Averill Park HS
November 2017 Newsletter
A Message from the APHS Leadership Team:
The end of the first quarter is nearing (November 9), and we want to remind you that report cards are no longer mailed home. Report cards will be accessible through SchoolTool. If you are unable to access your SchoolTool account, please contact the Counseling Center for support. We strongly encourage both students and families to review academic progress from the report card, and have conversations together about how the first quarter went, and how to continue achievement in the second quarter. If academic support is needed, please reach out to your teachers and counselor for extra help and/or strategies for success.
As we progress through the school year, we also want to remind all students that regular, on-time school attendance is directly connected to academic achievement. When students miss classes, they are missing key instruction from teachers that cannot be replicated by completing missed work. Please remember that students are expected to be in their Block 1 classes by 7:40 am. When students are tardy to or absent from school, notes should be provided to the school to excuse them.
Please know that a note from home does not necessarily means that it is recorded as an "excused" absence. Please see this link to review our Board of Education policy relating to student attendance: goo.gl/H7xZPW
We are very proud of our students and student-athletes for the Fall - Averill Park HS recently awarded over 45 students with Citizenship Passes for the 1st Quarter, inducted 53 seniors into the National Honor Society, and has experienced an outstanding Fall season for our sports teams. Needless to say, we are so proud of our students for their achievements in academics and athletics.
Finally, please see the important dates and upcoming events for this month:
- 1 &2 - Auditions for New Horizons Talent Show - 2:30-5:00 PM - APHS LGI
- 2 - Transcript Review Night - 6:00 PM - APHS Auditorium
- 3 - Go Home Early Drill - Dismissal 15 minutes early
- 6 - Winter Sports Begin (JV & Varsity)
- 9 - End of Quarter 1
- 9 - Comic Hypnotist (Class of 2018) - 7:00 PM - APHS Auditorium
- 13 - Winter Meet the Coaches Night - 6:30 PM - APHS Auditorium
- 14 - Counseling Program: Easing Grief during the Holidays - 6:00 PM - APHS LGI
- 17 & 18 - OBP Fall Production - 7:00 PM evening, 2 PM Matinee (18th) - Auditorium
- 29 - APHS Music Department Winter Concert - 6:30 PM - APHS Auditorium
- 30- Snow Date for APHS Winter Concert - 6:30 PM - APHS Auditorium
- 30 - OBP Auditions (One Acts) - 2:30 - APHS Auditorium/Room 101
Planning ahead, please see these December event dates to reserve:
- 9 - SnowBall Dance - 7:00-10:00PM - APHS Gymnasium
- 15 - Talent Show (New Horizons) - 6:30 PM - APHS Auditorium
We look forward to a great November at Averill Park High School.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Ms. Michelle Tsao, Principal
Mr. Brian Bishop, Assistant Principal (Grades 10 and 12)
Mrs Christina Mein, Assistant Principal (Grades 9 and 11)
National Honor Society Induction - Class of 2018
CALENDAR CHANGE FOR JANUARY EXAMS WEEK - January 22-25, 2018
NOTE: Friday, January 26, 2018 is a regular school day, and is the start of the second semester.
Please note that students must pre-register for a January Regents exam. An email was sent home on October 26 with a form to pre-register for an exam, and these forms are due to the Counseling Center by Friday, November 3. Students may sign up to re-take a Regents exam to either obtain a passing grade or to obtain Mastery (a grade of 85 or higher) for their transcripts. If you have any questions regarding re-taking a Regents exam, please contact your counselor no later than November 3.
The January 2018 Regents schedule is here: https://goo.gl/R7Xn3y
New Filtered Water Fountain
If you would like one of these water bottles, please see a member of Student Government or contact advisor Tricia Daviero at davierop@apcsd.org. They are being sold for $10 for one or $25 for three. Perfect for holiday gifts!
Career Exploration at Global Foundaries
Mr. Moore Makes History Alive
OTHER NEWS AND NOTES
Eligibility Guidelines for Extra-Curricular Clubs/Activities
Reminder to all students and families that new Eligibility Guidelines to Attend/Participate in Extracurricular Activities have been in place since September of this year. Please note that this does not include athletics, as there is a separate Athletics Code of Conduct.
These guidelines are related to a student’s attendance, behavior and academics. All of which are important to your student’s success. Please review the Eligibility Guidelines on page 18 of the student parent handbook located here: https://goo.gl/QPDVVJFrom the Counseling Center
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS:
SAT I & II (REGISTRATION DEADLINE)
December 2, 2017 (November 2, 2017)
March 10, 2018 *SAT I only (February 9, 2018)
May 5, 2018 (April 5, 2018)
June 2, 2018 ( May 3, 2018
ACT (REGISTRATION DEADLINE)
December 9, 2017 (November 3, 2017)
April 14, 2018 (March 9, 2018)
June 9, 2018 (May 4, 2018)
NAVIANCE
Naviance is a software program designed to help students with their college and career searches. It can also help students with resume writing, time management planning and scholarship searches. Every student (besides freshmen) has received a username and password. Seniors should be linking their college applications to Naviance and requesting teachers to write letters of recommendation through the site. Juniors and Sophomores can be working on college and career searching. Students can stop by the counseling center if they forgot their username and password.
RESOURCES
The Counseling Center receives information regarding financial aid, invitations to events on campuses, college 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.
ATTENTION SENIORS: COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES
Please review your college applications carefully for specific deadline dates. If college recommendations are necessary, please forward a request to your counselor two (2) weeks prior to the deadline date. If the deadline is January 1st please forward the request to your counselor no later than December 9th due to the holiday recess.
APHS TRANSCRIPT REVIEW NIGHT
The Counseling Center invites parents and students to a Transcript Review Night on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 6:00 pm. Colleges will be explaining what role transcripts, coursework, SAT/ACT’s, advanced placement, honors courses and extra-curricular activities play in the college admissions process. Representatives from local 2 year and 4 year colleges are scheduled to attend. If you are interested in attending please RSVP by calling 518-674-7025 or email Heilmannj@apcsd.org by October 31st.
Instant Admission Days
Schenectady County Community College will be here on November 13, 2017 for an Instant Admission day. Students interested in learning what SCCC has to offer, should stop in the Counseling Center for an early admissions application and to reserve a spot to meet with the Representative from the College. All applications must be turned back into the Counseling Center no later than November 8th to receive an appointment time. If you have any questions see Mrs. Heilmann or your counselor.
Hudson Valley Community College will be returning November 30, 2017 for an Instant Admission day. If interested in applying to HVCC please stop in the Counseling Center for an early admissions application and to reserve a spot to meet with the Representative from the College. All applications must be turned back into the Counseling Center no later than November 27th to receive an appointment time. If you have any questions see Mrs. Heilmann or your counselor.
Volunteer Opportunity
The Town of Poestenkill Youth Department is looking for volunteers for their Student Mentor/Tutor Program at Poestenkill Elementary School. The Program is set to begin Mid-November and will meet weekly on Mondays 3:30-4:30 at Poestenkill Elementary School. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Kate Anthony at kanthony@poestenkillny.com or (518)283-5100 ext. 107.
Easing Grief through the Holidays
The Counseling Center with the support of The Community Hospice will be hosting an evening program on “How to help a loved one/friend with grief through the holidays”. Unfortunately, our Averill Park community has experienced a lot of loss. We are offering this program to support you or a loved one during this difficult time. The program will take place on Tuesday, November 14 th at 6:00pm to be held in the High School LGI. Please contact Kelly Stone at stonek@apcsd.org or Tracy Hacker at hackert@apcsd.org in the Counseling Center for more information.
Class of 2018 Announcements
Comic Hypnotist Michael Ray Thursday November 9th, 7pm. $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Family entertainment great for anyone above age 11.
Traditional senior AP t-shirt (and other apparel) with signatures are on sale now through Monday November 20th. Contact Ms. Freeman for an order form or other information. Freemann@apcsd.org.
Yearbook Orders and Senior Parent Ads - DUE SOON!
If you're interested in purchasing a yearbook, order forms are here: https://goo.gl/fkbNf3
Yearbook orders are due by December 22, 2017.
Parent Ads for the Class of 2018 are due November 10, 2017! Form is here: https://goo.gl/PRLw9e
All order forms are due to Amy Bailey or Michael Blostein at the High School.
BEST Homework Help Program
The BEST (Bringing Educators and Students Together) began its 6th year of helping Averill Park students in grades 3-10 with their homework. The free program is held at the Sand Lake Town Library on Tuesdays during the school year from 4:00-7:00pm.
Students can get help from former teachers, teacher aides, adult & high school student volunteers with:
- Homework and Research
- Time Management
- Practice and Review
- Organizational Skills
We're always looking for teachers, aides, HS juniors and seniors, and adults who can help us out. It does not have to be every week or for the entire 3 hours.
Contact Nancy Bush (nbush7@nycap.rr.com)for more information.
* A small donation to the library or an item for a local food pantry is encouraged.
Winter Coat Drive by Key Club
APHS Key Club is collecting gently used winter outerwear (coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots) to be given away to students who may not have appropriate clothing for the upcoming cold weather.
Adult and teen sizes are best but we may be able to give away smaller sizes to younger siblings.
Please bring your donations to Veronica Gaboury in 223, Jeff Brown in 224 or Jen Yost and Noreen Wilson in the library.
Thank you for your support!
Music Department Announcements
November 2 & 4th, fourteen students will be representing Averill Park at the RCSMA All County performance: Lucas Abate, Emma Crawley, Anna D'Arcangelis, Sam Donato, Sarah Faragon, Claire Flynn, Andrew Gorman, Maggie Gray, Connor Hosley, Emily Jordan, Nick Maggio, Lydia Murphy, Anthony Pastizzo and Gabby Skiba.
November 17 & 18, the following students will represent Averill Park at the Area All State Performance; Sarah Faragon, Allie Film, Lydia Flynn, Emily Jaworski and Emily Jorden.
November 29 at 6:30pm is the Winter Concert at APHS.
Coming up: On December 5th the music department will be holding a fundraiser at Barnes and Nobles. Students will be performing from 4-7 pm.Please contact blosteinm@apcsd.org or christys@apcsd.org if you would like the id code for at home purchasing or if you would like to order a cheesecake!! (orders must be made by November 17)
Student Newspaper - The Chronicle
The first issue should be available in the first week of November.
Student Parking Permit Reminder
Graduation Rehearsal - Save the Date
APHS Leaders on Remind and Twitter
We will use these tools to communicate updates, reminders, and notices of what's occurring in our school community. Our Twitter handle is @APHS_Leaders. Remind is a communication tool that utilizes either text messages, email service or an app to receive updates.
Remind sends messages directly to you, as opposed to having to scroll through "feeds" to gain information. If you are interested in signing up, please follow the directions in the attachment below. Using Remind is a free service, though text messaging rates may apply depending on your service and carrier. If this is a concern, signing up to use Remind via email or the app is an option. We are APHS Leaders or @aphsremind.
Instructions to sign up for Remind alerts is here:http://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/images/APHS/documents/RemindPDF.pdf
SAT Prep
This three-week course, sponsored by the Averill Park Education Foundation, prepares students for all five sections of the exam, as well as provides SAT-specific test-taking strategies. Students will become familiar with the format of the exam, what the test-makers are looking for, traps to avoid, and effective, efficient ways to dominate the SAT; students will also get plenty of both guided and individual practice. The class is capped at 12 students so that individual attention can be given. Classes will fill quickly so please do not hesitate to register. You can find course dates and register at HinmanInstruction.com/sat-preparation-1. Please contact Sarah Hinman at sarah@hinmaninstruction.com with questions or for more information.
Please see the flyer for more information: https://goo.gl/xvy6Ff
About Us:
Website: www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/aphs
Location: 146 Gettle Road, Averill Park, NY, United States
Phone: (518) 674-7000