February 14, 2025 - Weekly Update
Calendar: February 14 -18 - No School - Mid-Winter Break
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared highlights from NAAPID, six Pioneer and Skyline students have been chosen to participate in an All-State Honors Choir and Skyline is celebrating the inaugural members of the school’s Hall of Fame. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
AAPS Board of Education
The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is Wednesday, February 26th, at 7 PM at 3700 Earhart Road.
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans. It is a time to recognize the central role of African Americans in our nation’s history. Each and every day in the Ann Arbor Public Schools, teachers and students, support staff, school leaders and our community recognize and celebrate the important contributions African Americans have made throughout history. In the month of February, the AAPS spotlights this focus as we celebrate Black History Month in our classrooms and within each school community.
CTE Month
Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides students of all ages with the academic and technical skills, knowledge and training necessary to succeed in future careers and become lifelong learners. CTE prepares these learners for the world of work, skilled trades training and college or university success by introducing them to workplace competencies and making academic content accessible to students by providing it in a hands-on context. Learn more about CTE opportunities in the AAPS here.
Care Solace - AAPS Mental Health Partnership
Care Solace is AAPS’s free Mental Health and Substance Abuse Care Coordination Service. Care Solace is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a wee, to connect students, staff and their families to mental health, substance abuse and ABA service providers.
Over 200 languages are supported, and help is available to those with and without insurance.
Using Care Solace is easy!
· Call 888-515-0595 any time. A dedicated Care Companion will help you every step of the way to research options, secure appointments and follow up with you to make sure it's a good fit.
· Search anonymously by visiting caresolace.com/aaps
Information about Care Solace is available in Spanish, Arabic, and Mandarin.
AAPS Free On-Demand Learning Resource For Students
The Ann Arbor Public Schools, in partnership with Varsity Tutors, is making a free 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.
AAPS 2025-2026 Enrollment
Neighborhood pre-enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is now open. Students in grades Y5 through 12 who will be new to the AAPS district for the 2025-2026 school year will be eligible to complete their pre-enrollment for their zoned school. Families can look up which school they are zoned for by accessing our Attendance Area by Street Directory.
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 and the enrollment process and get answers to your questions. Learn more and see the full schedule here. Due to the winter weather this week, several round-ups have been rescheduled. Eberwhite and King’s events will now take place on Wednesday, February 26th, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Logan’s round-up has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 26th, from 6 to 7:30 PM and Pittsfield’s event will take place on Wednesday, March 12th, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.
AAPS Scholarships for Graduating Seniors
AAPS offers multiple scholarships to graduating seniors looking to further their education at a credentialed college, university or trade school. To view a listing of scholarships and apply online, visit a2schools.org/scholarships. Application deadline is March 14th at 10 PM.
Share Your Stories of Community Partners and Volunteers
Help AAPS recognize the inspiring efforts of our community partners and volunteers by sharing your story. We'll showcase stories during the AAPS Celebration of Partners and Volunteers on April 17th. Submission Deadline: March 7th. Submit your stories here: bit.ly/AAPSPartnerVolunteerStories
Michigan’s Seal of Biliteracy
AAPS is again offering students graduating in the class of 2025 the opportunity to earn Michigan’s Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by the Michigan Department of Education to recognize students who have attained proficiency in English and one or more languages by high school graduation. Learn more here.
Rec & Ed
Adult Enrichment & Recreation
Come learn the basics of Creative Photography. Instructor: Katelend Rosaen is a fine art photographer who has exhibited her artwork in multiple countries and has a European Masters of Fine Art Photography. Katelend changes people’s perspectives one project at a time. Available for grades 10th through adult.
iPhone Photography: Begin to understand the photographic possibilities of your Apple iPhone. In this course, we will cover the basic settings in your iPhone, filters that come preinstalled and some of the editing options available. Apple iPhone required. Grades: 10th-Adult.
Youth Team Sports
Youth Spring Soccer 2025: Online registration for grades Y5-8 will begin on Monday, February 17th at 10 AM and close on Monday, March 10th at 5 PM.
Youth Flag Football Spring 2025: Online registration for grades Y5-8 will begin on Monday, February 17th at 10 AM and close on Monday, March 10th at 5 PM.
Youth Field Hockey Spring 2025: Online registration for grades 3rd-8th will begin on Monday, February 17th at 10 AM and close on Monday, March 10th at 5 PM.
Youth Enrichment
Unleash your inner fencer! Fencing isn’t just a sport; it’s a blend of athleticism and strategy, sharpening both mind and body. Boys and girls in 2nd-8th grades are invited to join us this winter for Intro to Fencing and Beginning Fencing at King beginning February 23rd.
Early Childhood Classes & Sports
Lunch & Play: Caregiver Connection: For ages 1-4 years with a Nanny or Caregiver, this group is designed as a supportive and informal community of nannies and caregivers who are dedicated to nurturing the children under their care. Our meet-up is every other Thursday in a space that is safe, warm and child-friendly to help beat those winter blahs.
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
Dinosaur Discoveries
Join the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History for a fun-filled weekend of science, exploration and arts and crafts at Dinosaur Discoveries 2025. Dig for real fossils to take home and create your own dinosaur accessories at this free event from 10 AM to 4 PM on February 15th and 16th. New this year is a sensory-friendly hour starting at 10 AM.
International Neighbors Winter Welcome
The Winter Welcome of International Neighbors will be held on Thursday, February 20th, from 1 to 2:30 PM in Piper Hall, in the basement of the Zion Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor, 1501 W. Liberty. International Neighbors is a non-profit Ann Arbor organization focused on welcoming women of all nationalities into the community. The non-political, non-religious organization welcomes both international and American women.
NAAPID at Night Poster Contest
Applications for the 30th annual NAAPID at Night Poster Contest will be accepted through Friday, February 21st at 11:59 PM. The theme for this year’s National African American Parent Involvement Day is “Love, Guidance, Respect, and Compassion are the Greatest Gifts given to ALL Children!” Student applications can be submitted here.
Washtenaw County Sheriff Community Engagement Division Logo Contest
The 2025 Washtenaw County Sheriff Community Engagement Division logo contest is accepting entries from county residents 23 and younger through February 21st. Click here to learn more and submit entries for the chance to win a $300 cash prize.
Fame Technician Training Program Open House
The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) Technician Training Program at Washtenaw Community College offers students a paid, hands-on learning experience that allows them to gain valuable skills while working with local industry partners. Learn more about the program at an open house at WCC from 5:30 to 7 PM on Tuesday, February 25th.
Go Cross Country Skiing
There are several parks around the Huron River Watershed where you can find miles of groomed trails, equipment rentals and even adaptive Sit-Skis for those unable to ski in an upright position. Learn more at hrwc.org/ExploreYourWatershed.
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