December 2025
Dear Students, Families, and Staff,
As December arrives, so does the unmistakable chill of winter here in Ohio. The frosty mornings, shorter days, and occasional snowflakes remind us that the season of warm coats, hot cocoa, and holiday lights is officially upon us.
Even as the temperatures drop, our school remains full of energy, learning, and connection. December is a unique time in our academic calendar, it’s a month that requires focus and determination, but it also offers moments of celebration, reflection, and community spirit.
I encourage everyone to stay engaged and finish the calendar year strong. Whether it’s through classroom projects, concerts, athletic events, theatrical events, arts projects, or acts of kindness, there are countless ways to stay involved and make a positive impact. Let’s continue to support one another and maintain the momentum we’ve built since the first day of school.
As we look forward to the well-deserved holiday break, may we also take time to appreciate the people around us and the many reasons we have to be grateful. I am proud of the dedication and resilience shown by our students and staff, and I’m confident that we’ll carry that same spirit into the new year.
Last, the 2026 Commencement will remain the same as indicated on the 2025-2026 calendar.
Stay warm, stay focused, and stay connected.
Regards,
Michael J. May
Principal
DECEMBER
1 - Classes Resume
4 - Fall Theater Production (7pm PAC)
5 - Fall Theater Production (7pm PAC)
6 - Fall Theater Production (7pm PAC)
7 - Fall Theater Production (2pm PAC)
10 - ALHS/Learwood Holiday Band Concert (7pm PAC)
11 - ALHS/Learwood Holiday Orchestra Concert (7pm PAC)
14 - IMMIX and Merples Holiday Concert (2pm PAC)
18 - ALHS Choral Holiday Concert (Portion A: 6:30pm PAC) (Portion B: 7:30pm PAC) More information below in the newsletter.
22-Jan 4 - Winter Break
JANUARY
5 - Classes Resume
6 - CC+ Information Night (6pm PAC)
12 - PTSA Meeting (6:30 Commons)
14 - Midterms (periods 1, 3, 7)
15 - Midterms (periods 8, 2, 6)
16 - Midterms (periods 4, 5)
16 - End of 2nd Quarter/End of 1st Semester
19 - No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
29 - Sophomore Career Day @ JVS
To subscribe or view the high school calendar click here
Class of 2026 Information
Parents and Students of the Class of 2025, click BELOW for important information regarding Senior Year and Commencement.
SENIOR SIGNS
Avon Lake PTA will be selling Senior Signs again this year.
Sales will begin on January 1st and end March 31st.
Each sign will be $15 and will be available for pick-up around mid-April.
Each sign is 18” x 24”, double-sided, and comes with a metal stake.
If you have any questions or need more information, don't hesitate to get in touch with Laura Butler at: Lauraloubutler6@gmail.com / 734-812-2243
Guidance Department Updates
December 2-9th: Ohio State Test (OST) Fall Administration. This is only for specific students that have been notified via email. Please reach out to assigned school counselor with any questions.
For more information on the Guidance Department please click the links below.
Need a little extra help with math? Visit the Math Lab!
Our Math Lab is open every day during students' lunch period study halls. Students are able to get support for their math class. Whether you need to review for a test, you are stuck on a homework problem, or you simply want to build your confidence, the Math Lab is the perfect place to ask questions and get the help you need. Get a pass from your math teacher or your study hall teacher in order to take advantage of this great resource.
Your Marching Shoremen will host their annual Combined Holiday Concert with the Learwood 7th- and 8th-grade bands on December 10 at 7 p.m. Admission is free, and everyone is invited! After the concert, stop by the Commons for refreshments and special performances by the ALHS and Learwood Jazz Bands.
The holiday fun doesn’t stop there! On December 14 at 2 p.m., many Shoremen—along with musicians from across the area—will take the stage at the Lorain Palace for the 52nd annual TubaChristmas performance. Don’t miss this classic community tradition!
Information for both of these are on the websites below
https://avonlakeband.weebly.com/
Drama Club News
Six suspects. One mansion. Zero alibis. Can you solve the Clue?
Join the ALHS Drama Club for their Fall Production of Clue
THE STORY: It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’ve been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is, well, dead. So whodunit? Join the iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock, and Mustard as they race to find the murderer in Boddy Manor before the body count stacks up. Based on the cult classic film and the popular board game, Clue is a madcap comedy that will keep you guessing until the final twist.
Show Times - click HERE to purchase tickets
Thurs, Dec 4th - 7pm
Fri, Dec 5th - 7pm
Sat, Dec 6th - 7pm
Sun, Dec 7th - 2pm
ALHS Celebrates our National Merit Scholars
ALHS National Merit scholars were honored at the end of October at the annual Breakfast Celebration which took place in The L.A.K.E. Recognized were National Merit Semi-Finalist Andrew Cline, and National Merit Commended Scholars Kylen Elzeer, Macario Mendoza, and Daniel Jones. Congratulations to the 2026 National Merit scholars and their families for their high academic achievement!
Academic Challenge Team Makes TV Appearance
On Saturday, January 3rd, the Avon Lake Academic Challenge team will compete on the Nordson Academic Challenge show on WEWS Channel 5 at 11:30am. They'll play against Lawrence School and Geneva High School. Tune in to see how the team did!
Pictured:
standing l-r: Trent Waggoner, Nathan Mellinger, Ben Mars
seated l-r: Kyle Robert-Atsu, captain Andrew Cline, Jacob Mars
School Fees
School Fees for the 2025-2026 school year will be added to Power School at the start of this month. Parent will receive an invoice via email once they have been added. If you have any extenuating circumstances or financial hardships that your family is facing, please let your grade level principal know as soon as possible.
*If your student was charged for a missing textbook, library book, Chromebook, Chromebook charger or a missing calculator and they have the missing item, please return to Mrs. Hout in the Main office and the fee will be removed.
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.
LUNCH ACCOUNT - If there are any questions regarding your lunch account please contact Andrea Sokolow (www.andrea.sokolow@alcsoh.org) or 440-933-6210 x 1522.
News from the Nurse
*Reminder parents/guardians of 12th grade students*
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. 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. If you have not done so already, please send in a copy of your child’s immunizations which show that they have received these vaccines. A copy can also be emailed to: Debra.Valadez@alcsoh.org
If you would like more information on meningitis, please use the following link https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/
*If you choose to not have your child vaccinated, a waiver form must be completed and be on file. You can print out a waiver form by going to www.avonlakecityschools.org Click “District” on the top menu, select Health news, scroll down under School Medical Forms for the immunization wavier form.
