The APHS Look AHEAD- October 2023

Dear APHS Students and Families,

We are so happy to have our students and staff back in the building; and this first month of the 23-24 school year went by very quickly! With all of our opening events, and a successful Spirit Week/Homecoming now behind us, we are moving into what I like to call the "meat and potatoes" of the school year. Our students know their schedules, routines have been set, and extracurriculars and athletics are well underway. Now it's time to get down to work; and we all have a lot to do!

Our first progress report point for the 23-24 school year will be this Friday, October 6th. This will be a wonderful time for students and parents to connect on how things are going academically. If you have questions, or need support, be sure to reach out to teachers and counselors. Early intervention goes a long way when it comes to making a difference in academic outcomes. Additionally, the stronger the communication, and relationships, between parents and students, the better. Don't be afraid to reach out, and reach out often!

On another note, we are very pleased to report that our students, and school climate/environment continues to grow forward in positive ways. Last year, in the month of September, we addressed 67 disciplinary referrals. This year, as of today, we have only needed to address 21 referrals. That's a big difference, and we are truly proud of our student body as we end this month. They've done a nice job! As we move into October, we have teams of students working on incredible school-wide projects, such as planning monthly wellness activities for the rest of the year, designing and implementing processes to determine who we will be after the "Warriors", and attending regional workshops to help establish a school environment which is welcoming and supportive of all students.

Of course, with the "honeymoon" of opening behind us, I end with a reminder to pace ourselves and leave room for balance and enjoyment between all the work and responsibilities we manage. October is a great time to remember to remain optimistic, and I share this calendar of daily activities you can do to stay happy and healthy in the upcoming month: https://actionforhappiness.org/optimistic-october

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything that you need.

Be well,

Serving every student every day,

Heath C. Quiles

Principal, Averill Park High School

The APHS Building Leadership Team

-Mr. Heath Quiles, High School Principal (quilesh@apcsd.org)

-Mrs. Christina Mein, Assistant Principal, Grades 9 and 11 (meinc@apcsd.org)

-Mrs. Rebecca Leach, Assistant Principal, Grades 10 and 12 (leachr@apcsd.org)

#AP_EveryStudentEveryDay

"Creating passionate learners who contribute positively to their community and the world."

This year's NHS Induction Ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 19th at 6:30 in the high school auditorium. Applicants will receive notification of their approval status in early October. Family members are invited to join us to induct our newest members. Following the ceremony, light refreshments will be served in the school cafeteria. For any questions regarding the ceremony, please email NHS advisor Rian Colbert at colbertr@apcsd.org.

Attention APHS Juniors and Seniors that drive to school.

Thank you to those that have already completed and submitted their 2023-2024 Parking permit applications! Remember that your parking pass must always be visible and hung from your rear view mirror anytime you park at the HS.

For those of you that have not already requested a parking permit, here's a link to the 2023-2024 APHS Parking Permit application. You need to have this completed no later than 10/06/2023!

Please note that parking on campus is a privilege for Juniors and Seniors that are in good standing. Beginning on 10/10/2023, staff will be checking the parking lots for parking permits. Please reach out to Mrs. Mein if you have any questions.

APHS 2024 Yearbook

Buy your Yearbook Online: jostensyearbooks.com

Senior Parent Ads: jostensadservice.com

Seniors: VIP Voting Sheets Due: October 11 to Main Office or Ms. Bailey in Room 205

Questions? baileya@apcsd.org

APHS students celebrated a week long Spirit Week heading into Homecoming Weekend.

It all started with Tuesday as pajama day, Wednesday was the Pink Out with the Powderpuff game that evening, Thursday was Surfers vs. Bikers and Friday was Blue & Gold day to kick off the Pep Rally.

Representatives from Columbia-Greene Community College and Hudson Valley Community College met with students enrolled in College in the High School courses. Students in those courses qualify to receive college credit while still in high school, at 1/3 the cost of a normal credit!

Mr. Kozlowski and Mr. Engel took their construction practicum class to National Grid's "touch a truck" event again this year! Students had the opportunity to talk to many different departments within the large energy company. These departments included line technicians, employees from the aviation & forestry divisions, specialists, and engineers. Local police and community organizations were also at the event. This was the kick-off to the year-long theme of career opportunities that extend from the construction industry.

Recently, Averill Park High School students in grades 9-10 attended a powerful “Choices Matter” assembly that included a presentation from Chris Sandy. Mr. Sandy spent more than eight years in prison after being involved in a fatal car accident in which he was driving a car while impaired. He is now a motivational speaker who helps students make positive choices by showing them real-life consequences that go far beyond just going to prison.

While the high school typically holds an assembly for students in grades 11-12 prior to prom each year, this is the first time it has held an early-intervention assembly for students in grades 9-10. Thank you to Student Assistance Counselor Kim Favro and the Rensselaer County STOP DWI Coordinator, Mike Dinardo, for bringing the presentation to our students via a state grant.

After the assembly, all students at the high school were able to try on VR goggles that simulate being impaired.

Counselors are starting to meet with the senior class to discuss plans after high school graduation as well as help guide them in the planning process for applying to colleges, financial aid and scholarships.

Also, students are asked to log on to their Naviance accounts often to see what scholarships are being offered and what colleges are visiting the high school to meet with interested students. Students are asked to have a signed permission slip from a parent in order to miss class to meet with visiting college representatives.

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.

Instant Admissions days

Columbia Greene Community College, Hudson Valley Community College and the College of Saint Rose will be here in November to host their Instant Admission days. If you are interested in applying to one of these colleges for Fall 2024, stop in the Counseling Center for an Instant admissions application and to reserve a spot to meet with a representative from the College. All applications must be turned back into the Counseling Center to receive an appointment time.

HVCC: 11/2/23

CGCC: 11/8/23

St. Rose: 11/16/23

College Entrance Exams:

Please check the College Board website for any updates and cancellations concerning upcoming exams.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS:

ACT TEST DATES - REGISTRATION DEADLINES:

October 28, 2023 - - Registration Deadline: September 22, 2023

December 9, 2023 - -Registration Deadline: November 3, 2023

February 10, 2023 - - Registration Deadline: January 5, 2024

April 13, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: March 8, 2024

June 8, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: May 3, 2024

July 13, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: June 7, 2024

www.act.org

ACT ASSESSMENT and ACT ASSESSMENT PLUS WRITING:

(Choose either of two test options — the ACT Assessment or the ACT Assessment Plus Writing, which includes a 30-minute Writing Test. Not all colleges and universities require a Writing Test. Check with the colleges you are considering — or go to www.actstudent.org for a list of institutions that require or recommend the Writing Test.)

SAT I & II

TEST DATES - - REGISTRATION DEADLINE

October 7, 2023 - - Registration Deadline: September 7, 2023

November 4, 2023 - - Registration Deadline: October 5, 2023

December 2, 2023 - - Registration Deadline: November 2, 2023

March 9, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: February 23, 2024

May 4, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: April 19, 2024

June 1, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: May 16, 2024

www.sat.collegeboard.org

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.

PSAT:

APHS will be hosting the PSAT on Saturday, October 28th this year. The PSAT is available to all juniors and to any interested Sophomores.

An email will be sent to all Juniors soon to assess interest. Tests not being used by the Junior class will be made available to interested Sophomores. An email will go out to the Sophomore class once we know how many Juniors will take the test. Please be watching your email for more details.

A physical exam is required by New York State Education law for children in 9th &11th grade and those who are new entrants in our school district. A certificate of dental health is also requested.

A report of the physical exam and the dental health certificate is kept as part of the child’s cumulative health record. The physical exam information is due to school no later than 30 calendar days after the start of the school year. The physical exam requirement will be filled by a report of the most recent physical from your child’s health care provider, licensed to practice in New York State and dated no earlier than 9/2/2022. The report must be provided on the NYS approved Student Health Examination Form for Schools. The dental health requirement will be filled by a signed and dated certificate of the most recent dental visit by a dentist or dental hygienist licensed to practice in New York State. Both documents are on the school web page and can be printed.

Per NYS, school districts are not allowed to accept the physical on any other physical form.

Link here:

https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/3312023_health-exam-form.pdf

If your child needs any type of medication at school, a doctor’s order needs to be provided to the health office and the parent/guardian needs to bring the medication into school. Students are not allowed to carry ANY medication unless there is a doctor's order stating as such, this also includes ANY over the counter medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. You may sign a parental consent form stating that you give the school nurse permission to administer these medications. Verbal consent will no longer be accepted per the school medical director. Here is a link to that form:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kTE50qvPaZBP3vhnQm7VcHLvt4A2k8sW/view?usp=sharing

Doctor's notes for any illness, surgery or procedure:

A doctor's note is required for any illness, surgery or procedure. This information, when provided, will help your child to continue to receive P.E. credit if they are able to participate in some way. This will also allow accommodations, if needed, for your child during the school day. For athletics, the more specific information provided will improve the coordinated care between the athletic trainer and nurses, as well as improve the transition in returning to play.

Please use the link to see lots of important information about breakfast and lunch at APHS.

The Averill Park CSD will continue charging for meals in 2023-2024 and will offer an opportunity for families to apply for free or reduced meals. All meals purchased at school will require payment unless a family is approved for free or reduced meals.

For more information on food service at Averill Park CSD, take a look at their page on the website, linked here: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/services/food-services

Any questions regarding Food Service can be directed to Mr. Ricky Welling, Director of Food Services, at wellingr@apcsd.org or Jennifer Radigan at jennifer.radigan@neric.org.

The APCSD District Calendar for 23-24:

https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-2024_School_Calendar.pdf

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bpTcpmloky4djmThIrMafrFMM4G6RBES/view?usp=drive_link

This is a fixed schedule, and will not change based on snow days.

Our Daily Bell Schedule for 23-24 has changed slightly.

Announcements will occur during advisory, which is now six minutes longer.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dT_6RIAiJ_rJkYQX3hQy0vfWeZn5MYKXuTeOYE4n-KA/edit?usp=drive_link

Please note that this document includes schedules for one- and two-hour delays, as well as half days.

Marking Periods/Grade Reporting at the HS for the 23-24 School Year:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iO85vW95uSLDKDJLAf8ctZhwTEhwvWfhVxRxQPofwqY/edit?usp=drive_link

Our procedures for morning arrival as we open the 2023-2024 school year will be as follows:

• Students who take the bus will be let off of their buses at 7:23 am outside the high school. Bus students will enter the HS through the Atrium and Athletic Lobby Entrances and may get breakfast and/or report directly to their first block class, which begins promptly at 7:30 am. BE SURE TO WATCH FOR THE DRY BUS RUN ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 5th!

• Students who are dropped off by parents, or who drive themselves to school, will enter the building through the Main Entrance in the front of the HS. These students will report to the HS Cafeteria upon arrival, where breakfast will also be available! At 7:23 am, when the bell rings, students will report to their first block class. We ask that students not be dropped off any earlier than 7:00 am.

• For parents who are dropping students off, please use the drop-off loop, and follow the traffic patterns outlined here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10HfRVkvS-58ROF22A-0_eXXkEOqjIwTy/view?usp=sharing

Student drivers are reminded that our morning warning bell rings at 7:23 am, with first block beginning at promptly at 7:30 am. Be on time!

Our dismissal procedures, at the end of the school day, are as follows as we open the 2023-2024 school year:

• Dismissal for all students at APHS will occur at 2:10 pm.
• Students who take the bus home should exit the building directly through either the Atrium or Athletic Wing doors.
• Students who drive themselves or get picked up by parents/guardians, should exit the building through any doors facing the front portion of the high school.
• Parents/Guardians who are picking up students should wait in the parent drop-off/pick-up loop.

If students are staying after school for academic support, athletics, or extracurricular activities it is important that they report to the location in which they are staying by 2:20 pm. When students have finished up, they may wait in the HS cafeteria for a late bus or a ride.

During the 23-24 school year, we will offer late buses for students who would like to stay after school. These buses will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, leaving the HS at 4:15 pm, beginning the week of Sept 18th.

ALL students that are staying after must sign up by 9 am the day that they plan to stay after. ALL students that are staying after must be signed up to stay with a faulty or staff member. Please note that Wynantskill will not be providing late buses this year.

Due to a continued shortage of drivers, we encourage students, to the greatest extent possible, to arrange their own transportation for after-school activities.

Transparency and parent/family access to instructional materials is important to maintaining a partnership in the learning endeavors of our students.

All APHS faculty use Google Classroom as the consistent platform for sharing instructional materials with students, and their parents/guardians.

We will continue to maintain a singular digital location for students and parents to access these Google Classrooms, as well as a syllabus for each course.

At the top of the District website, hover over "Our Schools"

then "Averill Park High School"

then "Academics"

you will see a list of departments in the dropdown menu. Simply click on the desired Department and then click on GOOGLE DRIVE. This will take you to the above materials for each teacher.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hwz2PRd5-C-8_z91N-gRmGKwzZXmNfl5?usp=drive_link

All faculty will have their materials posted and updated for the year.

If you have any questions about a specific course, never hesitate to contact the teacher directly.

As we open the 2023-2024 school year, the HS Leadership Team is excited to be launching the WE Make AP a GREAT Place to BE Project.

This project aims to assist all APHS students in the development of their self-regulation skills, improve overall student behavior in the building, and create an engaging culture of common, school-wide expectations in an environment where all students are respected and feel connected.

The “WE Make AP a GREAT Place to BE” project will include:

• building-wide behavioral expectations and norms,

• monthly grade-level assemblies and programming during advisory,

• student recognition and “YOU Make AP a GREAT Place to BE” awards,

• class competitions for best attendance, academic performance, and positive student behavior,

• explicit programming designed to teach students to better engage with their environment and one another.

If you have any questions, please contact any member of the HS Leadership Team at (518) 674-7002.

One important part of being a positive and contributing member of the school community is understanding, and adhering to, the guidelines, norms and expectations for how we all behave, and treat one another, when at Averill Park High School.

At it's most basic level, as part of our "WE Make AP a GREAT Place to BE" project, we expect that at Averill Park High School, all students will:

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful, and
• Be Responsible.

This looks different in different environments. Here is a link to what sorts of actions and behaviors align with these characteristics within specific areas at the high school:

Student Expectations 2023-2024 DRIVE

Our Assistant Principals, Mrs. Mein and Mrs. Leach, will review these expectations and norms with all students at their first scheduled class meetings on Monday, September 11th and Tuesday, September 12th.

Regular attendance in school is a precursor to academic success, and being on time, and present in instruction, is a life skill that reflects a high level of responsibility, organization, and college/workplace readiness.

Anytime that your child is absent from school, it is important that you report this absence to the HS Attendance Office, on the same day, at 518-674-7024. Conversely, you may report absences via our dedicated attendance email address:

aphsattendance@apcsd.org

Each morning, the school day begins promptly at 7:30 am. Students should plan to be in their first block classroom, and ready to learn, at that time.

Students who arrive to school after 7:30 am will be considered tardy to school, and will need to receive a pass from the Attendance Office prior to reporting to their first block class.

After an adjustment period at the opening of the school year, beginning on Monday, September 25th, students who arrive to school late without a written excuse from a parent/guardian in hand will be assigned a detention during their Advisory period for the same day.

Please note that in 23-24, students who do not attend their assigned advisory detention will be subject to further progressive discipline, as well as other interventions.

A plain language review of the Code of Conduct will occur in our annual class assemblies, scheduled to occur on Monday, September 11th and Tuesday, September 12th.

At Averill Park High School, student participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege. Students earn these privileges through maintaining good standing in their attendance, behavior, and academic performance.

Ineligibility is defined as restriction from participation in extracurricular activities and events for a 5-week period. The following criteria are used to determine that a student is ineligible:

Attendance:

Students who have acquired 5 or more unexcused absences to school within any five week marking period are not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities for the following five weeks.

Behavior:

Students who have been involved in any disciplinary infraction which results in an ESD, ISS, Out-of-School Suspension, or who have 3 or more referrals within a five week marking period, are not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities for the following five weeks.

Achievement:

Students who are failing 2 or more classes during any five week marking period are not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities for the following five weeks.

All students who are ineligible, except those who have received an Out-of-School Suspension, will be offered the opportunity to earn back eligibility through a variety of means, including but not limited to:

• Students who have acquired 5 or more unexcused absences from school in a five week marking period will be referred to a restorative attendance circle. If a student actively participates in, and regularly attends, scheduled circle meetings, the student may earn back eligibility.

• Students who are ineligible as a result of discipline referral(s) may request to work with their assigned Assistant Principal to develop a community service plan. At the completion of the plan, the student may earn back eligibility. Students who have received an Out-of School Suspension will not be offered this opportunity.

• Students who are ineligible as a result of failing 2 or more classes may work with their teachers/counselor to develop and implement an Academic Recovery Plan. Upon successful completion of the plan, the student will provide their assigned Assistant Principal with documentation from their teacher(s) that he/she is passing their class prior to the date of the scheduled event. At that time, the student may earn back eligibility.

October 2023:

5- Career Day 7:30-10:15

6- Quarter 1 Progress Reports posted in Schooltool

9 - Columbus Day - No School

10- Class of 2027 Club Fair in Library during Advisory

11- Class of 2026 Club Fair in Library during Advisory

12- Class of 2025 Club Fair in Library during Advisory

13- Class of 2024 Club Fair in Library during Advisory

16- Tabling in the Cafe - Fire Prevention & Volunteerism

17- NHS Rehearsal - 2:15pm

19- NHS Rehearsal - 2:15pm

19- NHS Induction Ceremony - 6:30pm-8:30pm

26- Key Club Blood Drive (during the school day)

28- PSAT - 7:45am

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