This Week
In the Ann Arbor Public Schools
March 9, 2009

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

This Week’s Good News

  • Members of the Pioneer High School Concert Band and Symphony Band, David A. Leach, Director, received straight First Division ratings at the District Band and Orchestra Festivals held at Pioneer High School on Saturday, March 7. There were fifteen District 12 ensembles competing for this state qualifying event.
    The Pioneer Bands hosted the District 12 Band and Orchestra Festivals on Not only did the students perform their three prepared pieces and two sight-reading pieces beautifully, they also graciously represented Pioneer and our district all day long by helping each of the other groups who attended.
  • Ten Ann Arbor Public Schools visual arts students were honored at the Michigan Art Education Association Region 3 Student Art Show at Adrian College this year.  Those students included:
    *Amy Sun and Cy Abdelnour, Pioneer - teacher, Claudia Burns
    *Paola Diaz Gomez, *Yupeng Wang, *Rebecca Amidei, *Sanika Kulkarni and Kaitlin Moore, Slauson,  - teacher, Tim Eiseman
    *Sarah Rozaidi, Tappan - teacher, Sue Sanch
    *Molly Rettell and *Samantha Haywoodm Lakewood - teacher, Peg Leonard).
    Students, whose names are starred, all have works that qualified for the state level of adjudication which will take place in Lansing.
  • Helen Bunch, art teacher at Pioneer High School, received a $250 Artistic Excellence Award for her perfume bottle titled, “Ripe Perfume.” Her artwork will be on display from March 2nd- March 20th at Eastern Michigan’s Ford Gallery as part of the Annual Graduate Student Art Show.
  • The Pioneer Synchronized Swimming team, coached by Alice Seipelt, won its 16th state title. Strong finishes by all routines led Pioneer to a 34 point margin over runner-up Ann Arbor Huron 152–118. 2008 Champion Troy was third with 115 points. The Pioneer Synchronized Swim team has won the state title in 1990, 1992, 1995-2007, and now 2009.
  • Pioneer Social Studies teacher Tracey Van Dusen has been selected as one of the finalists for C-SPAN’s 2009 Teacher Fellowship Program.
  • The Ann Arbor Public Schools achieved a 98% immunization-reporting rate for the 2008-2009 school year.  Thank you to all the Office Professionals, Nurses and Principals for gathering and entering the immunization data which goes to the Michigan Department of Community Health.  An immunization reporting rate of 95% is required to assure continued state funding for school districts.
  • Congratulations to Board of Education Trustees Helen Gates-Bryant and Glenn Nelson for pursuing professional development as Board members through the Michigan Association of School Boards.  Helen has earned the Award of Distinction and Glenn has earned the Master Board Member Award.

Todd Roberts, Ed.D.
Superintendent