The APHS Look AHEAD-December 2021
The Monthly Newsletter for APHS Students and Parents- v.29
The APHS Look AHEAD- 21-22
Dear APHS Students and Families,
The month of December is always an exciting one. Of course, at the same time, there is a marked increase in the pace of things, and thus some additional stressors for our students, their families, and our staff. This is a great month to remember to stop, take one thing at a time, and keep perspective. We WILL get it all done!
On the school end of things, we are happy to have recently wrapped up the first full quarter of the 21-22 school year. It's amazing how quickly the time goes! Despite a year and a half away from in-person learning, our students faired quite well. As of the first quarter, well over 80% of our students were passing all of their classes. Even more impressively, 740 of our students have attained mastery (85% or better) in at least three of their classes. Given all we have experienced, our teachers are working hard to stay on top of supporting students' learning needs. If you feel that we can be doing anything more for your child, please reach out and let us know!
This month, as we head into the holiday season, I am encouraging folks to carry out small acts of kindness. This has been another difficult year of uncertainty and ups and downs for many of us. Kindness is contagious, and helping others has been proven to make us feel better too! This is a great month to make a difference in the life of someone else!
Here is a calendar of actions you can take each day to be kind to others, during DO GOOD DECEMBER: https://www.actionforhappiness.org/media/1066911/dec_2021.jpg
We wish you all a wonderful December, and joyous holidays with family, friends, and loved ones. If there is anything that you need along the way, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Serving every student every day,
The APHS Building Leadership Team
-Mr. Heath Quiles, High School Principal (quilesh@apcsd.org)
-Mrs. Christina Mein, Assistant Principal, Grades 9 and 11 (meinc@apcsd.org)
-Mrs. Rebecca Leach, Assistant Principal, Grades 10 and 12 (leachr@apcsd.org)
#AP_EveryStudentEveryDay
"Creating passionate learners who contribute positively to their community and the world."
Food Drive
Averill Park HIgh School is proud to announce the food drive is happening now. Boxes are located in room 223, outside the guidance office, and in both the main foyer and the bus atrium foyer. We are accepting all non-perishable items. The food will be going to families in our own community for the holidays! The drive is sponsored by APHS Student Government, Key Club and SADD.
Suggested items include rice, pasta, sauces, gravy, cereals, and canned foods like ravioli or chili. Also, snack food items like granola bars, fruit snacks, cookies and crackers are always appreciated.
Eligibility Guidelines to Attend/Participate in Extracurricular Activities
As we approach the middle of the second marking period, please take this opportunity to review with your child(ren) the high school Eligibility Guidelines to attend extra-curricular activities.
Please note that only unexcused absences and/or tardies will be counted towards ineligibility. Any absence related to COVID will be considered excused.
As always should you have any questions, please reach out to your child's counselor or assistant principal.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sX7DYNUNSp6tq8OKJUThjOJxml03DwCZl9AoFyl0UTM/edit?usp=drive_web
Quarter 1 - Top 5 students and Honor Roll
Averill Park High School is proud to announce our Quarter 1 Top 5 students and the Honor Roll:
https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2021-2022/5353-aphs-1st-quarter-honor-rollsThe High School Newspaper, The Chronicle, Coming Soon
The December issue of The Chronicle, the high school newspaper, will be available on-line during the second week of December.
Holiday Movie Night - December 10th
The Junior Class is holding a holiday fundraiser for our high school students on Friday, December 10 at 7pm. It's MOVIE NIGHT - featuring the hilarious holiday comedy, Elf! Tickets are just $5 for an evening of laughter with your friends in the auditorium. Tickets will be on sale during lunches December 1 - 8.
There will be an intermission where students can purchase hot cocoa and holiday treats! Please support our junior class efforts to fund our May prom.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OPNgDjsdFQI6btPlJkHFvL_DVAzrBHHAVoFp9PjpuyQ/edit?usp=sharing
APHS Parent's Day Out!
APHS Parent’s Day Out!
Saturday, December 11
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
HS Auditorium/Cafeteria
Drop your child(ren) off at APHS for an afternoon of fun while you enjoy a much-needed afternoon to shop, wrap, decorate, or whatever you want to do!
Cost is $25/child
Movie: “Elf” in the Auditorium
Holiday crafts, games, activities & snacks included in the cafeteria
Sponsored by the APHS Junior Class to benefit our Junior Prom
All APCSD COVID protocols will be followed: masks worn at all times, 3 ft apart in the auditorium, 6 ft apart while snacking.
Children must be registered (below) by Thursday, Dec. 9
News from the APHS Music Department
As we have returned to school, you have been able to hear the sounds of rehearsals drifting through the halls once again. The last year and a half has been a testament to our students' perseverance and for that we are so thankful. This Winter we are pleased to bring to you two evenings of concerts that will feature the hard work of our students in the APHS Music Department.
The Concert Choir and Treble Choir will be performing on December 20 @ 7pm in the auditorium.
The Concert Band, Jazz Band and Orchestra will be performing on December 21 @ 6:30 pm in the auditorium.
We hope to see you there and thank you for the support after a difficult year! We are so excited to be back playing for you this holiday season!
Regents Examinations - January 2022
https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2021-2022/5355-january-2022-regents-exam-schedule
Important note:
On January 25th, the High School will not be in session. Only students that need to take the ELA or Living Environment Regents exams will come to school on that date.
On January 26 and 27, the High School will be in session for all students.
On January 28th, School will not be in session (Superintendent Conference Day). Only students that need to take the Earth Science or Chemistry Regents exams will come to school on that date.
SUNY Campus Visit Field Trip
Mrs. Yost's College Readiness class took a field trip to the SUNY Albany campus on Nov. 22. We were accompanied by any senior who was interested in SUNY Albany, but hadn't had a chance to tour the campus yet. Twenty-four students got a fabulous tour of the campus, including a dorm room, as well as the SUNY library. We heard about scholarship opportunities for incoming freshman and learned that the deadline for early admission is Dec. 1 - hurry and get those applications in! We treated ourselves to lunch in the Campus Center Food Court afterward.
Current Events Class Visits Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Station
Mr. Smith's Current Events class took a field trip to the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Station.
As part of an independent study project on the issues faced by First Responders, a group of students helped organize the trip. They met with paid and volunteer EMT's and Paramedics, toured the station, learned about career options and the necessary education and training, and discussed current events issues related to the field such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current supply chain crisis.
12th Annual World Languages Lip Sync Contest @ APHS
Over 75 Spanish 4, Spanish 5, French 4, and French 5 students participated in the 12th annual World Languages Department Lip Sync contest on Monday, November 22. Students from the Computer Help Desk created the teacher song video and three talented members of Off Broadway Players operated the lights, sound, and stage for all performers.
Honorable Mention
Spanish 4, Block 5
“Animal” by Alvaro Soler
News from the Counseling Center
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 holiday recess.
Upcoming Instant Admission Days:
Interested students please contact the Counseling Center to schedule an appointment to meet with one of the advisors and to pick up an admissions application. You can email your counselor for more information and questions you may have.
- Schenectady County Community College- Wednesday, December 8th.
- Columbia-Greene Community College- Monday, December 13th
Working Papers:
If you need your working papers. Please print out the application at https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/working-papers or stop by the Counseling Center. Once all forms are completed and the physical form, AT-16, is signed by a medical professional, you will need to bring all originals, and form of ID (ie. Birth certificate, NYS ID) to the Counseling Center for processing.
COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS:
ACT TEST DATES REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
February 12, 2022 (Registration deadline January 7)
April 2, 2022 (Registration deadline is Feb 25)
June 11, 2022 (Registration deadline is May 6)
ACT ASSESSMENT and ACT ASSESSMENT PLUS WRITING:
(Choose either of two test options — the ACT Assessment or the ACT Assessment Plus Writing, which includes a 30-minute Writing Test. Not all colleges and universities require a Writing Test. Check with the colleges you are considering — or go to www.actstudent.org for a list of institutions that require or recommend the Writing Test.)
SAT I & II
TEST DATES REGISTRATION DEADLINE
March 12, 2022 (Registration deadline is February 11)
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.
Please use this link for information about accommodations:
https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/how-accommodations-work
Late Bus Runs are NOW Available for Students
Reminder: After school late buses at APHS have returned!
Late bus runs will be offered each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon that school is in session. Late buses will leave APHS at approximately 4:30 pm each Tuesday/Thursday. Students that need to use the late bus will still need to sign up using this form no later than 9 am on the day that the late bus is scheduled for.
For those that would prefer, cut and paste this link to access the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FroRO6nfwP3j831FiLrsZupxscuKk90iZwW0_OEMl14/edit
After students are done meeting with their teacher(s), students will report to the cafeteria where we will have supervision while they wait for the late bus.
Indoor Winter Events Notice
The Averill Park Central School District is excited to have the opportunity to bring our community members back into our buildings for in-person, indoor events this winter.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic remains active in our area and there are health and safety protocols that we must adhere to. See below for guidelines related to indoor events this year.
- All indoor events will have capacity limits, including concerts, interscholastic athletics, and more.
- Spectators must wear masks at all times while on school grounds, regardless of vaccination status.
The maximum spectator/audience capacity for indoor events is:
- APHS Auditorium - 225 (approximately 25% of capacity)
- APHS Gymnasium - 500 (approximately 25% of capacity)
- AMS Auditorium - 200 (approximately 25% of capacity)
- AMS Gymnasium - 4 people per participant
If you have questions about these protocols, please reach out to Principal Quiles (APHS), Principal Messia (AMS) or Athletic Director Mr. Bubniak. Please note, these guidelines are for APCSD events and interscholastic sports only. Parents with children in community sports should contact their league regarding the spectator limits for non-APCSD teams.
The APHS Yearbook for 21-22
The APHS 2022 Yearbook will cost $65 if purchased before December 31, 2021. In
January the cost will increase to $75. Personalization is also available early in the
school year.
Yearbooks can be ordered online at: www.jostensyearbooks.com
Questions? baileya@apcsd.org / blosteinm@apcsd.org
Breakfast and Lunch - No Charge to Students this Year! FREE!! FREE!!
The Averill Park Central School District Food Services Department will be operating under a waiver from the USDA during the 2021-2022 school year. This waiver will allow all students to be served breakfast and lunch at no charge during the 2021-2022 school year.
Families are encouraged to complete a 2021-2022 Application for Free & Reduced Price Meals, as there are many additional benefits associated with an approved application for students and families including Pandemic EBT.
https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/services/food-services
Our Food Services Director, Colleen Wise can be reached at 518-674-7004 with any questions you may have.
Parent Drop off/Pick up Information
We have been assessing and making adjustments to the parent drop off and pick up area since school has begun.
In order to maximize the drop off/pick up area, we have added cones to the drop off/pick up area. We ask that families pull all the way up to the furthest cone. Once your vehicle is in the cone area, please have your child(ten) get out/in the vehicle at that cone's spot.
By using this larger drop off/pick up area we can reduce the number of vehicles on Gettle Road and Route 43 and increase the number of students being dropped off/picked up at a time. Thank you for your cooperation with this!
IMPORTANT LINKS TO CALENDARS AND SCHEDULES FOR 21-22
The APCSD District Calendar for 21-22:
https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/images/District/2021-2022SCHOOLCALENDAR.pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sJNKmfAEuqWuYyhVWt5eNgLhR9GC1lVm/view
This is a fixed schedule, and will not change based on snow days.
Marking Periods/Grade Reporting at the HS for the 21-22 School Year:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MLP4E1wY-7zeKL6GuG_DQtsAJLhFYhL5-DNjtAtivlA
Our Daily Bell Schedule for 21-22:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vxwV7mATanOY6bX72_i-14QNHud7FduiWzrr41Dr4uY/edit#gid=0
Please note that this includes schedules for one- and two-hour delays.
The HS Lunch Schedule for 21-22
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MpANeVyIwf2eg8euaMAPCQjt3pOYDVaiVz5e6oM2dLo/edit#gid=0
Updates on General Operations at APHS for 21-22 in Consideration of COVID
During the 21-22 school year, we are aiming to create the greatest sense of normalcy within our school environment which is possible. Of course, we must at the same time follow the guidelines which have been set forth by the Governor's Office, as well as the NYS Department of Education and Department of Health.
Operations at the HS will look essentially like they did as we opened the pre-pandemic, 2019 school year, with a few exceptions based on relevant guidance:
Masks will be worn by all students and staff, vaccinated or not, at all times while indoors.
Masks will be optional when students and staff are outdoors.
We will maintain a social distance of 3-feet throughout our time in the building, including in the cafeteria and LGI for lunches. Outdoor options will be available for students as they eat.
Student transitions will be short in duration, at 4 minutes, and students will move stay to the right as they move.
Morning health screenings and temperature checks will NO LONGER occur.
Student bathrooms are no longer monitored. Students may use restrooms, as needed.
We will continue to maintain fixed seating charts for all classes, study halls, and the cafeteria.
Students must sign-in and sign-out of all spaces. One student may leave a given classroom or space at a time.
Hallway transitions will be used for students to go from one class to the next. Masks will be worn at all times, and students will stay to the right in their travels.
We will continue to monitor conditions and will stay in touch should we need to make adjustments to our operations.
Student and Parent Access to Instructional Resources and Information:
While we will open the 21-22 school year as a 100% In-Person Instructional Program, we will continue to be a Google Classroom School. All HS faculty will be using Google Classroom as the consistent platform for sharing instructional materials with students, and their parents/guardians.
We will continue to maintain a singular digital location for students and parents to access these Google Classrooms, as well as a syllabus for each course.
A link to our Instructional Resources Site on the HS Webpage is here:
https://sites.google.com/apcsd.org/aphsfamilyresources20-21/instructional-resources
Reporting Absences Related to COVID- Maintaining Instructional Continuity.
Anytime that your child is absent from school, it is important that you report this absence to the HS Attendance Office at 518-674-7024. Conversely, you may report absences via our dedicated attendance email address, at aphsattendance@apcsd.org
FOR ABSENCES RELATED TO A LONGER-TERM QUARANTINE, OR A RECOVERY FROM COVID:
- Please be sure to report the absence to our Attendance Office AND School Nurse. This will initiate a specific protocol to provide your child with ongoing access to instruction for COVID-related reasons.
- Your child's Guidance Counselor will work with you and your child's teachers to make sure that s/he has access to work while absent. This will include ongoing access to Google Classroom. Teachers may provide students with access to virtual support while they are out.
- All students who are absent for a longer-term, COVID-related reason, will receive at least one period of live virtual support per day with Mrs. Wood, the High School In-School Support Teacher.
If you have any questions, please contact your child's counselor, or the HS Attendance Office.
APHS Building-Wide Norms 21-22
With our day-to-day school life looking a bit different than it did last year, we have developed guiding norms for all students at APHS. Please take a few minutes to take a look, as these are the basis of our collective expectations for students at the high school.
Hallway Norms:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BR-6YovqShBt26q1ca62NF5bAoxUg9cAB5dpxc1WJtc/edit?usp=sharing
Bathroom Norms:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xs2Ei584GEnz_WOYDD_qCm1BEScEf_t4qQIsPNqtrbE/edit?usp=sharing
Classroom Norms:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pcCZb1h1rJGE0T-3ehV0bJDRoVX7eYRBOhz-Ij35Ayc/edit?usp=sharing
Cafeteria/Lunch Norms:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TWTuEnTURKUXW1oL257AQGkphuN69UIDy4wMU1WZmQE/edit?usp=sharing
Norms for Digital Citizenship:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tTm8O35Cu-Bv7zwbB_pO1-X4UhPraUS-owdIBH6m4nE/edit?usp=sharing
Our Assistant Principals, Mrs. Mein and Mrs. Leach, will review these norms with all students at their scheduled class meetings on Friday, September 10th.
News from the Health Office
What to do if my child is sick:
Any symptoms that resemble or cross over with COVID and other illnesses a child will need a clearance note from their doctor or a negative test in order to return to school. Please submit to the nurse's office before having your child return to school.
Continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay home when sick to help decrease the spread of illness.
Please see the information about what to do if your child is sick: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2021-2022/5211-what-to-do-if-my-child-is-sick
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
20 - Concert Choir and Treble Choir concert, 7pm
21 - Concert Band, Jazz Band and Orchestra concert, 6:30pm
24-31 - Holiday Recess
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