The APHS Look AHEAD- 21-22
Dear APHS students and families,
It is May, and we have less than 40 days of instruction before we solidly wrap up the 21-22 school year! There is no question that we have a great deal to celebrate in the weeks to come. The amazing accomplishments of our students at APHS, on so many different fronts, never ceases to amaze me!
As we celebrate, I also remind both students and parents to make sure that we are focused on finishing the year strong in terms of academics. The longer days and nice weather can sometimes make this challenging! It is important, however, that we all remember to finish the job well, right up until the very end. Every credit and every exam is important, and doing well now will clear the way for a summer without the stress and worry associated having to re-take anything needed to graduate on time.
With so much going on, May is a wonderful month to focus on making each day meaningful. This means thinking about what we are doing, aligning our actions with our priorities, and staying focused on the right work; all while being sure to good care of ourselves, and those around us. Here is a link to activities you can do in a May to help give purpose and meaning to your days: https://actionforhappiness.org/sites/default/files/May%202022.pdf
I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at the numerous events and celebrations coming up in the weeks and months ahead. In the meantime, please stay connected with anything that you need. Let's all work together to finish the year strong!
Serving every student every day,
Mr. Heath Quiles
High School Principal (quilesh@apcsd.org)
The HS Leadership Team:
-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."
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: COMMENCEMENT FOR THE APHS CLASS OF 2022
The Commencement Ceremony for the APHS Class of 2022 will be on Thursday, June 23rd at 6:30 pm at the MVP Arena, in Albany! This is the same location as the previous "Times Union Center".
Given the size of the venue, we will NOT require tickets for this event. Graduates will be able to invite as many family members and friends as they would like!
Keep an eye out for more information from Mrs. Perez in the weeks to come!
JUNE 2022 REGENTS EXAMS ARE COMING UP SOON!
For those who like to plan ahead, here is a calendar of dates for each exam.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WBvpeiSG7cpgVhirMwqklmBSHM7GnsSf/view?usp=sharing
PLEASE NOTE; this calendar is a State-version. While all of the dates are correct, APHS exams begin at 8 am for morning exams and 12 pm for afternoon exams.
Keep an eye out for more information from Assistant Principal, Mrs. Mein, in the weeks to come!
Chris Herren To Present School-Wide Assembly at APHS- May 18th
We are extremely excited to announce that former NBA player, Chris Herren, will be presenting a school-wide assembly to all APHS students on the morning of Wednesday, May 18th! This program is being provided to our students with the generous support of our partners at the Averill Park Education Foundation, NOpiates, and the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Department.
Chris Herren presents to students nationwide about the importance of good decision-making, particularly with regards to the use of substances, such as opioids. Since 2009, Chris Herren has spoken to over 1 million students and community members, sparking honest discussions on the topics of substance use disorder and wellness. A person in long-term recovery, Chris continues to share his story nationally with a renewed focus on prevention education and challenging audiences to rethink how we look at the disease of addiction.
For more information about his talks, please be sure to take a look at his website, linked here: https://herrentalks.com/
We are looking forward to providing our students with this wonderful opportunity, and we thank our community partners for making this experience possible!
APCSD Revised School Calendar for 2021-22 school year
At their last meeting, The APCSD Board of Education revised the calendar for this school year. Here is a link to the updated calendar:
APHS Quarter 3 Honor Roll and Top 5 Students
https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2021-2022/5620-aphs-3rd-quarter-honor-rolls
Parking Pass Reminder
Attention APHS Juniors and Seniors; Spring has sprung! If you are a driver and you have not done so already, be sure to get your APHS parking pass! Here's a link to the 2021-2022 APHS Parking Permit application.
Please note that this is a privilege for Juniors and Seniors that are in good standing, and a pass must be present in all student vehicles parked on campus!
Completed applications are turned in to Mrs. Stern at the front desk. Reach out to Mrs. Mein if you have any questions.
EHallPass At APHS
EHallPass is a building-wide, electronic hall pass system, which allows for students to sign-in and out of locations around the building electronically, on their school-issued or personal device, replacing the need for paper passes.
Over the past several months, APHS has been working behind the scenes to set this system up. Faculty and staff piloted this system throughout March, and we are now using this system fully at the high school.
EHallPass has great potential when it comes to managing a safer and more efficient school environment for all of our students and staff. We will be using it in "pilot mode" for the remainder of the 2022 school year, so that we can assess whether to continue to use it in the future.
Chromebook Device Reminders for Students and Parents
At APHS, we are working very hard to develop and maintain a one-to-one instructional environment in which all students have access to technology that supports high-quality instruction and learning. To do this, we have provided all students with a Chromebook.
Behind this, there are a number of skills and attributes which we need to explicitly teach, and support in, our students. One of them is managing their devices so that they are present with them in hand, charged, and ready to use, whenever needed. In the world of our students, this is a "professional responsibility", aligned with what is expected in college and the workplace.
We have had a good number of students each day who go to the APPS Suite to get a loaner Chromebook, when forgotten at home. The APPS Suite Team recently updated their practices to better manage this, and to align with the Chromebook Handbook.
Here are a few updates to be aware of:
- The use of our device loan program at the APPS Suite is intended to be primarily for students who have a repair to their primary device in the works.
- From time-to-time, if a student forgets a Chromebook, a loaner may be available for the day at the APPS Suite.
- When a student forgets a Chromebook, the first response will be that the APPS Suite will require the student to contact a parent to bring the Chromebook to school.
- When a parent is unable to come to school, the student will be given a loaner device. This device must be returned to the APPS Suite at the end of the day.
- Any student who reaches 5 loans within a year will be referred to an Assistant Principal. The student will need to leave their device in the APPS Suite for a period of time, signing it in and out each day. A parent meeting, as well as other administrative and support interventions, will occur.
In the end, we aim to explicitly work with students so that they learn to become responsible users of technology in ways which are similar to what they will experience in college and the workplace. This is is a critical life ready skill, which we want for all APHS graduates to have.
If you have any questions, please contact our APPS Suite Coordinators, Mrs. Yost (yostj@apcsd.org) or Mrs. Sector (sectors@apcsd.org).
Car Show at the High School - June 4
The World Languages Department and the International Club are sponsoring their first annual Import and Domestic Car Show in the high school parking lot on Saturday June 4 (rain date Saturday June 11). Registration is $10/car and spectators are free. There will also be a benefit car wash. All proceeds will benefit World Languages senior awards.
Careers in Trades, Medical and Engineering
Careers in Trades, Medical and Engineering - All exciting opportunities!
Many students continue to struggle to find resources for information on pursuing careers that might not be the traditional college path or have paid internships.
I have collected a lot of information for the past few years that may be helpful. I have also met many business owners in the capital region and might be able to help students make some connections.
If you want some help, please take the time to send me a quick email describing what you are interested in and I may be able to recommend programs or set up an introduction.
I am a high school health teacher but also have a huge interest in helping with career information. Email me, Olga Ashline at ashlineo@apcsd.org for some ideas.
Complementary Guest Wifi Available After Hours at APHS
Have you ever found yourself in a zone with no coverage while on the APHS campus? It's not as uncommon as you may think!
APHS has a complementary, non-password secured "AP Guest Wifi'' which activates each afternoon at 3 pm, and stays on throughout the evening!
Next time you are out in the parking lot waiting for your child, or even if you are attending an event, search for this account on your device and try joining it.
Once you are on this account, your text messages should work well, and previous connectivity issues should be resolved, regardless of weak cell service.
Eligibility Guidelines to Attend/Participate in Extracurricular Activities
As we are deep into the last marking period, please take this opportunity to review with your child(ren) the high school Eligibility Guidelines to attend extra-curricular activities.
Please note that only unexcused absences and/or tardies will be counted towards ineligibility. Any absence related to COVID will be considered excused.
As always should you have any questions, please reach out to your child's counselor or assistant principal.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sX7DYNUNSp6tq8OKJUThjOJxml03DwCZl9AoFyl0UTM/edit?usp=drive_web
Procedures for Accessing Late Buses.
Reminder: After school late buses at APHS are available!
Late bus runs are offered every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon that school is in session. Late buses leave APHS at approximately 4:15 pm each Tuesday/Thursday. Students that need to use the late bus must sign up using this form no later than 9 am on the day that the late bus is needed. No late submissions will be accepted as the bus garage builds custom runs each day based upon the students that have signed up.
For those that would prefer, cut and paste the following link to access the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FroRO6nfwP3j831FiLrsZupxscuKk90iZwW0_OEMl14/edit After students are done meeting with their teacher(s) or attending an extra-curricular club, students will report to the cafeteria where we will have supervision while they wait for the late bus.
News from the Counseling Center
Attention Seniors:
A Google Form will be sent out to your school email address during the month of May. This form will be used to send your final transcripts to colleges, etc. after graduation. As soon as you know what your post high school plans are, please fill out this form. The form must be filled out in order for us to process your request. Final transcripts for all graduates will be ready to send out approximately July 15th.
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.
College Entrance Tests:
SAT I & II:
May 7, 2022 (Registration deadline is April 8)
June 4, 2022 (Registration deadline is May 5)
ACT:
June 11, 2022 (Registration deadline is May 6)
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.
Please use this link for information about accommodations:
https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/how-accommodations-work
Working Papers:
Nice weather is coming and many of you will be thinking of a Summer Job which means you will need to obtain 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.
*A message from Hudson Valley Community College:
The college is awarding full tuition scholarships up to 8 credits to all students in our College in the High School sections for Summer 2022! The scholarship will cover cost of tuition and free textbooks. Classes are held online, remotely, and on campus. Full course listings available at www.hvcc.edu/highschool
A student will be considered enrolled upon submission of a Registration Form with a certificate of residence or if a certificate of residence has been submitted within the last calendar year. If a valid certificate of residence is on file or is submitted with an SRI, the course will not drop for non-payment on the tuition due date. Students should review the Summer 2022 Registration Calendar for deadlines pertaining to drops and refunds.
News from the Health Office
PHYSICAL GRADES (OVERDUE)
New York State Education Department requires a physical exam for new entrances and students in grades 9 & 11 (at the high school). Students without physicals on file are not in compliance with the NYSED law. This physical must be dated no earlier than 9/1/2020.
The families that have not provided the required physical and immunization documents have already received an email in April. Please fax to 518-674-7052 or send the appropriate documentation to the school.
For 2022/2023 Seniors:
All students entering 12th grade from next school year must have their 2nd dose of the Meningococcal vaccine by the 14th calendar day from the start of the school year per NYS immunization regulations and New York State Law Section 2164 in order to attend school. This mandate has been in effect since September of 2016.
Letters will be mailed home within the first two weeks of May to those families that will need to provide the required documentation for the next school year. If you have any questions or concerns please email Mrs. Miller at millerv@apcsd.org.
IMPORTANT LINKS TO CALENDARS AND SCHEDULES FOR 21-22
The APCSD District Calendar for 21-22:
https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/images/District/2021-2022SCHOOLCALENDAR.pdf
This is a fixed schedule, and will not change based on snow days.
Marking Periods/Grade Reporting at the HS for the 21-22 School Year:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MLP4E1wY-7zeKL6GuG_DQtsAJLhFYhL5-DNjtAtivlA
Our Daily Bell Schedule for 21-22:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vxwV7mATanOY6bX72_i-14QNHud7FduiWzrr41Dr4uY/edit#gid=0
Please note that this includes schedules for one- and two-hour delays.
The HS Lunch Schedule for 21-22
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MpANeVyIwf2eg8euaMAPCQjt3pOYDVaiVz5e6oM2dLo/edit#gid=0
Student and Parent Access to Instructional Resources and Information:
While we will open the 21-22 school year as a 100% In-Person Instructional Program, we will continue to be a Google Classroom School. All HS faculty will be using 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.
A link to our Instructional Resources Site on the HS Webpage is here:
https://sites.google.com/apcsd.org/aphsfamilyresources20-21/instructional-resources
APHS Building-Wide Norms 21-22
With our day-to-day school life looking a bit different than it did last year, 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/document/d/1BR-6YovqShBt26q1ca62NF5bAoxUg9cAB5dpxc1WJtc/edit?usp=sharing
Bathroom Norms:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xs2Ei584GEnz_WOYDD_qCm1BEScEf_t4qQIsPNqtrbE/edit?usp=sharing
Classroom Norms:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pcCZb1h1rJGE0T-3ehV0bJDRoVX7eYRBOhz-Ij35Ayc/edit?usp=sharing
Cafeteria/Lunch Norms:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TWTuEnTURKUXW1oL257AQGkphuN69UIDy4wMU1WZmQE/edit?usp=sharing
Norms for Digital Citizenship:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tTm8O35Cu-Bv7zwbB_pO1-X4UhPraUS-owdIBH6m4nE/edit?usp=sharing
Our Assistant Principals, Mrs. Mein and Mrs. Leach, will review these norms with all students at their scheduled class meetings on Friday, September 10th.
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