The Au Gres-Sims School District

This past week I saw something special, something authentic and real, something that I didn't even know that I had been missing the past three years. What I saw was a packed parking lot and a full gymnasium, creating a magnificent atmosphere for our varsity basketball teams. More than just the number of people in attendance was the general feeling of community and school spirit that had been robbed blindly from us not too long ago. Our bleachers were filled with parents, grandparents, staff members, students supporting their peers, our enthusiastic cheerleaders, and our youth basketball players and their parents. Their cheering, laughing, and general enjoyment was a joy to take in.

I spoke with some of the varsity players in the days that followed and they claimed to have been uplifted by the energy they received from the crowd. Our boys put up a great fight against a much more experienced squad, and propelled that into a win the following night, while our girls claimed victory against an opponent who had beat them by 25 points earlier in the season on the road. In conversations with staff members in the hallways over the rest of the week the comments that I heard echoed my own feelings at the game, that what was lost is now starting to feel found once again. Their sentiment has been that spirit and pride are returning, a true sign to me that we have made another big stride forward as we recover from the pandemic.

A big part of that atmosphere was made up of our young Wolverines, our elementary school boys and girls who have been participating in our Saturday Youth Basketball Clinics. Their eyes were alight watching the games as they cheered on every made basket while they awaited their chance to take the court during halftime of each game. An immense assist and huge amount of gratitude goes out to the volunteers who make that happen each Saturday and the organizers of the clinic, Coach Becky (Dr. Becky Britt-Dewyer) and Coach Matt Dewyer...they have helped to restore the pride to our Wolverines!

This change for the better didn't happen overnight and has been made possible through many people giving back to our community over time. Tuesday night was perhaps just the tipping point for families to be back together at the school, enjoying their time together and cheering on the Maroon and Gold. Thanks for supporting our students and school and taking an active role in this wonderful community.

Violence in communities has become way too common. Of course, we hope that we never have to go through these experiences, but the connections to the events seem to get closer every day. Throughout the year we practice various drills to prepare ourselves as best as possible for these situations. Besides actually going through drills it is also important to have conversations with our children about these violent situations. Below are a couple of resources to help parents talk to their children about school violence and tips on how families can cope with these situations. There is also a National Parent Helpline that can be reached at 1-855-4 A PARENT (1-855-427-2736). This helpline offers emotional support from trained individuals Monday through Friday from 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

• How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings
• Helping Children Cope With Terrorism- Tips for Families

Looking ahead, we have a 1:00 early release next week on February 22, for professional development for staff.

As a reminder of information sent to families in previous newsletters, starting next Monday, February 20, we will revert back to the 4 route bus system. Route #1 will be driven by Aaron Abair and Bob Lyon, Route 2 will be driven by Bob Strano, Route 3 will be driven by Ted Gibbs, and Route #4 will be driven by Ann Tremble (previously Cory Brown’s). Copies of the new times and locations are posted on the front of the main office, on the school website, in this week's newsletter, was sent home with students on the bus this week, and was sent home through a Skyward email. Although this is another busing change for families, we feel it is for the best in minimizing riding times while lessening busload capacities. Just like at the start of the year, please understand that the pick-up and drop off times are not exact and time should be allotted as things may run faster or slower than anticipated. After the first couple of days, time should become more solidified. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Main Office. Thanks!

Even though we had a short week due to Mid-Winter Break and a snow day, we were able to pack a lot of things into a short period of time! On Thursday, we had our Elementary Child study meeting, where a team of people from both the district and the ISD come together to discuss and create a plan of action for students who are struggling with academics, behavior, and/or social-emotional skills. It is always a jam-packed day, but very beneficial and crucial to give our students what they need. Next week, we will also hold our IRIP meetings for our K-3 students to update goals and progress for those who have been identified as needing additional reading support as outlined by the Read By Grade 3 Law. This is another important step in ensuring that we provide all of the support we have to students who need additional assistance.

We also have been working on planning our reward trip for our Marking Period 2 HOUSE winners! It was a very tight race in both middle and high school. In middle school - the winner was AMISTAD! I believe this is the first marking period reward that Amistad has ever earned!! In high school, the winner was REVEUR! Both groups will be traveling to Tawas to the Ice Rink for an afternoon of ice skating, pizza, pop, chips, and fun! Middle School Amistad will go on Thursday, March 2nd, and High School Reveur will attend on Tuesday, February 28th. A passive consent for will be sent home at the beginning of next week with more information.

Looking ahead, March is just around the corner - so we are also preparing for reading month. School-wide novels are arriving, Book Fair details are being finalized, Family Night events are being determined, and we are ready to bring on the fun! Next week I will be giving more information about our MS/HS Book Fair. Although I confirmed it over a year ago, Scholastic has cancelled my in-person Book Fair, but are offering some other options. Although I am less than pleased with their actions, I am working with them on other options for our Book Fair this year. I am hoping to be able to share that next week. We will also be releasing final Reading Month information, so be on the lookout! I hear there may be a couple of Super Heroes visiting during Reading Month!!

The final leg of the winter sports' regular season is upon us with only a few weeks to go before the MHSAA Playoffs.

Next Week's Schedule of Events:

Mon. 2/20:

• 6p V Girls Basketball HOME vs. Whittemore-Prescott (Senior Night)

Thu. 2/23:

• 6p V Girls Basketball AWAY @ Charlton Heston Academy

Fri. 2/24

• 6p V Boys Basketball HOME vs. Charlton Heston Academy

Important dates for February for the Au Gres-Sims School District.

FEBRUARY

• 20: 5p PTO Meeting in the Elementary Science Lab
• 20: 6p Board of Education regular meeting
• 22: Early Release for all students at 1pm

Important and note-worthy events taking place in Au Gres and Arenac County

• Feb. 18: Arenac Community Funds Trivia Night at Arenac Community Center (Standish)

The 2023 ESS Art Contest is now open to students in grades K-12! Be sure to submit your artwork by March 12th, 8:00 pm Eastern Time. Winning students will each receive a $500 American Express gift card and $500 for their school!

Quick Facts:

• The contest information is located at ArtContest.ess.com.​
• To enter, students must submit a drawing or painting with an image representing “If you could take a school field trip anywhere, where would you go?”​
• The contest ends on March 12th, 8:00 pm Eastern Time.​
• The top five finalists in each Grade Group will be featured on ESS’ Facebook and Instagram during the week of April 10th for public voting.​
• Public voting ends on April 16th, 8:00 pm Eastern Time.​
• Winners will be announced on April 19th.​
• Winning students will receive a $500 American Express gift card, plus $500 for their school.

Our studio experienced an unexpected loss of internet connectivity this week, and we were not able to access our network of high quality digital newsletter templates. Have no fear, though, we were able to create an impressive video broadcast for you this week. Feel free to click this link to watch this week's edition.

Job Opportunities at AGS

• We do not currently have any vacancies for the district. If you are interested in a substitute role please contact the administration office

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

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