News and Upcoming Events

Angell’s Giving Tree

As the holidays approach, we start thinking of family and also ways to support our community.  At Angell, we host a "giving tree" for those in our school community in need of support. You can contribute by purchasing new clothes, winter clothes and toys for Angell families.  You can do so on the signup genius HERE.

If you're able to contribute, please bring your unwrapped gifts to the Angell office by Wednesday, December 13 and Principal Fenech will get them to the families on behalf of the Angell Community.  

We are also in need of wrapping paper, scotch tape, and gift bags - they can be opened/gently used if they're in good shape.

Reminder that we are also collecting clean and gently used winter clothes right now at the school (find the dropbox outside the office) and all lost and found will be donated after this week.  

Teacher and Staff Gifts

Classroom Teachers

You will be hearing from your room parents soon regarding winter classroom parties and classroom teacher gift collections.  Room parents will be organizing a group collection for their classroom teacher, which will be optional for families to participate in.  Individual family gifts and cards are also welcomed and cherished by teachers if you prefer.

Specials Teachers and Staff 

The PTO will provide gifts for specials teachers and staff this holiday season.  Thanks to your generous Family Contributions this fall, we will not be collecting separately on this occasion as we have in past years. 

We did it! We’ve reached our first Family Contribution level goal…. 

This year, Principal Fenech has offered to reward our students with some exciting prizes as we get closer to our $25,000 fundraising goal for Family Contributions!

We’ve reached the first goal of $21,500!  The two randomly selected students are Camille H. and Simon G! These helpers will make announcements on the PA, select themes for a future spirit week, visit classrooms, take care of Lola, supervise lunch, and more! 

You can help us reach the next level by making your gift today!  When we reach:

$21,500, Principal Fenech will draw two names to be Principal for half a day;

• $23,000, Principal Fenech will dress up in a silly surprise costume;

• $25,000, NEW & IMPROVED  - Principal Fenech will challenge other staff to a competition eating extreme WarHeads during an assembly!  

Help us get to our goal by the end of November!       

This year, like last, we're asking families to make a tax-deductible donation of $125 per child to cover these annual expenses.  However, any amount is appreciated and will be thoughtfully utilized.  Payments may be made via Venmo @angellpto. (Please include in the memo: email address, name of student(s), and “Fall FC.”)  

If you have questions about fees/suggested amounts, or to make a payment plan, please email your PTO treasurer.

And, as a 501(c)3, we can also accept matching donations from your employer!

Angell Used Book Sale

We will host a used book sale at Angell on Tuesday, December 12th.  The book sale will be during the school day and each class will have a designated shopping time. The sale will remain open until 4:15 p.m. to allow parents to shop immediately after school. Used books will be sold for $1 each and there will be a small selection of new books for $3. The purpose of the sale is to help families clear their houses of unwanted books, to provide an opportunity for kids and parents to purchase low-cost books as holiday gifts, and to raise money to purchase new books for our school library. 

We invite you to donate used books that are still in good condition. We accept books for children of all ages (board books through young adult). Book collection will run until Wednesday, December 6.  Drop boxes will be located at the library, at the school entrances and outside the office door.  

We’re in need of volunteers!  We want to thank all who have already signed up. However, we still need more help.   Please check out the sign-up genius, if you haven’t already. We still have many spots available!  All volunteers need to turn in the AAPS Volunteer Form a week prior to the event.

Science Olympiad - Can you chair this event in 2024? You can see the process this year! !

Angell Elementary is proud to participate in Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO) again this year.   

Next year at Angell (Head Coach needed!)

The Hunsinger team has chaired our Angell Science Olympiad team for a number of years. They will no longer be at Angell next year to continue to run our team. Would you be willing to chair Angell's team as a Head Coach next year? If so, please reach out to Sylwia Hunsinger or our PTO President to let us know. It would be great if you could work alongside the Hunsinger team to see how the event works from start to finish. 

Angell Science Olympiad Team (Coaches needed!)

Practices for the events are planned to start in January. They usually take place once a week at Angell immediately following the school day. Events are offered based on student interest and coach availability. Since WESO is entirely run by volunteers, we need parents to volunteer as coaches and helpers! We cannot function without parental involvement.  Coaches do not need to have expertise in the subject they are coaching nor do they need to have a science background.  WESO provides helpful guidance and materials to assist with coaching.  

Angell Parent Information Session

If you missed the information session on November 13, you can view the slides here.  

Interest Survey

If your child would like to participate in Science Olympiad this year and/or if you would like to coach, please complete the Angell Science Olympiad Interest Survey by Friday, December 1.  A list with the different WESO competitions and a brief description can be found here. 

Detailed information regarding WESO can be found on their website. If you have any questions please contact Sylwia Hunsinger. 

Ms. Lauer is Back and Seeking Library Volunteers 

Ms. Lauer is looking for a handful of volunteers to help organize the books on the shelves.  This task is perfect for those who love to organize and who like a place for everything and everything in its place. :)

Volunteers should expect to come in and work for 2-3 hour shifts at least once a week.  Please email Ms. Lauer if you are interested at lauers@aaps.k12.mi.us.

Winter Clothes Donation/Swap

As the temperature continues to drop and you begin to inventory your family's winter gear needs, please consider donating any gently used (or new) winter gear items such as boots, hats, gloves, scarves, snow pants, and winter coats that your family may have outgrown and can be shared within the Angell community. 

We have set up a collection box at the lower elementary dropoff line, to make it easier to drop off your donations in the mornings before 12/20.

All families are invited to check the donation tables near the South University entrance to see if there is any gear that might work for a kiddo in their household. 

Notes from Principal Fenech & the Office 

STRENGTH OF THE WEEK: LOVE

“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.” - George Sand.

Here is an overview of some of the ideas that will be taught during morning meetings: Love is defined as I value my close relationships with others.  Nothing says “I love

you” more than paying attention to someone when they are sharing and really

listening with kindness and consideration. We’ll also remind kids that they are cared for and loved when they walk through the doors of Angell Elementary. 

ILLNESS & ABSENCE PROTOCOLS 

Parents and guardians should consult - When Should a Child Stay Home?

If keeping a student home, please email ang_attendance@a2schools.org and share your child’s full name and the reason for their absence. 

A REMINDER OF OTHER ANGELL  INFO
This “Need To Know” document is live so if you’re seeking  general information, check here -  Need to Know Info for Families,  2023 - ANGELL  If you have a recommendation for this document, please let me know.

IN SEARCH OF…..

I hope families don’t feel burdened by our invitations to donate items that might be collecting dust at home.  When we ask for donations of items like winter gear, books, Halloween candy, etc. we are hoping to rid you of items you no longer need, to reduce the amount of resource consumption, and/or help families who might appreciate a hand up.  Here is a recap our current deadlines to donate items:

• Dec. 6th -  Used books

• Dec. 13th - Winter Giving Gift items (link here)

• Dec. 20th - Used winter gear 

Anytime donations of used items:

• Baby/dog gates for use in classrooms

• Leashes so staff can readily take Lola on breaks and walks (During her “working” hours, Lola is kept on a 4-foot leash) 

• Plants to beautify classrooms & hallways 

• Board games or puzzles we can use for indoor recess in K-5 classrooms