December 13, 2024 - Weekly Update
Calendar: December 23 to January 3 - No School - Winter Break
Winter Weather Closure Announcement
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by yesterday's late announcement to close school. The district leadership team has reviewed our protocols and made the necessary adjustments to ensure there are no breakdowns in timely communication with staff and families as we move through the remainder of the winter weather months. Our goal is to notify families and staff of inclement weather school closures through multiple communication methods, including phone calls, text messages and emails, by 6 AM via SchoolMessenger. However, there may be occasional circumstances when the timing of rapidly worsening conditions may lead to a later notification than desired.
In addition to notification via School Messenger, we will also post school closure information on AAPS social media sites and the a2schools.org website and notify the media, including the Detroit television stations. You can review our weather closure protocol here.
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of a first-grade teacher at A2 STEAM. We shared that Pioneer choirs were treated to a masterclass with bass soloist Christian Simmons. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
AAPS Board of Education
The next Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, December 18, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road. At this week’s meeting, the Board of Education received the October Monthly Budget Monitoring Report, the 2024 Student Enrollment Annual Report and an Update to the Thurston Site Plan.
Retiring Board of Education Trustee Reception
We are holding a reception to honor and celebrate Trustees Krystle Dupree, Jeff Gaynor and Ernesto Querijero on Wednesday, December 18th, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road, Ann Arbor. RSVP to soderbec@a2schools.org. Sign up to offer remarks during special commentary here.
AAPS Winter Giving: Give Help, Get Help
Give Help to AAPS families and students in need by donating a gift card, organizing a drive or supporting a school. Get Help by finding food, winter clothing and other needed resources for your family. Visit a2schools.org/wintergiving today to learn more.
Care Solace - AAPS Mental Health Partnership
When you or your child needs help, it’s hard to know where to turn. To ease the burden of finding the mental health and substance use services you need, AAPS has partnered with Care Solace. Care Solace’s multilingual and culturally sensitive Care Companion™ team is available 24/7/365 to quickly connect individuals to community providers regardless of need. We are grateful for the grant dollars that allow us to provide this critical service to our students and families. Learn more here.
AAPS New On-Demand Learning Resource For Students
The Ann Arbor Public Schools, in partnership with Varsity Tutors, is making a set of 24/7 learning resources available to our students via Clever. Our 5th - 12th graders now have immediate access to a learning platform with the following:
· Chat Homework Help
· Asynchronous Academic Support Courses
· College Preparation Tools and Courses
· SAT Prep
· Myriad Live and Asynchronous Extracurricular Courses like coding, chess, comic drawing and more.
The Varsity Tutors Platform gives students more opportunities to learn at their own pace. We invite you to view this short video overview of the platform and resources.
AAPS Securly Tip Line
AAPS is pleased to offer this anonymous tip line for students, staff and families to address bullying, mental health concerns or important “See Something, Say Something” concerns. The Securly Tip Line can be downloaded from the AppStore or Google Play, and a bookmark will be placed on all student Chromebooks. Students, staff and parents can initiate an anonymous tip outside the app via phone: 1-833-300-STOP, email: tipline@securly.com or their website: https://www.securly.com/tip.
AAPS Securly Parent Portal
In the Ann Arbor Public Schools, we utilize a cloud-based web filter called Securly to keep students safe on their district-issued devices. To help parents monitor their child's online activity at home, AAPS offers the free Securly Home app. This application allows web-based filtering and parental controls on district-issued devices at home. Parents may set rules to allow or disallow certain websites, pause the Internet connection to the device as desired, and receive weekly usage reports.
Kindergarten Round-Up Schedule
AAPS will hold Kindergarten Round-Up events at schools across the district in February. Meet the staff, learn about the programs, the enrollment process and get answers to your questions. Learn more and see the full schedule here.
Rec & Ed
Adult Enrichment & Recreation
SHiNE Light Dance Fitness™ specializes in low-impact, simple choreography that makes working out easy for every age, build, and fitness level. No jumping required in SHiNE Light! You do not need to be a dancer to enjoy the benefits of this mood-lifting, booty-shaking, music-inspired experience.
Step into the world of Downton Abbey and the Great Gatsby by discovering popular dances from the 1920s and 1930s. You’ll learn the One-Step, Tango, Peabody, Blues, Castle Walk, Maxixe, Big Apple, Animal Dances (including Turkey Trot and Grizzly Bear), and kick up your heels to the Charleston. No prior dance experience needed!
Youth Enrichment
Join us for a delightful winter-themed cookie decorating workshop where creativity meets winter cheer! This hands-on experience is perfect for adults and children alike. During this hands-on workshop, you and your child will have the opportunity to decorate a variety of winter-themed cookies with colorful icing, edible decorations, and festive designs. Grades: 1st-8th with an Adult.
Enter into the exciting world of chess! Students with no or little experience in chess are welcome to join us this winter for Youth Chess with G-Powers. Participants will learn basic opening and ending strategies and further learn how to use forks and pins. Classes on Saturday or Sunday are fun for everyone in grades K-5th.
Youth Team Sports
Online registration for the High School Basketball League is OPEN! The High School league is open to youth in grades 9th-12th during the 2024-25 school year. This league is 6 weeks long and broken down by grades 9th-10th and grades 11th-12th. Scholarships are available.
Early Childhood Classes & Sports
Join us for a fun and creative winter art class! Explore colors, textures and wintery themes through open-ended, messy and playful art projects and sensory experiences. This warm and nurturing environment is a great first art class opportunity for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-4 years to explore the snowy season with a wide variety of materials.
Rec & Ed Before and After Care Programs
Rec & Ed’s Before and After Care program has openings available at the following schools: Abbot, Allen (AM), Angell (AM), Bach (PM), Carpenter, Dicken (PM), Eberwhite (PM), Lakewood, Logan (PM), Mitchell, Pittsfield (PM combined with Allen), Thurston (PM) and Wines (AM). Please visit the child care registration website or call 734-994-2300 ext. 0.
Programs are available to families needing financial assistance who meet income eligibility requirements. Find more information on our Rec & Ed Scholarship page.
Questions? Contact: aapschildcare@aaps.k12.mi.us
Join Our Friendly and Caring Rec & Ed Team
Rec & Ed wages and benefits are highly competitive. Schedules are flexible, with both part-time and full-time opportunities ranging from assistant to program director. Find out more about before/after care positions on our employment opportunities page.
Community Events and Information
Mind Matters: When Your Child Talks of Suicide or Cuts
The University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry is pleased to present this Mind Matters educational webinar that will address what loved ones can do when a child in their life expresses suicidal thoughts and/or engages in self-harming behaviors. The online webinar takes place on Monday, December 16th, from 7 to 8:30 PM. Click here for more information and to register.
University of Michigan Museum of Art Free Winter Break Activity
Looking for a fun, free activity over Winter Break? Visit the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) from December 21st through January 5th and ask for a Winter Wonderland activity booklet at the welcome desk. Explore the galleries, find the four works of art and return to the welcome desk to claim a prize. Information about hours, directions, parking and the cafe can be found on UMMA’s website.
City of Ann Arbor Christmas Tree Disposal Sites
Christmas tree disposal sites around the city of Ann Arbor open Monday, December 16th and will remain open through January 20th. More information can be found here.
Parenting Through Separation and Divorce Workshop
The University Center for the Child and Family is offering a free Parenting Through Separation and Divorce Workshop online via Zoom. The workshop will begin at 11 AM on Tuesdays. The next available one starts on January 14th. Click here for more information and required registration.
Hold the Salt
The best way to keep salt out of our streams during cold weather months is to shovel snow and ice early and often. If you occasionally need a de-icer for sidewalks and driveways, choose a product labeled “environmentally or eco-friendly.” Learn more at hrwc.org/uselesssalt.
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 school level:
For early childhood and elementary level issues, contact Melita Alston, Executive Director, Early Childhood and Elementary Education: alston@a2schools.org
For High School, Middle School and K-8 school issues, contact Dr. Roberta Heyward, Executive Director, K-8, Middle and High School Education: heywardr@a2schools.org