Weekly Blog 1/16

Dear Wines Families,

We have a lot of announcements today.

Wines Times

The January Wines Times newsletter is here! Please click on the link below.

 http://winespto.org/docs/wtJan19.pdf

School on Feb. 15???

According to the AAPS school calendar, there may or may not be school on February 15^th. If there is a May 7^thelection, then we will have school on February 15^th. But if there is not a May 7^th Election, then we will not have school on February 15^th. Due to the election laws, the district is unable to confirm a May election until the filing deadline of Feb. 12^th. After which point the AAPS district will immediately notify families about the status of that school day. We ask that families prepare for either eventuality. Feb. 18^th is a definite NO SCHOOL Day.

Friday Floor Hockey         

I’ve had a number of folks ask about when we would resume our weekly Friday morning floor hockey game. I would like to begin on Friday, Jan. 25^th. We need at least one, but preferably two volunteers to help keep the game organized. No experience necessary—I will “train” anyone who can help. We have adult sticks for any adult who would like to play as well. Please let me know if you can volunteer. The games starts at 8:15 every Friday. Kids can be dropped off. All the kids need are dry shoes.

International Night Wed, Jan. 30th

Thanks to everyone who already submitted a form to host a country for International Night! We still have plenty of space for more countries - below is a link to the form once again:

https://goo.gl/forms/3Cf0DZHHyPmW0SuP2

In addition to participants, we are also looking for volunteers to help during the event. There are many different roles to help out. Below is a link to a volunteer sign up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4fa8af2da1ff2-international. 

Jan. 22^nd PTO Meeting

Wines PTO presents Dr. Anthony DeBenedet (Wines parent and Author) as the speaker at the January 22, General Meeting from 7-8pm.  Childcare provided.  

Title: Playful Intelligence: Unpacking Your Childhood Wisdom. 

Bio:

Anthony T. DeBenedet, M.D. is a practicing physician and behavioral-science enthusiast. His interviews and writings have run in various media outlets, including the New York Times, the Today show, the Washington Post, andTIME Ideas. He is the author of Playful Intelligence: The Power of Living Lightly in a Serious World (Santa Monica Press, 2018) and also co-authored The Art of Roughhousing: Good Old-Fashioned Horseplay and Why Every Kid Needs It (Quirk Books, 2011). DeBenedet holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Duke University Pratt School of Engineering, a Master of Science Degree in Health and Healthcare Research from the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School, and a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Michigan Health System. DeBenedet lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he enjoys spending time with his family, connecting with friends, and playing a little basketball.

No School Monday, Jan. 21^st

In honor of the Martin Luther King Holiday, there is no school next Monday, Jan. 21^st. Our annual MLK school assembly will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 22^nd.

David

Weekly Blog 1/9

Dear Wines Families,

I hope everyone had an enjoyable winter break. In addition to lots of stories about exciting travels and activities over the break, I’ve also heard many stories from kids and parents about various illnesses going through houses over the break. If yours was one of those houses, I hope everyone is back to health and if it wasn’t in your house, hopefully it stays away! Our house was a bit hit or miss with all of us getting a touch of sickness, but fortunately nothing too bad. We head into the second half of the year with lots to look forward to!

Science Olympiad Meeting Tomorrow

WESO, Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad, is open to all 2nd through 5th graders in the Washtenaw County.  The date for competition, May 11th, 2019.  If WESO is new to you and you possibly have an interested child, please come to the information session on Jan 10th @ 7pm in the MPR.   Coordinator Anastasia Yocum and several experienced coaches will be on hand to answer questions.  

At Wines, we are an all volunteer coaching team.  At this meeting we will assign coaches to events.  It is a tradition at Wines that children of our coaching volunteers get first choice for event placement. So, please consider coaching and attending the information meeting Thursday, Jan 10 @ 7pm.

Once we know the events we're able to field to the competition, based solely on the number of coaches, a first-come; first-serve sign up genius will be release to the rest of the Wines student body on Jan 31st.  Any questions; please direct to scienceowines@gmail.com.

Guest Speaker at Jan. 22^nd PTO Meeting

Wines PTO presents Dr. Anthony DeBenedet (Wines parent and Author) as the speaker at the January 22, General Meeting from 7-8pm.  Childcare provided.  

Title: Playful Intelligence: Unpacking Your Childhood Wisdom. 

Anthony T. DeBenedet, M.D. is a practicing physician and behavioral-science enthusiast. His interviews and writings have run in various media outlets, including the New York Times, the Today show, the Washington Post, andTIME Ideas. He is the author of Playful Intelligence: The Power of Living Lightly in a Serious World (Santa Monica Press, 2018) and also co-authored The Art of Roughhousing: Good Old-Fashioned Horseplay and Why Every Kid Needs It (Quirk Books, 2011). DeBenedet holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Duke University Pratt School of Engineering, a Master of Science Degree in Health and Healthcare Research from the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School, and a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Michigan Health System. DeBenedet lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he enjoys spending time with his family, connecting with friends, and playing a little basketball.

International Night: Jan 30^th 6:30-8:00

Sign up online to host a country for International Night at:

https://goo.gl/forms/3Cf0DZHHyPmW0SuP2

Feel free to choose a country you and your child are from, have spent time in, or are simply interested in learning about and sharing with others. Teach others about the country with food, information, an activity, game, craft, or anything else that's representative. Students are also invited to march in the Parade of Nations wearing a traditional outfit from their chosen country, whether or not your family is hosting a table.

Lunchtime Extra Specials: We need you!

BIG thanks to Michael Newberry for taking over the lead for our Lunchtime Extra Specials program! Now Michael needs your help to make this unique Wines tradition a success. 

Lunchtime Extra Specials are volunteer-led, indoor activities for kids to choose from as an alternative to outdoor recess in February and March. This is one of the Wines students' favorite activities of the year, and we need volunteers to make it happen!

The commitment is only one lunchtime per week, for a total of 6 weeks, from February 5 - March 15. Younger siblings are always welcome, if you have little ones with you.

Here are some of the activities we have done in the past:

• Free Dance

• Yoga

• Knitting

• Paper Airplanes

• Legos

• Rainbow Loom

• Sewing and Crafts

• Bal-A-Vis-X

• Board Games

Please contact Michael Newberry (mnewberry88@gmail.com) to sign up to lead or assist in any area that interests you. We will schedule an orientation meeting at the school to walk through the details and answer any questions. Thank you for considering!

Robotics Competition: Saturday, January 26

Our 5^th grade robotics team lead by Ms. Schemanske will be competing at Forsythe Middle School on Saturday, January 26^th from 9:00 AM-noon. This is a great opportunity to not only cheer our kids on, but to learn about the wonders of robotics! 

That’s it for this week!

David

Weekly Blog 12/20

Dear Wines Families,

It’s hard to believe this is the last message in 2018. It’s been a great calendar year and a great school year thus far. I look forward to 2019 together (after a little break…). We have lots of important news as we end the first part of the school year. Please take a minute to read below.

PTO Guest Presenter Dr. Anthony DeBenedet: January 22^nd

Wines PTO presents Dr. Anthony DeBenedet (Wines parent and Author) as the speaker at the January 22, General Meeting from 7-8pm.  Childcare provided. 

Title: Playful Intelligence: Unpacking Your Childhood Wisdom. 

Bio:

Anthony T. DeBenedet, M.D. is a practicing physician and behavioral-science enthusiast. His interviews and writings have run in various media outlets, including the New York Times, the Today show, the Washington Post, and TIME Ideas. He is the author of Playful Intelligence: The Power of Living Lightly in a Serious World (Santa Monica Press, 2018) and also co-authored The Art of Roughhousing: Good Old-Fashioned Horseplay and Why Every Kid Needs It (Quirk Books, 2011). DeBenedet holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Duke University Pratt School of Engineering, a Master of Science Degree in Health and Healthcare Research from the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School, and a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Michigan Health System. DeBenedet lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he enjoys spending time with his family, connecting with friends, and playing a little basketball.

International Night - Wednesday, January 30th 6:30-8:00

International Night is right around the corner! If you would like to volunteer to help plan or assist during the event, please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4fa8af2da1ff2-international. 

If your family would like to represent a country and/or if your child(ren) would like to march in the Parade of Nations, sign up athttps://goo.gl/forms/3Cf0DZHHyPmW0SuP2. Feel free to host a country that your family is from, has spent time in, or simply one that is interesting to you and your child(ren). 

Science Olympiad

WESO, Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad, is open to all 2nd through 5th graders in the Washtenaw county.  The date for competition, May 11th, 2019.  If WESO is new to you and you possibly have an interested child, please come to the information session on Jan 10th @ 7pm in the MPR.   Coordinator Anastasia Yocum and several experienced coaches will be on hand to answer questions.  

At Wines, we are an all volunteer coaching team.  At this meeting we will assign coaches to events.  It is a tradition at Wines that children of our coaching volunteers get first choice for event placement. So, please consider coaching and attending the information meeting Thursday, Jan 10 @ 7pm.  Once we know the events we're able to field to the competition, based solely on the number of coaches, a first-come; first-serve sign up genius will be release to the rest of the Wines student body on Jan 31st.  Any questions; please direct to scienceowines@gmail.com.

Box Tops

Don’t forget!  Gather your Boxtops!  The first half of our Boxtops competition ends in January!  The teacher with the most Boxtops turned in will get $50 Scholastic Dollars to spend on books for the class!

Welcome Back to After School! 

Once again, AAPS Rec & Ed is offering several after school classes focused on fun, learning, movement, and discovery.  Registration is now open, and spots are filling fast! Please see class options below, and visit Rec & Ed after school classes for details. For scholarship information, click here.

Wines
The Power of Drawing: Early Winter
The Power of Drawing: Late Winter
Robotics 2
Spanish
Beginning/Intermediate Chess: Winter
Beginning/Intermediate Chess: Early Spring
 

Have a wonderful winter break. We’ll see you in 2019!

David

Weekly Blog 12/12

Dear Wines Families, 

I almost forgot to send out today's message because, quite frankly, there isn't a whole lot to report today! Just a couple of reminders as we approach Winter Break. 

Please make sure your child brings their boots, etc. home at the end of next week. We will certainly remind the kids, but the school will be locked during the entire break. We will also be cleaning out the Lost and Found again at the end of next week. 

Finally, since unlike today, last week's message was quite long and our Wines Times newsletter may have gotten lost among the multiple messages. Below is the link again if you have not had time to read the newsletter. 

http://winespto.org/docs/wtNovDec18.pdf

David

Weekly Blog 12/5

Dear Wines Families,

Just a couple of items to share this week.

Wines Times

Our Wines Times Newsletter is now available. Please take some time to read through all of the important information contained. Linked below.

Wines Times Newsletter

Book Fair

Our Book Fair is going great! Big thanks to our volunteers—particularly Stacy Gudal and Stacey Noel—for all of their time and effort. We are a little short on volunteers for tomorrow morning if anyone is available. Below is a link to sign up to help out. No experience necessary!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E49A8A722A64-book

That’s all for this week, but I hope you find some time to read through the Wines Times.

David