From Supt. Swift: AAPS ThoughtExchange Conversation Invite

We have come a very long way on this COVID journey together over the previous sixteen months of this global pandemic, and as we near the end of this 20-21 school year, we focus our attention to wrap up this time in connection, care and support of our students and each other, to honor and celebrate our students and the Class of 2021, and to mark the milestone together of the end of this academic year in our school communities.

It is important, also, to reflect on our experiences and what we have learned. As we turn the page, plan and prepare together for re-engagement and return to full in-school operations in AAPS classrooms and schools in the Fall, 2021, we want to hear your thoughts.

Through a Thoughtexchange inquiry, we want to hear from you about priorities for the coming school year, the supports your student and family may need, the innovations you want to see continue, and your personal thoughts that you want to share as we prepare for the 2021-22 school year.

We appreciate your time, and look forward to understanding your perspectives. We will  reflect on, share, and publish this information, it will inform our important conversations with each other, on our teams, and across our school communities:

  • Based on your experience this year and from your perspective, what are the most important student academic needs that we should be focused on for students in the upcoming 2021-22 school year?
  • As we prepare for the next school year, what are the most important social- emotional, and/or mental health supports for schools to provide to serve all students?
  • What new practices and processes that were adopted in response to the pandemic should we keep in our schools post-COVID? What innovations did you most value from your experience this previous year? Your responses here will help guide our work.
  • Social emotional learning time(for example, advisory forums, morning meeting, and closing circle)
  • Culturally responsive teaching (ensuring instruction with multiple means of engaging in the learning process)
  • Technology device for each student
  • Connectivity support for students and families
  • Digital library system, Sora
  • District-wide digital learning system (Schoology) and tools to connect learners to the learning
  • Performing arts software enhancements
  • Offering a zoom opportunity for school and community meetings (PTO, etc.)
  • What other thoughts would you offer? What else would you like us to know as we prepare together for our return to the classroom full time for the 21-22 school year?

Coming soon, as we have done over previous years, we will also share a thorough K12 Insight survey, covering all operations of the AAPS, to collect your additional feedback on this school year.

We will analyze, learn from, and share your input and feedback from this ThoughtExchange discussion engagement, and also from the K12 Insight survey, as we work to prepare for 21-22 and our next steps in the AAPS.

Thank you for your support of our students, staff and schools, and our shared future together in our Ann Arbor Public Schools.

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