Fruit and Vegetable Snacks Only Please - Food Allergies

During the first four weeks of school we will be evaluating food allergy response plans for students with medically sensitive needs. During this time, please send ONLY fruit and vegetable snacks to school. This is necessary to be responsive to the increasing number of medically sensitive situations with which we are faced.

AAPS Wellness Policy: I also want to note the AAPS has a Wellness Policy that covers both nutrition education and nutrition standards. In particular, the policy states that foods of minimal nutritional value will not be served during the instructional day, including the meal service period.

What does this mean for you? I encourage families to consider healthy choices, such as non-food items, as part of birthday and classroom celebrations. Of course, there is no way to mandate this kind of thing, but I am very aware how important the promotion healthy choices to students has been to the MLK community. Some healthy food suggestions include:

• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Yogurt
• Bagels with low-fat cream cheese
• Baby carrot and other vegetables with low-fat dip
• Fig cookies
• Animal crackers
• Baked Chips
• Low-fat popcorn
• Granola bars (but may contain allergens)
• Soft pretzels and mustard
• Pizza (no extra cheese)
• Pudding
• String cheese
• Cereal bar
• Single-serve low-fat flavored milk
• 100% fruit juice
• Flavored bottled water

My recent healthy discovery: While shopping recently (at Costco), I picked up a product called "Trio Bars." They taste good, come in a variety of flavors and contain no trans fat, no additives, no preservatives, no cholesterol, are Kosher, and have no gluten, dairy or wheat. If they sound interesting to you, you might enjoy them as a healthy choice.

Medicine at School

Dear Parents,

If you have children enrolled who have need of emergency medication(s), please bring the medication, along with a completed physician and parent authorization forms, to the school office. Blank forms for the physician and parent authorization of the administration of medication at school may be obtained from the school office or click here. This process must be followed for all medications, including those that are "over-the-counter." In other words, medicine be administered at school ONLY with doctor's orders.

Thank you assisting in this very important matter.

Sincerely,

Mazie Hamilton
King School Nurse
(734)994-8292 x52126

Mentor Program Information for "Old" MLK Families

King Elementary School is looking for current King families that are willing to meet a family new to the King community. Matches will be made by a facilitator. All information will be kept strictly confidential until a match is made. Matches will be based on child's gender, grade, and teacher (when available). Mentors will be notified upon a match being made.

The responsibility of a King Elementary School family mentor is to set-up a date for matching children to meet once contacted by the new King family.

If you are interested in being a King Elementary School mentor, please provide your name, phone number & e-mail. Also include your child's name, gender, grade (for 2008-2009). Please provide information for each child you have enrolled at King. The information can be turned into the King School office or e-mail the information to King Elementary School Mentor facilitator Susan Gechter at susbg@comcast.net.

Thank you for volunteering!

By providing your information, you are granting permission for your information to be shared.

Mentor Program Information for New Families

Dear New MLK Families,

Welcome to King Elementary School!

The King Elementary School Mentor Program has been created to help children ease the anxiety of starting a new school. The program is set up to provide a new King School family with the name of a current King family that has a child the same age.

Interested new families provide the facilitator with personal information to make a family match. The facilitator will contact the new family once a match is made. The idea is that the parents (new & current King families) will be able to set-up a place for the children to meet prior to starting school. This way, the new student walks into King Elementary School knowing at least one person his/her age.

Are you interested in having your children meet someone their age from King School? If yes, contact facilitator Susan Gechter at
susbg@comcast.net or 734-369-8765.

Please include:

* your name, phone number, & e-mail address

* your child's name, gender, grade, & teacher (if known)

Please provide information for each of your children enrolled at King School.

Once the facilitator is provided with your information, a match will be made and you will be contacted with the name(s) of a family (or families) that is willing to be contacted by you.

School Calendar Updated

For the convenience and planning of MLK families, many of the dates for the 2008-09 school year already show in the school calendar. To view the calendar, click on the "Calendar" link on the school web page.

Especially for new families, please note that on August 27 the King PTO will host a Welcome Night for New Families complete with tours of the school featuring some of King's finest students as tour guides :-).

School Office Closed For Summer

The King School office closed for the summer on June 23 and will reopen for registration of new students on August 12.

Summer Writing for 4th and 5th Graders

The AAPS has set up three prompts for 2007-08 fourth and fifth grade students to respond to with MyAccess this summer. All prompts are active from June 16th through August 22nd and are set up for unlimited submissions for all 4th and 5th grade students who have active MyAccess licenses.

The first two prompts, Top Vacation Place and Sports Teams, are scored intellimetrically. The third prompt, Personal Narrative, is an Ann Arbor Public Schools MyPrompt and will only receive a holistic score.

Here is some information about the prompts:

Top Vacation Place
Choose a favorite place you like to visit or go to on vacation and write an essay that convinces students your age to visit that place. Remember to give reasons why your readers should travel to the place you picked.


Sports Teams
Both boys and girls play sports at school. Some students feel that boys and girls should play on the same team, while other students feel it is better for boys and girls to be on different teams. Do you think it is a good idea to have boys and girls on the same team or do you think that boys and girls should play on different teams?

Write an essay that convinces your school principal that girls and boys should or should not play on the same team.


Personal Narrative
Identify an important moment in your life. Describe the experience for your readers. Your memoir should include a problem in the introduction as a way of introducing tension. You should describe characters and setting. It will also be helpful to include dialogue and inner dialogue. Your personal narrative should try to "show not tell" in one or two important moments. Finally, you should resolve the problem that you set forth in your introduction within the conclusion of your personal narrative. Remember, writing personal narrative, or memoir, is writing about a single moment or event in your life and writing well.

Click here for technical requirements for MyAccess.

826michigan.org: Help Your Children Love to Write!

826michigan is proud to present:

Write On! Summer Activities for the Whole Family
Monday, June 9, from 6:30-8pm at 826michigan

Are you looking for ways to encourage your student writer at home over the summer? Please join us as we explore family activities that promote writing as well as effective ways to respond to children about their writing. Help your child discover joy and meaning in writing!

This workshop, taught by Kim Pavlock and Kim Hetrick, just might change your life. It is, as you might expect, free. Email Amy@826michigan.org to reserve your spot!

King International Night 2009! - Planning Info

Submitted by: Frances Wang

Attention All King Families! International Night 2009 planning starts now! Please think of International Night this summer, while you are off on all your family vacations, business trips, and adventures around the world. Coordinate with your team to have someone bring back costumes or music or accoutrements for next year's performances. Also bring back all your spare change (or a big bag of penny equivalents)! I would love to be able to give the kids a sampling of coins from around the world in their red envelopes again.

The 2008 International Night video DVD and Photo DVD will be available in the library for check out, sorry so late this year, you should be able to borrow it in the fall...

Frances Wang (Wang Kai-Hwa) King International Night Chair

Mr. Karr's End of Year Update

June 13, 2008

Dear MLK Families,

It has been a great year at MLK! I continue to appreciate being a part of this very special community and look forward to continuing our hard work together next school year. Wherever the summer months take you, please be safe and take your King PRIDE with you.

In this end of the year update, I am sharing information I think you’ll find interesting J: achievement, writing, good-byes, thanks, information about the front drive, and some dates for next fall!

Achievement Update

At the beginning of the year during Curriculum Night, I shared that writing shows as the most significant academic need at MLK. As of June 2008, it is still the greatest need even though we’ve reformed so much and seen major changes since the 2006-07 school year. The most visible of these changes have been adopting new writing curriculum and hosting several parent writing education evenings at school. Other less visible changes include development of an implementation calendar for writing, new district writing assessment tools, and professional development for teachers.

We measure the results of our writing efforts using both report card (classroom) data and MEAP data. The MEAP data from this school year was recently released, and it shows below. When you look at it, please know that the “Advanced” and “Proficient” columns represent passing MEAP scores while “Partially Proficient” and “Not Proficient” represent MEAP scores that are not passing. The three columns on the right show the overall passing rates for MLK School, the AAPS, and the State of Michigan.

3rd MEAP	Advanced	Proficient	Partially Proficient	Not Proficient	MLK Adv. + Prof.	AAPS Adv. + Prof.	State Adv. + Prof.
Reading	69.7	30.3	0	0	100	94	86
Writing	0	84.8	15.2	0	84.8 *	76	57
English Language Arts	54.5	45.5	0	0	100	91	81
Math	94.2	5.8	0	0	100	96	90

· 57 out of roughly 2600 elementary schools in Michigan achieved at rates higher than MLK on the 3^rd \grade 2007 MEAP writing test. MLK was the highest scoring school in Ann Arbor on the 3^rd grade MEAP writing test.

4th MEAP	Advanced	Proficient	Partially Proficient	Not Proficient	MLK Adv. + Prof.	AAPS Adv. + Prof.	State Adv. + Prof.
Reading	69.9	30.1	0	0	100	92	85
Writing	1.4	79.5	19.2	0	80.8 **	62	44
English Language Arts	56.2	42.5	1.4	0	98.6	87	76
Math	85.3	14.7	0	0	100	94	86

** 17 out of roughly elementary 2600 schools in Michigan achieved at rates higher than MLK on the 4^th grade MEAP writing test. MLK was the highest scoring school in Ann Arbor on the 4^th grade MEAP writing test.

5th MEAP	Advanced	Proficient	Partially Proficient	Not Proficient	MLK Adv. + Prof.	AAPS Adv. + Prof.	State Adv. + Prof.
Reading	65.3	33.3	0	1.4	98.6	90	82
Writing	2.8	76.4	19.4	1.4	79.2 ***	74	59
English Language Arts	47.2	48.6	4.2	0	95.8	88	78
Math	80.6	18.1	1.4	0	98.6	91	74
Science	67.3	31.9	0	1.4	98.6	90	82

*** 190 out of roughly 2600 elementary schools in Michigan achieved at rates higher than MLK on the 5^th grade MEAP writing test. MLK was the fourth highest scoring school in Ann Arbor on the 5^th grade MEAP writing test.

The data above shows King School is doing very well in writing (and even exceptionally well) when compared with other schools. However, I still sometimes think “with all this work, focus, and energy being expended on writing, are we seeing the gains we expect and want?” My quick answer is we are seeing a lot of what we expect, but here are two pieces of context about where we are:

1. We have been using our new curriculum for a short amount of time (instructionally speaking). It will take longer before our kids have experienced the “full program” and the full benefits can be seen. Our teachers will also get better at implementing the curriculum over time, which will have an additional positive impact. This isn’t all that different than what occurred after adopting Everyday Math years ago—we saw gains in achievement more significantly over time than we did at the beginning.


2. We see differences between the writing achievement in classrooms at King and what shows in the MEAP writing scores. I would hope and expect that the two sets of data would be close to the same because the classroom assessments and the MEAP assessment are both based on the same Grade Level Content Expectations. Other schools in Ann Arbor are seeing similar discrepancies. So . . . it begs the question “why does this difference exist if we are all supposed to be measuring the same things?” I’m not completely sure at this point but will be investigating over the summer and into next year. One piece of figuring out what is happening will occur this summer when several King teachers and I will “audit” our MEAP writing. We will read the writing produced by our students, score it using the MEAP assessment guidelines, and compare our scores with what MEAP scorers assigned the same piece of writing. Our score and the MEAP score should be the same. However, if there is a difference, the AAPS may choose to appeal the score. I hope to have more to share at Curriculum Night on September 9.

Writing This Summer

I hope our kids don’t stop writing this summer. Here are a few ideas about including writing in your summer plans. Please feel free to vary them or come up with your own.

1. Write a family journal about your summer. Talk about what happens during the summer, and then each person can write a word, a sentence, a paragraph, a page—whatever—about the summer events. Do this regularly and you’ll end up with journals that will be read over and over for years. Even the youngest pre-writers can share verbally what they want written.


2. Get an idea by reading (or rereading) the information shared at one of the parent education evenings over the past two years: http://karrskingblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/report-from-parent-writing-workshop.html


3. Sign up for an 826michigan.org writing program. Check them out on the Web or check the MLK website.


4. If your child was in fourth of fifth grade this year, they can participate in a MyAccess writing prompt from any computer connected to the Internet. Heck—parents could try one too. Students use the same username and password as they did this year at school. If parents choose to try one, they should use their child’s username and password. Check the King website for more information.

Saying Goodbye

We’re saying goodbye to an MLK School legend and a couple who have been with us just a short time at King. Here is the complete goodbye list:

1. First and foremost, Mrs. Cheryl Jones is retiring after dedicating 39 years to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School community. She is an exceptional teacher and person, I’m positive that years from now people will still say “Remember Mrs. Jones from King School? It was amazing when she . . .” For me, she is one of those people you meet in life and feel lucky to have shared some time and space together. Just like the students she has helped, I’ve learned a lot from her too. Hopefully she will come back to visit often.


2. Ms. Caroline Hughes, our media specialist, is moving to Boulder, Colorado after only one year at MLK. She’s done a wonderful job in our media center, but life has led her in a different direction and to a different state. We wish her all the best.


3. Mr. Jeff Taylor, who taught fifth grade this year after coming from Clague Middle School is returning to his middle school roots. I know this year’s fifth graders will enjoy seeing Mr. Taylor at Clague next year. Keep up the good work, Mr. T.

Thanks to Laurie Barnett

It isn’t often we single out a parent volunteer because there are so many great parents who put in long, long hours on behalf of the kids at King. However, we’d also be remiss to not note Laurie Barnett’s selfless contributions to the school. In just the last four school years alone Laurie has served two years as the PTO president, two years as the School Improvement Team co-chair, has worked closely to coordinate the PTO Silent Auction, and contributed significantly with fifth grade efforts to go to Space Camp. In addition, this year she had a major hand in rewriting the PTO bylaws. And I’m sure I’ve probably missed two or three other ways she’s contributed! Most significantly, I’ve seen Laurie represent and support the King community positively each day—and she’s done it in ways that did not necessarily benefit her or her family. All I can say is WOW! Thank you, Laurie! We’ve all benefited from knowing you and watching you contribute to this community.

Front Drive Update

This past week, the representatives on the Building Renovation Team voted to not have the front drive redesign plans put out for bids this summer. Despite widespread recognition of safety issues based on some parent behavior during drop off and pick up, the overwhelming input from the community has been that the “engineered” redesign of the front drive was not necessarily safer.

This being the case, I am excited to announce that our PTO has instituted a Safety Committee for next year. The group has already met with me once to more concretely define procedures around drop off and pick up. As we begin the 2008-09 school year, you will likely see the beginning outcomes of our collaboration in a summer mailing, the first day of school packet, the MLK website, and eNotes. We hope to have information written in several languages to facilitate communication with our newest families who may not be proficient in English. Thanks to Amy Cell, Susan Gechter, and Eve Losman so far for their effort and input.

School Dates Coming Up

Aug. 27: Welcome Night for New Families, 7-8 PM

Sept. 2: First Day for students

Sept. 2: PTO Welcome Coffee –9-9:30 AM, All Parents Welcome - MLK Multipurpose Room

Sept. 5: Spirit Friday at MLK—Wear your blue and yellow or the colors of your favorite colors.

Sept. 9: Curriculum Night at MLK –Parents only please. This is the one evening of the 2008-09 school year where there is no childcare.

o 6pm - Curriculum Night Presentation #1 in classrooms

o 6:45pm - All MLK Community Presentation - MLK multipurpose room

o 7:10pm Curriculum Night Presentation #2 in classrooms

Sept. 12: Spirit Friday at MLK

Sept. 16: PTO meeting, 7pm

Sept. 19: Spirit Friday at MLK

Sept. 26: Picture Day

Check the MLK website for a full calendar for next year: http://king.a2schools.org

Sincerely,

Kevin Karr

Last Day of School - Half-day, June 13

The last day of the 2007-08 school year will be on Friday, June 13. It is scheduled a half-day. the dismissal bell rings at 11:51 AM.

Thanks to everyone for a great year! Have a save, happy, and healthy summer!

Fifth Grade Graduation - June 12 @ 6 PM

For 5th grade families . . .

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School - Class of 2015

Requests the honor of your presence
at the Fifth Grade Graduation Ceremony
in the King Multipurpose Room on
Thursday the twelfth of June
two thousand and eight
at 6 o'clock in the evening.

Reception to follow immediately after the ceremony.

Last PTO Meeting - June 10 @ 7 PM

The final PTO meeting is on Tuesday, June 10^th, at 7pm in the King library.

On the agenda:

• voting for the proposed bylaws
• voting in next year's board
• building improvements update
• other end-of-year issues

The proposed bylaws and the minutes from the May PTO meeting can be found here:

http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/king.pto/minutes_and_bylaws&config=7fNK5CelIvqxqApruAwRlM

Questions? Contact Camille Ziolek acziolek@oaklandcc.edu

Ice Cream Social Procedures - Dunk Tank

Dunk Tank
I've heard there will be a dunk tank at school tonight . . . so if you want to see your principal in it, you will need to be there at 6 PM. :-)

As a reminder, only fifth grade students are eligible to go in the dunk tank otherwise--and ONLY if they have signed permission from a parent/guardian.

Parking
Due to the limited availability of parking at King, parents should plan to park in the neighborhood during all evening events at King.
There is NO PARKING in front of the school, 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.

Monitoring Students
As a reminder, evening events at school are family events. Parents/guardians are responsible for monitoring their children

Ice Cream Social - Friday, June 6, from 6 - 8 PM

The cost is $5/person for unlimited games and activities and includes one ice cream ticket. There will be a variety of games and activities. There will also be a Cake Walk. This is bound to be lots of fun!
Pizza will be available for $10/pizza (no preorder was necessary), drinks for $1, and additional ice cream tickets for $2.
Come honor Mrs. Jones tonight at the Ice Cream Social. Mrs. Jones is retiring at the end of the school year after nearly 40 years of teaching at King!
See you there!

-King PTO

King Students Donate Change

Submitted by: Susan Aaronson

Congratulations to all of the students and their families who generously donated $840.00 to disaster relief in Burma and China! In four short days, our students emptied their piggy banks, sold popsicles and juice at the Memorial Day parade and encouraged their parents to help. After the remaining coins trickle in, a final check will be written from King school to Save the Children. Great job boys and girls! You should be very proud of your efforts.

Landscaping Update: Kindergarten Power

Submitted by: Linda Ryan

Mrs. Shah's AM and PM classes planted the beautiful annuals to your right as you enter the building from the parking lot. Eighteen kids in the AM and the same force in the PM learned about soil and its components, drainage, particle size and ratio of clay to sand to organic matter last week. Then they all marched outside to cooperatively dig and mix clay, o. matter and sand to plant their Marigolds and Blue Saliva. Mrs. Ryan later added the Cleome.

Who would think, Kindergarteners could be such good listeners and eager gardeners! Mrs. Shah cleverly had them line up in two lines, boys and girls, each with their flowers to plant so as to get a balanced mix of yellow and blue. While they waited in line, they tickled the toes of their individual plants to make them ready to plant and drink up the water. I think they could have planted many more, but alas we were out of time, and it takes a big force to keep a larger number of flowers watered over the summer. Which brings me to the next point....

Summer Help Request
I need helpers to weed and possibly water over the sunmmer. This can be a family effort, or a be by yourself, quiet time and weeding fest. It helps reduce stress while serving your community. OK it's work, but rewarding work. Once a month, within a small area is all that is needed. Contact Linda Ryan if willing. 4ryanhouse@earthlink.net or (734) 668-6176.

Submitted by Linda M. Ryan,
Landscape chair

Ice Cream Social - Cake Walk Info

Submitted by: Diane Alson

The annual Cake Walk will be held again this year at Friday's Ice Cream Social. Please Consider donating baked goods (homemade or store bought) for this fun event. Whole cakes, a dozen brownies or cookies, pies, anything with sprinkles and anything yummy are always big hits.

The Cake Walk is a "musical chairs" type event. Each winner selects their favorite baked good to take home and enjoy. Without your generous donations, we cannot run this event.

Drop off donations in the Teacher's Lounge at any time on Friday, June 6, or in the Multipurpose Room a half hour before the Ice Cream Social begins. Please attach a list of ingredients. If you donate store-bought items, feel free to leave them in their original containers.

Any questions, contact Diane Alson - alsondia@yahoo.com
THANK YOU!!

Pajama Day - Friday, May 30

The MLK student council has called for this Friday, May 30 to be pajama day! Students are welcome to wear pajamas to school on Friday provided they don't interfere with teaching and learning :-)

Coin Drive Continues - Shafie's Success

Congrats to Mrs. Shafie's class who has already filled one half-
gallon milk jug with coins! :-)

Coin Drive for hurricane and earthquake victims

“Coming upon poverty reminds us of our own fortune; knowing our own fortune reminds us to treasure it.”

“KING SCHOOL GIVES BACK”

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY CYCLONE NARGI IN MYANMAR AND THE EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTHWESTERN CHINA’S SICHUAN PROVINCE

Our King Community has many families with ties to Asia and we are excited to present an opportunity for our children and parents to donate. Each classroom will have an empty milk jug for coin donations. Our children can feel like they are helping by donating spare change or organizing neighborhood fund raisers (pulling weeds, lemonade stands, or pet walking). There will also be a milk jug in the main office for those parents that would like to send a separate donation. The PTO is currently looking into a reputable organization that has the ability to help families in both countries.

Think of the possibilities:

One quarter per student = >$100

This is the perfect opportunity to rid your house of pennies!

For more information contact:
Susan Aaronson susaaaro@umich.edu
or 741-9878

NO SCHOOL: Monday, May 26

As a reminder, school is not scheduled to be in session on Monday, May 26 as we observe Memorial Day.

Parent Volunteer Tea - May 29 @ 4 PM

Dear King Parent Volunteers / Friends,

You are cordially invited to attend a reception in your honor. We simply could not allow the year to end without formally expressing our thanks to you!

Why? You are there for all our needs (and we have plenty!). You don't even know how to say now. :-)

When? Thursday, May 29th from 4 - 5 PM

Where: The MLK School Media Center

Thank you!

NOTE: Adults only, please!

Lost and Found To Be Emptied on 5/30

The Lost and Found at school will be emptied on May 30.

Feel free to stop by between now an then to claim your child's things. Teachers will also walk kids by beforehand to give another reclamation opportunity.

Space Camp Report - Thursday

Hello from Space Camp! This is our last post before returning home.

The last group completed their mission today, and all the students have raved about how much fun they had. Today, all groups also had the chance to compete in robotic competitions! Tonight they will demonstrate their Space Camp knowledge by participating in the Space Bowl, a jeopardy based game! All the chaperones are excited to watch the graduation tonight at 9:30 pm Alabama time, or 10:30 Michigan time! The chaperones also had a little fun of their own, even winning a prize for excellent teamwork in the Area 51 low ropes course! Also, special congratulations to Kim Pitts, the winner of the "Outstanding Parent Camper of the Week" award!! At midnight Michigan time we will be back on the buses as we begin our journey home.

IMPORTANT: We will start the phone chain when we cross the Ohio border into Michigan. We look forward to seeing you upon our return!

Front Drive Redesign - Next Steps UPDATED

On May 15, the Building Renovation Committee met to discuss the input from the May 7 community meeting as well as other input that had been given to committee members. At the conclusion of the meeting the committee had organized the collective input into categories, which helped us to understand the wide variety of perspectives held in the MLK community. These perspectives included those who travel to and from school via bus, foot/bicycle, and car (including those who drop off in the front drive and those who drop off on the street). In addition, there were perspectives related to the aesthetics of the building and the effect of potential construction on the environment.

The variety of perspectives gives an indication about the issues and priorities for the King community. For many of us, this is obviously about more than the redesigning of the front drive. As we move forward in this process, we will use the input as a lens by which to look at the benefits and drawbacks of potential solutions.

We will have a follow-up community meeting on June 4 at 7 PM. Any interested parties are welcome to attend.

We have a strong desire for broad community involvement while the issues around the front drive are narrowed, leading to a recommendation.

Space Camp Report - Wednesday

Space Camp, Day Three

Another glorious day at Space Camp. It was in the high 70’s and sunny. We were up around 7 a.m. again, almost all of the adults and campers were at breakfast together. All students sit with their counselors, but they wave to the adult chaperones and can tell us if there is a problem.

The students were VERY busy again with missions, learning about rockets in rocket park, enjoying “G-Force”, a machine that simulates the force of shooting off into space. Some teams saw another IMAX movie about the history of history of moon exploration called “Magnificent Desolation”. Amazing footage from the Apollo program, plus computer generated images, narrated by Tom Hanks. Other teams will see it on Thursday.

Students continued to work on their robots for the competition tomorrow night.

Everyone appears happy and content.

The adults completed one mission and will do another tomorrow. They did a team building exercise where they had to move their space craft (blocks of wood) from the dead planet to the new planet. We made it!!

Until Thursday, signing off in Huntsville.

Your 14 dedicated chaperones

Space Camp Report - Tuesday

From Dr. M and Mrs. Haddas:

Tuesday, May 20- Our third day at Space Camp.

What an amazingly busy day. Up at 7 a.m.... it is now 7:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. your time) and the students are still going strong. All teams were involved with programming their robots, climbing the Mars wall, learning about crew systems, and everyone got to hear Jill Long a Colonel in the Air Force, a fighter pilot. She was inspirational.

The blue group, differential (the name they have at Space Camp) did their Endeavor mission today. Everyone else does their mission either on Wednesday or Thursday.

A few photos from today's events show below.

The adult chaperones began their astronaut training too and are exhausted. Good night.

KingCare Registration for 08-09

Dear King School Families

The end of the school year is quickly approaching and the KingCare staff is hard at work preparing for the 2008-09 school year.

All families who turn in registration forms and pay the registration fee before the last day of school (Friday, June 13th) will receive a $10 registration discount per child. With the discount, registration will be $30 for the first child and $20 for each additional child. Insurance fees remain the same at $40 per child and will be billed to families on September's Invoice.

Hard copies of registration forms can be picked up in the KingCare office. The form is posted on the King school website
http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/king.pto/forms.
You may choose to fill in the form electronically but all forms must be signed and initialed by hand.

Forms can be turned in to the KingCare office or to our mailbox in the main office, or can also be mailed to the school address before June 10th. If you will be mailing forms after June 10th, please send them to:

KingCare
P.O. Box 972136
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

We will not accept emailed forms, as they must have legal signatures and the policy sheet must be initialed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Heather Brescol or Amanda Campbell via phone at 734-994-4485 or email at KingCare@sbcglobal.net.

Landscaping Feats

Submitted by: Linda Ryan, Landscaping Chair

I'm so excited about the student landscaping enthusiasm and follow-through efforts at King this year! Like I said before, Earth Week was fantastic and so many classes participated in cleaning up and beautifying King grounds. Have you noticed the improvements? Ask your child about it.

This past week, The Tree Frogs, Campfire USA girls and their younger siblings worked really hard on Megan's Courtyard. Perennials like Black eyed Susans and Phlox and Iris were planted under the big Brad berry Pear Tree and in other corners. Mulch was hauled and eagerly distributed. Then to end the plant fest, the stepping stones in the courtyard were painted by the busy and happy little artists. It was a great work session! Thank you girls for letting me tap into your talents. Thanks goes out to the leaders and adult helpers Leah Tremonti, Heather Schweitzer, Laura Boudette and Christine Kukucka, too.

There is still more mulch to haul. If you and your family care to take a turn and help out, just bring a large shovel and gloves. the wheel barrels are behind the shed by the parking lot entrance. Mulch is needed on the last three beds out front on the school at the south end. Send me an email if you have questions, or to let me know of your efforts! Thanks You!


Submission by Linda M. Ryan
Landscape Chair
4ryanhouse@earthlink.net

Space Camp Report - Monday

Hey...Just realized 9 p.m. your time is 8 p.m. our time!!! So...

Everyone is doing well today on the first full day of camp. The chaperones tried to stay in the background and let the children bond with their camp counselors.

While roaming the campus, our chaperones have commented on how much the students are engaged and excited about space camp! The orange team members were spotted tackling the rock wall! The black team raved about the time spent on the "Space Shot!" "They go forty-five miles per hour! We could barely move our arms," exclaimed the pink group about the G-Force simulation! The blue team viewed an amazing IMAX movie where they experience life in space! Our purple group had first hand experience of what it would be like to walk on the moon using the 1/6 Gravity Chair. We can't wait to hear about what new things they discover tomorrow.

Your devoted Space Camp chaperones:)

3rd Grade Open House/Music Night - 5/22 @ 6:30

We're looking forward to seeing all of our wonderful 3rd grade families for the annual Open House and Music Night at MLK this Thursday, May 22 beginning at 6:30 PM.

Hope to see you there!

Map Painting Project - Sat., May 24 @ noon

King parents, students and staff are invited to help paint a large map of the 50 states on the playground this Saturday, May 24. We will begin at noon and expect to finish by 3 PM. We cannot paint if there is rain in the forecast, so for any last-minute information, please check the King School web site or call Kathy Griswold at 657-7900.

This was a fun project when we painted the first map for Mrs. Jones ten years ago. Once again we will have the activities organized so that everyone can participate -- just remember to wear old clothes.

Cheryl Jones Is Retiring

All Aboard!

The retirement train is pulling into MLK School Station and . . .

Cheryl Jones has a ticket to ride!

Cheryl has been a significant part of the MLK School community

since the day the school opened and has decided to board the train to retirement!

Please join us in celebrating Cheryl's contribution

on Friday, June 6 from 6 - 8 PM

at the MLK School Ice Cream Social.

CLICK HERE for more information from the MLK PTO!

Two Ways to Say Goodbye to Our Beloved Mrs. Jones!

Mrs. Cheryl Jones is retiring this June after nearly 40 years of devoted service to the King School Community. Help us honor her – and the unwavering talent, dedication and compassion she has given to our kids and families.


1. Visit Her at the Ice Cream Social
The King Ice Cream Social is Friday, June 6, from 6-8 pm.
It’s a perfect way to spend some time with Mrs. Jones,
enjoy some great memories and wish her well in her next adventure.

2. Donate to a Gift Fund
The King PTO and King community will honor Mrs. Jones
by purchasing books and music featuring African-American culture for King School.
Please give your donation to: Mylinda Balint (623-8173;
jrb-myn@comcast.net ) or Laurie Barnett (996-2849; Lcbarn@comcast.net).
Or drop it off to Mary Greene in the King Office. Make checks payable to King PTO.

Deadline for donation: Monday, June 2

5th Graders Arrive Safely At Space Camp

Good evening,

The fifth graders have arrived safely at Space Camp, and everyone is doing fine this evening. There is no reported homesickness. ;-)

Upon arrrival in Huntsville, the phone chain was activated . . . so we hope you got the "arrived safely" message.

For further updates, check the MLK website! Updates willl be posted each night by 9 PM:

http://king.a2schools.org

Check it out!

Kevin

PTO Meeting - 5/20 @ 7 PM

The MLK PTO will meet this Tuesday evening at 7 PM in the media center. Hope to see you there.

Congrats to Aaron and Sam

Two former MLK students have been identified by their younger Kindergarten brother Max to be "good big brothers." Nice job, boys!

I'm proud to announce this in relationship to the kinds of behaviors supported by the Lifelong Guidelines and Lifeskills. Aaron and Sam--nice job! You show trustworthiness, responsibility and friendship among many other qualities, and you have shown yourselves to be excellent role models for Max. Keep up the good work!

2008 Washtenaw County Summer Sports Camp

The Juvenile Division of the Washtenaw County Trial Court is again offering free summer camps for students age 8-15 years old. There is no camp fee. Camps offered are Football, Track, Golf, Wrestling, Basketball, Cheerleading and Tennis. They are offered at a variety of places including Huron, Pioneer, Ypsilanti High, U of M Golf Course and EMU. Lunch is provided

For more information visit www.ewashtenaw.org or call 222-6900. Flyers are available in school offices.

Bagels and Buns - 5/16 @ 8:15 AM!!! See you there!

Come join us for breakfast, conversation and FREE Starbucks coffee!

Friday, March 16, 8:15 am until school starts. Bagels $1, buns $2, juice 50 cents.

PS. Planning for next year: Please join our B&B volunteers, contact Julie at hollenshead@comcast.net or Line at linevn@umich.edu if you're interested

Thank you,

Line vN

Crossing Guard Update - 5/14 UPDATED

UPDATED - 5/14 @ 1:30 PM

I discussed the situation with Officer Lee today. He shared that a fill-in crossing guard was assigned to the Glazier and Tremont location today and didn't know why the person was not there. He will follow-up.

As an on-going issue, the crossing guard being absent should not be a problem.

______________________

The crossing guard at Tremont and Glazier Way was again reported absent today. You might remember my earlier post about this situation . . . it shows again below.

I have left a message for Officer Sean Lee at the number below about the situation and why a sub could not be placed. I hope to hear back soon; however, parents can certainly contact the police department about the situation too.

_________________________________________

Earlier post about crossing guard:

This morning it was reported that there was no crossing guard at Glazier Way and Tremont. As some of you know, this has been a fairly frequent occurrence on Wednesdays this school year. I am sharing this information so that you can make appropriate plans with your child if they must cross but when they arrive there is no adult assistance. Some families have shared the following solutions:

• I walk with my child on Wednesdays. This way I can help him/her cross.
• I have instructed my child to wait until an adult arrives to cross.
  
• Maybe there is a parent who can fill-in on Wednesdays when the crossing guard is not present? If you can help, please do!
  

IMPORTANT: Some parents may not be aware that crossing guards are hired and employed by the City of Ann Arbor, not the Ann Arbor Public Schools. While I have been in contact with the city and I do understand their difficulty, please direct questions specific to the filling of the crossing guard position to the city by calling call Sean Lee at 994-2865. If you have other questions/concerns, please call the MLK school office.

4th Grade Open House/Music Night - 5/15 @ 6:30 PM

We're looking forward to seeing all of our wonderful 4th grade families for the annual Open House and Music Night at MLK this Thursday, May 15 beginning at 6:30 PM.

Hope to see you there!

5th Grade Open House/Music Night - 5/13 @ 6:30 PM

We're looking forward to seeing all of our wonderful 5th grade families for the annual Open House and Music Night at MLK this Tuesday, May 13 beginning at 6:30 PM.

Hope to see you there!

Followup: Front Drive Redesign Input Meeting

On Thursday, May 7, a meeting was held at MLK School to gather input about the redesign of the front drive as it relates to funding available from the 2004 Ann Arbor voter approved bond. The meeting was very helpful. The community input before, during and after the meeting was appreciated by me and the larger team.

At this point, I will take the compiled input to the MLK Building Renovation Committee for analysis and recommendations. This committee includes MLK parent representatives Elizabeth Donovan and Alisha Faciane as well as teacher Karen Haddas, architects, building project personnel, district administrators, and a traffic engineer.

The MLK community can expect more information about the direction of our planning in the near future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact any representatives on the team.

Yearbook Orders Due on May 30

With Ms. Wayne's help, we've put together a terrific collection of student portraits and candid photos that will be enjoyed for years to come.

The cost of the yearbook is $12. Please enclose payment and the order form sent home in a clearly labeled envelope and return it to your child's teacher . . . OR order online at http://www.schoolpictures.com.

The deadline for ordering the 2007-08 MLK Yearbook is May 30! After that, yearbooks will not be available for purchase.

Landscape Quickie Note

The clean-up of the pond and parking lot area was completed by all three 5th grade classes. Thanks goes out to the kids in Mrs. Haddas's class, Mr. Taylor's class and Dr. Mihalik's class. These areas sure look a lot better! Please don't litter at King in the future, and we can put these helpful people out of a job and onto something new.

The mulch pile is going down... and guess who helped out? Mrs. Gatonez's class of eager, energetic and hard working first graders and the after school, equally enthusiastic King Care kids. All I have to do is walk and halls, smile and carry a bucket or pair of gloves around and I get volunteers left and right. It's a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling to have such King community spirit coming from people half my size! The future looks a bit more rosy now. The next challenge is getting my kids at home to be as ambitious, ditto?

Submitted by Linda M. Ryan
Landscape chair

Don't Scrimp on Scrip

Submitted by: Heather Schweitzer

Are you still grocery shopping without a King scrip card? Do you need another card, perhaps for your spouse or for another store? Be sure to order one this week; order forms will go out this Friday. Busch's, Kroger, Hiller's and Whole Foods all donate 5% of your purchase dollars directly to King. That can add up to hundreds of dollars a year for a single family! It's such an easy way to earn money for your kids' school. If you have any questions regarding grocery scrip cards, please contact Heather Schweitzer at heatherschweitzer@hotmail.com.

Science Olympiad Planning Meeting - 5/14 @ 7 PM

Submitted by: Amy Cell

KingSchool just wrapped up another FABULOUS Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO) experience, and we are already starting to lay the groundwork for WESO 2009.

To keep the momentum going, and to get a head start on planning for next year, there will be a planning meeting at 1425 Bardstown on Wednesday, May 14 at 7pm. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Amy Cell at AmyECell@yahoo.com.

Agenda:
Debrief WESO 2008 - what we should do the same, what we should change.
Planning for WESO 2009 - proposed steering committee opportunities, timeline.
Positions available for next year:
Grade coordinators (2nd-5th grade)
Banner coordinator
Raffle basket coordinator
Science Night committee
Medal coordinator
T-Shift coordinator
Program layout coordinator (King page)
Day of event volunteer coordinator
Database coordinator (does a Zoomerang type survey for people to enroll, downloads into excel, makes changes to list)
Marketing coordinator (sends out communications to King to recruit students and promote program)
Event Supervisor (you would provide overall coordination and management of one of the events)
If you are not able to attend, but have an interest in one of the following positions, please send a quick email to AmyECell@yahoo.com.

Millages Pass

Both the operating and sinking fund millage proposals passed with voter approval yesterday. Here are the preliminary results:

AAPS Proposal B (Operating millage):
Yes – 7368 (77%)
No – 2224 (23%)
Total votes cast: 9592

AAPS Proposal C (Sinking Fund)
Yes – 7260 (76%)
No – 2353 (24%)
Total votes cast: 9613

Congrats to King Science Olympiad Teams!

Dear Volunteers, Parents and Coaches (and many of you are in more than one category!),

THANKS so much for your hard work and commitment, in making this another terrific year for King Elementary at the Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad! It was truly an honor to serve as the school's head coach.

Standings should arrive electronically shortly (there are usually minor changes after fixing small errors, and so I will send them out when I'm sure they're finalized), but we had an OUTSTANDING showing this year, capped off with the 5th grade's OVERALL FIRST PLACE, and placing in events in all four grade levels. We also won the banner competition.

For next year, Amy Cell has agreed to take the baton as head coach. I want to thank the organizing committee, and Amy particularly, for all their efforts, and I look forward to next year!

Best Wishes,
Ann Marie Sastry

Teacher Appreciation Week! 5/5 - 5/9

Please join me in thanking the MLK teachers for all they do--and frankly, they do a lot and they do it well. I am fortunate to work with the MLK teachers who do such great job, and I echo the words of the national PTA president, Jan Harp Domene:

“Teachers can instruct our students in math, science, and language, but more than that, teachers can give our children the will to continue learning for the rest of their lives. The gift of never-ending education is one for which we cannot show enough gratitude—but we can certainly try. The monumental responsibility of teachers should be met with an equally awe-inspiring show of appreciation, and that is why we are creating the Nation’s Largest Teacher Thank-You Card. During PTA Teacher Appreciation Week this May, please join us in recognizing the imperative and inspiring work our teachers do every day. Working together, teachers, parents, and communities can make every child’s potential a reality.”

1st Grade Open House / Music Night - 5/8 @ 6:30 PM

We're looking forward to seeing all of our wonderful 1st grade families for the annual Open House and Music Night at MLK this Thursday, May 8 beginning at 6:30 PM.

Hope to see you there!

Congrats!: AAPS Transportation Department Named Top 10 Shop for 2008

The Ann Arbor Public Schools Transportation Department has been selected as one of the top 10 shops in the United States and Canada by School Bus Fleet magazine in their April 2008 issue.

Cited for the efficiencies created through the use of technology, as well as participating in the County's collaborative parts bidding process, the shop's greatest strength is its crew of mechanics, with a total of 135 years of experience. The department has 125 school buses and 26 other vehicles, maintained by 7 mechanics and the shop crew chief. AAPS vehicles transport 9,000 students, serve 38 schools, and drive 1.7 million miles annually.

You can read the full article here (free registration required):
http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/t_inside.cfm?action=art_det&sec_id=2&storyID=1559

Polls open from 7 AM - 8 PM on May 6

A reminder that Election Day is Tuesday, May 6!
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

On the AAPS ballot will be:
Members running for the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education
Members running for the Ann Arbor District Library Board
Two AAPS proposals

For specific election information, please call the Washtenaw County Election Division at 734 222-6730, or visit their site at:
http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/clerk_register/elections

Where do I vote? Am I registered?
Check the following site (or call the above number):
https://services2.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/

Remember - Michigan now has a "Voter Identification Requirement".
This law requires that voters show photo ID before voting. However - "Voters who do not bring picture identification to the polls or do not possess picture identification can still vote like any other voter by signing an affidavit".