The APHS Look AHEAD- June 2025 Edition
Dear APHS students and families,
Welcome to June! It's been a tremendously successful year on just about all fronts at APHS, and we are so happy to be entering a time of year which is full of celebrations and recognition of our amazing student body; especially the APHS Class of 2025. With very few days of instruction left, our seniors are wrapping up their high school career, with a focus on our annual Commencement Ceremony, which is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Thursday, June 26th at the MVP Arena.
Between now and the end of the year, I encourage everyone to stay focused, finish strong, and be sure that we don't leave anything on the table in terms of completing assignments, preparing for exams, and ultimately staying on track. There's nothing like going into summer without any regrets, or needing to play catch up. Remember to take one thing at a time and pace yourselves. We are almost there!
Of course, I also look forward to seeing everyone at the numerous celebrations on the docket over the next few weeks. We are fortunate to work with tremendous students, in a community which is highly invested in education, and we have a lot to celebrate!
June can be a busy month, but let's also make it a joyous one! Here is a calendar of daily activities you can do to make this a Joyous June: https://actionforhappiness.org/joyful-june#download-block-anchor
As always, be sure to reach out if you need anything. We are here to help, and if you don't let us know what you need, we won't know. Congratulations to everyone on a wonderful year!
Serving every student every day,
Heath C. Quiles
Principal, Averill Park High School
The APHS Building Leadership Team
-Mr. Heath Quiles, High School Principal (quilesh@apcsd.org)
-Mr. Evan Klauber, Assistant Principal, Grades 9 and 10 (klaubere@apcsd.org)
-Mrs. Rebecca Leach, Assistant Principal, Grades 11 and 12 (leachr@apcsd.org)
#AP_EveryStudentEveryDay
"Creating passionate learners who contribute positively to their community and the world."
Here is a link to the June Regents testing calendar along with the transportation and food service schedule for those days https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/2025/04/30/june-2025-regents-information/
There will be no classes on regents exam days.
Only students taking exams should report to school.
The 4th Annual Averill Park High School World Languages Department and International Club’s Import & Domestic Car Show will take place on Saturday June 7, 2025 at Averill Park High School (146 Gettle Road, Averill Park, NY 12018).
Registration ($10 day of show) is from 9:00am until 11:00am and the show continues until 2:00. Our volunteer student judges (coached by Hemmings Motor News professionals) will be selecting the winning vehicles in 21 different trophy categories. Imported and domestic cars, motorcycles, and trucks are all welcome.
Registration proceeds will benefit senior scholarships for the World Languages Department. Food sale proceeds will benefit the International Club. The rain date is June 8.
With the Commencement Ceremony for the APHS Class of 2025 right around the corner, we have some important information which should be helpful in your planning!
The Commencement Ceremony for the APHS Class of 2025 will occur on Thursday, June 26th at 6:30 pm at the MVP Arena in Albany.
CAP AND GOWN DISTRIBUTION: All Seniors will receive their caps and gowns for graduation on Friday, June 13th during an assembly in the auditorium prior to the annual Senior Walk-Through of the Elementary Schools. Given the time between this distribution and our commencement ceremony, it will be very important that students safely store, and keep track of, your caps, gowns, and tassels.
GRADUATION REHEARSAL: Graduation rehearsal will occur at 12:30 pm on Thursday, June 26th in the APHS Gym. Students should report to the ELA Wing of the HS no later than 12:10 pm to line up for the procession. This is required for all students who plan to attend the actual commencement ceremony. At rehearsal, we will carefully review, and run through, everything that you need to know in order to participate appropriately in the ceremony. It is important that all graduates have turned in their school-owned materials prior to this time. This includes Chromebooks, library books, and textbooks.
TICKETS FOR GUESTS: As a result of the size of our venue, tickets will NOT be required for guests to attend the commencement ceremony. Graduates may have as many guests, family, and friends as they would like. Doors to the MVP Arena will open one hour prior to the event, at 5:30 pm. Seating will be first come, first serve. Keep in mind; this is a large venue, and there truly is plenty of room.
PARKING AND ARRIVAL TO THE MVP ARENA: On the evening of June 26th, the MVP Arena will open its doors at 5:30 pm. Parking will be available via the MVP Arena Parking Garage. Parking for those with disabilities is located on Level 3. Parking is also available in the lots located on Green and Hudson Streets. Please note that all of these parking options have a fee of $5.00 associated with them.
Here is a link to a map of this area, with parking options provided by the MVP Arena: https://www.mvparena.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking
Upon arrival, graduates must enter the MVP Arena via the Beaver Street Entrance only. At this entrance, each graduate will be checked in by our chaperones, and will be directed to the appropriate staging area to prepare for the opening procession. Graduates must make sure that they are checked in, and ready, no later than 6:00 pm, at which time final attendance will be taken.
Upon arrival, all guests should enter the MVP Arena via the Parking Garage Entrance or the Main Front Entrance on Pearl Street. Again, doors will be opened at 5:30 pm.
SECURITY NOTES: Please note that no backpacks or video equipment will be allowed inside of the MVP Arena. Concessions will not be opened for this event, but bottled water is permitted, as long as plastic or other non-glass containers are used.
LIVE STREAMING: Our commencement ceremony will be professionally live streamed by the MVP Arena on the following landing page: https://www.youtube.com/@aphsevents2765/streams
This link will go live on the day of the event.
We are all very excited for this opportunity to celebrate the APHS Class of 2025. I know that everyone in our school community is extremely proud of these soon-to-be graduates, and we look forward to celebrating with each of you on June 26th. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the high school office at 674-7002.
Last month, Averill Park High School rolled out HELPme – a 24/7 support system for students, families, and school employees.
HELPme empowers every member of our school community to seek support whenever they need it, while remaining completely anonymous. We continue to encourage the sharing of information by phone and email as well, as many of you do on a regular basis.
Whether it's anyone with knowledge of a threat of harm, a student battling bullying, or anyone facing a personal challenge – HELPme is an excellent resource.
HELPme provides three ways for our school community to ask for and receive help:
- GET RESOURCES is a safe space for users to explore essential needs and wellness resources at their own pace. It provides a confidential way to connect with local resources, ensuring privacy and dignity for those seeking assistance.
- CRISIS TEXT LINE provides users with immediate mental health support. With a network of 27,000+ trained crisis counselors, users can text with a counselor (day or night), making sure no one feels isolated in their time of need. Counselors are available 24/7, 365 days of the year.
- ASK FOR HELP is an anonymous communication channel between users and designated school personnel. It allows users to request help directly from their school or to report a threat of harm. Users may request help for themselves, a friend or family member.
If you have any questions, be sure to contact the high school main office at (518) 674-7001.
APHS Yearbook:
Our 2025 Yearbook is on its way!
Yearbook Distribution: June 5th and 6th to Seniors, during Advisory and after school
June 9th - Juniors, June 10th forward; every grade.
Yearbooks will be distributed from the library office.
We have 60 remaining to sell; The cost including tax is $81
Cash or check written to: APHS Yearbook
Senior Photos for the Class of 2026:
Students & Parents will be receiving information from Prestige Portraits
Dates: June 13, 16 - 18, 20
Yearbook Questions? baileya@apcsd.org
The APCSD District Calendar for 24-25:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gtrM0TMLx0Wep-9y7pbDBi5KHGR-S1w2/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sBPQuoodKIwT3IYSOJGJBBdsn3S-G1Fr/view?usp=sharing
This is a fixed schedule, and will not change based on snow days.
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/our-schools/averill-park-high-school/contact-aphs/
Never hesitate to reach out to us with any questions!
We are pleased to share that we have updated our grade reporting practices such that students and parents will have more frequent and formative information related to student progress in each of their classes throughout the course of each marking period.
It is our commitment that all of our electronic grade books, available to all students and parents on Schooltool, will be updated and accurate by the end of the school day each Friday afternoon. We will send an electronic communication to all students and parents each Friday, reminding you to check Schooltool, and to contact teachers directly with any questions. Our goal is to make sure that there are no surprises with regards to student grading outcomes, and that we are staying connected frequently in order to resolve issues before it's too late.
As a result of this increased access to grading information, we will no longer be sending 5-week progress reports to all students. We will, however, send a written communication at the traditional 5-week point in each marking period to any student who is failing 2 or more classes at that point.
Our report card procedures will remain unchanged. Here is a fresh link to our marking periods and dates for releasing report cards and honor rolls: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D5-AN_eWM-cCil-mA_xraZiN5zdBnFotIFUok62CECU/edit?usp=sharing
If you need assistance making sure that you have Schooltool access, please contact Mrs. Stern or Mrs. Houser in the APHS Counseling Center at (518) 674-7025.
The abundance of research focusing on the harms of extended screen time, and the negative effects of cell phones on the development and well-being of adolescents, has become hard to miss over the past few months. In our school, we know that these devices not only create significant distractions to high quality instruction, but also contribute greatly to negative behaviors and unwanted social interactions which are disruptive to the school environment.
As we open the 2024-2025 school year, we will be managing student cell phone use in a more proactive way. Our goal this year will be to clearly communicate consistent expectations in each of our school spaces, and have a consistent, building-wide response when students do not adhere to these expectations.
All of our classrooms will have clear signage at the door, indicating whether the classroom is a "Green" or "Red" Zone with regards to the use of cell phones. As students enter "Red" Zones, it will be expected that their cell phones will not be taken out, and will not be used.
When students do not follow expectations, after a period of education between September 5th and September 13th, the following responses will occur:
After September 13th, the first time that a student violates a faculty member’s expectation related to cell phones, the faculty member should prompt the student to put the cell phone away. If the student complies, the faculty member should contact the student's parent/guardian, and generate an FYI referral.
The second time that a student violates the faculty member’s expectations related to cell phones, the faculty member should take the cell phone from the student, and return it at the end of the period/block. The faculty member should contact the student’s parent/guardian, and generate an FYI referral.
The third time that this occurs, or if during any of the first two steps a student refuses to comply, a student may be sent directly to the Main Office. The student’s phone will be placed in the vault for the day, and the student will be assigned progressive consequences, aligned with insubordination: after-school detention, ESD, and ISS. The office will generate the referral and contact the parent/guardian.
The status of each classroom space will vary from teacher-to-teacher. Our ISS and structured study halls will remain "Red" Zones. General study halls, and the cafeteria during lunches, will remain "Green" Zones.
As we move through the year, with these starting parameters, we will also keep an eye on developments with regards to a potential state-wide ban on cell phones in public schools, and will adjust accordingly, as needed. In the end, our goal is to provide a more distraction-free and healthy environment for all of our students.
If you have any questions, please contact the APHS Main Office at (518) 674-7002.
If you need to send any medical documents to the school nurse during the summer, please email them to school Nurse, Val Miller at millerv@apcsd.org OR fax to (518) 674-3802.
Attention Seniors:
The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is available.
How to Prepare for the FAFSA Form
To be ready to complete the FAFSA as soon as it’s available, consider the following steps:
- Students should create a StudentAid.gov account
- Learn about the documents they may need.
- Determine their dependency status and whether their parent(s) will need to provide information.
- If they are a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify the required contributors.
To stay up to date, students should make sure their email address is current in their StudentAid.gov account to receive these updates.
REPORT CARDS:
Report cards will continue to be mailed home at the end of each marking period. They will be mailed AND made available to view via School Tool on the following dates:
4th Quarter/Final Report Card: Wednesday, July 2nd
Please contact the Counseling Center at (518) 674-7025 if you do not have access to School Tool to make arrangements to receive report cards.
College Entrance Exams:
Please check the College Board website for any updates and cancellations concerning upcoming exams.
COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS:
ACT TEST DATES - REGISTRATION DEADLINES:
June 14, 2025 - - Registration Deadline: May 9, 2025
July 12, 2025 - - Registration Deadline: June 6, 2025
ACT ASSESSMENT and ACT ASSESSMENT PLUS WRITING:
(Choose either of two test options — the ACT Assessment or the ACT Assessment Plus Writing, which includes a 30-minute Writing Test. Not all colleges and universities require a Writing Test. Check with the colleges you are considering — or go to www.actstudent.org for a list of institutions that require or recommend the Writing Test.)
SAT I & II
TEST DATES - - REGISTRATION DEADLINE
June 7, 2025 - - Registration Deadline: May 22, 2025
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.
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