Kindergarten for fall 2007 - INFO

We had a dynamite turn out at Kindergarten Round Up last evening. It was really enjoyable meeting our incoming King families!

If you missed it, you haven't missed out altogether! Here is the essential information you need:

1. Kindergarten enrollment for fall 2007 begins NOW! Please come to the school office to pick up/drop off enrollment forms for next fall.
   
2. At King School, we offer a traditional half-day kindergarten program as well as Extended Day Option (EDO) kindergarten (half-day kindergarten, half-day tuition-based daycare). If you are interested in EDO, you should contact the Rec and Ed department to sign up (994-2300, ext. 0) as soon as possible but before March 15.
3. If you are in need for before- or after-school day care, please contact our wonderful KingCare program for enrollment at 994-4485 or stop by when you are at school.
4. After you've enrolled, you are welcome to come back and see us with your child for all of the following events:
   
   • Thursday, March 15 from 6 - 8: King School Book Fair
   • Thursday, April 19 at 7:00: Kindergarten Concert followed by Open House in classroom at 7:30
   • Friday, June 1: King Ice Cream Social at 6:00
   We are hoping these events will help your child better transition to school in the fall.

Last, if you have questions, please give us a call at 994-1940.

King Elementary School Book Release!

Location: Crazy Wisdom Tea Room
Thursday, March 8, 2007. Time TBA.

For six weeks in January and February, 826michigan volunteers will be working with King Elementary students in an after-school creative writing workshop. The King Elementary Parent Teacher Organization has generously committed to funding a publication of their work. Their teachers, parents, peers, and the general public are invited to hear students read and to see the completed publication at this book release party.

Crazy Wisdom is located at 114 S. Main Street in Ann Arbor. Hope to see you there!

NO SCHOOL - 2/14/2007

Due to road conditions, school is closed today.

AAPS Invites Community to Budget Forums

Superintendent Todd Roberts invites Ann Arbor Public School parents, staff and community members to attend one of two forums on the state of the district’s finances.

Monday, February 19
Pioneer High School
Cafeteria
7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 21
Huron High School
Cafeteria
7:00 p.m.

At these sessions Superintendent Roberts, along with Deputy Superintendent for Operations, Robert Allen, will give an overview on how public school districts are funded, the district’s revenue projections and an overview of the district’s budget.

There will also be facilitated small group sessions in which attendees will be asked for input on district priorities and funding recommendations.

International Night Photo--Thanks!

Just a quick thanks to Randy Karr, my dad, for taking time to photograph International Night at MLK. One of his photos of the audience in the International Night audience in the multipurpose room:

Yo Yo Team Visits

We had an exciting assembly this morning with the Yo Yo Team from Jia Ho Elementary School in Nantou City, Taiwan. Students representing grades 3 - 6 comprised the yo you team. Our King students saw the team perform a variety amazing tricks using Chinese Yo Yos. Our thanks to the team, Coach Zhang, and Principal Chen for taking the time to come to King School. In the picture below, our friends from Taiwan are sitting right down the middle of the larger group.

Calling All Kindergarteners for Fall ‘07

Kindergarten Round Up will be held on February 15 from 6 – 7 PM at King School. At that time, information will be shared about registering children for all kindergarten programs available at King for the fall of 2007. Please share this information with other families who may not receive the King Newsletter. Also, please note:
• Round Up is an information night for parents (i.e. children will need to stay home or be signed up for KingCare);
• Children must be 5 on or before December 1, 2007 to register for Kindergarten.

FREE CHILDCARE: KingCare will provide free childcare during Round Up for school aged children. If you would like to access this service, please call KingCare at 994-4485 to register.

Student Illness and Recess At School

From time to time, teachers receive requests asking that students stay inside during recess because of illness—or because they are recovering from a recent illness. Please know that when students return to school after being ill, they must be well enough to participate in all regular school activities--including recess. Of course we all want students to be at school as much as possible, but if a student's health is in question they should be monitored at home. If there are extenuating circumstances, it is always helpful to have written advice from your child's doctor.

NAAPID--You're Invited!

Dear King Families,

You are invited to be a part of King’s plans as we observe NAAPID on Monday, February 12, 2007. This letter communicates information about our plans for NAAPID.

What is NAAPID?
NAAPID - "Take Your Child to School/Visit Your Child in School" Day

NAAPID is a national call to action to get all parents, but particularly those of African American children, more involved in the education of their children. It is expected that this national observation will open up dialogue among teachers, parents, and students, which will lead to a more conducive learning environment.

During NAAPID, parents are invited to be a part of the school day at King. This includes being a part of your child’s classes—and even the noon hour. Bring a sack lunch and be a part of the excitement!

Also, the King staff will set up a hospitality table outside the school office with refreshments. Please stop by and enjoy the treats!

I hope that you will make time in your busy schedule to be a part of this very important day.

Sincerely,

Kevin Karr

Dr. Roberts At International Night

Thanks again to Dr. Roberts (center) for taking time out of his schedule to attend International Night at MLK! He was very impressed with the whole event and the effort from Frances Wang, who is also pictured.

International Night A Huge Success

From our PTO president, Lola Killey:

International Night was a HUGE SUCCESS! The performances by our children were beautiful and fantastic. It was a delight to watch every single performance, and to see our children learning about different cultures and the world through food, music, and dance. What a joyous and gratifying occasion!

Just so you can understand the impact International Night has on our children, let me quote two of them:

2nd grader: "Mrs. Killey, today is the best day of my life. I get to go to my babysitter's house after school and play with her four new kittens and her two dogs, then tonight I get to dance in International Night. It is the best day of my life."

3rd grader: "I am so happy and excited to dance at International Night. I love my costume, and I am learning about (this country's) folkdance. How cool is that!"

Now to quote two parents (as best as I can remember!):

"At first, my daughter was afraid to dance with the group because she wasn't from that culture and it seemed foreign and scary to her. But after she went to a few practices, she became very excited and thrilled to dance and to learn something new about other people."

"International Night at King school is fantastic because my daughter is welcomed into several dance groups even though she is from a culture different from all of them. It is so important that she learn about different cultures in an activity like this. She will remember this experience forever, and it will change her life for the better."

Indeed, this is what International Night is all about - children and parents learning and experiencing other cultures, and appreciating and enjoying all of them through the joy of food, music, and dance.

There are so many people to thank, and at this point in time, I do not have all of the names. We will have them for next week's newsletter. However, I will mention the one person responsible for putting this great event together, Frances Wang. Frances has been working since last fall on International Night. Her great leadership, intelligence, project management, and hard work has made this event one of the highlight's of the year.

Frances, on behalf of everyone in our King community, thank you for making this extraordinary experience possible for all of us. Our community is a better place, and our children's world has expanded beyond the borders of Ann Arbor because of you.

International Night Is Here!

With our annual International Night upon us, excitement can be felt in the school. Parents told me this morning kids couldn't sleep last night in anticipation of this night! WOW! We're putting the final touches on things as I write this. We want the school to look the best it can.

In addition to the wonderful potluck dinner and fun, the following performances will take place. Don't miss this! It is the best night of the year at MLK!

• Traditional Palestinian Debkeh folk dance (please clap along to the music!)
• Gospel Choir: “This Little Light of Mine”
• Chinese dance “Flower Fairy”
• Israeli Folkdance “Zamer Atik”
• Korean Dance: Sogo Little Drum Dance
• Hip Hop Dance “Bounce”
• Chinese Dai Zu dance: Happy Dai Zu
• Chinese Yun Nan Red Flower Lantern Fan Dance “Yun Nan Hua Deng”
• Chinese/Taiwanese Yo-Yo
• Chinese/Taiwanese sword dance
• Ukulele—“Aloha Oe”
• Chinese Yi Zu Dance “Happy Yi Zu Girl”
• Indian Kuchipudi Classical Dance—Gajanana
• Indian dance—Bollywood Masala
• Dutch songs—“Alles in de wind” and “Drie kleine kleurtertjes”
• Japanese children’s song: “Album of Memory”
• String quartet: “Go Tell Aunt Rhody” “May Song”
• Korean Dance: Jang-Gu Hourglass Drum Dance
• Thai dance: “Do Re Mi Sing to your Child”
• Clogging and bluegrass music—“Rocky Top”
• Gong Xi Fa Cai Happy New Year Song and “The Colors of the Wind