Au Gres-Sims Families and Community,
- First, my apologies for sending the wrong link to last week's newsletter. If you didn't see the corrected link and have a chance to read the update, I highly recommend doing so here (November 11, 2022 Weekly Wolverine Update). In it I called attention to the amazing support staff that we have in our district, a group that we collectively celebrated on Wednesday of this week for Education Support Staff Appreciation Day. It isn't too late to send these hardworking people a message of gratitude; it really does mean a lot.
- Second, due to the two day school week next we will not be doing a newsletter. Our next Weekly Wolverine Update will come out on Friday, December 2nd
With next week being Thanksgiving (and this being the final newsletter before the holiday) I would like to express my gratitude to an educational partner of our district. Au Gres-Sims, along with the other Arenac County school districts, cities, and townships, is fortunate to have a gracious neighbor in our district who generously provides additional funding to our district.
In the Fall of 2008 the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan started issuing Tribal 2% grants on the profits from their casinos in Arenac and Isabella counties. The amount of that distribution has grown over the years and this fall the Saganing branch (Arenac County) awarded just over $1.1 million right back to government and education entities in our small corner of the state! Since the inception of this grant program Au Gres-Sims has been the fortunate recipient of $1,491,075.98 and has used these monies for an abundance of educational projects including but not limited to: classroom libraries, 1:1 chromebooks, credit recovery, iPads, renovation funding for the Cyber Cafe, duel enrollment, etc. These are just a few of the amazing contributions that these 2% funds have been used for.
On November 18th I had the pleasure of representing our district and graciously accepting a check for $74,363.70 for the Fall 2022 cycle. I shared with the Tribal Council and the other assembled awardees that the Tribe's gift to our district and commitment to our students, staff, and community is more than money, it is the gift of opportunity. Their partnership makes big town/big school chances that would otherwise be out of reach financially a reality for our small school district.
I am humbled by their generosity and the positive impact that they make on education, infrastructure, and safety here in Arenac County. I hope you will all join me in saying a huge thank you in the native Ojibwa language, Chi Miigwetch.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday,
Mr. Ming
K-12 Principal's Update
Did you know that November is National Homeless Awareness Month? To help raise awareness, students are being encouraged to design a poster for a contest put on by the Bay Arenac ISD in partnership with the Studio 23 Arts Center. The contest is open to all students in grades 6-12 and posters can be emailed to Megan Koch at “executive.director@studio23baycity.org” with the subject line, “Poster Contest Bay ISD”. Posters are due November 30. There are awards for the top 3 places. 1st place is $100, 2nd place is $75, and 3rd place is $50.
Tis’ the Christmas season…kind of. It seems like getting ready for the holiday seasons happens sooner and sooner every year. In preparation for Christmas, Arenac County is offering assistance for toy applications for Christmas for Kids. If interested, there is an application that needs to be filled out by November 22. For more information, contact DHHS in Standish.
With the Christmas season on the horizon, holiday shopping is also upon us. Finding the perfect present is never easy, but often becomes more difficult when special circumstances are involved. The following site helps to provide the perfect toy for individuals with special needs.
https://www.fatbraintoys.com/special_needs/
The PTO is also running a special “Breakfast With Santa” event on Saturday, December 3, from 9:00-11:00 am in the Multipurpose Room. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children (under 2 are free) and includes delicious pancakes, sausage, juice, coffee, kids crafts, and a meet and greet with Santa himself. Come enjoy this special event with your family and create memories that last a lifetime!
From the Desk of Ms. Socha
Now that report cards have gone home and we have entered a new marking period, I am making final calculations to determine the HOUSE winners for Marking Period 1. These will be announced at the beginning of next week. I know the students are anxiously awaiting the results, especially Middle School who are waiting to see if Reveur will continue their winning streak, or if another House will finally steal the trophy away from them! Each year, the make-up of the Houses changes slightly with 8th grade moving to their High School House and 6th grade moving in. These changes can make a huge difference in the make-up of the teams!! I will be announcing the winners in my next newsletter!
The Elementary Book Fair is coming - just in time for the holidays! The Book Fair will run from December 5th-9th. Students will be bringing home information and can bring money to shop during that week. We will also have the Book Fair open the evening of Wednesday, December 7th from 5:00-7:00 pm for parents to come in and shop. The Book Fair will be held in the Elementary Science Lab.
Finally, just a friendly reminder for secondary families - students should be bringing their CHARGED Chromebook to school each day! This is an important school tool and we need to make sure that our students are prepared for class each day. Thank you for your assistance with this!
Athletics Update
Winter Sports Season has fully arrived and that means that we redirect our sports attention to the warm environs of the hardwood court. Middle School Basketball is in full swing and High School is just getting started with games to begin after the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Next Week's Schedule of Events:
Mon. 11/21
- 6p MS Girls Basketball HOME vs. Alcona
- 6p MS Boys Basketball AWAY @ Alcona
Tue. 11/22
- 6p MS Girls Basketball HOME double-header; 6th/7th grade vs. Charlton Heston Academy; 8th grade vs. Posen
The Wolverine Wake-Up
Mother Nature has dealt the first taste of winter, and we love it here at The Wolverine Wake-Up Studio. You know what goes better with winter than a pair of toasty gloves and hot cocoa? If you said hunting, you're right! This week's issue is all about Opening Day. Check out our interviews, and be sure to keep up to date on the goings on of the world by reading our newsletter too! Have a great day and we'll catch you next week!
Middle and High School Drop-in Tutoring
Dates for Tutoring the next few weeks:
- Mon. 11/21
- Mon. 11/28
- Thu. 12/1
- Mon. 12/5
- Thu. 12/8
- Mon. 12/12
- Thu. 12/15
- Mon. 12/19
Community Events
- Thursday, December 1st (6p registration, 7p start) - Arenac Community Funds Holiday Auction (Ali's Up North)***
- Saturday, December 3rd - Christmas Parade (starts at AGS parking lot and ends in the City Park
- Saturday, February 18th - Arenac Community Funds Trivia Night (Arenac Community Center, Standish)
***Items for the ACF Holiday Auction should be turned in to any committee member by November 21st, including a donation form. See attached PDFs for details. Locally, items and forms may be turned into Chris Ming in the administrative office of the school district or Dale Wiltse at City Hall.
Help Wanted at AGS
Job Opportunities at AGS
We are also always on the lookout for substitute teachers. If interested, please inquire with Mrs. Miller in the district administration office, (989) 876-7157 and she will put you into direct contact with Laurie Crane at ESS-WillSub
Au Gres-Sims School District
Email: web@ags-schools.org
Website: www.ags-schools.org
Location: 310 South Court Street, Au Gres, MI, USA
Phone: (989) 876-7150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuGresSims/?ref=br_rs
Twitter: @agsschools
