November 2023

Message from the Principal:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this message finds you well. I am thrilled to share that we continue to make significant strides in helping our students overcome academic challenges. The first nine weeks academic report shows that over 87% of 9th graders passed all four classes while over 88% of 10th-12th graders passed all four classes. Both percentages are up from the first nine weeks of last school year. We attribute this success to the commitment of our staff, the hard work of our students, and the partnership with parents and guardians. 

The first semester always seems to fly by so quickly, especially since it is much shorter in duration than the second semester.  I want to remind parents to keep lines of communication open between you and your child's teachers. Do not wait until the last week of the semester to review your child's grades. By this time, your child is likely too far behind to catch up and pass the class and/or exam. I encourage you to review your child's grades weekly via Power School to make sure s/he is turning in his or her work and is passing all of his or her classes. You may contact our data manager or log in via your child's account to keep up with grades. Another item to be mindful of is attendance. Students who miss 9 or more days are required to make a minimum of a 60 in the class and a minimum of a 70 on the final exam. Please make every effort to avoid missing more than 9 days of school to ensure this policy will not be an issue this semester. 

Our counselors are meeting with seniors for their senior conferences.  During these meetings, students' post-secondary plans are reviewed. Those applying to college are provided with the 5-easy steps for applying to college. Those entering the workforce receive information on how to search for jobs and proper etiquette when applying for jobs. Those enlisting are connected with recruiters. During Flex block, there are a variety of opportunities for a variety of interests. Today, for example, there is a session being held about opportunities through the Governor's School. There is also a session on Monday about summer opportunities through the School of Science and Math. We have so many great things happening at ACHS! 

Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff!

Sincerely,

Jacob Lail

Principal

#BLUECOLLARGOLDSTANDARDS

Digital Citizenship - ACS Monthly Parent Newsletter

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Important Reminders

• PowerSchool Parent Portal-  If you do not already have access, please contact Stacy Davis in the main office. She can provide you with information on how to sign up for access. Parent Portal is the primary means of monitoring your child's attendance and grades.

• Academic Calendar- Click here for the 2023-2024 Alexander County Schools Academic Calendar.

• Progress Reports-  Progress reports will be sent home with students on the following dates:

  • •   11/7, 11/28, 1/30, 2/20, 3/12, 4/16, 5/7

• ASVAB Opportunity-  We are offering the ASVAB test to 10th-12th grade students on Nov 2nd at 8:00 AM.  The ASVAB is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test. ASVAB scores are used primarily to determine enlistment eligibility, assign applicants to military jobs, and aid students in career exploration. If your child is interested in joining any branch of the military and wants to take this test, if only just for the experience, please have them sign up!

• Yearbooks are on Sale Now!- Click HERE for more information.

• High School Attendance Policy-  Students missing (9) or more days in a semester-long class will not receive credit for the course unless the student makes a 70 or higher on the EOC, CTE State Assessment, and/or teacher-made exam and earns a passing grade (60) for the course.

• Exam Exemption- Students may earn the opportunity to be exempted from final exams each semester in classes NOT giving an EOC or CTE exam by meeting the following attendance requirements:

Final Grade # of absences (excused and unexcused) 

A 4 or less

B 3 or less

C 2 or less

Students will be marked absent if they are exempt from exams and choose to be absent from school for the exam.  If students do not want absences showing on their final transcripts, they must come for exams. Any student that is suspended Out-of-School is not eligible for exam exemption. Students cannot make up time to be eligible for exemption from any exam.  

• ACT - For ALL 11th Graders on February 27th.

• Prom - Moretz Mill in Hickory on May 11th, 7:00-11:00 PM

• FFA Banquet- In the ACHS Cafeteria on Thursday, May 16th. Time TBD.

• Honors Graduation Ceremony- This ceremony will be held on May 19th at 3:00 PM in the auditorium.

• Scholarship Ceremony-  This ceremony will be held on May 24th at 8:30 AM in the auditorium 

• Awards Day- This event will be held on May 24th in the gymnasium. Time TBD

• Important Graduation Update- The class of 2024 Commencement Date is Friday, June 7th at 7:00 PM in the football stadium. Graduation practice is scheduled for 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 6th. Practice is required for all seniors planning to walk.