Message from Dr. B

Dear Ann Arbor Open Community,

We hope that you have had some enjoyable moments this weekend as we get ready for a shortened week. Remember, Fall Break begins and the end of the day on Thursday. There is NO SCHOOL on Friday October 9th or Monday October 12th. School will resume on Tuesday October 13th. Please continue to stay connected, check in with us, and celebrate the everyday successes that your children are experiencing. Let's make this a week filled with laughter, learning, and belonging here at Ann Arbor Open, a place where everyone can be their true authentic selves. Thank you for your patience, partnership, and continued support as we work to make Ann Arbor Open the best that it can be.

Thank you again for choosing Ann Arbor Open!

AA Open Admin Team (Krista and Dr. B)

Some Quick Notes

At 8:03am students are allowed in for breakfast whether they are dropped off by the bus or car
During any kind of inclement weather in the morning (cold temps, raining hard, etc), we bring students inside the main lobby area until the 8:10am bell rings.
We have at least one staff member in the front by car drop off and out back by buses daily. Dr. B is in the front with the cars and Krista is out back with buses. We also have an additional staff members signed up for both areas in case either Krista or Dr. B need to attend to a student, family, or a meeting that goes past that first bell.
Staff will be coming into the building at 8:15 to start the school day.

Here are some Important dates to Remember

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 - Student Count Day
Friday & Monday, October 9-12, 2026 - NO SCHOOL (Fall Break)
Thursday, October 15, 2026 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, October 15, 2026 - Fall Festival
Friday, October 16, 2026 - Coffee with the Principals (8:15 - 9:15)
Friday, October 30, 2026 - 1/2 Day (Students Dismissed at 11:15) - Staff Report Writing
Monday, November 2, 2026 - Travelin' Tom's Coffee
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - NO SCHOOL (Election Day)
Monday, November 16, 2026 - Milkshake Factory Fundraiser

Keeping You Informed

We had our first General Assembly on Tuesday. Thank you to all who joined! Here are the meeting minutes.

In addition to holding fundraising events to meet our annual goals, the AAOCC asks every family who is able to donate $90 per child for the school year. You can donate here (and choose an annual, quarterly, or monthly contribution). The majority of the AAOCC budget goes toward field trips and yearbooks for every student, but it also funds professional development for teachers and supports Open's outdoor gardening program and chicken care, Focus Studies, the Science & Maker Fair, Staff Appreciation Week, 8th grade graduation, and more. Thank you!

The Fall Festival and Picnic is Thursday, 10/15 -- join us for an afternoon of fun (3-7pm)! Your child can stay and play while you attend fall conferences. We still need volunteers for this event! Please sign up here for a shift.

Are you looking to rehome a Halloween costume? We'll have a costume swap at the fall festival! Please drop off items in the bin outside the main office.

Skateboards and scooters are welcome at OpenSk8 at Vets Park! There'll be two more this season: October 4 and October 25. No experience necessary! Come hang out with friends on these beautiful fall days.

Our next Coffee with the Principals is Friday, 10/16, 8:15-9:15am. Sign in at the front office and join us at the orca!

Important Information

https://www.a2schools.org/departments/transportation

Please take a moment to visit the AAPS Transportation homepage. Here you will find important reminders and answers to many questions that could arise. You can also find AA Open Bus route information using this link.

AAPS Mobile Bus Arrival App:

We are pleased to introduce My Stop, a new mobile app designed to provide you with real-time bus information. With My Stop, you can access your child's assigned bus, the bus stop location, and get updates on the estimated time of arrival at the bus stop. This app helps parents and students plan for late or on-time arrivals, preventing missed pick-ups. To get started, follow the step-by-step directions on how to set up and use My Stop, available for free on the Apple or Android Store on your smartphone. For more information, please visit AAPS Transportation Information.

Chartwells/EBF - Important

First, just as in previous years, every student at Ann Arbor Open is eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch this year. The task is for EVERY family to complete the Education Benefits Form. Why?

Each household is asked to complete the Household Information Report. This report is critical in determining the amount of money our school receives from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs. No information is shared at the building level as ALL information is kept at the district level. Use this link to get more information. Paper copies will NOT be sent out this year.

Lastly, once on the website, please click <Apply for Benefits> Read the information and once you are able to, please click <Education Benefits Form> and follow the prompts. That’s it!

An Ann Arbor Open Parent created this so that you can subscribe and get automatic updates to your calendar with the latest lunch menus.

https://georgeh.github.io/ann-arbor-lunch-cal/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUOpT9wZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5u4o7wt-NTnPRQTYZUImVTsXGBqHfj40w-XqXmzlVHDfFbfgdYQ7ycDSqF9A_aem_EhrzrWBKTLbT89KRsA3YkQ

Securly Parent Portal - How to Opt In

In the AAPS, we utilize a cloud-based web filter called Securly to keep students safe on their district-issued device. To help parents monitor their child's online activity at home, AAPS offers the free Securly Home app. This application allows web-based filtering and parental controls on district-issued devices at home. Parents may set rules to allow or disallow certain websites, pause the internet connection to the device as desired, and receive weekly usage reports. To OPT-IN to the Securly Parent Portal service, please encourage families to use the pathway as outlined below:

STEP #1: Read about the AAPS Securly - 25-26 Parent Portal Opt-In opportunity available to all families.

STEP #2: Sign-up on the Securly Parent Portal Program Form.

STEP #3: Look for an email from Securly when your account is ready to go (it can take up to 48 hours to receive).

STEP #4: Download the Securly Home App from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

STEP #5: Navigate the App to explore different views into your child's online safety and check out the AAPS Securly Parent Portal FAQs.

If families have any questions, they can always reach out to the Student & Family Help Desk at 734-997-1222.

Some Friendly Reminders

School Safety

A safe learning environment for all students is the top priority of the Ann Arbor Public Schools. A change in state law over the summer has led to a change in one of the terms used in our Crisis Response Protocol. We will now use the phrase Secure when there is a possible threat outside, but normal school activities can continue inside the building, for example if there is a bank robbery in the area. While the name has changed from Shelter to comply with state law, the reasons why it would be used and the actions taken by staff and students remain the same. If you want a reminder or don’t know the Standard Response Protocol now being used across Michigan, this video from the I Love U Guys Foundation highlights the actions students will take in each situation

Reduce Idling in School Zones Beginning Fall 2026

The Ann Arbor Public Schools supports the reduction of idling on our school campuses. Through the leadership of the Freeman Environmental Youth Council, AAPS is instituting a Reduce Idling Zone at all AAPS schools starting this fall.

This initiative is aimed at protecting our students’ health. Please help our students breathe cleaner air by following the guidelines below, especially at pick-up when we see vehicles waiting up to an hour before release time.

Turn off your vehicle engine when waiting at the school drop-off and pick-up line.

Drop-off: When dropping off your student, if you arrive and there is a line of vehicles waiting for the first bell, please turn off your vehicle until cars proceed through the line.
Pick-up: If you arrive before the bell to release students and join the pick-up line, please turn off your vehicle until the line begins to move.

Make an effort to park and walk to pick up your student(s) instead of waiting in the drop-off and pick-up line.
Consider sharing rides and carpooling with other families.
Walk or bike to school, if possible.
Use the school busing system, if eligible.

Each choice helps reduce pollution around our schools and directly improves our students’ experience on the school campus.

Look for the signs!

Working together we can create a healthier environment for all AAPS students.

October 2026 Community Resources Update

Mental Health, Health and Wellbeing Resources

Dungeons and Dragons Group for Teens Struggling with Anxiety

Thrive Counseling is offering a FREE Dungeons and Dragons group for teens struggling with anxiety.
Sessions happen Oct 16-Nov 20 from 4:00-5:30pm at the AADL Mallett’s Creek Branch (3090 E Eisenhower Pkwy, Ann Arbor, MI 48108).
Space is limited and registration is required.
Register at bit.ly/FallDD
Cost is $25 (scholarships available).
Learn more by viewing the Flier.

🗣️ View more resources for Mental Health at bit.ly/aapsmentalhealthhelp

Basic Needs

Love Ypsi Diaper Pantry

10:00 AM–1:00 PM at Faith Lutheran Church, (1255 E. Forest Avenue, Ypsilanti).
Families can receive diapers and wipes.
The pantry is offered on the second Saturday of each month.

Mother’s Reaching Hands

436 Hawkins Street, Ypsilanti.
Free children’s clothing, shoes, baby supplies, and limited emergency diapers and wipes are available to families
Current regular hours are Tuesdays from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, first come, first served.

👚View more resources for Clothing and Household Items here: Clothing and Household Needs.

Academic and ESL Support

Free Tutoring by College Students: End the Cycle

End the Cycle is a student group at the University of Michigan offering free K-12 Afterschool, GED, ACT/SAT Weekly Online Tutoring.
Parents can sign up their students here: www.endthecycleatum.org/students.
After completing sign-up, an email will be sent this Sunday, September 27 allowing parents/students to sign up for tutoring slots.

Upcoming Events

Cold Weather Gear Swap

When

Saturday November 7, 2026: 2:00pm to 4:00pm Add to Calendar / Add to Google Calendar

Where

Downtown Library: Lower Level Program Room

For Whom

Preschool–Adult

Description

Do you have old coats or gloves that no longer fit? Are you looking for new cold weather gear? Come by to pick up some things that will keep you warm.

The Library will be accepting cold weather gear, including jackets, coats, hats, scarves, and gloves, at all locations through November . Please make sure that items are in good condition and freshly laundered. You do not need to drop items off in order to pick something up.

Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 7pm (Virtual): Mental Health Workshop--Staying Connected: Supporting Youth Through Depression

UM child psychologist, Alejandra Arango, PhD will share practical tools for understanding and supporting youth experiencing depression, including how to recognize signs and understand suicide risk and prevention.
We’ll also focus on the importance of connection and offer practical strategies for strengthening relationships with youth, navigating common barriers, and responding in ways that support their well-being.
Register Here: Tuesday October 13 Mental Health Workshop Registration

Mental Health Workshop Flier