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