Au Gres-Sims School District Newsletter Postal Patron Non-Profit Organization Au Gres, MI 48703 U.S. Postage PAID Au Gres, MI 48703 Permit No. 7 ECRWSS www.ags-schools.org TWITTER @AGSschools Winter 2017 310 Court St., P.O. Box 648, Au Gres, MI 48703 989-876-7150 Fourth Season of Au Gres-Sims Partners with Apptegy Podcasts Begin to Create New Mobile App, Website, in January and Communications Platform Au Gres-Sims Super- intendent, Jeffrey Col- Au Gres-Sims School opportunity to easily sync communication systems, lier, and Au Gres City District is proud to an- and streamline our email making it easy for dis- Manager, John Stanley, nounce their new part- and Thrillshare notifica- tricts to tell their story. invite you to listen and nership with Apptegy to tions along with social me- Our partnered work with enjoy their weekly Pod- reimagine and extend a dia updates and announce- Au Gres-Sims focused on casts which are the en- dynamic new communi- ments on Twitter and designing and providing a cations platform. Au Facebook.” Collier contin- ‘Gold Standard’ commu- gaging products of a Gres-Sims partnered ued, “National trends indi- nication tool that reflected unique joint communica- with Apptegy, a commu- cate that our community the district’s progressive tions project between the nication solutions com- spends more time using vision.” City of Au Gres and the pany from Little Rock, mobile apps than all other Any user may acquire Au Gres-Sims School Arkansas, to create an digital media combined. the district’s app for free District. These weekly exciting new mobile app, We sought to create a by visiting either the Podcasts dubbed "J & J website, and communi- communication platform iTunes or Google Play in Au Gres" focus on all cation suite for the dis- that was not only more stores, searching for Au trict that will better con- easily accessible to our Gres-Sims School Dis- topics related to business nect students, staff, par- constituency, but would trict, and then download- opportunity & entrepre- ents, business, and com- also allow us to provide ing the app to their mobile neurial ventures, city munity. Au Gres-Sims information in a timely, devices. The district’s management, politics, was the first school dis- efficient, and preferable Facebook page can be education, and the high trict in the State of manner.” In conjunction found by searching for Au quality of life throughout Michigan to partner with with their new mobile app, Gres-Sims School Dis- the region - but primar- Apptegy, and is currently Au Gres-Sims also re- trict; Twitter handle at one of only a select few leased their newly updated @AGSschools; and web- ily, celebrates all of the districts state-wide that website presence and dedi- site at www.ags- positive energy and pro- have taken the progres- cated Facebook page to schools.org. active initiatives taking sive leap to expand com- coincide with their pre- place within the greater munication efforts via a existing Twitter account. Au Gres area, Arenac mobile app for all con- Casey Mikula, Apptegy’s County, and Northeast stituents. Director of Sales, shared, Michigan. The weekly Superintendent Jeffrey “The mobile app provides Collier, stated, “As a a much better user experi- podcasts can be found on public school district, we ence for parents and com- iTunes, on Twitter are thrilled to model this munity members to easily @AGSschools, or amazing new communi- access information.” He at w w w . a g s - cations platform. Our added, “Apptegy’s Thrill- schools.org under the fantastic partnership with share product provides a "Community" tab. Apptegy provides us the single platform to manage Page 2 Au Gres-Sims School District Newsletter Winter 2017 From the Superintendent’s Desk by Jeffrey Collier, Superintendent of Schools Dear Au Gres-Sims Community, have established: ~ Alpena Community College provides dual enrollment courses Our Au Gres-Sims School District is amazing! As we col- on our campus. Did you know that our students can earn over 30 lectively continue our relentless pursuit of excellence, the num- college credits while attending Au Gres-Sims High School? ber of partnerships we are forming with community and pri- Wow! vate entities, who are also deeply committed to the education of ~ The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service has provided a greenhouse our area youth, are growing at a tremendous rate! The abun- that is being erected on our campus to support the propagation of dance of opportunities and activity choices for students to par- endangered plant species by our students as a component of our ticipate and be engaged in at Au Gres-Sims is overwhelming, Charity Island STEM studies. both in and out of the classroom. Positivity is building upon ~ The 4H Foundation and Arenac County 4H Leaders Council positivity for our “public school with a private school feel,” have sponsored a full VEX IX robotics classroom kit and re- and our partners are eager to offer their sustained support with sources for elementary science, robotics and engineering studies a building momentum that is central to the story being shared to build and enhance foundations for upper level Science Olym- about the incredible things that are happening for students here piad and FIRST Robotics programs. in Au Gres. Their enthusiastic commitments are positive evi- ~ Bopp-Busch Manufacturing continues to generously partner dence that they share our belief that the size of our district is with and sponsor our competitive FIRST Robotics team. one of our greatest strengths, allowing us the flexibility to con- ~ Our Girls on the Run Club (Au Gres Chapter), an after-school sistently offer the dynamic and unique programming that we running club, inspires and empowers our upper elementary fe- provide for our learners. Embracing and cultivating this pro- male students to be joyful, healthy, and confident. gressive philosophy, the professionals within our established ~ The Department of Health and Human Services has partnered Culture of Learning are actively authoring grant applications to with us to provide a full-time success coach for our students maximize our treasured resources, acting as ambassadors and through the “Pathways to Potential” program. establishing relationships with outside philanthropists and ex- ~ Nike Marathon Kids has partnered with us to provide an after- perts. school activity for upper elementary and middle school students Below are examples of some of the grants (not including to promote healthy, physically active lifestyles. State and Federal grants) received just this fall: ~ Recently a local family anonymously donated new, brand name ~ Grant received from the Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance coats for our fourth grade students valued at over $800. Program for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math This list is only a snapshot, and does not even come close to (STEM) programming. encompassing the extensive scope of our fantastic partners or all ~ Grant received from the Arenac Community Funds through of the magnificent contributions that have been made to our dis- the Bay Area Community Foundation in support of our Science trict on behalf of our children. We are also the fortunate recipi- Olympiad program. ents of the tireless volunteerism, advocacy, and generous spon- ~ Grant received from the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative sorship of our Parent Teacher Organization members and Wol- Network (WIN) to support our river quality/watershed studies. verine Pride Association athletic boosters. Further, our area resi- ~ Grant received from the Captain Planet Foundation to sup- dents who volunteer substantial time and talent for the improve- port our Charity Island and greenhouse STEM projects. ment of our facilities and student activities is simply inspiring. ~ Grant received from Target to support our “AGS Travels” We are deeply appreciative and humbled to be the recipients of student program. these good works, which I believe are indicative of the school ~ Multiple grants received from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian district itself. Coupled with this extensive support network, our Tribe to support our extensive initiatives in instructional tech- entire staff continues to excel and live up to the community’s nology and dynamic classroom programs. high expectations and our far-reaching reputation as a Following are some of the partnerships we are fortunate to “Destination District” that truly provides an unequivocal product of excellence in education. We invite you to join us and cele- Home of the Wolverines district newsletter is a publication of Au Gres-Sims School District, published three times annually. Its purpose is to share school district/educational information with the community. brate the knowledge that we represent a growing school district Issues are bulk mailed directly to all district residents. Comments or inquiries may be directed to Au of unbounded student opportunity and unrelenting greatness! Gres-Sims School District Administration, P.O. Box 648, Au Gres, MI 48703, or by calling 989-876- 7150. Yours in Education, 2017 BOARD OF EDUCATION Heather Garry, President Nancy Selle, Vice-President Nicholas Moore, Secretary Important Media Notice Heather Caulfield, Treasurer Fred Robel, Trustee During the course of the school year, our students are sometimes rec- Norma Schwiderson, Trustee ognized in the newspaper or other media formats for such things as Gregory Walker, Trustee their accomplishments, special projects, upcoming events, or other newsworthy happenings. These opportunities serve to promote and It is the policy of the Au Gres-Sims School District Board of Education not to discriminate on the basis enhance our students, schools, and community. If you do not wish for of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap in its employment, educational programs, and activities as your child to appear in public relations materials of this nature or on required by Title VI or the Civil Rights Act of 1954, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1973.