The APHS Look AHEAD
Dear APHS Students, Parents and Guardians,
Spring is in full bloom and we have reached the final ten weeks of the 2020-2021 school year! It's been a very unique year, to say the least, but I am happy to report that we are poised to end on a solid foot. Virtual and remote Instruction, along with a hybrid in-person model, presented many new challenges to both our students and our teachers when it came to the teaching and learning process. The good news is that we have continued to grow together, adapt, and improve our practices on all ends. As we head into the 4th quarter, we have collectively reduced the number of students who are failing one or more classes by over 50% as compared to our first quarter. This is a success we ALL share!
During the last two months of the year, please be sure to keep the focus on finishing strong. If you have questions about how a student is doing, don't hesitate to actively reach out to our teachers and/or counselors for assistance. We know that the past year has been a struggle for many, so please also remember that we are here to support students who may be facing emotional challenges, as well. Let's remember that we are in this together, and need to work together, to take good care of the needs of each and every one of our students.
In the weeks to come, please watch your email and social media for continued updates and announcements related to end-of-the-year activities and events, including our graduation for the APHS Class of 2021. This has been a challenging topic, as guidelines and regulations change faster than ever. I will be actively staying in touch as we iron out solid solutions to each event. You will note at the end of this edition, we have shared some dates for events we already have on the books.
Finally, each month I share a calendar from Action for Happiness. This month's theme is all about reflecting on what gives our life meaning. Being a part of something bigger than ourselves and focusing on things that we value is key to our wellbeing. So let's take time to reflect on what we care about this month and keep these things at the front of our minds as our societies begin to open up again. Here is your Meaningful May Calendar. https://www.actionforhappiness.org/meaningful-may
Serving every student every day,
The APHS Building Leadership Team
-Mr. Heath Quiles, High School Principal (quilesh@apcsd.org)
-Mrs. Rebecca Leach, Assistant Principal (leachr@apcsd.org)
#AP_EveryStudentEveryDay
"Creating passionate learners who contribute positively to their community and the world."
Students Earn Academic Excellence Award
Congratulations to seniors Roy Jacobson III, Fiona Carroll, Kendall Dollard, Benjamin Campbell, Emma Burdick and Mackenzie Rockwell (not pictured) for earning the New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence Award this year! The scholarship is awarded to the top students graduating from a NYS High School and is based on class rank for the 2020-21 school year.
Delivering Backpacks to those in need
Every week students from S.A.G.E.S. and AP Connections, pack and deliver backpacks for students in need. Recently, students were escorted by SRO Deputy Brian Nikles. They also got to visit a couple of virtual friends along the way. Several of these students haven't seen each other, in-person, in over a year. Smiles all around!
News from the Counseling Center
*Attention Seniors:
A Google Form will be sent out to your school email address the first week of May. This form will be used to send your final transcripts to colleges, etc. after graduation. As soon as you know what your post high plans are, please fill out this form. The form must be filled out in order for us to process your request. Final transcripts for all graduates will be ready to send out approximately July 15th.
*Working Papers:
Nice weather is coming and many of you will be thinking of a Summer Job which means you will need to obtain working papers. Please print out the application and form AT-16 at https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/working-papers . Once all forms are completed and the physical form AT-16 is signed by a medical professional, you will need to bring all originals, and a copy of the form of ID you will be providing to process the application, to the Counseling Center. If you would like to email all documents you may do so and if all is in order they will be processed and you will be contacted to make arrangements to come pick them up and bring the originals with you at that time. Carneyj@apcsd.org
*A message from Hudson Valley Community College:
The list of the Summer Online Course Offerings is now live on our website. We are happy to share that the college is awarding scholarships to all students in College in the High School sections for Summer 2021!
A student will be considered enrolled upon submission of a Registration Form with a certificate of residence or if a certificate of residence has been submitted within the last calendar year. If a valid certificate of residence is on file or is submitted with an SRI, the course will not drop for non-payment on the tuition due date. Students should review the Summer 2021 Registration Calendar for deadlines pertaining to drops and refunds.
We are hoping to resume some in person summer courses for all area rising high school junior and seniors at Troy Middle School this year.
*College Planning:
The Counseling Center receives information regarding financial aid, invitations to events on campuses, scholarships, etc. This information can be found in the Counseling Center or on Naviance. Naviance is a College & Career software program available that the students have been introduced to and encouraged to use.
Please check Naviance often for Scholarships being added including local scholarships being offered to Averill Park High School Seniors, including The Poestenkill Library/Clement Memorial Scholarship, Dunham Hollow West Stephentown Scholarship, The Deputy Frank J. O’Brien Memorial Scholarship offered by the Rensselaer County Deputy Sheriff’s P.B.A. and the Jack Stewart and Ann Collins Memorial Scholarship offered by the Rensselaer Elks Lodge 2073. Deadlines are posted for each scholarship.
COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS:
SAT I & II:
May 8, 2021 (Registration deadline is April 3)
June 5, 2021 (Registration deadline May 6)
ACT:
June 12, 20201 (Registration deadline is May 7)
Students with disabilities who wish to apply for accommodations on college placement testing should pick up an information sheet in the counseling center or refer to the website for the test they wish to take. Decisions regarding accommodations for College Board and ACT testing rest with the testing company.
News from the Health Office
E-mails via Schooltool went out to those families on April 21st of those who have a 9th and 11th grader that are still in need of sending in their child's physical to meet NYS requirements. Please check your spam folder or reach out to Mrs. Miller via email at millerv@apcsd.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Dear parent/guardian:
You are receiving this because there is no update physical on file for your 9th and/or 11th grader
State law requires your child to have a physical examination because he or she either entered school within our District for the first time this year or they are in kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, or 11th grade. 8 NYCRR 136.3(b)(1). The District previously requested you have your own health care provider conduct this evaluation but our health office has yet to receive a completed health certificate. The physical must have been performed after September 1, 2019. This is a requirement for all students if they are in person or virtual.
A physical exam is mandatory because the District must: (1) appropriately assess the student's current health status; (2) determine the student is free from contagious diseases and fit to participate in all aspects of school programming; (3) identify any need for the District to modify its programming in consideration of your child's health needs; and (4) secure any necessary health care supports within the school environment.
Please submit a copy of a physical exam completed by your child's health care provider by May 10th, 2021
Quarantine Information:
The school district works in conjunction with the Department of Health for contact tracing when there is a school exposure this is the process:
* Parents who have children that are identified as a direct contact will be notified by the district.
* Parents will receive an email with instructions on what to do daily for 14 days as well as the official quarantine notification from the Department of Health.
* Parents will receive a daily text message with the Quarantine Questionnaire for the full 14 days to monitor symptoms per the Department of Health Guidelines. This is in addition to the daily questionnaire that must also be answered.
* If you have any questions please contact your building nurse and they can help you.
The Department of Health had changed their quarantine guidelines:
- a negative test does NOT release you from quarantine.
- It is essential to wait 10 days full days to make sure that no infection appears, even if you have no symptoms, before being released from quarantine.
- Quarantine should last 10 days from the last exposure to a person with known COVID-19.
- In addition, you will continue to monitor yourself for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 for up to 14 days after that last exposure.
- If you exhibit any one symptom during the quarantine period your quarantine will be extended for the full 14 days- (this is a Department of Health requirement)
ILLNESS:
Parents/families need to continue to follow the illness guidelines that have been put in place by NYSDOH.
* Your child must stay home if they have any ONE symptom that is outlined in the COVID toolkit.
* You must have your child evaluated by their medical provider and have a doctor's note or a negative COVID test- This MUST be submitted to the building nurse prior to the student entering the building.
* Your child must stay home if anyone in the home is waiting for test results. Please discuss with your building nurse if there are any questions or see the previous guidance the district sent out about routine testing for employment or college-age children.
Visitors at the High School
For the safety and wellbeing of everyone, visitors will not be permitted inside of the high school during the academic day, when school is in session.
Parents wishing to pick up students, or drop off items for students, should use the intercom at the main entrance of the building. Our staff in the main office will guide you through the appropriate procedures.
Meetings between parents and staff will be expected to be conducted in a virtual format. In cases where a face-to-face meeting may be required, staff will need the permission of the building principal.
Visitors approved to enter the building, by the principal, will complete a health screening, have their temperature taken, and will wear a mask.
IMPORTANT LINKS TO CALENDARS AND SCHEDULES
The APCSD District Calendar for 20-21:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jt88sLKd7FM8YcCvSvaO_c_jzl9rvLaf/view?usp=sharing
This is a fixed schedule, and will not change based on snow days.
Marking Periods/Grade Reporting at the HS for the 20-21 School Year:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F42UlhjAEOfnCx2qgrwEZ1r9ceMhiLkT2bEAhpIAQHQ/edit?usp=sharing
Our Daily Bell Schedule for 20-21:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1choS5fPUhRfBX03ChMuUtGkLvjlZ2kvpIQ4ZEBXbZV4/edit?usp=sharing
*Please note, students are expected to arrive to school by 7:30 am.
Averill Park High School
Email: quilesh@apcsd.org
Website: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/
Location: 146 Gettle Road, Averill Park, NY, USA
Phone: 518-674-7000
Twitter: @APHS_Leaders