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Ann Arbor Public Schools

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October 17, 2025 - Weekly Update

AAPS District News

The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of a Pittsfield first grade teacher. We also shared about AAPS’s National Merit Semi-Finalists, Clague’s quick counselor check-ins and National Principal Month. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.

AAPS Board of Education

The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is Wednesday, October 22nd, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road. 

 

All Hallows Concert

The annual All Hallows Concert is set for Tuesday, October 28th, featuring performances by Pioneer Bands. This family-friendly event invites everyone to come in costume and enjoy a festive evening. The Schreiber Auditorium doors at Pioneer High School open at 6:30 PM, and the concert will begin at 7 PM. Attendees can take a picture at the spooky photo wall and take part in some early trick-or-treating fun! The concert is free and open to the entire community. While admission is free, a suggested donation of $5 per person or $10 per family is welcome to support the bands.

 

Food Service Update

As shared previously, the Ann Arbor Public Schools will be providing meals to all students throughout the 2025-26 school year. As a reminder only full meals are covered by state funding, a la carte items such as milk only still require payments.

 

We know with this update to food service, some families may want a refund from their Meal Magic Account as they don’t anticipate their student(s) purchasing a la carte items. In order to receive a refund from your students' meal service account please send an email and include this information: 

 

Name of the student(s):

School(s) they attend or attended:

Reason for the refund:

Name of who to make the check out to:

Address where to send the check:

 

Send to: bollingere@aaps.k12.mi.us and devriesm@aaps.k12.mi.us

 

Education Benefit Form (EBF)

It is still important for ALL AAPS families to fill out the Education Benefit Form (EBF) to check for qualification for free and reduced meals:

 

Education Benefit Form

The EBF form also helps AAPS qualify for important additional funding for instructional staff, social workers, counselors, nurses and technology.

Mental Health Support

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Let's stand together to create a safe and supportive school community. Recognize the signs, speak up, and report bullying. Together, we can make a difference.

In addition, Care Solace, APS’s free Mental Health and Substance Abuse Care Coordination Service, is available 24/7/365 to connect individuals to care. Call 888-515-0595 or visit caresolace.com/aaps to search anonymously.

Over 200 languages are supported, and help is available to those with and without insurance.

Information about Care Solace is available in Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin.  

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.

 

Links to bus routes for our schools are available here. 

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.

MyPowerHub

AAPS is excited to announce a new centralized hub for student information and communication called MyPowerHub. This new hub will serve as a one-stop portal designed to better serve our students and families. This streamlined system will bring together everything from grades and attendance to schedules, assignments, and communication tools, all in one easy-to-access location. By simplifying access and enhancing the user experience, we’re making it easier than ever for families to stay informed and engaged in their student’s education. This is a major step forward in our commitment to providing seamless, efficient, and supportive tools for student success. 

 

This is a work in progress, so some areas of the MyPowerHub may not be filled yet. We will continue to roll out access to elementary school families in the coming weeks.

 

MyPowerHub Intro Video

 

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.

 

WISD Countywide CTE Millage

If the CTE millage is approved by voters, millage funds would be used in four key ways:

 

  • Sustaining existing programs by returning $10+ million to local districts’ general funds.
  • Maintaining and upgrading existing equipment like tools, machines, facilities, and technology to reflect the latest industry standards.
  • Launching new programs, like drone and aviation technology, and expanding access to high-demand programs that currently have waitlists, like health sciences and construction trades.
  • Increasing PreK-12 career exploration opportunities like camps, electives, curricula, and real-world learning experiences.

 

If the CTE millage is approved in November, a countywide Pre K-12 CTE model would expand access to both new and existing CTE programs and offer more opportunities to help prepare students for college, careers and beyond! Learn more at www.washtenawisd.org/ctemillage. 

 

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. 

 

Michigan Child Protection Registry 

The Michigan Child Protection Registry is a do-not-contact service that families can easily sign up for at www.ProtectMIChild.com in order to keep their children safe while on their devices at school and at home. This is a free Registry offered through the State of Michigan that stops adult advertisements from reaching our kids through e-mail, text, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Discord, Twitch and TikTok. This Registry is an excellent resource for making sure our kids aren’t being served ads for alcohol, tobacco/vaping, online gambling, pornography or marijuana.

Rec and Ed 

🏈 ⚽Registration Closes Monday, October 20th at 5pm-  Fall Flag Football (Y5-8th Grade) and Indoor Soccer Practice and Play (Y5 - 5th Grade) registration is open. 

5 spots available for AI 101: Everyday Uses of ChatGPT - new workshop! ChatGPT can help parents with daily activities like meal planning and organizing tasks. Join our one-evening, in-person workshop on November 12th. No technical background is needed - just a desire to simplify everyday challenges. Click HERE for workshop details and online registration.

2 spots available for Calm & Connect: Intro to Infant Massage - this 5-week class helps with soothing, sleep, digestion, colic, depression, relaxation, communication and more. It offers a great way to bond with your baby while connecting with other parents. Time to share stories and ask questions is built into this relaxing and informative class (best for pre-crawling babies). Click HERE for class details and online registration. AAPS employees may use their BOE Staff Pass for this class.

9 spots available for SoccerTots (ages 2.5-3 +adult) begins (11/6) and Multi-Sport (ages 3-4.5 years & an Adult) begins (11/8). AAPS employees may use their BOE Staff Pass for this class. aarecedonline.com/earlychildhoodclasses

 

Community Events and Information

Halloween Costume Swap on Sunday, October 19th at the Ann Arbor District Library’s downtown facility from 11 AM to noon. Come pick up a new-to-you costume for this year. Gently used and clean costumes can be dropped off at any library location through October 14th. You do not need to drop off a costume to pick one up at the swap. More information here.

 

King’s Orchestra: The Sound of the Korean Royal Court will be a free performance at the Michigan Theater on Tuesday, October 21st from 7 to 8:30 PM. Experience the living legacy of Korea’s blind musicians in this special performance. Songs will be performed in Korean, with Korean and English subtitles provided. More information about this event here.

 

Cinema & Sustainability Film Series Continues off with Fashion Reimagined on Wednesday, October 22nd at 7 PM at the Michigan Theater. The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations is collaborating with the Marquee Arts for a series of films through December. Following the free screening, there will be discussions with local experts and organizations who are working toward making Ann Arbor more sustainable and equitable. Tickets can be reserved online at marquee-arts.org.

 

Science Cafe: A Tale of Two Libraries takes place on Wednesday, October 22nd from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Conor O’Neill’s Traditional Irish Pub. Learn more about some of the less known collections at the University of Michigan library system and the Ann Arbor District Library. The U of M Museum of Natural History’s Science Cafes provide an opportunity for audiences to discuss current research topics with experts in an informal setting.

 

Washtenaw County Health Department Back-to-School Day Clinic will take place on Saturday, October 25th between 9 AM and 2 PM. These clinics are designed to help families get caught up on required immunizations and other health services before the school year is fully underway. 

 

Ann Arbor Public Works and Solid Waste Open House on Saturday, October 25th from 10 AM to 1 PM. Hands-on activities to learn about utility infrastructure, city forestry, street maintenance, solid waste, compost and recycling programs. Activities include painting a snow plow, touch-a-truck, tour the salt dome and more. More information here.

 

Ann Arbor District Library Halloween Costume Contest takes place on Sunday, October 26th from 11:30 AM to 3 PM at the downtown library. Bring your creative, cool, cute or spooky costume to the library. To enter, you must be seen by the judges between 11:30 AM and 2 PM. More information here.

 

Trunk or Treat - October 30th from 5 to 7 PM at LaFontaine Kia Ann Arbor. Costumes encouraged, cider and donuts, Halloween activities including games and a face painter. Details here.

 

Leave Your Leaves - There’s much to be said for leaving fall leaves. With the help of a mulching mower, they become a natural fertilizer for your lawn. A 3-5 inch leaf layer around garden plants inhibits weeds, preserves soil moisture and nourishes plants as leaves break down. Learn more at hrwc.org/lawncare.

 

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