October 4, 2024 - Weekly Update
Calendar: October 9 - Late Start for 9, 10, 12th Grade - PSAT/NMSQT for 11th Grade
October 11-14 No School
AAPS District News
The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of a Title 1 teacher at Carpenter. We shared that a Tappan student is a champion for Cerebral Palsy Awareness, the A2 STEAM librarian has published three books about early childhood computer concepts, a student to staff profile of Liz Margolis and Wines Runathon. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.
AAPS Board of Education
The next Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, October 9, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road.
AAPS Recognizes October as National Principals Month
In recognition of National Principals Month, we express gratitude for the dedication and service our AAPS principals provide to our students, their families, staff members and our community every day.
An effective school leader makes a significant difference in serving and supporting a school community. We thank our strong leaders for their tireless efforts under challenging circumstances to strengthen and work alongside the school team while maintaining the school environment as a safe and welcoming place for all.
Thank you, AAPS School Principals, for the positive and profound differences you continue to make in the lives of all those you serve each day.
AAPS Marks Filipino American History Month
Celebrated in October, Filipino American History Month honors the history, culture, accomplishments and legacy of Filipinos in our nation. Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the U.S.
The Filipino American National Historical Society has chosen “Struggle, Resistance, Solidarity and Resilience" as its theme for 2024.
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.
AAPS Celebrates World Cerebral Palsy Day
Started in 2012 and celebrated annually, World Cerebral Palsy Day on Sunday, October 6th is a chance for people around the world to recognize and support the millions of people who have a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is different for everyone, and the theme this year is #UniquelyCP. According to cerebralpalsy.org, the campaign theme for 2024 was chosen because “every member of the CP community is unique, with passions, pursuits and identities beyond just that of a person with disability.
You can help recognize World Cerebral Palsy Day by wearing green on Sunday, October 6th, the color designated for CP awareness. Students at Tappan Middle School will be celebrating on Monday, October 7th, so that students can “be seen” in their green, supporting fellow students at their school with cerebral palsy, as well as those around the world. We encourage students and staff across AAPS to join the celebration.
Flu Vaccination Clinic at AAPS
Alana’s Foundation is once again holding a flu vaccination clinic for all AAPS students and their family members ages two and up at Pioneer High School on Monday, October 7th, from 4 to 7 PM. Complete the online consent form to pre-register. GO TO: https://alanas.vna.org and ENTER: Clinic ID: 2463 Passcode: ALANAS2024, then SEARCH by clinic date. Children 17 and under must have a consent form completed by parent/guardian. While supplies last, a free $5 Target gift card with every dose.
AAPS Health Alert - Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
We are continuing to see cases of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in AAPS students at multiple schools. Pertussis is a highly contagious disease that can be severe, particularly in young children. Pertussis can spread easily among household members and in group settings such as schools, workplaces and sports teams. Adolescents and adults are also at risk for infection with the disease since vaccine protection decreases over time.
Parents/guardians, please monitor your student for the following symptoms:
· Cough that comes in bursts (intermittent)
· Vomiting after coughing spells
· Cough lasting 7 days or more (with or without a “whoop”)
If your student is experiencing any of the above symptoms, keep them home from school and call your healthcare provider to get them tested.
School nurses and other AAPS staff work closely with the Washtenaw County Health Department to respond quickly to cases. Response includes notification of the entire school and detailed communication to close contacts with information about taking preventive antibiotics.
Learn more about Pertussis (Whooping Cough) here.
If you have questions or concerns, please call your health care 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 Family Assistance/Reunification Plan
The Ann Arbor Public Schools is well-prepared to provide student and family assistance when a decision is made that students should not be on school property. AAPS has a trained family assistance/reunification team that responds to schools during emergency situations such as power outages, electrical hazards, gas leaks and an emergency incident or active threat. Read more about the AAPS Family Reunification Team process as well as watch a video that explains how the district will respond to serve your students and you during emergency situations here.
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 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.
Special Education Millage on November Ballot
The Washtenaw ISD will be holding community information sessions and welcome all community members to attend to learn more about the millage renewal.
Please see upcoming session dates and information below:
· Thursday, October 10 at 4:00 p.m. (register here)
o Location: The Washtenaw Intermediate School District's Teaching and Learning Center at 1819 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI
· Thursday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m. (register here)
o Virtual webinar via Zoom
· Monday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m. (register here)
o Location: The Washtenaw Intermediate School District's Teaching and Learning Center located at 1819 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI
On Tuesday, November 5th, voters will be asked to consider renewing a special education millage. Learn more at www.washtenawisd.org/SpecialEdRenewal.
My Future Fund
AAPS is excited for 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.
Rec & Ed
Adult Enrichment & Recreation
Theater Appreciation Club on October 17th includes a ticket to Theatre NOVA's World Premiere of “In Search of the Mothman” by Amber Palmer. Enjoy a play about coming together and pulling away in tragedy, the confines of community expectations and how a sister’s love just might heal the world. Then participate in a 30-minute facilitated discussion afterwards.
Youth Team Sports
Online registration for Youth Fall Flag Football will open on Monday, October 7th at 10 AM and close on Friday, October 25th at 5 PM. 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.
Youth Enrichment Program
Sewing fun together on Sundays! Let’s Sew Together Level 2 will introduce new skills and fabrics while working with zippers, buttons, and 3D shapes. Sewing machines and basic supplies will be provided. Class is for students in grades 1st-6th and their adult.
Fencing is a great sport that develops focus, strategic thinking and good sportsmanship. Beginning Fencing Level 1 meets for 60 minutes once a week from October 27th to December 8th. Open to students in grades 2nd-8th.
Early Childhood Division - First Steps Program
Come join us outside at the Westerman Preschool & Family Center for the 2024 Trike-A-Thon. This Fall Festival & Fundraiser is a First Steps PTO-sponsored event on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. Bring your bike, trike, stroller, or scooter and enjoy some fun for the whole family. All money raised goes into the scholarship fund so that ALL families can participate in First Steps.
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 only), Angell (AM only), Carpenter, Eberwhite, Lakewood, Mitchell and Wines (AM only). 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 Public Works Open House
The city of Ann Arbor’s Public Works open house takes place on Saturday, October 5th, from 10 AM to 1 PM. The free event includes the opportunity to paint a snowplow, vote on favorite names for snowplow trucks, touch a truck, fix a water main break, tour the salt dome and operate a solid waste truck. More details available here.
Baby and Toddler Gear Swap
The Ann Arbor District Library’s downtown library is hosting a baby and toddler gear swap on Sunday, October 6th from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Caretakers of babies and toddlers looking for gently used items for your young children can find supplies other caregivers no longer need.
ID Day at the Museum of Natural History
Bring in your own collected objects for identification by experts and take a look at some of the Museum of Natural History’s treasures, too, on Sunday, October 6th, from 11 AM to 4 PM. Experts will be there from the fields of paleontology, anthropology, archaeology, botany, zoology and geology. Learn more here.
Exploring the World of Gladiators
Join the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology’s Fall Family Day as they explore the Roman Empire and gladiator games for International Archaeology Day on Sunday, October 6th, from noon to 3 PM. Learn about gladiators, design your own gladiator helmet, create an ancient toy and more at this free event.
Nature and Conversation for English Learners
English language tutors hike through County Farm Park as adult English learners practice conversation, make new friends and learn about nature together on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 PM starting on October 9th. The program is a partnership with Nature Learning Community and Washtenaw County Parks. Learn more here.
Pittsfield Union Grange Apple Day
The Pittsfield Union Grange celebrates Apple Day on Saturday, October 12th from 10 AM to 3 PM. This is your chance to make your own apple cider, using their grinder and presses. You can bring your own cider grade apples or there will be apples for sale. More information here.
Varta Storytelling Festival
Varta is a global storytelling festival inspired by South Asia that aims to create an inclusive space where all stories matter. In 2024, our thematic emphasis is on oral storytelling traditions. The Ann Arbor event takes place on Sunday, October 13th, at the Ann Arbor District Library in partnership with the AADL, the University of Michigan’s Center of South Asian Studies and the Michigan Asia Pacific American Affairs Commission. Learn more and RSVP here.
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.
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.
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.
Mulch Away
There’s much to be said for mulch. Leaves and grass that make their way into waterways add excess nutrients and use up valuable oxygen as they decompose. With the help of a mulching mower, leaves and grass clippings become a natural fertilizer and stay on your lawn. 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