School Bells: One Million Reasons campaign goes through July 31

The Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation is working to raise $1 million to support The Ann Arbor Public Schools for the 2010-2011 academic year.

The foundation has set a July 31 deadline for the One Million Reasons fundraising campaign so that the nonprofit’s board can make decisions about how to bolster programs that may be lost in the current budget crisis.  Click here for more information or to donate.

Donors can also mail a check to: AAPSEF, 2555 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI  48104 or call (734) 994-1969 to set up monthly installments on a debit or credit card.

The AAPSEF is also offering Tribute Funds to be set up in a retiring staff member’s name. Visit the Web page for information about how to set one up or contribute to one that has already been established.

Teacher and Media Center receive Target grant

The Carpenter Elementary School Media Center and media specialist Sharyl Burau were the recipients of a $500 Target Stores grant for new books.

In addition, Target employees visited the Media Center this spring to help number and shelve the library inventory and the carpet will also soon be cleaned.

“Target and Target team members will be offering ongoing support throughout the school year, not only in the media center, but throughout the school,” Burau said. “They are really interested in partnering with us on any and all projects we can come up with.”

Carpenter parent walking in 3-Day for the Cure

Carpenter Elementary School parent Anne Marshall Harrell will walk in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk this August, according to information from the school. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2008 just prior to her son John’s first grade year and is seeking support in her upcoming walk.

“I’ll walk 60 miles over the course of three days with thousands of other women and men. Net proceeds from the Komen 3-Day for the Cure are invested in breast cancer research and community programs,” she wrote to the Carpenter community. She must raise at least $2,300 in donations to participate in the 3-Day for the Cure.

Those interested can call 800-996-3DAY to donate over the phone or make a donation online to her cause.

“One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s why I’m walking so far,” she said. “To do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you’ll share this incredible adventure with me.”

Teacher grant applications available through AAPSEF

Applications are available for the fall 2010 teacher grant program through the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation.

The foundation board has allocated at least $30,000 for the program.
The 2010-11 application is available here.

The same Web page offers frequently asked questions about the process, the matrix used by the review committee to score the applications and the final report form.   Final reports in PowerPoint format are also available from programs funded this year.  Information on grants awarded in prior years can be found on the “Initiatives” page of the Web site.

Application deadline is Friday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m.

College writing the topic of seminar

Ann Arbor teens are invited to a seminar to prepare them for the rigors of college writing. The event, for teens in grades 9-12, will be at the Traverwood Branch of The Ann Arbor District Library on Monday, June 28 from 7-8:30 p.m.

“Preparing For College Writing: A Workshop For Teens” will be taught by Eastern Michigan University first-year writing instructor.s They will explore what it takes to be a successful writer in college by looking more closely at the writer’s craft and a variety of genres. The Traverwood Branch is at 3333 Traverwood Drive in Ann Arbor. Details: 734-327-4200.

Family concert at Ark kicks off library summer reading

A family concert with Billy Jonas on Wednesday, June 23 at The Ark will launch the Ann Arbor District Library’s Summer Reading Program. Families with youths in preschool through grade 5 are invited to the concert from 7-8:30 p.m. The Ark is at 316 S. Main St., downtown Ann Arbor.

Signup for summer reading for adults, teens and youth will also take place at this event; doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for registration. The Jonas performance will feature singalongs, bangalongs, whisperalongs, as well as improvised songs. His primary instrument is his audience. Details: 734-327-8301.

Click here for more student and staff achievements in Superintendent Todd Roberts’ “This Week in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.” An archive of past achievements is also at this site.

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