November 8, 2024 - Weekly Update
Calendar: November 27-29 - No School - Late Fall Break
Message from Superintendent Jazz Parks
In the Ann Arbor Public Schools, every student, family, and member of our community is valued and welcome. As an AAPS school team and community, we understand how important it is to share and live our core values of respect for all and care for each other. In times of uncertainty, we don’t diminish or change our fundamental beliefs; we lean further into them.
As a school district, it is our job to help our students become strong citizens. We will continue to reinforce empathy, kindness, civility, respectful disagreement, and coming together despite differences. We continue focusing our collective efforts on supporting each student and every member of our district and individual school communities.
We will continue reassuring our students and staff that our core values in the AAPS remain the same. We remain committed to moving forward together, deepening our commitment to openness, inclusivity, respect, celebration of diversity and caring for each other.
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared the Ann Arbor NAACP honored 268 Freedom Fund Scholars and Northern Michigan University hosted AAPS Homebuilding students. We shared that Abbot’s principal took pies to the face after students reached fundraising goals, the Skyline Blues released their latest album and we offered a glimpse inside of Clague. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
AAPS Board of Education
The next Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, November 13, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road. At this week’s meeting the Board of Education received the 2023-24 Annual Financial Audit Report and an AAPS Health Insurance Benefits Update.
AAPS Honors National Native American Heritage Month
November is the official month we dedicate to honoring Native Americans and celebrating the rich cultures, traditions, histories and important contributions of Native people.
While we honor and celebrate individuals of Native American ancestry every day in our classrooms and across our schools in the AAPS, during November, we explore and deepen our collective awareness and understanding through rich art, literature and other cultural and learning connections.
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.
Increases in Respiratory Illnesses in Washtenaw County
The Washtenaw County Health Department has noticed increased cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae or “Walking pneumonia” among young children reported locally and elsewhere. While most infections are mild, diagnostic testing is recommended to identify the cause and prescribe the appropriate antibiotic, if needed.
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.
Special Education Millage on November Ballot
Thank you to voters for passing the Washtenaw Intermediate School District countywide Special Education Millage Renewal proposal.
Freeman Environmental Education Center Update
You can review the Freeman Environmental Education Center fall update here. Stay connected to what's going on at the Freeman EE Center and receive quarterly updates about what's happening there by clicking here. You can also share at that link if you're interested in volunteering to be part of habitat enhancement and site improvement projects.
New AAPS Website
The a2schools.org website and our school websites have all migrated and work continues on resetting links. As a tip, if you have bookmarks set to pages on the old website, you will need to reset them on the current website. Thank you for your patience as we work on this update.
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 8 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.
Early Childhood Division - First Steps Program
FREE Family Pajama Time! Pajama Sing-A-Long on Monday, November 11, 2024, from 6:00 to 6:45 PM. Westerman Preschool & Family Center, Lower Family Room. Register to add your family’s favorite bedtime or class songs. Bring a picnic blanket, stuffie/blankie and let’s sing!
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
Science Cafe: A Problem So Small You Can See it from Space
Microplastics is the topic of the next University of Michigan Museum of Natural History’s Science Cafe, on Wednesday, November 13th at 5:30 PM at Conor O’Neills. Learn more about the event here.
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.
MindSET 2024 - Programming Sphero Balls
Join engineering students at U of M on Sunday, November 17th. We welcome all interested students in 3rd through 5th grade to learn more about science, technology, engineering and math through the MindSET program. For this MindSET event, we’ll learn how to write code to make a robot perform a set of tasks. Click here for more information and to reserve your spot.
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.
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