AVHS Update
Sunday, December 13
Message from the Principal
Hello AVHS Parents and Guardians,
As a member of the AVHS community, I know that we have high expectations for ourselves. I’ve seen this over and over in my short tenure here and it’s jaw-dropping. I’ve seen our staff reimagine traditional in-person learning and make a successful transition to virtual classrooms. I’ve heard every student be welcomed by name seen teachers “hook” students by adding a personal touch. I’ve literally seen our students manage their studies while a younger sibling uses them as a human jungle gym. I’ve talked with parents who have learned to track 14 different Schoology pages and others who have relentlessly adapted parenting strategies to keep their students motivated. Our school community has clearly demonstrated that we can rise to any challenge and my pride runs deep- thank you!
However, we are human, which also means that we can’t do everything. In fact, we’re so busy with our “To-Do” lists that we might need to focus on setting some boundaries and making a post-it with our “NOT To-Do” lists as well. A fresh start like a new trimester is a great opportunity to remind ourselves of what matters most. For my daughter, it’s digging in deep to-do 20 minutes of math practice that she really doesn’t want to do but needs. For my son, it’s putting together his not-to-do list of beating himself up for the three questions he missed out of 100. For me, it’s no-to-do email and work calls from 6 to 8 pm so I don’t miss out on wrestling and bedtime reading with my kids.
I want to challenge each of us to focus on the most important things- kids before content, self-care, relationships, and helping our kids (and ourselves) to experience great results and a great ride. No matter how the first trimester ended, each of us can play a role in establishing routines of getting enough rest, prioritizing what needs to get done and when, and defining some healthy boundaries. Knowing how to start a task that you don’t want to do and knowing when to say “good enough” are both equally valuable lessons for kids and adults alike. Let’s use this time as an opportunity to reflect and commit to focusing on the most important things so we can have a strong week and a half to get us to a well-deserved Winter Break. Take care. Be well. Go Eagles!
Drew Mons
Principal
Parent Experience Circles
- Purpose- To enhance parent-school communication; to offer parents and guardians an opportunity to provide feedback on the school experience of their students; to build relationships among parents.
- Please CLICK HERE if you are interested in participating in a morning or evening session with members of the AVHS Instructional Leadership Team and other families.
Seven Day Meal Kit Distribution - IMPORTANT INFO
· Monday 4:00pm- 5:30pm
· Tuesday 7:30am- 9:00am
· Wednesday 10:00am- 11:00am (Digital Academy Meals will continue)
· Thursday 7:30am- 9:00am
· Friday 7:30am- 9:00am
MN DEED Encourages Student Workers Impacted by COVID-19 to Apply for Unemployment Insurance
Last week, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) indicated that it will start the process of issuing payments to student workers.
This means that student workers who may have had their employment impacted by COVID-19 are eligible to apply for Unemployement Insurance through the State of Minnesota. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis and students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Click Here for a link to the DEED website with more information.
What Does Distance Learning Look Like?
Daily Schedule and Expectations
Students need to check-in for attendance every weekday (including Wednesdays) on Campus.
All students (Cohort A, B, and Digital Academy) are in Zoom classes from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Flexible, independent work time for students has been built into the Zoom Day schedule from 7:30-9:00 am and 1:00-3:30 pm.
Students should expect 3-5 tasks/lessons per class during a school week.
Who Do I Go To For Help?
Technology. Click here for AVHS Tech Help. The AVHS Tech Help page is for parents and students and is for issues with Schoology, Campus, iPads, internet support, and more.
Contacting counselors. Click here to find your student’s counselor. Counselors are available to assist with concerns about scheduling, academic progress, and mental health. Contacting a student's counselor is a good first step if there are concerns about multiple classes and can help coordinate and streamline communication.
Student Schedule. Click here to log in to Campus Portal and see Student Schedules.
Grades. Click here to log in to Schoology and see in-progress grades.
Contacting teachers. Click here for a list of teacher e-mail addresses.
Zoom Class Expectations
Classes are scheduled from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Be prepared and on time.
Attend all Zoom class sessions.
If you are using a hotspot, put it near a window for the best service.
Zoom from a location that is quiet and allows you to focus on learning.
Use your full name/device name as your Zoom screen name (this is the default - do not change)
Students are expected to have cameras on and microphones muted (unless they are speaking).
WHY? We strengthen classroom community when we see each other’s faces.
If there are reasons you may not be able to have your camera on, please connect with your teacher directly.
Virtual backgrounds are okay if you’d prefer. Make sure they are school appropriate, neutral, and non-distracting.
COVID Notifications in Distance Learning
As our district returns to full-time distance learning, our commitment to the health and safety of our students, families, and staff remains our top priority. Though we are not together in our buildings, it is very important that the COVID-19 Response Team at our school remains informed about all household COVID-19 information. Whether your child participates in distance learning, Tier 1 child care, 196 Digital Academy, or in-person targeted services, our school’s COVID-19 Response Team is continuing to track COVID-19 data.
Please continue to call or email us if you or your child is ill or are experiencing symptoms, if you or your child is identified as a close contact to someone who is COVID-19 positive, and if there are any positive test results in your household. We are obligated to continue tracking this data for the district, county, and state, and will be assisting with contact tracing. This is also one of the data points that will be used in determining the learning model and our opportunities for in-person experiences. This strategy contains virus spread while protecting the community.
It is important you and anyone in your household stay home and discontinue any activities outside of your household if you are feeling sick, regardless of whether symptoms are related to COVID-19. Less common symptoms of COVID-19 include sore throat; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; muscle pain; fatigue; headache; nasal congestion; runny nose, and chills. More common symptoms include fever over 100.4; new or worsening cough; difficulty breathing, and a new loss of taste or smell.
The state of Minnesota is providing barrier-free testing to every resident. You can order a test online and have it shipped to your home at no cost. Included in the test are instructions for taking the test and consulting with a health professional. Order your free at-home saliva test at https://learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota/.
Remember, please call or email your child’s school nurse or principal, if you or your child is ill or are experiencing symptoms, if you or your child is identified as a close contact to someone who is COVID-19 positive, and if there are any positive test results in your household. We will assist with screening your symptoms and walk you through the reporting process if symptoms are deemed COVID-19 related.
The Licensed School Nurse at School is Lori Henke. Contact information is lori.henke@district196.org or 952.431.8220. School nurse office hours are 7:30 to 3:30. The school’s main number is 952.431.8200 and school hours are 7:30 to 3:30.
Wednesdays are Important School Days!
Wednesdays are days set aside for intervention and enrichment for students. With only two Wednesdays remaining before the end of the trimester, we need your help to ensure that your student(s) attend their virtual intervention sessions (Wednesdays from 12:10 pm to 1:40 pm).
Teachers and Learning Teams will offer Zoom sessions and other opportunities on these days for students to ask questions and complete missing work. Teachers will be reaching out to students to invite them to these sessions; we appreciate your help and partnership in encouraging your student to engage with their teacher on these days!
Text Message Updates
Texts are delivered via SchoolMessenger, the mass notification service the district uses for phone calls and email messages. Parents must opt-in to receive text messages. Standard message and data rates may apply.
GETTING STARTED
- Text Y to 67587, you will receive a confirmation message stating you are registered to receive SchoolMessenger notifications via text.
For help information, text HELP to 67587.
To opt-out at any time, text STOP to 67587.
*Only SMS numbers listed as Guardians in the Infinite Campus student information system can receive texts.
**If you do not receive a confirmation message of what appears to be an error message, it most likely means that short code texting is not enabled on your wireless plan.
Apple Valley High School
Website: avhs.district196.org
Location: 14450 Hayes Road, Apple Valley, MN, USA
Phone: 952-431-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avhsscholar
Twitter: @avhsacademics