November 15, 2024 - Weekly Update
Calendar: November 27-29 - No School - Late Fall Break
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of a Clague ELA teacher and an Exceptional Profile of a fifth-grade teacher at Abbot. We shared that Pioneer and Skyline students performed at the MSMVA Musical Theatre Solo and Ensemble Festival, AAPS students got a chance to see some of the Pioneer Theatre Guild’s fall musical, three AAPS music teachers received a leadership award, Forsythe hosted a robotics competition for middle school students, and the First Steps Early Childhood Program hosted a pajama sing-along. We previewed the Huron Players’ production of “Romeo and Juliet” and Skyline Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz”. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
AAPS Board of Education
The next Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, December 11, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road. At this week’s meeting, the board received the Sexual Health Education Advisory Committee’s Bi-Annual Report and the Fall 2024 Student Achievement Annual Report.
AAPS Recognizes National School Psychology Week
In the AAPS, we appreciate our school psychologists every day and want to share special gratitude during this National School Psychology Week. Schools throughout the U.S. recognize school psychologists during November, highlighting their important work. They support and serve all students in developing essential social-emotional skills to improve their academic experience.
Our AAPS school psychologists are particularly skilled at supporting students and staff in growing, working and learning together to meet the continued demands of school and life. School psychologists help our students set and achieve goals for growth, move forward in their next steps and advocate for needs; they support the connections necessary for students to develop the critical social-emotional and academic skills to grow, learn and thrive.
We celebrate our wonderful AAPS School Psychologists and thank you for your expertise and commitment in your work to support our students, staff and our AAPS community.
Paraprofessional & Educational Support Professionals Day
Next week marks American Education Week, and the Wednesday of American Education Week, November 20th, is designated by the National Education Association as Education Support Professionals Day.
Paraprofessionals perform a variety of teacher-related jobs and often assist teachers in classrooms, working with students on supplemental enrichment activities in small groups or one-on-one. Paraprofessionals often work with students with special education needs and may work in self-contained classrooms and resource rooms or serve as inclusion assistants who accompany individual students throughout their day. The work of paraprofessionals is vital to the students they serve.
We proudly recognize and celebrate our AAPS paraprofessionals and all education support professionals for the critical services and support they provide our students and teachers every day.
PTO Council Community Resource Fair
The AAPS PTO Council is holding a Community Resource Fair on Monday, November 18th at 6 PM at the Ann Arbor District Library Pittsfield Branch. Representatives from community organizations will give a short overview of their service, and community members will then be able to meet and talk with the organizations. More information here.
AAPS Winter Giving: Give Help, Get Help
Give Help to AAPS families and students in need by donating a gift card, organizing a drive or supporting a school. Get Help by finding food, winter clothing and other needed resources for your family. Visit a2schools.org/wintergiving today to learn more.
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 Virtual Job Fair
The Ann Arbor Public Schools is holding a virtual job fair on Thursday, November 21st, focused on elementary and middle school paraprofessionals.
More information here. Click here to register by 5 PM on Tuesday, November 19th.
AAPS Food Service Is Hiring
Chartwells Food Service is currently hiring for several positions, and we’re looking for motivated individuals to join our team. These roles are perfect for parents who want to work during school hours and have their evenings and weekends free.
Positions Available:
- Part-Time Food Service Workers:
- 15-25 hours per week (Monday through Friday)
- Starting at $16 per hour (depending on experience)
- Full-Time Sous Chefs:
- Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 2:30 PM
- Starting at $19 per hour (depending on experience)
If you or someone you know is interested, click here to apply for the Ann Arbor Public Schools postings. Please email HR manager Brittney DeWitt at dewittb@aaps.k12.mi.us after applying to set up an interview.
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 of 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.
Rec & Ed
Adult Enrichment & Recreation
ADULT BASKETBALL IS BACK! Online registration for the Adult Winter Basketball League is available now through Friday, November 25th. All leagues will be divided by skill level. The winter adult basketball season is 6-weeks, beginning Sunday, January 19, 2025.
Bump, set, spike it with 2025 Winter Adult Volleyball. Online team registration is available now through Friday, November 25th. Teams will play eight matches beginning January 13, 2025. Players without a team should email brinsone@a2schools.org for help. Players must be at least 16 years old.
Youth Team Sports
Online registration for Youth Winter Basketball is OPEN! Winter basketball is open to youth in grades 4th-8th during the 2024-25 school year. Most games are scheduled for Saturdays beginning January 18, 2025, with one evening practice per week. Scholarships are available.
Register online now for Youth Winter Indoor Soccer/Futsal. Indoor Soccer/Futsal is open to youth in grades Young 5’s-5th during the 2024-25 school year. Every child plays! Teamwork and active participation are key components of this league. Games begin on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Scholarships are available.
Youth Enrichment Program
Drum and dream with us in a fun 2-hour workshop experience that will introduce you to the powerful artistry and generous spirit of Japanese Taiko Drumming on Sunday, November 24, through demonstrations and hands-on activities. Share in our dream of collective play as we explore the rhythms and groove of Taiko music together. Grades 8th through Adult are welcome.
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
Scientist Spotlight
The next Scientist Spotlight at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is Sunday, November 17th, from 11 AM to 4 PM. Meet dozens of University of Michigan scientists, each with their own tabletop activity. This free event is suitable for upper elementary students through adult visitors.
AADL Welcomes: Communities Talk - Exploring Cannabis Trends in Ann Arbor
An interactive event on the history, benefits, challenges and misconceptions about cannabis with experts in the field. Whether you're curious about historical trends, the latest research, health and wellness or policy implications, this event invites all to explore the complex and evolving world of cannabis. The Communities Talk event takes place on Wednesday, November 20th, from 5:30 to 7 PM at the Ann Arbor District Library’s downtown library.
My Future Fund
For families with students in first through seventh grade, if you still need to, please remember to complete your My Future Fund Release of Information Form or opt-out forms by November 30, 2024! Through the My Future Fund program, eligible students will get a jump-start on planning and saving for college and career training. This includes a $475 bonus deposit for 1 in 3 students. We are excited for the next round of My Future Fund accounts to open soon! Please visit www.myfuturefund.org for more information.
City of Ann Arbor Seasonal Yard Waste Collection
The City of Ann Arbor is expanding services for the season to help residents manage fallen leaves. Through Friday, Dec. 13th, the number of bags that can be left at the curb for collection will be increased to 20 bags (50 pounds or less each); unlimited leaf drop-off will be permitted at the Ann Arbor compost facility from residents or their landscaper; and free wood chips will be available to pick up at three locations around the city. More details here.
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 one starts on December 10th. Click here for more information and required registration.
Catch the Plastic
Keep microplastics out of our rivers and streams. Shed by synthetic clothes and textiles during laundering, these tiny fibers are not filtered out by the wastewater treatment process. Washing machine filters and special laundry devices can help. If you buy a new washing machine, choose a front-loader. Learn more at hrwc.org/microplastics.
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