The APHS Look AHEAD- November 2024 Edition
Dear APHS students and families,
Welcome to November!
In just another week, we will have made it to the end of the first marking period of the 2024-2025 school year. This week we will dial our clocks back, and we are now ready to launch into two of the darker, but very busy, months of the year. As we try to keep up with holidays, drama productions, athletics, and concerts, I encourage everyone to keep an eye on sustaining the important things, while also taking care of maintaining good routines. Consistency and focus make a difference in producing good outcomes, especially at this time of year.
By most metrics, this was a very successful month at APHS. At the five-week progress point, just over 70% of our students were passing every single one of their classes. Our weekly updating of grade books has been going well, and we have received a good amount of positive feedback from both students and parents on this practice. Student behavioral issues continue to be on the decline, with the first two months of school seeing a reduction of about 20% in disciplinary referrals when compared to last year. Our new practices with restricting cell phones in most of our instructional environments have also made a difference. Not only are we seeing more focus and less distractions, but students have actually told us that they appreciate the "help" with staying focused on the present! Our work with increasing the sense of student belonging at the high school is also off to a good start. An entry survey in October revealed that about 61% of our students feel as if they "belong" at the high school. We now have a team of students and staff who are working on a variety of soon-to-be released projects aimed at increasing student belonging in our building. There is a lot of great work happening, and we are thankful to work with a community of educators, students and parents who are so invested in continual growth and improvement.
On my end, I am looking forward over the course of the next couple of months to seeing you at an array of our events. As we jump into November, I share with you a calendar of new things to try, to keep it fresh, as we celebrate a "New Ways: November: https://actionforhappiness.org/new-ways-november#download-block-anchor
Stay engaged, and reach out if you need anything!
Above all, be well!
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."
APHS class photo retakes are scheduled for Thursday, November 14th!
This will be the last chance to get your photo taken if you missed the first days! LifeTouch will be here all day in the Auxiliary Gym. Stop in at whatever time is best for you.
If you purchased photos, bring them along and return them to the photographer.
We need your photo for our yearbook!
We are pleased to announce that APHS inducted 61 new members into the APHS Chapter of the National Honor Society at it's ceremony on October 24th. Congratulations to these scholars!
To learn more, click on this link:
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/2024/10/29/60-students-inducted-into-aphs-nhs/
As we approach the end of the first quarter, we're excited to host our We Make AP a GREAT Place to BE class meetings! These meetings will be held the week of November 18th - 21st.
During these meetings we will review key metrics for each class including:
Attendance: Percentage of students with fewer than five unexcused absences
Academic Performance: Percentage of students passing all classes
Behavior: Percentage of students with no referrals.
We will use these metrics for our class competitions. The class with the highest overall performance at the end of the third quarter will have their first choice of a special end-of-year celebration!
We will also use this time to celebrate the achievements of our students:
AP ACHIEVES and SUCCEEDS List: Students who have passed their classes, had fewer than five unexcused absences, and no referrals will be featured on this list. This list will be highlighted at the class meetings and on our social media platforms.
I Make AP a GREAT Place to BE Awards: Teachers have nominated outstanding students who embody the spirit of our school community. These students will be recognized at the class meetings, receive a special shirt, and be entered into a prize raffle.
Stay tuned to our social media for updates and highlights from our class meetings!
This November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich history and diverse cultures of Indigenous peoples. The movement to acknowledge this heritage began over a century ago! In 1914, a member of the Blackfeet Nation embarked on a cross-country journey, gaining support from 24 states for a day dedicated to Native Americans. Seven decades later, President George W. Bush signed a resolution designating November as Native American Heritage Month.
This month offers us a valuable opportunity to learn more about the significant contributions Native Americans have made to our society, from art and music to science and technology.
Expanding Our Knowledge Together
To celebrate this special month, we're working with a team of students. They'll be brainstorming ideas that will help us all expand our knowledge and awareness of the experiences and histories of Native Americans. If you have any thoughts, suggestions, or resources you think would be helpful please don't hesitate to reach out to Rebecca Leach at leachr@apcsd.org.
Let's work together to create a meaningful and inclusive celebration for Native American Heritage Month!
Pancake Breakfast Hosted by Unique Opportunities Club - Saturday 11/2 from 8am-10am
The Unique Opportunities Club organizes trips and activities for students with the goal of making experiences affordable for all students. In order to support those who need it and to lower costs in general, members of the club will be serving breakfast Saturday, November 2 from 8-10am at the Applebee's in East Greenbush.
Our first big trip of the year will be to the Giants vs. Ravens NFL game in December. Money raised will help with costs for this trip and for future trips or in house activities. Ticket price is $10 and can be purchased from Ms. Freeman: freemann@apcsd.org, from any club member, or at the door! Thank you for your support.
Adulting 101 and 102 classes, and S.A.G.E.S. are collecting toys for Toys for Tots in memory of Abigail Dutcher.
Abigail left us in December 2012. Abby was always trying to help others so we are collecting in her name.
Toys can be brought to the High School main office, room 162 or room 131. All toys need to be new and unwrapped. We are collecting until Friday, December 6th.
Civic Ecology club has some exciting news! We are planning lots of fun events and activities that involve helping heal the Earth and spreading awareness in creative ways! These include a pumpkin carving contest, rock painting, campus clean ups (that count for volunteer hours), and school wide scavenger hunts.
We will also host a guest speaker in honor of Earth Day, Tuesday, April 25, 2025. Stay tuned for future announcements!
APHS Yearbook News:
Seniors are voting for their Class of 2025 VIP's soon!
Senior Baby Pictures are due by November 1st; Please email to: baileya@apcsd.org
Senior Parent Ads are due by November 15th; jostensadservice.com
Order your 2025 Yearbook early at jostensyearbooks.com
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.
Our Daily Bell Schedule remains the same in 24-25, and is linked here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n73ryFGH8F-YpyT5nDNFdmoqCrEvye4iS2CgMP0Oy5g/edit?usp=sharing
Please note that this document includes schedules for one- and two-hour delays, as well as half days.
Marking Periods the HS for the 24-25 school year:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D5-AN_eWM-cCil-mA_xraZiN5zdBnFotIFUok62CECU/edit?usp=sharing
Please note that we will NO LONGER send home progress reports. Instead all HS grade books will be guaranteed accurate by the end of business, each Friday. Please see the article later in this newsletter for more details!
The HS Lunch Schedule for 24-25 is located here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JgfvmrL_931UZsHG8t0G-x__vAMiS_zQ/view?usp=sharing
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.
Our procedures for morning arrival for the 2024-2025 school year will be as follows:
- Students who take the bus will be let off of their buses at 7:23 am outside the high school. Bus students will enter the HS through the Atrium and Athletic Lobby Entrances and may get breakfast and/or report directly to their first block class, which begins promptly at 7:30 am. BE SURE TO WATCH FOR THE DRY BUS RUN ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 4th!
Students who are dropped off by parents, or who drive themselves to school, will enter the building through the Main Entrance in the front of the HS. These students will report to the HS Cafeteria upon arrival, where breakfast will also be available! At 7:23 am, when the bell rings, students will report to their first block class. We ask that students not be dropped off any earlier than 7:00 am.
- For parents who are dropping students off, please use the drop-off loop, and follow the traffic patterns outlined here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10HfRVkvS-58ROF22A-0_eXXkEOqjIwTy/view?usp=sharing
Student drivers are reminded that our morning warning bell rings at 7:23 am, with first block beginning at promptly at 7:30 am. Be on time!
Our dismissal procedures, at the end of the school day, are as follows for the 2024-2025 school year:
- Dismissal for all students at APHS will occur at 2:10 pm.
- Students who take the bus home should exit the building directly through either the Atrium or Athletic Wing doors.
- Students who drive themselves or get picked up by parents/guardians, should exit the building through any doors facing the front portion of the high school.
- Parents/Guardians who are picking up students should wait in the parent drop-off/pick-up loop.
If students are staying after school for academic support, athletics, or extracurricular activities it is important that they report to the location in which they are staying by 2:20 pm. When students have finished up, they may wait in the HS cafeteria for a late bus or a ride.
During the 2024-2025 school year, we will offer late buses for students who would like to stay after school. These buses will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, leaving the HS at 3:20 pm, beginning the week of Sept 23rd.
ALL students that are staying after must sign up by 9 am the day that they plan to stay after. ALL students that are staying after must be signed up to stay with a faulty or staff member. Please note that Wynantskill will not be providing late buses this year.
Due to a continued shortage of drivers, we encourage students, to the greatest extent possible, to arrange their own transportation for after-school activities.
Transparency and parent/family access to instructional materials is important to maintaining a partnership in the learning endeavors of our students.
All APHS faculty uses 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.
At the top of the high school website, please click on ACADEMICS. You will find a drop down bar for each Department. Simply click on the desired Department and then click on GOOGLE DRIVE. This will take you to the above materials for each teacher.
Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aAO7-A5glSa-AlWgpkEUH9EebnpyGZti?usp=drive_link
If you have any questions about a specific course, never hesitate to contact the teacher directly,
One important part of being a positive and contributing member of the school community is understanding, and adhering to, the guidelines, norms and expectations for how we all behave, and treat one another, when at Averill Park High School.
At it's most basic level, as part of our "WE Make AP a GREAT Place to BE" project, we expect that at Averill Park High School, all students will:
- Be Safe
- Be Respectful, and
- Be Responsible.
This looks different in different environments. Here is a link to what sorts of actions and behaviors align with these characteristics within specific areas at the high school:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QEiNkHlvInUSJafCKrk3g8PbnMybygTr_IyrURYPmSc/edit?usp=sharing
Our Assistant Principals, Mr. Klauber and Mrs. Leach, will review these expectations and norms with all students at their first scheduled class meetings on Monday, September 9th and Tuesday, September 10th.
Regular attendance in school is a precursor to academic success, and being on time, and present in instruction, is a life skill that reflects a high level of responsibility, organization, and college/workplace readiness.
Anytime that your child is absent from school, it is important that you report this absence to the HS Attendance Office, on the same day, at 518-674-7024. Conversely, you may report absences via our dedicated attendance email address:
Each morning, the school day begins promptly at 7:30 am. Students should plan to be in their first block classroom, and ready to learn, at that time.
Students who arrive to school after 7:30 am will be considered tardy to school, and will need to receive a pass from the Attendance Office prior to reporting to their first block class.
After an adjustment period at the opening of the school year, beginning on Monday, September 23rd, students who arrive to school late without a written excuse from a parent/guardian in hand will be assigned a detention during their Advisory period for the same day.
Please note that students who do not attend their assigned advisory detention will be subject to further progressive discipline, as well as other interventions.
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-2025-APCSD-Code-of-Conduct-1.pdf
A plain language review of the Code of Conduct occurred in our annual class assemblies.
At Averill Park High School, student participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege. Students earn these privileges by being in good standing with their attendance, behavior and academics.
Ineligibility is defined as restriction from participation in extracurricular activities and events for a 5-week period. The following criteria are used to determine whether a student is eligible:
Attendance:
Students who have acquired 5 or more unexcused absences to school, assessed at either the quarter midpoint, or end, are not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities for the following five weeks.
Behavior:
Students who have been involved in any disciplinary infraction which results in an ESD, ISS, or Out-of-School Suspension, are assigned a period of ineligibility for 20-days following the date of the incident.
Achievement:
Students who are failing 2 or more classes, assessed at either the quarter midpoint, or end, are not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities for the following five weeks.
Students who have lost their eligibility, except those who have received an out-of-school suspension, will be offered the opportunity to earn back their privileges through a variety of means, including but not limited to:
Students who have acquired 5 or more unexcused absences from school in a five week period will be referred to a restorative attendance circle. If a student actively participates in, and regularly attends, scheduled circle meetings, the student may earn back eligibility.
Students who are ineligible as a result of discipline referral(s) may request to work with an assistant principal to develop a community service plan. At the completion of the plan, the student may earn back eligibility. Students who have received an out-of-school suspension will not be offered this opportunity.
Students who are ineligible as a result of failing 2 or more classes may work with their teachers/counselor to develop and implement an Academic Recovery Plan. Upon successful completion of the plan, the student will provide an assistant principal with documentation from their teacher(s) indicating they are passing their class(s). At that time, the student may earn back eligibility.
If you have any questions, please contact the APHS Main Office, at (518) 674-7002.
A physical exam is required by New York State Education law for children in 9th &11th grade and those who are new entrants in our school district. A certificate of dental health is also requested.
A report of the physical exam and the dental health certificate is kept as part of the child’s cumulative health record. The physical exam information is due to school no later than 30 calendar days after the start of the school year. The physical exam requirement will be filled by a report of the most recent physical from your child’s health care provider, licensed to practice in New York State, and dated no earlier than 9/1/2023. The report must be documented on the NYS-approved Student Health Examination Form for Schools. The dental health requirement will be filled by a signed and dated certificate of the most recent dental visit by a dentist or dental hygienist licensed to practice in New York State. Both documents are on the school web page and can be printed.
Per NYS, school districts are not allowed to accept the physical on any other physical form, expect the one found on our Health Service website, located here: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/services/health-services/
A child who is 16 years of age and over is required to have a second Meningococcal vaccine before the start of their senior year. This is state-mandated and is required to have documentation by the 14th day of school, which this year will be September 18, 2024. Families that need this have already received a notification letter at the end of the previous school year.
If your child needs any type of medication at school, a doctor’s order needs to be provided to the health office and the parent/guardian needs to bring the medication into school. Students are not allowed to carry ANY medication unless there is a doctor's order stating as such, this also includes ANY over the counter medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. You may sign a parental consent form stating that you give the school nurse permission to administer these medications. Verbal consent will no longer be accepted per the school medical director. Here is a link to that form:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uy_1oCkKcucQtCCgRxeZekm4I-wFsGaw/view?usp=sharing
Doctor's Notes for Any Illness, Surgery or Procedure:
The requested information which should be included in all doctor's notes is found on our Health Services Website, linked here:
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/services/health-services/
This information, when provided, will help your child to continue to receive P.E. credit if they are able to participate in some way. This will also allow accommodations, if needed, for your child during the school day. For athletics, the more specific information provided will improve the coordinated care between the athletic trainer and nurses, as well as improve the transition in returning to play.
The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form will be available to the public on or before December 1, 2024.
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.
Instant Admission Days
HVCC instant admit day is 11/7 - Once you have completed the online application, each student should drop off the completed instruction sheet (filled out with their information on the bottom) in the Counseling Center. At that time, you will receive an in-person appointment time for the Instant Admission Day. Appointments will begin at 9:00 AM, occurring every 10 minutes.
Russell Sage College Instant admit 11/4- Russell Sage College Rep will meet with prospective students for 15-20 minutes to review their application, transcript, and get to know you and your interests a little bit more. What you need for the appointment: a completed application for Russell Sage College- that's it! Your School Counselor will provide a copy of your transcript ahead of the appointment. Mackenzie Martel is the Russell Sage Admissions Counselor and her email is martem4@sage.edu if you have any questions.
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:
1st Quarter Report Card: Thursday, November 14th
2nd Quarter Report Card: Wednesday, February 5th
3rd Quarter Report Card: Wednesday, April 23rd
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:
December 14, 2024 - -Registration Deadline: November 8, 2024
February 8, 2025 - - Registration Deadline: January 3, 2025
April 5, 2025 - - Registration Deadline: February 28, 2025
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
November 2, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: October 18, 2024
December 7, 2024 - - Registration Deadline: November 22, 2024
March 8, 2025 - - Registration Deadline: February 21, 2025
May 3, 2025 - - Registration Deadline: April 18, 2025
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.
The Averill Park Education Foundation is set, once again, to celebrate the amazing contributions of staff and community members at their annual Gala, this year set to occur on Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Old Daley on Crooked Lake.
Please consider attending this year's Gala! More information can be found at the APEF website, linked here: https://apefoundation.org/
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