The APHS Look AHEAD- April 2023
Newsletter for APHS Students and Parents- v.43
APHS Look AHEAD - April 2023
Dear APHS Students and Families,
There is just about a week until April break arrives, and from there, the school year will move quickly! Before we know it, it will be time to celebrate the Commencement of the APHS Class of 2023, which is scheduled to occur on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 6:30 pm at the MVP Arena. Between now and then, however, there is still a great deal to do!
As the weather gets better, please do everything you can to keep the focus on finishing the year strong in terms of academic responsibilities. If students are struggling with a class or two, there is still time to do something about it. At the last five-week progress point, just over 77% of our students were passing all of their classes. We are aiming to bring this number up by at least 10% as we wrap up the year. This will take effort on everyone's part.
Please do not hesitate to connect with teachers, frequently assess progress, and work together to develop plans to maximize your success. Doing the work now means a smoother end of the year, and a more enjoyable summer.
The nicer weather also means we can get outside and get active. This is good for us on many, many levels, and ultimately lends itself to our overall balance and success. Here is a link to some daily activities that you can do to stay active during this Active April: https://actionforhappiness.org/active-april#download-block-anchor
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything. We are committed to working together to do whatever it takes to find a pathway to success for each of our students.
Be well,
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 10 and 12 (meinc@apcsd.org)
-Mrs. Rebecca Leach, Assistant Principal, Grades 9 and 11 (leachr@apcsd.org)
#AP_EveryStudentEveryDay
"Creating passionate learners who contribute positively to their community and the world."
Final Reviews of Student Course Selection for 2023-2024
Counselors at APHS have now wrapped up the course selection process for the 23-24 school year!
This week, both students and parents will receive an email with instructions to complete a final review of their course selections for next year. Any requests for changes should be submitted to your student's school counselor by the end of the day on Wednesday, April 5th.
Here is a link to the APHS Course Catalog for 2023-2024:
https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/images/APHS/GuidetoProgramPlanning2023-2024.pdf
If you have any questions, please contact the Counseling Center at 518-674-7025.
Board of Education approves 2023-2024 Calendar
The school calendar for the 2023-2024 school year is now available!
Please see the link below:
June Regents Exam Schedule- JUNE 2023
While it seems like a long time from now, it will come quickly! Please see the below link with information related to the June Regents Exam schedule.
Please note that this year there will be NO INSTRUCTION on Thursday, June 1st so that we can administer the first iteration of the US History and Government (Framework) Regents Exam.
Again, here is a link to the detailed schedule of exams. More information will be forwarded as we get closer to June:
https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2022-2023/5957-aphs-june-2023-regents-exams-schedule
Class of 2023 Commencement
We will be honoring the APHS Class of 2023 at their Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 6:30pm at the MVP Arena in Albany, NY.
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.
We will share more details as we get closer to the date, but if you have any questions, please contact the high school main office at 518-674-7002.
WARRIOR WEDNESDAY THEME FOR APRIL: SOCIAL AWARENESS
WARRIOR WEDNESDAY THEME: SOCIAL AWARENESS
This competency focuses on developing the ability to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts.
Additional information about how Averill Park will be addressing this theme and how you can support your child at home can be found here.
Senior Class presents Mr. AP - Saturday April 1
Mr. AP Tailgate - Saturday April 1 from 4-6pm - If you're planning to see the show at 6, or if you would just like to socialize with friends and community prior to the show, come check out the Mr. AP Tailgate Party and support the senior class. We will have food trucks, a bake sale, cornhole, and other student planned activities to keep you entertained.
Senior Class presents Mr. AP - Saturday April 1 at 6:00pm - The Mr. AP Competition is a fun tradition at APHS dating back to 2004. The structure follows that of a beauty pageant, complete with activity wear, formal wear, and a talent section. The variety show is a mix of impressive talent and comedy performed by senior students.
Fundraising event at APHS - April 4
Averill Park High School students will be holding a fundraiser in the cafeteria during all the lunch blocks on Tuesday, April 4th.
The high school school principal, Mr. Quiles, will be getting duct taped to the wall!
Students can pay $1 to get a piece of duct tape. All proceeds will be going to a foundation that supports young Afghanistan girls who are escaping the Taliban and receiving an education in Rwanda Africa.
We hope for your support!
Class of 2025 Fundraiser
Please support the class of 2025.
The sophomore class is hosting a Hoffman car wash fundraiser.
Please consider purchasing a car wash using the link below:
APHS Students perform at Empire State Plaza
Construction Tech class goes to training facility
Mr. Kozlowski and Mr. Engel recently took a group of students from the Construction Technology program at the high school to the North Atlantic Carpenters Union training facility in Guilderland.
APHS students were able to participate in a "build day", focused on metal stud framing alongside trainers and apprentices from the training program.
A great time was had by all!
THREE ART STUDENTS ACCEPTED, TWO AWARDS PRESENTED AT THE 2023 HIGH SCHOOL REGIONAL EXHIBITION
Averill Park High School had four entries selected by three students to be shown at the annual High School Regional Exhibition, which is currently on display at the Albany Center Galleries. Congratulations to senior Emma Hanlon, Junior Marlee Cooke, and Sophomore Lilly Jacobson (two works selected).
On Friday March 24, Cooke was presented with a Sage College Scholarship Award for her painting titled The Other Side. Jacobson was awarded an Honorable Mention for her india ink drawing titled My DAD.
There were more than 573 submissions by 28 area schools and only 107 works were selected by local artists and gallery directors to be in the exhibition. It is an accomplishment to have work selected by art teachers to have work submitted to be juried, and an even greater honor to subsequently be selected for the show.
The Albany Center Gallery is located at 488 Broadway, Suite 107, Albany. The exhibit will open on March 24, 2023 with and opening reception and will close on April 22, 2023. To view the show, the gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Active Parenting Classes April-May
Attention Parents: The Student Assistance Program will be offering a free, virtual parenting program starting April 25th~Please see the registration form for more details and to register for Active Parenting of Teens and Tweens:
https://forms.gle/zWQwygMqamhTAXX68
Here's a link: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2022-2023/5998-register-now-active-parenting-of-teens-program
APHS INFORMATION FOR REMOTE LEARNING, WINTER 2023
We have now used our last emergency snow day for the 22-23 school year! As a result, there will be the potential that we will need to shift to REMOTE INSTRUCTION, should the weather not allow us to attend school.
If we need to shift to REMOTE INSTRUCTION, we will run the following bell schedule, which is the same one we used in 2020:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hXP8tihE3BCb89tBxyHNUTPJ7NVE-PP62LFVVDRjTI0/edit?usp=sharing
Guidelines for students to follow for these days are as:
- Follow the remote daily bell schedule. While Advisory is part of the schedule, we will not run it. The day will begin at 9:00 am. Office Hours and Intervention are not necessary, but you may agree to use them with a specific teacher, should you like.
- Synchronous (live) instruction will happen for all classes, for some period of time, during each assigned block. Students are expected to remotely attend all classes with the link(s) provided by each teacher. Students do NOT need to attend study halls.
- Daily attendance will be taken in Block 1, and for each block/period, and students should be aware that it counts. Students will be considered present if they log in and attend all of each synchronous session for the duration of the session.
- If a student is unable to attend school, as is always the case, parents/guardians should contact the Attendance Office to report the absence at aphsattendance@apcsd.org
- If one of your teachers is absent on a REMOTE day, the teacher will provide you with asynchronous (not live) work to complete on the same day, via their Google Classroom.
If you have any questions, please contact your teacher, or the high school Main Office at 518-674-7002.
Peer Tutoring at APHS
The APHS Chapter of National Honor Society is sponsoring two forms of peer tutoring which will be available for any high school student.
Drop-in tutoring sessions are available every Tuesday and Thursday after school in the library. NHS students will be available to tutor from 2:15 - 3:15. You do not need to sign up in advance, but make sure you are there before 2:30! Students looking for assistance should bring homework assignments, tests that need correcting, or notes if they need help studying.
If students need more consistent help in a particular subject, they may sign up on the linked google form for one-on-one tutoring in a specific subject area. Tutors are limited and will be filled based on availability and strength in subjects. It is expected that students will meet with their personal tutors once or twice a week depending on need and availability. Students who miss multiple tutoring sessions may have their tutor connection removed to be reassigned to another student in need of assistance.
Request for one-on-one tutoring: Peer Tutor Request Form
Late buses are available Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students needing a late bus must sign up for one and will need to sign up prior to 9 am on the day they plan to stay. Students can find the link to late buses on their Launch and on the website.
If you have any questions, please contact National Honor Society Advisor: Nicole Freeman at freemann@apcsd.org
APHS Yearbook
2023 APHS Yearbooks are quickly selling out: We now have approximately 30 left to sell.
Our yearbook Staff has finished and our yearbook is now in production at Jostens.
Yearbooks will be distributed in early June.
Don't miss out on this year's publication!!
Order your yearbook at: jostensyearbooks.com
Questions: baileya@apcsd.org
After School and Late Bus information
The late buses are now running!
Please remember that ALL students staying after school must sign up each day. To do so, you can click on the 'After School Sign Up' button on your Launch Pad or click on the yellow 'After School Sign Up' button that is located on the APHS webpage.
After school expectations:
- Students who are staying after school are expected to either be with a teacher or other staff member/advisor, or be signed up to stay in the library.
- After students are done working with a teacher or attending a club meeting, students are to report to the supervised location as follows:
- On TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS students will wait in the cafeteria until their ride and late bus arrive at 4:15 pm. We have supervision in the cafeteria until that time.
- On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays students will go to the library after working with teachers or attending clubs to wait until their ride gets here. Students should be picked up by 3:15 pm on M/W/F. We have supervision in the library until 3:15 pm on those days.
News from the Counseling Center
FROM THE COUNSELING CENTER:
HVCC and CDCA/CASDA will be hosting their Regional College Fair on Tuesday, April 4th from 6:30 pm-8pm. The event will be located in the McDonough Recreation Center. There will be over 100 colleges on campus. casdany.org/college-career-fairs
Suny is excited to announce the spring schedule for their SUNY College Fairs! The fairs will include admissions representatives from 40 or more SUNY campuses. They hope our juniors and their families will attend. Students can register at engage.suny.edu/portal/suny_college_fairs.
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 and Career software program available that the students have been introduced to and encouraged to use.
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:
April 15, 2023 - - Registration Deadline: March 10, 2023
June 10, 2023 - - Registration Deadline: May 5, 2023
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
May 6, 2023 - - Registration Deadline: April 7, 2023
June 3, 2023 - - Registration Deadline: May 5, 2023
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.
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.
News from the Health Office
The district’s School Health Services program supports your student’s academic success by promoting health in the school setting. One way that we provide care for your student is by performing the health screenings as mandated by the State of New York. During this school year, the following screenings will be required or completed at school if your child's own provider has not documented them on an updated physical form and turned in to the health office.
Vision -Distance and near acuity for all newly entering students and students in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11.
-Color perception screening for all newly entering students
Hearing -Hearing screening for all newly entering students and students in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11.
Scoliosis -Scoliosis (spinal curvature) screening for all girls in grades 5 and 7, and boys in grade 9.
A letter will be sent home if your student needs follow-up with your healthcare provider. Please call the school’s Health Office if you have any questions or concerns.
Over the counter medication and prescription medication
NYS medication requirements and the school district policy states that all students must have patient specific orders from a healthcare provider for any OTC or prescription medication; along with written parent/guardian consent for such medications to be administered to or taken by their child as well as parent/guardian consent that specifies permitting administration or self carrying the medication on file in the health office. This includes medication such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, allergy medication, cold medication along with any medication that they are prescribed such as inhalers, epi pens, migraine management medications.
Tylenol and Ibuprofen permission slips:
In order for your child to receive any Tylenol or Ibuprofen, written permission needs to be turned in EVERY year. If you have not done so please fill out the attached form
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v-M20kCWIhLHqrrpiKuWO-24DTOdcsGNZknE5LGF0MY/edit
and send it back into the nurse's office. Verbal permission is no longer accepted for permission.
Grade-level physicals:
All 9th and 11th graders need to turn in an updated physical form if one has not been sent in yet. Over the next couple of weeks Mrs. Miller will be sending emails to those families who still need to turn a physical form in.
State law requires your child to have a physical examination because he or she either entered school within our District for the first time this year or they are in kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, or 11th grade. 8 NYCRR 136.3(b)(1). A physical exam is mandatory because the District must: (1) appropriately assess the student's current health status; (2) determine the student is free from contagious diseases and fit to participate in all aspects of school programming; (3) identify any need for the District to modify its programming in consideration of your child's health needs; and (4) secure any necessary health care supports within the school environment. Please send this paperwork either by email to millerv@apcsd.org or have it faxed to 518-674-7052. Communicate with Mrs. Miller that you are having papers faxed so that she can confirm when they are received.
IMPORTANT LINKS TO CALENDARS AND SCHEDULES FOR 2022-2023
The APCSD District Calendar for 22-23:
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/images/2022-2023_District_Calendar.pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hYmkNpCz8VeXZLC7xfrcwugS1jyDgo3h/view?usp=sharing
This is a fixed schedule, and will not change based on snow days.
Our Daily Bell Schedule for 22-23:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lcPp84ngqBMdb_zIdS__uFIYRBn0XRQbKettmfZ2tgk/edit?usp=sharing
Please note that this includes schedules for one- and two-hour delays, as well as half days.
Marking Periods/Grade Reporting at the HS for the 22-23 School Year:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xgsWJUMocNNgA3PROdA-ZRPPWw9Yl_2BX8Cl-t9F25s/edit?usp=sharing
The HS Lunch Schedule for 22-23 will be sent to all students and families as we get closer to opening!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MYU8Pt28QuFZm7FejZklyNaLr7q_842Y/view?usp=sharing
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.
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.
Updated Eligibility Guidelines for the 2022-2023 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.
APHS Building-Wide Norms 22-23
With our day-to-day school life finally returning to a more normal routine, we will be working this year to rebuild the common, building-wide expectations for how we conduct ourselves, and treat others, while engaging as a member of the APHS school community.
We have developed guiding norms for all students at APHS. Please take a few minutes to take a look, as these are the basis of our collective expectations for students at the high school. We will go back to these often throughout the upcoming year:
Hallway Norms:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y-pKKvtfvH0LZz5-viMNei2rTV-vfQ05/view?usp=sharing
Bathroom Norms:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1muMNet_0jPMtQWn-VHHp11w7wiRywa2N/view?usp=sharing
Classroom Norms:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y-pNRXBs0nqzR-quwCs_u9gLNPYg2lzH/view?usp=sharing
Cafeteria/Lunch Norms:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s7neyDaiuhpe-FErk7zQj-8loPrT45Gp/view?usp=sharing
Courtyard Norms:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M-MB1yOn8bl_7C-XU9XpTn34orYb1ugV/view?usp=sharing
Norms for Digital Citizenship:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dqB2t1_FrQA3Wp7iDN2DYyLBR79GGZ5T/view?usp=sharing
Diversity and Equity Norms:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qp8awk2_bsHZOQLWdAr0c44NjSSc_hkr/view?usp=sharing
Alcohol and Drug Free Norms:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1blKPY643qw4zIptZUKmU2ttYH5Yo42IG/view?usp=sharing
Senior Courtyard/Atrium Norms:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PzOa7LOqIiVQKk2zEK5HEokP0kPbLZAf/view?usp=sharing
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
April 2023
April 1st - Mr. AP Tailgate 4 pm; Show at 6 pm
April 5th - Final day to review and make changes to 2023-24 course selections
April 6th - Quarter 3- Marking Period ends
April 7th - Good Friday - No School
April 10th-14th - Spring Recess - No School
April 19th - Quarter 3 Report cards mailed/posted
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