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EMPOWERING 21ST CENTURY GRADUATES
The Wildcat Way...
The Wildcat Way...
Ms. DeRocher has been an invaluable addition to our team. She creates a calm, welcoming environment in the Restorative Center that is essential for supporting the students that we see every day. While acting as a consistent, unwavering support for many of our students, she also sets high expectations and holds students to them. Ms. DeRocher has been willing to jump in wherever needed and has become an essential part of supporting several specific students and helping on our Problem Solving Team. Whether it be for a snack, a break, or some advice, Ms. DeRocher sees nearly 100 students per week. She has also developed several tier 2 support groups designed to provide essential skills to many students, manages nearly 20 student phone plans, and prepares for ISS each week.
AHS Upcoming Events
Severe Weather Awareness Week
With it being Severe Weather Awareness Week, teachers will be reviewing our tornado drill procedures this Monday and Tuesday. It is crucial that all students understand the protocol: what to do, where to go, and how to react in the event of a tornado warning.
It is important that everyone takes these drills seriously, acts in an appropriate manner, and follows the directives of the adults leading the situation. If you have a substitute teacher, please be a leader in your class, take charge, and ensure that the established safety procedures are followed. Substitute teachers have been provided with the necessary information, but your leadership is essential for a safe and successful drill(s).
Juniors~ Exam Expert sessions
they are changing their plans due to the potential wearther for sunday - monday
Exam EXPERTS Rescheduling
Exam EXPERTS Rescheduling
Due to the potential for a snow day on Monday, please be aware of the following contingency plans regarding upcoming exams:
Exam Expert Shift:They are moving to Tuesday 3/17 and Wednesday 3/18.
Schedule Check: Please review your schedules now. If this potential change creates a conflict for you, let your teachers know as soon as possible.
Dual Enrollment & Early College Students: Please take advantage of this advance notice. Email your instructors either Sunday or Monday, so you can plan ahead and manage any scheduling overlaps.
Stay safe, and please reach out Mrs. Dubie or Taratuta if you have any questions!
Exciting News for Our AHS Choir Students
Choral Mini-Festival Happening at Home!
Dear Alpena High School Families,
We are thrilled to share a special opportunity for our choir students! Due to the recent weather-related cancellation of the Choral Festival at SVSU, we have coordinated with the MSVMA to host a unique Choral Mini-Festival right here at Alpena High School. This means our students will still have the chance to perform for an MSVMA adjudicator and potentially qualify for the State Festival!
We invite you to mark your calendars and encourage your student.
Further details will be shared as we work on logistics for parking and for those parents and family members who want to come watch the event.
Event Details - Friday, March 20th
What: Choral Mini-Festival with an official MSVMA adjudicator.
Purpose: Our choirs will perform to qualify for the State Festival.
Timeframe: The event runs from 7:40 AM to 1:00 PM.
Post-Event Celebration: The wonderful Choir Boosters will host a celebratory pizza party for all participating students, chaperones, and adults in front of the auditorium starting at 1:00 PM!
Spring Progress Reports and Conferences Are Coming Up!!!!
Second hour teachers will be sending Progress Reports home on March 24th.
Family Conferences will take place on March 26th in the evening (Early Release for students). Families are invited to meet with teachers and discuss student progress, needs, celebrations, and what to expect for the remainder of the year. Don't miss this valuable opportunity to meet in person with your student's teachers.
Don't miss out on the Spring Movie Event
Academic probation applies. Students who are on academic probation will not be permitted to go to the movie. A report for attendance and grades will be run on Monday, March 23rd.
Counseling
Students: if you added dual enrollment to your schedule for the 26/27 school year and you want the class in Semester 1, please schedule an appointment to see your counselor in April to select your ACC class.
If you are planning to take an online class Semester 1 of the 26/27 school year, please schedule an appointment (after spring break) to see your counselor to complete the necessary paperwork.
SENIORS! Please continue to complete your scholarship applications (💰💰💰). Many are still open but deadlines are approaching fast. The list is being updated frequently and can be accessed here: Scholarship Master Listing. There is additional info here as well: Senior Parent Meeting Slide Show
2026/27 Scheduling To Do's
The past two weeks, students have had opportunities to hear from teachers from different departments about course offerings at AHS. Students have been given their scheduling sheets with the expectations that conversations are occurring at home as we get closer to the scheduling deadlines for Fall 2026-2027.
For more information please visit the AHS Scheduling Website
Parents, it is very important to review the Course Selection Guide and discuss with your students. There have been and will be a few more opportunities for students to ask our counselors scheduling questions (see dates below). Students with only an On-line English class should visit the Counseling Center.
⚠️⚠️Important Dates:⚠️⚠️
Freshmen, Counselors will meet with class periods 1-3 on Tuesday during your English 9 class. Come prepared with a completed scheduling sheet and Synergy requests made.
3/16: Deadline for requesting classes in Synergy and turn in the green scheduling form to English teachers.
Items To Review
Congratulations Jon Studley
AHS would like to congratulate Jon Studley, former APS Athletic Director and current Director of ACES Academy, on receiving a prestigious award from the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA). He has been honored with the Jack Johnson Distinguished Service Award, which is a true testament to the hard work and commitment he has dedicated to Michigan high school athletics throughout his career. Jon's dedication to the principles of integrity and sportsmanship is second to none. This award recognizes his strong leadership and everything he has done to make interscholastic sports the best they can be for all student-athletes. Congratulations, Jon, on this well-deserved honor—AHS is incredibly proud of you!
Changes to Fire Alarm Procedures:
Last week AHS practiced new changes to how we respond to fire alarms. In past procedures, the plan was to have students evacuate immediately, followed by the teacher. A new step is for a teacher to check the halls first for dangers before evacuating students. Depending on what the teacher sees, students will evacuate or shelter in place in their classrooms. Students and staff responded successfully and responsible last week during their first practice. This is an unfortunate but necessary part of our safety procedures. These changes were developed with the help of Alpena Fire and Police Departments with safety being top priority.
Parents, we encourage you to use this time to talk to your students about the new procedures. Ask them how they feel about it, and to talk about the importance of following building procedures. Please know that your child's safety is our #1 priority. please reach out to AHS if you have questions or concerns or need support for your student who may find this stressful.
Over the next couple weeks, teachers will be calling home to talk about student Progress Reports and to connect with families to invite them to conferences. Use this time to ask teachers the questions you need to ask, talk about your concerns, and talk about your students success this semester.
Teacher Appreciation Video Flyer 2026 English.pdfPSAT/SAT Test Prep
Athletics
Upcoming Events:
3/16/26 Exam Experts Session #3
3/17/26 Exam Experts Session #4
3/24/26 Progress Reports go home
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
5/4/26 KAPUT Monthly Meeting @ 6:00 pm
5/5/26 Secretary of State Mobile Unit here 10:00 am - 2:00 pm in the Wildcat Den
5/13/26 Baccalaureate at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium
5/15/26 Decision Day
5/16/26 Prom at The Depot on Fletcher Street
5/19/26 Spring Band Showcase in the Gym 6:00-9:00 pm
5/20/26 Senior Awards Night @ 7:00 pm in the Auditorium
5/22/26 - 5/25/26 No School ~ Memorial Day
5/26/26 - 5/27/26 Senior Exams
5/28/26 Choir Concert at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium
5/29/26 Senior's Last Day
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 has been 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 the 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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