YELLOW JACKET NEWS
October 30, 2026
Avondale High School News
ππ HAPPY FRIDAY, YELLOWJACKETS! ππ
We had so much fun as staff dressing up for Halloween! See the staff photos below!
Itβs hard to believe that when our students return on Monday, it will already be November! π
November brings several days off for our students, so be sure to mark your calendars! π
π UPCOMING DAYS OFF
π³οΈ Tuesday, November 3 β No School (Election Day)
πͺ Monday, November 9 β No School (Diwali & Fall Break)
π¦ November 23β27 β Thanksgiving Break
π’ Planning to extend a school break? If your student will be absent before or after any of these scheduled breaks, please leave a message on the attendance line to let us know.
Enjoy the long weekends and upcoming breaks, Avondale Families!
πππ GO JACKETS! πππ
Doug Wilson
High School Principal
248.537.6199
Upcoming Events
AVONDALE HIGH SCHOOL
- October 30: Half Day of School - End of Quarter 1 - Dismissal at 10:33am
November 2: Band Booster Zoom Meeting 7:00pm Hejka's Zoom Link
- November 3: No School for Students - Election Day & Staff Professional Learning
- November 3: Choir Booster Meeting in the High School Choir Room 7:00pm
- November 4: AHS Winter Athletic Parents & Players Meeting in the High School Cafeteria 6:00pm
November 6: ATC Fundraiser - Panda Express (see flyer below)
November 9: No School - Fall Break and Diwali
November 12: Choir Fundraiser _ Panera Bread (see flyer below)
November 14: ATC Bottle Drive - High School Scene Shop from 10:00am-3:00pm
November 17: Listening Session with Mr. Wilson
November 18: ATC Theater Booster Meeting in the High School Black Box 6:30pm
November 23-27: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
December 3: Choir Fundraiser - Qboda (flyer below)
December 12: Gift of Giving Pick-Up 9AM - 3PM
NHS Tutoring
Changes to Work Permits
Changes to the Youth Work Permitting Process - Effective October 2, 2026
A new Michigan law (Public Act 196 of 2024) is changing how work permits for minors are processed. Currently, schools are responsible for issuing and revoking work permits.
However, starting October 2, 2026, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) will take over this responsibility.
Key Changes:
New Online System: Minors and employers must use LEOβs free registration website to apply for and process work permits.
Work Hour Restrictions:
14- and 15-year-olds may only work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. the rest of the year.
During the school year, work is limited to 3 hours per day and 18 hours per week.
When school is not in session, minors may work up to 40 hours per week.
As of Friday, October 2, 2026 AHS will no longer issue work permits.
More details on the new system will be available as the transition approaches. For more information, visit Michigan LEO's website - https://www.michigan.gov/leo
YEARBOOK
Pre-order your Yearbook
Time to order your 2027 Yearbook! Please use the link below!
Class of 2027 - Senior Pictures
SENIOR PICTURES
The deadline for submitting senior pictures is Friday, December 11, 2026. Prestige will be in the building to take senior portraits for the yearbook on September 17 and again in mid-October. If you choose to go into the studio, please have your sitting at least 6 weeks prior to the deadline, thereby allowing enough time to receive your proofs and make your yearbook selection.
You are welcome to patronize the photography studio of your choice; however, Prestige Studios will
deliver your portraits for the yearbook to Avondale High School. If a studio other than Prestige is
chosen, the student, parent/guardian, or studio is responsible for the delivery of your photo to our
yearbook adviser by the due date. Your yearbook photo must meet the following specifications:
Β· Wallet sized, color retouched, portrait
Β· Both eyes must show
Β· Only head and shoulder poses are accepted
Β· Medium blue-gray background
Β· Soft focus is not acceptable
Β· No hats, sleeveless shirts, or side profile pictures
Β· No use of AI to create or edit photos
Β· Deadline is December 11, 2026
PLEASE NOTE: To be included on the Senior Composite, you MUST have your picture taken at
Prestige. You may use your student picture taken at registration as your senior picture for the yearbook (free of charge). If you choose to do this, please dress appropriately and notify the yearbook adviser by December 11, 2026 that you are going to use your ID picture for the yearbook picture.
Parking Permits
Parking permits are required for any students who park in the student parking lot during the school year.
Parking permits MUST be purchased the week of 8/24/26 if students intend to park on the lot.
In order to ensure the school grounds and parking lot are reserved for only students and approved guests, unauthorized vehicles parked in the student lot will be towed at the owner's expense beginning 8/31/26.
Parking permits and information are also available in the main office. Students may purchase parking permits during their lunch or after school.
Avondale 2026-2027 Cell Phone Policy
Your student has had their cell phone confiscated due to having it out during instructional time.
Now What??
Once the phone has been confiscated by a staff member, the phone is turned in to an administrator. The administrator (Howard, Ratliff, or Wilson) will contact the parent or guardian about the phone being confiscated.
DO NOT - Call the main office, wait for the notification from the administrator.
DO NOT - Send your student to the main office. We are unable to get the phone for you.
DO NOT- Drive up to the school to collect the phone prior to receiving a notification from the administrator.
Please take a moment to read the attached document of our Avondale High School Cell Phone Policy.
26-27 AHS Attendance and Credit Determination Policy
Please take a moment to read the detailed attachment regarding our attendance and credit determinations policy.
Medical Information
Student Medication
Michigan law and Department of Education guidelines require schools to follow specific procedures for the safe administration and documentation of student medications. Written parent/guardian authorization and appropriate medical instructions must be maintained by the school when medication is administered during the school day.
At Avondale High School, any medication a student needs during the school day must have the appropriate documentation on file in the Main Office. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications. Families should complete the attached Medication Authorization Form and provide all required information before medication is brought to school.
Effective August, 2026 all medications must be logged in and verified by the student's parent or legal guardian and an Avondale secretary, please contact Mrs. Zaremba to make an appointment.
Jackie Zaremba 248-537-6103
Honor Health Clinic
Did you know that Avondale High School is also the home of Honor Community Health?
Oakland County students and their families rely on Honor Community Health school-based health centers to meet their needs for a wide array of age-appropriate health care services β including primary care, mental and behavioral health, dental care, health education, substance abuse counseling, case management, nutrition education and more.
Primary Care Services:
- Physicals
- Vaccinations
- Immunizations
- Well Child Visits
- Screenings/Tests
- Preventative Care
- Womenβs Health Issues
- Chronic Conditions (including diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure)
Behavioral Health Services:
- Patient Liaison
- Crisis Intervention
- Caseload Consultations
- Health Screen Follow-ups
- Individual and Group Therapy
- Assistance in Integrated Treatment Plans
- Group Classes, Including Girls Only! Group and Others
Please see the attached flyer and waiver to treat if you are interested in your child using this opportunity.
Blessings in a Backpack
Free Weekend Meals for Avondale Kids
Rising food costs can make weekends difficult for many families, and no child should have to worry about being hungry. Blessings in a Backpack helps by sending home a bag of kid-friendly meals and snacks with students each Friday so they have what they need over the weekend. Foods may include things like macaroni and cheese cups, granola bars, fruit cups, or crackers.
This program is offered at no cost to families, and food is distributed discreetly and with care. If this would be helpful for your family, we encourage you to sign up! Just complete the form provided by your childβs school and return it as soon as possible, or use the link below. (Please note any food allergiesβparents are responsible for checking labels when the food comes home.)
Listening Sessions with the Prinicpal
Listening Meeting with the Principal -
Principal Listening Meetings are an informal opportunity for parents and caregivers to connect directly with the principal, ask questions, share feedback, and discuss topics important to the Avondale High School community.
Meetings will take place every third Tuesday of the month, beginning October 20. These conversations are intended to strengthen communication, provide clarity, and ensure families have a consistent opportunity to share their perspectives.
Fundraisers!
OSTC Registration
Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC) is already planning for the 2027-28 school year! Mrs. Jen Samora, OSTC counselor from the Northeast campus, visited AHS on October 27th to introduce 10th grade students to program opportunities available to them next school year through OSTC.
Students who want to see what OSTC is all about with hands-on experience can sign up for a field trip on Wednesday, November 18. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so sign up soon if youβre interested!
OSTC-NE Field Trip Sign-Up. Students must use their Avondale email to submit the form.
Upcoming OSTC-NE Events:
For students and families who would like to learn more about OSTC programs, your attendance is encouraged at one or more of the following events:
- Thursday, November 19, 2026 β 6:00 p.m.: Cosmetology Information Night β For those specifically interested in the Cosmetology program (flyer below)
- Thursday, December 3, 2026 β 4:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.: Career Night / Open House β Meet teachers, tour labs and shops
- Great opportunity if you are not able to attend the field trip!
- Attend a Program Showcase either Wednesday (3:15 p.m. β 5:15 p.m.) or Saturday (9:00 a.m. β 11:00 a.m.) which begin in November (see flyer).
- To register click on the link in the flyer or here: https://www.ostconline.com/northeast/program-showcases
- Another great opportunity if you're not able to attend the field trip!
- Wednesday January 27, 2026 β 6:00 p.m.: OSTC Information Night β General overview of all OSTC programs.
Cosmetology Program Information:
10th graders interested in the Cosmetology program are invited to attend Cosmetology Information Night on Thursday, November 19, at 6:00 p.m. This competitive two-year program begins its enrollment process at this event, and spaces are limited, so early attendance is key. Please remember: Only 10th-grade students are eligible to apply to OSTC's Cosmetology Program.
OSTC 2027-28 Enrollment:
Ready to apply? The online application is now open! Visit the OSTC-NE website to get started.
We hope youβll take advantage of these opportunities to explore OSTCβs programs. Reach out with any questions!
2026-2027 Avondale School District Calendar
As part of our planning for the 2026β27 school year, we are pleased to share a list of tentative district dates to help families and staff begin planning ahead. The list below highlights major dates such as the first and last day of school, holidays, and breaks. We hope this early release will assist with your planning for the upcoming year.
Important dates for the 2026β27 school year:
- November 3, 2026: No School for Students - Staff Professional Learning
- November 9, 2026: No School - Diwali
- November 23-27: No School - Thanksgiving Break
- December 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027: No School - Winter Recess & Christmas Break
- January 18, 2027: No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- January 21 & 22 2027: Half Day of School - End of Quarter 2 & First Semester
- February 10, 2027: Winter Count Day
- February 12-15, 2027: No School - Mid-Winter Break, Presidents Day
- March 10, 2027: No School for Students - Eid al-Fitr & Staff Professional Learning
- March 25, 2027: Half Day of School - End of Quarter 3
- March 26 - April 2, 2027: No School - Spring Break & Good Friday/Easter
- May 7, 2027: No School - Staff Professional Learning
- May 28-31, 2027: No School - Memorial Weekend
- June 10, 2027: Half Day of School
- June 11, 2027: Last Day of School - Half Day for Students - End of Quarter 4 & Second Semester
Please note that the 2026-27 school calendar is not yet complete or finalized. A full calendar, including the testing schedule, curriculum nights, orientations, and other significant dates, will be provided at a later date. For all current calendars, visit www.avondaleschools.org/calendars.
COUNSELING CORNER
AHS Counselors
Last Name
- A - L: Jackie Chavez - jacqueline.chavez-sheridan@avondaleschools.org
- M-Z: Shelby Dallaire - shelby.dallaire@avondaleschools.org
Counseling Secretary: Robin Bovensiep - robin.bovensiep@avondaleschools.org
From the Counselors
As you start planning for life after high school, here are some key resources and opportunities for you:
Utilize the High School's Counseling Website!
1. Scholarships
Check the Scholarships page on the high school counseling website. Itβs updated whenever we get new scholarships.
2. College & Career Rep Visits
Sign up to meet with colleges, trade programs, or the military.
The College/Career Rep Visits Google Form is updated every time a new rep is scheduled.
3. Counseling Calendar
Check the Counseling Google Calendar for events like workshops and info sessions.
4. Applying to Postsecondary Education
Use Parchment to send transcripts. Create your account with your PERSONAL email and LEGAL name.
When sending transcripts now, choose Send Now (not βHold for Gradesβ).
Some Michigan colleges/trade schools will offer application fee waivers in October. More information to follow
5. FAFSA (Financial Aid) & Paying for Post-Secondary
- OU Paying for College Webinar (Virtual): September 22nd, 2026 at 6:00 pm. Presentations cover financial aid, FAFSA, private resources, and more. Register using the link.
FAFSA opens October 1.
OU FAFSA Family Workshop: October 5th at 6:00 pm with OU (parent/caregiver must register).
Visit www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid for state financial aid programs and resources.
Resources are available for DACA/undocumented students too.
6. Letters of Recommendation
Ask, donβt demand. Give teachers/counselors/admins at least 1β2 weeks.
Use the Brag Sheet to help recommenders write a strong letter.
7. Other Opportunities
Interested in a U.S. Military Academy? You need a nomination from your Congressional office. Learn more here: https://stevens.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations
Students with foster care experience, check out Fostering Success Michigan for college support.
Senior Class of 2027
Important Information
Below is all the information that was shared with Class of 2027 Parents and Students. Please reference these attachments for important information. Thank you!