AFC Ann Arbor, local organizations launch new community youth program in Ypsilanti
Association Football Club Ann Arbor and Washtenaw My Brotherโs Keeper, in partnership with the Hart & Tay Train Foundation, the Rob Murphy Foundation and the Mighty Oak Project, have launched a new community youth program called CLR Academy.
Ann Arbor School Board releases statement on upcoming vote to stay virtual
ANN ARBOR โ The Ann Arbor Board of Education released a statement on Friday evening clarifying the details of next weekโs vote after considerable uproar from some community members. โAt our meeting on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education voted to direct Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift to explore the feasibility of modifying its current Return to School Plan,โ the Board clarified. โThe Board apologizes for any confusion this vote on Wednesday may have caused our community during an already stress-filled school year due to the pandemic. AdโThe Boardโs vote did not change or alter the approved transition to hybrid-in school learning option,โ read the statement. In response to the Boardโs motion, parent group Ann Arbor Reasonable Return launched a GoFundMe on Thursday, raising more than its $30,000 goal in less than 24 hours to establish a political action committee.
Ann Arbor Public Schools set to reopen in phases starting in March
ANN ARBOR โ Ann Arbor Public Schools announced in an email to teachers and parents on Wednesday morning that the district is aiming to begin hybrid in-school learning in early March. According to the initial timeline, Stage 4 is targeted to begin after spring break. Whitmer encourages Michigan public schools to reopen for in-person learning by March 1In-person learning will be offered for all levels and families who decide to stay home and continue virtual learning have the option to do so. As the district monitors COVID cases and vaccinations ahead or reopening, the Superintendent will recommend specific target dates to reopen in February, approved by the Board of Education and confirmed with staff and parents. Final start dates will be announced two weeks prior to the anticipated return of students.
U-Mโs Matthaei Botanical Gardens offering virtual field trips
ANN ARBOR โ Who remembers field trips? Luckily, University of Michiganโs Matthaei Botanical Gardens staff are organizing virtual field trips for classrooms and groups. Virtual field trips are offered Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here are the topics and recommended grade levels, according to its website:Roots and Shoots : Explore plants and their needs. For more information or to schedule a field trip, contact Youth Education Coordinator Liz Glynn at lizglynn@umich.edu.
Farmington Public Schools board votes to continue remote learning for elementary schools until at least Jan. 11
FARMINGTON, Mich. โ The Farmington Public Schools Board of Education voted on Tuesday for elementary schools to remain in remote learning until at least Jan. 11, 2021. Following the Guidance for In-Person Instruction, it says that Districts should consider remote instruction for the entire district. Disruption to FamiliesWe acknowledge the disruption of this constant move from in-person to remote instruction causes for families. โWe know that other districts in Oakland County are struggling, as well, with the factors listed above.โStudents in the Individualized Education Program will continue to follow the districtโs recommendation and remain in remote learning. The district is still planning to have middle and high school school return to in-person learning on Jan. 25, 2021.
Haisley Elementary teachers in Ann Arbor use dance video to connect with students
ANN ARBOR, Mich. A video made by Haisley Elementary School teachers has lifted the spirits of students stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Organized by first-grade teacher Ashley Wight, the video starts with drone footage of empty school grounds around the elementary school. It transitions to a video call between Wight and Haisley Principal Dante Watson who talk about missing their students and the Haisley community. Haisley teachers can be seen dancing by themselves and with family members to The Git Up by singer-songwriter Blanco Brown. Over the phone, Wight said that most of the Haisley teachers and teachers assistants participated.