Today (Friday) marks the end of the 3rd quarter of the school year and when we return on Monday for one more week of school before Spring Break we will be starting the final lap of our school-year race. On the calendar that means that we will be flipping the page soon on March and transitioning into April. Why is this relevant? In addition to all of the school business, activities, celebrations, etc. that come along with this time of year it is also an important time for finances.

This week, I wish to share a public service announcement for you from the Internal Revenue Service because tax day is just around the corner (April 15). The IRS has asked school districts around the country to spread the word that parents can still claim the 2021 Child Tax Credit payments, up to $1,800 per qualifying child, AND the 2020 and 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit (aka stimulus payments or Economic Impact Payments, which is $1,400 per qualifying child. According to the IRS there are over 9 million individuals and families with unclaimed credits.

As families are now filing their 2022 tax returns, as well as eligible families that don't normally file a tax return (low-income families), it is important to know that it is not too late to claim these pandemic-related tax benefits. If your family did not receive nor claim these credits there is still time to file your 2020 and 2021 tax returns to take advantage of these credits.

While this situation likely doesn't apply to all of our AGS families, it could save many of our families some money. I hope this reminder helps!

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Ming

The NRC and Ennis Center are collaborating on a free community awareness event with a target audience of community members, business owners, community leaders, media., etc. The purpose of the event is to talk about what foster care actually is, how it is impacting the communities we live in, and how we/our communities can make a difference. We know not all families can open their homes to foster youth, but most would love to find a way to help. Space is limited to 150 ppl. There will be light refreshments and we are encouraging all community members from the Great Lakes Bay Region to join us. This event will take place at the Bay Valley Christian Church on April 25 and run from 6:30-8:00. Light refreshments will be available.

The YMCA will be offering a free cooking class called “Kids in the Kitchen” for children 8-12 years old. This will run from 4:00-6:00 pm on March 30th at the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA. This series of classes is made possible by funding from the Bay Area Community Foundation. Go to the following website for more information- www.ymcabaycity.org/community/kids-cooking.

The AGS Athletic Hall of Fame is looking to induct its third class this fall. If you know of some deserving recipients, please fill out a nomination form. These can be found online on the school website and/or forms can be picked up at the main office. Nominations for this third class are accepted until May 1.

Our most recent set of National Honors Society inductees were acknowledged at a ceremony on Wednesday. Inductees were recognized for their efforts in Scholarship, Character, Leadership, and Service. Please help in congratulating our new NHS members: Emily Freehling, Savanna Bussinger, Leslie Jones, Isabella Freehling, Mary Czarnik, and Skyler DeBlecourt. AGS Proud!

Reading month is coming to a close! We have 1 final week left for students to read as much as they can to free superheroes, finish their school-wide novel, and celebrate reading as a whole! Middle school students who earned Scholastic Gift Cards will have the opportunity to spend their prizes, as well as have the chance to do an art project that we missed on a snow day. Elementary students will learn about animal superheroes and have their final assembly.

It is important to remember that with Spring Break being a week later than last year, we will return from break and jump right into the spring testing window. Therefore, this week and next week, I will focus on some testing information to prepare for that time. As a reminder, our PSAT/SAT day is Wednesday, April 12th. M-STEP testing will begin the week we return and your child’s teacher will share those dates with you.

For the PSAT/SAT day, it is important that all students arrive at school on time. The same is true for the M-STEP testing dates, as no one can enter a classroom once testing has started. There are many things that you can do to help your child prepare for state testing. For those students in 3rd - 7th grade who will be taking the M-STEP (along with 8th and 11th grade for science and social studies), you can find some helpful test prep information and resources available by visiting my M-STEP information newsletter.

Finally, credit recovery classes (with the exception of students who are rostered to credit recovery during seminar) ended today. The students who still have classes to complete will be enrolled in another class for the last 9 weeks. I will be sending information out later this spring about summer credit recovery opportunities as well as summer school opportunities for K-8.

Next Week's Schedule of Events:

Spring Sports have and are starting. Each team has their own schedule, so contact the individual coaches for tryout/practice schedules:

• Middle School Track (Boys and Girls): Mr. Jack Long; longj@ags-schools.org
• High School Track (Boys and Girls): Mr. Kevin Loga; logak@ags-schools.org
• High School Baseball (Boys): Ms. Shirley Moore; shirley.j.moore1@gmail.com
• High School Softball (Girls): Ms. Molly Luberda; luberdam@ags-schools.org
• High School Soccer (Girls, co-op with Standish-Sterling): Mr. Kacey Bentley; kc212000@yahoo.com

It's that time of the year again, the time when we start rounding up our youngest learners for next school year. This is the time when we start the registration process for both pre-school and Kindergarten at Au Gres-Sims.

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.

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

March

• 24th: End of 3rd Marking Period

Don't forget, next week is a 5-day week before our Spring Break April 3-7. During Spring Break, both the district and the main offices will be closed.

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

• April 21: Relay for Life of Arenac (see attached)
• May 19: Arenac Community Funds' 21st Annual Golf Outing, Huron Breeze Golf Course (see attached)

Greetings Wolverine Nation,

Have you ever wanted to try coaching? On this week's episode, Emily sees what it's like to help a young team work through the growing pains of learning how to work together, and eventually find success. We also have great articles to read in our newsletter. To catch this week's episode CLICK HERE

This week's guest was senior Bryce Verdusco. Check out what this wise senior had to say about his time at AGS and plans for the future.

"It was an experience."

Job Opportunities at AGS

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