This Week
In the Ann Arbor Public Schools

October 8, 2007

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

This Week’s Good News!

• This past week our district was honored to host a delegation of students and educators from our sister city Hikone, Japan. Each member of the Japanese delegation was paired with a host family and attended school and other organized activities with the host student. Many of the host students will be traveling to Japan in early November to visit and participate in the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Hikone Castle.
• Huron High Symphony Orchestra performed with Barrage on Friday, Sept. 28th, 7p, at Pease Auditorium, at Eastern Michigan University. Barrage is the energetic fiddle group from Canada that pays tribute to the violin in the manner of such music-dance-theater spectacles as "Blast!", "Stomp!" and "Riverdance". It was a fabulous evening for students and families, and a wonderful way for students to connect the foundational learning they've experienced through individual, disciplined practice and group instruction to the professional world outside of high school. Chris Mark and co-teacher Diane Platte did an excellent job preparing the students as they enthusiastically and excellently performed with this exceptional group.
• The Pioneer and Huron A Cappella Choirs performed with the Ann Arbor Symphony, Saturday, Sept., 29th, 8p at Hill Auditorium, at the University of Michigan.  Again, a fantastic opportunity for students to perform alongside professional musicians. A big thanks go out to Ken Westerman, and Richard Ingram, Pioneer and Huron conductors, for their contributions to this excellent performance.
• Pattengill students worked with composer Steve Seskin last year, and composed a song titled, "We're All Different". Steve has chosen this song to include in his upcoming book and Pattengill is receiving a donation (royalties) from the sale of that book. Another wonderful opportunity for students to utilize the foundational learning they've experienced in regards to composition and following that to completion through the publication of their song. Principal, Terra Webster, and Music Teacher Deb Katz, are extremely proud of the Pattengill student contribution to this book.
• Michele Macke, a math teacher at Pioneer, was one of the session presenters for the Michigan Mathematics Education Leadership Conference held at the University of Michigan on October 5th.
• Scarlett teacher Gary Graff, and Forsythe teacher Tom Pachera, have been selected to present at the Learning Institute for Technology Education conference at Eastern Michigan University on October 22. The conference will focus on instructional models of Math, Science and Technology through designs that use an integrated approach to delivering standards through relevant instruction.  An integral part of the program will be samples of student design work that demonstrates creative understanding of mathematics, science and technological studies. Students from each teacher’s classroom will assist in the presentation.
• Karla Hitchcock sent the following message to Steve Schaffer, “Many thanks for the wonderful planetarium presentation for my Western Civ kids today. They love the mythology portion of Western Civ anyway and you really bring home the connections between the stories/thinking of the ancient people and the science of the stars and sky -- great cross curricular lesson.  Plus, it's really fun.  My only regret is that my 2nd hour kids could not benefit in the same way due to your AM duties over at Huron. The Pioneer Planetarium (do we still call it the Argus Planetarium?) is truly a treasure for the community. Your expertise and hospitality make it even more valuable.”
• Tappan teacher, Mary Pedley, sends thanks to Thelma Monroe of the Payroll Department, “I received your proration report about my salary in the mail today, and I just wanted to thank you. Your math matches my math exactly! I wanted to add that in all the years I have been teaching in Ann Arbor (since 1974!), I have always been impressed with the Payroll Department. You are among the best people to work with in this school system: clear, prompt, friendly, and helpful.  I really appreciate your work!
• John Boshoven, Counselor for Continuing Education at Community High School, Ann Arbor (MI) and College Counseling Consultant at Frankel Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit (MI), was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) at its 63rd National Conference last week in Austin, TX. He will serve a three-year term on the 12-member board, will lead the organization of more than 10,000 secondary school counselors, independent counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, enrollment managers, and organizations that work with students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education.
• A member of NACAC since 1999, Boshoven chairs NACAC's Special Interest Group for Jewish Schools and Students, has been a member of its State and Regional Presidents' Counsel and presented at numerous workshops and educational sessions. He also is a member of the Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling, one of NACAC's 23 state and regional affiliates, where he served in a number of capacities, including as President, Assembly delegate and editor of the newsletter. He was named Washtenaw County (MI) Counselor of the Year in 1997. In his statement for national office, Boshoven identified access to college as one of his chief concerns. "Our field continues to best serve students/families who are already the most connected," he said. "They represent private schooled and bright public school students fortunate enough to have college counseling or families who can either provide this themselves or can afford to purchase it outside the school setting. I am most concerned with the underserved public school student. In Michigan and other states, this concern has escalated with the use of the ACT for our 11th graders. Students who never before imagined they could be college material are showing up at the counselor's door and seeking advice."

Todd Roberts, Ed.D.
Superintendent