This Week In the Ann Arbor Public Schools

December 19, 2011

  • Academic achievement, leadership, industry and community service have earned two Skyline 
High School students the Harold Eastman Outstanding Youth Achievement Award from the 
Breakfast Optimist Club of Ann Arbor. Honorees are Olivia Thorp and Sharath Anand.
    Olivia Thorp previously attended Ann Arbor Open Elementary School where she won first place in the National Area Presentation Photography Contest.  At Skyline, Olivia carries a grade point average of 3.93. She is a member of the "Women in 
Science and Engineering" Club and participates in track and field as well as cross country.  She has additional interests in farming, nutrition, English and Chemistry. Despite her busy 
schedule, she has volunteered at the Ann Arbor District Library for their summer reading 
program and while attending high school, she has also worked as a baby sitter.  In the future Olivia plans to become a published author and nutritionist.  After high school, Olivia wants to travel the world to gain a better understanding of 
culture and interaction and then she plans to study at the university level.
    Sharath Anand previously attended Logan Elementary where he was the Most Valuable Player 
(MVP) of the basketball team.  At Skyline, Sharath carries a grade point average of 3.97 and holds the office of Treasurer within 
the Student Action Senate.  He participates in the SAS Link Crew Science Olympiad and basketball water polo.  He also has interests in soccer, football, and all around 
school spirit!! He has worked at the Ray Garrison chess camp in Ann Arbor during 
the summer. When Sharath is not in school, he finds time to tutor, participate in the Science Olympiad and 
attend services at his temple.  Sharath has plans of becoming a successful brain surgeon. He hopes to attend the University of 
Michigan for his undergraduate studies while moving on to attend Stanford Medical School.
  • Current and former Ann Arbor Public Schools music directors have been nominated, along with 14 other people, to be Ann Arbor's Celebrity Conductor for the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. This is a FUNdraiser for the orchestra, extending over the entire season, generating funds from votes submitted. Each nominee was asked to make a short video for the campaign which is now posted on the A2O website and, will hopefully, help garner votes for the campaign (hence, this email). The winner will conduct a short piece at the A2O’s final concert on April 21st at Hill Auditorium. For more details, click on the link below.
    http://www.a2so.com/tickets/special-events/pursuit-of-the-podium
    The nominees are:
    Jonathan Glawe, Pioneer H.S. Orchestra Director
    Richard Ingram, Huron H.S. Choir Director
    David Leach, Pioneer H.S. Band Director
    Dan Long, Slauson Middle School’s former Orchestra Conductor
    MaryJean Quigley-Young, Pioneer H.S. former Orchestra Director
    Jason Smith, Skyline H.S. Band Director
  • The staff and students of Logan Elementary wish to thank our generous Ann Arbor Public School colleagues and friends for their overwhelming contribution towards our 2nd annual “Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive!” Your selfless contributions garnered 238 pairs of pajamas for Ann Arbor SafeHouse Center.  Scholastic Book clubs will also be donating 238 books to Ann Arbor SafeHouse Center as well! We wish to also thank Dr. Green for her pajama donations and reading "Pajamas Anytime" during our assembly.  AAPS truly has “All the Best!”
  • For the last 3 weeks Mrs. Pokela's 5th grade students at Thurston, have been working diligently to give the children at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital a special gift.  After reading an article about the Mott Children's Hospital pillow drive, Mrs. Pokela decided that she and her students would contribute to this charitable event.  Each of her 25 students picked out fabric and sewed a beautiful pillowcase that will be donated to the children in the hospital. The Thurston family commends them for their community service and celebrates all of their hard work.  Mrs. Pokela's class hopes that the children of Mott's Hospital will enjoy the pillowcases as much as they have enjoyed making them. The pillowcases will be delivered to the hospital this week.
  • Best wishes to everyone for a happy and peaceful holiday season and a rejuvenating winter break.  I hope you all find time to rest, relax, have fun and enjoy time with family and friends.  Thank you for all you do to make the Ann Arbor Public Schools excellent.  I am proud to be a part of this exceptional school district.

Patricia P. Green, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools