Embedded Files
EMPOWERING 21ST CENTURY GRADUATES
Collaborative: Team Player - Willing to fulfill a variety of roles in group settings; Communicator - Able to effectively share, receive and interpret information; Flexible - Willing to adjust, adapt and compromise to address varying circumstances.
This week's Wildcat Way is Tristan Sorenson! Tristan impressed his math teacher by taking a growth mindset to Algebra 1. He has been engaging with challenging content each day. He collaborates with his group members and asks questions when he gets stuck.
The Wildcat Way...
The Wildcat Way...
AHS Upcoming Events
Winter Band Concert
AHS Auditorium
Thursday December 11th
7 - 9 pm
Holiday Spirit Week
December 15-19
The Leadership Holiday Movie
December 19th during 1-2nd hours & 5-6th hours
Tickets will be on sale that week for $5
Survey for the movies were sent out last week to students ~ complete your survey to have a vote
Academic Probation will be used for this event ~ check your grades!
KAPUT Holiday Surprise for ALL Students at AHS -- December 19th following the Holiday Movie
-- All students will be treated to Doughnuts, Hot Chocolate, cyder, and crafts
-- Thank you Alpena Youth and Rec Millage for all you do to support the students of AHS present by KAPUT
January 14-16th
January 14-16th
FINAL EXAM/EVALUATION EXPECTATIONS
FINAL EXAM/EVALUATION EXPECTATIONS
All teachers will give a comprehensive exam/evaluation at the end of each semester covering the curricular content of each course they teach.
Exams/evaluations will be given on the designated exam dates.
It is understood that other end-of-course tasks may need to be completed during this time period in addition to the exam/evaluation (i.e. collecting books, locks and other school-issued supplies).
Final exam/evaluation time is not to be used for non-instructional activities.
The weight of the exam/evaluation grade must be included in each teacher’s syllabus/SBS. The exam grade will be specifically indicated on student report cards.
Parents ~ it is a good time to review student grades and communicate with teachers with questions or concerns. We appreciate parent communication and encourage it.
Items To Review
Restorative Center - Closed During 4th Hour
ATTENTION STUDENTS:
Beginning Monday, December 8th, the Restorative Center will be closed to all students during 4th hour unless you have an appointment.
Bus Notes
Parents, thank you for calling in a timely manner requesting a bus note for your son/daughter to ride a different bus. If you could help us out and tell your son/daughter to go to the Main Office to pick up their bus note it is greatly appreciated.
Parking Lot/Driving Safety
As you drive to school in the winter months, please be mindful of the parking lot and being slippery. It will be slippery for sure ~ so give yourself plenty of room to stop.
Parents, this is a great opportunity to take time and talk about winter driving and making good choices as we all relearn our winter driving habits.
Mr. Irwin, our Maintenance Supervisor, will have plow the lot to see the lines when students arrive at 5:30am marking each row, and I advise that you start parking to the left in the rows ensuring that they stay straight and there is plenty of room for everyone.
~ Seniors with your parking spot, hopefully you are able to do your best to locate your spot with it being snow covered; do your best and find a landmark as you park this winter. Remember, if a person is parking in your spot, please get their license plate and/or Parking Permit #. Students parking in Senior Painted spots will be fined $25 each time.
Be safe and be smart! Please be cautious as the snow is always a learning event. The same goes for when you are leaving at the end the day ~ give yourself plenty of room to stop.
SENIORS! Please stop by the Senior Lounge and check to make sure your portrait and quote are placed correctly and accurately. If there is anything that needs to be changed, please email ahsyearbook@alpenaschools.com THANK YOU!!
📚 SAT & PSAT Prep News: Get Ready for April Testing!
📚 SAT & PSAT Prep News: Get Ready for April Testing!
We are kicking off our annual test preparation efforts to help all students succeed on the upcoming SAT and PSAT exams in April. You will be hearing much more about specific preparatory work from your teachers in each subject area.
Weekly Question Challenge is Back!
Weekly Question Challenge is Back!
Participate each week to sharpen your skills and test your knowledge.
Goal: Build your confidence and readiness for the SAT/PSAT.
The Incentive: Participate here each week and win a Giftcard to the Campus Closet!
GEAR Up SAT Exam Experts Sessions for Juniors
GEAR Up SAT Exam Experts Sessions for Juniors
Again this year, GEAR Up will be bringing in the highly-rated Exam Experts to conduct two intensive 2-day preparation sessions specifically for our current Juniors in advance of the mandatory SAT in April.
Data shows these sessions work! Over the past two years, this practice session has helped increase scores, based on the growth in student performance from the 10th-grade PSAT that particpated in the sessions. Student feedback has been 100% positive, affirming that the time spent was extremely valuable.
Session Dates:
Session Dates:
Session 1: March 2 - 3
Session 2: March 16 - 17
Registration Announcement: Details on how to register will be announced closer to the dates.
✅ Next Steps for Students & Parents
✅ Next Steps for Students & Parents
Talk to your teachers about the test preparation work being integrated into your classes.
Participate in the weekly test prep questions presented in this newsletter!
Counseling
ALL APS online students need to meet with their counselors by December 19th to schedule classes for second semester.
If you have questions regarding APS Online please reach out to Jon Studley Director of ACES Academy. 989-358-5170 or email at studleyj@alpenaschools.com.
Fact of the week: Did you know that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of seasonal depression that occurs mostly in fall and winter? It is thought to be caused by shorter days, less sunlight, fewer outdoor activities, and increased isolation. Make sure you are getting some sunshine, even when it's cold! Spend time with people who have a positive effect on you.
If you are a semester 1 dual enrolled student, your first semester at ACC ends this week, Dec 12th. Be sure to prepare for your finals. Study for your exams and get plenty of rest the night before your exams.
Want to know more?
Click the link below to open a presentation about FAFSA and Financial AID
Upcoming informational meeting for SENIORS!
Where - Wildcat Den
When - January 7, 2025 from 9:30-10:45
What - Information about scholarships and workshops. Learn about opportunities at CFNEM and ACC
Who - Reach out to Christi Schultz, your AdviseMI College advisor for more information
Kirtland Trip
Kirtland Trip
December 18th
See Mrs. Taratuta for details or pick up permission slips in Wildcat Den
Cardiac Sonography, Cosmetology, Police Academy and so much more!
Jenny Taratuta
MI GEAR up Coordinator/ Career & College Readiness Advisor
taratutaj@alpenaschools.com
(989)358-5243
Athletics
Upcoming Events:
12/9/25 Robotics student/parent meeting 6pm in D house across from Robotics (both parents/students must attend or 17th)
12/11/25 AHS Winter Band Concert 7-9pm
12/15/25 District Health 9th Grade Eye Exam
12/16/25 District Health 9th Grade Eye Exam
AHS Choral Concert 7pm
12/17/25 Robotics student/parent meeting 6pm in D house across from Robotics
12/19/25 Holiday Movie Fundraiser by Leadership
KAPUT Holiday Celebration for all Students courtesy of Alpena Youth and Rec
12/22/25 - 1/4/26 Winter Break AHS Closed
1/5/26 KAPUT Parent Meeting 6pm Wildcat Den
1/6/26 Progress Reports issued as needed by teachers
1/7/26 Scholarship Workshop in the Wildcat Den 9:35am - 10:35am
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
1/23/25 Deadline to Enroll with APS Online
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 Restorative Center (School Success) if you need help resolving an issue. Peer mediators don't take sides or place blame on anyone!
Have you ever wondered how our school lunch menus are created? Curious about what goes into deciding a snow day? Or perhaps you’ve been puzzled by terms like "collective bargaining agreement" or wondered why the district can’t purchase gifts for staff?
If so, we invite you to participate in our "ASK APS" initiative. This is your chance to ask the questions that matter to you. Each month, we’ll select questions that are intriguing, timely, or widely relevant to answer in the Superintendent's Update, Central Office communications, school newsletters, or even at Board meetings.
While we may not be able to address every question, we’re committed to answering as many as we can.
Please note: This form is not intended for questions specific to individual students or situations. For those, please reach out directly to your child’s teacher or principal.
Rest assured, your submissions are completely anonymous—no contact information is collected
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