January 16, 2026 - Weekly Update
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared Skyline is hosting an Arts Benefit. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
AAPS Board of Education
The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is Wednesday, February 4th, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road. At this week’s meeting, the Board of Education re-elected Torchio Feaster as President, voted Glynda Wilks Vice President, chose Leslie Wilkins to serve as Secretary and picked Don Wilkerson to remain Treasurer. We also celebrated the trustees as January is School Board Appreciation Month.
AAPS Experiencing High Levels of Student Illnesses
AAPS is experiencing high levels of student illness across many schools. Illnesses include Influenza A and B, influenza-like illness, and norovirus. Please follow the guidance in When to Keep Your Child Home from School for any illness your student may have.
Mental Health Support
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. Call 888-515-0595 (available 24/7/365 with multilingual support) or visit: caresolace.com/aaps to search or click “Book Appointment.”
Information about Care Solace is available in Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin.
Kindergarten Round-Up Events
Come see what fun awaits your child in the Ann Arbor Public Schools for Fall 2026! Open to all families of kindergarten or Young 5s eligible students. Attend any of the listed open houses in February or call to schedule a tour. To be eligible for Young 5s your child must turn 5 years old between May 1st and December 1st.
We want to hear from AAPS students about our meals
Our dietician, Nika, is looking to get feedback on the daily lunch and breakfast menus from students. Click here to access a form designed to involve students in the menu-making process. For any questions regarding student feedback or our menu, be sure to contact Nika at olszewskiv@aaps.k12.mi.us.
Reminder! Even if a student brings their own lunch they can still get a free school lunch and choose at least three food groups: Milk, Fruit, Veggie, Protein & Grain! Or choose all five for the best nutrition.
All students can have free breakfast and lunch! Take, Eat and Enjoy!
Transportation
Families may continue to apply for Space Available Transportation throughout the school year. It generally takes one week to check availability after the initial student counts are conducted.
Links to bus routes for our schools are available here.
My Stop is a free desktop and mobile app that provides parents access to bus route information such as a child’s assigned bus, bus stop location and updates on the estimated time of arrival at the bus stop. My Stop allows parents and students to plan for late or on-time arrival and prevent missed pick-ups. Click here for more information and how to login.
For more information on transportation go here.
AAPS Music Camp Scholarships
AAPS Music Department’s 2026 Summer Music Camp Scholarship Auditions are being accepted now through February 17th. Auditions this year will be via video recording only. Apply here.
School Crossing Guards Wanted
The City of Ann Arbor is currently hiring school crossing guards. Duties include, holding up a hand-held "STOP" sign until all children are safely across the street and reporting any unsafe observations, incidents or accidents involving students to school authorities. Click here to learn more and apply.
MyPowerHub
AAPS is excited to announce a new centralized hub for student information and communication called MyPowerHub. This new hub will serve as a one-stop portal designed to better serve our students and families. This streamlined system will bring together everything from grades and attendance to schedules, assignments, and communication tools, all in one easy-to-access location. By simplifying access and enhancing the user experience, we’re making it easier than ever for families to stay informed and engaged in their student’s education. This is a major step forward in our commitment to providing seamless, efficient, and supportive tools for student success.
This is a work in progress, so some areas of the MyPowerHub may not be filled yet. We will continue to roll out access to elementary school families in the coming weeks.
Securly Parent Portal - How to Opt In
In the AAPS, we utilize a cloud-based web filter called Securly to keep students safe on their district-issued device. 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. To OPT-IN to the Securly Parent Portal service, please encourage families to use the pathway as outlined below:
- STEP #1: Read about the AAPS Securly - 25-26 Parent Portal Opt-In opportunity available to all families.
- STEP #2: Sign-up on the Securly Parent Portal Program Form.
- STEP #3: Look for an email from Securly when your account is ready to go (it can take up to 48 hours to receive).
- STEP #4: Download the Securly Home App from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- STEP #5: Navigate the App to explore different views into your child's online safety and check out the AAPS Securly Parent Portal FAQs.
If families have any questions, they can always reach out to the Student & Family Help Desk at 734-997-1222.
Michigan Safe Storage Law
MCL 28.429 requires individuals to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises. Additional resources are available on the Michigan Department of Education website to assist families in maintaining firearm safety.
Rec and Ed
WINTER CLASS Registration Is Open ❄️ Have a wonderful winter with Rec & Ed! Click here to browse our classes.
- Family Cooking/Baking Workshops – Build lasting memories
- First Steps Early Childhood Programs – Activities for young learners
- Youth Classes – Fun learning for kids and teens after school & on weekends
- Adult Classes – Explore new interests, maintain health & wellness
Think Winter is the right time to start planting? 🌱 It sure is! Check out our Michigan Wildflowers: Family-Friendly Winter Planting workshops on Jan. 31st, Feb. 28th, or March 14th. You can attend on your own, with a friend, or with your entire family. All are welcome!
FREE INDOOR TENNIS PROGRAM - In partnership with Rec & Ed, Blue Sky Tennis is offering a free USTA indoor tennis program that starts on Saturday, 11/15 for kids ages 6-14 @ Scarlett Middle School gym (3300 Lorraine St, Ann Arbor). For more information click here.
Community Events and Information
Conquer the Cold 2026 is underway through February 12th. Ann Arbor’s getDowntown Program launched the 2026 Conquer the Cold Challenge this week. To participate, community members log when they take trips using sustainable forms of transportation in the greater Ann Arbor area at win.getDowntown.org.
U of M Marsal Family School of Education’s Martin Luther King Jr. Children and Youth Program takes place on Monday, January 19th from 8 AM to 3 PM at the School of Education Building. This free event celebrates the life and legacy of MLK Jr. by providing a day of dynamic activities for youth in grades K-12. Click here for more information and required reservation.
Ann Arbor Art Center Community Quilt Project will take place on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 19th from 11 AM to 3 PM. Participants will design and create a quilt square that will be stitched together to form a collective quilt, symbolizing the harmony in diversity and strength of communal spirit. The event is free and open to all ages and skill levels. All children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. This activity at the A2AC at 117 W. Washington is first-come, first-serve, while supplies last.
Special Scientist Spotlight Event at U-M Museum of Natural History takes place on MLK Day, January 19th from noon to 3 PM. Only for the curious, visit with University of Michigan scientists and participate in engaging, hands-on activities to learn about their cutting edge research. Free and open to the public, suitable for upper elementary students through adult visitors. Made possible with help from the National Science Foundation. Learn more here.
Early College Alliance Virtual Information Meeting is on Wednesday, January 21st from 6:30 to 8 PM. With the ECA students can graduate with an AAPS diploma and up to 65 Eastern Michigan University credits for free. Learn more about the ECA here. Students currently in 8th-10th grade are eligible to enroll for the 2026-27 academic year. Prior registration is required to attend the information meeting.
A Book Covering Party is being hosted by the Friends of the AAPS Libraries on Saturday January 24th at the Ann Arbor District Library Pittsfield branch. The Friends of the AAPS Libraries will help school librarians by assisting with the critical task of covering books. Sign up for 1, 2, or 3 hour shifts and training will be provided. Sign up here.
Arab American Advisory Group Open House takes place Saturday, January 24th from 3 to 5 PM at the Pittsfield Library Community Room. Come learn about the group and their plans for this year. Children are welcome and kids’ crafts will be available.
Embracing Our Differences Michigan is accepting artwork applications through January 30th. Embracing Our Differences Michigan invites you to participate in creating a society where diversity is embraced and individuality is celebrated. The exhibit will be on display in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti parks from May through the end of October 2026. Click here to learn more and submit your artwork.
Energy Career Panel for Teens is taking place on Wednesday, February 4th from 6:15 to 7:45 PM at the Pittsfield Branch of the Ann Arbor District Library. Join Washtenaw County 4-H and Invenergy for an interactive career panel where you’ll discover the wide range of roles in the energy industry and learn how cleaner energy is transforming businesses and communities. Sign up here. Please contact Jenny Speyer at speyerje@msu.edu with questions.
TRAILS Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Caregivers and Communities on Thursday, February 5th from 4:30 to 6 PM. This presentation will provide participants with an overview of suicide and suicidal behavior in children and adolescents, including risk and protective factors. Participants will learn warning signs that may indicate elevated risk for suicidal behavior and how to intervene. Click here for more information and to register.
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) Scholarship Applications are being accepted through February 10th at 3 PM. AAPS graduating high school seniors can access 25+ scholarship opportunities (awards ranging from $1,000 to $26,000) by visiting www.aaacf.org/scholarships. Questions or concerns can be directed to Maryellen Ferro at mferro@aaacf.org.
Ann Arbor Christmas Tree Drop-Off Locations will be open through Monday, January 19th at Bicentennial Park, West Park, Gallup boat launch and Olson Park. Trees must have all stands, nails, lights, ornaments and other items removed before drop-off. More information on composting options at www.a2gov.org/compost.
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