The APHS Look AHEAD- March 2024
Dear APHS students and families,
Welcome to March!
While it's hard to believe, we are headed this week into the final 5-weeks of the 3rd marking period. The time between February break and April break is an important time for students when it comes to solidifying their academic success for the year. With few interruptions to our instructional routine, students can really dig in, connect with their teachers, get caught up, and make sure that they are on track to finish the year successfully. Please be sure to take full advantage of this time. Before we know it, Spring will be here! As of today, 73% of our students are passing every single one of their classes. So, for many, there is still some work to be done.
March is also busy on the extracurricular front, which is exciting. Some of our traditional end-of-the year celebrations are either this month, or soon on the horizon. I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at our World Language Potluck, Music in Our Schools Concerts, Sophomore Soiree, and this year's musical, The Addam's Family. Of course, we always keep our fingers crossed for the continued success of our girls' Basketball team! This month we will also hold our second annual Wellness Day on March 21st, featuring many workshops for students, as well as our keynote presentation on positivity by Edgar Renee. https://www.justolamasgroup.com/edgar-rene.php Be sure to take a look at the calendar at the end of this newsletter for all the events occurring this month!
Finally, please remember that sustaining during this longer stretch of time requires maintaining balance between working hard and taking care of ourselves. When we take care of ourselves, we can be fully present with each thing that we do. Here is a calendar of daily activities that you can do to stay mindful throughout the month of March: https://actionforhappiness.org/mindful-march#download-block-anchor
As always, please reach out and stay connected if there is anything that you need! We are always here to help!
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."
With January Regents behind us, we are looking ahead to the June Regents. Here is a link to the June 2024 Regents Schedule so you can plan ahead!
Please note that we have a special administration of our first of the new Algebra 1 Regents Exam on Tuesday, June 4th. On this day, there will be no regular instruction. Only students taking the Algebra 1 Regents will report to school.
We have made it to March! The days are getting longer and we have a busy month of events ahead of us! Click the link below to access our "We Make AP a GREAT Pace to Be" Project Programs and Advisory Events- full March calendar.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_dYKKKX9TLfN6SWdvPN_SrfO0y_UyW2UnlCSxzIRA4w/edit?usp=sharing
APHS Yearbooks are selling quickly!
Order your yearbook online at: jostensyearbooks.com
Yearbooks will arrive in early June.
Don't miss out on purchasing a yearbook that captures all kinds of memories
from APHS this school year.
Questions? baileya@apcsd.org
Congratulations to the 12 Averill Park High School students in the Class of 2024 who have fulfilled their academic requirements in an accelerated manner and have graduated at the mid-year point in January.
Graduates include Sophia Carey, Morgan Cross, Anna Galvagni, Eron Hozanovic, Clara LaRose, Tahlya Lott, Gianna McCafferty, Tessa Milks, Maddison Mohamed, Tyler Pierce, Giavonna Powell, Gianna Zatorsky and Zaven Williams.
Here is a link to the full story:
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/2024/02/01/12-aphs-seniors-graduate-early/
We are exciting to share the list of students who qualified for the second quarter honor rolls at Averill Park High School.
Congratulations to each of these amazing young people!
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/2024/02/02/aphs-releases-q2-honor-rolls-for-2023-24/
Congratulations to APHS seniors Sydney Davis and Anna Wicks, both of whom completed research presentations on at SUNY Albany as part of their New Visions Pathways in Education Program.
They presented to area superintendents and principals on meeting the needs of ELL students and growing access to food through community fridge programs. This month, both Sydney and Anna will be working with staff at APHS to implement these programs in our own buildings!
Juniors are invited to experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey in Washington, DC! Immerse yourself in the rich history of America while enjoying unforgettable moments with your classmates. Explore iconic landmarks such as the White House, take a tour of the Capitol Building, visit Mount Vernon, and discover the Smithsonian Museums. Top off your day with an evening tour of the monuments and a visit to the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery.
For more information, email Mr. Goodnow at goodnowj@apcsd.org
Class of 2024, if you have not placed your order for a cap and gown for graduation, you need to do it right away.
You can place your order online at www.northwaygrad.com . Packets with the forms and flyers you’ll need were passed out at school. If you need another one, just stop by the main office to see Mrs. Perez. Feel free to contact us with any questions: oberkrieser.office@jostens.com or (518)581-1468.
The Averill Park National Honor Society will offer 1:1 peer tutoring this school year. Peer tutoring requests can now be made by completing the Google Form found here. Once a request has been received, NHS officers will work to match students with a tutor. Tutors are limited and will be filled based on availability and strength in subjects. It is expected that students will meet with their personal tutors once or twice a week depending on need and availability. Students who miss multiple tutoring sessions may have their tutor connection removed to be reassigned to another student in need of assistance.
For any questions about the peer tutoring program, please email NHS advisor Rian Colbert at colbertr@apcsd.org
Seniors
Seniors should continue to check Naviance to see what scholarships are available and apply for ones that are applicable to them.
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. Students can log on and complete career interest inventories, take a strengths assessment to learn about their skills and which careers align with those skills. The program also provides information on available scholarships 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 Entrance Exams:
Please check the College Board website for any updates and cancellations concerning upcoming exams.
COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS:
ACT TEST DATES - REGISTRATION DEADLINES:
April 13, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: March 8, 2024
June 8, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: May 3, 2024
July 13, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: June 7, 2024
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
March 9, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: February 23, 2024
May 4, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: April 19, 2024
June 1, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: May 16, 2024
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.
Report Cards:
Report cards will continue to be mailed home at the end of each marking period. They will be mailed AND made available to view via School Tool on the following dates:
Quarter III report cards posted on Schooltool/Mailed: Wednesday, April 24th
Quarter IV report cards posted on Schooltool/Mailed: Monday, July 1st
Working Papers:
If you need your working papers, please print out the application at https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/working-papers or stop by the Counseling Center. 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 form of ID (ie. Birth certificate, NYS ID) to the Counseling Center for processing.
Wishing you a wonderful second half of the year. Please don't hesitate to reach out to the counselors with questions.
As we move quickly through the winter months, we wanted to send out a few reminders about morning drop off. By design, we have separate zones for student and parent traffic. Parents who are picking up or dropping off students should only use the parent drop-off loop, as outlined in the map attached below.
To ensure the safety of our student drivers, parents should NOT drop off or pick-up students in the front lot.
Parent Pick UP and Drop Off Map
For those who use the parent drop-off loop, we would like to make a few suggestions in order to expedite student drop off and make this process more efficient:
Parents should pull around the drop off loop and stop at our new sandwich board sign. (See below) This will allow more cars to fit into the loop, reduce back-up on to Gettle Road and increase the speed of drop off.
When pulling in, students should be ready with their belongings to quickly exit the car.
If students have sports equipment, projects, or other large items that require more time to get out of the car, please feel free to park in a parking spot in the parent loop. This will allow them time to get their belongings without feeling rushed.
Students are required to be in their class at 7:30am; therefore, students should aim to be in the building by the warning bell at 7:23 am. This will allow students to have plenty of time to get to their first class of the day on time.
The parent pick up line will take between five and ten minutes to navigate each morning, so please plan accordingly, or arrive early!
The high school's front doors open daily at 7am, and we have supervision and breakfast in the Student Union starting at that time. Feel free to take advantage of this and avoid the traffic!
Again, our many thanks for your help in keeping our campus parking lots safe!
We truly appreciate your cooperation.
Important Medication Information to keep in mind for EVERY school year:
• New medication forms for both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications must be signed every year by a healthcare provider and parent/guardian.
- Must have written parental permission for Tylenol and Ibuprofen to be given during the school day. If you want your child to self-carry these types of medication then there MUST be an order from their provider on file in the nurse's office that is written every year.
- The link for the Tylenol/Ibuprofen permission slip is attached below. THIS MUST BE FILLED OUT EVERY SCHOOL YEAR AND TURNED IN. The nurse is not able to take verbal permission per our school medical director.
• Medication must remain in the properly labeled pharmacy or original OTC container. Your child CAN NOT share ANY medication prescribed or over the counter (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Midol, Pamprin, or allergy medication) with another student.
• The parent/guardian is responsible for having prescribed medication delivered directly to the school in a properly labeled original container by an adult.
• If your child has rescue medications for respiratory conditions, epinephrine auto-injector, or insulin, glucagon, and related diabetes supplies, there must be a provider's written permission which includes an attestation that the student has demonstrated the ability to self-administer and written parent/guardian consent. For other conditions, your child may be able to self-carry and self-administer but will need written permission from both you and your provider.
We request that you ask your pharmacist to give you a second identically labeled container for any prescription medications your student will take at school. We also request that you bring small containers of any OTC medications that your child will take.
This will allow the School Nurse to send these medications on field trips and comply with New York State laws pertaining to medication storage.
Medication forms are available on the district website or may be obtained from the school health office. Your healthcare provider may use their own form if desired.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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.
IMPORTANT LINKS TO CALENDARS AND SCHEDULES FOR 2023-2024
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.
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
APHS Morning Arrival Procedures for Students- 2023-2024 School Year
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!
Dismissal, End-of-Day Routines, and Extracurricular Activities
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.
Student and Parent Access to Instructional Resources and Class Information
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.
APHS Building-Wide Norms 2023-2024
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.
Reminder Related to Eligibility Guidelines for the 2023-2024 School Year
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.
Attendance, On-Time Arrivals, and Reporting Absences
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:
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.
The APCSD Code of Conduct 23-24
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.
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