December 6, 2024 - Weekly Update
Calendar: December 23 to January 3 - No School - Winter Break
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of a PLTW teacher at Logan. We shared that students studied the history of our schools as part of Ann Arbor’s Bicentennial, Community celebrated the finale of their Food Gatherers fundraiser, and an Eberwhite fourth grader is starring in a production of ‘Annie.’ We shared two minutes at A2 STEAM and Pioneer, and King students shined in a robotics competition. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
AAPS Board of Education
The next Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, December 11, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road.
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 Food Service Is Hiring
Chartwells Food Service is currently hiring for several positions, and we’re looking for motivated individuals to join our team. These roles are perfect for parents who want to work during school hours and have their evenings and weekends free.
Positions Available:
- Part-Time Food Service Workers:
- 15-25 hours per week (Monday through Friday)
- Starting at $16 per hour (depending on experience)
- Full-Time Sous Chefs:
- Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 2:30 PM
- Starting at $19 per hour (depending on experience)
If you or someone you know is interested, click here to apply for the Ann Arbor Public Schools postings. Please email HR manager Brittney DeWitt at dewittb@aaps.k12.mi.us after applying to set up an interview.
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.
Rec & Ed
Adult Enrichment & Recreation
Start a hobby. Hone your skills. Online registration for winter classes is available NOW! Rec & Ed classes provide enrichment opportunities to learn a new skill, explore an interest, or enhance your personal life. Come see what you can be this winter!
Youth Enrichment
We are offering many new classes for students this winter! Online registration for after-school enrichment, youth enrichment classes, and youth instructional sports are available NOW! Register early as classes fill up quickly.
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
Each day this winter holds exciting new experiences that support all areas of development in children from birth to five years old. Online registration for winter early childhood enrichment classes and early childhood sports is available NOW! Winter classes will run January - March. Early registration is encouraged.
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
Rebuilding the County Courthouse Brick by Brick
Part of Ann Arbor 200, the Ann Arbor District Library’s celebration of our city’s bicentennial, is a LEGO recreation of the County Courthouse. The event for ages kindergarten through adult takes place at the downtown library from noon to 2 PM on Saturday, December 7th.
My Future Fund
We are thrilled that over $430,000 has been allocated to AAPS students’ My Future Fund accounts! My Future Fund has activated over 6,400 accounts for AAPS 2nd-7th grade students, and 1st graders will join the fun this year. Every account comes with a $25 starting deposit, and one in three students qualifies for a $475 bonus based on family income. Unlock all the benefits of the program by completing the Release of Information form before December 8, 2024. Over $1,000,000 is still waiting to be claimed by AAPS students. To learn more about the program and complete the Release of Information form, go to www.myfuturefund.org or call 734-302-2626.
Mind Matters: Ketamine for Mental Health Treatment Webinar
The University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry is presenting a Mind Matters educational webinar about ketamine on Thursday, December 5th, from 7 to 8:30 PM. Over the last several decades, studies have shown the potential for Ketamine as a therapeutic option for treatment-resistant depression. Register for this Zoom event here.
Scientist Spotlight
The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History’s next Scientist Spotlight is Saturday, December 7th, from 11 AM to 4 PM. Visit with U of M scientists and participate in engaging, hands-on activities to learn about their cutting-edge research. Suitable for upper elementary through adult visitors.
Sensory Processing Disorder and Mental Health Workshop
The December Mental Health Workshop from the Washtenaw Intermediate School District aims to help parents understand the difference between sensory seeking and avoidance behaviors and effective sensory interventions to support the mental health of those with sensory processing disorder. This free online event for parents is December 10th at 7 PM. Register for WISD Mental Health Workshops for Parents and Caregivers series here.
City of Ann Arbor Seasonal Yard Waste Collection
The City of Ann Arbor is expanding services for the season to help residents manage fallen leaves. Through Friday, Dec. 13th, the number of bags that can be left at the curb for collection will be increased to 20 bags (50 pounds or less each); unlimited leaf drop-off will be permitted at the Ann Arbor compost facility from residents or their landscapers; and free wood chips will be available to pick up at three locations around the city. More details here.
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.
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