We are thrilled to welcome back our teachers and staff to our school campuses, and we are all preparing for the arrival of our students for the first day of school, Monday, August 26th.

As we approach the start of school, we want to share some general AAPS district information regarding the school calendar, the state of Michigan’s free meal  program for breakfast and lunch for all students, updates on student health and well-being, Rec and Ed programs and opportunities, technology and general transportation information.

2024-2025 School Year Calendar

The calendar for the upcoming school year is available here. 

Food Service

We are delighted that Michigan’s public school students will again be receiving nutritious free meals at school this year. Please remember there is a charge for a la carte items and milk only. You may review more information here about our next steps with breakfast and lunch available for all students for no cost during the 2024-25 school year. 

Important for everyone: To support accurate data during this transition, the state  is requiring all families to fill out the Food Service / Education Benefit Forms for All Families

You can learn more about the program here, and you will also receive information directly from your school.

Student Health and Well-Being

Required immunizations

• All preschool, Y5, K and 7th-grade students and new students at any grade must show proof of completed required immunizations by the first day of school. 
• The Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools is holding Back-To-School Vaccine Clinics at Scarlett Middle School from August 19-29th. More information is available here.
• Immunization waivers are available only by appointment from the Washtenaw County Health Department. 

Reporting Student Illnesses, including COVID 

Parents/guardians should let their school office or absence line know if their student has symptoms or been diagnosed with COVID, influenza, norovirus (“stomach flu”), or any other illnesses. Review When to Keep Your Child Home from School.

Updated information about COVID is available here. Our AAPS schools remain a welcoming place for individuals who choose to wear masks.

Visit the AAPS School Nurse page for more information or to connect with your school nurse.

Supporting Mental Health - It’s Okay to Ask for Help!

Care Solace is AAPS’s free Mental Health Care Coordination Service that connects students, staff, and their families to mental health and substance abuse services. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365. A dedicated Care Companion will help you every step of the way to research options, secure appointments and follow up to make sure it's a good fit.

Parents/caregivers can access Care Solace services in three ways:

• Call 888-515-0595 any time. 
• Search anonymously by visiting caresolace.com/aaps
• Contact your student’s counselor, social worker or principal and they will submit a referral on your student’s behalf.

Learn more about Care Solace here. Information is also available in Arabic, Mandarin and Spanish.

Community Resources for Families

The AAPS Community Resources page at a2schools.org/communityresources provides information about resources available to families for help with food, basic needs, healthcare and other community services.

Community Education and Recreation

Rec & Ed’s Before and After Care program has openings available at the following schools: Abbot, Allen (AM only), Angell (AM only), Carpenter, Eberwhite, Lakewood, Mitchell, and Wines (AM only). Please visit the child care registration website or call 734-994-2300 ext. 0.

Looking for a once a week after school enrichment class for your elementary student? See what’s available at your school and sign up here. Other family fun and youth enrichment opportunities can be found here, and youth instructional sports classes here. Scholarships are available for all Rec & Ed youth activities.

Do you have an infant, toddler, or preschooler? Check out Rec & Ed’s early childhood classes and playgroups that support early childhood development. Registration is open now for fall Early Childhood enrichment and Early Childhood sports programs. 

Rec & Ed has lots for adults, too! Registration is open for fall adult enrichment, fitness, and yoga and pilates classes. In September, Rec & Ed is offering a week of free one-time “try it” classes for adults to explore Hiit, yoga, dance, cardio drumming, self-defense, strength training and many other types of fitness. Visit aarecedonline.com to see it all! 

Technology

High School students are encouraged to begin plugging in their district technology and getting it charged if they have not done so recently. The Students and Families Technology Virtual Help Desk is available by calling 734-997-1222 or emailing family_techsupport@aaps.k12.mi.us. 

Transportation

Bus routes and schedules, including AAATA options, are available on our website here. 

For families that do not receive school bus service, are in-district transfers or school of choice AAPS offers the option to apply for Space Available Transportation. Applications will be accepted beginning on October 1st. More information is available here.

We are looking forward to welcoming AAPS students on Monday, August 26th, as together we launch the 2024-2025 school year.