip and Yearbook Contributions

Ann Arbor Open Coordinating Council

Our school’s PTSO

_____________________________________________________________________________

New this year : you can pay by credit card, online from the AAOCC

website:http://www.aaopencc.org/field-trip-and-enrichment-contributions

Please return the form, found on the back of this page, and contributions to

school as soon as possible. If you cannot contribute this year, we still need your

form to gauge supplementary fundraising needs.

Field Trips

From kindergarteners going to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market to 7th and 8th graders

touring Chicago, field trips and enrichment programs are an integral part of Ann Arbor

Open’s curriculum at every grade level. Kids, teachers, and parents all look forward to

these memorable experiences that distinguish our students’ Open education.

Each year, the Ann Arbor Open Coordinating Council (AAOCC) -- our school’s

parent-teacher-student organization -- helps fund these programs. To this end, we ask

each family to make a contribution in accordance with the requested amounts listed in

the table on the back of this page. We ask that each family contribute what they can

afford. If your family is able to give more than the requested amount, please consider

doing so, as it will benefit other Ann Arbor Open families.

Because Ann Arbor Open seeks to promote a fair and inclusive environment, every

child will have the opportunity to participate in every outing their class takes regardless

of their family’s contribution.

Yearbooks

The field trip contribution includes the cost of yearbooks. Traditionally, the cost per

yearbook is about $7 each. Please consider donating extra if you are able to do so. All

children will receive one yearbook at the end of the year regardless of their family’s

contribution.

If you have questions, please contact Michela Arnaboldi, Contributions Coordinator at

[email protected].

Requested Field Trip Contributions by Grade

Grade Level

Requested Field Trip Contribution Per

Student

(This amount will be allocated to your child’s

class fund)

Actual Average

Annual Field

Trip/Enrichment

Cost Per Student

K - 2 nd $75 $148

3 rd - 6 th $110 * $207

7 th - 8 th $400 ** $544

Form on reverse ➔

1 of 2

http://www.aaopencc.org/field-trip-and-enrichment-contributions

* Starting in 3rd grade, classes have overnight field trips/camps that require extra funding.

** This 7th/8th grade amount combines the $75 contribution needed for local field trips

and activities with the funds needed for the end-of-year trip to Chicago or Camp

Wolverine. Expect to hear more about the end-of-year trip as the year progresses.

Payment options are available for all and especially 7th/8th parents given the large cost

of the end-of-year trip. If you are a parent interested in payment options, please contact

Michela Arnaboldi at [email protected].

(AAOCC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Please check with your tax accountant if

your contribution is tax-deductible. Tax ID#38-3336334)

✂

2018-2019 Field Trip and Enrichment Contribution Form

Parent/Guardian Name(s):

Student Name Grade Teacher Contribution ($)

1

2

3

4

5

Total Field Trip Contributions for my Child/Children $

Additional Contributions/Donations for Field Trip/Enrichment Fund $

Additional Yearbook Contributions/Donations ($7 each) $

I cannot contribute in full this year, but I can donate $25 to the fund $

I cannot contribute in full this year, but I can donate to the fund $

Total $

⃞ I cannot contribute at all this year

Checks should be made payable to AAOCC and enclosed with this form in a sealed

envelope. Please off drop forms and contributions in the box located near the school

office or mail them to: AAOCC Field Trip and Enrichment Contributions, Ann Arbor

Open, 920 Miller Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 .

Please return this form even if you cannot contribute this year.

Please make your contribution as soon as possible to help us plan our spending

throughout the school year. For tax purposes, all contributions received prior to

December 21st will be deposited prior to the end of the calendar year.

2 of 2

Fieldtrip & Enrichment Contributions Stats

Dear AAO families, thank you for sending in your fieldtrip and enrichment donations! I am humbled by the generosity of our community! Remember to turn in your donation by the end of the year for your tax deduction.So far, 193 families have returned their forms and we have collected over $44,000 for our kids.The AAOCC disbursed to the classrooms (including money for the yearbooks) over $84,000 this year, so we still have work to do. For your convenience you can find the Fieldtrip & Enrichment Contribution Form on the Wed Packet. For questions contact: Michela Arnaboldi [email protected]

Yes

12/17/2018 Families Who Returned Form 12/17/2018 Funds Collected

karen’s & chris’s corner – notes...dec 19, 2018 · parking spot near school to park...

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