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A2 STEAM News
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VISION - Engage, Communicate, Collaborate, Create, & Think Critically.
MISSION - Provide an environment where students, staff, and the community are actively engaged in project based learning through a student-centered approach with real-world applications. Foster students who lead and contribute to the world around them.
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February 21, 2019
Engage
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Returning Student Form
ADear A2 STEAM families,
Please help us begin planning for the next year! In order for us to plan classes for the next school year, we need your help. Please fill out for each of your current Kindergarten - 7th grade students by Wednesday, March 13th.
https://goo.gl/forms/DtGYQ341QL2MbH412
A2 STEAM Arts Showcase & Variety Show Information
Join us this Friday, February 22nd, from 6-8pm, as we celebrate the "A" in STEAM, during our first ever Arts Showcase!
There is something for all families across our school community, with three activities running in parallel - a Variety Show, Silent Auction, and framed schoolwide Art Show.
Doors open at 6 pm and the event ends at 8 pm.There is NO entry fee, although there is food available for purchase as well as silent auction items and framed student art that families may buy. Food includes pizza, hot dogs, snacks, desserts, and drinks. Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted for any purchases made during the evening.
Silent Auction Updates
There have been over 100 items donated to the auction, from family activities, to eating experiences, performances, services and parent experiences, artwork, crafts, gifts, our classroom gift baskets, and even the time & talents of our very own A2STEAM staff!
Be sure to check out the Landmann Outdoor Stainless Steel Grill (a $2500 value!) that was donated by Ann Arbor's own BIG GEORGE'S HOME APPLIANCE MART at 2023 West Stadium! https://landmann.com/us/ardor_series/ It will be delivered to the school on Thursday and available for families to check out in advance of the auction.
Student Art Updates
Volunteer Sign Up - We need lots of volunteers to make this event a success. Spaces open for parents and middle school students!
If you're not able to make it to the show, but still want to purchase your child's work (or a replica), you are in luck! You may purchase the framed original and any number of framed replicas for $25/each through Friday evening. Go to www.tinyurl.com/steamstudentart to make your order now. After the event, the price increases to $27/each during a limited purchasing window. Questions? Connect with Rachel Jensen at jensenr@aaps.k12.mi.us.
Variety Show updates
The Variety Show will begin at 6:30 in the MPR, with grades 3-4 in the first half hour, followed by grades 5-8 for the second half hour. Come to cheer on our young performers!
Parent & Community Testimonials
What makes PBL ultimately successful is the support that sustains it. As we continue to develop and support our collaborative culture of PBL at A2 STEAM, we ask that families engage in thoughtful reflection as well. What have you noticed about your child’s PBL work? How were you engaged throughout the process? How were you engaged during our expositions? In what ways has PBL shaped your child as a thinker, maker, and collaborator?
In the new year, we will be embarking on the task of collecting testimonials. These narratives will help to sustain our instructional model by supporting our teachers, praising our students, and telegraphing our uniqueness to the world. If you are interested in sharing, please fill out the following form:
https://goo.gl/forms/dFAUsUpPtD1OQS6n2
Used Book Sale!
The annual A2 STEAM Used Book Sale will take place in the library during the Spring Expo! The sale will take place on Thursday, March 21st, from 4:30-6:30pm. All items cost $.25 cents. Proceeds from the sale will be used to enrich the library program at A2 STEAM.
Donations will be collected from Monday, February 25th – Friday, March 15th in the form of:
- Gently used chapter books suitable for our upper level readers (*we need a lot of these!)
- Gently used picture books and nonfiction books
- Gently used adult & teen books
- Magazines
- Puzzles
- Games
- Chapter books
- Chapter books
- More chapter books!
******Please DO NOT send textbooks, used coloring books, VHS tapes, CDs******
Would you like to help?
The A2 STEAM Used Book Sale is not possible without volunteers. Please consider volunteering throughout the month of March to sort books, set up the event, handle money during the sale, or clean up after the sale. If you are interested in volunteering, please follow this link to the Sign-Up Genius.
Thank you in advance for your contributions!
Washtenaw County Community Conversations (WC3) Workshop
A community discussion and learning opportunity about the experiences of LGBTQ young people in our district.
Download Flyer Here.
Part of Ann Arbor’s Water Month Celebration - Come See How Ann Arbor’s Water is Made
Saturday, May 11th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
919 Sunset Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Tours every 20 minutes | Light refreshments
Huron River Watershed Exhibit
Kids activities by the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum And, more! And it’s FREE! a2gov.org/HRD
Announcing a New After School Robotics Club for Students Grades K-2!
Our younger A2STEAM Students, grades K through 2, are invited to join the new K-2 Robotics Club. In the club students will use the Lego WeDo 2.0 robotics system to build robots which they can then program using iPads. This club will meet on Mondays after school for the rest of the year and will be run by Mr. Luxon with help from parents. If your child would like to join please fill out this form to express interest. Only twenty students can join this initial round, preference will be given to students who's parents have Monday afternoons available and can help run the club (it's easy!).
This link takes you to the online interest form: https://goo.gl/forms/nwcooA1DOt4dinv23
Announcing a New After School Project-Based Underwater Robotics Club!
Officially titled: the A2 STEAM Buoyancy Laboratory and Submersible Remote Operated Vehicle Reconnaissance Team, we are excited to start our first-ever PBL-structured robotics club for middle school students. Check out our promo video here:
https://youtu.be/p6wE3Bsh8CE
You do NOT need to be an expert in robots to be successful in this club. We are looking for all kinds of students to join! If you would like to sign up, the club meets on Tuesdays after school until 5:15 during season 4 (February 26th - April 23rd). We may choose to extend the club through season 5 if there is enough interest. Middle school students can sign up below (using their AAPS login) and collect a contract at school from Mr. Parnes’ office!
https://goo.gl/forms/iT6EM8E77pVxp0A53
AASO
Every year, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra performs two concerts at the Hill Auditorium for thousands of students in grades 3-8 coming from all over Southeast Michigan. We need many volunteers to help with tasks like directing school buses to the designated drop-off point and guiding schools to their assigned seating area to ensure the safety of the kids and give them a wonderful concert experience. If you will be available at the times listed below, please consider joining us to welcome over 5,500 students this March! This year we have had a lower than usual response and are in desperate need of volunteers. Please feel free to share this need with co-workers or other friends and family!
https://goo.gl/forms/XTQ4s9DRUoxTuxvI2.
"Music in the Middle" (for grades 6-8)
10:30 AM on Thursday, March 7
(Volunteers needed from 9:15 AM-12 PM)
"Link Up: The Orchestra Moves" (for grades 3-5)
10:15 AM & 12:15 PM on Tuesday, March 19
(Volunteers needed from 9 AM-1:45 PM, optional 9-11:45 AM if you are only available for half a day, lunch provided)
For questions and more information, please contact Yi-Ching Chen (yiching@a2so.com).
Girls on the Run - Grades 2-5
Registration is open for Girls on the Run! Our program at A2 Steam is open to all 2nd–5th grade girls and will meet afterschool on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30pm–5:00pm March 4th through May 15th. All registered participants will receive a healthy snack at each lesson, along with a program t-shirt and water bottle, a parent guide book, Girls on the Run cinch sack, and entry into the incredible Girls on the Run 5k on Saturday May 11th (all students, staff and families are welcome to come run/walk with our girls!). Girls on the Run’s curriculum based program is MUCH more than a running program. Check out the website to learn more and to register - https://www.girlsontherunsemi.org. Space is limited and registration ends February 22nd. *Financial assistance is available and volunteers may receive discounted registrations for their daughters. Email info@girlsontherunsemi.org for more information.
Join the Northside Youth Chorale (NYC)
Want to sing, play ukulele and learn hand chimes? Join the Northside Youth Chorale (NYC) Six Wednesdays 3:30 - 5:00 p.m., Februrary 6th - March 13th. *Performance Sunday, March 17th 10:00 a.m. Northside Community Church, 929 Barton Dr., Ann Arbor, 48105. NYC is a musical ensemble focused on joyful inclusion, social justice and musicianship. Every musician will sing, play ukulele and hand chimes. All 4th-6th graders are invited to sign up! FREE! Please email Kara Hukabone with any questions at kara.huckabone@gmail.com Sign up by emailing Kara, calling (734) 662-6351.
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February 15th Calendar Issue
According to the AAPS school calendar – There may or may not be school on February 15th. If there is a May 7th election, then we will have school on February 15th. But if there is not a May 7th election, then we will not have school on February 15th. Due to the election laws, the district is unable to confirm a May election until the filing deadline of February 12th, after which point they will immediately notify families about the status of that school day. This district asks that families prepare for either eventuality.
February 18th is a definite NO SCHOOL day.
Congrats Elementary Robotics Team!
Congratulations to our 5th grade Robotics Team and coach Mr. Brandon Vince! A2 STEAM claims the title of Elementary Robotics champions 2 years running.
AAPS/Durham Bus Tracker App
Download Durham Transportation's free app to monitor your student's bus. See real-time bus locations so you know when your student's bus is due at their bus stop in the morning and afternoon. This is especially helpful on bad weather days. The app is a safe, secure way to track your student's bus.
Download here - http://www.durhamschoolservices.com/pages/durhambustracker.aspx
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