In This Week’s Issue
Coming Up Soon
Update about PTSO Fundraiser
AAPS Transition Day May 1
Tappan Dress Code Reminder
AAPS Climate Survey Closing Soon
What Parents Can Do When They Have Concerns
Powerschool Portal
Athletics/Clubs Update
Meeting for DC Trip Students and Parents
Recycle Your Dry Erase Markers and Highlighters
Staff Appreciation Luncheon Volunteers Needed May 8
High School Testing Out
Tappan School Store Needs Volunteers
Advisories in the Garden
Dog Rescue Seeking Household Items
SAVE THE DATE: Tappan 8th Grade Promotion June 6, 2019
About the Thursday Thing
COMING UP SOON
April | 19 | No School for Students and Staff |
May | 1 | Early release day for Middle and High School students 12:37pm |
| | 1 | 8th Grade Transition Day |
| | 8 | Staff Appreciation Luncheon |
| | 8 | 8th Grade DC Trip Meeting 6:30 pm Tappan Auditorium |
| | 15 | Tappan Literacy Night 6-7:30pm, Media Center |
| | 22 | Early Release Day for Students, 12:37pm |
| | 22 | 8th Grade Career Day |
| | 27 | Memorial Day-No School |
June | 6 | Tappan 8th Grade Promotion at Pioneer High School |
TAPPAN PTSO FUND CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Tappan Middle School PTSO recently shared an important update about the annual fund campaign. We are 60% of the way to our goal and we want to make one last push to get over the top. This is the largest campaign in the school's 68-year history and our first large-scale fundraising effort. The PTSO aims to raise $50,000 by the end of the 2018 - 2019 school year to create a new yearly PTSO budget structure that will support our students and teachers as well as fund school-wide enrichment projects and field trips.
Please consider joining us and making your contribution today at the following link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=GKA5J75U5VSYG
You can also use the form attached to the bottom of this email if you would like to use another method to donate.
AAPS TRANSITION DAY MAY 1, 2019 As a reminder, May 1st is the AAPS district-wide Transition Day for middle and high school students. For Tappan students, all 6th and 7th graders will have an early release day. Afternoon buses will run on a normal early release day schedule on May 1st. All 8th grade students will remain in school for the full day and will be transported by school bus to his/her designated high school for transition activities. Buses will bring 8th grade students back to Tappan for the afternoon departure at 3:07 PM. There are no after school activities currently scheduled for students after the early release dismissal.
TAPPAN DRESS CODE REMINDER Secondary schools across the district are sending reminders to students and families as the weather begins to warm up about appropriate dress expectations for the remainder of the year. Most students at Tappan have done a remarkable job being responsible this year with choosing appropriate attire for school. We ask that all students and families continue to assist us in maintaining a safe and productive learning environment by honoring the dress code (see student planner). Dress code violations will be addressed with discretion when students are asked to change by a staff member or administration. Students may return to the classroom setting when he/she has changed into attire that aligns with the school dress code. Please help us by speaking with your child about appropriate dress attire. AAPS DISTRICT CLIMATE SURVEY WINDOW CLOSING SOON The deadline for completing the AAPS Climate Survey is April 19th.The Ann Arbor Public Schools is committed to continuing on its path of excellence and helping all students achieve at their highest level. We encourage all families to please provide feedback on your experiences as parents/guardians and the experiences of your children.
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO WHEN THEY HAVE CONCERNS What can you do if you have a concern about a discipline/academic problem with your child and you would like to get resolution? The first step is to express your concern directly in the venue in which it occurred (classroom vs. club or practice) to those involved. For example, a discipline or academic problem involving a student in a particular class should be brought to the attention of the teacher of that class. If this does not bring satisfaction, the next step would be to consult the student's counselor, and then the principal. POWERSCHOOL PORTAL Quarter 3 ended last Friday, April 5. The Portal will give you access to all of your student's grades, projects, absences, tardies, and more. Please make sure you follow the directions to set up your account. https://www.a2schools.org/powerschool. The 4th and final MARKING PERIOD of the school year is April 8th – June 14th. |
ATHLETICS AND CLUBS UPDATES
There are no athletic/club activities today after school (the Volleyball games originally scheduled for today have been canceled). We will see students when athletics and clubs resume on Monday!
The Swimming season wrapped up last night with our 2nd and final Meet at Pioneer High School. Thank you to all of our Swimmers fit a great season!
We greatly appreciate the support of our Volleyball players and families throughout our can/bottle drive for new nets. We have raised enough money to purchase one new game net, and are close to reaching our goal for a second net - any can/bottle donations can be dropped off for Mr. Etz for the remainder of the year. Thank you!
Track, Baseball, and Softball begin next week on Wednesday, April 24th.Please sign up your students ahead of time here: https://goo.gl/forms/MNbtc3Ee3zxrnuRy1. A reminder that only 7th/8th Grade students can tryout for our baseball and softball teams.
6th Grade Tennis begins this coming Monday, April 22nd. There is no need to sign up ahead of time, and no pay-to-participate requirement, as our Tennis team is run by the Ann Arbor Area Tennis Association. Interested 6th Grade students can show up to the Tennis courts after school on Monday, and practice will last from 3:15-4:30. Coaches will have information sheets and permission slips for students to take home after the first practice. If you have any questions, please contact our Tappan Tennis coordinator, Susi Shaw: susisensei@gmail.com
You can view the full Season 5 schedule here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CMtcr-TMHuZJbMNvWGn5tqxWxG9lANMMpV1zhdUsot8/edit?usp=sharing
Finally, if you are interested/available to assist our Track teams at their Meets throughout the season on one or more dates, please email Mr. Etz: etz@a2schools.org
Thank you for your support of our program - Go Trojans!
MEETING FOR 8TH GRADE WASHINGTON DC STUDENTS AND PARENTS
We will have the Spring Washington DC meeting on Wednesday, May 8 from 6:30-7:30 in the Tappan Auditorium. Please plan to attend! We will review the trip itinerary, students expectations, and overall trip procedures. See you there!
RECYCLE YOUR OLD DRY ERASE MARKERS & HIGHLIGHTERS FOR EARTH DAY
Ms. Frantom's Advisory class is doing a service project in honor of Earth Day! They are collecting dried-up dry erase markers, crayola markers, and highlighters to recycle through the ColorCycle program. (https://www.crayola.com/colorcycle.aspx). Feel free to send in one, two, or twenty markers with your student and they can place them in any of our collection boxes around the school. Spread the word! Thank you!
STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON MAY 8--VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Spring Staff Appreciation Luncheon will be held Wednesday, May 8th. There are a few outstanding items needed to help us show our awesome Tappan teachers and staff how much we appreciate them. Please consider contributing an item or two to ensure this special event is a success. Sign up here to contribute or volunteer your time:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094BA8AF2A1-thetappan3
Please contact Julie Soldan at juliesoldan@gmail.com or Jill Baumhover at baumhoverjill@gmail.comwith questions.
HIGH SCHOOL TESTING OUT
Students interested in High School Testing Out should follow the instructions in the following link. Registration begins on April 15th, and MUST be received by May 15th. Testing Out dates for the 2019-20 school year are June 25 and July 10.
https://www.a2schools.org/domain/2166
TAPPAN SCHOOL STORE NEEDS HELP THROUGH JUNE
The Tappan School Store is open Tuesdays and Thursdays for approximately 15-20 minutes after school for kids to grab a quick beverage/snack before getting on buses or heading to athletic practices. Two (2) volunteers are needed every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:55pm to approximately 3:30pm. Sign up at Tappan School Store Volunteer Sign Up.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Patty Kracht at krachtfamily@gmail.comor Kelly Ceccacci at kellyceccacci@yahoo.com.
ADVISORIES IN THE GARDEN
It's time once again to start gardening! During advisory periods, students are able to participate in planting, weeding, harvesting, and tasting throughout the season. 2-3 parent volunteers are needed for each session to help supervise. We start today! Times are as follows: 7th graders- Thursdays, 11:15-11:45; 6th and 8th graders, Fridays, 11:15-12:15. No experience necessary. Please consider signing up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054FACAF22A02-spring Contact coordinator Cara Lauzzana with questions, ideas, or concerns- caralauzzana@hotmail.com. Thank you!!
LET’S HELP AN ANNA’S KINDNESS PARTNER--DOG RESCUE NEEDS DONATIONS
Mikey and Me is a dog rescue and a partner with Anna's Kindness where our students have had volunteer opportunities. They are looking for donations of any items in good condition for their annual fundraising barn sale. This is how they support the rescue.
If you have household items, clothing, home decor, furniture, small appliances, etc. that you are ready to part with they would love the donations. Donations need to be made by May 1st.
Karel Graham, Counselor, will be doing a weekly trip to Mikey and Me with any donations you have (except big furniture items which you will need to deliver). Please contact her if you would like to drop things off at Tappan. (grahamk@aaps.k12.mi.us)
You may also drop things off yourself by messaging Dan DePew on the Mikey and Me Facebook page. Dan said he can especially use furniture items.
SPRING SAFETY REMINDERS FROM AAPS
As the weather improves more of our students are walking and biking to school. Please remember these safety tips and share them with your students!
Cross at the crosswalk. Ann Arbor's crosswalk ordinance requires that motorists stop for pedestrians at or in crosswalks, but only at crosswalks.
Look both ways before entering the street. And wait for the car(s) to stop before proceeding.
Use the signals. Traffic signals are there to help pedestrians communicate with drivers. In Ann Arbor's downtown, all traffic signals include a pedestrian crossing interval in each signal cycle. Outside the downtown area, some signals have a pedestrian call button which, when pressed, adds a pedestrian crossing interval.
Take refuge. Some crosswalks have a pedestrian refuge island in the street. Cross easily and safely, one side of traffic at a time.
Be visible. In the dark, wear light-colored clothing and reflective gear to ensure your visibility.
Bus Riding Safety
- For Car Drivers
- For Bus Riders
SAVE THE DATE-TAPPAN 8th GRADE PROMOTIONAL EXERCISE
Tappan's 8th Grade Promotional events will take place on Thursday, June 6th, 9am at Pioneer High School.
ABOUT THE THURSDAY THING
The weekly Thursday Thing is how the Tappan principal, teachers, and the Tappan Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) communicate important information to the Tappan community. Please contact Thursday Thing editor, Kellie Carbone at tappanpto@gmail.comwith submissions or questions. Deadline for submissions is 5:00pm on the Tuesday of the week that the Thursday Thing is sent.
Attachments:
TP PTSO ANNUAL FUND LETTER.pdf
