Friday was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and we want to say a sincere thank you to Officer Jason Collegnon for his continued service, dedication, and commitment to keeping our school safe.  His presence, support and positive relations with students and staff do not go unnoticed.  Officer Collegnon goes above and beyond each day to make our school a safe, welcoming place, and we are truly grateful for all that he does.  If you see him this week, please take a moment to stop by, wish him well, or simply say thank you, it will mean more than you know.

Final Exams

Talk to your teachers about Final Exams!  Do you know what is expected?  

• If you need help, ask questions soon. Don't wait until the day before the exam!

• Ask for Review materials early.  You can make a game plan and will feel less overwhelmed.

• Spread out your studying - don't cram the night before!

• Review your notes and be prepared to ask questions during exam review periods.

• ALL TEACHERS reviewed the Contingency plan on Thursday with every class ~ there should be no questions unless you were sick and did not reach out to your teacher(s).  

Thank you to KAPUT and Alpena Youth and Rec Millage for making our students a priority!

We missed the KAPUT Holiday Celebration due to inclement weather where we planned to provide 1300 doughnuts and Hot chocolate for all students during a holiday celebration.  Since it did not happen, KAPUT changed it to Wednesday on the first day of Final Exams to provide a treat between exams for students. 

All AHS students will gather in the commons following the 1st hour exam on Wednesday, January 14th to take a break between final exams that day and have a treat provided by KAPUT.   

Thank you KAPUT for all you do for AHS Students.

• Seniors:  The Community Foundation Scholarship website is now open. Please check the link for the application https://www.cfnem.org/scholarships/

• 504 Students: It is a good idea to remind your teacher of any accommodation(s) you might use on exams. You can do this in person, written note handed to them, or email. 

DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENTS

From the Registrar:

Happy New Year and congratulations on your Dual Enrollment opportunity! I want to clarify the role of a Dual Enrolled student, especially with the one week overlap of Semester 1 ending on January 16th and the start date at ACC on Monday the 12th.

You have to remember that you are an AHS student first and foremost and communication is vital with both your AHS teacher(s) and ACC instructor(s) about your status.  Unless you communicate with them DIRECTLY, neither will necessarily know that you are a Dual Enrolled student.  

• If there is an overlap in classes, you need to send an email including all parties involved explaining your dilemma with conflict in being in two places at the same time.  

• The next communication should be a telephone call, google meet or in-person meeting with each teacher/instructor to make a plan that works.  Your AHS teacher will do everything in his/her power to work with you to assist.  You may need to miss one of them and need to have a plan to ensure that the right choices are made.  If the AHS teacher is mandating that you be in the class on a specific day, email your ACC instructor explaining and seeing what you can do to make a plan.

• Do not assume that either party knows that you are Dual Enrolled.  The person cannot read your mind nor will the teacher even potentially think about it.  Remember, he/she is starting a new semester as well and has a ton going on in his/her world. Explicit communication is vital!

Personal Device Policy

As we transition into a new semester, it is a great time to review some building policies. Last week, teachers in 3rd hour shared the Personal Device Culture Lesson with students as a reminder of building wide expectations. Remember, a personal device is not just a cellphone. It is any electronic device that is not school issued.

Parents, 

We need your help in ensuring personal devices are used responsibly during the school day. They have a time and a place throughout the day but it is important to remember that during instructional time, all personal devices must be put away in a backpack, locker, or even with a trusted staff member between classroom bells. This includes when students leave the classroom to use the restroom or for other reasons. Students should not be using their cellphones or other personal devices during instructional times. Please review the policy with your students and help us make AHS the most enriching educational experience possible. We thank you for your continued commitment to your students.

Emails ~ Are you checking it multiple times in day?

In today’s fast-paced world, staying informed and connected is essential for success in education. Email is one of our primary tools for communication, and checking it regularly is crucial. Here’s why we encourage you to check your email daily, and ideally multiple times a day:

1. Timely Updates: Important announcements, schedule changes, or updates about assignments or events are often shared via email. Checking frequently ensures you don’t miss anything critical.

2. Opportunities: Many opportunities, such as scholarships, extracurricular activities, or community events, are time-sensitive. Promptly seeing and acting on these can make all the difference.

3. Teacher Communication: Teachers frequently send reminders, feedback, or additional resources. Staying on top of these communications helps students stay organized and prepared.

4. Avoiding Overwhelm: By checking regularly, you can handle messages in smaller, manageable chunks instead of letting them pile up and risk missing something important.

5. Emergency Notices: In the rare event of urgent school updates (like weather closures or safety alerts), email is often the first place to look.

We appreciate your partnership in ensuring open and effective communication. By making it a habit to check emails regularly, you’ll help foster a smoother and more successful school year.

Upcoming Events:

• 1/14/26 Final Exams

• 1/15/26 Early Release-- Final Exams

• 1/16/26 Early Release-- Final Exams

• 1/19/26 No School Martin Luther King Day

• 1/20/26 Start of Semester 2

• 1/23/26 Deadline to Enroll with APS Online

• 2/1/26      Senior Salutes Due to Yearbook

• 2/4/26 FASFA Computer Lab Time 5:15pm - 7:00pm

• 2/5/26 Early College Spring Informational Meeting for Sophomores & Families ACC Granum Theatre

• 2/13/26 Half Day for Students

• 2/16/26 No School Presidents Day

• 2/20/26 Winterfest Assembly

• 2/21/26 Winterfest Dance

• 3/2/26 Exam Experts Session #1

• 3/3/26 Exam Experts Session #2

• 3/16/26 Exam Experts Session #3

• 3/17/26 Exam Experts Session #4

• 3/26/26 1/2 Day for student PM Parent/Teacher Conferences

• 3/27/26 No School - Professional Development Day

• 3/30/26 No School - Spring Break Begins