Exceptional Education AAPSNews AAPSNews News, features, profiles and activities in The Ann Arbor Public Schools Around the world Inside: Larry Dishman leads cultural exchange and team sports for the district, pages 2-3 Eighth and ninth-graders • A record number of vocal music students earn a spot in the state honors choir, page 3 from Ann Arbor traveled to Hikone, Japan this fall • Tappan Middle School students form a new Law Club, page 4 as part of a special sister Detailed stories and briefs online at news.a2schools.org • Visit and subscribe city exchange. See story on page 2.

Issue No. 5, January 4, 2010 Meetings, survey offer a chance for public input Budget meetings are scheduled around the Ann During the two-hour budget sessions, partici- ria, 601 W. Stadium Blvd. Arbor community this month, where members pants will break into discussion groups to consider For updates on the budget process and back- of the public will be asked to consider proposed options and discuss other suggestions. Meetings ground information visit online: http://a2schools. budget cuts and offer their own suggestions. are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.: org and click on the blue “District Budget” box on A survey also has been put on the district’s Web n Thursday, Jan. 7 – Huron High School cafeteria, the right side of the page. page asking for similar feedback as the district 2727 Fuller Road. Included on the page is up-to-date budget and aims to cut $20 million from for the 2010-11 fiscal n Tuesday, Jan. 12 – Skyline High School com- financial information as well as the survey which budget that begins July 1, 2010. mons, 2552 N. Maple Road. asks for input on the budget process and solicits Officials are working on proposed budget re- n Thursday, Jan. 14 – Scarlett Middle School ideas and suggestions on how to reduce school op- ductions and must adopt a balanced district budget cafeteria, 3300 Lorraine St. eration costs. Also on the site is a “User Friendly by the end of June. n Tuesday, Jan. 19 – Pioneer High School cafete- Guide to the Budget” as a reference. Featured story

Simona Cucuiet, below, a volunteer at Volunteers lend a hand Huron High School’s media center, of- ten works at the front circulation desk where she assists students and staff. in classrooms and other This is Cucuiet’s second year volunteer- ing; she also substitute teaches at the high school. The Romanian native areas around district moved to the Ann Arbor area with her husband. By Casey Hans AAPSNews Service

Volunteers are important to The Ann Arbor Public Schools and each one is as unique as the life experi- ence they bring to the district. Some are retirees who have time to devote, others are parents who want to spend time in their children’s Lois Zimmerman, above, volunteers her time at the Dick- learning environment and still others are residents en Elementary School kindergarten classroom of Sally who simply enjoy the classroom. Steward, where Zimmerman has spent time for the past Take Simona Cucuiet, volunteering for the second four years. The retired elementary school teacher says she year at Huron High School’s media center. Cucuiet enjoys working one-on-one with young students helping is a former high school teacher and economist from them with their lessons. She also volunteers around the Romania who last year spent 240 hours volunteering community as a clown.

See Volunteers, page 4

More stories and information can be found online at news.a2schools.org 1 Exceptional Education Student delegates embrace culture and customs of Japan From AAPSNews Service Dishman has been the Hikone pro- gram coordinator since 1996 but has Octopus sushi, a visit to the worked with the program in various Hiroshima Peace Memorial and capacities since 1990. He has served sleeping on futons were all part as coordinator for 10 of the program’s of a student cultural experience in 13 trips. “It’s sort of a labor of love,” Hikone, Japan this fall. he said. “This changes kids’ lives, this Nine middle school and three program. They all remember this expe- high school students from Ann rience. It’s nice to touch a kid’s life in Arbor were part of the16th student such a fashion. We should find ways to delegation to visit Ann Arbor’s do it more often.” Japanese sister city of Hikone. Eighth- and ninth-grade students According to project coordina- visit Hikone every other year; this tor Larry Dishman, the role of the year’s trip was special to celebrate the delegates is to bring good will to sister city anniversary. the people of Hikone, as the two Dishman said students must have a communities celebrated the 40th minimum 3.0 grade point average and return to the United States, the eighth-grader said, anniversary of the sister city relationship. their family must be willing to pay a user fee for “I didn’t feel like I was coming home, I felt like I “This is something you will remember for the student to travel. Each student ambassador was was leaving home.” many, many years, if not for a lifetime,” Dishman required to raise $600 for this special delegation Anne Marie Borders, a Logan Elementary told students who reported back on their experi- trip. School teacher, was one of two project directors, ences and shared their favorite (and not-so-favor- Ann Arbor middle school students will begin a task she shared with Tonya Dildy, a teacher at ite) times from the trip at a debriefing and potluck receiving information about the next Hikone ex- Angell Elementary School. Both traveled to Japan dinner in December. change trip in early February at school, Dishman on prior trips. Borders did a Web page for students Chinonye Uche, a Slauson Middle School said. After signing up, students spend the summer where photos of the trip were posted along with student, shared her experience communicat- prior to travel becoming immersed in Japanese their memories. ing with her host family. “It was hard talking to culture and language preparing for the fall trip. She agreed the Hiroshima Peace Memorial them in Japanese,” she said. “They tried to speak Museum was the most memorable part of the This year’s Ann Arbor delegation spent one English to accommodate me. We used a computer trip. “Hiroshima was hard,” she said. “It was hard week in Hikone with Japanese host families where to translate.” for all of us. The only thing standing (within two they attended local junior high schools. They then Aviva Gordon from Clague Middle School said kilometers from the blast) is that dome from one visited Hiroshima, Miyajima and Kyoto and deliv- her family had a translator and that her host mom building.” ered 1,000 handmade origami paper cranes to the was an English teacher, which helped. “I loved Some 239 students have traveled to Japan statue of Sadako in the Hiroshima Peace Park. all the food,” she added. “But the most powerful with the exchange over the years, Dishman said. In October, a delegation of 14 junior high day was the day we went to Hiroshima” where the “These groups of kids are from different middle school students from Hikone visited Ann Arbor. It students were immersed in the country’s history schools and form a group unto themselves,” he was the 31st time the Japanese city’ sent a delega- of World War II, she said. When the group left to said. “It kind of brings Ann Arbor together.” tion to Ann Arbor. Staff in the Spotlight: Larry Dishman Ann Arbor’s Hikone Exchange coordinator encourages a worldly view From AAPSNews Service coordinating team sports for the one of the architects and chief delegations visit Ann Arbor. district’s Rec & Ed Department programmers for the Arborough Dishman now coordinates this The adage that “life happens which he said has “helped me Games, an exchange program exchange program in the Ann while you are making plans” to touch a lot of lives. I’m glad with Peterborough, Ontario, Arbor district that has sent doz- could best explain Larry Dish- I ended up here,” said Dishman Canada and was part of a Ger- ens of young Ann Arbor students man’s career path. who has been in his post since man internship exchange with to Japan. Through the program, In pursuing multiple college 1974. Ann Arbor’s German sister city. he has been able to encourage degrees in linguistics and work- Contacts through his job Those, in turn, led him to a love of Japanese culture and ing toward a goal of teaching, he helped him arrange a series of become involved with the language. took a job working as an umpire exhibition games in Hikone-Ann Arbor Educational “I’ve tried to expand their for The Ann Arbor Public for the NSK Global-sponsored Exchange Program which helps knowledge of world languages,” Schools Recreation Department. Japanese Women’s National middle school students visit he said. “The idea is to let them That led to a part-time job and, Championship fast-pitch softball Japan and also arranges host eventually, a full-time career team in the 1980s. He was also families when Japanese student See Dishman, next page

2 More stories and information can be found online at news.a2schools.org Exceptional Education Sing out: 44 earn spot in state honors choir From AAPSNews Service

Forty-four Ann Arbor secondary students have qualified to participate in the Michigan Student Vocal Music Association Junior High/Middle School State Honors Choir and will perform on Jan. 23 in Grand Rapids as part of the three-day Michigan Music Conference. According to Cherry Westerman, choir teacher at Slauson Middle School, this is the largest group from Ann Arbor in 25 years to participate in this state honor. “It’s a big deal,” said Westerman. “This is just ecstatically wonderful and bigger than usual. A lot of this is because we have a really strong Pioneer High School students during a fall practice for the Michigan Student Vocal Music Association Junior High/ music program here. It’s exciting for our kids.” Middle School State Honors Choir performance which is scheduled for later this month in Grand Rapids. In addition, 60 singers (including those qualifying for state-level honors choir) partici- singing for a number of other music teachers – a Lukas Trierweiler. pated in the MSVMA Regional Honors Choir. critical audience,” she added. n Scarlett Middle School: Javairia Johnson and This also was the largest number of singers All students selected must be able to clear Prestine Spratt. n Slauson Middle School: from Ann Arbor to participate in many years, their schedule to participate in rehearsals and Joe Babenec, Adriana Westerman said. Ellis, Cedric Gin, Josh King, Livia Luan, Maks be able to pay the fees to participate, although Muno, Jake Norton, Chelsea Racelis, Maris Reid, The MSVMA sponsors an honors choir pro- most schools host fundraisers to help pay for Elise Reichard, Parker Sanford, Michelle Trent, gram at both the junior high/middle school and students who cannot afford it, Westerman said. Daniel Wu and Kenny Xue. high school levels. Students in the JH/MS honors According to information from the district, n Skyline High School: Tasfia Bari, Alex Fuchs, Han- choirs sing in combination ensembles of soprano, students scheduled to participate in the Jan. 23 nah Lehker, Yan Theros, Mitch Tolly, Sina Webster and alto, tenor and bass with just one on a part for the MSVMA JH/MSState Honors Choir perfor- Rachel Xydis. audition. mance include: In addition, Ann Arbor will be represented Westerman said student singers learn a lot by n Clague Middle School: Noha Beleh, Emily Dodge by the Huron High School Bel Canto, a se- participating in honors choirs. They are humbled and Maddi Shrinivasin. lected women’s choir directed by Bonnie Kidd; by others who are better, they find out “they also n Forsythe Middle School: Heather Duval, Abbey Ken Westerman, Pioneer High School choir Johnson, Olivia Lamson, Olivia Merritt, Sorbie Rich- know quite a lot and can be leaders,” she said. director will present a session to other state They also learn to work with other students and ner and Jamie Seely. n Pioneer High School: Iman Aslani, Tre Brown, music teachers; and other students from middle different music directors with other approaches Kelsey Detering William Kryska III, Caitlin Mangan, and high schools who were selected for the and they get to perform high-quality musical Jenny Nathans, Maddie Polovick, Eli Rhodenhiser, State Honors Middle School Band and Orches- selections in a professional venue. “They are Rebecca Shipan, Mark Strader, Karina Stribley and tra; and the State High Schools Honors Choirs.

Larry Dishman Larry Dishman from previous page Occupation: Coordinator for Team Sports for Dishman, coordinates the Ann Arbor Public Schools Rec & Ed Depart- the Hikone know that everything isn’t as it is in Ann Ar- ment and coordinator for the Hikone-Ann Arbor Exchange bor, Michigan. It makes them better global Educational Exchange Program since 1996. Program for thinkers. As a rule, many of them have never Residence: Ann Arbor native who lives in Can- Ann Arbor been out of the (United) States.” ton Township but maintains strong connections middle school Dishman’s parents moved to Ann Arbor here. students. Here, from Nebraska (“They chose to go east, Education: Undergraduate degree in English he wears a shirt designed by instead of west during the ‘Dirty Thirties,’” and French from Eastern Michigan University, students. he said,) and Dishman was born and raised two master’s degrees in linguistics from the here, attending St. Thomas the Apostle and a nearly completed School. He is married to Donna and they doctoral degree in linguistics. Township, or ribs and kraut at Three Brothers have two adult daughters. Age: 62. Restaurant in Plymouth. In addition to his dedication to the Family: Married to Donna. They have two adult Favorite book: “All Quiet on the Western Front” Hikone exchange program, Dishman is daughters, Megan, 26, and Bethany, 22. by Erich Maria Remarque. a Civil War history buff, likes 1930s and Community service: His work with the Hikone Life philosophy: “If you don’t’ create a building 1940s films, and enjoys the early history of exchange program. or edifice, leave a mark in the hearts of people college football (pre 1950.) He also loves Favorite meals: Yosenabe (a seafood stew) at you touch. Leave the world a better place be- Irish culture and music. Izakaya Sanpei, a Japanese restaurant in Canton cause of what you did while you were here.”

More stories and information can be found online at news.a2schools.org 3 Exceptional Education G Court in session for Tappan students Washtenaw County Sheriff Department Det. Tom Sinks, left, Law Club, mock trials with Tappan Middle School teacher Wendy part of experience Raymond, center, and Washtenaw County From AAPSNews Service Circuit Judicial attorney Jennifer Sullivan. All Thirty Tappan Middle School students in grades have been part of the six through eight got a taste of a real-life court- Tappan Law Club. room action during college-level mock trials at the (Courtesy: Frank Weir, Washtenaw County courthouse last month. Washtenaw County The students are members of the Tappan Law Legal News) Club, formed this fall at the request of students. It was organized under the guidance of Washtenaw classes. The same case scenario was conducted the intense level of engagement demonstrated by County Circuit Judge Timothy Connors, Univer- simultaneously in three separate courtrooms and the middle school students, and has invited them sity of Michigan Law School Assistant Dean of each trial resulted in a different verdict. to return in the spring. Students David Baum and Tappan Middle School Away from school on their own time, students Some 50-60 students have attended the Tappan teacher Wendy Raymond. Sena Adjei, an eight-grader, and Jacob John- Law Club when it meets each Thursday. Dur- In the Dec. 12 mock trials, students served as son and Emily Uhlmann, both seventh-graders, ing it’s inaugural year, the club has welcomed a witnesses and jurors in a mock lawsuit related to studied depositions for their roles as witnesses in number of guest speakers including Washtenaw a head injury received in a car and motorcycle the cases and were convincing and well-prepared County Sheriff Department homicide detectives accident. Three local public defenders – Delphia when they testified, club organizers said. John Scafasci and Tom Sinks; University of Simpson, Laura Dudley and Elaine Spiliopoulose The other 27 students served as jurors, taking Michigan law school students; local attorneys in- – served as judges, and law students from Wayne their jobs seriously by contributing to discussion cluding law education advocates Greg Dodd, Lori State University served as lawyers. Simpson’s during deliberation. The middle school student Buiteweg and Julie Beck; and George Brieloff Washtenaw Community College students served jurors sat in the jury box with college students and of the Washtenaw County Youth Center Juvenile as jurors with police cadets and middle school listened intently to three hours of testimony from Detention Program, among others. students. various witnesses.They were active participants in The mock trials were part of course work re- reaching verdicts during the final hour. Information was submitted by Wendy Raymond, a quired of WSU law students who are in Connors’ Connors said he was pleased and impressed by teacher at Tappan Middle School.

helped make some of the Romanian students feel such thing as magic. It’s just something they don’t from page 1 Volunteers, comfortable as they use the media center. understand.” At Dicken Elementary School, Lois Zimmer- Zimmerman has four children, seven grandchil- at Huron after she and her husband, Peter, arrived man is in her fourth year volunteering in the class- dren and seven great-grandchildren. She enjoys to live in the area. room. She put in 184 hours of volunteer service reading, outdoor activities, is a member of the This year, Cucuiet’s volunteer time is more last year and this year spends one day a week AAUW and is involved with her co-housing com- limited, as she has begun substitute teaching at helping out in Sally Steward’s kindergarten room. munity in Scio Township. Huron. Still, she spends between one to two days The retired kindergarten teacher tutored at She said volunteering is something people each week volunteering. She also is working to Washtenaw Community College for a year when should consider if they feel the desire. “I wouldn’t get her teaching certification and is considering she moved to the area four years ago. But the put a ‘should’ to it,” she said. “If they love chil- going to college for a master’s degree, perhaps in elementary school setting appealed more to her. “I dren and want to help, it’s a good way to do it.” library science. knew that I belonged with children,” she said. She Steward called Zimmerman “phenomenal” in “I’ve improved my English,” she said of her assists one-on-one with students who need help her approach. “She brings with her the back- time volunteering in the building. “I’ve become with everything from writing to math. ground in education,” Steward said. “She is the a sub. I feel like I’m home here. I feel like part of “My effort is helping the children that don’t warm, fuzzy grandma personality that the children the family.” have the basic concepts,” she said. “It helps the can relate to.” Lauren Hallinan Warren, school librarian and teacher, it helps the children and it gives me some- The Ann Arbor district has centrally screened media specialist at Huron, said Cucuiet’s time thing to do that I know I do well.” and coordinated its volunteers since 2005. in the school has impacted her, the library staff In addition to her time at Dicken, Zimmer- Norma McCuiston, coordinator for partnerships and students. “She was perfect for us, a good fit,” man also volunteers in the Ann Arbor area as a and projects, said the district asks for a commit- Warren said. “She’s integrated herself well – she’s clown where she does magic tricks as “Firefly the ment of 16 weeks with a minimum of two hours become part of the team. I can rely on her. We got Clown.” Firefly visits Dicken kindergarteners each each week. better than we expected.” year as a treat, but Zimmerman said she is realistic McCuiston said volunteers add diversity and an Warren said Cucuiet has worked the front with students about it all. “They always recognize economic value. “If they weren’t volunteers, look circulation counter, shelved books and has even my voice,” she said. “And I tell them there’s no at how much we’d have to pay,” she added.

4 More stories and information can be found online at news.a2schools.org