The APHS Look AHEAD - November 2019

It is hard to believe that we already have transitioned to the month of November! I am always impressed with the positive energy and passions which our school community brings into the building each day. In the end, this is the cornerstone of who we are, and why we are doing so well.

As an update to the last edition of the newsletter, I am happy to share that we are making excellent progress on a number of tangible fronts. The ongoing work to expand the number of college-credit bearing classes within our program is producing good results. We expect many new offerings, both in this context and in many others, as we release our Course Catalog for 20-21 in December. Our new Student Union is open, both during lunches and during students' study halls, with a new snack bar available during those times. Our student leaders are in the process of planning a school/building-wide community service week for the Spring. Our faculty and staff have chosen to focus their professional energies and time together on the critical question of how they will develop more proactive and consistent services for students who are struggling with academic progress in each Department.

Finally, the month of November is always a wonderful opportunity to focus on gratitude. I believe that we are all very fortunate to be members of this school community. The power that we have to affect the lives of one another in positive ways is actually quite limitless, if we choose to do so. Some call these opportunities "lollipop moments." Lollipop moments can happen anytime, and very often I think that we don't even know that we've created one. At the same time, we could try to be intentional about creating them. Have you provided someone in your life with a lollipop moment recently? Check out this video to learn more: https://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership/up-next?language=en#t-277447

Wishing you all the best as you head into the Holiday season! As always, please reach out if there is anything you need!

Serving every student every day,

The APHS Building Leadership Team

-Mr. Heath Quiles

-Mrs. Christina Mein

-Mrs. Rebecca Leach

#AP_EveryStudentEveryDay

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

"Almost, Maine" is a collection of heartwarming and heartbreaking love stories which all occur on the same snowy January night in the same small town. With tales of finding and losing love, "Almost, Maine" is an emotional performance you will not want to miss. Student directed by senior Anna D'Arcangelis, this year's fall production encompasses and expresses what theatre arts is all about- overcoming challenges and differences and creating something beautiful. The Off-Broadway Players have worked extremely hard on this show, and would really love if you came out to support us! The performances of "Almost, Maine" are Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd at 7pm. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. Tickets are being sold during lunches and at the door.

Join us at the High School Auditorium on Wednesday, November 6th at 6pm for a free showing of the new film “Screenagers: The Next Chapter.” This movie highlights “the science behind teen’s emotional challenges, the interplay of social media, and most importantly, what can be done in our schools and homes to help them build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age.” Following the showing, a brief discussion will occur with school principals, counselors, students and families. Please click on the link for more information and to register for this free event: https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2019-2020/3574-apcsd-to-show-new-film-screenagers-next-chapter-on-nov-6

On Thursday night, 62 Averill Park High School seniors were inducted into the National Honor Society! Congratulations to the 2020 Inductees! For a full list of inductees, visit: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2019-2020/3664-national-honor-society-inducts-62-new-members

Several APHS students returned to their alma mater Miller Hill Sand Lake Elementary School last evening to assist in the 3rd Grade Family Math Night. Each of the high school students helped facilitate math activities for 3rd grade students and their families, and they were awesome!! The students are: Jason Strickland, T.J. Meissner, Colten Peeters, Gabi Mohos, Alexandra Gaboury, Emily Walsh, Liam Rounds and also Kat Gaboury from grade 7 in Algonquin Middle School.

Thelma Caye, a French teenager from Bordeaux, France, stayed with APHS senior Helen Pond’s family for two weeks in October. Thelma attended classes for one week and participated in the Pep Rally, attended the homecoming football game, went to the school dance, and joined in her host family’s Halloween preparations. She commented that her visit was “perfect” and was very happy to be a part of our school where everybody treated her so nicely and included her in so many things. Jeff Brown facilitated Thelma’s visit and thanks the high school administration for generously allowing it.

On October 22nd, the Science Department participated in the Annual Day in the Life of the Hudson. The two winners of the photo contest are Tessa Adamo and Alex Norton. Runners up for honorable mention were Cooper Smith and Cloe Mussett. They did a great job!

A true experience in Citizen Science!

On October 22, 64 Molecular Biology students converged on the Hudson river and celebrated a Day in the Life of the Hudson along with 5,500 other NYS students, who were at sites ranging from Manhattan to Peebles Island. Prior to the trip, the students learned about ecological concepts through the lens of the Hudson river, and on the 22nd they collected data on the river at Nutten Hook, a DEC site in Stuyvesant. Students measured aspects of water chemistry such as pH, salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen of the river. They also measured wind speed, current, tide, soil composition, and turbidity, and seined (a method of catching fish with a large net dragged through the water) the estuary throughout the day to collect and identify the fish. All of this information was then shared with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The data gives the DEC a snapshot of the abiotic and biotic factors of the river, from Manhattan to Peebles Island. The students also got a chance to climb into an old icehouse foundation and learn about the ice house industry. Several science teachers and one history teacher from the High School ran the stations the students sifted through, including Darlene Hunter, Sarah Engel, Karyn Rees, Peter Bertam, Greg Panzanaro, Elena Oldendorf and Vicky Boulay, and parents and volunteers from the DEC also participated in the experience. For more information go to https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/47285.html

Ms. Hunter's environmental science class explored the wetlands of APHS with local expert Christine Relyea last Thursday and this past Monday. We observed, collected, and identified several different organisms and plan on doing a comparison study again in the spring. It was a lot of fun learning first hand the functions and importance of this vital ecosystem in our backyard!

The following students will be attending select ensembles in November and December!

Area All State:

BAND: Andrew Gorman, Abigayle Jorden

ORCHESTRA: Lydia Ware

CHORUS: Haley Surprenant, Alyssa Lindheimer, Francesca Morone, Abigail Garrison

All-County:

JAZZ ENSEMBLE: Anthony Pastizzo

BAND: Julie Hale, Tyler Michaels, Isabelle Relyea, Ryan Richter, Christian Romer, Jason Strickland

CHORUS: Francesca Morone, Kate Armlin, Abigail Garrison, Sarah Faragon, Emily Horton, Kelly Jean O'Neill-Knasick, Emma Parker, Benjamin Riston, Andrew Gorman, Hayden Chenette, Donald Ullman, Joshua DeJulio

All State (in Rochester, NY)

Claire Flynn

All National (in Orlando, FL)

Haley Surprenant

Members of APHS SADD and Algonquin's Youth Empowerment Club were able to take part in the annual Youth Summit on October 21st. The summit took place at the Albany Capital Center and had over 700 students in attendance from multiple counties. Students were able to hear from four powerful speakers, covering both substance abuse and mental health topics. Students were able to learn about the dangers and repercussions of distracted driving, opioid abuse, school violence prevention, and self-esteem. The day culminated with a special performance from American Idol star, Madison Vandenburg. Our students were wonderful participants who are eager to share what they learned with the school community this year!

New Horizons is conducting our second annual shoe-box drive to provide Christmas boxes to students at our sister school in the Dominican Republic. If you would like to adopt a shoe box (or more than one!) and fill it with school supplies we have close to 100 boxes to fill this year. We typically try to provide basic toiletries, toothbrushes and paste, puzzles, age appropriate toys, socks and underwear, school/art supplies, flashlights, calculators, hard candy and anything else you can think of that a child might enjoy. Please contact Jay Goodnow at goodnowj@apcsd.org or any New Horizons club member. We will provide you with a shoebox, with a student's name, age and gender so you can shop accordingly. We are planning to collect the shoe boxes by Thanksgiving so we can begin the difficult process of arranging shipment so the boxes will arrive by Christmas. Any donations to help cover shipping costs are welcome as well. Last year it cost $450 to ship three large boxes. As always, we thank you for your support.

APHS Yearbook is now on sale!

Yearbooks may be purchased at jostens.com or purchased at the school. Order forms are in the Main Office and Room 205.

*If purchasing at school, please remember to add tax to the yearbook cost!

The yearbook is now $65. In January the cost will increase to $75. (plus tax)

Senior Parents: Remember to purchase a parent ad for your son/daughter! ...on-line or through the school.

Senior baby pictures will be collected soon - You may e-mail a digital copy to baileya@apcsd.org or blosteinm@apcsd.org or send in the photo. Remember to write your name on the back of the picture.

If you have any terrific photos, you may send them to us as well - We would appreciate it!

Questions? baileya@apcsd.org / blosteinm@apcsd.org

Influenza, or the 'flu', is a severe respiratory illness that is easily spread and can lead to severe complications, even death. To protect your child from getting the flu, the NYS Department of Health says:

• Get the seasonal flu vaccine for yourself.
• Encourage your child's close contacts to get seasonal flu vaccine, too. This is very important if your child is younger than 5 or if he or she has a chronic health problem such as asthma (breathing disease) or diabetes (high blood sugar levels). Children under 6 months can't be vaccinated and need to rely on those around them being vaccinated.
• Wash your hands often and cover your coughs and sneezes. Its best to use a tissue and quickly throw it away. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. This will prevent the spread of germs.

• Tell your children to:

  • Stay away from people who are sick;
  • Clean their hands often;
  • Keep their hands away from their face, and
  • Cover coughs and sneezes to protect others.

Download the Seasonal Flu Guide for Parents from the NYS Department of Health:

2 Pages

If your child is injured, has had an illness or surgery of any type and it requires them to have any restrictions for P.E or allows them to return without any restrictions, please review the information found here which should be included on all doctor's notes. 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.

ATTENTION SENIORS: COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES

Please review your college applications carefully for specific deadline dates. If college recommendations are necessary, please forward a request to your counselor two (2) weeks prior to the deadline date. If the deadline is January 1st please forward the request to your counselor no later than December 9th due to the holiday recess.

November 6th: SAGE colleges will be here offering Instant Admission sessions. Students must sign up to have an appointment to meet with the SAGE advisor.

SUNY is hosting a Financial Aid Month at various locations to assist families with the financial aid process. There will be one held at University at Albany November 9, 2019 and one a Hudson Valley Community College on November 16, 2019.

To Register or view other locations go to suny.edu/studentevents

SAT I & II

November 2, 2019 Test- Registration Deadline is October 3, 2019

December 7, 2019 Test -Registration Deadline November 8, 2019

March 14, 2020 -SAT I Test only -Registration Deadline is February 14, 2020

May 2, 2020 Test - Registration Deadline is April 3, 2020

June 6, 2020 Test - Registration Deadline is May 8, 2020

www.sat.collegeboard.org

ACT

December 14, 2019 Test - Registration Deadline is November 8, 2019

February 8, 2020 Test - Registration Deadline is January 10, 2020

April 4, 2020 Test - Registration Deadline is February 28, 2020

June 13, 2020 Test - Registration Deadline is May 8, 2020

www.act.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.

Naviance is a college and career software program which APHS utilizes to support students in making their college and career choices. Students may also take assessments to find their strengths as well as prepare a resume. Each year, counselors will be asking students to complete tasks on Naviance to help them prepare for their post high school plans. For most students, the username is their school email and the password is their school pin times two. Students can log in at https://student.naviance.com/averillphs

If you should have any questions, feel free to reach out to your student's counselor.

Ms. Stone A-E

Mr. Gildersleeve F-K

Ms. Arsenault L-P

Mr. Plantz Q-Z

Naviance Task:

In an effort to help students become more college and career ready, this year we are asking all students to input their extracurricular activities in Naviance. This will eventually help them create a resume and allow them to keep track of their volunteer hours in one central location. Below please find the steps in order to input their activities. We are asking all students to complete this as soon as possible and continue to update throughout the year.

Step 1: Click on the About Me tab at the top of the Naviance login page.

Step 2: Click on My Stuff

Step 3: Click on Resume

Step 4: Click on the Plus Sign

Step 5: Add activities under Extracurricular Activities

The Class of 2020 will celebrate Commencement on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at 10:30 am at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN EARLIER START TIME THAN IN THE PAST.

November 1 - Fall Production, "Almost, Maine" - 7pm

November 2 - Fall Production, "Almost, Maine" - 7pm

November 5 - End of First Quarter

November 8 - Go Home Early Drill (1:55 dismissal)

November 11 - Veteran's Day - NO SCHOOL

November 12 - Quarter 1 Report Cards posted on Schooltool

November 13 - Comic Hypnotist - 6:30pm

November 15 - Averill Park Education Foundation Gala - 6pm

November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Recess - NO 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