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Thursday, September 23, 2010

(734) 433-9900
Minutes from Ann Arbor
I-94 Exit 159

School On the
district, RAIL
U of M to
develop
new lab
school Robert Allen will
By Lisa Allmendinger soon become the
A2 Journal interim superin-
tendent of Ann
In the future, Mitchell Arbor Public
Elementary and Scarlett Middle Schools with the
School, located in close proxim- departure of
ity to each other, may become a current
Superintendent
Sports
K-8 integrated campus that offers Drake Johnson leads Pioneer
Todd Roberts.
year-round educational opportu- past Skyline.
nities.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools Page 1-D
and the University of Michigan
School of Education are collabo-
rating on what’s being called a
“Lab School.”
ON THE WEB
The initiative plans to “build
strong K-8 curricular links
between the elementary and
middle school, taking advantage
of the close proximity of the
building and resources and cre-
ating an integrated K-8 campus,”
according to information about
the Lab School.
Those involved, which include
Ann Arbor Public Schools prin-
cipals and administrators, along Become a fan of A2 Journal on
with U of M School of Education Facebook (425 fans) and follow
faculty, have been working on the us on Twitter (2,162 followers).
Also, check out our blog, includ-

Allen named interim superintendent

project for about six months.
“The southeast area of
town has a lighthouse, Peace
Neighborhood Center – and we
want Scarlett-Mitchell to be that
lighthouse (on the other side of
town)” said Gerald Vazquez, new
Scarlett Middle School principal.
Members of the planning
group presented the idea to the
Board of Education’s perfor-
mance committee Sept. 14.
The initiative’s mission state-
ment reads “Mitchell-Scarlett is
a unified K-8 campus harnessing
the power of a diverse commu-
nity and partnership with the
University of Michigan School
of Education to support student
learning to high academic stan-
dards, and to design and study
effective curriculum, instruc-
tional practices, assessments,
professional learning and com-
munity involvement.”
In the planning stages during
this school year, pilot programs
in math enrichment and lit-
eracy instruction for students
for whom English is a second
language are in the works.
“A key feature of the Mitchell/
Scarlett/U of M lab school
project is a focus on continuous
learning through the develop-
ment of a year-round academic
calendar and carefully designed
opportunities for instruction for
children during the school day
and before and after traditional
school hours throughout the
year,” according to information
ing Lisa Allmendinger’s
Everyday Musings. Links pro-
vided on the A2 Journal home
page.
“He’s the second person I hired and I’ve I do, if not better,” Roberts said.
Board approves been very thankful I did,” Roberts said of Roberts also moved Lee Ann Weave the Web:
deputy for position the job Allen has done for the district.
He also said Allen has great knowledge
Dickinson-Kelley into the assistant
superintendent of instruction post.
Make sure to click on
www.heritage.com around
of the district and is an outstanding Currently, she is the administrator for the clock for the most
By Lisa Allmendinger leader. elementary education. in-depth coverage of
A2 Journal Washtenaw County. One of
Allen was commended for the job he Ruth Williams, who recently retired as our “Most Viewed” stories is
did explaining the district’s financial situ- the principal at Lawton, has been brought
Robert Allen soon will become the Planning commission puts
ation, as well as the district’s budget dur- back to fill Dickinson-Kelly’s position. the brakes on Costco
interim superintendent of Ann Arbor
ing a number of public meetings last year. Other administrators, such as Joyce
Public Schools with the departure of
current Superintendent Todd Roberts, Roberts said that Allen is not interested Hunter, were given new titles of assistant
in the permanent position, but would help superintendent, but there was no change
who is headed to a new job in North
Carolina. provide a seamless transition. in their salaries.
In addition, his current position would “When you look to leaders,” said
Allen will take over his new post no
later than Oct. 11. not to be filled while the board searches Trustee Susan Baskett, “you look at the Check out our video:
He is currently the deputy director for for a new superintendent. team around you.” ■ Journalist speaks at
Roberts said this would mean a $150,000 She said that Roberts had set up the dis-
operations and said he will not be apply- U of M
ing for the superintendent’s position. savings to the district. trict with people the board could trust. ■ Resident discusses
Board of Education Trustee Simone “This will more than cover the cost of a Trustee Christine Stead called Roberts’ regional policing
Lightfoot said Allen’s style of manage- superintendent search and can be used in recommendations “a wonderful transi-
ment fits well with the school board. instructional areas, as well,” Roberts said. tion plan.”
Roberts announced his recommenda- Once an interim was chosen, the transi- Lisa Allmendinger can be reached at 1-
tion to the Board of Education at the Sept. tion would take about two weeks Roberts 877-995-NEWS (6397) or at
15 board meeting and it received unani- said. lallmendinger@heritage.com. Check out
mous approval. “Mr. Allen knows the district as well as her daily blog at www.A2Journal.com.
Click on the “jobs” tab on
the home page of our Web
Consolidated busing going ‘really well’
site or go directly to http://
jobs.heritage.com.
Officials pleased place a little late, there were 14 substitute bus drivers under- “We need to find out going INDEX
enough bus drivers to accom- going background checks and forward what’s going well and
with overall modate students in the Willow
Run, Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor
going through training.
“As a user, I have three chil-
what’s not,” he said.
In fact, the number of calls
Second Front Page 4-A

about the new program.

There also will be three-week
“inter-sessions” at vacation
times during the school year that
would provide opportunities for
additional instruction.
“This can extend the school
year and the number of days for
support or enrichment,” said
Todd Roberts, superintendent of
schools.
The plan includes involve-
ment between Ann Arbor Public
School teachers, intern teachers
and U of M faculty.
It is expected to benefit both
new teachers and students.
PLEASE SEE LAB SCHOOL/2-A
Like what you see? For subscriptions to the A2 Journal, call 877-837-1118
performance
By Lisa Allmendinger
A2 Journal
As students began their sec-
ond week of school, Ann Arbor
Schools Deputy Director for
Operations Robert Allen says
the new consolidated busing is
going better than expected.
“Overall, it went really well,”
Allen told members of the per-
formance committee of the Ann
Arbor school board Sept. 14.
Despite the new Washtenaw
Intermediate School District
busing agreement was put in
school districts.
Although there were prob-
lems reported in Ypsilanti, Ann
Arbor’s 140 bus routes were
driven by 30 to 40 new drivers.
“We’re in our second week
and things have really calmed
down,” Allen said.
About 25 percent of the Ann
Arbor bus drivers are new, he
said.
“It actually went really well,
except for the construction,” he
said, explaining that some of
the Clague Middle School stu-
dents got to school about a half-
hour late on the first day.
He said there are still about
dren taking the bus. They were
more or less the same, except
about the buses was lower than
what the district had received in
Editorial Page 6-A
A2 Live Page 11-A
maybe they are getting home the past, Roberts said.
a little later,” said Outgoing The bus system is still look- Calendar Page 1-B
Superintendent of Schools Todd ing for 15 to 20 substitute driv-
Roberts. ers, Allen said. Classified Page 5-B
“For me, it’s going better than “The focus for opening day
expected.” was to get the students in school
Roberts said the school on time and home safely,” Allen
district’s biggest concern is said, adding “a majority of
“the service level for parents issues are growing pains and
and students, even though they they’ll be worked out.”
(the bus drivers) aren’t our Lisa Allmendinger can be
employees.” reached at 1-877-995-NEWS
The district plans to issue a (6397) or at lallmendinger@
survey to parents to gauge the heritage.com. Check out her
level of service and to solicit daily blog at www.A2Journal.
feedback. com. Printed News Tip
on Hotline:
recycled 877-995-NEWS
(6397)
paper

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