AVHS Update
Sunday, April 18
Message from the Principal
Dear AVHS Parents and Guardians,
Apple Valley High School and other District 196 secondary schools will increase to four days of in-person learning beginning Tuesday, April 20. Monday, April 19 will become a transition day for staff, with no school for students in grades 9-12. Please note the following information to better understand what this means for in-person learners as well as students who are a part of the digital academy:
- Students will attend (in-person & zoom) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
- Wednesdays will continue to be distance learning days, with opportunities for some in-person support and enrichment for students.
- The bell schedule does not change from the current schedule (see below).
- Social distancing in classrooms will be reduced from 6 feet to a minimum of 3 feet between students which will likely result in additional quarantines.
- The close contact definition does not change (less than 6 feet for 15 minutes or more).
- Learning outcomes/expectations should not shift up or double with this model change.
- Our instructional model is still a “distance-driven with in-person opportunities”.
- We will continue to emphasize the importance of daily attendance for all students.
- Students who cannot attend synchronous learning should be able to access all content through Schoology and have the ability to achieve the same learning outcomes.
- Teachers will review expectations with students on Zoom for participating each day.
- The Digital Academy (full-time distance learning) continues to be an option for the rest of this school year.
- Please call 952-431-8218 to request that your student be added to the digital academy or to request being placed on the waitlist to return to in-person learning.
Take care. Be well. Go Eagles!
Drew Mons
Principal
(952) 431-8788
Resources for Talking with Students
We are aware of planned protests that are scheduled to take place across the state tomorrow. The Minnesota School Walkout is a student-planned event that calls for students to walk out of school from 1 pm to 1:47 pm on Monday, April 19th. Due to the district-designated planning day for tomorrow, AVHS students will not be attending school. AVHS supports the role of protests in society to create change and also respects the rights of those who choose not to participate.
We are always here to provide care, compassion, support and to help our students process their emotions. The AVHS Support Team collaborates with community members to provide social-emotional support in partnership with AVHS Counselors, our Family Support Worker, and other Twin Cities-based programs and practitioners. We invite you to request a Circle of Support or a Check-In by completing THIS FORM. Our team will review your request and contact you to explore options and available resources.
We also encourage families to talk with their students to help them process by using some of the following resources:
- How to Talk About Traumatic Events and Tragedies (MDE)
- Helping Youth after Community Trauma (NCTSN)
- Cultural Responsiveness to Racial Trauma (NCTSN)
- Rx Racial Healing (Dr. Gail Christopher; TEXxCharlottesville)
- Chauvin Trial Updates from the Star Tribune
Spring Credit Recovery Begins TUESDAY, April 20
It’s Spring Credit Recovery Time! More than 75 students were able to earn credit by demonstrating their learning during the Winter Session in February. In most cases, students only needed to complete one or two units of study instead of starting over at step one. Don't miss the opportunity to complete missed courses now rather than waiting until this summer.
WHEN? April 20, 22, 27, 28, 29 will be in-person sessions available from 1:40-3:30 (stay until 5 pm and complete more work and hop on the activity bus home)
WHERE? AVHS with your credit recovery teacher. We know it is more successful when you have someone there helping, guiding, and motivating.
HOW DO I SIGN UP? Click here
Please contact Jennie Moren with any questions or concerns (Jennifer.moren@district196.org or 952-431-8213)
Changes to 7-Day Meal Kits
Prom 2021
The following message was posted to the Senior Class Schoology page on the afternoon of Friday, April 16:
"Mark the date in your calendars for a celebratory Prom event on Saturday, May 15, 2021!
We all know that Prom 2021 will need to look different than traditional Prom. The current health guidelines around distancing do not allow for either a traditional dinner or a traditional dance. No high schools in District 196 are hosting dinners or dances. With that in mind, we set out to create an opportunity that would allow for the Class of 2021 to celebrate and be together, and to bring some positivity to a year in which we know it's been lacking.
We value the input that we've received from many seniors as we've discussed the pros and cons of various Prom events. "Prom" 2021 will be "A Night At the Movies!" The senior class is invited to AVHS on Saturday, May 15 at 7 pm to socialize together and watch a movie in an appropriately distanced, big-screen setting. This event will allow for the entire class to be together and does not require you to buy formalwear. We will decorate for the celebration and look to create a "red-carpet" atmosphere with opportunities for pictures and other ways to commemorate the event.
To comply with public health guidelines, members of the Class of 2021 will register for the event in pods of two to six students. Each pod of students will have their own space, and in order to minimize the possibility of viral transmission, students will need to stay with their pod throughout the night. Additionally, to keep the event manageable, only members of the AVHS Class of 2021 will be allowed to attend. The cost of the event will be $5 per student.
Keep your attention on this Schoology Class page in the next weeks for information on how to register for the event as well as a poll to determine the movie we will show.
We are excited to see all of you at "A Night At the Movies" on May 15!"
Senior Information
Senior Yard Signs Available
The Senior Party Committee is selling yard signs to celebrate the Class of 2021. 'Proud of our Senior' and 'Proud Grandparent' signs still available. Click the button below to order a Senior Yard Sign.
Graduation 2021
The plan is to hold our graduation ceremony at Mariucci Arena on the U of MN campus on Saturday, June 5 at 1 pm. The ceremony will be held if public health guidelines permit.Graduation cap, gown and tassel:
- Click HERE to verify whether you ordered a cap and gown.
- The order form is now closed. If you did not order your cap and gown, please contact Ms. Yermishkin at susan.yermishkin@district196.org
- There is NO COST for this order
- Email confirmations were sent after form is submitted
- Information is private and will not be shared
The Senior Party Planning Committee is now accepting registrations for the all-night party planned for June 5 - 6. For more information about the senior party, please visit the Senior Information Page of the AVHS website. (Found under "Families").
MCA Testing on Wednesdays in April
AVHS would like ALL families in grade 10 and 11 to RSVP with their plans for MCA Testing on upcoming Wednesdays. If you have a student in Grade 10 please RSVP TODAY.
MCA testing will start at 9:45 on the following days. Students will need to bring their school iPad and a wired pair of headphones (if they want questions read aloud to them.)
MCA Science (Grade 10): Wednesday, April 28
District 196 Yard Signs Available
Reserve Your Free ISD 196 Yard Sign!
If you have been looking for a way to show support to our hard-working teachers and staff, now is your chance! Please join The District 196 Foundation in spreading gratitude throughout the district by displaying a (free!) yard sign.
Complete this form to reserve your sign. You will receive a follow-up email with information on where and when to pick up your sign. Sign quantity is limited; signs will be distributed according to order of response.
Thank you for helping us recognize teachers and staff this spring!
COVID-19 Notification
If you or a household member develops COVID-19 symptoms, stay at home, contact your physician and call our school nurse, Lori Henke, at 952-431-8220. Contact our School Nurse, Lori Henke, at 952-431-8220 or by email at lori.henke@district196.org
Resource: Vaccines for 16 - and 17-year olds
The Minnesota Department of Health has created a resource with information about COVID-19 vaccines for 16- and 17-year-olds.
At this time, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been studied and authorized for use by 16 and 17 year olds. Data from Pfizer vaccine studies show the vaccine is safe and effective for this age group. Other vaccine manufacturers are also studying their vaccines in younger age groups but have not yet received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Student Conference: Student Planned. Student Led.
Building on the momentum of the Reimagine Minnesota's "The Student Conference," this conference is also student-planned and student-led. We want to hear students' voices. If it’s about you, it must include you! The planning of our student conference is ongoing, but students will explore and will respond to the following challenges: curriculum; school climate and culture; college and career opportunities; technology; health and wellness; leadership, teachers and staff; athletics and the arts, and more!
Open Spark Technology Competition Conference
Wednesday, April 21 2 – 4pm.
Registration link:
USDA Approves Additional Nutrition Benefits
Families in our district who qualify for free or reduced-price meals are now eligible for additional emergency nutritional benefits offered from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
If you have already qualified for free or reduced-price meals earlier this school year, you don’t need to do anything because your family will automatically receive these new benefits.
Who Do I Go To For Help?
Technology. Click here for AVHS Tech Help. The AVHS Tech Help page is for parents and students and is for issues with Schoology, Campus, iPads, internet support, and more.
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.
Text Message Updates
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.
Apple Valley High School
Website: avhs.district196.org
Location: 14450 Hayes Road, Apple Valley, MN, USA
Phone: 952-431-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avhsscholar
Twitter: @avhsacademics