The Au Gres-Sims School District
www.ags-schools.org
Hello Au Gres-Sims Families,
Now that we are in the coldest months of our year, the risk of transmission of COVID and other illnesses is higher than before. The omicron variant now accounts for ~95% of the COVID cases in our country and has been proven to be highly transmissible. In Arenac County, we are seeing another surge in cases, with a positivity rate of 25% and 63 new cases being reported in the most recently published weekly numbers (mistartmap.info). We want to keep our students in school and we appreciate your help in keeping students home when they are sick and getting them tested when they exhibit symptoms.
In the wake of the tragedy at Oxford High School the prevalence of school-directed threats increased. This is something you are all too aware of as we navigated the social media postings and took the necessary precautions to keeping students and staff safe in December. We can all agree that schools should be a safe place and that we want to keep them that way. In no way do any of us consider any threat a joke, a message that Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel affirmed with a video message this week. If you have not had a chance to view it yet, I highly encourage you to do so (see below).
Though we are confronted with the obstacles that threaten our safety, we have hope and optimism as we start 2022. We are committed to the safety of your students and their continued education. Thank you for your partnership and we look forward to a bright tomorrow in 2022.
Have a wonderful weekend AGS. Stay warm!
Mr. Ming
K-12 Principal's Update
You may have noticed that we finally have our new digital school sign in front of the high school. This will be another great communication tool that we use to share events going on throughout the district. Please be patient as we are still working through bugs in the program and some additional glitches. For example, we are aware that there is a tree near the front of the sign. In the spring we will dig up the tree and replant it elsewhere around campus.
Next week we have 1:00 pm early dismissals on Wednesday and Thursday to account for adjusted schedules in the middle and high school for exams. Exams on Wednesday will take place for 1st through 3rd hours, and exams on Thursday will take place for 4th through 6th hours. All high school classes will have exams in some format. Some middle school classes will take exams, but not all classes are required to do so. Exams consist of 20% of the overall grade for each one semester class, while 40% of the grade comes from marking period one and 40% comes from marking period two. Students must have a passing grade in 2 of the 3 components AND a 60% overall average to pass the class. Although many classes are beginning the review process right now, because of the extensive content exams cover, it is highly recommended that students spend some time each evening beginning the review process right now in a deliberate and planned out fashion rather than trying to cram in everything at the last minute. This is a good technique for exams and any assignment/project of lengthier quantity.
As a reminder, we also do not have school on Friday as this is a Teacher Records Day. It is also the last day of the first semester. If you are interested in doing 100% virtual for the second semester, please contact Mrs. Socha.
From the Desk of Mrs. Socha
Welcome back and Happy New Year!
We are jumping right into the transition from Semester 1 to Semester 2. There are a few changes that we are making that will be starting 2nd Semester - one of which is our credit recovery format. Traditionally, credit recovery classes take place during the summer during a 6 week period, but in some cases, students have time in their schedules to take a credit recovery class during the school year. In order to make the best use of that time, we are scheduling credit recovery classes for each of the 9 week marking periods. This will allow students to make up these classes throughout the school year, but in a time frame that closely resembles the summer credit recovery program. Students will continue to use the Edmentum platform for credit recovery in the summer and during the school year.
Additionally, in the effort to give additional support to students and follow updated guidance from the state, Edmentum teachers will be tied to these classes, to give additional instruction and support while retaking these core classes. If your student is enrolled in a credit recovery class, you will also receive communication from that teacher regarding your student’s progress in the course throughout the 9 week period. Students will be able to test out of material that they have retained from their first attempt at the course, and the remaining lessons will be paced out according to the 9 week marking period. Students will have devoted class time in their schedule in the Cyber Cafe each day to complete work in this class. Protocols and procedures in the Cyber Cafe are being adjusted to create the most successful environment for students to focus and complete assignments.
If your student is in a credit recovery class next semester, you will soon be receiving a letter along with a form to sign which allows your student to take a course on an online platform. We had this same form on file last year for every student in the district, but we will need a new one for this school year.
Finally, for families who are interested in switching to 100% virtual for the next semester, please see the documents linked below for an overview of the program and requirements. As a reminder, the virtual option is a full semester commitment. Students will still come into school for state and benchmark testing, but will be enrolled in Calvert (Elementary) or Edmentum (Secondary) and will have Edmentum teachers.
If you are interested in switching to the 100% virtual option, please contact me as soon as possible. The deadline to enroll is January 14th.
Welcome Back AGS Students and Staff!
Testing times and locations for this coming week. No doctor’s order or prescription needed.
Central Michigan District Health Department
4489 W. M61 in Standish
(989) 846-6541
- Tuesday, January 11 9:00 am – 11:30 am (Rapid Antigen Test)
- Friday, January 14 9:00 am – 11:30 am (Rapid Antigen Test)
As usual, if you have any questions about the rise in cases, how the omicron variant is affecting children, or if you have vaccine/testing related questions, I am available at pedersenc@ags-schools.org
Athletics Update
Next Week's Game Schedule
- Mon. 1/10: JV/V Boys Basketball AWAY @ Hillman 6pm (3:30p departure)
- Tue. 1/11: V Girls Basketball HOME vs. Hillman 6pm
- Fri. 1/14: JV Boys/V Girls/V Boys Basketball @ AWAY @ Atlanta 430p (2:00p departure)
Important Dates
January
- January 10th: Special Board Meeting 6:00 (was previously listed as 5:00pm)
- January 12th and 13th: Early Release all students 1:00pm (MS/HS exams)
- January 14th: Records Day/NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
- January 17th: Beginning of 2nd Semester/3rd Quarter; Regular Board Meeting 6:00
Help Wanted at AGS
https://www.ags-schools.org/employment-opportunities--95
Job Opportunities at AGS
Full-time Special Education Teacher (1.0, but flexible to part time if desired by the candidate)
Upper Elementary Teacher (1.0)
(1) Paraprofessional
Band All-Stars
- Elizabeth Beardsley
- Allyson Stange
- Sydney Hardy
- Mallory Gordon
- Bryce Verdusco
- Robbie Watson
- Lucas Verdusco
- Austin Campbell
- Selah Anthony
Staff Pet Pic of the Week
Pedaling our Way into 2022!!
Au Gres-Sims School District
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