April 2025

As we enter April, I want to commend our students and staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the school year. This month brings continued exciting learning experiences, new extracurricular activities, and a well-deserved break to recharge. I encourage everyone to embrace the energy that this season brings.

I also want to remind everyone that Spring Break will be from April 17 through April 27. This is a wonderful opportunity to rest, spend time with family and friends, and return refreshed for the final stretch of the school year. Whether you’re traveling or simply enjoying the warmer weather, I hope you take full advantage of this time to relax and rejuvenate.

It’s important to maintain open lines of communication. Stay in communication with your student’s teachers and take advantage of opportunities to discuss their progress. Staying connected helps us better support each student on their journey. Let’s make the most of this month and continue striving for excellence together!

Thank you for your partnership in making our school a place of excellence and growth.

Thank you for your support.

Take care,

Michael J. May, Principal

APRIL

4 - Blood Drive

4 - Senior Speaker Auditions

8 - Ohio State Testing for Social Studies (more information to come)

10 - Ohio State Testing for Math (more information to come)

10 - Spring Theater Production (7pm PAC)

11 - Ohio State Testing for Math (more information to come)

11 - Spring Theater Production (7pm PAC)

12 - Spring Theater Production (7pm PAC)

13 - Spring Theater Production (2pm PAC)

14 - PTSA Meeting (6:30 Commons)

17-27 - Spring Break

28 - Classes Resume

30 - Ohio State Testing for Biology (more information to come)

MAY

1 - Ohio State Testing for Biology (more information to come)

2 - Military Signing Day

4 - Recognition of Excellence Banquet (1pm PAC)

6 - Early Release Day

8 - Spring Band Concert (7pm PAC)

9 - Cap and Gown Delivery (during lunch periods)

12 - PTSA Meeting (6:30 Commons)

14 - Spring Orchestra Concert (7pm PAC)

17 - Prom

22 - Scholarship Night (7pm PAC)

23 - Senior Field Day

26 - No School (Memorial Day)

27 - IMMEX/Merples Acapella Concert (7pm)

28 - Senior Final Exams

28 - Baccalaureate (6pm St Joe's)

29 - Senior Final Exams

29 - Row Captain Practice (12pm)

29 - Spring Choral Concert (6:30pm PAC)

30 - Graduation Practice and Senior Breakfast (8am Stadium)

30 - Graduation (6pm Stadium)

To subscribe or view the high school calendar click here

ALUMNI

Click the link here to submit alumni information for your family. May 1st is the Last day to submit Alumni information for inclusion in the graduation program.

COMMENCEMENT TICKETS

If a handicap or wheelchair ticket is needed, seniors should email Mrs. Gannon at amy.gannon@alcsoh.org to request a ticket. Emails must come from the student. Please include the type of ticket needed (handicap or wheelchair) and the name of the person needing the ticket - these seats will be labeled with that person's name. The last day to request Handicap or Wheelchair tickets is May 23rd. We will not have tickets for General Admission seating this year.

All school fees and outstanding lunch balances need to be paid in full in order to purchase a Prom ticket or to walk for Graduation. Senior payment plans must be fulfilled by May 9, 2025. If there is a charge for a missing textbook, calculator, charger or Chromebook and your student has the missing item, please see Mrs. Hout with the item and the fee will be removed. Building administration does not hold the ability to waive fees.

Please contact Laura Hout (laura.hout@alcsoh.org) if you have any questions or concerns.

Parents and Students of the Class of 2025, click HERE for important information regarding Senior Year and Commencement.

BABY PICTURES

Email your baby pictures for the yearbook to Mrs. Rudkin Tori.Rudkin@alcsoh.org.

Avon Lake PTA is now selling Senior Signs.

Each sign is $15 and will be available for pick-up mid-April

Each sign is 18” x 24”, double-sided, and comes with a metal stake.

Order link: https://avonlakehsptsa.memberhub.com/store

If you prefer to write a check, please mail this to: Laura Butler: 240 Ashwood Dr., Avon Lake and include the student’s name and phone number on the check. (Make checks payable to ALHS PTA.)

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Laura Butler at: Lauraloubutler6@gmail.com / 734-812-2243

Underclassmen exam schedule coming soon

For more information on the Guidance Department please click the links below.

Job Posting & Career Information

Naviance

Program of Studies

Guidance Department website

Attention to all parents with students that are planning to attend Prom on May 17th.

Negative lunch balances and all school fees are to be paid in full before your student can purchase Prom tickets. If you feel your family would benefit from a free/reduced application click here: Free & Reduced Application or here for an online application: https://www.payschoolscentral.com/ If you need help or want to make payments towards the balance or have concerns and/or questions concerning your student’s lunch account, please reach out to Andrea.sokolow@alcsoh.org or call 440-930-8215.

Parents of Seniors, Congratulations!

Please help Food Service and the Bursar achieve our goal of having all Senior lunch balances and school fees at ZERO. If you have a positive balance on your lunch account and still owe fees we can transfer those funds for you. Please contact Andrea Sokolow 440-930-8215 or Laura Hout 440-933-6290 Ext.1548 for help. All negative balances must be paid to insure your student will be able to walk in graduation with their classmates. If you have a positive lunch balance left on your account a form will be added to your graduation packet

Food Service is here to help. Please reach out.

Andrea.sokolow@alcsoh.org or call 440-930-8215

Journey with Anastasia Romanov as she embarks on an unforgettable adventure to find her family and uncover her true destiny. Don't miss this magical tale that will leave you believing in the impossible. Get your tickets today and let the legend of Anastasia come to life on stage!

April 10th @ 7pm

April 11th @ 7pm

April 12th @ 7pm

April 13th @ 2pm

April HSPTA meeting date: Monday 4/14 @ 6:30

TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK (May 5-9) - DONATE Today!

Teacher and staff appreciation week will be here before we know it and PTSA hopes to get a jump on planning the festivities before spring break.

If you can help make this a fantastic display of appreciation for our ALHS staff, please consider making a donation to the PTSA. There are over 130 teachers and staff at the High School! Donations are needed by April 17.

Please make any donations through our PTA memberhub givebacks link or email Audra Avarello at ajavarello@hotmail.com to make other arrangements to donate.

Sign up Genius Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CAAA62BA7F85-55883134-alhs

Link to donate CASH: https://avonlakehsptsa.givebacks.com/store/items/1169687

Thank you! ALHS PTA Staff Appreciation Committee

Class of 2025 Yard Signs

For those who pre-ordered senior signs, they will be available in mid-April. Watch your email for the pickup details. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Laura Butler - 734-812-2243, lauraloubutler6@gmail.com"

High School PTA - SEEKING BOARD VOLUNTEERS

Please reach out to any member of the current HSPTA if you are interested in volunteering for the 2025-26 school year. We Need You! The following positions are open:

- Board of Education Delegate: attend the monthly BOE meetings and provide updates during the next PTA meeting

- PTA Council Delegate: attend the quarterly PTA Council meetings and provide updates during the next PTA meeting

- 1x assistance Committees: Scholarship, Staff Appreciation, Conference Dinners

AVON LAKE PTA COUNCIL- SEEKING BOARD VOLUNTEERS

Avon Lake PTA Council is comprised of its own Executive Board which works with representatives from all of the Avon Lake PTA units and the Avon Lake School District to share ideas, help work as a medium to address challenges faced by the units and the district in addition to being a liaison with Ohio and National PTA.

PTA Council is seeking volunteers to serve on its Executive Board for the 2025-2026 school year. Open positions include Treasurer, Secretary, VP Fundraising, VP President-Elect, and Scholarship Chair. Meetings are held roughly 4 times during the school year. The scope of responsibilities is much less time-consuming than at the individual units and our Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent attends our meetings. One requirement to serve is that you must be a member of one of the Avon Lake PTA units.

If you are interested in serving on PTA Council or have questions about positions/responsibilities, please send an e-mail to Audra Avarello at ajavarello@hotmail.com by March 1. Thank you for considering serving on this Board.

More information can be found on our website: https://alcsptacouncil.weebly.com

The Ohio Department of Health requires that *2 doses of MCV4-Meningococcal vaccine be administered before a student enters 12th grade. This vaccine protects against meningitis. You will need to show proof of your current 11th grader having received these vaccines before he or she can return to school in the Fall of 2025. We hope that by sharing this information with you now, you will be able to follow up with your child’s physician to be sure proper vaccines are in place.

If you would like more information on meningitis, please use the following link https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/

*If the first dose of MCV4 was administered on or after the 16th birthday, a second dose is not required. Ohio Revised Code (Section 3313.671) requires “exclusion” on the 15th day of school entrance of all pupils who do not meet the above requirements.

Congratulations to Gavin Andrews!

Gavin Andrews, a 12th-grade student, has earned a National Gold Medal in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for his photograph The Ring. Competing against the best young artists from across the country—including works in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and photography—Gavin’s piece stood out in an exceptionally competitive, juried selection held in New York City.

Out of the entire regional area, including Lorain, Huron, and Erie counties, he was one of only eight students to receive this prestigious national recognition. As a result of this outstanding achievement, Gavin has been invited to Carnegie Hall in June for a national awards ceremony.

Our 3rd Annual Avon Lake HS Band Mattress Fundraiser is Sat. April 12th from 10am-5pm at the high school in the Commons

This is a very important fundraiser for our program. This is a great opportunity for us to raise thousands of dollars in one day!

It is very common for homes to have mattresses that are 20 years old which cause back pain and sleepless nights. I wanted to invite all of you to join us, try out the many top brands we will have and support the band! You will notice that these prices are comparable or lower than mattress stores!

Show this flyer to get 10% off your purchase that day.

The Avon Lake episode of Academic Challenge will air on April 5th at 11:30am on WEWS Channel 5. Nathan Mellinger, Alex Chmiel, and Andrew Cline competed. Trent Waggoner and Jacob Mars attended the taping as alternates

REMINDER: All school fees and Pay to Participate fees (Fall and Winter sports) are in PowerSchool and are past due. Fees must be paid prior to purchasing a ticket to Homecoming ticket, Prom ticket or participating in graduation activities. If you have extenuating circumstances or financial hardships that your family is facing, please let your grade level principal know as soon as possible. To view your student’s fee balance login to your PowerSchool account.

Payment Options

BY MAIL: Check made payable to ALHS can be mailed to : Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012, Attn: Student Fees.

PAYMENT DEPOSITORY: Place payment in an envelope marked "Student Fees" into the Payment Depository located to the right of the Main Office door.

ONLINE: Payments may be made online at www.payschoolscentral.com. The student's ID number is necessary to set up an account. A 3.9% Convenience Fee for all credit card or a $1.75 Flat Fee for all ACH (electronic check) transactions will be charged.

Pay-to-Participate

The fee is $300 per student per year to participate in any sport at the high school. There is a District Family Cap of $400 for families with more than one High School and/or Learwood Middle School student participating in sports. More information on Pay to Participate can be found on the athletics homepage of the website. www.avonlakesports.com

If there are any questions or concerns regarding your school fee balance please contact Laura Hout (Laura.Hout@alcsoh.org) or 440-933-6290 x 1548.

Lunch Account

If there are any questions regarding your lunch account please contact Andrea Sokolow (andrea.sokolow@alcsoh.org) or 440-933-6210 x 1522.

Beginning January 21, 2025, Avon Lake High School is implementing a biometric ID management system in an effort to provide accurate student identification and improve efficiency within attendance reporting for our students. There are other high schools in the area which utilize this system. We will be implementing this new ID management system to improve accountability and accuracy of student attendance records. This technology will help us reduce the costs and time required in managing this process while providing an easy, fast and accurate way to identify students. Students will be informed during their lunch periods over the next several school days.

Please read the informational letter below by clicking on "Identimetrics Parent Communication Letter."

Please note that the striped areas the parking lots are designated bus loading/unloading zones. For safety reasons we request you do not park in the striped areas.

The Spectrum

JVS Announcements

Students who need a work permit please click the link here for instructions and forms.

Email: erica.petras@alcsoh.org

Commons Doors Open At 7:00AM

Interior Doors Open At 7:30AM

Main Office Hours

7:15AM - 3:30PM

Website: https://www.avonlakecityschools.org/highschool

Location: 175 Avon Belden Road, Avon Lake, OH, USA
Phone: 440-933-6290