This Week
In the Ann Arbor Public Schools

January 8, 2008

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

This Week’s Good News!

• Welcome back and Happy New Year.  I hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful winter break.
• Congratulations everyone! You made this happen! Ann Arbor is #10 on Forbes list of the Top 20 places to educate your child. Across America, Ann Arbor is one of the best metro areas for primary and secondary education. You may view the story at:
  http://www.forbes.com/2007/12/12/best-places-for-education-oped-cx_apa_1212educate_slide_11.html
• Huron student Cassandra Carter had her first book, "Fast Life," published by Harlequin Books this past summer. Her debut novel was published in July as part of the "Tru" series from Kimani Press, a division of Harlequin that focuses on African-American young-adult fiction. Carter started the book when she was just 14, after getting the idea from a dream.
• Eberwhite School recently sponsored a Winter Flea Market to raise funds for Warm the Children and Helping Hands at Eberwhite, a fund to help Eberwhite families in need. All students had an opportunity to shop at the Flea Market which had new or gently used items donated by Eberwhite Families. The Flea Market raised almost $1400 which will be divided between the organizations. The Flea Market was a community service project sponsored by Linda Joseph's Kindergarten class.
• Pioneer teacher Laura Salinas participated in an educational delegation to Cuba organized by Global Exchange from Dec. 27 to Jan. 6. The group was scheduled to meet with professors, teachers and students as well as internationalists who have worked abroad teaching Cuba¹s innovative literacy method, Si, Yo Puedo, Yes I Can. As Cuba has a very diverse population and one of the highest per capita literacy rates in the world, Ms. Salinas was very excited to learn about their system and share what she learned upon her return.
• Please join me in welcoming back from Antarctica, Bach teacher Robin Gleason. Ms. Gleason spent two months working with the ANDRILL scientists and kept in touch with her class as well as other classrooms in our district via email and cell phone. She will present a summary of her expedition at the January 9th Board of Education Meeting.
• Condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Logan teacher Bonita Boyce. The Logan community is in our thoughts at this difficult time.

Todd Roberts, Ed.D.
Superintendent