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!
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