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K-12
High School Heroes: To Be a Homeless Student in the Ann Arbor Public Schools—Ali Shahin
The Ann Arbor Independent’s Skyline High School intern Stavi Tennenbaum kicks off an original High School Heroes interview series with a conversation about homelessness among AAPS students.
by Stavi Tennenbaum
ALI SHAHIN IS a peer…
The Price of Competition: Pay-to-Play Fees Bench Athletes from Low-Income Families
ANN ARBOR PUBLIC Schools’ audits reveal that each year the district takes in around $750,000 in athletic fees, including pay-to-pay fees. The annual $250 pay-to-play fee is waived for kids who receive reduced price breakfast or lunch.…
Ann Arbor Man’s “Flipping Physics” Gaining National Recognition
by Donna Iadipaolo
A LONG-TIME ANN Arbor resident and former traditional, brick-and-mortar classroom science teacher, is transforming the way thousands of teachers, students, and the general public think and learn about physics through…
AAPS Forced to Cancel Classes Jan. 8 Due to Higher Than Normal Transit Staff Absences
According to information released on Jan. 8 by Washtenaw Intermediate School District officials, a higher than normal absence rate of Washtenaw ISD Transportation staff caused Ann Arbor Public Schools and Ypsilanti Community Schools to …
Records Reveal Donor Did Not Pay for $2,873 “Farewell” Party WCC Prez Charged to Taxpayers
The Ann Arbor Independent filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the credit card records of WCC President Dr. Rose Bellanca. Records revealed a $2,873 meal paid for by Dr. Bellanca with her college-issued credit card. College…
Keeping Tabs—Locals To Watch In 2015: Donna Lasinski & Pat Manley
The A2 Indy’s Ann Arbor Locals to Watch in 2014 were: Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift, Dr. Matthew M. Davis, Council Member Sally Hart Petersen, restaurant entrepreneur Sava Lelcaj, Council member Jack Eaton, County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi,…
A2Politico: Later High School Start Times? ZZZZZZZ
by P.D. Lesko
FOR TWO YEARS, Ann Arbor Public School officials and members of the Board of Trustees have been hemming and hawing, discussing and studying the pros and cons of later start times for the district’s sleep-deprived teens. In…
Shawn Batt Aims to Help Ann Arbor Middle School Students Become Top Rate Orators
by Donna Iadipaolo
ONE MAN WANTS to change the face of debate and speech activities in Ann Arbor for middle school students. His name is Shawn Batt, and he is the founder of Michigan Speech Outreach (MSO), which began as a Lansing-based…
EDITORIAL: The Listening Tour—Growth
AAPS SUPERINTENDENT DR. Swift is preparing to launch another “listening tour” similar to the successful one she conducted shortly after her hiring. We congratulate her on this effort to get out of Balas and into the community to hear from…
Candidate Interview: Donna Lasinski
DONNA LASINSKI IS on AAPS Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift’s Blue Ribbon Advisory commission, a group of parents who meet with Swift monthly to give her feedback and counsel. Lasinski is polite and personable. She’s tough, too, and doesn’t…