Tag Archives: Logan Elementary School

University of Michigan Women’s Basketball team shoots hoops at Logan

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By Tara Cavanaugh

Logan Elementary students got quite the treat on Monday when six members of the University of Michigan Women’s Basketball team visited for the afternoon.

Cyesha Goree, Nicole Elmblad, Madison Ristovski, Rebecca Lyttle, Val Driscoll and Kendra Seto first participated in a Q & A session with the kids. They answered students’ probing questions (such as “Who’s your biggest rival?” and “What’s your favorite food?”) and also talked about competition and teamwork. “We even compete with each other in practice,” said Nicole Elmblad. “But the second we walk off the court, it stops.” Continue reading →

Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop donates over $50K to PTOs, clubs, field trips and more

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PTO Thrift shopper

The Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop is located at 2280 S. Industrial Highway. The shop sells furniture, clothing, books, home goods, electronics, craft supplies and more.

By Tara Cavanaugh 

The Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop’s mission is to support the schools. And three times each year, its support comes in the form of a small but valuable slip of paper: a check.

On Jan. 29 the shop distributed $50,020 total between all 33 of the Ann Arbor Public Schools (see comprehensive list below). The money supports enrichment opportunities for students in the form of field trips, sports clubs, academic supplies, camps and plenty more.

“It’s exciting to celebrate a great year in 2012 and immediately start another with this kind of vigorous funding,” said Ann Farnham, the shop’s executive director. ”What a couple of high notes for our shop and for our AAPS community.” Continue reading →

PHOTOS: Halloween parties, parades at AAPS

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By Tara Cavanaugh

Not all of the Ann Arbor Public Schools celebrate Halloween, but the ones that do are worth checking out. The students were especially creative with their costumes this year. One kid even carried his own head in a jar!

Slideshow photos were taken at Eberwhite, Burns Park, Pattengill and Logan elementary schools Oct. 31.

 

VIDEO: ‘Flash mob’ at Logan Elementary perfect last day send-off

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By Tara Cavanaugh 

If the last day of school makes you feel like doing a little dance, you have to see this. Logan Elementary teachers surprised their entire school when they broke out into dance at the last day assembly June 15. Continue reading →

Logan Elementary donates over 5,000 books to the Philippines, gets special thanks from Mayor John Hieftje

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After Mayor John Hieftje applauded the winners, Logan Elementary Principal Terra Webster made him an "honorary Logan Leopard," giving him a bookbag printed with the school's logo.

By Tara Cavanaugh

Over the course of just three weeks this month, Logan Elementary students gathered 5,297 books to be donated to an orphanage in the Philippines.

Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje visited the school to congratulate the students, especially the classrooms that collected the most books. Continue reading →

Kindergarten round-ups happening now

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This year’s kindergarten round-ups are more kid-centered, teaching parents and future students about the kindergarten experience.

Continue reading →

Red carpet treatment: Logan ‘Oscars’ laud students for being team players

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From AAPSNews Service

logan oscars

Students got the "red carpet treatment" before entering the room to receive awards and thank each other for teamwork throughout the year.

Logan Elementary School teacher Emily Fairless took her third-graders on a special end-of-year trip – down the red carpet and into a special evening of Oscar awards during a recent assembly with students and families.

Oscar Night took place on June 1, an activity that Fairless created to celebrate all of her students’ successes. Students and their families were invited to select a pair of colorful sunglasses, which they could wear while coming down a red carpet, flanked by stars with student hand prints to each side.

Families enjoyed dinner and the awards ceremony, for which students voted on each others Oscar awards, giving multiple awards in five categories: Helping Hands, Best Listener, Most Improved, Above & Beyond, and Team Player.

Third-grader Ananya told the group that the awards were “a way of appreciating each other. A lot of times, we don’t notice the little things people do that I think are pretty big.”

Fairless told the parents that her students had a great year and this was a way for them to honor each other. “It was creating that intensive motivation for these students,” she said. “All of these things were accomplished and more.”

logan oscars

Students voted for which classmates should get awards in five different categories.

Fairless did an Oscar Night last year when she worked as a long-term sub in a fifth-grade at Logan. She said she decided to do it again with her own third-graders this year.

“The purpose was to totally create a team,” she said. “I really wanted these kids to feel like celebrities.”

School Bells: Survey data posted on Mitchell-Scarlett partnership

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Survey data from the Mitchell-Scarlett Partnership Survey is now available on the school district’s website. Visit this link to see raw data, including comments from those taking the survey, as well as past information regarding the partnership.

The district is creating the K-8 campus between Mitchell Elementary School and Scarlett Middle School in Ann Arbor through a partnership between the Ann Arbor Public Schools and the University of Michigan School of Education.

After reviewing survey data, Ann Arbor Public Schools officials determined that the district would move forward with the partnership for the 2011-12 school year, but would not reconsider a balanced calendar until the 2013-14 school year.

The decision was made in order to put a system in place for measuring and evaluating teacher performance in the program and to introduce enrichment intersessions for students during school breaks. A number of enrichment activities are planned for the inaugural 2011 school year for interested families.

For more coverage:
Plans for fall start continuing
Ann Arbor, U-M eye partnership for K-8 campus

King Elementary Silent Auction and Science Night is April 29

King School hosts its annual Silent Auction and Science Night on Friday, April 29 from 5:30-8 p.m. with the theme of “Our State – Our School.”

This kid-friendly,family event is a fundraiser for PTO sponsored programs such as academic workshops, Math Olympiad, Academic Games and field trips.

The free admission silent auction features more than 300 items including travel packages throughout the county and Carribean, jewelry, several cases of select and collectible wines, U-M sports tickets (men’s hockey, basketball  and football), 15 local “date night” packages with dinner/theater offerings and new this year:  14 Northern Michigan destination packages with opportunities to parasail the Mackinac Straits, tour the Soo Locks, kayak the Indian River and visit wineries near Traverse City,all packaged with free hotel and restaurant offerings.

Dinner will be an International Buffet from local restaurants for $8 in advance; $10 at the door. Entertainment includes 2 Magic Shows and face painting.

Science Night hosts the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.  Included are more than 12 interactive science tables ready for exploring minds.

For more information and to reserve a dinner spot, contact: King.silent.auction@gmail.com or call (734) 417-7129.

Logan hosting silent auction to benefit Harold Logan Fund

Logan Elementary School is offering its first “Annual Silent Auction” to benefit the Harold Logan Fund, the community fund that provides assistance to families in need.

“During these difficult times it’s important, as a school community, that we support each other,” organizers say on their auction site. “This auction is a great way to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to have warm coats, eye glasses, school supplies, and field trips and continue to excel in a positive learning environment.”

The auction is now open and will close at 8 p.m., Friday,  April 29. Anyone can support the effort by bidding on an item at  www.loganelementaryauction.weebly.com Find instructions for bidding under the “Rules” tab and find the auction items under the tab “Auction Items” in the roll down menu.” Included are categories of food/dining, salon/spa, fitness, jewelry/art, entertainment, books/DVDs, educational professional development an home goods.

WISD Board selects the district’s next superintendent

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District Board of Education has named Scott Menzel to be the district’s next superintendent.

Menzel is the superintendent of the Livingston Educational Service Agency, the intermediate school district serving Livingston County.  He received his bachelor’s degree in religion from Vanguard University  in Costa Mesa, Calif., his master’s degree in philosophy and social policy from the American University  in Washington, D.C. and is completing work on his doctorate from Eastern Michigan University.

He will begin his superintendent duties by July 1, 2011, conditioned upon completion of the employment requirements for WISD and the State of Michigan.

In addition to unanimously naming Menzel as its new superintendent, the board on April 25 appointed a subcommittee of two to develop an employment contract to bring back to the full Board for approval at a subsequent meeting.

Menzel will replace William  Miller who retired. Interim Superintendent Rick Leyshock will continue in his position until Menzel can join the district.

No napping here: Logan school drive pairs new pajamas, books

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From AAPSNews Service

The Logan Elementary School community came out in force with its first “Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive,” bringing in 134 pairs of new pajamas that were each paired with a children’s book and donated to the Community Action Network.

The best part: Students and staff got to come to school in their favorite pajamas.

Pajama Day at Logan

Students at Logan Elementary School got to wear their pajamas to school on the day of a special assembly, in which the Logan community donated 134 pairs of new pajamas to families in need.

Some families and staff donated pajamas, while others donated money that was used to purchase the new pajamas. The program was done in conjunction with Scholastic Book Clubs and the nonprofit Pajama Program.

Pajama drive at Logan Elementary

Deidre Todd is the Michigan Chapter president of the Pajama Program who was on hand to accept the pajama donation. She told the story of the founder of the nonprofit, who was moved when she visited a homeless shelter to read to children and took some pajamas on her next visit.

This is the first time the Pajama Program has come to the Ann Arbor Public Schools, said Logan Principal Terra Webster. “It’s so nice that the pajamas are staying here – in our community.”

Community Action Network was founded to address the specific needs of the neighborhoods located in the Southeast section of Ann Arbor and focuses on advocating for the community, economic development, community improvement and providing services for families, youth, and seniors.

Second-grade teacher Kristi Krile read bedtime stories to Logan students as part of the event and the school’s PTSO provided milk and cookies.

Krile said she found  the Scholastic program when she placed her book order a month before; the company said it would pair a new book with a new pair of donated pajamas, and she challenged the school to do just that.

Deidre Todd is the Michigan Chapter president of the Pajama Program who was on hand to accept the pajama donation. She told the story of the founder of the nonprofit, who was moved to take action when she visited a homeless shelter to read to children and took some pajamas on her next visit.

“One little girl didn’t know what pajamas were. They were a luxury item,” Todd told Logan students. “So she started the Pajama Program. What started out as a small dream for her has grown.”

The goal of Scholastic Book Clubs is to provide 25,000 children in need new pajamas and books this year. Webster said “The Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive” would become an annual schoolwide event for the Logan community.

Logan 4th-grader and mom create a sweet success in bakery businesses

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By Casey Hans
AAPSNews Service

Staff members at Logan Elementary have done the taste test: And the baked goods and sweets from the Page family kitchen get a solid thumbs up.

Shalae Page

Shalae Page, a Logan Elementary fourth-grader, has started Shalae"s Sweets.

This sweet duo includes Shalae Page, a Logan fourth-grader who owns and operates Shalae’s Sweets, and her mom, Shenida Page, 27, who has her own home-based baking business called The Bakery Down the Street.

Shalae does a variety of decorative cookies, suckers, chocolate-covered strawberries and chocolate-dipped pretzels selling for between 75 cents and $2 each. “It depends how big, how many there are and how decorative they are,” explained the young entrepreneur.

“At first I thought I would grow up to own my mom’s business, but I decided to have my own,” she added.

Last summer, Shalae was invited to the University of Michigan to speak to a group of high schoolers that were learning about business and entrepreneurship. She spoke to about 100 students – and gave each of them a handmade, specialty U-M sucker that she had designed. “They all laughed when I said I had a Facebook page,” Shalae said.

The story of their business startup is bittersweet.

Shalae and Shenida Page

Shenida and Shalae Page, the mother-daughter baking team with some of their homemade goodies.

Shenida Page got the itch to bake in 2004, and it wasn’t the best of news that sent her to the oven. Her father had just died and this mother of five thought she would bake a special cake for two of her children’s birthdays. “It turned out awful,” she said, but she was determined to get it right.

Her next effort was more pleasing. Using some specially shaped pans, she began baking cakes for others. And people started asking, “who does the baking?” Through word of mouth, her business, “The Bakery Down the Street,” was born.

With encouragement from her husband, Khalil (who never went anywhere without mentioning his wife’s cakes,) the word spread and business grew.  Sheet cakes, themed cakes, cupcakes in decorative mugs – she does them all with a flair.

The business became sidetracked when her husband died in 2008. After spending some time with her grief, her energy and motivation rebounded and she began anew last summer.

When approached about baking cookies and making specialty chocolate suckers, Shenida Page thought her daughter might like to do that so she could focus on cakes. “She liked to make suckers and do the sweets,” her mom said.

Nine-year-old Shalae got cooking and Shalae’s Sweets was born.

Her four younger siblings – Dorian, Felicia and twins Linda and Larry who all attend Logan – occasionally get their hand in the mixing bowl, as well.

“They beg me and beg me and beg me ‘I want to work for Shalae’s Sweets,’” Shalae said. “But, they don’t’ work very hard – they lose interest. You know, their favorite TV show might come on.”

Shalae’s favorite subject at school? “Most kids would say they like lunch and recess, but not me,” she said. “Science and writer’s workshop – those are my favorites.”

As for her self-made business: “I would like to have a few more customers,” she admitted. “I’m only 9 years old and the word has to get spread around yet.”

Shalae’s Sweets’ Facebook page is where she stays in touch with customers, takes orders and posts specials with the help of her mom. Visit  www.facebook.com and search for “Shalae’s Sweets.”

Shenida Page is a success story of her own. She is a self-made Detroit native who decided to change her life and make something of herself.

Having dropped out of middle school, she decided to better herself and re-enrolled in school to get her GED, which is where she met her husband, who was teaching.  “I decided this is not the life I want to live,” she said. “I got my GED and I’ve been doing so much better. I never saw myself as an entrepreneur, but here I am.”

She is now working toward her college degree.

Her dream is to someday have a full storefront bakery in Ann Arbor, another in Detroit’s inner city where she wants to help others better themselves and a third in Memphis, where her father-in-law lives. For now, watch for the license plate on her van that proclaims: “Cakedva.”

“I’m so thankful to be here,” she added. “It’s the best place to live, in Ann Arbor.”

Editor’s note: Although we do not normally publish elementary school children’s full names in the AAPSNews, this story was published with parental permission.

Casey Hans writes and edits this newsletter for the Ann Arbor Public Schools. E-mail her or call 734-0994-2090.

School Bells: ‘Taste of Asia’, PTSO book fair hosted at Logan

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Asian-themed evening at Logan

On Thursday, Nov. 18 Logan Elementary School hosted its annual “Taste of Asia” dinner. The school’s PTSO put on the event, which featured food made and donated; an estimated 200 were served dinner during the event. The evening also included a book fair, which was also a fundraiser for the school’s PTSO. See a short slide show of the evening above.

CHS Run Through Hell

Members of Community High School ran through Hell, Mich. this fall.

Fit & Fun: Community High students run through Hell

Thirty eight Community High School students participated in the annual Halloween Run Thru Hell 5k and 10K races in Hell, Mich.

According to physical education and health teacher Robbie Stapleton, all of the students participating were from the Personal Fitness classes at Community. Most ran the 5K, but about 10 did the 10K, she said.

“Every semester, the Personal Fitness students run a race together, after training hard for the first nine weeks of the semester. There’s nothing quite like crossing a finish line!”

Early College Alliance information meeting is Dec. 2

Eastern Michigan University is hosting an information meeting about the Early College Alliance program for interested students (current ninth- and 10th-graders) and their parents. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 2, from 7-8:30pm in the Little Theater at Pioneer High School. For full details, visit  http://www.emich.edu/eca.

49 represent Ann Arbor at MSVMA Regional honors event

On Saturday, Oct. 23, 49 seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade singers from the Ann Arbor Public Schools traveled to Monroe to participate in the Michigan School Vocal Music Association Regional JH/MS Honors Choir.

The students rehearsed and performed in a large choir with other select singers from the southern half of the state, and also auditioned for the State level Honors Choir by singing in small ensembles, one on a part, a required audition piece

Huron students earn national music honors

Huron High School seniors Danny Clegg and Kris Shin were selected from applicants across the country for the 2011 American High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall where they will be a part of the honors orchestra as violinists.  Participation is limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across North America.

The two were nominated and auditioned individually and were accepted after a review by the Selection Board committee. They will join other performers from the United States and Canada for a special performance at Carnegie Hall.

Clegg studies violin with Kimberly Kaloyanides Kennedy. Shin has studied violin since early elementary school.  Both are members of the Huron High School Symphony Orchestra and several chamber ensembles.  They both volunteer their time in mentoring string students at Clague Middle School.

Finalists will spend five days in February in New York City learning from conductor Charles Peltz, working with other finalists, and getting a taste of the Big Apple.  The Saturday, Feb. 19 performance is available to the public and specially invited representatives from collegiate music programs.

Community High publication earns top Pacemaker award

The National Scholastic Press Association has named Community High School’s  “The Communicator”  one of five award winners in its Pacemaker 2010 in the newsmagazine category. In scholastic journalism, this award is referred to as the Pulitzer Prize for student newspapers. In addition, “The Communicator” and “The Communicator Online” placed in the Best of Show competition.

The publication’s editors are Kyle Aaronson, Julia Kortberg and Katie O’Brien.

The following student journalists received awards in the Write-Off competitions:  Kyle Aaronson for Newswriting; Oriol Burgos-Tsoffar for Editorial; Acer Xu for Copy Editing; and Shadi Ahmadmehrabi for Podcasting. Teacher Tracy Rosewarne is the staff adviser.

Abbot works to set shared reading record

Abbot Elementary School students joined others from across the U.S. in Octobert to participate in “Read for the Record,” an attempt to set the record for the largest shared reading experience in one day.

Students in Annette Stojcevich’s fourth grade class read “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats and then drew a picture describing the words in the book.  Last year, more than 2 million students participated in the event which is sponsored by JumpStart, a literacy advocacy group that promotes reading to young people.

New Zealand visitors come to Mitchell

Mitchell Elementary School hosted special visitors from New Zealand in October.  Professor Deborah Fraser of the University of Waikato and primary teacher Whakarongo Tauranga observed Mitchell teachers in the area of arts integration.

Visitors shared their own experiences with Mitchell teachers during a book study group on the teaching of ELL students, and a luncheon at the school, sponsored by the University of Michigan.  A collaborative effort between the University Musical Society and the U-M School of Education, these visitors also presented a workshop for teachers entitled “Mantle of Experts” at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, sharing a unique model for integrating the arts. Cathy Reischl of the U-M School of Education arranged for the visit.

Dec. 6 workshop for teachers builds on UMS season

The University Musical Society hosts a Monday, Dec. 6 discussion for teachers on “Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art” by Stephen Nachmanovitch and will be led by the author The event takes place from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the downtown Branch of the Ann Arbor District Library in the multi-purpose room, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor.
The series encourages educators to expand and build upon ideas within the UMS season of events using relevant works of literature. In these facilitated sessions, teachers learn strategies for leading classroom book discussions. Registration is required. Call the University Musical Society at 734-615-0122 or e-mail umsyouth@umich.edu. Details: 734-327-4555.

Michigan author to teach writing seminar nonprofit

826michigan, a local writing and tutoring nonprofit, hosts author Adam Schuitema in a writing seminar for adults. Proceeds from the series benefit the nonprofit’s free literacy programming for students ages 6-18, which serve Ann Arbor students and those from the surrounding areas.

The workshiop “Beyond ‘Show, Don’t Tell’: The Visual Aspects of Good Fiction” is part of 826michigan’s “How To Write Like I Do” program, a series of workshops for adults taught by professional writers. Schuitema and workshop attendees will discuss what writers can learn from visual arts such as photography and film in order to enhance everything from a story’s settings to its characters to its development of scenes.

The event is Saturday, Dec. 4, from 1-4 p.m. at 826michigan’s downtown Ann Arbor location, Liberty Street Robot Supply and Repair. Tickets are $25. Details: (734) 761-3463 or visit www.826michigan.org/

Logan plans storytime marathon

A free storytime marathon is being planned for Logan Elementary School on Wednesday, Dec 15 at 5 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3235 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. Teachers and special guests will provide a storytelling experience for children of all ages. Details 734-973-1618

Staff in the Spotlight:

• Forsythe English/Language Arts teacher and Curriculum Leader Jennifer Walsh, has been appointed to the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award committee given out by the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents with the National Council of Teachers of English (ALAN). Her appointment is for two years.
•  Pioneer social studies teacher and U.S. Department of Education Fellow, Tracey Van Dusen had her blog posted on the front page of the ed.gov website about the day she spent in Columbus. Entitled, “Columbus, Creativity, and Cunningham,” it can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/
• Logan Elementary School teachers Katy LaCroix, Amy Patrosh and Heather Gray were selected to have Environmental Educators from the Ecology Center teach lessons to their students regarding the importance of preserving the environment. Last year Logan earned Emerald status as a ‘Michigan Green School’ and continues to seek environmental learning opportunities for students.

Hikone delegation comes to Ann Arbor for 32nd cultural exchange

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Local group plans trip to sister city at month’s end

By Casey Hans
AAPSNews Service

Logan and Angell elementary schools, all Ann Arbor middle schools and Ann Arbor Open @ Mack hosted visitors from Hikone, Japan last week, as a delegation visited the area for the 32nd time.

The delegation from Ann Arbor’s sister city came for a cultural visit and educational experience in The Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Logan Elementary School Principal Terra Webster, left, offers gifts to members of the visiting delegation from Hikone, Japan, Ann Arbor's sister city. The delegation, which includes two adults and 14 students, visited and stayed with local families while students attend school here last week.

The group spent time touring the schools last week and the 14 student visitors stayed with local host families and attended middle and high school classes. The group arrived on Oct. 4 and is returning to Japan today (Oct. 11).

Logan Elementary Principal Terra Webster was one of the school staff members to greet visitors and take them on a tour.

“What a treat for our Japanese-speaking students,” she said. “To see their culture not only represented but invited.”

Kayoko Baba of the Hikone International Friendship Association and Shoichi Hinatsu, a senior staff member with the Hikone Board of Education, toured and asked questions about teaching styles, how non-English speaking students learn and how schools in the United States pay for books and other educational materials.

Webster explained that Logan has 360 students enrolled – about 30 more than last year due to schools of choice – and that 25 different languages are spoken there. “We have a number of international fairs and festivals; we try to have two or three per year to have all of our cultures represented,” she told the visitors.

She said visitors and families “can experience the diversity of culture right here in our building.”

It was the first time a Japanese delegation had visited Logan.

Shoichi Hinatsu, a member of the senior staff with the Hikone Board of Education, visits with students in Ann Marie Borders' first-grade class at Logan Elementary. Hinatsu was a member of the delegation from Hikone visiting Ann Arbor as part of a cultural exchange.

Webster told the two that non-English speakers have their lessons in English, but they also have tutors and help from translators as needed. Non-English speaking families also get assistance, including help filling out needed paperwork and tutoring help when necessary. Logan does a Language Survey of families, which helps the school to better serve its population.

Baba and Hinatsu were surprised to hear that U.S. schools paid for textbooks and other materials – something that Japanese families must do on their own, they said. Webster also told the visitors about Logan’s Harold Logan Fund, which is used to assist students for other non-school items they might need including coats, boots and even eyeglasses.

The two communicated with staff and students through interpreter Mariko Mackie, except for a few Japanese students who were pleased to greet the visitors and speak in their native language.

Ann Arbor teachers volunteered their time to accompany the delegation on each of its visits; on this day at Logan, Dave Corsa, a teacher from Allen Elementary, was with the group.

Logan Elementary School art teacher Karen Metzger, left, works with students in her class, showing a classroom project to visiting dignitary Kayoko Baba of Hikone, Japan.

Corsa, who has traveled to Japan and hosted a number of Japanese visitors in his home, said he was pleased to assist. “I’m a great supporter of the Hikone Exchange program,” he said. “It’s incredible for the kids.”

During their time at Logan, the visitors saw a sampling of classrooms and student ages, including a visit to the first-grade class of Ann Marie Borders, who served as a project director for Ann Arbor students visiting Hikone last fall. Borders has incorporated Japanese culture into her class, including allowing students to dress in traditional Japanese clothing and teaching them to eat with chopsticks as well as using cultural lessons for writing assignments.

Larry Dishman, who coordinates the Hikone exchange program for The Ann Arbor Public Schools, said one of the final things outgoing Superintendent Todd Roberts did on his last day was to meet with the visiting Japanese project directors.

“It’s very much an honor and, for me, is a very touching thing,” Dishman said

Twenty-one Ann Arbor students were involved with hosting the Hikone students in their homes last week. Along with attending school with Ann Arbor students, the Hikone students visited Greenfield Village and joined in a number of home-stay activities with their host families and attended a Sunday night “Sayonara Party” at Conor O’Neill’s in downtown Ann Arbor.

In his first official act as Interim Superintendent, Robert Allen attended the Sunday night party on behalf of the district. “This exchange program is indeed a special partnership between our countries and our students learn so much from their exposure to another culture and customs,” Allen said. “I am proud of our student hosts and their families along with Larry Dishman and the Rec & Ed staff for their gracious hospitality to our visitors.”

Japanese students attended Skyline High School and Ann Arbor Open @ Mack as well as Scarlett, Slauson, Clague, Tappan and Forsythe middle schools while they were here.

On Oct. 31, a delegation of 12 Ann Arbor eighth- and ninth-grade students will travel to Japan on a goodwill mission during which the students will spend a week in Hikone, attending local schools and staying in the homes of junior high school students.  This will be the 17th delegation of Ann Arbor students to participate in the exchange program; the trip is typically undertaken every other year unless there is a reason to merit a special trip.

Last year, an Ann Arbor student delegation made a special visit to Hikone to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship.

The Hikone delegation visit and subsequent trip overseas dovetails into The Ann Arbor Public Schools initiative to incorporate World Language into its schools at a young age. Last year, third-graders began learning Spanish through an initiative with The University of Michigan; this year, the program was expanded to include both third- and fourth-graders and will be added at the fifth-grade level next year. Although the program has started with Spanish lessons, U-M officials said it is the hope that it will eventually include additional languages.

By 2016, all Michigan high school students must have two years of a world language, or equivalent education, in order to graduate.

Casey Hans edits this newsletter for The Ann Arbor Public Schools. E-mail her or call 734-994-2090.

Logan Elementary 5th-graders take music up a notch, create choir

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VIDEO BELOW: Members of the fifth-grade choir at Logan Elementary during spring 2010 rehearsal and performance

From AAPSNews Service

A group of fifth-graders at Logan Elementary School have tuned up their voices this year, giving them a chance to sing together and consider studying vocal music when they move on to higher grades.

Music teacher Misty Noble started a fifth-grade choir at the school last fall, with about 16 students choosing to take part. They meet once each week for 25 minutes – with students giving up their lunch recess to be involved.

Members of the Logan Elementary fifth-grade choir, new at the school this year.

Noble said she floated the idea of the choir when the school year began and started working with the group in November. There are no auditions; any fifth-grader can be involved, she said. Some of the students participate in other community singing groups such as the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale or a local church choir; others have no singing background but want to give it a try.

“I feel it’s an important tool here at this level, to get them excited about middle school so they can continue singing,” she said. “They will have so many choices at middle school.”

Plans call for the choir to sing at the Logan graduation and they also performed at the band, orchestra and vocal school concert on June 1. During a March performance, Noble said she allowed to students to pick their own musical number: They chose Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and performed it with Jackson’s trademark white glove.

Noble said the camaraderie and friendships that have formed are just as important as the teaching of the music. “That’s happening in here,” she said.

Addition of the new choir has excited younger students too, she said. Fourth-graders have already approached her about being part of the choir next year. “Ideally, I would like a choir of about 35,” she said. “I’m hoping it will build next year. It takes a few years for a program to get going.”

School Bells: NAAPID Showcase slated for Feb. 8 at Skyline

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Skyline High School hosts the countywide NAAPID at NIGHT Showcase of Student Talent from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8 at the school auditorium, 2552 N. Maple Road. It is part of the annual National African American Parent Involvement Day.

The seventh annual event will feature student art and other projects and well as displays of student talent. Winners of the NAAPID Poster Contest also will be on display.

Students, teachers and parents are invited to display exemplary student work and accomplishments, including: artwork, technology, academic work, school involvement, leadership, community service projects and sports accomplishments.

Displays may be tabletop or floor, and should be creative, attractively arranged, and free standing and should include the student and/or class name, grade level, teacher, school name and district. Transporting displays is the responsibility of the parent or school coordinator.

To reserve a space, or for assistance contact Sylvia Nesmith at nesy@comcast.net, 734-358-6354 (cell) or 734-747-8543 (days,) by Wednesday, Feb. 03. Works should be delivered to the event location between 3:30-5 p.m. on the day of the event.

In addition to the Ann Arbor Public Schools, other Washtenaw County districts supporting the event include: Lincoln Consolidated Schools, Milan Area Schools, Saline Area Schools, Willow Run Community Schools and Ypsilanti Public Schools. Refreshments will be served at 5:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m. General event details: 734-434-1144.

Angell hosts International Night

International Night is a longstanding tradition at Angell Elementary School. The multi-faceted, homegrown event is different year-to-year because up to 30 percent of the school’s families may change from one year to the next.

Angell PTO Council representative and PTO Council Chairwoman E. Martine Perreault calls the event is one of the “highlights of the academic year at Angell” and said many neighborhood families visit long after their children have grown and left the school.

This year’s International Night will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4. The school is at 1608 S. University.

Slauson counselor honored by peers

Jan Mackenzie was recently lauded by her peers for her outstanding service to The Ann Arbor Public Schools. The Slauson Middle School counselor was nominated and received the school district’s first Celebration of Excellence award for the 2009-10 school year for her outstanding customer service.

She was nominated by teachers Toni Burton and JanaÈ Townsend, who stated in their nomination: “For Jan Mackenzie, offering the support and love that her students and colleagues need always comes first. Her work touches both students and adults in her building. She is never too busy to listen, smile, or cry with anyone who comes to her door.”

The nomination said that in handling tough situations in the district, Mackenzie demonstrates “care in a time of crisis.” She was honored by the Ann Arbor Board of Education.

Nominees for both innovation and customer service are considered for these awards, which are selected by a Celebration of Excellence committee. The award for innovation recognizes staff members who have demonstrated creative and innovative approaches to their jobs. The award for customer service celebrates those staffers who provide outstanding service to their customers.

For detailed nominating information, an online nomination form and a list of past recipients, click here.

Free the Children features motivational speaker

Motivational speaker Elaine Rosenberg of the Free the Children program (www.freethechildren.com) will be the motivational speaker Tuesday, Feb. 2 from 7-8 p.m. at Clague Middle School’s media center.

Clague is located at 2616 Nixon Road, north of Plymouth Road and west of US-23 in Ann Arbor.

Rosenberg will speak about ” Free the Children: Inspiring Youth to Become Agents of Change!” She will discuss the Free the Children program and how it has helped students at Clague, Tappan and Scarlett middle schools make a difference, both in their local community and abroad. The program is part of Project Healthy Schools.

Free The Children is a network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in innovative education and development programs in 45 countries.

This event is free and open to the public. Details: (734) 975-7440.

Eberwhite ‘shoe’ wall designed to encourage
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Eberwhite Elementary School Principal Debi Wagner shows off a wall in the school that has the title “One Small Step. The wall was designed and added this year using photos of student feet and shoes.

Wagner said the project was designed to encourage students and let them know that small efforts can lead to even bigger things.

Huron High School BPA group earns honors

On Friday Jan. 8, the Huron Business Professionals of America Chapter from Huron High School traveled to Henry Ford Community College to compete in the annual BPA Regional Leadership Conference 2010.

According to BPA adviser Diane Stocker-Bendersky, of the 57 Students that attended, 45 students won a total of 94 awards including 36 first-place wins and 25 second-place wins. They also earned 13 third-place awards, 10 fourth-place awards and four fifth-place awards. In team competitions, Huron entered seven with four teams placing first and three teams placing second.

Of the 40 competitions in which Michigan students can enter, the Huron Chapter placed first in 20 of those events that include both individual and team competitions. A list to recognize those students who won at BPA Regionals can be found on the Web.

Haisley 5th-graders attend MLK Day tribute

On Jan. 19, two fifth-grade classes from Haisley Elementary attended Wayne State University’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute at the Max M. Fisher Music Center. The keynote speaker was Dr. Benjamin Carson, a world-renowned neurosurgeon. Students were enthused to hear Dr. Carson’s story of growing up in a single parent home in Detroit, being challenged by poverty, poor grades, and other challenges.
A signed copy of Carson’s book “Gifted Hands” is now displayed in Haisley School’s Media Center. The trip was arranged by Cee-Jay Davisthrough his contacts at Wayne State University. Haisley students were the youngest to attend the event.

Logan students collect pennies for Haiti

To kick off Logan Elementary School’s MLK Day assembly, “Pennies For People” was introduced to the Logan community to participate in a relief effort for Haiti. Special area teachers organized the event. By the end of the assembly, parents had donated more than $300. Students brought in pennies through the rest of the month with proceeds to be delivered to the American Red Cross.

News of note from around the district:

• Thirteen Bach Elementary School fifth-graders and four fourth-graders placed first in Michigan in the Knowledge Master Open on Jan. 20. The K.M.O. is a team academic contest that tests students’ ability to answer questions about all the school subjects. The Bach KMO Team scored 466 of a possible 1000 points. The average score in Michigan was 420 and the mean nationwide was 466. Nationally, Bach placed in the top half of all teams. Learn more about the KMO at www.greatauk.com.

• A team of 10 Forsythe sixth-graders scored in the top 20 percent in the Knowledge Master Open, placing fourth in Michigan among 17 teams. The Forsythe team scored 636 points of a possible 1,000. That was well above the state average score of 544. Coach Dan Ezekiel says that this is a good finish, and the team hopes to do even better next time. Ann Arbor’s Tappan team scored 587 and came in sixth in the state.

• On Saturday Jan. 16 Skyline Orchestra Students traveled to Livonia Franklin High School to participate in the MSBOA District 12 Solo and Ensemble Festival. They took 21 events with 6 events earning a II (Excellent) rating and 15 events earning a Superior (I) rating. The following students received a II rating on their ensemble performances Katie Loreman, Rheilly Cole, Alex Wilks, and Jack Hu. The following students earned a II rating on their solo Priya Menon, Erika Sasaki, Preetom Chakraborty, and Grace Taylor Loring. The following students received a I rating on their solos and have qualified for MSBOA State Solo and Ensemble Festival at Chelsea High School in March: Jack Hu, Senait Dafa, Emily Espinosa, Sherry Zhao, Shruthi Narayanan, Karen Duan, Brian Chang, Claire Gruber, Rose Brown, Ahliyah Kim, Rheilly Cole, Leah Awkward-Rich, Priya Menon. and Max Xu.

• Jane Nixon was named National High School Field Hockey Coach of the Year for 2010. She has been the head coach at Pioneer High School since 1990 and has won 16 state championships.
• Skyline High School teacher Jason Smith received a technology grant from the Technology Institute for Music Educators for a project to integrate technology into the music classroom. The mission of the group is to assist music educators in applying technology to improve teaching and learning in music.
• Karen Metzger, Logan Elemenary School art teacher, was selected as an “2010 Educators To Japan” participant. Karen will be in Japan from June 27 through July 8. She said she is excited about the impact this culturally rich opportunity will have on her K-5 art classes.

• Pioneer Band students received 111 first division and 23 second division ratings in SOLO competition, as well as 119 first division and 18 second division ratings in ENSEMBLE competition on January 16 at Livonia Franklin High School. Students throughout the state performed in this state qualifying event. The following Pioneer High School Band students participated in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District Solo and Ensemble Festival on January 16. Students prepared a solo and/or an ensemble and performed for an MSBOA Certified Adjudicator. Their performance was evaluated and a rating between “I” (Excellent) and “V” was assigned. The symbol (2) after a students name indicates that they had two events receiving that rating in the same category.

Pioneer High School Band students receiving a “I” (Excellent) rating for their performance of a SOLO were: Shreya Bahl, Aaron Baum, Alex Baum, Joella Bennett, Jeff Bertram, Rachel Bielajew, Jonathan Bower, James Boyd, James Campbell, Kate Centurione, William Chen, Jae Hyun Choe (2), DíArcy Cook, Katie Copp, Rennie Cotner, Alayna Coverly, Elizabeth Cvercko, Ruby Emberling, Jonathan Evans, Jesse Fernandez, Kerryann Fingerle, Kevin Flannagan, Prasanth Ganesan, Corey Garff, Charlie Geronimus, Sachi Gianchandani, Nya Greenstone, Christopher Haddlesey, Christopher Hass, Saunders Hayes, Andrew Hess, Clare Higgins, Leila Hofer, Skye Huerta, Max Hully, Vijay Ilankamban, Andy Johnson, Kiley Judge, Jae Jung, Kayoon Jung, Jared Kaufman, Ryan King, Sara King, Caroline Laman, Christopher Landau, Amin Lanseur, Dylan Larkins (2), Leah Latterner (2), Tyler Leach, Edward Lee, Meekyoung Lee, Moritz Lehner, Levy Li, Siyan (Daniel) Li, Samuel Lichtman-Mikol, Hyeon Su Lim, Yuming Liu, Sara Long, Natalie Martin, Karen Matsuo, Megumi Matsushita, Kyle Mattimore, Hannah Maxbauer, Anna Mayne, Jack McKarns, Jordan McKay, Miriam Michaels, Luke Mykolenko, Sowdeepya Nadimpalli, Emily Northrop, Junghyun Kayla Oh, Henry Pakela, Julia Pakela, Konstantinos Papaefthymiou, Neil Parikh, George Perrett, Duncan Polot, Linda Relson, Carly Renner, Tim Rittinger, Molly Rogow, Natalie Roll, Nicholas Rombes, Sarah Rontal, Michael Saunders, Laura Schickling, Rebecca Shipan, Daniel Siler, Ken Simon, Antonia Smith, Gina Son, Mario Sulaksana, Michael Sullivant, Jacob Swanson, Nick Terrell, Victoria Tillman, Peter Wang, Xiao Wang, Devin Webster, Hope Wilson, Thea Yagerlener, Eric Yamakado, Jay Yamakado, Tina Yu (2), Ryan Yunck, Kevin Zhang and Alan Zhou.

Pioneer High School Band students receiving a “II” (Good) rating for their performance of a SOLO were: Alexa Arvidson, Alex Bartko, Riley Bean, Caitlin Berrigan, Samuel Blackburn, James Boyd, Joel Burgener, Iris Chen, Amelia Diehl, Christine Etter, Skye Huerta, Grace Iverson, Kyle Kantebet, Olivia Lee, Sowdeepya Nadimpalli, Jennifer Nao, Patricia Nease, Veronika Olszewski, David Shao (2), Andrew Siddall, Hunter St. Pierre and Emily Topham.

Pioneer High School Band students receiving a “I” (Excellent) rating for their performance of an ENSEMBLE were: Shreya Bahl, Riley Bean, Joella Bennett, Rachel Bielajew, Jonathan Bower (2), James Boyd, Joel Burgener, Elizabeth Bush, James Campbell (2), Takeo Cauley (2), Iris Chen, Heewon Choi, Hyewon Choi, D’Arcy Cook, Rennie Cotner, Rosie Curtis, Liz Cvercko (2), Nick DeMarsh, Meera Desai (2), Jonathan Evans, Jack Fan, Kerryann Fingerle, Monica Fink, Corey Garff, Charlie Geronimus, Sachi Gianchandani, Meaghan Glanville, Celisa Gutierrez, Christopher Hass, Andrew Hess, Leila Hofer, Conor Howe, Max Hully, Esther Hur, Vijay Ilankamban, Andy Johnson, Kiley Judge, Jae Jung, Nathan Karr, Jared Kaufman, Ryan King (2), Sara King, Tanay Kulkarni, Megan Kymal, Caroline Laman, Christopher Landau, Amin Lanseur, Reina Larkin, Dylan Larkins, Leah Latterner, Tasha Le, Edward Lee, Harry Lee, Meekyoung Lee, Aidan Mase-Kemnitz, Karen Matsuo, Megumi Matsushita (2), Abbey Maxbauer, Anna Mayne, Jack McKarns, Isabel McKay, Jordan McKay, Miriam Michaels (2), Alex Mitropoulos-Rundus, Sowdeepya Nadimpalli, Jeni Nao, Emily Northrop, Alyssa Natoci, Jeongah Oh, Junghyun Kayla Oh, Veronika Olszewski, EunSoo Park, Bo Peng, Stefan Petrmichl, Timothy Rittinger, Natalie Roll, Niko Rombes (2), Sarah Rontal, Michael Saunders, Kaylee Schonsheck, David Shapiro, Michael Shin, Jeff Shipan, Rebecca Shipan, Ken Simon, Antonia Smith, Gina Son, Jacob Swanson (2), Nick Terrell, Victoria Tillman (2), Emily Topham (2), Peter Wang, Xiao Wang (2), Devin Webster (2), Hope Wilson, Eric Yamakado, Jay Yamakado (3), Angela Yang, Ted Xiao, Tina Yu, Annie Zhang (2) and Megan Zheng.

Pioneer High School Band students receiving a “II” (Good) rating for their performance of an ENSEMBLE were: Ben Bielajew, Andrew Choe, Katie Copp, Sam Deschamps, Ruby Emberling, Jonathan Evans, Grace Iverson, Younkyoung Lee, Rebecca Lennington, MacKenzie Miller, Amanda Osinski, Duncan Polot, Laura Schickling, Josh Sherick, Jeff Shipan, Thea Yagerlener, Ryan Yunck and Eric Zimmer.