2008-09 News & Events

Openings Availble in 2009-10 Young Fives Program

6/16/09

The Ann Arbor Public Schools Young Fives program, located at Abbot Elementary, currently has vacancies for the 2009-2010 school year.
This half-day program offers an alternative program for children whose parents feel that they are not ready for a traditional kindergarten experience.  Students who complete the year in the Young Fives program will return to their home school the following year to enroll in kindergarten in preparation for success in first grade.  Student who qualify will turn five before December 1, 2009 and have a birthday between September 1, 2009, and December 1, 2009.

The Young Fives program focuses on social development,  following directions and work habits, all taught in a friendly, caring environment.  Instruction is organized around themes that integrate conceptual learning with the arts, language development and kinesthetic movement.  The curriculum is aligned with Michigan state standards and benchmarks, with more time spent on foundational skills. 

If you want to enroll your child in the few slots still available please email Principal Pati Barnes at barnesp@aaps.k12.mi.us and/or visit the Abbot School office for registration materials. The office will be closed from June 19- August 16 for summer break.

Final Dates for Summer GED Preparation Classes

5/27/09

Tuesday, June 2, and Thursday, June 4, are the last dates to register for AAPS Adult Education’s free summer GED Preparation classes.  Registration is at Stone School (on Packard and Stone School roads) from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on both dates.  Doors are locked and latecomers will be turned away when assessment begins at 6 p.m...  Snacks will be served.

For summer GED Preparation, choose from Saturday class, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., starting June 13th and running for 10 weeks at Malletts Creek Library; or class on Mondays and Wednesdays at Stone School from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. starting June 15 and also running for 10 weeks.

Free tutoring is available to all GED students on Thursday evenings at Stone as well as a goal planning and post secondary orientation class, Bridges to Success, on Mondays from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

You must be 18 years or older to enroll.  Call 734-997-1237 for details or come on time to registration June 2 or 4!

Sharman Spieser
Adult Education Director

Ann Arbor Woman's Farm and Garden Association's Annual Garden Walk features Tappan Middle School's Agrarian Adventure

5/13/2009

The Ann Arbor Woman's Farm and Garden Associations Annual Garden Walk features Tappan Middle School's Agrarian Adventure garden and greenhouse this year.  The event will also include kids' activities, tours, farm animals, live entertainment, and food from local restaurants.   The event is Saturday, June 13, from 10am - 4pm at Tappan Middle School.  Cost: $3 for students, $12 for adults.  For more information, please download the flyer (109kb PDF) or visit www.womansfarmandgarden.org.

Educational Forum on Anxiety Disorders in Children & Adolescents: May 12, 2009

5/5/2009

Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents: An Educational Forum
Tuesday, May 12 from 7:00-8:15 pm
Huron High School "New Theater"
2727 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor
 
Transient fears and anxieties can be a part of normal childhood development, but if the anxiety causes excessive distress and/or interferes with school performance, activities, or relationships with family or friends, it could be an indication of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can be disabling and are surprisingly common, affecting up to 30% of all youth. The good news is that effective treatments are available.
 
To learn more about anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, including the latest research advances and treatment options, we hope you will join us for this educational forum on Tuesday, May 12 from 7:00-8:15 pm at Huron High School. Kate Fitzgerald, MD, a clinical lecturer in the Child and Adolescent Anxiety Program and member of the Depression Center at the University of Michigan, will discuss the presentation and treatment of anxiety disorders in youth. The presentation will be followed by questions from the audience and discussion with expert panelists.
 
This forum is presented as part of an ongoing educational partnership between the University of Michigan Depression Center and the Ann Arbor Public Schools, and is appropriate for parents of students at any grade level. AAPS staff members are also encouraged to attend. For more information about this event, please visit http://www.depressioncenter.org/schools/events.asp

Download flyer (107kb PDF)

Free Summer GED Preparation Class Offered through AAPS Adult Education

5/4/2009

If you or someone you know wants a GED Certificate, mark your calendar for one of four dates to register for AAPS Adult Education GED Preparation class!  You must register in advance to take the free class.

Registration takes three hours and snacks will be served.  Choose one of the following dates to register from 6 to 9 p.m. at Stone School (at Stone School and Packard Roads, on the AATA bus line):  May 12 or 14, or June 2 or 4. 

If you register on May 12 or 14, you may be eligible for the six-week Accelerated GED that starts May 19.  Details about the GED class schedule and how to qualify for ACC GED will be provided at registration.  For summer GED, students can choose Saturday class from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mallett’s Creek Public Library, or  Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Stone School. Classes start June 13 and registration in advance is required.

Doors at Stone will be locked at 6 p.m. so please arrive on time.  You must be 18 years or older to enroll. Spaces in class are limited.  Please call 734-997-1237 or 994-2300, Ext 53246, with questions.

Sharman Spieser
Adult Education Director

AAPS to Host Free e-Waste Recycling Events

4/21/2009

The Ann Arbor Public Schools is hosting three free e-waste recycling events designed to help Southeast Michigan residents, small businesses and non-profits responsibly recycle electronics they no longer need or want. Along with the University of Michigan and Apple Computers the recycling event is scheduled for:

• General public: May 9, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Pioneer High School (Main Street entrance), 610 W. Stadium Blvd.
• Local business and non-profit organizations: May 7-8, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., WISD- District Office Parking Lot, 1819 S. Wagner Rd.

Free recycling of electronics is an important responsibility. Many old computers are lying around the house with nowhere to take them. This free recycling program offers a responsible way to dispose of old or unused electronic equipment without creating more waste, and without putting data at risk.

e-Waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the country and frequently contains hazardous materials like lead and mercury, which can adversely affect the environment.

e-Waste includes everything from laptops to desktops to televisions and telephones. Throwing away electronics like this consumes landfill space and wastes precious raw materials, which could be reused to manufacture new materials.  Last year’s events filled 11 semi-trailers, keeping 145 tons of hazardous e-waste out of local landfills. For a complete list of accepted materials, and additional information on the free recycling events, visit: www.a2schools.org.    

An EPA-certified company will responsibly recycle all e-waste items dropped off at the events. The collected equipment will be destroyed and recycled in the U.S. in accordance with all local, state and federal guidelines, regulations and laws pertaining to the collection, transportation and recycling of electronics equipment.

Materials Accepted at e-Waste Recycling Events

Skyline High School: Awards Keep Coming

3/26/2009

ANN ARBOR, MI. - If it was competing in a baseball game, Ann Arbor Public Schools’ (AAPS) new Skyline High School has hit a grand slam in regards to prestigious awards and recognitions for design and construction excellence it has already received, with plenty of innings yet to be played.

The 380,000 s.f. high school, completed in May of 2008, has already garnered four major league honors with additional recognitions currently on-deck.

To date, the project has earned Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Michigan’s 2009 Build Michigan Award, the Washtenaw Contractors Association’s 2009 Pyramid Award, LEED Silver Certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and was chosen to be featured in the 2009 edition of Learning by Design published by the National Schools Board Association in cooperation with Virginia-based Stratton Publishing.

“It is great to see the work of an outstanding project team recognized,” says AAPS superintendent Dr. Todd Roberts, “and we’re delighted that everyone is being duly recognized for their efforts in the overall success of this project. Thanks again to our community who made Skyline possible.

Winning AGC’s Build Michigan Award was based on meeting the challenges of a difficult job, excellence in project management, the use of innovative construction techniques, sensitivity to the environment and surroundings, responsiveness to client needs and contributions to the community.

WCA’s Pyramid Award was based on the Best Project Team (owner, architect and construction manager) for a project over $25 million. Team members were recognized for their high level of cooperation which resulted in exceptional synergy throughout the successful delivery of this very challenging project.

The project earned USBC’s LEED Silver distinction based on its energy efficiencies, focus on sound environmental practices, including development of a sustainable site and the use of appropriate building materials, all resulting in healthy indoor and outdoor learning and work environments. One of the more unique aspects of the project was its geothermal feature which uses over 90 miles of tubing buried below the frost line to heat the building in the winter and cool it in the summer. In addition, 45-acres of the 110-acre site were preserved as natural woodlands and wetlands.

TMP Architecture of Bloomfield Hills served as the architect for the Skyline project with Ann Arbor-based Mitchell & Mouat Architects as associate architects. Granger Construction of Lansing was the Construction Manager.

For more information, please contact Liz Margolis, Director of Communications, 734-994-2236.

The Ann Arbor Public School District serves the City of Ann Arbor and parts of eight surrounding townships covering 125 square miles.  The district has 20 elementary schools, one K-8 open school, five middle schools, three comprehensive high schools, three alternative high schools, one pre-school and one adult education program.  As of September 2008, enrollment totaled 16,458 (excluding adult education and a portion of pre-school). The district employs 3,000 full and part-time staff members. Approximately 82 percent of the teaching staff holds a master's degree or above. The district serves a diverse ethnic and socioeconomic population of students with over 36 different countries represented by students in the district and 74 different languages spoken.

24th Annual College & Career Fair

3/9/2009

You may have already had some discussions with your son or daughter about post-high school education and career opportunities. If you haven't, it's not too early to begin. To assist you in this task, the Ann Arbor Public Schools have scheduled their 24rd Annual College & Career Fair at Pioneer High School on Thursday, April 2, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. It is our goal to offer students the chance to explore both educational and career opportunities to plan for their future. Representatives from colleges all over the nation and businesses from the Ann Arbor area will be present to meet with you, answer your questions and provide you with pertinent literature. The colleges will have tables in the cafeteria, which is located near the clock-tower entrance to Pioneer High School, and the businesses will line the A-wing hallway outside of the cafeteria. This night will provide your family with up-to-date information and enable you to make a person-to-person contact with college and business representatives. We look forward to seeing you there.

College & Career Fair Committee

Ann Arbor Public Schools Budget Forums

District-Wide Parent Meeting: "Coping with Crisis"

The Ann Arbor Public School district has been coping with a series of difficult situations over the past few weeks. Staff, students and families have shown sensitivity and concern to the families and students involved in these situations. We know that these events have heightened parent and student awareness and that several parents and students have expressed concern about how to cope with difficult events.

Pioneer High will be hosting a district wide meeting next Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Schreiber Auditorium. District staff and other crisis professionals from the community will have suggestions for coping with crisis. They will share information on responses to trauma, grief and depression and when and where to go for additional help. There will also be a brief overview of the district’s crisis response protocol as well as introduction of district crisis response team members.

The content of this meeting is appropriate for high school students and adults. Please consider this if you are thinking about bringing your younger child.

Full details are available on the Especially for Parents site.

Sneak Peak Screening of "The Youngest Candidate"

A Benefit for Youth Centered Not for Profits in Washtenaw County

Who Benefits: Donations collected at the sneak peak screening benefit The Neutral Zone, The Cassini Ensemble, Nice Work Public Media (The Legacy Project), The Michigan Theater and The Youngest Candidate, Inc.

Where and When: Wednesday February 11, 2009 at 7PM, The Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Free Admission. DONATIONS ACCEPTED.  Post screening Q and A by the film's director Jason Pollock and young local Michigan elected officials.

ABOUT “THE YOUNGEST CANDIDATE”:

'The Youngest Candidate' is a feature length documentary film directed by Jason Pollock and produced by David Letterman's company, Worldwide Pants, in partnership with Oscar winner Lawrence Bender (producer of 'Pulp Fiction' and 'An Inconvenient Truth', etc..) and Balance Vector Productions.

'The Youngest Candidate' follows the story of 4 teens that ran for public office in America. Funny, inspiring, poignant, and ultimately uplifting, 'The Youngest Candidate' is not just a film about running for office. It is the coming of age story of four idealistic young adults who dared to confront corrupt political systems in America. Through their journey these young candidates learn about fair play, leadership development, racism in politics, and the importance of family.

Please visit at www.theyoungestcandidate.com and enjoy the trailer.

Artwork is by Shepard Fairey/StudioNumberOne

Awards: August 2008: Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival— “Best Non- Fiction Film by a New Filmmaker”. Michael Moore said, “The Youngest Candidate is one of the best docs I’ve seen all year”.
LINKS:
http://www.TheYoungestCandidate.com/
http://www.Facebook.com/group.php?gid=19631212890
http://www.YouTube.com/TheYoungestCandidate
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/11/14/barnett.youngest.candidate.cnn
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26421518/

Donations will be shared among the 501(C)(3) not-for profit organizations listed above and are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Local Contact information: Elizabeth Hurwitz (associate producer) 734-657-0835

Upcoming Events Offered by University of Michigan Depression Center

The Depression Center will present two Bright Nights community forums during the month of January, in Plymouth on January 13th and in Ann Arbor on January 20th. We hope you can join us!

Tuesday, January 13, from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Plymouth District Library. Please pre-register for this Bright Nights by calling 734-453-0750, extension 4.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

A presentation by Melvin McInnis, MD, Thomas B and Nancy Upjohn Woodworth Professor of Bipolar Disorder and Depression, U-M Depression Center, with expert panelists from the Depression Center including Alan Prossin, MBBS and Masoud Kamali, MD. They will be joined by Charles Krasnow, MD, U-M Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospitals and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
 
Tuesday, January 20, from 7:00-8:30 pm at the downtown Ann Arbor District Library

Depression During Childbearing Years: Strategies for Prevention, Intervention, and Raising Resilient Children

A presentation by Kate Rosenblum, PhD, Assistant Research Scientist, U-M Center for Human Growth and Development, with expert panelists from the U-M Depression Center including Heather Flynn, PhD; Sheila Marcus, MD; and Maria Muzik, MD. They will be joined by Beverly Davidson, LMSW, from the Washtenaw Community Public Health Department.

These events are free of charge and open to the public. For more information, please visit the Depression Center website.

Pioneer Swimming Pool to be Renamed in Honor of Denny Hill

The Pioneer Pool is officially being named "Hill Pool" in honor of Denny's 40+ years of coaching excellence.

Date: Saturday, November 29 Time: 6pm Place: Pioneer High School Refreshments provided Questions? Beth Anderson 747-6191 or tonybgak@msn.com

Walk-in Immunization Program at Pioneer High School

**Special School Immunization Walk-in Clinic on Monday, November 10 from 4 - 6pm at Pioneer High School**

• Clinic is only for children through age 18 years of age
• Regular immunization fees will be charged
• We are not able to bill private insurance but will provide a receipt
• Vaccine For Children (VFC) eligible children will not be charged
• No varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is available at this clinic
• Please call (734) 544-6770 if you have questions about the clinic

Washtenaw County Public Health promotes the immunization of all children and adults in an effort to prevent serious and sometimes deadly diseases. We believe disease prevention is the key to public health. And we all know it's always better to prevent a disease than to treat it!

Fast Fact: Did you know vaccines prevent disease in the people who receive them and protect those who come into contact with unvaccinated individuals. Vaccines help prevent infectious diseases and save lives? Vaccines are responsible for the control of many infectious diseases that were once common in this country, including polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus, and Haemophilus influenzae (Hib).

Ann Arbor Public Schools Participating in Emergency Preparedness Week 2008

10/1/08

The safety of students and staff is the number one priority for the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Creating a safe learning environment as well as proper emergency response plans is vital for a solid educational setting.

To raise awareness for these continuing efforts to achieve the goal of preparedness and response the Ann Arbor Public Schools will participate in the national Emergency Preparedness Week, October 6 – 10, in a variety of ways including the role out of new emergency response supplies for each school as well as new training programs.

The Ann Arbor Public Schools was awarded a Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) grant for 2007-2009 by the U.S. Department of Education to enhance the district’s current crisis management and emergency response program.

The AAPS has in place highly trained crisis response teams at the district level, cluster level (divided by the 5 middle schools) and at each school. Training is ongoing which includes close coordination with local law enforcement and first response organizations.

As part of the Emergency Preparedness Week the AAPS is pleased to announce that a district-wide distribution of additional first response materials will begin and continue into the fall. Items each school will receive include Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to those schools who currently do not have this device, first response bags for each school office and “To Go” bags for each classroom which contain a wide variety of emergency supplies as determined by qualified medical response staff.  Schools are also receiving new crisis response flip charts for each classroom that give specific response instructions to a wide variety of situations and team manuals with updated procedures learned through the REMS grant process.

Over 60 AAPS staff will be trained in the use of AEDs, CPR and First Aid during the week of October 6. The district will also initiate tests of the district-wide emergency radio system and of the 911 emergency response call, all in coordination with local law enforcement.

The Ann Arbor Public Schools are proud of our emergency response preparedness. Dedicated staff have taken on the responsibility to maintain safety, respond to incidents and be leaders at their schools to assist in emergency situations.

Bright Nights Series - UM Depression Center Program

9/4/08

Through our partnership with the U of M Depression Center we are pleased to let you know about this upcoming program:

"Depression in Children & Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment"
Tuesday, September 23
7:00-8:30, Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown
A presentation by Mohammad Ghaziuddin, M.D., Director, University of Michigan ASD Program, and Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, followed by audience Q & A with an expert panel.
 
The event is free and open to the public - no pre-registration is required.

2008/2009 Back to School Guide Calendar Alert

In the Back to School booklet you received in the mail, the calendar on the second page contained incomplete information regarding a set of scheduled 1/2 days for staff professional development (PD).

These 1/2 days are for middle and high school students only.
These 1/2 days are not scheduled for elementary students.

Middle and High School Early Release Days (1/2 Days)
(Huron, Pioneer and Middle Schools only)

• October 8, 2008
• December 10, 2008
• March 25, 2009
• April 29, 209 - 1/2 day off only for Huron and Pioneer students
• May 13, 2009 - 1/2 day off for Huron and Pioneer and full day off for Middle schools

There are no early release or 1/2 days scheduled for Skyline High School or Community High School

We apologize for the confusion. Please refer to your school's calendar for complete information.

Focus Groups for Marketing Campaign Announced

When:  
Monday, August 11  3:00 p.m.
       or
Tuesday, August 12  6:00 p.m.
 
Where:  
AAPS, Balas Administration Bldg.
2555 S. State Street
 
The Ann Arbor Public Schools Communication Department invites you to participate in a focus group to assess new marketing campaign concepts.

A new marketing campaign is scheduled to begin this fall to increase enrollment by attracting students who live in the district and those who may be relocating to Ann Arbor.
 
The campaign will also be targeted to local employers who are attempting to attract new employees into the area.
 
The focus groups will be asked to review and assess a series of campaign concepts. These responses will be used to select the
final concept for the campaign.
 
Two focus group times have been scheduled. You are asked to attend only one of the focus groups, The focus group session will
be 90 minutes or less. Your candid assessment of the concepts presented at the focus group will be highly respected and
appreciated.
 
If you are able to participate in one of the focus group sessions please contact Liz Margolis or Judy Franklin at 994-2236 or email
at Margolis@aaps.k12.mi.us.
 
If you have any questions please call us!