The APHS Look AHEAD-September 2020

Dear APHS Students and Families,

It is extremely exciting to finally be able to extend a warm welcome to our students and families as we prepare to open the 20-21 school year. The circumstances of the past six months have been difficult, but have certainly shown the strength, resilience and kindness of our school community. Please know that all of us at the high school are looking forward to your return, whether it's in the context of our hybrid or 100% virtual program.

This year, instead of our traditional "paper opening newsletter", we are sending this electronically to all of our families. Given our circumstances, it seems fitting that we update the way we connect with you so that it better fits with the many new modalities through which we will deliver instruction and engage our students.

This edition is full of what we hope will be useful information as we open in a model like we have never experienced before. As you can imagine, our routines and procedures for what day-to-day life at the high school looks like are quite different than the past. As such, we have created an important orientation video for all students in grades 9-12. This was sent our several weeks ago, but in case you missed it, the link can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/filed/1Pwkr_HdQKcKhQgfDofuMg6jKe57cBrg2/view?usp=sharing

While we know that we are still living in a time of great uncertainty, we are confident that we are poised for a successful opening to the 2020-2021 school year. As always, we will stay in touch, and please do the same. If you have any questions, please never hesitate to reach out. In the meantime, we will launch into this unique year all together, and take very good care of one another along the way. Together, we are Warrior Strong.

Serving every student every day,

The APHS Building Leadership Team

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

-Mrs. Christina Mein, Assistant Principal, Grades 10 and 12 (meinc@apcsd.org)

-Mrs. Rebecca Leach, Assistant Principal, Grades 9 and 11 (leachr@apcsd.org)

#AP_EveryStudentEveryDay

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

• Welcome back to Mrs. DiGrigoli, who returns to our ELA Department!
• Welcome back to Mrs. Emmons, who returns to our Math Department!
• Welcome to Mr. Porter, who joins our ELA Department!
• Welcome back to Mr. David Kleszczynski, who returns to the HS as a Monitor!
• Welcome back to Mrs. Richardson, who returns to the HS Sped Department, covering for Mrs. Ford for the first weeks of the school year!
• Welcome back to Mrs. Beck, who returns to the HS Science Department, covering for Mrs. Oldendorf for the first weeks of the school year!
• Welcome to Shawn Logston, who joins APHS as a Speech Therapist!
• Welcome to Jody Salinski, who joins the HS as a Teacher Aide!
• Welcome to Linda Emery, who joins the HS as a Teacher Aide!

The APCSD District Calendar for 20-21:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jt88sLKd7FM8YcCvSvaO_c_jzl9rvLaf/view?usp=sharing

The AA/BB Day Rotation for the Hybrid Learning Schedule for 20-21 is linked here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IwJujjg5SUmGQn9zy6k6a0ztt2XIYYPB/view?usp=sharing

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

Marking Periods/Grade Reporting at the HS for the 20-21 School Year:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F42UlhjAEOfnCx2qgrwEZ1r9ceMhiLkT2bEAhpIAQHQ/edit?usp=sharing

Our Daily Bell Schedule for 20-21:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1choS5fPUhRfBX03ChMuUtGkLvjlZ2kvpIQ4ZEBXbZV4/edit?usp=sharing

The HS Lunch Schedule for 20-21:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14RVPA8Gv3oJZX3dvtJUcXGeMKUlh0DOn/view?usp=sharing

*Please note, students are expected to arrive to school by 7:30 am.

Students who take the bus will begin to unload from buses at 7:30 am, entering every other bus, staggered, via the athletic entrance and the atrium. Temperature scanners will be used to monitor students for fever upon arrival. Students who need breakfast will be able to take a “grab and go” breakfast from the entrance area, and then will report directly to their 1st/5th block class.

Students who are either driven, or drive themselves, to school will arrive through the main entrance and the music wing (by the band room) entrance. Temperature scanners will be used to monitor students for fever upon arrival. Students who need breakfast will be able to take a “grab and go” from the cafeteria, and report directly to their 1st/5th block class at 7:30 am.

Students who arrive prior to 7:30 am will be required to report directly to the cafeteria. At 7:30 am, when the first bell rings, students from this end of the building will report to their 1st/5th block class.

We ask that students do not arrive at, and are not dropped off to, the HS prior to 7:20 am.

Juniors and seniors who wish to park on campus may do so, in front of the campus, for the first week of school without a permit. In order to receive a permit, students must complete a student parking request form, linked here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O9QEbbtMPSu_sXywlFOdVcPrqT83nqsfF6V8DDxvWlg/edit?usp=sharing

This form should be completed and then left in the drop box outside of the Main Office upon a student's arrival or dismissal from the building. Parking permits will be delivered to students in their Advisory.

All parking forms must be received by the end of the day on Friday, September 18th.

Students will not be assigned lockers for the upcoming year. Please be sure to plan accordingly, pack your bags accordingly, and try not to pack too much!

During the first phases of our opening, at dismissal, students will be required to leave the building.

In our first phase of opening, we will NOT have late buses, and there will be no after school activities. All extracurricular activities will occur in virtual format, but will occur outside of the school day.

Bus students will leave through the Atrium and Athletic Exits.

Drivers and parent transported students will leave through the SS Wing Doors, the Main Exit, and the Music Wing Exit.

Please note that during the first weeks of instruction, dismissal will occur by announcement, staggered by zone of the building, beginning at 2:05 pm, and in 1-minute intervals. We ask that parents picking up their students be aware of this slight variability. Once our routines have been established, we expect to move to a singular dismissal. We will be sure to keep you in the loop as we update any of our end-of-day procedures.

The Board of Education has approved the 20-21 Code of Conduct. It is linked here: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/images/District/2020-2021APCSDCODEOFCONDUCT.pdf

The only update to this for 20-21 is that APHS is no longer a hat-free campus. Students may wear appropriate hats in all general areas at APHS. Classroom teachers will still determine whether hats will be be worn in their individual classrooms, and have the authority to make that determination. Please review the language within the Code of Conduct document for more information.

A review of the Code of Conduct will occur in all Advisory sections during the first four days of school.

At Averill Park High School all students and staff will wear masks while in the building.

While outside of the building, students may take masks off IF they are maintaining appropriate social distancing.

Students and staff will not be expected to wear masks while eating or drinking in their assigned lunch area.

Mask breaks may occur in classrooms for a maximum of 2-3 minutes at a time when all students are seated, are 6-feet apart, and remain this way for the duration of the break. Teachers will direct students as to how this may occur in their classroom.

Moving into the 20-21 School Year, APHS will be a 100% Google Classroom School, with all faculty using Google Classroom as the consistent platform for virtual and remote instruction.

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

A link to our Instructional Resources site is here: https://sites.google.com/apcsd.org/aphs-family-resources/instructional-resources?authuser=0

The first day of school is an A-Day with Cohort 1 (last names A-K) attending school in person, and Cohort 2 (last names L-Z) attending school remotely.

Students who are remote on the first day of school, and students who are 100% virtual, will receive an email, on their school email account, from each of their classroom teachers prior to the end of day on Tuesday September 8th, instructing them what they need to do in order to connect with each of their classes on the first day.

Moving into this year, it is absolutely essential that all students make a habit of checking their school email account each and every day.

APHS opens the 20-21 school year with all students receiving a 1:1 Chromebook device from the school.

9th and 10th graders already have these devices. These devices were offered to 11th and 12th graders, new entrants, and our 100% virtual students during an evening pick-up last week.

For students who have not yet received their devices, these will be distributed in one of the first Advisory periods of the school year.

If you are a 100% virtual student who has not yet received your device, please contact the High School Main Office at (518) 674-7002.

As you look at your schedule, please know that our counselors and scheduling staff have made every effort to reduce student conflicts, and maximize student enrollment in the courses which they selected. The outcomes this year are statistically higher than they have ever been. Conversely, please remember that students selected their courses last spring, and were given two opportunities to make changes to these selections prior to the close of last year. With this in mind, no schedule changes will be made prior to the official add/drop period, unless:

• the student has failed the prerequisite course.
• the student went to summer school and no longer needs the assigned course.
• the student is repeating a course with the same teacher.
• a clerical error has occurred or two courses assigned to one time slot.
• there are special medical considerations (requires medical verification from a physician)

This year, more than ever, we will need to be very consistent in NOT changing student schedules prior to the add/drop period for any reasons other than those listed above. Our hybrid model, which is based on keeping balanced and socially distanced/appropriate section sizes is built and stable, and will need to stay this way in order to insure the wellbeing of our students and staff.

Once the year is open and we have settled in, we will open the traditional Add/Drop Period for students between the dates of 9/23/20-10/7/20. At that time, we will consider requests for course changes, but only to the extent that they do not create unsafe section sizes for our students and staff. Our Counseling Center will reach out with more information as we more closely approach that time.

With our day-to-day school life looking very different than it ever has, we have developed guiding norms for all students at APHS. Please take a few minutes to take a look, as these are the basis of our collective expectations for students at the high school.

Hallway Norms:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TgVLvvAbWtlu1cIsBGDA4hgFMsDcUayov7kUvISFpLc/edit?usp=sharing

Bathroom Norms: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bmcmyzyRw5BbPx9KbTTQD8DuPAbB1O_1TcYuX8V3olA/edit?usp=sharing

Classroom Norms: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Vqfjkw2QDfqJnBhhXx2vVpDYOJJpraKqi6mhcgQEo0Q/edit?usp=sharing

Cafeteria/Lunch Norms:https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kqvK1DYn3dTaAe5nhTc3VulrQ9DrSgK-IlxjKkkzxHw/edit?usp=sharing

Norms for Digital Citizenship: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10dVO1QWPKEByFTfnaepl1BJxTMPcibZO2ydi3yHq4D0/edit?usp=sharing

The HS will host an in-person and voluntary evening for our 100% virtual students to meet their teachers, and pick up the materials they need from their teachers.. This will occur outside, on our campus, in a socially distanced manner, with all participants wearing masks, on Tuesday, September 15th from 5:30-7:00 pm.

Watch your email and social media for more information as we get closer to this date!

School Pictures will occur in all PE classes on September 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th.

The final senior portrait days will be on September 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.

Watch for more information in the weeks to come!

Yearbooks can be ordered online at: www.jostens.com

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

Our annual Open House will be virtual and held on Thursday, September 17th at 6:30pm.

Each of our teachers is preparing a short video introduction to each of our courses, including class norms and expectations, how instruction will work, and how to best stay in touch.

Please watch for a link to this event as we arrive closer to the date.

In general, promotion from one grade to the next remains contingent upon the passing of all required subjects and the accumulation of the number of credits shown in the chart below.

Freshman 0-5.25 credits

Sophomore 5.50—10.75 credits

Junior 11.0—16.25 credits

Senior 16.50 and above credits

For the safety and wellbeing of everyone, visitors will not be permitted inside of the high school during the academic day, when school is in session.

Parents wishing to pick up students, or drop off items for students, should use the intercom at the main entrance of the building. Our staff in the main office will guide you through the appropriate procedures.

Meetings between parents and staff will be expected to be conducted in a virtual format. In cases where a face-to-face meeting may be required, staff will need the permission of the building principal.

Visitors approved to enter the building, by the principal, will complete a health screening, have their temperature taken, and will wear a mask.

We have updated our Counselor Assignments for the 20-21 school year:

Counselor Assignments

Ms. Stone

A-C (grade 9)

A-E (grades 10-12)

Mr. Gildersleeve

D-K (grade 9)

F-K (grades 10-12)

Ms. Arsenault

L-P (Grades 9-12)

Mr. Plantz

Q-Z (grades 9-12)

APHS Financial Aid Night:

A representative from Siena College will conduct a College Financial Aid Workshop virtually on Thursday, September 24th at 6:30pm. The workshop will provide an overview of the entire financial aid process. Details with further information will be provided as we get closer to the date.

Parents of students in all grades are welcome to attend.

College Entrance Exams:

Please check the college board website for any updates and cancellations concerning upcoming exams.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS:

SAT I & II:

October 3, 2020 (Registration deadline is September 4)

November 7, 2020 (Registration deadline is October 7)

December 5, 2020 (Registration deadline is November 5)

March 13, 2021 (SAT 1 only) (Registration deadlines is February 12)

May 8, 2021 (Registration deadline is April 3)

June 5, 2021 (Registration deadline May 6)

www.sat.collegeboard.org

ACT:

October 10, 2020 (Registration deadline is September 17)

December 12, 2020 (Registration deadline is November 6)

February 6, 2021 (Registration deadline is January 8)

April 17, 2021 (Registration deadline is March 12)

June 12, 20201 (Registration deadline is May 7)

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.

PSAT:

APHS will be hosting the PSAT/NMSQT on Saturday, October 17th this year due to our hybrid school-week schedule.

Enough tests are available for all interested Juniors. 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. All COVID-19 safety guidelines will be followed to provide a safe testing environment for our students.

September 2020:

Sept. 7th - Labor Day - NO SCHOOL

Sept 8th- 9th Grade/New Entrant Tours of Building-LIVE

Sept 9th- First Day of Classes

Sept 11th- All Chromebook Agreement Forms due to Advisory

Sept 15th- Live Meet and Greet for Virtual Students- 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Sept 17th- Virtual Open House -6:30 pm

Sept 18th- Student Parking Permits Due

Sept 21st-24th- HS Picture Days in all PE classes

Sept 28th- Yom Kippur - 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