AHS August Family Newsletter

Hello, AHS Families!

I hope you’re enjoying these summer days and making wonderful memories with friends and family. While we still have a little sunshine left, the countdown to an exciting new school year is officially on. We can’t wait to get started!

This message is your one-stop shop for everything related to the 2025–2026 school year. Click the red boxes with white text to find exactly what you need. We’ve gone fully digital, so there are no paper packets—everything is right here at your fingertips.

Our monthly newsletters, sent through School Status Connect, will keep you informed all year with key updates, event info, and celebrations of student achievements. We keep emails to a minimum by including the big details in these newsletters, but if something urgent comes up, we will send it through School Status Connect.

Mark your calendars for Welcome Back Day on Thursday, August 28th, from 12:00–6:00 p.m. Students can check schedules, meet teachers, ask questions, and complete any necessary paperwork so they are ready to hit the ground running on the first day of school.

The first day of school for ALL students is Tuesday, September 2nd, from 8:20 a.m.–3:35 p.m. Our halls will be buzzing again with the energy only high school can bring. We are ready for the learning, growth, and big moments ahead, and we can’t wait to see every student back where they belong, here at AHS.

Until then, enjoy the last weeks of summer. Rest, recharge, and get ready to make the 2025–2026 our best year yet. See you soon!

Best,

Becky Bauer

Principal

Please be aware that the road in front of the AHS building, 7th Street W., is under construction and parking availability changes daily. We will provide another update on parking closer to the Welcome Back Day.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to finalize schedules for the upcoming school year. Our team has been working closely with Skyward throughout the summer to address some challenges that have slowed the completion of the Master Schedule.

When reviewing a schedule, make sure there is a class listed for every period. For 4th period specifically, you should see both a class and a lunch. If those are both in place, you can disregard any “conflict” or “open period” indicator you might see for that block.

To help with any needed adjustments, we’ve set aside dedicated times for schedule changes. Please come prepared with multiple course options in case some classes are already full. You can review available courses in our Academic & Career Planning Resource Guide on the School Counseling website.

Schedule Change Support:

• Monday, August 18 – One counselor & support staff available | 8:00 AM–3:00 PM

• Tuesday, August 19 – Both counselors available | 8:00 AM–3:00 PM

• Wednesday, August 20 – Both counselors available | 12:30 PM–3:30 PM

• Friday, August 22 – One counselor available for Fall Start College Now & Early College Credit Program changes | 8:00 AM–3:00 PM

When you arrive, please enter through the H1 front doors and proceed to the Counseling Office. Support will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, so there may be a short wait—thank you in advance for your patience.

We know how important it is to start the school year feeling confident about your schedule, and we’re looking forward to working with each of you to make sure you’re set up for success.

Skyward is our student management system. This is where you can find all of your student's information regarding attendance, grades, schedule, etc... If you have not done so already, please log in and complete the registration process. This needs to be done each year to ensure we have the most up-to-date information.

8/28- Freshman Orientation 8:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (see info below)

8/28- Welcome Back Day 12:00-6:00 p.m. (all students & families)

9/1- No School - Labor Day

9/2- First Day of School (all students)

9/9- Picture Day

9/26- No School - Staff In-service

We ask that all families update their online information each year to help us better serve your child. Previously, we had a number of required paper forms that needed to be signed by families, but we have conveniently put those all online for you to access and complete. Only families listed as "primary" in our system need to complete annual registration. All families may update contact information and emergency contacts as well. Although we have upgraded to a new Family Access, your previous username and password should work to log in. Use the "forgot password" link if you have trouble logging in.

We have created some instructions to help you get started: Registration Instructions.

Please complete the steps for online registration prior to August 30th.

We are looking forward to meeting the Class of 2029 during Freshman Orientation on Thursday, August 28th from 8:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

8:15 a.m. - Freshman orientation begins (students should meet in the AHS gym)

8:20 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. - Get to know you activities, walk through schedules, meet their teachers, learn about AHS activities, Q/A session, and lunch.

Other important information about Freshman Orientation:

• If your student buses to/from school, Student Transit will pick up students at their scheduled time (morning) and will bring students back home after the 12:00 p.m. dismissal.

• Students can bring lunch or purchase one from school. Families can add money to lunch accounts online, drop off a check at the AHS office, or stop by the Food Service office from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. during Welcome Back Day. Please note that you do not have to have money in your account prior to orientation.

• Students will be receiving their Chromebook during orientation. Students should bring their backpack to carry it home.

• All incoming 9th grade students will be assigned a locker.
  

• Students do not need to bring all of their supplies unless they want to store them in their locker. Teachers will collect classroom supplies on the first day of school.

*Following dismissal, parents and students can participate in Welcome Back Day. Welcome Back Day is from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. During this time, students and families can connect with teachers, learn about activities and athletics, receive support with the registration process, connect with family resources, and ask questions.

A message will be sent to 9th grade students and families late August with more detailed information.

School Devices:

• Students should bring fully charged devices to school on September 2nd. As a reminder, district devices should only be used for learning. Devices will not connect to the internet from 12 a.m. - 4 a.m.

• Cell phones will need to be kept in backpacks or lockers during class time which allows students to focus on learning. Cell phones may be used before school, during passing times and lunch, and after school.

• All incoming 9th graders will be assigned lockers. Any sophomores through seniors who want a locker can get one on Welcome Back Day or during the first week of school by stopping in the office.
  

• The AHS office will be open from 7:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. beginning August 12th. Please contact Liz McDowell at emcdowell@altoona.k12.wi.us or Tess Ginder at tginder@altoona.k12.wi.us if you have questions or need something before then.

All students need to have their picture taken on Tuesday, Sept. 9th so they can get a student ID.

Strawbridge Studios will be taking Fall Photos on 9/9/2025. At this time, purchasing photos are by pre-ordering only. The website for ordering pictures is Strawbridge.net and the code is FM479575

. Packages purchased as “pre-pay ordering” to allow for the cheapest prices available (meaning you purchase prior to viewing). If you wish to pay by cash or check, you can do so on picture day using the paper order forms available at the school. You can order from now until 9/14/2025 for free shipping. After 9/14/2025 the above code will no longer be valid. You will need to wait for your student's personalized code to be issued with the distribution of proofs and packages to continue ordering. At this time, you will incur a $7 shipping fee.

Please note, to help avoid your order being lost or unfulfilled, place one order for all students in the same family that attend the same school, but separate orders for students in the same family that attend different schools using each schools individual ordering code. Strawbridge Studios is 100% satisfaction guaranteed; if you do not like your child's picture you can have a retake at no additional charge.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to either Customer Service at (866) 624-6229, by email at cservice@Strawbridge.net or by using the chat feature on Strawbridge.net or by contacting your local representative Tracy Cochran, Territory Manager at tracy.cochran@strawbridge.net.

A parent note or phone call is required when a student is absent from school. If your student is going to be absent, please call the activity/absentee hotline number 715-839-6095.

When a student turns 18, they must have a signed form on file allowing them to sign themselves out of school or call themselves in sick. Once the note is turned in to the office and approved by the principal, the student will be able to call in their own absences or leave school for appointment on their own. Attendance will be monitored and parents will be informed if attendance becomes a problem.

We want our schools to be an open and welcoming places for our families, volunteers, and the community. At the same time, it is important that they are safe and secure places for our students and staff.

Visitors to our schools are asked to please call ahead to set up an appointment with the staff member you are visiting. Unannounced requests often are not possible due to staff schedules.

Food Service Information

Students will be permitted to purchase meals from the District’s food service program using either cash on hand or a food service account. USDA regulations allow students other than those who qualify for free meals to be denied a meal if their account balance is negative. In the School District of Altoona, students will not be denied a meal because of a negative account balance, however, they will not be allowed to charge a la carte items, extra entrees, or extra milk.

The following reasonable efforts will be made by the School District of Altoona to keep parent(s)/guardian(s) informed regarding their family meal account; however, it is ultimately the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) to maintain a positive balance in their account so that the district can provide meals to their children.

1. Weekly notifications will be sent on Mondays when a family meal account balance falls between $0.01 and $10.00.

2. Daily notifications will be sent when a family meal account balance is in the negative.

The School District of Altoona will make a reasonable effort to collect all food service charges to the District. Uncollected food service balances that are delinquent may be pursued through legal means including, but not limited to, referring the matter to a collection agency.

District Policy 763

District Rule 763

Hello!

I would like to take a moment to formally introduce myself. My name is Brittany Engel, and I am proud to serve as the School Nurse for the School District of Altoona.

I have been a nurse for the last 11 years and have had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including long -term skilled nursing, urgent care, wound care, pain management, behavioral health, and even heart surgery. For the past three school years, I have had the privilege of caring for the students of Altoona School District, and I’m excited to continue that role in the upcoming school year.

As we prepare for another great school year, I want to share some important information with you. I’ve created a School Nurse page on the School District of Altoona website, which can be found by navigating to the “Parents” section and selecting “School Nurse: from the dropdown menu.

On this page, you’ll find:

• My contact information
• Health related resources and printable documents-to help us communicate effectively about your student(s) health needs

In the Health Room Documents section, you’ll find forms including:

• Allergy Action Plan (Food and Non-food)
• Asthma Action Plan
• Diabetes Management Plan
• Immunization Information
• Medication Forms
• Physical Education Forms
• Seizure Action Plan

These forms are designed to capture important information regarding your child’s health needs.

Please note that these must be updated annually, and some do require a doctors signature.

Forms will only be accepted once all required signatures are provided.

IMPORTANT: The School District of Altoona will only accept our districts official medical forms.

We cannot accept forms from other districts (e.g., Eau Claire School District).

If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance at any time, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My phone number is: 715-514-3444 and my email address is: bengel@altoona.k12.wi.us

I look forward to working with you and supporting your student(s) this school

year. Let’s make it a great one!

Warmly,

Nurse Britt

Our counselors have set aside Wednesday Aug. 27th from 8:00 am -3:00 pm to meet with new students and their families. You can schedule an appointment with your child’s counselor located here:

Heather Burich Holle
9th-10th Grade School Counselor

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION APPTS

715-838-4379

hholle@altoona.k12.wi.us

Kyle Dachel

11th-12th Grade School Counselor

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION APPTS

715-838-4378

kdachel@altoona.k12.wi.us

When you arrive, please enter through the H1 front doors and proceed to the Counseling Office. Also, please bring your transcript from your former school if applicable and be prepared to talk about the courses that you will be taking at Altoona High School. Here is a link to our Academic and Career Planning Resource Guide. If you are unable to meet in person, we can set up a google meet. Please email your counselor directly if you need to to set this up.

Mr. Dachel will be holding a Senior Planning Conference presentation in the Auditorium during Rail Time in the first few weeks of the school year. The purpose of this presentation is to educate and prepare seniors for a successful final year of high school.

Topics will include:

• Graduation requirements
  

• Important timelines
  

• The post-secondary admissions process
  

• Financial aid
  

• And more!
  

For families interested in a more personalized meeting, there will be opportunities to schedule individual appointments. Details on how to schedule will be shared at a later date.

Additionally, families will have the opportunity to attend financial aid presentations during Parent-Teacher Conferences in October.

We look forward to supporting you through a successful senior year!

Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, changes will be made to the Credit/No Credit option to better align with our commitment to high expectations and preparing students for life beyond high school.

• Class of 2028 and 2029: No Credit will no longer be available for any courses.

• Class of 2027 and 2026: No Credit may only be used if a student earns a grade of D or lower.

We believe that every student can rise to the challenge when given the right support. By removing the no credit option, we are encouraging students to approach each course with the goal of mastery from the very beginning. This shift will help them build the skills, perseverance, and confidence needed to succeed in college, career, and life.

Students interested in participating in any athletic program or activity must be registered to participate. Registration can be found at gorails.net using the Registration link at the top of the page.

Sports physicals are required for all athletic program participation. Physicals with an exam date of April 1, 2024 or later are valid for the 2025-26 academic year. Physicals can be uploaded to registration or emailed to acaudill@altoona.k12.wi.us

Please visit gorails.net and follow the Altoona Athletics & Activities Facebook page

Options that are available to get tickets to Altoona athletic events this season:

• Season tickets and individual game tickets to home or away events are located at https://gofan.co/app/school/WI18279?utm_campaign=PlayOn_Sites

• Cash sales are still available at the door

AHS Students! Your FREE pass to attend home, regular season athletic contests has been emailed to your school email address from GoFan. If you have the app set up, you should see your pass after you log in. If you do not have the app set up, please download the GoFan app using your school email address. Your pass will be under "tickets". Please reach out to the AD office with questions.

GOLD CARDS are available to senior citizens (62+) to gain free entry into all regular season athletic events. Please stop by the high school to pick one up.

Please note: Season tickets or passes are not valid at any WIAA postseason event

Activities Code of Conduct

Please consider working an athletic event! Click the 2025-2026 Event Worker Schedule for more information and to sign up. Please direct any questions to Kathy Brock or Andrew Caudill in the AD Office.

What: The School District of Altoona is growing our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.

Facebook - @altoonaschooldistrict

Twitter - @altoonasd

Instagram - @altoonasd

YouTube - SD of Altoona