Weekly Update 12/20

 Dear Wines Families, 

As we head into the winter break, I want to wish everyone a happy holiday season. 2023 has been a fantastic year at Wines and I look forward to 2024 with our kids and community. I know you’ll all agree that the Wines teachers and staff have been outstanding and they are headed off to a well-deserved break and will be ready to greet the kids on January 8th! Thanks to our staff for being the best staff in AAPS and thanks to all of you for your continued support for their success.  

International Night January 18th 

Our annual International Night is less than a month away! This is your family's opportunity to choose a country you are from, have spent time in, or are simply interested in learning about and sharing with others! Your kid(s) can teach others about your country with food, information, an activity, game, craft, or anything else that is representative. We will end the night with our Parade of Nations where your child(ren) can hold a sign representing their country of choice!

Please help us prepare by signing up here for a country to represent. This helps us ensure that we have everything we need ahead of time for your family. If you are able to help volunteer, please sign up here. 

Contact Celeste Kanpurwala with any questions at CelesteLSmith@gmail.com. 

Wines Science Olympiad Team

Calling all students grades 2-5, to join the Wines Science Olympiad Team! The team will take part in a competition on April 20th at Pioneer High School, ran by the Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO). WESO’s mission is to enhance the quality of science education, increase student interest and recognize outstanding achievement in STEM activities.

Our team hopes to help young scientists grow through compassionate teamwork and creative problem solving. Practices will begin the week of January 29th and run for 10 weeks (there will be no practices during spring break).

Adults, please consider coaching one of the events for our team - we need your help!

For registration or more information, check out the Wines Science Olympiad linktree.

Girls on the Run Spring Season at Wines - registration starts January 16, 2024

We're already starting to plan for our spring season of Girls on the Run - and there are some exciting changes this year! Registration will get started a bit earlier, and the system is changing...to a lottery. So, everyone will have an equal chance of getting a spot, regardless of when you register before the deadline. 

In order to have as many participants as possible, we need coaches! Any parent is welcome to help coach - you don't need to be a girl, or a runner, and you don't need to commit to the full time - part time help is welcome as well! We will practice 2 days per week from 4-5:30pm after school. We need 2 coaches for every 15 participants, so the more interest we have, the more help we need to allow everyone to participate. Please contact Sara Platte at sara.platte@gmail.com if you're interested in coaching. It's a really fun way to get to know the kids and families at Wines and to help build confidence, kindness, healthy habits and self-esteem for our upper-elementary girls.  

Important dates for this spring season:

Tuesday, January 16th: Program registration opens (lottery system)

Tuesday, January 30th: Lottery closes

Week of March 17th: Program begins

Friday, March 22nd: Registration closes

Sunday, May 19th: Girls on the Run 5K Celebration Event

Week of May 19th: End of season

Any parents with any questions can reach out to Sara Platte via email as well (sara.platte@gmail.com). Go GOTR!!

Easy ways to support Wines 

You don’t have to wait for the Auction to help support the Wines PTO ! Here are some great ways for them to earn funds from everyday purchases.

Minted.com - NEW

Creating holiday cards? Want to get a personalized gift for your family? Use Wines’ special code of ‘FUNDRAISEWINES’ at minted.com and enjoy 20% off at checkout ALL YEAR and Wines PTO will receive 15% of all purchases! Feel free to share the code with friends and family.

Boxtops

No more tops to clip, Boxtop educational savings is now digital! Download the iOS or Android app and sign up to support Wines Elementary. All you have to do is scan your receipt, savings are automatically sent to the PTO! 

Grocery Store rewards programs

The Wines PTO has signed up with Busch’s, Kroger, and Ann Arbor Farms for community awards. Once you link your account you are giving back to Wines students every time you shop!! Just log into your rewards programs and add Wines PTO. Links and instructions here. 

Curious what the PTO spends money on? Check out our ‘About us’ page at ptowines.org.

David