AVHS Family Newsletter: December

December 23 - January 1- NO SCHOOL Winter Break

January 2 - School Resumes

January 17- NO SCHOOL Data Analysis Day

January 20 - NO SCHOOL Martin Luther King Day

January 23 - 4:00 - 7:00 pm Conferences

January 24 - NO SCHOOL 7:30 am - 10:30 am Conferences

AVHS Closed During Winter Break

• AVHS will be closed during winter break (December 23 - January 1).
• Classes resume on Thursday, January 2rd.

Staying on track for graduation credits is essential. Students who did not earn credits in Trimester 1 should plan to attend the Winter Credit Recovery Program, held in person from Jan. 14–Feb. 20 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:45–3:45 PM.

• Students may enroll in ONE course at a time.
• After completing a course, students may sign up for another.
• Note: Not all required courses are available. Please review offerings carefully and select the course you need.

Questions? Contact your counselor or email hodan.bile@district196.org

Students will register for classes for the 2025-26 school year during the month of January. We will provide more details and reminders in January. If you are interested to look ahead, you can find registration information and videos by going to https://avhs.district196.org/academics/registration-information.

As winter approaches, we may need to adjust school schedules due to weather. Weather-Related Schedule Changes and E-Learning Plan

🚨Please check your Parent Portal to ensure we have your current contact information in the event of a school closing or schedule change due to weather.

FRIDAY, DEC 20, 2024

Ice Hockey: Girls Varsity vs Mankato West at Apple Valley Sports Arena at 7:00 pm

Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Park at 7:00 pm

Ice Hockey: Boys Varsity vs Mankato West at Mankato All Seasons Arena at 7:00 pm

SATURDAY, DEC 21, 2024

Wrestling: Varsity Invitational at Rochester Civic Center at 8:00 am

THURSDAY, DEC 26, 2024

Ice Hockey: Boys Varsity Tournament at Essentia Duluth Heritage Center

FRIDAY, DEC 27, 2024

Ice Hockey: Boys Varsity Tournament at Essentia Duluth Heritage Center

Wrestling: Varsity Invitational at Rogers High School

Basketball: Boys Varsity Invitational vs Chanhassen at Lakeville North at 5:00 pm

SATURDAY, DEC 28, 2024

Basketball: Boys Varsity Invitational vs New Prague at Lakeville North at 3:00 pm

The ExCEL Award – Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership – is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, leaders in their schools, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service.

India Rutten
India Rutten exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated and driven junior at Apple Valley High School. With an impressive 4.0 GPA, India consistently excels in her academics while embracing leadership roles as a member of the Tennis Team, Basketball Team, National Honor Society, Math League, and the Student Athlete Leadership Team. Her participation in "Girls Who Code" underscores her passion for innovation and inspiring others through technology.

India’s commitment to service is equally inspiring. During her sophomore year, she volunteered with the Jeremiah Program in St. Paul, where she supported the organization’s mission to break the cycle of poverty. By enhancing the workspace for staff, India played a valuable role in creating a positive impact for families in need.India’s combination of academic and athletic excellence, leadership, and dedication to helping others makes her a standout student and a deserving recipient of this year’s Excel Award.

Ryan Christiansen
Ryan Christiansen is an accomplished junior at Apple Valley High School with a remarkable GPA of 3.9, reflecting his strong work ethic and dedication to academic success. A talented athlete, Ryan serves as a varsity starter and team captain in both basketball and baseball, where his leadership and teamwork have been pivotal throughout his high school career.

Outside of sports, Ryan excels as a member of the National Honor Society and maintains consistent honor roll status, earning academic letters every trimester. His passion for giving back is evident through his volunteer efforts with organizations such as Armful of Love, Feed My Starving Children, and Toys for Tots. Through these activities, Ryan has demonstrated compassion, initiative, and a commitment to uplifting his community. Ryan’s outstanding achievements, both on and off the field, make him a role model at AVHS and a deserving recipient of this year’s Excel Award.

• Technology. Click here for AVHS Tech Help. The AVHS Tech Help page is for parents and students and is for issues with Schoology, Campus, iPads, internet support, and more.

• Contacting counselors. Click here to find your student’s counselor. Counselors are available to assist with concerns about scheduling, academic progress, and mental health. Contacting a student's counselor is a good first step if there are concerns about multiple classes and can help coordinate and streamline communication.

• Student Schedule. Click here to log in to Campus Portal and see Student Schedules.

• Grades. Click here to log in to Schoology and see in-progress grades.

• Contacting teachers. Click here for a list of teacher e-mail addresses.

Website: avhs.district196.org
Location: 14450 Hayes Road, Apple Valley, MN, USA
Phone: 952-431-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avhsscholar
Twitter: @avhsacademics

Families can expect to receive updates from us on Fridays through Schoolmessenger. You can also stay connected by accessing our school website and by following us on social media.

Texts are delivered via SchoolMessenger, the mass notification service the district uses for phone calls and email messages. Parents must opt-in to receive text messages. Standard message and data rates may apply.

GETTING STARTED

• Text Y to 67587, you will receive a confirmation message stating you are registered to receive SchoolMessenger notifications via text.

• For help information, text HELP to 67587.

• To opt-out at any time, text STOP to 67587.

*Only SMS numbers listed as Guardians in the Infinite Campus student information system can receive texts.

**If you do not receive a confirmation message of what appears to be an error message, it most likely means that short code texting is not enabled on your wireless plan.

• AVHS Absence Protocol
• AVHS Cell Phone Policy
• AVHS Daily Bell Schedule
• AVHS Student Services Newsletter
• AVHS & South Suburban Conference Calendar
• Archive/Past Newsletters
• District 196 Educational Benefits Program Information
  

Final Grades for Trimester 1 have been posted to report cards/transcripts. Final grades can be accessed using the Campus parent/student portal. If your student did not earn a passing mark and would like to make up that credit, they may register for credit recovery now.

The start of a new term is an important opportunity to revisit expecations and school-wide routines and procedures that promote Respect, Responsibility, Student Scholarship, and Being Ready to Learn.

Prior to the start of classes on Monday, please review the following expectations and discuss the importance of these values with your student(s):

• Cell Phone Policy https://secure.smore.com/n/wba49
• Absence Protocols https://secure.smore.com/n/n0bkv1

The final round of updated iPads went home prior to Thanksgiving break. However, only 40% of students' families have purchased the District's iPad Protection Plan.

Please enroll in our iPad Protection Plan. This plan will help avoid unexpected costs due to accidental damage. Learn more about our 1:1 iPad Family Resources as we encourage digital literacy at home. Thank you for your continued support!

• $60 Purchase on EduTrak
• More about student parking

Senior Yearbook Pictures:

• Submit Senior Picture by December 1st, 2025 for the Yearbook!
• Picture Requirements:
  • A head and shoulders shot
  • No hats, instruments, sports items, or animals
  • High resolution
• Upload Online at the Yearbook Info Page on our website (https://avhs.district196.org/families/yearbook-information).
• After Submission:
  • The approval spreadsheet on the Yearbook Info page will be updated
  • Review can take up to a week
• If No Picture Submitted:
• Approved pictures replace Josten's school picture
• Otherwise, Josten's picture will be used by default
• Without any picture, student won't be in the book
• Email me with questions: Kristin.blatzheim@district196.org

Students should be encouraged to review their new schedule in infinite campus to prepare for the start of the new trimester on Monday, December 2.

Final grades for trimester one will be posted in campus on December 11th.

A reminder that, as listed on our website, submissions for senior photos to the yearbook are due December 1.

Pictures submitted after December 1st risk not being included in the book due to necessary deadlines imposed by our yearbook company, Jostens. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to include your picture in the book!

**If a student does not submit a senior picture, their Lifetouch school picture will be used in the book.**

Just in time for the gifting season, our school online store is now open! This is the perfect opportunity to stock up on school-branded apparel for yourself or your loved ones. The store will close this Friday. December 6th.

Visit the store here: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/PAhMpuXvnH