The Au Gres-Sims School District
www.ags-schools.org
Au Gres-Sims Families,
As we move through this busy season, it’s easy to get caught up in the pace of daily life—projects, events, deadlines, and the endless to-do lists that fill our calendars. But within that rhythm lies an opportunity: the practice of gratitude. Gratitude asks us to pause, notice, and name the good that is all around us. At Au Gres-Sims, that “good” shows up in countless ways—students who help each other without being asked, staff who go above and beyond, families who partner with us, and a community that continuously invests in our kids. When we take a moment to recognize these things, we strengthen the connections that make our district feel like family.
Gratitude is more than a warm feeling—it’s a habit that makes us stronger, individually and collectively. Research shows that practicing gratitude improves mental well-being, increases resilience, and builds community trust. For our students, it models empathy and teaches them to appreciate both the big and small moments. For our adults, it helps us breathe a little deeper and remember why we do this important work. As we approach the holidays, I encourage all of us to slow down just enough to notice the people and moments that make this district special. When gratitude becomes part of our culture, it truly changes the way we see each other—and the way we see ourselves.
With a shortened holiday next week of school, and the fact that so many people (rightfully so) are focused on family for Thanksgiving, we will not be putting out a Weekly Wolverine Update next week. The next edition will come out on Friday, December 5. Have a wonderful holiday filled with good food, family, and gratitude.
Mr. Ming
Washington DC Student Trip 2026
The school has put together a student trip to Washington DC for the Fall of 2026. This would be for next year's 8th and 9th grade students (this year's 7th and 8th grade students). In order to make the trip as cost effective for our families as possible we must fill the bus. Our current numbers do not support that and we are at risk of the trip being canceled.
Mr. Dittenber has sent a form home with students (and also shared digitally) and we need to hear from the families of our current 7th and 8th grade students. Planning out this far in advance provides us a great opportunity to conduct fundraisers and further reduce the cost of the trip, but we need to know if we will reach our goal participation.
We need a minimum of 30 students signed up for the plans of this trip to move forward. The cut off date to sign up is Friday, December 5th. We have been in touch with the travel company and they assure us that up to that date we can cancel the trip and issue a full refund to our families who have signed up and made payments.
From the Desk of Mr. Miller
Hey AGS Nation,
This week’s Positivity Project strength is Gratitude, and it’s a reminder of just how powerful a thankful mindset can be, both inside the classroom and out in the real world.
In school, gratitude helps create a positive learning environment. When students appreciate their teachers, classmates, and the opportunities they have, it strengthens relationships and builds a supportive culture. Grateful students tend to feel less stressed, more focused, and more motivated to learn. Even small acts of appreciation, like saying “thank you” or recognizing someone’s effort, can make a big difference in how our school community feels.
Gratitude also plays a big role in life beyond the classroom. It helps people communicate better, handle challenges with resilience, and build strong personal and professional relationships. Research shows that individuals who practice gratitude are often happier, healthier, and more satisfied with their lives.
As we move through the week, let’s take a moment to recognize the good around us and the people who make a difference each day. Practicing gratitude doesn’t just make others feel appreciated, it helps us grow into stronger, more positive versions of ourselves.
Thanks & Continue to be Grateful Wolverines!
🔶🔶🔶🔶🔶🔶🔶🔶🔶🔶
As we gather with friends and family and take a moment to reflect, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you. Thanksgiving is a time to pause, appreciate, and celebrate the connections that make life meaningful. On a lighter note here are some fun, surprising, and slightly quirky facts about calories consumed during Thanksgiving:
🦃 1. The average American Thanksgiving meal packs about 3,000–4,500 calories.
That’s roughly one and a half to two days’ worth of recommended intake—in one sitting.
🥧 2. Dessert alone can hit 1,000 calories.
A slice of pumpkin pie is around 300–400 calories… add whipped cream, pecan pie, or apple pie à la mode, and you’re stacking calories faster than plates on the buffet.
🍗 3. Turkey is not the big culprit—it’s the sides.
Turkey (even with gravy) is relatively lean. But stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, mac & cheese, and rolls can easily add hundreds of calories per scoop.
🍽️ 4. Americans eat about 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving.
If each serving is ~200 calories, that’s billions of turkey calories consumed in one day.
🍹 5. A single holiday cocktail can rival dessert.
Eggnog? Mulled wine? Spiked cider? Many fall cocktails range from 200–400 calories each.
🛋️ 6. “Post-meal naps” aren’t from turkey.
Turkey does contain tryptophan—but not enough to truly knock you out. The real culprit: your body working overtime to digest thousands of calories.
📺 7. The average person eats the equivalent of three fast-food meals on Thanksgiving.
If Thanksgiving dinner were a fast-food order, it’d be like having a Big Mac meal… three times.
🥄 8. The biggest calorie bomb on many tables? Pecan pie.
One slice can exceed 500–700 calories, thanks to its sugary filling.
♻️ 9. Leftovers can double the total calorie intake.
Between turkey sandwiches, extra pie, and next-day sides, many people consume another 1,500–2,000 calories on Friday without realizing it.
🔥 10. You’d have to run a marathon to burn off a typical Thanksgiving feast.
Literally—most marathoners burn around 2,600–3,200 calories. Thanksgiving dinner can match or exceed that.
Thanks & Have a Happy Thanksgiving Wolverines!
Mrs. Steinbauer's Weekly Update
Our teachers are shining brighter than ever as the days grow shorter and winter approaches, finding fresh and creative ways to engage students and bring joyful learning into the classroom. In particular, Mrs. Wilk’s 5th grade class recently dived into a hands-on science experience from Mystery Science entitled “Do Worms Really Eat Dirt? – Decomposers & Soil Nutrients.” Mystery Science students observed real worms and asked questions about how these tiny decomposers work their magic in the soil turning dead material into nutrients for plants. This kind of innovative, interactive instruction is exactly what our teachers bring to every lesson: meaningful, real-world tasks that spark curiosity, build scientific thinking, and keep students engaged even as the skies darken earlier and the weather turns colder. Thanks to our staff’s perseverance and creativity, our school remains a place where learning is lively, relevant, and fun—even as we head into the heart of winter.
Strive for Fewer than Five: Attendance Matters
As we head into the short, three-day week before Thanksgiving, it’s still incredibly important for students to be in school each day. These days are filled with meaningful instruction, review, and activities that help set students up for success when we return after the holiday. Even brief gaps in attendance can interrupt learning routines and make it harder for students to stay on track. By ensuring your child is present next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, you’re helping them maintain strong habits, finish the semester on a positive note, and stay connected with their teachers and classmates before the break. Remember that our middle school and high school students will only have two and half weeks when they return before their semester exams must be taken. Thank you for supporting consistent attendance!
Weekly Update from the Dean's Den
AGS Scholastic Book Fair
WHEN: Dec. 1st - 5th 7:45am-8:10am each day and
additional pm times on the following dates:
Dec. 2nd 3:15pm-4:30pm
Dec. 3rd 3:15pm-5:15pm
Dec. 4th 3:15pm-4:30pm
WHERE: AGS Elementary Science Lab
Mrs. Cardinal's Weekly Update
8 Ways to Encourage Kindness at Home and School for Students and Parents
Kids understand kindness at a very early age. Kindness is the trait of being selfless, generous, considerate and friendly; qualities that most parents like to foster in their children. And with good reason – acts of kindness impact the levels of certain neurotransmitters in our brains that affect happiness and attachment to others.
Further, for those kids who seem to naturally struggle with kindness, the good news is that it can be taught just like any other skill. And the earlier it’s taught, the better! Here are a few ways to foster kindness in kids:
1. Be a good role model
Role modeling is probably the first step in teaching kindness to kids. If they see you being kind, it normalizes it for them. Hold doors open for people. Thank your server. Use specific kind language, such as: “This is a hard situation,” or “What can I do to help? I’m here for you.” They’ll pick up on these acts and will emulate them.
2. Teach them to be helpers
Helping is a form of kindness. Ask for their assistance. Acts such as carrying groceries into the house or clearing the dishes can encourage kids to see that they, too, can make a difference in other people’s lives. Then thank them! (That leads to my next point…)
3. Be specific when expressing gratitude
When we express gratitude to our kids, we’re helping them realize that their actions have helped someone else. But it’s important to be specific so that they connect it to the act of kindness. Say, “Thank you for helping me carry the dishes to the sink. That saved me a lot of time.” Or, “I really liked how you helped your brother pick up his toys. That was very kind.”
4. Consider safety
It may seem obvious, but it’s worth noting that for kids to develop a sense of kindness for others, they must feel safe – both physically and emotionally. For instance, kids who grow up with neglect and abuse tend to struggle with kindness more. Foster a safe environment. If two brothers are hitting each other, let them know that it’s your job to keep them safe and you can’t let them hurt each other. Their home is their safe place.
5. Explain that small acts have big impact
Sure, the bigger acts of kindness are impactful. But those take more planning and are logistically more difficult to pull off. Smaller acts can be done with more frequency. And sometimes, it’s the smaller acts that go farther. A smile. Saying “I’m happy to see you.” Helping someone pick up something they dropped. Encourage older teens to imagine that we all have an emotional savings account. The account can grow with both big and small deposits (AKA acts of kindness). Smaller, more frequent deposits keep our account working best. For younger kids, the book about filling someone’s invisible bucket is a great metaphor for teaching the concept. You could also consider creating a kindness jar, where you put puff balls in it each time you catch them being kind. Then do something special as a family when it gets filled up.
6. Clarify that it’s not always easy
Being kind isn’t always easy. It can take a lot of work. It can also feel funny. For instance, we might not know what to say when someone we know is grieving. The important thing is that we try. Or teenagers can be ostracized for sticking up for someone else. It’s hard to go against the grain. I like to help kids and teens realize that we often have multiple feelings at the same time. It’s okay to feel happy and sad about the same experience.
7. Be kind to themselves, too
It’s important for kids to be kind to themselves, too. Sometimes when we focus on kindness we think that means only doing things to help others, but we cannot be a good helper if we don’t take care of ourselves. Good self-care involves regular sleep, eating, physical activity, hydration, socializing and fun. Being kind to themselves also includes positive self-talk. Encourage them to say only positive things. Saying, “I may not understand this right now, but I will,” rather than deprecating language. And forgiving themselves when they make mistakes or are unkind to others. Doing wrong things is all a part of the human experience. So is forgiveness and kindness.
8. Volunteer when/if possible
Volunteering is a great way for kids to see exactly who they’re helping and how. Families who volunteer together can talk about it and process the experience together. Your church, school and local community organizations are great places to start. Children will get more out of these experiences if the activity is one of interest and they get to help decide what activity to engage in (with parent encouragement).
Warmly,
Ashley Cardinal
K–12 School Counselor
Athletics Update
As the weather turns colder and we move indoors, we’re excited to kick off another winter sports season here at Au Gres-Sims! Our student-athletes, coaches, and staff are looking forward to a season filled with teamwork, dedication, and school pride.
GO WOLVERINES!
SCHEDULE
Mon. 11/24
- 6p MS Girls Basketball AWAY @ Tawas
- 6p MS Boys Basketball HOME vs Tawas
Tues. 11/25
- 6p MS Girls Basketball AWAY @ Oscoda
- 6p MS Boys Basketball HOME vs Oscoda
Mon. 12/1
- 5p V Boys Hockey (CO-OP w/ Tawas) HOME vs Legion
- 6p JV Boys Basketball AWAY @ Charlton Heston
~7:15p V Boys Basketball AWAY @ Charlton Heston
Tues. 12/2
- 2p V Boys Hockey (CO-OP w/ Tawas) AWAY @ Bishop-Foley
- 6p MS Girls Basketball HOME vs Charlton Heston
- 6p MS Boys Basketball AWAY @ Charlton Heston
Wed. 12/3
- 2p V Boys Hockey (CO-OP w/ Tawas) HOME vs Lenawee
- 6p MS Girls Basketball HOME vs Fairview
Thurs. 12/4
- 6p JV Boys Basketball HOME vs Tawas
~7:15p Varsity Boys Basketball HOME vs Tawas
Fri. 12/5
- 6p MS Girls Basketball AWAY @ Hale
- 6p MS Boys Basketball HOME vs Hale
Sat. 12/6
- 6p V Boys Hockey (CO-OP w/ Tawas) AWAY @ Gaylord
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Parent Teacher Organization
The PTO plays an important role in supporting our teachers and students with many of the extras that make AGS so great. Consider joining this wonderful group and helping to make this school year a special one.
EVENTS:
- Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, November 29 ~ 8:00a.m. - 10:00a.m. (see attached flyer)
POPCORN FRIDAYS: The PTO pops the corn on selected Fridays throughout the school year in the elementary building. Volunteers are needed to make this happen, with a report time of 8:00a.m. Your son/daughter's teachers will be reaching out to you at different times throughout the year.
Please consider volunteering!
- December 12
- January 16, 30
- February 13, 27
- March 13, 27
- April 10, 24
- May 8, 22
Important Dates
NOVEMBER
- 27: NO SCHOOL ~ Happy Thanksgiving
- 28: NO SCHOOL ~ Thanksgiving Weekend
DECEMBER
- 10: 7p.m. ~ Holiday Band Concert
- 15: 6p.m. ~ Regular School Board Meeting (Elementary Library)
- 18: 1p.m. ~ Early Dismissal - Final Exams
- 19: 1p.m. ~ Early Dismissal - Final Exams
- 22 - Jan. 3: NO SCHOOL - HOLIDAY BREAK
Community Events
- December 4: Arenac Community Funds Holiday Auction - see attached flyer for details
- December 6: 6:15p.m. Au Gres Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade - see attached flyer for details
- Chamber of Commerce Gourmet Nut Fundraiser - see attached flyer for details
The Wolverine Wake-Up
Dear Wolverines,
Music is the universal language, and this week's episode of The Wolverine Wake-Up celebrates the music makers at AGS. They're the rhythm, the sound, and the heartbeat of games, pep rallies, and pump through our classroom speakers during projects and birthday parties. Our award-winning band has brought recognition to our school for decades, and this week we want to highlight the hard working folks who put the pep in our step every day.
Click This Link to Watch The Wolverine Wake-Up Issue 135
Cordially,
The Editor-in-Chief
Help Wanted at AGS
Current job listings:
- PARAPROFESSIONAL - LOWER ELEMENTARY (DUE by 11/28)
We are also always on the lookout for substitute teachers. If interested, please inquire with Mrs. Freehling in the district administration office, (989) 876-7150 and she will put you into direct contact with Laurie Crane at ESS-WillSub
