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Ann Arbor Public Schools

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September 18, 2026 - Weekly Update

AAPS District News

The AAPS District News shared an Exceptional Profile of a community assistant at Skyline. We also shared a farmers market at Bryant and a minute inside a Slauson self-contained classroom. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.

 

AAPS Board of Education

The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is Wednesday, October 7th, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road. At this week’s meeting, the Board of Education received the Fall 2026 Student Achievement Annual Report.

 

You can read recaps of board meetings here.

 

National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized each year from September 15th through October 15th. The theme of this year’s celebration is Unidos, Somos Más, which translates to “Together, We Are More,” which highlights the power of connection, collaboration, and community strength. In the AAPS, we honor and celebrate the valued contributions of Hispanic Americans on every day of the school year. This month of special celebration provides an opportunity to listen and learn even more deeply about the rich diversity within Hispanic communities and the strong connections to all areas of American culture, literature and history.

 

Suicide Prevention Month - Let’s Raise Awareness and Spread Hope!

Each September, Suicide Prevention Month offers an opportunity to learn about tools and resources to keep youth safe.  Although this is a tough topic, we know that working together to reduce stigma, recognize warning signs, and encourage help-seeking can make a big difference in preventing suicide.

Visit the AAPS Suicide Prevention page to learn about the following:

  • Risk Factors, Warning Signs, and Protective Factors to Suicide
  • 5 Myths about Youth Suicide 
  • How to Talk about Suicide with Someone You Know 

  • Crisis resources 

  • Non-crisis resources and AAPS Partnerships 

Need help right now?

  • Call or text the 988. Available in English y en Español.
  • Washtenaw County Community Mental Health 24/7 Crisis Services. (734) 544-3050.
  • Ozone House Crisis Line is available 24/7 for youth looking for support or who are at risk of homelessness. (734) 662-2222. 

 

AAPS Strategic Planning Survey

This summer, AAPS launched a Community Voice Survey as part of our Strategic Planning process - a roadmap that will shape how we invest in programs, resources, and support for every student and staff member in our district moving forward. 

But, we know summer can be so busy. If you didn't get a chance to complete the survey, we still very much want to hear from you.

Your experience in AAPS matters. Whether things are going well or whether you see room for improvement, your perspective belongs in this plan, and it's not too late to share it.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

  • The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
  • It is open to all members of the AAPS community - students, parents, guardians, staff, and partners
  • Your responses are anonymous.
  • The survey closes on September 30, 2026

Take the Survey Now: Community Voice Survey.

 

 

Mental Health Support

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Let’s come together to recognize the warning signs and offer support to those in need. If you or someone you know needs help, Care Solace provides 24/7 confidential support to connect you with mental health professionals.

Visit caresolace.com/aaps or call 888-515-0595. You’re not alone.

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

Food Service

 

Under the Michigan School Meals program, students in the Ann Arbor Public Schools will receive FREE meals (breakfast and lunch). The free food program is only for complete breakfast and lunch meals. It does not include a la carte items such as milk.

 

Students will continue to maintain a benefit status of Free, Reduced, or Paid under the approved program. Benefit status' will be used for the purpose of grants and other state funding. 

 

All families are to fill out the Education Benefits Form (EBF). These forms are available in multiple languages. AAPS ESL teachers/translators are available to help families. Click here for more information on EBF.

 

You can find the menu for your child’s school here.


 

Transportation

 

Bus routes for all of 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.

Idle Free Zone Campaign

Through the leadership of the Freeman Environmental Youth Council, AAPS is instituting a Reduce Idling Zone at all AAPS schools starting this fall. This initiative is aimed at protecting our students’ health. Please help our students breathe cleaner air by following the guidelines below, especially at pick-up when we see vehicles waiting up to an hour before release time.

• Drop-off: When dropping off your student, if you arrive and there is a line of vehicles waiting for the first bell, please turn off your vehicle until cars proceed through the line.

• Pick-up: If you arrive before the bell to release students and join the pick-up line, please turn off your vehicle until the line begins to move. 

Learn more about the student-led effort to improve air quality here.

 

Bioblitz at the Freeman Environmental Education Center

AAPS families are invited to attend a Bioblitz on September 28th from 1 to 4 PM at the Freeman Environmental Education Center (3540 Dixboro Lane) for an afternoon of nature observation, appreciation and documentation. Please register here for this free, family-friendly community science event. This is a great chance to expose your children to a STEM learning opportunity in the field with professional scientists and environmental educators.

 

Flu Vaccination Clinic

AAPS is pleased to partner with Alana's Foundation again to hold a family flu vaccine clinic at Pioneer High School on October 19th from 4 to 7 PM. Click here to learn more about this year’s Alana’s Foundation Flu Vaccination Clinic including registration.

 

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.

 

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.

Rec and Ed

Fall Registration is open and after school classes have started or will start soon!

 For Kids & Families

  • Early Childhood Classes — Ages 0–5
  • Youth Classes & Activities — Ages 5–14 
    • IMPORTANT: Registration for afterschool classes closes 2 days before a class begins.
  • View All Classes - With so many NEW classes being offered, you are sure to find something you like. Registration is open for after school enrichment opportunities right at your child's school.

Youth League Sports — Registration Closes Monday: There’s still time to register! Registration closes Monday, September 21 at 5:00 PM for Youth League Volleyball (grades 4–9) and Basketball (grades 2–3). Don’t miss out—register by Monday at 5:00 PM! View Youth League Sports Information here.

Youth Tennis Classes: Outdoor & Indoor Options starting soon for ages 5 and up including a High School beginner and intermediate classes. More info here. 

For Adults: Stay active and try something new with our variety of adult enrichment and fitness classes. Adult Workshop Opportunity: Organized for Calm: Decluttering Your Space & Mind October 5th at 6:30pm 

 

Community Events and Information

Girls Who Code is a free club that provides a supportive environment for high schoolers to learn coding. The club holds weekly meetings on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 PM starting September 22nd at U of M’s Central Campus. Students will explore data analysis, visualization and interpretation via hands-on coding workshops and a capstone project of their choosing in Python. Learn more about Girls Who Code and apply here, with priority given to those who applied by September 15th.

2027-28 Michigan Teacher of the Year nominations are being accepted through Wednesday, September 23rd. Celebrate a deserving teacher by simply completing the Michigan Department of Education’s online nomination form.

Proud To Be Me is a non-profit founded to give children with intellectual disabilities a space where they can connect with others and be active with free online adaptive dance classes. This fall they are offering three classes every week: Choreography on Tuesdays, Hip-Hop on Thursdays and Ballet/Yoga on Saturdays. Click here for more information and to sign up for the program.

Here Comes the Sun is the first Science Cafe of the school year and takes place on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6 PM at Conor O’Neill’s. Representatives from U of M Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Executive Director of Ann Arbor Sustainability Energy Utility will share the latest research on understanding thermal radiation in solar and the challenge of implementation. Science Cafes are an opportunity for audiences to discuss current research topics with experts in an informal setting presented by the U of M Museum of Natural History.

Kinesiology Futures Day is Monday, September 28th from 10 to 11:30 AM meeting at the Neutral Zone by 9:45 with a walk to the U of M School of Kinesiology, or just meet at 830 N. University at ten. A 90-minute student centered experience designed to introduce all high school aged students to the field of kinesiology through a movement break, student ambassador panel, shared lunch and goal setting activity. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

Korea Week 2026 is a multi-day celebration at the Ann Arbor District Library from September 28th through October 4th. The week features a variety of cultural events, workshops, presentations, and family activities. Held in partnership with the University of Michigan Nam Center for Korean Studies and the Korean Cultural Center of Washington D.C. Learn more about times, locations and details of Korea Week events here.

Ann Arbor Public Works and Solid Waste Open House is Saturday, October 3rd from 10 AM to 1 PM. Enjoy hands-on activities to learn about utility infrastructure, city forestry, street maintenance, solid waste, compost and recycling programs. Activities include touch-a-truck, fix a water main break and clogged sewer, tour the salt dome, crafts and so much more. Learn more about the open house here.

 

Sustainability Updates in Our Community

GREEN FAIR IS TONIGHT! Join us for Ann Arbor's annual street fair celebrating sustainability, community, and climate action TONIGHT, Friday, September 18 from 5 – 8 PM on Main Street. Visit our five themed areas to explore how you can be part of a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County. Learn more at a2gov.org/GreenFair. AAPS will have information on our EV bus program, net zero ready schools and students discussing the Idle-Free Zone Campaign at the Green Fair.

 

You can learn more about sustainability activities in AAPS and sustainability efforts in the Ann Arbor community here. You can follow the city’s Office of Sustainability and Innovation on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

 

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