AVHS Family Newsletter: November

November 23 & 24 - Thanksgiving Break

November 29 & 30 - Trimester One Final Exams

* SPECIAL SCHEDULE

December 1 - NO SCHOOL Staff Development Day

December 4 - Trimester Two Begins

1. Do you know how many school days there are before the end of trimester one? There are only TWO days of classes before final exams

2. Are you passing all of your classes? Trust and verify. Check Campus Parent Portal

3. Do you know what your final summative assessments are and when they are due? Have your student show their grade reports in Schoology or check Schoology’s parent portal

4. Do you know when the last date is to turn in any late/missing work that can still be submitted? November 30

5. Do you have a plan? Students (like many adults) always have the best intentions, but often times need a plan. Please help them think about how they can use time THIS WEEKEND and during THANKSGIVING BREAK to finish strong!

Final Exams are coming up!

Trimester One ends on Thursday, November 30th. Final Exams will take place on Wednesday, November 29th and Thursday, November 30th. The special schedule will be available soon.

We know Final Exam week can be a stressful time for students. CLICK HERE for some suggestions to share with your student. More than anything, please help them understand that while the calendar makes it seem like the end of the trimester is a ways off, there are only FIVE DAYS OF CLASSES before final exams!

With the upcoming season of gratitude and giving, we understand there can be hardships that impact our families.

If your family needs support with gifts and groceries during this holiday season, please CLICK HERE to learn more about what AVHS has to offer and fill out a request.

*limited spots available*

Boozhoo Aaniin … This means Hi/HELLO in Ojibwe

Anpetu Wasté … This means GOOD DAY in Dakota

Each year, the President of the United States proclaims the month of November to be “Native American Heritage Month.” During this month, we celebrate the contributions, diversity and sovereignty of this nation’s Indigenous peoples and cultures.

In recognition of this important declaration, we encourage District 196 students, teachers and staff to explore the rich history of Indigenous people from Mni Sota and around the United States. District 196’s American Indian Education Program has compiled resources to showcase and celebrate the contributions of Indigenous peoples within American society and history. And we hope this will further our district's knowledge and exposure to Indigenous lives and perspectives and those of the students we serve.

If you have any questions, please feel free to visit our American Indian Education webpage.

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.

• 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.

Website: avhs.district196.org
Location: 14450 Hayes Road, Apple Valley, MN, USA
Phone: 952-431-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avhsscholar
Twitter: @avhsacademics

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.

Youth/Adult Bowling League at Bogarts (adult and child ages 7+)

Sat | Oct 28 - Dec 2 | 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. | 5 sessions | $229 | skip Nov 25 | Bogart's Entertainment Center

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.

The Apple Valley High School STEM program is launching a new scholarship program. Our program guides students in finding eligible scholarships, writing compelling essays, managing schedules, and understanding financial aid award letters.

WHEN: Every Third Wednesday of each month (from 9:10-10:05 a.m.)

WHERE: AVHS cafeteria

WHO: Space is limited to the first 30 senior students who sign up. Sign up here

Dates and Topics

November 15, 2023—What scholarships am I eligible for?

December 20, 2023—How do I create an organizational system to track current scholarships?

January 24, 2024---How do I find scholarships with less competition?

February 21, 2024—How do I continue the scholarship search beyond freshmen year?

March 20, 2024---How do I optimize my financial aid package?

April 17, 2024---How do I review a financial aid award letter?

STEP 1: UPDATED PHYSICAL FORM

New or updated physical forms can be emailed to Wendy.Beckman@district196.org

STEP 2: REGISTER FOR YOUR SPORT

For more information visit our website at: https://avhs.district196.org/athletics

SHOW TIMES

Friday, November 3, 7 pm

Saturday, November 4, 7 pm

Sunday, November 5, 2 pm

Friday, November 10, 7 pm

Saturday, November 11, 2 pm*

Saturday, November 11, 7 pm

Order Tickets

2023-2024 Yearbooks are now on sale!

• Purchase your yearbook by clicking HERE
• Order now and save!

• AVHS yearbooks will continue to be a summer delivery for the 2023-2024 school year.
• Seniors may submit a portrait to be used in the yearbook rather than use their Lifetouch School picture. *Deadline is December 1st, 2023

• Senior parents/guardians have the opportunity to purchase and design a gradation ad in the 2024 AVHS yearbook to honor/celebrate their senior. Head over to the yearbook info page on our website and scroll down to the ordering link (https://avhs.district196.org/families/yearbook-information). Ads cost $75 for a quarter page (1/4) and $50 for an eighth page (1/8) and payment is processed by Josten’s on their website. The deadline to purchase a Graduation Ad is May 1st, 2024.

If you have questions or story ideas? Please email Kristin.blatzheim@district196.org.

WHY IT MATTERS: Financial assistance is available for families who qualify. More families qualify than they think. The benefits are much more than free meals.

HOW IT WORKS:

• The application must be completed every year.
  
• The form only takes three to four minutes to complete
• Complete THE APPLICATION HERE

THE BIG PICTURE: Families who qualify also benefit by receiving...

• Discounted participation fees for AVHS athletic teams, and arts/activities programs
  
• Discounted academic test fees (ACT, AP, PSAT, SAT)
• Discounted college application fees
• Discounted transportation fee-for-service fees
• Discounted iPad protection Plan fees

*Please know that if you were not approved for free or reduced ALL students are eligible to receive one breakfast and one lunch meal at no charge each day at school since we have joined the Minnesota Free School Meals Program. This does not include any ala carte items, milk only or additional milk.

WHY IT MATTERS: AVHS focuses on Relationships, Engagement, and Collaboration during the school day. Research shows that the mere presence of a cell phone undercuts learning.

HOW IT WORKS: Every student has a school-issued iPad to support their learning.

• Cell phones are turned off or on airplane mode and stored out of sight during class time.

• Students may use cell phones before and after class, during their lunch periods, and between classes.

• Students exchange their cell phones for a pass to leave the classroom during class to prevent usage in hallways and restrooms.

• If a student does not have a cell phone, they may exchange their student ID.

PROGRESSION OF CONCERNS:

1. Formal warning. The teacher notifies the parent/guardian of the concern.

2. Referral to Student Support Office. The administrator will meet with the student and contact the parent/guardian to establish appropriate consequences.
   

EXCEPTION: Students who use a personal mobile device to monitor a medical condition (i.e. diabetes, epilepsy) may carry devices with them at all times.

NON-NEGIOTABLES: What We Don’t Do At AVHS, it is never acceptable to...

• send threatening or harassing messages or phone calls.

• take photos or videos of others without their permission.

• take pictures or videos of fights or dangerous situations.

• use your cell phone in locker rooms or restrooms.

Texts are delivered via SchoolMessenger, the mass notification service the district uses for phone calls and email messages. Parents must opt-in to receive text messages. Standard message and data rates may apply.

GETTING STARTED

• Text Y to 67587, you will receive a confirmation message stating you are registered to receive SchoolMessenger notifications via text.

• For help information, text HELP to 67587.

• To opt-out at any time, text STOP to 67587.

*Only SMS numbers listed as Guardians in the Infinite Campus student information system can receive texts.

**If you do not receive a confirmation message of what appears to be an error message, it most likely means that short code texting is not enabled on your wireless plan.

• Pay a $60 fee on MyPaymentsPlus for each trimester.
• Outstanding fees/fines must be paid before picking up your parking permit.
• Permits can be picked up in the Main Office.

Students will receive a parking agreement and a map of the parking lot.

Need accessible parking? Contact Assistant Administrator Paul Tinder at Paul.Tinder@district196.org or call 952-431-8341.

All other questions can be directed to Jackie Preble at 952-431-8224.