September 2021

Welcome Back to the 2021-2022 School Year!!

İllustration of the red and yellow Superman Logo free image download

This Year will be Super!

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.

As we look ahead, we believe that this will be a banner year- bouncing back from the pandemic and doing so strong and together!  Arno will be assessing and analyzing our data carefully to plan our next steps and start erasing any losses that occurred the past two years.   I look forward to all of our future accomplishments this year as we help all of our students at Arno master their academics!

We also continue to look forward to all of the fun PTA events, assemblies, and other possible events as we are able to offer them.    I believe in all of our students and staff here at Arno and I know it’s going to be an unbelievable year of accomplishment!

Start Strong!!

 

Coming soon to Arno…

Sept. 2

Meet the Teacher Open House 6:30-7:30

Sept. 7

First Day of School- Full day

Sept. 9

PBIS Stations

PTA First Meeting – Please join us! 6:30

Sept. 22

Fire Drill

Sept. 24

Fun Run- More info soon

Sept. 30

Fire Drill

 

 

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Arno Vision

Arno Elementary will provide a system of support to empower

and inspire students to become collaborative learners

that strive for academic excellence

 

Parent Connect- Student Placement Info

It’s time to complete the “Back to School Updates” located through your parent connect portal. This takes the place of school buildings sending home emergency cards/paperwork to be updated. The instructions are below along with the steps to request your PIN and password if needed.

ALL enrolled students, including new enrollments for this school year, are required to have the “Back to School Updates” completed by a parent/guardian, before their teacher placement will be available to view.

Please click on “Need Your Login Information,” on the Parent Connect Login page left tab, to access your PIN and password before emailing parentconnecthelp@appublicschools.com for assistance. (When emailing for PIN and password please include your students name, school and your name and email address.)

The 2021-22 Back to School Updates are now available to complete. You can access the Back to School Updates from your “Back to School Updates” tab found in the upper right corner of your parent connect page once you login.

You will need to click on the “Update Now” for each student and confirm all the areas.

 

The Arno Staff 2021-22

Young fives Jeanine Haskin
Kindergarten Cassie Harrison
Kindergarten Nickie Roller
Kindergarten Cristina Mercer
First Grade Julie Martinchick
First Grade Barb Pushman 
First Grade Dawn Watson
Second Grade Nicole Amonette
Second Grade Alexandra Cervantes
Second Grade Megan Schultz
Third Grade Sarah Kalis
Third Grade Renee Guyot
Third Grade Rachel Warneck
Fourth Grade Megan Johnson
Fourth Grade Emilie Talamonti
Fourth Grade Brian Trionfi
Fifth Grade Ciara Zuke
Fifth Grade Lindsay Garza
Fifth Grade Erin Higgins
Cross Categorical Classroom Katie Jensen
ECP Program Sara Bleau
Life Skills Stella Boyer
Media Lit Arno/Bennie Colleen Byrne
Media Tech Arno/Bennie Carrie Solak
Art Arno/Bennie Elisabeth Cunningham
Art Arno/Lindemann Rachel Trapani
Speech-Language Pathologist Andrea Alvarez
Vocal Music Kristi Kruger
Instrumental/Vocal  Music Jeff Skebo
Physical Education Arno/Bennie Lisa Smalley
Social Work Arno

School Psychologist

Dana Brown T W Th

Deb Green M F

Resource Room Michele Sbonek
ECP Speech Taylor Cuddy
Reading Coach/Title I Beth Wesley
ESL Jennifer VanMael

Meet the Teacher

Be sure to mark Sept. 2 on your calendar for our Meet the Teacher night.   This is a wonderful opportunity to come to Arno and meet your child’s teacher,  learn about grade level curriculum, classroom policies, and important classroom information.

    • This year’s Meet the Teacher Night will be an Open House on September 2 from 6:30-7:30pm.

    • Masks are required for all students and family members attending Meet the Teacher Night.

    • Students are encouraged to attend Meet the Teacher Night with their family.

    • Meet the Teacher attendance will be staggered to encourage social distancing  Please arrive and depart promptly according to the schedule below.

 

  • Families will be divided into two groups by alphabet with 20 minute sessions (6:30-6:50 and 7:00-7:20)
  • Last Names A-M — 6:30-6:50pm
  • Last Names N-Z — 7:00-7:20pm
  • If your family has multiple last names, please follow the schedule for your oldest child’s last name
  • What to expect during Meet the Teacher Night:
    • Meet your child’s teacher
    • Bring supplies to drop off
    • Receive a packet of information about classroom procedures and curriculum

**If you have additional questions or concerns, due to time, please feel free to email your child’s teacher after the evening is over.

There will also be a short presentation from our Title I coordinator and reading coach, Beth Wesley, at 6:15-6:25 in the media center

Please call 313-827-1050 if you have any questions.

See you there!

Using Ocean for COVID-19 Coronavirus Screening - CognisantMD

NEW! Family Screening Protocol for Covid

  • Families will complete the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Families every day prior to sending children to school.  If you answer “YES” to one or more questions, you MUST keep your child home from school that day and consult your primary care provider.

  • Suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases must be reported immediately to the school office.

  • Please report all absences to the school office by 9:00am.  

  • All students in all grades will be required to wear masks at all times in the school building unless eating or drinking.  Please practice mask wearing for extended periods of time in the coming days.

COVID-19 health screening for families English 082421

 

Back to School! - Betsy for Georgia

Back to School Information

ELEMENTARY SCHEDULE

  • All students will attend in-person instruction Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 3:30pm.
  • Bus transportation will run according to schedules provided through the Transportation Department.

GENERAL INFORMATION 

  • All students in all grades will be required to wear masks at all times in the school building unless eating or drinking.  Please practice mask wearing for extended periods of time in the coming days.
  • Please provide a spare mask in a plastic bag in your child’s backpack.  We will have extra masks available if needed. 
  • Masks should: 
    • Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
    • Completely cover your nose and mouth
    • Fit snugly against the sides of your face without gaps
    • Gaiter masks: Single-layer gaiter masks are not recommended by the CDC.
  • Current spacing between desks in classrooms ranges from 18” to 36”.  
  • If you have a district-owned Chromebook from last school year, it should come back to school with your child on the first day.  Please make sure the charger is included.
  • All students will be issued a district-owned Chromebook during the first week of school.
    • Chromebooks are 11” and families are welcome to purchase protective sleeves, if desired.  
  • Every day, Chromebooks and chargers will go back and forth from home to school.
  • Please ensure that your child’s Chromebook is fully charged each night before coming to school.
  • Students will need headphones or earbuds that will remain at school.  Label with your child’s name.
  • Classroom surfaces will be regularly cleaned throughout the school day by adults and with the assistance of students where appropriate.  
  • Supply lists are on the school websites or blog, and sent to families.  Supplies are able to be dropped off during Meet the Teacher Night or brought on the first day of school.
  • Individual water bottles are recommended.  Please consider a pop-top or straw-type if possible to avoid spills onto school materials or technology.  Label with your child’s name.
  • Please practice independence with shoe tying, zippering, buttoning, and other clothing features with your child.
  • All grades will administer the NWEA to students in person by October 1.  Your child’s teacher will provide these details to you.
  • Our PTAs provide support to our schools in many ways.  Please look for upcoming information on ways to join our PTA.

VISITORS

  • At this time, limited visitors will be allowed in the building. When this policy changes, we will let the community know.
  • Meetings may be held by video chat or in person, depending on the nature of the meeting and comfort of the participants.  In-person meetings will require all participants to wear masks, mitigation strategies and social distancing.
  • Whenever possible, please refrain from bringing forgotten items to school after the start of the school day. This includes homework, classwork, textbooks, etc.
  • All visitors MUST go to the main entrance and use the doorbell to inform the office staff what you are at the building for. Office staff will let you know from there what you should do.
  • It is imperative we know who is in our buildings to ensure for proper contact tracing if needed. Please do NOT enter the building when doors are open during arrival and dismissal. 
  • When picking up a child early, please ring the doorbell and let the office staff know who you are picking up. Office staff will walk the child outside to you at the main entrance. 

ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

  • Families will complete the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Families every day prior to sending children to school.  If you answer “YES” to one or more questions, you MUST keep your child home from school that day and consult your primary care provider.
  • Families do not need to print the screener or fill anything out online, but must answer these questions at home every morning for yourself.
  • Doors will open upon the morning bell at 8:30am.  Students may enter at assigned entry door (see attachment).
  • Students should not be lining up prior to 8:30am as there will not be outside supervision for students.
  • Upon arrival, if there is a line forming, students should wait on the painted paw prints.
  • Arrival beyond 8:45am will be considered tardy and students must be buzzed in through the front doors of the school.

FOOD SERVICE PROCEDURES

  • Breakfast and lunch will be provided through the Food Service Department free of charge through the end of the school year, or until federal funding expires!  
  • Please apply for Free & Reduced Meal Benefits by October 5, even if you think you may not qualify.  Our schools receive additional funding for the number of students eligible for Free & Reduced Lunch.  Applications and directions are available on the Food Services page of the AP website:  Food Services Website
  • Breakfast may be ordered by students and will be bagged and sent home daily.  Breakfast will not be served in the cafeteria.
  • All students will eat lunch in the cafeteria.
  • Students may still bring lunches from home if desired.
  • Please avoid sending lunches with peanut butter products whenever possible.
  • Please practice the process of opening food packages with your child.  Encourage your child to open food packages independently.
  • Whenever weather permits, students will have outdoor recess.  Masks may be removed during outdoor recess.
  • During inclement weather, recess will be held indoors, students will need to wear masks.

SPECIAL CLASSES

  • All special classes (Art, Music, Phys Ed, Media Lit & Media Tech) will be held in specials classrooms.  Schedule will be provided by your child’s teacher.
  • Band will be offered once a week during the school day for 5th grade students, with a rotating additional after-school time once per week.  Students will receive information about participation and instrument selection throughout the first few weeks of school.  Stay tuned for information from Mr. Skebo.
  • Please consider the following for specials:
    • Phys Ed classes will be outside whenever possible, weather permitting.  Phys Ed classes require students to wear tennis shoes and comfortable clothing.
    • Media Tech classes will likely require headphones and Chromebooks.  
    • Art classes may utilize some shared materials.  Materials will be sanitized between classes.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

  • Dismissal time is 3:30pm at assigned dismissal doors.   
  • PLEASE NOTE that the dismissal door may not be the same as the child’s entry door!
  • Parents with multiple children: please meet your youngest child at his or her exit door first.  Make a plan with your older children about where to meet you (wait at their door, meet at a designated spot, etc.).
  • Please leave the school grounds as soon as you connect with your child(ren) so as to promote social distancing.

 

From the PTA

Welcome back Arno Cougar Parents!

Come find us by the main doors during Meet the Teacher, next Thursday, Sept 2nd at 6:30 pm. We will have information about what the PTA does, membership forms, and Spirit Wear for sale.

Our first PTA meeting will be held in the cafeteria at 6:30 pm on Thursday, Sept 9 th . It will be in-person and childcare will be provided for all Arno students. PLEASE JOIN US!

Our annual Fun Run will run from Sept 13 th – Oct 8 th . The actual Fun Run will be held Sept 24 th on the playground. More information will be sent home with your child in the coming weeks.

The Membership Drive will be running from Sept 7 th – Oct 22 nd . Forms will be sent home on the first day of school and a link will be posted on our Facebook page.

Disney Mickey Mouse Clip Art Images 5 | Disney Clip Art Galore | Dibujos animados clásicos, Mickey mouse, Mickey

Summer Reading Logs

Please be sure to send in your child’s summer reading log if they completed one so that they can receive their prize (which is a surprise).  The deadline to turn the log in is Sept. 13 to your child’s classroom teacher.

 

97 Snoopy Sleep ideas | snoopy, snoopy love, charlie brown and snoopy

How does sleep affect children’s school test scores?

Despite the well known facts about the importance of sleep in child development, many kids these days don’t get nearly enough sleep. In fact, according to one international study conducted several years ago, Australian children are among the most sleep deprived in the world.

Children who don’t get the recommended amount of sleep tend to be tired, moody and more prone to mental health problems than those who do. However, if your kid is consistently undersleeping, you’re likely to get not only a moody teenager or an anxious second grader. Their academic performance will suffer as well.

Sleep is essential for brain development

The general guidelines are that school children up to the age of 13 should have 9-11 hours of sleep every night, and teenagers 14-17 should get between 8 and 10 hours. Young adults aged 18-25 should sleep 7-9 hours a night.

REM sleep, in particular, (also called dreaming sleep) is responsible for the person’s ability to store certain types of memory, as well as for internalizing complex mathematical concepts and general brain development.

Lack of sleep and academic performance

Not surprisingly, a number of studies have shown that the lack of sleep directly affects children’s test scores.

Researchers from Boston College (US) carried out an international comparison of the academic performance of 900,000 students in more than 50 countries while keeping track of the students’ sleep patterns. The study found that students who consistently got more sleep also achieved higher grades in maths, science and reading.

Primary school students raising hands to answer the teacher’s question.

“It’s the same link for children who are lacking basic nutrition,” said Chad Minnich, a researcher at the Lynch School of Education, Boston College, talking to BBC News.

In another study, researchers recorded sleep patterns of 621 first-year university students in Belgium, and later found that those students who had better sleep habits performed better on their exams. Specifically, the test scores of those students who slept at least seven hours per night were about 10 percent higher than those who didn’t get that much sleep.

Why exactly this difference? Because, according to one of the study’s co-authors Dr. Stijn Baert, quoted in Huffington Post, “new knowledge is integrated into our existing knowledge base while we sleep.”

What do we do?

If you’re a parent and this worries you, you’re right to be concerned. Test scores are, of course, important.

But the good news is that these negative effects can be reversed. If a child starts getting enough sleep on a regular basis (not just trying to catch up on sleep whenever possible), their learning outcomes will soon improve.

Most importantly, remember that if your child constantly misses out on sleep, poor test scores are just one symptom of a much bigger problem. Long term sleep deprivation translates directly into many serious health issues later in life.

Help them improve their sleep habits and you’ll be giving them a gift much bigger than the top score on their next math test.

 

NWEA Releases Guidance on Remote Testing to Help Schools Assess the Impact of COVID-19 Disruptions

NWEA

This year we will assess our students in the NWEA test for reading and math.  Testing will be done throughout September, giving us the data that is imperative this year to planning out a course to success.  Your child’s classroom teacher will let you know when they will have the test in their classroom.

SMARTER | The connected smart kitchen – Smarter

Starting Smarter

Please check out the state of Michigan’s Start Smart website that will help you understand all of your child’s M-STEP test scores and how best you can help them.

Starting Smarter Link

 

Image result for kids lining up for class

Line-up Procedures

Line-up procedures will remain the same as last year with outdoor lineup

  • Students should line up at their assigned door
  • 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

Door Assignments for Line Up

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!!

 

2021-22 School Information

Office is open daily:           7:30-4:00

School day for students:  8:30-3:30

Latchkey hours:                  7:00-8:30

3:30-6:00

Student arrival time:          8:20

Half-Day dismissal             11:30

*If your child is not picked up consistently 20 minutes past dismissal, you will be required to enroll in latchkey services.  

 

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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.

RtP_Attendance

 

Breakfast and Lunch Program

Although Breakfast and Lunch are free for every student this year, it is still important for our school that everyone fills out the Free and Reduced Lunch form.  The number of approved free and reduced applications greatly affects our Title I funding from the Federal Government, which is used for our at-risk program here at Arno.  I urge everyone to fill out the form, even if you think you may not qualify.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office.

**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

Free and Reduced Lunch application

 

Put On Your Smile…

Please mark your calendars for October 7 for picture day, retakes will be on Dec. 2. 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!!

 

First Day of School — AIMS K-12