The APHS Look AHEAD- 21-22
Dear APHS Students and Families,
Welcome back, and Happy New Year! We hope that you've enjoyed a restful break!
The new year is always a wonderful opportunity to reflect, set new goals, and start anew. While it's not the start of a whole new school year, it's still possible to set a new trajectory as we head into the second half of our current year. Would you like to improve your grades? Is there a specific class you want to do better in? Is there a club or activity that you've been thinking about joining? This is the perfect time to set a goal, and make it happen!
As we move into January, we will begin the process of preparing for course selection for the 22-23 school year. Our Course Catalog will be released on January 10th. Be sure to take a look at this important document, and keep an eye out for communication from our Counseling Center about the timeline for students to select their courses for next year.
Please also keep in mind that NYSED has cancelled all January 2022 Regents Exams. This means that we will have regular instruction for all students at the high school during what was previously January Regents Week.
Things have certainly not been easy over the last year, and we are still in difficult and uncertain times. The best way to try to handle our difficult emotions and experiences is by focusing on what we can control. This month, we're encouraging everyone to focus on small steps to try to boost happiness - for ourselves and others around us - to spread kindness and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
Here is a link to a daily calendar of activities that you can do to boost happiness in yourself, and others: https://www.actionforhappiness.org/media/1077195/jan_2022.jpg
As always, please reach out if there is anything that you need. We are here to help, and always appreciate working closely with our students and parents to achieve our common goal of success for each and every student at APHS.
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 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."
January 2022 Regents Examinations - Cancelled
In December, the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) announced the cancellation of the 2022 January Regents Exams.
As a result, regular instruction will occur at the high school each day between Monday, January 24th and Thursday, January 27th. Friday, January 28th will remain a Superintendent's Conference Day, with no instruction for students.
At this time, NYSED has indicated that students who were scheduled to take the ELA Regents Exam this January will be required to take this exam in June of 2022. Exemptions are not being offered.
For students who were scheduled to make-up any of the Regents Exams in January, please contact your School Counselor to develop alternate make-up plans.
As always, we will continue to keep you updated with any developments. In the meantime, please contact your child's School Counselor or teacher if you have any questions.
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.
Principal for the Day - Ben Stewart
On December 8th, Averill Park High School Sophomore, Ben Stewart, served as the APHS Principal for the Day! Mr. Stewart did an excellent job running the building, taking care of students and staff, and keeping a positive vibe at the high school.
Ben won this honor through the 2021 Averill Park Education Foundation Gala Auction. Congratulations to Ben, and GREAT JOB!
You make AP Shine!
Sonya Kaye, Francesca Morone Honored By National Merit Scholarship Program
Averill Park CSD is proud to announce that Sonya Kaye and Francesca Morone have been named Commended Students in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program!
Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
News from the APHS Music Department
This December our APHS Music Department returned to indoor performances with two successful Winter Concerts. The ensembles that performed were the APHS Concert Choir, Treble Choir, Orchestra, Concert Band and Jazz Band. Students were so excited to return to the auditorium and to have a live audience after a challenging year of performances. Mr. Blostein and Mrs. Christy are so proud of all of our student performers and can’t wait to bring you our March concerts.
Eligibility Guidelines to Attend/Participate in Extracurricular Activities
As we approach the middle of the second 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
Late Bus Runs are NOW Available for Students
Reminder: After school late buses at APHS have returned!
Late bus runs will be offered each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon that school is in session. Late buses will leave APHS at approximately 4:30 pm each Tuesday/Thursday. Students that need to use the late bus will still need to sign up using this form no later than 9 am on the day that the late bus is scheduled for.
For those that would prefer, cut and paste this link to access the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FroRO6nfwP3j831FiLrsZupxscuKk90iZwW0_OEMl14/edit
After students are done meeting with their teacher(s), students will report to the cafeteria where we will have supervision while they wait for the late bus.
Thank you for supporting our local food drive
The APHS Student Government, APHS Key Club and APHS SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Club would like to thank all the AP parents, students and community members who have donated to our food drive to feed local families over the holidays. Your generosity has helped brighten the day for another family.
News from the Counseling Center
College Entrance Tests:
SAT I & II:
March 12, 2022 (Registration deadline is February 11)
May 7, 2022 (Registration deadline is April 8)
June 4, 2022 (Registration deadline is May 5)
ACT:
February 12, 2022 (Registration deadline is January 7)
April 2, 2022 (Registration deadline is February 25)
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
PSAT Scores available
If you took the PSAT in Oct, your scores are now available to view online. Just sign into your college board account and click on PSAT/NMSQT to see them.
Exciting Opportunity
For any college- bound senior whose family contribution on the FASFA is 0, please see your counselor for an exciting full college scholarship to St. Rose.
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.
Reminder
Quarter 2 marking period ends Friday, January 28, 2022
News from the Health Office
COVID:
Per district and DOH policy, any student who is experiencing ANY symptoms associated with COVID-19 infections (Sore throat, cough, headache, runny nose/congestion, fever, chills, muscle/body aches, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, fatigue, shortness of breath, or new loss of taste/smell) regardless of vaccination status needs to stay home. A negative test result or a medical provider's clearance note allowing them to return needs to be submitted to the nurse's office and with symptoms improving prior to returning to school. Please call the nurse's office if you have any questions regarding what test is acceptable.
Physicals:
All 9th, 11th, and new entrances need to submit an updated physical to the nurse's office dated no earlier than September 1st, 2021. This is an NYS mandate
( NYSED requires a physical exam for new entrants and students in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11; annually for interscholastic sports; and working papers as needed; or as required by the Committee on Special Education (CSE) or Committee on Pre-School Special education (CPSE).)
Screenings:
NYS mandated vision, hearing, and scoliosis screening will start in January. Scoliosis for boys in grade 9 and new entrance. Vision (near and far) and hearing are for 9th, 11th, and all-new entrances.
Indoor Winter Events Notice
The Averill Park Central School District is excited to have the opportunity to bring our community members back into our buildings for in-person, indoor events this winter.
The COVID-19 pandemic remains active in our area and there are health and safety protocols that we must adhere to. See below for guidelines related to indoor events this year.
- All indoor events will have capacity limits, including concerts, interscholastic athletics, and more.
- Spectators must wear masks at all times while on school grounds, regardless of vaccination status.
The maximum spectator/audience capacity for indoor events is:
- APHS Auditorium - 225 (approximately 25% of capacity)
- APHS Gymnasium - 500 (approximately 25% of capacity)
- AMS Auditorium - 200 (approximately 25% of capacity)
- AMS Gymnasium - 4 people per participant
If you have questions about these protocols, please reach out to Principal Quiles (APHS), Principal Messia (AMS) or Athletic Director Mr. Bubniak. Please note, these guidelines are for APCSD events and interscholastic sports only. Parents with children in community sports should contact their league regarding the spectator limits for non-APCSD teams.
Breakfast and Lunch - No Charge to Students this Year! FREE!! FREE!!
The Averill Park Central School District Food Services Department will be operating under a waiver from the USDA during the 2021-2022 school year. This waiver will allow all students to be served breakfast and lunch at no charge during the 2021-2022 school year.
Families are encouraged to complete a 2021-2022 Application for Free & Reduced Price Meals, as there are many additional benefits associated with an approved application for students and families including Pandemic EBT.
https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/services/food-services
Our Food Services Director, Colleen Wise can be reached at 518-674-7004 with any questions you may have.
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
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sJNKmfAEuqWuYyhVWt5eNgLhR9GC1lVm/view
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
Updates on General Operations at APHS for 21-22 in Consideration of COVID
During the 21-22 school year, we are aiming to create the greatest sense of normalcy within our school environment which is possible. Of course, we must at the same time follow the guidelines which have been set forth by the Governor's Office, as well as the NYS Department of Education and Department of Health.
Operations at the HS will look essentially like they did as we opened the pre-pandemic, 2019 school year, with a few exceptions based on relevant guidance:
Masks will be worn by all students and staff, vaccinated or not, at all times while indoors.
Masks will be optional when students and staff are outdoors.
We will maintain a social distance of 3-feet throughout our time in the building, including in the cafeteria and LGI for lunches. Outdoor options will be available for students as they eat.
Student transitions will be short in duration, at 4 minutes, and students will move stay to the right as they move.
Morning health screenings and temperature checks will NO LONGER occur.
Student bathrooms are no longer monitored. Students may use restrooms, as needed.
We will continue to maintain fixed seating charts for all classes, study halls, and the cafeteria.
Students must sign-in and sign-out of all spaces. One student may leave a given classroom or space at a time.
Hallway transitions will be used for students to go from one class to the next. Masks will be worn at all times, and students will stay to the right in their travels.
We will continue to monitor conditions and will stay in touch should we need to make adjustments to our operations.
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
Reporting Absences Related to COVID- Maintaining Instructional Continuity.
Anytime that your child is absent from school, it is important that you report this absence to the HS Attendance Office at 518-674-7024. Conversely, you may report absences via our dedicated attendance email address, at aphsattendance@apcsd.org
FOR ABSENCES RELATED TO A LONGER-TERM QUARANTINE, OR A RECOVERY FROM COVID:
- Please be sure to report the absence to our Attendance Office AND School Nurse. This will initiate a specific protocol to provide your child with ongoing access to instruction for COVID-related reasons.
- Your child's Guidance Counselor will work with you and your child's teachers to make sure that s/he has access to work while absent. This will include ongoing access to Google Classroom. Teachers may provide students with access to virtual support while they are out.
- All students who are absent for a longer-term, COVID-related reason, will receive at least one period of live virtual support per day with Mrs. Wood, the High School In-School Support Teacher.
If you have any questions, please contact your child's counselor, or the HS Attendance Office.
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