February 2026
Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY
1 - Common Scholarship Application Opens
6 - 8th Grade Shadow Day
13 - No School for Students (Professional Development Day)
16 - No School (President's Day)
19 - Course Recommendation Day
19-22 - Chorale and Orchestra Trip to Chicago
25 - ALHS/Learwood Orchestra Winter Concert (7pm PAC)
26 - ALHS and North Ridgeville Bands Combined Concert (7pm PAC)
MARCH
5 - Early Release Day (dismissal @ 11:20)
5 - Junior/Senior Jump Start (6pm PAC)
5 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (4-7pm)
6 - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
9 - No School
9 - Zaps ACT Test Prep (6:30pm)
10 - Zaps ACT Test Prep (6:30pm)
17 - Family First Night No homework or after school activities)
20 - End of 3rd Quarter
To subscribe or view the high school calendar click here
Class of 2026 Information
Parents and Students of the Class of 2025, click BELOW for important information regarding Senior Year and Commencement.
PLEASE NOTE - the date for the Graduation March has been changed to Tuesday, May 26th
ALHS Alumni
If your Parent(s) and/or Grandparent(s)/Great Grandparent(s) are alumni of Avon Lake High School and would like to be included in the Commencement Program, please click HERE to complete the form.
Class of 2026 Baby Pictures
Seniors - you can still submit your baby picture for the yearbook to Mrs. Rudkin until February 1st
. Please send your picture via email to Tori.Rudkin@alcsoh.org
Class of 2026 Yard Signs
Avon Lake PTA will be selling Senior Signs again this year.
Please use the link below to purchase your sign
https://avonlakehsptsa.givebacks.com/shop
Each sign will be $15 and will be available for pick-up around mid-April.
Each sign is 18” x 24”, double-sided, and comes with a metal stake.
If you have any questions or need more information, don't hesitate to get in touch with Laura Butler at: Lauraloubutler6@gmail.com / 734-812-2243
Updates to Ohio's Attendance Law
Guidance for Parents/Guardians in understanding an Excessive Absence Letter:
Ohio's school attendance laws, recently updated by House Bill 96, revised which absences count towards overall chronic absenteeism and when families must be notified about excessive absences, recognizing that any absence impacts learning.
What are the key attendance thresholds?
Ohio law distinguishes between missing school for "any reason" and missing school "without a legitimate excuse.”
Students only need to miss 2-3 days per month to be chronically absent by the end of the year. You may receive a notice about excessive absences because our chronic absenteeism policy now counts all missed days—including excused absences—when determining excessive absences.
What should I do?
Continue to call the absence line (440-930-8296) to report medically excused or excused absences.
For a full list of excused absences, see board policy po5200.
Review your child’s attendance in PowerSchool weekly
Contact your child’s grade level administrator with any questions or concerns
Read Ohio Department of Education & Workforce’s Attendance Law FAQs
Guidance Department Updates
For more information on the Guidance Department please click the links below.
Band Notes
The Avon Lake HS Band will have 66 students performing in 30 events at the Ohio Music Education Associations Solo and Ensemble Adjudicated Event on February 7th. Every year students from our Band program perform either a solo and varied repertoire or an ensemble of 3 to 12 students performing from a required list of music.
On February 26th, the ALHS Concert and Symphonic Band along with the North Ridgeville Band program and will combine for our Winter Concert right here in our PAC. Admission is free, and both ensembles will be performing selections from their repertoire for their upcoming Large Group Adjudicated event on March 7.
Notes from our Choral Department
Please consider supporting our amazing choral program and become a patron! ALHS Choir Boosters provide the funds necessary to purchase and clean uniforms, buy sheet music, pay OMEA solo and ensemble contest fees, offset costs for field trips, provide scholarships, and so much more. Choir Boosters benefit ALL levels of choir, including Men’s & Women’s Chorus, DaCantari, Chorale, and our contemporary a cappella groups, Merples and IMMIX.Click the link below for the form
CLICK HERE TO JOIN:
Drama Club News
Fame. Faith. Betrayal. The greatest story ever rocked. Join the ALHS Drama Club for their Spring musical Jesus Christ Superstar
What’s the buzz?
The first musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to be produced for the professional stage, Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 50 years. A timeless work, the rock opera is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire.
The iconic 1970s rock score contains such well-known numbers as “Superstar,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Gethsemane.” A true global phenomenon and perfect pick for schools, community theaters and professionals alike, Superstar continues to touch new generations of audiences and performers.
Show Times
Thurs, April 16th - 7pm
Fri, April 17th - 7pm
Sat, April 18th - 7pm
Sun, April 19th - 2pm
New School Record!
Congratulations to senior, Brayden Patterson who is the new all-time school pins leader! Brayden recorded his 91st career pin tonight over Avon. The previous record of 90 was held by Max Whittman, class of 2018.
A Second Chance to See Our Academic Challenge Team in Action
The ALHS Academic Challenge team recorded their episode of Scholastic Games last Saturday, 1/24. They competed against North Ridgeville.
You can listen to the episode Tuesday 2/3 at 6pm on 98.9FM, 1380 AM and watch on WDLW.com. The podcast version will be available later that same evening- search for "Scholastic Games" on the podcast app of your choice.
Nathan Mellinger, Andrew Cline, and Jacob Mars competed, and can be seen in the attached picture.
Would you like to see your student's achievements highlighted in the newsletter?
Spanish Club Explores Spanish Cuisine at Ibiza
The Spanish Club enjoyed a delicious Tapas Lunch at Ibiza, where students had the chance to experience the flavors of Spanish cuisine firsthand. From tortilla española and chorizo portuguesa to queso manchego, arroz amarillo, pollo, and much more, there was something for everyone to enjoy. It was a fun and flavorful way to celebrate Spanish culture and enjoy a great meal together.
2026 Shoremen Boys Volleyball Club
We're looking for athletes that are interested in playing boys volleyball! Boys volleyball is currently a club sport in Avon Lake that plays in the spring season (February-May) against other northeast Ohio boys high school volleyball teams. If you participated in Volley Bros and had fun, it's time to take it to the next level and learn the fast-paced, high flying game of boys volleyball. Be part of the fastest growing boys high school sport in the country!
If you are interested in playing boys volleyball this season, please fill out the following Google form: https://forms.gle/fooyyyQzc6Jw9pa29 so we can collect your information and send you more details about upcoming dates, etc.
Upcoming Boys Volleyball Open Gyms (Main gym at ALHS):
· Monday, February 9 - 8:00-9:30pm
· Monday, February 16 - 8:00-9:30pm
· Tryouts will be held during the last week of February.
All skill levels welcome! We will teach the fundamentals and play 6v6 games.
Need a little extra help with math? Visit the Math Lab!
Our Math Lab is open every day during students' lunch period study halls. Students are able to get support for their math class. Whether you need to review for a test, you are stuck on a homework problem, or you simply want to build your confidence, the Math Lab is the perfect place to ask questions and get the help you need. Get a pass from your math teacher or your study hall teacher in order to take advantage of this great resource.
News from the Nurse
*Reminder parents/guardians of 12th grade students*
The Ohio Department of Health requires that *2 doses of MCV4-Meningococcal vaccine be administered before a student enters 12th grade. This vaccine protects against meningitis. If the first dose of MCV4 was administered on or after the 16th birthday, a second dose is not required. Ohio Revised Code (Section 3313.671) requires “exclusion” on the 15th day of school entrance of all pupils who do not meet the above requirements. If you have not done so already, please send in a copy of your child’s immunizations which show that they have received these vaccines. A copy can also be emailed to: Debra.Valadez@alcsoh.org
If you would like more information on meningitis, please use the following link https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/
*If you choose to not have your child vaccinated, a waiver form must be completed and be on file. You can print out a waiver form by going to www.avonlakecityschools.org Click “District” on the top menu, select Health news, scroll down under School Medical Forms for the immunization wavier form.
REMINDER FOR FREE STUDENT ATHLETIC PASSES
The Student Pass for athletics is valid only for home events. If you plan to attend an away game, you'll need to purchase a ticket from the host school. Be sure to check their ticketing details before you go!
School Fees
School Fees for the 2025-2026 school year will be added to Power School at the start of this month. Parent will receive an invoice via email once they have been added. If you have any extenuating circumstances or financial hardships that your family is facing, please let your grade level principal know as soon as possible.
*If your student was charged for a missing textbook, library book, Chromebook, Chromebook charger or a missing calculator and they have the missing item, please return to Mrs. Hout in the Main office and the fee will be removed.
Payment Options
BY MAIL: Check made payable to ALHS can be mailed to : Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012, Attn: Student Fees.
PAYMENT DEPOSITORY: Place payment in an envelope marked "Student Fees" into the Payment Depository located to the right of the Main Office door.
ONLINE: Payments may be made online at www.payschoolscentral.com. The student's ID number is necessary to set up an account. A 3.9% Convenience Fee for all credit card or a $1.75 Flat Fee for all ACH (electronic check) transactions will be charged.
LUNCH ACCOUNT - If there are any questions regarding your lunch account please contact Andrea Sokolow (www.andrea.sokolow@alcsoh.org) or 440-933-6210 x 1522.
2025-2026 Pay-To-Participate Information
New for 2025-26, Pay to Participate fees are charged per sport per school year. There is no longer a family cap however, if a student athlete participates in both a Fall and Winter sport, the Spring Sport will be free.
Pay To Participate Fee Due Dates
Fall Sports August 15, 2025
Winter Sports December 1, 2025
Spring Sports March 13, 2026
Please note: If payment is not received in full by date listed, the student athlete cannot participate in any contests.
Payment Options
BY MAIL: Check made payable to ALHS can be mailed to : Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012, Attn: “Pay to Participate”.
PAYMENT DEPOSITORY: Place payment in an envelope marked "Pay to Participate" into the Payment Depository located to the right of the Main Office door.
ONLINE: Payments may be made online at www.payschoolscentral.com. The student's ID number is necessary to set up an account. A 3.9% Convenience Fee for all credit card or a $1.75 Flat Fee for all ACH (electronic check) transactions will be charged.
Additional Information on Pay to Participate can be found on the athletics homepage www.avonlakesports.com
Designated Bus Loading/Unloading Zones Near South Parking Lot Flag Poles and Caboose
Please note that the striped areas in the parking lots are designated bus loading/unloading zones. For safety reasons we request you do not park in the striped areas.
WEIGHT ROOM NEWS
Times and Days listed below
Avon Lake High School
Commons Doors Open At 7:00AM
Interior Doors Open At 7:30AM
Main Office Hours
7:15AM - 3:30PM
Website: https://www.avonlakecityschools.org/highschool
Location: 175 Avon Belden Road, Avon Lake, OH, USA
Phone: 440-933-6290