Daniel Varner, a State School Board member, shakes hands with a Slauson parent after discussing the achievement gap on National African American Parent Involvement Day Feb. 13.
By Tara Cavanaugh
Daniel Varner, a member of the State School Board and executive director of Excellent Schools Detroit, visited Slauson Middle School for National African American Parent Involvement Day Feb. 13.
A lack of snow didn't stop the Pioneer special education students from competing–and winning–at the Special Olympics Winter Games. Photo by Meaghan Glanville.
Eight Pioneer special education students took home medals after attending the Michigan Special Olympics Winter Games in Traverse City last week.
On Saturday, Jan. 21, the Skyline Quiz Bowl Team traveled to East Lansing to compete in the annual Rube Goldberg Tournament at Michigan State University.
By Tara Cavanaugh, AAPS News Service
Wireless internet may appear to magically produce websites and media through thin air, but like any magic trick, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. AAPS wants to improve its wireless access in schools, but it faces plenty of behind-the-scenes work first.
A life-size blue whale at the Forsythe Science Fair was just one of many natural wonders to discover.
–By Tara Cavanaugh
Forsythe Middle School science teacher Dan Ezekiel isn’t sure if the school’s annual science fair really is the biggest one in the state, but he calls it that anyway: “No one’s corrected us yet!” With more than 400 student participants and 300 projects on display Feb. 11-12, there was opportunity for all students to explore science in their own way.
Photo by Lon Horwedel for annarbor.com via flickr.
It’s that time of the year again: time for Orchestra Night, which showcases the talent of more than 800 students in the middle school and high school orchestras at the University of Michigan Hill Auditorium.
By Tara Cavanaugh, AAPS News Service
The Spanish Language Internship Program at the University of Michigan provides student translators in many local organizations, such as health clinics, Head Start, and now the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
In a new partnership between AAPS Partners for Excellence and SLIP, U-M students provide in-class translation for some elementary and middle school students who are learning English.
This year’s kindergarten round-ups are more kid-centered, teaching parents and future students about the kindergarten experience.
Volunteer Kurt Krogsrud from Comerica plays a math strategizing game with two Abbot Elementary students Feb 2.
By Tara Cavanaugh
Sometimes, a little extra attention can go a long way.
In a 6-week pilot program, volunteers from Comerica Bank and Google have been playing math games with fourth and fifth grade students at Abbot Elementary for one hour every Thursday during lunch. The program, which was coordinated by AAPS Partners for Excellence, provides extra help for students who participate in Title 1 programming.
Be sure to get your free tickets to the U.S. Navy Band performance at Pioneer High School March 10. Photo provided by the U.S. Navy Band.
Pioneer High School is honored to host a performance of the U.S. Navy Bands on March 10.
Andy Hsiao, on the far right, designed and sold t-shirts to bring awareness for the victims of last year's earthquake in Japan.
By Tara Cavanaugh, AAPS News Service
Huron High School student Andy Hsaio has family in Japan, so when last year’s 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck, he was spurred to action.
Pioneer Special Education students, joined by their general education peers, stretch after practicing for the Special Olympics. The students are competing in the snowshoe events at the Winter Games in Traverse City Feb. 7-10.
By Tara Cavanaugh, AAPS News Service
Next week, nine Pioneer High School students are going on the trip of a lifetime: they’re competing in the Olympics.
If you’re an AAPS staff member, be sure not to miss the new grants website and blog. Created by Grants Coordinator Chris Barry, the site offers resources for crafting and getting the grants you need.
The old eMac computers don't have the hardware to support the software updates for READ 180, a reading intervention program used in grades 3-12.
Editor’s Note: On May 8 voters in the Ann Arbor Public Schools will be asked to consider a bond issue to replace aging district technology and provide technology to support 21st century learning. The program addresses equipment and infrastructure components for the next 10 years by financing the equipment through three separate series of bonds.
You may have noticed some changes at the AAPS district news site. There’s a new design, a front page that changes daily, a “Latest News” page full of recent stories, and a page dedicated to information about the tech bond.
We’re happy to offer a $50 gift card from Nicola’s Books, one of our sponsors. Just be one of the first 100 people to “like” AAPS on Facebook or to follow AAPS on Twitter.
The winner will be announced next week.
Annette Ferguson, AAPS business partnerships coordinator, helps load more than 300 books from the Ann Arbor District Library to a loading dock at Balas Jan. 25. The extra AADL books are being distributed to AAPS teachers for their classroom libraries.
By Tara Cavanaugh, AAPS News Service
A few times a year, libraries clean out their inventories and get rid of excess books. But those books aren’t just tossed into the trash. Instead, materials at the Ann Arbor District Library are finding a new home in the Ann Arbor Public Schools through a book sharing partnership.
The dodgeball tournament is a creative fundraiser for Skyline's rowing team. For more photos, see slideshow below.
By Tara Cavanaugh, AAPS News Service
If the second annual dodgeball tournament could be summed in one word, it would have to be this: Duck!
Dancers Alandra Meade and Sofie Sylvester practice their duet. Dance Body students rehearsed at Forysthe Middle School auditorium this week in preparation for tonight's performance.
By Tara Cavanaugh, AAPS News Service
Tonight’s Dance Body performance will feature pop music, smooth moves and the work ethic of a thriving dance company.
