Wed, Sept 16 – Curriculum Night, 6:00-7:30 PM. Please note: this evening is not designed with children in mind. If you do not have an option for childcare, please bring quiet toys to keep children occupied.
6:00 and 6:30 - Repeat presentations by classroom teachers in their classrooms
7:00 - School-wide presentation led by Principal Fenech in the auditorium
Wed, Sept 23
First PTO Meeting at Angell, 6:30 PM. Childcare and snacks will be provided. All are welcome to join on Zoom as well.
School Picture Day
DEADLINE: School Directory Form due (optional)
Thurs, Sept 24 – Angell Fall Family Picnic, 5:30-7:30 PM. Families are invited to visit and enjoy refreshments with the Angell community
Mon, Sept 28 – No School (Staff Professional Development)
Fri, Oct 9 & Mon, Oct 12 – No School (October Break)
Helpful links: Family Dues + Fundraising | Volunteer | Description of Annual Events
NEWS FROM THE PTO
📅 FIRST PTO MEETING THIS YEAR - WED, SEP 23, 6:30 PM AT ANGELL:
Agenda items include:
Welcome Back
Principal Points with Fenech
Events Calendar and PTO Volunteer Needs
Family Dues
AAPS Contract and Budget Updates
This meeting will take place in-person and on zoom - we will have snacks and childcare. This is one of only a few PTO meetings we will have in-person, so please come and connect with fellow caregivers!
✅ 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 to the 36 respondents so far, and thank you in advance for any assistance you can offer - we can’t do it without you!
🔬 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - SCIENCE OLYMPIAD PLANNING COMMITTEE: We’re putting together this year’s Science Olympiad Planning Committee, and we’re looking for a few dedicated parents to join us. This group will help organize and prepare for the season ahead, and your support will make a real difference.
Angell Elementary participates in the Washtenaw County Science Olympiad, the largest elementary Science Olympiad in the country, and with more than 90 students involved last year, strong planning is essential. Our head coaches, Jill Gorsuch and Susan Rigetti, rely on parent volunteers to keep this 100% volunteer‑run program thriving.
If you’re willing to help on the Planning Committee, please email AngellSciOly@gmail.com. Coaching recruitment details will follow soon.
🤝 FAMILY DUES: Thank you to the families who have contributed to date - covering 87 students (31% of our student population)!!!
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.
📃 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. (Note that we sent an update on Saturday, September 5 - if you did not receive it and would like to, please let Chavi know)
Resources and upcoming events related to AAPS:
Meet the 2026 Ann Arbor School Board Candidates on Thursday, September 17th. Register to attend In-Person or Virtually. 6 PM Dinner and Community; 7 PM Forum Starts - childcare provided. Washtenaw Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor
Watch the recording of last Wednesday's AAPS board meeting. Two items of potential interest are the Superintendent’s budget update (at 24:10) and statewide and local financial realities from Trustee Steve Norton (at 38:21). Printed resources are below:
NEWS FROM PRINCIPAL FENECH
6:00 & 6:30 PM: Classroom teachers will offer the same presentation twice, giving you flexibility to attend more than one child’s session.
7:00 PM: Join me in the auditorium for a whole-school welcome, including remarks from our PTO.
A note about children: This evening is designed for adults. If childcare isn’t an option, please bring a quiet activity or toys to help your child stay occupied during the presentations.
Parking will be a challenge. Please consider walking or biking.
👏 APPRECIATIONS: A big thank you to Steph Dolan and Will Foss for giving our lounge and staff restroom some love! The artwork and thoughtful upgrades are such a welcome addition and are truly appreciated. On the first day of school, teacher appreciation lead Kristin Giant stocked the lounge with snacks, hydration options, and caffeine - it was a hit!! Last week, Mitch Price, Brooke Tomlins, and Sarah Bishara were a great help at lunchtime. And thank you to Courtney Chambers and Cherry Kan for signing up to be Lola walkers!
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.
🙋 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
🦮 LOLA WALKER: If you want to walk Lola on Mondays and Fridays, please email me. She needs a 5-10 minute walk around 11:30 AM.
🍎 LUNCH HELPERS - 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 to volunteer, and PAID positions are also available.
👋 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!
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
