This Week in the Ann Arbor Public Schools

September 24, 2012

This Week’s Good News!

•  On Sunday, September 23, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) performed a free concert for the Ann Arbor community at Pioneer High School.  The DSO is traveling to and performing in cities in the Detroit area to show appreciation for the support it has received in the past and to cultivate interest in supporting it into the future.  The concert was superb and I was happy to see many staff member and many young people in attendance. 

I want to recognize and thank the Pioneer music staff members, David Leach and Jonathan Glawe, for working with the DSO to ensure that everything was ready for the performance.  A big thank you as well goes to the Pioneer Boosters for their gracious hospitality in providing refreshments for the musicians and making sure that they received a warm welcome.  Thank you all for representing our district and our community so well.

•  We received a very nice email from the girl’s cross country coach at Dearborn Divine Child High School recognizing Huron student Alexandria (Allie) Cell, who he called one of our “excellent Youth of America student athletes.”  During a meet last weekend, Allie had finished her race but saw one of Divine Child’s runners struggling to finish her race so Allie went to run with her and encourage her to finish.  Apparently, that was the first time that the runner had ever finished her 5K event, which was one of her goals and Allie helped her to achieve it. Thank you Allie, for your act of kindness and generosity.  We are proud of you.

•  Congratulations to Clague Middle School for receiving an $180,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) under the Safe Routes to School program.  Clague was one of six schools awarded funds to improve walk and bike routes to school.   Clague staff and parents worked for two years surveying parents and working with city engineers to draft the proposal to submit to MDOT.  The grant will fund the installation of sidewalks and crosswalks on Nixon Road, flashing beacons on Green Road and crosswalk improvements at the intersection of Green and Nixon. 

• Teacher Dianne Dudley gave a shout out to Carpenter Elementary ESL teacher, Saina Sajjadi in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. She has transformed the Carpenter Elementary entrance into a celebration of Hispanic culture. Saina encouraged staff, students, and families to bring in Hispanic artifacts for the display.  She also created a "Who's Who" gallery surrounding the Media Center combining photographs of notable people, with both Spanish and English translation. This extensive collection is an exceptional culmination of documents that celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. Dianne encourages all APPS staff to use this platform as a model for future cultural endeavors.  

Patricia P. Green, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104