- Ann Arbor Public Schools
- Superintendent's Messages
August 5, 2019 - AAPS Summer Update
Monday, August 5, 2019
Hello AAPS Community,
While we had planned to send a 2019 summer update message today, unfortunately on this Monday we are all still processing the heartbreaking news of tragic violence in El Paso and Dayton over this past weekend.
As a school community, we know that it is more important than ever for us to come together and deepen our resolve and commitment to our core values of welcome, respect and embrace for ALL among us in the AAPS. We will continue to care for our children, care for each other and for this Ann Arbor community we share. Today we extend our care to the wider national community as well. I have reached out to Superintendent leaders in both El Paso and Dayton communities over recent days pledging our outreach and support.
Here at home in Ann Arbor, if you or a child you know needs assistance, it is important to ask for help; for additional information on resources where assistance is available in our community, please see our AAPS message You Are Not Alone for contact information.
We will remain close in our communication, connection, and care as we continue preparations for school opening four weeks from tomorrow so that all in the AAPS feel the support of being #A2gether against hate or intolerance of any kind, engaged in warm welcome and support of ALL our students, staff, and families in the AAPS community.
Superintendent’s Summer 2019 Update
While students and families are enjoying this Michigan summer, our AAPS school teams have been busy with preparation work in these priority areas:
- complete school projects, physical repairs, and restoration across our buildings,
- hire talented and capable professionals, following established and rigorous processes, to ensure a high-performing AAPS team,
- provide professional development to support our teachers, leaders, and staff, and
- continue implementation of programs such as Responsive Classroom, Young Fives, and Project Lead the Way among many other quality program and technology offerings.
We are focused on carrying out this work well, and are pleased to share that at the time of this update, all AAPS summer projects are on-time and on-budget. We are busy preparing in all these areas across our AAPS district because we remain committed to excellence in all we do. We work every day to ensure we deliver our very best in meeting the needs of all our students, supporting our staff, and fulfilling the high expectations of our AAPS parents and community.
It is an exciting time in the AAPS as we are a school district continuing on a path of growth, innovation, and success. We are currently extending and enhancing our programs and continue to strive to offer the highest-quality education for which our district is known across Michigan and around the world.
See a reminder below with information on tomorrow’s ballot proposal; please vote tomorrow on August 6th.
Whenever we can assist you in any way, please call on us. We recognize that you have a choice when selecting a school for your children, and we thank you for choosing the Ann Arbor Public Schools. We look forward to the exciting return of our students for the 2019-20 school year.
Sincerely,
Jeanice Kerr Swift
Superintendent of Schools
WISD Ballot Information
On Tuesday, August 6th voters across the Washtenaw Intermediate School District will consider a proposal to fund the renovation and reconstruction of the High Point School. Students from all nine Washtenaw County public school districts with significant medical, emotional, physical, and cognitive disabilities attend the school. The ten-year .37 mill tax increase will raise $53.295 million for the project.
Last week WISD Superintendent Scott Menzel shared information on the proposal with the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education. You can watch the video here, or go here for more information.