Family Update
Week of Jan. 27, 2025
Skyline Family-
This week has been an emotional one for many in our community, and we want to take a moment to acknowledge those feelings. At Skyline, we are committed to continuing to be a welcoming place for every student and family, no matter what challenges or triumphs come our way.
Our priority remains ensuring that all students and families know they belong here. Skyline is a community where everyone deserves to and will be treated with dignity, respect, kindness, and love. These values guide us every day as we strive to create an environment where each of our Eagles feels safe, valued, and supported.
Together, we will continue to make Skyline a place that celebrates diversity, promotes understanding, and fosters a deep sense of belonging for all. Thank you for being part of the Skyline family and for helping us live out these values in meaningful ways.
Parent Teacher Conferences
We invite all parents and guardians to sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences this coming Thurs. Jan. 30 from 4-7pm.
PTC Sign Up Instructions
All Parent/Teacher Conferences will occur in The Commons here at Skyline High School on Thursday, January 30th, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm. You must schedule a conference with each teacher you wish to speak with. We utilize the website PTCFast.com to enable parents to sign-up for 5-minute conference slots with their child’s teachers. You will receive an individual email from each teacher you have signed-up to meet with. If you signed-up to meet with 4 teachers, you will receive 4 separate confirmation emails. Please sign up for no more than one time slot with each teacher. Also, please allow at least 5 minutes between each conference; do not sign up for back-to-back conference slots.
If your child is doing well in a particular class, and you have no concerns, you do not need to sign up for a conference with that teacher. We encourage you to sign up for a conference slot with a teacher if your student is struggling and/or you have concerns about the class.
Again, the Parent/Teacher Conferences will be on:
Thursday, January 30th, 2025 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Here in The Commons of Skyline High School
If you haven’t yet used PTCFast.com, you will be pleasantly surprised at how simple you will find the process. There are no codes to enter and there is only one website to visit. The conferences are listed alphabetically by the teacher’s last name, and you will only need an email address to make your selections. The conferences are now open, but they will fill up soon, so don’t wait!
Instructions for Making Parent / Teacher Conference Appointments:
1. Go to this website:
https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Skyline_High_School_3
…or you can be taken directly to the webpage by clicking HERE!
2. Check the box for each Teacher you would like to meet with, then click the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the page.
3. You may create conferences for more than one student, if you have more than one student at Skyline, but for most of you, you will then check the first selection, which is: These are all for one student.
4. Enter your student’s first name
5. Enter your student’s last name
6. Enter YOUR (parent’s) name
7. Enter and confirm YOUR email address
8. Click the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the page to begin the signup process.
Please note that the following teachers are unable to attend conferences on January 30th, and will be offering an alternate conference date:
Serena Kessler
Please reach out to Jefferson Bilsborrow at bilsborrow@aaps.k12.mi.us with any questions or issues about scheduling your conference times.
Tickets for the Hall of Fame Event Now on Sale! 🎟️
We are thrilled to announce that tickets for our Inaugural Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony are now available! Join us on March 15, 2025, for a special evening celebrating the incredible achievements of our inductees. For inductee names, ticket purchases and additional information, please scroll further down in this newsletter. We also are looking for sponsorships for the event if your business or family would like to support the event. Additionally, if you are unable to attend but would like to donate to the new Alumni Fund, there is an opportunity to donate as well. Link to Donate
The last day to purchase tickets is Friday, Feb. 21 unless the available tickets sell out before then. This will be an event celebrating Skyline that you don't want to miss!
Your Skyline Administration Team,
Casey Elmore, Crystal Fluker, Terri Patterson, Lamanzer Williams and Delsie SIssoko
Winterfest Spirit Week
Monday
- Spirit Day- Pajama Day
- Spirit Day- Twin/Squad Day
Wednesday
- Early Release Day Skytime Schedule
- Spirit Day- Glittery Winter White Day
- Rescheduled Band Concert 7:00pm
Thursday
- Parent Teacher Conferences 4-7pm
- Spirit Day- Team/Jersey Day
Friday
- Winterfest Pep Rally/ Pep Rally Schedule
- Spirit Day- Class Color Day
- 9th- White
- 10th- Sky Blue
- 11th- Navy
- 12th- Black
- Staff- Gray
Upcoming Important Dates:
- Feb. 3- NHS Induction Ceremony
- Feb. 5- Curriculum Night for incoming students next year
- Feb. 7- Magnet Applications Due 3:00pm
- Feb. 10- NAAPID
- Coffee with the Principals 8:30am
- Feb. 11- Special Skytime Schedule- 25-26 Course Selection Meetings for grades 9,10, 11
- Feb. 12- Student Count Day
- Please make sure all students are in attendance for all classes
- Feb. 14-18- No School- Mid Winter Break
- Feb. 19- School Resumes
- Feb. 27- Assembly Schedule- African American Humanities Performance
- African American Humanities Evening Performance 6:00pm
Now is the time that we begin making decisions for sophomore year. One of the important decisions as a 9th grader at this point is whether to apply for one of our highly acclaimed magnet programs. Applying to a magnet program is a 3-year commitment and if accepted, your child will take elective classes in their selected magnet program in their 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade years at Skyline.
To help your child make this decision, they learned about the four magnet programs throughout the week in their core classes. In addition, today during Skytime, your child attended an assembly where more information about the Skyline Magnet programs, the magnet application process and lottery was explained. In addition, more information about magnet lead teachers and their programs are linked here.
Additionally, there was not a magnet presentation for parents at this week's PTSO meeting, Magnet lead teachers have recorded their presentations for your review:
Business, Marketing and Information Technology
Communication, Media and Public Policy
Design, Technology, Engineering and Programming
The Skyline Magnet application window is now open and will stay open through the end of the day Friday, February 7. The random lottery will take place on Monday, February 10 and the results of the lottery will be emailed and posted by the end of the day Thursday, February 13.
Freshmen Lunch and Learn Sessions: For the next couple of weeks, counselors will be holding four year planning sessions in the CUBE on Tuesday 1/28 and Thursday 1/30 during both lunches. We encourage our freshmen to drop by and meet with counselors to talk about how to schedule in all of the classes they would like to take over their high school career!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child's counselor or the magnet lead teachers.
The Skyline PTSO provides dinner to Skyline teachers before their evening of Parent-Teacher Conferences. The next conference evening is scheduled for Thursday, January 30. We have ordered food from a local restaurant for the dinner. We need other items to fill out the meal, which you will see listed on this signup. If you are willing to donate one or more of the requested items, please sign up below. All items should be dropped off to the front office at Skyline between 7:30 am and 3:00 pm on Monday, Jan. 27, Tuesday, Jan. 28, or Wednesday, Jan. 29, or by 1:00 pm on Thursday, Jan. 30. Questions? Contact Pai Meng at pcmjunk@yahoo.com or Carolyn Hill at hillc@aaps.k12.mi.us. Thank you!
The new date for Curriculum Night is Wednesday, February 5, 2025. This evening is targeted to potential incoming 9th or 10th grade families for the 2025-2026 school year. We will offer building tours, a school overview session with administrators and curriculum breakout sessions with our content lead teachers to learn about the curriculum at Skyline.
Please spread the word to any families of students currently in the 8th grade.
We are looking for business sponsorships to support our Hall of Fame event this year. If you or your business are interested in being a sponsor please see the attachment below and submit the sponsorship form to elmore@aaps.k12.mi.us. Checks may be dropped off at the school attn: Maya Fields Jacobs
In continuing the good work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., giving and providing service to our community, BSU and Rising Scholars are working with Community Action Network (CAN) Ann Arbor to support our Washtenaw County communities after the holidays.
CAN Ann Arbor is a local non profit that supports under- resourced Washtenaw County neighborhoods in our community. Some of their locations are right in this community. They include: Bryant, Arrowwood, Northside, and more.
Please support our winter donation drive! Boxes will be located in the main office, 3rd and 4th floor starting Wednesday, January 8- February 1st. CAN Ann Arbor will gladly accept non perishables, personal hygiene products, baby formula, diapers, and gift cards. For gift card donations, see Ms. Barton or Ms. Whitehorn.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools, in partnership with Varsity Tutors, is making a set of 24/7 learning resources available to our students via Clever. Your students now have immediate access to a learning platform with the following:
· Chat Homework Help
· Asynchronous Academic Support Courses
· College Preparation Tools and Courses
· SAT Prep
· Myriad Live and Asynchronous Extracurricular Courses like coding, chess, comic drawing and more.
The Varsity Tutors Platform gives students more opportunities to learn at their own pace. We invite you to view this short video overview of the platform and resources.
Freshmen Lunch and Learn Sessions: For the next couple of weeks, counselors will be holding four year planning sessions in the CUBE on Tuesday 1/28 and Thursday 1/30 during both lunches. We encourage our freshmen to drop by and meet with counselors to talk about how to schedule in all of the classes they would like to take over their high school career!
Fridays are Financial Aid Fridays in the CUBE! Are you unsure about finances for college? Do you need help completing the FAFSA? Are you not sure how to start a college or scholarship application? Do you need help figuring out your post-secondary plans? Please stop by the CUBE during your lunch on Friday to get help. There will also be pizza for seniors who attend!
Tuition Incentive Program (TIP):
If you are a senior that received Medicaid, you could qualify for TIP money to help pay for postsecondary education. Information from the State of Michigan can be found here. If you have questions about eligibility, or how to access TIP, please see your counselor. You must complete the FAFSA to access TIP $$$.
Discover Your Path at The CUBE!
The CUBE is your one-stop hub for all things post-high school success. From scholarships to career planning, we’ve got you covered!
Scholarship Resources: Find opportunities to help fund your future.
Teen Center Visits: Explore our post-high school programs designed to ease the transition into adulthood.
9th Grade Workshop: Simplify your high school experience with strategies to make these years count.
Financial Aid Workshop: Demystify the college enrollment process with expert advice on navigating financial aid.
1-on-1 with Mr. Woodford: Book a session to plan your post-secondary education and career goals.
Start building your future today! Visit The CUBE to learn more or schedule a session.
Greetings Eagles!
Families, spring sports is right around the corner. If your athlete has not participated in a Fall or Winter sport please visit our website and begin the registration process. A current physical is required, specifics are linked here.
Families, students, and guests Do Not park in the bus loop. The bus loop should remain clear. Our evening security will begin ticketing vehicles, recording license plate numbers, and if needed your vehicle will be towed. Do Not Park in the BUS LOOP!!
High School Spectator Expectations
Skyline Families please take a moment to read the High School Spectator Expectations.
New Winter Admissions Procedure: Beginning for the winter season Skyline students will only get into any competition for free when Skyline is either the guest or home team. If a Skyline student wishes to attend a Pioneer or Huron game and Skyline is not competing they will have to pay. Students are not permitted to bring bags or water bottles into our home games. Also, all students need to enter the game 2 minutes before the end of the first half. Admittance will be denied to those trying to enter with 2 minutes to go in the first half.
Winter Athletic Study Table
Winter athletes can attend the athletic study table after school from 3-4 pm in the Poolside Lounge. Athletes must be listed on the winter roster provided to the Teaching Assistant or Community Assistant.
Skyline Academic Eligibility Policy
Athletic Attendance Policy (not new)
Athletes must be present 3 of the 5 hours to practice or compete in a game. Coaches are receiving a daily list of ineligible athletes due to attendance.
Weekly Schedule beginning January 26, 2025
Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday: Swimming home vs. Bedford, Girls Hockey home vs. Liggett, Boys Hockey away vs. Carlson
Wednesday: Bowling home vs. Monroe, Boys basketball away vs. Saline, Girls basketball home vs. Saline, Boys hockey home vs. Bedford
Thursday: Girls JV Hockey home vs. Pioneer, Boys swimming away vs.Saline
Friday: Boys and Girls basketball home vs. Lincoln
Saturday: Boys hockey home vs. TBA
Skyline High School Live ArbiterSports Schedule
I want to remind everyone of our Skyline Athletics Core Values:
INTEGRITY - We do what is ethical under all circumstances.
EXCELLENCE - We strive to be our best on and off the field.
RESPECT - We honor and value ourselves and others.
TEAM - Together as one we pursue common goals.
COMMITMENT - We give total effort and sacrifice to achieve our purpose.
Thank you and Go Eagles!
Delsie Sissoko
Athletic Director/Assistant Principal
In conjunction with Securly’s email and web search monitoring, we are pleased to introduce the Securly Tip Line. Note that OK2Say is also still available via the Michigan State Police.
The Securly Tip Line is specific to AAPS and will follow the same notification process used for email and web searches. The Securly Tip Line app can be downloaded from the AppStore or Google Play.
Students, staff and parents can initiate an anonymous tip outside of the app via:
Tips can be made for any reason:
- Bullying
- Harm to self or others
- Mental health concerns
