meg’s & chris’s corner – notes from the principal

A2O Wednesday Packet ISSUE 10|February 8, 2017

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

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February(8((

(

February(brings(us(the(new(semester(and(ushers(in(the(second(half(of(the(school(

year.((We(would(like(to(encourage(you(to(participate(in(our(celebration(of(

National(African(American(Parent(Involvement(Day((NAAPID).((Retired(AAPS(

educator(Joe(Dulin(created(NAAPID(to(warmly(invite(African(American(parents(

into(their(child’s(school.(Over(the(years(this(initiative(has(evolved(to(welcome(

ALL(families(to(school(on(NAAPID(to(both(encourage(involvement(and(to(thank(

parents(for(their(participation(in(their(child’s(education.((On(February(13th(we(

welcome(all(parents/guardians(to(enjoy(coffee(and(bagels(in(the(media(center(

from(8:00O9:00am.((Classroom(teachers(will(be(in(contact(to(invite(parents(to(

participate(in(activities(held(within(their(room(that(day.((Additionally,(Meg(

would(like(to(host(a(more(intimate(conversation(in(the(office(to(gather(parents’(

ideas(on(how(we(can(make(Open(a(more(inclusive(environment(that(honors(and(

acknowledges(diversity.(Please(email([email protected](if(you(are(able(to(

join(this(conversation(from(9:00O10:00am(in(the(office. (((((We(had(an(amazing(display(of(student(musical(talent(at(our(Music(

Department(fundraiser(Coffee(House(Recital(last(week.(Thank(you(to(Gretchen,(

Kristy,(and(Ms.(Bybee,((and(the(many(parent(volunteers.((Hats(off(to(our(

talented(student(performers(who(made(it(a(night(to(remember.(Thank(you(to(

the(parents,(family,(and(friends(that(attended(the(event(to(support(our(music(

Meg’s & Chris’s Corner – Notes from the Principal

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.

A2O Wednesday Packet

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

http://news.a2schools.org

ISSUE 10|February 8, 2017

+ Scrip Store:

Tuesdays & Fridays!

Next to The Whale

Order SCRIP by Text Message:

(734)717-8475

IMPORTANT DATES:

2/9 Orchestra Night,

Hill Auditorium 2/13 NAAPID; Coffee &

Conversation, 8 am 2/15 Finance/

Fundraising Mtg., 7 pm

2/17 Kindergarten-8

Grade Application Deadline, 4 p.m.

2/20 No School 2/21 Kindergarten

selection; AAOCC Mtg., 6:30

p.m. 2/23 Science/Book

Fair, 6-8 p.m.

Mabel’s Labels Tired of looking in the lost and found?

Maybe you need a label from Mabel!

Mabel’s Labels Shop at Mabel’s Labels and the

school earns 20%

of your purchase.

Questions? Contact: Elaine Oberlin-Nesbit at

[email protected]

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program(in(so(many(ways! (((((Last(week(the(building(also(participated(in(Global(

School(Play(Day.((During(this(day(of(unstructured,(

studentOdriven,(explorative(play(students(learned(

cooperatively,(tried(new(games,(and(led(one(

another.((Students(found(ways(to(play(both(in(

familiar(friend(groups(and(with(new(friends.(There(

were(board(games,(card(games,(and(imaginative(

play,(like,(building(homemade(forts.((Given(the(day’s(

success(and(learning,(we(will(most(certainly(

participate(in(2018.(

Warm(regards,

Meg(&(Chris


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



FUNDRAISING CORNER Thank you to everyone who took part and sung their hearts out on Karaoke Night supporting the

7th/8th graders! Coffee House was a huge success! Thank you to all those who supported the musical talents of the A2Open community! And finally thank you to everyone who ate out at

Banditos for Restaurant night.

Reduce your stress levels and plan your much-needed night out!

On Friday, February 10th, Leslie’s class will host another Parent’s Night Out starting at 5:30pm.

For questions contact Amy McKenna: [email protected]

Good books and Science Fair coming soon! Tantalizing truths and fantastic fiction all rolled into one exciting event!

Thursday February 23rd, at the same time as Science Fair, there will be an Usborne Book

Fair at the school. Proceeds will go to the Library. For questions contact our school librarian, Christine Deucher: [email protected]

Art Fundraiser coming soon during the month of March!

Save your child’s favorite artwork and plan to celebrate their creativity by having it presented around the house in innovative ways! Possible gift ideas just in time for

Mother’s Day! For questions contact Julie Bird: [email protected] or Molly Zawacki:

[email protected]

Another chance to enjoy a dinner out and support A2Open all at the same time!

Restaurant Night at Elevation Burger is coming up March 7th. Just mention Ann Arbor Open at purchase of meal and a percentage of the sale will go to support our school.

For questions contact Stacey Seaver: [email protected]

Fundraising Tip: Burns Park Run Request to support A2Open at Registration and our school will receive a portion of the

proceeds. Early Registration Starts Feb1st, Run is May7th. For more info visit: http://www.burnsparkrun.org/

For more information on fundraising at A2Open visit

http://www.aaopencc.org/fundraising or contact Kaarin Piegaze Lindquist: [email protected]





!INSTRUMENTAL!MUSIC!NOTES! ( All!State:!CONGRATULATIONS(to(Karinne(Tennenbaum,(clarinet,(and(Joey(Simon,(string(bass,(who(

were(selected(by(audition(to(perform(with(the(Michigan(Middle(School(All(State(Honor(Band(and(

Orchestra,(which(performed(on(Saturday,(January(21(in(Grand(Rapids.(Karinne(and(Joey(spent(three(

days(rehearsing(and(performing(with(their(100Opiece(groups(made(up(of(the(best(middle(school(

musicians(in(the(state.(Way(to(go,(Joey(and(Karinne!(Thanks(for(representing(Ann(Arbor(Open(in(such(

a(fine(way. Coffee!House:(THANK(YOU(to(our(wonderful(students(and(families(for(your(musical,(monetary,(

volunteer,(and(culinary(contributions(to(our(Music(Department(fundraiser!(It(was(a(memorable(

evening(of(fine(performances,(and(we(are(grateful(to(everyone(for(their(support.(A(big(shout(out(and(

THANK(YOU(to(volunteer(coordinator(Lauren(Steele,(who(spent(many(months(planning(this(event(with(

us.(Without(her(and(her(fabulous(volunteer(crew,(we(couldn't(do(the(Coffee(House. ( Solo!and!Ensemble!Festival:(CONGRATULATIONS(to(our(Advanced(Band(and(Orchestra(members(who(

performed(at(S(&(E(Festival(on(Saturday,(February(4.((All(of(our(A2O(events(earned(a("I"((Excellent)(or(

"II"((Good)(rating,(bringing(home(24(medals!( ( Participating(in(the(festival(were:(Zoe(Bailey,(French(horn;(Louie(Benard,(bassoon;(Zoe(Buhalis,(

trombone;(Suri(Doepfer,(cello;(Paloma(Duda(Cortes,(flute;(Chase(Hadley,(baritone;(Alex(IekelOJohnson,(

viola;(Teo(Jaworski,(trumpet;(J(KincaidOBeal,(clarinet;(Zoe(Patselas,(clarinet;(Duncan(Powell,(French(

horn;(Elizabeth(Shaieb,(viola;(Lily(SickmanOGarner,(cello;(Joey(Simon,(string(bass;(Eric(Steele,(French(

horn;(Ian(Taylor,(cello;(Karinne(Tennenbaum,(clarinet;(Ethan(Ward,(trumpet;(Jake(Williams,(trumpet;(

and(Toby(Wright,(trumpet. ( Finally,(please(support(the(A2O(Advanced(Orchestra(and(A2(STEAM(combined(orchestras,(along(with(

14(members(of(the(A2O(Advanced(Band,(at(their(performance(this(week(for(Orchestra!Night,!Thursday,!February!9,(7:00(p.m.(at(Hill(Auditorium.(Admission(is(free,(and(A2O/A2(STEAM(will(

be(the(second(group(to(perform.( More(Upcoming(Performances: ( Saturday,(March(18,(7(p.m.((Advanced(Band(performs(at(Bands(In(Review,(Pioneer(HS Thursday,(May(11,(7(p.m.(Beginning(Orchestra(and(Band(Concert,(A2O(Auditorium Monday,(May(15,(7(p.m.((Intermediate/Advanced(Orchestras(and(Bands(Spring(Concert,(Forsythe(

Middle(School Saturday,(May(13((afternoon(time(TBA)(Advanced(Band(performs(at(Picnic(Pops,(Pioneer(HS(Lawn





ARTWARE FUNDRAISER Suggested Themes: Self-Portraits, Family Fun and Pets

Through Artware, A2O families can turn their children's artwork into gifts and at the same time, earn some revenue for the art department. Examples include notecards, t-shirts, travel mugs and coffee cups, etc.

Students will be able to use artwork they create in art class or favorite pieces they’ve already done.

Watch for order forms for ArtWare to come home in Mid-March. Orders will be delivered early May.

Start now to gather up your old favorites and create new favorites!

If you have any questions, please contact Julie Bird at [email protected]

Proceeds will be split between the AAOCC general fund and the Art Department.

Enjoy an evening out while Leslie’s class

entertains your K-4th graders!

Friday, February 10th @AAO

5:30 - 9:30pm

GAMES, FOOD, FRIENDS, CRAFTS, MOVIE

$25 per child ($5 sibling discount)

Sponsored by Leslie’s class to raise funds for overnight trip.

Contact Amy to register: [email protected]





Burns Park Players Present: Shrek, the Musical

Based on the Dreamworks Animation Motion Picture And the Book by William Steig

SHOWTIMES: Friday Feb. 3 and 10 at 7:30

Saturday Feb. 4 at 7:30 Saturday Feb. 11 at 4:00 Tappan Auditorium

The Burns Park Players have awarded grants to the Open Music

Program for the past two years.

Shop the Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop and Support Our Schools

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 501(c)3 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

Karaoke Night a Success!

Thanks to all the parents, students and volunteers who made Karaoke Night happen: you made and posted flyers, took payment at the door, donated pizza and beverages, and sang your heart out.

Karaoke Night netted $580 to be used toward the 7/8 Chicago field trip. A special shout out to Jerry Arnette, our awesome Karaoke Jockey!





Hey all! February 2nd, was the 90th day of school. So, naturally that means the 100th

day is coming up in a mere 10 days*. Let's try the 100 cards for 100th Day challenge again shall we? Starting now all scrip purchases and online orders will count towards this goal. We can do it! Let channel energy into harnessing outside funds for our school. Scrip stores Tuesday mornings at 7:45am, and Friday afternoons 2:45pm. And by arrangement to [email protected] *barring snow days :)

Our scrip team is happy to help. You can reach us by email at [email protected], by phone or text at 734-717-8475 and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/260842087281933

DON’T MISS IT!

A2O SCIENCE FAIR IS COMING FEBRUARY 23RD!

!CHILDREN OF THE EARTH (2007) - Joe’s first album specifically for children. Includes voices of children who co-wrote many of the songs singing and speaking about the earth. Songs include The Mosquito Song, The Rainy Day Song, The Animal Song, and I Love Nature. “From mammals to amphibians, the water cycle to tomatoes, singer-songwriter Joe Reilly teaches kids about the importance of the environment through music- and invites them to sing along. ~National Public Radio’s Living On Earth

TOUCH THE EARTH (2009)!–!Joyful!songs!of!the!spirit,!appropriate!for!all!ages.!!Songs!include!Little&Tomato,&Keep&it&Easy,&and&the&title&track,&Touch&the&Earth.&!“A!follow(up!to!his!children’s!CD,!Children!of!the!Earth,!this!new!music!is!equally!forthright,!joyful,!and!happy!in!Joe!Reilly’s!sweet,!genuine!way.!“!~Crazy&Wisdom&Community&Journal!

LET’S GO OUTSIDE (2011) – A follow-up to Children of the Earth, this is Joe’s second album of environmental songs for kids of all ages. Includes&such&favorites&as&Amphibians,&Turkey&Vulture,&and&Biodiversity,!this!album!has!already!been!on!regular!rotation!for!many!families.!!The!title!track!for!this!album!was!selected!as!the!official!anthem!for!National!Get!Outdoors!Day!!!

JOE REILLY CDS @ SPECIAL SCHOOL RATE OF $10/EACH (NORMALLY $15)

FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOL STAFF WHEN PURCHASED AT THE EVENT.

ORDER CDS AND DOWNLOAD MUSIC AT REGULAR PRICE AT WWW.JOEREILLY.ORG/MUSIC

The Circle (2016, Earthwork Music)!–!Joe’s!third!children’s!album!featuring!songs!that!celebrate!community,!diversity,!and!core!democratic!values.!The!album!has!four!excerpts!of!interviews!with!elders,!who!speak!about!civil!rights,!education,!love,!and!gratitude.!Includes!two!bilingual!songs:!one!in!Spanish!and!English,!and!another!in!Ojibwe!and!English,!and!has!something!important!to!say!to!all!children.!Includes&The&Circle,&Friends,&Las&Mariposas,&The&Common&Good,&and&Snow&Day.&

February 8, 2017 Dear Ann Arbor Open Families; This is our third communication to update AAO families about transportation. We have only a few updates at this time. For issues we’ve addressed in the past, please refer to the earlier communications of December 14 and January 11. In the last month Durham has corrected IT communications between their computer program, Versatrans and our student data base, Powerschool. The implications of this improvement are

1) We have accurate ridership for all of our buses in both Versatrans and Powerschool; 2) Schools can now communicate with parents of each specific bus via SchoolMessenger; 3) Durham employees will be trained to use Schoolmessenger to communicate directly with parents; 4) Durham will be able to implement Bus Tracker, an app for parents to be able to track their children’s bus, by

February 10, tentatively.

Until Durham’s use of Schoolmessenger and Bus Tracker are implemented, we will continue with our current procedure of: Durham dispatch will call Ann Arbor Open when any bus is more than 5 minutes late. Ann Arbor Open staff will send SchoolMessenger email to all parents.

Reminders:

1) If your child has to wait for a bus transfer, let your child know to go inside the building to wait for the transfer bus. Students will need to ring a buzzer to enter the buildings.

2) Parents can communicate concerns or suggestions online at http://www.a2schools.org/. Transportation is under the “Departments” heading. You may also call transportation at 734-994-2330. I am available at [email protected].

Thank you, Tamber Woodworth AAPS Transportation Liaison

We're hosting aWe're hosting aWe're hosting aWe're hosting a B B B BOOK FAIR!OOK FAIR!OOK FAIR!OOK FAIR!

With Usborne Books & More! More than 1,500 titles are available – from baby board books and teen fiction to high school reference books. Usborne and Kane Miller books are:

o Fun, educational, eye-opening

o Commercial-free

o Multicultural - Kane Miller books are written all over the world

o Feature Fantastic Non-fiction and Award-winning Fiction

Our book fair is now:

Thursday, February 23rd -- 1 - 8:30 pm

(Same day as the Science Fair)

Shop Online: www.ItBeginsWithBooks.com > click SHOP > select AAO's Event at Checkout

You will have an opportunity to purchase gift certificates for

your teachers.

NAAPID:Education,Dedication,andDetermination

aretheKeystoSuccess…DreamBig!

NAAPID at Night Save the Date

February 13th, 2017 5-8:30 PM

Washtenaw Community College

Towsley Auditorium Morris J. Lawrence Building

4800 E Huron River Dr. Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105

National African American Parent Involvement Day An Opportunity for ALL

Free and Open to the Public

5-6:00 PM Exhibits and College Information Light refreshments will be served

6-8:30 PM Student Performances Speakers and Awards

BySamarahHoward,6thGrade

Student Empowerment Group Facilitated by Genera Fields, A2 Open alumni, writer, artist, & activist

Who : All students in grades 5-8 are invited

What : A student group centered around what it means to be a girl of color

When : Weekly during lunch (11:50am-12:20pm for gr. 7-8, 12:25-1:15pm for gr. 5-6),

starting February 15th

Where : Conference room G/Kate’s office near room 263

Why : To provide a forum for discussion and peer support.

● We may engage in a book study, write poetry, create art, or simply

talk. We will let students’ interests guide our direction.

WINTER/SPRING 2017Washtenaw County Program Dates

TUTORINGLiberty Street Tutoring (ages 8–18)Monday–Thursday, 3:30–5:30ĕĒTuesday, Jan 17–Thursday, June 1(no school on Monday, Jan 16)

Washington Street Tutoring (ages 8–18)Monday–Thursday, 6–8ĕĒTuesday, Jan 17–Thursday, June 1(no school on Monday, Jan 16)

Family Board Game Night at Liberty StreetFriday, Mar 3, 6–8ĕĒA night of board games and snacks for 826michigan families, students, and volunteers!

DROP-IN WRITINGDrop-in Writing @ YDL Michigan Ave (ages 8–18)Mondays: 4–5ĕĒ, Jan 23–Mar 27Tuesdays: 4–5ĕĒ, Jan 17–Mar 28

Drop-in Writing @ YDL Whittaker Rd (ages 8–18)Wednesdays: 4–5ĕĒ, Jan 18–Mar 29

Liberty Street Drop-in Writing for Wee-bots and Up (ages 6–10)Wednesdays: 6–7ĕĒ, Jan 18–May 31

WORKSHOPSLiberty Street Creative Writing WorkshopsSaturdays: January–June Winter Registration begins Friday, Jan 27;Spring Registration begins Saturday, Apr 15. Register on our website (www.826michigan.org)

LOCATIONSLiberty Street115 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI(inside the Liberty Street Robot Supply and Repair)

Washington Street20 North Washington Street, Ypsilanti, MI(located conveniently inside of beezy’s cafe)

YDL Michigan Ave229 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI (Michigan Ave Branch of the Ypsilanti District Library)

YDL Whittaker Rd5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti, MI (Whittaker Rd Branch of the Ypsilanti District Library)

There will be no programs the week of April 3–7 (Spring Break).

Liberty and Washington Street Tutoring826michigan is proud to offer completely free tutoring programs for students ages 8 to 18. Students may arrive at any time, at any point in the year while the program is running and receive homework help from one of our tutors in any academic subject. Students must bring homework assignments and study materials with them to tutoring, and parents or guardians must accompany students and complete registration paperwork on a ��ǯ��ϐ��Ǥ�

Drop-in Writing on Liberty Street and @ YDL At Drop-in Writing, students experiment with all kinds of creative writing. We cover a new topic each week, and over the semester, students have the opportunity to brainstorm, draft, revise, publish and perform their new work! We supply the writing exercises and all the materials—students just need to come equipped with their imaginations!

Liberty Street Creative Writing WorkshopsWe offer a wide range of weekend workshops designed to foster creativity and strengthen students’ writing skills! Workshops range from the playful to the practical and are taught by volunteer writers, artists, and educators in our community.

All programs are free of charge, and are open to the public!

Contact us: www.826michigan.org (734) 761-3463 115 East Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Note: 826michigan programs follow the public school calendar for the city in which they are located (AAPS and YCS); there are no programs during school breaks or on snow days.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN MY TEENAGERS BRAIN?

Skyline High SchoolThursday, February 9th, 2017

6:30 p.m.

Featuring Roger Lauer, Ph.D., Director of Center for Neuropsychology,

Learning and Development

Thursday

February 9th, 2017

A non-profit resale shop with all proceeds benefitting Ann Arbor Public Schools and student enrichment.

Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

a2ptothriftshop.org

Mon-Fri 9-7Sat 9-6 Sun 11-5

Mon-Fri 10-6Sat 10-5 Sun 12-4

FREEfurniture pickup

call 996-9155

Athletic Equipment Books Clothing ToysFurniture Household Goods and More

SHOP DONATE

2280 S. Industrial Hwy. 734-996-9155

meg’s & chris’s corner – notes from the principal

Documents