NEWS FROM THE PTO

☕  SPECIAL THANKS: Please join us in thanking The Common Cup and Vanessa and Marcus Lane for generously sponsoring our Welcome Back Coffee yesterday.
A huge thank you to all of the new and returning families who made it to Popsicles on the Playground and New Family Tours, and to Elyse Geeting for helping deliver the popsicles. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to reconnect after the summer hiatus.

REPEAT INFORMATION

✅  PARENT SURVEY: Please fill out the 2026-2027 Parent Survey to let us know how you can financially support or volunteer this year. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can offer  - we can’t do it without you!

🤝  FAMILY DUES: Thank you to the 50+ families who have contributed to date!!!  Each year, Angell’s PTO provides funding for field trips, teacher and staff appreciation, and well-attended community events. To make these opportunities possible, we ask each family to make an annual contribution to the PTO of $150 per child. These dues help us to avoid charging multiple per-event fees and ensure that all students benefit equally from the wide range of enrichment activities offered at Angell.

To make your dues payment, please Venmo the PTO Treasurer @angellptotreasurer. Please include your student name(s) and “Yearly Dues” in the "What's it for?" field. If you prefer, checks may be delivered to the office.

📅  FIRST PTO MEETING THIS YEAR - WED, SEP 23, 6:30 PM AT ANGELL: Mark your calendars! The first PTO meeting of the year will be held in-person at Angell. We invite all families to attend. Childcare and snacks will be provided. We will forward our agenda in the next newsletter. 

📃  AAPS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS: We know that many of you are following developments in the AAPS contract negotiations. We cannot provide news about the negotiations on this platform, but please email president@angellpto.org if you would like to be added to a listserv for updates.

In the meantime, you can meet the 2026 Ann Arbor School Board Candidates on Thursday, September 17th. Register to attend In-Person or Virtually.

🗓️  Thursday, September 17

⏰  6 PM Dinner and Community; 7 PM Forum Starts - childcare provided

📍  Washtenaw Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor

NEWS FROM PRINCIPAL FENECH

Dear Angell Families,

As we settle into a new school year, it is normal for kids to be extra tired this week.  It takes time to settle into early wake-ups, new classroom routines, and sharing our communal spaces. As you check in with your child about their day, try swapping the familiar “How was school?” for a question that invites a little more conversation. This resource has some great ideas to help you learn what your child is thinking, wondering, and experiencing at school. Try one of these questions.

Hats off to our Angell families for getting their Eagles to school on time yesterday! 🦅 We know mornings can be a team effort, and we appreciate your help in getting the day off to a smooth start. Arriving on time is so important for students’ sense of comfort. 

Please take a moment to review these important safety and dismissal reminders:

• Car line: Adults must remain in their vehicles during drop-off and pick-up. If your child cannot safely and quickly get in or out of the car independently, please park and walk them to/from school. Never get out of your car or back up/reverse in the car line.

• Car line for dismissal: The car line is for students in Young Fives/Kindergarten through grade 2. Students in grades 3-5 should meet their rides in the neighborhood.

• Late arrival: If your child arrives late, an adult must accompany them into the office and sign them in.

• Changes to dismissal: If your child’s regular pick-up plan changes, please make sure your child knows the plan and email the office at ang_attendance@aaps.k12.mi.us. Copying your child’s teacher is helpful, but please remember that teachers may not have an opportunity to read email during the instructional day. You can also phone the office at (734) 994-1907.

• Bus Dispatch: If your child is a bus rider, I recommend saving the number to Durham Transportation (734) 994-2330. 

🛝  THE NEW PLAYGROUND IS COMPLETE: I hope the playground that students voted on and is now installed is a hit!

🧸📱  TOYS & TECHNOLOGY: Please leave toys & stuffies at home where they will be kept safe and not be a potential cause of distraction. And a reminder of the AAPS guidelines for phones & smartwatches:

👋  MEET OUR NEW TEACHERS!!

• Liz Buehler (Kindergarten): Mrs. B brings a wealth of experience teaching across grade levels and communities, including several years in AAPS, and her genuine passion for child development and learning shines through. Mrs. B is committed to creating a classroom where children’s curiosity, creativity, and interests are celebrated. Cool fact: Mrs. Buehler worked in Le Mans, France for the Embassy!

• Molly McClean (2nd grade): Mrs. McClean brings eight years of experience in education, including teaching in Detroit. Mrs. McClean served in the AmeriCorps program, an experience that reflects her commitment to serving students and communities. She believes strongly in creating classrooms where students feel safe, valued, and empowered! Cool fact: Mrs. McClean also teaches yoga!

• Vanessa Merritt (3rd grade): Teacher Merritt is committed to differentiated instruction and culturally responsive teaching. Vanessa’s background supporting English Language Learners and students with autism makes evident their passion to meet each student's unique needs.  Cool fact: Teacher Merritt taught in Sri Lanka!

• Aly Pakela (Kindergarten): Mrs. Pakela understands the importance of meeting each child right where they are - supporting and challenging every student based on their individual needs. She is committed to continually deepening her understanding of child development, and she comes to us with experience having taught in a local public charter school. Cool fact:  Mrs. Pakela flies airplanes!  

🙋  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

• 📸  SCHOOL PICTURE DAY - Sept 23, morning: I could use two adults from 8:50-11:30 AM to help with picture day on Wednesday, September 23rd . These helpers will shuttle classes to/from the auditorium and get kids picture-ready.  

• 🦮  LOLA WALKERS - ongoing: If you love dogs and can serve as a regular helper, please let me know your availability. I would love a couple of folks who can take Lola on a short walk (5-10 minutes) in the late morning/early afternoon. If you can do this two times a week, please email me. 

• 🍎  LUNCH VOLUNTEERS - September and ongoing: We’d love a few extra grown-ups during lunch, especially while our youngest students are getting into the routine. If you can help during First Lunch (11:40–12:30) and/or Second Lunch (12:35–1:25), please email me. Caregivers and family members are welcome! 

📝 TASK REMINDERS:

• READ THE NEED-TO-KNOW: Take a few minutes to review our Need-to-Know document, which includes important information about arrival, dismissal, absences, snacks, and other everyday procedures.

• LABEL, LABEL, LABEL! Please label your child’s backpack, water bottle, lunch bag, and other belongings. We also recommend sending a change of clothes to keep at school.

• SCHOOL DIRECTORY: Want to make it easier to connect with other Angell families? Complete the school directory form by Wed, Sept 23.

• EDUCATION BENEFIT FORM (EBF): Every AAPS family is asked to complete the Education Benefit Form, regardless of financial status. Select “Apply for benefits.”  You do not need to enter your child’s ID number.

• 🚌  BUS ROUTES: Click here for Angell's bus routes. If your child is a bus rider, I recommend saving the number to Durham Transportation in your phone: (734) 994-2330