Progress Reports are coming home early this week!

As a continued effort to support student success and partner with parents and caregivers, AHS continues to send progress reports home twice each semester. We will be sending progress reports home on Tuesday, February 10th. Second hour teachers will print the reports and give them to students to take home. Every student will receive a progress report. Students who do not have an in person second hour may have progress reports emailed or mailed home.

Parents, we ask that you go over the reports with your students, talk to them about the importance of keeping up with their grades and assignments and reach out to teachers if you have questions. There is the possibility of teachers calling home to talk about failing grades or major concerns up to this point. 

Teachers will take time to talk to students about failing grades or students who could benefit from extra support.

We are early in the semester and there are not many graded activities yet, so a low or failing grade is concerning. Please continue to monitor your student's grades using ParentVue/StudentVue. 

If you are having trouble logging on or setting up your Synergy account please call the Main Office at 

989-358-5200 or email Julie Manning at manningj@alpenaschools.com.

Winterfest  &  Academic Probation

Don't Miss out!!!! Winterfest is on Saturday, February 21st

This is a reminder that reports will be run on Monday, February 16th, to identify students who are failing classes and chronically absent. If you are on that list, you will not be able to attend Winterfest.

• Failing grades = Academic Probation

• Unexcused absences of 10% or more of days in session = Chronically absent

Students who have questions can reach out to Dean Sheppard at sheppardl@alpenaschools.com or stop by E103.

Seniors: 

If you have not met with your counselor yet this year, please set up an appointment to go over your post-secondary plan and make sure you are on track to graduate. 

Mental Health Fact of the Week: 

Did you know that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that happens during the winter season, when shorter days and less daylight may set off a chemical change in the brain.

Treatment and self-care for seasonal affective disorder include:

• Make a habit of getting out for a daily walk. 

• Add vitamin D into your diet and nutritional changes. 

• Plan fun activities and stick to those commitments. 

• Get social with friends and family. 

• Move your body with physical activity. 

• Reach out to your support network.

Congratulations to Laurie Lemont and AAACU on being a GREAT Partner with AHS

My name is Kingsli and I am a Marketing Specialist at Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union. I am coordinating our new Teacher of the Month program, and I am pleased to share that you, Laurie Lemont,  have been nominated and selected as the winner of our January Teacher of the Month award! The Teacher of the Month award is meant to recognize teachers in our communities who go above and beyond for their students. We accept nominations each month from parents, students, and community members. For more information, visit: https://www.aaacu.com/learn/teacher-of-the-month.

You are the winner of a $100 Visa Gift Card, an AAACU Sweatshirt and an AAACU Insulated Travel Tumbler.  

The kind words from the person who nominated you: “Laurie is the German teacher at Alpena High School & Thunder Bay Junior High. Laurie is a gifted teacher in the way in which she helps to make the German language come alive for her students. She helps to teach not only the language but also some of the history & heritage of Germany. She does this through special projects like creating a cemetery of headstones of famous German people, introducing different holiday customs through the use of music, decorum, & food (preparing or buying it herself!). She introduces cultural customs & history to make the German language & country come alive for her students. She also coordinates & plans a trip to Germany for students & their parents. So once they learn the language, cultural & customs they can use their language skills & classroom experience firsthand. She also loves her students & this is very apparent by her concern & care for them when they are struggling. Her classroom is open for kids to come in & have their lunch in a safe haven, for those kids in Junior high where kids find the cafeteria disturbing. She's very compassionate & wants her students to succeed & learn in a safe & non-threatening environment. She has been teaching many years & is really a gem at Alpena Public Schools.”

I have also cc’ed Mr. Bourdage to help ensure this message makes its way to you!

Once again congratulations!! Thank you for everything you do to make a positive impact on the students in your classroom and beyond! 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Kingsli Kraft • Marketing Specialist Our Mission: To Be Your Most Trusted and Valued Financial Partner For Life
Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union

Phone: 1-800-443-3577 ext 1573 • Fax: 989-354-5551

Email: kingsli.kraft@aaacu.com

Food Service -- We need your help!

Dear APS Parents and Guardians:

If you have not already completed the attached form for the current school year, please complete the form online at https://alpena.familyportal.cloud/ or print, complete and return it to your student’s school. If you need a printed copy to complete feel free to request one from your child’s school. 

Responses are down significantly from previous years, while our student need is increasing dramatically. At the current response rates there will be significant funding loss for student supports and the potential for families to lose eligibility for free/reduced lunch.   

The Education Benefits Form collects information needed to make sure your child’s school  receives state and federal money for education programs. Without this information, APS could lose vital support and services for our students. These programs include, but are not limited to:

• Teaching staff (ex. reading tutors, math tutors, academic & behavior aids)

• Teaching supplies

• Counselors and social workers

• School nurses

• Training for staff

• Parent and community engagement supplies and events

• Chromebooks and iPads

Why does APS need my info? 

Data on the Education Benefits Form determines the eligibility of a student. The total number of eligible students is used to determine how much money will be provided to your school. The more forms collected the better.

What do I need to do? Please complete the attached form on paper and return it to your child’s school or online at https://alpena.familyportal.cloud/.

Will this form be secure? Yes 

If you have any questions please contact APS Food Services Director Rachel James (989) 358-5021 or jamesr@alpenaschools.com

Lee Fitzpatrick M.A. Ed.

Director of Communications  

fitzpatrickl@alpenaschools.com

(989) 464 6447

Upcoming Events:

• 2/9/26 KAPUT Event Canceled 

• 2/10/26 Secretary of State Mobile Unit here from 10:00am-2:00pm in the Wildcat Den

• 2/13/26 Half Day for Students   

• 2/16/26 No School - Presidents Day

• 2/16/26-2/20/26 Winterfest Week

• 2/19/26 Band Concert @ 7:00pm in the Auditorium

• 2/20/26 Winterfest Assembly

• 2/21/26 Winterfest Dance - 8:00-11:00pm

• 3/2/26 KAPUT Monthly Meeting @ 6:00pm

• 3/2/26 Exam Experts Session #1

• 3/3/26 Exam Experts Session #2

• 3/10/26 Secretary of State Mobile Unit here from 10:00am-2:00pm in the Wildcat Den

• 3/16/26 Exam Experts Session #3

• 3/17/26 Exam Experts Session #4

• 3/26/26 1/2 Day for students -  Evening Conferences 

• 3/27/26 No School for Students 

• 3/30/26 - 4/6/26 Spring Break 

• 4/7/26 Classes Resume

• 4/24/26 Blood Drive in Health Occupations Program B106 8:30-1:00pm (Students & Staff only)

• 4/24/26 Jostens Senior Delivery & Senior Meeting @ 12:30 pm in the Auditorium