August 23 - AAPS Superintendent Welcome - 2024-25 School Year

AAPS Lead Care and Inspire logoHello, Ann Arbor Public Schools Community,

 

We are thrilled to welcome back our Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) students and staff to our school campuses as we get ready for the first day of school, Monday, August 26th.

 

This summer has been busy with planning and preparation, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We're committed to supporting our students' overall well-being and helping them develop important life skills that will serve them well in school and beyond. This summer we have worked to finalize a district-wide Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program. Each of our schools will begin to explore and use this TRAILS program. Through weekly lessons, our staff will teach skills such as how to navigate strong emotions, build healthy relationships, choose helpful behavior and make decisions effectively.  Look for more information about this from your child’s school.

 

We’re also grateful to have been able to recall 45 of the 55 teachers who were laid off in early summer. Although the involuntary staff transfers that allowed for many of these recalls were tough decisions to make and difficult for those directly impacted, these moves allowed us to bring back these talented educators to AAPS, many of whom would have been greatly missed by their schools and students.  

 

As this school year begins, we have the opportunity to re-energize and refocus on what truly matters — our students and their learning, growth and success. Together, we can create an environment where every student feels valued and inspired and experiences the joy of learning. We are in this together.

 

We want to share some important 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.  Please review the information below and the back-to-school updates sent directly from your child’s school. 

 

Thank you for your commitment to our Ann Arbor Public School students. We are a strong AAPS community, and I look forward to an amazing school year.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Jazz Parks

Superintendent of Schools

Ann Arbor Public Schools

 

 

 

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

Reporting Student Illnesses, including COVID 

Parents/guardians should let their school office or absence line know if their student has symptoms or has 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 ensure it is 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, which support early childhood development. Registration is open now for fall Early Childhood enrichment and 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 schools 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.