The APHS Look AHEAD - December 2019
News and Notes from the High School Leadership Team- V.12
The APHS Look AHEAD
Welcome to December! There is no question that this is certainly a busy time of year for everyone. At the high school, we recognize that this is a month full of celebrations and joyous times with family and friends. We also know that this can be an extremely stressful time for many. That said, we will be working on maintaining our positive routines, keeping an eye out for one another, and also helping everyone to take good care of themselves.
Believe it or not, just prior to the Holiday break, we will also be publishing our Course Catalog for the 2020-2021 school year. This will give folks time to look over our offerings in advance of student course selection, which will begin soon after we return in January. Our Counseling Center will be reaching out with more information on this important process. As for how our students are doing from an academic perspective, we are proud to report that 93% of all our students are passing all of their classes as of the end of Quarter 1. Even better, 71% of our students are attaining mastery (85% or better) in at least one class. Our faculty is looking closely at how we support struggling learners, and the upcoming New Year will highlight the implementation of a new peer tutoring and mentor program at the high school.
Finally, as we head into this busy month, I would like to share a link to the kindness calendar which outlines daily "do good activities" we can be engaging in as we support one another, show kindness, and keep ourselves focused on the positive.
I wish you all a very happy joyous month with your loved ones, families and friends. I look forward to seeing many of you at school events throughout the month, and of course, as always, reach out to us if there is anything we can do to support you.
Serving every student every day,
The APHS Building Leadership Team
-Mr. Heath Quiles
-Mrs. Christina Mein
-Mrs. Rebecca Leach
#AP_EveryStudentEveryDay
"Creating passionate learners who contribute positively to their community and the world."
Parents Night Out on December 6 hosted by APHS Class of 2021
Parents Night Out at Poestenkill Elementary is Friday, December 6.
Drop off your kids (ages 4-12) from 5:30-9:30 p.m. and enjoy a kid free night! Children will enjoy pizza, arts and crafts, gym time, a holiday movie, and time with their friends. There is a cost of $5 per child and $1 per slice of pizza.
Register by Dec. 1 and contact Tiffany Buker with questions at 518-283-5100 ext. 107
Use this link for the Registration Form: https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2019-2020/3723-pes-to-hold-parents-night-out-on-dec-6
APHS Holly Ball - December 7
The APHS Holly Ball will be Saturday, December 7 from 7-10 pm in the High School gym. Grades 9-12 are welcome. Tickets are just $10 and will be sold during lunch on Monday, December 2 through Thursday, December 5. No ticket sales on Friday. Attire is casual dressy. DJ Ketchup will provide his awesome musical talent. Parents are asked to send in some holiday baked goods on Friday, December 6 if you care to. These will be shared with students at the dance. Also, Toys for Tots will have a bin at the dance, so bring an unwrapped toy if you wish.
10 Reasons Teens Have So Much Anxiety | Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201711/10-reasons-teens-have-so-much-anxiety-today
How to Raise an Adult
Library Happenings
Our Averill Park High School Library has books some of our parents may be interested in! If so, please have your child see me to check one out. The Library just got a copy of Anthony Oneal's book titled, Debt Free Degree: The Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Kid Through College Without Student Loans. Or perhaps College Essay Essentials:A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a College Admissions Essay, by Ethan Sawyer. We have a copy of the SAT Subject Tests, put out by the CollegeBoard and includes practice tests and CDs for Language in Listening areas. Additionally, we have a variety of brand new books on student health and wellness - topics like cell phone addition, social media safety, etc. These are always available for parent check out, as well as student check out. Please feel free to search the online card catalog to see what else you may find interesting in parenting a high school student. The link is: https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/averill-park-high-school-library
Climate change talk with DKG
APHS students Kate Happy, Jack Kelly, Joe Kocsis, and science teacher, Darlene Hunter, spoke to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International's local chapter about climate change. The group included ten current and retired teachers from the Capital Region whose mission is to promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. The students spoke passionately about the importance of climate change advocacy and shared several solutions regarding what needs to be done to help combat this global issue.
APHS chosen to represent NYS at National Christmas Tree Experience
Averill Park High School is honored to have been chosen to represent New York State for the 2019 National Christmas Tree Experience.
Students enjoyed the process of research and discovery surrounding the wonderful aspects of our great state. This project evoked a sense of community and pride throughout the district on many levels. Our students chose topics ranging from the state flower, tree, beverage, and bush to our cities and mountains.
Students were able to expand upon their understanding of varied media and technique through problem-solving and innovation. Additionally, this opportunity inspired and strengthened pride in our great country.
Bat conservation speaker and APHS alum, Jackie Jurs, speaks to Environmental Science students
Jackie Jurs, SUNY Cobleskill sophomore and AP 2018 grad, spoke to the APHS environmental science class about bat conservation in NYS. Since discovered in 2006 in Howe's Cave, white nose syndrome has drastically reduced the bat population throughout the state and many parts of the eastern U.S. Jackie spoke about her interest and research in conserving these important pollinators and pest controllers, such as building bat boxes and staying out of caves where the bats live. Her presentation was an excellent guide for the class as they research their own NYS Endangered and Threatened Species in which they will present to their peers later this week.
APHS Top 5 and Honor Roll Students for Quarter 1
https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2019-2020/3742-aphs-quarter-1-honor-rolls
APHS Yearbook Information
-Senior Parent Ads are still being accepted - all sizes still available.
-Senior Baby Pictures due by Dec. 4; email or send in.
-Cost of yearbook: $65 plus tax; Cost increases to $75 plus tax in January.
-Order forms available in Main Office and Room 205
-2017 yearbooks available: $5 in Room 205
-Questions? baileya@apcsd.org / blosteinm@apcsd.org
Junior Class Fundraiser
To order, go to: yankeecandlefundraising.com - group #99743945
News from the Counseling Center
Freshman Scheduling Appointments
Counselors will be meeting with freshmen students throughout January to discuss their course selections for the 2020-2021 academic year, along with the transition to the high school. While parents do not need to attend these meetings, you are invited to join your child and their counselor. Please call Mrs. Heilmann at 518-674-7025 or email at Heilmannj@apcsd.org to let us know if you would like to attend the scheduling meeting.
ATTENTION SENIORS: College Application Deadlines
Please review your college applications carefully for specific deadline dates. If college recommendations are necessary, please forward a request to your counselor two (2) weeks prior to the deadline date. If the deadline is January 1st please forward the request to your counselor no later than December 9th due to the holiday recess.
Naviance
Over the course of the next few months, the Counseling Center will be showing videos in all Advisories pertaining to Naviance. We will be asking all students to perform a certain task in Naviance in order to help them achieve their college and career goals. Please remember to encourage your student to enter his/her extracurricular activities and volunteer experiences in Naviance as the year goes on. Students can do this under the About Me Tab and then click on Resume to enter. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your student's counselor.
Naviance is a college and career software program which APHS utilizes to support students in making their college and career choices. Students may also take assessments to find their strengths as well as prepare a resume. Each year, counselors will be asking students to complete tasks on Naviance to help them prepare for their post high school plans. For most students, the username is their school email and the password is their school pin times two. Students can log in at https://student.naviance.com/averillphs
Naviance Task:
Step 1: Click on the About Me tab at the top of the Naviance login page. Each student should be aware of their username and password. If not, please encourage them to use their school email as their username and their pin times two for their password.
Quarter 2
The Quarter 2 marking period ends January 25, 2019. Grades for Quarter 2 will be posted to School Tool January 29, 2019.
SAT I & II
December 7, 2019 Test -Registration Deadline November 8, 2019
March 14, 2020 -SAT I Test only -Registration Deadline is February 14, 2020
May 2, 2020 Test - Registration Deadline is April 3, 2020
June 6, 2020 Test - Registration Deadline is May 8, 2020
ACT
December 14, 2019 Test - Registration Deadline is November 8, 2019
February 8, 2020 Test - Registration Deadline is January 10, 2020
April 4, 2020 Test - Registration Deadline is February 28, 2020
June 13, 2020 Test - Registration Deadline is May 8, 2020
Students with disabilities who wish to apply for accommodations on college placement testing should pick up an information sheet in the counseling center or refer to the website for the test they wish to take. Decisions regarding accommodations for College Board and ACT testing rest with the testing company.
Save the Date - Graduation 2020
Upcoming Events
December 7 - Holly Ball, 7-10pm
December 11 - APHS Winter Concert, 6:30pm (snow date 12/19)
December 14 - Annual Booster Club Holiday Craft Fair, 9am-3pmDecember 23-January 3 - Winter Recesss - No School
Averill Park High School
Email: quilesh@apcsd.org
Website: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/
Location: 146 Gettle Road, Averill Park, NY, USA
Phone: 518-674-7000
Twitter: @APHS_Leaders