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The APHS Look AHEAD- June 2024
The Newsletter for APHS Students and Parents- v.55
The APHS Look AHEAD- June 2024
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 2024. 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 Tuesday, June 25th 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)
-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."
APHS Building Closed this Summer Due to Construction
This summer, the Averill Park High School building will be closed due to construction. Our main office, our guidance office and our summer school program will be operating out of the Algonquin Middle School building during July and August.
We will send more information as we get closer to summer.
Important Information for June 2024 Regents Exams
The June 2024 Regents are upon us.
Here is a link to the June 2024 Regents Exam Schedule.
We will start the NYS June Regents testing with Algebra I on Tuesday, June 4th at 8 am. There are no classes being held on June 4th. Only students scheduled to take the Algebra I Regents Exam should report to APHS on June 4th. (These students include those who are currently taking Algebra I and students that have been signed up to retake the Algebra I Regents. Please reach out to your math teacher or counselor to double check if you are unsure if you are signed up to take this exam).
Students that are scheduled to take the Earth Science Regents must also complete a Lab Practical. The Lab Practical portion of the exam is scheduled to occur during the school day on June 3, 5, 6 and 7, 2024. Please avoid scheduling appointments on these days.
Here is a link to the June Regents 2024-Transportation and Food Services Schedule. Note that the mid-day runs are only used to take students home. Students that ride APCSD transportation and plan to use one of the 11:15 am midday bus runs need to sign up ahead of time using this 11:15 am Midday Bus Google Form link. Note that midday bus runs are only offered on 6/4, 6/18 and 6/20.
After reviewing all of these critical documents, please reach out to Mrs. Mein at meinc@apcsd.org if you have any additional questions.
Commencement Ceremony for the APHS Class of 2024
The Commencement Ceremony for the APHS Class of 2024 is coming up!
We are looking forward to celebrating this event with you, and your family and loved ones, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 6:30 pm at the MVP Arena in Albany.
This venue is a large one, which provides plenty of space for everyone, so tickets will not be necessary, and there will be no limit on the number of guests that students may bring.
A mandatory graduation rehearsal will be held on Tuesday, June 25th in the APHS gym at 12:30pm. All members of the graduating class should report to the ELA wing of the HS no later than 12:10pm to line up for the procession.
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.
Each year, we collect proposed speeches from any Senior who would like to be considered as one of the two student speakers at the Commencement Ceremony. Students submit speeches with no identifying information, except for a phone number. Speeches are reviewed by a committee, who determines which two speeches will be featured. We then contact the phone number to inform each person who was selected, and thus find out who it is.
We are pleased to inform you that this year our student Commencement Speakers will be:
- Ava Ferriero
- Eleanor Garrison
Our many thanks to each student who submitted a speech. We had many great ones this year! And, of course, congratulations to both Ava and Eleanor for their ultimate selection.
Additionally, please know that the APHS Class of 2024 Officers selected Mr. Daniel Fairchild, ELA teacher at APHS, to be the guest speaker at this year's ceremony. Mr. Fairchild has gladly accepted this offer, and is excited to join us.
A letter has been mailed home to all Class of 2024 candidates for graduation with detailed information. If you have any questions, please contact the high school main office at 518-674-7002.
Continue to make good decisions each day, and we look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming events for the APHS Class of 2024, and at your Commencement on June 25th!
APHS 2024 Yearbook Distribution
Yearbook distribution is right around the corner! All distributions will occur in the HS Library, as follows:
Seniors:
Thursday, June 6th - 2:20 pm
Friday, June 7th - Advisory and 2:20 pm
Juniors:
Monday, June 10th- Advisory and 2:20 pm
Sophomores and First-Year Students:
Tuesday, June 11th- Advisory and 2:20 pm
If you have any questions, please contact Amy Bailey at baileya@apcsd.org
Thank You to Our Wonderful Parents for Staff Appreciation!
A huge thank you goes out to all the parents and community members who all helped support the APHS Parent Organization’s recent Staff Appreciation Breakfast, as well as the free chicken BBQ Dinner Events for staff at APHS.
The generosity and support from our parents is amazing. Thank you to everyone who helped make this all happen. We truly appreciate all that our families do to support the APHS staff!
APHS Recognized Students at the Underclass Awards Ceremony
On Tuesday, May 21, APHS recognized the great work of grades 9-11 students at the Underclass Awards Ceremony.
A recording of the live stream can be watched here.
Students Recognized as Making AP a Great Place to Be at End-of-Year Celebrations
Members from each class who passed all their classes, had no disciplinary referrals, and five or fewer unexcused absences for all three quarters were invited to the softball field for food & fun!
Over 450 students were invited to the celebrations. They certainly Made AP a GREAT Place to BE this year, and should be proud of their achievements.
Arts Letters and Numbers to Provide Summer Programs for Young People
This summer, Arts Letters and Numbers will be providing summer program and interdisciplinary internship opportunities for both professionals and young people in the community.
To learn more, take a look at the below link, and contact them TODAY!
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Craft-1o1_Parent_Newsletter-scaled.jpg
Annual World Language Import & Domestic Car Show - June 1st
The 3rd Annual Averill Park High School World Languages Department and International Club’s Import & Domestic Car Show will take place on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Averill Park High School (146 Gettle Road, Averill Park, NY 12018).
Registration ($10 day of show) is from 9:00am until 11:00 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. Car wash and food proceeds will benefit the International Club. The rain date is June 2nd.
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/car-show-poster-year-3.jpg
QR code https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/qrcode_www.hemmings.com_.png
Hands-on learning experience at Six Flags
On Friday May 31, 2024, the Regents Physics, General (Applied) Physics, AP Calculus and AP Statistics classes attended an educational field trip to participate in a hands-on real world learning experience at Six Flags New England. This year, 85 students attended the trip. Physics students “physically” analyzed various rides at the amusement park while the AP Calculus and AP Statistics students used their own methods to analyze the rides and crowds.
Senior Photos for the APHS Class of 2025
Senior photos of the Class of 2025 will be taking place during the following Regents exam days:
June 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25 and 26.
Seniors will be receiving information soon, directly from Prestige Portraits. Senior photos must be taken by Prestige in order to be printed in our yearbook. The photography company provides the tux/shirt/bowtie or drape.
Questions? baileya@apcsd.org
News from the Counseling Center
College in the HS - Summer
If you're interested in earning college credit over the summer, then take a look at the College in the High School summer courses offered through Columbia-Greene Community College.
For the application and flyer, click here.
College Planning:
The Counseling Center receives information regarding financial aid, invitations to events on campuses, scholarships, etc. This information can be found in the Counseling Center or on Naviance. Naviance is a College & Career software program available that the students have been introduced to and encouraged to use. Students can log on and complete career interest inventories, take a strengths assessment to learn about their skills and which careers align with those skills. The program also provides information on available scholarships and what colleges are visiting the high school to meet with interested students. Students are asked to have a signed permission slip from a parent in order to miss class to meet with visiting college representatives.
College Entrance Tests:
SAT I & II:
June 1, 2024 (Registration deadline is May 16)
ACT:
June 18, 2024 (Registration deadline is May 3)
July 13, 2024 (Registration deadline is June 7)
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
Working Papers:
Nice weather is coming and many of you will be thinking of a Summer Job which means you will need to obtain 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.
Student Drop off and Pick up
As we move into spring, we wanted to send out a few reminders about morning drop off. By design, we have separate zones for student and parent traffic. Parents who are picking up or dropping off students should only use the parent drop-off loop, as outlined in the map attached below.
To ensure the safety of our student drivers, parents should NOT drop off or pick-up students in the front lot.
Parent Pick UP and Drop Off Map
For those who use the parent drop-off loop, we would like to make a few suggestions in order to expedite student drop off and make this process more efficient:
Parents should pull around the drop off loop and stop at our new sandwich board sign. (See below) This will allow more cars to fit into the loop, reduce back-up on to Gettle Road and increase the speed of drop off.
When pulling in, students should be ready with their belongings to quickly exit the car.
If students have sports equipment, projects, or other large items that require more time to get out of the car, please feel free to park in a parking spot in the parent loop. This will allow them time to get their belongings without feeling rushed.
Students are required to be in their class at 7:30am; therefore, students should aim to be in the building by the warning bell at 7:23 am. This will allow students to have plenty of time to get to their first class of the day on time.
The parent pick up line will take between five and ten minutes to navigate each morning, so please plan accordingly, or arrive early!
The high school's front doors open daily at 7am, and we have supervision and breakfast in the Student Union starting at that time. Feel free to take advantage of this and avoid the traffic!
Again, our many thanks for your help in keeping our campus parking lots safe!
We truly appreciate your cooperation.
News from the Health Office
Summer news:
All medications and supplies need to be picked up between June 14th and June 24th. There is a nurse available until 2:00 each day that school is in session. Anything left will be destroyed per NYS regulations.
All students trying out for a fall sport will need a physical on file that was completed after 8/31/2023. Please check with the high school nurse's office to find out if your child needs an updated physical. With out this your child will not be approved for their sport and will not be eligible for trying out for their sport.
All students entering grades 9 and 11 will need a physical on file in the nurses office per NYS regulations that was completed after 9/1/23
All entering 12th grade are require by NYS to have their second dose of meningococcal A vaccine. Letters will be sent home in June if your child has not received this immunization.
Over the summer the high school nurses office will not be open due to construction that is going on at the high school. It is best to email all documentation to Mrs. Miller at millerv@apcsd.org, so that I can confirm with you that paperwork was received. If you must have anything faxed, you may fax it to the middle school nurses office at 518-674-8426 or the district office fax is 518-674-3802.
IMPORTANT LINKS TO CALENDARS AND SCHEDULES FOR 2023-2024
The APCSD District Calendar for 23-24:
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-2024_School_Calendar.pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bpTcpmloky4djmThIrMafrFMM4G6RBES/view?usp=drive_link
This is a fixed schedule, and will not change based on snow days.
Our Daily Bell Schedule for 23-24 has changed slightly.
Announcements will occur during advisory, which is now six minutes longer.
Please note that this document includes schedules for one- and two-hour delays, as well as half days.
Marking Periods/Grade Reporting at the HS for the 23-24 School Year:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iO85vW95uSLDKDJLAf8ctZhwTEhwvWfhVxRxQPofwqY/edit?usp=drive_link
APHS Morning Arrival Procedures for Students- 2023-2024 School Year
Our procedures for morning arrival as we open the 2023-2024 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 5th!
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!
Dismissal, End-of-Day Routines, and Extracurricular Activities
Our dismissal procedures, at the end of the school day, are as follows as we open the 2023-2024 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 23-24 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 4:15 pm, beginning the week of Sept 18th.
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.
Student and Parent Access to Instructional Resources and Class Information
Transparency and parent/family access to instructional materials is important to maintaining a partnership in the learning endeavors of our students.
All APHS faculty use 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 District website, hover over "Our Schools"
then "Averill Park High School"
then "Academics"
you will see a list of departments in the dropdown menu. Simply click on the desired Department and then click on GOOGLE DRIVE. This will take you to the above materials for each teacher.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hwz2PRd5-C-8_z91N-gRmGKwzZXmNfl5?usp=drive_link
All faculty will have their materials posted and updated for the year.
If you have any questions about a specific course, never hesitate to contact the teacher directly.
APHS Building-Wide Norms 2023-2024
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:
Student Expectations 2023-2024 DRIVE
Our Assistant Principals, Mrs. Mein and Mrs. Leach, reviewed these expectations and norms with all students at their first scheduled class meetings in September.
Reminder Related to Eligibility Guidelines for the 2023-2024 School Year
At Averill Park High School, student participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege. Students earn these privileges through maintaining good standing in their attendance, behavior, and academic performance.
Ineligibility is defined as restriction from participation in extracurricular activities and events for a 5-week period. The following criteria are used to determine that a student is ineligible:
Attendance:
Students who have acquired 5 or more unexcused absences to school within any five week marking period 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, Out-of-School Suspension, or who have 3 or more referrals within a five week marking period, are not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities for the following five weeks.
Achievement:
Students who are failing 2 or more classes during any five week marking period are not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities for the following five weeks.
All students who are ineligible, except those who have received an Out-of-School Suspension, will be offered the opportunity to earn back eligibility 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 marking 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 their assigned 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 their assigned Assistant Principal with documentation from their teacher(s) that he/she is passing their class prior to the date of the scheduled event. At that time, the student may earn back eligibility.
Attendance, On-Time Arrivals, and Reporting Absences
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 25th, 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 in 23-24, students who do not attend their assigned advisory detention will be subject to further progressive discipline, as well as other interventions.
The APCSD Code of Conduct 23-24
A plain language review of the Code of Conduct did occur in our annual class assemblies in September.
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
June 2024:
Saturday, June 1st: World Language Car Show. 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. APHS Front Parking Lot.
Tuesday, June 4th: Algebra I Regents Exam. No Regular Classes at APHS.
Wednesday, June 5th: Senior Awards Night. 6:30 pm. HS Auditorium.
Wednesday, June 12th: Senior "Walk Through" at Elementary Schools.
Thursday, June 13th: Final Day of Instruction at APHS/Senior Picnic
Friday, June 14th - Tuesday, June 25th: NYS Regents Exams
Tuesday, June 25th: Commencement Ceremony for the APHS Class of 2024. 6:30 pm. MVP Arena.
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