This Week in the Ann Arbor Public Schools
June 12, 2006

To: The Staff of the Ann Arbor Public Schools

From: Dr. George V. Fornero

This Week's Good News!

• Welcome to the last week of the school year and my last edition of "This Week In the Ann Arbor Public Schools."   I leave the Ann Arbor School Community with many memories of happy experiences and great people.  I wish to thank everyone for your support during my time in the district.
• Thank you to all the staff members who planned and coordinated the commencement activities for the Class of 2006.  It was an honor for me to participate in the graduation ceremonies of Stone, Community, Huron and Pioneer.  I also had the honor of attending the senior banquet at Roberto Clemente.  Congratulations to all the graduates, their parents and teachers.  Great job everyone!
• Sixth grade students at Scarlett Middle School spoke with Astronaut Jeff Williams who is on the International Space Station on Tuesday, June 6, via Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS).  Mr. Ignacy Justyna graciously provided his amateur radio equipment for the conversation.  It takes about three years to schedule a conversation and Scarlett is one of only a handful of schools in Michigan that had this opportunity.  Our students asked intelligent questions and reported that they were awed and inspired by the exchange.
• Thanks again to Kay Wade for inviting me to her African American Humanities class at Huron to hear the research papers of her students.  As usual, the students' presentations were outstanding.
• Thanks also to the Allen staff for inviting me to the original musical play, The Little Red Hen," written and performed by students in the classes of Jim Podojil, Laura Roth, Jennifer Harris, Nancy Cocco, Patty Koval and Joey Fukuchi.  It was a wonderful creation, I laughed, I cried, I loved it!
• Nurse Mazie Hamilton writes, "Thank you for the support of Logan (and AAPS) first ever School Walk for Diabetes. The walk was held at Logan on May 19, 2006.  The total amount raised was $658! Exciting for our very first walk. Students will receive prizes which include the 2 top fund-raisers invitation to workout with the Tigers on August 19, and Logan also receives a certificate to be used for the purchase of P.E. equipment.  In addition to the good news above, the ADA School Walk Manager shared that Wal-Mart will match the fund-raising total up to $1000!!
• Angell Principal Robin Jackson writes, "The Student Advisory spent the better part of this year planning Field Day for June 7th.  Everything was like clockwork with one very loud and wet exception -- the weather.  Which leads me to express my gratitude to the following:  Thanks to Burns Park and the wonderful staff for assisting us with the rain situation during Field Day.  I couldn't have asked for better.  A special thanks to Laura for taking my quick message and mobilizing forces to assist us, whether it was to get us over to Burns Park or to arrange for busses back to Angell.  You were all wonderful and I only hope we can be as accommodating under similar circumstances.  Thanks to Transportation for working whatever miracle was necessary to get the busses to Burns Park so quickly to pick us up and take us back to Angell.  Faster service couldn't have been possible.  With your assistance and the cooperation of a wonderful group of kids, parents, and staff, we were able to get everyone safely back to Angell wet and disappointed but nonetheless, none the worse for wear."
• Bach Principal, Shelley Bruder writes, "Once again, the Transportation Department comes through.  Thanks so much for picking up our Kindergartners at the Farmer's Market.  When they left school it was nice out.  Then came the thunder and lightening and RAIN!  Thanks for sending a bus to get them and bring them home safely!!"
• Bryant parent Tim Schenk writes, "Speaking with Barb (my wife), she directed me to email you to pass along the very positive experience our daughter, Rachel, has had in the aftercare program at Bryant.  Miss Mina, Michelle, Logan and Brandon have all been extremely professional people who make Rachel's participation in the program a very positive one.  Children experience a strong positive balance of creative times, play, study and structure.  Some days she'll come home dog tired from good fun physical activity.  Some days she'll come home with her homework completed.  Some days she'll come home with a craft gift.  Some days she'll come home and work to teach us a new game.  I attribute this greatly to the people above that are working at Bryant.  They keep the kids involved.  They keep their eyes on them.  They work with the children to make them better interpersonally.  I just felt that when people get contacted so often when there is a problem, I wanted to make sure you heard what a good job your personnel are doing."
• Kudos to AAEA President Linda Carter - Linda was a featured columnist in the MEA Voice Summer edition writing on the topic "Building Full Capacity Locals."
  
• Northside Principal Monica Harrold raved about the Clague Middle School Jazz Band (under the direction of Tom Millard) that performed at Northside's ice cream social.  Monica stated the band was impressive and the audience completely enthralled.
  

Condolences..

..To Pat Greene, Mitchell Elementary Teacher Consultant, on the death of her mother, Josephine "Marie" Carter, on June 5.

..To the family, friends and colleagues of Pat Wood Hatto, who died on June 5. Pat worked in the Payroll Department in the 1970s and 1980s and retired from the Ann Arbor Public Schools. In 2003 she remarried and became Patricia Wood Hatto.

Our thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time.


I would like wish everyone a calm final week of school and a restful & relaxing summer vacation.  Again, thank you.  I wish you all only the best!

George V. Fornero
Superintendent