1. education
2. high school

The Friday Falcon
Volume II, Issue 27
April 2, 2015
Dear Avon High School Families,
In just a few weeks Avon High School will present our
spring musical, The Addams Family. Opening night is
Friday, April 24 at 7:30 PM. Additional show times include
Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, April 26 at 2:00
PM. Please mark your calendars!
This show is being produced by Avon High School’s drama
teacher, Jill Paterson. The production team also includes
Foster Evans Reese (director/choreographer), Penelope
Sanborn (music director), Kyle Culbertson (pit conductor),
Meg Ryan (technical director), and Lisa Smith (costumer).
Most importantly, this show features the talents of many
high school students on the stage, behind the scenes, and
in the orchestra. We hope you are able to celebrate and
enjoy all of the collaborative work that has been invested
in making this show a success.
As you might guess, The Addams Family is a musical
comedy based on what was originally a single-paneled
cartoon that appeared in The New Yorker in 1938. In 1964
the cartoons were adapted into a television show with a trademark theme song that has become a pop
culture standard. From there, the Addams’ made animated appearances on Scooby Doo, were adapted
into several films, and in 2009 appeared on Broadway thanks to an original story adaptation by Jersey
Boys authors Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, and Andrew Lippa.
Tickets can be ordered at http://www.avonhstheatre.org or through the Avon High School website.
Tickets are $12 in advance for adults or $8 for students and senior citizens. At the door, tickets will be
$15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Reserved priority seating will be available for
$20 per ticket. Questions can be directed to [email protected] or 860.404.4740. Tickets will
go on sale in the AHS lobby one hour before the show, and the auditorium will open twenty minutes
before curtain.
As a follow up to recent correspondence, Policy 6020, Basis for Grading, passed at last week’s meeting
of the APS Board of Education. I am confident that these changes will provide opportunities for all
students to be successful at Avon High School. If you have questions regarding this policy, related
changes, or implementation plans, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Much more to come.
I hope you are able to enjoy a restful weekend.
4/6/15
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Avon High School is a student centered community that empowers each member to engage in authentic and
substantive learning, develop effective leadership, and demonstrate humane character.
Submitted by Genevieve Brand and Elizabeth Ferry
This semester students in Madame Brand’s AP French course had the opportunity
to practice their target language and gain cultural awareness through speaking
with a variety of professionals. First, Dr. Canarie answered questions about his
involvement in pediatric units in Haiti, Mr. Dridi spoke about Tunisia and its
complex history. Last week students Skyped with Caeser Akuetey, Professor of
French and Linguistics at Knox College in Illinois. Professor Akuetey worked with
students to demystify West Africa. The entire Skype session was conducted in
French. This allowed the students to practice their language skills authentically
with a native speaker. Professor Akuetey answered questions, provided an
overview of life in Western Africa, introduced the students to specific vocabulary
terms and current events particular to that region of the world. The students
received multiple praises from Professor Akuetey for their ability to communicate
effectively in French and for their understanding of specific topics they
discussed. The session was an excellent example of how we are using technology at Avon High School
to prepare our students as global learners.
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Wed., 4/8 V Baseball Granby Memorial Home - Buckingham Field
Wed., 4/8 V Boys Lacrosse Canton Away - Canton H.S. Turf
Wed., 4/8 V Boys Tennis Bolton Home - Thompson Brook School
Wed., 4/8 V Girls Lacrosse Canton Home - Avon High School
Wed., 4/8 V Softball Granby Memorial Away - Granby Memorial High School
Wed., 4/8 V Girls Tennis Bolton Away - Bolton High School
Thu., 4/9 V Boys Outdoor Track Somers Away
Thu., 4/9 V Girls Golf Glastonbury Home - Blue Fox Run
Thu., 4/9 V Girls Outdoor Track Somers Away
Fri., 4/10 V Baseball Suffield Away - Suffield High School
Fri., 4/10 V Boys Lacrosse Suffield Home - Buckingham Field
Fri., 4/10 V Boys Tennis Canton Away - Mills Pond Park
Fri., 4/10 V Girls Lacrosse Suffield Away - Beneski Turf Field SHS
Fri., 4/10 V Softball Suffield Home - Fisher Meadow
Fri., 4/10 V Girls Tennis Canton Home - Avon Middle School
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Avon High School is a student centered community that empowers each member to engage in authentic and
substantive learning, develop effective leadership, and demonstrate humane character.
Follow us on Twitter
Chris Tranberg - @PrincipalAHS
Greg Ferry - @AvonFalcons
School Counseling - @avonhscounselor
AHS Library @1AHSLibrary
Project Graduation
AHS PROJECT GRADUATION Welcomes all Volunteers to come out of winter
hibernation and provide helping hands this spring! The many chairpersons for
Project Graduation have been busy planning the event all school year, but now
we need volunteers to make this incredible evening possible.
You may volunteer as little or as much as you would like, and there are so many
choices including decorating, food coordination, clean up, chaperones for the
night (2 different shifts), fundraising, and more.. Underclassmen parents are
especially needed! For those of you who have volunteered in the past, please
share with others what a rewarding and positive experience it is to be part of
this! Please contact Patti Grillo at [email protected] if you are interested in
volunteering or have any questions. Thank you!
School Counseling News
SAT/ACT Test preparation: We are often asked for recommendations. The
School Counseling Department does not endorse any testing agency but makes
available the literature that they drop off in our office. In the school counseling
office, you will find materials from Catalyst, Princeton Review, Kaplan, Summit,
Huntington, and others. Also keep an eye on offerings for free test prep at local
libraries and departments of continuing education.
But what about the new (redesigned) SAT? The College Board has just released
a link to a free PSAT practice test, answer key, and explanatory materials. You
can access them here: collegeboard.org/sat-suiteassessments/practice/practice-tests. To sign up for general updates about the
redesigned SAT, use this link: https://www.collegeboard.org/deliveringopportunity/sat/updates
SENIORS: It's time to finish your Dollars for Scholars application; many awards
will be given to Avon students! Please remember: DO NOT name the counselor
as recommender. Use Mrs. Shand's name, per the detailed instructions on the
website.
SOPHOMORES: Counselors look forward to meeting with you sometime over the
next three weeks to discuss course selection and other items. If you did not
write down your appointment time, please ask your English teacher, who has the
list, or stop by the counseling office.
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Avon High School is a student centered community that empowers each member to engage in authentic and
substantive learning, develop effective leadership, and demonstrate humane character.
Sophomores Claire Donnelly and Danely
Fletcher qualified and participated in the
Connecticut Debate Association State Finals
held at Wilton High School on Saturday, March
28, 2015. Coached by Mrs. Gowanlock, this was
the first year either had participated in debate
and the first year in some time that AHS fielded
a team. Special thanks to parent Ginger
Donnelly for her season-long commitment, accompanying the team on the
bus, serving as a judge at tournaments (and keeping the team well fed!)
Inviting all Parents to:
What: Help our athletic department by sponsoring the 22nd annual
Richard Migli (class of 1970) Golf Tournament!
When: May 18th
Where: The Golf Club of Avon
How: Please consider sponsoring the tournament, donating an auction
item, registering to golf (either 9 or 18 holes) and/or joining us for dinner
and the auction.
Details: All tournament sponsorship and registration details available on
www.migligolf.golfreg.com. Any questions, please contact Maria Mascoli,
[email protected]
Thank you for your support and Go Falcons!!
Spring is finally arriving! Despite the fact that cooler temperatures are hanging on for
dear life, we are told by our local meteorologists that sunnier days are on the way.
With warmer temperatures comes the approach of the fourth and final quarter of
this school year, which seems inconceivable! Please keep the following in mind as
you and your children gear up for the last 25% of the year:
 All full-day absences for students should be called in by 9:00am. An automated
call goes out at 10:00am, which can serve as a reminder, but if unexcused
absences are not resolved by the end of the day, a second round of calls goes out
around 6:00pm. Any unexcused absence remaining the next day may be subject
to disciplinary action if not cleared through the attendance office.
 Should your child have ten or more absences in any one class, even those
excused by a parent, there is the potential for credit loss in that class. An
exception to this policy are absences that are verified by a doctor. If your child
has visited the doctor and missed any classes as a result, please get those
doctors’ notes in sooner than later, to avoid the need to produce them at the
end of the school year.
 Just a reminder that seniors are only allowed to sign out for privileges during
double opens, or two consecutive single classes. If they leave during an open for
an appointment but are missing all or part of a class, they must sign in or out in
the main office, with advance parental permission. Seniors should not be leaving
for privileges during their 30 minute lunch block, or during single opens.
We are energized and excited for the remainder of the school year, and we hope you
are too! Should you have any attendance-related questions, please call Carolyn
Taylor at (860) 404-4746, or email her at [email protected]. Happy Spring!
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Avon High School is a student centered community that empowers each member to engage in authentic and
substantive learning, develop effective leadership, and demonstrate humane character.
Bestselling author and acclaimed educator and speaker, Rosalind Wiseman, is
coming to the area for her first and only Connecticut schools appearance this
year on Wednesday, April 8th, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Avon High School. Wiseman is
the author of New York Times Bestseller, Queen Bees and Wannabes, which
helps parents and teenaged girls navigate the realities and complexities of
contemporary young adulthood, and Masterminds & Wingmen, her second
book, which offers similar insight and guidance for boys and their parents. She is
a highly respected, hugely popular, and internationally recognized educator who
teaches ethical leadership, social media literacy, and bullying prevention to
parents, educators, and young people.
Admission to the event is free, thanks to generous underwriting by the Avon
Education Foundation, the Avon Youth Services Bureau, and the Avon High
School and Middle School PTOs. Wiseman's presentation will be followed by a
moderated Q&A, after which copies of both of her books will be available for sale
(and signing) at a 20% discount, courtesy of Barnes & Noble. For more
information, please call Avon High School at 860-404-4740.
Avon High School Acoustic Night
April 10 at 7:00 PM in the AHS Gallery
Come enjoy the musical talents of our students with some
special guest faculty performances.
All proceeds will benefit the Friends of Avon Music Education (FAME)
Matt White Memorial
Matt White was a wonderful kind and gentle man. We all knew Matt and his
infectious smile. Whether we knew him as a friend, bus driver, or fellow
employee, he made us feel welcome. Matt passed away in late February and the
AHS community would like to honor him by purchasing and dedicating an 8’
Bench to be placed outside the gyms, along the side of the HS where the sports
buses pick up our teams. If you would like to help fund the bench, any amount
will be accepted, please send to Diana Cesaro, 8 Orchard Farms Lane, Avon, CT
06001 or drop by the AD office in envelope marked Matt White Memorial. We
will have a dedication ceremony as soon as the bench is purchased.
Please Mark Your Calendars
April 3, 2015
April 8, 2015
April 23, 2015
School Closed
Rosalind Wiseman Assembly – 6:30 PM -- Auditorium
Avon vs. Farmington Charity Basketball Game – 7:00 PM – Farmington HS
________________________________________________________________________________
Avon High School is a student centered community that empowers each member to engage in authentic and
substantive learning, develop effective leadership, and demonstrate humane character.
________________________________________________________________________________
Avon High School is a student centered community that empowers each member to engage in authentic and
substantive learning, develop effective leadership, and demonstrate humane character.
________________________________________________________________________________
Avon High School is a student centered community that empowers each member to engage in authentic and
substantive learning, develop effective leadership, and demonstrate humane character.