Alpena Public Schools will hold a Job Fair for Bus Drivers, Relief Drivers, Bus Attendants, Food Service, Custodial, Maintenance and Instructional Assistants on Tuesday, July 14th from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. and Thursday, July 16th from 3 to 5 P.M. at Alpena High School 3303 S. Third Avenue in the Media Center. We are hiring for full-time, part-time and substitute positions. Schedule an interview if you can’t attend by calling (989) 358-5030. Candidates can save time by completing an application in advance at alpenaschools.com under the employment button. For those looking for more flexible work options we have many substitute positions. We will hold interviews on the spot at this event with qualified candidates.
APS Employment- Permanent Float Substitute Teacher
https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/employment-opportunities
https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/employment-opportunities
APS Employment- Elementary Physical Education
https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/employment-opportunities
https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/employment-opportunities
Alcona Health Center Summer 2026 Information
PDF Versions of the fliers https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W1yJPCNxnU6mQT9SyK7QP0CXrXHTd8WA?usp=sharing
PDF Versions of the fliers https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W1yJPCNxnU6mQT9SyK7QP0CXrXHTd8WA?usp=sharing
Alcona Health Center at Alpena High School Parent/Guardian Surveywww.bit.ly/SchoolPatientSurvey
Transportation Requests for 2026 2027 School year (FOR ANY CHANGES OR NEW REQUESTS)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWYYYEz2Zfmy1rDFxuFUSDYFDQk5yPo458wSTH-fMN0FBrvw/viewform?usp=header
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWYYYEz2Zfmy1rDFxuFUSDYFDQk5yPo458wSTH-fMN0FBrvw/viewform?usp=header
Alpena Area Pre-schools
PDF version of the flier https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qHQReiI8xpw53muwfQ9sx9A0MXHx_S2B/view?usp=sharing
PDF version of the flier https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qHQReiI8xpw53muwfQ9sx9A0MXHx_S2B/view?usp=sharing
FIRST Robotics Team 5505 is hosting their 2nd Annual DiscGolf Tournament Fundraiser! This year's event will be held at Lumberjack Meadows on Saturday, August 8th. Fun for all ages, this event helps the team prepare financially for the upcoming 2027 season as well as introduce the disc golf sport to new people. Watch their website and socials for more details as they unfold!
https://sites.google.com/view/ahsroboticsteam5505/annual-disc-golf-tournament
https://sites.google.com/view/ahsroboticsteam5505/annual-disc-golf-tournament
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is hosting filmmakers Alex Rose and Jennifer Idol this weekend.
On Friday night they will share four short films from their Protected Waters series, featuring scenes from Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. After the films there will be a Q & A with the filmmakers. This event begins at 6pm.
On Saturday the filmmakers will lead an Aquatic Ecosystems Workshop for kids ages 5 - 9 from 10am to 12pm. This event is free but requires an RSVP. Learn more and get signed up here: https://thunderbayfriends.org/index.php/event/aquatic-ecosystems-kids-workshop/
On Friday night they will share four short films from their Protected Waters series, featuring scenes from Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. After the films there will be a Q & A with the filmmakers. This event begins at 6pm.
On Saturday the filmmakers will lead an Aquatic Ecosystems Workshop for kids ages 5 - 9 from 10am to 12pm. This event is free but requires an RSVP. Learn more and get signed up here: https://thunderbayfriends.org/index.php/event/aquatic-ecosystems-kids-workshop/
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary summer education programs are back for June and July!
NOT AN APS SPONSORED EVENT:
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary summer education programs are back for June and July! Whether your child wants to learn the "robot ropes" or explore the sanctuary shoreline, an immersive experience awaits them.
📍 Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
🗓️ June & July Sessions
👥 Ages 7-14
Spots fill up fast, so take action today! ⚓️✨
Sign up and find more information at www.ThunderBayFriends.org/index.php/sanctuary/
NOT AN APS SPONSORED EVENT:
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary summer education programs are back for June and July! Whether your child wants to learn the "robot ropes" or explore the sanctuary shoreline, an immersive experience awaits them.
📍 Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
🗓️ June & July Sessions
👥 Ages 7-14
Spots fill up fast, so take action today! ⚓️✨
Sign up and find more information at www.ThunderBayFriends.org/index.php/sanctuary/
The UR² (Underwater Research Robot Company) competitive robotics team
from Alpena High School returned from St. John’s, Newfoundland, with a collection of milestone
achievements at the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship—the premier international student
underwater robotics competition. Competing among 84 teams representing 18 countries, the team
delivered one of the strongest performances in program history.
Record-Breaking Performance
In the RANGER class competition, UR² set a new program record by scoring 260 points in the
product demonstration—the highest product demo score the team has ever achieved at the World
Championship level. The product demonstration evaluates the team’s ROV and float systems in
realistic underwater mission scenarios, rewarding engineering quality, mission effectiveness, and
operational execution.
The team also earned the highest engineering presentation score of any team in their competition
arena. With four arenas operating simultaneously across the event, earning the top engineering
presentation in their arena is a significant distinction reflecting the depth and quality of the team’s
technical documentation and design rationale.
When final standings were released, UR² placed 8th overall out of 84 teams from 18 countries—a
new program record and the highest finish in the team’s history.
The team’s technical documentation earned a score of 96 out of 100—another program
best—reflecting the exceptional depth and precision of the team’s engineering write-ups, design
rationale, and mission reporting.
In a remarkable display of creative and professional excellence, the team’s marketing display
received a score of 51 out of 50—earning bonus points above the maximum for outstanding
presentation quality. It marks yet another program-best performance across a competition season
defined by record-breaking achievement.
Individual Honors
Team Captain Lydia Thomson, an incoming mechanical engineering student at Michigan
Technological University and former lead engineer of the UR² program, was selected as the
Engineering MVP for the competition—a judge-recognized award honoring outstanding engineering
leadership and contribution.
Thomson also received news during the competition that she had been awarded the MATE
Scholarship in the amount of $5,000—a national recognition of academic excellence and
demonstrated commitment to ocean technology and STEM education.
Quotes
“Finishing 8th in the world out of 84 teams is great way to finish a season. A record product
demo, a 96 on technical documentation, a 51 out of 50 on our marketing display, the top
engineering presentation in our arena, Lydia earning MVP and a $5,000 scholarship—this
team did not just compete at the World Championship, they excelled at every level. I am
incredibly proud and deeply grateful to the Alpena community for making this possible.
— Bob Thomson, Team Mentor, UR² / Alpena High School
“Leading this team has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. We built
something together—not just an ROV, but a company, a culture, and a mission. To be
recognized as an Engineering MVP and then learn about the MATE scholarship in the same
week is truly humbling. I am so proud of what every member of this team accomplished.
— Lydia Thomson, Team Captain & Engineering MVP, UR²
“All the hours in the pool, every practice run, every systems check—it all came down to those
missions in St. John’s. It’s been a journey, and this team has been awesome to work with.
Thank you for a great run, Mr. Thomson”
— Gus Wirgua, Senior Pilot, UR²
Community Support
The UR² team and Alpena High School wish to express their deep gratitude to the Alpena
community for the generous support that made this historic achievement possible. Competing at the
MATE ROV World Championship requires significant resources, and the community’s commitment
to these students made the journey to St. John’s, Newfoundland a reality.
Special recognition goes to the Economic Generator Network (EGN), a local non-profit organization
whose $15,000 matching grant provided critical funding for the team’s program this season. EGN’s
investment in UR² reflects a shared belief that investing in students is investing in the future of the
Alpena region.
About the UR² Program
The UR² (Underwater Research Robot Company) is a student-led competitive robotics team at
Alpena High School, operating under the mentorship of STEM educator Bob Thomson. The team
competes annually in the MATE ROV World Championship, one of the most prestigious underwater
robotics competitions. The program emphasizes real-world engineering, marine science, technical
communication, and professional development.
The team’s work is supported by partnerships with NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary,
Michigan DNR, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, MSU Extension, Alpena Community College, and the
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative.
from Alpena High School returned from St. John’s, Newfoundland, with a collection of milestone
achievements at the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship—the premier international student
underwater robotics competition. Competing among 84 teams representing 18 countries, the team
delivered one of the strongest performances in program history.
Record-Breaking Performance
In the RANGER class competition, UR² set a new program record by scoring 260 points in the
product demonstration—the highest product demo score the team has ever achieved at the World
Championship level. The product demonstration evaluates the team’s ROV and float systems in
realistic underwater mission scenarios, rewarding engineering quality, mission effectiveness, and
operational execution.
The team also earned the highest engineering presentation score of any team in their competition
arena. With four arenas operating simultaneously across the event, earning the top engineering
presentation in their arena is a significant distinction reflecting the depth and quality of the team’s
technical documentation and design rationale.
When final standings were released, UR² placed 8th overall out of 84 teams from 18 countries—a
new program record and the highest finish in the team’s history.
The team’s technical documentation earned a score of 96 out of 100—another program
best—reflecting the exceptional depth and precision of the team’s engineering write-ups, design
rationale, and mission reporting.
In a remarkable display of creative and professional excellence, the team’s marketing display
received a score of 51 out of 50—earning bonus points above the maximum for outstanding
presentation quality. It marks yet another program-best performance across a competition season
defined by record-breaking achievement.
Individual Honors
Team Captain Lydia Thomson, an incoming mechanical engineering student at Michigan
Technological University and former lead engineer of the UR² program, was selected as the
Engineering MVP for the competition—a judge-recognized award honoring outstanding engineering
leadership and contribution.
Thomson also received news during the competition that she had been awarded the MATE
Scholarship in the amount of $5,000—a national recognition of academic excellence and
demonstrated commitment to ocean technology and STEM education.
Quotes
“Finishing 8th in the world out of 84 teams is great way to finish a season. A record product
demo, a 96 on technical documentation, a 51 out of 50 on our marketing display, the top
engineering presentation in our arena, Lydia earning MVP and a $5,000 scholarship—this
team did not just compete at the World Championship, they excelled at every level. I am
incredibly proud and deeply grateful to the Alpena community for making this possible.
— Bob Thomson, Team Mentor, UR² / Alpena High School
“Leading this team has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. We built
something together—not just an ROV, but a company, a culture, and a mission. To be
recognized as an Engineering MVP and then learn about the MATE scholarship in the same
week is truly humbling. I am so proud of what every member of this team accomplished.
— Lydia Thomson, Team Captain & Engineering MVP, UR²
“All the hours in the pool, every practice run, every systems check—it all came down to those
missions in St. John’s. It’s been a journey, and this team has been awesome to work with.
Thank you for a great run, Mr. Thomson”
— Gus Wirgua, Senior Pilot, UR²
Community Support
The UR² team and Alpena High School wish to express their deep gratitude to the Alpena
community for the generous support that made this historic achievement possible. Competing at the
MATE ROV World Championship requires significant resources, and the community’s commitment
to these students made the journey to St. John’s, Newfoundland a reality.
Special recognition goes to the Economic Generator Network (EGN), a local non-profit organization
whose $15,000 matching grant provided critical funding for the team’s program this season. EGN’s
investment in UR² reflects a shared belief that investing in students is investing in the future of the
Alpena region.
About the UR² Program
The UR² (Underwater Research Robot Company) is a student-led competitive robotics team at
Alpena High School, operating under the mentorship of STEM educator Bob Thomson. The team
competes annually in the MATE ROV World Championship, one of the most prestigious underwater
robotics competitions. The program emphasizes real-world engineering, marine science, technical
communication, and professional development.
The team’s work is supported by partnerships with NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary,
Michigan DNR, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, MSU Extension, Alpena Community College, and the
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative.
APS Athletics is returning to Final Forms which allows you to complete and sign athletic participation forms for your students. You may review your data at any time to verify it is current. You will be required to sign your forms once per year and after any update. Click on the Parent Playbook Link if you need help getting started. We are asking the parents/guardians of all students planning to play sports to create accounts in Final Forms and register your student(s).https://alpena-mi.finalforms.com/
PDF Final Forms Instructions
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SFrxMge7PezNkCNj9-TM6u3m8Iu89SBR/view?usp=sharing
You can access these links as well as facility use forms at Wildcat Athletics page on https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/wildcat-athletic
PDF Final Forms Instructions
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SFrxMge7PezNkCNj9-TM6u3m8Iu89SBR/view?usp=sharing
You can access these links as well as facility use forms at Wildcat Athletics page on https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/wildcat-athletic
Summer Food Resource- Not APS Sponsored
PDF Version of the Flyer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vDZZskhTxFQNZAMU5R4CWCJGNRRHtOzk/view?usp=sharing
PDF Version of the Flyer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vDZZskhTxFQNZAMU5R4CWCJGNRRHtOzk/view?usp=sharing
APS Employment- Special Education Teachers All Levels
https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/employment-opportunities
https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/employment-opportunities
The celebration of this date stems from several key events in history:
1. The Vote for Independence: The Continental Congress actually voted to separate from Great Britain two days earlier, on July 2, 1776. John Adams famously believed July 2 would be celebrated as America's birthday.
2. The Adoption of the Declaration: On July 4, Congress formally adopted the final wording of the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson. This is the date printed on the original broadsides (the Dunlap Broadsides) that were circulated to the public and the date that became ingrained in American memory.
3. The Official Signings: While the text was adopted on July 4, most delegates did not actually sign the document until almost a month later, on August 2, 1776.
4. Early Festivities: Following the adoption of the Declaration, colonists celebrated the birth of the nation with parades, bonfires, concerts, and public readings of the document. Philadelphia held the first annual commemoration exactly one year later on July 4, 1777.
1. The Vote for Independence: The Continental Congress actually voted to separate from Great Britain two days earlier, on July 2, 1776. John Adams famously believed July 2 would be celebrated as America's birthday.
2. The Adoption of the Declaration: On July 4, Congress formally adopted the final wording of the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson. This is the date printed on the original broadsides (the Dunlap Broadsides) that were circulated to the public and the date that became ingrained in American memory.
3. The Official Signings: While the text was adopted on July 4, most delegates did not actually sign the document until almost a month later, on August 2, 1776.
4. Early Festivities: Following the adoption of the Declaration, colonists celebrated the birth of the nation with parades, bonfires, concerts, and public readings of the document. Philadelphia held the first annual commemoration exactly one year later on July 4, 1777.
APS Employment- Food Service Full and Part-time
https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/employment-opportunities
https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/employment-opportunities
APS Employment- Instructional Coach
https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/employment-opportunities
https://www.alpenaschools.com/o/aps/page/employment-opportunities
