District Spotlight
![David Norton Bank of Ann Arbor Branch Manager, Huron Arabic teacher Shaima Basuni and Quaila Riddle of LaFontaine Automotive Group]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745263055/a2schoolsorg/wadroywh3ig2ba0chsmr/IMG_67552.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745263055/a2schoolsorg/wadroywh3ig2ba0chsmr/IMG_67552.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1745263055/a2schoolsorg/wadroywh3ig2ba0chsmr/IMG_67552.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1745263055/a2schoolsorg/wadroywh3ig2ba0chsmr/IMG_67552.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1745263055/a2schoolsorg/wadroywh3ig2ba0chsmr/IMG_67552.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1745263055/a2schoolsorg/wadroywh3ig2ba0chsmr/IMG_67552.jpg","width":2200}])
Last week, Huron Arabic teacher Shaima Basuni thought she was coming to Principal Che Carter’s office to discuss scheduling for next year, instead she was surprised by members of the A2Y Chamber’s Teacher of the Year Committee. Basuni received the 2025 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year’s Commendable Teacher award.
![A class of Mitchell Elementary students, the school's principal Samantha Cucu, Superintendent Jazz Parks and several members of the Board of Education hold shovels in front of a small box of dirt at the Mitchell Groundbreaker ceremony]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744817799/a2schoolsorg/hkkouzd9db4uvfhvutwb/MitchellGBreakingTrustees.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744817799/a2schoolsorg/hkkouzd9db4uvfhvutwb/MitchellGBreakingTrustees.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744817799/a2schoolsorg/hkkouzd9db4uvfhvutwb/MitchellGBreakingTrustees.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1744817799/a2schoolsorg/hkkouzd9db4uvfhvutwb/MitchellGBreakingTrustees.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1744817799/a2schoolsorg/hkkouzd9db4uvfhvutwb/MitchellGBreakingTrustees.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1744817799/a2schoolsorg/hkkouzd9db4uvfhvutwb/MitchellGBreakingTrustees.jpg","width":2200}])
Students, educators, district trustees and guests gathered Friday, April 11, for a ceremonial groundbreaking to celebrate the start of construction on the new Mitchell Elementary School. The event marked a significant milestone in the district’s ongoing efforts to modernize educational facilities throughout the community.
![Water color painting of a rainbow with two hands coming together to hold a heart in the center of the arch and lots of peace symbols at top and bottom]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744212762/a2schoolsorg/grnbp4jfff7mc9dwxen9/ThroughPeaceandLoveweunitebyJulietHong.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744212762/a2schoolsorg/grnbp4jfff7mc9dwxen9/ThroughPeaceandLoveweunitebyJulietHong.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1744212762/a2schoolsorg/grnbp4jfff7mc9dwxen9/ThroughPeaceandLoveweunitebyJulietHong.png","width":796}])
Congratulations to King Elementary art teacher Laura Wayne and her King art students for excelling in the 2025 Embracing Our Differences Michigan (EOD) art competition.
Their work will now be made into large banners for exhibit at Gallup Park in mid-May.
![Pioneer senior Haneul Park stands in front of black and white drawings that are part of her award winning art portfolio]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743787985/a2schoolsorg/mpsyenv8o34nkaopdtvv/HaneulParkArtPortfolioNationalGold.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743787985/a2schoolsorg/mpsyenv8o34nkaopdtvv/HaneulParkArtPortfolioNationalGold.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743787985/a2schoolsorg/mpsyenv8o34nkaopdtvv/HaneulParkArtPortfolioNationalGold.png","width":558}])
The prestigious Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards recently unveiled its National Gold Medalists, recognizing exceptional young artists and writers from across the country. Pioneer High School senior Haneul Park is one of the eight national gold medalists for her art portfolio, “Reminiscing Korea.”
![A teacher helps a pair of elementary school aged students doing math.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741977130/a2schoolsorg/zpncajfaznse7czfndup/MathRecovery.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741977130/a2schoolsorg/zpncajfaznse7czfndup/MathRecovery.png","width":425}])
Carpenter and Allen elementary schools hosted a gathering of math education specialists on Friday, bringing together Math Recovery leaders from across southeast Michigan to observe implementation strategies and share best practices.
Math Recovery enhances numeracy education in the classroom for K-8 educators.
![Flyer for the PTOC equity fundraiser asking for $20 donations to raise $30,000]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741977174/a2schoolsorg/zku1mkqyfyeu9zag9k4z/PTOFundraiser.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741977174/a2schoolsorg/zku1mkqyfyeu9zag9k4z/PTOFundraiser.png","width":493}])
The Ann Arbor PTO Council (PTOC) is launching an online fundraiser on Thursday, March 6 to boost PTO funding at Title I elementary schools.
![Slauson Student Erin Kawata holding the State of the State Address program with her artwork at the event with teachers Kim Jaster and Corey Williams]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740768273/a2schoolsorg/zuquow8qozvoi4b8jsby/SlausonatStateofStateAddress.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740768273/a2schoolsorg/zuquow8qozvoi4b8jsby/SlausonatStateofStateAddress.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740768273/a2schoolsorg/zuquow8qozvoi4b8jsby/SlausonatStateofStateAddress.png","width":718}])
The program for Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s 2025 State of the State address last night featured artwork from a talented young artist from Slauson Middle School.
Eighth grader Erin Kawata is the winner of the 2025 State of the State Art Contest.
![Students in the Huron Players on stage rehearsing "Rent"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738302865/a2schoolsorg/ddcgvhxkv2zizz92w81r/Screenshot2025-01-31at125352AM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1738302865/a2schoolsorg/ddcgvhxkv2zizz92w81r/Screenshot2025-01-31at125352AM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1738302865/a2schoolsorg/ddcgvhxkv2zizz92w81r/Screenshot2025-01-31at125352AM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1738302865/a2schoolsorg/ddcgvhxkv2zizz92w81r/Screenshot2025-01-31at125352AM.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738302865/a2schoolsorg/ddcgvhxkv2zizz92w81r/Screenshot2025-01-31at125352AM.png","width":1578}])
The Huron Players are proud to present “RENT,” Jonathan Larson’s powerful musical about young artists fighting to make their mark in New York City’s East Village. Set in 1989, this Tony Award-winning show follows nine interweaving stories during a time when the city was grappling with a devastating health crisis.