AVHS Family Newsletter: MARCH
Updated March 22, 2024
Important Dates
Important Upcoming Dates at AVHS
March 25 -29 Spring Break: NO SCHOOL
April 1- School Resumes
April 9 - May 14 - Spring Credit Recovery
April 23 - ACT/PreACT Test 10th & 11th Graders
April 25 - Spring Conferences
April 26- Staff Development: NO SCHOOL
What's New?
In This Update:
- Trimester Two Grades Available
- Spring Credit Recovery
- Spring Break
- AVHS STEM Foundation Board
- Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
- Advisory Food Drive
Important: Trimester Two Grades and Credit Recovery
Trimester Two Grades and Credit Recovery
- Grades posted in Infinite Campus.
- Failed classes? Spring Credit Recovery Details:
- Dates: April 9-May 14
- Days: In-Person Tuesdays & Thursdays
- Time: 2:45-3:45 pm
- Sign up for ONE course initially.
- Complete the course? See Ms. Bile for more.
- Deadline to sign up: April 2, 3:00 PM
Need Help Accessing Campus? Visit the AVHS Tech Help page for support with Schoology, Campus, iPads, internet, and more.
District 196 Spring Break
There is no school March 25 - March 29 for Spring Break. AVHS offices will be closed. Classes will resume Monday, April 1st.
Join Apple Valley High School - STEM Foundation Board
We're setting up a Foundation Board to boost our students' academic and career development.
Here's how the foundation helps:
Grants and Scholarships- College Scholarships for seniors.
- STEM Scholarships for grades 9-11, including tuition for STEM Innovator college credits, AP Test fees, and summer program support.
- Mini-Grants for creative educational experiences.
- Technology Enhancements to keep STEM pathway schools ahead with the latest technology.
- Tutoring and mentoring programs.
- Volunteers for classroom support, Media Center, Fabrication Lab, and administrative tasks.
Interested in joining the board? Contact Jim Lynch at James.Lynch@district196.org
Staff Appreciation Week April 22 - April 26
Apple Valley High School would like to celebrate our staff with staff appreciation week April 22-26. We have such an amazing team of teachers, paraprofessionals, kitchen staff, custodial staff and office staff that love, support, motivate, encourage and educate our students we would like to recognize them with small treats and notes of gratitude.
If you have a story to share of how a teacher has inspired your child or would like to send a note of thanks to our teachers, please send an email to me at Drew.Mons@district196.org
If you are have ideas to share or would like to make a donation for staff appreciation week or the staff dinner before conferences April 25th, please contact Teresa Stepka at Teresa.Stepka@district196.org
Advisory Announcements
March is Food Share Month in Minnesota! AVHS Interact Club is running a food drive during advisory from March 11-April 3rd. We are asking students to bring in non-perishable items to their advisory class between Monday, March 11-Wednesday, April 3rd. All items will be donated to 360 Communities. We will accept all non-perishable items, and particularly appreciate donations of 360 Communities’ most-needed items. The advisory class that donates the most items will win donuts! If you have questions, please reach out to Kelley Redmond (kelley.redmond@district196.org)
Athena Award Recipient: Grace Alagbo
Black History Month Creative Expression Contest Winner: Hannah Ramirez Perez
Black History Month Creative Expression Contest Winner: Edom Dagnie
Opening Date for Spring Sports First day of tryouts/practice:
- CI and PI Adapted Softball-March 4
- Softball and Boys and Girls Track and Field-March 11
- Baseball and Boys and Girls Golf-March 18
- Boys Tennis-March 25
- Boys and Girls Lacrosse-April 1
Trimester 3 Parking Pass
Trimester Three Parking Passes: AVAILABLE NOW
Attention Drivers -- Parking passes for Trimester Three are $60 and can be purchased in MyPaymentsPlus Once purchased, you can bring your receipt to the Main Office and pick it up.
Students who do not have a parking pass should park on 145th Street.
Class of 2024 Information
Apple Valley High School - Class of 2024
Commencement Exercises
Saturday, June 1st 2024
4:00 PM
Doors Open 3:00 PM
- Students must reserve a cap and gown for the commencement ceremony June 1, 2024.ORDER HERE
- All students participating in the commencement program pay a GRADUATION FEE.
- The due date for Graduation/Senior ads for the yearbook is approaching. If you want to honor your senior with an ad in the 2024 AVHS yearbook, you can design and pay for the ad of your choosing on the Josten’s website. In order for an ad to be included in the book, it must be completed by May 1st. See our website and scroll to the middle of the page to find the Graduation Ad link. https://avhs.district196.org/families/yearbook-information
- The senior class picture will be taken on Monday, February 26th during advisory (9:20-9:45am). This picture will be featured in the 2024 yearbook so remind your senior it is coming up!
- The 2024 Yearbook, “For the Record” is still on sale on our website (see link above). The earlier you order, the cheaper the price so order now to guarantee your book! Follow us for more reminders and updates on Instagram @avhyearbook.
Class of 2024 Senior Party Information
Registrater NOW for the Senior Class Party!
The senior class party will take place after graduation on Saturday, June 1st at Bowlero in Lakeville. Seniors will be bussed to and from Bowlero from AVHS for an overnight party full of fun activities including... Casino games, Arcade games, Laser Tag, Bowling for Boxers, Chair Massages, Caricature Artist, Photobooth, Tattoos and more. It's a fun night filled with activities, a variety of food served throughout the night and lots of PRIZES!
Community Education Classes
Looking for something to do during Spring Break? Get trained to lifeguard or teach swim lessons! Get a jump on summer and be ready to work at the pool!
Junior Lifeguarding: For 11-14 year olds, understand what it takes to be a lifeguard! See course details.
Lifeguarding plus Waterpark: For ages 15+, earn your Red Cross Lifeguarding certification for pools and water parks! See course details.
Water Safety Aide: For ages 14+, earn valuable skills in preparation of teaching lessons. CPR and First Aid training are included! See course details.
Water Safety Instructor: For ages 16+, participate in training to teach courses all levels of Red Cross swim lessons. See course details.
Other activities you won’t want to miss!
Youth Equestrian Club – Discover the world of riding and caring for horses!
Wed, April 3-24 6:30-7:30 p.m. Cornerstone on the Vermillion Horse Complex
Global Cuisine – Create cuisines from around the world!
Thursday, March 21 6:00-7:00 p.m. Falcon Ridge Middle School
Birthday Bash – Make homemade versions of foods for birthday parties!
Wednesday, April 24 6:00-7:00 p.m. Falcon Ridge Middle School
Virtual Reality Coding - Design, develop and create 3-D virtual reality environments.
Sat, Apr 6-13 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Online
Advantage ACT Prep Course – Improve your test-taking skills and overall test scores on college entrance exams.
Sat, Apr 28-May 19 1:00-4:00 p.m. Black Hawk Middle School
Karate and Mixed Martial Arts-Kick Boxing (ages 6-adult)
Tue & Thu | Apr 2 - May 23 | 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. | 12 sessions | $159, parents attend free! | WV
Plan ahead … Develop your athletic skills with high school coaches this summer!
Commonly Needed Links
Infinite Campus
Schoology
AVHS Tech Hellp
The AVHS Tech Help page is for parents and students and is for issues with Schoology, Campus, iPads, internet support, and more.
CLICK HERE FOR HELP
Who Do I Go To For Help?
Contacting counselors. Click here to find your student’s counselor. Counselors are available to assist with concerns about scheduling, academic progress, and mental health. Contacting a student's counselor is a good first step if there are concerns about multiple classes and can help coordinate and streamline communication.
Student Schedule. Click here to log in to Campus Portal and see Student Schedules.
Grades. Click here to log in to Schoology and see in-progress grades.
Contacting teachers. Click here for a list of teacher e-mail addresses.
Apple Valley High School
Website: avhs.district196.org
Location: 14450 Hayes Road, Apple Valley, MN, USA
Phone: 952-431-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avhsscholar
Twitter: @avhsacademics
Stay Connected and Updated with AVHS
Families can expect to receive updates from us on Fridays through Schoolmessenger. You can also stay connected by accessing our school website and by following us on social media.
How to Get Involved & Support AVHS
Did you know that when families are actively involved in their child's school, students tend to be more engaged and have better academic outcomes? Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, AVHS has consistently fostered strong family-school partnerships that contribute to our overall success.
Get involved! Join AVHS's SITE COUNCIL and/or support various school activities throughout the year. You can also explore volunteer opportunities to assist teachers and school staff by filling out THIS FORM.
Old News
MCA Testing Day: Wednesday, March 20
Important MCA Testing Information
MCA exams assess student progress and align with MN standards. Scores may exempt students from remedial courses in Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. They're also preparatory for ACT/PreACT and relevant for certain job certifications.
Testing Schedule:
- 10th Grade: Reading exam, 7:40 am.
- 11th Grade: Math exam, 7:40 am.
- 9th and 12th Grade: Start at 10:00 am, all seven periods run for 30 minutes each.
- Supervised study hall available at 7:40 am for those requiring bus transport.
This is a normal school day with modifications for testing. We appreciate your cooperation and support in helping students prepare.
The District 196 School Board is working in partnership with the Minnesota School Board Association to select a new superintendent through a local and national search. District 196 is committed to ensuring effective communication throughout the search process. The district will share information on this webpage throughout the process.
An anonymous public survey is now available for all stakeholders.
- Open: February 28 - March 10, 2024
- Languages: English, Spanish, Somali
- Complete online or pick up hard copies at the District Office.
- Return hard copies by March 10.
Please reach out to LanguageServices@district196.org if you need assistance in your language.
Following the survey deadline, MSBA will provide an overview of the responses for presentation to the School Board.
Trimester 3 Begins Monday, March 11
Students will go to their first hour classes at 7:40 am. Check Campus for your Trimester Three schedule. Please note that we do not change schedules based on teacher preference and students have had multiple opportunities to switch to a different class over the course of the year.
Dear District 196 Families,
There are three cases of measles in Minnesota and at least two of those are in Dakota County. There has not been a case of Measles in Minnesota since 2022. Health Services would like to remind families to stay up-to-date on immunizations that protect against a number of serious diseases including measles.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily by coughing, talking, or being in the same room with someone who has measles. Symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes followed by a rash. Unvaccinated students are very susceptible to measles infection and may miss up to 21 days of school if exposed.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is a required school immunization and is 97% effective at protecting against measles when two doses have been received. The first dose is given at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second at 4 to 6 years of age. Students who do not have two doses of this vaccine are able to complete this series even if they have passed these ages.
School nurses are reaching out to unvaccinated students and recommending they get vaccinated. Please contact your health care provider or school nurse with questions. Students with State or no insurance can receive the MMR vaccine at the Dakota County Immunization Clinic. Call 952-891-7999 to make an appointment.
Winter Weather & School Schedules
We want students to be in school learning whenever possible. However, there are times when winter weather and driving conditions make it necessary to change the school schedule.
If we are considering a change in the schedule, options are:
- Delay the start of school by two hours (buses pick up two hours later than normal), OR
- Cancel school for the day.
In case of inclement weather, the school schedule may change as follows:
- For the first two inclement weather days in a school year, school will be canceled.
- From the third through the seventh inclement weather day, all students scheduled to attend school on those days will participate in E-Learning from home.
Student Expectations on E-Learning Days:
- Students must take their district-issued iPads home daily.
- Check Schoology for teacher instructions by 9:30 am.
- Assignments will take approximately 25 minutes for each class.
- Assignment deadlines and accommodations for students with IEPs and 504 plans will be communicated through Schoology.
- Contact teachers via Schoology messenger if you have questions; they will be available until 3:00 pm.
Teacher Expectations:
- Ensure lessons/assignments align with the regular curriculum progression and pacing.
- Clearly state learning objectives and instructions.
- Assign work that can be completed within 25 minutes (no additional homework).
- Set the assignment/task deadline for the same day.
- Share contact information on Schoology for communication.