Up North Prevention 

Our local group, Families Against Narcotics, is holding a teen recovery group at the library Tuesday 11/08/22. This group is for teens 13-17 that are either recovering or know somebody who needs help. Click here for more information. 

College Access Impact Award for Increasing College Readiness, Participation, and Completion in Michigan 

Alpena Public Schools is proud to announce that we have been chosen to receive the 2022 Marina Award from Michigan College Access Network (MCAN). According to MCAN, their College Access Impact Awards honor those who have gone above and beyond for postsecondary attainment. These awards shine a light on the individuals, organizations, and collaborations that have exceeded expectations to make a positive impact on increasing college readiness, participation, and completion in Michigan.

The Marina Award honors a school district that has advanced the college-going culture and/or tackled systems-level change. APS will receive the 2022 Marina Award this Wednesday evening at the Michigan College Access Network Annual conference in Mount Pleasant. 

APS has a student body where more than half of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch.This is a standard measure used when looking at the impacts of poverty on education. Poverty remains one of the most powerful predictors of academic performance by students. Despite what those statistics might predict, APS has consistently been lauded at the state and national level for creating opportunities for students to succeed. “We are proud to produce graduates who continue to outperform measures and predictors of college readiness. Our graduates prove their actual readiness as they succeed in their education, training and careers.”, said APS Communications Director, Lee Fitzpatrick.   

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that produce students with practical career skills and knowledge as they move forward in their chosen career pathways.Students have the opportunity to learn using cutting edge equipment and professional facilities in 11 different programs. Embedded college credits and articulation agreements in CTE programs help students earn college credit in their career field and begin a college transcript while still in high school. 

• Thanks to innovators at APS, Northeast Michigan’s first Early College program, Alpena Early College (AEC), started a decade ago.  AEC became a model for the region and the state as it built pathways to post-secondary education and training for students. This highly successful program produces program completers annually with associates degrees, professional certifications and an average of 51 college credits completed as they finish following their 13th year. 

• Advanced Placement classes offer students the opportunity to take rigorous high school classes that provide a chance at college credit, but also teach students important studying methods, time management, and test taking skills that are useful in all classes and will aid in success at the collegiate level. 

• APS has previously been awarded by the US News for creating opportunities for students to earn college credit. 

“We are thankful to be recognized by MCAN and grateful to be able to offer these fantastic opportunities for our students. It wouldn’t be possible without the hard working, dedicated and innovative staff at APS!”, said Fitzpatrick.

PEER MEDIATION

AHS now has trained student peer mediators to help solve conflicts between students! If you are in conflict with another student, please see me in Room E110 or you can e-mail me at robargeb@alpenaschools.com Remember, peer mediators are trained not to take sides or place blame on anyone.