Weekly Update 3/2

 Dear Wines Families, 

Apologies in advance for a lengthy message this week. I do hope you take a few minutes to read this as there is a lot going on now and over the next few weeks! 

Library/March is Reading Month Update

Happy Read Across America Day! Of course, while it is fun and exciting to join in this nationwide celebration, we delight in reading and sharing stories every day. This year, during Reading Month, we are celebrating storytelling in several ways and we hope you’ll join us at home. 

At home: 

• Wines Storycatchers is a Flipgrid site where students, families, teachers, staff members, and friends can all record video responses to weekly prompts and watch others’ video responses. This week’s prompt is: What is a story that you and your family or your friends enjoy reading, listening to, or telling together?

• Click here to join the Wines Storycatchers group. If you have any issues logging in, please email Mrs. Goldberg - goldbergr@aaps.k12.mi.us. 

• Check back regularly to view others’ responses and look forward to a new prompt each week. Prompts will be shared in the weekly email as well as on Mrs. Goldberg’s teacher page on Clever. 

• Celebrating Stories Family Calendar is a calendar of activities, discussion prompts, book lists, and video read alouds for Wines families to celebrate stories all month long. You’ll also find links to the weekly Storycatchers prompts here, too. 

In classrooms: 

• Fifth Grade Readalouds are pre-recorded video stories from our fifth grade students that will be shared by classroom teachers each week. The fifth graders are shining stars and they’re choosing the stories they want to share with the whole school. In this way, we’re continuing to build a community around storytelling even when we’re not all in the same physical space to read together. 

• Save the Date for Book Character Dress Up Day on March 25, where we’ll have a special story time with Dr. DeYoung (dressed as his favorite character, of course). 

Stay tuned for regular updates on activities in the library and across the school as well as ways to participate at home. We can’t wait to see your responses on the Wines Storycatchers site, too, as we continue to build community around storytelling.

WINES AUCTION APRIL 9th @ LIVE

Tickets are on sale now for the this adult only can’t miss event!  Find all the details and get your tickets at www.winesptoauction.com/tickets

Have something you want to donate or think your company would be a great sponsor?  Email winesptoauction@gmail.com for more information.

We still need Wine for Wines!

Speaking of the auction, we still need wine! Our auction this year will feature a wine toss, and we are hoping to collect around 75 bottles of wine to make this event fun and interesting, we currently have 25 (a big thanks to those who have already donated!). Wine donations can be dropped off at the Wines office right after pickup (4pm) on March 3, 10 and 17th.  If you have any questions, or if you need alternative arrangements for your wine donation, please contact Jen Hofmeister at 734.355.6625. 

Next Restaurant Fundraiser

Our second restaurant fundraiser is coming up at Noodles and Company on Wednesday 3/16 from 4-8pm. You don’t have to cook dinner and support our awesome school! Noodles and Company will be donating a percentage of sales to our PTO. Just be sure to mention Wines when ordering!

Country Fair Volunteers Needed

Our PTO is looking for volunteers to help with our auction and Country Fair. These events require a lot of work, and we would love your help! If you are able to volunteer in any capacity, please reach out to Jaimie Sussman at jaimiesussman@gmail.com.

Some Restrictions Lifting!! 

As you may have heard, AAPS is beginning to lift some of our COVID related restrictions. Specifically, we have begun to allow limited visitors and parent volunteers! I am still working with my supervisors and with the Wines staff to understand the parameters and limitations and I will be in contact soon with some more information on how parents can begin to return to our school in person! Please allow us a few days to get everyone on the same page so we can have consistent messages for everyone. This is exciting news! 

Another Girl Scout Drive Through

We will be hosting the K-1 Wines Girl Scout troop drive-thru cookie sale this coming Saturday, March 5 from 2-4pm. 

That’s all for this week. Thank you for reading. 

David