April Family Newsletter 2024
4.9.24
Principal's Message
High School Families,
I hope this message finds you well! As we dive into the final stretch of the school year, I wanted to take a moment to express how grateful we are for your ongoing support and partnership in your student's education journey.
As we head towards the end of the year, I want to stress the importance of being present and engaged in school. Regular attendance is crucial for success, and we greatly appreciate your efforts to ensure your student is in school every day, ready to learn and grow.
With upcoming assessments on the horizon, I encourage our students to give their best effort. These assessments provide valuable opportunities for growth and reflection, helping our students showcase their knowledge and skills. Let's encourage them to approach these assessments with confidence and determination.
Together, let's make a commitment to finish the year strong. By working together as a supportive school community, we can help our students achieve their goals and finish the year on a high note.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support!
Best,
Becky Bauer
Principal
Students of the Month
9th Grade - Iykiem Wells
Iykiem Wells brings happiness wherever he goes. He has great attendance, is a hard worker, and always has a smile on his face. Iykiem makes everyone feel welcome and you can always count on him for a good joke. Iykiem is always thinking about other possible outcomes that provide rich discussion. He makes AHS a better place.
10th Grade - Cayden Dachel
Cayden Dachel is a respectful young man who is always kind to others. He has a great sense of humor and puts academics first. Cayden is a quality worker who gives his full effort every day and is a pleasure to have in class.
11th Grade - Greta Peters
Greta Peters is an excellent Spanish student because she participates often and is motivated to learn Spanish. She is eager to learn new concepts and asks great questions. Greta collaborates well with the other members of her group and is always prepared for class. She is an amazing student who works hard, is always respectful and has a positive attitude.
12th Grade - Ajay Lenberg
Ajay Lenberg is a wonderful Spanish student because he uses his Spanish skills daily to participate in conversations and helps his amigos in class. He challenges himself to always put forth his best effort. Ajay is respectful, responsible, honest, and his leadership is a valuable part of our school. Ajay is attentive to the content and the quality of the work he produces.
AHS UPDATES
Board Learning Spotlight
Our school board takes pleasure in staying informed about the latest developments within our school. Each update brings them closer to understanding the dynamic landscape and the opportunities available to our students. During the board meeting on Monday, March 18th, Mrs. Richards and Mrs. Upward discussed CTSOs (Career and Technical Student Organizations), offering an overview of these programs and emphasizing their significance within our school community.
Mr. Maier, the DECA advisor, along with Aaron Scheidler and Maddie Gagnon, provided a comprehensive overview of their organization, sharing their firsthand experiences from local and state conventions, as well as their involvement in The Altoona Spice Co. Mary Fedie and Mrs. Richards spoke about Educators Rising, elaborating on opportunities such as assisting with Intermediate school Ellis Island day activities and participating in a book study. Mary emphasized that these experiences have enabled students to engage in opportunities they might not have encountered until after graduating. To complete the presentation, Mr. Jahr and Kohen Brice addressed the newly formed FBLA program, highlighting its emphasis on community involvement and leadership development.
Gradebook
If you have looked at your student's gradebook recently, you may notice that there are two columns for each assessment. One is listed as the unit assessment and the other as a retake. If your student was proficient on their assessment, the retake column will be marked as not counted because your student does not need to retake the assessment. If your student was not proficient, it will note that the retake is missing. When your student completes the retake process and shows they are ready to retake the assessment, their new score will be in the retake column and the first assessment will not be counted. If you have questions about your student's scores or learning, please reach out to your student's teacher.
Trimester 2 Pride Award Winners
We are proud of our trimester 2 Pride Award Winners!
24th Annual Piñata Contest
AHS Spanish classes are participating in the 24th Annual Piñata Contest on Friday, May 3rd! Students will showcase their hard work in the library. Students and staff will be placing their votes that day. Families and community members are invited to vote for the best piñata projects from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the High School LMC. The top 5 voted piñata projects will each win a prize! Please stop by to vote for your favorite piñatas!
Golden Gala : Prom 2024
The 2024 Junior Prom will take place on Saturday, May 11th, at the Masonic Ballroom in downtown Eau Claire, running from 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. Transportation is not provided to this event.
Additional information will be distributed to students and families, including specific communication to families of the Class of 2025 about donation and volunteering opportunities. Please reach out to Elissa Upward with any questions you may have.
Staff Appreciation Week - May 6th-10th
Let's Celebrate AHS Staff! During the week of May 6th - 10th, we would like to provide some fun, kindness and appreciation for the Altoona High School Staff. If you are able to help, we are seeking monetary donations so we can provide our AMAZING staff with a luncheon and treats throughout the week. Additionally, if you would like to shower our staff with individual notes of appreciation, that would be wonderful! Please send monetary donations or notes to Melissa Buss in the AHS Office by Friday, April 28th so that we have time to plan our luncheon. Thank you for your continued support!
Upcoming Events
April
10- TESTING DAY 9th-11th grade
10- Virtual Learning Day for 12th grade
18- Mid Trimester 3
24- Career Fair
25- Family Conferences 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
May
6- Staff Appreciation Week
11- Prom
29- Graduation 7:00 p.m.
Testing Information
PreACT & ACT Testing - April 10, 2024
Here are some common questions and answers about testing day:
What time does testing start ?
- Students in grades 9-11 will report to school at the normal start time of 8:15 a.m.
- Students will report to their testing locations by 8:20 a.m.
What time does testing end?
- The majority of students will be finished testing by 1:10 p.m.
- If your child has accommodations, their tentative schedule will be emailed to you before the test.
What does my student do after testing is complete?
- 9th and 10th graders who are PASSING all of their classes may go home after they finish the PreACT around 1:10 p.m.
- If students are failing a class, they must stay at school until the end of the day (3:35 p.m.) to work on missing assignments and/or assessments.
- 11th graders may go home after they finish the ACT testing around 1:10 p.m.
Will transportation be provided on testing day?
- Yes, morning and after school transportation is available for all students.
- Students can stay at school after testing is complete and wait for end of the day buses or pick-up.
Will my student be able to eat?
- A mid morning snack will be provided by the school but if your child would like additional food, they can bring their own and keep it in their backpack.
- 9th and 10th graders have a lunch break built into the schedule. Students can purchase a bag lunch or bring something from home to eat.
- 11th graders can eat after testing is complete at 1:10 p.m. or they can leave at that time.
Can I pick my student up early?
- No early dismissal will be allowed as we need all students to stay quiet until the end of testing around 1:10 p.m.
Will I be able to text or get a hold of my student during testing?
- No, your student is not allowed to have their personal device on them during testing. If you have emergency situation, please call the front office.
Forward Exam- 10th grade
10th grade students will be taking the Social Studies Forward Exam during Rail Time on Monday, April 15th. Testing will begin at the start of the period. Students should complete all of the first test and potentially the second test. If students do not finish the second test, they can pause and their information is saved. Students will finish testing during Rail Time on Tuesday.
Testing Day Reminders
Here are some additional reminders about the ACT and PreACT Assessments on April 10th, 2024 from 8:15 a.m. - 1:10 p.m.
Tips for Test Taking
Get plenty of rest the night before.
Dress comfortably and wear layers.
Report to school on time- 8:15 a.m.
Be ready to begin testing after everyone is seated in your testing room.
Eat and stay hydrated. Breakfast can be purchased and a mid morning snack will be provided to students for FREE. Snacks or drinks can be consumed outside the testing room during breaks.
Test Day Checklist
DO bring a fully charged Chromebook.
DO bring pencils with good erasers.
DO bring a calculator permitted by ACT (11th grade). Some will be available to borrow.
Please review the Calculator Policy to see if your calculator is acceptable.
Prohibited calculators include calculators with built-in or downloaded computer algebra system functionality.
Leave all personal electronic devices (cell phones, smart watches, tablets, etc.) in your locker, car, or backpack in the hallway.
Using any electronic device at any time during testing or during breaks other than an approved calculator or watch is prohibited by ACT and, if used, will negate your test. There are no exceptions.
Come with a positive attitude and try your best!
Career Fair - April 24th
On April 24th, AHS will be hosting a Career Fair for our students from 12:00-3:35 p.m. Over 40 businesses from our area, in several different career fields, will partner with our district to provide mock interviews for our Freshmen and space for 10-12th graders to meet employers, learn about careers, and even apply for jobs. To increase purposeful engagement, students will have an activity to do while in the Career Fair and some College-and-Career Readiness experiences alongside.
In order to be prepared for either college or a career, students must have the skills to apply to, interview for, and attain a job. Students at AHS have been hard at work creating and updating their resume. All Freshmen will participate in mock interviews with our attending employers and reflect on the experience which they have been preparing for during Rail Time.
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors will also have dedicated time to walk through the Career Fair to talk with employers and apply for jobs. A week prior to the career fair, students will research businesses they are interested in visiting during Rail Time. School District of Altoona staff have worked with our employers to collaborate around student worker opportunities and possible Youth Apprenticeships for Juniors and Seniors.
You can support your child in gaining the most out of the Career Fair by:
Asking them about jobs they may be interested in
Looking over their resume
Discussing career matches in Xello and career goals (ask your child to log into Xello)
During this afternoon, each grade level will be engaged in different activities which are outlined below.
Freshman: Mock Interview and Career Fair
Sophomore: Community Service and Career Fair
Juniors: College Visit & Industry tours and Career Fair
Seniors: Senior Checklist and Career Fair
Senior Info
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
Caps & Gowns Distribution
Caps and gowns will be handed out during the afternoon on Wednesday, April 24th.
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT
ETS Summer Strength Training Program
Participating in strength training offers numerous benefits for students, such as enhanced physical performance, improved mental well-being, and injury prevention, among others. While WIAA regulations prohibit mandatory participation in off-season programming, both the Athletic Director's office and coaching staff emphasize the significance of these opportunities for student athletes, ensuring their preparedness for the upcoming season(s). For details on the ETS summer program, including dates and times of open gym sessions and strength training, please refer to the flyer linked below. Registration is accessible through family access and arena scheduling in Skyward, and the program is for students grades 9-12 and free of charge
CVOSM Offers Sports Physicals
Chippewa Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine physicians are generously volunteering their time, along with several employees, to provide physicals for athletes entering 6th-12th grade next year. Will take place on WEDNESDAY, MAY 8th between 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. ALL PROCEEDS will be directed back to the booster club of each athlete's respective school. Please refer to the attached flyer for further details. Link
WBCA Academic Recognition
Congratulations to the Boys Basketball Team for achieving the 2023-24 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Team Academic All-State Team D3 3rd place with a remarkable GPA of 3.749!
WBCA Honorable Mention All-State
Congratulations to Alyssa Wirth for her selection to the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-State Girls Basketball team. Alyssa signed her National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, March 20th, committing to continue her academic and basketball journey at Ferris State University. Well done, Alyssa!
WIAA Student-Athlete Leadership Team
The WIAA Student Athlete Leadership Team is a collection of diverse student-athlete leaders from member schools across the state. This group of student-athletes will serve as ambassadors for their peers and the WIAA while learning more about the sports industry through various committee activities. Click the link here (bit.ly/3PJrpWI) for more information and apply today!
Event Workers
Please consider lending a hand with any athletic events that we are hosting. Look at the event sign up sheet and place your name on it if you can help!
The hourly wage for event workers is $15.75 and payments will coincide with the school's payroll calendar, issued on the 7th and 23rd of each month. If you have questions about this, see Elissa Upward, eupward@altoona.k12.wi.us, 715-838-7081. Paperwork must be filled out with the district office.
COUNSELING CORNER
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.