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Ann Arbor Public Schools

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September 4, 2026 - Weekly Update

AAPS District News

The AAPS District News shared a video from the first day of school, Huron’s A Cappella Choir has been picked to perform at a state music conference and kindergarteners talk about their first days of school. Read all of the AAPS District News stories here.

 

AAPS Board of Education

The next Board of Education Regular Meeting is Wednesday, September 9, at 7:00 PM at 3700 Earhart Road.

 

Join members of the AAPS Board of Education to share thoughts on the Budget and Next Steps on Thursday, September 3rd from 6 to 7:30 PM at the Pittsfield Library Community Room at 2359 Oak Valley Dr.

All community members are welcome. For any questions or concerns: mohammadr@a2schools.org or 734-478-0048

 

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.

 

AAPS Teacher Negotiations Update

The Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education and Superintendent acknowledge the ratification of the tentative agreement by members of the Ann Arbor Education Association.

This agreement reflects a comprehensive process that included mediation and sustained engagement by both parties. The resulting contract balances support for educators with the district’s obligation to maintain financial stability and continue providing high-quality educational opportunities for all students.

Learn more about the agreement here.

 

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.

 

Freeman Environmental Youth Council Applications

AAPS 9th, 10th and 11th graders who are interested in environmental stewardship and advocacy are invited to apply by September 16th to join the Freeman Environmental Youth Council. Learn more about this districtwide environmental leadership club and access application information on the Youth Council webpage.

 

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.

 

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

For Kids & Families

  • Before & After Care — Openings available at many AAPS buildings
  • 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 is open for Volleyball (grades 4-9) & Basketball (grades 2 & 3)   Fall Soccer & Field Hockey — Registration is closed, but waitlists are available. More youth league sport league Information here.

For Adults: Stay active and try something new with our variety of adult enrichment and fitness classes.

Good to Know: Scholarships are available to help with registration costs. Rec & Ed gift cards make a great gift! 📬 Want updates? Subscribe to Fun Forward for class news and registration dates.

 

Community Events and Information

Run Your City, Run Ann Arbor is a group of University of Michigan students and student-athletes leading free, team centered running practices and races for kids of all abilities. They are hosting a six-week program September 12th through October 17th on Sundays at 3 PM at Leslie Park. Learn more and sign up for Run Ann Arbor here. 

 

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 apply by September 15th.

 

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.

 

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