February 21, 2025 - Weekly Update
Calendar: March 4 -Early Release
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of a Thurston fifth-grade teacher. We also shared Forsythe and Scarlett basketball teams united to celebrate a special basket, AAPS students received Scholastic Art & Writing Awards,
Pioneer Symphony Orchestra performed their annual Symphony Serenades,
AAPS student artwork is included in a regional art exhibition, and Lawton celebrated the 101st day of learning with a PTO and Humane Society fundraiser. 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.
Nutrislice AAPS Menu Platform Disabled
AAPS, working closely with the local Chartwells K12 Food Service, has disabled the Nutrislice menu platform due to errors in nutritional information caused by an upgrade to the platform. Rather than display incorrect nutritional information on the Nutrislice platform, AAPS and the local Chartwells team have decided to post weekly PDFs of the menus until the Nutrislice platform is fixed. You can review the menus for next week here.
We know nutritional information is vital to many of our students' dietary needs, so Chartwells Registered Dietitian Sarah Mason has been working closely with district nurses to ensure the nutritional information is updated weekly. If you have urgent concerns, please contact Sarah Mason at masons@aaps.k12.mi.us or 734-460-1994.
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 week, 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 last 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. Abbot will now hold their round-up on Wednesday, February 26th, from 6 to 7 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
Online Registration for Spring & Summer Classes: Online registration will begin on Tuesday, March 11, at 10 AM. We offer Adapted Programs, Adult Enrichment Classes, Adult Fitness and Adult Yoga & Pilates.
Youth Team Sports
Youth Spring Soccer 2025: Online registration for grades Y5-8 is available through Monday, March 10th at 5 PM.
Youth Flag Football Spring 2025: Online registration for grades Y5-8 is available through Monday, March 10th at 5 PM.
Youth Field Hockey Spring 2025: Online registration for grades 3rd-8th is available through Monday, March 10th at 5 PM.
Youth Enrichment
Online registration for Spring Break Camp: Online registration will begin on Tuesday, February 25th, at 10 AM. Spring Break Camp runs March 24th - March 28th, with Full-Day and Half-Day options available.
Online registration for Summer Camp: Online registration will begin on Tuesday, February 25th, at 10 AM. Summer Camp will run June 16th - August 18th, with Full-Day and Half-Day options available for ages 5-13.
Online registration for Spring & Summer Classes: Online registration will begin on Tuesday, March 11th, at 10 AM. We offer After-School Enrichment Classes, Youth Enrichment Classes (eves/wknds) and Youth Instructional Sports.
Early Childhood Classes & Sports
Online registration for Spring Break Camp: Online registration will begin on Tuesday, February 25th, at 10 AM. Spring Break Camp runs March 24th - March 28th, with Full-Day and Half-Day options available for ages 3-5.
Online registration for Summer Camp: Online registration will begin on Tuesday, February 25th, at 10 AM. Summer Camp will run June 16th - August 18th, with Full-Day and Half-Day options available for ages 3-5.
Online registration for Spring & Summer Classes: Online registration will begin on Tuesday, March 11th, at 10 AM. We offer Early Childhood Enrichment and Early Childhood Sports.
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
Friends of the AAPS Libraries Meeting
The next Friends of the AAPS Libraries Meeting is Monday, February 24th from 6 to 7 PM on the third floor of the downtown Ann Arbor District Library. Learn more about current library programs, find out about volunteer opportunities and celebrate the recent $15,000 grant. More information here.
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.
NAAPID at Night Poster Contest - Deadline Extended
Applications for the 30th annual NAAPID at Night Poster Contest will now be accepted through Friday, March 14th 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. NAAPID at Night is now scheduled as an online event from 6 to 7 PM on April 14th.
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology Winter Family Day
Learn about the Roman Empire and the Ides of March at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology’s Winter Family Day on Saturday, March 15th from noon to 3 PM. This free event will include docent guides, scavenger hunts and storytime sessions.
Trails Suicide Prevention Training
We all play a role in suicide prevention. Community members and caregivers can get an overview of suicide and suicidal behavior in children and adolescents, including risk and protective factors through a zoom presentation on March 20th at 5:30 PM. Participants will receive an introduction to TRAILS and core beliefs about suicide prevention, recommended language to use when talking about suicide and more. Click here for more information and to register.
STEM Symposium at the University of Michigan
The engineering honor society at the University of Michigan in collaboration with the Biomedical Engineering Society is holding a STEM Symposium for students in grades 7th through 12th on Sunday, March 23rd from 9:50 AM to 2:20 PM. U of M Students will speak about their interest, research or career in STEM and offer lab tours. Click here for more information and to register by March 16th.
Give Kids A Smile Day
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry holds a free dental clinic for children ages 4 to 14 on Saturday, March 29th from 8 AM to noon. Dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays provided based on first come first served. Pre-registration is required.
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