EMPOWERING 21ST CENTURY GRADUATES
Traci Shumaker ~ Registrar
Contributor: Citizenship- Recognize the importance of their role in our connected world; Involvement- Willing to actively engage to make a positive difference; Community Oriented- Able to balance self-interest with the needs of society.
Mrs. Shumaker works as the Registrar and is the glue that holds it all together at AHS with our scheduling, Syngery, and nearly everything that gets the school year up and running. Kuddos to you on all you do selflessly to ensure that all the i's are dotted and the T's are crossed. Here is to a great year due to all you do!
WELCOME AHS FAMILIES
AHS Families, I can't believe that school starts on Monday, and WE are so excited to have your students in the building! Our staff is looking forward to a great school year filled with student success and excitement as we prepare for all the great opportunities that exist for students at AHS. I will send the Weekly Update out every Sunday and hope that you take the time to review the information with your student(s). I will try NOT to repeat information other than OK2SAY and safety information and keep it as short and simple as possible ~ This one has a lot but is necessary. You can always go back and review past Weekly Updates by navigating the dates at the top. We appreciate you and look forward to partnering for a great school year.
Romeo Bourdge, Jesse Pattison, & Mike Buchinger ~ Principals
Joyce McCoy ~ Director of CTE
Jon Studley ~ Athletic Director
Stephanie Piper ~ Dean of Student Supports
Counselor Corner ~ Schedule Changes
AHS Wildcats,
Please read the information below regarding schedule change requests. If you have any additional questions you can contact me directly at the high school.
All course change requests are to be done using the AHS Class Change Form, which is also located on the Counseling Corner page of the AHS website. All communication will be done via email, so please keep an eye on your email once you have submitted a request.
Course changes will only be done in certain circumstances, which include:
- Open or doubled up class hours
- Incorrectly scheduled class (i.e. request English 11 and received English 10)
- Conflicts with Dual Enrollment/Early College/etc
Course changes will not be made to change teachers, be with friends, etc
We put every effort into putting students into requested electives - if you did not receive an elective you requested it may be because the course was full or in conflict with a required course. In many cases, we cannot make changes to electives.
The Counselor breakdown is: Mrs. Vought, last names A-E; welcome Ms. Riedlinger, last names F-L; Mrs. Linton, last names, M-R and Mrs. Miller, last names, S-Z.
Online Courses cannot be added to your schedule if you did not request courses last semester.
There will be no course changes after Thursday, August 31st.
See you on Monday!
Jesse Pattison, Assistant Principal
Students will be using Smart Pass this year when requesting to leave the classroom.
Students will follow their classroom procedures on how to get a pass before using their student chrome book to create a pass with permission.
Passes can be scheduled by students and AHS staff if a student is leaving early or has an appointment.
The video above shows how students can create a pass on their chrome book.
Student's will be able to find the link to Smart Pass on the Navigation Bar in their Bright Space courses.
Students
Access your schedule and grades.
You can visit the website below or download the StudentVUE App on a mobile devices.
All students that were enrolled in APS last school year should have a StudentVUE account. If you forgot your password, visit the website and click "forgot password."
New to APS students can get their activation code at open house.
Parents:
Please log into your ParentVUE Account (all information will be available Monday morning in ParentVUE) to make sure your phone number, address, and emergency contact information are correct.
You can visit ParentVUE by clicking the link below, downloading the app on a mobile device (ParentVUE) or going to the alpenaschools.com
Did you know you can submit your child's absence using the ParentVUE app? This is the most efficient way to let the school know your child will be absent.
MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHROMEBOOK IS CHARGED FOR THE FIRST DAY AND EVERY DAY!
Mr. Whitscell ~ whitscellt@alpenaschools.com ~ will be in the Media Center to assist all students with chromebook needs. If you do not have a CB and need one issued or just need to troubleshoot problems ~ he is the go-to person and will help.
Parents have the option to purchase insurance for their students school issued chromebook. The cost of the insurance is a one time fee of $30 per Chromebook (starting this school year). After an initial payment for insurance, protection deductibles will apply for the life of that device or until the student graduates from APS. Payment may be made by check payable to “Alpena Public Schools” or through SchoolPay Online at: www.alpenaschools.com on the left side
Device Lifetime Protection Deductibles:
1st claim: No cost (included in insurance purchase)
2nd claim: $30 capped cost (if repair is less than $30 then cost is replacement price)
3rd and subsequent claims: Full cost of repair/new replacement cost
Please view the document to the right (below for mobile devices) for the specifics on chromebook insurance.
You will have Documents coming home on Tuesday from Advisory ~ Please sign everything and get them back ASAP to the Advisory Teacher
Parents, we would like to strongly encourage writing notes for the attendance office, instead of calling the office. Notes will eliminate the large volume of calls that come into the attendance office. A note is simple and quick, it will guarantee your message gets to the office. Your student will have the responsibility of bringing it to the office. State the date and time needed to leave or time of arrival and sign your name. That is it...
Also just a reminder that Synergy is also a great tool for a full day's absence, it was not designed to be used in a half day's absence.
Scan the QR code to purchase your pass. This is the best deal in Alpena County. This pass is good to all TBJH and AHS athletic events for the 2023-24 school year. Your access code is your student ID number. Come Support your classmates as they reprsent Alpena High School. Go Cats!
See Mr. Studley in F-House Office for any questions.
Please click to review video left on a message from the MHSAA Student Advisory Council on Good Sportsmanship at MHSAA Events.
The NMSQT is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
In order to take the test, you must complete this survey.
Survey must be completed by September 1st, 2023
The NMSQT will be fully digital this year and is scheduled for October 24th.
Free Meals for all APS students ~ forms required!
Michigan’s 1.4 million public school children will be receiving nutritious free meals at school this year as a result of a $160 million appropriation in the state’s School Aid budget.
Michigan School Meals will begin at the start of the 2023-24 school year to provide state reimbursement to schools for every breakfast and lunch served to Michigan’s public school students. This investment in students supports Michigan’s Strategic Education Plan to improve the health, safety, and wellness of all learners. Please complete the qualification form HERE, attached below, at your child’s school open house or complete and return the one arriving to you by mail next week.
Although families won’t have to pay for meals, they must still complete qualification forms for their local school. Completed forms allow schools to qualify for meal reimbursement as well as funding for;
Instructional specialist staff (ex. Reading Interventionists, Math Tutors, Academic & Behavior Aids)
Teaching supplies and materials
Counselors and Social Workers
School Nurses
Professional Learning for staff
Parent and Community engagement supplies and activities
Technology for students
For questions or assistance completing the form contact APS Food Services Director Nic Wiser at wisern@alpenaschools/com or (989)358-5021
Education Benefits Form with annual income ranges 2023-2024.pdf
CEP Education Benefits Form Letter to Housholds - updated.pdf
CEP Charge Procedure for School Meals 23-24.pdf
FRESHMEN AND NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
You many also view this presentation by going to Youtube@AlpenaPublicSchoolsMichigan where you can view it.
Thank you for attending if you were able to make it.
Great work everyone on the Senior Parking Fundraiser...nothing short of amazing.
Please make sure that you respect the spots that belong to that student.
If you have not reviewed them on Facebook, take a drive by today and take a look at the great talent and creativity.
Back to School Offer! $60
Offer only good through SEPTEMBER 8th!
Use the QR Code from the flyer. OR There is a link under PARENTS & STUDENTS on the AHS Website.
Informational packets from the health center will be sent home with students this upcoming week. These packets will include a consent form, a brochure explaining the services provided at the health center, and an FAQ flyer.
More information can also be found here on our website.
*A consent form must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned before a student utilizes the health center.
Main Line/Front Desk
(989)-358-3935
Hours of Operation
Mon: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Tues: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Wed: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Thurs: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Fri: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Always accepting new patients!
Same day appointments are available!
Upcoming Events:
9/1/23 No School Labor Day
9/4/23 No School Labor Day
9/6/23 School Pictures
Senior Parent Meeting @ 5:30pm AHS Auditorium
10/2/23 AHS Homecoming Week
10/2/23 KAPUT Meeting 6pm in Wildcat Den
10/3/23 College Night 6pm - 7:30 pm in the AHS Gym
10/5/23 Homecoming Hall Decorating 2:45pm ~ 5:00pm
10/6/23 Homecoming Assembly and Hall of Fame
Homecoming Parade followed by the Northland Area Federal Credit Union Tailgate for Hall of Fame
Homecoming Football Game
10/7/23 Homecoming Dance 8:30pm - 11pm @ AHS
10/12/23 AHS Early College Meeting 13th Year 7pm AHS Auditorium
11/1/23 Senior Pictures due to Jostens for Yearbook
PARENTS ~ If you did not get to visit the MSP Hidden in Play Sight Trailer at Open House, this is a real issue that families face today!
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.
PEER MEDIATION
AHS now has trained student peer mediators to help solve conflicts between students! If you are in conflict with another student, please see me in Room E110 or you can e-mail me at robargeb@alpenaschools.com Remember, peer mediators are trained not to take sides or place blame on anyone.