Au Gres-Sims Families,
Since it is March, and the month is amazingly and rapidly approaching the halfway mark, I want to remind you of another one of those simple pleasures that we may have lost track of in our adulthood. I trust that your children will be able to lead you back to that enjoyment. You've probably heard your sons and daughters talking about March is Reading Month and the special activities that we have around the school related to it. Reading is the simple pleasure that I encourage you to find again.
You are probably thinking, "I read all the time," but I am going to challenge you (and myself) to read more like our children. As adults we read emails, texts, work memos, research articles, etc., but there is something different about reading for pleasure. I'm not talking about that book study that you have to do for work, or the news feed on your phone with AI-curated clickbait. I'm not even talking about reading on your computer, or tablet, or listening to an audiobook. What I'm talking about is sitting down with a good ole-fashioned paperbound book of your choosing, something you can get lost in.
As adults we are all very busy and we are inundated with information. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and overrun by the busyness of our lives. We look for shortcuts and efficiencies. We get anxious and we can even feel guilty doing something as slow as picking up a book and reading. Here's the thing though, our kids see that, they sense the nerves and the lack of time and they internalize it. As parents we are the models that our children see most frequently, the examples that will shape their lives.
I encourage you to use the rest of this March (is Reading Month) to give yourself permission to model the practice and slow thinking exercise of reading. Read for yourself, model reading for your children, read to your children, have your children read to you. This is the perfect opportunity to re-experience one of those simple pleasures in life, the kind that often evades busy adults.
From the Desk of Mr. Zeien
The Arenac County Child Protection Council is working with our elementary school and will be collecting donations during the month of March for pinwheels which will be displayed in front of the elementary creating a “Pinwheel Prevention Garden”. The garden will be planted on April 7. The cost for a pinwheel donation is $1. If you are interested in donating, see one of the elementary teachers.
Last week we recognized individuals that were honored in the Arenac Independent for the month of February in a special section of the newspaper. Congratulations to the following March winners listed below!
Student of the Month- Elementary- Chloe Spaid
Student of the Month- Middle School- Elena Wiltse
Student of the Month- High School- Lillie Maser
Teacher of the Month- Molly Hasty
MS/HS Parent Teacher Conferences will take place Thursday, March 20. This year conferences will be run slightly differently. Although conferences still cover the time from 4:00-7:00 pm, the first hour and a half from 4:00-5:30 will be invitation only. The second half of conferences will run from 5:30-7:00 in normal fashion with teachers meeting with families on a first come first served basis. We look forward to meeting with parents and working collaboratively to help all students succeed.
Mrs. Steinbauer's Weekly Update
It’s been a joy connecting with our elementary students as they work hard to reach — and surpass — their reading goals this month. They’re doing an incredible job broadening their knowledge by exploring a range of books, and we couldn’t be more proud of their progress! Reading is one of the most powerful tools for a child’s growth and success — both in school and beyond. It strengthens vocabulary, boosts comprehension skills, and fuels imagination, helping children explore new worlds and ideas. Regular reading also improves focus, empathy, and critical thinking, which are essential for lifelong learning. Whether it’s a captivating story, an exciting adventure, or an informative article, every page turns into an opportunity for kids to expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Encouraging a love of reading at home and in the classroom sets the foundation for stronger learners and more curious minds — and that’s a gift that lasts a lifetime.
Chronic Absenteeism
It seems like each day we are sending students home due to illness. While we never want to see our students leave for an extended period of time, we are looking forward to Spring Break as much needed time for our building to clear the many bugs that are going around. With the amount of illness that we are currently seeing, we just wanted to share a few tips on keeping kids healthy as you prepare to spend some much needed break time together during Spring Break.
Frequent Hand Washing — Encourage kids to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after coughing, sneezing, or using the restroom.
Cover Coughs and Sneezes — Teach kids to sneeze or cough into their elbow or a tissue (and throw tissues away immediately).
Healthy Eating — A balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains boosts the immune system.
Stay Hydrated — Water keeps their bodies functioning properly and flushes out toxins. Also, be sure students are bringing their water bottles home regularly for a thorough cleaning.
Plenty of Sleep — Ensure kids get enough rest based on their age — sleep supports a strong immune system. Help them put their devices away and get the much needed rest.
Regular Exercise — Physical activity keeps the body strong and resilient. Enjoy the sunshine!
Keep Hands Off Faces — Remind kids to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth, which are common entry points for germs.
Disinfect Frequently Touched Surfaces — Regularly clean door handles, toys, and other high-touch areas.
Mrs. Cardinal's Weekly Update
Wednesday March 19th: 8th grade Career Center Visit. The bus leaves at 8:00 am sharp, if a student is not on the bus they will be left at school. Please plan accordingly if your 8th grader normally arrives at school later than 7:55 each day. They will get to visit 3 different programs at the career center for 30 minutes each before heading back to school for lunch and early release at 1 pm.
April 25th: Alpena Community College is hosting the College Lineman Rodeo. The even takes place on Friday from 9 am to 3 pm and if students juniors or seniors interested in Lineman school are interested in attending we are working on transportation options for them. Please have them reach out to Mrs. Cardinal if they would like to attend.
May 5th: TIP eligible students will meet with our state representative from MISSUG to learn how being eligible for this program can help them attend a community college or trade school for free and possibly make them money. Mrs. Cardinal will be reaching out to seniors to let them know if they are eligible and to plan on being at school on the 5th.
For senior families who have not completed the FAFSA yet, there is still time. I have sent home packets to help with starting and completing this process, but if you are in need of more help please let me know.
Weekly Update from the Dean's Den
One of the most powerful reading strategies is visualization—creating mental images while reading. When children picture the setting, characters, and events in their minds, they engage more deeply with the text, improving comprehension and memory.
Visualization is when readers use their imagination to "see" the story in their minds. It helps them connect with the text on a deeper level, making reading more engaging and enjoyable.
Good readers "paint a picture" in their minds using:
✔ Descriptive words from the story
✔ Sensory details (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch)
✔ Their own experiences and imagination
Young Readers (K-2): Focus on sensory details and drawing what they imagine after hearing a description.
Elementary Readers (3rd-5th): Encourage them to describe settings and characters aloud in their own words.
Middle & High School Readers: Have them write short descriptions of what they visualized and compare them to the author’s details.
Read a passage without showing the pictures, then have your child draw what they imagine before revealing the illustrations! Compare their mental image with the book’s artwork.
Visualization turns reading into an adventure—let’s bring stories to life this week!
AGS Health Clinic News
The clinic is really coming together and things are getting exciting. This week the raw drywall and door frames got their painting finish, while data connections for our external door were installed. The heat was also turned onto the room this week, to get up to the right temp needed to lay out our flooring early next week. Great things are happening and we will be up and running soon!
The new anticipated opening of the clinic is mid-April to early May and we will update that as we get closer. Prior to the clinic opening we will be sending home paperwork packets and will be making a number of announcements about that process. There is nothing to look for yet, just the continued progress of our clinic construction.
Athletics Update
Wow! Spring sports season starts on Monday, March 10. Any and all spring sports athletes should contact their coach for practice dates and times. Student-Athletes must have a valid physical on file with the school prior to ANY sport activity.
- Baseball - Karis Zeien
- Softball - John Freehling
- Track and Field - Drew Horton
- MS Track - Scott McAlindon
- Soccer (Co-op with Standish) - Kacey Bentley
Calling for your help!
National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9, 2025. The Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Educator Excellence wishes to celebrate teachers across Michigan for the entire month of May.
MDE invites parents to submit 15-30 second videos of their students recognizing and thanking a specific teacher for their impact. Cell phones easily capture the videos. Please follow the directions on the flyer. Videos and parental consent must be submitted via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project Google Form. Videos are currently being accepted until Friday, April 16, 2025.
Submitted videos may be posted on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage and MDE’s YouTube channel. The Office of Educator Excellence’s Facebook (@MIeducator) and X (formerly Twitter) social media pages will be promoting the videos throughout the month of May.
If your child has great things to say about a teacher, use the instructions found on MDE’s website to submit a video today!
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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.
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 8:00 a.m. Your son/daughter's teachers will be reaching out to you and different times throughout the year. Please consider volunteering!
- March 28
- April 11, 25
- May 9, 23
Important Dates
MARCH
- 17: 6p Regular Board of Education Meeting
- 19: 1p Early Dismissal - Staff Professional Development
- 19: 6p Beginning Band Concert
- 20: 4p-7p MS/HS Parent-Teacher Conferences
- 21: End of Third Marking Period
- 31: NO SCHOOL - Spring Break begins
