AHS Newsletter
Home of the Cougars
Message to Class of 2020 Families
Dear Affton Class of 2020 Families:
You and your students have been on my mind and in my heart so deeply over these last several days. As this terrible situation just keeps escalating I have reflected on the last semester of my children's schooling and all the events, concerts, prom, graduation, graduation parties, etc. My heart is broken for you in how this is interfering with what should be a completely celebratory time in your lives.
Raising teenagers might be the single hardest thing to do in life. They are so quick to want to be adults and yet still react often times like our little children we have spent so many years with. They develop these independent thoughts that at times make them even harder to recognize as your child. And yet it is one of the most amazing growth spurts to witness. They get taller than we are, they show potential beyond that of what we had and they occasionally show a compassion for people very different from them in ways we have no idea about. I think it is like the moment before a plane takes off...where the engines are roaring and you can feel all the potential power and you are filled with anticipation for that energy to release. Our kids are waiting on the tarmac and are ready to take off. This pandemic is causing our flight to delay. The disappointment is palpable.
I encourage you to take this gift of time (I know it is a stretch to call this a gift but think of all the time with them you wouldn't have had that you now do) and help them deal with the disappointment. It is ok to let them know that you are also disappointed. I know I am.
It is with complete regret that we will have to postpone the prom. I had been hopeful, ever so slightly, to get a new date for the prom a few weeks out. Now we are looking at the end of April in a BEST case scenario and I'm just not sure that is realistic either. I have reached out to the venue to discuss our options. My goal now is to get a date as far off in the distance as I can in order to assure we get past this social distancing. I have had a couple of conversations about hosting a Senior Week if the pandemic will allow us one. It may be a crazy thought, but if we can get the all clear to be with each other I am hopeful to cram all of these life moments in. Sports Night is so important in Affton-it is a right of passage. Prom, graduation, lock in...all defining moments. I REFUSE to cancel anything until we have to. Graduation is on at this point. If the medical professionals give me the indication that it won't be safe then rescheduling is the goal. Cancellation is the LAST resort.
I'm sure you all are heightened in anxiety about your student graduating in the first place. Know that I am working through all scenarios with our counselors and my network of other school leaders to determine our next steps. We will get second semester's credits in. They will get that diploma, transcript, etc. Universities and trade schools have not communicated as a whole with us on how they will be adjusting their requirements for registrations but Mrs. Giunta is on it. She is working diligently to make sure they are aware of what our students are dealing with (as if anyone would not be), and of how we intend to accommodate the kids. Between the counselors, Mrs. Giunta, Dr. Luecke and myself we will find a way to get each and every one of our kids to the finish line. It just won't look at all like how we expected.
I ask that you remain patient as we work through this next two week period. We are learning how to do this home/electronic schooling on the fly. As the teachers settle in I will have more time to make sure you know exactly what is happening. As I learn what our plan will look like after the 6th of April I will share that. That is also the time you can expect the counselors to reach out for a conference/call/email surrounding your student's individual needs for graduation. We love these kids and we will not let this define them!
Much love my Cougars,
Dr. Myers
About Affton High School
Dr. Tim Luecke, assistant principal, grades 11&12
Dr. Jon Langhans, assistant principal, grades 9&10
Email: jlanghans@afftonschools.net
Website: http://ahs.afftonschools.net/
Location: 8309 MacKenzie Road, Affton, MO, USA
Phone: (314) 638-6330
Facebook: facebook.com/AfftonHighSchool
Twitter: @AfftonHS