December Family Newsletter 2023
12.1.23
Principal's Message
AHS Students and Families,
As we approach the winter break, we wanted to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a fantastic holiday season. May this time off be a perfect opportunity for you and your family to come together, create lasting memories, and enjoy the festive spirit.
As we bid farewell to 2023, we look forward to seeing our students return in January, recharged and ready to tackle new challenges. May this winter break provide the perfect chance for rest and rejuvenation so that everyone can start the new year with enthusiasm and energy.
Wishing you all a safe, happy, and relaxing winter break!
Warm regards,
Becky Bauer
Principal
Students of the Month
9th - Ryan Kuenkel
10th - Christopher Pantoja
11th - Jane Thompson
12th - Turner Regenauer
OFFICE UPDATES
End of Trimester 1 Grade Information
- 12/1 End of Trimester 1
- 12/4-12/7 Grading Make-up Period
- 12/8 Grades Finalized and Posted
- 12/18 Report Card Distribution. Printed copies of report cards will be sent home with students during Rail Time. Families will receive a Skyward message confirming grade are finalized.
CTE Survey
Hello Altoona Families,
Please take a moment to fill out this survey (if you haven't already done so): https://bit.ly/AHSCLNA
The purpose of this survey is to gather information from parents of public K-12 school students regarding their knowledge and experiences with Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in Wisconsin. The following is a list of CTE program areas in Wisconsin:
CTE - Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
CTE - Business & Information Technology
CTE - Family & Consumer Science
CTE - Health Science
CTE - Marketing, Management & Entrepreneurship
CTE - Technology & Engineering
At the middle school level, students are introduced to CTE programs in exploration and introduction classes which are designed to pique their interest in learning about careers.
At the high school level, students begin to concentrate their efforts in a particular career and technical program of study or career pathway. Students are provided opportunities to take a series of classes in a CTE program that progress to more advanced skills through the sequence.
Confidentiality
Please be assured that your responses will remain confidential, and no names or other personally identifiable information are collected at any time. The information from this survey will be used to review regional information and priorities for Wisconsin's CTE programs. Responses cannot be linked to the individual completing the survey. Data from the survey will be reported in an aggregated report.
Thank you for your time and support.
The Red Zone
The school store, recognized as The Red Zone, has experienced a remarkable transformation. The store now features a revitalized look, a diverse selection of new merchandise, and an active involvement opportunity for members of the student council in managing its operations. The Red Zone is located in the high school building. The store will initially operate with specific hours, which are available for viewing here: https://tinyurl.com/3284btpr and below.
Weekly Grade Communication
JAG-Jobs for America’s Graduates at Altoona High School
Participants acquire valuable knowledge through Project-Based Learning in the classroom. They enhance their communication, life survival, organization, and decision-making abilities.
Participants become college and career/job ready and participate in life
changing experiences through their JAG programs. They are prepared to
attain quality employment and begin their life’s journey!
JAG research has proven over four decades that we gain the greatest impact by serving
those participants that face significant challenges to graduation, employment, and/or
pursuit of a postsecondary education.
Overall goal-For students to reach their full potential and achieve economic and academic success.
- Must qualify for free and reduced lunch
- Will be invited to an interview
- Must be motivated
- Wants to discover their interests
- Attend field trips
- Meet employers
- Resume writing
- Interview Skills
- Life Skills and more!!
Amanda Burkart-JAG Career Specialist
Upcoming Events
December
12/25 - 12/29- Winter Break - No School
January
1 - No School
2 - Classes resume
15 - No School - Staff Professional Development
18 - Family Conferences from 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
18 - Mid Trimester 2
Meet our Departments
English Language Learner Department
L to R: Bri Cypher and Regi Akan
English Department
L to R: Kiah Druckrey-Sexton, Jeff McLain, Emily Sibilski, Alli Meier and Ann Kleinhans
PE/Health Department
L to R: Krystle Ricci, Erin Gunderson and Erica Emerson
Senior Info
Senior Photos for Yearbook
The deadline to submit your senior portrait and baby picture for the yearbook is December 22nd. Please continue to send these to ahsyearbook@altoona.k12.wi.us. No pictures will be accepted after the deadline. Reach out to Ms. Meier with any concerns.
FAFSA
FAFSA- The 2024–25 FAFSA® form will be available in December 2023.
A representative from the UW-Eau Claire Financial Aid Office will present general information about Federal Financial Aid process and the importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. All seniors and their parents should plan to attend. The meeting will take place on Thursday, January 18th at 5:30 p.m. in the Altoona High School Auditorium.
Scholarship Information
All scholarship information received in the Counseling Office are posted on the Altoona High School Counseling webpage: https://sites.google.com/altoona.k12.wi.us/academiccareerplanning/high-school-counseling
Or for direct access to the Scholarship List you can bookmark this link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EUeu0bJ1SIhiwO63e_R56DadVSpa9XQBKCV3RuO_42c/edit#gid=0
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT
Creating Tomorrow Ready Citizens: Student Volunteerism and Co-Curricular Activities
The A.D. Office has been focused on providing opportunities for students engaged in co-curricular activities to take part in community service projects. When volunteer opportunities arise, the A.D. Office shares this information with co-curricular groups. Coaches and Advisors contribute by sharing these opportunities and may even choose to support them as a united team or group effort.
Students have been actively involved in initiatives such as the Altoona Lions & Altoona Athletics Booster Club Lights in the Park, youth athletic camps and sporting events, and the Shop with a Cop Event this year. These hours can be logged in Xello, an online platform aimed at helping students explore careers, plan for their future, and offers personalized tools for assessments, goal setting, college planning, and skill development.
Feel free to reach out to the A.D. Office if you have details about a potential community volunteer opportunity!
BAND CONCERT
ATHLETICS ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
STUDENT TRAVEL REMINDER
For students being transported back from the event by their parent or legal guardian, it is mandatory to provide the coach or advisor the Student Travel Release Form.
COUNSELING CORNER
Reviewing Schedules for Trimester 2
Please check in with your student and see how their Trimester 2 courses are going. Students will not be allowed to drop classes after Monday, December 11th. If they are having concerns, please have them stop into the counseling office.
Relevant documents:
Mock Interview Event
AHS is dedicated to giving students real life experiences. One of the skills needed for college and careers is applying and interviewing for a job. This spring, 9th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in a mock interview event.
This spring, your 9th grade student will be participating in a Mock Interview event at Altoona High School. A Mock Interview is a highly-structured Career Awareness activity which pairs your student
one-on-one with a business partner to interview for a mock paid internship or job. The
experience allows your student to practice interviewing skills and professional behaviors and
develop confidence in professional communication with employers.
Prior to your student’s mock interview, they will receive high-quality preparatory instruction and
practice with interview processes and etiquette to ensure a successful and meaningful event.
Even though these events are merely practice, many students leave a Mock Interview event with
employer contact information and resources for how to access a job in their field of interest.
Want to know more about our Mock Interview process? Preview our first student-facing
instructional video by clicking here.
We look forward to working with you and supporting your student through this process.
Weekend Meals & Care Closet
Weekend Meals Grades 4K-12
Who is eligible to sign-up? Families of Altoona students 4K-12 who are facing financial difficulties and need some extra assistance.
How does this program work? Each week, meals will be packed and delivered to students to take home.
How to apply? Please fill out the attached form and send it to your child’s school counselor.
Forms are also available at
Weekend Food Program Application
Programa de Comidas de Fin de Semana
Care Closet
For more information, or to sign up, please contact your child's school counselor or access forms at
2023-2024 INFO
Parking Permits
Skyward Family Access
Skyward is our student management system. This is where you can find all of your student's information regarding attendance, grades, schedule, etc... If you have not done so already, please log in and complete the registration process. This needs to be done each year to ensure we have the most up-to-date information.
#AltoonaRails Social Media
What: The School District of Altoona is growing our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.