Ann Arbor Public Schools COVID-19 Update

Hello AAPS Students and Staff, Parents and Community,

As we near the end of the first week of this unprecedented AAPS COVID-19 school closure, we remain focused on ensuring first that the basics of food, health, and safety for our students, staff, and community are met.  As of Friday, we anticipate approximately 20,000 meals will have been distributed (including breakfasts & lunches for this upcoming weekend) across 16 locations; many thanks to members of our AAPS, Chartwell’s, Durham and AAPD teams who have organized and participated in this important community endeavor.

Work also continues on ensuring that vital connections with our students are in place – both in terms of our exceptional teachers, principals, and staff being present for students, virtually and also in providing the technology, devices and expanded wifi capability to ensure ALL students have access to critical connections for learning.

This email provides updates on:

  • Health Information,
  • AAPS Food Service,
  • Technology for Families, and
  • an announcement on an upcoming AAPS COVID-19 Closure Update and Q & A session.

Please review all of these sections and click on the associated links for full information.

Health Information

The Washtenaw County Health Department today announced seven additional confirmed cases of COVID-19. The Health Department shares that all of the cases are adults, notes there is now evidence of community spread, and residents can assume there is a possibility the virus may be present when they are in public places in the community.

The Health Department is not announcing evidence of community spread to cause panic, but to reinforce that people should be taking all recommended prevention measures including social distancing.

For children and parents suffering from anxiety, stress or other mental health issues connected to COVID-19 and disruptions to daily routines, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention offers these tips. If your student is in need of immediate and urgent support, please contact Washtenaw County Community Mental Health – Crisis line: 734-544-3050 or Ozone House – Crisis Line: 734-662-2222.

AAPS Food Service

Tomorrow, Friday, March 20th, is the next planned food distribution. Meals will be provided for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 16 locations. If you have food allergy needs or cannot make it to a pick-up location please call 734-994-2265. Full details on the AAPS Food Service are available here.

Technology for Families

AAPS will continue the distribution of devices to parents and guardians who have requested one through our surveys tomorrow and Saturday according to this schedule. Surveys are available here for families that may be experiencing technology needs. Any families with transportation, health concerns, or who are otherwise unable to pick up the device at the scheduled time should call our technology hotline at 734-997-1222.

COVID-19 Closure Update and Q & A

We will be hosting an AAPS COVID-19 Closure Update and Question and Answer on Facebook (March 20 at 5 p.m.). Individuals not able to watch it live will be able to view it later on Facebook and the video will be added to the district’s COVID-19 webpage.

As we all work on staying connected to each other and pause each day to be inspired by our students, I wanted to share this remarkable video from the Community Ensemble Theater students and their Teacher/Director, Mr. Quinn Strassel. Their production of the “Tempest” may be on hold, but their ability to connect, work together and produce impressive art, all while practicing social distancing, certainly continues. Enjoy!

Jeanice K. Swift
Superintendent of Schools

[]