The APHS Look AHEAD-March 2021

Dear APHS Students, Parents and Guardians,

March is a transformative month. The mainstay of the school year is behind us, and yet the work we have ahead of us remains tremendously important to our final outcomes. As the weather starts to shift, it will be important that we continue to work together, support one another, and also keep the focus on finishing strong, right through the end of the year.

Instructional models during this pandemic year have certainly presented challenges to students throughout the region, State, and nation. Many more of our students are struggling academically than at any time in the past. We have continued to adjust our responses and supports for these students, but I would like to ask that parents keep an extra close eye this year on your child's progress. Please do not hesitate to reach out directly to teachers and counselors for help if you note that extra support is needed. As long as we are all monitoring, communicating, and working together, I am confident that we can support the needs of all of our students; even with the unique constraints this year has presented. On this note, please also watch this month for emerging information about Regents and AP exams.

With the end of the year in mind, please also know that our student leaders and faculty advisors have actively been working with the High School Leadership Team to explore our options for end-of-the-year events and activities. Once again, our choices will very much be defined by many factors beyond our control. We will be working to navigate through all of this over the next month, and the high school is committed to doing our best to come out on the other end with some wonderful celebratory options for our students, especially for our Seniors. To be clear, the events for the Class of 2021 will be both a priority and a focus.

Finally, please remember to take the time to pause, breathe and take in what's all around us. Learning to be more mindful and aware can do wonders for our well-being in all areas of life - like the way we eat, the things we notice or our relationships. It helps us get in tune with our feelings and stops us dwelling on the past or worrying about the future - and we all need that! Take a look at these daily activities to help with this, as we enter a Mindful March: https://www.actionforhappiness.org/media/980902/march_2021.jpg

As always, please reach out if there is anything you need. We are looking forward to the upcoming warmer, and brighter, months.

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."

Averill Park High School is proud to announce our Quarter 2 Honor Roll and Top 5 students.

https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2020-2021/4741-aphs-announces-2nd-quarter-honor-rolls

The Food Service Department of the Averill Park Central School District is proud to be an important partner with our families during the pandemic. We firmly believe our District's mission of meeting the needs of and creating opportunities for Every Student, Every Day includes your child's nutritional needs.

Thanks to an extension of the US Department of Agriculture's program currently providing for free breakfast and lunch, we will continue to be providing free breakfast & lunch to ALL students through June 30, 2021. We strongly encourage all our families to participate in this essential child nutrition program, as we continue to support each other through these challenging times.

Reminder: Meals are available for 100% Virtual and Hybrid Students. Please contact Colleen Wise, Food Service Director at wisec@apcsd.org with any questions or to sign up for meal pick up.

Students, do you or your family need some extra food items? Please reach out to Ms. Stone or Ms. Favro for confidential support- we will provide snacks or a bag of food for you each week.

Ms. Stone: stonek@apcsd.org

Ms. Favro: favrok@apcsd.org

We will continue to offer after school time for students to get extra help from their teachers.

So that we can assure the safety of our students and staff, both while in the building and on our late bus runs, we ask that you follow the procedures outlined below (and in the accompanying video).

After school extra help will be offered on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays, on the following rotational schedule:

• A-Days (both for Cohort 1 and 2) will be for after school extra help in Social Studies, Math, Art, Music, and Study Skills.
• B-Days (both for Cohort 1 and 2) will be for after school extra help in ELA, Science, LOTE, Tech, and PE/Health.

Students who are interested in receiving extra help should work with their teacher to select the appropriate day(s). Once you have selected a day, you must complete the following form by 9am on the day that you plan stay: https://forms.gle/Dd5sBvagFMjtTGaU6 Only students who have signed up to stay with specific teachers, with that teacher's consent, are allowed to stay after school.

This form is a shared one, which will be used by both AMS and APHS students. It will allow for us to know how many students will be in our buildings, track usage and needs, and allow for the buses to plan for safe runs, for both the middle and high schools.

For students who provide their own transportation, no late buses are needed. Please be sure, however, to complete the form to sign up to stay.

For those students who would like to take advantage of our late buses, we will be able to offer these, departing from the high school at approximately 4:30 pm. When you have finished your extra help session, please report directly to the HS Cafeteria/Student Union. Supervision will be provided in this location until the late busses have departed.

Thank you to everyone for your flexibility, and for helping to do your part in keeping everyone safe and secure each day. It's been a lot! In the weeks to come, as we assess how this plan looks and operates in real life, we will consider ways through which we can continue to expand student engagement outside of the school day.

If you have any questions, please contact the high school office at 518-674-7002.

The February issue of The Chronicle, your school newspaper, is now available. Check out the 24 pages of news, features, editorials, humor and more! Paper copies are available in the main lobby of the high school.

https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2020-2021/4739-the-chronicle-february-edition

The International Club is holding a raffle fundraiser to support our sister school, New Horizons, in the Dominican Republic! The money raised from this raffle will go toward helping disadvantaged children in Haiti and the Dominican Republic receive an education and food, along with other necessities (such as toiletries) which are not as easily accessible. There will be eight (8) prize winners!

The prizes are as follows:

Two (2) winners for:

Treats For Your Sweet (Candy Basket)

One (1) winner for each of the following baskets:

Relaxation Basket

Dog Lover's Basket

Amazon Gift Cards: Two $25 Amazon gift cards (as one prize)

One-Hour Massage!

Covid19 Necessities Basket

Knitting Basket

Ticket pricing are as follows:

5 tickets for $8.00

10 tickets for $12.00

25 tickets for $26.00

50 tickets for $50.00

To select the prizes you would like a chance at winning and to learn more information about the raffle and what is included in each prize use this link: https://forms.gle/3UwwxFbCVEVhTVb98

To pay for your tickets, either use this website: Family ID APHS International Club or, if mailing in payments or paying in person, checks should be made out to

"APHS International Club"

and mailed to:

Averill Park High School

Attn: Mrs. Apelanz

146 Gettle Road

Averill Park, NY 12018

The Off Broadway Players presented their annual Cabaret on Thursday, February 25th. The Cabaret is a compilation of extremely talented students performing musical theatre songs from shows, films and associated composers. Congratulations to all of the performers!

For more information on future performances, please check out our Instagram @apobp.

Purchase your 2021 yearbook at: jostens.com !

This is certainly a unique year and our yearbook will be an interesting documentation

of the changes and challenges!

Any yearbook questions? baileya@apcsd.org / blosteinm@apcsd.org

The yearbook is now looking for candid photos of students during virtual / hybrid / remote learning.

Please send photos and note grade(s) of student(s).

Send photos to: baileya@apcsd.org

Please consider making a donation so we can have an awesome prom!

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16wMRE933BoOWsMLWy4cLZUZCddxla0sbYKF0sw_-dow/edit?ts=603504b7#slide=id.p

Course Selections 2021-22

Please make sure your student's course request form is turned into the Counseling Center no later than March 19th. Counselors need to enter all student course selections into School Tool by April 1st in order to create the master schedule for next year. If you have questions, please reach out to your student's individual counselor.

The courses being offered at the high school for the 2021-2022 school year are now available for viewing on the school’s website. Counselors will be meeting with students, in grades 9-11, over the next few months to plan their course selections for next year. Please look over the courses being offered and help plan for a successful, engaging 2021-2022 school year. You can view the course catalog here: https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/guide-to-program-planning

Senior Awards and Questionnaires

All Seniors must complete their Senior Questionnaire (will be emailed home) in order to be considered for an award during our ceremony in June. Please contact the Counseling Center if you need further assistance or if you have any questions. All questionnaires must be returned to the Counseling Center no later than March 26th.

Need working papers?

Please print out the application for working papers at https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/working-papers. Once all forms are completed and the physical form AT-16 is signed by a medical professional, please email them, along with the form of ID you will be providing to process the application, to Carneyj@apcsd.org. Once your application has been processed you will be contacted to make arrangements for you to sign your working papers. You will also need to provide the originals at that time. Please make sure you follow through with all instructions to expedite the processing of your application.

Want to meet with your Counselor?

Students can find the Request to meet with a counselor form on the Averill Park H.S. Family and Instructional Resource page under Guidance.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_stNvi148d0oDNaYZC4rra6MPgzcwb47ihGL28wqRfU/edit

Once the form is submitted the Counselor will reach out to the student and make arrangements as needed.

Upcoming SUNY Events

If you are interested in possibly attending a SUNY college or if you are interested in learning about a SUNY Education, feel free to visit the following link to register:
www.suny.edu/studentevents or call 1-800-342-3811

SUNY is offering information sessions. They are also offering a program related to Which SUNY is Right For You, the Educational Opportunity Program, How to apply to SUNY and Financial Aid Events.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS:

SAT I & II:

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:

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.

Virtual Parent Workshop:

What’s Trending?

Gaming/Gambling Addiction-Vaping- Alcohol Marijuana- Kratom- Opiates-Prescription Pills

Date: Tuesday March 9th 2021

Time: 6:30 pm-7:30 pm

Online event: Zoom webinar

Presentation provided by Rensselaer County Student Assistance Program and NOpiates Committee

RSVP to Kim Favro, Student Assistance Counselor @ favrok@apcsd.org to receive Zoom invitation.

Wild weather we are having, right?! During our February Mindful Nature Walk, we noticed the vivid blue sky and how we could feel the warm sun on our skin even with the temperature in the 20s. Would you like to join in to see what our March Mindful Nature Walks might bring? See below for two upcoming events...

RPA is co-hosting a Healing Nature Walk with Nopiates Committee from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on March 6th at Poestenkill Community Forest. If you don't know Nopiates already, they are a wonderful local organization that supports and advocates for people and families affected by addiction and engages our community in ongoing prevention and education initiatives. The Opioid Epidemic and struggles with addiction cause untold grief, loss, and pain. Time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and balance our mental health. If you've been impacted by the Opioid Epidemic or addiction, we warmly invite you to this free event. Register here.

RPA's monthly Mindful Nature Walk will be held on March 13th at Albert Family Community Forest from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Join myself and co-guide Sandy Wilson to open your senses and saunter through this beautiful forest. The suggested donation is $10 but there's also an option to register for free. All are enthusiastically welcome, regardless of ability to pay. You can register for this walk here.

Size is limited for non-essential gatherings like these so register early to get one of the 8 spots available. Please dress extremely warmly (and then add 2 layers on top!) because we walk slowly during these walks and don't build up much heat. Wear boots with good tread and pack water or hot tea and a snack in case you get hungry or thirsty. Masks are required, covering both nose and mouth at all times unless specified otherwise. Thanks for helping us stay safe and being able to continue to offer outings!

Looking forward to seeing you!

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.

If you have not provided the required physical and immunizations please do so as soon as possible. Please fax to 518-674-7052 or send the appropriate documentation to the school. Letters were sent home last month for those who needed to turn them in.

Quarantine Information:

The school district works in conjunction with the Department of Health for contact tracing when there is a school exposure this is the process:

* Parents who have children that are identified as a direct contact will be notified by the district.

* Parents will receive an email with instructions on what to do daily for 14 days as well as the official quarantine notification from the Department of Health.

* Parents will receive a daily text message with the Quarantine Questionnaire for the full 14 days to monitor symptoms per the Department of Health Guidelines. This is in addition to the daily questionnaire that must also be answered.

* If you have any questions please contact your building nurse and they can help you.

The Department of Health had changed their quarantine guidelines:

• a negative test does NOT release you from quarantine.
• It is essential to wait 10 days full days to make sure that no infection appears, even if you have no symptoms, before being released from quarantine.
• Quarantine should last 10 days from the last exposure to a person with known COVID-19.
• In addition, you will continue to monitor yourself for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 for up to 14 days after that last exposure.
• If you exhibit any one symptom during the quarantine period your quarantine will be extended for the full 14 days- (this is a Department of Health requirement)

ILLNESS:

Parents/families need to continue to follow the illness guidelines that have been put in place by NYSDOH.

* Your child must stay home if they have any ONE symptom that is outlined in the COVID toolkit.

* You must have your child evaluated by their medical provider and have a doctor's note or a negative COVID test- This MUST be submitted to the building nurse prior to the student entering the building.

* Your child must stay home if anyone in the home is waiting for test results. Please discuss with your building nurse if there are any questions or see the previous guidance the district sent out about routine testing for employment or college-age children.

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.

Averill Park High School

A World of Difference - No Place for Hate Pledge

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D93bj2_fQukRrR2wWRD8BYZcGwu4vrw4/view

Please join our students in A World of Difference in committing to making APHS a No Place for Hate school. No Place for Hate means just that - we won't tolerate bullying, prejudice, racism, or hatred in our school community. After watching this wonderful video our AWOD students created, please take the time to sign our No Place for Hate pledge on the google form link below. It is open to all students, faculty, and staff at APHS, and your APHS email is the key to get you in. Thank you for helping to keep our school a friendly, caring & safe environment for ALL.

https://forms.gle/owqgqxghM56Ekmfr9

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

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

March 2021:

Please keep an eye out in the next few weeks for more information about a potential outdoor instrumental concert event in late March. Additionally, watch for dates for our virtual vocal concert in late March.

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