Alexis Skiera is this week's Wildcat Way. She has demonstrated a collaborative attitude in class. Alexis is always willing to help others, work together, and be a contributor to the good of the classroom. Alexis works hard to get good grades and continues to demonstrate the continuous learner mentality through hard work, earning her awards in academic excellence this year. Way to go Alexis!!!!!! We are proud of the Wildcat you have become!!!!

Update: Revised Progress Report Schedule

We hope all of our families are staying safe and recovering after this past week's severe weather and school closures. Because our building has been closed for the entire week, we are making a slight adjustment to our timeline for getting Progress Reports out to students.

We want to give both our students and our teachers a little extra time to catch up and get back into the swing of things; therefore, we have pushed the progress report distribution back slightly to ensure you still have accurate information in hand just in time for Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday.

Here is the updated timeline:

• Wednesday, March 25th: Students will receive their printed Progress Reports in class during their 2nd-hour.  

• Thursday, March 26th: Parent-Teacher Conferences; 3:00 - 6:00 pm in the AHS Gym. Your student will be on an early release schedule.

Please remember that these Progress Reports are simply a "snapshot" of where your student is at right now. We know that having an entire week off can be stressful and disruptive to the learning process, and we are all doing the best we can to get back on track.

We kindly ask for your continued patience and grace as we navigate these unknown circumstances together. Thank you so much for your flexibility and support as we transition back to school!

Parent-Teacher Conferences This Thursday

Please join us for Parent-Teacher Conferences this Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Alpena High School gymnasium. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet privately with teachers, discuss your student’s progress, and build a strong partnership for the rest of the semester. We encourage you to use the progress reports sent home on Wednesday as a gauge to determine if you need to attend. In some cases, teachers will be sending out specific invitations to parents of students who are currently struggling and need extra support; however, if you feel it is imperative to check in, please make sure to stop by; we would love to see all parents attend! Keep in mind that our staff is working incredibly hard to get caught up after our week of weather closures, so your grace, patience, and support are greatly appreciated as we dive into these important conversations.

AHS Choir Students 

Choral Mini-Festival happening at home; we will try this week so our Choir students can perform!

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 - Wednesday, March 25th

• What: Choral Mini-Festival with an official MSVMA adjudicator.

• Purpose: Our choirs will perform to potentially 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!

• 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. 

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 the first day we are back in school during your English 9 class. Come prepared with a completed scheduling sheet and Synergy requests made.

3/24: Deadline for requesting classes in Synergy and turn in the green scheduling form to English teachers.

Parents ~ Spring Break Discussion

Parents – With Spring Break just around the corner, now is a great time to have an open conversation with your student(s) about the potential challenges and decisions they may face. While they may be excited for a week of fun, it's important to remember that Spring Break can sometimes come with its own set of risks.

Students often return from trips with a variety of challenges, including but not limited to social media posts, inappropriate T-shirts, or encounters with situations they may not have anticipated. Be proactive by advising your students on these issues and encouraging responsible decision-making before they head off.

Here are some specific topics to cover:

• Social Media Awareness: Talk about the potential long-term impact of what they post online, especially when it comes to photos or videos. Remind them that once something is posted, it's often hard to erase completely. Social media can be a great way to stay connected, but it can also create lasting consequences if it’s used recklessly.

• Underage Drinking: Caution your students about the dangers of underage drinking. Even if they’re in a place where it might be more common, remind them that consuming alcohol can cloud judgment, leading to risky behavior, legal trouble, or worse.

• Legal Issues in Foreign Countries: If traveling internationally, emphasize the importance of respecting local laws and customs. Different countries have different rules, and what might be acceptable at home can lead to serious consequences abroad.

• Peer Pressure: Spring Break can bring students face-to-face with peer pressure. Help your student develop the confidence to make their own decisions, whether it's turning down an invitation to do something they’re uncomfortable with or sticking to boundaries they’ve set.

• Health & Safety: Remind your student to always stay with a group, have a plan for emergencies, and keep in touch with family members. Accidents can happen anywhere, and it’s important to be prepared.

Students may feel the desire to let loose and have fun, but these moments can sometimes lead to poor decisions that can have a lasting impact on their reputation, safety, or future. Your involvement in their decision-making process could be the difference between a fun, safe Spring Break and a situation they may regret. Encourage open communication and ensure they know they can come to you for advice or help if needed.

Wishing you and your family a safe and enjoyable Spring Break!

🎸 Wildcat Assessment Tour 2026

What You and Your Student Need to Know

Online Students - Digital Readiness

First, we hope you and your family are staying safe and doing well during this wild weather—we’re thinking of you!

Due to recent school closures, some dates have shifted, including the Digital Readiness check for state testing.  APS Online students in grades 9–11 (who are not in an in-person English class) will need to come to Alpena High School to complete this required step. The check takes about 20 minutes.

📅 When to Attend

Please plan to come one day between March 23–27
⏰ Time: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM - if times outside of these hours are required please contact us.

📍 Where to Go

1️⃣ Enter through the front oval entrance at AHS
2️⃣ Sign in at the new Attendance Office (across from the pool, near the D-House entrance)
3️⃣ Attendance will refer you to Room G116 or E111

🎒 What to Bring

• Your school-issued Chromebook

⚡ What You’ll Do

You’ll complete a quick Digital Readiness check in Bluebook to make sure your device is ready for testing.

JUNIORS - State testing is a graduation requirement for 11th grade students.

In addition to Bluebook, juniors must also complete the DRC Readiness Check on your school issued chromebook:

1. Press Ctrl + 0 (zero) to reset screen resolution

2. Open the DRC link and click “Run Test”

3. All sections must show “Passed”

If something fails, try simple fixes (enable microphone/camera, then re-test)

If issues continue, please see Mr. Whitscell in the Wildcat Den for assistance.

Test Dates: all tests start promptly at 7:45am

Thursday, April 9th, WIN (11th Grade)

Tuesday, April 14th, PSAT (9th Grade) 

Wednesday, April 15th, SAT (11th Grade)

Thursday, April 16th, PSAT (10th Grade)

Wednesday, April 22nd, MSTEP (11th Grade)

❓ Questions?

📞 989-358-5306
📧 whitemanb@alpenaschools.com
📧 mitchelle@alpenaschools.com

Eric Mitchell
AHS Assistant Principal
Assessment Coordinator

Upcoming Events:

• 3/25/26 Progress Reports go home

• 3/26/26 1/2 Day for students -  Evening Conferences 3:00-6:00 pm

• 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