Weekly Update 11/17

Dear Wines Families, 

Just a couple of news and notes today. 

Early Release Today: Dismissal at 1:18. 

Food Drive

The Wines PTO is collecting food to donate to Food Gatherers! Food Gatherers distributes food through more than 170 partners and programs in Washtenaw County. Bins will be at the Wines entrance doors starting tomorrow through Thanksgiving break. Please send nonperishable food items and help support our community! 

Report Cards

Report Cards will be sent digitally next Tuesday. You will receive two separate emails from me. One will include your child’s report card and one will include NWEA assessment results. Young 5’s students do not take NWEA so you will receive just one email. The documents will be password protected and directions for your password will be included in the note. 

Thanksgiving Recess

There will be no school next Wednesday-Friday for Thanksgiving. 

David

 

Weekly Update 11/10

 

Dear Wines Families, 

We have a number of important notes today:

Early Pick-Ups

With the exciting news of vaccine availability for our students, we have had a large number of students being picked up during the school day for vaccination appointments this week. We most certainly encourage our kids to get the vaccine and we understand there are often other reasons for kids to leave school early as well. With that said, please remember that this is a large school and Robin is generally in the office alone so we need your help. Please inform us as soon as possible that you need to pick your child up early. While informing the teacher is a nice courtesy, due to the nature of their jobs, teachers do not regularly check email during the school day. Therefore, early pick up information must come to the office. You can call the office at (734) 994-1973 or email Robin Moore at moorero@aaps.k12.mi.us. We check voicemail throughout the day so feel free to leave a message if there is not an answer. The earlier we have the information, the easier it is to have your child ready for you. When you arrive to school, please ring the buzzer outside and we will bring your child to you. 

As I indicated earlier in the year, the end of the day is exceedingly busy. As a result, we simply cannot pull students from class after 3:15. Please make arrangements to have your child picked up before 3:15. 

We greatly appreciate your help as we partner with you to help get kids vaccinated and support you for other times when you need to pick your children up before the end of the day. We anticipate that over the next month or more as kids receive their first and then second vaccines that we will continue to have a high number of early pick-ups so your help is greatly appreciated. 

Missing Enrollment Documents

Due to the extended school closure last year and the restrictions for access to school this year, we have a number of student files that are missing pieces of enrollment paperwork. Beginning tomorrow, if your child has documents missing, you will receive an email that lists what documents we need. Next Tuesday, 11/16, from 4:00-6:00 we will be hosting a drive-up document drop off. We will meet you at your car and make any necessary copies of the missing documents. 

Notes from the Library

Wines students are voracious readers - hooray! That being said, many students have shared that they have overdue library books at home. Please help your student find their library books and return them to school. Books can be returned to the return bin at the entrance to the library at any time, even if it is not their library class day. Overdue notices will be sent home next week. Please email Rachel Goldberg (goldbergr@aaps.k12.mi.us) with any questions. 

Early Release Nov. 17

Our next Early Release Day is next Wednesday, Nov. 17. Dismissal is a 1:18 PM. 

David

Weekly Update 11/3

Dear Wines Families, 

I hope this finds you well. Here is all the news for this shortened week. 

A2 Virtual Village

Over the past trimester, I have had conversations with some families that expressed interest in exploring online instruction that is offered through the A2 Virtual Village. While we’d love to keep your child here at Wines, families have an opportunity to adjust their enrollment selection for the second trimester. As you consider your options, please note that enrollment in online programs is based on available space. More information about the online programs is available on the A2 Virtual Village website. You are welcome to email any questions that you may have to a2velementary@a2schools.org.

Click HERE to express your interest in enrolling your child in an online class by Wednesday, November 17, 2021. 

Great Idea Grants

There are only a few days left to get your Great Ideas Grant application in! Students, Staff, and Community Members are invited to apply. Students can propose grants for up to $200, grown-ups have a $750 limit. Past grants were made for playground equipment, classroom book sets, software, technology, art supplies, and even a bird bath. Think big or small!

Apply by November 5 at the link here: https://forms.gle/BqxBrUf2VYkETDVk8

Picnic Tables Assembled!

A big thanks to the Wines family members who came out Monday night to make quick work of putting together ten new picnic tables for the front courtyard, allowing students to eat outside more comfortably in the fresh air. And thank you to everyone who donated to the Runathon, making projects like this possible! Although the weather is getting cooler, we will continue to eat outside as long as the temperature is reasonable and the tables will allow us to stay outside longer into fall/winter. 

Crosswalk

I want to again send the message I sent last week about the crosswalk at the front of Wines. Please, students are not allowed to cross by themselves. They must be accompanied by an adult. Students who are by themselves must go around on the sidewalk past the gate. This is a long-standing safety measure at Wines. This is for the crosswalk at the very front of the building, not the crosswalk near the baseball field connecting to the sidewalk from Forsythe. 

David

 

Weekly Update 10/27

 

Dear Wines Families, 

Halloween Celebration 10/29. Half Day

As I wrote last week, Wines will have a Halloween celebration on Friday. We will have a parade beginning at 9:30 AM. Parents, if you are going to join, we cannot have you actually “join” the parade. Instead, I suggest you line the long sidewalk extending from the Wines parking lot, through the Forsythe playing fields, to the Hillridge cut through. It does appear that Friday will be rainy. If it is too wet, we will cancel the parade. But we will go as scheduled in light rain. Please note that Oct. 29 is a HALF DAY with dismissal at 11:28. 

Costumes are optional. If students want to wear a costume, they should plan on coming to school in costume and leaving school in costume. We will not be changing in and out of costumes at school as in years past. COVID protective masks are mandatory both inside and in the parade. Costumes must be friendly—no fake blood or weapons. The rule of thumb is that if you aren’t sure if a costume or prop is appropriate, then it probably isn’t. 

Picnic Tables are Here!! We Need Help

Thanks to the incredible community support for the Run-a-thon, we were able to purchase 10 picnic tables to make it easier for students to eat lunch in the fresh air. However, a little assembly is required. It should only take about an hour with enough people. If you're able to help and have a few tools to bring, please sign-up here. We're aiming for Monday evening, November 1, weather permitting.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B44A5A722A7FC1-wines

PTO Meeting Thursday at 7:30 PM

The Zoom information was sent in today's email. 

News from the library

Now is a great time to check your shelves for lost library books and send them back to school with your student(s) at any time. They are welcome to return books on their way to class before school starts each day. If you have questions about missing books or you’d like a list of books currently checked out to your child, please reach out to Mrs. Goldberg (goldbergr@aaps.k12.mi.us).

Great Ideas Grants Have Returned!

Do you have a great idea to support Wines Elementary?  

The Great ideas Grant program is an opportunity for Wines students, parents, and staff to turn a great idea into a funded program to benefit the Wines community! The grant approval committee meets twice a year to vote on applications. 

Submissions are now being accepted using the Google Form linked here:

https://forms.gle/K2BT31ZACxVSYwby7

It's the same application whether you are submitting an idea as a student or teacher/parent. You will see that you will have the option to select who you are in the form. The deadline for the first round of applications is November 5th. Don’t let a great idea go to waste! Submit now! Submit several! We look forward to hearing from you. For questions or more information contact: Anu Huntley at anu.agrawal.huntley@gmail.com

Crosswalk

I've noticed a few kids crossing the crosswalk at our front entrance by themselves. Please, students are not allowed to cross by themselves. They must be accompanied by an adult. Students who are by themselves must go around on the sidewalk past the gate. This is a long standing safety measure at Wines. 

No School Tuesday, Nov. 2nd

There is no school Tuesday, Nov. 2nd for Election Day. 

David

Weekly Update 10/20

Dear Wines Families, 

Just a reminder that today is an Early Release Day with dismissal at 1:18. Busses will run normal routes with the schedule simply being 2.5 hours earlier. 

Halloween Celebration 10/29. Half Day

Later this week I will send a specific email regarding our school wide plans for next Friday, Oct. 29th. But as a preview, please note that if students want to wear a costume to school, we ask that they come to school in costume and leave in costume. We will not be changing in and out of costumes. We will have a parade beginning at 9:30 AM. Please note that Oct. 29 is a HALF DAY with dismissal at 11:28. So not an Early Release like today. Look for more details later this week. 

Great Ideas Grants Have Returned!

Do you have a great idea to support Wines Elementary?  

The Great ideas Grant program is an opportunity for Wines students, parents, and staff to turn a great idea into a funded program to benefit the Wines community! The grant approval committee meets twice a year to vote on applications. 

Submissions are now being accepted using the Google Form linked here:

https://forms.gle/K2BT31ZACxVSYwby7

It's the same application whether you are submitting an idea as a student or teacher/parent. You will see that you will have the option to select who you are in the form. The deadline for the first round of applications is November 5th.

Don’t let a great idea go to waste! Submit now! Submit several! We look forward to hearing from you. For questions or more information contact: Anu Huntley at anu.agrawal.huntley@gmail.com

Final Run-a-Thon Updates

I would like to once again thank Andrea Burkhart for taking on the leadership responsibilities for Run-a-Thon this year. It was new for Andrea and it was our first “real” Wines event in almost two years. And it was a smashing success!! We are still collecting pledges this week and we are aiming for 100% participation from each class, no matter the amount. Every dollar supports facility improvements and programs inside and outside the classroom. This year, we are putting a portion of the funds toward the purchase of picnic tables for the courtyard to increase the number of days our kids can have lunch outside. Online pledges are an easy way to share with friends and family. It appears that most of our struggles with online pledges are cleared up. I did learn one potential solution if you are still having issues. Below is a link to the main Square donation page https://wines-elementary-school-pto.square.site/shop/run-a-thon/6. If you click on “Sponsor a Child” it takes you to the next link that I’ve shared previously and for some reason this way of entry fixes some of the glitches we’ve had. 

Traffic Reminders

Some of this is a repeat from last week:

Main Lot (Newport Entrance)

I am asking that upon your exit, that you exit through the Forsythe exit and not at our Newport exit. In other words, after the stop sign take your first right toward Forsythe. There is a four way stop at the Forsythe/Sunset/Newport intersection that I think (I hope) will allow for some more efficiency and safety. 

On a related noted, I have noticed a few cars coming down the driveway passing the line of cars and attempting to find parking near the school. Please, if you come into the lot once the lineup has started, you should assume that there is no available parking other than in the Forsythe overflow lot (where parking is plentiful). Bypassing the line only causes there to be potentially dangerous situations. The only vehicle that should bypass the line are busses who need to gain access to the bus pick up area. By having vehicles exit toward Forsythe as outlined above, the driveway clears for busses to have access. Also, by having vehicles exit to Forsythe, we can allow for cars to bypass the very end of the line to gain access to the Forsythe overflow lot. This should be as far as any car should go in the “bypass” lane. 

Both Lots

Please make sure you are utilizing the correct lot. Y5, Kindergarten, and 5th grade should be using the Cooley Lot only. 1st-4th used the main entrance lot. Please use the lot for the youngest sibling in the household. 

While we understand the need to have young students in car seats, it is important that the kids learn to be independent with buckling and unbuckling. Parents should not need to exit the car to assist. 

That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading! 

David

 

Weekly Update 10/13

 

Dear Wines Families, 

It has been a fun Spirit Week thus far and we are looking forward to Friday’s Run-a-Thon. 

Run-a-Thon Items

Run-a-Thon Volunteers Still Needed

We are still in need of volunteers for Friday, especially for the snack table and cleand up. Please click on the link below if you can help. You can sign up for more than one shift/role. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f48a9a823a3f49-wines

Run-a-Thon Schedule

Below is the Run-a-Thon schedule if you would like to come and cheer your child on. While the event is outside, we do strongly encourage mask wearing on school property if you join us. 

Run-a-Thon Fundraising

As you know, Run-a-thon is our largest fundraiser. Pledge packets came home last week. We are aiming for 100% participation from each class, no matter the amount. Every dollar supports facility improvements and programs inside and outside the classroom. This year, we are putting a portion of the funds toward the purchase of picnic tables for the courtyard to increase the number of days our kids can have lunch outside. Online pledges are an easy way to share with friends and family. Online pledges can be made at:

https://wines-elementary-school-pto.square.site/shop/run-a-thon/6?page=1&limit=60&sort_by=category_order&sort_order=asc. 

Afternoon Traffic Flow

As we continue to fall into our usual daily routines, I wanted to point out a couple items about our afternoon lineup in the main parking lot (Newport entrance) and make a recommendation/request. Generally speaking, while the line is long, we have a fairly efficient dismissal and I thank you all for your cooperation. However, there are a couple things I think we can improve upon that will help everyone. 

I am asking that upon your exit, that you exit through the Forsythe exit and not at our Newport exit. In other words, after the stop sign take your first right toward Forsythe. There is a four way stop at the Forsythe/Sunset/Newport intersection that I think (I hope) will allow for some more efficiency and safety. 

On a related noted, I have noticed a few cars coming down the driveway passing the line of cars and attempting to find parking near the school. Please, if you come into the lot once the lineup has started, you should assume that there is no available parking other than in the Forsythe overflow lot (where parking is plentiful). Bypassing the line only causes there to be potentially dangerous situations. The only vehicle that should bypass the line are busses who need to gain access to the bus pick up area. By having vehicles exit toward Forsythe as outlined above, the driveway clears for busses to have access. Also, by having vehicles exit to Forsythe, we can allow for cars to bypass the very end of the line to gain access to the Forsythe overflow lot. This should be as far as any car should go in the “bypass” lane. 

We will continue to monitor both the main lot and the Cooley lot and make necessary changes to the system as the year goes on. Your continued patience and help in following the procedures are most helpful! 

That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading! 

David

Weekly Update 10/6

 

Dear Wines Families, 

It was a busy and fun day at Wines today. We celebrated International Walk to School Day, we had Picture Day, and we ended the day with our annual Run-a-Thon Pep Rally—this time with our first ever outdoor assembly. Here is the news for the week! 

Run-a-Thon Friday Oct. 15

As I said, we kicked off the Run-a-Thon today with a Pep Rally featuring the Skyline Drumline and a special visit from Ms. Wahl where we dedicated our gymnasium to her for her 50+ years with AAPS. Next Friday is our annual Run-a-Thon which is not only one of them most fun days of the year, but also our most important fundraiser. In the Wednesday Folder today, you will find a Run-a-Thon packet with information about the event and how to make pledges. Pledges can be made online at https://wines-elementary-school-pto.square.site/shop/run-a-thon/6?page=1&limit=60&sort_by=category_order&sort_order=asc. Online support is a great way to reach out of town friends and family. If you are interested in helping organize Run-a-Thon in advance or help during the event itself, please contact Andrea at dredvm18@gmail.com. While Run-a-Thon is a large and important event at Wines, it is actually one of the easiest events to be a volunteer and one of the most fun volunteer opportunities at Wines. Please consider helping us “re-launch” this Wines tradition!

Spirit Week

As we lead up to Run-a-Thon, next week is spirit week. The days are as follows:

Monday: Pajama Day 

Tuesday: Wacky Hair Day

Wednesday: Favorite Team Day

Thursday: Head to toe, (hats/shoes) wacky day

Friday: Run-a-Thon Spirt Day (each classroom will come up with their team name and theme)

Girl Scouts

Is your daughter interested in joining Girl Scouts at Wines? Please contact mknezek@hotmail.com or 248-250-2512 for more information. Troops are currently forming or available K-5.

That’s all for this week! 

David