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Ann Arbor Public Schools

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May 15, 2026 - Weekly Update

AAPS District News

The AAPS District News shared AAPS has again been recognized as a PLTW Distinguished District. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.

 

AAPS Board of Education

The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is Wednesday, May 20, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road. This week the Board held a study session focused on the budget, this included a presentation on the results of the community survey and a presentation on the budgeting process. You can review a recap of the last meeting here.

 

The Board of Education is accepting applications for a vacant seat on the Board through December 31st. Pursuant to Michigan Election Law an individual wishing to serve on the Board must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older, a resident of the AAPS district for at least 30 days and registered to vote. Learn more about how to apply here.

 

National Jewish American Heritage Month

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and honor the history of Jewish Americans' rich contributions to our nation's development. We pay tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans whose lives, resilience and hope contributed to a better future for our country.

 

This month in the AAPS, we take the opportunity to honor timeless traditions and heritage. Jewish Americans are highlighted in lessons and reading selections with our students across classrooms and libraries. In the arts, students explore, study and perform the works of great Jewish American artists, lyricists, dancers, composers and many other extraordinary individuals who have positively impacted our society. 

 

We are a stronger school community as we honor, embrace and celebrate our diversity, continually create a culture of belonging for all, and value the connections that unite us as an inclusive Ann Arbor community. 

 

National Asian, Pacific Islander & South Asian/American Heritage Month

Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian/American Heritage Month is observed each May to honor and celebrate the contributions that generations of Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian and Native Hawaiian Americans have made to American history, society and culture. This time of recognition provides an opportunity to listen and learn more about the rich diversity within APISA/A communities throughout our country and our Ann Arbor community. 

 

Our students will be able to explore the contributions of Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian and Native Hawaiian Americans in literature, history, the arts and science during May. We are pleased to share that at a storytelling showcase last weekend in Madison Heights three AAPS individuals participated: Community High School and Pioneer student, Sennen Querijero, who interviewed and created videos as part of this storytelling initiative; and teachers, Caroline Semrau (A2 STEAM) and Katherine Dudzik (Bryant Elementary) who collaborated with other Michigan teachers to create lesson plans to accompany the videos.

 

Chaldean Heritage Month

On April 28, Governor Whitmer signed House Bill 4303 into law, declaring May as Chaldean Heritage Month, recognizing the significant and valuable contributions of Chaldean, Assyrian, and Syriac Americans. Collectively, there are nearly half a million Chaldeans Assyrians Syriacs in the United States, including about 160,000 in Michigan, the largest concentration in the country.  We join in thanking the Chaldean community for enriching Michigan and the United States cultural tapestry and prosperity through their success in the arts, business, law, politics, education, medicine, architecture, and engineering.

 

Mental Health Support

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we invite parents/caregivers to take a look at the Suicide Prevention resources compiled on the district website. Learn the suicide risk factors and warning signs and how to build protective factors. Review important myths and facts about youth suicide. Find local resources. Visit the AAPS Suicide Prevention page. 

 

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.  

 

Picnic Pops

The annual Picnic Pops concert is Sunday, May 17th on the front lawn at Pioneer High School starting at noon. Middle school and high school aged musicians from across AAPS will perform. Learn more about the event and the schedule of performances here.

 

Virtual Author Talk

On Friday, May 29th at 1:30 PM, AAPS and the Asian Pacific Islander South Asian American Parent Advisory Group are excited to welcome Kao Kalia Yang for a virtual author talk to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. Kao Kalia Yang will read her children’s book, A Home on the Page and answer a few questions. Register here to receive the zoom information for the talk that is intended for elementary students but is open to all ages. All AAPS Elementary school libraries will receive copies of the book. AAPS educators that pre-register can be included in a raffle for a copy of the book for their classroom library. Teachers should contact Joslyn Hunscher-Young for questions about the virtual author talk.

 

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

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 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

Before & After Care Registration is OPEN for 26-27 school year. You can visit our website for more information including pricing and scheduling options. Available for Y5 through 5th grade families.

Spring & Summer Class Registration - Check out Rec & Ed's wonderful spring/summer line-up of early childhood (ages 0-5), school-age youth (ages 5-14), and adult classes and activities at aarecedonline.com. 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 FAMILY FUN Workshops- We’re offering several exciting 1 and 2-day workshops that you and your family are sure to love: 

Adult & Child Springtime Clay Play (5/31 & 6/7, 10-11:30am)

Adult & Child Cooking: Stir Fry Blitz (6/20, 9am-noon)

Adult & Child Cooking: Stir Fry Blitz (6/25, 5-8pm)

Adult & Child: Under the Sea Cookie Decorating (6/25, 6-8pm) 

Rec & Ed One-Day Workshops for Adults

Mastering Tempeh: Learn to Make and Cook Tempeh (5/28, 6-8pm)

Hooked on Kindness: Crochet for a Cause (6/4, 6-8:30pm)

Soba So Good! Handmade Buckwheat Noodles (6/4, 6-8:30pm)

Kimchi Making Workshop (6/7, 2-4:30pm)

Youth T-Ball, Baseball, and Softball Registration has closed but you may still waitlist your child - Practices will begin the week of June 15—don’t miss out on a fun season ahead! Learn more here.

 

Community Events and Information

Mental Health Month is in May and the University of Michigan Medical School has a host of events planned to raise awareness about mental illness, its prevalence in today’s society and its impact on people of all ages and backgrounds. Click here for the full schedule of events and more information.

 

Huron River Day is Saturday, May 16th at Riverside Park from noon to 4 PM. The afternoon festival will feature hands-on activities and games, live animals from Leslie Science & Nature Center, a kids area with inflatables and face painting and more. Learn more, including parking options here. 

 

Huron Heroes is a new series of events in the morning from 8 AM to noon before Huron River Day activities kick off on Saturday, May 16th. Community members who sign up for a Huron Heroes activity will earn a card redeemable for prizes at the festival’s information booth. Learn more about the events and register here.

 

Huron River Day Microplastics Exhibit Tour is on Saturday, May 16th at 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM at the U of M Museum of Natural History. From research to everyday choices, this exhibit invites visitors to understand microplastics and leave feeling empowered to do something about the issue. More information on this one-day-only tour here.

 

Ann Arbor Police and Fire Open House is Saturday, May 16th from 11 am to 1 PM on Fifth Avenue between Huron and East Ann, alongside Fire Station No. 1. All are invited for the free, outdoor event to meet local first responders including Touch a Truck, spray a fire hose, free hot dogs while they last and more. More details here.

 

Mind Matters: When Kids Struggle - What Grownups Can Do to Help is a webinar on May 21st at 7 PM. Mental health experts from the Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry are hosting this practical webinar for parents, family members and caregivers who want to better understand what it looks like when the kids in their lives are struggling and what they can do to help. Learn more and register here.

 

Girls’ Engineering Exploration (GEE) Day is Saturday June 6th at the College for Creative Studies - Taubman Center from 10 AM to 2 PM. The free, event with lunch provided, is a part of the Society of Women Engineers’ continuous effort to educate girls about the endless career opportunities that the engineering field has to offer. It is open to girls in 4th through 8th grade. Learn more and register here by May 22nd to guarantee lunch and a t-shirt.

 

Youth Art Fair is now accepting applications for students in grades 4 through 12 to exhibit and sell their work at the 67th annual Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original from July 16th through 18th. The youth artists will enjoy more mentorship, peer-based learning and fun by exhibiting among over 200 professional artists. Learn more about the Youth Art Fair here and you can apply here. 

 

Ann Arbor Waste Reduction Efforts Survey is now open. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance community outreach and education on reducing waste, the City of Ann Arbor and its education partner, the Ecology Center, invite you to participate in an important survey titled “Are You Living a More Life, Less Stuff Lifestyle?” Your responses will play a crucial role in shaping initiatives to promote sustainable living and reduce waste in our community. The survey takes less than five minutes to take.

 

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. 

 

  • Sustainability Forum: Building Social Resilience, May 28, 6 PM, Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch.  Join Ann Arbor’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations and A2ZERO Ambassadors for the final session of the 2026 Sustainability Forums! Hear from City staff and fellow residents about how getting involved in your community can build social resilience and support sustainability and learn about the resources and tools to help you along the way. Learn more at osi.a2gov.org/events. 

 

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