The Au Gres-Sims School District

This weekend we remember. My entry this week was always going to be about remembrance, but it now must include a new component, something close to home. On Monday, AGS and the greater Au Gres Community lost Zachary Hughes, an 8th grade student, in a tragic accident. Zachery was a quiet kid and by all regards a nice kid who was always kind to others. His passing serves as a reminder of just how precious life is and how none of us truly know how much time we have. It also puts into perspective what really matters; how we treat each other through the relationships and interactions that we have with others.

Tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of the defining tragedy of my lifetime, an event that shaped my life and the lives of countless other Americans. On September 11, 2001 terror struck the United States and left every person in this country with doubts that didn't exist before those planes hit the Towers. To this day I still remember the pit in my stomach that I had when I heard the news, and the feelings of anger, fear, and hurt that came afterward. I remember the first time I heard an airplane again after flights had resumed. Tomorrow we remember those people that we lost and we also remember those parts of us that were lost in the process.

Tomorrow is also a day to remember what came after the tragedy of 9/11/01. It is a day to remember how Americans put aside their differences and united for a common cause, the care and support of one another. After the tragedy, the messages were of love and unity, not hatred and separation. When our country was attacked, our people responded. Twenty years later I recall with perfect clarity the images of bravery from emergency personnel. I still feel the same kindness of heart and sacrifice that people showed one another in our collective grief. I remember sitting in a lecture hall of a cancelled class with my peers in support of our professor, whose family lived in New York City. I can even sing along with the tribute songs that musicians contributed to help our nation heal. When our country was hurting, our people responded by helping one another in any way they could. They did this without regard for the color, creed, or class of their fellow man because it was the right thing to do.

Today I see our people as bitterly divided as I ever have in my lifetime. My hope for tomorrow is that we remember; we remember Zachary Hughes, we remember 9/11, and we remember that our time is limited and the amount of it unknown. We remember that treating each other with love and respect is vastly superior to angst and hatred. We remember these lessons and we apply them to our lives and embody them through our actions.

Have a wonderful weekend AGS,

Mr. Ming

Time to get that favorite shirt out and comb your hair! Picture day is upon us. It will take place next Monday, September 13, for all students in grades K-12 and our GSRP students (who happen to be starting school on the 13th!). Smile pretty!!!!

Also not too far away is Homecoming. The theme for this year is “Big City Lights”.

Looking ahead, here are the activities and dates for the MS/HS students starting Sunday, September 19th:

Sunday, Sept. 19: 2:00 MS and HS Powder Puff games

Monday, Sept. 20: “America Day”; Hall decorating during Seminar

Tuesday, Sept. 21: “Camo Day”
Wednesday, Sept. 22: “Mismatch Day”; 6:30 HS Scavenger Hunt/Bonfire
Thursday, Sept. 23: “Tropical Day”
Friday, Sept. 24: “Maroon and Gold Day”

• 2:00 Homecoming Assembly
• 4:30 Parade/Carnival (TBD)
• 7:00 Game vs. Alcona

Saturday, Sept. 25:

• 10:00 Homecoming Classic FB Golf Outing at Knollview
• 8:00 Homecoming Dance (High School students only)

If you are looking for some additional activities to keep the family busy, see the attached flyer from the Great Start Collaborative- https://conta.cc/3kIjmcs. Some exciting current activities include after school recreation, the Saginaw Bay 4-H Fish Camp, a Halloween Fun Run/Walk, and much more!

And last, but definitely not least, I would like to take a second to encourage continued prayers for the family of Zachary Hughes, an 8th grader of ours who passed away last weekend in a car accident. For those of us who were fortunate enough to know Zach, we were blessed by his presence. Although Zach would never consider himself a role model, he was the epitome of what a young man should be. There is so much we can continue to learn from Zach and the way he led his life. He was polite, hard working, and kind hearted. If Zach ever had a bad day, you never knew it. He will always be cherished and missed. Zach, I hope we can continue to grow and learn from you and be half the person you were.

Thank you Zach for enriching our lives!

It has been an emotional week here at Au Gres-Sims, but in true Wolverine fashion, everyone has come together to support one another. We will continue to move forward using the lessons that Zachary taught us while we were so fortunate to have him - which is how to move through life with true kindness and patience. He was a gentle soul, and he will be missed beyond words.

As we transition next week to our first full 5-day week on campus since March of 2020, it will be a busy week for sure. Monday begins the first day of the Fall NWEA testing window. Classroom teachers will give specific dates for their classroom testing over the next few weeks. Our handful of virtual students should expect a message from me in the next few days for your testing dates and times. This important data will help us set goals for the year, and focus areas for our students!

Finally, we have a new updated look to our Elementary and Middle School monthly parent newsletters! These newsletters are part of our School and Home connection plan and we hope they are helpful resources. Here is a digital link to both of the Elementary and Middle School newsletters.

Elementary Newsletter

Middle School Newsletter

Getting to Know the School Counselor

Introduce yourself in-person, by phone, or email:

If you have never met the school counselor before, conversations about even minor problems can feel like high-stakes encounters. If you are at the school for another reason, see if you can stop by and say hello. It might feel awkward at first, but an early introduction can pay off in the long run.

Talk to your child more about their counselor:

In the best case scenario, school counselors are going around to every classroom and to evening events, introducing themselves to their students. Don’t take that fact for granted though. Ask if your child knows who the counselor is. Explain that the counselor is there to listen to your child’s worries and celebrate their achievements. Emphasize that a conversation with a counselor isn’t a punishment, or a sign your child is in trouble.

Children have rights too:

Parents will occasionally want to know everything a child tells a school counselor. That’s not a school counselor’s role. Counselors should tell both students and parents that what a student says will be confidential unless the counselor is concerned about the student’s safety, welfare, or the welfare of others. Both kids and parents should also know that a counselor’s office is a space where students can talk about feelings, emotions, or problems they don’t feel comfortable or ready to discuss with their family.

https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news/educators-playbook/national-school-counselors-week

The fall sports season is underway and we are excited to be offering Varsity, JV, and middle school football, Varsity and JV volleyball, and middle school girls basketball this fall.

Next Week's Game Schedule

• M 9/13: MS Girls Basketball HOME vs. Hale - 6pm
• Tu 9/14: MS Football HOME vs. Charlton Heston - 6pm
• Th 9/16: JV Football HOME vs. Pickford - 6pm
• Th 9/16: JV/V Volleyball AWAY @ Posen - 6pm
• F 9/17: V Football HOME vs. Hillman - 7pm

Just a reminder that Football Frenzy cards are on sale until October 1st. Get your card before they're gone!

Important dates for September for the Au Gres-Sims School District

SEPTEMBER

• SEPTEMBER 13: Picture Day
• SEPTEMBER 15: Early Dismissal @ 1:00pm all students
• SEPTEMBER 15-17: Middle School field trip to Hartley Outdoor Education Center
• SEPTEMBER 20: Board of Education meeting 6p Elementary Library

Come be a part of the AGS Staff and help out your local school district. Employees are the backbone of a school district and the foundation by which we are able to offer services to our students and families. The vacancies below are critical needs for us and for our student services. If you or someone you know is looking for a job, please consider joining the family of the Au Gres-Sims School District.

We are hiring for the following positions:

• GSRP Classroom Aide
• Cook
• Administrative Assistant to the Principal's Office
• Substitute Teachers
• Substitute Bus Drivers

Information can be found under 'Employment Opportunities' on the district website or can be provided by calling the district office at (989) 876-7150.

The student-written Wolverine Wake-up returns this year with some veterans and some newcomers to the crew. The students and teacher editor Mr. Freeman look forward to bringing you the news in their words each week.

Click here for the September 10th, 2021 Edition of the Wolverine Wake-up (Issue 31)

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