October 18, 2024 Weekly Update
Calendar: October 31 - Early Release
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of a Slauson social studies teacher. We shared that an Angell 5th grader shared a park design he made in an A2Virtual Class with City Council, a Jazz legend performed at Community and critiqued jazz ensembles, and we offered a glimpse inside Carpenter Elementary. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
AAPS Board of Education
The next Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, October 23, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road.
AAPS Health Alert - Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
5 Facts About Pertussis (Whooping Cough) - What Parents/Guardians Need to Know
Student cases of pertussis continue to be reported across AAPS. The Washtenaw County Health Dept. shares the following tips for parents/guardians:
1. The cough from pertussis can sound like a common cold at first, but after a week or two, it gets worse and sounds different. It’s called whooping cough because of the sound that some people make when they inhale after a coughing fit. Teens and adults may not have this “whoop,” especially if they have been vaccinated in the past.
2. If your child has coughing fits, vomits after coughing, inhales sharply with or without a whoop after coughing, or has a cough that lasts longer than a week, they may have whooping cough.
3. If you suspect your child has pertussis, keep them home from school and get them tested for pertussis at your doctor’s office or urgent care as soon as you can.
4. Antibiotics are available for people with pertussis and their household members and close friends.
5. Pertussis is more than just a cough. It’s most dangerous for children under the age of one year and those who are pregnant, immune-compromised, or have chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or COPD.
Learn more about Pertussis (Whooping Cough) here.
If you have questions or concerns, please call your healthcare provider, the Health Department at (734) 544-6700, or your school nurse.
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 PTOC General Membership Meeting
The next PTO Council general meeting is Monday, October 21st, from 7 to 8:30 PM. The main topic will be the Special Education Millage. The Zoom meeting is open to the public.
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:
o 15-25 hours per week (Monday through Friday)
o Starting at $16 per hour (depending on experience)
· Full-Time Sous Chefs:
o Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 2:30 PM
o 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 - Meet Anna
Anna is a 24-year-old Ann Arbor student in WISD’s A2 Downtown Young Adult classroom with an infectious smile! Anna was born with Down Syndrome and will receive special education services through age 26, thanks to Michigan’s special education laws. Before coming to the A2 Downtown classroom, she was a part of the Young Adult classroom at Washtenaw Community College.
Anna’s special education experience has been nurturing and versatile both physically and mentally. The most impactful part of being in WISD’s Young Adult program has been working at various local businesses. She’s explored many different job opportunities, and she particularly enjoys working at hotels.
Outside of school, Anna loves to sing and dance, is active in her church community, and she loves connecting with her friends on social media. She also enjoys swimming, playing golf and painting with watercolors.
Learn more about the WISD Special Education Millage Renewal & vote on November 5th!
My Future Fund
AAPS is excited about our continued partnership with My Future Fund, which provides free money and support to jump-start students’ savings for college and career training. This year’s first graders become eligible for a My Future Fund Account. Families of 2nd through 7th graders will receive their students’ account login information in October. Learn more at a pair of informational webinars on October 29th.
AP Testing Information Session
Are you or someone you know considering taking an Advanced Placement (AP) Test this school year? Are you a parent new to high school who wants to know more about AP testing? If either of these is true, attend our AP Testing Information Session on Tuesday, October 29th, from 7:30 to 8:30 PM via Zoom. Our district AP coordinator, Anthony Lauer, will provide an overview of the AP testing process, reasons why a student may want to take an AP test and how to ensure your child both orders AND registers for the tests they want to take - it’s a two-step process. Join us Oct 29th at 7:30 PM here. If you are not able to attend, detailed AP Test Registration and Payment Information can be found here.
Rec & Ed
Adult Enrichment & Recreation
In simple language, Retirement Planning Today® explains time-tested strategies that help you to make informed financial decisions. Whether your objective is to build a nest egg, protect your assets or preserve your lifestyle throughout retirement, this course helps you plan your future with confidence. Class meets October 22nd and 29th.
Youth Team Sports
Online registration for Youth Fall Flag Football is Open to students in grades Y5-8th, the NFL Flag Football program is a non-contact sport emphasizing participation, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Players will receive an NFL team-branded reversible jersey and NFL Flag Football belt. Scholarship assistance is available.
Grades Y5-5th boys and girls: Join Michigan Futsal Factory Academy Staff for a 4-week Practice & Play Soccer Fall program. In this program, players will learn new Futsal/Soccer topics each week through fun activities and training games. Spend 15-20 min practicing and then play a real game for 40-45 min. Players will work with a professional coach during the training and during the game. Online registration will close on October 25th at 5 PM.
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 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-Adult are welcome.
Early Childhood Division - First Steps Program
Give your little superstar an awesome first step into sports with Multi-SportTots! Coaches use age-appropriate games and activities across multiple sports to explore balance, hand/eye coordination, fitness, sports skills and child development. Instructors: Skyhawks Detroit West Coaches. Ages: 4.5-5 years & an Adult on site.
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
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. Between Monday, Oct. 7th and 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.
Household Electronics Takeback Event
Ann Arbor residents are invited to bring old, unused, or unwanted electronics to be either recycled or refurbished and reused by the city’s contractor, Comprenew. The take-back event is Saturday, October 19th, from 10 AM to 1 PM at Pioneer. Accepted items include computers, tablets, phones, keyboards and cables. Click here for full details on what will be accepted and required registration.
City of Ann Arbor Comprehensive Land Use Plan Input
The City of Ann Arbor is embarking on a Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This document outlines the city's future vision and priorities to guide development for decades. Please join us at the downtown library on Wednesday, October 23rd, anytime from 11 AM to 7 PM. This is a drop-in format, but presentations will take place at 12:30 PM and 6 PM. There, you can learn more about the project and share your thoughts with city staff. You can also learn more by visiting the project page.
Science Cafe: Disinformation, Social Media and Elections
Join the University of Michigan’s Ariel Hasell from the Communication and Media Department and Barbara McQuade of the U-M Law School for a discussion about truth, trust, government and how we can be effective and critical technology users and consumers at the next University of Michigan Museum of Natural History’s Science Cafe. The discussion takes place Wednesday, October 23rd, at Conor O’Neills from 6 to 8 PM.
Gallup Park Bridge Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The City of Ann Arbor will celebrate the construction of a new Gallup Park Bridge with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, October 24th at 4:30 PM.
Trunk or Treat
LaFontaine Kia invites the community to enjoy trunk-or-treat fun, cider and donuts and other Halloween activities on Thursday, October 24th, from 5 to 8 PM. Halloween costumes are encouraged.
Early Voting in Washtenaw County
Michigan voters now have the right to vote early in person during nine days prior to every major election. Washtenaw County’s early voting takes place October 26th through November 3rd, before the November 5th election day.
Trick or Treat Parade
Downtown Ann Arbor celebrates Halloween on Saturday, October 27th. Events include the costume contest at the Ann Arbor District Library, a costume parade starting at noon, trick or treating and more activities on Main Street. Events take place from 11:30 AM to 3 PM.
Toy and Game Swap
The Ann Arbor District Library downtown library is hosting a free toy and game swap on Saturday, November 2nd, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. All AADL branches will be accepting items through October 28th. You don’t need to bring a toy or game to get something new to you.
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Presentation
TRAILS invites you to attend an upcoming presentation: Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Caregivers and Communities. The free presentation will take place via Zoom on Thursday, November 7th, from 6 to 7:30 PM. Register 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 November 12th. Click here for more information and required registration.
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