February 7, 2025 - Weekly Update
Calendar: February 14 -18 - No School - Mid-Winter Break
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of a Lawton fourth-grade teacher. We shared Skyline Theatre is presenting “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” and a two minutes at Dicken video. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
AAPS Board of Education
The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is Wednesday, February 12th, at 7 PM at 3700 Earhart Road.
National School Counseling Week
Each year, during the first full week of February, we have the opportunity to publicly acknowledge our Ann Arbor Public Schools counselors as a part of National School Counseling Week. We appreciate our AAPS counselors every day, recognizing the tremendous role they play in supporting our students. On behalf of the entire AAPS team and along with the Board of Education, we express our deep appreciation to all our AAPS school counselors, and we honor them for their commitment, professionalism and dedication.
National African American Parent Involvement Day
AAPS will participate in National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) on Monday, February 10th. Check with your child’s school to find out what events they have planned. Washtenaw County’s NAAPID at Night is Monday, March 10th, from 5 to 7 PM at Ypsilanti Community Middle School.
An Evening of Song
An Evening of Song features seven combined choirs with students from each secondary school in AAPS. Choir students in grades 6 through 12 have the unique opportunity to perform with their peers from across the district. Combined opening and closing songs will unify the voices of the 1110 assembled students, and AAPS elementary music teachers will host the evening as emcees. This free concert is at Hill Auditorium starting at 7 PM on February 11th. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
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.
Now through February 13th, the first In-District Transfer window is open for the 2025-2026 school year for grades Y5, 9, 10 and 11 (IB only at Huron). In-District transfers are for those who live in the Ann Arbor Public Schools attendance area but seeking enrollment in a school that is not their zoned neighborhood school. Additionally, January 7th through February 13th will be the ONLY application window for the Community High Lottery and Ann Arbor Open Lottery.
Information about additional In-District Transfer and Schools of Choice windows will be posted on the Enrollment page when available. Questions can be directed to enroll@a2schools.org.
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.
Ann Arbor Open Middle School Open House Rescheduled
Learn more about Ann Arbor Open’s seventh and eighth-grade program on Tuesday, February 11th, from 6 to 7:30 PM at the media center. A panel of alumni, parents and teachers will answer questions about the unique Ann Arbor Open program.
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.
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Scholarships
The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation's (AAACF) Scholarship application is now open through February 13th at 3 PM. AAPS graduating high school seniors can access 25+ scholarship opportunities by visiting www.aaacf.org/scholarships. Questions or concerns can be directed to Maryellen Ferro at mferro@aaacf.org.
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
Friday night is Tango night! No dance experience is needed for Traditional Argentine Tango Level 1 as you learn the basic techniques and movement with Tango Experience Ann Arbor teachers. Or refine the concepts you’ve already learned when you register for Traditional Argentine Tango Level 2.
Spring 2025 Adult Volleyball: Online team registration is available through February 20 for our 6-week adult volleyball program. Games are tentatively scheduled to begin the week of March 31. Players without a team should email League Director Eliana Brinson at brinsone@a2schools.org.
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
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 February 11th. Click here for more information and required registration.
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.
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.
Put Poisons in Their Place
When possible, avoid using toxic household cleaners and chemicals. Also, remember that cleaners, chemicals, oil, paint and other home toxins should never be poured down a sink, into a storm drain or onto the ground. To keep them out of our water supply, dispose of them at a county collection site. Learn more at hrwc.org/hometoxics.
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