This Week
In the Ann Arbor Public Schools

December 17, 2007

To: The Staff of the Ann Arbor Public Schools
From: Todd Roberts, Superintendent

This Week’s Good News!
  • I want to recognize and thank all the staff members who contributed to the United Way 2007 Campaign. Yours was a wonderful demonstration of how we, as a school district, are invested in our community. The total amount collected and pledged this year is $60,754. Thank you all for your generosity. Also, a special thank you to all the individual representatives who put in the extra effort of organizing the drive at their school building.
  • Both Huron and Pioneer are ranked in the top 5% of public high schools in the U.S. for 2007 by Newsweek Magazine. Schools are ranked based on a ratio of the number of Advanced Placement, Intl. Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken by all students at a school in 2006 divided by the number of graduating seniors.
  • Mitchell School 4th Graders were involved in a special Artist in Residency project through the Michigan Humanities Council. The students visited senior citizens at the American House on Carpenter Road to interview them about their past life. They especially wanted to know about any special recipes they could share. After returning to school the student wrote autobiographical sketches and transcribed tape recordings of the interviews. This information was used by singer/songwriter Kitty Donahoe to compose songs, with the students, about their senior friend. Students performed the songs on Friday, 12/14 at the American House and at school. A recipe/song book is being published and all of the oral histories collected are being archived in the Bentley Library. Congratulations to teachers Linda Hagan and Matt Krigbaum for making this experience possible for their students. This program is called "A Feast of Families" and is made possible due to a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
  • Peggy Leonard’s 4th grade art students at Lakewood participated in the “One Michigan Celebrating Many Traditions, ” a holiday program sponsored by the Governor’s Office and the Michigan Department of Education. Lakewood students’ artwork is on display in the Governor’s residence for the month of December.
  • In addition to art displays, student performances are featured throughout the month of December and Community High’s jazz band performed at one of the events and had their picture take with Governor Jennifer Granholm.
  • King Principal Kevin Karr is featured in “Innovator” the magazine published by the University of Michigan’s School of Education. Kevin, Class of ’91, extolled the rewards of being an educator - like having your students arrange for your hero, Lloyd Carr, to come to school on your birthday.
  • Dicken School Age Child Care staff members, Connie, Jack, Shirley, Yshaia and Dinita send accolades to Dicken custodian, Tony Sankey, “On behalf of the Dicken Elementary School child care staff, we would like to acknowledge the efforts of Tony Sankey. He is a most gracious and helpful presence during our programs and at the school as a whole. Tony is always willing to assist us in any way possible. As was the case last night when a package containing very important documents and materials was left accidentally in the school’s multi-purpose room. Knowing that the package was important, Tony went out of his way to make sure that the package was safe and was returned to us promptly the next day just the way we left it. We just wanted to bring to your attention this one small example of the tireless and honest work that Tony does everyday to make our school a better place.”
  • Assistant Superintendent for HR/Legal Services, Dave Comsa was a presenter at the Michigan Association of School Personnel Administrators annual winter conference.  The topic was "Tenure Issues".  In addition to presenting, he was elected to the office of Treasurer.
  • Best wishes to all for a peaceful winter break, joyous holidays and a happy and healthy New Year.
Todd Roberts, Ed.D.
Superintendent