NEWS FROM THE PTO

📲  ANGELL DIRECTORY: Inclusion in the directory is optional, so this is not a full roster of classes or Angell families. If you would like your contact information added to the Directory, please send contact information to secretary@angellpto.org.

🧑‍💻 NEXT ANGELL PTO MEETING ON ZOOM - MON, NOV 16, 6:30 PM: Items currently on the agenda include:  

• Guest Speakers on the AAPS Budget: Steve Norton (ED, Michigan Parents for Schools and outgoing AAPS Board Member) and Susan Schmidt (outgoing AAPS Board Member). It would be helpful to have questions in advance to shape the presentation - please email president@angellpto.org with your queries!

• Principal Points with Fenech 

• Events and Initiatives 

• Budget and Giving Update 

• Contract Negotiations Update 

📝  REPEATS:

• FAMILY DUES: A few facts about Family Dues: See where your Family Dues go here. And if you would like to contribute additional Family Dues, you can help defray the costs to other Angell families. To make your annual $150/child dues payment, please Venmo the PTO Treasurer. Please include your student name(s) and “Yearly Dues” in the "What's it for?" field.

• WINTER DANCE INTEREST? VOLUNTEER BY NOV 30: Are there volunteers who wish to lead planning and event management for a students’ Winter Dance? Please let Chavi know by November 30: president@angellpto.org.

• AAPS ADVOCACY: Please email president@angellpto.org if you would like to be added to a listserv for periodic updates on advocacy opportunities with AAPS. 

NEWS FROM PRINCIPAL FENECH

🍭  LAST DAY FOR CANDY COLLECTION - TOMORROW AT NOON: If you’d like to send a sweet treat to someone serving our country AND rid your home of candy, be sure to send it to Angell by Wednesday at noon. We’ll weigh each class’s contributions to determine the winning class.

🗓️  YOUNG FIVES & IN-DISTRICT TRANSFER DATES HAVE MOVED UP: AAPS has moved In-District Transfer (IDT) dates earlier for the 2027-2028 school year. Because Young Fives is considered a district program, even families zoned for Angell must enroll during the first IDT window.

2027-2028 IDT Windows

• Window 1: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 – Tuesday, January 5, 2027 (Young Fives, grades 6-8, and grades 9-11 for the Huron IB programme)

• Window 2: Thursday, February 4 – Tuesday, March 2, 2027 

Please help us spread the word! Do you know a family with a child turning five between May 1 and December 1, 2027? Please pass along this first enrollment window. Angell School’s 20 Young Fives spots always fill during Window 1, so even neighborhood families need to express interest by January 5.

🗣️  AFTER-SCHOOL SPANISH CLUB COMING IN JANUARY: We’re excited to announce a new after-school program where Angell students can learn Spanish! The club is free of charge and meets on Mondays from 4:00-5:00 PM. Spanish Club Session dates:

• Session 1A: begins Monday, January 4, 2027

• Session 1B: begins Monday, March 8, 2027

The club will be co-taught by high school student Ella McVeigh (Angell class of ‘23) and Katie Jednyak, our 1st grade teacher and former Angell Spanish teacher.

Interested? We’re gathering interest throughout November, and families who express interest will receive more information in December. We hope to be able to take all interested kids, but first we need to determine the amount of interest/demand. Express INTEREST here

Questions or comments? Contact Ella at emcveigh@greenhillsschool.org. We can’t wait to share our love of Spanish with your children!

🦅  ANGELL SPIRIT WEEK - NOV 16-20:

• Monday, Nov. 16: Pajama Day. Come to school in your coziest PJs (Please leave slippers and stuffies at home)

• Tuesday, Nov. 17: Hat or Headband Day. Show off your favorite hat, headband, or other head accessory.

• Wednesday, Nov. 18: Twin Day. Pick a friend, sibling, classmate OR STAFF member and dress alike.

• Thursday, Nov. 19: Library or Team Spirit Day. Wear your AADL Summer Game gear, or something from your favorite sports team.

• Friday, Nov. 20: Angell School Spirit Day! Wear your Angell spirit wear or school colors (blue & white) and show your Angell pride.

🔦  RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT - Talking with Kids About Race: Many families want to talk with children about race but aren’t sure where to begin. EmbraceRace is a nonprofit that supports parents, caregivers, and educators of children from birth through middle school in raising kids who are thoughtful, informed, and brave about race. It was founded in 2016 by a couple who believe it is never too early to start these conversations with children of all races. Their article, “4 Starting Points for Conversations with Kids about Race,” begins with the idea of normalizing talking about race. It’s a practical, low-pressure read, and EmbraceRace’s site also offers webinars, conversation guides, and more. embracerace

🏆  ANGELL AMONG TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN MICHIGAN: Angell School continues to outperform and rank at the highest levels in the state. On the MI School Data dashboard, Angell earned 100 points, and in this year’s U.S. News rankings, Angell placed #11 out of roughly 1,100 elementary schools in Michigan.

These results reflect the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the support of our families. We invite you to look at the data yourself:

• MI School Data dashboard

• https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/elementary-schools/michigan 

Thank you for being integral and valued members of the Angell School community! 

📝  REPEATS:

• PICTURE RETAKES - TOMORROW MORNING: After the photo is taken, your child will bring home a QR code that links to the ordering website. You’re welcome to skip purchasing, but we’d still like a photo of every student for the yearbook. If your child is having their photo retaken, please send their original photo packet back to school that morning.

• DRESS FOR THE WEATHER, PACK A CHANGE OF CLOTHES : We go outside for recess in light rain, so please make sure your child is dressed for it. If you need support getting your child a jacket, please let me know. We are here to help! Please keep a spare set of clothes in your child's locker, and be sure it's weather-appropriate. 

• REPORT CARDS ON THE HORIZON: Term 1 report cards will be emailed home on Tuesday, November 24th.