Pajama Day Fun - Last Day Before Break

We've had a great time today at school with Pajama Day, not to mention the last day before break. There will be no school during the next two weeks. School will resume on Monday, January 4.

Below are some photos of Pajama Day for you enjoyment!

Mrs. Gatonez and Mrs. O'Keefe

Mr. Huyck

Mrs. Shafie and Mrs. Jarjoura

Mrs. Schroeder

Melissa, bus 102

Mrs. Greene and Miss Barnes

Mrs. Knorr

Dr. Michalik

Mr. Petty

Mrs. Haddas

Ms. Lake

Miss Shah

Mr. Karr

Miss Harris

Mrs. Teshima

SIGN UP: Literacy Night - January 26 or 28

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

Dear King Parents,

You are invited to Literacy Night on January 26 or 28, sponsored by the King School Improvement Team. At Literacy Night, parents will learn from King teachers about how they teach reading and writing.

The schedule for the night will be as follows:
6:20 – 6:30 Childcare drop-off in gymnasium with KingCare—school aged children only for those who sign up ahead of time

6:30 Introduction in the Multipurpose Room

6:40 - 8:30 Parents will choose and attend two sessions focusing on reading and writing:
* K-2 Reading
* 3-5 Reading
* Kindergarten writing
* 1st grade writing
* 2nd grade writing
* 3rd grade writing
* 4th grade writing
* 5th grade writing

Our goal is to have at least one parent from every family participate in Literacy Night either on 1/26 or 1/28.

If you have questions, please call the school office at 994-1940.

Sincerely,
King School Improvement Team

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

PHOTO: Thank You, PTO, For The Treats

The King Staff is enjoying all of the delicious treats made by our King families. Thank you!

King International Night - December Update

Performances: Signups for King School International Night (Thurs Feb. 4) performances are underway! Please email Frances Wang at fkwang@aol.com if you would like to participate. Reminders: all performances must be under 3 minutes! Music must be prerecorded on CD. Colorful costumes a plus! Practice practice practice over break!

 

International Coins: For anyone traveling abroad over the holidays: Please bring back small coins for us to include in the children's red envelopes! The more countries' coins we have the better! (and any other sort of small flat knick knacks like stickers) We need to fill 300 red envelopes for performers.

 

Country Posters: Everyone is invited to make a country poster to teach about a special country or culture that you like! This is a great family project for the holidays. Maps are cool, but no flags please. Contact Padma Anupindip_anupindi@hotmail.com .

 

Thank you everyone for being a part! For more information:http://kinginternationalnight.blogspot.com

 

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, King Intl Night Chair (fkwang@aol.com)

Bingo Night 2010 Is Coming! - 1/14 @ 6:30 PM

 

BINGO NIGHT IS A FAMILY ACTIVITY.

PLEASE DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILDREN OFF.

ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT!

 

 

Thursday, January 14, 6:30-8:00, multi-purpose room

 

K & 1st grade families play from 6:40-7:00 p.m.

2nd and 3rd grade families play from 7:10-7:30 p.m.

4th and 5th grade families play from 7:40-8:00 p.m.

Small prizes will be given to every child.

*There will be no food sold this year.  Water will be available.*

Bring your King School water bottle to fill up!
 
If you would like to help with this PTO funded social event, please click on the Doodle link:

 

http://www.doodle.com/knk6pp9mbeytcr3c

For questions, contact  Melanie Snook at 730-8663 ormssnook61@yahoo.com .

Happy Birthday, Georgia O'Keefe - King School Salutes You!

Everyone Must Sign In At Office

Everyone is required to sign in at the office when visiting during the school day! Teachers have been asked to stop any parent in the hallways without a visitor's sticker.

This is true even for parents who are frequently at King. Thank you for "following the rules."

AAPS News!

Visit online at http://news.a2schools.org to view the most recent edition
of the AAPSNews. Featured in this edition:
   * Public invited to participate in budget meetings
   * Project helps storm water, improves Pioneer grounds
   * Bagel sale raises money for reading at Carpenter Elementary
   * A2ties group welcomes exchange students in high school
   * Adult Ed, ESL serve many around the Ann Arbor district (plus a visit
to an ESL classroom)
   * NPR reporter speaks to students at Community High
   * School bells: Forsythe 2nd, Tappan 3rd in competition

King Literacy Night Coming in January

In support of our school improvement plan, the King School Improvement Team, with the support of King teachers, has planned a Literacy Night for parents on either January 26 or 28 from 6:30 – 8:30.

Literacy Night will help parents better understand what happens in their children's classrooms, and give parents ways to support the AAPS-King reading and writing curriculum at home. Parents will have the opportunity to attend multiple presentations by King teachers at all grade levels.

Registration for Literacy Night will begin in December and will continue through January. King's PTO is providing King Care for school-age children.

Watch the eNotes and the King website for more information.

Snowman Giving Update!!

SNOWMAN GIVING GIFTS ARE DUE DECEMBER 15 AT THE VERY LATEST! 
 
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in snowman giving. 46 childeren will receive holiday gifts from King School this year!!

  
Submitted by Rachel Sabb

Calling All Cookie Bakers (or Cookie Buyers)

Each year, we thank the King teachers & faculty with holiday cookies.  This year, we will be serving the cookies in the teacher's lounge beginning Wednesday, December 16.  We need cookies!  You can bake them or buy them (or buy them and pretend you baked them, we won't tell).  Drop them off in the teacher's lounge on or before 9:00 AM on Wednesday, December 16.  Thank you!

 

Submitted by Heather Schweitzer

Science Olympiad Registration Open

The 8th Annual Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad will be held on June 5th, 2010 at Skyline. Practices for each of the 18 events to get ready for the tournament will occur approximately weekly this spring at King School. If your child is interested in participating in these great science enrichment opportunities, please register your child at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CQLMWBY. Any questions please contact Vivian Lin and vhl@med.umich.edu .

Science Olympiad Coaches Needed

WE STILL NEED COACHES for Barge Building, Chopper Challenge, Circuit Wizardry, Estimania, In Bloom (a new botany event), Mystery Architecture, Pentathlon, Potions, Puff Mobiles, Science Jeopardy, Straw Towers, and Write It, Build It. Descriptions of the events can be found athttp://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/wesowizards.home/events_2010.
Please contact Vivian Lin at vhl@med.umich.edu  if you are willing to coach any of these events, or sign up to coach an event when you register your child athttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CQLMWBY . Thanks!

 

Submitted by Vivian Lin

Your Child Must Stay Home If They Are Sick - Swine Flu Update

As we prepare for winter break here is a brief update on flu activity in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

There has been a decrease in the number of reported H1N1 flu cases over the past few weeks in Washtenaw County. As we monitor flu activity in our schools, we have seen a few schools with 10 – 14% rate of absenteeism due to flu illness. We have not reached the 30% absentee rate that has been seen in other districts across the state. Every week different schools are affected across the district. We have had suspected flu cases in most all of our buildings on a daily basis. Flu cases are monitored on a daily basis, and increased activity is reported to the Washtenaw County Department of Public Health. But while the news is good please know that flu activity in the schools is already higher than what is seen during the peak of many regular flu seasons. Almost all of the flu viruses identified this season so far are 2009 H1N1.

In the past, flu pandemics have been characterized by multiple waves. Scientists and doctors recommend H1N1 vaccination even if flu activity slows, as it could resume later in the season. It is very difficult to predict the severity of this flu pandemic. Timing is also uncertain. We know in past years seasonal flu does not peak in Michigan until January or February, but flu activity has occurred as late as May. So it is not known when flu activity will increase, when it will be most intense, what virus will circulate, or how long the season might last. This year we will have 2 different types of flu to deal with!

We encourage everyone to continue to take these everyday steps to protect your health:


1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way
4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people
5. If you become sick with a flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
6. The CDC also recommends getting your seasonal flu shot, as well as the H1N1 shot.


Thank you for helping the Ann Arbor Public School community stay healthy!

How Does The Ann Arbor Public Schools Make a "Snow Day" Decision?

From Brad Mellor, Director of Transportation

Throughout the evening weather conditions are monitored via Internet, TV, radio, and an informal network of other transportation directors throughout the area. If warranted a call is made to the district's snow routes team to go into action.

Before 3 AM, three transportation Supervisors and a veteran bus driver meet with the director of transportation at the transportation terminal. Each of these 4 individuals is a highly experienced driver, with many years behind the wheel of a school bus.

By 3:15 A.M., they're on the road in 4 different buses.

Over the next hour or so, the buses will follow 4 predetermined routes to the 4 corners of the district. The drivers radio back comments from locations along the route, which are recorded in the dispatch center. At the same time, the director of transportation will be fielding more cell calls from the other districts. (Other local districts seems to want to know what Ann Arbor is going to do before they make their decision!)

Our team will drive well-lit city avenues, the interstate highway, and some remote gravel roads. They'll stop and walk the sidewalks at schools, and check the conditions in subdivisions and neighborhoods.

By 4:00 A.M. the drivers will report back to the transportation terminal. Each driver will be polled and record their perceptions. The only question is "Can we safely open school, and get them back home?"

One last tour of the cell phone circuit to other schools, and then it's time to wake up the Superintendent. The Superintendent will be presented with a recommendation based on all input and evidence. After reviewing all the information the Superintendent makes the final decision.

This is the process used to determine the viability of the area roads to deliver AAPS students safely to and from school.

PHOTO: Mrs. Gatonez Reads At The King PTO Borders Fundraiser - Come Friday Or Saturday!

PHOTO: There Are This Many Snowmen Left

Thank you to everyone who has helped so far with the snowman gifts this year at King!

If you are still hoping to help this year, the number of snowmen left shows below. If you can, stop by school and take one off the bulletin board close to the office. If you can't stop by, please call the office. We'll help to get a snowman to you.

If you don't know what snowman gifts are, CLICK HERE.

QUESTIONS? Please don't hesitate to call us at school (994-1940) or email.

PHOTO: Enjoying The Last Session Of After School Creative Writing Workshop (updated)

Thanks to Chairperson Camille Ziolek, EMU professor Carolyn Berge, and the EMU students who helped to run a fantastic after-school creative writing workshop this fall. The final session last night was tremendously enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed all of the post card group and the adventure story group. Great work, kids!

Budget Cutting Input Sessions Scheduled

Ann Arbor school officials will host information sessions in January,
where proposed budget cuts will be discussed and suggestions from the
public will be encouraged.

Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be at the following dates and
locations:
* Thursday, Jan. 7 at Huron High School
* Tuesday, Jan. 12 at Skyline High School
* Thursday, Jan. 14 at Scarlett Middle School
* Tuesday, Jan. 19 at Pioneer High School

Snowman Gift Giving - Gifts Due 12/14

Once again King School will help children in our community by purchasing small holiday gifts. Look for "snowmen" on the bulletin board across from the office with a $25 gift written on the back.

Please select a snowman, purchase the gift, attach the snowman to the unwrapped gift, and bring it to school between now and December 14.

We have many snowflakes this year so more children at King can participate by helping other local children. Thanks in advance for your generosity. Questions? Please contact Community Action Chairperson Rachel Sabb at rsabb at hotmail.com or Mr. Karr at karrk at aaps.k12.mi.us.

Website Update

The King School website is your one stop for school information. Some interesting facts about the site:

• 4,872 unique visitors have logged onto the King website since the 2009-10 school year began
• Visitors from 22 countries, 45 states and 86 Michigan cities have logged onto the site with the most recent international visitor residing in Hong Kong
• The online school calendar is the most up to date school calendar information
• All King News is updated on the front page of the King website and is archived on the King News Blog
• There is a direct link to the King School Drop-off and Pick-up Policy. :-)
  

We hope the website is useful to parents. Suggestions for improvement can be made by clicking here.

Newsletter from Mr. Karr - 12/09

December 2009

Dear King School Families,

I appreciate the privilege of working with the students, teachers, and parents in our wonderful community. Thank you for your continued support in making King School the best it can be.

International Night Is Coming!
Thank you to everyone who is involved with planning and implementing International Night, which will occur on February 4, 2010. I’m always so grateful to Frances Hwang and all the parents and teachers who assist in making the event King School’s most exciting and meaningful tradition. Please watch Frances’ website about the King International Night at http://kinginternationalnight.blogspot.com/.

For families who are new to King School, I hope you’ll pencil the above date on your calendar and look for more information when we return from winter break.

Millage Follow-up - Ann Arbor Educational Foundation
While the recent millage failed in Washtenaw County, approximately 54% of voters in the Ann Arbor Public Schools district voted yes. If each of 12,971 "yes" votes were to donate the same amount as the millage would have levied (on average $250 per home in Ann Arbor), the AAPS would instantly raise $3,242,750 annually to support public education in the Ann Arbor School District. While that amount will not completely offset the loses Ann Arbor has seen in state funding recently, it would certainly support Ann Arbor Public Schools programs and students.

I realize with the holidays coming up this message is somewhat untimely; however, budget cutting discussions have begun, and the time to act is now if one is so inclined. For more information on where to donate, please check the Ann Arbor Educational Foundation website at http://www.aapsef.org/.

If you have questions, please call me at school.

School Improvement Plan
The King School Improvement Team (SIT) and the King staff have identified three achievement focus areas for the school. In a nutshell, the goals are:
1. King students will write paragraphs
2. King students will revise their writing
3. King students will read on grade level
To address these goals, we track which students are not achieving their corresponding grade level outcomes and teachers use this information to help address difficulties a student may be having.

In addition to what happens in the classroom, parents can assist too! . . . I recommend starting by attending Literacy Night in January. For more information, read on ☺.

Literacy Night Coming In January
In support of our School Improvement Plan, the King SIT with the support of King teachers has planned a Literacy Night for parents on either January 26 or 28 from 6:30 – 8:30. The intent of this event is to help parents to better understand the AAPS reading and writing curriculum. Registration for Literacy Night will begin in December and will continue through January. Watch the eNotes and the King website for more information.

Report Cards
Every child received a report card on Monday, November 16, and I made a presentation about report cards and understanding them at the November 17 PTO meeting. The presentation can be viewed online at: http://tiny.cc/reportcards. If you have questions about your child’s specific report card, please don’t hesitate to call your child’s teacher.

Sincerely,
Kevin

P.S. Thank you for ALWAYS following the Drop-off and Pick-up Policy.

PHOTO: Fun At King Care

Kroger Gift Card - LINK YOUR PLUS CARD to King PTO

As you may know, Kroger has changed their SCRIP program to support the schools.  Previous information provided was inaccurate.  If you shop frequently at Kroger - you must register your KROGER PLUS CARD (as opposed to a rechargeable gift card) and link it to the King School PTO.  Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com  to register your KROGER PLUS CARD today.  No need to recharge your card anymore or estimate an amount - if you link that KROGER PLUS CARD to the King PTO - every dollar spent, regardless of how will enable Kroger to donate 5% of the proceeds to the school.  Apololgies of miscommunication before - any quesions contact Alena Stocking, alena.stocking@gmail.com .

Gift Card Orders - DUE 12/2

A reminder that Gift Cards orders are due December 2.  This is a great way to get all those cards at one time, and pick them up in one place.  A reminder of pick-up times for the cards:

• Tuesday, December 8  7-7:45pm (Come join the PTO meeting while you are there)
  Thursday, December 10 3:30-3:50pm School Office
• Tuesday, December 15 7:00 - 7:45pm
• Friday, December 18 8:15-9:00am (Bagels and Buns)

Any questions contact Alena Stocking,alena.stocking@gmail.com . 

Another Successful Turkey Trot

Last Friday was a good day to get out in the crisp Autumn air and "trot" around the playground track.  Afterward, the children enjoyed a glass of cider and a donut. 

Many thanks to the mom's who volunteered serving cider and donuts: Laura Boudette, Kathy Grijalva, Hong Kaleta, Beth Kimball, Christine Kukucka, Rachel Sabb, and Alena Stocking. 

Also, a thank you goes to the Green Rd. Busch's grocery store for donating $50 worth of $5 gift cards for the prize drawing held by Mrs. Arbour. Much appreciation to the King PTO for providing the cider and donuts. This treat is a favorite Fall event for the students and teachers.

 

Submitted by Laurie Galia 

Science Olympiad Registration Open

The 8th Annual Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad will be held on June 5th, 2010 at Skyline. Practices for each of the 18 events to get ready for the tournament will occur approximately weekly this spring at King School. If your child is interested in participating in these great science enrichment opportunities, please register your child at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CQLMWBY. Any questions please contact Vivian Lin and vhl@med.umich.edu .

Science Olympiad Coaches Needed

WE STILL NEED COACHES for Barge Building, Chopper Challenge, Circuit Wizardry, Estimania, In Bloom (a new botany event), Mystery Architecture, Pentathlon, Potions, Puff Mobiles, Science Jeopardy, Straw Towers, and Write It, Build It. Descriptions of the events can be found athttp://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/wesowizards.home/events_2010.
Please contact Vivian Lin at vhl@med.umich.edu  if you are willing to coach any of these events, or sign up to coach an event when you register your child athttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CQLMWBY . Thanks!

 

Submitted by Vivian Lin

King School International Night Fast Approaching! Sign Up Now!

Performances: Signups for King School International Night (Thurs Feb. 4) performances are underway! Please email Frances Wang at fkwang@aol.com  if you would like to participate. Reminders: all performances must be under 3 minutes! Music must be prerecorded on CD. Colorful costumes a plus! Dance, music, poetry, song, more (be creative!) encouraged. Parents and siblings and friends welcome to perform together. With Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays looming, practices must begin ASAP! There are video recordings of previous years' performances in the library if you need ideas of what to expect. Remind fifth graders that this is their last chance!

 

Maypole: I also have a lead on a maypole and a maypole dance teacher if anyone would like to organize a group of 8-16 kids to dance around a maypole.

 

Coins and Red Envelopes: For anyone traveling abroad over the holidays: Please bring back small coins for us to include in the children's red envelopes! The more countries' coins we have the better! (and any other sort of small flat knick knacks like stickers) We also need 300 red envelopes if anyone is going to China or Taiwan at Christmas time.

 

Country Posters: For those who would like to be a part but do not have time to participate in a performance, everyone is invited to make a country poster to teach about a special country or culture that you like! This is a great family project, especially over the holidays when you have some free time. Posters will be displayed for two weeks before and after International Night. Posters must be flat and able to be taped to the wall. Photos are great! Creativity encouraged! Celebrations of achievements of Americans of that ethnic heritage appreciated by the kids! Maps are cool, but no flags please. Contact Padma Anupindi p_anupindi@hotmail.com for information.

 

Thank you everyone for being a part! For more information:http://kinginternationalnight.blogspot.com

 

Submitted by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

King School Book Fair on 12/4, 5, and 6 at Borders

Mark your calendars!  It's time for the King School Book Fair at the Borders in Arborland.  20% of all net transactions will go to the King PTO if a voucher is presented at check out.  Vouchers were sent home in the Friday Folder last week and can also be found on the King PTO website (http://king.a2schools.org/king.home/king.pto/forms ).  Please pass along the PDF of the vouchers to friends and family and encourage them join in on the fun!  

And, don't miss special guest readers from YOUR King school staff (Mr. Karr, Mrs. Gatonez, Mrs. O'Keefe, Mrs. Jarjoura, Ms. Spence and Mrs. Gracey) as they read from their favorite books.  Dates and times can be found on the flyer and the school calendar.  If you would like to volunteer at the gift wrapping table, please sign up at:  http://doodle.com/participation.html?pollId=psczyt9wm9murfi8.  

 

Feel free to email kingpto@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you!

Submitted by Sandy Aldrich 

Gobble, Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Ann Arbor school district receives clean bill of health in audit - Ann Arbor Journal

This might be interesting to King parents:
Ann Arbor school district receives clean bill of health in audit - Ann Arbor Journal - Heritage

Holiday Gift Card Reminder

To all King Families,
The PTO gift card fund raiser through Great Lakes Scrip program is going on right now.  The response has been very low, and this is a reminder to locate that GREEN flyer that was in your child's backpack and make some time to order your gift cards.  

We will purchase gift cards from any business that donates 4% or more toward King School.   Some ideas...Mainstreet Ventures 12% (did you say Gratzi anyone?), Borders 9%, I-tunes 5%, Starbucks 7%, Olga's Kitchen 8%, Showcase Cinema 9%, Speedway Gas 4%, Applebee's 10%, Blockbuster 7%...much more!

Use these cards for your holiday gift giving or stock up on places that you frequent throughout the year.   The process is easy...

1.) FInd your flyer and check the cards you want.  www.glscrip.com has a complete list.  

2.)  Send in order form and check to King PTO by Wed, Decembe 2nd     

3.) Cards get back to you within 10-14 days. 

This fund raiser is simple and can save you time!  Locate that Green order form and think "Green" for King school.

Questions?  Please contact Alena Stocking  alena.stocking@gmail.com

OSU Sign Culprit Comes Clean!

While most voters believed Mr. Harris was behind the UGLY OSU sign in the school parking lot, the truth is Mrs. Brodkey was the real culprit!

Thanks to everyone who sends her emails that say "Go Blue Beat OSU!"

Also thanks to everyone who played along with this fun, especially Tim, Austin, and Max. I knew these nice boys wouldn't put that sign up because they use the Lifelong Guidelines and Lifeskills!

ADHD Presentation - Huron, 12/7 @ 8PM

On December 7, 2010, the Huron PTSO will feature the rescheduled talk by Dr. Seth Warschausky on "Attention, Organization, and AD/HD." This presentation will take place from 8 – 9 pm in the Huron High School Media Center, 2727 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor, MI. (PTSO meetings begin at 7 pm but featured speakers come later in the program.) All are welcome to attend; for more information, contact Michelle Machiele, Co-President, 2xmichelle@sbcglobal.net.

POLL: Who Put The Ohio State Sign In The King School School Parking Lot?

Today when I arrived at King School, I was greeted with the following in the parking lot:
When this type of thing happens at school, it is obviously VERY concerning . . . and it quickly sets in motion an investigation to find out who is responsible. Putting up Ohio State University signs in or around school is NEVER acceptable!

A series of quick observations this morning found several possible perpetrators for the misplaced signage. Here they are (listed below):

1. Tim Kohn, a typically mild-mannered student, showed up to school today sporting the wrong colors.
2. Mr. Harris, who usually wears blue and yellow on Fridays, came wearing the shirt below. He claimed to have forgotten "The Game" was to be played on Saturday. I'm not sure though . . .

3. Austin Wang was trying to hide his scarlet and gray by wearing a green afro, but colors like that can't hide for long. In Ann Arbor, they stick out like trash in a garden.

4. Mrs. Brodkey and Max came to school decked out in "those" colors. What's nice about Max is that he tries to balance his OSU colors with his Dad's Michigan colors. Keep working on him, Dad!

The question of the day:

King Composting Request

Attention Parents: Do you like to compost? WE DO! Are you interesting in continuing our composting program at King school during the winter months? WE ARE! If you answered yes to either one of those questions, we need your help!

The King School Composting Team is in need of parent volunteers willing to take our winter compost to the local city drop off site.

The City of Ann Arbor does not come and pick up compost during the months of December through March. We are looking for parents to come Tuesdays and Fridays for pick up and drop off. Our goal is to have winterized composting onsite by the 2010/2011 school year, but until then we need to take it to our local center. If you are interested in helping, please contact Ms. Shah at shahn@aaps.k12.mi.us or give her a call at (734) 994-1940. Thank you for your support.

PHOTO: Lost And Found Will Be Emptied On 11/23

Thanksgiving - Thanks For Your Support

Earlier this school year, Rachel Sabb, the PTO Community Action chair, wrote to families asking for Thanksgiving donations for needy families in our community. Later, many teachers followed up with emails. The result of all of this wonderful effort is that turkeys and grocery gift cards are being provided for needy families in our community! In fact, we actually collected more than was needed for the gift cards. The "extra" will be used to support additional community action projects including the upcoming snowman gifts in December.

Thank you, King Community (families as well as King teachers and staff), for your giving especially in these toughest of times! It means so much to those who receive, and it will certainly help make their Thanksgiving better.

PHOTO: annarbor.com Visited The World Language Program Today At King

Norway Visits MLK School Website

Our most recent international visitor to the King School website lives in Norway!

god dag, velkommen (hello, welcome in Norwegian)

While on the MLK School website, the visitor spent 2 minutes, 15 seconds looking around the site, and they visited 3 pages!

I hope all parents are finding the MLK school website useful and informative.

PHOTO: 71 Cans To Go To Reach The 1200 Can Goal

Understanding the AAPS Report Card

Last night at the King PTO meeting, Mr. Karr made a presentation entitled "Understanding The AAPS Report Card." While we can't enjoy the fruitful discussion from last night again, the presentation itself might be interesting to those who weren't able to attend. If you have questions about your child's specific report card, please contact their teacher.

PHOTO: Sharing During After-School Creative Writing Workshop

PHOTO: Student Council Canned Food Drive Update: 450 out of 1200 can! 750 cans to go!

Adult ESL Conversation Groups

ESL Conversation Groups 
Washtenaw Literacy's ESL groups focus mainly on speaking and listening skills for adults in an informal, relaxed setting. Learn new vocabulary, meet new friends, practice pronunciation, and improve your conversation skills. TOEFL preparation is also available. There's a group that meets at the Ann Arbor District Library's Pittsfield Branch, 2359 Oak Valley Drive on Mondays from 1:00-2:30 pm and a group on Fridays at the Mallett's Creek Branch at the same time, 1:00-2:30 pm. Here's their website for more information about groups and tutoring.  http://washtenawliteracy.org/

Homework Help From Ann Arbor District Library

Drop-In Homework Help 
AADL partners with the University of Michigan's Circle K chapter to provide free homework help for school-aged children and teenagers. College student volunteers are available on Wednesdays, 4:00-8:00 PM, in the Downtown Youth Story Corner for drop-in homework help.

King School Community Action - Fall 2009

Hello King families,
 
I am emailing you this note as Chair of the Community Action program at King School.  For several years, families at King School have provided a Thanksgiving meal to needy families in our small community.  This year the hope is to again provide a turkey and grocery gift card to these families.  Support for this program is facilitated, but not funded, by the King PTO.  Instead, it is funded by private donations from families whose children attend King School.
 
If you would like to make a donation to the Thanksgiving Meal fund, a check can be written in any amount payable to "King PTO" with "Thanksgiving" on the memo line.  You may either place your donation in the King PTO mailbox in the school office or give it to your child's teacher (please put it in an envelope & write "King PTO" on the outside of the envelope).  All donated funds will be used solely for the Thanksgiving meals. 
 
The Community Action program at King school oversees the recent UNICEF fundraiser, the upcoming Holiday Snowflake Gift Giving program, and the winter coat and boot drive.
 
Sincerely,
Rachel Sabb
Community Action Chair at King School
rsabb@hotmail.com

Sally Foster Ready for Pick Up on Friday, November 13

The Sally Foster shipment is in and orders will be available for pick up after school on Friday until 6:00pm.  As a last resort, and at your own risk, I can send your items home with your child.  Keep in mind that the packaging is bulky and it's best if parents pick up the orders, especially if your child takes the bus.   Thank you for supporting  King School Space Camp.   If you have questions, please contactLauraBoudette@yahoo.com

King School's Borders Book Fair 12/4, 5, and 6!

Submitted by:  Sandy Aldrich

 

Come shop, listen to stories read by King School teachers and have a cup of coffee at the King School Borders Book Fair at the Arborland Borders on Friday December 4 through Sunday December 6 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

The King School PTO will receive 20% of your pre-tax purchases when a voucher is given to the cashier during the event!  Vouchers will be sent home before Thanksgiving Break in Friday Folders and passed out with library books during the week of the Book Fair.  King School parents will be wrapping presents on Friday December 4 from 10am - 10pm and on Saturday December 5 from 6pm - 10pm.  Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

Editor's note:  please see corrected date here. Last week's enotes had an incorrect date - sorry!

WESO Volunteers Needed

We need LOTS of volunteers to make Science Olympiad happen!!! As with previous years, volunteering is mandatory if your child represents King at the WESO tournament; and if you are a "key volunteer" then your child will be one of the 20 selected for his/her grade to represent King. The WESO schedule is roughly:

• November: coaches and other volunteers sign up
• December-early February: children register to attend practices for events
• Mid-February to mid-May: weekly practices at King
• April 23rd: Science Night at King School
• Mid-May: WESO tournament

At this time, we are particularly looking for COACHES (or co-coaches) who can commit to attending a coaches' meeting in January/early February and holding one practice per week from February to mid-May at King (except holidays). Tentative events are as follows (note, not all grades compete in all events; see the WESO link at the left of this e-mail for details.

·         A is for Anatomy
·         Barge Building
·         Chopper Challenge
·         Circuit Wizardry
·         Estimania
·         Map Reading
·         Monster Match
·         Mystery Architecture
·         Pentathlon
·         Potions
·         Puff Mobiles
·         Rock Hunter
·         Science Jeopardy
·         Sink or Float
·         Straw Tower
·         Water Rockets
·         What Went By?
·         Write It, Build It

Volunteers to coach any of the above events should email Vivian Lin at vhl@med.umich.edu  with the event you are willing to coach and what time(s) in the spring you can hold practices. Non-coach volunteers are needed too - please email Vivian.

Science Olympiad Parent Info Meeting

6:30 PM, Nov. 11th and 12th, King School Media Center

 

Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO) is a great science enrichment activity offered after school and/or in the early evenings from February-May that is entirely volunteer-driven. There are multiple different types of events, some of which rely on knowledge of scientific facts and concepts, and others which rely on scientific processes, skills, or applications; thus children with different skill sets can all find some event that they can enjoy. For parents who are unfamiliar with WESO, an informational meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on Nov. 11th and 12th in the Media Center.

King School International Night Meeting

Wed., November 18, 6:30-7:30, Library

 

Come be a part of King School's annual celebration of cultures and pride. Everyone welcome. Everyone needed. From performers, teachers, tech crew, food servers, photographers, people with no time, everyone. This is the only organizational meeting. Everything else is done by email, so it is important to come. For more information, contact Frances Wang fkwang888@gmail.com . Thanks!

10-Things To Know About Writing

1. All children can and should write. From the time your children can hold a crayon, encourage them to draw, scribble and write. In order to be successful and fluent writers, students need to know they can write--even if it doesn't look perfect!
2. Teachers must help students find real purposes to write. Help your children communicate their hopes, dreams, fears, and concerns. When your children see writing as serving a real purpose, they will be more likely to try it.
3. Students need to take ownership and responsibility. Kid writing should sound like kid writing! When kids believe that their writing is their own, they will become more likely to invest themselves in it.
4. Effective writing programs involve the complete writing process. Our children like all writers, have different ways of approaching writing tasks. Tune in to your children's learning styles and needs as writers. Writing in different styles and genres will take time. Some genres will take just one draft while others will take multiple drafts.
   
5. Teachers can help students get started. Talk with your children about their ideas and encourage them to draw, freewrite, and make lists of verbs in order to get started.
6. Teachers can help students draft and revise. Listen to our children's drafts and ask real questions about content. Heartfelt questions are the best way to encourage kids to keep on writing.
7. Grammar and mechanics are best learned in the context of actual writing. If you notice errors in conventions in your children's writing, pick just one area at a time to work on (such as punctuation, dialogue, or capitalization). You might also refer to real texts (books, newspapers, letters, magazines) to see how published authors tackle issues of punctuation, spelling and more.
8. Students need real audiences and a classroom context of shared learning. Help your children find real audiences (family, friends, neighbors) to communicate with.
9. Writing should extend throughout the curriculum. You can write just about anything at home: letters to family and friends, songs and plays to perform for the family, lists for grocery shopping . . . The list is endless!
10. Effective teachers use evaluation constructively and efficiently. Your job as a parent is to encourage and support any effort your children make in writing. Be lavish in praise and specific and limited in your suggestions for improvement.

PHOTO: 5-day Buddy Study (i.e. Spelling) In Action

PHOTO: King Students Say Hello In At Least This Many Languages

Post-millage Letter From Dr. Roberts

November 5, 2009


Dear Parent/Guardian:

I want to thank you and our many staff, student and community volunteers who worked extremely hard to educate our community about the financial state of public education in our district and the county. I am extremely disappointed with the outcome of the county schools millage vote. While voters in Ann Arbor did support the millage with 56% of voters voting yes, this result locally was not enough to help carry the county.

The county schools millage proposal was a local response to the statewide funding crisis. This effort was to increase funding locally through the only means available to us under the law. With voters in the county having made their decision regarding this millage, we must now work together to move forward and develop our budget so that costs are in line with the revenue we project to receive from the state. We must also continue to strongly advocate that Lansing restore funding for our schools and develop a more sustainable model for funding education.

The next steps in our budget process will take careful and thoughtful planning that will include input from parents, staff and the AAPS community. We are faced with some difficult, but not insurmountable challenges and decisions. I commit to each of you that this will be an open process as we develop budget plans for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years that align our costs with revenue projections. We will hold a series of meetings in December and January where we will be presenting options for reducing costs and enhancing revenues. During these meetings we will gather feedback about the possible options and plan to complete our draft budget plan for 2010-11 in February.

We also need to address the reduction in state funding for this school year. Over the next two weeks we will be taking steps to address the loss in funding for the current fiscal year. Our goal in addressing the loss of funding for this school year is to reduce costs through means that will be least disruptive to our students and educational programs. I will also continue to push leaders in Lansing to restore funding for education this school year. I encourage you to do the same and contact state legislators and the Governor.

I am proud of our community and its support for public education. The commitment of parents, staff and the community to the care and success of our students is why this school district is one of the best in the state and nation. I know that we will continue working together collaboratively to ensure our students receive an outstanding education despite the challenges we face. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Todd Roberts

PTO Meeting Date Changed 11/10 --> 11/17

The PTO meeting originally scheduled for November 10 has been changed to November 17.

The meeting will still be from 7 - 8 PM.

World Language Newsletter - Volume 2

The Ann Arbor Language Partnership (A2LP) is a collaborative effort between the Ann Arbor School District and the Teacher Education Program at the University of Michigan School of Education. Our beliefs include a commitment to plurilingualism and language diversity, to learning in and beyond the classroom, and to the support of language-diverse students who are English learners in our schools.

For this 2009-10 school year, apprentice teachers from the U of M are mentored by our own Media Specialists for 60 minutes of learning each week. For more information, please refer to our World Language brochure on the district web site http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us in the Curriculum Resource section in Especially for Parents. Other questions and comments may be directed to your child’s school principal.

To view the most recent World Language newsletter from Mrs. O'Keefe, please CLICK HERE.

PTO Positions Still Available for 2009-2010 School Year

We still have a few PTO positions available for the 2009-2010 school year.  Events that do not have a chairperson(s) to organize & run the event will have to be CANCELLED.   The two events that need chairs are Used Book Fair and Lunch Enrichment.  We are also looking for volunteers to be the Healthy Students Chair and the Safety Chair.
 
Additionally, if you are interested in being on the King PTO Exec Board this year, please let us know.  
 
Please contact kingpto@gmail.com for more information or to volunteer to chair.  Thanks for your help!

Community Action Network At King School - Volunteers Needed

The Community Action Network (CAN) at King School coordinates school-wide community service projects.  The recent Trick or Treat for UNICEF, as well as the annual Snowflake Holiday Giving Campaign, and Coat and Boat Drive are a few of the projects coordinated by CAN.  If you would like to be added to an email list to be contacted for volunteer or donation opportunities please contact Rachel Sabb at (734) 332-3758 orrsabb@hotmail.com  

Science Olympiad Parent Info Meeting

6:30 PM, Nov. 11th and 12th, King School Media Center

 

Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO) is a great science enrichment activity offered after school and/or in the early evenings from February-May that is entirely volunteer-driven. There are multiple different types of events, some of which rely on knowledge of scientific facts and concepts, and others which rely on scientific processes, skills, or applications; thus children with different skill sets can all find some event that they can enjoy. For parents who are unfamiliar with WESO, an informational meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on Nov. 11th and 12th in the Media Center.

 

For more information contact Vivian Lin, vhl@med.umich.edu 

Science Olympiad Volunteers Needed

We need LOTS of volunteers to make Science Olympiad happen!!! As with previous years, volunteering is mandatory if your child represents King at the WESO tournament; and if you are a "key volunteer" then your child will be one of the 20 selected for his/her grade to represent King. The WESO schedule is roughly:

• November: coaches and other volunteers sign up
• December-early February: children register to attend practices for events
• Mid-February to mid-May: weekly practices at King
• April 23rd: Science Night at King School
• Mid-May: WESO tournament

At this time, we are particularly looking for COACHES (or co-coaches) who can commit to attending a coaches' meeting in January/early February and holding one practice per week from February to mid-May at King (except holidays). Tentative events are as follows (note, not all grades compete in all events; see the WESO link at the left of this e-mail for details.

·         A is for Anatomy
·         Barge Building
·         Chopper Challenge
·         Circuit Wizardry
·         Estimania
·         Map Reading
·         Monster Match
·         Mystery Architecture
·         Pentathlon
·         Potions
·         Puff Mobiles
·         Rock Hunter
·         Science Jeopardy
·         Sink or Float
·         Straw Tower
·         Water Rockets
·         What Went By?
·         Write It, Build It

Volunteers to coach any of the above events should email Vivian Lin at vhl@med.umich.edu  with the event you are willing to coach and what time(s) in the spring you can hold practices. Non-coach volunteers are needed too - please email Vivian.

Holiday Gift Cards Sales

For our 2nd year - the King PTO is offering gift cards for purchase through the Great Lakes Scrip program.  By purchasing gift cards through the PTO - the cost is exactly the same to you - but King will get 4-20% depending of the gift card value based on the company.  Order forms are coming home in Friday folders this week and are due December 2.  We have provided a listing of some more popular options through the flyer - but feel free to go online to see the full listing of offerings at www.glscrip.com . 

If you have any questions contact Alena Stocking atalena.stocking@gmail.com.

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.

Election Day Is Here

Election Day is here.  Polls open at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m. If you aren't sure where to vote, click here.

Parent University At Clague Middle School

CLAGUE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRESENTS…

 

PARENT UNIVERSITY

Open to the public

 

PLEASE JOIN US FOR SIX WEDNESDAYS

DURING THE 2009-10 SCHOOL YEAR

 

LEARNING, SHARING, SOCIAL NETWORKING

FREE BABYSITTING (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED), Call the office for reservations 734-994-1976

 

CLASSES BEGIN AT 7 PM ON THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH

THERE WILL BE A LECTURE, QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION, COMMUNITY SHARING, AND CONCLUDE WITH TIME TO SOCIALIZE

 

OCT. 14, 2009          CYBER – CAUTION (Richie Coleman and Officer Jason Gold)

                                    "What you should know about the Internet, Face book, My Space, etc."

NOV. 11, 2009         AUTISM IN THE MAINSTREAM CLASSROOM (Dr. Solomon and parent panel)

"Learn about Autism and how you can help your child appreciate the differences and eliminate the teasing and bullying."

JAN. 13, 2010          PRO-ACTIVE PARENTING (Dr. Eric Mayes and panel of experts)

"How to parent today's middle school student"

FEB. 10, 2010          BULLYING:  VICTIM, INSTIGATOR, AND BYSTANDER I (Jr. League)

                                    "The female and male version" Help your child negotiate adolescence.

MARCH 10, 2010    BULLYING:  VICTIM, INSTIGATOR, AND BYSTANDER II (Kevin Epling)

                                    Change starts with one voice, one act.  Help your family be part of the solution.  

                                    (Kevin lost his son Matt.  You will hear his personal story.)

APRIL 14, 2010       POTLUCK SUPPER AND CELEBRATION

Whether you attended one session or all five, join us for this year-end celebration and brief discussion of topics for next year.

 

All adult sessions, except January and April, have related school assemblies for Clague students.

Clague Middle School would like to thank Washtenaw Medical Society Alliance and the AAPS Police Liaison Officers for their collaboration and work on this project.  If you would like to help defray the cost of this program, donations can be made to Clague PTSO and dropped off at the school.

Clague Middle School….2616 Nixon Rd.  Ann Arbor, MI  48105 ………………………..734-994-1976

NO SCHOOL - 11/3 - VOTE!

As a calendar reminder, there is no school for students on Tuesday,
November 3.

As a reminder, please don't forget to vote.

AAPS News - First Edition!

This month the Ann Arbor Public Schools is launching the first edition of the AAPS News, a newsletter designed to offer information about our schools and showcase programs and activities throughout the district.

The first edition features:
November 3 millage information;
School activities at Eberwhite and Carpenter elementary schools;
A profile about occupational therapist Raleigh Sadlier;
A feature about the Community High School newspaper staff;
And a recap of the week-long Huron-Pioneer rivalry that took on a "pink" hue this year to support breast cancer research.
Log on to http://news.a2schools.org to see the inaugural edition. We welcome story ideas and information for publication. Please send suggestions to Casey Hans at hansc@aaps.k12.mi.us or call her at 734-994-2090 ext 51228.

We also are asking your help in selecting a permanent name for this newsletter. If you have an idea, please send your suggestion to Casey!

Check it out!
Kevin

P.S. Please remember that there is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 3. Don't forget to vote.

H1N1 Notice for Parents

H1N1 Vaccination Clinic UPDATE

All school-based H1N1 vaccination clinics have been canceled by the Washtenaw County Department of Public Health including the two schedule in Ann Arbor at Huron and Pioneer.

A mass vaccination clinic for high priority groups is scheduled for Eastern Michigan University (EMU),

Convocation Center on Thursday, Nov 5th from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. The Center is located at 299 North Hewitt Road, Ypsilanti MI 48197.

According to CDC guidelines, high priority groups eligible for H1N1 vaccine while supplies remain limited

include:

• Pregnant women

• Household and caregiver contacts of children younger than 6 months of age

• Children from 6 months though 4 years of age

• Children and adolescents aged 5 through 18 years who have medical conditions associated with a higher

risk of influenza complications

• Health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient care

Individuals within these priority groups should live, work or attend school in Washtenaw County. Specific

documentation of underlying medical conditions is not necessary; health care and emergency services personnel

should bring their employment identification.