WELCOME TO PRINCIPAL MENTZER'S WEBSITE FOR EVERYTHING ANDERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We commit to continuous growth and improvement by…
Creating a culture for learning by working together.
Providing a curriculum that engages and challenges all students.
Implementing research base strategies to maximize student learning.
Monitoring and supporting each student's achievement.
Creating a culture for learning by working together.
Providing a curriculum that engages and challenges all students.
Implementing research base strategies to maximize student learning.
Monitoring and supporting each student's achievement.
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No School Tomorrow ~ due to pending arrival of a winter storm: Wednesday, February 26, 2020
PLEASE REVIEW THE INFO BELOW FOR THE UPCOMING
-----BLACK OUT BULLYING WEEK IS HERE!!! TOMORROW IS OUR KICK-OFF!!! PLEASE WEAR YOUR BLACK OUT BULLYING SHIRTS! BE THE "I" IN KIND ~ WE CAN DO THIS!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5TH GRADE VISIT TO BAMS!
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
This letter is to welcome the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the incoming sixth graders to Arthurs Middle School for the 2020-2021 school year. On Wednesday, February 26, 2020 there will be a brief presentation of the middle school concept to parents in the AMS cafeteria from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At the same time, there will be a separate presentation in the forum for students with a question and answer period with current eighth graders. After the presentations, students and parents may tour the building with our eighth graders.
Students that are interested in sports, 6th graders may run cross country with the team in the fall or participate in sideline cheer for football. Students who choose to participate will need to have a physical on file with the office before practicing with the team. During the year, sixth graders can also participate in swimming, wrestling and track. These sports also require a physical. Physicals must be dated after April 15, 2020 and a school form needs to be completed. This form can be picked up in the school office or downloaded from the Trenton Public Schools website at http://trentonathletics.com. Please also note that sports, including physical education, require students to remove their body piercings, please consider having these done 6-8 weeks before starting middle school so there will not be a conflict.
The middle school counselors will also be visiting all the current fifth graders to present next year’s course selections during the month of March. Students will then travel to AMS to schedule their elective courses. The scheduling information will be shared with each of you the night of February 26, 2020.
At the end of summer there will be a three-hour orientation for students. This is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, 2020 from 8:30-10:45am before school begins in the fall. This orientation is designed to relieve some of the anxiety prior to becoming a middle school student. Students will work with 8th grade W.E.B. leaders in some activities, tour the building, and receive their schedules and lockers at this time. Please plan on your student participating in this valuable experience.
We are looking forward to meeting all of you soon!
Sincerely,
Deborah Rhoades, Ed.S.
Principal
BLACK HISTORY MONTH:
Tuesday, February 4: FACT ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. started college at age 15 (as did Condoleezza Rice).
Wednesday, February 5: In 2008, Usain Bolt became the first man to ever set three world records in a single Olympic games.
Thursday, February 6: James Edward West developed the electret microphone in 1961. It is used in 90 percent of all contemporary microphones (phones, baby monitors, and hearing aids).
Friday, February 7: Dr. Daniel Hale Williams became a surgeon and opened a medical training school for all races- something revolutionary at that time. In 1893 he performed one of the first Open Heart Surgery.
Monday, February 10: Dr Shirley Jackson's scientific breakthroughs and work at MIT made it possible for others to invent things like the portable fax, touch tone telephone, solar cells, fiber optic cables, and the technology behind caller ID and call waiting.
Tuesday, February 11: Alexander Miles was an inventor from Minnesota that patented the electric elevator in 1887. Miles' patent crafted a way for the doors of the elevator car to open and close on their own...what a game changer!!!
Wednesday, February 12: Garrett Morgan was responsible for inventing what turned into be the first traffic signal in 1923...it paved the way for our three-way traffic light.
Thursday. February 13: MLK's "I have a dream speech" is famous for good reason ~ students got to hear a snippet today; all men (and women) are created equal!
Wednesday, February 19: Prince was an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, actor, & filmmaker. A guitar virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist known for his flamboyant stage shows and great dance/funk music!
BRAINSTORMERS visited on Friday, February 7, 2020
ALL STAR MEETING with Dr. Hassan-UM: 2/4/2020
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST MARKED THE 1ST ELEMENTARY BASKETBALL GAMES IN MANY MANY YEARS ~ THANKS COACH PEREZ!
Friday, January 31, 2020
Dear All Star Community,
Happy end of January!!! What a gloomy month it was! Clouds and more clouds. Yikes! Our students definitely are feeling the impact of the weather. Nonetheless, we remain focused on our month's PBIS trait of optimism. Tomorrow is our PBIS Assembly that will celebrate our All Stars' great citizenship!
Here is your building update:
I. GCM ADDITION (gym, cafeteria, and music): Our GCM building was scheduled to open on January 27, 2020. The "move-in" date is now set for Wednesday, February 19, 2020. As of now, our 2nd and 3rd grade will have the first lunch period (11:15 - 11:45 a.m.). Kindergarten and 1st grade will have the second lunch and 4th/5th/Young 5's will have the last lunch period. Our lunch period will last 30 minutes from beginning to end. Additionally, teachers will have the discretion to implement recess and/or student activity for our students prior to lunch time or after. Consequently, we are also looking at alternative ways to incorporate movement into the classroom as Dr. Rebecca Hassan/University of Michigan will be visiting us on Tuesday, February 4. Due to the three lunch schedule, we have had to prepare for a multitude of changes and coordinate everything from lunch, to recess, to our special services, to our 5th grade safety schedules....and plenty more. Though it is a great positive to have this new structure, there are some serious growing pains that go with this change. An orientation for students and staff is slated for the week prior to our move-in.
When the move to the GCM occurs, we will find that our old gym will be CLOSED. Preparation/construction for this area will begin as soon as possible ~ for those that do not know, this will become our new media center and space for ancillary staff. So there is lots to do. Ultimately, our library will move into the old gym starting June 1, 2020. The old library will be renovated to include three new classrooms and we will relocate staff accordingly. In the end, construction will be completed for the start of the 2020/2021 school year. I will continue to keep you updated along the way.
Sincerely,
Principal Mentzer
Dear All Star Community,
Happy end of January!!! What a gloomy month it was! Clouds and more clouds. Yikes! Our students definitely are feeling the impact of the weather. Nonetheless, we remain focused on our month's PBIS trait of optimism. Tomorrow is our PBIS Assembly that will celebrate our All Stars' great citizenship!
Here is your building update:
I. GCM ADDITION (gym, cafeteria, and music): Our GCM building was scheduled to open on January 27, 2020. The "move-in" date is now set for Wednesday, February 19, 2020. As of now, our 2nd and 3rd grade will have the first lunch period (11:15 - 11:45 a.m.). Kindergarten and 1st grade will have the second lunch and 4th/5th/Young 5's will have the last lunch period. Our lunch period will last 30 minutes from beginning to end. Additionally, teachers will have the discretion to implement recess and/or student activity for our students prior to lunch time or after. Consequently, we are also looking at alternative ways to incorporate movement into the classroom as Dr. Rebecca Hassan/University of Michigan will be visiting us on Tuesday, February 4. Due to the three lunch schedule, we have had to prepare for a multitude of changes and coordinate everything from lunch, to recess, to our special services, to our 5th grade safety schedules....and plenty more. Though it is a great positive to have this new structure, there are some serious growing pains that go with this change. An orientation for students and staff is slated for the week prior to our move-in.
When the move to the GCM occurs, we will find that our old gym will be CLOSED. Preparation/construction for this area will begin as soon as possible ~ for those that do not know, this will become our new media center and space for ancillary staff. So there is lots to do. Ultimately, our library will move into the old gym starting June 1, 2020. The old library will be renovated to include three new classrooms and we will relocate staff accordingly. In the end, construction will be completed for the start of the 2020/2021 school year. I will continue to keep you updated along the way.
Sincerely,
Principal Mentzer
1/10/2020
Dear Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Grade Families:
Being a good reader is critical for a student to be successful in both school and in life. This letter serves as a point of information for families regarding the Michigan Third Grade Reading Legislation. In 2016, the Michigan Legislature passed the Third Grade Reading Law to ensure that students are reading at-or-above grade level when they exit 3rd grade. In accordance with the law, districts across the state assess the reading skills of students in kindergarten through 3rd grade at the beginning of the school year, winter, and spring. In Trenton, we have adopted the i-READY test for kindergarten through 3rd grade (assessment continues in the 4th and 5th grade with the MAP/NWEA).The intent is to help identify students who may need additional support in learning to read. The results of the assessments provide useful information to help teachers better meet the individual needs of each student. This has been ongoing in our district since the law passed.
Test scores are immediately available upon the completion of the test. In this way, teachers have been able to identify students that are lagging behind. Additionally, an Individual Reading Improvement Plan is created to address and support student areas of weakness and provide resources for parents and guardians (often referred to as an I-RIP). As you know, all 3rd grade students are required to take the state assessment (M-STEP) at the end of the year (for 3rd grade, it is in APRIL). Beginning with this school year, 3rd grade students who are one or more years below grade level in reading on the state assessment will not be eligible to be promoted to 4th grade. At that time, the family of a 3rd grade child who is not reading at grade level will receive written notice that their child will not be promoted (unless there is good cause for a student to be exempted). Given that reading proficiency is a strong predictor of future career and college readiness, literacy is embedded in all subject areas. Although the school focuses on early literacy throughout the school day, we still need your support. Family engagement plays a vital role in a child’s success as a reader. As a partner in your child’s education, we encourage you to communicate with your child’s teacher regarding their progress.
3rd Grade Reading Law
The Michigan Legislature passed the "Third-Grade Retention Law" (PA 306) in 2016 to ensure that students exiting 3rd grade are reading at or above grade level beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. Below is additional information explaining the details and expectations related to the law/legislation and how you can support your child at home.
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Read_Grade_3_Guide_638247_7.pdf
https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/third-grade-reading/
Good Cause Exemption Process:
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Facts_Families_GCE_FinalDraft_653732_7.pdf
Should you have questions, please email or call me as per usual.
Sincerely,
Principal Mentzer
Reading Tips Reading at Home - Phonemic Awareness Reading at Home - Phonics Reading at Home - Fluency Reading at Home - Vocabulary Reading at Home - Comprehension