NWEA Reward Picnic for Top 10 Readers and Most Improved 11:30
June 2
3rd Grade to Greenfield Village
June 3
5th Grade to Greenfield Village
June 7
5th Grade Graduation APCA 9:15
Honors Choir APCA 7:00
June 8
Mentor Celebration
June 9
5th Grade Picnic
Super Cougar Ice Cream Party
June 10
1st Grade to Bowling
3rd Grade to Barney Park
Kindergarten to the Zoo
June 13
Early Release 11:30
3rd Grade to Boccabella
4th Grade to Pretty Family Park
June 14
Early Release 11:30
3rd Grade to Pretty Park
4th Grade to Boccabella
Kindergarten Celebration Picnic Barney Park
June 15
Early Release 11:30
Last Day of School
June 22
Office Closes
2022-2023 School Year
August 22
Arno Office opens
September 1
Meet the Teacher
September 6
Student First Day
September 8
First PTA Meeting 6:00 New Time
PBIS Stations
Arno Vision
Arno Elementary will provide a system of support to empower
and inspire students to become collaborative learners
that strive for academic excellence-
NWEA Celebration
We kicked off another celebration of our students who have worked so very hard to meet their goals on the NWEA. This time around, all students who met their goal or achieved grade level on their NWEA will receive an extended recess. We also have a Top 10 reading scores per grade, and a “Biggest Jump” category for those who saw the biggest jump in score from Sept. to May. All Top 10 and Big jump kids will be attending a pizza picnic at Boccabella park on June 7- those students have a note and permission slip to take home. It was so great to see all of the smiles and the M-STEP charm necklaces, which were very filled up to end our testing season!
Congrats to all of our hard working 3rd -5th graders!
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
Top Ten Readers
Most Improved
School Supply Lists are out and ready to go…
This year we are using Teacherlists.com to post all of our supplies. You can access the lists down below from the click-button, or you can access from our Arno site off the main APPS website. This feature also allows you to choose a store, if you wish, which auto sets up the list for purchase and lets you finish the process without ever setting foot in a store.
The district will be in contact with all families this summer to go into MiStar Connect. It is very important that you log in and go to Back to School updates- where you will review forms for next year. Be sure your email address is updated in our system as class lists will not be posted this fall. Families will not be able to view the new teacher for the fall until that step is complete. Please visit MiStar Parent Connect on Aug 31 after 4:00 p.m. to see your child’s placement once you have completed your updated information. Paper copies will be available the first day of school to be sure everyone gets to their correct classroom.
NO BACKPACKS PLEASE…
Please note that students may continue to carry backpacks through Tuesday, June 14. Students will not need a backpack for the last day of school.
Some New Beginnings
Some people would say that change is good. In some cases they would be right,, but not in this case. This year we must say goodbye to two of our MVP’s of Arno- Michele Sbonek, Colleen Byrne. We are also saying goodbye again to Sandy Bennett, who has stepped back into the social work role this year at Arno. The mark they have left on us, and the tremendous impact on kids that they have had is immeasurable. They are truly the professionals that put kids first everyday, but have also been tremendous supporters of our staff. We wish them well in their retirement as they begin anew, waiting for their next big adventure. They will always be an Arno Cougar– We will miss you!!!
Michele Sbonek
Michele Sbonek has been a fixture in our resource room at Arno for a long time. So many students have passed through her door that were in need of assistance, and so many shined brightly because of it. Michele has that magical touch that really digs down to the heart of what is needed, and reaches her students in an inspiring way. Michele develops those key relationships with her students that helps to motivate and engage them in their learning. In the same way, Michele has been an invaluable resource for our entire staff, tirelessly working with every classroom teacher to bring the best learning opportunities for her kids. We will miss Michele at Arno, whether it was for her work with students, the APHS scholarship team, or just being there for the staff- Michele was all you could ask for in a teacher- and we wish her Congratulations, and best of luck in this new chapter in her life.
Colleen Byrne
Colleen Byrne has been a fixture in the Arno media center for a long time as well. Her love of literacy and positive enthusiasm for it, is very engaging to our students. The students always love going to Mrs. Bryne’s class for special because of all the fun lessons with reading they experience, and that is a big part in helping students achieve a love of reading. Mrs. Byrne has also been a big part in supporting our social-emotional team, bringing in literature to support student needs, as well as co-chairing our student peer to peer mentoring group at Arno- an invaluable experience for both the mentor, and the mentee. Student engagement in literacy at Arno is in a better place thanks to Mrs. Byrne and we wish her Congratulations and best wishes in all her future plans.
Welcome to Arno!
This year we are pleased to welcome to the Arno staff Ms. Jessica Eskew, new teacher for our CI program, as well as Ms.Aly Kubik, who will be our new resource teacher. find out more about our new teachers in this fall’s first blog post of the 2022-23 school year. Welcome to Arno Jessica and Aly!
Additional changes for 2022-23
Mrs. Jensen, our current CI teacher, will be moving into the role of Media Center teacher, which will take on some new STEM initiatives in the years to come!
Mrs. Dana Brown will be returning to us from leave in the fall, she will be taking on the the social work position at Arno
It’s hard to believe that we are already upon the end of the year. That always means celebrations, picnics, and special activities. The biggest event that takes us into the summer, though, is 5th Grade Graduation. We will be hosting the celebration on June 7 starting at 9:15 at the Allen Park Center for the Arts adjacent to the high school. This year’s 5th grade picnic will take place on Thursday of that week. Please mark your calendars
Ways you can show appreciation for your child’s teacher
Teacher Appreciation Week is fast approaching and will take place this year the week of May 2. The PTA has some wonderful things planned for our staff, and there are also other ways you can show appreciation for your child’s teacher:
Write a thank you/appreciation note
Make a special “Thank you” art project
Record a personal thank you video
Send them a digital or ecard
Send them flowers
Tell your child’s teacher what they love about school
Give a special note
KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP
We are pleased to be bringing back the normal kindergarten round up this spring for all incoming kindergarteners. This year’s event will be on May 2 starting at 6:30 p.m. Parents will attend in the gym, all future Cougars will attend within the 3 different classrooms. Remember that Kindergarten registration is now open at Riley.
Congratulations to our New PTA BOARD for the 2022-2023 School Year
President: Nicole Adkins
Vice President: Meaghan Bachman
Treasurer: Jesse Spencer
Secretary: Sarah Wald
Please join us for our last meeting of the year on May 5 in the cafeteria at 6:30- childcare is available. It’s important we get everyone involved in the group- the PTA cannot run fun family events without chair people and volunteers- your help makes all the difference!
ALICE Evac Drill
On May 12, Arno will holding our annual ALICE evacuation drill as we make our way to the Presbyterian church on Park. During this time, classes will head out of the building, choose a route to our rendezvou point, and stay there until we are all assembled- finally heading back which will end the drill.
M-STEP
Our Arno Cougars have been working so hard on the M-STEP! We are very proud of their efforts as we wrap up testing during the first week of May. Parents should receive a parent report from the state by early fall and it will show your child’s score, as well their strengths and weaknesses. More information will come out in when school starts.
As we close one school year and begin to plan for the next, student placement is one of our primary considerations. Our school team of teachers, administrator and social worker spend many hours working together to form classrooms for next year. We strive to balance classrooms with a blend of students based on academic strengths and needs, social and emotional supports, and the unique personalities of each child.
If you have any special concerns about your child’s placement for next school year, please submit a written explanation of the concern. For example, “my son is very active and needs to be placed in a classroom where he will have opportunities to move around” or “my daughter struggles with reading and needs a teacher with a strong background in reading”.
We do not/cannot accept any requests for a specific teacher. Letters requesting a specific teacher will be not be considered. The one exception is a request for your child to not be placed in a specific classroom based on previous first-hand experience you’ve had with a teacher. And, that parent concern / issue should be documented in the office. All such letters are due to the office no later than Friday, May 20, 2022.
This is the same procedure that has been used in previous years and is the same procedure used at Lindemann and Bennie. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please feel free to contact my office.
Steve Zielinski, Principal
Culver’s calendars for PBIS- A 2022 calendar that is filled with valuable coupons for Culver’s delicious food! The cost is $3 and $2 of that will go the building Positive Behavior Support program. If you are interested in purchasing one, please send in $3 in a labeled envelope with your child’s name on it. Thank you for your support!
EARTH DAY STATIONS
Arno Facebook
“LIKE” us to see lots of great updates and photos from school! Thank you for promoting this social media platform as a positive way to share the good news and great things happening at Arno!
MSTEP 5th Grade Math, 4th Grade Math, 3rd Grade ELA
April 29
PBIS Reward
ARNO VISION
ARNO ELEMENTARY WILL PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF SUPPORT TO EMPOWER
AND INSPIRE STUDENTS TO BECOME COLLABORATIVE LEARNERS
THAT STRIVE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Kindergarten Roundup
We are pleased to be bringing back the normal kindergarten round up this spring for all incoming kindergarteners. This year’s event will be on May 2 starting at 6:30 p.m. Parents will attend in the gym, all future Cougars will attend within our classrooms. Remember that Kindergarten registration is now open at Riley.
Good Neighbor Saturday
The M-STEP Window Opens
M-STEP kicks off on May 4 for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade for all students. Please see the schedule below for testing dates:
ALL testing starts at 9:15.
April 12 5th Grade Social Studies
April 14 5th Grade Science
April 19 5th Grade ELA
April 26 3rd Grade ELA, 4th Grade Math, and 5th Grade Math
Thank you so much for your generous donations to Rock Your Socks Day at Allen Park Schools! This celebration of World Down Syndrome Day has been so much fun! The students loved showing off their socks. It was so amazing to see the community come together to support and celebrate all “EXTRA” special kids. The district’s Cognitively Impaired programs greatly appreciate your support more than words could ever convey.
As a Wayne County Green School award recipient, Arno Elementary School is one of just 25 Schools eligible to participate in this year’s Adopt a Storm Drain contest!
The Alliance of Downriver Watersheds Schools for Clean Water Adopt a Storm Drain Contest is an easy online contest where youencourage parents, school staff, and community members to pledge to adopt a storm drain near their home. When they take the pledge they assign that pledge to your school.
The schools that get the most pledges will win cash prizes up to $1,500 for class materials and educational projects!
Here are the contest details:
The Alliance for Downriver Watersheds (ADW) is proud to announce the 2nd annual Schools for Clean Water Contest! As a current, or recent, Green School located in the Downriver area, your school is eligible to participate and win!
What is the Schools for Clean Water Contest?
The Schools for Clean Water Contest is a friendly competition to reduce pollution in our local waterways. Like last year, we will focus on keeping yard waste and litter out of storm drains.
How does it work?
Participating schools urge parents, alumni, and faculty to visit www.SchoolsForCleanWater.org between April 4th and April 22nd (Earth Day) to complete a simple online pledge to do their part. When they submit the pledge form, they assign that pledge to your school. At the end of the contest, we tally up the totals and the schools with the most pledges win cash prizes.
Who can pledge?
Anyone 18 and older can take the pledge including, but not limited to: parents, alumni, student’s family members, teachers, school support staff, friends, neighbors, etc…
What do schools win?
Eight schools will win a share of the $5,000 in prize money. The money can be used to pay for educational projects and classroom materials.
First Place – $1,500
Second Place – $1,250
Third Place – $1,000
Wild Card – 5 x $250 (all schools with 50 or more pledges, will be entered into a random drawing for the five wild card prizes)
In 2021, winners used the prize money to help fund programs like an outdoor classroom, a reading garden for special education students, school gardens, and other green initiatives.
COVID-19 RAPID TESTS FOR HOME USE AVAILABLE
Allen Park Public Schools has received a supply of Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Tests for student/family home use. We ask that parents/guardians please limit to 1 test per student in the family.
Parents/guardians are welcome to pick up their test kit(s) Monday thru Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. (Closed 3/28 thru 4/1 for spring break) while supplies last at the following location:
RILEY EDUCATION CENTER
9601 VINE, ALLEN PARK
DOOR #8
Limited Schools of Choice Program for 2022-23
The Allen Park Public School District has established a successful Schools of Choice Program for the past several years and the Board of Education has approved continuation of the program for the 2022-23 school year for Kindergarten through 8th Grade. (Requests for specific elementary schools cannot be guaranteed)
Completed applications will be accepted beginningMonday, March 28 through Sunday, April 17. Absolutely no late applications will be accepted.
A random draw selection will be held on Monday, April 18, 2022. The draw will determine numerical selection for acceptance of candidates. Parents will be contacted with their students’ waitlist number, by email or phone call by April 20, 2022.
We ask that you help us by sharing this information with friends and/or family members who may be interested in having their children become a part of the Allen Park Public Schools Family.
Culver’s calendars for PBIS- A 2022 calendar that is filled with valuable coupons for Culver’s delicious food! The cost is $3 and $2 of that will go the building Positive Behavior Support program. If you are interested in purchasing one, please send in $3 in a labeled envelope with your child’s name on it. Thank you for your support!
“LIKE” us to see lots of great updates and photos from school! Thank you for promoting this social media platform as a positive way to share the good news and great things happening at Arno!
ARNO ELEMENTARY WILL PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF SUPPORT TO EMPOWER
AND INSPIRE STUDENTS TO BECOME COLLABORATIVE LEARNERS
THAT STRIVE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Title I/School Improvement Surveys
It is that time of year… we are in need of your opinion of how things are going at Arno for school improvement planning. Please take a moment and complete this year’s survey that has taken our remote status into consideration. We survey three groups annually- staff, students in grades 3-5, and parents. This valuable information goes into our school improvement planning so Arno can be its very best! The link will be active until March 9. Thank you for your participation in helping us always improve!
This year to celebrate March is Reading Month, our entire
school will be reading Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures:
The Mount Rushmore Calamity. Our celebration is called One
Book, One School because the entire school is reading the
same book. The Mount Rushmore Calamity is just one book in
a series about Flat Stanley, the boy who was flattened by a
falling bulletin board and his adventures traveling by mail
around the world.
Each student will get a book this year. Our goal is that you
would read this book together at home. The book is for your
family to keep. We hope you enjoy reading together as a
family. The included pacing guide outlines the chapters to be
read each week. Your child’s teacher will also be given a
book to read and discuss in class.
Throughout the month of March, we will have a wide
variety of reading themed activities to participate in at home
and at school. Attached is a calendar of all of the fun
activities we have planned!
Books will be distributed on Friday, February 25, 2022.
Pacing Guide
February 28 – March 4: Chapters 1 & 2
March 7-11: Chapters 3 & 4
March 14 -18: Chapters 5 & 6
March 21-25: Chapter 7
Flat Stanley
Flat Stanley loves to travel by mail, he is flat and fits perfectly inside
an envelope. As a family, decorate Flat Stanley however you like! Ask
a friend or family member who lives in another city or state if they
would like to show Stanley all around their town. If they agree, mail
Stanley to them. Have them take pictures with Stanley on all of their
adventures and share them with you and your family. Or take Flat
Stanley all around where you live and keep a journal of the place you
visit!
Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures!
Unplugged Tuesdays
Turn off electronics… and turn on your imagination! Every Tuesday night in
March “unplug” and spend quality time with your family!
March 1, 8, 15, 22
Wear it Wednesdays
Celebrate March is Reading Month by dressing up each Wednesday to
match the reading theme.
March 2: Pack your bags! Wear a shirt from you favorite location,
vacation, or somewhere you want to go!
March 9: Pawsitively Wild About Reading! Wear animal print.
March 16: Team up for reading! Wear sports apparel.
March 23: We “read” all month! Wear red.
Book Exchange
During the week of March 7-11, students will be participating in a book
exchange on their library day. Students can bring in up to three gently
used books to exchange. Students will be able to exchange the same
number of books that they bring from home. If a student brings in one
book, they will be able to pick out one book. Look for a flyer coming home with more information.
Final Week: Reading “Spirit” Week
To celebrate the end of March is Reading Month we will be hosting a Reading Spirit Week!
March 21: Be a Word! Wear a shirt or hat with words or pin a word and definition to your shirt.
March 22: Be a Book Character! Come dressed as your favorite book character.
March 23: Wear Red because we “read” all month. (Wear it Wednesday)
March 24: Michigan Day! Wear your favorite Michigan themed clothes.
March 25: Read and Relax! Bring in your favorite book and wear your comfiest pajamas.
From the District
Dear Friends,
Preparations continue for Spring Fever, the PTA/PTSA Council Scholarship fundraiser on March 12th. You can help! Here are some opportunities to help us raise our goal of $12,000 for APHS and APCS graduating senior scholarships.
Spring Fever includes a craft & vendor show, mom 2 mom sale, silent auction, bake sale and concessions!
Culver’s calendars for PBIS- A 2022 calendar that is filled with valuable coupons for Culver’s delicious food! The cost is $3 and $2 of that will go the building Positive Behavior Support program. If you are interested in purchasing one, please send in $3 in a labeled envelope with your child’s name on it. Thank you for your support!
M-STEP
The M-STEP, a state of Michigan assessment will start for all of our third-fifth graders in April after spring break. Right now our students are hard at work learning material and practicing digital formats that will prepare them. More information will becoming when we get closer.
“LIKE” us to see lots of great updates and photos from school! Thank you for promoting this social media platform as a positive way to share the good news and great things happening at Arno!
Arno Elementary will provide a system of support to empower
and inspire students to become collaborative learners
that strive for academic excellence
Winter Break is coming…
There will be no school on February 21 and 22 for winter break. School resumes on Feb. 23
Culvers Calendars
Culver’s calendars for PBIS- A 2022 calendar that is filled with valuable coupons for Culver’s delicious food! The cost is $3 and $2 of that will go the building Positive Behavior Support program. If you are interested in purchasing one, please send in $3 in a labeled envelope with your child’s name on it. Thank you for your support!
M-STEP
The M-STEP, a state of Michigan assessment will start for all of our third-fifth graders in April after spring break. Right now our students are hard at work learning material and practicing digital formats that will prepare them. More information will becoming when we get closer.
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH: 10 WAYS YOUR STUDENT CAN LEARN ABOUT BLACK HISTORY AND CULTURE IN AMERICA
By Valerie Kirk
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the impact of African American heritage, culture, and achievement in our country. While most K–12 schools incorporate Black history activities into their curriculum, Black History Month offers a wonderful opportunity to extend your child’s learning at home or enhance your homeschool curriculum. Here are 10 ways your student can learn about Black history and culture. You don’t have to wait until February—these activities and resources can be used throughout the year!
1. Celebrate with Cross-Curricular Activities
Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher of children’s books, has developed 13 cross-curricular activities for teachers to celebrate Black History Month, broken down by elementary, middle, and high school. While these ideas are intended to be done in a traditional classroom, they can all be adapted to online school or homeschool students. While you’re on the Scholastic website, check out their reading list of young adult books written by African American authors.
2. Read a Book About the African American Experience, History, and Culture
Educators recommend that students spend at least 20 minutes a day reading. Celebrate Black History Month by having your student read a book that features African American culture, shares the story of a great African American figure, or brings the African American experience to life. For inspiration, here are 10 terrific books for students in elementary school.
3. Watch a Documentary
Documentaries bring the past to life, connecting us to significant times in history. PBS offers this list of powerful documentaries exploring Black history and culture in America. Relive iconic moments, like the 1963 March on Washington, or join the Freedom Riders on their journey through the Jim Crow South. These documentaries are appropriate for middle or high school students.
4. Plan a Full Lesson on Historical Topics
PBS also offers their Learning Media series, with several lessons that honor Black History Month, including lessons on the Emancipation Proclamation, the Great Migration, and the civil rights movement. These lessons are designed to support teachers and homeschool families but are an excellent resource for parents looking to help their student have a deeper understanding of these important topics.
5. Virtually Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is part of the Smithsonian Institute and devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. They have a wealth of online learning resources to help you enrich your student’s learning experience, including recommended reading resources for elementary, middle, and high school students and Smithsonian Learning Labs, which are free, interactive lessons where students can explore both well-known and not so well-known moments in history.
6. Watch a Movie Showcasing African American History or Experiences
Celebrate Black History Month with family movie night, watching movies that celebrate the African American experience or that highlight historical events. Movie casts have become more diverse in recent years, so choosing films that feature actors of color is a way to celebrate achievements. Need inspiration? Check out this list of 50 African American children’s movies for a special family movie night.
7. Honor African American Veterans
Did you know that nearly 200,000 African Americans served in the US Army from 1863 to 1865, making up nearly 10 percent of the American soldiers who served in the US Army during the Civil War? It all started with the formation of the 54th Massachusetts regiment. From service in the Civil War to the Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen, African American men and women have a long history of serving in the United States military. Your student can honor their contributions in both times of war and peace by learning more about their service.
8. Learn About African American Inventors
The first African American to be awarded a US patent was Thomas Jennings, who in 1821 invented a way to dry-clean clothes. The first African American woman to receive a patent was Judy Reed for her dough kneader and roller in 1884. Have your student research other African American inventors who made contributions to science, industry, business, agriculture, transportation, and communications.
9. Listen to a TED Talk
If your high school student walks around with earbuds in all day, have them spend some time listening to TED Talks that celebrate Black History Month. TED Talks are designed to share knowledge through short talks and presentations. Their Black History Month playlist includes talks about the migration of African Americans out of the Jim Crow South, an introduction of the woman Martin Luther King Jr. called “the architect of the civil rights movement,” and how speaking openly about race makes for better business and society.
10. Explore African American Musical Influencers
Celebrate Black History Month by listening to the great African American musicians. Have your student read about the 50 most important African American musical artists and learn more about their lives and music. Use this opportunity to introduce your student to musical genres that were heavily influenced by these talented artists, including jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, gospel, doo-wop, and hip-hop.
“LIKE” us to see lots of great updates and photos from school! Thank you for promoting this social media platform as a positive way to share the good news and great things happening at Arno!
Arno Elementary will provide a system of support to empower
and inspire students to become collaborative learners
that strive for academic excellence
In case you missed Arno’s Musical Holiday Card…
Thanks to Mr. Cross and Mr. Burke for all of their hard work in producing this wonderful video!
COVID 19 Information
(From Mr. Darga)
Happy New Year’s Eve!
I hope you are enjoying the holiday season and are finding time to relax and rejuvenate.
I wanted to address the recent announcement by the CDC & MDHHS regarding COVID & Quarantine. Here’s an updated article regarding the changes to the state’s quarantine guidance.
In short, MDHHS announced that it plans to update its quarantine guidance for the general public to reflect the recommendations of the CDC – 5 days of isolation, followed by 5 days of mask wearing if asymptomatic. It is, however, important to know that MDHHS stated that the existing quarantine recommendations for early childhood and K-12 will not be changed.
Allen Park Public Schools will continue to follow the guidelines set by the Wayne County Health Department and require a 10 day quarantine. If WCHD changes their protocols, I will be sure to share the news with our team.
We are also looking to implement an onsite Mi Safe Schools Testing Program for our staff and students. We have been utilizing this testing method through our HS athletic department with great success. We plan to expand the program to service our entire K-12 population. Stay tuned for additional information. To learn more, here is a link to the program: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/Overview_MI_Safe_Schools_Testing_Program_712939_7.pdf
Please enjoy a safe New Year’s Eve celebration. I look forward to seeing you all when we return back into our buildings on Monday, January 3, 2022.
Sincerely,
Mike Darga
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children 5-11 Years Old- Wayne County Health
November 2, 2021: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a final recommendation approving that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. The vaccine was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children ages 5 through 11. Also, data from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC shows that children 5 to 11 years of age account for approximately 40% of pediatric cases. (Source: www.fda.gov)
Pediatric doses will be available beginning Thursday, November 4, 20201, at the following Wayne County Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics (see further below for hours and addresses):
Wayne Health Center
Wayne County Community College – Ted Scott Campus
Wayne County Community College – Downriver CampusPlease continue to check this webpage or call 1-866-610-3885for updates on when pediatric doses will be available at our remaining COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics.Children aged 5-11 will receive 1 pediatric dose of Pfizer vaccine, followed by a second dose in 21 days. Note: Moderna and Johnson and Johnson (J&J) have not been approved for this age group.COVID-19 cases in children can result in hospitalizations, deaths, MIS-C (inflammatory syndromes) and long-term complications, such as “long COVID,” in which symptoms can linger for months. Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission.Also, vaccines will be available at some pediatrician’s offices, family doctors, or local pharmacies, contact your pediatrician’s office to obtain more information. The Wayne County Health Department continues to collaborate with local schools to offer in-school vaccine clinics.
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.
The month of January brings back our second round of testing. During this month, students will be given the NWEA, FAST reading, and most grades will be assessing reading levels for targeted students. Student performance on these tests give us a good gauge on their strengths and weaknesses, and helps us identify those students who may qualify for additional help- please encourage your child to perform their very best so their teacher gets an accurate picture of their skills. NWEA parent reports will go home later this month. Thank you for your support!
ALICE Drill
This month we will be conducting our second ALICE drill of the year. During this drill, classes will be practicing HIDE OUT/KEEP OUT where students will find numerous places in the room to hide (not in one big group) and the teacher will assist in showing the class how the door could be barricaded from an intruder if needed. This May we will be practicing GET OUT where the whole school will mock evacuate to our rendezvous point at the Presbyterian church on Park.
BOARD APPRECIATION
A big THANK YOU to our Allen Park Board of Education members during School Board Appreciation Month. We are honored to have such a supportive Board of Education who keep the arts and education alive in Allen Park!
Literacy Website
Mrs. Wesley, our Literacy Coach at Arno, has created a blog that contains great information and resources for families in the area of literacy . Please check it out and take advantage of all the great information.
Starting a home library for your children shows them how important books are. Here are some creative ideas for finding books (including flea markets, book swaps, birthday and holiday wish lists), creating a welcoming space to keep the books, making your own bookplates, and more.
Finding books
Become a treasure hunter! Browse book store sales, garage sales, flea markets, used book stores, and sales at your local library
Organize a children’s book swap with friends, community groups, or your school
Encourage family and friends to give books as gifts for birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations
Don’t forget quality nonfiction and children’s magazines!
Building your library
A cardboard box or small wooden packing crate that you can decorate together might make a good bookcase. Or you might clear one of the family bookshelves.
Pick a special place for your child’s books so that she knows where to look for them — in a cozy corner of your child’s bedroom or close to where the rest of the family gathers and reads if your child is very social.
Help your child to arrange her books in some order — her favorite books, books about animals, or holiday books. Use whatever method will help her most easily find the book she’s looking for.
“This book belongs to…” Bookplates give your child a sense of ownership and can add “newness” to a used book. You can make your own or download and print one of these colorful designs by children’s book illustrators.
If you and your child make your own books together, you can add those to your home library.
Borrow books from your local library. Go to the children’s section and spend time with your child reading and selecting books to take home and put in her special spot. You might even have a box or space just for library books, so that they don’t get mixed up with your child’s own books.
When collecting and reading books are a part of family life, you send your child a message that books are important, enjoyable, and full of new things to learn!
It can be hard to find ways to include someone new –especially when that someone is invisible– but it’s worth the effort. Simple and sweet, it’s easy for kids to “see” the possible connections between this story and their own lives.
Being kind means making space for everyone, as this “big, friendly umbrella” shows. Read it, and then leave an umbrella propped by your classroom door as a reminder to be inclusive.
A girl tries to follow her mother’s advice to “be kind” when others tease a classmate, but her attempt doesn’t help…at first. Talk with students about how kindness can gain momentum over time.
This title is a lovely tool for reassuring children that the world is full of kind people with good intentions. Diverse illustrations highlight the kindness of “most people.”
Mrs. Ruler is to kindness what Ms. Frizzle is to science. Instead of punishing kids who act up in class, she challenges them to find opportunities to be kind.
No one notices a hurt pigeon except young Will, who takes it home and tenderly nurses it back to health. This story celebrates the capacity of children to provide kind, gentle care.
How do you acknowledge the efforts of someone who is perennially kind? Return the kindness, of course. Little Sophia sets out to show Mrs. Goldman how much the neighborhood appreciates her hand-made gifts.
This beautifully illustrated saga of a greedy king’s transformation into a traveling ambassador of kindness will keep kids captivated until the last page.
Jeremy’s quest for a pair of “those shoes” that his family can afford doesn’t end as he originally hopes, but it does create an opportunity to be kind.
Arno Elementary will provide a system of support to empower
and inspire students to become collaborative learners
that strive for academic excellence
On behalf of all the staff at Arno, we wish you and your family
a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season!
Time to get Merry!
PBIS/PTA Table
The PTA and PBIS team will have items for sale during the PTA Craft night on December 15 (info coming soon). For sale that evening:
Culver’s calendars for PBIS- A 2022 calendar that is filled with valuable coupons for Culver’s delicious food! The cost is $3 and $2 of that will go the building Positive Behavior Support program. We have 100 to sell and they make great stocking stuffers!
The PBIS team will also have Arno bumper stickers, smencils, Smencil pouches that can help Santa fill his Christmas list.
Conferences
A reminder that Parent/Teacher conferences are coming up on Dec. 1 and 2. Please be sure that you have signed up for a time- either in-person or virtual with your classroom teacher. Your child’s teacher will send out a Zoom link if you have signed up for a virtual conference. Please contact us with any questions you may have.
A BIGThank you to all of our families that participated in the Cookie dough fundraiser! All items will be in prior to Christmas and we will send out a notification on a pick up date when everything arrives. Thank you for your support!!
WarmingTree
In the spirit of sharing holiday warmth, we will be collecting new, warm outerwear like hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves to share on our warming tree located in the main hallway. Please consider donating to help out less fortunate children by December 16. Thank you for your help
District-wideHoliday Toy Box Drive- With a Twist
It’s hard to believe that Christmas is around the corner and that we will be hosting a district-wide Holiday Toy Box Drive with a twist. Much like last year, this year’s Toy Box Drive will look a little different than years past. We will be securing the names of Allen Park Families in need and reaching out to them to see how we can help. As in the past, we will be asking individuals, teams, community businesses, etc. to adopt a child or family. WE WILL NOT BE COLLECTING ANY GENTLY USED ITEMS. It will be a drive through pick up, allowing everyone to be as safe as possible.
Boxes will be placed in school buildings but all donations must be to the high school by December 3. We ask that you fill the boxes with non-perishable food items rather than toys..
For those students who would like to get their picture retaken and bought a package, they MUST bring their package down to the cameras for an even exchange, as pictures will not be reprinted unless those are returned. Our photographer will need to know what to enter in for them for those pictures to be replaced.
Strategies to KeepReading Fun & FestiveThis Holiday Break
Many of us look forward to the holiday break as a time to relax with our families. To eat delicious food, watch festive films, and spend time with our kids. We definitely think that some down time is needed, but it’s also important to keep educational practices going during the break.
To keep reading progress moving in a positive direction, and have some fun along the way, try a few of these strategies out this holiday season:
IncorporateHoliday Themed BooksInto The Mix
Make a list of holiday classics you loved as a child and look into new releases to add in to reading time. Make a goal to work your way through one book a day over the break. You might even create new bedtime habits that last into 2019 when they’re back at school.
Make it aFamilyAffair
I’m sure that you’ve heard that children will often model their behaviour after their parents. We’re not telling you to cut out all of the Home Alone and Christmas Vacation movie time, but it would be a good idea if others in the family made daily reading a practice as well. Create a nightly ritual where everyone in the family cozies up with a hot chocolate and a good book for 20-30 minutes.
Create a Recipe For Success
Encourage your kids to help you cook this holiday season. Whether it be helping with dinners or baking treats, asking your kids to participate will make for a memorable and teachable moment. Add in reading by asking them to read the recipes out loud to you.
Holidays AroundThe World
You might not personally celebrate certain holidays, but it’s a good idea to explain different cultures and traditions to your kids. This can help them to better understand some of their classmates and the world around them. Choose books that are centered on specific holidays or traditions around the world, add in learning prompts, and even activities to bring the traditions to life.
Make aDayof it
Make a plan to visit your local library or book store one day over the holiday break. If weather permits, bundle up and walk or sled there, and maybe even stop for a hot drink or tasty treat on the way home.
We hope that you’ll enjoy time off with your family over the holidays and keep reading fun and festive!
How aboutMath?
DRESSING FOR THEWEATHER
Brr! The weather has turned chilly! Although our afternoons are often warmer than mornings, please send your child to school with a warm coat daily. It’s always a good idea to dress in layers to adapt to changing temperatures. Please label your child’s jackets and sweaters so they can find their way back to their owners if left somewhere. The Lost & Found is currently full of items needing to be claimed!
Arno will be once again doing the Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough fundraiser starting Nov. 8 to help supplement the many requests we get from staff during the school year such as assessment programs, research-based activities, special project supplies, literacy materials, tech, etc. The last fundraiser helped us purchase many extra classroom supply requests, Super Cougar pizza lunch supplies, books, and professional development for teachers.
The PTA has been a tremendous resource for our building with all they have given, however, the many teacher requests received throughout the school year to give our students the very best experiences create a need to seek additional support. Therefore, we have partnered with this company to offer you a choice of items should you choose to purchase any, that would support providing more resources for our teachers. The large envelope coming home on Nov. 8 and will contain all of the information needed (and there is an online order method).
Fundraiser Timeline
November 8 – November 19 Fundraiser Sale
November 23All money and orders due (online payment option available)
Game Truck Prize for qualifying sales: TBD
**Turnover time is about 2-3 weeks, we will contact everyone when the items will be in (before Christmas)
Read by Grade Three
Arno 3rd grade parents, please take a look at the flyer below for an informational meeting Nov. 4 about the reading law and what to expect this year. This meeting will be via Zoom:
We recognize that this has been a difficult couple years for families, with reduced work hours or income, illness and the rising cost of food, gas and other monthly bills. Things may be tight and support may be needed.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, we are sharing the website below, “Julie’s list,” which includes many resources and supports for families in need. Thank you to the AP Social Work Team for providing this information.
Picture retake day is Dec. 2. For those students who would like to get their picture retaken and bought a package, they MUST bring their package down to the cameras for an even exchange.
Picture day is fast approaching- October 7. Below is the information you will need to do online ordering. As was the procedure last year, students may remove their mask for the picture if they are comfortable and then put it back on after the picture.
Virtual students please report between 11:00-12:00 for your pictures.
Picture Day for Arno Elementary is scheduled for Thursday, October 7, 2021 and this Picture Day event’s Order Code is 60204TF if needed.
Thank you to the Arno PTA, our teachers, and all of the volunteers that helped make this years Fun Run a huge success again! The weather was beautiful and our Cougars did a great job making the rounds around the “track” all while helping to raise money for our school!
Culver’s Scholarship Night
We have planned a restaurant night at Culvers (15655 Southfield Rd, Allen Park) for the evening of October 19 from 5:00-9:00- the best part of the night is that Arno staff will be at the restaurant helping out the Culver’s crew! All proceeds from the evening will go the Arno Scholarship fund, which gives 3 APHS students who formerly went to Arno, the chance to get some scholarship money towards college. Please come and join us and see the Arno staff in action!
Literacy Website
Mrs. Wesley, our Literacy Coach at Arno, has created a blog that contains great information and resources for families in the area of literacy . Please check it out and take advantage of all the great information.
Walk to School Day (W2SD) is an international event celebrated each year in October. This annual event began in 1997 by the Partnership for a Walkable America, to encourage walkable communities and has grown to an international event that takes place in over 40 countries worldwide. In Michigan, over 90,000 students across 304 schools participated in W2SD events at their local schools last year. Walk to School Day encourages healthy habits, heightens awareness of traffic safety, draws attention to environmental concerns around schools, and is a great way to build local momentum for a Safe Routes to School initiative.
W2SD 2021 officially takes place on October 6.
Please see the schedule below where your child can meet Arno staff to walk into school on Oct. 6:
McLain & Park: Mr. Trionfi Regina & Rosedale: Talamonti and Johnson
Markese & Park: Mrs. Schultz Thomas & Rosedale: Mrs. Martinchick
Oceana & Park: Ms. Amonette
Jonas & Park: Miss Winkles Champaign & Park: Mrs. Kalis
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
Thank you everyone who came out to our first ever before school meet the teacher open house. We heard a lot of positive comments and hopefully it calmed some first day jitters. In addition to meeting our classroom staff, we have some short introduction videos from our special teachers and district ESL teacher:
Time to get those costumes on the kids and come on down to Arno on Oct. 29 at 10:00 for our annual Halloween Parade. Our route will take us out of the 5th grade doors that morning, making a loop on the inside perimeter of the playground. Please join us around the outside perimeter of the playground for the best seats, unfortunately we will not be allowing classroom visits that day. It is a district PD day with an 11:30 dismissal that morning.
Thank you again Mr. Peace for helping us build a positive, safe learning environment at Arno!
Time to Move!
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.
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.
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, or out.
**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.
**We now have some volunteers for the dropoff/pickup, but we need more. Please contact the office if you can help out!
BE SMART! BE PATIENT! BE CARING! BE KIND!!! BE RESPONSIBLE!!
Gleaners Mobile Pantries
Gleaners is now offering mobile pantries in some
communities. Below is the website address for a list of
food distribution locations.
Families can also call 2-1-1 to find the nearest pantry
and/or locate other necessary resources.
“LIKE” us to see lots of great updates and photos from school! Thank you for promoting this social media platform as a positive way to share the good news and great things happening at Arno!
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!!
![40 Amazing Fireworks Animated Gif Pics - Share at Best Animations [Video] | Fireworks animation, Fireworks gif, Gif pictures](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e5/27/9f/e5279f5b58c4d921d8439c253bb15362.gif)
