AAPS Superintendent Jeanice Swift Update for March 18
Update From Jeanice K. Swift, Superintendent of Schools
We are moving through March, learning together every day and beginning to see a few hints of spring coming to Ann Arbor.
You may enjoy this video, Two Minutes at Logan Elementary, as one in a series offering a quick glimpse into Ann Arbor Public Schools, where our vision is Every Child. Every Day.
You may also enjoy AAPS Exceptional Teachers, a regular feature of AAPS News. This recent profile shares the inspiring story of Anna Gonzalez, gifted Spanish teacher at Scarlett Middle School.
March is AAPS Youth Art Month
March is a wonderful time each spring when we celebrate the arts in education in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Youth Art Month was established in the AAPS more than sixty years ago, in 1961, and provides a forum for acknowledging important skills and connections that are possible through art. Art education develops self-esteem, self-expression, cooperation with others, as well as appreciation for the work of others, and important critical thinking skills.
As part of our AAPS recognition of Youth Art Month, we will continue celebrations of student art, including the Main Street business owners who for many years have graciously provided storefront window space to showcase the work of our talented students and have produced a virtual art show for this year. I hope you enjoy this virtual gallery of AAPS student artwork and murals.
Next Steps: Moving Forward in the AAPS 2022
Over the coming weeks of this spring, we will share information to update you on the action-oriented next steps we are planning to move forward in the AAPS during 2022. We have learned a great deal during this pandemic time. We will leverage the understandings we have gained, innovate, mobilize critical resources and take needed steps to serve our students and staff, families and community well in 2022 and into the future.
Next Step Announcement: Addition of Elementary Counselor/SocialWorker
In recognition of the significant need for critical counselor/social work support for the well-being of our students, beginning during the 2022-23 school year, the AAPS will add a full-time counselor or social worker at each elementary campus to provide social-emotional growth and counseling support for students and school teams.
Elementary counselors/social workers will join an exemplary AAPS Counseling/Social Work team in the AAPS. You may read more about this AAPS Next Step 2022 here.
Weekly COVID Update
The weekly AAPS COVID-19 Case Dashboard, updated today, shows 13 cases reported this week. These cases represent those individuals who were on a school campus during their infectious period. Our AAPS COVID Response Team continues to closely monitor and work through case situations as needed.
The most recent statement regarding universal masking, which continues in the AAPS, can be read here.
Community Education and Recreation (Rec & Ed) Updates
On Monday, March 14, Rec & Ed achieved a first-day registration record for summer camps. At the end of the day, there were 2,584 registrations across over 100 camps. In addition, there are waitlists for several popular camps. Rec & Ed will be releasing more spaces in summer camps by mid-April, so many who are on the waitlists will get their preferred camps.
Spring Youth Sports hit its goal of reaching 2,000 registrations. As of Tuesday, March 15, 2,043 children have registered for one of the sports. The registration period ends on March 21.
Science Olympiad and Girl Scout groups began convening meetings in different AAPS buildings last Tuesday. The Rec & Ed Elementary and Middle School Facility Rental Office has received requests from parents at many elementary, middle school/ K8s.
We are delighted to share that Ceyne Park (pronounced Saine), a 7th-grade violinist at Tappan Middle School, was selected to perform in a masterclass for Mimi Zweig tomorrow, March 19, at Central Michigan University. This is a prestigious honor, as Mimi Zweig, a violin professor at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, is one of the most well-known pre-college violin teachers today. A masterclass in music functions as a one-on-one lesson with an audience of teachers observing. Ceyne studies with talented AAPS Orchestra Director Joseph Alcocer, and we know she will represent Tappan and AAPS well on Saturday.
You may read more about the event here.
Thank you for all you do every day to support our beautiful students and staff, families and the wonderful Ann Arbor Public Schools community.
