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It has not been icy enough to call off school, but if you are anything like my Pioneer High School son - you are probably wondering the same thing.  Is school closed today?

It is often not snow, but ice that causes the closing for Ann Arbor public schools and it was almost icy enough with the rain we had last night.  I can tell you:  Nope, schools are NOT closed today.

Feel free to check this website anytime you like to see if schools are closed:  click here.   No schools are closed in this area today.  Sorry kids, no snow and no ice and school is held today.  Oh well.

Don’t dispair.  There is a long winter ahead of us.  It still might happen before winter break.

If you are a kindergarden child’s mom or dad, I’m wishing you the best today and I’m sure you have already dealt with the most difficult part of the day. Saying “goodbye” and “see you after school” are just the part of growing up that is usually much harder on the parents then the children. To each of you, I understand and it will get easier, much easier to do! You have to trust those of us who have done it already.

To all the teachers out there getting their new classroom of children, whether they are brand new to you, the school or somewhat familiar, I wish a wonderful year with great kids and supportive parents.

To all the kids who jumped out of bed today, just remember that feeling when Friday comes and you are tired of waking up so darn early. You only have about 9 more months of this until next summer. Well, don’t worry you also have breaks before you know it.

Anyway, have a great first day back everyone!! I can’t wait to hear how my own kids like their classrooms, classes and teachers.

Ann Arbor School closing hotline is 994-8684

School emergencies are at:

Saline, Michigan public schools have an e mail list you can subscribe to:

http://lists.salineschools.com/mailman/listinfo

Dexter Public School announcements can be found:

http://web.dexter.k12.mi.us/

Bottom-line for today, February 7, 2009 NO School closings in this tree town and the great tree town area! Sorry kids ;-(

There is a wonderful public elementary school I want to share with everyone. It is the Ann Arbor Open School @ Mack. It is a magnet school that anyone can attend no matter where they live in the Ann Arbor Public School District and bus transportation is provided. It is the elementary school my children attended and there are many differences from a traditional school and a wonderful way to spend your early developmental years.

• The philosophy is different at the Open School and that’s the way it was meant to be. The following are characteristics of the classrooms:

Children attend multigrade classrooms.

• Children learn at their own pace, not by someone else’s guidelines.
• The school has many community field trips and use the outside experience for learning.
• Teacher’s use democracy in the classrooms.
• Small group learning occurs throughout the building.
• The school tagline is, “we are all gifted, so we don’t need grades”. This was written tongue in cheek but happens to be the way they view life @ the Open School. The report cards are long and detailed without GRADES like A, B, C, and D.
• Parents are welcome in the school, classroom and are expected to assist in volunteer activities. The school goes up to 8^th grade therefore kids can stay in a smaller tighter community for the middle schools years.
• There is a lot of history to getting to this point and it is interesting, but I will stop short by saying it I would love to discuss it over coffee if you would like more detail.

This is a wonderful school and from personal experience, I have to say we teased a lot about no one winning the science fair because everyone is a winner at the Open School, but after attending the Open School my kids:

• have positive self worth and respect for different cultures, religions, family types, and points of view.
• excelled in research projects because at the Open School you have time to get into topics from a very early age.
• enjoyed school from the beginning and took incredible field trips (Montreal in 4^th grade, overnight camping trips and day trip all over the Ann Arbor city.) The teachers are totally dedicated to the children and the philosophy. There is nothing traditional about the Open School, but I would recommend it highly.
• The school also is the only K – 8^th grade public school in Ann Arbor. The middle school program was being developed when my oldest attended and now is a huge success of its own with people looking for a better option than traditional large middle schools.

The school currently has enrollment by lottery. My daughter who is a freshman in college started at the Open School when you had to stand in line to attend and we started in line in January two days prior to the enrollment date. The principal allowed the parents to camp out in the halls and gym at nights to stay in the line. They eventually changed the enrollment method because it was just too crazy.

Currently parents must attend an orientation session and visit a classroom prior to getting your name on the lottery list for entrance. Here are the dates:

2/20/08 7:00 p.m.

3/9/08 1:00 p.m.

3/15/08 10:00 a.m.

Is Ann Arbor Open utopia? No, but it is a wonderful elementary school where kids thrive and parents form lasting relationships. It is also open to ALL OF THE ANN ARBOR SCHOOL DISTRICT AREA.

Here is the map of where it is located:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Ann+Arbor+Public+Schools:+Ann+Arbor+Open+School+(Mack)&fb=1&cid=0,0,5590394789449808496&near=Ann+Arbor,+MI&oi=manybox&ct=10&cd=1&resnum=1

Phone number (734) 994-1910

If you would like to know more details please feel free to give me a call or shoot me an

email and I would love to go into more detail about this alternative program.

Karen Moorhead

Keller Williams Realty

(734) 660-4785