The Au Gres-Sims School District
www.ags-schools.org
Au Gres-Sims Families,
Competition is a loaded word, a polarizing word. To some, competition evokes positive emotions, to others negative. Competition can lead to breakthroughs in what we think is possible, acting as a driver that motivates us to do amazing things. It is because of competition that man has walked on the moon, we have large scale medical treatments for once incurable ails, our homes are powered by (relatively) cheap electricity, and the list goes on. On the other end of the spectrum, however, competition can have some real downsides too. It can encourage cheating, fraud, corner-cutting, inequality, stress, and more.
How, then, do we utilize competition for the benefits that it can bring,
while minimizes the damage it can cause?
Perspective can help. Not all competition is created equal. People typically think about competition as win or lose, us versus them, a zero-sum equation in which the victor enjoys all the spoils while the loser takes none. In life, however, this is rarely the case, as there are always lessons to be learned in defeat, things that can only be learned from the heat of battle. To attain this benefit in defeat, and to fully reap the rewards of engaging in anything competitive requires the understanding and maturity of perspective, to appreciate that there is no such thing as losing, only learning opportunities for improvement. This is hard to do in-the-moment, but once mastered makes competition all the more valuable in your life as a driving force.
We all like to win, but if we all look at a defeat a little differently then we can all rise together through competition, growing and improving individually and together.
Have a great weekend.
Mr. Ming
From the Desk of Mr. Miller
Hey AGS Nation,
This week, we focused on the P2 strength of Cheering on Others’ Success. One of the things that makes Au Gres-Sims special is how our community cheers each other on. Whether it is students supporting their classmates at awards assemblies, teammates celebrating one another on the court or field, or staff recognizing accomplishments in the classroom, AGS consistently shows what it means to lift others up.
When we celebrate each other’s success, we build confidence, strengthen relationships, and create a positive culture where everyone feels valued. Our students learn that someone else’s achievement does not take away from their own. Instead, it inspires growth and teamwork. Families and community members also play an important role by showing up, offering encouragement, and taking pride in our students’ accomplishments.
Thanks and remember at AGS, when one Wolverine succeeds, we all succeed.
Weekly Update from the Dean's Den
Quiz of the Week:
What is the show “Stranger Things” rated? See answer below.
Are your children struggling with sleeping, anxiety, hyperactivity, and aggression? One thing to consider is what they are hearing and seeing through movies, the web, and video games. Up until the age of 12, students are still developing their ability to determine fact from fiction as they grow in their maturity and reasoning skills.
Elementary aged children may struggle to understand that special effects, costumes, and imaginary creatures are not real. Even if they are told something is “just a movie,” the images and sounds can feel very real to them. As a result, they may experience fear, confusion, nightmares, or anxiety because they believe the events could actually happen.
Sometimes at school, we will see some students play a “game” on the playground acting out these scary shows and video games they see, and their “play” reflects the scary things they have seen and heard through aggression and violence on the playground.
We remind our elementary students that even at school, ratings of PG-13 & rated R movies, tv shows, web based videos, and video games, are not appropriate for school, including games we play on the playground.
Here is an article from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry regarding the effects of screen violence and children: AACAP: Screen Violence and Children
Quiz of the week: “Stranger Things” rating:
Counselor's Corner
Hello Students & Families,
I hope everyone is staying/getting healthy and warm as we fight through February and the cold/sickness it has brought. As a reminder, if your student is sick, please keep them home. Students must be fever-free or puking-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Mental Wellness Tip
Winter months can sometimes affect mood and energy. Try these simple wellness boosters:
Get outside for fresh air when possible
Keep a consistent sleep routine
Stay connected with friends or family
Talk to someone you trust if you’re feeling overwhelmed
Remember — asking for help is a sign of strength.
High School Corner
Explore scholarships and financial aid opportunities that are emailed from Mrs. Cardinal
Seniors: reach out for transcript or application support
Juniors/Sophomores: begin career and college exploration
Family Connection Idea
Have a short conversation this week:
What makes a good friend?
How do you show kindness?
What is something you appreciate about yourself?
These conversations help strengthen emotional skills and relationships.
Counselor’s Corner Reminder
I am always available to support students and families. If you have concerns about your child’s academic, social, or emotional well-being, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Warmly,
Ashley Cardinal
K–12 School Counselor
Health Clinic News
Just a few more weeks until the staff of the clinic will be ready and we will be able to open our doors to our beautiful new school-based health clinic. Paperwork went out a few weeks ago and we are still collecting it in the main office.
Our medical provider is starting her training next week, so the countdown to the grand opening is just around the corner. Look for more information soon.
Athletics Update
SCHEDULE
Mon. 02/23
Boys Basketball District Tournaments at Mio
- 7p Au Gres-Sims vs Whittemore-Prescott
Tues. 02/24
- 6p V Girls Basketball HOME vs Oscoda
Wed. 02/25
- 5:30p V Boys Basketball Districts ~ Mio vs Winner of AGS/WP @ Mio
- 7p V Boys Basketball Districts ~ Fairview vs Hale @ Mio
Thurs. 02/26
- 6p V Girls Basketball AWAY @ Bay City All Saints
Fri. 02/27
- 7p V Boys Basketball District Championship Game @ Mio
North Star League Champions!!!
Congratulations to the Girls Varsity Basketball team on winning the North Star League - Little Dipper Championship. The win is the third in school history and first since 2015.
New Inductee to the 1,000 Point Club!!!
Congratulations to Senior Analeis Ming on becoming the newest member of the Au Gres-Sims Basketball 1,000 point club. With her 7th point at SASA on Monday night, Analeis became the 6th female player at AGS to do this, and the first in 30 years!
MHSAA Record Holders Recognized
At halftime of the girls basketball game on Thursday night, Athletic Director Gordie Ostrander presented recognition plaques to the outstanding Au Gres-Sims student-athletes, past and present, who have earned placement in the statewide MHSAA record books. The MHSAA keeps track of individual and team statistics, measured in a game, season, and career, and are organized by sport on their website, with all divisions of schools and their student-athletes in lumped together.
Individuals received plaques to take home and others will be memorialized in our hallways.
Congratulations to the following AGS student-athletes (alphabetical order):
- Sophie Fox
- Girls Basketball: Blocks in a game
- Emily Freehling
- Girls Basketball: Rebounds in a game
- Analeis Ming
- Girls Basketball: Assists in a game, Steal in a game, Steals for career
- Girls Soccer: Goals in a season (sophomore), Goals in a season (junior), Points in a season, Goals for career
- Charlotte Ming
- Girls Soccer: Assists in a game, Assists in a season
- Carson Ososki
- Boys Basketball: Steals in career
- Kayden Skacal
- Softball: RBI's in a game
- Caden Zeien
- 11-man Football: Passing yards in a season, Passing yards for a career, Passing attempts in a season x2, Passing attempts in a career, Passing completions in a game x2, Passing completions in a season, Passing TD's in a season x2, Passing TD's in a career
- 8-man Football: Passing yards in a season, Passing yards in a career, Passing attempts in a career, Passing completions in a career, Passing TD's in a season, Passing TD's in a career
- Carter Zeien
- 8-man Football: Yards in a career, TD's in a career
BIG WINTER BLOWOUT
Don’t miss your chance to save big on popular Wolverines winter gear from The North Face, Eddie Bauer and more. Choose your styles, customize your look and save 20% with code SAVE20 on $100+ orders.
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 8:00a.m. Your son/daughter's teachers will be reaching out to you at different times throughout the year.
Please consider volunteering!
- February 27
- March 13, 27
- April 10, 24
- May 8, 22
Important Dates
MARCH
- 16: 6pm Regular School Board Meeting in the Elementary Library
- 18: 1pm Early Dismissal - Staff Professional Development
- 19: 4-7pm MS/HS Parent Teacher Conferences
- 20: End of 3rd Marking Period
Community Events
- Feb. 21 - Arenac Community Funds - Trivia Night (see attached flyer for details)
- Feb. 21 - Family Winter Fun Fest (see attached flyer for details)
- Mar. 6 - Arenac County Celebration Fund - Casino Night Fundraiser & Reverse Raffle (see attached flyer)
Yearbooks are on Sale NOW!
Au Gres-Sims Yearbooks for the 2025-26 school year are on sale now.
Yearbooks are available to order two ways:
At the school, February 20 through March 10
Forms are being sent home with students
Completed forms should be submitted to Mrs. Richardson
Online, now until May 1 at this link: https://book.hrimaging.com
Click the BLUE "Order Now" bar
Type "Au Gres" into the search box
Select "Au Gres-Sims Schools (Au Gres, MI 48703)" ...the second option
Type in your student's last and first name
Cost to order is the same, $37.00 and the books will be delivered in the fall.
Arenac Community Funds Now Accepting Grant Applications
The Bay Area Community Foundation's Community Partnership Grants for Bay and Arenac Counties are open for their first cycle of 2026!
Our local nonprofits are the driving force behind positive change in our region. These grants support impactful work in:
- Arts
- Education
- Environment
- Human Services
- Recreation
- Community Initiatives
Here's how to apply:
- Start by submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) through our grants portal.
- Submit your application by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026.
- Applications will be reviewed in April, with funding decisions announced in mid-May.
- Visit bayfoundation.org for full details and to access the grants portal.
- Questions? Connect with Grants Program Officer, Madi Syring, at (989) 893-4438 or email her directly at madis@bayfoundation.org.
Don't miss this opportunity to bring your vision to life and make a lasting impact!
