IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Enrollment of approximately 400 students grades Young 5s through 5.
• Our student population is approximately 61% Caucasian; 20% Multi Ethnic; 8% African-American; 7% Asian; 3% Latino Hispanic; 1% Middle East 
• Currently, international students who live in the Eberwhite Elementary School attendance area may chose to attend Bach to receive ELL services (English Language Learning). Some of our students currently have French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Spanish, German, Nepali, Mandarin, Romanian, Korean, Portuguese and Italian as their first language. We have an ELL teacher in our building half time. Other support personnel, such as language specific tutors, are available as needed.
• We are very proud of being recognized as a Michigan Green School for ten years, as designated by the Michigan State Legislature. This status was originally granted in acknowledgment of the efforts our students and staff made in recycling, composting, establishing a wildlife habitat, and replanting fifteen trees lost to the Emerald Ash Borer. During our second year as a Green School, our scope expanded to include education about the advantages of eating locally produced foods, and learning about organic farming and cooking. Next we focused on minimization of waste - both in terms of natural resources and energy production, as goals to improve our environmental stewardship. We reached Evergreen status two years ago.
• Our geographical boundaries include Stadium Blvd., Main St., State St., Summit St. and Seventh St. The Bach School neighborhood is generally an urban area including much of the Old West Side, the downtown area, and the neighborhood north of Miller Ave.
• Teaching of Balanced Literacy takes place at all grade levels. Literature and guided reading groups are taught by classroom teachers, the resource teacher, and in ELL. This allows instruction to occur in smaller groups within a traditional classroom size. Groups change regularly based on ongoing assessment of students.
• The Trailblazers mentor program continues with 4^th and 5^th graders. Pioneer students come to school daily to assist their student with schoolwork. The program was established at Lawton Elementary School and has been recognized as an outstanding program by the Michigan Education Association. The Trailblazers program is in its nineteenth year at Bach.
• Cross-grade level Buddies pair students for weekly activities centered on literacy, math, science, and the environment.
• All 5^th graders attend YMCA Storer Camps for two days in the spring. This outdoor education experience is completely funded through student fundraising and parent donations.
• Service Squad includes twenty-five 4^th graders who learn leadership skills through daily activities such as Library Helper, Kindergarten Helper, and Teacher’s Helper.
• An all-school slide show is presented twice during the year. The February show features every Bach student.   The presentation in June is a culminating activity for 5^th graders featuring their pictures since Kindergarten. This is a highlight of promotion every year.
• Every student has technology instruction weekly in the Library. We also have traveling sets of laptops and iPads for classroom use.
• 5^th grade Safety Patrol members help students cross our busy streets safely.
• Walking field trips to downtown locations occur regularly. Trips to the Ann Arbor District Library, Farmers Market, Hands-On Museum, etc, occur according to grade level.
• Special school events include: Bach Heritage Festival (alternate years), Parent Involvement Day, Movie Nights, Science Night, March is Reading Month, All School Slide Show, Family Reading Night, Ice Cream Social, Field Day, grade level plays/musicals, twice yearly book fairs, Fun Run, All School Talent Show (alternate years), and YMCA Camp Storer (5^th grade).
• We are a Michigan Reward School.
• We are a PLTW (Project Lead The Way) Distinguished School 

Bach Elementary School is a warm, close knit community of learners!

Here at Bach, we are thankful to have so many wonderful experiences for learning and growing together.

Through service projects, like 4th grade Service Squad consisting of 25 4th graders who learn leadership skills through daily activities such as Library Helper, Kindergarten Helper, and Teacher’s Helper,  to our cross-grade level Buddies, which pairs students for weekly activities centered on literacy, math, science, and the environment, to our 5th grade safety patrol members who help our families safely cross our streets. We are truly a community devoted to helping one another. We are also in our 16th year of the Trailblazers mentor program with 4th and 5th graders. Pioneer students come to school daily to assist their student with schoolwork.  The program was established at Lawton School and has been recognized as an outstanding program by the Michigan Education Association. 

Here at Bach, we also have fun sharing experiences together. All 5^th graders attend YMCA Storer Camps for four days in the spring.  This outdoor education experience is completely funded through student fundraising and parent donations. We also enjoy all-school assemblies throughout the year sharing and celebrating with each other what we have learned and accomplished. Walking fieldtrips to the Ann Arbor Library, Farmers Market, Hands on Museum, etc, occur according regularly according to grade level, along with our end of the year Field Day!

We are truly a strong Bach Family with lots of opportunites to come together. One thing is for sure, it is great to be a Bach Bengal!