10.1.25
A Closer Look at the Strategic Plan
Our Strategic Plan has five goal areas: Academics and Programs, Whole-Child Development, Personnel, Family and Community Partnerships, and Stewardship. Last month, we took a deeper look at the first two pillars of the Strategic Plan; Academics and Programs, and Whole-Child Development. This month, we will dive deeper into Personnel and Family and Community Partnerships.
Personnel
Focus: Attract, Recruit, Retain, and Develop Highly Qualified Staff
Key Implementation Activities: A System of Mentoring and Support,
A Marketing Plan to Recruit and Retain Employees, and an Internal Communication Plan.
Our Personnel pillar is dedicated to making Alpena Public Schools the best possible place to work, with a core goal to attract, recruit, retain, and develop a high-quality, compassionate, and dedicated team. This work is a direct response to the valuable feedback we have received from staff through our employee engagement surveys. Key activities this year are focused on creating a more supportive and communicative environment, which includes improving our hiring and onboarding processes, developing a long-term sustainable staffing plan, and launching new initiatives like our "Wildcat Roar" staff newsletter to enhance recognition and connection across the district.
Family and Community Partnerships
Focus: Build and Strengthen a Trusting Relationship With Families and Partners
Key Implementation Activities:
Our Family and Community Partnerships pillar is dedicated to building and strengthening the vital, trusting relationships between our schools, families, and community. We believe this partnership is foundational to student success. Key activities this year are focused on enhancing two-way communication and engagement through our monthly Superintendent's Parent Advisory Committee (SPAC) meetings, our annual Parent Perception Surveys, and new initiatives like our "ASK APS" feature and the launch of our new district website, all designed to ensure our families are informed and empowered partners in their child's education.
Next Month
We will look closely at the last pillar of our Strategic Plan; Stewardship, and the foundation of our plan, Continuous Improvement through Data, Communication, Monitoring and Support.
Communication Survey
Part of our Family and Partnership pillar is assessing our communication practices. We do a great deal of communicating; from the classroom, building, and district, hundreds of communications are sent each week. Are you receiving the communications you want? Are you receiving them the way you want? Do you feel that you have a way to engage in two -way communication with the district? Let us know by taking a moment to answer six questions about communication with Alpena Public Schools. Click here to answer the questions.
Universal Breakfast and Lunch Update
As of today, the State of Michigan has not passed a school budget for the 2025–26 school year. One major question that remains unresolved is whether the state will continue to fund universal free breakfast and lunch for all students. I know this is an issue of great importance for many of our families.
In the meantime, Alpena Public Schools will ensure that all students continue to receive free breakfast and lunch through October, regardless of the state’s inaction. Once the state budget is finalized, we will share an update on how it affects school meals going forward.
If the state budget is not passed by the end of October, or if it does not include funding for universal meals, students will once again need to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. That’s why it is more important than ever for every family to complete the 2025–26 Education and Nutrition Benefits Form on paper or online (Apply for benefits link). This form does more than determine eligibility for free and reduced meals. It also provides critical information that helps our district secure state and federal funding to support students, classrooms, and programs. If you have not yet submitted the form, please take a few minutes to do so today. The form can also be found on our website under the NEWS section.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued partnership in supporting Alpena students.