Dear Yellow Jacket Nation,

Welcome to this week's edition of the Avondale High School newsletter. We’re excited to share the latest updates, upcoming events, and highlights from our school community. Each week, we’ll bring you important information, celebrate student achievements, and keep you connected to all that’s happening at AHS. Whether it’s news from the classroom, athletics, or school-wide initiatives, you won’t want to miss a thing!

Thank you for being part of the Avondale family. Let’s make it another great week together!

Picture Retake day is Thursday, October 24th, from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm. To pre-order pictures, go to mylifetouch.com with your students ID number.

Dear parents,

School pictures are ready!

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number.

All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.

More about the Smilesafe program here.

Thank you!

We now have a single sign-on for students. This sign-on will be for Schoology and PowerSchool Student Portal. Please note that everyone has a new locker assignment this year. Please follow the directions below.

Students need to use this link for schoology (google sign-in) - http://avondaleschools.schoology.com/

and this one for PowerSchool (no www.) https://avondaleschools.powerschool.com/public/ (students will need to click on the bottom for student sign in.

We’d like to once again thank you for your patience as we’ve transitioned to a new student information system (SIS) and gradebook with PowerSchool. We are now moving to the next phase of implementation, which includes populating student data and gradebooks.

In the coming days and weeks, you will be able to see individual assignment grades in PowerSchool. Families can expect Semester 1 progress reports to be available in early November. Final semester grade reports will be published in PowerSchool in January.

We will continue to provide additional resources and video tutorials in upcoming communications.

The Avondale Theatre Company presents The Hobbit based on the story by J.R.R. Tolkien written by Patricia Gray

November 7, 8, and 9 at 7:05 p.m.

November 10 at 2:05 p.m.

performances take place at the Avondale Performing Arts Center 2800 Waukegan St., Auburn Hills

Streaming is available on November 9th

Tickets available at: avondaletheatrecompany.ludus.com

General Admission $10

Students $7

Avondale Staff is free!

This is a friendly reminder that your senior portraits for the yearbook are due Friday, December 6th.

• If you've had your portrait taken or will have it taken with Prestige, no further action is needed
• If you're using a different photographer, the photo should be sent to ahsyearbook@avondaleschools.org no later than December 6
• If you do not have your portrait taken by December 6, your ID photo will be used in the yearbook. If you did not have your photo taken for an ID, you will not appear in the yearbook. Picture retakes are October 24th.
• If you have not made an appointment to have your senior photo taken, Prestige will be at AHS on November 20. A digital sign-up is on the attached flyer.

Purchase your YEARBOOK and senior ads HERE!

Please respond to this email, or see Ms. McLaughlin in D15 with any questions.

The long anticipated fee waiver information for Michigan College Month is here! You can find the flyers here, as well as attached to this email. Additionally, the Michigan Institution Updates site has been updated for this year as well. Here you'll find a list of all public and private, 2-year and 4-year colleges in Michigan. You can find institution-specific information, such as admissions, financial aid, campus life, etc. on this site.

As you start thinking about what you would like to do after high school, I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities you have here at Avondale to learn more about your options!

SENIOR DATES! -Please review the attached form to know important Senior Dates you have this school year.

Utilize the High School Counseling's Website!

Scholarships-This link is updated every time we receive new scholarships.

College/Career Rep Visits-You will need to sign up and choose the school, trade program, or military you would like more information on. This form is updated every time a college/career rep signs up to visit our campus.

Google Calendar- Events with the Counseling Department.

Application Overview- Attached is the document to reference for any application process. There is also a CommonApp Guide.

Parchment- You are responsible for sending your transcripts to colleges and trade schools through PARCHMENT. You need to use your PERSONAL email and LEGAL name to set up an account. When you are applying for colleges/trade schools now please DO NOT put "Hold for Grades". It will not be until April or May that you will request "Hold for Grade" to the school you are going to.

FAFSA- Application does not open until December 1st 2024. Colleges/Trades will need this for your financial aid package. Attached are some Financial Aid Resources. In the meantime, attend the workshops to learn more about financial aid!

• December 3rd: “FAFSA” presented by Oakland University @ 6:00 P.M. via Zoom. Must Register Here: Link
• Oakland University, in collaboration with the Consulate of Mexico-Detroit, is offering a free seminar in Spanish for high school students and their families. It includes four presentations on college preparation and resources.

Details:

Dates: Thursdays, October 3, 10, 24, 31

Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM

Location: Oakland University, Room 223 Varner Hall, 371 Varner Dr., Rochester, MI

For more information, please see the attached flyer or contact Dr. Cecilia Saenz Roby at saenzrob@oakland.edu.

DACA Students/Undocumented Students, I have attached some resources for you to still receive funding for school.

Recommendations- If you are in need of a Letter of Recommendation, you need to ask the recommender (teacher, admin, counselor, etc.) not demand. If they say yes, please utilize the LOR Profile Sheet that is attached, so it can help the recommender to write a letter for you. You will need to let them know where you need it sent to and the deadline

Note: The turnaround is 2 weeks for requests like this and similar requests.

Jostens- The deadline is September 23rd to order your cap & gown!

Below Are Other Opportunities and Resources for You!

Michigan Achievement Scholarship - Students and their families looking to secure more financial aid for college are encouraged to register for an informational webinar about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which is the newest State of Michigan scholarship program expected to impact the majority of students.

Participants will be able to gather the following information:

• Information about the NEW Community College Guarantee
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts
• Important action items for students and families
• Additional resources and program information

All sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Register for one session only, as space is limited.

Community College Guarantee - Graduating high school seniors are eligible to earn a skill certificate or degree at their local community college tuition-free just by filling out the new and simplified FAFSA. Beginning Fall 2024, students from the Class of 2023 and beyond may be eligible for the Community College Guarantee, which include:

• In-district tuition, contact hours, and mandatory fees.
• An additional $1,000 Michigan Achievement Bonus award for Pell-eligible students, which can be used towards additional college costs.

Please see here for more details and information.

Fostering Success Michigan has some college information for youth who have experience in foster care.

OSTC is already starting to plan for the 25-26 school year! Are you a 10th grader or 11th grader interested in OSTC for next school year? Now is the time to learn more about the program.

The online application for the 25-26 school year is open! It will be found on the OSTC website. There will be a button that says "Enroll for 2025-26 School Year"

OSTC is scheduled to visit AHS on October 28th to present to our 10th grade students so they are able to learn more about OSTC. This presentation will be held during 3rd hour for all 10th grade students.

Events at OSTC-NE:

• Thursday, October 24, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. – OSTC Information Night (general information and overview of all OSTC programs)
• Thursday, November 21, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. – Cosmetology Information Night (specifically for students considering the Cosmetology program)
  
• Thursday, December 5, 2024 – from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Career Night / Open House (all teachers present, labs open, shops open, for all interested students and their parents/caregivers)
• Thursday, December 12, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. – Festival of Small Plates (specifically for students considering the Culinary Arts program). Spots are limited for this event so make sure to RSVP!

If you're interested in attending OSTC next school year, please attend one (or more!) of these events.

If you have interest in attending OSTC for cosmetology, Cosmetology Information Night will be held on Thursday, November 21 at 6:00 p.m. The enrollment process for the Cosmetology program for the 2025-2026 year begins at this event. Remember this is a very competitive 2 year program with limited spots. Only 10th graders are able to apply.

11th graders be aware that Cosmetology and Automotive Technology are two year programs and you are unable to apply to those programs for your senior year.

We are having a MOD Pizza fundraiser on 10/24 and Achatz Pie Gift Card Sales run through 11/01. Also information can be found at Avondale2025.com. If they have additional questions they can contact Andrea Yamarino at (248)410-0958.

ALL students will take the NWEA Math test on Tuesday, September 24th. Please help us encourage students to do their best and show us their amazing abilities by:

• Encouraging them to get a good night's sleep, and enjoy breakfast either at home or at school that morning.
• Remind students to charge their Chromebooks the night before, and to bring them to school! We have a very small number of "loaners" available.

A - Go - Jackie Chavez - jacqueline.chavez@avondaleschools.org

Gp-0 - Melinda Reyes - melinda.reyes@avondaleschools.org

P-Z - Shelby Dallaire - shelby.dallaire@avondaleschools.org

Accelerated Pathways Program Coordinator - Jennifer Wilson - jennifer.wilson@avondaleschools.org

Parents/Caregivers,

We’re off to a great start with students transitioning back into the norms of school. We need your partnership with attendance and timeliness. Students are expected to be in the building no later than 7:17 a.m. to arrive to their 1st-hour class by 7:22 a.m. We’ve had continuous issues with tardiness to 1st-hour that is impacting the learning environment. Additionally, students are expected to arrive to each class hour on time and avoid excessive tardiness during school day.

Moving forward, administrators will review tardiness data weekly and partner with families of those who are excessively tardy during the school day (1st-7th hours). Responses will include multi-tiered systems of supports, interventions, restorative practices, and disciplinary action ranging from detention, suspension, and the removal of extracurricular activities, such has Homecoming, assemblies, home sporting events, etc…

Thank you for your continued commitment to facilitating an environment that prioritizes learning and growth for our students.

Please see the attached bus routes for the high school.

We have identified a gap in our cell phone policy enforcement. While students are permitted to use their phones before 1st hour in the halls, students are not permitted to use their phones in the halls once the 7:22 bell for 1st hour begins. We have experienced an issue in the first two weeks of school with students arriving late to the building remaining on their phones in the halls and bathrooms as they make their way to first hour. Until now, we have permitted this cell phone use and have not been confiscating these phones.

Since we are changing how we are enforcing this policy, we are giving a 2-day grace period to our students and beginning enforcement on Monday 9/9/24.

Student handbooks will be digital and can be found on the website (link) under "High School Resources."

Upcoming Dates:

October 31st- 1/2/ Day (Release at 10:33)

November 1 and November 4 - No School

November 5th - No School Election Day

November 25-29th - No School - Thanksgiving Break

Avondale Families,

Avondale would like to provide support and resources to you and your student(s) as we absorb the news of the tragic high school shooting that occurred in Georgia yesterday. We understand that dealing with tragic events can be incredibly overwhelming, especially when it comes to supporting your children. Please remember that you are not alone, and there are resources available to you and your family.

• For Teens: Coping after Mass Violence https://www.nmvvrc.org/media/lcfb4mtd/nctsn-forteenscopingaftermassviolence.pdf
• Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DdiUOrXh2aB3GAiXn9W6lPXNJB8Np-uc/view?ts=66d8aa33
• Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting https://drive.google.com/file/d/114y5BhAR9smwkW2PzITeeJCP380a-hJh/view?usp=drive_link
• Supporting children's mental wellness: Tips for families and caregivers https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zMXIO4PfW7oyUHWG0RJgiPjyHjtajCLO/view?usp=sharing

Your student(s) safety and well-being is our priority. We hope these resources will assist in discussing these events, should you choose to do so. Please reach out to our support staff or administration with questions.

Although meals are free for all students, we are still requesting that all families complete the education benefits application. This information helps the district qualify for additional programs and assistance.

The attachment below is for an AI bootcamp. The window closes on September 30th.