the Alt Ed. Newsletter - Allegan Public Schools

Allegan Alternative High School
Eagle News
February 2015
A Note from the Principal
A look at what is happening behind the scenes….
Having a collaborative culture between staff and administration is a key ingredient in helping your student
reach maximum potential.
Staff meet together after school twice a week to share classroom practices and discuss ways we can ensure that all students reach high academic levels.
Our team of staff members and administration, also known as a Professional Learning Community (PLC),
is working on answering the following questions:
1. What do we expect our students to learn?
2. How will we know they are learning?
3. How will we respond when they don’t learn?
4. How will we respond if they already know it?
(Goals/Expectations)
(Assessment)
(Intervention)
(Extension/Enrichment)
In order to identify the students who have learning and behavior needs, we are using a multi-tier approach
known as Response To Intervention (RTI) which includes high quality classroom instruction and targeted
interventions.
Despite all the acronyms and abbreviations, we feel that becoming a Professional Learning Community
(PLC) and implementing Response to Intervention (RTI), will help ensure that every child is moving forward and building their skills.
Feel free to contact me anytime to hear more about this district-wide initiative.
It continues to be an exciting time to be a part of Allegan Alternative High School!
Your partner,
Laura
Are we Facebook Friends?
If you are looking for more ways to
connect with our school, like our Facebook
Page (search Aahs Eagles) and follow us
on Twitter #aahseagles for updates, announcements, and celebrations of all the
positive things happening this year!
E-Cigarette Reminder
Regardless of what is inside these products -- whether it is nicotine or vapor or any other substance, electronic cigarettes are considered a tobacco
product and are prohibited on school property and are subject to discipline.
This product fits within the handbook on page 10 under the section about
tobacco products and “look-alike drugs.” Cigarettes and drugs of any kind
are also prohibited anywhere on school property including the bus.
I Wouldn’t Miss It!
Students who attend school regularly have stronger bonds to their school and are more likely to graduate.
Good attendance also creates a habit that can carry over into work.
Consider these tips:

Set expectations. Being out for even a few days a month can hurt your student’s performance. Tell
your student the only acceptable excuses are illness and family emergencies.

Discuss results. Point out that missing school means having to make up assignments. Missing too
much school will lead to having to retake entire courses.
Keep in contact. Call or email the school or send a note for excused absences so the school knows
your student is not skipping. If your student does skip, contact the school so we can work together to
create a plan to get your student back on track. (courtesy of "High School Years")

School Improvement Goals 2014-2015
1) All students at Allegan Alternative High School will become
more proficient writers
2) All students at Allegan Alternative High School will become
more proficient readers
3) Allegan Alternative High School will implement Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Response to
Intervention (RTI) to create the positive culture necessary for a
safe, caring environment where students can reach their maximum potential.
Attention Parents of Seniors:
Do you know what your student needs to complete in order
to graduate in May? Several students need to pass all of
their classes AND complete online E2020 courses in order
to receive their diploma. Students are encouraged to stay
after school to work with teachers and/or take advantage of
our E2020 lab: Monday &Wednesday 2:30-8 pm and Tuesday & Thursday 2:30-4 pm.
3rd Trimester Electives
As we work towards finishing 2nd trimester strong, we
also begin planning towards 3rd trimester. We are
pleased to be able to offer our students multiple elective
offerings 3rd trimester that incorporate team building &
collaboration, creativity & hands-on learning. Students
will have options including Robotics, Explore Hour,
Community Relations, and Yearbook publication.
Did you know……This year we have several students
attending the Technical & Educational Center. Our students learn career trades, earn certificates and college
credits and have been placed in jobs. They can also
satisfy multiple high school credits. We will soon be enrolling students for next year. If your student will have
13 credits or will be 17 in the fall this could be an excellent opportunity for them. Have them check with Laura.
Avions Among us…..Inspired by the character of Avion from “The Eagle Story” we read each year, this column celebrates community members who help our students grow, develop, and SOAR!
Adrian Hall began as a substitute bus driver in 2011 for the district and
was then was hired as a playground supervisor at Pine Trails Elementary. His duties increased when he became Allegan
Public School’s mail courier.
Adrian visits Allegan Alternative at least 3 times a
day to collect and distribute mail and packages.
Each time he walks our halls, he brings an air of
positivity with him. Busy as he is, he always has
time to chat with staff, ask students what they are
learning, and even shoot a basketball or two with
kids in the gym. If attitudes are contagious, than
Adrian’s is truly worth catching!
Calendar of Events
March 5—Last day of 2nd Trimester
March 6—No School
March 9—First day 3rd Trimester
March 25—2 Hr Early Dismissal for Students
April 3—No School-Good Friday
April 6–10—No School—Spring Break
April 28 & 29—Parent-Teacher Conferences
May 1—Prom
May 12—Senior Dinner
May 25—No School...Memorial Day
May 26—Graduation
June 4—Last day of School (could change due
to weather related cancellations)
Parents, We Want Your Feedback!
In an effort to continually improve, Allegan Alternative High School is conducting a Parent Survey. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to
complete this survey. Please be assured that your responses to this survey
will be anonymous. In order to complete the survey, please go to:
http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/5364327
Check It Out!
Be sure to check out the APS website
under the “PARENT LINKS” flyers and
activity registration forms are available
to students and community members!