August 5, 2020 Hello AAPS Students and Staff, Parents and Community, As we move into August, our thoughts naturally turn to back-to-school. We all recognize that during this COVID pandemic year, back-to-school considerations are considerably more challenging for students and parents, teachers, staff, leaders and across our local and global community. Despite the many challenges, we excitedly look forward to welcoming our students to the 2020-21 school year. This fall will feature real-time, interactive learning, as well as a self-paced, independent virtual option. Students will be engaged directly with quality AAPS teachers, classes, curricula, visual and performing arts, STEAM and Project Lead the Way and a full array of rich AAPS program offerings. Every student will benefit from a district-provided device, customized for their grade level, to access virtual learning classrooms, assignments and learning activities. During the 2020-21 school year, three program choices are available to parents featuring quality AAPS teachers and rich curricula and programs. A2 Student Link and A2 Classroom Connect programs include engagement with students, teachers and peers in a real-time, synchronous learning. A2 Virutal+ Academy provides students with a self-paced, independent, asynchronous program with AAPS teacher support. All programs focus on meaningful feedback, skill development, grades and academic progress toward the next grade level and credit toward graduation. To better prepare to welcome our students, we ask that you complete a program selection for each student enrolled in the AAPS. In the coming days, you will receive an email from AAPS and K-12 Insight with an enrollment form to register for one of the programs and to respond to a few additional questions. Your response is requested by August 12th. Families who have not completed an enrollment form to register will be registered for A2 Classroom Connect. For more detailed information about each program, please click the links below. •A2 Student Link •A2 Classroom Connect •A2 Virtual+ Academy We are committed to supporting students who may need additional support. Please see below for information about supervised learning groups via Connections +. •Connections+ Learning Group Support Also, see additional information about: We have posted answers to some of the Frequently Asked Questions about the start of the school year, and you can email additional questions you may have to a2schools@a2schools.org. When COVID data supports a safe return to in-person school, the AAPS will deploy a phased approach. Students will be transitioned in smaller groups by grade levels while monitoring health data, beginning with the youngest and those with the most need for in-person instruction, first. Thank you for your partnership and support; truly, it ‘takes a village to raise our children’ well, and there is no more meaningful endeavor in a strong community. This COVID pandemic reminds us of how closely we are all connected; our fates are inextricably tied together, even in the very air we breathe. We know this Ann Arbor Public Schools community will rise to this current challenge, we will care for each other, and together, we will see our way to better days ahead. We thank you for your patience as we continue to work hard every day to be well-prepared for a very different and safe start of the 2020 school year. We look forward to welcoming our students to Fall 2020 learning on Tuesday, September 8th. Sincerely, Jeanice K. Swift Superintendent of Schools | 