The APHS Look AHEAD-November 2020
News and Notes from the High School Leadership Team- v.19
The APHS Look AHEAD
Dear APHS Students, Parents and Guardians,
It is hard to believe that when we return to school next week, it will be November! Our journey together, since March, has been an interesting one. The good news is that we have opened our building safely, instruction is working and continuing to develop nicely in our new models, and our community has stuck together in remaining positive and taking care of one another.
Of course, as we set the clocks back, and the weather gets a bit darker and colder, this is a wonderful time to reflect on how important it is to take care of, and invest time in, ourselves. This month, I encourage us all to not only give ourselves a break in terms of time and expectations, but to also reflect on our "why".
Why do you do what you do? What makes you get up in the morning and want to take on the world? What do you do each day that brings you a sense of passion and joy?
During a time when we understandably need to be hyper-focused on the "what" and the "how", it is easy to forget the "why". Let's not forget this tremendously important aspect of who we are. In the end, this is about keeping our purpose as individuals, and our joy.
My many thanks to everyone for your continued support in partnering with us to provide every student, every day with an engaging and quality school experience during this unique time in our world. If there is anything that you need, please never hesitate to let us know! In the meantime, I wish everyone a healthy and positive November, a Happy Thanksgiving, and a joyful start to the upcoming holiday season.
Staying Warrior Strong,
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 10 and 12 (meinc@apcsd.org)
-Mrs. Rebecca Leach, Assistant Principal, Grades 9 and 11 (leachr@apcsd.org)
#AP_EveryStudentEveryDay
"Creating passionate learners who contribute positively to their community and the world."
Halloween Fun at APHS
Free Meals for ALL Students Extended Through the School Year
The Food Service Department of the Averill Park Central School District is proud to be an important partner with our families during the pandemic. We firmly believe our District's mission of meeting the needs of and creating opportunities for Every Student, Every Day includes your child's nutritional needs.
Thanks to an extension of the US Department of Agriculture's program currently providing for free breakfast and lunch, we will continue to be providing free breakfast & lunch to ALL students through June 30, 2021. We strongly encourage all our families to participate in this essential child nutrition program, as we continue to support each other through these challenging times.
Reminder: Meals are available for 100% Virtual and Hybrid Students. Please contact Colleen Wise, Food Service Director at wisec@apcsd.org with any questions or to sign up for meal pick up.
After School Academic Assistance and Late Buses
We are pleased to announce that beginning on Tuesday, November 3rd, we will begin to offer after school time for students to get extra help from their teachers.
So that we can assure the safety of our students and staff, both while in the building and on our late bus runs, this process will begin slowly.
After school extra help will be offered on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays, on the following rotational schedule:
- A-Days (both for Cohort 1 and 2) will be for after school extra help in Social Studies, Math, Art, Music, and Study Skills.
- B-Days (both for Cohort 1 and 2) will be for after school extra help in ELA, Science, LOTE, Tech, and PE/Health.
Students who are interested in receiving extra help should work with their teacher to select the appropriate day(s). Once you have selected a day, you must complete the following form by 9am on the day that you plan to stay: https://forms.gle/Dd5sBvagFMjtTGaU6 Only students who have signed up to stay with specific teachers, with that teacher's consent, are allowed to stay after school.
This form is a shared one, which will be used by both AMS and APHS students. It will allow for us to know how many students will be in our buildings, track usage and needs, and allow for the buses to plan for safe runs, for both the middle and high schools.
For students who provide their own transportation, no late buses are needed. Please be sure, however, to complete the form to sign up to stay.
For those students who would like to take advantage of our late buses, we will be able to offer these, departing from the high school at approximately 4:30 pm. When you have finished your extra help session, please report directly to the HS Cafeteria/Student Union. Supervision will be provided in this location until the late busses have departed.
Thank you to everyone for your flexibility, and for helping to do your part in keeping everyone safe and secure each day. It's been a lot! In the weeks to come, as we assess how this plan looks and operates in real life, we will consider ways through which we can continue to expand student engagement outside of the school day.
If you have any questions, please contact the high school office at 518-674-7002. In the meantime, please stay healthy and be well.
APHS National Honor Society Inducts 57 New Members
This year's National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony took place on Thursday, October 22. Fifty-seven seniors were inducted through a virtual ceremony that included speeches from all the NHS officers, a guest teacher, the high school principal and the superintendent. You may still watch the ceremony using this address: https://youtu.be/M7r2FWP385I
Every year seniors who have an average of 90% or above for their first three years of high school, can apply and be inducted into the NHS. Being inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS) shows that you are among the best students in your class not just in terms of academics but also in terms of leadership, service, and character. It shows a commitment to community service projects in and out of the high school. Seniors will be required to have 15 community service hours that need to be completed by May 1, 2021 to maintain their good standing in the NHS. Congratulations!
News from the Health Office
Annual BMI Notification Survey
Averill Park School District has to send a BMI survey to NYS. The school nurses only use the information that was provided on your child’s physical from their medical provider from the 2019/2020 school year. The letter to opt your child out is below. Please send this letter to the nurse no later than January 2, 2021.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LmHfKGfWXTr2tdvMKEMjoMBNK9YNlGpDFZLAixEa0xE/edit?usp=sharing
Updated Physicals
All 9th and 11th graders are required to have an updated physical for the 2020 school year on file in the nurse's office. Please send your child's physical into Mrs. Miller by December 1st, 2020.
Reminders for this year:
* Remember to call your child out absent if they are ill.
* Any illness whether or not a nurse sends them home or if they stay home sick (no matter what their hybrid day is) will need a doctor's note to return to school AND a negative COVID test.
*If your child is sick, please send me an email with what is going on with your child It would be very helpful and may decrease the number of phone calls that you get in a day.
Please see the link below for two important documents:
One is the permission slip for Tylenol and Ibuprofen. I need updated written permission every year on each student. The second is the guidelines for when your child is ill this way it is right at your fingertips and you don't have to worry about trying to rummage through the website.
Visitors at the High School
Parents wishing to pick up students, or drop off items for students, should use the intercom at the main entrance of the building. Our staff in the main office will guide you through the appropriate procedures.
Meetings between parents and staff will be expected to be conducted in a virtual format. In cases where a face-to-face meeting may be required, staff will need the permission of the building principal.
Visitors approved to enter the building, by the principal, will complete a health screening, have their temperature taken, and will wear a mask.
Photo Retake Days - Mark your calendar!
- Friday, 11/20 A Day, Cohort 2
- Monday, 11/23 B Day, Cohort 1
Both days will continue until 5:00pm, in the HS Library, for our virtual students who would like to drop by.
If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Bailey or Mr. Blostein at baileya@apcsd.org or blosteinm@apcsd.org
APHS Yearbook
Order your 2021 APHS Yearbook!
Order forms are in the Main Office and Room 205.
You may order through the school or online at www.jostens.com
Seniors: Send your baby picture to baileya@apcsd.org by November 20!
YMCA Offering Free Food Boxes to Families in Need
Pick-up Times and Locations:
9 - 11am at the Troy YMCA (2500 21st Street, Troy NY 12180)
12 - 2pm at the Rensselaer’s Riverfront Park (Rensselaer, NY 12144)
Each box weighs between 30 and 40 pounds, and has the following types of items:
Assorted Fresh Vegetables and Fruits
Meat and Eggs — Pre-Cooked Protein/Meat, Chicken and Eggs
Dairy — including Cheese, Butter, Cream Cheese and 1 Gallon (or equivalent) of Milk
A Bee Story Here at APHS
To see the High School Bee Story, click on this link: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2020-2021/4470-a-bee-story-at-aphs
Horticulture class looking for canning jars
Cleaning out your closets for the fall? If you have piles of canning jars collecting dust and taking up space, consider donating them to the Horticulture program at the high school. We will take all size jars off your hands!! Ms. Boulay boulayv@apcsd.org.
Class of 2022 Prom Fundraiser - Deadline is November 2
APHS Class of 2022 students, parents & guardians will receive an email with more detailed info and needed codes to get started with this fundraiser. The Deadline is November 2nd.
This is our largest PROM fundraiser and we are counting on your support! You can just purchase items from your child online, or you can join the incentive program, and share the Charleston Wrap catalog and earn incentives like free gift wrap. It's easy and totally online - you can even order on your phone!
Visit charlestonwrap.com/cw-virtual-online-incentives/ to watch our kick off video!
Thank you in advance for supporting the Class of 2022 and our efforts to fund a beautiful Prom at the Albany Marriott on May 8, 2021.
Questions about registration? Call CW Customer Support at 1-866-395-2926 or contact Mrs. Yost at yostj@apcsd.org
APHS Students participate in Walk Against Hate
A World of Difference Students Participate in the Anti-Defamation League sponsored Walk Against Hate.
On Sunday, October 18, members of the APHS club, A World of Difference, participated individually outside of the school day, in this national walk to show they stand against bias and bigotry, hate and intolerance. A World of Difference strives to make APHS a school that has No Place for Hate!
New Legislation and BOE Policy Offers Students the Opportunity to Pre-Register to Vote at School
Did you know that when you turn 16 you can pre-register to vote? That means, as soon as you turn 18, you are able to vote in local and national elections!
In response to recently passed legislation at the State level, the APCSD Board of Education has enacted a policy which directs the high school to ensure that all students who are at least 16 years old are offered the opportunity to pre-register to vote.
Over the course of the next month, we will be reaching out to the entire student body so that any students who are currently eligible, and wish, to pre-register are able to do so. This service will be offered in our high school library, and is able to be completed online: https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application
Students will need the following materials:
-a New York State DMV issued driver license, permit or Non-Driver ID
-the ZIP Code currently on record with the DMV
-the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN)
After that, on a monthly basis, the high school will reach out to students who turn 16 to offer them the opportunity to pre-register.
Students who do not wish to pre-register do not have to do so. It is simply our responsibility to offer students this opportunity.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Yost in the high school library.
News from the Counseling Center
Volunteer/Community Service opportunity available on November 14. If you are interested, please contact the APHS Counseling Center for more information 518-674-7025.
Students are asked to log on to their Naviance accounts often to see what scholarships are being offered and what colleges are having virtual visit sessions with students who may have interest or questions about their campus.
HVCC Instant Admission - Monday, November 2nd: Hudson Valley Community College will be offering a Virtual Instant Admission session. Students please contact the Counseling Center to get an appointment to meet with the HVCC advisors. You can email your counselor for more information.
Upcoming SUNY Events
If you are interested in possibly attending a SUNY college or if you are interested in learning about a SUNY Education, feel free to visit the following link to register:
www.suny.edu/studentevents or call 1-800-342-3811
SUNY is offering information sessions. They are also offering a program related to Which SUNY is Right For You, the Educational Opportunity Program, How to apply to SUNY and Financial Aid Events.
Working papers:
If you need your working papers. Please print out the application at https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/working-papers or stop in and pick one up from 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 a form of ID (ie. birth certificate,NYS ID) to the Counseling Center for processing.
Want to meet with your Counselor?
Students can find the Request to meet with a counselor form on the Averill Park H.S. Family and Instructional Resource page under Guidance. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_stNvi148d0oDNaYZC4rra6MPgzcwb47ihGL28wqRfU/edit
Once the form is submitted the Counselor will reach out to the student and make arrangements as needed.
SENIORS:
If you have not meet with your counselor yet for your senior advisement meeting please get contact them as soon as possible to make arrangements.
*Also remember you should be checking Naviance often for scholarship opportunities and virtual visits with College advisors.
FRESHMAN:
Counselors have begun meeting their freshman class, through google meets on remote days, or during advisory. These meetings are to introduce themselves to the freshman class and to help navigate any questions they may have and check in with how the school year is going so far.
COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS:
SAT I & II:
November 7, 2020 (Registration deadline is October 7)
December 5, 2020 (Registration deadline is November 5)
March 13, 2021 (SAT 1 only) (Registration deadlines is February 12)
May 8, 2021 (Registration deadline is April 3)
June 5, 2021 (Registration deadline May 6)
ACT:
December 12, 2020 (Registration deadline is November 6)
February 6, 2021 (Registration deadline is January 8)
April 17, 2021 (Registration deadline is March 12)
June 12, 20201 (Registration deadline is May 7)
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.
IMPORTANT LINKS TO CALENDARS AND SCHEDULES
The APCSD District Calendar for 20-21:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jt88sLKd7FM8YcCvSvaO_c_jzl9rvLaf/view?usp=sharing
This is a fixed schedule, and will not change based on snow days.
Marking Periods/Grade Reporting at the HS for the 20-21 School Year:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F42UlhjAEOfnCx2qgrwEZ1r9ceMhiLkT2bEAhpIAQHQ/edit?usp=sharing
Our Daily Bell Schedule for 20-21:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1choS5fPUhRfBX03ChMuUtGkLvjlZ2kvpIQ4ZEBXbZV4/edit?usp=sharing
*Please note, students are expected to arrive to school by 7:30 am.
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
6 - Go Home Early Drill
11- Veteran's Day - NO SCHOOL
19 - Jostens here in cafe to collect Ring orders/Cap & Gown orders
20 - Jostens here in cafe to collect Ring orders/Cap & Gown orders
20 - Photo re-take day
23 - Photo re-take day
25 - Thanksgiving Recess - NO SCHOOL
26 - Thanksgiving Recess - NO SCHOOL
27 - Thanksgiving Recess - 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