Hello AAPS Parents, Students, Staff and Community,

We are sharing the following updates today: 

Power Outages During Virtual Learning

We understand that power outages caused by this weekend’s heavy winds prevented some students from logging into school today. The Ann Arbor Public Schools will be excusing absences caused by power disruptions today. In addition, teachers and school staff will be working with students to offer support as needed. 

During this time of virtual learning, if the majority of homes within a school’s boundary are impacted by a power outage, such as was the case for Pittsfield Elementary today, we will close the school for virtual learning for the day. Otherwise, in the case of a few outages, we will proceed with virtual learning classes and support each other through those days when some partial or sporadic outages may occur for some students, staff and families. 

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Emergency Order

With spiking numbers of COVID-19 cases across the state of Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services issued an Emergency Order yesterday in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. While the Emergency Order limits indoor gatherings for the next three weeks, critical work will continue to occur with proper masking, distancing and other health protocols observed. 

In accordance with these measures, the AAPS will continue food distributions on Mondays and Thursdays; full information is available here.

High School Athletics

Consistent with the announcement on Sunday evening by Governor Whitmer and the Executive Order from the MDHHS, all school sports activities and competitions are suspended through at least December 8. This decision includes those teams completing the fall season, all winter sports and all off-season training/conditioning sessions. The only allowed coach-player contact and activities for all sports (fall, winter and spring) is virtual communication through at least December 8.

The MHSAA will explore options to complete the three remaining fall tournaments and revise winter sports plans that will include updated practice and competition calendars. As a reminder, earlier this month, the AAPS announced the delay of the winter sports season and communicated a 5-phase plan for winter sports; all plans remain contingent on rates of COVID-19 community spread. 

Expectations in Learning for Students with Specialized Learning Needs

The AAPS is sharing what students with special needs and their families can expect during virtual learning, and importantly, steps to take if these expectations are not met. This information can be found here.

Support Resources Available from the AAPS

The Ann Arbor Public Schools continues to offer a variety of assistance and support to students and their families. We have brought together email links and phone numbers for these resources in one location here.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, partnership and support of our students and staff, and of the Ann Arbor Public Schools. 

Sincerely,

Jeanice Kerr Swift
Superintendent of Schools
Ann Arbor Public School