The APHS Look AHEAD-June 2021
News and Notes from the High School Leadership Team- v.25
The APHS Look AHEAD
Dear APHS Students, Parents and Guardians,
As impossible as it may seem, we have just about arrived to the end of the 21-22 school year! This has been a year full of very unique and interesting challenges. With that, however, I truly believe that we have learned about, and witnessed, the strength of our community; particularly when it comes to how well we take care of one another. It's easy to treat others well when everything is going well. The true test is how we treat one another when under stress, or during challenging times. The APHS school community rose to the occasion on this front in ways we should all be proud of.
In these last few weeks of the school year, I urge students and parents to pay close attention to finishing the academic year with rigor and attention. There are many students who truly struggled with remote and/or hybrid learning this year. Our staff will continue to work hard to stay connected, be flexible, and provide support. I ask that students and parents please also stay connected with our teachers and staff, monitor progress, and reach out actively if you need help. Together, our goal needs to be ensuring that our students find success, and ultimately earn the credits that they need to proceed beyond this pandemic year. For those who do not meet with success, we plan to offer a comprehensive summer program for credit recovery at the high school. Our Counseling Center will be reaching out about this over the next couple of weeks.
Of course, the closing of a year brings with it many celebrations. Please be sure to take a look at the event list at the bottom of this newsletter to see all of the activities which are lined up for June. I send my many thanks to our student leaders and faculty advisors for their hard work in planning these events, all while navigating a complicated regulatory landscape. In the end, they have done a wonderful job and I am looking forward to seeing many of you in the weeks to come as we celebrate the close to a successful year, and the many accomplishments of our amazing students.
Finally, June is a great time for focus on finding joy in life, even when times are difficult. Research has shown that experiencing positive emotions in a 3-to-1 ratio with negative ones leads to a tipping point beyond which we naturally become more resilient to adversity. So let's train our brains to find the joy! Here is a calendar of daily activities to help us all along that path: https://www.actionforhappiness.org/media/1014690/june_2021_v2.jpg
My many thanks to everyone for your continued support of all of our students! Please enjoy this upcoming month, and never hesitate to reach out if you need anything!
Warrior Strong,
Serving every student every day,
The APHS Building Leadership Team
-Mr. Heath Quiles, High School Principal (quilesh@apcsd.org)
-Mrs. Rebecca Leach, Assistant Principal (leachr@apcsd.org)
-Mrs. Christina Mein, Assistant Principal (meinc@apcsd.org)
#AP_EveryStudentEveryDay
"Creating passionate learners who contribute positively to their community and the world."
Monday, June 21 - Student Materials Drop-Off and Pick-Up
On Monday, June 21st from 9am - 6pm, we will be holding our end-of-year Material Drop-Off/Pick-Up in front of the high school. This will be a chance for all students, particularly our virtual ones, to return school materials and pick-up any needed materials needed as we move into summer.
SENIORS, PLEASE BE SURE TO RETURN YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES! Seniors must have all electronic devices, books, and any owed cafeteria balances returned and/or resolved prior to Graduation Rehearsal. Graduation tickets may be held until these items have been accounted for.
Keep an eye out for further information on this topic from Assistant Principal, Mrs. Mein.
Update Regarding Regents and Final Exams
Regents Examinations
To meet the federal government’s requirements, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) has canceled all but four of the Regents examinations previously scheduled to be administered in June 2021. Similar to June 2020, all students enrolled in and passing courses culminating with the following Regents examinations will automatically receive a “EX” designation on their transcript. These students will be exempt from these exams.
The Regents exams which are canceled for June 2021 are:
Global History & Geography
U.S. History & Government
Geometry
Algebra II
Chemistry
Physics
Four core Regents examinations will be held according to the following schedule:
English Language Arts – June 17th 8:00 am
Living Environment – June 22 8:00 am
Algebra I – June 23 8:00 am
Earth Science – June 24 8:00 am
The period to sign-up to take one of these exams has passed. Assistant Principal, Mrs. Leach will be reaching out to those students and parents who have signed up to take an exam with more information, schedule information and procedures.
One note: ALL students who pass a class associated with a Regents exam, or who actually take an exam, will receive an EXEMPT on their transcript. For any student who takes an exam and ultimately wishes to have the numeric grade for the exam placed on his/her transcript, instead of the automatic "EX", parents will have the option to contact the counseling center by July 15 to do so. You do not need to decide this now. We will send out a reminder about this option immediately after exam results arrive.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your student's teacher, counselor, or the HS Office at 674-7002.
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.
GET THOSE OVERDUE LIBRARY BOOKS TURNED IN, PLEASE!
GET THOSE OVERDUE LIBRARY BOOKS TURNED IN, PLEASE!
All library books are due back to the library by Friday, June 4. Emailed overdue notices will go out on June 1 to let you know if you have any books out. If you're overdue is lost or destroyed, you can pay the replacement cost.
Seniors who have outstanding over dues may have their diploma held until the overdue is rectified.
You are welcome to check books out for the Summer! In fact, we have many brand new books that are waiting to be read. Simply come by the library, browse the online catalog, or email Mrs. Yost for the book(s) you would like and we'll get them to you for the Summer. :)
If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Yost in the library or email at yostj@apcsd.org.
A World of Difference
Thanks to APHS's amazing club - A World of Difference! Their hard work, partnering with all our students, has given us the Anti-Defamation League's Gold Star School designation! This signifies that APHS is serious about issues of equality at all levels, and that we practice compassion and tolerance among our school community. Every Student, Every Day!
APHS Warrior Food Program
Students, do you or your family need some extra food items? Please reach out to Ms. Stone or Ms. Favro for confidential support- we will provide snacks or a bag of food for you each week.
Ms. Stone: stonek@apcsd.org
Ms. Favro: favrok@apcsd.org
After school help available for students
We continue to offer after school help with teachers on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week. We recognize this as a great opportunity for students to access some individual or small group help, and we encourage students to access this support. .
If your student is staying after school and does not require transportation, they simply need to make arrangements with their teachers on the day they wish to stay. If your student does require transportation they will need to complete the After School Sign up form, located under the Family Resources tab on the district website. I have attached it here for your convenience. After School Help Form Please note, once students have completed their time with their teacher, they will need to report to the high school cafe to await their ride or the bus. Only students who have pre-arranged times with their teachers are allowed to stay.
If you feel your child is in need of extra academic support, we encourage you to discuss this valuable resource with them. As always please reach out to your child's counselor if you have further questions about their academic needs.
Juniors - get your Senior Pictures Taken
Hey Juniors!
Senior pictures will be taken this year in the auxiliary gym from June 14 through June 25. The photographers will be leaving their equipment set up for the two weeks. Sessions will run from 8:00am to 4:00pm each day.
All scheduling of appointments will be completed by the photo company.
Any questions, see Mrs. Bailey or Mr. Blostein
APHS Yearbook - Distribution
2021 APHS Yearbooks are here!
Senior yearbook pickup will occur during Block 4 on June 9th and 10th. Virtual students in grade 12 may come into the library during block 4 on these two dates, as well.
Grades 9-11 can pick up their yearbooks during Block 4 in the library on June 11th and 14th. Virtual students in grades 9-11 may also come in during Block 4 on June 11th and 14th, as well.
Questions: baileya@apcsd.org / blosteinm@apcsd.org
News from the Counseling Center
*Attention Seniors:
A Google Form will be sent out to your school email address the first week of May. This form will be used to send your final transcripts to colleges, etc. after graduation. As soon as you know what your post high plans are, please fill out this form. The form must be filled out in order for us to process your request. Final transcripts for all graduates will be ready to send out approximately July 15th.
*Working Papers:
Nice weather is coming and many of you will be thinking of a Summer Job which means you will need to obtain working papers. Please print out the application and form AT-16 at https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/working-papers . 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 copy of the form of ID you will be providing to process the application, to the Counseling Center. If you would like to email all documents you may do so and if all is in order they will be processed and you will be contacted to make arrangements to come pick them up and bring the originals with you at that time. Carneyj@apcsd.org
*A message from Hudson Valley Community College:
The list of the Summer Online Course Offerings is now live on our website. We are happy to share that the college is awarding scholarships to all students in College in the High School sections for Summer 2021!
COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS:
SAT I & II:
June 5, 2021 (Registration deadline May 6)
ACT:
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.
Student Angler Club News!
Averill Park Anglers Off to a Strong Start!
Lucas Reiter and Mike Angrisano, both juniors at Averill Park High School and members of the Averill Park High School Student Angler Club, are rocking the world of New York high school anglers competing for a spot on the New York High School team.
The New York State Jr Legacy Bass high school fishing tournament began in April with the first of five contests. Points are earned at each contest and then totalled for each student. The four students with the highest points totalled for all five contests, will earn a spot on the state team.
At the first contest at East Twin in Connecticut, Lucas Reiter brought home the Lunker Award - a trophy awarded for the largest fish caught during a single contest. The conditions were not ideal; water temperatures were still pretty cold and another fishing contest was held on the same waters just a week before, but Lucas still was able haul in a nice 3 pound bass.
This past Saturday was Mike Angrisano’s time to shine. At the contest at Candlewood, CT Mike earned not only the Lunker Award for the largest fish caught, but also won third place for total weight caught in the contest. Lucas was not left behind; he earned points for his efforts as well.
Please congratulate both boys when you see them. This is the first time Averill Park has been represented in a high school fishing tournament and they are certainly doing us proud! Go Warriors!!
Kelsey's Promise Foundation hosting 5K
Kelsey's Promise Foundation will be hosting the KPvirtual5K 2K21 July 8 - July 13, 2021. Run or walk whenever and wherever you are! Registration is $35 and includes an event t-shirt and medals awarded to the top three overall winners and top two male and female participants in each age bracket.
Keep an eye on https://kelseyspromise.org/ for more details to follow in the coming weeks. Sponsorships are available for $500. Contact Rachael Kittleson at info@kelseyspromise.org for more information.
Help us make a difference for pediatric brain tumor patients at the Melodies Center at Albany Med and celebrate the beautiful life of Kelsey Rebecca Kittleson.
News from the Health Office
Quarantine Information:
The school district works in conjunction with the Department of Health for contact tracing when there is a school exposure this is the process:
* Parents who have children that are identified as a direct contact will be notified by the district.
* Parents will receive an email with instructions on what to do daily for 14 days as well as the official quarantine notification from the Department of Health.
* Parents will receive a daily text message with the Quarantine Questionnaire for the full 14 days to monitor symptoms per the Department of Health Guidelines. This is in addition to the daily questionnaire that must also be answered.
* If you have any questions please contact your building nurse and they can help you.
The Department of Health had changed their quarantine guidelines:
- a negative test does NOT release you from quarantine.
- It is essential to wait 10 days full days to make sure that no infection appears, even if you have no symptoms, before being released from quarantine.
- Quarantine should last 10 days from the last exposure to a person with known COVID-19.
- In addition, you will continue to monitor yourself for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 for up to 14 days after that last exposure.
- If you exhibit any one symptom during the quarantine period your quarantine will be extended for the full 14 days- (this is a Department of Health requirement)
ILLNESS:
Parents/families need to continue to follow the illness guidelines that have been put in place by NYSDOH.
* Your child must stay home if they have any ONE symptom that is outlined in the COVID toolkit.
* You must have your child evaluated by their medical provider and have a doctor's note or a negative COVID test- This MUST be submitted to the building nurse prior to the student entering the building.
* Your child must stay home if anyone in the home is waiting for test results. Please discuss with your building nurse if there are any questions or see the previous guidance the district sent out about routine testing for employment or college-age children.
Visitors at the High School
For the safety and wellbeing of everyone, visitors will not be permitted inside of the high school during the academic day, when school is in session.
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.
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
June 2021:
10 - Senior Awards Night. Virtual Release at 6:00 pm- watch for a link to this event.
11 - Senior Picnic at Grafton State Park.
11 - Senior Arts Gala. VIrtual Release. 6:30pm - watch for a link to this event.
16 -: Senior Reverse Parade. 5:30-7:30 PM.
21 - Students Materials Drop off and Pick up day 9am-6pm
21 - Adopt-a-Senior Day.
22 - Senior Dance/Dinner/Social Event. Birch Hill 6-10 pm.
24 - Graduation Rehearsal and Pre-Graduation COVID Testing. Tentative at 11:00 am in the HS Gym.
24 - Commencement Ceremony for the APHS Class of 2021. 6:30 pm at the Times Union Center.
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