School Bells: Superintendent interview questions accepted

The Ann Arbor Public Schools is accepting questions from the public to use as part of the superintendent search process.  Questions may submitted via e-mail to Amy Osinksi at osinski@aaps.k12.mi.us

Interview questions are being accepted through Jan. 31. Interviews are being scheduled and may take place as early as mid-February.

A link is also available at the district website, where additional information can be found about the search, the search firm hired and results from a community survey about what the public would like to see in a new superintendent.

The district is hiring a new superintendent to replace Todd Roberts who resigned last year. Deputy Superintendent for Finance and Operations Robert Allen is serving as interim superintendent until the post is filled.

Ann Arbor schools moving to Google

Ann Arbor Public Schools is moving to Google products for web-based e-mail service and other applications including calendars, documents, sites and groups. The changes will be powered by Google, but will be administered by the AAPS informational technology staff.

The change will have AAPS employees and staff operating “in the cloud.”  District e-mail addresses will remain the same.

The rollout for the A2SchoolsGoogle project began on Jan. 13 and will continue through mid-February until all employees are on the new service. Director of Instructional Technology Monique Uzelac said the move will save the district $100,000 and will continue to allow the proper archiving of e-mail as required by law.

The change will also give staff access to free Google consumer products including: iGoogle, Gmail, Google Groups, Picasa, Web History and others, Uzelac said. Staff members are being trained for the change and will receive self-directed instruction and technical support during the 6-week rollout.

WISD begins supertintendent search

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District will work with the Michigan Association of School Boards to help recruit and select the district’s next superintendent to succeed Dr. William C. Miller, who retired on Dec. 31.

Candidate applications will be taken until March 10, 2011.  Interviews will be held in mid-to-late March with a goal of having the successful candidate identified by mid April.

The MASB will create a candidate profile describing professional and personal characteristics. They are seeking public feedback through an anonymous web-based survey and small group meetings. Visit www.wash.k12.mi.us, to complete the survey through Thursday, Jan. 20. For more information about the search, call (734) 657-2425.

Richard Leyshock is serving as interim WISD superintendent through the end of this school year or until a new superintendent is hired. Leyshock has said he is not a candidate; he plans to retire in August.

PTOC Enrichment Forum slated for Jan. 24

The Ann Arbor PTOC will host its semi-annual Enrichment Sharing Session, in the Main Conference Room at the Balas Administration Building 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24. Participation is encouraged from all schools and all levels.

The format for this year will be similar to a information fair.  Each PTO will have a station with two representatives.  For 20 minutes , one representative will man the table and the other will explore the tables of interest to them.  At the 20-minute mark, reps will switch and offer 20 final minutes of sharing.

“We feel that this format will allow schools to investigate the programs of interest to them and maintain a lively sharing atmosphere,” said PTOC Vice Chairwoman Donna Lasinski.

In addition, an information table will be available.  If you are a PTO rep with information and resources to share, please bring them.

Participating PTOs must RSVP. Enrichment ideas garnered from the meeting will be posted on the PTO Council website. RSVP to Donna Lasinski  at lasinski@mac.com. Schools signed up to attend and bring ideas include: Angell Elementary, Ann Arbor Open @ Mack, Burns Park Elementary, Dicken Elementary, Haisley Elementary and Wines Elementary.

The PTOC also sponsors Officer Leadership Training at the NEW Center at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday Feb. 8, with RSVP required. Cost is $25 per officer, unless using a “get-in-free” dues slot. To RSVP visit the PTOC website, click on Latest News, and Updated Meeting Schedule to find the RSVP link for the event you want.  Include name, position and school, and which event to which you are replying.)

DECA teams showcase business knowledge, talent

Ann Arbor Pioneer High School DECA chapter identified themselves as one of
the best chapters of the business and professional clubs in Michigan Jan. 6 at District IV competition at Eastern Michigan University.  They set a new school record by winning 118 total medals and qualifying 55 students for the state competition in March in Grand Rapids.

This also marks the first year that Pioneer DECA has won the overall district trophy. The students chose to dedicate the trophy to Mr. John Baublit, who retired last year after serving Ann Arbor Public Schools as a teacher and DECA advisor for 37 years.

DECA is a co-curricular program for high school marketing and business students.  These activities are integrated into the Marketing, Accounting and Entrepreneurship classes at Pioneer to help teach the skills and standards to be successful in business today.  DECA’s competitive events program uses interviews, tests, role-plays, case studies and written projects to evaluate marketing and management skills. At Pioneer, the program is advised by Kara Schulz, Craig Jobe and John Baublit.

Students and their achievements include:

TEST Medal – Top 5 highest test score in event – Jessica D’Alfonso, Amanda Scull, Darren Austin, Eric Miller, Alicia Herrera, Jennifer Gu, Joaquin de la Cerda-Harlow, Mani Herring, Hailey Rishoi, Isaac Ahuvia, Eric Furlong, Javon Williams, Sabina Aghasivayli, Ryan Murphy, Kristy Aidoo, Conrad Stoerker, Megan Fearday, Benjamin Brenner, Taylor Jahnke, Deirdre Cline, Casey Warner, Nate Medd, Tim Schroeder, Zubin Chandra, Grace Hwang, Nichole Alton, Amanda Wylie, Allison Criscenti, Jay Lapinski and Greg Kim.

CASE STUDY Medal – 1st place finish in event – Sam Beck, Amanda Scull, Darren Austin, Casey Binder, Eric Miller, Ismail Husain, Cameron Inniss, Matt Paqui, Jeno Draganescu, Mani Herring, Nicholas Gorski, Justice Kwak, Deirdre Cline, Kevin Groupe, Leila Sousou, Holly Wilson, Casey Warner, Tim Schroeder, Callaghan Wise, Gabe Vanhorssen, Etian Spivak, Zubin Chandra, Grant Chen, Andrew Choe, Josh LaHaye, Megan Roberts, Grace Anderson, Jaclyn Stelter, Allison Criscenti, Jaclyn Hadler and Mara Zinn.

OVERALL event winners (advance to DECA State Competition) – Jason Matney, Sam Beck, Amanda Scull, Darren Austin, Casey Binder, David Williams, Eric Miller, Ismail Husain, Jenna Canning, Jennifer Gu, Andy
Dai, Ahmed Altairy, Cameron Inniss, Matt Paquin, Joaquin de la Cerda-Harlow, Jeno Draganescu, Mani Herring, Hailey Rishoi, Michael Blackman, Isaac Ahuvia, Nicholas Gorski, Conrad Stoerke, Joe Flanagan, Sarah Keisling, Megan Fearday, Benjamin Brenner, Taylor Jahnke, Justice Kwak, Deirdre Cline, Kevin Groupe, Leila Sousou, Holly Wilson, Casey Warner, Nate Medd, Remy Thomas, Tim Schroeder, Callaghan Wise, Gabe Vanhorssen, Etian Spivak, Zubin Chandra, Grant Chen, Grace Hwang, Nichole Alton, Andrew Choe, Josh LaHaye, Megan Roberts, Grace Anderson, Jaclyn Stelter, Allison Criscenti, Ana Vereen, Chloe Corley, Jay Lapinski, Greg
Kim, Jaclyn Hadler and Mara Zinn.

Ann Arbor Skyline High School DECA chapter attended the competition for the first time. The nine students who attended won seven medals and five students qualified to move on to state competition in March. In addition to the competition, Maddie Mayleben also announced her candidacy for DECA state officer.

The DECA activities are integrated into the Skyline Business Magnet Program. Skyline students and their achievements include:

TEST Medal – Top 5 highest test score in event – Blake Ebright, Accounting Applications

CASE STUDY Medal – 1st place finish in event – Dillon Stuart, Principles of Hospitality and Tourism

OVERALL event winner (advance to DECA State Competition) – Ramya Cinta, Marketing Management; Dillon Stuart, Principles of Hospitality and Tourism; Alex Tennant, Retail Merchandising; and Jeff Yuen and Tom Vaughan, Sports and Entertainment Team Decision Making.

Pioneer juniors do fundraiser for community service

Juniors from Pioneer High School are selling Cookie-Grams for Valentine’s Day, as a fundraiser to support the class’s community service efforts.

Order a Valentine’s Cookie-Gram for a favorite Pioneer student, faculty or staff person for $4. A package of heart-shaped cookies (from Great Harvest Bread), along with a card will be delivered on Valentines Day. Mail orders to: Jane Burton, Pioneer High School, 601 W. Stadium Blvd, AA 48103 or call 734-994-2128.

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