Hello everyone,
It's been a while! We're in the middle of benchmarking and assessing to see if students are on track. Here are a couple things that are going on in our classroom!
It's been a while! We're in the middle of benchmarking and assessing to see if students are on track. Here are a couple things that are going on in our classroom!
How We Express Ourselves
Students completed research in one of three public policy issues: world hunger, clean water, and mental healthcare. They have been using their research to form an opinion with reasons and evidence this past month, and they've been very engaged with the work! At this point, they have written a five paragraph opinion piece and have been working on creating Clips videos to express their opinions on these issues. We're finishing up our edits after peer-review today so that we can post our videos on Seesaw and send them to our state senator! Our class is eager to share what they've accomplished. If you need help getting onto Seesaw, please let me know.
Math
We've taken our NWEA Math, as well as a mid year assessment. We will be starting Unit 5 which entails adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. I will be revisiting the basic concept of a fraction with them again, but please check-in with your students at home and aid in any gaps in their understanding! I'm noticing many of our students need to work on their multiplication facts, so please work with them on those as well.
Reading
During reader's workshop, we've been doing a lot of work with informational texts. Students need more exposure and experience with informational texts outside of class, and so please encourage your students to explore the genre and help them find books at the library if possible. We will be studying informational text structures, such as cause and effect and problem/solution. Our next IB unit will be related to informational text structures!
Announcements
From Mr. Hilton:
African American History Month & NAAPID Celebration
In connection to Mitchell School’s celebration of National African American History Month and our work as an International Baccalaureate school, we proudly announce the launching of a new unit of study for all students at Mitchell.
The new unit focuses on the African American Civil Rights movement, the development of Motown, and social justice. The unit uses text, musicand visual artsas a way for students to inquire (ask questions), think, discuss and reflect on:
All parents/guardians are invited to come to school on Monday, February 11 as a part of National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID). We will be highlighting some of the work from the new unit during this time.
Here is the schedule of events:
Keeping the Conversation Going!
Whether or not you are able to come to school on Monday, February 11 for the assembly and NAAPID, here are some questions to ask and discuss at home that are connections to the new unit:
Sincerely,
Matt Hilton (Principal), Alison Epler (Assistant Principal), and Wendy Rothman (IB Coordinator)
National African American Parent Involvement Day at Night February 11
NAAPID at Night will be held on Monday February 11 from 5 - 8 PM at Towsley Auditorium on the campus of Washtenaw Community College. The event is free and open to the public. For more information
Mid-Winter Break
According to the AAPS school calendar – There may or may not be school on February 15th. If there is a May 7th election, then we will have school on February 15th. But if there is not a May 7th Election, then we will not have school on February 15th. Due to the election laws, the district is unable to confirm a May election until the filing deadline of Feb. 12th. After which point the AAPS district will immediately notify families about the status of that school day. We ask that families prepare for either eventuality. Feb. 18th is a definite NO SCHOOL Day.
Parking Lot Safety - Parent Drop-Off & Pick-Up
If you drive your child to school or pick them up at the end of the day, please follow the posted signs around the school.
Registration for Girls on the Run begins Monday January 21st! Our Program at Mitchell is open to all 3rd-5th grade girls. We will meet after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 March 4th through May 17th . All registered participants will receive a healthy snack at each lesson, along with a program t-shirt and water bottle, a parent guide book and entry into the incredible Girls on the Run 5K on Saturday, May 11th. (Community members are welcome to register and run/walk with the girls.)
Girls on the Run’s curriculum based program is Much more than a running program. Click here (https://www.girlsontherunsemi.org) to learn and register. Space is limited and registration ends February 22nd. *Scholarships are available and volunteers may receive discounted registrations for their daughters. Parents may also contact Jan Duncan for additional payment support options. Email [email protected] for more program information, or contact Jan Duncan ( Mitchell’s GOTR coach) at [email protected]
African American History Month & NAAPID Celebration
In connection to Mitchell School’s celebration of National African American History Month and our work as an International Baccalaureate school, we proudly announce the launching of a new unit of study for all students at Mitchell.
The new unit focuses on the African American Civil Rights movement, the development of Motown, and social justice. The unit uses text, musicand visual artsas a way for students to inquire (ask questions), think, discuss and reflect on:
- Civil rights leaders
- Equality
- Fairness
- Community
- Action - taking action in order to make the world a more peaceful place.
- Civil rights leaders use music to establish a sense of community and a common purpose.
- Throughout history, visual art has been created to spread awareness of social justice and promote action within communities.
All parents/guardians are invited to come to school on Monday, February 11 as a part of National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID). We will be highlighting some of the work from the new unit during this time.
Here is the schedule of events:
- All day - Parents/Guardians invited to school to visit your child’s classroom
- All day - Visit the Community Center for refreshments for parents from the Mitchell Staff. While there, check out the debut of our Mitchell School Quilt. Each square was hand sewn by our fourth grade students in a partnership with the Great Lakes African American Quilters Network.
- All day - Social justice art displays around the school
- 9:30- PreK-Grade 2 Assembly - Songs and sharing the current all-school music unit of study about Motown and the Motown Music Movement
- 10:15 Grade 3-5 Assembly - Songs and sharing the current all-school music unit of study about Motown and the Motown Music Movement
- 3:30 PM - Follow up discussions/activities following assembly. Many classrooms will be connecting to their recent reading of the book, Ruth and the Green Book.
Keeping the Conversation Going!
Whether or not you are able to come to school on Monday, February 11 for the assembly and NAAPID, here are some questions to ask and discuss at home that are connections to the new unit:
- How has equality and fairness changed in our country?
- What is it like when people do not have equal rights and freedom?
- What is it like for different groups of people?
Sincerely,
Matt Hilton (Principal), Alison Epler (Assistant Principal), and Wendy Rothman (IB Coordinator)
National African American Parent Involvement Day at Night February 11
NAAPID at Night will be held on Monday February 11 from 5 - 8 PM at Towsley Auditorium on the campus of Washtenaw Community College. The event is free and open to the public. For more information
Mid-Winter Break
According to the AAPS school calendar – There may or may not be school on February 15th. If there is a May 7th election, then we will have school on February 15th. But if there is not a May 7th Election, then we will not have school on February 15th. Due to the election laws, the district is unable to confirm a May election until the filing deadline of Feb. 12th. After which point the AAPS district will immediately notify families about the status of that school day. We ask that families prepare for either eventuality. Feb. 18th is a definite NO SCHOOL Day.
Parking Lot Safety - Parent Drop-Off & Pick-Up
If you drive your child to school or pick them up at the end of the day, please follow the posted signs around the school.
- PULL FORWARDin the front drive - pull as far forward as possible so others can pull forward too. Your child will exit the car on the curb side only. Stop – Kiss – Drop Off – Go. J
- NO PARKINGin the front drive. Stay in your car.
- NO PARKING on the south side of Lorraine in the afternoon. This is the pick-up line. Parking in the neighborhood or in the Scarlett lot is fine.
- PATIENCE: Please be patient and stay in line! Please do not pull out and swerve around others who are picking up and/or dropping off. We will do this as quickly as possible. Student safety is our first priority.
Registration for Girls on the Run begins Monday January 21st! Our Program at Mitchell is open to all 3rd-5th grade girls. We will meet after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 March 4th through May 17th . All registered participants will receive a healthy snack at each lesson, along with a program t-shirt and water bottle, a parent guide book and entry into the incredible Girls on the Run 5K on Saturday, May 11th. (Community members are welcome to register and run/walk with the girls.)
Girls on the Run’s curriculum based program is Much more than a running program. Click here (https://www.girlsontherunsemi.org) to learn and register. Space is limited and registration ends February 22nd. *Scholarships are available and volunteers may receive discounted registrations for their daughters. Parents may also contact Jan Duncan for additional payment support options. Email [email protected] for more program information, or contact Jan Duncan ( Mitchell’s GOTR coach) at [email protected]