The Au Gres-Sims School District

Congratulations on the completion of the first week of the 2025-26 school year. Your reward for the first week is a four-day weekend, enjoy! It was wonderful to see all of the joy and energy return to campus with our students this week.

The first few days of the school year can be difficult for parents, students, and staff as new relationships are established, procedures are put into place, and new information is disseminated. After spending the summer apart, everyone needs time to adjust to new habits and routines before they settle in and get comfortable again. This can be a stressful time and the best way to work through that stress is to extend patience and understanding. Our children will follow our lead with this practice; if we (the adults) show cool, calm, and collective, our kids will feel it is as well and they will transition out of their summer habits and into their learning routines much quicker and smoother.

While making the family and schedule adjustments of a new school year can be difficult it truly was an amazing first week of school. The campus felt whole again, with students in the building, smiling, laughing, learning. Here at AGS we are looking forward to a great 2025-26 school year and our journey to academic and life success continues when we return from the Labor Day holiday weekend.

AGS is proud to announce the return of the student Washington DC trip! In order to make the trip as cost effective for our families as possible we are cohorting two grades, with plans to take this trip every other school year. The trip is planned for September 13-17, 2026 for our 8th and 9th grade classes (note, this is NEXT school year...2026-27).

An informational kick-off meeting was held with parents of current (2025-26) 7th and 8th grade students this week, with information about the trip distributed. If you weren't able to attend, that's okay, you haven't missed your chance to go on the trip. See the attached trip information.

Locally, you may contact Mr. Dittenber with questions. We are partnering with Bennett Travel for this amazing student opportunity and our trip contact is Jeff Bennett. He may be reached by phone (231) 838-1925 or by email: jeff@bennett-travel.com

Registration for the trip is completed online, with instructions contained in the attached documents below. First payment is required with registration and is due September 23, 2025.

"With Fall sports in full swing, High School students are able to get into all home games (excluding postseason) for free! All they need to do is present their AGS keychain. They MUST have this in order to get in free and this is for their admittance only. If high school students have lost their keychains, they can purchase one for just $5."

We are so excited to kick off a brand-new school year! The first days back are always filled with energy—hallways buzzing with laughter, classrooms alive with curiosity, and the joy of reconnecting with friends and teachers. This year brings fresh opportunities for learning, growth, and success, and we can’t wait to partner with you in supporting your child every step of the way. Together, we’ll make this school year one to remember!

The first week back to school has been an exciting start as our teachers and students dive into a brand-new K–12 English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum with our HMH Into Reading and the continuance of HMH Into Literature. This curriculum is carefully designed with vertical alignment, meaning that what students learn in one grade builds directly into the next. This consistency ensures that skills grow stronger each year, helping students develop as readers, writers, and critical thinkers all the way from kindergarten through graduation. We are excited about the strong foundation this will provide for every student’s success. We look forward to sharing more information about what our students learn each and every day with you as the year progresses.

Attached below are the September issues of the Parent Newsletters with some helpful tips about back to school routines.

• Elementary

• Secondary

August/September Attendance Matters

Did you know that students who miss just 2–4 days in August and September are much more likely to miss nearly a full month of school over the course of the year? Over the span of their K–12 education, that adds up to more than an entire year of learning lost.

While a single absence may not seem like much, those days quickly add up. Missing school not only sets students behind in their classwork, but it also makes it harder for them to catch up and stay on track with their peers.

When scheduling appointments, ask if your provider offers late-day options or check the school calendar for days when school is already closed. Every day in class matters—consistent attendance is one of the most important ways to help your child succeed in both school and life.

What a great first week Wolverines! It has been wonderful seeing all of the students and their smiling faces! Our students have been practicing new and familiar routines, including demonstrating being a “Positively Awesome Wolverine Student” (P.A.W.S)!

Recipes for Student Success: A good night’s sleep!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the follow number of sleep hours:

Age 6-12 years: 9-12 hours

Age 13-18 years: 8-10 hours

Interesting Info: Screen time before bed - “Research shows that screen time (specifically the blue light from screens) and other types of artificial light can reduce melatonin levels, the hormone that signals your body to feel drowsy and prepare for sleep. The blue light emitted by electronic devices is particularly effective at suppressing melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep and affecting your circadian rhythms. To mitigate this effect, it's recommended to avoid screens for an hour or more before bed, use night mode or blue light filters, and choose dim warm colored-lights for evening hours.”

Connection Corner: Experiencing limited responses from your child to the question of “How was school today?” Try asking specific, directed questions such as:

• “What made you smile today?”
• “What was hard/challenging for you today?
• “What do you enjoy doing during recess/gym?
• “Who do you like to play/hang out with?”

Looking forward to a great second week Wolverines!

Dear Parents and Families,

Welcome back to a new school year! The start of school brings excitement, fresh opportunities, and the promise of growth. At the same time, this transition can be challenging for students as they adjust to new routines, expectations, and social settings. As parents and caregivers, you play a vital role in helping your child navigate this shift with confidence and resilience.

Below are some common struggles you may notice as your child settles into the school year, along with ideas for support:

1. Adjustment to Routine

After a flexible summer schedule, many students struggle with early mornings, structured class time, and homework.

2. Academic Pressure

New material, heavier workloads, and testing can cause anxiety—especially for older students.

3. Social Transitions

Whether making new friends in kindergarten or navigating peer groups in high school, social dynamics can be tricky.

4. Emotional Ups and Downs

Big changes—new teachers, classes, or even schools—can stir up a mix of excitement and worry.

5. Technology and Balance

After a summer of more screen time, students may resist shifting focus back to academics and extracurriculars.

Each child’s journey back to school looks different, and struggles are a natural part of growth. Please know that I am here to partner with you and support your child’s social, emotional, and academic well-being. If you have concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out—I look forward to working together for a positive and successful school year!

Warmly,

Ashley Cardinal

K–12 School Counselor

The future of the AGS clinic is dependent on the resources to run it. We have partnered with Sterling Area Health Center as our medical provider for this project, and the plan has been for them to provide the staffing of our beautiful new health clinic. This has been the model follow by school based health clinics around the state for over a decade; the school physically houses the clinic and has the patients (students), who are seen by the medical professionals who are administered through a medical agency.

Unfortunately, that model is current at-risk due to the failure of the Michigan Legislature to pass a school budget bill for the 2025-26 school year. While both the House and Senate proposals contain continued funding for school health clinics, the mechanism by which they do that is very different. One of those proposals could potentially change the model as it currently exists, shifting the responsibility of hiring and running the health clinic from medical providers to the school...and at a significantly higher cost.

AGS has joined a host of other school districts in advocacy efforts to the Legislature to preserve the targeted funding of school based health clinics. We will update you when we know more.

Get ready to cheer loud and show your pride — the fall sports season is officially underway! Whether you're hitting the field, court, or sidelines, it's time to bring the energy, the teamwork, and the heart. Let’s make this season one to remember. Go Wolverines!

SCHEDULE

Tues. 9/2

• 6p JV Volleyball AWAY @ SASA
• 7:15p Volleyball AWAY @ SASA

Wed. 9/3

• 5p V Boys Soccer (CO-OP w/ SSC) AWAY @ Shepherd

Thurs. 9/4

• 6p MS Volleyball HOME vs Whittemore-Prescott
• 6p JV Volleyball HOME vs Alcona
• 7:15p V Volleyball HOME vs Alcona
• 6:30p JV Football AWAY @ Alcona

Fri. 9/5

• 7p V Football HOME vs Alcona

Sat. 9/6

• TBD JV Volleyball Tournament AWAY @ Oscoda
• TBD V Volleyball Tournament AWAY @ Owen-Gage
• 12p V Boys Soccer (CO-OP w/ SSC) AWAY @ Tawas

The Middle School/High School Handbook has been updated to reflect changes in the process for athletic eligibility. A copy of that process is provided as an attachment below. Eligibility will now be pulled every week, starting with the 3rd week of the semester. These changes have been shared with the coaching staff and will be communicated with their student athletes.

A new running club for elementary students grades 1st - 5th!

When it comes to legendary brands, there’s the best—and then there’s the rest. Guess which ones you’ll find at Sideline Store? Start customizing your new favorites today.

This Labor Day, we’re offering 25% OFF all Sideline Store purchases of $100+ with code DEDICATED25.

Shop the Wolverine Exchange Sideline Store Now

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.

Next Meeting: Monday, September 8 ~ 3:30p.m. - 4:30p.m. in the Elem. Science Lab

EVENTS:

• Homecoming Carnival: Friday, September 19 ~ 5:00p.m. - 6:30p.m.
• Holiday Bazaar: Saturday, November 1 ~ 9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.
  
• Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, November 29

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!

• September 12, 26
• October 10, 24
• November 7, 21
• December 12
• January 16, 30
• February 13, 27
• March 13, 27
• April 10, 24
• May 8, 22

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

SEPTEMBER

• 1: NO SCHOOL - LABOR DAY
• 8: Picture Day ~ bring your smiles!
• 15: 6p Board of Education Regular Meeting
• 17: 1p Dismissal - Professional Development for Staff

OCTOBER

• 15: 1p Dismissal - Professional Development for Staff
• 16: 4p-7p MS/HS Parent-Teacher Conferences

October 18 - Halloween in the Park ~ more info to follow

The Crew will be back in action next school year!

We are also always on the lookout for substitute teachers. If interested, please inquire with Mrs. Freehling in the district administration office, (989) 876-7150 and she will put you into direct contact with Laurie Crane at ESS-WillSub

One of the fun things that our students get to experience at the middle school is HOUSE. Over the course of the school year students will participate in friendly competition in everything from school spirit, to most improvement on NWEA tests, to seminar activities, and more, earning their HOUSE points. At the end of each marking period prizes are awarded to the winning HOUSE team, and have included things in the past like bowling, ice skating, and a pizza lunch.

On the first day of school all of our new middle school students, those who have moved into our district and those who have moved up from the elementary, were sorted into their HOUSES, each led by one of the core subject area teachers in our middle school. These students were greeted by their HOUSE leader and presented with a scarf.

The HOUSES are:

• AMISTAD - led by Mrs. Ming
• "The House of Friendship
• ISIBINDI - led by Ms. Rinn
• "The House of Courage"
• ALTRUISMO - led by Mr. Dittenber
• "The House of Givers"
• REVEUR - led by Mr. Beardsley
• "The House of Dreamers"