Welcome to Besser Elementary
Besser Elementary School is located in the City of Alpena in northeastern Michigan. We are one of six elementary schools currently operated by the Alpena Public School District. Besser serves a population of approximately 455 K-5 students from the City and Township of Alpena.
Besser Calendar
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APS board Meeting 10 28 24 5:30 PM
Streaming Link APS board Meeting 10 28 24 5:30 PM @AlpenaPublicSchoolsMichigan
Friday October 25th is a half-day for students
APS families, this is a reminder that Friday October 25th is a half-day for students due to state mandated staff training in the afternoon.
Thunder Bay Junior High 10:26 Half-day dismissal
Alpena High/ACES 10:36 Half-day dismissal
Lincoln, Ella White, Besser 11:45 Half-day dismissal
Hinks, Sanborn, Wilson 12:06 Half-day dismissal
October 2024 APS Superintendent Update
October 7, 2024
Strategic Plan: Academics & Programs
On October 25th, students will have a half-day of school. In the afternoon, our teachers and administrators will participate in Professional Development (PD). But what exactly is PD? In education, PD refers to the specialized training that helps our staff enhance their skills and teaching methods. Our goal is to continually improve the quality and effectiveness of instruction.
What’s happening during PD on October 25th?
6-12 Math Teachers will receive training on our new math curriculum.
Other 6-12 staff will focus on assessment strategies and best practices.
K-5 Teachers will spend three hours on Teacher Clarity, focusing on learning targets in Benchmark Advance. They’ll also receive updated Teacher Clarity books, funded through our Title II federal funds.
What is Title II?
Public schools receive a mix of local, state, and federal funding. "Title" funds are federal, and Title II funds specifically aim to improve the quality of educators and school leaders. The purpose of Title II is to:
Increase student achievement in line with state standards,
Enhance the effectiveness of teachers, principals, and school leaders,
Boost the number of highly effective educators, and
Provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers and leaders.
This year, Alpena Public Schools (APS) received $126,186 in Title II funds to support professional development initiatives.
Social Media Headaches: The Importance of Family and Community Partnerships
Last Friday, spread by students and adults, wild and unfounded rumors of a safety concern at the Junior High spread like wildfire across social media and our community. This wave of misinformation caused significant stress for our students and staff.
I’m asking everyone—adults and students alike—before you share anything about the safety of our schools you come across on social media, take a moment. Please, please, please contact the authorities or the school first. When you share without verifying, you become part of the problem, not the solution. Let’s work together to keep our community informed, not fearful.
Main Office Personnel
Schedule
- 8:20 - Doors Open/Breakfast
- 8:33 - Instruction Begins
- 3:42 - Dismissal
Half Day Dismissal is 11:45 am
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30 Oct
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AM Students- PM Staff Records Day/Evening Parent Teacher ConferencesDate: Oct 30Calendar: District Calendar
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31 Oct
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No Students - AM Parent/Teacher Conferences - PM Teachers OffDate: Oct 31Calendar: District Calendar
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15 Nov
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No School - Fall Family DayDate: Nov 15Calendar: District Calendar
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21 Nov
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Besser PAC Meeting 4:00 PM to 5:00 PMBesser PAC MeetingDate: Nov 21Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PMCalendar: Besser Elementary Calendar
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27 Novthru Nov 29
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Thanksgiving BreakDate: Nov 27 - Nov 29Calendar: District Calendar
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History
Located on twenty acres of land donated by local philanthropist Jesse Besser, the school opened in 1958 as an elementary school of the K-8 Thunder Bay School District. Besser became part of Alpena Public Schools as a junior high school in 1963. Due to declining enrollment, Besser was closed from 1983 until it reopened in 1986 as an elementary school.