PEAK News
Newsletter for parents of students at Apex High School
PEAK News for Week of June 7, 2021!
So many emotions are hitting me as I'm putting together the last PEAK news of this unprecedented school year! I feel like we have been through so much as we have navigated the ever changing landscapes that this Global Pandemic presented us with this past year. Through it all, I have been amazed and humbled at the patience, understanding, and above all grace you have provided me, the Apex High staff, your children and yourselves! It hasn't been easy and it hasn't always been smooth but as I told the staff today at our last meeting, I couldn't have imagined living through this past year with anyone else than this Cougar Community! Thank you!!!
Keep checking our website for summer updates relating to Orientations, Fall athletic tryouts, and so much more. I do not plan on sending out any PEAK News communications until August.
Upcoming Calendar Dates:
- Monday - Wednesday - Please use this link to access the exam schedule!
- Wednesday - Graduation Practice 4 & 6 pm - all Seniors should meet in the main gym 15 minutes prior to, rain or shine!
- Friday - Class of 2021 Graduation - 8 & 10 am
- Saturday - Rain date - 5 & 7 pm ( the reason for the evening hours is that we could not conflict with Apex Friendship's graduation which is Saturday morning)
Report Cards will be mailed home at the conclusion of this year. You should expect them to start arriving sometime during the week of June 21st.
I hope everyone has a wonderful summer that is full of rest and relaxation. Stay PEAK!!
Warm Regards,
Elaine Hofmann
Principal of Apex High School
#PEAKProud
Go, Cougars!
#UnprecedentedlyPEAK
Class of 2021 Updates!
Transcript Information!
It is YOUR responsibility to request your final transcript after June 15th based on the following:
- If you will be attending an in-state college/university, you will send your final transcript through your CFNC account. This is for all in-state colleges/universities, so even if you applied using the Common App, you must still send your final transcript via CFNC.
- If you will be attending an out-of-state college/university, you will log onto https://wcpss.scriborder.com/ to request the free, final transcript for the college of your choice. Once NCDPI finalizes transcripts for the state, the scriborder transcript request will be processed, and your final transcript will be electronically sent to the college/university indicated on the scriborder. This is usually the last week of June.
Graduation Updates!
Taping of the Big Ceremonies!
WCPSS has asked that we put all video of Graduation Ceremonies on a delay and that we post them to a central WCPSS location. We will have our recorded Class of 2021 Ceremonies available by 2 pm on Friday or by the next day on Sunday if we have to reschedule because of rain. We will post the links to our website. I apologize for the miscommunication on this in earlier PEAK News editions. Remember that ever changing and evolving landscape? This is part of that!
Private Walk-Through Ceremony
Here is the time slot assignments for those Seniors who are planning on participating in the private walk-through ceremony.
Last names beginning with the letters:
A-K 1:00 - 1:30 p.m.
L-R 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.
S-Z 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.
** Students may bring up to 6 family members for the walk-through event. Students will not be given tickets for this event. These students also do not need to attend practice on June 9th. Students and their families should park in the carpool lot and enter at the main entrance. They will walk down the main hallway to the auditorium. All students who have signed up for this event will be receiving an email from Ms. Mann verifying your attendance as well as giving specific instructions in the next week or so. She will also let them know when their stoles will be available for them to pick up in the front office.
Big Graduation Ceremony!
June 9 Rehearsal at 4 pm - Seniors, report to the main gym by 3:45 pm
June 11 Big Ceremony at 8 am - Seniors, report to the main gym by 7:30 am
Alvord
Blankenship
Davie
Graham
Gurkin
Locher
Lord
Rossi
Rutledge
June 9 Rehearsal at 6 pm - Seniors, report to the main gym by 5:45
June 11 Big Ceremony at 10 am - Seniors, report to the main gym by 9:30
Ayers
Frederick
Gardner
Kepley
Nordt
Purtee
Suciu
Szep
Tullis
Wade
Other Important Reminders:
- Masks will no longer be mandated for outdoor events, including Graduation. You may always choose to wear them.
- Students will be given 4 tickets initially. After graduation practice is over, they may ask their homeroom teachers for 2 additional tickets. If you need more than 6 tickets, you will need to solicit them on your own.
- Students will be given their graduation stoles at practice. Latin Honors designations are based on their cumulative grades through 1st semester.
- If Seniors owe a fee or fine, they will receive a note of what they owe instead of their tickets. We can reconcile this the very next day in time for graduation. Please be proactive though and ensure all accounts are paid up prior to graduation practice. Here is the link to pay fines!
- Students and parents should park in either the teacher parking lot or in the parking deck. Both sides of the stadium will be open.
- Though Graduation is after June 1st which is the date our Governor has relaxed much of the outdoor COVID restrictions, we will stay with the 2 ceremony format. This is because of logistics. We do not have enough parking!
- Examples of Senior fees and fines include: the $50 Senior Fee, outstanding library fines, WCPSS issued chromebooks, textbooks, etc. If you have any questions or have a hardship situation, please reach out to your child's counselor.
** Students who have to miss Graduation practice because of the 4 pm AP exam on June 9th have been noted. All other students must attend practice!
Senior Fee
Seniors, don't forget to pay your Senior Fee! Your Senior activities as well as your graduation diploma cover are funded through this one time fee! Please use this link for Online School Payments. You may also mail a check to the school or drop cash/check off in the front office. The PTSA also has a webpage where you can donate above and beyond so that all Seniors have access to all Senior activities.
Rising Sophomores, Save The Date!
Rising Freshmen, Save The Date!
Our New Banner Says It All! #PEAKProud
Relevant Information From Previous Newsletters
Yearbook update
The 20-21 yearbook will be distributed in early August this year. AHS is working on finalizing distribution dates and processes, so please stay tuned!
Rising Seniors!
Please don't forget to get your meningococcal vaccine!
Please send them to Cathy Howard, choward@wcpss.net or fax to 919-694-7789.
Overdue Library Books!
Seniors that receive a notice about library fines can pay using the Online School Payments system under "Media Fines." Please put the amount on the notice as the price when completing the payment. Once payment is received the fines will be cleared. Graduation tickets will be held from Seniors with fines or unreturned books. Refunds will be given if a student pays but then returns the book (please keep your OSP receipt!). Email our librarians, Heather Munger (hmunger@wcpss.net) or Scott Summers (ssummers2@wcpss.net), with questions.
We would love to see books returned from all students as soon as possible!
Not returning to Apex HS next school year
Apex Families if you have a 9th-11th grader that will not be returning to Apex HS for 2021/2022 school year please email Cathy Howard at choward@wcpss.net.
NEW IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT FOR RISING SENIORS:
North Carolina law now requires all rising 12th graders receive a meningococcal vaccine booster before starting 12th grade. This includes those students enrolled in the Virtual Academy. The vaccination must be done before the 21-22 school year begins. Parents will need to provide a copy of their child’s immunization record showing proof that the meningococcal vaccine has been completed prior to the first day of school. This is a 2-dose immunization; the 1st does was required in the 7th grade in Wake County schools.
Please send your immunization updates to:
Email: choward@wcpss.net or
Fax: 919-694-7789 Attn: Ms. Howard
More information:Don't forget to Contribute to the Coach Todd Legacy Fund!
We’re excited to be launching the Coach Todd Legacy Fund! This endowment will allow us to award scholarships to two student-athletes (one male, one female) each year. The scholarship will go to students who demonstrate leadership and humility -- characteristics that Coach Todd embodied and sought to instill in his students and athletes.
In the wake of Coach Todd’s passing, we saw our community come together to remember and celebrate all that he means to our school. Our goal is to raise $50,000 by the end of the year to establish the endowment fund with the hope of awarding our first two scholarships this spring.
We’d love your help to spread the word about the Legacy Fund and also celebrate Coach Todd throughout the month. Here are three simple ways you can be a part:
Give. We are asking everyone to consider donating $40 in honor of 40 years of Cat Soccer. The GoFundMe page is now live here.
You can also donate by check payable to Apex Cougar Club, PO Box 356, Apex, NC 27502
Engage. Over the next several weeks, you’ll see us tweeting and posting about the Coach Todd Legacy Fund on social media. Please consider retweeting or sharing the posts to help spread the word! If you aren’t on social media, consider emailing the link to your friends and family.
Share. We’d love to know what Coach Todd meant to you and your child. This is meant to be a celebration as much as it is a fundraiser! Post a favorite memory, photo, or story of Coach Todd using the hashtag #CoachToddLegacy and tagging @ApexHighSchool and @ApexCougarClub.
Thank you for helping us to carry on the legacy of Coach Todd in our school and in our community!
Ways to Stay Informed!
Don't forget to stay informed and up-to-date on all of the latest happenings at Apex High School by following Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Here are a few Twitter tags:
- @apexcounselors - for all college open house, virtual tours, workshop information and so much more!
- @ApexHighSchool - for all things related to Apex High!
- @ApexCougarClub - for all sports related news, virtual workouts, parent meetings and so much more!
- @ApexHSLibrary - for book checkout updates, great book recommendations and so much more!
- @ElaineHofmann6 - for all things related to Apex High, retweets of helpful articles for parents, staff and students, and so much more!
AHS Vault Contribution!
@ApexHighSchool? Consider contributing it to our Vault!
Years from now people will want know what life was like at the Peak. Your submission will help tell that story!
Find out more information at this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14_D497J1qF5fid9hwhnQ70jScfWsCBkeA8wsRtmlAkI/edit
Talking Points - 2 way parent communication tool in over 100 languages!
Talking Points Introduction Video
Parents, if you are getting messages in the wrong language, please reach out to your child's teacher. They can fix that issue on their end.
Updates and Reminders
Student Support Services
Alliance Access and Information Center 24 hours a day at (800) 510-9132 and a licensed clinician will evaluate your situation and assist you in finding the right kind of help. If appropriate, you may be referred to one of Alliance’s Crisis and Assessment Centers.
Transitions Grief Support Child and Teen bereavement resources
Apex HS Counseling and Student Services 919-387-2208 ext. 27231
Join the PTSA!
Please consider joining at one of the following levels, or consider a no-nonsense tax-deductible contribution in any amount. Thank you so much!!! Please click here for the Membership form to mail in with a check or you can pay online: https://ahs-ptsa-spirit-wear.square.site/
(found under the Parent tab of the AHS school website)
Standard Membership $10
Black Level $25 includes an Apex High Car Magnet
Gold Level $50 includes an Apex High T-shirt
Cougar Level $100 includes an Apex High Sweatshirt
Attendance
If your child was not able to attend classes today due to not having technology, have them reach out to their teachers so that the attendance can be changed. Power School will reflect daily attendance starting day 1! If your child is sick and can't attend class, please email an excuse note to Mrs. Jamie Livshin at jlivshin@wcpss.net.
Logging In!
- Visit wcpss.net/techguides This is your complete onboarding site that will give you directions for the following:
- Log into WakeID
Set up Chromebook
- Set up AT&T Hotspot
- Set up Powerschool
- Access Email
- Technology Help Desk
WCPSS Tech Support
We encourage parents to visit wcpss.net/techguides for technology support. The resources on this site show students how to log in to their Wake IDs and student email, how to set up and use Chromebooks and Internet hotspots, how to connect to WiFi, how to use learning systems such as Google Classroom and Canvas, and much more.
Cougar Gym Reveal!
AHS Virtual Orientation - take a peak into our beautiful school!
WCPSS Resources and Links!
Resumen del Guía de Regreso Escolar Completo: https://youtu.be/xvKlohNnog8
Los Padres de WCPSS obtendrán información sobre el Guía de Regreso Escolar 2020-21
Plan B De Instrucción Combinada Para El Año Escolar 2020-2021 https://youtu.be/ZXHPGoGrxG0
Los padres recibirán información sobre el Plan “B” de Instrucción Combinada que se llevara a cabo para el Año Escolar 2020-21
Información de la Academia Virtual: https://youtu.be/Vpg65ZuV1hQ
Los padres de WCPSS se informarán sobre la Academia Virtual de WCPSS y cuál es el proceso para aplicar.
Please use the following links for quick access to information!
Apex High School - Principal Elaine Hofmann
Email: ahofmann@wcpss.net
Website: wcpss.net/apexhs
Location: 1501 Laura Duncan Road, Apex, NC, USA
Phone: (919) 387-2208