Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Weekly Update 3/22

 Dear Wines Families, 

It’s hard to believe that we are coming up on Spring Break! For us here at school, the Spring Break marks an important moment in our school calendar. Upon our return, it often feels like a sprint to the end of the school year with lots of school events to end the school year, and lots of planning for next fall. It is also a crucial time of year for our students as they close out their academic school term. It’s an exciting and fun time, but a busy one as well. Our staff will be rested and ready to start this sprint on April 3rd! 

Report Cards

On Friday you will receive an email from me with a secure delivery of your child’s report card. 5th grade families, you will also receive a second email with the progress report from Instrumental Music. Our teachers have worked very hard at completing up to date assessments over the past few weeks and have spent many hours reporting on student progress. While we always strive to communicate with our families in a way where report cards are an official record of information that families already know, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher. Our teachers will be on break next week, but they will certainly respond upon the resumption of school. 

Support Wines at Schuler Books This Month! 

We have just a few days left to purchase books from Schuler Books to support Wines. Until Saturday, 20% of your purchase will be donated to Wines. The 20% donation applies to books, games, toys, art supplies, puzzles, candy, stuffed animals and more!  Just mention "Wines" at checkout, or use web code WINESPTO when checking out online (https://www.schulerbooks.com). Need a good book or two to read during Spring Break? Go to Schuler Books by Saturday! 

Wines Auction: Looking for Sponsors and Art Project Volunteers

Classroom Project Volunteers Needed!

This year’s Wines Auction is on April 14th and for this event each classroom will create a unique art project that will be live auctioned off that night. This is a fun way to get the kids involved with raising money for the PTO and has produced some amazing pieces of art over the years.  We are looking for a few parent volunteers from each classroom to help plan and create projects. No art experience is needed.  We are still in need of volunteers from the following classrooms: Toohey, Shanteau, Lynch, Milanowski, Mosher, Heaton, and Spiroff.

Anyone interested please email Lauren Cunnane at lmbrooks27@gmail.com

Corporate Sponsors/Item Donations/Monetary Donation

Another opportunity to support the Auction is to be a corporate sponsor or donate items for the silent auction, or make a monetary donation to the event. 

Other Information About the Auction

The auction will be held Friday, April 14th from 6-10PM at HOMES Campus. Join us for this casual, ADULT ONLY celebration in support of our school. This year we are focusing on raising money for outdoor improvements including new soccer goals for the Upper El playground and playground equipment for the Lower El. Want to help? Have a donation? Contact Jane.lardo@gmail.com

Wines ROAR, May 19

The end of the school year may still seem far away, but planning for this year's ROAR has begun! For families who are new to Wines, the Roar is the end of the school year party with carnival games, prizes, food trucks, a huge raffle, a flush tank for the 5th graders, a dunk tank with Dr. DeYoung and more! This year's Roar will be Friday May 19th from 5-8pm. If you'd like to join the planning committee for this year's event, please contact Lizzy Hurwitz (lizzy@lizzyhurwitz.com)

AAPS PTOC Equity Fundraiser

The AAPS PTOC Equity Committee is working hard to support schools that do not have the type of support and resources that we have at Wines. They have launched its first ever equity fundraiser on GoFundMe - the $20 for $30k campaign!  

The PTOC is looking for 1500 members of the Ann Arbor community to donate $20 each. Their goal is to raise $32,500 to boost the incomes of PTOs at Title I elementary schools by $10 per student.  As of today, they have already raised over $17,000!! 

The PTO Thrift Shop, in honor of its 30th anniversary, has decided to MATCH the funds raised up to $30,000.  Please join us in thanking the PTO Thrift Shop for its commitment to our schools, students and community.    

That’s all for this week. If you are traveling next week, I wish you a safe journey. 

David


Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Weekly Update 3/15

Dear Wines Families, 

Literacy Night Tomorrow!

Join the Wines community tomorrow from 6-8pm for Literacy Night! At 6pm, everyone will gather in the cafeteria to enjoy a Reader's Theater starring Wines staff members. From 6:20-7:10, your family will have the opportunity to join teachers and special guests for read alouds and literacy activities in classrooms. You can also meet local author, Makiah Shipp, and illustrators, Hannah Anderson and Ebba Gurney. At 7:15, you can listen to local legend, professional storyteller, and retired AADL librarian, Laura Pershin Raynor, who will end our evening with a performance. It’s going to be a wonderful night of community, stories, and sharing!

Disability Awareness Workshop Coordinator Needed

Another tradition returns to Wines this spring with our annual 4th grade Disability Awareness Day. Because our 5th graders did not get the chance to have the experience last year, we are hopeful that the 5th graders can join as well. We need a parent volunteer to help coordinate the event. The coordinator simply works with the Center for Independent Living who organizes the event on logistics, scheduling, etc. In addition, we will need additional parent volunteers and the coordinator helps solicit those volunteers. You do not need to be a 4th or 5th grade parent to be the coordinator. In fact, it is nice to have a parent of a younger student take on the role so that they can do it for more than one year. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact me directly. The date of the event is May 24. Thanks for your consideration! 

Food Gatherers/Rotary Club Food Drive

As I indicated Monday, we are currently collecting non-perishable food items until March 17. Collection bins are located in the front hallway at our main entrance. Let’s fill up our bins! Literacy Night is a great time to bring in your food items. 

Support Wines at Schuler Books This Month! 

In honor of Reading Month, Wines PTO will be partnering with Schuler Books.  From Sunday, March 19 - Saturday, March 25, 20% of your purchase will be donated to Wines. The 20% donation applies to books, games, toys, art supplies, puzzles, candy, stuffed animals and more!  Just mention "Wines" at checkout, or use web code WINESPTO when checking out online (https://www.schulerbooks.com). Tell your friends and family from out of town, too!  

Wines Auction: Looking for Sponsors and Art Project Volunteers

Classroom Project Volunteers Needed!

This year’s Wines Auction is on April 14th and for this event each classroom will create a unique art project that will be live auctioned off that night. This is a fun way to get the kids involved with raising money for the PTO and has produced some amazing pieces of art over the years.  We are looking for a few parent volunteers from each classroom to help plan and create projects. No art experience is needed.  We are still in need of volunteers from the following classrooms: Toohey, Shanteau, Lynch, Milanowski, Mosher, Heaton, and Spiroff.

Anyone interested please email Lauren Cunnane at lmbrooks27@gmail.com

Corporate Sponsors/Item Donations/Monetary Donation

Another opportunity to support the Auction is to be a corporate sponsor or donate items for the silent auction, or make a monetary donation to the event. HERE is a link to the Auction donation site on the PTO website. 

Other Information About the Auction

The auction will be held Friday, April 14th from 6-10PM at HOMES Campus. Join us for this casual, ADULT ONLY celebration in support of our school. This year we are focusing on raising money for outdoor improvements including new soccer goals for the Upper El playground and playground equipment for the Lower El. Want to help? Have a donation? Contact Jane.lardo@gmail.com

Wines ROAR, May 19

The end of the school year may still seem far away, but planning for this year's ROAR has begun! For families who are new to Wines, the Roar is the end of the school year party with carnival games, prizes, food trucks, a huge raffle, a flush tank for the 5th graders, a dunk tank with Dr. DeYoung and more! This year's Roar will be Friday May 19th from 5-8pm. If you'd like to join the planning committee for this year's event, please contact Lizzy Hurwitz (lizzy@lizzyhurwitz.com)

AAPS PTOC Equity Fundraiser

The AAPS PTOC Equity Committee is working hard to support schools that do not have the type of support and resources that we have at Wines. They have launched its first ever equity fundraiser on GoFundMe - the $20 for $30k campaign!  

The PTOC is looking for 1500 members of the Ann Arbor community to donate $20 each. Their goal is to raise $32,500 to boost the incomes of PTOs at Title I elementary schools by $10 per student.  As of today, they have already raised over $17,000!! 

The PTO Thrift Shop, in honor of its 30th anniversary, has decided to MATCH the funds raised up to $30,000.  

That’s all for this week.


David


  



Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Weekly Update 3/8

 Dear Wines Families, 

Well, let’s hope last week was the end of the icy/snowy weather! My house miraculously maintained power during the ice storm last week. We weren’t so lucky this past weekend, however. I hope everyone who lost power (some of you for a second time) are up and running again! Here is the news for the week. My note is a bit long this week, but I do hope you take a few minutes to read through everything. 

Friendly Reminder: School Starts at 8:45 AM

Just a friendly reminder that our first bell is at 8:42 and we expect students to be in class by the second bell at 8:45. While there is a small “buffer” of time built in, more and more I am seeing cars not even pulling into our property until 8:50 or 8:55. The first few minutes of school are among the most important (as are the last few minutes). This is time for teachers to check in with kids, go over the schedule for the day, and a critical time for kids to get ready for their school day. In addition, we have created a schedule in our school where all classrooms have built in time first thing each morning for a morning meeting which is at crucial component to our Responsive Classrooms approach to Social/Emotional Learning. This is a time to make connections and build our common sense of belonging. Please do all you can to make getting to school on time a priority. 

PTO Meeting Tonight!

The next PTO meeting is tonight 7-8:30p in the Wines Elementary Library. Can't make it in person? Join online via Zoom: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7303088677

Food Gatherers/Rotary Club Food Drive

As I indicated Monday, we are currently collecting non-perishable food items until March 17. Collection bins are located in the front hallway at our main entrance. Let’s fill up our bins!

Literacy Night Next Thursday

Save the date for Literacy Night on Thursday, March 16, 6-8pm: Come meet local author, Makiah Shipp, and illustrators, Hannah Anderson and Ebba Gurney. Join teachers and special guests for read alouds and literacy activities in classrooms. Listen to local legend, professional storyteller, and retired AADL librarian, Laura Pershin Raynor, who will end our evening with a performance. It’s going to be a wonderful night of community, stories, and sharing. More details soon.

Support Wines at Schuler Books This Month! 

In honor of Reading Month, Wines PTO will be partnering with Schuler Books.  From Sunday, March 19 - Saturday, March 25, 20% of your purchase will be donated to Wines. The 20% donation applies to books, games, toys, art supplies, puzzles, candy, stuffed animals and more!  Just mention "Wines" at checkout, or use web code WINESPTO when checking out online (https://www.schulerbooks.com). Tell your friends and family from out of town, too!  

Wines Auction: Looking for Sponsors and Art Project Volunteers

Classroom Project Volunteers Needed!

This year’s Wines Auction is on April 14th and for this event each classroom will create a unique art project that will be live auctioned off that night. This is a fun way to get the kids involved with raising money for the PTO and has produced some amazing pieces of art over the years.  We are looking for a few parent volunteers from each classroom to help plan and create projects. No art experience is needed.  We are still in need of volunteers from the following classrooms: Toohey, Shanteau, Lynch, Harris, Gibbs, Milanowski, Parsons, Rodriguez, Mosher, Fisher, Puente, Heaton, Spiroff.

Anyone interested please email Lauren Cunnane at lmbrooks27@gmail.com

Corporate Sponsors/Item Donations/Monetary Donation

Another opportunity to support the Auction is to be a corporate sponsor or donate items for the silent auction, or make a monetary donation to the event. HERE is a link to the Auction donation site on the PTO website. 

Other Information About the Auction

The auction will be held Friday, April 14th from 6-10PM at HOMES Campus. Join us for this casual, ADULT ONLY celebration in support of our school. This year we are focusing on raising money for outdoor improvements including new soccer goals for the Upper El playground and playground equipment for the Lower El. Want to help? Have a donation? Contact Jane.lardo@gmail.com

Wines ROAR, May 19

The end of the school year may still seem far away, but planning for this year's ROAR has begun! For families who are new to Wines, the Roar is the end of the school year party with carnival games, prizes, food trucks, a huge raffle, a flush tank for the 5th graders, a dunk tank with Dr. DeYoung and more! This year's Roar will be Friday May 19th from 5-8pm. If you'd like to join the planning committee for this year's event, please contact Lizzy Hurwitz (lizzy@lizzyhurwitz.com)

Cookie Booth Saturday

The Wines Girl Scouts will have a booth set up on Saturday, March 12 from 12-4 at the front of Wines selling Girl Scout Cookies. Come get your cookies on Saturday! 

Pedestrian Crossing Flags added to Newport and Sunset Crosswalk

To increase safety while crossing Newport, the Wines PTO has installed pedestrian crossing flags to two corners at the intersection of Newport and Sunset.  Studies done by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) determined that crosswalk flags are up to 80% effective at stopping cars when used by pedestrians using them at crosswalks.

Walkers can pick up a flag from a bucket on either side of Newport and carry it while crossing the street and then deposit it in the bucket on the other side of Newport.  Please be sure to leave the flags after crossing the street!

That’s all for this week.

David


Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Weekly Update 3/1

 Dear Wines Families, 

It is certainly nice to (hopefully) be in school for a full week this week. Well, it is technically not a full week with a half day on Friday. Please see the important information about the half day below. There is a lot of information to share this week as we enter March is Reading Month and we are busy preparing for our annual auction. All of that information and more is below. Please take a few minutes to read through this fairly lengthy message today. 

Half Day Friday: Dismissal Time and Lunch

Friday is a half day of school. Please note that a half day dismissal is at 11:28 AM which is different from our Early Release schedule. There will be a “grab and go” lunch available for students. Please note that the lunch is not free and students will need to use their lunch card as they would do on a regular school day. In addition, students will pick up their lunch some time before 11:00 AM and the lunch will be sent home and will not be eaten at school (or on the bus!). Please confirm with your child if they will or will not be grabbing lunch that day—though you do not need to order in advance. 

March is Reading Month 

Happy Reading Month! Tomorrow, March 2, we’ll kick off Read Across America Day with Dress Up Like Your Favorite Book Character Day and a schoolwide read aloud in the hallway. 

And save the date for Literacy Night on Thursday, March 16, 6-8pm: Come meet local author, Makiah Shipp, and illustrators, Hannah Anderson and Ebba Gurney. Join teachers and special guests for read alouds and literacy activities in classrooms. Listen to local legend, professional storyteller, and retired AADL librarian, Laura Pershin Raynor, who will end our evening with a performance. It’s going to be a wonderful night of community, stories, and sharing. More details soon.

For fun ways to engage with Reading Month at home, check out this virtual calendar with links and ideas for every day in March. 

Support Wines at Schuler Books This Month! 

In honor of Reading Month, Wines PTO will be partnering with Schuler Books.  From Sunday, March 19 - Saturday, March 25, 20% of your purchase will be donated to Wines. The 20% donation applies to books, games, toys, art supplies, puzzles, candy, stuffed animals and more!  Just mention "Wines" at checkout, or use web code WINESPTO when checking out online (https://www.schulerbooks.com). Tell your friends and family from out of town, too!  

PTO Meeting Wednesday, March 8

The next PTO meeting is Wednesday, March 8 from 7-8:30p in the Wines Elementary Library. Can't make it in person? Join online via Zoom: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7303088677

Wines Auction: Looking for Sponsors and Art Project Volunteers

Classroom Project Volunteers Needed!

This year’s Wines Auction is on April 14th and for this event each classroom will create a unique art project that will be live auctioned off that night. This is a fun way to get the kids involved with raising money for the PTO and has produced some amazing pieces of art over the years.  We are looking for a few parent volunteers from each classroom to help plan and create projects. No art experience is needed.  Anyone interested please email Lauren Cunnane at lmbrooks27@gmail.com

Corporate Sponsors/Item Donations/Monetary Donation

Another opportunity to support the Auction is to be a corporate sponsor or donate items for the silent auction, or make a monetary donation to the event. HERE is a link to the Auction donation site on the PTO website.

Other Information About the Auction

The auction will be held Friday, April 14th from 6-10PM at HOMES Campus. Join us for this casual, ADULT ONLY celebration in support of our school. This year we are focusing on raising money for outdoor improvements including new soccer goals for the Upper El playground and playground equipment for the Lower El. Want to help? Have a donation? Contact Jane.lardo@gmail.com

Here's to some thawing temperatures! 

David