Embedded Files
EMPOWERING 21ST CENTURY GRADUATES
Creative: Appreciative - Value and celebrate creativity in all forms; Innovative- Connect existing and original ideas and methods to novel conditions; Resourceful - Able to identify and apply all available tools to tackle challenges.
This week's Wildcat Way is Mr. Thane Whitscell! Located in the Wildcat Den, Mr. Whitscell interacts with students all day long and is the first face they see when a computer issue arises. He has come up with creative ways to help students, and uses every tool at his disposal. Mr. Whitscell helps make AHS a place where all students can be successful.
The Wildcat Way...
The Wildcat Way...
Congratulations Thane Whitscell
Counseling
*Are you child's grades slipping? Are there many missing assignments in Grade Book? Here are some suggestions for your child:
-Review the list of missing assignments and ask your teacher(s) which ones can still be turned in, even for partial credit.
-Go through your bag, room, etc. and find any work you started or have finished. Complete it and turn it in.
-In every subject, but math, complete the larger point assignments first. Turn them in.
-In math, start with the oldest assignment and complete what you can and turn them in.
-In any class where tests/quizzes can be redone, talk to your teacher about retaking those.
**Set a goal to have all work made up and grade up to a "C" by Christmas break.** When this goal is reached, find some way to safely celebrate your child for their hard work.**
Take some time over Thanksgiving break to get some of your missing assignments completed but also take some time to rest and rejuvenate.
AHS Upcoming Events
There will be no weekly update next week due to the holiday weekend
Special tribute to Dr. Rabbideau for his Thanksgiving Day Birthday! Have a great day!
KAPUT Monthly Planning Meeting ~ We Need YOU!
Monday, December 2nd @ 6pm in the Wildcat Den
It is always the 1st Monday of the Month
Testing
Athletics
Items To Review
ATTENDANCE AND THE VALUE AT BEING PRESENT AND ON TIME
This message was done on Morning Announcements all last week
I’d like to take a moment to remind everyone about the importance of being present and on time. Attendance is not just about being in the classroom—it’s about showing up for your education and taking responsibility for your success. Every day you are here, you have the opportunity to learn, grow, and engage with your teachers and classmates. Missing even one class can mean missing out on important lessons and experiences that help you build the skills needed for your future.
Being on time ~ avoid being tardy ~ is equally important. Being late to class is disruptive—not only to your own learning but to the learning of others. It’s also a habit that can carry over into the rest of your life. Being on time is a key skill for success, whether in school, at a job, or in any other area of life. Employers, colleges, and others expect you to be reliable and punctual, and practicing this now helps build that crucial habit for your future.
Let’s all work together to make sure we are on time and present every day, ready to learn and succeed. Remember, your education is an investment in your future, and being here—on time—every day is an important part of that.
Thank you!
Tardy Sweep on Thursday
In response to our Climate Team's concern with tardies the past few weeks and the lack of urgency for students to get to class prepared for the hour, Admin andd support team did our first Tardy Sweep. There were 12 students total. Before assigning them After School Detention on Monday, I reviewed my message above that I covered on the announments and had teachers review with classes all week. It is a great lifelong skill to make being on time and engaged while present a priority. AHS will do these periodically as 12 was quite low as we were seeing 20+ students hourly for the past few weeks.
I am confident that we can do better with tardies and attendance; being in school and engaged, increases student academic success significantly.
Admin has a truancy meeting update with Mr. Pintar's role as our truancy officer and how to help with our chronic absenteeism and the role he will play along with your policies.
Sickness has been a big concern too, and it is vital that you login to ParentVue and note absences or call The Attendance Office 989-358-5289 or 989-358-5200 to report sickness.
Students can stay current in all classes by using Brightspace and emailng teachers with questions.
Did you get a phone call from AHS Teachers or an email?
You can email your teacher(s)
You can call (989-358-5200) and leave a voicemail once transfered to the teacher's classroom. Just an FYI, classroom phones are set to "do not disturb" during the school day, but teachers are to check voicemail regularly.
You can make a personal appointment with any teacher, counselor, School Success, or principal to discuss student needs and supports.
An AHS Goal is to bridge the gap and create partnerships as outlined in the APS Strategic Plan.
Progress Report #2 was done November 12th. Teachers called home for failing grades, any drastic academic changes, and positive calls; remember, you are welcome to call too ~ you are never a bother. The AHS Staff has committed to the Progress Report process 2 times each semester.
You may also have received an email rather than a telephone call as voicemail is full, wrong number, or they left a voicemail. If you had a telephone call and there was no response, the teacher noted it and sent the email this time.
AHS Interventions to Support Struggling Students
Did you get an email from me on Friday?
If so, please discuss the message with your student and prioritize the need to seek help for failing classes.
Dean Mitchell is working closely with Counselors, Principals, School Succeess, 31N Therapist, and staff to help shift failing grades for your students at this midway point of the semester. We beleive that with help at home and school we can move students to help earn credit for the semester.
There were 101 students invited and only 9 attended the support meeting Mr. Mitchell held on Wednesday. We can do better than this! I hope to see all 101 there on Monday.
AHS Emergency Drills ~ All classes had conversations focusing on what to do in the event of a school lockdown. While we can practice, if an actual event were to occur, we must rely on in the moment, critical thinking skills. The more conversations we have, the more prepared we can be. Please continue this discussion at home addressing potential actions your student could take, with the hope that these plans will never need to be utilized. Our upcoming drills will occur during passing time and during lunch hours.
Mrs. Smith has received extensive FAFSA training. She would love to guide students and families through the process. Keep an eye out, because there will be a FAFSA help event offered before Christmas Break.
Please reach out to your friendly MCAN College & Career Advisor
via email smithme@alpenaschools.com,
by text 989-372-0101,
or by calling 989-358-5319
Hopefully, while together over the holidays students and families will create their FAFSA accounts then start the application process. It takes 3 or more business days after creating the account to start the application. If you have any questions along the way, please save and exit. Do not submit, until you feel confident. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, is your ticket to all forms of financial aid. This includes grants, certain scholarships, loans, and even work-study opportunities.
While most students know that they need to file this application for college, many don’t understand (or even know) that they can optimize the amount of aid they receive.
For tips and tricks please click here.
Melisa Smith is here to help!
Check out the MCAN College Advisor Site for more updates and resources!
You may also contact Melisa Smith via email smithme@alpenaschools.com or by calling 989-358-5319
Create your
Create your
FAFSA Account
FAFSA Account
FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid
FAFSA is how students gain access to scholarships and grant money to pay for college.
FAFSA will become available soon! Please create your FSA ID or FAFSA account now so there are no delays in completing the application for financial aid.
Who needs to do this?
Guardians/Parents of Seniors and Seniors graduating in 2025! This does not apply to students in the Early College Program.
PARENTS OF AHS SENIORS!
Baby pictures - Due December 1st
MONEY DUE DECEMBER 9th.
If we don't receive your payment by December 9th your baby picture will not be included.
Up to 3 pictures per person. $5 per picture. Cash or check turned in to Ms. O’Neil E-206. Money can also be dropped off at the main office. Make sure it is in an envelope and labeled with the student's name.
Baby Pictures will be submitted via Jostens PhotoShare
Type: BABY PICTURES in ACTIVITY box
If you have any issues with PhotoShare and cannot get the pictures to submit through the app. Please email them to: ahsyearbook@alpenaschools.com
IF you have printed pictures and cannot scan them please have your student bring them to Ms. O'Neil in E206 and I can scan them for you and return them to your student. 1st and 4th hours preferred.
If you have any questions please email ahsyearbook@alpenaschools.com or oneilk@alpenaschools.com
PARENTS OF AHS SENIORS!
Recognize your student with a Recognition Ad in the AHS YEARBOOK. Celebrate your student for their accomplishments and achievements this year, but hurry, the deadline for discounted prices is quickly approaching. Purchase today! OFFER ENDS 12/1/2024. After this date, the prices will go up, and the final deadline will be February 1st.
Ready to order your Recognition Ad? https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?code=YB_RA&cn=1065136
Need help with designing your Recognition Ad? Please see YOUR EMAIL for the attached Quick Start Guide.
Thank you!
If you have any questions please email ahsyearbook@alpenaschools.com
Senior Salute- February 1st
Purchase a dedicated space in the yearbook to celebrate your senior.
ALL Senior Salute designs will be created, paid for, and submitted through Jostens.
https://www.yearbooknerds.com/alpena-high-school
Prices through December 1st: Full page $350, Half page $225, Quarter page $125, Eighth page $75
Prices after December 1st: Full page $400, Half page $250, Quarter page $150, Eighth page $100
FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES, and JUNIORS!
CHECK YOUR YEARBOOK PORTRAIT!
Please go by the main office windows.
Please check that we have the correct picture and name spelling.
If there is something you need to change…
Please email ahsyearbook@alpenaschools.com
OR
Go see Ms. O’Neil in E206
(1st hr, 4th hr)
You must notify us by DECEMBER 3rd at 2:30 pm.
Senior Portraits will be posted for checking soon...
Over the course of 3 days students in Health Occupations received extensive emergency medical training.
Students were provided instruction and spent a majority of the time performing hands-on skill implementation. They were trained in trauma response to bleeding injuries and received their certification in Stop the Bleed. Students learned about different types of injuries, how to respond to those injuries, the proper precautions to take, and how to properly apply a tourniquet. They were also trained in first aid for all types of situations, from anaphylaxis and Epi-Pen use to splinting practices. Students learned about what can cause someone to go into cardiac arrest and they can provide accurate CPR for adults, children, and infants, as well as properly use an AED. They are able to respond to someone choking and can provide the life saving measures needed to help. students were able to obtain, through the American Heart Association, their Basic Life Support certification. This certification is recognized throughout all industries and is good for 2 years. Students can now respond to a life saving emergency with the knowledge and confidence needed to assist.
Upcoming Events:
11/27/24 - 11/29/24 No School - Thanksgiving Break
12/1/24 Senior Baby Pictures are due for Yearbook
12/2/24 KAPUT Monthly Meeting 6pm in the Wildcat Den ~ We need your help!
12/3/24 Secretary of State Mobile Office in the Wildcat Den 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
12/12/24 AHS Winter Band Concert 7:00 pm AHS Auditorium
12/16/24 & 12/17/24 Vision Screening for all 9th Graders
12/17/24 Choir Holiday Concert @ 7:00 pm AHS Auditorium
12/23/24 - 1/5/25 No School - Winter Break
1/6/25 School Resumes
1/7/24 Secretary of State Mobile Office in the Wildcat Den 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
1/15/25 Day One of Final Exams
1/16/25 Day Two of Final Exams; half day for students (10:36 am dismissal)
1/17/25 Day Three of Final Exams; half day for students (10:36 am dismissal)
OK2SAY is the student safety program which allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees, and schools. It uses a comprehensive communication system to facilitate tip sharing among students, parents, school personnel, community mental health service programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and law enforcement officials about harmful behaviors that threaten to disrupt the learning environment.
Student Climate Team will be trained to conduct peer mediation for students who are in conflict with one another. The goal of having peer mediation at AHS is to help create a more positive culture in our school where both sides win and one party doesn't feel as if they are being treated unfairly. Please see Mr. Robarge in E110 (School Success) if you need help resolving an issue. Peer mediators don't take sides or place blame on anyone!
Page updated
Report abuse