January 10, 2025 - Weekly Update
Calendar: January 20 - No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of a music teacher. We shared a Two Minutes at Skyline video, a pair of AAPS teachers and a parent volunteer were honored for environmental excellence and Huron’s Personal Project Showcase. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
AAPS Board of Education
The next Board of Education meeting is a retreat on Saturday, January 25th, at 8:30 AM at 3700 Earhart Road. The board’s Organizational Meeting and next regular meeting will be Wednesday, January 29th at 7 PM.
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 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 2025-26 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 2025-26 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 is the first In-District Transfer window open for the 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.
High School Curriculum and Information Sessions
Each AAPS High School will be hosting Curriculum/Information Sessions in January or February to help families learn more as students begin preparing for the transition to high school and understanding the options available. Click here for the full schedule.
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.
Freeman Environmental Youth Council Game Night
The Freeman Environmental Youth Council invites interested AAPS high school students to come to the Freeman Environmental Education Center (3540 Dixboro Lane, 48105) for a game night from 6 to 8 PM on Wednesday, January 15th. We will be playing the game Solutions, which is an engaging and interactive way to explore climate change mitigation strategies. It will be a night of fun, learning, and connecting with fellow high school environmentalists. Please RSVP here.
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.
Rec & Ed
Adult Enrichment & Recreation
Ann Arbor Civic Chorus: Vocal Sight-Reading Workshop: This workshop is intended for beginning and intermediate singers and will cover the following skills: learning to sight-read sheet music with a focus on pitch and rhythm, as well as developing aural skills for better tuning and vocal independence.
Enjoy cinema from around the globe and absorb some cultural history! Watch a themed series of movies exploring a cinematic style, region or concept, and engage in an online video discussion. No need to be an expert: everyone is welcome! Virtual Cinema Club meets January 29th - February 26th.
Youth Enrichment
Adult & Child: Be My Valentine Cookie Decorating Workshop: During this hands-on workshop, you and your child will have the opportunity to decorate a variety of Valentine-themed cookies with colorful icing, edible decorations, and festive designs. Our experienced instructor will guide you through the process, offering tips and tricks for creating beautifully decorated treats. Grades: 1st - 8th with an Adult.
Kids Power Karate: Students learn self-defense, physical fitness and coordination, teamwork, anti-kidnapping techniques, self-discipline, respect for parents and teachers, and self-confidence in a positive, fun environment with experienced professional martial arts instructors. This 6-week course is for grades 2nd - 6th and begins January 17th.
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
Building Self-Esteem in Children Workshop
The WISD’s January Mental Health Workshop brings Courtney Aldrich, Child & Family Program Instructor at MSU Extension, for an exploration into personal actions adults can take to support children in building self-esteem, including responsive communication, promoting independence, using descriptive and appreciative praise, and showing unconditional love and support. Join this zoom event at 7 PM on Tuesday, January 14th.
Recordings of past WISD mental health workshops for parents can be found on WISD's website here. Scroll down and click the + next to Parents/Guardians and then click on the video you'd like to watch.
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.
Cold Weather Gear Swap
The downtown Ann Arbor District Library is hosting a cold-weather gear swap on Sunday, January 19th, from 2 to 4 PM. Stop by to pick up free winter gear, including jackets, coats, hats, scarves and more. You do not need to drop off items to pick something up. Details. The library will be accepting donations before the event at all branch locations.
City of Ann Arbor Christmas Tree Disposal Sites
Christmas tree disposal sites around the city of Ann Arbor remain open through January 20th. More information can be found here.
Scientist Spotlight
The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History hosts their next Scientist Spotlight on Monday, January 20th from noon to 3 PM. Visit with U of M scientists and participate in engaging, hands-on activities to learn about their cutting edge research. Suitable for 3rd grade students through adults.
Ann Arbor Summer Festival Listening Sessions
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF) is seeking participants for a listening session focused on families with children on Saturday, February 22, from 2 to 4 PM. The purpose of the listening session is to better understand how A2SF can serve families at Top of the Park and throughout the year. A $50 honorarium will be offered to participants. Please note that filling out the INTEREST FORM does not guarantee you'll be invited to participate.
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