Registration for fall GED and ESL classes

Fri, 08/20/2010 - 2:52pm by monkk

Registration for the Ann Arbor Public Schools Adult Education programs, including GED preparation and English as a Second Language classes, is taking place in the weeks before school begins.

Those interested in Adult Education classes do not have to live in the Ann Arbor Public Schools district to take classes. Registration takes place in Room 206 at Stone High School.

For ESL classes, visit Stone School between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20 or Monday, Aug. 23 to make an appointment to register. There are a limited number of spaces and registration will be done on a first-come, first-served basis on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24. Students must be 19 years old and have a passport with a visa, a green card or a Social Security card. ESL classes start Tuesday, Sept. 7, and run every weekday, Monday through Friday. There are no night ESL classes.

For GED preparation to earn a high school diploma, registration for fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 23, and will run every Monday (except for Labor Day on Sept. 7) through the semester from 4-6 p.m.

GED class options include an evening class from 6-9 p.m. at Stone School on Mondays and Wednesdays or a daytime class from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Malletts Creek Library on Mondays and Thursdays. Classes begin the week of Sept. 20. To enroll, students must be at least 18 years old and bring a driver’s license or state ID.

For questions about any Adult Education program, call 734-997-1250.

Brush Up on Bicycle Safety!

Sun, 05/30/2010 - 3:37pm by CasualTim

Joseph Kane's Famous First Facts, a wonderfully informative and interesting resource, notes that it was on this day in 1896 that the first reported automobile accident causing injury in the United States occurred. This first injury accident was an automobile-bicycle collision resulting in a fractured leg, and represents a cautionary event that's still relevant 114 years later.

Keeping cyclists safe is everybody's responsibility. Even way back then, the law relied on cyclists to be visible in traffic and to pedestrians, and to outfit their bikes appropriately for the conditions. According to an article in an 1899 edition of the New York Times, that city's own squad of bicycle policemen had made 65 arrests by 10pm on June 4th, most of which were for cyclists riding without a light and bell.

To help cyclists of all ages try to avoid the various road and traffic hazards, the AADL offers many helpful resources.

Try this search to get you started on bike safety materials for young and beginning riders. There is also a Safety Town run jointly by the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Ann Arbor Public Schools Community Education & Recreation Department. Safety Town was founded in my hometown of Mansfield, Ohio in 1937 by a traffic commissioner and a kindergarten teacher, and "includes pedestrian safety, bike safety, stranger safety, drug awareness, fire safety, school bus safety, outdoor safety and seat belt safety." I remember having an absolute blast riding my tricycle around the miniature town (with Mansfield landmark buildings and working stop light!), obeying all the rules of the road I'd just learned. If the program is anything like it was back then, I can strongly recommend it for any young person.

Even we old(er) cyclists need to keep reminding ourselves how to stay safe. Here are a few books that might help us stay upright and moving forward. Parts of David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling are actually very relevant to bicyclists (and anyone in traffic). I haven't read anything anywhere that's had a better effect on my understanding of visibility, sight lines, and awareness.

For a little perspective, Kane reports that almost exactly three years after that first accident, a bicycle officer made the first ever arrest of a driver for speeding. The driver was traveling at the "breakneck speed" of 12mph on NYC's Lexington Ave.

Oh, and did I mention that speedster back in 1899 was an electric car?

Amazing Brainfuse!

Tue, 04/06/2010 - 12:10pm by Beth Manuel

It's 9:00 p.m. Your 8th grade child pulls out her math homework and divulges she 'doesn't get it' and of course, it's due tomorrow. They call it Everyday Math, but you know YOU don't use it every day. There's tears, fear and anxiety as you try to remember what you learned in 8th grade, about a million years ago. Relax, Dad! Have your student visit AADL's new LIVE homework help called Brainfuse. This service is available from 2 pm-11 pm EVERY DAY of the week from home or at AADL sites when we're open! Core subject tutoring is offered for grades 3-12 and it's quick, secure and FUN! Try it TODAY!

Brainfuse Writing Lab

Wed, 03/17/2010 - 9:24am by Beth Manuel

Perhaps you've tried Brainfuse for Homework Help, but did you know they offer a Writing lab? Yep, you can upload a paper or writing assignment you are working on to send to a live, on-line tutor. Tutors are available from 2:00 pm-11:00 pm every day (minus holidays). Papers can be uploaded & within 24 hours a tutor will provide you with constructive feedback about your writing. You can even include your resumé! If you just need to brush up on Language Arts you can still use the skill building portal of Brainfuse. It's fast, fun and free to work with a Brainfuse tutor !

Bridges to Success

Wed, 02/17/2010 - 5:09pm by monkk

The Ann Arbor Public School Adult Education is offering a free class to assist in job searching and career development called Bridges to Success. In the class, you will create a resume, explore goals and career possibilities, plan for your future success, get comfortable with computers, and learn how to apply online for jobs, college, and financial aid. You'll also hear from guest speakers who will share with you how they got their GEDs and used them to change their lives. Classes begin Tuesday, March 2nd and will be held on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 pm at Stone School. You can register at Stone School in room 406 on Thursdays between 6 and 8 pm. If you have questions, call 997-1250 or 216-0365.

Brainfuse: For You to Use

Mon, 11/02/2009 - 9:45am by Beth Manuel

AADL's access to on-line LIVE tutoring is SWEET! The first page is oh-so simple to navigate. It's available from 2 pm-11 pm EVERY DAY of the week from your home computer & 2 PM till closing time at AADL branches. Use your Account Log in to access the service. Core subject tutoring is offered for grades 3-12 and there's help for adult learners, too. There's also a writing lab & a 24/7 Help portal. Brush up on your subjects before mid-terms or other pesky tests! It's fast, secure & FUN!

AAPS English Language Learners!

Thu, 08/20/2009 - 9:38am by Beth Manuel

If you are planning to enroll in Ann Arbor Public Schools and use English as a Second Language, you may want to head over to the ESL Fair at Skyline High School this afternoon, August 20, from 1-4. There will be interpreters & many resources for families to learn about. English language proficiency tests will take place, no registration required.

Ann Arbor School Board Election Results

Wed, 05/06/2009 - 11:03am by Van

I asked one of my colleagues yesterday whether she had voted. She said she did not vote in uncontested elections.

There were two incumbents, Glenn Nelson and Irene Patalan, running for the two four-year terms. They were both elected.

And there were two relative newcomers (Adam Hollier ran for school board in 2008 and Ravi Nigam ran for school board in 2002) running for the one two-year term. Adam Hollier had announced in April that he was withdrawing his candidacy. His announcement came well after the February 13th deadline for his name to be removed from the ballot. Two names on the ballot, only one active candidate. Does that make the election uncontested?

I tried to find an article in Monday’s Ann Arbor News about the Ann Arbor school board election and could not find one. The Ann Arbor Chronicle had a nice article about the school board election on April 21. The lead paragraph was “On May 5, voters in Ann Arbor will choose three people to serve on the Ann Arbor Public Schools board. Actually, “choose” might not be the operative word: All three candidates are running unopposed.”

The voter turnout was 2.6%. One might think that those 2.6% would be the most informed and involved voters. They elected the candidate who withdrew last month. Adam Hollier received 1063 votes to 894 votes for Ravi Nigam.

Adam Hollier is an African American graduate student at the University of Michigan. When contacted by the Ann Arbor Public Schools, he was unaware that he had won but said he would consider accepting the board seat.

Michigan election law reads “Within 5 business days after certification of an election, each member-elect shall be notified of the election. Within 10 business days after notification by the school district election coordinator of election or appointment to the board, each person shall file with the secretary of the board an acceptance of the office to which the person has been elected or appointed.”

If Adam Hollier chooses not to accept, then the Ann Arbor School Board may appoint a new member. They could appoint Ravi Nigam, but are not obligated to appoint him.

School Board Election ~ Tuesday, May 5th

Mon, 05/04/2009 - 11:50am by Debbie G.

Polls will be open Tuesday, May 5th, 7 a.m. ~ 8 p.m., for the Ann Arbor Public School Board election. The League of Women Voters candidate forum will be rebroadcast tonight on CitiTV, CTN Cable Channel 19 at 7 p.m. Several Washtenaw County school districts have School Board elections as well. Don't forget your photo ID when heading to the polls.