October 3, 2025 - Weekly Update
AAPS Breakfast & Lunch Update
The Ann Arbor Public Schools is pleased to announce that we will be able to provide free breakfast and lunch to ALL students for the rest of this school year.
Overnight, the Michigan legislature passed a state budget for the 2025-26 year, including the K-12 education budget that provides funding for school meals for all students.
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:
The EBF form also helps AAPS qualify for important additional funding for instructional staff, social workers, counselors, nurses and technology.
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of A2Virtual+ Online Learning Coordinator. We also shared about the inaugural T. Wall Skyline High School Buddy Event and designing classrooms that amplify student belonging, inquiry, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and accessibility. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
AAPS Board of Education
The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is Wednesday, October 8th, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road.
Filipino American History Month
Celebrated in October, Filipino American History Month honors the history, culture, accomplishments and legacy of Filipino Americans, the second-largest Asian American group in the U.S.
In the AAPS, our teachers, librarians and school teams highlight literature, picture books and a variety of developmentally appropriate materials to honor and celebrate the Filipino experience, culture, history and contributions.
We are a stronger school community as we honor, embrace and celebrate our diversity, continually create a culture of belonging for all and value the connections that unite us as an inclusive Ann Arbor community.
World Cerebral Palsy Day
World Cerebral Palsy Day is celebrated each year on October 6th. This global event aims to raise awareness of the millions of people worldwide diagnosed with cerebral palsy by promoting inclusion, challenging barriers and advocating for a more accessible world.
Cerebral palsy is the most common lifelong physical disability, but it remains one of the most overlooked and underfunded global health issues. The 2025 theme, “Millions of Reasons,” highlighted the diverse experiences and importance of support for individuals with cerebral palsy.
We are a stronger school community as we honor, embrace and celebrate our diversity, continually create a culture of belonging for all and value the connections that unite us as an inclusive Ann Arbor community.
National Walk & Roll to School Day
Many of our AAPS schools plan to engage their communities in National Walk & Roll to School Day Thursday, October 9th. Throughout October, school communities are using this focus to encourage safer routes to school and to inspire children and families to be more active.
Family Flu Vaccination Clinic
All AAPS students and family members are welcome to the Alana’s Foundation Flu Vaccination Clinic at Pioneer High School on Monday, October 6, from 3 to 7 PM. Vaccine is available for those two and up. A flu vaccine doesn’t always prevent the flu, but it can lessen flu’s more serious symptoms, reducing the risk of serious illness and flu-related hospitalization in children and adults with chronic conditions.
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.
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
AAPS is completing the counts of student riders on all bus routes. For families who applied for a Space Available Transportation seat on a bus route, you will be notified starting next week if your student is approved to ride.
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.
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:
- STEP #1: Read about the AAPS Securly - 25-26 Parent Portal Opt-In opportunity available to all families.
- STEP #2: Sign-up on the Securly Parent Portal Program Form.
- STEP #3: Look for an email from Securly when your account is ready to go (it can take up to 48 hours to receive).
- STEP #4: Download the Securly Home App from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- STEP #5: Navigate the App to explore different views into your child's online safety and check out the AAPS Securly Parent Portal FAQs.
If families have any questions, they can always reach out to the Student & Family Help Desk at 734-997-1222.
WISD Countywide CTE Millage
Absentee ballots are now available! 📬
They were recently mailed out by your local clerk’s office and you can return your ballot by mail, secure drop box, or to your local clerk’s office.
Want to learn more about the CTE proposal first? 🌟
✅ Thursday, October 9 at 5:30 pm: Community information session at the WISD (1819 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor)
✅ On-demand pre-recorded Zoom presentation: Watch at a time that works for you!
Learn more and register for a session 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.
FAFSA Form Now Available
We’re excited to share that the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now open at fafsa.gov.
Completing the FAFSA form is a key to accessing federal, state, and institutional financial aid that can help cover the cost of college or career training. We strongly encourage all students to complete the form as soon as possible.
Start your FAFSA form now: FAFSA.gov
The earlier you apply, the better your chances of maximizing aid.
If you need help or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your school counselor or college advisor.
Advanced Placement Exams
AAPS is pleased to offer 25 different Advanced Placement (AP) Exams this spring. All students in grades 9-12 are eligible to register. Details on registration, exam fees, deadlines and supports are available at our AP Testing Webpage.
Rec and Ed
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.
Multi-Sport Tots (ages 2-5). Experience instructional sports alongside your 2-5 year old this fall. Skyhawks coaches introduce a different sport each week to our littlest athletes. Saturday mornings, indoors in the Bryant Elementary Gym beginning November 6th. AAPS employees may use their BOE Staff Pass for this parent and child class. aarecedonline.com/earlychildhoodclasses
🏈 ⚽ GAME ON! Fall Flag Football (Y5-8th Grade) and Indoor Soccer Practice and Play (Y5 - 5th Grade) registration is open. Registration closes on Monday, October 20th at 5pm. Limited space in both programs so register early!
Community Events and Information
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology Free Fall Family Day is Sunday, October 5th from 11 AM to 2 PM. Coinciding with both National Archaeology Month and the 2025–2026 FIRST® LEGO® League challenge, this event will explore the themes of archaeology and technology through hands-on activities, presentations, and scavenger hunts. The event is geared for Young 5s through 5th grade.
U of M Museum of Natural History - ID Day On Sunday, October 5th. Discover our hidden collections—and show us yours! Bring in your own collected objects for identification by experts in paleontology, anthropology, archaeology, botany, zoology, and geology. In celebration of the twenty-fifth annual ID Day, we will be adding interactive activities with the U-M Herbarium and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, as well as providing expert-led guidance and resources on ethical collecting. Come celebrate twenty-five years of bringing U-M expertise to the local community with us!
Ann Arbor Seasonal Leaf Collection Begins on Monday, October 6th and runs through Friday, December 12th. During this period families may set out up to 20 paper yard bags per collection day. Additionally unlimited leaf drop off will be accepted at the Ann Arbor compost facility from residents or their landscapers and free wood chips will be available at three locations around the city. More information here.
Mental Health Workshop - Reset Your Nervous System - Once again this year, WISD is offering free, online workshops for parents and caregivers on a variety of mental health topics. Reset your nervous system by learning how to reduce your stress and feel more relaxed throughout the day at the first workshop on October 7th. Open to all Washtenaw County parents, caregivers, grandparents, school staff, and adults who work with children. This year, you will need to register for each workshop that you'd like to attend in order to receive the Zoom link. Review the topics and register here.
A2ZERO Household Electronics Collection events are taking place Saturday, October 11th and November 15th, from 10 AM to 1 PM. These events are hosted by the City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI) in collaboration with Comprenew, an e-stewards certified Michigan-based nonprofit that recycles and refurbishes electronics sustainably and ethically. All Ann Arbor residents are welcome to register. Registration is required and is now open for the Oct. 11 event, which will be held at Zion Lutheran Church. Register for this event at a2zero_electronics.eventbrite.com.
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.
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.
Go Birding - During autumn, the skies over Southeast Michigan are alive with tens of thousands of hawks, eagles, falcons and other birds of prey as they migrate south. Learn where to find great areas for birding at hrwc.org/ExploreYourWatershed.
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