AMAESD is hosting a Developmental Assessment Clinic (DAC).
If you have a child 0-3 and are concerned about their development in any area, please call to schedule an appointment for November 7th.
Call Jessica Bauer, AMAESD Early On Coordinator at (989) 354-3101 ext. 222
Join us tomorrow for TotSpot in Alpena. We hope to see you at this play group for children ages 0-5.
AMA ESD and Great Start Collaborative are hosting an in-person Youth Mental Health First Aid training on October 11th. This additional opportunity came about through the Northeast MiThrive workgroup survey of the region and is being offered in response to Alpena area agency interest. Adults working with or caring for youth are encouraged to attend this no cost opportunity, to increase availability and quality of mental health support in our communities. See flyer for details!
#Partners in Prevention
#MiTrhive
#beAMAzing
Literacy Coaches from AMA and Alpena Public Schools are participating in the MAISA Virtual Coaches Kickoff this week. The focus of these days is on the K-3 Essential Instructional Practices and the Essential Coaching Practices developed in partnership with researchers and MAISA's Early Literacy Taskforce. #beAMAzing #michiganliteracy
Suicide Awareness Month is a dedicated time to promote mental health and prevent suicide by increasing awareness and providing support. During this month, the Hillman Students Leading Students (SLS) actively promoted mental health by organizing a spirit week and setting up a table during the lunch periods. They distributed pens, stickers, bracelets, and chapstick to raise awareness. Our AMA ESD 31n Therapist, Kass Showalter, was an active supporter of this cause. The students are working hard to help break the stigma surrounding mental illness here at Hillman Jr/Sr High. #beAMAzing
AMAzing People Doing AMAzing Things
#beAMAzing
AMAzing People Doing AMAzing Things
#beAMAzing
Pied Piper Esports team was featured in the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) headlines. Check out the article, "Embody Inclusivity & Innovation: Pied Piper School’s Esports Story " using the link below:
https://massp.com/news/embody-inclusivity-innovation-pied-piper-schools-esports-story
AHS Special Education Teacher Consultant and AMA ESD staff formally thanked ACES Principal and AHS Athletic Director, Jon Studley, this morning for recognizing the importance of having a single space dedicated to Special Education. He graciously suggested that the Athletic Office move to another location in the high school to allow the AMA ESD staff to all be centered in one office suite. This change has created a central location for collaboration and ease of use for SE students and staff. We are so excited by the new space and opportunities! Thank you so much, Jon!! #beAMAzing
AMAzing People Doing AMAzing Things
#beAMAzing
AMAzing People Doing AMAzing Things
#beAMAzing
Special Education administrators from AMA ESD attended their state conference, MAASE Summer Institute Monday-Wednesday this week. The institute provides professional learning opportunities via a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and attorney panels on topics related to special education and methods to improve practices for all students. Pictured from left to right: Lauren Grulke, Mary Zann, Ashley Peterson, and Jessica Pilarski. #beAMAzing
A group of instructional coaches from Alpena Public Schools and Alcona Community Schools joined our AMAESD Director of Instruction, ELA Specialist, PreK Early Childhood Specialist, Special Education Teacher Consultant,and our two new Early Learning Coaches for 4 great days of learning focused on Math and Literacy. It was an honor to have one of our AMA coaching stories told, and future work focused on school readiness for coaching, highlighted during the Literacy days as well. We are ramped up and excited for a new school year supporting teachers across the AMAESD! #beAMAzing!
We're incredibly proud of our Special Education Supervisor, Ashley Peterson, who had the honor of presenting at MAASE today! Ashley presented to supervisors from across the state, shining a light on the progress we've made for students with disabilities and the work still ahead.
Certified CPI Trainers Rachel Gilin, Sarah Griffore, and Kaitlynn Rousseau hosted over 60 staff from Alpena Public Schools and Atlanta Community Schools today! Staff were engaged in content regarding behavior de-escalation and methods to reduce the likelihood a student acting out.
Director of Special Education, Mary Zann, and Special Education Supervisors Ashley Peterson, Jessica Pilarski, and Lauren Grulke welcomed local district administrators and leaders for breakfast and updates on special education programs and supports.
AMAzing People Doing AMAzing Things
#beAMAzing
Yes, it’s that time of year again…dare I say it?! There are so many ways to “be ready” for school - working on an earlier bedtime routine, picking out clothes the night before to save time; the list goes on. https://www.healthline.com/health/back-to-school-routine-tips-for-parents-and-kids
One way the AMA Great Start Collaborative works with community partners to support families as they get ready for back-to-school is through Shoe Palooza. We’ve worked for over 8 years, annually, raising funds to purchase new athletic (gym) shoes for children ages 3-12.
Please see the flyer for details, share widely, and make requests at this link: https://forms.gle/BN6eKKrry4jndxZ3A
The AMA Great Start Collaborative had the honor of sponsoring a fun family event with Jim Gill at the Brown Trout Festival in Alpena, MI last week. We danced any way we wanted to, and stopped when he said FREEZE!! Jim Gill did not disappoint in delighting adults and children for his Sing-a-thon of Celebrated Songs!
What a joy it was to see literacy building fun in action through word, song, and movement. We cannot wait to see the release of the extraordinary Video Book that children engaged in making with their families at that event!
#JimGill
#TalkReadSing
#beAMAzingGSC
#beAMAzing
#BrownTroutFestival
We are bringing Jim Gill back! We will have two shows on July 22nd - at 3 pm and 6:30 pm. Music play for families to sing, clap & dance together! After the concert, families will have the opportunity for children to create a page that can be part of our community video book project. The concert will be in the Big Tent at the Brown Trout Festival!
#AMAGSC
#TalkReadSING
#JimGill
#beAMAzing
