The APHS Look AHEAD-April 2021

Dear APHS Students, Parents and Guardians,

April is certainly a time of transition. Our colder, darker months begin to transform, as we see the world around us turn greener each day. We can also begin to see the end of the school year coming our way!

As we head into the final months of the year, I encourage students and parents alike to keep a solid focus on working towards successful academic outcomes, but also be sure to balance this with consistent self-care. This has been a challenging year for everyone, and we want for all of our students to finish strong. That means we keep the focus, but we also take care of ourselves, and one another.

Over the past ten weeks, our leadership team has been implementing over a dozen different school-wide responses to typically lower pandemic-related student performance. We are very happy to report that student performance over the past 10 weeks has improved by over 50%. One lesson learned: personal connections and in-person learning makes a difference. As we head into the 4th quarter, we are encouraging students and families to consider returning to our in-person hybrid model. We always respect everyone's individual decision when it comes to this topic, but we also want to make sure you know that we are here, and our doors are open!

Over the next few weeks, please keep an eye on district and building-level communication for updates on an array of important topics; the status of Regents exams, local final exams, the end-of-the-year calendar, and how we will resolve our traditional end-of-the-year events during this phase of the ongoing pandemic. If you have questions on any of these topics, please don't hesitate to reach out at 674-7002.

Finally, please take a look at this calendar of daily actions to help you stay active and give your mind & body a boost in April of 2021:

https://www.actionforhappiness.org/active-april This is a great month to work on getting outside!!!

Happy Spring, stay well, and know that we are here for you!

Staying Warrior Strong!

Serving every student every day,

The APHS Building Leadership Team
-Mr. Heath Quiles, High School Principal (quilesh@apcsd.org)

-Mrs. Rebecca Leach, Assistant Principal (leachr@apcsd.org)

#AP_EveryStudentEveryDay

"Creating passionate learners who contribute positively to their community and the world."

The Food Service Department of the Averill Park Central School District is proud to be an important partner with our families during the pandemic. We firmly believe our District's mission of meeting the needs of and creating opportunities for Every Student, Every Day includes your child's nutritional needs.

Thanks to an extension of the US Department of Agriculture's program currently providing for free breakfast and lunch, we will continue to be providing free breakfast & lunch to ALL students through June 30, 2021. We strongly encourage all our families to participate in this essential child nutrition program, as we continue to support each other through these challenging times.

Reminder: Meals are available for 100% Virtual and Hybrid Students. Please contact Colleen Wise, Food Service Director at wisec@apcsd.org with any questions or to sign up for meal pick up.

Students, do you or your family need some extra food items? Please reach out to Ms. Stone or Ms. Favro for confidential support- we will provide snacks or a bag of food for you each week.

Ms. Stone: stonek@apcsd.org

Ms. Favro: favrok@apcsd.org

We continue to offer after school help with teachers on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week. We recognize this as a great opportunity for students to access some individual or small group help, and we encourage students to access this support. .

If your student is staying after school and does not require transportation, they simply need to make arrangements with their teachers on the day they wish to stay. If your student does require transportation they will need to complete the After School Sign up form, located under the Family Resources tab on the district website. I have attached it here for your convenience. After School Help Form Please note, once students have completed their time with their teacher, they will need to report to the high school cafe to await their ride or the bus. Only students who have pre-arranged times with their teachers are allowed to stay.

If you feel your child is in need of extra academic support, we encourage you to discuss this valuable resource with them. As always please reach out to your child's counselor if you have further questions about their academic needs.

The artwork of five Averill Park High School students will be featured at the 22nd Annual High School Regional, showcasing the works of some of the area’s most talented high school artists. The juried exhibition will be on display from March 25 through April 18 at the Albany Center Galleries. The exhibit features a variety of student artwork in painting, drawing, photography, film, digital media, and sculpture.

The students whose work will be featured are:

• Ashley Bayer
• Libby Bulmer
• Fiona Carroll
• Geoffrey Dawes
• Alex Heap

To view the students' artwork, click here.

Congratulations everyone!

Hudson Valley Community College is holding an Instant Admission day on April 28, 2021.

"Students interested in enrolling for the fall semester can be accepted on the spot at this event. Appointments will take place virtually and in-person by appointment.

You’ll meet one-on-one with an admissions counselor, learn about our diverse academic programs and review the steps to become an enrolled student.

To get accepted on the spot, please make an appointment online."

As the pandemic continues to deepen inequities in our country, college enrollments are trending downward among first-time, first-generation college students from low-income households and underrepresented backgrounds. While families across the state struggle with the challenges brought about by COVID-19, the State University of New York (SUNY) is offering extra support to students to submit their college applications this year.

SUNY recently launched the 'Big Dreams, Small Step' campaign to provide assistance to high school students who are at risk of being left behind this year — and who stand to benefit the most from a college degree. This new campaign builds on the 'SUNY For All' initiative, which aims to broaden access to the country's largest system of public higher education for learners at every stage of life.

We know that a college degree has the ability to change the trajectory of one's life and improve career success. However, even before the pandemic, students from low-income households or those from underrepresented groups had just a 10-25 percent chance of earning a degree. The 'Big Dreams, Small Step' initiative will provide additional support, resources, and guidance to help students navigate the admissions process this year.

APHS Yearbook!

All pages have been submitted to the plant and are in the process of being printed!

We expect yearbooks to arrive in early June;

We expect distribution to be a 'curb-side pick-up'.

Purchase your yearbook at: www.jostensyearbooks.com

Any Questions: baileya@apcsd.org / blosteinm@apcsd.org

Need 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. Please print out the application and form AT-16 at https://averillpark.k12.ny.us/working-papers . 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 copy of the form of ID you will be providing to process the application, to the Counseling Center. If you would like to email all documents you may do so and if all is in order they will be processed and you will be contacted to make arrangements to come pick them up and bring the originals with you at that time. Carneyj@apcsd.org

Want to meet with your Counselor?

Students can find the Request to meet with a counselor form on the Averill Park H.S. Family and Instructional Resource page under Guidance.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_stNvi148d0oDNaYZC4rra6MPgzcwb47ihGL28wqRfU/edit

Once the form is submitted the Counselor will reach out to the student and make arrangements as needed.

Upcoming SUNY Events

If you are interested in possibly attending a SUNY college or if you are interested in learning about a SUNY Education, feel free to visit the following link to register:
www.suny.edu/studentevents or call 1-800-342-3811

SUNY is offering information sessions. They are also offering a program related to Which SUNY is Right For You, the Educational Opportunity Program, How to apply to SUNY and Financial Aid Events.

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.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS:

SAT I & II:

May 8, 2021 (Registration deadline is April 3)

June 5, 2021 (Registration deadline May 6)

www.sat.collegeboard.org

ACT:

April 17, 2021 (Registration deadline is March 12)

June 12, 20201 (Registration deadline is May 7)

www.act.org

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.

The Rochester Teen Book Festival is an annual BIG DEAL! This year it is virtual, so anyone can attend. Join up for a day-long, fully virtual event with other teens on Saturday, May 15, 2021, beginning at 9:00 AM EST.

Here's some of what you can look forward to this year:

• Meet all your favorite (or soon-to-be-favorite) authors
• Attend virtual author presentations and workshops
• Purchase books and TBF swag

Here is the link to register: https://pheedloop.com/TBF2021/site/home/

On Monday, March 1 the APHS Orchestra welcomed Master Sergeant Janet Bailey from the US Marine Band "The President's Own." MSgt Bailey is a violinist with the Chamber Orchestra.

In the hour-long presentation (titled "String Fundamentals 2.0"), she went through quite a few common themes that are relevant to students and professional musicians alike. Some of the topics included time management, practicing Etudes, preparation (mental and physical) for auditions and performances, and some new strategies for sight reading success.

The session was very well-received and engaging, and the students responded quite positively. This is not the type of event we can usually host in-house; rather, this type of presentation is normally only offered in-person.

Many thanks to all involved!

PHYSICAL GRADES (OVERDUE)

New York State Education Department requires a physical exam for new entrances and students in grades 9 & 11 (at the high school). Students without physicals on file are not in compliance with the NYSED law.

If you have not provided the required physical and immunizations please do so as soon as possible. Please fax to 518-674-7052 or send the appropriate documentation to the school. Letters were sent home last month for those who needed to turn them in.

Quarantine Information:

The school district works in conjunction with the Department of Health for contact tracing when there is a school exposure this is the process:

* Parents who have children that are identified as a direct contact will be notified by the district.

* Parents will receive an email with instructions on what to do daily for 14 days as well as the official quarantine notification from the Department of Health.

* Parents will receive a daily text message with the Quarantine Questionnaire for the full 14 days to monitor symptoms per the Department of Health Guidelines. This is in addition to the daily questionnaire that must also be answered.

* If you have any questions please contact your building nurse and they can help you.

The Department of Health had changed their quarantine guidelines:

• a negative test does NOT release you from quarantine.
• It is essential to wait 10 days full days to make sure that no infection appears, even if you have no symptoms, before being released from quarantine.
• Quarantine should last 10 days from the last exposure to a person with known COVID-19.
• In addition, you will continue to monitor yourself for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 for up to 14 days after that last exposure.
• If you exhibit any one symptom during the quarantine period your quarantine will be extended for the full 14 days- (this is a Department of Health requirement)

ILLNESS:

Parents/families need to continue to follow the illness guidelines that have been put in place by NYSDOH.

* Your child must stay home if they have any ONE symptom that is outlined in the COVID toolkit.

* You must have your child evaluated by their medical provider and have a doctor's note or a negative COVID test- This MUST be submitted to the building nurse prior to the student entering the building.

* Your child must stay home if anyone in the home is waiting for test results. Please discuss with your building nurse if there are any questions or see the previous guidance the district sent out about routine testing for employment or college-age children.

For the safety and wellbeing of everyone, visitors will not be permitted inside of the high school during the academic day, when school is in session.

Parents wishing to pick up students, or drop off items for students, should use the intercom at the main entrance of the building. Our staff in the main office will guide you through the appropriate procedures.

Meetings between parents and staff will be expected to be conducted in a virtual format. In cases where a face-to-face meeting may be required, staff will need the permission of the building principal.

Visitors approved to enter the building, by the principal, will complete a health screening, have their temperature taken, and will wear a mask.

The APCSD District Calendar for 20-21:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jt88sLKd7FM8YcCvSvaO_c_jzl9rvLaf/view?usp=sharing

The AA/BB Day Rotation for the Hybrid Learning Schedule for 20-21 is linked here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IwJujjg5SUmGQn9zy6k6a0ztt2XIYYPB/view?usp=sharing

This is a fixed schedule, and will not change based on snow days.

Marking Periods/Grade Reporting at the HS for the 20-21 School Year:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F42UlhjAEOfnCx2qgrwEZ1r9ceMhiLkT2bEAhpIAQHQ/edit?usp=sharing

Our Daily Bell Schedule for 20-21:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1choS5fPUhRfBX03ChMuUtGkLvjlZ2kvpIQ4ZEBXbZV4/edit?usp=sharing

*Please note, students are expected to arrive to school by 7:30 am.

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION

The Averill Park Central School District’s Board of Education, its officers and employees shall not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic predisposition, carrier status, sexual orientation in its educational programs, services or activities. A complete copy of the grievance procedures regarding discrimination may be obtained in any of the school offices. Kimberly Nugent, Compliance Officer District Office 146 Gettle Road, ST1 Averill Park, NY 12018 In compliance with Section 504 (of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) Averill Park offers assistance to students, parents (for school related purposes pertaining to their child) and staff qualifying as having a disabling condition as defined under Section 504. For further information or to make a referral for such assistance, you may contact: Dr. Camille Harrelson, Section 504 Coordinator District Office 146 Gettle Road, ST1 Averill Park, NY 12018

April 2021:

2 - Good Friday - NO SCHOOL

5-9 Spring Recess - NO SCHOOL

24- Mr. AP Live Performance

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