Dear APHS Students and Parents,
Welcome to Week # 2! We are currently entering the second week of what is certainly a new and unexpected way of doing school. Thank you for your flexibility and responsiveness in how we are working together virtually to ‘get the job done’. The weeks to come will be interesting ones for sure, and the high school faculty and staff will be continuing to grow and make adjustments to keep our students engaged as best we can.
- Students, to stay connected with us, the APHS Leadership Team invites you to join 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.
- This week, Dr. Franchini is kicking off “Warrior Wednesday”. His goal is to keep our AP Community Together by having all students dress in blue/gold or Warrior gear and to take a picture. Please email your pictures to Brian Radewitz, the district’s communication specialist, at radewitzb@apcsd.org.
- Best Buddies Spirit Week is happening this week! Here’s a message from Mrs. Ryan, the Best Buddies advisor:
If you’d like to join the Best Buddies Google classroom to learn more about Best Buddies, use code 2yxerkx
Mrs. Ryan’s message to APHS…
This week is Best Buddies Spirit Week! My group is encouraging everyone to participate, even if we can’t go out. It will be held virtually. Post pictures on Instagram using #virtualBBspiritweek, or send them to (585)259-4558.
Monday (3/23): Fancy Dress Up Day! Show us your finest attire, because Mondays deserve to be a little more glamorous.
Tuesday (3/24): Team Tuesday! Show your support for your favorite sports team.
Wednesday (3/25): Wacky Hair Wednesday! Show us your craziest hair do.
Also, be sure to wear your Warrior gear with your wacky hair! Dr. Franchini is starting “Warrior Wednesday” on 3/25. Students should take a picture of themselves in blue/gold or warrior gear and send your pictures to Mr. Radewitz at radewitzb@apcsd.org.
Thursday (3/26): Tie Dye Thursday! Show us your tie dye gear.
Friday (3/27): Fridays are Best with Buddies! Show us your favorite Best Buddies Gear!
We hope you will participate in Best Buddies Spirit Week this week!
Mrs. Ryan’s message to APHS…
This week is Best Buddies Spirit Week! My group is encouraging everyone to participate, even if we can’t go out. It will be held virtually. Post pictures on Instagram using #virtualBBspiritweek, or send them to (585)259-4558.
Monday (3/23): Fancy Dress Up Day! Show us your finest attire, because Mondays deserve to be a little more glamorous.
Tuesday (3/24): Team Tuesday! Show your support for your favorite sports team.
Wednesday (3/25): Wacky Hair Wednesday! Show us your craziest hair do.
Also, be sure to wear your Warrior gear with your wacky hair! Dr. Franchini is starting “Warrior Wednesday” on 3/25. Students should take a picture of themselves in blue/gold or warrior gear and send your pictures to Mr. Radewitz at radewitzb@apcsd.org.
Thursday (3/26): Tie Dye Thursday! Show us your tie dye gear.
Friday (3/27): Fridays are Best with Buddies! Show us your favorite Best Buddies Gear!
We hope you will participate in Best Buddies Spirit Week this week!
- For students looking to get some SAT, ACT & AP Prep in, Kaplan is offering free SAT, ACT and AP Prep online resources. Just clickFree Kaplan resourcesto 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.
- Students, please check your APCSD email daily. Your teachers, counselors and administrators will be using this as the primary means for communicating with you!
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. At the “Averill Park High School Administration Connections” Google classroom, Mrs. Mein starts each day with a morning announcement that includes the date and if the day is an A-day or B-day. This daily reminder can help students stick to their A/B day schedules at home.
In addition, as you help your kids, remember that you also need to help yourselves. Please see below a calendar of activities for daily mindfulness. Take the time to stop, breathe, keep perspective and refocus; ‘Mindful March’ is upon us!!
Resources for all:
Here are several free resources that you can access…
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A message from our nurses…Dear Families and Staff,
We would like to share the following information and guidance from the NYS Department of Health regarding how to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 when enjoying the outdoors.
Getting outdoors to walk, jog, hike, garden, ride a bicycle or visit a park are healthy ways to stay active, spend time with your family, and reduce stress and anxiety while engaging in social distancing strategies. These are some simple ways you can protect you and your family from COVID-19 while enjoying the outdoors.
Everyone must:
• Avoid close contact with people, even when outside. Keep a distance of at least 6 feet to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
• Avoid games and activities that require close contact.
• Avoid frequently touched surfaces and objects. This includes playground equipment like slides and swings.
• Don’t share equipment such as bicycles, helmets, balls or frisbees.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue and discard the tissue in a closed container.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol: o When you return indoors,
o before and after eating,
o after using the restroom,
o after coughing or sneezing, and
o after touching surfaces or items that may be contaminated.
If you are sick or had contact with someone who is sick in the last 14 days:
• You should stay home.
• You may enjoy spending time in your own backyard or other personal outdoor space but should not go into public outdoor spaces.
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FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR AVERILL PARK STUDENTSFree grab and go breakfast and lunch is available for students free of charge during the school closure
Where: Pick up sites are located at AMS or MH-SL Elementary
When: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
How: Drive-thru pick-up stations. Remain in your car and meals will be brought to you.
Schedule: Monday: Lunch for Mon, Breakfast and Lunch for Tues, Breakfast for Wed
Wednesday: Lunch for Wed, Breakfast and Lunch for Thurs, Breakfast for Fri
Friday: Lunch for Fri, Breakfast for Mon
Dietary restrictions, please contact Colleen Wise atwisec@apcsd.org
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Having Technology Issues? Please contact your Class Principal if you are having difficulties accessing your online learning opportunities, we are here to help.
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Spectrum is offering free internet to households with students for 60 days due to school closings. Go towww.spectrum.comfor 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.orgif 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
- 15 Broadway Plays and Musicals You Can Watch On Stage From Home https://www.playbill.com/article/15-broadway-plays-and-musicals-you-can-watch-on-stage-from-home
- To celebrate Women in Aviation and Space, the Smithsonian is offering a free virtual tour: https://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/topics/women-in-aviation/index.cfm
- NASA has announced that it had free resources available to all students K-12 called “NASA STEM @ Home for Students” Click https://www.nasa.gov/stem for more information.
- For those that want to take a break from our current reality, Disney has made available several of their rides virtual so you can enjoy them from your home. Visit https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/disney-vacations/watch-disney-rides-on-youtube and https://www.wfla.com/community/health/coronavirus/kids-stuck-at-home-should-go-on-these-virtual-disney-world-rides/
As we move more deeply, we will continue to stay in touch and provide updates via emails every couple of days. Most notably, as we learn more about the extent of our closure, we will be communicating about topics such as Quarter 3 grades and how we will strengthen the instruction that we are delivering, should these circumstances be lengthened.
In the meantime, 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