Welcome Back to the 2016-17 School Year!!
On behalf of the entire Arno staff, I would like to welcome all of our wonderful families back to another great school year! I would also like to extend a warm welcome to those families who are new to our building this year, a truly remarkable year awaits you. We are very excited to get started with much anticipation of Cougar success. This year, students will be introduced to our new Math series- Math in Focus, also known as Singapore math.
The district chose to adopt this math series after teachers piloted several different programs and chose the one that matched best to the Common Core standards and 21st century learning. Over the course of the year, we will provide many supports for students and parents to help build knowledge on the new series. If it is one thing I learned in my first year here- Cougars can do anything!
Beyond the new math, we are continuing to build in new supports overall for all our kids through a multi-tiered approach to ensuring the core program for all, with interventions and enrichment where needed. From our PTA Science night in September, to our traditional Olympics and Fun Fair- this promises to be a banner year at Arno!
—Stephen Zielinski
Proud Principal of Arno
Coming up at Arno…
Sept. 6
Teachers Report
Sept. 7
Welcome Back!!
Opening Day PBIS assemblies p.m.
Sept 8
First PTA meeting 6:30
Sept 9
Fire Drill a.m.
Next Week…
Sept 12
No events
Sept 13
Lock down Drill 10:00
Sept. 14
PBIS meeting 3:45
Sept 15
Title 1 parent meeting 6:30
Meet the Teacher 7:00 & 7:30
Sept 16
Nothing Scheduled
Staff Changes for 2016-2017
We are excited to introduce new staff members to the Arno family this year- Cristina DiCarlo (Kindergarten), Nickie Stanley (Kindergarten), Erin Higgins (Fourth grade) and Kristin Tillery (Second grade/In for Mrs. Brown). These teachers come to us with multiple years of experience and bring with them the skills necessary to provide Arno students with an excellent education. Please read Christina and Erin’s biographies below for more on our new additions. Ms Stanley’s and Mrs. Tillery’s bio will be coming soon.
It is also with regret that we say goodbye to Tracy Walkup, fourth grade. Tracy and her family followed their heart back to home in Tennessee where she plans on getting another teaching position. The entire Arno family wishes her well and hopes that she enjoys her new adventures.
One final change is the addition of a 5th special this school year. Carrie Solak (former fourth grade) will be taking on a new role housed in our computer lab as Media Tech class. This class will explore digital citizenship, collaboration, creativity and and critical thinking with technology as the spring board. Book checkout will still occur, but will now be within the Media Literature special taught by Colleen Byrne and will be housed in the media center.
For a complete staff listing, please read further into the blog.
Meet the New Folks…
Hello! My name is Cristina DiCarlo and I will be joining the Arno staff as one of the new Kindergarten teachers. I graduated from the University of Michigan- Dearborn with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education as well as earning my ZS Endorsement. While working toward my degree, I was a lead preschool teacher at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Early Childhood Education Center. I completed my student teaching at Bennie Elementary School and then continued to substitute teach within the Allen Park Public School district. Prior to coming to Arno Elementary, I taught 2nd grade at St. Frances Cabrini Elementary School for two years. I’m truly grateful to be a part of such an amazing community and I cannot wait to meet with you all. I look forward to an exciting school year and new adventure!
Hello! My name is Erin Higgins. I am very excited to join the Arno Staff as a fourth grade teacher. My teaching experiences range from Kindergarten through 5th grade. I graduated from Eastern Michigan University, with a B.A. in Elementary Education in 2006. In 2010, I received an Early Childhood Endorsement from the University of Michigan – Dearborn. I was a substitute teacher, a Title 1 teacher, and even a Library and Media Teacher before becoming a classroom teacher. I have spent the last 3 years teaching 4th and 5th grade.
I can’t wait to work with the Arno staff, students and parents. I am looking forward to a wonderful and exciting year at Arno Elementary!
New Line-up Procedures…
After much consideration and in unison with Bennie and Lindemann, we are instituting an indoor line-up daily policy regardless of weather. There have been many safety issues over the course of the year throughout the district. Moving students indoor alleviates standing cars, as well as illegally parked cars. This should also assist in traffic flow and students will be safely inside the building. The specifics…
- The first day of school, line-up will be OUTSIDE their assigned door.
- Indoor line-up starts September 8th
- Outside doors are closed and will be opened at 8:20 daily for students to enter for indoor lineup, not before that time, however
- Breakfast doors still open at 8:05
- Students should still report to their assigned outside door to enter the building
- Parents will not permitted to enter with students/stand in the halls- normal protocol to sign in with the main office does not change
- Students will enter the classroom at the 8:30 bell after waiting in the hall
PAWS helped wrap up 2015-16
Our final PBIS reward of the year culminated in an appearance from PAWS from the Detroit Tigers! He was there to act alongside a reading of Casey at Bat. The kids had a great time with PAWS showing off his silly side, and it served as a great way to say “thanks” to our students for showing what makes Cougar Pride throughout the year.
Math in Focus Parent Resources:
In addition to supporting students in our new math program, we will also focus on providing parents with additional information to better assist you at home when question arise.
Parents are encouraged to use the resources below throughout the year. The Parent Resource Videos are meant to provide a framework for success at home, as well as at school.
Parent Resource Videos:
| Kindergarten Videos | First Grade Videos |
| Second Grade Videos | Third Grade Videos |
| Fourth Grade Videos | Fifth Grade Videos |
Arno Staff 2016-2017
| Kindergarten | Jeanine Haskin |
| Kindergarten | Nikki Stanley |
| Kindergarten | Cristina DiCarlo |
| First Grade | Julie Martinchick |
| First Grade | Barb Pushman |
| First Grade | Dawn Watson |
| Second Grade | Nicole Amonette |
| Second Grade | Kristin Tillery |
| Second Grade | Megan Schultz |
| Third Grade | Beth Wesley |
| Third Grade | Renee Guyot |
| Third Grade | Rachel Warneck |
| Fourth Grade | Sarah Kalis |
| Fourth Grade | Erin Higgins |
| Fourth Grade | Lisa Smalley |
| Fourth Grade | Brian Trionfi |
| Fifth Grade | Todd Creutz |
| Fifth Grade | Melissa Hool |
| Fifth Grade | Sharon Uhring |
| Cross Categorical Classroom | Katie Jensen |
| Title 1 Arno/Bennie | Cathy Gorski |
| Media Lit Arno/Bennie | Colleen Bryne |
| Media Tech Arno/Bennie | Carrie Solak |
| Art Arno/Bennie | Elisabeth Cunningham |
| Art Arno/Lindemann | Rachel Trapani |
| Physical Education Arno/Bennie | Jenny Dalton |
| Vocal Music | Tracy Hoffman |
| Instrumental/Vocal Music | Jeff Skebo |
| Speech | Stella Boyer |
| Social Work Arno/Bennie | Sandy Bennett |
| Resource Room | Michelle Sbonek |
| Reading Specialist | Barb Chuby |
Traffic Pattern
Parking/Drop-off
As we all need to get our children to school, safety is always the primary concern. We will do our best to help ensure an orderly drop-off/pick-up daily, but we need your help in making that happen.
** No child should run across the street to get into a car.
**Help our traffic issues around school by parking a block or so away and WALKING your child before and after school.
**School traffic flow MUST go clockwise around the school. Make sure that your passenger door is ALWAYS closest to the curb.
BE SMART! BE PATIENT! BE CARING! BE KIND!!! BE RESPONSIBLE!!
2016-17 School Information
Office is open daily: 7:30-4:00
School day for students: 8:30-3:30
Latch key hours: 7:00-8:30
3:30-6:00
Student arrival time: 8:20
Half-Day dismissal 11:40
*If your student participates in the breakfast program, breakfast starts serving at 8:10.
*If your child is not picked up consistently 20 minutes past dismissal, you will be required to enroll in latchkey services.
Student Attendance
Please read the attitude article on the importance of student attendance, which is mandatory by the laws of the State of Michigan. Please be aware that we are required to follow up with families either verbally, in writing, or both when absences reach the 10 full day mark.
Teacher Professional Development Dates
This year, the district calendar reflects 8 half-days of teacher PD that is required by the state. Those PD dates feature no school in the afternoon, 11:40 dismissal. The dates for this school year are as follows:
10/12 10/31 11/8 12/7 1/18 2/1 3/8 3/22
Breakfast and Lunch Program
Parents can setup a free account online at https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/ . You will need their child’s student id number to setup the account and can get the id number from parent connection, the school office or the FS office. To view your child’s meal account information and/or make payments online at https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/ (link is on our website). There is a small transaction fee charged to make online payments. The lunch program will continue to accept cash or check as we always have.
Parent Information:
Parent website: www.mypaymentsplus.com
Parent support line for questions: 1-877-237-0946
MyPaymentsPlus Free Mobile App available for download on IPhones, Androids and Tablets!!
**If you believe that you may qualify for free or reduced lunch, we ask that you please submit the application that went home in September or pick up a new one from the office as soon as possible. Our total count for free/reduced lunch helps the district receive federal funds to run our Title 1 program and help our at-risk students.
If you are not sure about the guidelines or have
any other questions, please call the office @827-1050
Meet the Teacher
Be sure to mark Sept. 15 on your calendar for our Meet the Teacher night. This is a wonderful opportunity to come to Arno and meet your child’s teacher, hear about grade level curriculum, classroom policies, and important classroom information.
The evening starts at 7:00 and runs until 8:00 p.m.in your child’s classroom.
Please call 313-827-1050 if you have any questions.
See you there!
Put On Your Smile…
Please mark your calendars for Thursday, Oct. 1 for picture day. Information will be coming home soon.
Although we cherish every birthday here at Arno, we wanted to remind everyone that birthday food treats are not allowed and will not be brought down to the classroom. Pencils, bookmarks, etc are acceptable alternatives. Thank you for your support!!
