Averill Park HS
April 2017 Newsletter
A Message from the APHS Leadership Team:
April has arrived, Quarter 3 will end on April 13, and Spring Break will soon be here. This month, although short, signifies much importance for students. It marks the end of 35 weeks of instruction, and the beginning of the last stretch before concluding the school year. This time can be stressful, as May brings Advanced Placement exams and the last press to improve academic standing in courses.
We ask that parents and guardians continue to monitor academic progress with diligence to help make the last quarter their child's most successful one yet. School Tool is an excellent resource to gauge how students are performing, and to monitor your child's attendance. If there are any questions or concerns about your child's academic progress, please reach out to teachers and counselors for support.
With warmer weather on the horizon, we'd like to take this opportunity to remind you of our school's dress code (the language below is from the district's Code of Conduct policy):
School is considered a workplace for adults and students. Appropriate dress is:
1. That which is safe and does not disrupt or interfere with the educational process. This includes, but is not limited to chains, safety pins, spikes, animal collars, leashes, etc.
2. That which does not include items which are vulgar, obscene, libelous, or denigrate others because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender (including identity and expression), sexual orientation, sex, weight or disability.
3. That does not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs and/or encourage other illegal or violent activities.
4. Student clothing must at all times cover undergarments, midriffs, and cleavage so that none of these is visible to others. Skirts and shorts must reach at least the mid- thigh of the wearer. Tops must not be strapless.
5. The middle and high schools are hat-free campuses. Students are expected to remove all headwear prior to entering the building. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the principal for religious or medical reasons.
We thank you for helping to ensure that your child is appropriately dressed for the anticipated warmer weather in the school environment!
Finally, we are moving into the season of formal dances and other spring activities. Please know that participation in these events is a privilege. Students earn this privilege by performing well academically, attending school regularly (and on time), and adhering to the Code of Conduct. The HS administration has begun notifying students who are ineligible to attend these events. We ask parents to also monitor your child's grades, attendance, and behavior to ensure your child is able to partake in the upcoming spring festivities.
Please see the events and important dates that are scheduled for this month:
- 7 - LOTE Lip Sync Performances - 7:30 PM, Auditorium
- 12 - Open Mic for Poetry and Prose - 3:00 PM, Library
- 13 - End of Quarter 3 (grades available to view on Weds, April 26)
- 13 - Key Club Blood Drive - All Day, Auxiliary Gym
- 14-21 - Spring Recess - no classes
- 27 - Mr. AP - 6:30 PM, Auditorium
- 28 - Sophomore Soiree - 6:30 PM, Franklin Terrace, Troy
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Ms. Michelle Tsao, Principal
Mr. Brian Bishop, Assistant Principal (Grades 9 & 11)
Mrs. Christina Mein, Assistant Principal (Grades 10 & 12)
YMCA Outstanding Youth
OBP: Charlotte's Web
Faculty Band in Talent Show
Other News and Notes
Senior Questionnaires
DUE BY APRIL 14: All seniors should have filled out and turned in the Senior Questionnaire to be considered for Scholarships and/or awards at Senior Award Night in June.
Questionnaires are on Naviance or can be picked up in the Counseling Center. Deadline is April 14.
June 2017 Regents Examination Schedule
Please see this link for the June 2017 Regents Exam schedule: goo.gl/QrBYwH
Local final exams will be added to the schedule at a later time.
From the Health Office
There will be time this summer to hand in any physicals and 30 day paperwork in the gym atrium- Parents must be present at this time.
JV/V Football- Monday July 31, 6-8
JV/V Girls Volleyball- Tuesday August 1st, 5:30-7:30
JV/V Boys and Girls soccer- Wednesday 2nd, 5:30-7:30
JV/V Golf, Girls tennis, and boys and girls cross country- Thursday August 3rd, 5:30-7:30
Monday August 7th, 5:30-7:30 for anyone that has missed any of the above mentioned dates. This is the very last day to turn in paperwork. If it is not received by this day your child will not be allowed to tryout for their sport.
Doctor O'Bryan will be here May 10th doing in school physicals - if your child needs a school physical please call and let the nurse know at 674-7020.
Doctor O'Bryan will be at the school during the summer for last minute sport physicals on August 9th 8:30- 1:30. This is a first come, first serve basis.
Parents: All children entering 7th , 8th and 12th grades must have the meningococcal vaccine. Please see this flyer: goo.gl/MnULrT
End of the year med pick up. If your child takes medication at school they need to be picked up no later then June 23rd. If there is any medication left over they will be disposed of.
There are still 10th grader students that do not have a physical on file. Pleases send a copy of a current physical in for your child.
From the Counseling Center
Morrisville State College Instant Decision Interviews
Morrisville will be visiting APHS on May 12th to talk to Juniors and Seniors about what Morrisville has to offer in ways of academic majors and campus life. They will also look over each student’s transcripts with them and provide them with an instant admission decision, Fall 2017 for Seniors or Fall 2018 for Juniors, at that time. Interested students should take this opportunity to meet with the Admissions Counselor by requesting a pass from the Counseling Center no later than May 9, 2017.
HVCC Free Financial Aid Workshop : Pre-registration is required
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 6 p.m.
The workshop is designed to help families understand their financial aid eligibility and how to apply for federal/state aid and scholarships. Financial aid staff will be able to answer questions and help attendees file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online.
All families interested in learning about financial aid are welcome, not just those with students considering Hudson Valley Community College.
During the second hour of these sessions, you will have an opportunity to file your financial aid application online. Please make sure to bring 2015 tax returns and other financial information with you.
Please contact the Mastrangelo Financial Aid Center at (518) 629-7150 or financialaid@hvcc.edu with questions or for more information.
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS
SAT I & II (with REGISTRATION DEADLINE)
May 6, 2017 (April 7, 2017)
June 3, 2017 (May 9, 2017)
ACT (with REGISTRATION DEADLINE)
June 10, 2017 (May 5, 2017)
RESOURCES
The Counseling Center receives information regarding financial aid, invitations to events on campuses, scholarships, etc. This information can be found in the Counseling Center or on Naviance. Naviance is a College & Career software program available that the students have been introduced to and encouraged to use.
APHS Yearbook - The Threshold
Purchase your APHS 2017 Yearbook! The cost is $75 - Cash or checks written to: APHS Yearbook. (Personalizations are no longer available at this time)
Order forms are in the Main Office and Room 205.
Yearbooks will arrive and be distributed in June.
Order your AP book of memories now!
LOTE Lip Sync Details
LOTE Lip Sync
Friday, April 7th at High School Auditorium, 7:30 PM
$4 suggested donation
All proceeds go to Awards for Language students.
Mr. AP Event Details
Thursday, 4/27 at 6:30 pm in the HS Auditorium
Tickets $10 - Sold during lunches the week of the show and at the door
Sophomore Soiree Event Details
The Sophomore Soiree is Friday, April 28 6:30-10 PM at Franklin Terrace (126 Campbell Ave, Troy, NY).
It is a semi-formal dance, there will be a buffet of finger foods, desserts and soda included.
Tickets will be on sale in lunches Monday, April 3 until Friday, April 7 and after school in room 218 on Wednesday, April 5 and Thursday, April 6. Tickets are $45 per person.
If bringing a guest from another school permission slips must be signed before buying the ticket. They are available in the main office.
If you have any questions please e-mail Colleen Clark-Apelanz at apelanzc@apcsd.org.
Congratulations to Cast and Crew of Charlotte's Web
Seeking Summer Volunteers for APHS Gardens
We started a Horticulture Class at the High School this year and we have been growing lots of plants in the raised beds and in the greenhouse. We plan to have an intense flower-herb-vegetable garden in place in June, and we are looking for some volunteer help in the gardens this summer.
Students and parents are welcome to join us to keep the gardens going through the summer vacation. Watering, weeding, planting, and harvesting are some of the tasks that we need help. If you are interested, please email me at boulayv@apcsd.org and let me know. Thank you in advance!
Vicky Boulay
Biology/Horticulture Teacher
Flower Bulbs and Seeds Sale - Senior Fundraiser
Rensselaer County Active Parenting Workshop Series
APHS Newspaper - The Pulse
The next issue should be available by April 6!
Art Students Participate in Several Regional Shows
18th Annual High School Regional Juried Art Exhibition-
This year 20 school districts submitted 484 pieces and 130 pieces were selected overall.
Anthony Signorelli
Kristen Thomas
Morgan Moscinski*
award
winnerClaudia Stay
Kelsey VanFleet
Jessica Malenfant
Leah Paulson*
award
winnerZachery Canaperi
Hannah Ryan
Sarah Coonrad
Katelyn Cooper
Heidi Schuman
3-D High School Show -
3d artwork selected with several other Capital Region High Schools. Show was open from February 27th-March 17th.
Helen Pond
Bella With
Jamie Holzman
Daniel Ryan
Abby Chenette
Bryanna Swinson
Questar High School Invitational Art Exhibit-
Submissions from Rensselaer-Columbia-Greene counties in a wide range of media and 15 districts participated. Reception will be held in the Marvin Library Learning Commons at Hudson Valley Community College on April 6th from 5-7pm. awards ceremony at 6pm.
Hannah Katz
Dani Martuscello
Trinity Wohlfred
New Horizons Talent Show Recap
On March 25, the New Horizons Club hosted its First Annual Talent Show. There were many entertaining acts throughout the night. More importantly, this excellent fundraiser made over $2000 for our sister school in the Dominican Republic.
The night was kicked off with a piano and ukulele duet by Cam Schwarz and Claudia Stay and was closed out by the Averill Park High School Faculty Band. In between acts, MCs Dan Wrenn and Krissi Schaefer entertained the audience with countless jokes. Other acts included the Kazoo Ensemble, dog agility with canine Shea Slocum, and a wild performance by guitarist Zach Effman and his two brothers. Halfway through their jam session, Effman shocked the audience by playing behind his head.
Possibly the most inspiring part of the night was when the entire cast and crew got onto the stage to sing the final number. They all sang “Teach Your Children”, a powerful reminder of the reason this show occurred. The money raised will benefit the New Horizons School, where poor children can receive meals and also learn so that their futures will improve. Mr. Holden, one of the first people to tell our community about this school, once said, “The best way to escape poverty is through education.” This still holds true, and everyone involved with FUNHO hopes that by continuing to teach these children, they will have vastly improved lives.
The New Horizons Club would like to thank everyone that donated time and effort to make this fundraiser a success. This includes all of the talented acts, the stage crew, everyone at AMS for donating the space, Abbi Chenette for donating her art for a silent auction, and Mr. Goodnow for his leadership throughout this process. This amazing fundraiser could not have been possible without these people. Lastly, we want to thank everyone in attendance. It truly is our responsibility as a sister school to support the children in the Dominican Republic. Any bit of help the New Horizons Club can get, including something small like buying a ticket or a slice of pizza, goes a long way. We thank you for all of your support.Senior Events until Graduation
Mr. AP - 4/27 at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium
Senior Arts Gala - 6/2 at 6:00 PM
Senior Awards - 6/8 at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium
Senior Picnic - 6/12 during the school day at Grafton State Park
Graduation Rehearsal - 6/20 at 12:00-2:30 PM (required for all seniors)
Senior Dinner Dance - 6/22 at 6:00-10:00 PM at Birch Hill in Castleton
Graduation - 6/24 - ceremony at 2:30 PM (Seniors to arrive by 1:45) at the Convention Center, Albany
45 Juniors travel to Washington, D.C.
45 APHS Juniors accompanied by 5 HS staff, traveled to Washington, DC for 3 days, March 31st to April 2nd. Highlights included visits to the Arlington Cemetery for the changing of the Guard and visits to both Arlington House and JFK’s grave, Mt. Vernon (Home of George Washington), as well as the Lincoln, Jefferson, WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War Wall Memorials. A morning visit to the Smithsonian Zoo included viewings of the pandas and gorillas. All students visited three of the Smithsonian Museums picking from; American History, Natural History, Air & Space, the new African-American Museum and the Botanical Gardens. Students also stopped at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for a lunch stop.
The trip to Washington, DC is offered every Spring to APHS juniors taking US History. The trip is completely paid for by the students. A special thank you to Concerns U and APHS staff who provided financial aid to students in need.
Good Luck to Odyssey of the Mind
APHS Division 3, Problem 4 - "Ready, Set, Balsa, Build!" finished 1st!
Coach: Ross McClure and Andy Paulson
Team members: Lauren McClure, Emily Henricks, Leah Paulson, Madison Hasbrouck, and John Giannone
Good luck this weekend!