Congrats to Matt Kukucka whose hockey team won the Ann Arbor Fall Hockey Tournament for his division on Sunday, November 23. Matt plays in the House Mite division (7 - 8 year olds) for the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association. His team is called the King Cobras (even though he is the only kid from King School on the team) and they won 6 consecutive games in the tournament!
Thanks to Mrs. Kukucka for sharing this information.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
School Closed for Thanksgiving Break, 11/26 - 11/28
The Ann Arbor Public Schools will be closed on 11/26 - 11/28 for the Thanksgiving break.
As we observe this break, please know that the staff and I are thankful to work in the MLK community with its great kids and families!
Gobble, gobble!
As we observe this break, please know that the staff and I are thankful to work in the MLK community with its great kids and families!
Gobble, gobble!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Report Cards Come Home on 11/25 + Q & A
Report cards will be distributed to students on Tuesday, November 25 at the end of the school day.
Q1: How do I know what my child is expected to know and be able to do at their grade level?
A1: The State of Michigan's Department of Education sets the standards for what students in each grade should know and be able to do. They call these standards Grade Level Content Expectations or GLCEs for short. School districts in Michigan--including the Ann Arbor Public Schools--use the GLCEs to guide what curriculum is taught at each grade level. For example, the third grade math GLCEs say that students should be able to "Use multiplication and division fact families to understand the inverse relationship of these two operations, e.g., because 3 x 8 = 24, we know that 24 ÷ 8 = 3 or 24 ÷ 3 = 8; express a multiplication statement as an equivalent division statement"; because of this, these concepts are taught in third grade with multiple experiences throughout the year. You can download copies of the GLCEs here or if you need a hard copy, please call your child's teacher or the school office.
Q2: Why doesn’t my child get letter grades (A, B, C, etc.) on her report cards in Ann Arbor?
A2: Letter grades are a form of grading many parents are familiar with as part of their own educational experience. Grades as a form of grading are often subjective and do not necessarily reflect what a child knows or what they need to focus on next. Using the concepts reflected in the GLCEs, more of a “standard” can be applied to teaching and learning for students. With the GLCEs and the associated Ann Arbor curriculum, King School and the Ann Arbor Public Schools have established clear targets that reflect what the State of Michigan believes children should know and learn at a particular grade level.
When you receive your child’s report card, you’ll see reading and writing growth is measured in terms of continuous progress, which you might hear your child’s teacher call “the continuum.” This continuum shows which outcomes a child is currently achieving, which outcomes they have already achieved, and which outcomes they’ll be focusing on next in their learning. Sometimes an outcome on the continuum is achieved quickly and other times mastery requires additional practice and time. This is marked for each student by teachers and reported to parents in November, March and June of each school year. Using this assessment information, teachers are better able to meet the individual needs of students wherever they fall along the continuum of skillfulness.
Q3: How do teachers determine a child’s reading level?
A3: Periodically each student in class participates in a “running record” with their teacher. During a running record, the teacher listens to a child read and asks the child questions about their reading. Afterward, the information gathered during the running record can be analyzed to determine a child’s current level of performance. It also gives information about what a child needs to work on to become a more proficient reader.
Q4: I noticed my second grader (for example) is not yet achieving some of the outcomes for second grade. Should I be concerned?
A4: The outcomes represent end of the year targets, so at this point in the year it is not always concerning. If you are concerned or have a question, please contact your child’s teacher.
Q1: How do I know what my child is expected to know and be able to do at their grade level?
A1: The State of Michigan's Department of Education sets the standards for what students in each grade should know and be able to do. They call these standards Grade Level Content Expectations or GLCEs for short. School districts in Michigan--including the Ann Arbor Public Schools--use the GLCEs to guide what curriculum is taught at each grade level. For example, the third grade math GLCEs say that students should be able to "Use multiplication and division fact families to understand the inverse relationship of these two operations, e.g., because 3 x 8 = 24, we know that 24 ÷ 8 = 3 or 24 ÷ 3 = 8; express a multiplication statement as an equivalent division statement"; because of this, these concepts are taught in third grade with multiple experiences throughout the year. You can download copies of the GLCEs here or if you need a hard copy, please call your child's teacher or the school office.
Q2: Why doesn’t my child get letter grades (A, B, C, etc.) on her report cards in Ann Arbor?
A2: Letter grades are a form of grading many parents are familiar with as part of their own educational experience. Grades as a form of grading are often subjective and do not necessarily reflect what a child knows or what they need to focus on next. Using the concepts reflected in the GLCEs, more of a “standard” can be applied to teaching and learning for students. With the GLCEs and the associated Ann Arbor curriculum, King School and the Ann Arbor Public Schools have established clear targets that reflect what the State of Michigan believes children should know and learn at a particular grade level.
When you receive your child’s report card, you’ll see reading and writing growth is measured in terms of continuous progress, which you might hear your child’s teacher call “the continuum.” This continuum shows which outcomes a child is currently achieving, which outcomes they have already achieved, and which outcomes they’ll be focusing on next in their learning. Sometimes an outcome on the continuum is achieved quickly and other times mastery requires additional practice and time. This is marked for each student by teachers and reported to parents in November, March and June of each school year. Using this assessment information, teachers are better able to meet the individual needs of students wherever they fall along the continuum of skillfulness.
Q3: How do teachers determine a child’s reading level?
A3: Periodically each student in class participates in a “running record” with their teacher. During a running record, the teacher listens to a child read and asks the child questions about their reading. Afterward, the information gathered during the running record can be analyzed to determine a child’s current level of performance. It also gives information about what a child needs to work on to become a more proficient reader.
Q4: I noticed my second grader (for example) is not yet achieving some of the outcomes for second grade. Should I be concerned?
A4: The outcomes represent end of the year targets, so at this point in the year it is not always concerning. If you are concerned or have a question, please contact your child’s teacher.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Guidelines for motorists around school buses
Dear MLK families,
It has recently been brought to my attention that it would be helpful to review safety information and laws for motorists who are around school buses. The following is from the AAPS Transportation website. Please take a moment to read this over to make sure you know
TIPS FOR PARENTS
If you have questions, please ask. We'll do our very best to answer your questions.
Sincerely,
Kevin
It has recently been brought to my attention that it would be helpful to review safety information and laws for motorists who are around school buses. The following is from the AAPS Transportation website. Please take a moment to read this over to make sure you know
TIPS FOR ALL MOTORISTS
- Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits.
- Red overhead flashing lights, possibly accompanied by an extended stop arm tell you the school bus is stopped to load or unload children.State law requires you to stop at least 20 feet from the front or rear of the school bus when red lights are flashing and not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed.
- Be alert and ready to stop. Prepare to stop for a school bus when overhead yellow lights are flashing.Drive with caution if you see the yellow hazard warning lights are flashing on a moving or stopped bus. Watch for children walking in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks. Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the street without looking for traffic. When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch for children walking or biking to school.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
- Help your children learn and practice the safety rules for walking, bicycling, or riding in a passenger car, school bus or transit bus. Be a good role model, especially when you are with your kids. Always buckle up in the car, always wear a helmet when biking, and always follow pedestrian safety rules.
- Supervise young children walking or biking to school or as they wait at the school bus stop.
If you have questions, please ask. We'll do our very best to answer your questions.
Sincerely,
Kevin
Holiday Gift Card Orders Are Due!
Don't run around from store to store to buy gift cards for everyone. Save time & money on gas. Give yourself the gift of some "me time" instead of spending your time shopping!
The Holiday Gift Card Orders are due this Friday (11/21/08)! This is your final chance to do your holiday gift card shopping from home. Gift cards will be available for pick up on Tuesday, 12/12 (contact Alena Stocking if this day/time doesn't work for you).
Oh...and while you are ordering for others, order a gift card for yourself. You deserve a treat too!
Can't find your form? Get one at: http://king.a2schools.org/king.pto/files/holiday_order_form_10-28-08.pdf .
Contact Alena Stocking at alena.stocking@gmail.com with any questions.
The Holiday Gift Card Orders are due this Friday (11/21/08)! This is your final chance to do your holiday gift card shopping from home. Gift cards will be available for pick up on Tuesday, 12/12 (contact Alena Stocking if this day/time doesn't work for you).
Oh...and while you are ordering for others, order a gift card for yourself. You deserve a treat too!
Can't find your form? Get one at: http://king.a2schools.org/king.pto/files/holiday_order_form_10-28-08.pdf .
Contact Alena Stocking at alena.stocking@gmail.com with any questions.
Another Successfull Turkey Trot
Although the weather was challenging, all of the classes participated in the Turkey Trot on Nov 14. Many thanks to the parents who volunteered: Alena Stocking, Rachel Sabb, Kathy Grijalva, Laura Boudette, Susan Gechter, Sandra Wong, Lisa Kohn and Darla Dubin.
A thank you is in order for the Busch's Grocery Store on Green Rd. for donating $50 worth of gift cards for the drawing held by Mrs. Arbour. Last but not least, thanks to the PTO for providing the cider and donuts. This treat is a favorite Fall event for the students and teachers!
A thank you is in order for the Busch's Grocery Store on Green Rd. for donating $50 worth of gift cards for the drawing held by Mrs. Arbour. Last but not least, thanks to the PTO for providing the cider and donuts. This treat is a favorite Fall event for the students and teachers!
Going Grocery Shopping This Week?
Remember to use your scrip card when you check out! If you don't have a card yet, please order one. Order forms went out in last week's Friday folders. Busch's, Kroger, Hiller's and Whole Foods all donate 5% of your purchase amount to the King PTO. If you have any questions about grocery scrip cards, e-mail Heather at heatherschweitzer@hotmail.com . Thanks for your support!
Copying for King PTO Events
Effective immediately, when copying for a King PTO event, please use Impress (formerly CopyMax) at the OfficeMax in Arborland or Oak Valley. Self-service & full-service copies will be discounted when you identify yourself as copying for AAPS.
Black & white copy costs will be as follows when using 8 1/2" x 11" paper: $.025/side imprint on white paper, $.028/side imprint on pastel paper, & $.035/side imprint on astrobrite paper.
OfficeMax's store hours are Monday-Friday 8 am - 9 pm, Saturday 9 am - 9 pm, and Sunday 11 am - 6 pm.
King PTO will no longer receive an AAPS discount at Kinko's. Please do your King PTO related copying at Impress (OfficeMax).
For questions or additional information, please contact kingpto@gmail.com .
Black & white copy costs will be as follows when using 8 1/2" x 11" paper: $.025/side imprint on white paper, $.028/side imprint on pastel paper, & $.035/side imprint on astrobrite paper.
OfficeMax's store hours are Monday-Friday 8 am - 9 pm, Saturday 9 am - 9 pm, and Sunday 11 am - 6 pm.
King PTO will no longer receive an AAPS discount at Kinko's. Please do your King PTO related copying at Impress (OfficeMax).
For questions or additional information, please contact kingpto@gmail.com .
Friday, November 14, 2008
NetDay Speak Up Survey
NetDay Speak Up Survey
The Ann Arbor Public Schools is participating in the NetDay Speak Up annual national survey, and we'd like to invite AAPS students, parents and teachers to share their thoughts on key educational issues. The survey runs from October 27 through December 19; please consider logging on and participating. At the end of the survey, our district will be able to access the aggregate data submitted by survey takers in our district and use it for future discussions and planning.
To participate:
1) Go to www.netdayspeakup.org/speakup2008
2) Click the link to the appropriate survey
3) Type in your school's name (try the short version first, e.g. Mitchell instead of Mary D. Mitchell, Bryant instead of Clifford E. Bryant), select MI from the State pull-down list, then click the Find School button
4) Click the name of your school in the list presented
5) When prompted for the "secret word" enter aaps then click the Login button.
6) Students, teachers and administrators will be prompted to click the appropriate survey; parents will be taken directly to their survey.
For more information about the Speak Up project, please visit:http://www.netdayspeakup.org/speakup2008/
--
Monique Uzelac
Director of Instructional Technology
Ann Arbor Public Schools
phone. 734-994-9246
email. uzelac@aaps.k12.mi.us
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Turkey Trot Schedule
The Turkey Trot is a fun, healthy activity and everyone is invited to walk/run around the King playground tract. This is a non-competitive event and parents are welcome to participate with their children. In lieu of a t urkey, children will enter their name in a drawing to win prizes. Cider and donuts will be sered to children after the walk/run.
Here is the schedule of wh en the classes will "trot". Please note the schedule may be subject to change.
8:55-9:31 Haddas, Huyck, Petty
9:31-10:07 Harris, Griffiths, Lake
10:07-10:43 Shah, Michalik, Schaffer
10:43-11:19 Schroeder, Gracey, Knorr
1:00-1:36 Boone, Gatonez, Clarkson
1:36-2:12 Jarjoura, Shafie, Teshima
Here is the schedule of wh en the classes will "trot". Please note the schedule may be subject to change.
8:55-9:31 Haddas, Huyck, Petty
9:31-10:07 Harris, Griffiths, Lake
10:07-10:43 Shah, Michalik, Schaffer
10:43-11:19 Schroeder, Gracey, Knorr
1:00-1:36 Boone, Gatonez, Clarkson
1:36-2:12 Jarjoura, Shafie, Teshima
Bagels and Buns - Nov. 21 @ 8:15 AM
FREE Starbucks coffee! All are welcome!
Children and parents, teachers and staff
Please join us for breakfast and conversation:
Friday, 21 November 2008, 8:15am until school starts
Bagels $1 (cream cheese included)
Buns $2
Orange Juice 50 cents
Thank you!
Christina Nedeltchev, Angela Johnson, Line vN
Children and parents, teachers and staff
Please join us for breakfast and conversation:
Friday, 21 November 2008, 8:15am until school starts
Bagels $1 (cream cheese included)
Buns $2
Orange Juice 50 cents
Thank you!
Christina Nedeltchev, Angela Johnson, Line vN
Need Gift Cards?
Don't forget to order your Holiday Gift Cards through the King School PTO. You pay the face value of the card while the retailer donates a percentage to us. Think about all the gas money you'll save by doing one-stop shopping! Orders are due on 11/21/08.
Help your co-workers with their holiday shopping. Take a Gift Card Office Order Form and Retailer List with you to work tomorrow! Go to http://king.a2schools.org/king.home/king.pto/forms to get & print these forms. Your co-workers can do their holiday gift card shopping without spending time running around to purchase gift cards from different stores. They'll be thanking you!
The Gift Card Office Order Forms are due on Friday, November 21 too! You may turn in your office order payments (cash or checks) when you turn in your order or upon pick-up of the gift cards.
Please contact Alena Stocking at alena.stocking@gmail.com with any questions.
Help your co-workers with their holiday shopping. Take a Gift Card Office Order Form and Retailer List with you to work tomorrow! Go to http://king.a2schools.org/king.home/king.pto/forms to get & print these forms. Your co-workers can do their holiday gift card shopping without spending time running around to purchase gift cards from different stores. They'll be thanking you!
The Gift Card Office Order Forms are due on Friday, November 21 too! You may turn in your office order payments (cash or checks) when you turn in your order or upon pick-up of the gift cards.
Please contact Alena Stocking at alena.stocking@gmail.com with any questions.
King School's Borders Book Fair & Holiday Gift Cards
Help us increase the King PTO's profit at the King School Borders Book Fair by ordering Borders Gift Cards from the King School Holiday Gift Card sale this month! Then, use your newly purchased Borders Gift Cards to purchase books at the King School Borders Book Fair on December 12 - 13 at the Arborland Borders.
More details will be available about the King School Borders Book Fair later this month.
Contact kingpto@gmail.com with questions or for additional information.
More details will be available about the King School Borders Book Fair later this month.
Contact kingpto@gmail.com with questions or for additional information.
Crossing Guard Update
If there are any questions/concerns regarding the crossing guard at the intersection of Glazier Way and Tremont, please contact Officer Sean Lee of the Ann Arbor Police Department at (734)994-2865.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
King PTO Holdiday Gift Card Order Form ONLINE
You can download the gift card order form on the King PTO site in the forms section.
King Students To Dance With Moscow Ballet
Congratulations to the following MLK student who have been selected to dance with Moscow Ballet in the Great Russian Nutcracker at the Michigan Theater on Tuesday, December 9, at 7:30PM. Great job!
- Vallan Roan
- Kallan Roan
- Zephyr O'Donnell
- Vritti Kharbanda
- Siani Woods
- Beatrice Chen
Monday, November 03, 2008
The holidays are coming... what are you going to buy?
Yikes! It's that time of year...time to start thinking of the perfect gift for those special people (teachers, parents, spouse, babysitters, co-workers, etc.)! What do you get that says "thank you for all you do" or "thanks for being you"??? A gift card of course!
Order your Holiday Gift Cards from King School PTO! The gift cards you purchase from the PTO are the same as if you were to buy the gift cards at the store. So order yours today!
Information was sent home in last week's Friday Folders. Do you need another form, or want to have a neighbor or relative look at the list to order their Holiday Gift Cards from the King PTO? Go to http://king.a2schools.org/king.home/king.pto/forms and click on "Holiday Gift Card Order Form" or "Holiday Gift Card Retailer List" for the forms you need.
Contact Alena Stocking at alena.stocking@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.
Order your Holiday Gift Cards from King School PTO! The gift cards you purchase from the PTO are the same as if you were to buy the gift cards at the store. So order yours today!
Information was sent home in last week's Friday Folders. Do you need another form, or want to have a neighbor or relative look at the list to order their Holiday Gift Cards from the King PTO? Go to http://king.a2schools.org/king.home/king.pto/forms and click on "Holiday Gift Card Order Form" or "Holiday Gift Card Retailer List" for the forms you need.
Contact Alena Stocking at alena.stocking@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.
Family Immunization Program
**Special School Immunization Walk-in Clinic on Monday, November 10 from 4 - 6pm at Pioneer High School**
Clinic is only for children through age 18 years of age
Regular immunization fees will be charged
We are not able to bill private insurance but will provide a receipt
Vaccine For Children (VFC) eligible children will not be charged
No varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is available at this clinic
Please call (734) 544-6770 if you have questions about the clinic
Washtenaw County Public Health promotes the immunization of all children and adults in an effort to prevent serious and sometimes deadly diseases. We believe disease prevention is the key to public health. And we all know it's always better to prevent a disease than to treat it!
Fast Fact: Did you know vaccines prevent disease in the people who receive them and protect those who come into contact with unvaccinated individuals. Vaccines help prevent infectious diseases and save lives? Vaccines are responsible for the control of many infectious diseases that were once common in this country, including polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus, and Haemophilus influenzae (Hib).
Immunizations are available by appointment only.
Please call (734) 544-6770 to schedule.
Clinic is only for children through age 18 years of age
Regular immunization fees will be charged
We are not able to bill private insurance but will provide a receipt
Vaccine For Children (VFC) eligible children will not be charged
No varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is available at this clinic
Please call (734) 544-6770 if you have questions about the clinic
Washtenaw County Public Health promotes the immunization of all children and adults in an effort to prevent serious and sometimes deadly diseases. We believe disease prevention is the key to public health. And we all know it's always better to prevent a disease than to treat it!
Fast Fact: Did you know vaccines prevent disease in the people who receive them and protect those who come into contact with unvaccinated individuals. Vaccines help prevent infectious diseases and save lives? Vaccines are responsible for the control of many infectious diseases that were once common in this country, including polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus, and Haemophilus influenzae (Hib).
Immunizations are available by appointment only.
Please call (734) 544-6770 to schedule.
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