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Ann Arbor Public Schools

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October 25, 2024 - Weekly Update

Calendar: October 31 - Early Release

 

AAPS District News

The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of a Wines second-grade teacher. We shared that Preview of Pioneer Theatre Guild’s production of Newsies, AAPS hosted a Project Lead the Way Showcase at several schools and we offered a glimpse inside Huron High School. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.

 

AAPS Board of Education

The next Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, November 6, at 7:30 PM at 3700 Earhart Road. At this week’s meeting, the board received a presentation on AI in the AAPS, a School and Student Safety Report, and the September Monthly Budget Monitoring Report.

 

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.

 

AAPAC - AAPS School Board Candidate Q & A Forum

The Ann Arbor Parent Advisory Committee (AAPAC) for Special Education is hosting a Q&A forum for the Board of Education candidates on Monday, October 28th, at 7:00 PM via Zoom.

The Special Education Assistant Directors will be available for virtual pre-meeting conferences from 6:15 to 7:00 PM. This forum will take the place of our November family meeting. 

7:00 to 8:00 PM - Main Program AAPS Trustee Candidate Forum

There are four open seats on the AAPS Board of Education this election year: six candidates for three 4-year terms and one candidate for a 2-year term. Each candidate will have the opportunity to answer questions about educating students with disabilities in AAPS. Please come hear what the candidates have to say, and VOTE by November 5th!

 

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 

Voters residing in school districts served by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District will be voting on a Special Education Millage Renewal proposal. If it's renewed by voters, there would be no increase in tax rates. As you're filling out your ballot, remember to flip it over! Learn more at www.washtenawisd.org/SpecialEdRenewal.

 

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. Register for the 10 to 11 AM webinar or the 7 to 8 PM webinar.

 

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.

 

New AAPS Website

This morning, we began migrating the a2schools.org website to a new platform. During this process, there may be some disruptions on the page that could last into the weekend. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Our existing platform is no longer supported and will be phased out, so this change was necessary. While there are some changes in appearance that may take getting used to, we did not make any major changes to the website content. One change we did make was returning the For Staff link back to the top of the main page.

We know that even once the migration is complete, some links will need to be reset and a few other features will require some additional work. Thank you for your patience as we do this work.

Rec & Ed

Adult Enrichment & Recreation

Bring your bestie or a loved one and join us for a fun-filled evening of acrylic painting! Embrace the cozy vibes of fall as you create beautiful autumn-themed art. Perfect for all skill levels and a fantastic way to spend a creative evening together! Register a second person (in the same registration transaction) to get a $10 discount!  

 

Youth Enrichment Program

Join us for a delightful family woodworking class where creativity meets craftsmanship! In this hands-on workshop, together, you will craft a charming wooden gingerbread house, perfect for the holiday season or as a year-round decoration. Open to grades 4th-8th with an Adult.

 

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  

 

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. More details here.

 

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. Learn more here, including where you can vote early.

 

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.

 

Kid Support for Kids Affected by Cancer

Kid Support is a peer support group for children and teens who have a parent or loved one with cancer (either in treatment or post-treatment). A new four-week program on Monday evenings starts November 4th, with meetings including dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Please contact the Cancer Support Community to register your family at 734-975-2500 or email trevor@cancersupportannarbor.org.

 

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