Welcome back and Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the break and is feeling refreshed. Although I hadn’t planned a Weekly Update, I wanted to share important information about Final Exams since the semester ends in just two weeks. I’ve also included a few additional updates.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday—let’s make 2025 bigger and better with Wildcat Pride!

Go Cats!

SAT Prep 

• The Bluebook app will have a Desmos calculator available for students to use when testing. Practice using the Desmos graphing and scientific calculators to become proficient with it! This is a timed test and speed counts! Be able to use this calculator rapidly to solve problems!

• Students may also bring their own calculator from this approved list.

Ski Club:  Forms and Payment are due on MONDAY, January 6th, for the next Ski Trip! 

The bus is full already, but students must turn in forms and payment - on time - to reserve their spot!  Don't miss the deadline.

KAPUT Meeting on Monday ~ Senior Parents, the next events are really geared towards your students.  If you want input and want to be part of something extraordinary for the Class of 2025, please attend.

Monday, January 6th @ 6pm in the Wildcat Den.  Enter through the door under the Wildcat

2nd Semester Student Schedules

• 2nd Semester student schedules will be available in StudentVue starting Monday, January 13th at 5:00 pm

• Any student requesting a schedule change should use the Class Change Request Form.  Please note that schedules will only be change in extenuating circumstances.  Please see the Class Change Request Form for additional information regarding schedule changes.

Student New Year's Resolution  

CHECK YOUR APS EMAIL MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY

Are you getting all the APS Communication? ~ Bus Cancellations, School Day Closures, AHS Informational News, etc.

The School Messenger Automated Contact System is used by the district to help keep families informed. Contact your child's school if you need assistance or you aren't receiving messages. It includes customizable options for phone, email or text messaging. If you would like to receive texts from APS instead of calls you will need to manually opt-in by texting Y or the word Yes to the shortcode 67587. You can email fitzpatrickl@alpenaschools.com or ask the secretary at your child's school to turn off calls to you once that is done.

Families can manage their own contact information by removing or adding information using Synergy ParentVue which is available at alpenaschools.com. Families can use the free School Messenger Info center App for IOS or Android to control their own contact preferences or review missed messages. There is also a web portal https://infocenter.schoolmessenger.com/#/home where they can do the same. You must have an email address in your Synergy account to use the mobile apps or web portal. Requests for changes or removal can be made to any school building, to the main switchboard (358-5200), or by using the “Press 5” function and confirming by pressing 1 at the start of any call.

Please take time to discuss student parking and winter driving at home and review good driving habbits with your student driver.  

• Extra stopping distances, slippery conditions, taking extra time, etc.!

• As snow plowing takes place, Mr. Irwin is getting the parking cones out starting at 5:30 am, so start the rows from the cones to maintain straight rows as students come in to park; and, it is dark.

• The overflow parking is closed as it is not needed.  

• Seniors ~ find that land mark for your parking spots and do your best to be in yours.

  • If you park in a Senior Parking Spot, you will still be fined $25 for parking in Senior Parking Spots ~ stay clear of the first two rows if you are unsure and can't see the pavement.

  • Pay attention to our friends of the pool parking spots and do not take their front spots.  

• If AHS Security or Officer JC comes to your car in the morning about a driving violation, please be respectful.  They will take your parking pass to meet with me once the school day starts.  

  • Parking violations may lead to a police citation.

  • Towing is at the student's expense.

Upcoming Events:

• 1/6/25 School Resumes

  • KAPUT Monthly Meeting 6 pm in the Wildcat Den

• 1/7/25 Secretary of State Mobile Office in the Wildcat Den 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

• 1/13/25 Student Schedules are available to students via StudentVue

• 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)

• 1/20/25 No School MLK Day

• 1/21/25 Semester 2 Begins

• 2/1/25 Senior Salutes due to Yearbook

• 2/3/25 Winterfest Week

• 2/6/25 AHS FAFSA Lab time at Alpena Community College 5:30 pm - 7 pm

• 2/7/25 Winterfest Assembly

• 2/8/25 Winterfest Dance 

• 2/24/25 Exam Experts Session #1

• 2/25/25 Exam Experts Session #2

• 3/3/25 Exam Experts Session #3

• 3/4/25 Exam Experts Session #4