The Au Gres-Sims School District
www.ags-schools.org
Au Gres-Sims Families,
Attention! Did you know that an important group of educators is recognized in the month of October? While support staff and teachers are celebrated very publicly, and rightfully so, another group of workers often sees their recognition month receive little fanfare. Who is that group? Well, October is National School Principals Recognition Month.
School leadership plays an exceptionally significant role in schools as it serves as the foundation for shaping the educational environment, influencing student outcomes, and fostering a positive school culture.
At Au Gres-Sims we are blessed to have two exceptional school leaders, one with the title of "principal" and one without. Both, however, should be recognized for their contributions to the learning environment, culture, and success of our staff and students. Please help me in recognizing and expressing gratitude to those school leaders the next time you see them.
Chad Zeien, K-12 Principal: Mr. Zeien has served the AGS community for 29 years and is currently the longest tenured staff member of our district. Mr. Zeien has been the principal of our district for 16 years, leading the buildings through difficult and challenging times and helping to craft our culture. In a small district leaders have to wear a lot of hats and Chad has done that throughout his time at AGS, and he always does so with a smile and positive attitude, doing all that he can for the staff and students of this community.
Amanda Steinbauer, Instructional Services Director: Mrs. Steinbauer is in her second year in our district in her current role. While she oversees curriculum for K-12, working with our teaching staff and area resources, she also carries many of the day-to-day operational responsibilities that building principals are responsible for. She does this with a high standard of quality and a caring mindset, providing both support and structure for our staff and students.
In celebration of National School Principal's Month I would like to express my gratitude for our two great building leaders, Mr. Chad Zeien and Mrs. Amanda Steinbauer.
Exciting News
The construction news this week is that we have walls...well sort of. The pictures are the same this week, but that doesn't mean that progress wasn't made. This week's construction was focused on installing the electrical conduit for the clinic. Following an inspection next week, the studs are scheduled to turn into walls!
It may not look like much YET, but in a few short months we will have a fully functioning 3-day per week mental and physical health clinic on our campus to service our students!
From the Desk of Mr. Zeien
This past Saturday, Collin Verdusco competed at the state level of the Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge after competing and winning at the District and Regional levels. Congratulations to Collin as he is now the 2024 12-year-old K of C State Champion!
King of the Road Driving School has been a great partner with the Au Gres-Sims School District in providing the necessary components to get our young people on the road safely. They are providing Segment 1 shortly with instructor Ron Luckett. Below are general details for the classes, but for more information please contact them at 989-600-5519 or kotrdrivingschool@gmail.com.
Segment 1 - 3:30-5:30 class times
Week 1 - October 21-24
Week 2 - October 28-31
Week 3 - November 4-7
School attendance is crucial to the success of all students. There are many reasons for student absenteeism. Some reasons are within our control and some are not. Regardless, we want to support you in whatever ways we can so we reach the common goal of keeping students in school and learning. One resource we have to support this goal is through a grant program we are fortunate to have called Pathways to Potential (P2P) run through DHS. On campus, we have Kirstie McCaffrey who is our Success Coach for this program. Kirstie provides supports to families while addressing barriers related to health, mental health, safety, housing and homelessness, food insecurity, hygiene, employment, transportation, and clothing.
Coming up, we have a few important dates to remember. Picture retakes are scheduled for Friday, November 1. This is followed up the next day with a PTO bazaar on Saturday, November 2, taking place from 9:00-3:00 In the elementary multipurpose room. Come on out, have some fun, and support an organization that does a great job supporting our kids. And in your planning, remember that Tuesday, November 5, is an ISD Wide Professional Development day. Students do not have school on this day.
Ms. Steinbauer's Weekly Update
We always enjoy having parents in the building for parent teacher conferences. Attending parent teacher conferences is important for creating a strong partnership between parents and teachers which ensures the success of our students. These meetings provide an opportunity for parents to gain insight into their child’s progress, strengths, and areas needing improvement. By attending, parents can ask questions and discuss concerns in order to work with teachers to develop strategies for their child’s individual learning needs. Attending conferences lets your student know that you are engaged in their education with them and we are always thankful for each family that attends.
Our elementary will hold their parent teacher conferences in mid-November and we look forward to discussing our younger students' progress with you as well. Mark your calendars for November 12th and 13th to ensure you are able to attend.
Chronic Absenteeism
Parent-teacher conferences are an excellent opportunity to strengthen the connection between our AGS families and staff. We are able to communicate digitally 24/7 but the in-person conversations are the most impactful for a students’ learning. Making sure that our students feel connected to both the people in the school as well as the school community is an important part of increasing positive educational outcomes for our students. When students feel a part of their school they have better attendance, higher test scores, and increased graduation rates.¹ We hope that this opportunity for families to connect with our staff helped to show our students how many people they have supporting their success.
¹Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023, August 2. School connectedness.
Mrs. Cardinal's Weekly Update
We are about half way through the semester. Staying on top of grades and work can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can try:
1. **Create a Schedule**: Use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of assignments, deadlines, and exams. Block out time for studying and completing homework.
2. **Set Priorities**: Identify which tasks are most important or time-sensitive. Focus on those first to avoid last-minute stress.
3. **Break Tasks Down**: Divide larger projects into smaller, manageable steps. This makes it easier to tackle them without feeling overwhelmed.
4. **Establish a Routine**: Find a consistent study routine that works for you, whether it's studying at the same time every day or designating specific days for particular subjects.
5. **Limit Distractions**: Create a dedicated study space and minimize distractions, such as social media and noise.
6. **Stay Organized**: Keep your notes and materials organized, whether digitally or physically. This saves time when you need to review or find information.
7. **Use Study Techniques**: Try techniques like active recall, spaced repetition, or mind mapping to enhance your retention of material.
8. **Take Breaks**: Incorporate regular breaks to avoid burnout. Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break) can help.
9. **Seek Help When Needed**: Don’t hesitate to ask teachers or peers for help if you’re struggling with a subject.
10. **Reflect and Adjust**: Periodically review what’s working and what isn’t. Adjust your strategies as needed to improve your efficiency.
Finding the right combination of these strategies can help you stay organized and maintain your grades!
School Breakfast and Lunch Menu: Oct. 21 - 25, 2024
AGS Selected by MDE for USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Great news, for the 2024-25 school year, our students will have healthy snacks and new foods to try. See the letter for more details
Athletics Update
This is more like it! The weather now feels like fall, with the colors changing, the acorns falling, and the temperatures dropping. Let's play some fall sports!
The winter sports season is just around the corner. Schedules are now posted on the athletic page of the AGS website for Varsity Boys Basketball, Varsity and JV Girls Basketball, MS Boys and Girls Basketball, and Hockey (co-op with Tawas).
SCHEDULE
Mon. 10/21
- 6p MS Girls Basketball HOME vs. Atlanta
Tues. 10/22
- 6p V Girls Swim (co-op with SSC) HOME vs Ogemaw Heights
- 6p JV Volleyball AWAY @ Fairview
- ~7:30p V Volleyball AWAY @ Fairview
Wed. 10/23
- 6p MS Girls Basketball HOME vs. Fairview
Thurs. 10/24
- 6p JV Volleyball HOME vs Atlanta
- ~7:30p V Volleyball HOME vs Atlanta
Fri. 10/25
- 7p V Football HOME vs Charlton Heston (Senior Night/Military Appreciation Night)
Sat. 10/26
- 9a V Volleyball Little Dipper Tournament AWAY @ Atlanta
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.
EVENTS:
- Holiday Bazaar: Saturday, November 2
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!
- October 25
- November 8, 22
- December 6
- January 10, 24
- February 14, 28
- March 14, 28
- April 11, 25
- May 9, 23
Holiday Bazaar
Bazaar vendor spots are still available. Contact Jen Davis at jendavis621@gmail.com or 989-372-4169 to learn more and reserve a spot.
Important Dates
OCTOBER
- 21: Board of Education regular meeting, 6p Elementary Library
- 25: End of First Marking Period
NOVEMBER
- 5: NO SCHOOL - Staff Professional Development
- 13: 4-7p Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 14: 4-7p Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 15: NO SCHOOL
Community Events
We are just around the corner from the holiday season and that means that there are some fun events going on around the area to get excited about.
- December 5 - Arenac Community Funds' Holiday Auction (see flyer)
- December 7 - Au Gres Christmas Parade (see flyer)
- February 1 - Au Gres Area Chamber of Commerce Bus Trip to Soaring Eagle (see flyer)
Pre-K Openings Available
The Wolverine Wake-Up
Do you remember which pictures you posted online 15 years ago? This week we cruised through social media, and uncovered some amazing photos of our teachers; then we visited them in their classrooms and showed them the photos we found. You're not going to believe how they reacted! Thanks for watching!
Click this Link to Watch The Wolverine Wake-Up Issue 118
Sincerely,
The Editor-in-Chief
Help Wanted at AGS
Job Opportunities at AGS
We are also always on the lookout for substitute teachers. If interested, please inquire with Mrs. Freehling in the district administration office, (989) 876-7157 and she will put you into direct contact with Laurie Crane at ESS-WillSub