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Ann Arbor Public Schools

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March 20, 2026 - Weekly Update

AAPS District News

The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of Dicken’s noon hour coordinator. We also shared that the Pioneer’s boys swim and dive team won another state championship, a Scarlett teacher is in the running for national favorite teacher contest and Huron hosted the IB Diploma Program Visual Arts Senior Exhibition Reception. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.

 

AAPS Board of Education

The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is Wednesday, March 25th, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road. You can review a recap of the last meeting here.

 

AAPS Safety and Security Forum

AAPS will provide an update on school safety protocols and procedures at a community meeting on Monday, March  23rd at 6 PM in Pioneer’s Schreiber Auditorium. We will engage in questions through a QR code during the presentation or submitted before the meeting here. Translators for Arabic, Chinese, Dari/Farsi, Japanese, Korean and Spanish will be available at the forum.

 

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. 

Passover Matzah for Students

AAPS is pleased to offer matzah for our students who observe Passover April 6 - 9, 2026. Matzah will be available upon request in the cafeteria during lunch to replace bread/yeast products served to students.

The matzah meets USDA requirements, and provides meaningful support to students and families observing Passover.

Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts with Mike Devries, Chartwells Manager at devriesm@aaps.k12.mi.us or Liz Margolis, Executive Director, School Safety & District Operations at margolisl@aaps.k12.mi.us.

AAPS Summer Music Program

The AAPS Summer Music Program is open to students in Washtenaw County grades 5-12. Students will have the opportunity to display their existing talent and be challenged to develop new skills. Registration is now open, click here for class offerings and descriptions and click here for how to register.

 

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.

 

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 Job Fair

AAPS is holding an in-person job fair on April 13th from 3 to 6 PM at the Huron High School cafeteria, 2727 Fuller Road. Come join our team. Meet with recruiters, screening interviews will be held, so please bring your resume. Sessions will be first come first served.

 

Available Positions:

  • Teachers
  • Paraeducators
  • Special Education Staff
  • Noon Hour Supervisors
  • Title 1 Tutors
  • Bilingual Liaisons
  • EL Co-Teachers
  • EL Instructional Assistants
  • Substitute Teachers
  • Bus Drivers and Assistants

 

Click here to complete an online application before attending the job fair. Please contact our HR team hr_info@aaps.k12.mi.us for inquiries.

 

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.

 

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 App Store or Google Play, and a bookmark will be placed on all student Chromebooks. Students, staff and parents can initiate an anonymous tip outside of the app via phone: 1-833-300-STOP, email: tipline@securly.com or their website: https://www.securly.com/tip. Or visit the OK2Say - the State of Michigan’s anonymous tip line: https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say. 

 

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:

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

Registration is OPEN NOW for:

Spring & Summer Class Registration - Check out Rec & Ed's wonderful spring/summer line-up of early childhood (ages 0-5) and school-age youth (ages 5-14) classes and activities at aarecedonline.com or in the attached documents. With so many NEW classes being offered, you are sure to find something you like. Spring into learning with Rec & Ed - where curiosity blooms!

Spring Break Camps - Keep your kids moving, creating, and smiling this Spring Break. Full Day and Half day camp options More information and camp options here. 

Late Registration for Youth Spring Sport Leagues - K-8th grade. Learn more about each league and register late here. Late registrations do not guarantee placement in a program.

Summer Camps - Time to sign your child up for summer camp adventures! There's no better destination than Rec & Ed, where children ages 3-15 years old can CREATE, PLAY, and EXPLORE all summer long. www.aarecedonline.com/camps

NOW HIRING: Spring Soccer Goal Crew Member Weekend Position, $15 an hour. Rec & Ed is looking for dependable individuals to help set up and take down soccer goals and fields for our Youth Team Sports program on weekends this Spring. Flexible weekend hours, and no experience necessary — we'll train you! Contact Shadaira, our Equipment & Sports Field Specialist: 📧 mccartys@aaps.k12.mi.us

 

Community Events and Information

Ann Arbor Blaze & Blue Career Camp is returning this summer to provide free, immersive, impactful experiences, in a supportive, challenging, exciting environment and led by women who are first-responder professionals. The Ann Arbor police and fire departments are inviting local young women, ages 15 to 18 to the camp that will take place June 22nd to 25th. Registration opens at 10 AM on Monday, March 16th and space is limited. Learn more about the camp here.

 

Scientist Spotlight on Saturday, March 21st at the Ypsilanti District Library on Whittaker Road from 2 to 4 PM. Visit with University of Michigan scientists and participate in engaging, hands-on activities to learn about their cutting-edge research. Learn more about this U-M Museum of Natural History event here.

 

SummerWorks Summer Internship Program for Teens is accepting applications through March 22nd. SummerWorks offers young adults ages 16 to 24 who either reside in Washtenaw County or attended school here an opportunity to gain professional skills. The program features professional development sessions, connections with local mentors, exposure to potential career paths and an opportunity for a paid 10-week internship this summer. Learn more and apply here.

 

Young Citizens of the Year nominations are being accepted through March 24th. The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation recognizes leadership and community service on the part of Washtenaw County high school students. Learn more and submit your nomination here.

 

TRAILS Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Caregivers & Communities presentation on Tuesday, March 24th from 7 to 8:30 PM. We all play a role in suicide prevention. This discussion will include risk factors and warning signs, starting the conversation, dispelling myths and more. Click here for more information and to register.

 

Ann Arbor Asian American Youth Summit is a student-led summit celebrating Asian American culture and identity free for all on Thursday, March 26th from 4 to 7 PM at Skyline High School. Join the Skyline Asian American Youth Club for a cultural performance, a keynote speech from former Michigan Assistant Attorney General Roland Hwang, cultural games and activities and delicious catered food and snacks from local Asian restaurants. All are welcome, you do not have to be Asian-American or in high school to come learn and have fun. Learn more about the summit here.

 

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Civics Contest is accepting entries from students in 9th - 12th grade through March 27th. To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this year’s contest calls on students to create an original graphic poster and provide a 500 word written description of your poster that conveys the connection between the Declaration’s founding promises and the judiciary’s role in upholding them. The written description should use 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double-spaced text, with one inch margins and include a title page with your first and last name, school, grade, level, city and state, email and phone. Submissions should be sent as a PDF to CA06-Civics_Contest@ca6.uscourts.gov.

 

Undergraduate Research Showcase at the U of M Museum of Natural History on Tuesday, March 31st and Thursday, April 2nd from 2 to 4 PM. Meet U of M students and participate in engaging, hands-on activities to learn about their research in cell biology, neurology, ecology and more. Held during spring break, this mini showcase will feature several undergraduate students from a Science Outreach course taught by Museum of Natural history staff. Learn more about the showcase here.

 

Run Ann Arbor is a fun, free running program for kids in grades K-8 every Sunday at Leslie Park from April 5th to May 10th. University of Michigan student athletes are leading these free, team-centered running practices and races for kids of all abilities. Run Your City is a nonprofit committed to creating an inclusive community where every child can grow into a healthy, confident and inspired individual. Click here for more information and to sign up for the program.

 

Teacher Appreciation Month Videos are currently being accepted by the Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Educator Excellence. The MDE invites parents/guardians to submit 15 to 30 second videos of their students recognizing and thanking a specific teacher for their impact. Submitted videos may be posted on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage and MDE’s YouTube channel. Additionally, the Office of Educator Excellence’s Facebook  (@MIeducator) and X (formerly Twitter) will promote the videos throughout the month of May.  

 

Please follow the directions on the flyer. Videos and parental consent must be submitted via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project Google Form.  Videos are currently being accepted until April 15, 2026.

 

Ann Arbor 2026 FreeTree Giveaway will be on Saturday, April 25th at Mitchell Elementary. Registration is required and will open on Saturday, March 21st. The registration link will be posted at www.a2gov.org/10ktrees. All trees will be small, bare root seedlings that will fit easily inside your vehicle. Tree planting and care information will be provided with every tree. Species available include pawpaw, serviceberry, choke cherry, northern red oak, American linden, sycamore, and paper birch. 

 

Free ESL and Academic Tutoring for Adults from Washtenaw Literacy

Washtenaw Literacy provides free tutoring for adults.  Want to improve your reading?  Math?  Computer Skills?  ESL?  Call us at 734-337-3338 or email merritt@WashtenawLiteracy.org for a Personal Tutor.  Or you can join drop-in tutoring. Learn more at https://washtenawliteracy.org/

 

University of Michigan Mental Health Focus Group for Teens

The Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Educational Video Project (CAPEV), is a collaboration between child psychiatrists, pediatricians, and medical students at the University of Michigan. Our goal is to create engaging, accessible educational tools to help teens better understand mental health conditions and to support providers in caring for adolescents more effectively. They are hosting small student focus groups to gather feedback on their materials. Click here for more information and if you would like to participate.

 

Sustainability Updates in Our Community

This new series will provide weekly updates on sustainability activities unfolding in the Ann Arbor Public School District as well as in the Ann Arbor community. You can always learn more about this work at https://www.a2schools.org/departments/environmental-sustainability and www.a2gov.org/sustainability or by following the city's Office of Sustainability and Innovation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

 

  • Registration is opening for the FreeTree Giveaway, April 25. Registration for the 2026 FreeTree Giveaway, hosted by the City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations as part of the 10,000 Trees Initiative, will open on Saturday, March 21 at www.a2gov.org/10ktrees. This popular event goes fast so we recommend signing up as early as possible. The actual FreeTree Giveaway will be hosted on Saturday, April 25. This work helps improve air quality, moderate summer temperatures, increase biodiversity and more. Supplies are limited. 

 

 

Learn more about AAPS Environmental Education initiatives here and other AAPS environmental sustainability initiatives here.

 

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