April 2, 2020
Dear APHS Students, Parents and Guardians,
For those of you that are basketball fans, you know that right now we should be in the height of “March Madness” with regards to college basketball; who knew that instead we would be living through a new definition of “March Madness”. However, out of darkness there is light and we have made it through March!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the students, for your flexibility and perseverance with transitioning from learning in the classroom to learning from home. We would like to also take this opportunity to thank you, the parents, guardians and caregivers, for your support at home with regards to instruction as well. It truly takes a village to make this happen and you are making it happen! It’s times like these that make our Averill Park Central School District so unique, united and strong! Thank you!!!!
Grading in the 3rd Quarter
Just a reminder as we approach April 7th, the end of this marking period, for the 3rd Quarter, students will not receive a number grade. Students will receive a P or F, with a comment indicating the grade range which they had in each course at the time of closure (March 16th). As we learn more about the extent of our closure, and get more guidance from NYSED, we will be able to better assess what may happen in the 4th Quarter, and beyond. Please note that NYSED has indicated that it will be providing information about its plans related to June 2020 Regents exams at some point this week. We will keep you in the loop on all of these topics, as we learn more.
Because we do not expect to have a Spring Break this year, we will aim to process grades and release report cards in SchoolTool on the morning of April 15th. If you have questions about any grades, please contact your student’s teacher directly via email.
Important Information Regarding Social Distancing
Although it is important to get outside and get some fresh air and exercise, remember that any and all contact sports, and gatherings in groups of any size, cannot take place during these difficult times.
We have been informed that the town parks and playgrounds are closed to gatherings until further notice. It is really important that each and everyone of us maintains social distancing; we all need to do our part with this to keep our community safe & healthy.
We recognize that this is frustrating for you, our students, and that you miss seeing and gathering with your friends, but it’s what you need to do during this difficult time. Please do your part to help keep our community, your family and yourself safe by following social distancing. Parents, we thank you for your help with reinforcing the importance of social distancing with your children at home.
How to Get Working Papers
If a student is in need of working papers at any point during our closure, please download the application materials off the APCSD website at: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/working-papers
Once completed, call the nurse’s office at WSL (518-674-7184) to verify if your child’s physical is up to date. If the physical is up to date, you will be prompted to schedule a time with the Nurse on Duty from 7 am to noon to have the AT-16 Physical Fitness Form signed. This step may also be completed directly with your physician, as well.
When all signatures and forms are completed, please email your completed documents to heilmannj@apcsd.org and request to set up a videoconference to present and verify identification materials. Once the video conference is completed, your working papers will be mailed to you.
If you have any questions, or need assistance with any part of this process, please contact the HS Counseling Center at 674-7025.
Coronavirus Resources from the District Office
For the latest information on the Coronavirus, resources available and District-related news, be sure to visit our COVID-19 webpage here. On April 14 per Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this order, our school district must continue to provide remote learning, meals for students and childcare for essential workers every weekday through April 14 even though the district is scheduled to be on spring recess during that time. The state will reassess whether to extend the statewide school closures past this date. We encourage families to continue to check their email and our website for additional information.
News for Students
We encourage you to continue to remain connected. There are several ways that you can accomplish this:
- Students, please check your APCSD email daily. Your teachers, counselors and administrators will be using this as the primary means for communicating with you! Teachers will be sharing with you their daily “office hours” that they will be available to you. These hours are located within their folders on the Online Resources page: https://sites.google.com/apcsd.org/onlinelearning/home. Take advantage of this time with your teachers to stay connected.
- Speaking of staying connected, students, to stay connected with us, the APHS Leadership Team, by joining our Google Classroom ”Averill Park High School Administration Connections”. All you need to join is the following code: whh5oj2 Many of you have already joined, our goal is to have ALL of you join to stay connected with us. We have received some questions from parents about being able to join as well. Please note due to privacy regulations, this Google Classroom is only open to students. Parents, we encourage you to review the Google Classroom with your student(s) to see what Mr. Quiles, Mrs. Mein and Mrs. Leach have posted.
- One way to not feel overwhelmed and to keep on a routine is to follow your regular schedule. To help you with this, here’s the A/B day line up for the rest of this week and next week.
This week: Monday 3/30=B-day; Tuesday, 3/31=A-day; Wednesday, 4/1=B-day; Thursday=A-day; Friday=B-day
Next week: Monday, 4/6=A-day; Tuesday, 4/7=B-day (LAST DAY of 3rd Quarter); Wednesday 4/8=A-day; Thursday, 4/9=B-day; Friday, 4/10=A-day
- For students looking to get some SAT, ACT & AP Prep in, Kaplan is offering free SAT, ACT and AP Prep online resources. Just click Free Kaplan resources to find out more.
- For those students that like to write and/or are interested in civics, Mrs. Yost has found an essay contest that is being sponsored by Scholastic and is titled, “What will you run for?” This civics and persuasive writing essay contest is for students in grades 7-12. For more information click here.
News for Parents & Guardians
- Please help support your child(ren) with their virtual learning by monitoring if they have connected with each of their teachers. By now all students should have logged onto their device and should have connected with their teachers. The Student Support Team (SST) is working collaboratively to monitor student connectivity and will be in touch this week with those folks that have net connected.
- You can also work with your child(ren) to set up a daily schedule, following the A/B day schedule. This week’s schedule is as follows:
This week: Monday 3/30=B-day; Tuesday, 3/31=A-day; Wednesday, 4/1=B-day; Thursday=A-day; Friday=B-day
Next week: Monday, 4/6=A-day; Tuesday, 4/7=B-day (LAST DAY of 3rd Quarter); Wednesday 4/8=A-day; Thursday, 4/9=B-day; Friday, 4/10=A-day
ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS FOR 2020-21
The APCSD Transportation Department is now accepting alternate transportation request forms for the 2020-2021 school year. This form is used to request in district alternate transportation for childcare purposes.
Please click here for the form, which includes additional information:
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/TransportationFormChildcare.pdf
Food Service Update
NOTICE: As of Wednesday (April 1) meals will be available only at the high school from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Algonquin Middle School and Miller Hill-Sand Lake Elementary will no longer serve as distribution locations. As usual, please remain in your car and meals will be brought to you. We are asking everyone who is coming to the high school for meal pickups to use the entrance near Butler Park and exit by High School Road, as shown in the diagram that Dr. Franchini sent out, click on this link for more information: https://www.www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/news-archive-2019-2020/4094-update-to-food-pickup-location.
Having Technology Issues?
Please contact your Class Principal if you are having difficulties accessing your online learning opportunities, we are here to help. There is also a link on the district website in the Online Resources section: https://sites.google.com/apcsd.org/onlinelearning/home
Spectrum is offering free internet to households with students for 60 days due to school closings. Go to www.spectrum.com for more information.
From our Library Media Specialist, Mrs. Yost, you can obtain reading material using Sora: https://soraapp.com/home . Contact Mrs. Yost at yostj@apcsd.org if you have any questions about using Sora. You can find more information on Sora and so much more by clicking on the APHS Library Media Center button located on the district’s website: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/averill-park-high-school-library
The District’s technology team has put together an Online Learning page for students, parents and teachers. Check it out at https://sites.google.com/apcsd.org/onlinelearning/home
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if there is anything you need. This can be done via email, or by calling the high school at 674-7002. This line will be monitored daily, and you will receive a call back within one business day.
Our emails are as follows:
Mr. Quiles (High School Principal)- quilesh@apcsd.org
Mrs. Mein (Assistant Principal, Grades 9 and 11)- meinc@apcsd.org
Mrs. Leach (Assistant Principal Grades 10 and 12)- leachr@apcsd.org
Stay safe and stay well!
Mr. Quiles, Mrs. Mein & Mrs. Leach
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:
Kathryn Dorgan, Section 504 Coordinator
District Office
146 Gettle Road, ST1
Averill Park, NY 12018