August 26, 2023

Greetings Open Families,

Happy New Year! We hope this email finds your family winding down a peaceful summer and looking forward to the coming school year. Essentially, we are preparing to welcome 540+ kids back into the building in a manner that’s safe and joyful. Student safety will always be of the utmost priority - physically, socio-emotionally, and academically.

A huge thank you to our teachers and staff who worked tirelessly throughout the summer to plan and prepare the best welcome for our students. If you recall from spring, our teachers packed hundreds and hundreds of orange crates to prepare for building construction. Starting Monday, teachers began unpacking those same orange crates.

Below you can read sufficient notes about school events and information. You can expect similar messages sent weekly. We understand there is a lot of information to digest. Please look for additional start-up information at this same time next week.

Please stop into school or reach out any time with questions or concerns.

Warm regards,

Alison Epler, Assistant Principal

eplera@aaps.k12.mi.us

NEW STAFF

Please join me in welcoming our newest staff members to Ann Arbor Open:

Kayleigh Robb, 5/6 teacher
Tahani Othman, 7/8
Susan Hopkins, School Psychologist
Suzanne Vu, EL
Julie Burkhard, Resource Room
Lisa Severs, OT

STAFF MOVES

Jesse Deucher will cover for Jamie Martin through September
Sara Vos will cover for PE through September
Rusty Fuller will cover for Dr. Sheril through October

2021-22 BELL SCHEDULE & CALENDAR

Click HERE to see the AAPS calendar at a glance. Our bell schedule is 8:10 AM - 3:18 PM. PLEASE know that timely arrival is really important for kids and teachers. We thank you in advance for getting your child to school on time. It’s important for their success.

Please note that since the original calendar was shared, February 27th was added as a day of no school for students and staff due to the Presidential Primary (our schools are polling locations), and completed some adjustments regarding testing days for middle school and high school level students.

AAPS COMMUNITY RESOURCES

If your family is seeking resources pertaining to a wide variety of needs - food, internet, medical, etc. be sure to visit - https://www.a2schools.org/Page/15636

ATTENDANCE

If your student is going to be absent, please email us at: aao_attendance@a2schools.org. Be sure to include the following information: student name, teacher, date of absence(s) and reason for absence.

BUS ROUTES

CHECK HERE for bus route numbers, stops, and times.

COVID HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS

We are using the same processes as last year to track and contain COVID cases. This information is in the Back to School site on the district homepage, and under the Students & Families tab here.

Parents/guardians, staff, and volunteers must report COVID cases to the district as soon as possible using the appropriate form below. Information is kept confidential and only used for outbreak monitoring.

Students: bit.ly/StudentCOVIDCase23-24
Staff/Contractors/Volunteers: bit.ly/StaffCOVIDCase23-24

Be sure to report your student’s absence due to any illness to your school office.
Read What to Do if You Test Positive for information on caring for a sick person, isolation and returning to school or work.
If there is a cluster of COVID cases at school, an outbreak investigation will occur in consultation with the WCHD. Parents/guardians, staff, and volunteers will be informed via email if an outbreak occurs in their classroom, team, or activity.
Schools may have home rapid antigen tests to send home if there are clusters or concerns.

These resources are updated for 2023-24 - please share with parents:

Info on COVID-19 prevention strategies, masking, and more is available on the same A2schools.org webpage here.

MEDICATIONS

If your child requires prescription or over the counter medication during the school day, there are very specific guidelines in place. Please stop by the office for details. Children are not allowed to carry their own medications without prior permission from you, your doctor and the Principal. The AAPS Nursing Services website has forms and additional information.

PARENT HOMEWORK

PLEASE start labeling your child’s clothes, water bottles, lunch boxes, etc. with their last name. A simple sharpie marker is sufficient. Mabels Labels sells affordable labels at https://mabelslabels.com/en_US/fundraising/support/

REC & ED AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES

Registration for fall Rec & Ed programming starts this Monday at 10:00AM. You can explore all the offerings at https://www.aarecedonline.com/

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE! Please call (734) 994-2300 ext. 0 for details.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

We will purchase the classroom materials that students need so you do NOT need to purchase things like paper, pencils, markers, folders, etc. But….if you are interested in making donations, teachers and the office are always appreciative of soft tissues, cleaning wipes, and coffee!

SCHOOL LUNCH & BREAKFAST - Free Meals for All Students

We are delighted that our students in the AAPS and all of Michigan’s 1.4 million public school children will be receiving nutritious free meals at school this year as a result of a $160 million appropriation in the state’s School Aid budget adopted by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

You may review more information here about our next steps with breakfast and lunch available for all students for no cost during the 2023-24 school year.

Important for everyone: To support accurate data during this transition, the state is requiring all families to fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch application or the Education Benefit form for families with students attending Community Eligibility Provision (CFP) designated schools.

You can learn more about the food program here,

Also of note, AAPS has applied for the funds to eliminate the school-based food debt from the last school year, and our Chartwell’s partners indicate they are almost fully staffed and ready to serve free breakfast and lunch meals across all our schools, beginning next week!

August 21, 2023

Bus routes will be posted online August 21st

Popsicles on the playground

First day of school (times, info,)

June 5

MARY WIGTON -

Mary Wigton is retiring at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Before Mary was hired for her 7th and 8th grade Humanities teaching position, she supported the school as a parent, and she worked as a TA in the inaugural 6th grade class when the Open School moved to the Mack building.

Mary has a passion for the Open Classroom approach to education, and as one of the original middle school teachers, she was integral in the development of the 7th and 8th grade program model. Mary designed and implemented the language arts/social studies curriculum as a humanities course that connects literature, writing, history and current events, as well as collaborating with the science and math curricula. Her electives included the very popular study of films, with the themes ranging from Coming of Age to Westerns to Courtroom Dramas: Trials and Justice.

Mary demonstrated her cultural knowledge and organizational skills developing trips for all the 7-8 students which connected the curriculum, such as the history and culture of Detroit, Chicago, as well as to Hocking Hills to learn about geology and American history. She supported the kids as they studied world cultures and created amazing, complex displays of their learning of almost museum quality.

Mary is notably humble, and few people know that she is a published Lincoln scholar and a Grammy winner. Exceptionally insightful and creative, she has been an excellent collaborator and colleague.

The A2 Open school community wishes her all the best in this next part of her journey.

LAST DAY - This Friday is the last day of school and it is a half day. We dismiss at 10:47AM and no lunch will be served on the last day.

STUDENT ART WORK - Thank you, Deb for creating a digital gallery of art work from each class. It is so beautiful--I hope you take some time with your kids to enjoy it. https://sites.google.com/view/ann-arbor-open-art/art-gallery-22-23?authuser=0

ROAD CLOSURE - Tuesday, May 30 - November

Full Closure of Brooks St. from Miller Ave. to Sunset Rd. and Full Closure of Mixtwood Rd. from Brooks St. to, and including, the Red Oak Rd. intersection

Summer Learning Launch: Resources for Students & Families: Grades Y5-8 - On June 1, 2023, please join the Ann Arbor Public Schools at Malletts Creek Library to engage in a variety of literacy and math learning resources that will be accessible to students over the summer. Caregivers will have the opportunity to try online learning tools out through the lens of a student, learn more about the summer events available through the Ann Arbor District Library, ask questions, and take home a summer learning workbook. This event will be available from 5:30-7:00, and families are welcome to drop-in at any time.

Students leaving the district must return their device(s) to their school building(s) during the school year or to the ITD Offices at Balas over the summer by making an appointment with the Student & Family Help Desk at 734-997-1222.

2023-2024 Calendar - The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Monday, August 28th.

The opening week of the year will extend Monday through Thursday of that week, followed by Labor Day weekend: Friday, September 1st through Labor Day Monday. We return to begin week 2 of the school year on Tuesday, September 5th.

Our calendar teams continue their diligent work on the full detail of the 2023-24 calendar, and we will share that information as soon as it is finalized.

May 29

CONGRATULATIONS, TRACEY METRY - After 30 years of teaching for the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Tracey Metry will retire at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

Tracey's career started in AAPS as a student teacher at Bach Open School. She then worked as a TA at Carpenter and a sub in the district for two years. Tracey's first teaching position was at Bryant in 2nd grade. After four years at Bryant she taught at Angell in grades K, 1, and 2. She was a part of the Angell Community for seven years before returning to her roots at Ann Arbor Open in 2005.

The past 17 years were spent at Open where she developed some of her most important friendships.

Tracey served as a union rep and member of the P R & R Board for 20 years. As a union representative Tracey provided an active voice for teachers.

Tracey has had a positive influence on so many young lives, building relationships with her students and families while helping them learn and grow.

We wish Tracey the very best as she begins this new chapter in her life. She will be greatly missed by the school community!

There will be a table at the ice cream social to write and leave a note for Tracey. Tracey will be at the ICS enjoying all of the events, not stationed at the table.

ROAD CLOSURE - Tuesday, May 30 - November

Full Closure of Brooks St. from Miller Ave. to Sunset Rd. and Full Closure of Mixtwood Rd. from Brooks St. to, and including, the Red Oak Rd. intersection

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

Student Technology (Devices) - Students in grades 5-8 will keep their device(s) over the summer.

2023-2024 Calendar - The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Monday, August 28th.

Our calendar teams continue their diligent work on the full detail of the 2023-24 calendar, and we will share that information as soon as it is finalized.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - If you’ve been in the building recently, you’ve definitely seen an abundance of orange packing totes. There is work happening in our building this summer and every space needs to be packed by the last day of school. Below is a summary:

As part of the continuing Phase 1 Early Work, the AAPS Capital Programs team will be coordinating and implementing a series of limited, strategic capital improvements at AA Open during summer break 2023. Planning for a more comprehensive, major modernization (significant work) is anticipated to begin in 2030.

This summer's work will include select lighting and finish upgrades, several Music room improvements, food service/servery updates, classroom space utilization, classroom shifts (not all finalized, yet) and storage improvements, technology updates for improved security, and some connected infrastructure/system updates, etc. These investments are meant to address needs identified through the facility conditions assessment as well as improve learning environments as outlined in the Phase 1 Early Work Capital Programs plan.

Preparation for this work is expected to begin in the spring of 2023, and the project is anticipated to be complete in August 2023. The AAPS Capital Programs team has worked with the Open team to coordinate packing and preparing for the upcoming projects. . For more information on the AAPS Capital Program, please visit: www.a2schoolsbond.org

ON THE HORIZON

6/1 - First Day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month

6/1 - Ice Cream Social, 6:00PM

6/8 - 8th Grade Promotion

6/9 - Last day of school, ½ day, dismissal 10:47AM

May 22

5/6 CAMP - Monday our 5/6 students leave for camp. Please prepare for a busier/crowded drop off. 5/6 parents, please do NOT park in the drop off lane when bringing your camper to school.

Student Technology (Devices) - Students in grades 5-8 will keep their device(s) over the summer.

2023-2024 Calendar - The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Monday, August 28th.

Our calendar teams continue their diligent work on the full detail of the 2023-24 calendar, and we will share that information as soon as it is finalized.

FIELD DAY - Field Day is coming! Please be sure your child has water, appropriate shoes for field day, and please apply sunscreen before your child comes to school. The weather looks like it’s going to be beautiful!

ON THE HORIZON

5/22-5/24 - 5/6 to camp

5/24 - 7/8 Choir Concert @Forsythe 6:30-7:00

5/24 - 5th-8th grade Spring Orchestra Concert @ Forsythe 7:00-8:30

5/25 - Field Day

5/29 - No school, Memorial day

6/1 - Ice Cream Social, 6:00PM

6/3 - School of Rock Musical

6/8 - 8th Grade Promotion

6/9 - Last day of school, ½ day, dismissal 10:47AM

May 15

NEWCOMER FAIR - The 4th Annual AAPS Newcomer Family Fair will be held on May 16th at Pioneer High School. School leaders are invited to attend and connect with recently arrived AAPS Multilingual Families. Translated invitations will be shared with EL families in the coming weeks.

FIELD DAY - Thanks for the incredible response Jodi and Jesse are both all set for volunteers for Field Day across all grades! We look forward to a great day for all our kids in Y5-8th grade.

PE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM - Several of our PE classes have been moved outdoors with the nice weather. If you are on campus during the school day, please do not walk through our outdoor classrooms (fields). It is not safe for our students or visitors.

POOL FAMILY NIGHTS - Exciting news from the Pool! Next week we have the opportunity to have 2 parent/guardian/adult pool nights. These will be split by grades. During the sessions swimmers will have the opportunity to showcase all they have learned this year and their amazing swimming skills. At the end of each session there will be about 20 minutes of free time where parent/guardian/adult from home can get in the pool with their swimmer to play and try some skills. See schedule below:

Tuesday, May 16

3/4 :

Locker room opens at 5:00 for changing

Showcase lesson > 5:10-5:20

Free Time > 5:20-5:45

5/6 :

Locker room opens at 5:45 for changing

Showcase lesson > 6:00-6:10

Free Time > 6:10-6:30

Facility closes at 6:50

Wednesday, May 17

The K and 1/2 sessions will occur right after Literacy Night.

Kindergarten:

Locker room opens at 5:00 for changing

Showcase lesson > 5:15-5:25

There is a 10 minute gap for the 1/2s to do their lesson.

Free Time > 5:35-5:55

1/2 :

Locker room opens at 5:00 for changing

Showcase lesson > 5:25-5:35

Free Time > 5:35-5:55

Facility closes at 6:10

Y5, K, 1/2 Families - We are hosting a Family Literacy Event at Open for incoming Y5/K, current Y5/K and 1/2 families! This will be Wednesday, May 17th from 3:30-5:00. The AADL Story Tellers will be here and we will have button making, popsicles, and a free book giveaway! Students can also play Brainball in the gym or do an interactive story walk. All activities will be in the pool lobby area and the gym.

Parents, we could use a few more volunteers! If you would like to help, please sign up HERE.

2023-2024 Calendar - The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Monday, August 28th.

Our calendar teams continue their diligent work on the full detail of the 2023-24 calendar, and we will share that information as soon as it is finalized.

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS - Congratulations to the Ann Arbor Open students (and alums) who competed at the International Academic Competitions Michigan Regionals in April, 2023.

Every one of our kids earned a 1st or 2nd place medal (or both) in History, Geography, and/or Science, qualifying for Nationals! Best of luck to all who will be competing at the 2023 International Academic Competitions National Championships in Arlington, Virginia in June!

For more information on joining current practice sessions or for questions on competing in 2024, reach out to AAO 7th grade parent/coach, Cecelia Ober (O'Lor) at ceceliaober@yahoo.com or 734-330-4175. See also: https://usa.iacompetitions.com/

ON THE HORIZON

5/16-5/19 - 7/8 to camp

5/17 - Literacy Night, 3:30-5:00

5/19 - Half Day, Dismissal at 10:47AM

5/22-5/24 - 5/6 to camp

5/25 - Field Day

5/24 - Spring Orchestra Concert @ Forsythe 7:00-8:30

5/29 - No school, Memorial day

6/1 - Ice Cream Social, 6:00PM

6/3 - School of Rock Musical

6/9 - Last day of school, ½ day

May 8

NEW INFORMATION

PLANT SALE - Plant Sale – Support the 7/8 camp trip!

Mother’s Day is approaching, and we are offering a mix of baskets to be picked up May 12 at our school (more details will be shared). Price: 1 basket for $25 or 2 baskets for $45.00

Payment methods:

Venmo: handle stephanievhall plus last four digits of the phone (8656).

Paypal: (handle is stephanievhall@gmail.com).

Check (payable to AAOCC/memo: 7/8 Camp trip) or cash (total amount to be paid – no change)

Only 60 baskets are offered. You can reserve your baskets and find more details by clicking in the following link: Plant sale May 12_preorder sign sheet: HERE.

FIELD DAY - May 25th! Field Day is just around the corner and we are still in need of some additional volunteers!

The event will take place on Thursday, May 25th at Open! Mrs. Kinnard is running 5th-8th grade Field Day and is all set on volunteers, but help is still needed for Y5-2nd grade and 3rd/4th grade events.

Y5-2nd runs from 845-1015 and 3/4 runs from 130-3. If you are interested in helping out at your child's session please email Jesse (deucherj@aaps.k12.mi.us).

DINE TO DONATE: Wednesday, May 10 from 12:00PM - 7:00PM, dine in or take carry out from El Harissa and 10% of sales will be donated back to open when you mention Ann Arbor Open at check out. Funds raised will be contributed to support 7th/8th grade camp. Click HERE for more information.

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

CHROMEBOOKS- With testing season upon us, it is important for your student(s) to be in the habit of bringing charged devices to school every day. We do not have the loaners needed to maintain our current pace of loaning to students who forget their device.

YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST - The annual yearbook cover contest has begun- please see DETAILS HERE. Submit entries via email directly to Ko or to your classroom teacher- we will not be able to include late entries. All entries are due by May 8.

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM LIBRARY:

Dear Families,

For returning families, you might remember that library circulation is stopped right before the Memorial Day weekend so that we can finish inventory and get all the books safely back on the shelf, ready for next year. This year it will be a little different given that the entire library will be packed up and stored over the summer. We need to make sure all the books are back and accounted for so I wanted to let you know that this coming week (May 1 - -May 5) will be the last week of check-out from the library. Please help your students take advantage of this opportunity to check-out a final book from the library for this school year.

It will definitely be a project to pack our books for their unusual summer vacation but I am hoping that it can be done in such a way that it will be easy to unpack them for the start of school this coming September. For the last few weeks of school students will continue to come to library and I’ll be promoting books, reading, and all the fun summer reading activities in Ann Arbor.

Thanks for your help all year long in getting your students to find and return their books and most importantly to foster their love of reading. This quote from one of my favorite author’s Kate DiCamillo is how I feel about reading - “Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or a duty. It should be offered as a gift.” There is nothing better than seeing a kiddo excited by a book they read or had read to them. For families with y5 – 2 students be sure to come to our Family Literacy Event on Wednesday May 17th after school from 3:30 – 5:00. Watch for details.

In reading,

Christine

ON THE HORIZON

5/8 -5/12 Staff Appreciation Week

5/10 - Band Concert, 6th, 7th, 8th @ Slauson MS

5/11 - 5th Grade Instrumental Music Concert, 6:30

5/12 - 7th and 8th grade dance, 6:30

5/16-5/19 - 7/8 to camp

5/17 - Literacy Night, 3:30-5:00

5/19 - Half Day, Dismissal at 10:47AM

5/22-5/24 - 5/6 to camp

5/25 - Field Day

5/24 - Spring Orchestra Concert @ Forsythe 7:00-8:30

5/29 - No school, Memorial day

6/1 - Ice Cream Social, 6:00PM

6/3 - School of Rock Musical

6/9 - Last day of school, ½ day

May 1

NO SCHOOL MAY 2 - There is no school for students Tuesday, May 2nd. Teachers will be in meetings.

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM LIBRARY:

Dear Families,

In reading,

Christine

TALENT SHOW - Johnny T's class is hosting a 1-6 talent show fundraiser on May 19! Check out the audition form for more details. Auditions will take place during the school day. Forms must be turned in no later than May 1. They can be turned in to the office or directly to Johnny T. Email thompsonj@aaps.k12.mi.us with any questions! LINK

RIDER OF THE WEEK - Did you know your student can start riding the bus to and/or from Open at any point during the school year? Well, they can!

Students who live 1.5 miles or more from Open are able to take a bus from their home school or other nearby elementary school in the morning. In the afternoons, buses take students back to their home school where they even have the option to attend aftercare, if available at that location! Students can transfer buses to be taken all the way to their neighborhood! Families who opt to have their students ride the bus help to reduce the number of cars in our school parking lot.

Current A2O bus routes can be found here! Becoming a bus rider is as simple as emailing Ashanda or Laura so they can let the drivers know to be expecting your student!

*THIS Monday, May 1st* Going Back to Big!

Mon. 5/1 | 6-9pm Best in Games Fundraiser 4095 Carpenter Rd, across from Cinemark Theaters

All grades are welcome at this community event to help raise funds for the BIG(ger) kids' 7/8 Camp trip. This is NOT a school night, as Tues. May 2nd is an AAPS day off! ????

How it works: Each person pays $30 and gets a 3 hour wristband for unlimited laser tag, bumper cars, trampoline park, tsunami launch, jousting, grave digger VR ride, and drop tower (some of
these attractions require gripper socks, which are an additional $3 or you can bring your own).

We will receive 20% of the sales!

There are 3 ways to purchase a wristband:

Buy in advance via the BIG portal -- This is the best way to pay to avoid the line and it helps us know how many people (and profits!) to expect.
Buy at the door - "Ann Arbor Open 7/8 Camp Fundraiser" will be an option on the kiosk.
Buy from us directly. Send in cash or venmo (@stephanievhall) and we’ll have a wristband for you at the door the night of the event.

Contact for questions: ceceliaober@yahoo.com or stephanievhall@gmail.com

EUCHRE NIGHT - Join us for euchre night to support 7/8 grade camp! Friday, May 5th, 6:30-9:30

April 24, 2023

RIDER OF THE WEEK - Did you know your student can start riding the bus to and/or from Open at any point during the school year? Well, they can!

Students, who live 1.5 miles or more from Open, are able to take a bus from their home school, or other nearby elementary school, in the morning. In the afternoons, buses take students back to their home school where they even have the option to transfer buses to be taken all the way to their neighborhood! Families who opt to have their students ride the bus help to reduce the number of cars in our school parking lot.

Current A2O bus routes can be found here! Becoming a bus rider is as simple as emailing Ashanda or Laura so they can let the drivers know to be expecting your student!

AA Open Outdoors - Sat. 4/29 and Sat. 5/20 | 2:30-5pm Outdoor Workdays are here!

Join us on the school grounds to get your hands dirty or cheer us on! We’ll have a picnic dinner opportunity afterwards to celebrate each other. Come for either or both!

Questions? a2outdoors@aaopencc.org

High School Students, Testing Out - Testing Out to earn credit for AAPS high school courses is scheduled for June 22 and 27, 2023. In order to test out of a course for next year, students must register in advance. Registration is available April 3 - May 1. No late registration is available after May 1. All details are available on the AAPS website, search "testing out"on the district website to locate the information page or use this link: https://www.a2schools.org/Page/4114

Contact Mike Gottliebsen, gottlie@aaps.k12.mi.us or the email shown on the website with any questions.

Going Back to BIG!

Mon. 5/1 | 6-9pm Best in Games Fundraiser 4095 Carpenter Rd, across from Cinemark Theaters

We will receive 20% of the sales!

There are 3 ways to purchase a wristband:

Buy in advance via the BIG portal -- This is the best way to pay to avoid the line and it helps us know how many people (and profits!) to expect.
Buy at the door - "Ann Arbor Open 7/8 Camp Fundraiser" will be an option on the kiosk.
Buy from us directly. Send in cash or venmo (@stephanievhall) and we’ll have a wristband for you at the door the night of the event.

Contact for questions: ceceliaober@yahoo.com or stephanievhall@gmail.com

ON THE HORIZON

4/24 - AAOC General Assembly Meeting, 7:00PM

4/29 - Outdoor Workday

4/29 - Spring Gear Swap

5/1 - Best in Games Fundraiser

5/2 - No School, Teacher PD

5/3 - Kindergarten Welcome

5/10 - Band Concert, 6th, 7th, 8th @ Slauson MS

5/29 - No school, Memorial day

6/1 - Ice Cream Social

6/9 - Last day of school, ½ day

April 10, 2023

PSAT - THIS WEDNESDAY (4/12) - 8th grade students take PSAT this Wednesday, 4/12. 7th grade students have a late arrival, 11:59AM. 7th grade students who ride the bus can expect the bus to arrive 3 hours and 20 minutes later than their typical morning time. Please note, across the district, 6th and 7th grade students have a late arrival. At Open, late arrival is for 7th grade only.

AA Open Outdoors - Sat. 4/29 and Sat. 5/20 | 2:30-5pm Outdoor Workdays are here!

Join us on the school grounds to get your hands dirty or cheer us on! We’ll have a picnic dinner opportunity afterwards to celebrate each other. Come for either or both!

Questions? a2outdoors@aaopencc.org

Contact Mike Gottliebsen, gottlie@aaps.k12.mi.us or the email shown on the website with any questions.

RIDER OF THE WEEK - Did you know your student can start riding the bus to and/or from Open at any point during the school year? Well, they can!

Current A2O bus routes can be found here! Becoming a bus rider is as simple as emailing Ashanda or Laura so they can let the drivers know to be expecting your student!

Going Back to BIG!

Mon. 5/1 | 6-9pm Best in Games Fundraiser 4095 Carpenter Rd, across from Cinemark Theaters

We will receive 20% of the sales!

There are 3 ways to purchase a wristband:

Buy in advance via the BIG portal -- This is the best way to pay to avoid the line and it helps us know how many people (and profits!) to expect.
Buy at the door - "Ann Arbor Open 7/8 Camp Fundraiser" will be an option on the kiosk.
Buy from us directly. Send in cash or venmo (@stephanievhall) and we’ll have a wristband for you at the door the night of the event.

Contact for questions: ceceliaober@yahoo.com or stephanievhall@gmail.com

ON THE HORIZON

4/10 - Student Council meeting, 8:30 in Jennifer’s room

4/12 - PSAT, Grade 8 - late arrival 7th grade only

4/20 - Early Release

4/21 - ***Eid al-Fitr begins @ sunset

4/24 - AAOC General Assembly Meeting, 7:00PM

4/29 - Outdoor Workday

4/29 - Spring Gear Swap

5/1 - Best in Games Fundraiser

5/2 - No School, Teacher PD

April 10, 2023

AA Open Outdoors - Sat. 4/29 and Sat. 5/20 | 2:30-5pm Outdoor Workdays are here!

Join us on the school grounds to get your hands dirty or cheer us on! We’ll have a picnic dinner opportunity afterwards to celebrate each other. Come for either or both!

Questions? a2outdoors@aaopencc.org

Contact Mike Gottliebsen, gottlie@aaps.k12.mi.us or the email shown on the website with any questions.

RIDER OF THE WEEK - Did you know your student can start riding the bus to and/or from Open at any point during the school year? Well, they can!

Current A2O bus routes can be found here! Becoming a bus rider is as simple as emailing Ashanda or Laura so they can let the drivers know to be expecting your student!

Going Back to BIG!

Mon. 5/1 | 6-9pm Best in Games Fundraiser 4095 Carpenter Rd, across from Cinemark Theaters

All grades are welcome at this community event to help raise funds for the BIG(ger) kids' 7/8 Camp trip.

This is NOT a school night, as Tues. May 2nd is an AAPS day off! ????

How it works: Each person pays $30 and gets a 3 hour wristband for unlimited laser tag, bumper cars, trampoline park, tsunami launch, jousting, grave digger VR ride, and drop tower (some of
these attractions require gripper socks, which are an additional $3 or you can bring your own).

We will receive 20% of the sales!

There are 3 ways to purchase a wristband:

Buy in advance via the BIG portal -- This is the best way to pay to avoid the line and it helps us know how many people (and profits!) to expect.
Buy at the door - "Ann Arbor Open 7/8 Camp Fundraiser" will be an option on the kiosk.
Buy from us directly. Send in cash or venmo (@stephanievhall) and we’ll have a wristband for you at the door the night of the event.

Contact for questions: ceceliaober@yahoo.com or stephanievhall@gmail.com

ON THE HORIZON

4/10 - Student Council meeting, 8:30 in Jennifer’s room

4/12 - PSAT, Grade 8 - late arrival 7th grade only

4/20 - Early Release

4/24 - AAOC General Assembly Meeting, 7:00PM

4/29 - Outdoor Workday

4/29 - Spring Gear Swap

5/1 - Best in Games Fundraiser

5/2 - No School, Teacher PD

March 20, 2023

NEW INFORMATION

FOCUS STUDIES - So Monday is the big day, the first Focus Study session in three years! Thanks so much for your help in getting your student's forms in on time so we could make the studies, your donations, and your willingness to teach a study or help with one. Here are a few things we could still use :

Straws - especially colorful ones
Frames (glass not needed)
Strips of fabric, ribbon, or other sewing trims
Dodads like buttons, beads, fake flowers, etc.
thin gauge wire
7 more milk jugs

Also we are looking for a couple volunteers - 3 on Thursday and 1 on Friday. Just for the hour from 8:30 until 9:30. If that's something you could do please send an email to Christine, deucher@aaps.k12.mi.us We are so excited and extremely grateful for all your support.

CRAZY SOCK DAY (3/21) - Crazy sock day is March 31, the day each year when people around the world promote Down Syndrome awareness by wearing wild and mismatched socks to school or work.

MARCH IS READING MONTH - Spirit Day Friday (3/24). “We’ve read all month long! Wear something red today!”

RIDER OF THE WEEK - Did you know your student can start riding the bus to and/or from Open at any point during the school year? Well, they can!

Current A2O bus routes can be found here! Becoming a bus rider is as simple as emailing Ashanda or Laura so they can let the drivers know to be expecting your student!

Academic Trivia Fun!: - DEADLINE APPROACHING: The Online Regional Qualifying Exams will remain open until April 1.

All students are invited to take advantage of a fun opportunity that presents itself again this year. Join other students to play academic trivia games in a fun and informal atmosphere in preparation for the International Academic Competitions (IAC) season. No obligation to compete- just join our Zoom for the fun Bee questions or chat, if you prefer! Weekly meetings are ongoing and we invite kids to join right away.

International Academic Competitions (IAC) organizes buzzer-based quiz Bees in multiple subjects for all grades. The Online Regional Qualifying Exams are free and take 10-20 minutes to complete at home. There's no obligation to compete if one qualifies. The qualifying exams are fun multiple-choice tests and many students qualify, without special preparation, to compete in the Regional Finals for one or more of their National Bees! The ORQE deadline is April 1st.

Many Ann Arbor Open students participating in the 2022 competitions performed well enough to qualify to compete at the Regional and National level! Special congratulations to the 2022 Ann Arbor Open Elementary Division History Bowl team for winning the 2nd place trophy at the National Championships in Orlando, Fla in June, 2022!

For more information on joining our ongoing informal Bee practice sessions or for questions on competing in the 2023 IAC, reach out to AAO 7th grade parent/coach, Cecelia Ober (O'Lor) at ceceliaober@yahoo.com or 734-330-4175. See also: https://usa.iacompetitions.com/

ON THE HORIZON

3/20-3/24 - FOCUS STUDIES!!

3/21 - Crazy Sock Day

3/22 - High School counselors visit AAO @10:30AM

3/23 - ***Ramadan

Date may vary by one day depending on the individual's religious school of thought

3/24 - Elementary Report Cards home

3/24 - Spirit Day - Wear red!

3/27 - Spring Break

4/1 - Academic Games Online Regional Qualifying Exams deadline

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

FOCUS STUDIES - MARCH 20 - MARCH 24 - After THREE YEARS, Focus Studies return! For those who don't know what this is, it is a time when each of our teachers offer a class of interest and all students sign up for the activities that interest them. Students are assigned one of their choices and get to meet for an hour each day for one week. Students will get to work with new teachers and students in this fun-filled, whole-school experience. We are looking forward to this time.

March 13, 2023

POOL IS OPEN - Splish! Splash! Mack Pool is open for swim on Monday. Please send your student(s) with swim gear this week!

SPRING SPIRIT WEAR - Spirit wear orders are due Monday, 3/13. Please use this link to order: http://aaospiritwear.epizy.com/?i=1

FOCUS STUDIES WISH LIST - As we prepare for Focus Studies on March 20th, there are a variety of items that are needed. If you have any of these at home or would be willing to purchase, there is a box outside the main office for your donations:

Rubber Bands

Jumbo Sized and Regular Sized Craft Sticks

Wine Corks

Cardboard Tubes (Various diameters and lengths)

Straws (ideally colorful)

Wooden Dowels

Hot glue sticks

Scotch Tape

Wooden frames (no glass needed)

Yarn – all thickness

Any kind of fibers for weaving

Variety of papers – including cardstock of various thickness, tissue paper, etc.

Thin gauge wire (28)

Strips of fabric, ribbon, or other trims

Twine or string – colored is great

Miscellaneous craft items like beads, pompoms, silk flowers or the like

Craft glue

Plastic milk jugs – any size

MARCH IS READING MONTH - This Friday, March 17th is our next spirit wear day! Wear Green!!

AAOCC - This month’s General Assembly Meeting is Monday, March 13 from 7:00PM - 8:30PM. ZOOM LINK

SCIENCE/MAKER FAIR and BOOK FAIR - Parents, if you have a budding inventor/creator/collector/scientist in your house, this Fair is their chance to share it, and we would love to see what they are interested in!

Learn more about the Fair: http://bit.ly/aaosciencemaker

See the Volunteer options: AAO Science & Maker Fair - Volunteer

If you like being a behind the scenes kind of worker, this is the event for you. We need people who can:

set up tables
folks willing to review 6 projects at various points throughout the evening
a couple photogs and videographers throughout the night
greeters (you're right, these are definitely not behind the scenes roles)
The next morning we need gym monitors as students come through with their classrooms.
teardown, clean up Friday afternoon

We can't wait to have these Fairs back and to be in the building again!

Questions? Thoughts? Contact: Vita Strumba and Pete Pasque: sciencemakerfair@aaopencc.org

ON THE HORIZON

3/13 - Spring spirit wear orders are due

3/16 - Science/Maker Fair and Book Fair 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

3/17 - Spirit Day - Wear Green!

3/18 - 7th and 8th grade ‘Bands in Review’ @ Pioneer High School

3/20-3/24 - FOCUS STUDIES!!

3/22 - High School counselors visit AAO @10:30AM

3/24 - Elementary Report Cards home

3/27 - Spring Break

March 6, 2023

NEW INFORMATION

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD - Science Olympiad is for grades 2-5. Practices start March 10th and will take place after school on Fridays. Students and volunteers are needed. Competition is May 13, 2023.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Erica McLeod ericamcleod@gmail.com or Erica Businski ericabusinski@gmail.com.

MARCH IS READING MONTH - This Thursday, March 9th is our next spirit wear day! ‘Snuggle up and Read!’ Wear your pajamas, bring a favorite stuffed animal, and snuggle up to read.

FOCUS STUDIES - MARCH 20 - MARCH 24

Focus studies return! For those who don't know what this is, it is a time when each of our teachers offer a class of interest and all students sign up for the activities that interest them. Students are assigned one of their choices and get to meet for an hour each day for one week. Students will get to work with new teachers and students in this fun-filled, whole-school experience. We are looking forward to this time.

MACK POOL - We anticipate a return to the pool on March 12. Please start sending swim gear with your student March 8 in case the motor is fixed sooner than anticipated.

Learn more about the Fair: http://bit.ly/aaosciencemaker

See the Volunteer options: AAO Science & Maker Fair - Volunteer

If you like being a behind the scenes kind of worker, this is the event for you. We need people who can:

set up tables
folks willing to review 6 projects at various points throughout the evening
a couple photogs and videographers throughout the night
greeters (you're right, these are definitely not behind the scenes roles)
The next morning we need gym monitors as students come through with their classrooms.
teardown, clean up Friday afternoon

We can't wait to have these Fairs back and to be in the building again!

Questions? Thoughts? Contact: Vita Strumba and Pete Pasque: sciencemakerfair@aaopencc.org

ON THE HORIZON

3/8 & 3/9 - 1/2 Vocal music concert

3/9 - Pajama Day for March is Reading Month

3/12 - Daylight Savings

3/16 - Science/Maker Fair and Book Fair 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

3/18 - 7th and 8th grade ‘Bands in Review’ @ Pioneer High School

3/20-3/24 - FOCUS STUDIES!!

3/24 - Elementary Report Cards home

3/22 - High School counselors visit AAO @10:30AM

3/27 - Spring Break

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

AAPS Health Alert

Washtenaw County is experiencing an increase in Norovirus, a gastrointestinal illness that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Over the past week, some AAPS students and staff have reported gastrointestinal symptoms and illness.

Norovirus spreads easily, and can survive for long periods of time on surfaces. Protect yourself, your family, and others:

Wash hands with soap and water often

Stay home if you are ill

Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces

Do not prepare food for others if you're sick

AAPS monitors illness and absence rates across our buildings. As with other communicable diseases, families are notified if classroom or building levels of gastrointestinal illness reach 20%. A cleaning and disinfection process occurs after clusters of gastrointestinal illness.

February 27, 2023

MACK POOL - Due to complications from the power outage, our pool is closed until at least Tuesday. We will keep you updated.

MARCH IS READING MONTH - We are looking forward to many fun activities for March is Reading Month. We kick off Wednesday with a spirit day! “Reading jogs our minds”....wear jogging pants or workout gear to school on Wednesday. Friday, wear all black. Turn off electronics and read by flashlight in the dark!

HALF DAY FRIDAY - We dismiss at 10:47 this Friday.

LUNCH AVAILABLE FRIDAY - Since our half day ends at 10:47, students will not have lunch in the cafeteria like they do during a typical school day. Students will remain in their classroom until dismissal. There is an option for students to purchase a bagged lunch to-go. We will use the same process as we would for a ‘hot lunch’ during a typical school day. If your child will get a ‘hot lunch’ on Friday, their teacher will arrange for them to go through the lunch line to get their lunch, prior to dismissal. Students may not eat lunches on the bus.

AAPS Health Alert

Norovirus spreads easily, and can survive for long periods of time on surfaces. Protect yourself, your family, and others:

Wash hands with soap and water often

Stay home if you are ill

Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces

Do not prepare food for others if you're sick

ON THE HORIZON

2/28 - 7th and 8th grade orchestra night at Hill Auditorium, 7:00PM - 9:00PM

3/1 - Spirit Day - Wear joggers or workout gear

3/3 - Half Day of School, dismissal 10:47

3/3 - Spirit Day - Wear black! Turn off electronics and read by flashlight in the dark!

3/8 & 3/9 - 1/2 Vocal music concert

3/12 - Daylight Savings

3/20-3/24 - FOCUS STUDIES!!

3/22 - High School counselors visit AAO @10:30AM

3/27 - Spring Break

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

FOCUS STUDIES

As we continue to work toward rebuilding pre-Covid experiences, we are excited to share that we will be having Focus Studies this spring! For those who don't know what this is, it is a time when each of our teachers offer a class of interest and all students sign up for the activities that interest them. Students are assigned one of their choices and get to meet for an hour each day for one week. Students will get to work with new teachers and students in this fun-filled, whole-school experience. We are looking forward to this time. Please keep watch for more information about this year’s focus studies.

HALF DAYS

Please mark your calendars! We have two half days, March 3 and May 19. Times for both days were listed incorrectly on the district calendar. They have been corrected. Our new dismissal time on both days is 10:47AM.

My Stop Bus Route Location and Arrival App

The new My Stop bus route location and arrival app is now available for AAPS families who have students assigned to a bus route. If your student is a bus rider, you should have received an email from our front office last week with information on how to download the app and connect your students. More information is available here.

FUNDRAISING NIGHT GRADES 5/6:

Mark your calendars! BIG (Best In Games) Fundraiser!

All the 5/6 classes are having a Fundraising night at Best In Games (4095 Carpenter Rd, across from Cinemark Theaters) on Thursday, March 2nd, 5:30-8:30pm.

Here’s how it works:

Each person pays $30 and gets a 3 hour wristband for unlimited laser tag, bumper cars, trampoline park, tsunami launch, jousting, grave digger VR ride, and drop tower (some of these attractions require gripper socks, which are an additional $3).
We’ll get 20% of wristband sales.

There are three options for getting a wristband:

1. Buy via the BIG portal -- https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/zapzone-annarbor/items/435718/availability/1120728736/book/?full-items=yes

2. Buy at the door - "Ann Arbor Open 5/6 Camping Fundraiser" will be an option on the kiosk.

3. Buy from us directly. Send in cash (or venmo Heather Pettys at @hpetteys or Ko at

@ko-shih) and we’ll have a wristband for you at the door the night of the event.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to come for the evening, so spread the word!!

February 20, 2023

NEW INFORMATION

GRADES 1/2 SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

AAPS Health Alert

Norovirus spreads easily, and can survive for long periods of time on surfaces. Protect yourself, your family, and others:

Wash hands with soap and water often

Stay home if you are ill

Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces

Do not prepare food for others if you're sick

Additional resources:

American Academy of Pediatrics - 7 Truths & Tips for Survival of Stomach Bugs When They Hit Your Home
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - About Norovirus
Washtenaw County Health Department - Norovirus Fact Sheet

AAOCC - This month’s general assembly meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 22nd at 7:00PM. This month’s FiFun meeting will be Thursday at 7:00PM. I look forward to seeing you all at Wednesday’s meeting. I am out of the building Thursday and Friday this week and will see you at next month’s FiFun meeting.

ON THE HORIZON

2/20 - No school

2/21 - Random selection numbers announced

2/28 - 7th/8th grade Orchestra Night at Hill Auditorium, 7:00PM - 9:00PM

3/3 - Half Day of School, dismissal 10:47

3/22 - High school counselors visit Ann Arbor Open

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

FOCUS STUDIES

HALF DAYS

Please mark your calendars! We have two half days, March 3 and May 19. Times for both days were listed incorrectly on the district calendar. They have been corrected. Our new dismissal time on both days is 10:47AM.

My Stop Bus Route Location and Arrival App

The new My Stop bus route location and arrival app is now available for AAPS families who have students assigned to a bus route. If your student is a bus rider, you should have received an email from our front office last week with information on how to download the app and connect your students. More information is available here.

FUNDRAISING NIGHT GRADES 5/6:

Mark your calendars! BIG (Best In Games) Fundraiser!

All the 5/6 classes are having a Fundraising night at Best In Games (4095 Carpenter Rd, across from Cinemark Theaters) on Thursday, March 2nd, 5:30-8:30pm.

Here’s how it works:

Each person pays $30 and gets a 3 hour wristband for unlimited laser tag, bumper cars, trampoline park, tsunami launch, jousting, grave digger VR ride, and drop tower (some of these attractions require gripper socks, which are an additional $3).
We’ll get 20% of wristband sales.

There are three options for getting a wristband:

1. Buy via the BIG portal -- https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/zapzone-annarbor/items/435718/availability/1120728736/book/?full-items=yes

2. Buy at the door - "Ann Arbor Open 5/6 Camping Fundraiser" will be an option on the kiosk.

3. Buy from us directly. Send in cash (or venmo Heather Pettys at @hpetteys or Ko at

@ko-shih) and we’ll have a wristband for you at the door the night of the event.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to come for the evening, so spread the word!!

February 13, 2023

NEW INFORMATION

NAAPID

Tomorrow we celebrate National African American Parent Involvement Day. This year, NAAPID is being celebrated in individual classrooms. Very soon you will receive information about some projects that will take place at our school over the summer. Next year, as a result of construction, we will once again have space to invite our families into our buildings for assemblies, coffees, NAAPID breakfast, and other events.

FOCUS STUDIES

HALF DAYS

Please mark your calendars! We have two half days, March 3 and May 19. Times for both days were listed incorrectly on the district calendar. They have been corrected. Our new dismissal time on both days is 10:47AM.

My Stop Bus Route Location and Arrival App

The new My Stop bus route location and arrival app is now available for AAPS families who have students assigned to a bus route. If your student is a bus rider, you should have received an email from our front office last week with information on how to download the app and connect your students. More information is available here.

FUNDRAISING NIGHT GRADES 5/6:

Mark your calendars! BIG (Best In Games) Fundraiser!

All the 5/6 classes are having a Fundraising night at Best In Games (4095 Carpenter Rd, across from Cinemark Theaters) on Thursday, March 2nd, 5:30-8:30pm.

Here’s how it works:

Each person pays $30 and gets a 3 hour wristband for unlimited laser tag, bumper cars, trampoline park, tsunami launch, jousting, grave digger VR ride, and drop tower (some of these attractions require gripper socks, which are an additional $3).
We’ll get 20% of wristband sales.

There are three options for getting a wristband:

1. Buy via the BIG portal -- https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/zapzone-annarbor/items/435718/availability/1120728736/book/?full-items=yes

2. Buy at the door - "Ann Arbor Open 5/6 Camping Fundraiser" will be an option on the kiosk.

3. Buy from us directly. Send in cash (or venmo Heather Pettys at @hpetteys or Ko at

@ko-shih) and we’ll have a wristband for you at the door the night of the event.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to come for the evening, so spread the word!!

ON THE HORIZON

2/13 - NAAPID

2/13 - Enrollment Survey, last day

2/13 - 100th Day of School

2/14 - Happy Valentine’s Day

2/16 - Random selection drawing

2/20 - No school

2/21 - Random selection numbers announced

3/3 - Half Day of School, dismissal 10:47

3/22 - High school counselors visit Ann Arbor Open

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

HALF DAYS

Please mark your calendars! We have two half days, March 3 and May 19. Times for both days were listed incorrectly on the district calendar. They have been corrected. Our new dismissal time on both days is 10:47AM.

My Stop Bus Route Location and Arrival App

The new My Stop bus route location and arrival app is now available for AAPS families who have students assigned to a bus route. If your student is a bus rider, you should have received an email from our front office last week with information on how to download the app and connect your students. More information is available here.

FUNDRAISING NIGHT GRADES 5/6:

Mark your calendars! BIG (Best In Games) Fundraiser!

All the 5/6 classes are having a Fundraising night at Best In Games (4095 Carpenter Rd, across from Cinemark Theaters) on Thursday, March 2nd, 5:30-8:30pm.

Here’s how it works:

Each person pays $30 and gets a 3 hour wristband for unlimited laser tag, bumper cars, trampoline park, tsunami launch, jousting, grave digger VR ride, and drop tower (some of these attractions require gripper socks, which are an additional $3).
We’ll get 20% of wristband sales.

There are three options for getting a wristband:

1. Buy via the BIG portal -- https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/zapzone-annarbor/items/435718/availability/1120728736/book/?full-items=yes

2. Buy at the door - "Ann Arbor Open 5/6 Camping Fundraiser" will be an option on the kiosk.

3. Buy from us directly. Send in cash (or venmo Heather Pettys at @hpetteys or Ko at

@ko-shih) and we’ll have a wristband for you at the door the night of the event.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to come for the evening, so spread the word!!

February 6, 2023

NEW INFORMATION

HALF DAYS

Please mark your calendars! We have two half days, March 3 and May 19. Times for both days were listed incorrectly on the district calendar. They have been corrected. Our new dismissal time on both days is 10:47AM.

My Stop Bus Route Location and Arrival App

The new My Stop bus route location and arrival app is now available for AAPS families who have students assigned to a bus route. If your student is a bus rider, you should have received an email from our front office last week with information on how to download the app and connect your students. More information is available here.

FUNDRAISING NIGHT GRADES 5/6:

Mark your calendars! BIG (Best In Games) Fundraiser!

All the 5/6 classes are having a Fundraising night at Best In Games (4095 Carpenter Rd, across from Cinemark Theaters) on Thursday, March 2nd, 5:30-8:30pm.

Here’s how it works:

Each person pays $30 and gets a 3 hour wristband for unlimited laser tag, bumper cars, trampoline park, tsunami launch, jousting, grave digger VR ride, and drop tower (some of these attractions require gripper socks, which are an additional $3).
We’ll get 20% of wristband sales.

There are three options for getting a wristband:

1. Buy via the BIG portal -- https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/zapzone-annarbor/items/435718/availability/1120728736/book/?full-items=yes

2. Buy at the door - "Ann Arbor Open 5/6 Camping Fundraiser" will be an option on the kiosk.

3. Buy from us directly. Send in cash (or venmo Heather Pettys at @hpetteys or Ko at

@ko-shih) and we’ll have a wristband for you at the door the night of the event.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to come for the evening, so spread the word!!

NO LEFT TURN ON MILLER - During arrival or dismissal

There is an alternate/easy route. From A2O parking lot:

Turn RIGHT onto Red Oak and follow it past the church until the first stop sign on Mixtwood;
Turn RIGHT onto Mixtwood and go one block to the T intersection at Brooks;
Turn RIGHT onto Brooks;
Take the 2nd LEFT onto Summit.
From here, you can stay on Summit which is a semi-major thoroughfare that goes all the way to North Main Street with an easy-ish route to UM Hospital or the M-14 on-ramp.
OR, from Summit, take the 1st RIGHT onto Gott, then LEFT onto Felch which you can take all the way down to Ashley or Main for a very easy route to downtown Ann Arbor, UM Central Campus, or to South Main Street past downtown.
And while it's not a preferred route given the high amount of foot traffic from families coming to school from that direction, you can also stay on Brooks until you get back to Miller as a way to go south on 7th to get back to Eberwhite or beyond.

ON THE HORIZON

2/9 - Kindergarten Music Concert, 6:00 PM, Open Auditorium

2/13 - NAAPID

2/13 - Enrollment Survey, last day

2/13 - 100th Day of School

2/20 - No school

3/3 - Half Day of School

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

Girls on the Run: Anna Courage is coordinating this for our school. We are looking for coaches and volunteers for this upcoming GOTR season.

Here is a link, if you would like to read more about the program.

https://www.girlsontherun.org/get-involved/coach/

You can email Anna (couragea@aaps.k12.mi.us) if you are interested or have any questions.

ENROLLMENT SURVEY - DUE 2/13/2023

It is that time of year when we begin to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year. The enrollment survey is now open through Monday, February 13, 2023. Included in this message:

Link to current enrollment survey. https://forms.gle/GJJj94F1PZV2WQUq9 You must complete one form for each child you have enrolled or wish to enroll
Timeline for enrollment and our Open lottery TIMELINE and OVERVIEW
Is my child ready for kindergarten or should we choose Young 5's? To be eligible for Y5, your child must turn 5 between May 1, 2023 - December 1, 2023. Attached is a brief overview or guide. Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Please send any questions to our school email, aaopen@aaps.k12.mi.us.

January 30, 2023

NEW INFORMATION

Girls on the Run: Anna Courage is coordinating this for our school. We are looking for coaches and volunteers for this upcoming GOTR season.

Here is a link, if you would like to read more about the program.

https://www.girlsontherun.org/get-involved/coach/

You can email Anna (couragea@aaps.k12.mi.us) if you are interested or have any questions.

AAOCC General Assembly - Please join us Monday, January 30th at 7:00pm for our next general assembly meeting. Zoom link:

https://umich.zoom.us/j/93262075680?pwd=WDVvUUtOcG9sdzVoSldsU3Z6dThXUT09

NO HEELYS - Our number one priority is always student safety. Heelys have become a safety concern during lunch through the hallways as well as other times during the day. Heelys are not allowed in our school. Please have your student choose another pair of shoes or take the wheel out of the heelys for school.

CHROMEBOOKS - Please remind students to bring their charged Chromebooks to school. Most days our loaners from the office, all 30, are gone by 8:30AM. Students should bring them to school every day, but especially on days they have Spanish and library.

ON THE HORIZON

1/30 - AAOCC General Assembly Meeting

1/31 - Early Release, school dismisses at 12:48PM

2/1 - Global School Play Day

2/13 - NAAPID

2/13 - Enrollment Survey, last day

2/13 - 100th Day of School

2/20 - No school

3/3 - Half Day of School

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

ENROLLMENT SURVEY - DUE 2/13/2023

It is that time of year when we begin to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year. The enrollment survey is now open through Monday, February 13, 2023. Included in this message:

Link to current enrollment survey. https://forms.gle/GJJj94F1PZV2WQUq9 You must complete one form for each child you have enrolled or wish to enroll
Timeline for enrollment and our Open lottery TIMELINE and OVERVIEW
Is my child ready for kindergarten or should we choose Young 5's? To be eligible for Y5, your child must turn 5 between May 1, 2023 - December 1, 2023. Attached is a brief overview or guide. Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Please send any questions to our school email, aaopen@aaps.k12.mi.us.

January 16, 2023

NEW INFORMATION

ENROLLMENT SURVEY - DUE 2/13/2023

It is that time of year when we begin to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year. The enrollment survey is now open through Monday, February 13, 2023. Included in this message:

Link to current enrollment survey. https://forms.gle/GJJj94F1PZV2WQUq9 You must complete one form for each child you have enrolled or wish to enroll
Timeline for enrollment and our Open lottery TIMELINE and OVERVIEW
Is my child ready for kindergarten or should we choose Young 5's? To be eligible for Y5, your child must turn 5 between May 1, 2023 - December 1, 2023. Attached is a brief overview or guide. Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Please send any questions to our school email, aaopen@aaps.k12.mi.us.

PTOC Meeting - We invite you to join The PTOC and the PTOC Equity Committee on Monday January 23rd at 7 pm via zoom for a Superintendent Update as well as a PTO Equity update and planning session.

At this meeting we will discuss the findings of our AAPS PT(S)O Budget analysis and our plans for a kickoff fundraiser.

We would love for you to join us so that we can work together, as a community, to discover, ask questions, and push ourselves to fundraise equitably.

You do not need to be affiliated with a PTO or AAPS to join in this conversation. As we move to a broader scope with our work, we truly need all community hands on deck.

Please share this post, join us, and invite a friend or neighbor to join, too.

Topic: January PTOC General Membership Meeting

Time: Jan 23, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

[https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86193584069](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86193584069?fbclid=IwAR1CVHv_FOIriuS_s59t6wSuGTlrD_IshVBdrBInVf86jO17-wHHBbWWzSY)

Chromebooks - Please remind students to bring their charged Chromebooks to school. Most days our loaners from the office, all 30, are gone by 8:30AM. Students should bring them to school every day, but especially on days they have Spanish and library.

ON THE HORIZON

1/16 - No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/27 - Middle school grades posted in PS

1/31 - Early Release, school dismisses at 12:48PM

2/13 - NAAPID

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

MASK UPDATE

The mask requirement extends into this week and will be revisited January 20.. “On further consideration of the disruption caused for families when schools are closed due to illness and absences, and in light of the current health risks for our students and staff, we are updating the AAPS Health Advisory as follows: Masks are required while indoors in AAPS schools from January 9 - 20.” We have plenty of masks to give to children and adults. Students may remove their mask when they are engaged in aerobic activity. They are to put their mask back on once they are out of the pool/gym area.

ATTENDANCE REMINDER & WHEN TO STAY HOME

With cold and flu season upon us, please remember to consult the district’s guidelines for keeping students home. WHEN SHOULD A CHILD STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL? We want to keep our Open students and staff as healthy as possible!

January 8, 2023

Dear Open Families,

We hope your winter break was restorative and infused with joyful gatherings. May this new year be filled with learning, laughter, adventure, and wellness. It felt great to welcome our kids back to school this morning.

NEW INFORMATION

MASK UPDATE

Hopefully you saw Dr. Swift’s email yesterday. “On further consideration of the disruption caused for families when schools are closed due to illness and absences, and in light of the current health risks for our students and staff, we are updating the AAPS Health Advisory as follows: Masks are required while indoors in AAPS schools from January 9 - 20.” We have plenty of masks to give to children and adults. Students may remove their mask when they are engaged in aerobic activity. They are to put their mask back on once they are out of the pool/gym area.

ATTENDANCE REMINDER & WHEN TO STAY HOME

ARCHERY VOLUNTEERS- Volunteers Needed

Adults with archery experience are needed to volunteer to help our Archery team. If you love Archery and are looking for a way to be involved with the club at Ann Arbor Open, please email Cedric, Co-curricular Director, at yorkc@aaps.k12.mi.us for more details!

MLK Children and Youth Program

The University of Michigan School of Education is resuming its annual in-person MLK Children and Youth Program on January 16, 2023. It is the 25th Anniversary of the program, and Pre-K through 12th-grade students are invited to this special celebration and commemoration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

ON THE HORIZON

1/9 - School resumes

1/10 - 80th Day of School

1/16 - No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/20 - Quarter 2 Ends, Middle School

1/31 - Early Release, school dismisses at 12:48PM

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

WATER BOTTLES -We’d love to reduce the amount of paper waste at Open. At present, many kids use the paper cups at our water bottle filling stations. Rather than using paper, we encourage kids to bring a refillable water bottle to school.

CHROMEBOOKS - Please remind your student to bring Chromebooks on days they are needed. We have a spare cart that is emptied daily and when we run out, students don’t have one to use in class.

AAPS ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK - The Ann Arbor Public Schools presented their Environmental Sustainability Framework to the Board of Education on November 30, 2022. Currently, it is open for feedback from the entire community and will be voted on before the end of this calendar year.

This is a unique opportunity for teachers, students, and community members to have a say in the environmental future of AAPS and our world. Please

review the plan and participate in the ThoughtExchange conversation about the plan by December 11th. You can review the plan and get the link to share feedback here.

December 11, 2022

NEW INFORMATION

CHROMEBOOKS - Please remind your student to bring Chromebooks on days they are needed. We have a spare cart that is emptied daily and when we run out, students don’t have one to use in class.

This is a unique opportunity for teachers, students, and community members to have a say in the environmental future of AAPS and our world. Please

review the plan and participate in the ThoughtExchange conversation about the plan by December 11th. You can review the plan and get the link to share feedback here.

ON THE HORIZON

12/14 - Orchestra Winter Concert at Open, grade 6-8, 6:30PM - 7:30PM

12/23 - 1/6 - No school

1/9 - School resumes

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

RED OAK AND MILLER - Please Do Not Block the Crosswalk and No Left Turn onto Miller

Please remember when dropping off or picking up your student it is illegal to stop or stand in the crosswalk at Red Oak and Miller. AAPD has informed us that officers will be out again next week monitoring this intersection. They have been giving verbal warnings and may begin issuing tickets.

There is no left turn onto Miller at arrival or dismissal.

Thank you for helping to keep our students and neighbors safe and for keeping traffic moving efficiently.

WHOLE SCHOOL EVENTS - As we continue to work toward rebuilding pre-Covid experiences, we are excited to share that we will be having Focus Studies this spring! For those who don't know what this is, it is a time when each of our teachers offer a class of interest and all students sign up for the activities that interest them. Students are assigned one of their choices and get to meet for an hour each day for one week. Students will get to work with new teachers and students in this fun-filled, whole-school experience. We are looking forward to this time and to introducing more whole community events next year.

Please take a look at our school calendar for more exciting events such as orchestra night, plays, middle school dances, assemblies, etc.

December 4, 2022

NEW INFORMATION

RED OAK AND MILLER - Please Do Not Block the Crosswalk and No Left Turn onto Miller

There is no left turn onto Miller at arrival or dismissal.

Thank you for helping to keep our students and neighbors safe and for keeping traffic moving efficiently.

Please take a look at our school calendar for more exciting events such as orchestra night, plays, middle school dances, assemblies, etc.

COVID INFORMATION - As of December 2, Washtenaw County is in the CDC LOW/GREEN Community Level. Link to CDC Community Level page here.

The Ann Arbor Public Schools Fall 2022 Covid Guidance is available here.

You may review additional information on what to do if students, staff, or volunteers have COVID.

Fall 2022 Guidance on masking in AAPS schools:

Masks are strongly recommended indoors when CDC Community Level is ‘HIGH’- RED
Masks are encouraged indoors when CDC Community Level is ‘MEDIUM’ - Yellow
Masks are welcomed indoors when CDC Community Level is ‘LOW’ - Green

The AAPS Weekly COVID case dashboard and the biweekly outbreak report is available here.

ON THE HORIZON

12/1-12/7 - Hearing/vision screening

12/7 - Winter band concerts, grades 6-8 @ Slauson Middle School, 7:00PM - 9:00PM

12/9 - Open Play, performances 4:30 and 7:00

12/14 - Orchestra Winter Concert at Open, grade 6-8, 6:30PM - 7:30PM

12/23 - 1/6 - No school

1/9 - School resumes

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

HEARING/VISION SCREENING - Hearing and Vision Screening is scheduled for Thursday, December 1 through Wednesday, December 7.

TWITTER - Our Twitter account is back up and running. Follow us, @A2Open!

WINTER RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

For resources available to AAPS families and students during the Winter Giving Season, Please click THIS LINK.

November 27, 2022

Good Evening AAO,

I hope your break was joyful! This week I shared the following quote with our staff, “Instead of finishing the year strong, why don't we finish the year soft? Why don't we finish the year restful and grateful for making it through yet another crazy cycle on earth?”

We have just over three weeks with students before the next break and the end of this calendar year with them. At school, we will focus on keeping to routine, keeping it slow, and finishing soft.

Please reach out if there is anything we can do to support you and your family as we head into the next break.

This week’s updates are short and sweet!

NEW INFORMATION

HEARING/VISION SCREENING - Hearing and Vision Screening is scheduled for Thursday, December 1 through Wednesday, December 7. Please look for the purple form that was sent home with your child and return it no later than Monday, November 28. Hearing screening happens in grades: Y5, K, 1, 2, 4. Vision screening happens in grades: Y5, K, 1, 3, 5, 7.

EARLY RELEASE - This Wednesday, 11/30, we dismiss early at 12:48PM. Our staff will head into professional development right after the school day. We are able to start on time when all children are picked up on time. Please be sure you have made the necessary arrangements for early pick up.

PLAYGROUND UPDATE - Our new structure is mostly installed. We are waiting on one more part before students are able to use it. Our lower playground will remain open with the structure off limits. The new structure will be wrapped in caution tape and staff will monitor very closely to keep students off the structure.

ON THE HORIZON

11/28 - 60th Day of School

11/30 - Early release day, dismissal 12:48PM

12/1-12/7 - Hearing/vision screening

12/23 - 1/6 - No school

1/9 - School resumes

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

TWITTER - Our Twitter account is back up and running. Follow us, @A2Open!

WINTER RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

For resources available to AAPS families and students during the Winter Giving Season, Please click THIS LINK.

November 20, 2022

NEW INFORMATION

NEW PLAYGROUND - Things are about to get exciting on our playground. I was pleasantly surprised to learn late last week that we are getting a new structure installed on our lower playground. I was even more surprised to learn how quickly it would happen. Today (Monday) the excavators are coming and the new structure will be installed tomorrow. If all goes as planned, students should beable to enjoy the new structure starting on Monday when we return from break. Our lower playground is closed Monday and Tuesday while the work is completed.

THANK YOU! (from Christine)-

On this chilly Michigan day, my heart is warm. So many Panda families and friends of Pandas participated in our Library Love Day yesterday at Booksweet. I was lucky to see some of you there in person and l know others took advantage of being able to shop online. 128 books were purchased from the 100th Birthday Wish List and they will be found on the library shelves over the coming weeks. Truly and Shaun are still tallying how many books found new homes in personal libraries and 20% of those sales will generate funds for more books for Open. I am deeply grateful for the overwhelming support for our library and I know that the kiddos will be so excited to read these new books.

TWITTER - Our Twitter account is back up and running. Follow us, @A2Open!

WINTER RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

For resources available to AAPS families and students during the Winter Giving Season, Please click THIS LINK.

REPORT CARDS - This Tuesday, all families can expect to receive Fall NWEA scores electronically. Elementary families can expect to also receive report cards electronically.

ON THE HORIZON

11/21 - Trimester 1 report cards are sent home

11/23-11/25 - No school, Thanksgiving Break

11/28 - 60th Day of School

11/30 - Early release day, dismissal 12:48PM

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

DURHAM TRANSPORTATION - CONTACT INFO

Feel free to phone (734) 994-2330 or click here to reach Durham School Services for contact

information including phone numbers and links to email addresses, a list of who to call, a question and concern form that can be emailed, and more about the company. The new bus tracker will be available in January 2023.

WINTER GIVING OPPORTUNITIES : AAPS CHILDREN

Looking for ways to support children and families this winter giving season? Reach out to your school or visit a2schools.org/wintergiving for opportunities.

November 13, 2022

It was another great week at our school! There were many field trips, some of our kindergarten

students performed in a play, we celebrated our 50th day of school, and our 7th and 8th grade

students celebrated their first dance this weekend. Thank you to all of the teachers and parent

volunteers who made all of these events possible.

NEW INFORMATION

SAVE THE DATE! NOVEMBER 19TH! DONATE TO OUR LIBRARY

This Saturday November 19th, Booksweet will be holding a Library Love Day for Ann Arbor Open.

That day all purchases both in person or online - as long as you mention Ann Arbor Open - will raise

20% of the sale for the Open Library. No time like the present to start your holiday shopping and

support a local business as well as your local library. Feel free to share this information with your

friends - shoppers do not have to be Ann Arbor Open families! Christine has also created a 100th

Birthday Wish list. Did you know this is the 100th birthday of the Mack building? When Mack was built

in 1922 all of the new schools included kindergartens and libraries which were cutting-edge

innovations at the time. Can you even imagine a school without a library? All books purchased from

this list will head right to the shelves of our library and if you purchase from the registry on the 19th it

will also be part of the fundraiser. A 100th birthday label will be placed on the spine and a bookplate

with your name will be placed inside. Here is the link to see the 100th Birthday list.

https://booksweetlink.com/A2Open100 Thanks for supporting your library.

DURHAM TRANSPORTATION - CONTACT INFO

Feel free to phone (734) 994-2330 or click here to reach Durham School Services for contact

information including phone numbers and links to email addresses, a list of who to call, a question

and concern form that can be emailed, and more about the company. The new bus tracker will be

available in January 2023.

WINTER GIVING OPPORTUNITIES : AAPS CHILDREN

Looking for ways to support children and families this winter giving season? Reach out to your school

or visit a2schools.org/wintergiving for opportunities.

ON THE HORIZON

11/15 - AAOCC General Assembly Meeting, 7:00PM

11/19 - Library Love Day @ Booksweet

11/21 - Trimester 1 report cards are sent home

11/23-11/25 - No school, Thanksgiving Break

11/30 - Early release day, dismissal 12:48PM

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

WINTER GEAR - As you begin pulling out hats, coats, gloves, boots, snow pants, and scarves for the

cold this week, please be sure to LABEL everything clearly with your student’s first and last name.

Help us so we can help to get lost and found returned to students.

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES - The weather is getting colder and we have an increase in student

absences. If your student is going to be absent, please email our attendance address:

aao_attendance@a2schools.org. Be sure to include the following information: student name,

teacher, date of absence(s) and reason for absence.

November 6, 2022

NEW INFORMATION

NOVEMBER 8 - Ann Arbor Open is a polling location and our building is closed for students and staff on Tuesday, November 8.

PICTURE RETAKES - If your student is getting picture retakes, please send the original pictures to school on Wednesday. If the office has them, students can pick them up from the office.

FOOD SERVICE NEWS - AAPS/Chartwells Food Service has some great things planned for November! Read more about it here! https://news.a2schools.org/coming-in-november-lets-get-cooking/

DONATE TO OUR LIBRARY - Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 19th. Booksweet will be holding a Library Love Day for Ann Arbor Open. All purchases that day both in person or online - as long as you mention Ann Arbor Open - will raise 20% of the sale for the Open Library. No time like the present to start your holiday shopping and support a local business as well as your local library. In addition to the funds raised for the library, Christine has created a 100th Birthday Wish list. You can purchase books from this list which will head right to the shelves of our library. A 100th birthday label will be placed on the spine and a bookplate with your name will be placed inside. Here is the link to see the 100th Birthday list. https://booksweetlink.com/A2Open100 Thanks for supporting your library

ON THE HORIZON

11/8 - No School for students

11/9 - Picture Retakes

11/19 - Library Love Day @ Booksweet

11/21 - Trimester 1 report cards are sent home

11/23-11/25 - No school, Thanksgiving Break

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

ART NEWS - Amazing learning and creating happens in our art room every day. Please take time to ‘walk’ through our art gallery. The art gallery will be up all year and updated throughout the year. ART GALLERY

LUNCH PAYMENT OPTIONS: - Payments for breakfast, lunch and/or milk can be made online. We also accept cash and check. Please make checks out to: AAPS Food Service. Please include your student’s name and name of the school on the memo line or front of the envelope. Cash is accepted, just be sure to place the cash in an envelope with the school and student name on the front.

October 30, 2022

It was another fantastic week at our school! We celebrated the 40th day of school, several classes took field trips extending learning beyond the walls of our school, and the weather cooperated with outdoor activities.

This week we welcome the month of November, reflecting on our blessings and expressing gratitude for each and every teacher, staff member, student, parent, family member for making our school the best it can be!

During the month of November we have two AAOCC general membership meetings that were moved from our typical Wednesday evening to Tuesday evening. Unfortunately I had prior commitments scheduled that conflict with our Tuesday November meetings. Please watch for an invitation, coming soon, for coffee with the principals. Save any questions and/or concerns and we will have time to answer/address them over coffee.

We hope you can join us for our annual Halloween party tomorrow at 2:00!

Alison Epler, Interim Principal

Keichea Shauntee-Wilson, Assistant Principal

NEW INFORMATION

HALLOWEEN - As October quickly comes to a close, we know that many students are looking forward to celebrating Halloween. Our annual parade will begin at 2:00PM. Students are welcome to dress in costume. Keeping with past practice at Ann Arbor Open, no weapons or full face masks. Please refer to your student’s teacher newsletter for more information. Please email your student’s teacher to opt out of the parade or classroom celebration. We will have alternate activities available.

Washtenaw County COVID-19 Status

As of today, October 28, Washtenaw County is in the CDC Medium/Yellow Community Level. Link to CDC Community Level page here.

The Ann Arbor Public Schools Fall 2022 Covid Guidance is available here. If a child tests positive, parents should report cases here, and here is additional information on what to do if students, staff or volunteers have COVID. The AAPS Weekly COVID case dashboard and the biweekly outbreak report are available here.

ON THE HORIZON

10/31 - Halloween parade 2:00-2:30ish

11/1 - AAOCC General Membership 7:00PM

11/4 - Quarter 1 grades posted

11/6 - Daylight Savings

11/8 - No School for students

11/9 - Picture Retakes

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

GYM SHOES - Please help your student remember to bring gym shoes on their PE day(s). With the cold and wet weather it's important to have dry sneakers so they can play safely in the gym. We have a small collection of shoes to borrow, but not always enough or the right size for all feet. If your family has gently used gym shoes they'd like to donate Jesse would gladly take them! We are most in need of slip on or velcro shoes in kids 11-13 and youth 1-3.

WINTER GEAR - As you begin pulling out hats, coats, gloves, boots, snow pants, and scarves for the cold this week, please be sure to LABEL everything clearly with your student’s first and last name. . Help us so we can help to get lost and found returned to students.

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES - The weather is getting colder and we have an increase in student absences. If your student is going to be absent, please email our attendance address: aao_attendance@a2schools.org. Be sure to include the following information: student name, teacher, date of absence(s) and reason for absence.

October 23, 2022

Dear AAO Families,

It was another wonderful week at our school! This week, Tom’s 3/4 class held an outdoor performance. Families and friends and staff gathered on the hill and we watched just until the sun was about to set. The weather cooperated and our students were amazing! Thank you, Tom!

This week we also held our 4th of 5 fire drills. The 5th will not occur until spring. To date we’ve held 4 of 5 fire drills and 1 of 2 severe weather drills. We are working on getting our drills updated and posted to our website.

Next week we will hold our annual Halloween parade. Please be on the lookout for information in classroom newsletters regarding additional celebrations within classrooms.

Make it a great week,

Alison Epler, Interim Principal

Keichea Shauntee-Wilson, Assistant Principal

NEW INFORMATION

SPIRIT WEAR - Spirit wear is available to purchase! All spirit wear orders are due TOMORROW, October 24. You can order online using this link http://www.aaospiritwear.epizy.com/

W or R to SCHOOL/SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL - Have feedback to share from our first walk and roll day? Interested in learning more or getting involved in the Safe Routes to School Initiative? Join us for a discussion on what we can do to promote walking, rolling, and pedestrian safety in our school community!

Wednesday, October 26, 7:00PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://a2schools.zoom.us/j/9322004824

Meeting ID: 932 200 4824

Passcode: pe123

ON THE HORIZON

10/24 - Diwali

10/24 - Spirit wear orders due

10/31 - Halloween parade 2:00-2:30ish

11/8 - No School for students

11/9 - Picture Retakes

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

Visitor Sign-In Information

Good Evening Open Families,

In last week’s bulletin, I closed my letter with, ‘What’s going well? What isn’t? How can we support you, your family, your student(s)?

I am thankful to have received many responses, largely around one topic ... visiting our school building, and further, parents feeling less welcome than in previous years. I have called many parents to gain a better understanding and to talk through our district policies for visitors in all of our AAPS buildings. I also wanted to send a letter to our larger community.

Prior to 2019, all parents were expected to sign in at the office when coming into school to visit. At that time, a sign in sheet with times indicating entrance and exit of the building were all that was required. As part of the Ann Arbor Public School’s commitment to student safety, every school in the district began instituting a new visitor management check-in system at the main entrance in fall of 2019. Full implementation of the system was not completed before the challenges of COVID, so we now understand more fully why this change is causing confusion now. It is a district-wide expectation that this sign in system is in place, and not a new policy introduced by A2O office staff and leaders.

This information will be shared every fall so that parents new to our program are clear on the procedure. We will share this so that everyone understands the process, what to expect and why our district requires visitors to sign in/out.

To help us keep track of who is in our schools during the school day, we ask that you present your identification, either a driver’s license or identification card, when you visit the school. Identification will be scanned through a system called Raptor. If you don’t have an identification card, Beth or Heidi will assist you. Once you have scanned in for the first time, you will be in the system and will no longer need to present your ID for future visits. This is true for visits to all other AAPS schools as well.

The system creates a visitor badge for you to wear while you are visiting the school.

The benefits of a visitor management system for our schools include:

Up-to-date information about who is in our schools, where they are and the time they entered - especially important during any type of drill or emergency situation.
Creates customized visitor badges with photos to easily identify visitors, contractors, volunteers and parents.
Provides instant and accurate screening off the national sex offender registry and custom alerts for custody restrictions, banned visitors, etc.

Most of the feedback I have received is specific to arrival and the desire to walk students to their classroom at the start of the day. Every student who arrives at school on time, is dropped off directly at the classroom door. If you want to walk your child to the classroom, please be on time to school.

One day this week, we had 63 students tardy to school. To track sign-in/sign-out of the building for that many parents (if all wanted to walk their child to class), is simply not manageable.

We welcome visitors. We appreciate your support to our teachers and students. We are grateful for our parent involvement. Importantly, we are committed to maintaining the culture of our Open School. How can we maintain our commitment as an ‘Open School’ while keeping the building secure and our students and staff safe? We will continue to work with you, listen to suggestions, and we’re open to ideas.

Warm Regards,

Alison Epler, Interim Principal

Keichea Shauntee-Wilson, Assistant Principal

October 16, 2022

First, a very public thank you to Jesse for coordinating an amazing Walk/Roll to School Day. It was a beautiful morning and I can’t think of a better way to start the day…fresh air and exercise with friends. Thank you to all staff, parents, students, families who participated in some way! This poster is being shared with permission.

This time of year, students and teachers have found their groove, routines have been established, relationships have been built and continue to grow stronger, and activities (or extensions of learning) have started to pick up. If you haven’t yet, you will soon be meeting for parent-teacher conferences. During these conferences, you’ll have an opportunity to talk about your student’s progress and learn about wonderful learning experiences. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask questions.

But, what about questions you have that extend beyond the walls of the classroom? Prior to Zoom, we held parent teacher conferences on common nights and all teachers and principals were in the building. Principals were present and available to answer questions and we encouraged parents to stop in to say hello. Things have certainly changed…given the option, we are finding that more families are opting for Zoom conferences.

We want you to know that we still value and encourage you to bring questions and concerns directly to us, year round, not just during the parent-teacher conference window, Keichea and I welcome you to meet with us in person, we’re happy to hold a Zoom, we’re always available for a phone conversation and most days you can find us both outside during arrival and dismissal. We are also working to schedule our first coffee chat. Similar to the welcome back coffee, we will invite you for coffee and conversation. We’ll share a date very soon.

In the meantime, we hope to hear from you. What’s going well? What isn’t? How can we support you, your family, your student? Please reach out any time!

Have a terrific week!

NEW INFORMATION

SPIRIT WEAR

Spirit wear is available to purchase beginning Monday, October 17. All spirit wear orders are due October 24. Here’s the SpiritWear Order Form. You can order online using this link http://www.aaospiritwear.epizy.com/

PRIDE DAY- Our school will have Pride Day Fri, Oct 21. From our Student Council: "Pride Day was proposed by the student council, and the idea is to dress in any way that shows your pride in who you are, what you believe, and/or what you support. This could mean your heritage, LBGTQ, family religion, anything it means to you!"

WINTER GEAR - As you begin pulling out hats, coats, gloves, boots, snow pants, and scarves for the snow this week please be sure to LABEL everything clearly with your student’s first and last name. This time of year, students often bring their gear outside, get warm, take it off, and leave it behind on the playground. Help us so we can help to get lost and found returned to students.

ON THE HORIZON

10/20 - Early release day (Dismissal @ 12:48PM, PD 1:08-2:08, then TLNs 2:18-3:18)

10/21 - Pride Day

10/31 - Halloween parade 2:00-2:30ish

11/8 - No School for students

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

TARDY - When students arrive on time to school, it makes for an easier morning for everyone! Students have the best start to the day when they arrive at school on time. When students arrive on time, it relieves our office staff as they work to answer early morning phone calls, assist teachers and guest teachers, buzz in and check volunteers, and so much more! Parents, you can say goodbye to your student when you drop them off on time at their exterior classroom door. If your child arrives after 8:15, please check your child in at the office and office staff will walk your child(ren) to the classroom.

WEEKLY BULLETIN - If you prefer not to download the pdf to your phone, you can always access each week’s bulletin on the main page of our school website.

FROM AAOCC

Tues. 10/18 | Time TBA Science and Maker Fair Planning Meeting Location TBA

Interested in supporting students who exercise their creativity through construction, or maybe you want to stimulate their interest in science by planning and testing a hypothesis through the scientific method?

Find out how you can contribute to our combined fair, even without a science background.

Contact: Pete Pasque pasque@gmail.com or Vita Strumba vstrumba@gmail.com

Wed. 10/19 | 7-8:30p Where does the money go? a General Assembly meeting. Zoom. At this meeting we will be approving the Coordinating Council budget and continuing the discussion of fundraising efforts needed to support the activities of the 2022-2023 school year.

https://umich.zoom.us/j/98425416005 Passcode: 243978

Have something you want added to the agenda? Let us know by Sun. 10/16.

Contact: Brooke Boyle aaochair@gmail.com

Sat. 11/5 | 10a-6p It’s our benefit day at the PTO Thrift Shop! Each school is designated a benefit day by the PTO Thrift Shop. On November 5th, ten percent of sales will benefit Open.

Contact: Dagny Hanner dehanner@gmail.com

Oct 9, 2022

NEW INFORMATION

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES

The weather is getting colder and we have an increase in student absences. If your student is going to be absent, please email our attendance address: aao_attendance@a2schools.org. Be sure to include the following information: student name, teacher, date of absence(s) and reason for absence.

Apple Crunch Day is Coming October 13!

Every student can enjoy a free, locally grown apple plus special apple menu items!

https://news.a2schools.org/apple-crunch-day-coming-to-every-aaps-school-on-thursday-oct-13/

WALK/ROLL TO SCHOOL - Information was sent this weekend and a reminder will go out early this week. Please join us Wednesday, October 12!

ON THE HORIZON

10/12 - Walk/Roll to School Day

10/20 - Early Release, students dismiss at 12:48.

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

NO PARKING - There is no drop off or parking permitted in the bus loop. Only park in handicap parking if you have a pass. It is not okay to use these spaces to sit and wait for students at pick-up or drop off.

FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH - Free and Reduced Lunch waivers from last year end on October 10 (new date).

Please complete an application for FRL, even if you are unsure if your family will qualify. Here is the link to the application. It is easy to do online and can be done from a cell phone.

https://www.a2schools.org/Page/8315

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES: Parent-teacher conferences began last week and continue through the first week of November. Please watch for communication from your student’s teacher about scheduling a virtual or in-person conference.

Washtenaw County COVID-19 Status - As of today, October 9, , Washtenaw County is in the CDC Medium/Yellow Community Level. Link to CDC Community Level page here.

FROM AAOCC

Tues. 10/11 | 7-8p Office Hours and Small Groups with your Council Co-chair - Diana. Zoom.

In the main zoom room, Diana (Fundraising Co-chair for the Coordinating Council) will be available for any questions you may have and to provide connections to people or resources based on whatever you are needing right now! The breakout rooms will be broken up by grade band (Y5 & K, 1/2, 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8) so you can meet other parents in a similar stage of life at Open!

https://umich.zoom.us/j/98425416005 Passcode: 243978

Contact: Diana Kontoyiannakis aaochair@gmail.com

Tues. 10/18 | noon-1p Office Hours and Small Groups with your Council Co-chair - Brooke. Zoom.

https://umich.zoom.us/j/98425416005 Passcode: 243978

Contact: Brooke Boyle aaochair@gmail.com

Tues. 10/18 | Time TBA Science and Maker Fair Planning Meeting Location TBA

Find out how you can contribute to our combined fair, even without a science background.

Contact: Pete Pasque pasque@gmail.com or Vita Strumba vstrumba@gmail.com

https://umich.zoom.us/j/98425416005 Passcode: 243978

Have something you want added to the agenda? Let us know by Sun. 10/16.

Contact: Brooke Boyle aaochair@gmail.com

Sat. 11/5 | 10a-6p It’s our benefit day at the PTO Thrift Shop! Each school is designated a benefit day by the PTO Thrift Shop. On November 5th, ten percent of sales will benefit Open.

Contact: Dagny Hanner dehanner@gmail.com

October 2, 2022

NEW INFORMATION

NO PARKING - There is no drop o or parking permitted in the bus loop. Only park in handicap parking if you have a pass. It is not okay to use these spaces to sit and wait for students at pick-up or drop o.

FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH - Free and Reduced Lunch waivers from last year end on October 10 (new date).

Please complete an application for FRL, even if you are unsure if your family will qualify. Here is the link to the application. It is easy to do online and can be done from a cell phone.

https://www.a2schools.org/Page/8315

WEATHER DRILL- We practice a variety of drills each year. This week we will practice our first severe weather drill. This week’s severe weather drill is the first of 2 required this school year. We’ve practiced 3 of the 5 required fire drills.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES: Parent-teacher conferences begin this week and continue through the first week of November. Please watch for communication from your student’s teacher about scheduling a virtual or in-person conference.

Washtenaw County COVID-19 Status - As of today, September 30, Washtenaw County is in the CDC Medium/Yellow Community Level. Link to CDC Community Level page here.

The Ann Arbor Public Schools Fall 2022 Covid Guidance is available here. If a child tests positive, parents should report cases here, and here is additional information on what to do if students, sta or volunteers have COVID. The AAPS Weekly COVID case dashboard and the biweekly outbreak report are available here.

ON THE HORIZON

10/3 - P-T conference window open until 11/11

10/5 - ***Yom Kippur

10/5 - Count Day

10/12 - Walk/Roll to School Day

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

DROP-OFF - Please practice a safe and speedy dropo. Have little ones practice taking o their seatbelt and departing the car with safe expediency. ;) Our drop o lane is for pull through only. Please pull into a parking space if your students need assistance with car seats, seatbelts, carrying projects, etc. Drivers should not be exiting the car in the pull through lane.

PICK UP - If you use the pick-up loop after school, please remind your child to be ready and waiting for your arrival. Pick-up is delayed when we have to find kids who’ve wandered to the playground.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS - Please see the attached document from AAOC for volunteer opportunities. All volunteers are required to complete THIS FORM ( iChat) which includes a 20 minute video to watch regarding AAPS volunteer and safety protocols. Please bring your ID when you check into the oce any time you visit or volunteer. Beth and Heide can show you the process for checking in for the first time.

LATE ARRIVALS - All students who arrive at school after 8:15 must sign in at the oce. After 8:15, students can no longer enter through exterior classroom doors.

FROM AAOCC

FiFun Meeting - Wednesday October 5th at 7pm

Zoom. https://umich.zoom.us/j/98425416005 Passcode: 243978

For finance committee members + whomever wants to know where the money goes. At this meeting we will be discussing the funding requests that were submitted by sta and event coordinators, and the fundraising eorts needed to support the budget requests for this 2022-2023 school year.

Contact: Jane Klingston aaocctreasurer@gmail.com

September 25, 2022

This week we celebrated our first AAOCC meeting! At the start, I mentioned how we launched our school year with staff, focused on honoring dignity and promoting a sense of belonging. We can better serve our students and families by fostering belonging. One of the ways this happens is when we create space to tell our story and to listen to other’s stories.

Thank you for sharing your stories…your hopes and dreams for the coming year, your ‘why’ for choosing Open, and your family history/background. It was great to hear from so many of you!

Throughout this year, continue to share your stories. We will listen. Bringing our students and families, teachers and staff together through stories, will help us promote a sense of belonging within our community.

NEW INFORMATION

WELCOME SCHOOL COUNSELOR - Introduction from Mike Gottliebsen

Hello AAOpen community! My name is Mike Gottliebsen (he/him), and I am so geeked to be joining you all. This is a big change for me in my 8th year working in AAPS, though having spent a ton of time lifeguarding at Mack back in the day it feels a bit like coming home. I've spent the last 10+ years as a classroom teacher (Humanities, Economics, Government), coach and counselor, mostly at Huron high school.

A bit about me: I am an Ann Arbor native - Burns Park, Tappan, Pioneer - and love this community dearly. I also apparently love creative mascots, as my undergrad one was a Banana Slug, Hurons is a River Rat, and now I am a proud Panda!. I have 2 awesome (and, like their dad, giant) kids - Sage (4) and Junie (1) - a wonderfully rambunctious dog Ruby, and we can be frequently spotted wandering around Bird Hill or Gallup. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you beginning Monday!

BUS LOOP - There is no parking or parent drop off in the bus loop. Our buses arrive at various times and while the bus loop might look clear, more buses may be coming.

Washtenaw County COVID-19 Status - As of today, September 23, Washtenaw County is in the CDC Medium/Yellow Community Level. Link to CDC Community Level page here.

The Ann Arbor Public Schools Fall 2022 Covid Guidance is available here. If a child tests positive, parents should report cases here, and here is additional information on what to do if students, staff, or volunteers have COVID. The AAPS Weekly COVID case dashboard and the biweekly outbreak report are available here.

PE END OF DAY - Increasingly, walking parents are using the fenced area as a shortcut before/during dismissal. We have PE class using that space right up until the final bell.. Please do not enter this ‘classroom space’ before the bell has rung.

ON THE HORIZON

9/26 & 9/27 - ***Rosh Hashanah

9/28 - Picture Day

10/3 - P-T conference window open until 11/11

10/5 - ***Yom Kippur

10/5 - Count Day

REPEATS AND REMINDERS

DROP-OFF - Please practice a safe and speedy dropoff. Have little ones practice taking off their seatbelt and departing the car with safe expediency. ;) Our drop off lane is for pull through only. Please pull into a parking space if your students need assistance with car seats, seatbelts, carrying projects, etc. Drivers should not be exiting the car in the pull through lane.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS - Please see the attached document from AAOC for volunteer opportunities. All volunteers are required to complete THIS FORM ( iChat) which includes a 20 minute video to watch regarding AAPS volunteer and safety protocols. Please bring your ID when you check into the office any time you visit or volunteer. Beth and Heide can show you the process for checking in for the first time.

LATE ARRIVALS - All students who arrive at school after 8:15 must sign in at the office. After 8:15, students can no longer enter through exterior classroom doors.

FROM AAOCC

HELP WANTED - Help Wanted lists all of the current volunteer needs in the Ann Arbor Open community. For general volunteering questions, or if you would like some help finding the right volunteer job for you, contact the AAO Volunteer Coordinator, Danielle Twigg: aaovolunteers@gmail.com

Here are the current volunteer needs:

September

School Gardens: Are you interested in working in the school gardens? Volunteer to help out today! There are opportunities for working on your own or with classes during the day. To sign up, please click the following link: http://bit.ly/GardenSignUp22

Please contact Maria Larkin with any questions: marylark@gmail.com

Halloween Costume/Winter Gear Swap: Volunteers are needed to help setup and staff the Gear Swap event scheduled for Saturday, October 15th from 1-3pm. There is also a need for donations and assistance fulfilling online requests. To sign up, please click the following link: http://bit.ly/Swap2022SignUp

Please contact Sarah Love with any questions: sarahlove1010@yahoo.com

September 18, 2022

We did it! Our students and staff completed the first full week of the 22-23 school year. Tuesday we celebrated our 10th day of school with classroom visits from Zero the Hero and Panda, a few of our classrooms had field trips this week, students visited the gardens and picked cherry tomatoes, and our classroom visits included read alouds (Alison) and dance party movement breaks (Ms. Keichea). It was another great week to be an AAO Panda!

NEW INFORMATION

DROP-OFF

Please practice a safe and speedy dropoff. Have little ones practice taking off their seatbelt and departing the car with safe expediency. ;) Our drop off lane is for pull through only. Please pull into a parking space if your students need assistance with car seats, seatbelts, carrying projects, etc. Drivers should not be exiting the car in the pull through lane.

PICK UP

If you use the pick-up loop after school, please remind your child to be ready and waiting for your arrival. Pick-up is delayed when we have to find kids who’ve wandered to the playground.

AAO Website

We are grateful to Ko (5th/6th) for maintaining/updating our website. It is a wealth of information…everything from bell schedules, this weekly bulletin, calendars and even our curriculum night slideshow. You can access our website HERE.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Please see the attached document from AAOC for volunteer opportunities. All volunteers are required to complete THIS FORM ( iChat) which includes a 20 minute video to watch regarding AAPS volunteer and safety protocols. Please bring your ID when you check into the office any time you visit or volunteer. Beth and Heide can show you the process for checking in for the first time.

EARLY RELEASE

This Tuesday is an early release with dismissal at 12:48PM. Teachers will be participating in professional learning.

ON THE HORIZON

9/20 - Early release @12:48PM

9/26 & 9/27 - ***Rosh Hashanah

9/28- Picture Day

10/5 - ***Yom Kippur

From AAOCC

Family Engagement

Happening Now! Collections for Halloween Costumes and Winter Gear Swap. Donation Boxes at Red Oak and Brooks St entrances. Contact: Sarah Love In-person swap on Sat. 10/15, 1-3pm and online.

September 11, 2022

Week 2...amazing! Why? Because of YOU!

Our office staff started back to school at the beginning of August. The building was quiet and way too boring without kids. We welcomed students last Monday and the building came to life. On day 8,we opened our doors to families for curriculum night and suddenly everything felt right.

It truly takes a village and our Open village is so much stronger when teachers, staff, parents, family members, volunteers, community members, and students all come together for the success of our school! It’s going to be a terrific year!

Please reach out to us with any questions or if we can help in any way!

Warm regards,

Alison Epler, Interim Principal

Keichea Shauntee-Wilson, Assistant Principal

NEW INFORMATION

LATE ARRIVALS - All students who arrive at school after 8:15 must sign in at the office. After 8:15,students can no longer enter through exterior classroom doors.

DRILLS - Each year we practice a variety of drills. We practice to prepare, not to cause alarm. This past week, we held our first fire drill. We did not pull the alarm for this first drill. We talked through expectations over the PA and teachers walked students outdoors to their fire drill meeting spot. This week we will practice our second fire drill. We will announce the drill ahead of time since this is thefirst time we will sound our fire alarm. Our first shelter in place drill won’t happen until December. More information will be sent as we get closer. Again, the goal is to prepare, not cause alarm.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

All volunteers are required to complete THIS FORM ( iChat) which includes a 20 minute video to

watch regarding AAPS volunteer and safety protocols. Please bring your ID when you check into the office any time you visit or volunteer. Beth and Heide can show you the process for checking in forthe first time.

ON THE HORIZON

9/12 - Outdoors and in the Gardens Zoom

9/18 - Outdoors and in the Gardens Workday

9/20 - Early release @12:48PM

9/21 - AAOCC Meeting, 6:00PM, Zoom link coming soon

9/28-Picture Day

From AAOCC

Family Engagement

Happening Now! Collections for Halloween Costumes and Winter Gear Swap. Donation Boxes at Red Oak and Brooks St entrances. Contact: Sarah Love In-person swap on Sat. 10/15, 1-3pm and online.

Mon. 9/12 | 7-8pm Outdoors and in the Gardens: A learn more and planning meeting. Zoom. Contact:Sam Firke

Sun. 9/18 | 2-4pm Outdoors and in the Gardens: A workday for spreadin' chips, fencin' trees, diggin'and plantin' and bench repairs, too. Miller side of Pool lobby. Tools & Help Sign-up Contact: Sam Firke

REPEATS/REMINDERS

FRIENDS ON BUSES

Until we have accurate bus counts for regular riders, friends can’t ride home with classmates, unless it’s an emergency.

BUS TRACKER

AAPS Bus Tracker has been disabled. AAPS will introduce a new family bus tracking system soon! We apologize for the inconvenience.

PHONE NUMBERS/CONTACT INFO

Gone are the days when kids had to pick up a corded phone and dial all phone numbers from

memory. That said, ALL students should memorize 1-2 emergency numbers. Please ensure your child has emergency contact info stored in their brain or backpack. (Rest assured, we have all contact info in the office but it’s an important life skill to know emergency numbers.)

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES

If your student is going to be absent, please email our attendance address:

aao_attendance@a2schools.org. Be sure to include the following information: student name,

teacher, date of absence(s) and reason for absence.

September 5, 2022

Dear Open Families,

A huge thank you to our teachers and staff who worked tirelessly throughout the summer to plan and prepare the best welcome for our students. A huge thank you to our families for reading through all of the back-to-school information to be sure students were prepared. Thank you for your patience in the parking lot during pick up and drop off. So much work to prepare and it paid off. It was such a smooth start to the school year!

As we round the corner to a more typical week of school, I invite you to talk to your child about the power of “yet”! As academic expectations increase, as specials classes bring new challenges, and as we all encounter new situations, please remind your child that struggles are an opportunity to grow and persevere. When you hear your child or yourself using the word “can’t”, simply add the word “yet” to the end of the statement. For example, “I cannot tie my shoes…..yet”, or “I cannot play an instrument….yet”. Video clip for adults: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-swZaKN2Ic Video clip for lower elementary kids: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLeUvZvuvAs

If we haven’t met, yet, please introduce yourself at arrival or dismissal. I have a lot of names to learn so I thank you in advance for granting me grace in meeting everyone and memorizing names.

Warm regards,

Alison Epler, Principal

Keichea Shauntee-Wilson, Assistant Principal

NEW INFORMATION

WELCOME BACK COFFEE

All are welcome this Tuesday at 9AM for coffee and conversation. We will meet just outside the pool lobby. A huge thank you to Roos Roast for donating coffee. We hope to see you there!

CURRICULUM NIGHT

We will be hosting Curriculum Night IN PERSON on Thursday, September 8th, 6:00-7:30 PM. During the evening, you will see your child’s classroom and learning space while hearing about the curriculum your child will be taught this year. The layout of the evening will look as follows:

6:00-6:45 PM - Classroom Teacher presentations Y5-3/4
7:00-7:45PM - Classroom Teacher presentations 5/6
6:00-7:30PM - Classroom Teacher presentations 7/8

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

All volunteers are required to complete THIS FORM ( iChat) which includes a 20 minute video to watch regarding AAPS volunteer and safety protocols.

FRIENDS ON BUSES

Until we have accurate bus counts for regular riders, friends can’t ride home with classmates, unless it’s an emergency.

BUS TRACKER

AAPS Bus Tracker has been disabled. AAPS will introduce a new family bus tracking system soon! We apologize for the inconvenience.

PHONE NUMBERS/CONTACT INFO

Gone are the days when kids had to pick up a corded phone and dial all phone numbers from memory. That said, ALL students should memorize 1-2 emergency numbers. Please ensure your child has emergency contact info stored in their brain or backpack. (Rest assured, we have all contact info in the office but it’s an important life skill to know emergency numbers.)

ON THE HORIZON

9/8 - Curriculum Night

9/15 - First day of Hispanic Heritage Month

9/20 - Early release @ 12:48

FROM AAOCC:

A2OPEN OUTDOORS AND SCHOOL GARDENS First Fall Meeting: Monday 9/12, 7pm online

Fall Workday: Sunday, 9/18, 2-4pm

Please join us on 9/12 to learn about outdoor projects and the school gardens, and for an outdoors workday on 9/18. Rain date: 9/25

Contact Sam Firke: samuel.firke@gmail.com for the Zoom link and to join the email list

HALLOWEEN SWAP

Drop Boxes: Red Oak, Bus Loop, and Pool Lobby Doors starting this week (week of 9/6)

Saturday, October 15, 1-3pm (outdoors)

(Rain Date: Saturday, October 22, 1-3pm)

Please donate old costumes and winter gear. Select and request online the AAOCC web site or pick out in-person on 10/15. Contact Sarah Love: sarahlove1010@yahoo.com

REPEATS/REMINDERS

COVID INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

1) The district COVID and Health Guidance page has been updated with:

Fall guidance, the community webinar recording + slide show, FAQs, and a new one-pager called What to Do If You Test Positive

2) REMINDER: Students, staff, and volunteers MUST report to AAPS if they test positive for COVID within 48 hours of being on a school campus. Starting Monday morning, there are new COVID report forms for students, staff, and volunteers:

Student Report Form: bit.ly/StudentCOVIDCase22-23

Staff/Volunteers Report Form: bit.ly/StaffCOVIDCase22-23

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES

If your student is going to be absent, please email our attendance address: aao_attendance@a2schools.org. Be sure to include the following information: student name, teacher, date of absence(s) and reason for absence.

MEDICATIONS

August 28, 2022

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! We are excited to welcome all students to the building. This week our staff was rather busy setting up their rooms, attending meetings, collaborating with new colleagues, and thoughtfully preparing for the first day of school - Monday, August 29th!

Though I have been an administrator for 11 years, this is my first year serving the Open School community, so I look forward to meeting our 500+ students and their families. I hope everyone enjoys this weekend.

Warm regards,

Alison Epler

Principal, Ann Arbor Open

Keichea Shauntee-Wilson

Assistant Principal, Ann Arbor Open

NEW INFORMATION

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL

For arrival and dismissal procedures, including bus routes and times, please CLICK HERE. Arrival and dismissal procedures are so important. Please take time to review and share with others who might drop off or pick up your student(s). A separate email with just this information was sent to all families Saturday morning.

BUS ROUTES

CHECK HERE for bus route numbers, stops, and times.

BUS TRACKER

Our school bus partner, Durham School Services has provided an application, Bus Tracker, that will allow parents and guardians to view the location of their child(ren)’s bus in real time with relation to their assigned bus stop.

For more information, to sign-up and create your secure login, or to use the application on your smartphone or web browser, please go to:

www.durhamschoolservices.com/durham-bus-tracker

https://m.durhambustracker.com/secure/login

WELCOME BACK COFFEE

This year, AAOCC will host our welcome back coffee Tuesday, September 6th, when we return from the long weekend. More information will be provided soon.

CURRICULUM NIGHT

Save the date…we invite you to curriculum night Thursday 9/8 @ 5:00pm. Please watch for additional information and details next week.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

COVID INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

1) The district COVID and Health Guidance page has been updated with:

Fall guidance, the community webinar recording + slide show, FAQs, and a new one-pager called What to Do If You Test Positive

Student Report Form: bit.ly/StudentCOVIDCase22-23

Staff/Volunteers Report Form: bit.ly/StaffCOVIDCase22-23

LUNCH

Our students will be eating lunch in the cafeteria with an outdoor seating option available.

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES

MEDICATIONS

WIDA SCREENER FOR ELL STUDENTS

At the time of enrollment in the Ann Arbor Public Schools, a Home Language Survey was completed. It is used to determine whether the student’s native language is one other than English, or whether another language is spoken in the student’s home. If either circumstance is true, the student will be assessed to determine English language proficiency. As required by the State of Michigan, the students will be assessed using the WIDA Screener.

Students who do not achieve a proficient level on the assessment are eligible for EL services. Parents/guardians of eligible students who want to decline EL services must request a “Decline Services” form from their school’s EL teacher or counselor. For students who are English Language Learners, our fall screening window is now open. Screening all high school students before the end of August, allows us to be sure that we are offering the appropriate support for all students to be successful in the classes. Students are now able to register for the WIDA Screener using one of the links that will be here: ELL Screening

ON THE HORIZON

8/29 - First day of school (8:10-3:18)

9/2 - No school

9/5 - No school

9/6 - Welcome back coffee

9/8 - Curriculum Night, 5:00pm

REPEATS/REMINDERS

2021-22 BELL SCHEDULE & CALENDAR

Click here to see the AAPS calendar at a glance. Our bell schedule is 8:15 AM - 3:18 PM. (PLEASE know that timely arrival is really important for kids and teachers. We thank you in advance for getting your child to school on time. It’s important for their success.)

REC & ED AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES

Registration for fall Rec & Ed programming starts this Monday at 10:00AM. You can explore all the offerings at https://www.aarecedonline.com/

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE! Please call (734) 994-2300 ext. 0 for details.

August 19, 2022

Greetings Open Families,

We hope this email finds your family in the midst of a joyful summer. Our office staff (i.e. Alison, Keichea, Heidi, and Beth) are busy preparing for a successful launch this year. We are finalizing class placements, preparing staff professional development, enrolling new families, and completing dozens of startup tasks. Essentially, we are preparing to welcome 540+ kids back into the building in a manner that’s safe and joyful. Student safety will always be of the utmost priority - physically, socio-emotionally, and academically.

We are eager to connect face to face soon! In the meantime, please reach out with any questions, concerns, or comments,

Warm regards,

Alison Epler, Principal

eplera@aaps.k12.mi.us

Keichea Shauntee-Wilson, Assistant Principal

shaunteewilsonk@aaps.12.mi.us

CLASS PLACEMENTS/SCHEDULES

Families will learn their child’s teacher placement on the evening of Tuesday, August 23rd.

2021-22 BELL SCHEDULE & CALENDAR

Click here to see the AAPS calendar at a glance. Our bell schedule is 8:10 AM - 3:18 PM. (PLEASE know that timely arrival is really important for kids and teachers. We thank you in advance for getting your child to school on time. It’s important for their success.)

BUS ROUTES

Check here bus route numbers, stops, and times.

REC & ED AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES

Registration for fall Rec & Ed programming starts this Monday at 10:00AM. You can explore all the offerings at https://www.aarecedonline.com/

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE! Please call (734) 994-2300 ext. 0 for details.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

ENROLLMENT DOCUMENTS & OFFICE HOURS

If you are new to Open or if you have a change of address, be sure you have provided the office with the necessary documents. You can email our office staff, aaopen@a2schools.org, for more information.

AAPS VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING OPTIONS

If you are still considering AAPS’ online school program for the fall, visit www.a2schools.org/a2village

SCHOOL LUNCH & BREAKFAST

School meals are no longer free-of-charge unless your family qualifies for support. To load money onto your child’s account, please visit Ann Arbor Family Portal. Menus are viewable at https://a2schools.nutrislice.com/

To learn more about free & reduced lunch, please see https://www.a2schools.org/Page/8315.

PARENT HOMEWORK

AAPS COMMUNITY RESOURCES

If your family is seeking resources pertaining to a wide variety of needs - food, internet, medical, etc. be sure to visit - https://www.a2schools.org/Page/15636

COVID HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS

We are operating under these Back to School / AAPS COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols until August 26th. When we have updated protocols, you can expect an email.

ON THE HORIZON

8/29 - First day of school (8:10 AM-3:18 PM)

9/2 - No school

9/5 - No school

August 21, 2023

June 5

May 29

May 15

May 8

May 1

April 24, 2023

April 10, 2023

April 10, 2023

March 20, 2023

March 13, 2023

March 6, 2023

February 27, 2023

HALF DAYS

Please mark your calendars! We have two half days, March 3 and May 19. Times for both days were listed incorrectly on the district calendar. They have been corrected. Our new dismissal time on both days is 10:47AM.

My Stop Bus Route Location and Arrival App

February 20, 2023

HALF DAYS

Please mark your calendars! We have two half days, March 3 and May 19. Times for both days were listed incorrectly on the district calendar. They have been corrected. Our new dismissal time on both days is 10:47AM.

My Stop Bus Route Location and Arrival App

February 13, 2023

NAAPID

HALF DAYS

Please mark your calendars! We have two half days, March 3 and May 19. Times for both days were listed incorrectly on the district calendar. They have been corrected. Our new dismissal time on both days is 10:47AM.

My Stop Bus Route Location and Arrival App

HALF DAYS

Please mark your calendars! We have two half days, March 3 and May 19. Times for both days were listed incorrectly on the district calendar. They have been corrected. Our new dismissal time on both days is 10:47AM.

My Stop Bus Route Location and Arrival App

February 6, 2023

HALF DAYS

Please mark your calendars! We have two half days, March 3 and May 19. Times for both days were listed incorrectly on the district calendar. They have been corrected. Our new dismissal time on both days is 10:47AM.

My Stop Bus Route Location and Arrival App

January 30, 2023

January 16, 2023

January 8, 2023

December 11, 2022

December 4, 2022

Fall 2022 Guidance on masking in AAPS schools:

November 27, 2022

​​November 20, 2022

November 13, 2022

November 6, 2022

October 30, 2022

October 23, 2022

Visitor Sign-In Information

October 16, 2022

Oct 9, 2022

October 2, 2022

September 25, 2022

September 18, 2022

September 5, 2022

August 28, 2022

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! We are excited to welcome all students to the building. This week our staff was rather busy setting up their rooms, attending meetings, collaborating with new colleagues, and thoughtfully preparing for the first day of school - Monday, August 29th!

November 20, 2022