The Au Gres-Sims School District

This week I have two important topics to share with you, both relating to Public Education as an extension of State and Local Government. This is a theme that strays far away from my typical weekly posts, but it is important nonetheless.

Schools Need Financing

You have likely heard that the State Legislature has failed to pass a state and school aid budget, missing the statutory deadline of July 1. The first state aid payment of the school fiscal year (October 1-September 30) that Au Gres-Sims is due to receive from the state is October 20 and there is significant concern that this payment will be delayed. With the majority of school funding coming from the state, this money is essential for the payment of our day-to-day operations; things like staffing, transportation, programming, etc.

Behind the scenes I have been advocating both through my direct relationships with state legislators as well as through the organizations that I am a part of, voicing my concern and sharing the negative impact of this delay in funding guardrails. AGS has been a great steward of the public’s money and we are fortunate to have a healthy fund balance (savings account) that will enable us to cover our expenses and remain operational for several months, however, doing so will drain our financial resources and leave us susceptible to emergencies and further delay operational and maintenance projects.

Our goal is to minimize any impact that our students feel from the political posturing that is taking place in Lansing. What is happening right now is an adult issue and we will do everything we can to shield our children from differences of thought and stubborn refusal to compromise in our capital. Our students are not political pawns and our local district is not a bank that should be asked to front money for the state.

I urge the elected officials of our state to fulfill their duty and their long overdue legal obligation to negotiate and put in place a school aid budget. Furthermore, I encourage you to do the same. We must all do what is best for our kids and it will take our collective voice to stress that sentiment.

School Board Vacancy

Local school boards (AGS’s included) are composed of elected officials from the communities they serve. School board members are the earpieces for the community, listening to the needs of our families and sharing that back with the district. Individually school board members do not make decisions, rather their power resides in the board itself, and the majority of it. Collectively, the school board creates policy, sets direction for the district, and governs the district.

The AGS school board consists of seven members of the community, who serve 6-year terms of office. Policy dictates that at least one board seat is up for election at each regular election (the November election of even numbered years), and in our district that plays out with a 3-3-1 schedule. In the event that a board member cannot serve out their full 6-year term an appointment process must take place to fill that board seat. During the appointment process interested candidates are interviewed by the sitting members of the board and voted in via a simple majority vote (4 votes).

With one of the AGS board members moving residency outside of the district, we will be in this very situation, having a need to appoint a board member. This process will take place during a special board meeting at 6pm on Monday, October 6th in the elementary library. Anyone interested in serving their community by serving on the school board should contact the Administration Office at (989) 876-7150 to register their interest and learn more about the process.

Hey AGS Nation,

This week’s P2 Character Strength was Curiosity. When kids ask “why,” they’re not just looking for facts, they're exploring logic, cause and effect, and sometimes even values and emotions. That’s why, even when it’s tiring, it’s so important to nurture those questions. It's how they learn to think critically and independently. For children and adults alike, curiosity has been linked with psychological, emotional, social, and even health benefits:

Curiosity offers numerous significant benefits across various aspects of life:

• Personal and Intellectual Growth: Curiosity drives the pursuit of knowledge, encouraging exploration and creative thinking. This leads to greater learning, innovation, and problem-solving skills.
  
  

• Mental and Brain Health: Engaging in curious thinking stimulates the brain, forming new neural pathways that improve cognitive function, memory, and overall brain health.
  
  

• Relationship Building: Curiosity about others fosters empathy, active listening, and deeper understanding, which enhances social connections and strengthens relationships.
  
  

• Psychological Well-being: Curious individuals often experience greater happiness, resilience, and overall life satisfaction, as they tend to embrace uncertainty and find meaning in exploration.
  
  

• Longevity and Lifespan: Staying mentally active through curiosity can delay cognitive decline and contribute to a longer, more fulfilling life.

Thanks and stay curious Wolverines!

This week, our students are showing off their creative sides as they take part in the excitement of Homecoming activities. From decorating halls to dressing up for spirit days, they are finding fun ways to express themselves while coming together as a school community. Weeks like this help build a positive culture among our student body—one that fosters school spirit, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. These shared experiences are not only memorable, but also play an important role in student growth, encouraging confidence, collaboration, and pride in their school.

We are working on ways to build on this momentum by increasing student buy-in and strengthening our culture through additional activity nights. Events like these are designed to give students more opportunities to connect with one another outside the classroom, create lasting memories, and build stronger relationships with their peers and staff. By expanding these experiences, we hope to further nurture a school environment where every student feels engaged, valued, and proud to be part of our community. Stay tuned as we have discussions about ways to bring our students into the building after school hours

AGS Elementary Wolverines “Students of the Week” 9/8-9/12

“Other People Minded”

Mrs. Avram’s Class: Brooklyn Champagne

Mrs. Swaid’s Class: Alyssa Jarrell

Mrs. Hasty’s Class: Aubrey Czymbor

Mrs. Bashaw’s Class: Roselily Contreres

Mrs. Heck’s Class: Danaysha Gomez-Monteagudo

Mr. Bartlett’s Class: Kinzlee Quigley

Mrs. Wilk’s Class: Taryn Heinlein

Great job Wolverines! This week’s P2 focus is “Curiosity.”.

Tanya Phillips

Dean of Students

#poweredbypurpose

Senior parents,

State of Michigan Webinars FAFSA and Financial Aid Webinars

The State of Michigan's Scholarships and Grants office is offering free virtual Financial Aid 101 webinars for students and families on the following dates:

· September 16

· October 14 & 16

· November 18

· December 11 & 18

Families can register here: https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/students-families/virtual-financial-aid-presentations

Middle and High School Parents,

As homecoming approaches, we want to remind families of the importance of talking with their children about making safe and responsible choices during this exciting time. Please take a few moments to have open conversations with your student about the dangers of drinking and driving, and the importance of saying no to risky situations. Encourage them to surround themselves with friends who will make positive choices and to look out for one another throughout the evening. Homecoming is a time to celebrate, make memories, and enjoy the fun traditions that come with it—but safety must always come first. By working together, we can ensure that our students have a joyful and safe experience.

Warmly,

Ashley Cardinal

K–12 School Counselor