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Ann Arbor Public Schools

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January 17, 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 Tappan Art Teacher. We shared a Two Minutes at Tappan video, a preview of Pioneer Theatre Guild’s Future Stars and a preview of Skyline Friends of the Arts Winter Showcase and Benefit Concert. 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.

 

PowerSchool Cybersecurity Incident

The Ann Arbor Public Schools Cyber Team is working to complete the internal review of the PowerSchool cybersecurity incident. We will keep the community informed as we obtain more information and resources from PowerSchool. In the meantime, we have updated our Frequently Asked Questions this week and added a link to a PowerSchool FAQ.

 

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 2025-2026 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.

 

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

 

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

JUST ADDED! Women’s Strength Training: In this class, you will learn the importance of proper form and execution when using free weights. Join our twice-weekly Women's Strength Training Class, a transformative program specifically designed to help women of all ages build muscle, increase bone density and achieve lifelong vitality.

REGISTER NOW! SPRING 2025 CO-REC INSTRUCTIONAL VOLLEYBALL: For men and women, age 16 and older. Co-rec Instructional teams play for 1 hour each Monday starting March 4th. Teams play 3 shortened games per week and also spend time working on drills to improve their skills.

Youth Enrichment

Introduction to Mandolin @ AAOpen: Discover the joy of mandolin playing in this class designed for students in grades 3-8. Learn the basics of mandolin, including chords, melodies and essential playing techniques. No prior mandolin experience is needed, and instruments, as well as all materials, will be provided.

Across the Galaxy: Cosmic Art Creation @ A2STEAM: Reach for the stars and explore the wonders of the universe while learning fun and creative techniques to paint, draw and craft your own galaxy. Construct vibrant backgrounds, design unique planets and create glowing constellations with special paints. Join us while we combine science and imagination to inspire the most fantastical cosmic creations! 

Explore the fascinating world of medicine with real tools doctors use. Learn basic medical knowledge, first aid skills and the essentials of human anatomy and physiology. Through interactive lessons, real-life scenarios and guided practice, know how to respond to medical emergencies and gain insights into various careers in the medical field. Junior Doctors @ Abbot, @ Allen, @ Lakewood

Early Childhood Classes & Sports

Winter Wonderland Adventures: Explore and discover parts of the forest in the winter season with other families! Class includes nature-based activities (like ice sculptures, fort building and snow painting), stories and play. Classes meet rain, snow or shine (within safe temperatures). Ages: 2.5-5 years with an Adult.

Calm and Connect: Intro to Infant Massage: This five-week infant massage course is a great way to bond with your baby while connecting with other parents. Learn how to identify cues, behavioral states and other methods to keep in touch as your baby grows. Newborn to 6 months with an Adult.

 

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.

 

Martin Luther King Day Events

MLK Children and Youth Program

The University of Michigan’s Marsal Family School of Education’s Martin Luther King Jr. Children and Youth program takes place from 8:30 AM to 3 PM on January 20th at the School of Education Building at 610 E. University Ave. This event is for children and youth in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12th to learn, engage and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through fun and educational activities. Pre-registration is required

 

University of Michigan 39th Annual MLK Keynote Memorial Lecture

Actress, trailblazing activist, entrepreneur, creator, producer, director and one of the country’s boldest, most daring and powerful voices, Erika Alexander will give the keynote memorial lecture. The event is from 9:30 to 11 AM at Hill Auditorium on January 20th. Livestream of the lecture will be available at mlk.umich.edu. 

 

Driven By The Dream - MLK Celebration at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University hosts a week of Service from January 20th to 24th. The week kicks off with the MLK Jr. Walk to Freedom from 10 to 11 AM starting at the MLK Statue on campus. The schedule of events at EMU is available here.

 

2025 MLK Symposium at the University of Michigan Detroit Center

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the UM Detroit Center! Honor Dr. King’s legacy with a day of learning and conversation from 9:30 AM to 2 PM on January 20th. UM Detroit Center is at 3663 Woodward Ave. in Detroit.

 

Ypsilanti District Library MLK Day Celebration

Join the Ypsilanti District Libary as they celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., featuring a performance by the Ypsilanti Youth Choir, a hands-on craft and a community service project. The event is from noon to 2 PM at the Superior Branch on January 20th.

 

35th Annual Health Science MLK Lecture

The School of Medicine / Michigan Medicine hosts this year’s lecture, which will focus on exploring interdisciplinary approaches to achieving health equity. The lecture and panel discussion on current issues and approaches to achieving health equity for all will be from 2 to 5 PM on January 20th at Kahn Auditorium, 109 Zina Pitcher Pl.

 

MLK Day Circle of Unity

The Michigan Community Scholars Program invites you to join them for the 19th annual MLK Day Circle of Unity on the Diag from 3 to 4 PM on January 20th. In case of inclement weather, the event will take place in the LSA Building Atrium.

 

Martin Luther King Jr. and War: Then and Now

The Ann Arbor District Library hosts members of the local Veterans For Peace Chapter 93 for a discussion about MLK’s relationship between civil rights and militarism and to discuss if the connection of this relationship is still applicable today. The event takes place between 6:30 and 7:30 PM at the downtown library’s fourth-floor meeting room. More information and a livestream are available here.

 

Washtenaw Community College MLK Celebration

Washtenaw Community College’s MLK Celebration includes an MLK Writing Workshop on January 23rd from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM and an MLK Open Mic Celebration on January 30th from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

 

Community Events and Information

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.

 

Student Reporter Program

Nonprofit Peerbagh invites Michigan students to join the 2025 Student Writing Cohort, with free monthly workshops and opportunities to be featured in Bento magazine. The program starts on January 20th with a special MLK Day workshop at 9 AM. The program is partially supported by the Michigan Community Service Commission. Join as student writers here. For questions, write to namaste@peerbagh.com

 

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