THE FACE OF ANN ARBOR VOLUME 4, NUMBER 16

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Final sustainability forum focuses on community

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Thursday, April 19, 2012

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Suspects face preliminary exams for home invasions

Items taken include TV, $3K in jewelry
By Ben Baird
A2 Journal

Two suspects arrested two weeks ago for separate home invasion cases attended preliminary examinations on charges against them in 14A District Court April 12. Eric Gibbons, 27, has

Eric Gibbons been charged with two counts of second-degree home invasion. The

Michael Hughes charges each have a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $3,000 fine. He

is accused of breaking and entering two residences. The first occurred between 9:30 and 10 p.m. March 24 in the 2100 block of Hemlock Drive. More than $3,000 worth of jewelry was stolen in addition to some handbags and a flat-screen TV. Ann Arbor police spokeswoman Lt. Renee Bush said he first tried unsuccessfully to slide a window open and then he broke the window with a rock to get in. A neighbor heard the

sound a glass breaking, she said. The suspect stole the items and left through the front door. The second home invasion police believe Gibbons is responsible for occurred between 8:30 and 11 p.m. March 24 at a residence near the intersection of Plainview Court and Hemlock Drive. The suspect first tried the front door, discovered it was locked, and then preceded open a back window.
PLEASE SEE SUSPECTS/5-A

On the RAIL

Sports
Skyline lacrrose plays exhibition for cancer research fund.

Schools seek $46M for tech upgrade

Ann Arbor voters decide issue May 8
By Sean Dalton
A2 Journal

Achievement Gap series The AAPS Experience

Second podcast in series posted at Heritage.com
By Leslie McGraw
Special Writer

Page 1-C

ON THE WEB

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Voters in the Ann Arbor Public Schools system are going to be asked whether to give the district almost $46 million in bond funds for technology upgrades May 8. The estimated millage to be levied in 2012 to service the bonds is 0.48 mills, or 48 cents per $1,000 of taxable value. The estimated simple average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds is 0.51 mills, or 51 cents per $1,000 of taxable value. The bond proceeds will be used to purchase and implement instructional technology, technology infrastructure and equipment, as well as remodeling, equipping, and furnishing district buildings. The 10-year bonds will be issued in three series in 2012, 2015 and 2018. Each issue will pay for different phases of implementation. This bond is strictly to replace aging technology and to upgrade many of our technology needs, including infrastructure, said
PLEASE SEE TECH/3-A

his week, we continue to look at the achievement gap as it is lived in Ann Arbor Public Schools as we take a closer look at the student experience through the lens of a school administrator and a parent, focusing on the role of relationships how it affects instruction. Non-instructional components such as household situations, poverty, discipline issues, and identity all play a large role in the learning process. Learning does not occur outside of the relationship, says Chuck Hatt, coordinator of Literacy and Social Studies Instruction for the Ann Arbor Public Schools. The impact of these issues, however, can be reduced by building trust and safe relationships between the learner and the teacher. Ann Arbor Public Schools parent Charnita Thomas has three children two of whom are still attending Ann Arbor schools. One of the greatest challenges that she faces as a parent, in partnership with Ann Arbor Public schools, is communication. She often finds herself finding out about deviant behavior in an untimely manner, making it more

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Ann Arbor talks sustainability

Chuck Hatt is coordinator of Literacy and Social Studies Instruction for the Ann Arbor Public Schools. difficult to redirect her children in an effective way. A simple situation of adding an additional e-mail address to her sons account has turned into an ordeal that has taken almost the entire school year to straighten out. Both of her sons are quiet children, especially her 18-year-old son. Thomas said once his teacher told her, I forget that he is even in the classroom. Have a perspective you would like to share on student achievement in Ann Arbor? Whether its a student, alum, parent or staffer past or present we would like to hear from you. Leave us a message on our Google Voice number, 734-7077537, and speak about your experiences in Ann Arbor Public Schools. A2 Journal intern Leslie McGraw can be reached at LesGo4It@gmail. com. Text HERNews and HERWeather to 22700 to receive news and weather alerts to your cellphone. Msg and data rates may apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.

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City to request Ofcer recognized for saving injured bicyclist renewal of parks millage LaFerier earns award as Good
Proposal on Nov. 6 ballot
By Sean Dalton
A2 Journal

INDEX
Second Front Editorial Calendar A2 Live Sports Page 4-A Page 6-A Page 1-B Page 2-B Page 1-C

Ann Arbor residents will have an opportunity Nov. 6 to say yea or

nay to the renewal of the citys Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage. The six-year 1.10-mill levy was passed by Ann Arbor voters Nov. 7, 2006, generating yearly revenue of about $5 million.
PLEASE SEE FUNDING/5-A

Samaritan
By Ben Baird
A2 Journal

If not for timely aid, a 60-year-old Ann Arbor man may not have survived after he was hit by a vehicle last month.

Washtenaw County court officer Joe LaFerier received a Good Samaritan Award April 11 from the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society for his role in finding both injured bicyclist William Pidgeon and the suspected hit-and-run driver believed to have struck him. Kimberly Morse, a 43year-old Ann Arbor woman, was identified as the driver

and arrested. She has been charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society President Doug Tidd presented the award at the Zal Gaz Grotto, 2070 West Stadium Blvd., prior to the groups spring potluck dinner. The accident Pidgeon was injured from occurred
PLEASE SEE OFFICER/5-A

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Spring Hometown Concert Sat., April 21 6:30 pm Saline High School

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Tickets: www.ddlersrestrung.com or (734) 325-4377