Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Weekly Blog 12/19


Dear Wines Families,

The December Wines Times was included with today's email so I won't add much information to this email. I do want to make three quick announcements, however.

First, we have a small calendar change for January. Our amazing music teacher Beth McNally will be presenting at a state conference on January 18th. That is the day we have scheduled for our Martin Luther King Holiday activities. Beth has a performance planned that includes every student at Wines. Therefore, we have shifted our celebration to the day after the holiday. We will celebrate the day on Tuesday, January 22nd with our assembly taking place at 1:30.

Second, I want to point your attention to the International Night Flyer that was also attached to today's email. International Night is January 31st.

Finally, I want to thank all of our parents who have been diligent about signing in at the office this week. Our computer sign in station has been repaired and is now operational again. Please make sure you are signing in and have a sticker on when you are in the building--even if it is just for quick visit. Over the next few days, we know there will be many special activities in the building that parents will be attending. At certain times over the next few days--particularly Friday--we will be expecting many parents at the same time. During these busier times, we will not use our computer station but instead will have a table set up outside of the office with sign in sheets and visitor stickers. Please help us as we work to ensure we are aware of every visitor in our building.

We met as district administrators yesterday to discuss potential updates to our building security plans. In the days to come, we will likely make some minor changes to our existing systems at Wines.  I will let you know as soon as plans are formalized. Major changes (i.e. a "buzzer system" to enter the school) are being discussed as well.

Have a wonderful holiday season.

David

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Weekly Blog 12/12/12


Dear Wines Families,
I’ll start today with a quick brainteaser. Today is December 12, 2012. So the date is 12/12/12. This is the last repetitive date for quite some time. Assuming for a moment that the Mayans were not correct and the world doesn’t end today, what will the date be on the next repetitive date on the calendar? As with anything, you can Google the answer quite easily. But challenge yourself to do it the old fashioned way!!

Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad registration closes this Friday, December 14th. Register your child online at: http://winespto.org/ScienceOlympiad/scienceRegistration.html or you may print the form in the attachment and return it to your child’s teacher. We still need coaches to make the event a success. If you have an interest in Map Reading, Describe It/Build It, Endangered Animals, Flowers or Paper Airplanes, we need your help! To all second grade families, this is a great event for your child to become involved. The attachment describes the Olympiad and answers many questions or you may contact kellymichaelssoluk@gmail.com or david.creen@benefitfocus.com for more information.

Quick Survey
Our PTO is making short and long term plans to try to make their meetings as accessible to as many parents as possible. Below is a link to a one-question survey about meeting times. If you could please take a moment to fill it out, our PTO would really appreciate it!
PTO Survey

News from the Library
Attached to today's email was the latest newsletter from Sally Evaldson in the Media Center. Please have a look.

Winter Vacation Learning
I want to again remind everyone that if you are looking for opportunities to keep your child’s brain stimulated (and perhaps keep them busy!) during the winter break, we have again teamed up with ThinkStretch. You can download materials at:http://www.thinkstretch.com/brainfreeze/
Enter promo code: Winter12

Holiday Gifts
I want to remind everyone that it is school district policy that staff members cannot accept gifts from families beyond “token value.” I understand that at this time of year, parents and children like to express their appreciation to teachers and other staff. Speaking for the staff, please know that we feel your appreciation every day! A donation to a local charity in our school’s name or a teacher’s name is a great gift to us for the holidays. The Peace Neighborhood Center is a wonderful organization right in our backyard if you need a good idea.

Thanks!

David

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Weekly Blog 12/5


Dear Wines Families.

I have a number of important announcements this week.

Giving Season
Wines is currently participating in four different giving opportunities.

Preschool Family Center Giving Tree. Every December the Wines community looks for ways to support those in Ann Arbor who may need a little something extra during the holiday season. This year we have partnered with the Ann Arbor Preschool and Family Center who have many basic classroom needs. We now have a Giving Tree outside of the office filled with mittens labeled with items to donate. If you would like to help the Preschool, please take a mitten and return the purchased gift to the office before December 21st. This is a wonderful project to involve your child in! For more info, check out:  http://www.a2schools.org/preschool.home/about_our_program.

Winter Coat Drive. The Reinhart Company is currently collecting winter coats for those in need. A box is set up in our lobby near the display case. We welcome all coats in good condition. We have dry cleaners donating their services for wool coats that need to be cleaned. If the coat is washable, it would be great to have them washed before they are dropped off. However, we will clean them if that is not possible. Children’s coats are always in high demand!  Please go through your closets and see if anyone has an extra coat to donate to those less fortunate!

Student Council/Food Gatherers Canned Food Drive. Our Canned Food Drive continues until Dec. 19th. Bins are situated around the building.

Peer to Peer Puzzle Donations. Cleaning out old toys to make way for new? Do you have puzzles your children no longer enjoy? Do you have puzzles with missing pieces? Don't throw them out! Donate them to Wines Peer to Peer program. We will be making projects that use puzzle pieces and would love to put them to good use! Donations will be accepted until Dec. 21. A box will be placed right next to the coat drive box in the lobby.

ThinkStretch Winter Learning
We have again teamed up with ThinkStretch to offer learning opportunities when school is not in session during Winter Break. A downloadable packet is available to every Wines student. Each packet contains:
·       A BrainFreez! reading log
·       Math facts quick review
·       Winter writing activity
·       Winter science and art fun

Here's the link: http://www.thinkstretch.com/brainfreeze/
Enter promo code: Winter12

Extra Specials
A reminder that Lunchtime “Extra Specials” begin in January for grades 1-5. We are still in need of volunteers. Attached to today's email was an informational flyer.

Extra Kids Magazines?
If you have any extra kids magazines (Ranger Rick, etc.) lying around, we have a couple of classroom projects that could use them. You can drop them off in the office or directly to Kathy Perry or Janeen Eckel.

Thanks!

David