Au Gres-Sims Families and Community,
"Throw out your conceited opinions, for it is impossible for a person to begin to learn what he thinks he already knows."
It was the Greek philosopher Epictetus who wrote these words nearly 2000 years ago, words that continue to ring true today. Acknowledging what you don't know, admitting it, is not a bad thing. In fact, it is a sign of strength and the doorway to learning. It may not come as a surprise to you, but teenagers think they know it all, and this is a barrier to their academic progress.
In this age of technology, with instant access to Google and web-bots like ChatGPT, it is very easy to obtain information. Almost everyone now carries in their pockets computers more power than NASA used when they first put a man on the moon, computers that took up entire wings of buildings in Houston. But does this instant access to information equate to knowledge?
Most people would answer, no, reciting information from the first link of a search engine or citing a Wikipedia page is not the same as knowledge, but for too many of our students these acts are one and the same with learning. I, along with many of my fellow educators, have noticed a very alarming and unexpected trend as we have emerged from pandemic-enforced learning; students believe they know it all and in the process they are closing their minds to new learning. More than just typical teenage resistance however, this trend is spreading to younger ages and grades as well. Even more, students have grown obstinate about what they know and are of the belief that a copied and pasted answer from Google or response from ChatGPT is evidence that they own that knowledge.
The question that I'm sure is brewing within you, if your thinking is aligned to mine thus far is, what can we do about it? The short answer is, I don't know. The longer answer is one that I've been reflecting on this week, with it running in the background of my mind as I've gone about the other business of the district. What I've come up with are a few thoughts and suggestions that I hope you will expand upon.
Thoughts:
- The school can't do it alone, it needs to be a coordinated school-home effort.
- Students need to feel comfortable and confident enough to own not knowing something.
- Taking time, and slowly working through a difficult task or learning has lasting value that translates into knowledge, in contrast to regurgitation of information.
Suggestions:
- Adults (school and home) should model how to acknowledge not knowing something.
- Referencing the internet for information should involve the reading of multiple (at least 3) different sites before a conclusion is drawn, and then it should be reworded and NEVER copied and pasted.
- Resist the urge to give answers to students/children. Instead, question them about their inquiry or knowledge and then sit side-by-side with them as they explore the process of discovering the answer on their own.
It is impossible to walk through a closed door and that is exactly what our students are presenting when they "know" something. This is a battle worth fighting, and one when won that will open the door to endless possibilities. With your help we can win that battle and our children will be the real winners.
Have a great weekend,
Mr. Ming
K-12 Principal's Update
Our Varsity baseball team has the special opportunity to play at Dow Diamond this Sunday, April 16. Game time is set for 11:30. The cost to attend is $10. Come help kickoff the opening of the baseball season while supporting our AGS Wolverines!
As a reminder, we have our Preschool/Kindergarten Roundup on Monday, April 17, starting at 4:00. Please remember to enter through the Main Office and provide Mrs. Vollbach with your birth certificate, proofs of residency, and immunization record, and then we will present you with your materials and send you along to the elementary.
Are you a chess fan? If so, we have an opportunity for you to show off your skills on Wednesday, April 19, at 6:00 pm in the Cyber Cafe (old MS/HS library). You can enter the Cyber Cafe by going in the back doors of the high school over by the buses. If interested, reserve your spot with Gordon Ostrander by calling him at 989-254-9303. There is no cost to play, but if you would like pizza, the cost is $5.
It is no secret that exercise can do wonders for our health. Exercise is good for losing weight, preventing illnesses, improving heart health, relieving stress, and boosting well-being. The benefits of exercise also affect the brain in numerous ways. Exercise improves brain plasticity which directly affects cognitive functions such as memory and learning. Exercise also lowers the risk of cognitive decline and dementia and helps to prevent diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia. Exercise also helps to boost memory, attention, and information processing. Exercise can lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression, while also indirectly helping to manage pain and stress. Whether you prefer low, moderate, or high-intense workouts, the benefits of physical activity for overall health are undeniable. So, what is the proper amount? Experts recommend 2 to 2.5 hours of moderate activity weekly – approximately 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day– or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (slightly over an hour). The choice is yours. Though the literature is full of evidence on how exercise affects the brain, there is no clear answer on which activity is the best. So, the big takeaway here is to get moving. No doubt, your brain will thank you!
From the Desk of Ms. Socha
Although we were just coming back from break, we jumped right into a full, busy week! We started M-STEP testing with our 5th and 8th-grade students and also completed PSAT and SAT testing with our 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade students. Testing continues next week with M-STEP for 3rd - 8th grade. A few important things to note for testing days: once a testing session starts, a student cannot enter late. Therefore, please be sure to have your students to campus on time so that they do not have to wait in the office for testing to end. Also, it is very important for our middle school students to bring their Chromebooks to school fully charged each morning. We do not have enough outlets for every student to plug in their computer in the testing room. We also have to have the room set in a certain configuration, so having to arrange students at the last minute to accommodate Chromebook issues puts a delay in the testing session. Please help us by encouraging your child to charge their Chromebooks at night and bring them to school each day. We appreciate your support in making these busy testing weeks more successful! Once again, here is a link to my M-STEP testing information page with suggestions on how you can help prepare your child for a successful testing experience!
Marking period 3 grades are complete and report cards will be coming home in the next day or two. Now that grades have been finalized, I can make the final calculations for our MP3 Middle School House winners! The announcement will be made at the start of next week.
I also wanted to take a few minutes to share our District's Continuous Improvement Plan. Below is a copy of the posters that hang in our classrooms and common areas that outline our plan. We consistently track data around these goals and monitor progress to make necessary adjustments. This is the heart and soul of our district initiatives and drives the work that we do each day. If you have any questions about our plan, feel free to reach out to me!
A Message from the Central Michigan District Health Department (CMDHD)
Each year, approximately 3 million people, many under age 5, swallow or have contact with a poisonous substance. Most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention. In 2020, unintentional poisoning was the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths for children and adolescents ages 1-19. Below are poison prevention fact sheets and treatment tips.
- Poisoning Prevention Fact Sheet (attached PDF)
- Poison Prevention and Treatment Tips
To get help from Poison Control, call 1-800-222-1222. This phone number is free and confidential.
Athletics Update
Spring was certainly in the air last week and it was great to see our sports teams in action. This upcoming week features more sports action, but Mother Nature might just have something up her sleeve!
Next Week's Schedule of Events:
Sun. 4/16
- 11:30a V Baseball vs. Mayville @ DOW DIAMOND
Mon. 4/17
- 4p V Baseball HOME vs. Charlton Heston
- 4p V Softball HOME vs. Charlton Heston
- 4p MS Track AWAY @ Tawas
- 4:30p V Soccer AWAY @ Valley Lutheran
Tue. 4/18
- 4p V Track AWAY @ Whittemore-Prescott
Wed. 4/19
- 4:30p V Soccer HOME (SSC) vs. Ithaca
Thu. 4/20
- 4p V Baseball HOME vs. Rogers City
- 4p V Softball HOME vs. Rogers City
- 4:30p V Soccer HOME vs. Nouvel
Fri. 4/21
- 4p V Track AWAY @ Standish-Sterling
Sat. 4/22
- 10a V Baseball HOME Tournament
- 10a V Softball HOME Tournament
Huffman Basketball Camp
Kindergarten and GSRP (pre-school) Round-Up for 23-24
We will hold our AGS Kindergarten and GSRP Round-up on Monday, April 17th from 4-6pm. If you have an age-eligible child or know of someone who does, please plan on attending so we can get our youngest Wolverines registered for the Fall!
Students and their parents will start in the main office where they will get a passport to visit different stations and earn stamps and prizes, while learning where everything is in their new school.
GSRP Make-Up Day Next Friday, April 21st
As mentioned in previous newsletters, the rest of the school district is not currently in that position as we we have had 8 snow day cancellations. We are allotted 6 each year and can apply to the State for an additional 3. We will be making that application toward the end of this month and do not anticipate having to make up any days in June.
The Wolverine Wake-up
Mr. Ming: With the testing schedule is it safe to assume that you won't have a Wake up for us this week?
Mr. Freeman: We came through in the clutch, here is the link for this week's issue.
Mr. Ming: Yeah you did!
ATTENTION SENIORS AND SENIOR PARENTS - MONEY IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU FOR NEXT YEAR!!!
You may have already received some information in the mail about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and our seniors will be hearing more and seeing more about it from now through the end of the school year. Below are resources to help you with the process, please take advantage of them and call the main office of the school if you need any assistance.
Letter explaining the Michigan Achievement Scholarship (MAS)
FSA ID Worksheet (FAFSA Login)
Which Parent to use on the FAFSA (students with 2 households)
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