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November 11, 2022 - Weekly Update
Calendar: November 23-27 - No School - Thanksgiving Break
Washtenaw County COVID-19 Status
As of today, November 11, Washtenaw County is in the CDC Medium/Yellow Community Level. Link to CDC Community Level page here.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools Fall 2022 Covid Guidance is available here. If a child tests positive, parents should report cases here, and here is additional information on what to do if students, staff or volunteers have COVID. The AAPS Weekly COVID case dashboard and the biweekly outbreak report are available here.
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News Exceptional series has a profile of a Teacher Assistant at Skyline. The Ann Arbor Branch of the NAACP recognized over 300 high school students for their academic achievement, and about 1,000 elementary students got a chance to see Pioneer Theatre Guild’s latest production. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
A2 Schools Podcast
In this week’s A2 Schools Podcast, we talk with Nancy Shore, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement. Shore highlights volunteer options in the AAPS, some of the crucial partnerships that help the district serve children and winter giving opportunities that are currently available. In good news, we celebrate the Pioneer field hockey team for winning the Division 1 state championship.
AAPS Board of Education
The next regular meeting of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education is on Wednesday, November 16th, at 7 PM at Huron High School. The full calendar of board meetings is available here. Board of Education Update Newsletters provide a summary of board meetings and are available on Board Docs.
AAPS Job Fair
Come work for the Ann Arbor Public Schools. We’re hosting a virtual job fair/interview day on Wednesday, November 16th, from 3 to 6 PM. Positions available include teachers, childcare workers, noon-hour supervisors and more. Register here by noon on November 15th.
Rec & Ed
Adult Enrichment and Recreation Opportunities
Ditch the takeout containers and cook up your own gourmet meals from home, no matter your cooking abilities. Cooking 101: Fall Favorites is a fully interactive virtual cooking experience on November 16th with instructor Chef Natalie Marble. The class provides step-by-step instruction and allows for questions. Receive a cooking experience that will help you become a more confident chef.
Join us for UMS 101 and familiarize yourself with and deepen your understanding of bluegrass. Get to know some of the instruments and artists that make this uniquely American genre so soulful. Ages 18 and up are welcome for Bela Fleck My Bluegrass Heart and Punch Brothers. $49 registration includes the 90-minute workshop plus a ticket to the corresponding performance. A $15 workshop-only ticket is also available.
Stay active and compete in our adult winter volleyball leagues. Team registration for winter leagues ends Friday, November 18th. To secure a spot in the league for your four or six-person team, the league entry/sponsor fee must be paid by all teams at https://bit.ly/WinterAdultVolleyball. Players 16 and up are welcome on your team.
Youth Enrichment Programs
Online registration for Winter Break Camp begins November 16th at 10 AM. Camp will run January 3rd-6th and will be held at Slauson Middle School. Open to grades Y5-5, campers can choose from art, chess, dance, science or sports, with half-day and full-day options. Register early, as each camp has a minimum and maximum number of participants.
All are welcome to explore the empowering art of Taiko. Learn how to play taiko drums in this Taiko Arts Workshop on November 29th. Participants are taught how to understand sounds and movements, how to connect and the meaning of body movement. No experience necessary! Ages 13 and up are welcome.
Early Childhood Programs
Join us in a two-part workshop to create artistic designs using the screen printing technique. Participants will create drawings or designs on a mesh frame before printing those designs on paper, t-shirts and/or a tote bag. All materials are included. No previous experience is needed. Ages 2.5 to 6 years with adult. Register for December 8th & 15th at 4:45 to 5:30 PM or December 8th & 15th at 5:45 to 6:30 PM.
Youth Team Sports Programs
All skill levels of youth athletes in grades Y5-5th are welcome to play youth indoor soccer. Online registration for the winter 2023 season is available through November 21st while space is available. Introduce your athlete to the sport of Futsal this winter, or have your child continue to play league indoor soccer with Rec & Ed. Register now.
Dribble, pass and shoot your way to fun in our youth basketball leagues. This is a non-competitive league, emphasizing fundamentals, good sportsmanship and fun for boys and girls. Winter basketball leagues are open for registration through November 21st while space is available. Grade 4-8, register now!
Rec & Ed Youth Scholarship Fundraiser
Enjoy a fun night at Little Caesars Arena with Rec & Ed to watch the Detroit Pistons take on the New Orleans Pelicans. Game night for this annual fundraiser event is Friday, January 13th, at 7 PM. The Pistons will donate a portion of every ticket to benefit the Rec & Ed Youth Scholarship Fund. Bonus: first 20 kids to register will get to participate in the Pistons fan tunnel! For more information and to get your tickets, visit: pistons.com/annarborreced.
Fall Adult and Youth Tennis
Get your game on, get fit, meet other tennis players and sharpen your skills. Space is still available in our Fall II Adult and Youth tennis classes. Register for tennis today.
Rec & Ed is Hiring
Rec and Ed is hiring caring adults and 16 and 17-year-old high school students to work with elementary students in our before/after-school program. Join our friendly and supportive team. Find out more and apply here.
Community Events and Information
Help Support AAPS Children: Winter Giving Opportunities
Looking for ways to support children and families this winter giving season? Reach out to your school or visit a2schools.org/wintergiving for opportunities.
American Legion High School Oratorical Contest
All Michigan high school students are eligible to participate and compete for scholarships in the American Legion High School Oratorical Contest if they register by the November 18th deadline. This year’s contest will focus on the VI, X, XIV, and XVI amendments to the US Constitution.
Scientist Spotlight: Movement Under the Microscope
The next University of Michigan Museum of Natural History’s Scientist Spotlight is Sunday, November 20th, from 11 AM to 4 PM. This month’s spotlight includes “Movement Under the Microscope” at 1 PM, a science theater production of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Department students and students in the School of Music, Theater and Dance. Suitable for upper elementary through adults.
National Society of Colonial Dames Congressional Essay Contest
The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of Michigan encourages high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to participate in their Congressional Essay contest. Students must apply by December 1st and write a compelling 750-word essay. This year’s essay topic is “Examine the US Constitution as a whole and explain why you think it does or does not fully protect the Right to Vote.”
OK2Say
As a reminder for students, parents and staff, when any concerns or unease arise, we encourage students and parents to reach out right away to an adult at school for assistance. For those who prefer to share a concern without revealing their identity, we recommend using the OK2Say tool, where tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week by telephone, text message, email, mobile app or via the OK2Say website.
BeSMART Gun Safety
The BeSMART Gun Safety initiative is a nationwide campaign created to educate adults on the importance of safe gun storage. It does not endorse or condemn gun ownership; it merely reminds parents of the importance of being aware of guns in the community, in one’s own home, as well as in others’ homes.
How to Address a Concern in the AAPS
If you have a concern in the AAPS, we want to hear directly from you. Please reach out directly to an adult, teacher, counselor or the principal at your child’s school. If additional assistance is needed with school issues beyond the local school level:
For elementary level issues, contact Matt Hilton, Executive Director, Elementary Education: hiltonm@aaps.k12.mi.us
For K-8 and middle school level issues, contact Dr. Roberta Heyward, Executive Director, K-8 and Middle-Level Education: heywardr@aaps.k12.mi.us
For high school level issues, contact Jazz Parks, Assistant Superintendent, School Leadership: parks@aaps.k12.mi.us