February 2016 - Burns Park PTO

Upcoming Events
2/1 No School
2/5 BPP “ My Fair Lady” 7:30pm - Tappan
2/6 BPP “My Fair Lady” 4pm - Tappan
2/8 NAAPID
2/10 Student Count Day
2/15-19 Midwinter Break
2/21 BP Press articles due
2/22 School resumes
2/23 Kindergarten Round-Up, 6pm
BP Press
2/24 Burns Park Blood Drive 1:30-7:30pm
February 2016
2/26 Special Interest Fair
This issue and all back issues of the BP Press are
available online at http://www.burnsparkpto.org
Letter from the Presidents
Dear Members,
February is here and there is lots to love at Burns Park!
Over 100 of our students continue to shine in the Burns Park
Players production of My Fair Lady. Don’t miss your chance to
see it this weekend with shows on Friday evening and
Saturday afternoon. If you do attend, we’d also like to
encourage you to purchase snacks, drinks and flowers from
our fifth grade students who are working concessions. All
proceeds from the concessions will be used towards their
graduation ceremony in the Spring.
Our PTO Special Interest Fair will be held this month on
Friday, February 26. We look forward to seeing all the
amazing and creative areas of interest the students will share.
At our PTO meeting in January, we discussed several
upcoming initiatives. In our continued support of our school’s
literacy program, we plan to fund new books for our teacher’s
in-class libraries. A committee led by Mrs. Crankshaw and Ms.
Kind will access the current needs of our teachers.
Additionally, we continue to work at addressing physical
improvements within our building. We voted to fund a
fourth grade field trip to the Ann Arbor Symphony sponsored
by Ms. Noble and will provide additional funds for fifth grade
graduation.
February 2016
This month, mid-winter vacation is February 15 through
February 19 and the PTO will not meet. Our next General
Meeting will be on Thursday, March 24, at 7:00 p.m. We look
forward to seeing you there. On behalf of our PTO, please
enjoy a safe and happy winter break!
Lauren Kinsherf
[email protected]
Burns Park Press
Sylvia Marino
[email protected]
1
From the Principal
Dear Burns Park Families,
I write to you in the afterglow of last night’s first
performance of My Fair Lady by the Burns Park Players. I am
very grateful to serve a community of people who gather to
experience art in celebration of the human experience.
Each day I experience our children in their care for others,
their wonder and curiosity, and their ever-surprising talent
and creativity.
I’m glad that the larger Ann Arbor community gets a chance,
from time to time, to see what I see at Burns Park Elementary
School. The adult skills and gifts presented in these
productions, is remarkable, but I can’t help but believe the
true highlights of the show for many are our children’s
contributions.
We’re happy to announce that Kelly McGuire, our speech and
language therapist, is returning this month from a long
recovery after serious surgery. Kelly, you were sorely missed
and we are happy to have you back!
As we begin our second semester of our current school year, I
want to repeat information regarding instruction and
assessment that I shared with you two weeks ago.
During our two recent staff meetings, we have been focused
NWEA test results to set growth goals for students in
Reading and Math. This is an example of the best use of
student assessment information. Effective assessments help
us in the following three ways:
Reporting to Stakeholders: Assessments should be used to
report to the community, including taxpayers, state
governing agencies, students and their families, and district
leadership, regarding student learning and progress toward
career and college readiness.
Program Evaluation: Assessments should be used to
measure the effectiveness of our curriculum and
programming and their implementation.
Informing Instruction: Assessments should be used to focus
and differentiate instruction. Powerful teaching is always
connected to previous learning. In order for sustained
academic growth, we must understand what students know
and what they need to know next.
February 2016
Our current work in using NWEA data for student goal
setting is an example of assessment being used for all three
purposes, simultaneously, and is an efficient and balanced use
of testing and assessment data.
Our current assessment and goal setting work in
Mathematics is also aligned with our building School
Improvement Plan.
As you remember, one of our major school improvement
goals is the improvement of performance and learning for all
students in math. In order to attain this goal, we knew we
had to have the following in place:
1. Clear and consistent targets across a continuum of
learning
2. Assessments that informed us regarding attainment of
targets and next steps for learning.
3. Tools for differentiation including acceleration and
remediation.
In the past two years we have set up Khan Academy accounts
for all students and are consistently using KA as an
instructional tool in grades 2-5. As teachers identify math
growth targets for each student, they are able to assign
specific Khan Academy lessons that will help students attain
those goals.
Because of our PTO’s very generous support, we now have 12
Chromebook computers in each 2-5 classroom, which enables
(among many other learning opportunities) the ability to
provide daily, targeted, and individualized math instruction
for every student.
Burns Park Press
2
From the Principal, continued …
PTO Executive Board
As I have done previously, I want to link the work we are
doing for academic learning with school and community
experiences such as our celebration of Dr. Martin Luther
King, music and art instruction at school, and community
projects such as the Burns Park Player’s productions.
Principal
Chuck Hatt | 994-1919 | [email protected]
It is important for us to nurture the spirit and imagination
of our students and community. As we remember the best
and most positive legacies from our past, and celebrate the
human experience through story, dance and song, we grow
our student’s desire and ambition for a just and caring
society and a full and joyful community experience. At the
same time, we empower our students by teaching for the
attainment of their full academic potential.
Presidents
Lauren Kinsherf | [email protected]
Sylvia Marino | [email protected]
President - Elect
Marie Todd | [email protected]
Treasurers
It is this education of the whole child; body, mind and spirit,
that we partner for. Public education is still one of the best
hopes for an America, in which social and economic
mobility, and the protection of freedom and dignity are
assured for all.
Dan Hamalainen | [email protected]
Shawn Ye | [email protected]
Secretaries
Amy Huang | [email protected]
Again, I am grateful to be a part of the Burns Park
Elementary community. Our work for our children at school
and in the broader community is a significant portion of
what defines us as individuals and a society. Thank you for
letting me join you in this work.
Laura Whitridge | [email protected]
Fundraising Coordinators
Jennifer Monk-Reising | [email protected]
Marie Todd | [email protected]
Your Principal,
Chuck Hatt
Volunteer Coordinator
JoLynn Montgomery | [email protected]
At- Large Members
Molly Crankshaw | [email protected]
Helen Levy | [email protected]
Our new Outdoor Classroom Designed and built by:
Gwen Harrigan | gwen.m.harrigan.gmail.com
Brian Hayden | [email protected]
Jane Hollingsworth | [email protected]
Colleen Kollman | [email protected]
Jane Montas | [email protected]
John Pottow | [email protected]
Contributing to our community by helping to complete our new Playground.
Jill Schloff | jschloff@gmail.com
February 2016
Burns Park Press
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Thanks a Million!
Thanks a million to our PTO member volunteers including…
Thanks to Jen Geer, Eva Rosenwald and all the parents who have supported lunchtime rehearsals for Burns
Park Players.
Thanks to chairs Jenn Monk-Reising and Jamie Phillips for organizing the 5th grade concessions fundraiser
and to all the 5th grade parents and students who are working the tables.
Thanks to Movie Night chairs Jane Hollingsworth and Julie Lubeck-Hofer and to volunteers Laurel
Schroeder, Tam Nahra, Charlotte Carne, Shannon Li, Angela Myers, Melissa Blake, Rama Paruchuri, Lee
Hollander and Barbara Vilece for another successful event.
Thanks to Shawn Ye and Dan Hamalainen for their continuing financial oversight.
Thank you for all your help and hard work! Many thanks!
NAAPID
Spend all or part of your day with your children
o n N a t i o n a l A f r i ca n - A m e r i ca n Pa r e n t
Involvement Day, February 8. Mr. Hatt will share
coffee and conversation at 9:00am, and then you
can visit your children in their classroom, or you
can stop by whenever is convenient for you. All
families are invited to participate!
February 2016
Burns Park Press
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I hope you enjoyed the awesome artwork your children brought home before break. They worked hard and the results were
pretty spectacular.
There will be several opportunities for display of student artwork in the community. March is Youth Art Month and Burns
Park will have artwork at the Ann Arbor Art Center and Literati Bookstore as a part of the partnership between Main Street
Association and the Ann Arbor Schools. More details on the art walk next month. In April the Ann Arbor Schools will have
two student art shows: The District Library Show at the downtown
branch and The Gifts of Art Show at the Taubman Center at the U of M
Hospital. Details will follow.
Please stop by the Ann Arbor Schools Art Faculty Show at the Mallett’s
Creek branch Library this month and see the Geer children in Paris! I
have a painting there that I made for the Geer family when they bid in
the BP Auction.
Here is an update about what’s been cooking in the art room since we’ve been back!
Kindergarten:
First Grade:
We’re making art and math connections with symmetry
using Jan Brett’s book, “The Mitten” as an inspiration for
our mittens. Animals in winter will be our subject for the
rest of January.
Happy Chinese New Year! It’s the Year of the Monkey
starting Feb. 8th and we are all about dragons in the art
room. We made over 100 clay dragons one day! They are
awesome.
February 2016
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Second Grade:
Third Grade:
We learned about the epic tale from India called the
“Ramayana” and how the story has been illustrated in
Indian art through the centuries. 2nd graders are making a
collage illustrating their favorite parts of the story.
Oaxacan Wooden Animals: Students are making an
animal sculpture patterned after the beautiful carvings
from Oaxaca, Mexico.
Fourth Grade:
Firth Grade:
After glazing their clay house fronts featuring architecture
from the southeast region of the U.S., we are embarking
on a study of self-portraiture. Drawing the face can be a
challenge for beginning artists and they are learning some
“tricks of the trade” to help in their efforts.
Our Haitian aluminum repousse art is complete and
gracing the display cases on the main floor. Now we move
on to our study of Islamic art and architecture.
February 2016
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We are excited to announce that registration for the 2016 Burns Park Run is now OPEN! Register now and take
advantage of the early bird discount!
• Early bird (postmarked by Mar 15th): $20 - 5K & 10K $5 - Fun Run
• Regular (Mar 16th - Apr 28th): $25 - 5K & 10K $5 - Fun Run
• Late registration (in person Apr 29/30, May 1): $30 - 5K & 10K $5 - Fun Run
Check out our website, burnsparkrun.org for selection of this year's t-shirts. We are also excited to offer running hats
this year, stay tuned for more information!
Every year, more than a hundred volunteers come together to support the Burns Park Run and make it a successful event.
Soon, our new volunteer coordinators, Laurel Schroeder and Rachel Davis will be reaching out to volunteers from last
year and looking for new volunteers to fill numerous spots. Please consider volunteering and help make this year's Burns
ParkRun another great and successful fundraising event for the school! If you have any questions or specific requests
regarding volunteer opportunities, please contact either Laurel at [email protected] or Rachel at
[email protected].
Finally, if you are thinking about signing up for the Burns Park Run but are not sure whether you can finish the race or
you're looking for training support to meet a specific goal - consider signing up for the Couch to 5K program through the
Ann Arbor Running Company. This 10 week program starts on February 22 and is specifically geared toward the Burns
Park Run. For more information, visit http://www.annarborrunningcompany.com/couch-to-5k/.
Check our website, Facebook page or Instagram account for up to date information for this fun event!
BP World Language Initiative
Thank you to those who have donated to the Burns Park World Language
Initiative. With your help we have reached 45% of our fundraising goal
for the year. If you haven't done so already, please consider donating to
BPWLI! Your generous support makes Spanish instruction possible for
children in Kindergarten through Second grade.
Call for volunteers: BPWLI is looking for parents to join the board to help
us continue the tradition of Spanish language instruction at Burns Park. All
are welcome; we would especially love to hear from you if you have
experience or interest in fundraising, development or website work. To
learn more, e-mail [email protected].
Donate at www.bpfli.org — Gracias!
February 2016
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Special Interest Fair - Friday, February 26th!
Hello Kids and Parents - It’s time for the Special Interest Fair! All Burns Park students are
encouraged to make a project on just about any subject that another elementary student may find
appealing! Last year, there were some wonderful topics from 175 students. The purpose of the fair
is to encourage students to be as creative as possible on a subject that interests them. It is meant to
be fun and it is not a competition. Everyone will receive a memento for their achievements.
1. PICK A TOPIC: Think about something you enjoy doing or maybe you want to learn more about a subject. You may do the project with a friend or sibling.
2. REGISTER: Fill out the registration form @ http://goo.gl/forms/u3WCiPIyQu by Feb 22nd. A parent or guardian must be present to supervise, so we get all the information we need. Online registration is highly encouraged due to the number of participants. If doing the project with a friend then only one of you needs to register. There is an option on the
registration to add their name. If you are unable to register online. Paper registrations will be
available in the school office and if you can drop them back in by end of school on Feb 22nd.
3. INVESTIGATE: Gather up as much info as you can about your subject. Visit the media center, read books, ask your parents to help you search online.
4. CREATE: Please use either a freestanding trifold cardboard project board or you may create a freestanding display of your own. All we ask is that it fits with a 3 foot by 2 foot table area. The trifold project boards are aviable at Michael’s or JoAnn’s. Other local supplies stores will have them. Be as CREATIVE as possible.
There are a few nono’s — Sorry!!
Absolutely NO LIVE ANIMALS, NO VALUABLES, NOTHING OF SENTIMENTAL VALUE, NO CANDY OR
TREATS. The fair will be on display all day without supervision. I really don’t want your grandmother chasing
me down Wells because we lost her only picture of her first pet dog.
Things to Remember:
•
Registration is due on Feb 22nd (George Washington’s birthday)
•
Project drop off before school: 8am-98:50am (I will send out info, so everyone knows how the drop off will work and so it goes as smoothly as possible)
•
Class viewing will be from 9am until 4pm (Parents are welcome)
•
Family and Friends viewing: 6pm-7:45pm
•
Projects to be taken home that evening or will be left in the auditorium for pick up.
If you have any questions feel free to email me! James Boardman: [email protected]
February 2016
Burns Park Press
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Special Education
Parents with kids on IEPs or 504s: If you
would like to be part of an internal Burns
Park Parent Advocacy Committee for your
kids, please contact Charlotte Carne at
[email protected].
Burns Park Yearbook
The Burns Park Yearbook needs your candid
photos! Please forward photos from the
classroom, field trips, special events,
playground (no sports teams, please) to the
yearbook Editor, Michele Rivette, at
[email protected]! Include in the
subject line, from which grade and
classroom (teacher) the children are, unless
it's a mixed group and can be included in the
general candids page. Thank you!
Disability Awareness
Burns Park will hold its Disability Awareness
Workshops for its 4th graders on April 12,
2016, and its 5th graders on April 14, 2016.
Please mark your calendars and stay tuned
for further information.
Save the Date: The Science Olympiad is coming!
The date for Washtenaw County Science Olympiad is Saturday, May 14th, 2016.
The Science Olympiad is open to all students in grades 2 through 5 and there is no fee to participate. The Burns Park
Science Olympiad team will start weekly practices in February, 2016. Students are invited to participate in one or more of
over twenty events, including water rocket assembly, circuit wizardry, potions, disease detectives, building, and many
others.
Look for more announcements, and especially a call for coaches.
We have many returning coaches but will need new coaches to
keep Science Olympiad available to as many students as possible.
Most events will practice either Thursday or Friday after school
and into the early evening. Many more details to come, but if you
have questions or are anxious to sign up to coach, please contact
Valerie Taylor at [email protected] or Nancy Vettorello at
[email protected]. Student sign-up information will be available
in February.
February 2016
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Final Performance Dates!
February 5
7:30 @ Tappan Auditorium
February 6
4:00 @ Tappan Auditorium
Tickets on sale online:
www.showtix4u.com
As the weather gets colder, please write your
child’s LAST NAME on lunch boxes, sweaters,
jackets, hats, mittens, etc. Also, please check
the lost and found periodically; it is located in
the hallway near the library entrance.
February 2016
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Burns Park Class of 2016 students
will be selling concessions at intermission of
Burns Park Player’s ‘My Fair Lady’!
CHIPS!
FLOWERS!
!
N
R
O
C
POP
!
S
K
N
I
R
D
CAND
Y!
All proceeds support 5th grade graduation
Show Dates / Times:
January 29th and 30th @ 7:30pm
February 5th @ 7:30pm and 6th @ 4:30pm
February 2016
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Calling All 3rd–5th Grade Girls!
Girls on the Run Registra0on is open and ready for you! Burns Park prac0ces will be led by two wonderful coaches, on Monday and Wednesdays, 4–5:30pm, beginning March 7. GOTR sessions will be held outdoors and indoor sessions will be held at the Burns Park Senior Center. The deadline to sign up is March 18. The session runs for 10 weeks, with a 5K run/walk on May 15. For more informa0on and registra0on, go to www.girlsontherunsemi.org.
Music Room!
Great singing at the MLK assembly penguins!
Thanks to composer, conductor, organist and professor Dr. Jim Nissen for visiting 3rd grade
students on Jan. 29.
4th graders - Several friends have received their black belts for their recorder playing.
Concert: Monday, February 8, 2016 at 10:00 am.
3rd grade parents - be on the look out for a costume note home. We are having so much fun
getting ready for our show. Keep helping those memorizing lines. Wed., March 9, 2016 at 7:00
pm.
K-2 parents - Late March will be informance days.
February:
Michigan Jazz Musicians:
Milt Jackson, Yusef Lateef, Alice Coltrane, Sunny Wilkinson
February 2016
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Reading Month Kickoff Thursday, March 3
Scholastic Book Fair March 16-18
Read-a-thon April 1
BLOOD DRIVE!
Burns Park Blood Drive
Wednesday February 24
1:30pm - 7:30pm
Ms. Kreger's class will be sponsoring a blood drive on Wednesday,
Feburary 24th from 1:30 - 7:30 p.m. and YOU are a V.I.P.! If you are
interested in giving blood and being served like royalty by our
children, here is what you can do:
1. Go to http://www.redcrossblood.org/give/schedule/
scheduleSignInRegistration.jsp?_requestid=247717 Our sponsor code is "bpe".
2. Fill out a profile and Schedule an appointment time.
If you are having any trouble on the website, please e mail Sandy with
a time range and she'll sign you up. [email protected] Any
questions about being able to give blood? Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE
We have: double reds option (hooray!), child care, music, goody bags,
and home baked treats!!
February 2016
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Burns Park Press Advertising
Display Ads
We welcome ads for companies and services of interest to our Burns Park
community. Quarter-page ads are $35/issue or $100/3 months. Half-page ads
are $70/issue or $200/3 months. Full page ads are $120/issue or $350/3 months.
For nonprofit organizations, the prices are $30/issue or $80/3 months
(quarter-page ads), $60/issue or $160/3 months (half-page ads) and $110/issue
or $310/3 months (full-page ads).
Payment
Please place your check, payable to Burns Park PTO, in an envelope labeled
“BP Press Ads, attn: Treasurer” in the PTO box in the school office. Payments
may also be mailed to Shawn Ye, 1762 Arlington Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
Both the electronic ad copy and payment must be received by the submission
deadline.
Electronic Submissions Only
Submit your ad in JPG or PDF format to [email protected]
Confirmation will be given upon receipt.
Questions?
Please contact Jennifer Monk-Reising at [email protected]
BP Press Submissions
This newsletter is published monthly by the Burns Park PTO. Contributions from teachers, staff,
parents, and students are welcomed and encouraged. Articles can be sent via email (preferred) or
placed in the BP Press box in the school office. Late submissions may not be included.
Next deadline:
Monday, March 21st
Send submissions to [email protected]
February 2016
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February 2016
Burns Park Press
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Raise Money for Burns Park with Your Groceries
Did you know that you can earn money for Burns Park when you buy your groceries? No advance
payment is required. This year Burns Park is enrolled with 4 grocery stores: Busch’s, Kroger, Arbor
Farms Market, and Plum Market. Simply present your grocery card at check-out for your grocery store
purchases to count towards Burns Park’s earnings.
See below for specifics. Contact Jenn Monk-Reising ([email protected]) with any questions.
Burns Park Bucks Grocery Cards
Busch’s
Arbor Farms Market
(5% on cash, check, or debit; 3% on credit)
http://www.buschs.com/community/
cashforeducation.php
(3%)
http://www.arborfarms.com
• Sign up for a Busch’s MyWay account
• Get a Busch’s Cash for Education Card (from Burns
Park PTO)
• Register your Cash for Education card under your
• MyWay account
• Reload your Cash for Education card when you shop
Kroger
(Share of $500K/Qtr based on % of BP spending)
www.krogercommunityrewards.com
• Sign up for a Kroger Plus Card AND create an online
account
• Link Burns Park as your Community Rewards
• Present your Kroger Plus Card when you shop
• NOTE: You must link Burns Park as your Communit
Rewards EACH year. New years start on May 1
• Say “Burns Park PTO” when you check out
Plum Market
(3%)
www.plummarket.com/scripprogram
• Sign up for a Plum Market Rewards Card
• Link Burns Park as your Scrip Organization
• Present your Plum Market Rewards Card when you
shop
• NOTE: You must link Burns Park as your Scrip
Organization EACH year. New years start on
September 1
Keep Them Coming!
Drop by the library or mail to
Burns Park School
1414 Wells St
Ann Arbor MI 48104
Each box is worth 10 cents and we can earn up to $20,000/year!
February 2016
Burns Park Press
16
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AAPS STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied
the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any
educational program or activity available in any school on
the basis of race, color, sex, religion, creed, political belief,
age, national origin, linguistic and language differences,
sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression,
socioeconomic status, height, weight, marital or family
status, or disability.
BURNS PARK MISSION STATEMENT
To foster academic achievement in a safe and nurturing
environment, which develops responsible citizenship, a
positive self image, creativity, sensitivity to others, and
multicultural awareness.
February 2016
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February 2016
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February 2016
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2280 S. Industrial Hwy. 734-996-9155
A non-profit resale shop with all proceeds benefitting
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February 2016
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