Weekly Update 6/12

 Dear Wines Families,

Greetings from Camp Tanuga where the 5th graders, the 5th grade teachers and I are enjoying some fantastic final few days together. We usually go to camp earlier in June/late May but the schedule has us here during the final week of school this year and it has been great timing for everyone! 

So, we have come to the final weekly message of the school year. I want to thank our community for another wonderful year and I hope everyone has a great summer. We have had some district level and other challenges that have impacted our school, but our staff, students, and our entire community have stayed together and as I sit here now, I have nothing but wonderful memories about this year and excitement about next year. We say goodbye to many special students, parents, and staff but we also look ahead to new faces—including over 100 Young 5’s and Kindergarten students next year! Here are the final messages of the year. 

Dismissal at 11:30 Tomorrow

We will begin Driveline around 11:25 or so. While the last day of school is special, we need to make sure everyone gets home safe so please follow the regular dismissal/Driveline procedures. If you are planning on greeting your child at school, please make sure you park in a designated parking spot. 

Report Cards

Report Cards will be emailed via secure delivery tomorrow afternoon. Kindergarten through 5th grade families will receive three separate emails. You will receive your child’s report card from their teacher, the special area class report card, and NWEA assessment results. Young 5’s will receive the report card and special area report but not NWEA scores. 

5th Grade Clap Out

We will clap out our 5th graders at approximately 11:20 on Thursday. Parents are welcome to join us. The best place for parents to view is at the Kindergarten entrance in the Cooley lot as that is where the 5th graders exit as they head back to the modular building one final time. 

1st Day of School August 26th

I know no one is thinking about the first day of school right now, but our first day will be August 26th. I will be in communication over the summer regarding our back to school events. 

Thanks again for a wonderful school year.

David

Weekly Update 6/5

 Dear Wines Families,

My apologies for the lateness of today’s message but it has been a busy and fun day here at Wines. The 5th graders from Mr. Mosher’s class played an incredible game of kickball against the staff today and it was the closest game we have had in my 14 years at Wines. Thanks to a late inning rally, the staff pulled out a dramatic come from behind 7-4 victory over the 5th graders from “Mod 5” who played their hearts out. Thanks to Finn Brader who won the opportunity for his class to play in the game at the raffle last week. 

Last Day of School June 13 (Half Day)

It is hard to believe we are in the final full week of school. Just a reminder that the last day of school is next Thursday, June 13. That is a half day with school dismissal at 11:30 AM. 

Staffing Update

Unfortunately, due to the AAPS budget challenges, a number of AAPS teachers received layoff notices this week. We feel for all of those wonderful professionals and hope that they are recalled later or are able to continue their careers in another district. While this is certainly no time to celebrate, I am pleased to report that no Wines teachers are impacted by the district layoffs. 

What a ROAR!!

Last Friday’s ROAR was simply amazing! We had great weather and it was wonderful to see so many kids and families having a so much fun! I want to thank everyone who helped put this HUGE event on. I want to specifically thank our ROAR and Raffle leaders who worked hard all year to organize this special event for our community. Thank you to Andrea Huang, Marti Clark, Janice Guikema, Sarah Lesch, Deanna Cook, Jasmina Camo-Biogradlija, Kate Galvin, and Jourdan Ludwig. Each of these amazing parents worked tirelessly to make the event such a success! And these folks could not have done it without the support of a large army of volunteers, so thank you to everyone who pitched in!

Library update:

Book return: Please return all library books. If your child has lost a book, you are welcome to send in a new replacement book or reach out to Ms. Goldberg (goldbergr@aaps.12.mi.us) to find out the replacement fee. Thank you and happy summer reading/gaming at the Ann Arbor District Library!

AADL Summer Game update: We have your first code of the 2024 Summer Game! You can enter the code now, even though the Summer Game doesn’t start officially until June 13.  Huge congratulations to Charlotte from Ms. Puente’s class, who came up with our 2024 Ann Arbor District Library Summer Game Code: 

WILDCATSREADBOOKS

Codes can be redeemed for points in two ways:

1) Texting the code to 734-327-4200

2) Signing in to a player's AADL account and redeeming game codes here: https://aadl.org/play

If all of this talk of the Summer Game is new to you, don’t fear! Stop by any library branch and they will answer your questions. Feel free to reach out to Ms. Goldberg with questions, too. 

Fantastic Field Day

Big thanks to Darcy Knoll for organizing an outstanding Field Day yesterday. Like most things at Wines, we can’t do them without the help from our families and nearly 50 parent volunteers came out to help and have some fun. 

Chromebook Return

We collected Chromebooks and chargers from about half of our students today. Your child’s teacher should have alerted you regarding what day devices are being collected in their classroom. Please be sure to return both the device AND the charger. If your child had their Chromebook collected today and they forgot the charger, please return those tomorrow. 

David

Weekly Update 5/29

 Dear Wines Families,

It’s an exciting week here at Wines with the ROAR on Friday and then lots of fun things headed our way over the next couple of weeks. Please take a few minutes to read through today’s important messages. 

Final Wines ROAR Message

The Wines ROAR is almost here – happening THIS Friday, May 31st, 5-8pm!  Don’t miss out!

• Want to get a picture or toss a football with the National Football champs?  Don’t forget to buy your wristband, food tickets, and raffle tickets here.  Pickup what you ordered during drop off or pickup or at the ROAR.  

• Volunteer for short (30 min) shifts at the event. **We are still in need of volunteers, especially for the raffle drawing, dunk, and flush tanks! Please sign-up asap!**

• Don’t forget to bring your decorated cake to school by 9am on Friday morning, 5/31! The theme is “We Love our Teachers & Staff!”. You can also donate store bought baked goods for prizes!  

• Preview the many amazing raffle prizes here!

Congratulations Wines Retirees! 

I have a bittersweet announcement today that three of our fabulous teachers will be retiring at the end of the school year. 

Millie Fisher: Millie Fisher has been a teacher at Wines for over 20 years. Millie has primarily taught 3rd and 4th grade and also spent a year as a second grade teacher. Teaching was a second career for Ms. Fisher as she was formerly in the corporate world. Millie is a true leader and is always the “go to” person for other staff members on issues related to school and issues more personal in nature. Millie has always been someone who is willing to come to my office to advocate for her kids and her colleagues. Rarely, if ever, did she advocate for herself and she always put others’ needs in front of her own. Millie had firm expectations for her class and ran a “tight ship.” However, that ship was always full of positive relationships with students and she is consistently the teacher where students come back year in and year out to visit and stay connected. Thank you, Millie for an outstanding career! 

Julie Spiroff: Julie leaves Wines after a 30-year teaching career with 26 of those years being at Wines as a 5th grade teacher. Julie started teaching in Wisconsin spending four years as a middle and high school science teacher before coming to Ann Arbor. Julie always stressed academics and held students accountable with high expectations for everyone. In doing so, she gave every student the confidence and support they needed to meet her high expectations. My twin sons were in her class a few years ago and I remember well at our parent teacher conference where she told one of my boys to make sure he always had his “head up and shoulders back” meaning he needed to have confidence. This resonated with him and made him a better 5th grade student and now as a very confident 10th grade student. He still credits Ms. Spiroff for his academic confidence. I know Julie had the same impact on hundreds and hundreds of students. Thank you, Julie!

Jennifer Puente: Jen started her career working in the childcare program at Northside Elementary. She then became a Special Education Teaching Assistant at Northside while pursuing a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy. Ultimately, Physical Therapy was not her calling and she decided to be a teacher and went back to school to get a degree in education. Once she completed her teaching degree, Jen started teaching first grade at Bryant Elementary. She taught both 1st and 2nd grades at Bryant for 20 years and came to Wines in 2019 where we are proud to be her last stop in a wonderful career! 

Student Chromebook Collection

On Monday, June 3rd through Thursday, June 6th we will collect all Chromebooks & chargers for storage over the summer.  Please make sure your child has their AAPS issued device in school on the designated collection day for their class. Classroom teachers will include their device collection day in their newsletter. If you have other AAPS technology issued equipment please send it in with your child. This may include hotspots, iPads, or older-model Chromebooks.

Please Return all Library Books

If your child has lost a book, you are welcome to send in a new replacement book or reach out to Ms. Goldberg (goldbergr@aaps.12.mi.us) to find out the replacement fee. Thank you!

A2ZERO Week June 9 – 15  

Fun, free events celebrating sustainability and climate action throughout the week!   Starting June 4, pick up your Passport to Fun at any AADL branch to get started on activities and enter the prize drawing.  For details including a full listing of events please go to a2gov.org/a2zeroweek. 

David

Weekly Update 5/22

 Dear Wines Families,

Things are getting a little sticky as summer weather has arrived this week. We are all feeling fortunate for our air conditioning that is new to most of our school this year! Top on the list in today’s message is the Wines ROAR which is next Friday! Please consider volunteering or contributing to make this event a success! 

Wines ROAR is Next Friday! 

The Wines ROAR is almost here – happening Friday, May 31st, 5-8pm on the Wines Upper El playground area! We sent an email about the raffle and all the fun planned for the end of year celebration. This is a great chance to see other families and have fun welcoming in summer (which kinda welcomed itself this week)!  

To make this an exceptional event for everyone we do need your help! Three easy ways to do so are:

• Volunteer for short (30 min) shifts at the event. **We are in need of volunteers!!! Please consider signing up for one or two shifts per family!

• Donate to classroom baskets or contribute other items for the raffle by this Friday (May 24). Proceeds from the Raffle are not only to help support teachers needs in the classrooms and supplement our specials but also for improvements on the playground, field trips and more!

• Start planning with your child now for the cake decoration contest – the theme is ‘We Love our Teachers and Staff.’ (Due at school by 9am on May 31st to be considered). Your kid doesn't want to make a cake? No worries! You can also just send in store bought cookies, cupcakes, cakes or donuts to be given out as prizes for the musical cakes event. 

Field Day Volunteers

Field Day is Tuesday, June 4th.  3rd-5th grade will be in the morning and Y5-2nd will be in the afternoon. We are looking for volunteers to assist with this event. If you are interested, please click on the link below. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Knoll at thorpekn@aaps.k12.mi.us.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48A4A629A57-49697714-field

IMPORTANT: Re-Enrollment for 2024-25

Each year, returning families are required to re-enroll. Thank you to the over 200 families who have completed this task. Every family received an email with directions for enrollment for the 2024-25 school year. It is important that everyone do this as soon as possible. The email will come from noreplyenrollment@powerschool.com. These emails often end up in SPAM/Junk folders so please check those folders. The process does not take very long but this is critical to our planning for next fall.

David

Weekly Update 5/15

 Dear Wines Families,

There is a lot of important information today, but I did try to keep this message as short as possible. Please consider volunteering at the ROAR! This is a big event and takes a great deal of volunteers to make it a success. Shifts are short, fun, and easy!!! Here is the news for the week. 

Early Release Today

Just a reminder that dismissal is at 1:00 today. There is no afternoon childcare.

2024-2025 Before and After Care Registration

Speaking of childcare, we are pleased to announce that Wines will again host before and after care for the next school year. Registration opens today at 10:00 AM. Below is an informational flyer with options, costs, etc.

Art Night: Tomorrow!

Join us for our annual Art Night tomorrow from 6:30-7:30. Come and browse the hallways that are full of great student artwork. Come for a few minutes or come for the whole time! Bring some cookies to share if you are able.

Wines ROAR!

The Wines ROAR is almost here – happening Friday, May 31st, 5-8pm on the Wines Upper El!  This end of year celebration is a great chance to see other families and have fun welcoming in summer!  

While the main purpose of the event is to bring our community together, we also host a raffle to raise money for the school. (Want more info about the raffle? We sent an email about the raffle earlier this week that you can check out here.) Previous earnings have helped pay for our new soccer goals, basketball hoops, field trips, community events, teacher discretionary funds, and more! To help make the raffle and the ROAR spectacular we need your help! 

• Donate to Classroom baskets or contribute items for the raffle

• Volunteer for short (30 min) shifts at the event. 

Start planning now and talk to your child about a cake for the decoration contest – the theme this year is "We Love our Teachers and Staff!" Students can decorate their cake in honor of their favorite teachers/ staff, subjects, or any part of school!

Field Day Volunteers

Field Day is Tuesday, June 4th.  3rd-5th grade will be in the morning and Y5-2nd will be in the afternoon. We are looking for volunteers to assist with this event. If you are interested, please click on the link below. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Knoll at thorpekn@aaps.k12.mi.us.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48A4A629A57-49697714-field

IMPORTANT: Re-Enrollment for 2024-25

Each year, returning families are required to re-enroll. Last week, every family received an email with directions for enrollment for the 2024-25 school year. It is important that everyone do this as soon as possible. The email will come from noreplyenrollment@powerschool.com. These emails often end up in SPAM/Junk folders so please check those folders. The process does not take very long but this is critical to our planning for next fall.

Noon Hour Volunteers Needed

Looking for a great way to spend some time at Wines and help our kids out in the lunchroom and the playground? We are looking for noon hour volunteers as our crew has thinned a bit temporarily with vacations and other commitments. This is a very fun job and now that the weather has turned a bit, it won’t be cold! If you are interested, please contact our coordinator Randa Choate at choate.rj@gmail.com.

David

Weekly Update 5/8

 Dear Wines Families,

As is the case at this time of year, my messages get a little longer. I sincerely hope you take a few minutes to read through all of this important information. 

IMPORTANT: Re-Enrollment for 2024-25

Each year, returning families are required to re-enroll. Today every family will receive an email with directions for enrollment for the 2024-25 school year. It is important that everyone do this as soon as possible. The email will come from noreplyenrollment@powerschool.com. These emails often end up in SPAM/Junk folders so please check those folders. The process does not take very long but this is critical to our planning for next fall. 

PTO Meeting Tonight

PTO Meeting and Elections

7:00-8:30 PM. Wines Library

There is a Zoom option. That info was sent in today's email. 

Join us for the last PTO meeting of the year. We’ll discuss how we can continue to support our teachers and staff and plans for the end of year Wines Roar. We will also elect a new slate of officers to lead the PTO next school year. Online meeting info to come next week.

More PTO

The PTO needs you! Are you passionate about Wines and would love to be more involved? Do you love planning and organizing? We would love to have you on our executive board next year! Reach out to Jaimie Sussman for more details if you are interested! jaimiesussman@gmail.com

Art Night: May 16

Art Night is fast approaching on Thursday May 16th.  Volunteers will be needed to hang art and help on the evening of the event. Please sign up below if you are able to help.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054CAEAF22A64-49262593-artshow

Also, for those attending the event, if you are able to donate cookies, you can bring them with 

you!

Wines ROAR!

The Wines ROAR is almost here – happening Friday, May 31st, 5-8pm!  There was a lengthy email sent on Monday with everything you need to know for the end of year event.  HERE is a copy of that email. It’s a great way to celebrate the year, meet other families, and just have some fun. To make this an exceptional event for everyone we do need your help! Three easy ways to do so are:

• Donate to Classroom Baskets or contribute other items for the raffle

• Have your child decorate a cake for the decoration contest the day of the ROAR (to be used for Musical Cakes). 

• Volunteer for short (30 min) shifts at the event.

AAPS STEAM and CTE Expo Tuesday, May 14th from 6:00-7:30 PM at Skyline

What is the Expo?

The Expo is a great way for AAPS to showcase/show amazing work, through student work, capstone projects, and student demonstrations.  Think of it as similar to a band concert or art show.  It is also a great way for students to check out program offerings.  Additionally, it is a great way for our business partners to connect with AAPS students and families.

When is the Expo?

The 2024 AAPS STEAM and CTE Expo will be on Tuesday, May 14th from 6:00-7:30 pm in the Skyline Commons

What should I expect as an attendee?

Presenters will be showcasing student work, having student presenters, and may even integrate hands-on demonstrations.   Look forward to an opportunity to learn more about our PLTW and CTE programs offered throughout the district from the students and teachers who engage in these activities daily.

Noon Hour Volunteers Needed

Looking for a great way to spend some time at Wines and help our kids out in the lunchroom and the playground? We are looking for noon hour volunteers as our crew has thinned a bit temporarily with vacations and other commitments. This is a very fun job and now that the weather has turned a bit, it won’t be cold! If you are interested, please contact our coordinator Randa Choate at choate.rj@gmail.com.

David

Weekly Update 5/1

 Dear Wines Families,

Welcome to May! As we come to the last month and a half of school, there is still a lot to do and a lot to learn! As usual at this time of year, my messages often get a little longer. I will try to keep them as brief and to the point as possible. Hopefully everyone can take some time to read through today’s message as it has important messages from our PTO, safety items, Staff Appreciation Week, Information about the Wines ROAR (the Wines version of the end of year Ice Cream Social), Art Night, and more. 

Important Message from the PTO

PTO Supporting Teachers and Staff 

More From the PTO

PTO Meeting and Elections

Wednesday, May 8

7:00-8:30 PM, Wines Library

Join us for the last PTO meeting of the year. We’ll discuss how we can continue to support our teachers and staff and plans for the end of year Wines Roar. We will also elect a new slate of officers to lead the PTO next school year. Online meeting info to come next week.

ATTENTION: Parking Lot Safety

On Monday we had a very close call where a car nearly hit a parent in the crosswalk in front of school. Fortunately, no one was hurt but I want to highlight two important things:

1) It is crucial that drivers are hyper aware of your surroundings in our parking lots. You really can’t be too careful. 

2) As has been the rule for many years, students are never allowed to cross the crosswalk without an adult. Fortunately, this near miss did not involve a student because the outcome may have been quite different. 

Staff Appreciation Week

Next week is Staff Appreciation Week and we can't wait to celebrate our amazing teachers and staff at Wines, and we would love your help making this week special! 

On Sunday, May 5, please join us outside of the school at 1pm to decorate the sidewalks with messages to our teachers. Tell your friends! We would love messages and art from lots of kids! If it is rainy, we will reschedule. 

On Monday, May 6, feel free to send a note and/or a plant or flower to your teachers! This is a great opportunity to tell the staff just how thankful we are for them. 

The PTO has lots of treats planned for our teachers including chair massages, breakfast, etc. Thank you so much for your continued support. We all know Wines teachers are THE BEST!

Wines ROAR! 

It’s hard to believe it's almost the end of the school year! Come join us for our annual end-of-the-year celebration, the Wines ROAR Friday, May 31st, 5-8pm! The event includes food, games, raffle, prizes, musical cakes, and more! Details to follow in ROAR specific emails on Mondays leading up to the event. Like any event, our community’s contribution helps make it a success! Consider helping out by: 

• Donating to the WISH LIST! Sign up to donate popular items (or cash) for the raffle. (Other ways to contribute to the Raffle coming in Monday’s email). 

• Volunteering for a shift (30 min) at the ROAR, by running a carnival game, passing out food, selling tickets, and more!

• Baking & Decorating a baked cake (or cupcakes!) for our Musical Cakes game and contest.  Students will bring in their decorated cakes on the day of the ROAR and teachers will vote and judge. The theme this year is "We Love our Teachers!" and students can decorate their cake in honor of their favorite teachers, subjects, or any part of school. The decorated cakes will be later used as prizes for the Musical Cakes game at the ROAR. We also welcome donated baked goods for the Musical Cakes game.

Lastly, don't forget about your chance to dunk Dr. DeYoung and some of our teachers!

Art Night: May 16

Art Night is fast approaching on Thursday May 16th.  Volunteers will be needed to hang art and help on the evening of the event. Please sign up below if you are able to help.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054CAEAF22A64-49262593-artshow

Noon Hour Volunteers Needed

Looking for a great way to spend some time at Wines and help our kids out in the lunchroom and the playground? We are looking for noon hour volunteers as our crew has thinned a bit temporarily with vacations and other commitments. This is a very fun job and now that the weather has turned a bit, it won’t be cold! If you are interested, please contact our coordinator Randa Choate at choate.rj@gmail.com.

David