Mitchell Mustang News

This year, we have the option to translate all of the Mitchell Mustang News weekly communication through S’More. Click here for instructions on how to translate.

Dear Mitchell Elementary Families,

We hope this message finds you well as we look forward to another enriching week at Mitchell Elementary! Here are a few important reminders and updates:

Supporting Our School Expectations with the Mitchell Top 4:

At Mitchell Elementary, we focus on four core expectations that help shape our school culture and guide students in being their best selves. These core values are:

• Here to Learn: Each day in the classroom is a new chance to learn and grow. We encourage all students to stay engaged, focused, and curious, making the most of every moment.
• Safety (Body & Words): Promoting safety is vital. We teach students to use their bodies and words in positive ways that help everyone feel secure and supported. This includes avoiding physical actions or language that could cause harm.
• Respect (Ourselves, Each Other, Building): Respect is foundational to our culture. We encourage all students to show respect for themselves, their peers, and our school environment.
• Kindness: Kindness underpins all we do. Students are encouraged to show empathy and consider how their actions impact others, fostering a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.

Thank you for discussing these expectations with your children at home to reinforce our shared values.

Early Release Day – October 31st:

Please remember that Tuesday, October 31st, is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 1:00 PM. Kindly communicate any changes to your child’s dismissal plan with their teacher in advance so we can ensure a smooth transition.

Cozy Day – October 31st!

In celebration of the season, this Tuesday, October 31st, we’re excited to host Cozy Day! Students are invited to come dressed in cozy socks, pajamas, hoodies, sweatpants, or their favorite snuggly sweater. As always, please ensure that all cozy attire is school- and weather-appropriate.

Thank You for a Wonderful Fall Fest!

A heartfelt thank you to all our families and volunteers who supported our annual Fall Fest on Friday, October 25th. It was a fantastic event and a beautiful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the Fall season. Please enjoy the picture below!

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our school community. We look forward to the week ahead at Mitchell!

Warm regards,

Mark LaLonde and Samantha Cucu

Principal and Assistant Principal, Mitchell Elementary School

10/25-11/1 Book Fair (Fall)

10/31 Early Release Day/Report Writing & Cozy Spirit Day (Students Released at 1:00 pm)

11/5 Election Day (No School for Staff/Students)

11/19 PTO Meeting 6:00 pm (Virtual)

11/27-11/29 Thanksgiving Break (No School for Staff/Students)

Do you want to volunteer at Mitchell or support with a classroom activity or field trip? Please fill out the Volunteer Form below:

Mitchell Volunteer Registration Form

Get your Mustang Gear! The online store is open through November 3rd. Orders will be available for pick up at the school the week of Thanksgiving break. Note-select "pick up at store" in order to hae items dispursed at the school. Shop now!

On November 5, 2024, voters will be asked to consider renewing a special education millage. If approved, the 12-year, 2.3826 mill renewal would cover unreimbursed special education costs.

In Washtenaw County, more than 6,000 students, or 1-in-7 students, receive special education services, plus almost 900 additional children from birth to age three. In AAPS, one of every eight students, receive special education services.

If the special education millage is approved:

• It would help keep $57 million in unrestricted general funds across Washtenaw County available for programs and services that could benefit every student including $25.8 million for AAPS. This includes advanced placement coursework, improved learning environments, mental health supports, extracurricular activities, school safety, and more.
• Millage dollars would stay local! Washtenaw ISD would reimburse all local public school districts and local public school academies for their mandated special education costs, including AAPS.
• There would be no tax rate increase. The renewal would maintain an existing 2.3826 mil tax.

To learn more, you can review this presentation or contact Assistant Superintendent Office of Special EducationConcetta Lewis at lewisc@a2schools.org or calling 734-994-2318. You may also visit the Washtenaw ISD’s website at www.washtenawisd.org/SpecialEdRenewal or call 734-994-8100.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help!

Care Solace is AAPS’s free Mental Health Care Coordination Service. Care Solace is available 24/7/365 to connect students, staff, and their families to mental health, substance abuse, and ABA service providers. Using Care Solace is easy!

• Call 888-515-0595 any time. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365. A dedicated Care Companion will help you every step of the way to research options, secure appointments and follow up with you to make sure it's a good fit.

• Search anonymously by visiting caresolace.com/aaps

• Contact your student’s counselor, social worker or principal and they will submit a referral on your behalf.

Learn more about Care Solace here. Information is also available in Arabic, Mandarin and Spanish.

Sometimes parents reach out to find out how they can enact some parental controls on their child's AAPS device, i.e., YouTube blocking, turning off the Internet access for evening hours, limiting non-educational games, etc.

In Ann Arbor Public Schools, we utilize a cloud-based web filter called Securly to keep students safe on their district-issued device. To help parents monitor their child's online activity at home, AAPS offers the free Securly Home app. This application allows web-based filtering and parental controls on district-issued devices at home. Parents may set rules to allow or disallow certain websites, pause the Internet connection to the device as desired, and receive weekly usage reports. To OPT-IN to the Securly Parent Portal service, please encourage families to use the pathway as outlined below:

• STEP #1: Read about the AAPS Securly - 24-25 Parent Portal Opt-In opportunity available to all families.

• STEP #2: Sign-up on the Securly Parent Portal Program Form.

• STEP #3: Look for an email from Securly when your account is ready to go (it can take up to 48 hours to receive).

• STEP #4: Download the Securly Home App from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

• STEP #5: Navigate the App to explore different views into your child's online safety and check out the AAPS Securly Parent Portal FAQs.

The Ann Arbor Public Schools is well-prepared to provide student and family assistance when a decision is made that students should not be on school property. AAPS has a trained family assistance/reunification team that responds to schools during emergency situations such as power outages, electrical hazards, gas leaks and an emergency incident or active threat.

You can read more about the AAPS Family Reunification Team process as well as watch a video that explains how the district will respond to serve your students and you during emergency situations.

AAPS Family Reunification Video