Yo Yo Team Visits

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

Calling All Kindergarteners for Fall ‘07

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

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

Student Illness and Recess At School

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

NAAPID--You're Invited!

Dear King Families,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Kevin Karr

Dr. Roberts At International Night

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

International Night A Huge Success

From our PTO president, Lola Killey:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

International Night Is Here!

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

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

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

Safety Procedures During Evening Events At King

Parking
Due to the limited availability of parking at King, parents should plan to park in the neighborhood during evening events at King.

There is NO PARKING in front of the main entrance, by the fire hydrant, or on the left-hand side of the front circular drive.
Reason: The front drive is a fire lane and must be kept accessible for emergency vehicles. The fire hydrant area must also be kept clear.

Drop Off/Pick Up
The front entrance will be available for drop off and pick up ONLY. AT NO TIME SHOULD PARKING OCCUR IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL.

International Night 2007

As always, we’re looking forward to International Night at King School this Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30. I’m hoping that you will make time to attend. It is truly one of the hallmark events on the King School calendar. I am particularly proud of our International Night Committee, who deserves many thanks for all of the planning and work that has gone into this wonderful event.

Please keep in mind that evening activities at King are family events. Parents and guardians are responsible for the close supervision of their children. This means children cannot attend without a supervising adult. I have also reminded children that acceptable behavior at evening school events is the same as acceptable behavior during the school day. Thank you for your support.

Most importantly, I want to remind you about safety procedures for evening events at King. This is especially important when considering our typically high attendance at International Night. Please review the information on the back side of this letter. In particular, please do NOT park in the front of King School. This area needs to be left open in case of emergency.

Hope to see you at International Night!

Yang Wei Assembly

On Monday, a world-famous Chinese pipa (lute) virtuoso, Yang Wei, who is a visiting artist in residence at UM, came to perform for an all-school assembly at King (for free). He was amazing and the kids really enjoyed it! What a great kickoff for International Night Week!

Parent Writing Workshop

Last evening, I met with the King School Improvement Team (SIT) and the PTO board for a parent workshop focusing on writing, an area the SIT Team identified based on King's achievement data. The presenters of the meeting, Kim Pavlock and Cathy Fleischer, came to us from the Eastern Michigan Writing Project, a group that mainly focuses on helping teacher's teach writing. However, they are now offering a variety of parent workshops which was what they brought to King.

By all accounts (including the feedback sheets filled out by attendees), the presentation was helpful, useful, interesting and inspiring.

From the notes I took last night, I'll share the following as food for thought and discussion--and for our purposes, we should all consider ourselves "teachers" of our children.

Research basis for best practices around writing:
1. All children can and should write
2. Teachers must help students find real purposes to write
3. Students need to take ownership and responsibility
4. Effective writing programs involve the complete writing process
5. Teachers can help students get started
6. Teachers help students draft and revise
7. Grammar and mechanics are best learned in the context of actual writing
8. Students need real audiences and a classroom context of shared learning
9. Writing should extend throughout the curriculum
10. Effective teachers use evaluation constructively and efficiently

Our next step: Decide whether or not this same workshop would be helpful/useful to the wider King parent group. Stay tuned!

Educators warn students: Be wary of the Web

An interesting article from a newspaper in Maine: CLICK HERE

BINGO!

Tonight is the big night, and I'm looking forward to it! Bingo Night was a lot of fun last year (my first year at MLK), so it makes me look forward to it tonight.

I am the caller during Bingo, so don't miss out. It will only be the third time in my life I've called for Bingo--and I can tell you it is a treat! I hope to see you at school tonight.

Happy New Year!

We had a wonderful first day of school in 2007 yesterday! There was a noticeable excitement in the air as it seemed everyone was happy, excited, and/or relieved to be back to school after the break. As I passed by students in the hallways and at lunchtime, there were lots of excited and happy stories about what happened during the break as well--relaxing time at home, vacations to warm or snowy places, spending time with families were all themes that came up several times.

For me and the rest of the King staff, we were happy to be back at MLK and ready to continue teaching and helping students learn!

One thing I did notice during the lunch hour: several students did not bring boots and it was pretty wet outside. So . . . a gentle reminder: As always, please help your children dress appropriately for whatever the weather brings during the school day. Thanks.

When should a child stay home from school?

From Mrs. Hamilton, our school nurse:

Children are most successful in school when they are present for as many school days as possible. However, children who are sick need to stay home if they will not be able to concentrate sufficiently for learning or if they may cause others to become sick.

To help reduce the spread of illness to students and staff, please keep your children home from school for the following reasons:
1. Fever--Your child should be fever free (without being medicated) for 24 hours before returning to school.
2. Rash--Check with your child's doctor before sending your child to school with a rash.
3. Vomiting--Your child may return to school after s/he has not thrown up for 24 hours and is back on a regular diet.
4. Diarrhea--If your child has had more than one loose stool in 24 hours, s/he needs to stay home to make sure they get enough fluids. S/He may return to school after being diarrhea free for 24 hours.
5. Colds--If your child's cough is frequent or severe and his/her nose is runny, it is likely that they do not feel very well and will not be able to concentrate sufficiently for learning. S/He also would benefit from more rest and fluids at home.
6. Doctor recommendation--If you have needed to consult a doctor concerning an injury or illness of your child, check with the doctor as to when your child should return to school. If you child has been prescribed an antibiotic, check to see if they to be on the antibiotic for 24 hours before returning to school.

When your child does stay home from school, please call the school office and let us know that s/he will be out and the reason for the absence. For some contagious illnesses, we send letters home to the appropriate classroom(s) and others we are required to report to the Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD).

The AAPS follows WCHD guidelines for when students should stay home related to communicable diseases. The Communicable Disease Fact Sheets are available at: www.ewashtenaw.org

Our entire staff works to provide a safe, healthy, and enriching environment for our children. Thank you for helping.

If you have any health-related questions, feel free to contact Mrs. Hamilton.

Disability Awareness Workshop Coming

On Monday, February 12th, all King fourth grade students will participate in the Disability Awareness Workshop. This program is a hands-on, activity-based workshop whose main purpose is to help students understand how difficult and complex daily living can be for individuals with disabilities. The program includes activities centered on an empathetic understanding of physical, speech, hearing, vision and learning impairments. The students participate in a wheelchair obstacle course, wear glasses that give them momentary vision impairments, experience speaking with an electric larynx and experience several reading disabilities. The goal is for the students to learn through this hands-on experience that people should be respected no matter how they may look, act, walk or talk.

Please consider volunteering on this day. We need 20 parent volunteers to help in the morning from 8:45 am until 12:15 pm, when the students have their lunch break. You are welcome to remain for the rest of the program (1 pm to dismissal). This should be a fun and meaningful experience.

You may have noted that the Ann Arbor Public Schools will be observing Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID*) on this same date. Although the two events are unrelated, this coincidence enables parents to participate in either or both enriching programs in a single visit to King School.

Thank you for contributing to the success of the workshop. Please contact us with any questions.

Amy Meltzer, 994-0393, amy.meltzer@gmail.com
Kathy Grijalva, 332-3396, kathy.grijalva@gmail.com
King Parents coordinating the Disability Awareness Workshop

Parents--Thank You!

Just a quick note to say "thank you" for sharing your children with us. They are truly amazing!

We are all fortunate to live, learn, and work in such a wonderful community.

Student Safety Information

A few things to share or review around student safety:

1. If an emergency situation arose and students needed to be evacuated from King, then teachers and staff would walk students to Glacier Hills Retirement Community off of Earhardt Rd. In that situation, students would only be released (as always) to their parent, guardian, or someone who is listed on the student's emergency card. In other words, if someone is not authorized to pick a student up, the student would not be released to them.
   
2. Please make sure you sign in at the school office when you come to school. All parents and other visitors are required to wear a visitor's pass at school.
   
3. I have once again noticed that pick up and drop off times at school are congested. This requires very careful behavior on the part of anyone picking up or dropping off. The most dangerous situation I've witnessed recently involved two students being picked up from the left hand lane of the front drive. Yes, that is what I said--someone actually picked up two students from the left hand lane. They stopped their car and motioned for their children to cross where cars are parking and pulling out--and then they stayed there until the children got in the car. Here are some of the possibilities of what could have happened:

• students could have been hit while crossing front drive;
  
• a collision could have occurred between two cars in the front drive while students entered the car;
  
• a parked car could have pulled forward when the students entered the front drive striking the students.

We have more to think of around student safety than ever before. Please do your part to help.

Noon Time Volunteers Needed

FACT: We’ve already had more rainy lunch hours during the 2006-07 school year than we had the entire 2005-06 school year.

On rainy days (or very cold days) students do not go outside for lunchtime recess. Instead we stay inside to eat and have indoor recess. In the past indoor lunch recess has meant going to the gym, music room or library with a supervisor for games, an appropriate video, or time to socialize.

After noticing how many indoor noon hours we’ve had this year, I was recently approached by four parents, who were interested in supporting indoor lunch recess by being “on call” to come to school and assist with recess activities when it is raining or very cold (< 0 ºF actual temperature or wind chill). Having these “extra” volunteer supervisors has meant we’ve been able to offer a wider variety of interactive activities for students. It has been very, very nice!

At this point, these parents have successfully helped during three indoor lunch days, but we need more help. We would like to identify a cadre of parents who are willing to help on any given day from 11:40 – 1:05.

Would you like to be an on-call volunteer during lunch on rainy/very cold days (< 0 ºF actual temperature or wind chill)?

If you can help, please call Mr. Karr at 994-1940 or stop by the school office. Thank you.

Report Cards Today

Report cards will go home this afternoon with each child, reflecting their achievement at this point in the school year. It is my hope that report cards will be very helpful to parents in understanding their child's achievement at this moment (like a snapshot in time). I am also hopeful that the reports will help teachers and parents in understanding where a child needs to go next and where they need extra support. In other words, the report cards are also a tool that indicates next steps.

We realize questions may arise about the report cards and how to interpret them. I certainly encourage communication around this between parents and teachers. If you have questions, please feel free to call as always.