Aspen Valley High School Puma Periodical 2016.pdf · Aspen Valley High School Puma Periodical ......

Aspen Valley High School

Puma Periodical Volume XVIII, Issue III The Fall Edition November, 2016

CALENDAR

November 2nd: Care & Share

3rd: Senior Meeting,

Puma

9th: Care & Share

Cake Walk

10th: Vision & Hearing

Screening, Puma

16th: Tips for Heading

Off an Axiety Attack

18th: Thanksgiving

Feast

21st - 25th: Fall Break

Teen Court Volunteer

Opportunities

December

1st: Senior Meeting,

Puma

13th: AVAC Meeting,

4:30-6:30 p.m.

14th: Sign-off for Grade Day

15th: Grade Day

16th: PLC (No students)

19th - Jan 3rd: Winter

From the Principal’s Desk

- By George Stone

Frequently students ask how to succeed at Aspen Valley. We like to refer them to our “Simple Guide to Success at Aspen Valley.” There we’ve boiled down what success looks like in three basic rules for our students: One: The Kindness Rule. Help make each other better. If you don’t have anything nice to

say, don’t say anything at all! Avoid making critical, unkind

comments. Avoid starting or passing rumors

or giving an audience to someone who is.

Avoid talking trash about folks who aren’t there.

Avoid the use of profanity. Avoid use of racial, gender-based,

sexual-preference, or identity and religious slurs.

Making unkind statements or passing/starting rumors will result in suspension.

Two: Do the Work. Come prepared - Notebooks,

pen, planner, assignments. Vegging in class - Don’t! If there

is work to be done in class, DO IT and do it WELL!

Homework - Yes, you will have some; get it done on time.

Quality of work - Turn in your best effort the first time.

Sick days - If you are out sick, email the teacher to get the work you missed.

Teacher permission is always required when copying other people’s work.

Three: Focus on the Positive. Your attitude, yes YOUR attitude,

has a direct impact on the climate of YOUR school.

Do you focus on the positive things in your life or the negative?

Do you take action to make your life better or sit passively and let life just happen to you?

Do you do things to make others feel welcome and accepted or do you ignore and isolate people who are not part of “your group”?

You can gain more friends by building people up than you can by tearing them down. And you can gain more friends by taking a few minutes from each day to do something kind for someone, whether it be a friend or a complete stranger. What a difference one person can make!

People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get.

What do you do (every day) to make YOUR school a great place to be?

Volume XVIII, Issue III Puma Periodical

In September’s newsletter we announced a new award at AVHS, that of Student of the Week. We wanted to let you know, it’s going great -

the winners are thrilled when their names are announced during each Wednesday’s

all-school assembly! Continuing our trend of outstanding students,

this past month we proudly congratulate: Emma, J’Lyn, Kedric, Kyndall, Owen, & Sierra!

Thank you for encouraging your student to strive for this prestigious award!

Each November Aspen Valley steps up to the plate in a big way to feed the hungry in Colorado Springs through Care & Share of Southern Colorado.

This year is no excep on.

This year, every Wednesday in November, StuCo will announce a new challenge for the Puma classes. These fun ac vi es are designed to collect food and funds, while educa ng us all about hunger in Colorado Springs. Once again, we turn to you, our AVC family. We are asking for contribu ons of canned/nonperishable food items or cash contribu ons. Last year we collected over 6,000 lbs of food ‐ se ng a high bar for this year’s collec on! Thank you in advance for your generosity!

AVHS’s Homecoming, “Masquerade at the Carnival”

was a big success.! Students turned out for lots of

music, dancing, games, food, and fun.

A big “Thank You” shout out to all the many parents

and friends who made our Homecoming special with

your generous contributions! Thank you all!

at the

Masquerade


Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners has expanded its service to target young people in crisis. You may now text to get help!

Counselors who respond have a master’s degree in a social services-related field.

There’s a little house at AVHS... Tucked away on the counter between the student microwaves is our cardboard Ronald McDonald House, a collection point for donated pull tabs. It seems pull tabs are everywhere anymore. Please, join us in saving and donating them to Ronald McDonald House to help house the needy families of hospitalized children. What is the Ronald McDonald House? The Ronald McDon-ald House of Southern Colorado opened its doors in 1987. For 27 years, the Ronald McDonald House of Southern Colorado has been providing families with a home-away-from-home while they have a child in the hospital. Why Pop Tabs? That litt le insignificant tab you pull to open your can of pop can make a significant impact — made of a more pure, high-grade aluminum. Don’t forget

about the tabs from soup cans, broth cans, pet food cans, and even tennis/racquetball balls! What does the Ronald McDonald House get for Pop Tabs? The dollars raised through this program are used for operations and supplies for the Ronald McDonald House and Family Rooms.

Facts: 1 pound = 1, 267 tabs. 1 pound = approximately $.25 - $.30. Approximate annual amount received: $3,000.

Please save and bring in your Pull Tabs!

You Know You’re a Puma When … You have had your cell phone confiscated (2nd time parent must pick up; 3rd time

you may not bring it back). You have begged for candy from anyone you think might share. You have enjoyed a BBQ on the house. You forget to bring your planner to school. You have had Breakfast Club. You have had a 90-minute lunch period because you earned a Free Puma. You have had math every day of the week (and even at home) You have volunteered to help someone in need. You get a paid job or finish a job shadowing experience. You have taken a college class—while you are still in high school!


Attend 2 sessions + write 1 description paper = 1 week of work

(See Mr. Savoren or Ms. Malers for the form)

CAREER CONVERSATIONS — Where professionals talk to teens

about their careers The 1st Thursday of every month, 6:30—8:30 p.m.

Ent Conference Center @ Library 21C

REGISTER ONLINE!

Career Conversations @ Library 21C include:

Nov 3: Education Dec 1: Creative Arts & Entertainment Jan 5: Military & Public Service Jobs Feb 4: Business & Hospitality Mar 10: Math, Science, & Engineering Apr 7: Vocational Careers May 5: Legal & Criminal Justice June 2: I.T. & Library Science

SUPER OPPORTUNITY TO PICK UP HOURS toward work/job shadow requirement!

Here is a lis ng of the local college fairs and college‐planning events

in Colorado Springs and Denver.

This is by no means a complete list.

Watch this newsle er and contact our counselors,

Ms. Morrison & Mr. Savoren,

for announcements of addi onal opportuni es.

Date Time Loca on Details

Colorado

Springs

Nov. 15 6:00‐7:30pm Liberty High School District 20 NCAA Night

Denver

April

TBD 1:00‐3:30pm

University of Denver,

(Ritchie Center)

RMACAC Na onal College Fair‐ to register:

h p://gotocollegefairs.com/


Financial Aid Night at AVHS!

Haven’t won the lottery yet?

Looking for another way to pay for college? Join us at AVHS Thursday, November 3rd,

4:30-7:30 pm for helpful financial aid tips from our counselors.

Make plans to attend!

IT’SNOTTOOSOONTOBETHINKINGABOUT…GRADUATION!

Congratulationsparentsof2017seniors‐thefunisjustbeginning!Pleaseremember,inordertograduate,eachstudentmustcompletetheAVHSrequirementsaslistedatwww.asd20.org/avhsthroughtheParentGateway;

clickontheParent/Studentlink.Ms.MangisourSeniorClassLiaison.Contactheratkristin.mang@asd20.org.

Keepaneyeonthispageaswegetclosertograduation!

FAFSA (Free Applica on for Federal Student Aid) ‐ the dreaded form which ALL parents fill out for their college‐bound students ‐ has been updated. Hooray!

FAFSA forms may be submi ed star ng October 1st (rather than January 1st). Even be er: Now the required tax return is from the previous year (in this case, 2016’s tax return for students registering for 2017‐2018 classes). Please see h ps://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/fafsa‐changes for more info.

COLORADO CHANGES TO SAT!

By now you’ve probably heard the news that for the next five years Colorado has switched from the ACT test to the SAT. In comparing the two, the SAT aligns with the Common Core standards which Colorado recently adopted. Even be er: The comparing commi ee noted, the “… repor ng system (is) more useful to students, as it connects students to resources and ac vi es designed to help iden fy next steps for extra support or possible accelera on.” Please see h p://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2015/12/23/goodbye‐act‐hello‐sat‐a‐significant‐change‐for‐colorado‐high‐schoolers for more info.


“80% of is

- Woody Allen Studies have shown that teens who have regular school attendance have stronger bonds to their school and are more likely to graduate. In addition, good attendance helps create a life-long habit. As a parent, you can help. Consider: Set expectations. Upon admission to AVHS,

students have signed a contract agreeing to a minimum 90% attendance rate. Even an occasional afternoon or day here or there can add up quickly, hurting your student’s performance. Emphasize to them that, other than illness and medical appointments, there are very few reasons for an excused absence.

Discuss results. Point out that missing school

means your student will have to make up school work, and some classes have labs and special presentations which are difficult to make up. More importantly, no student wants to risk missing out on sleeping in at the end of the hexter on Grade Day!

Keep in contact. In case of an absence or a

tardy, please call the AVHS attendance line (234-6000). If attendance becomes an issue at home, we would encourage you to please contact the school so we can create a plan together to get your student back on track.

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS!

Every year, AVHS yearbook devotes a special section to our seniors.

We need 5 baby photos of your senior ASAP, please.

Also, a reminder: Senior photos are due no later than December 16th, 2016 -

just before Winter Break!

Yearbook Information Aspen Valley 2016-2017 yearbooks will remain

the same price as last year’s cost: $60. Please make checks payable to AVHS

or use “Pay for It” online. Make sure those good memories last!

Senior Meetings Seniors meet every month on the first Thursday in the Multi-Purpose Room, during Puma. Please remind your senior to attend and bring his/her planner to every meeting.

Meeting Dates: November 3 December 1 January 5 February 2

March 2 April 6 May 4


You, the Aspen Valley family and friends, are warmly invited to attend Aspen Valley’s annual Thanksgiving Feast.

Join us Friday, November 18th, at 11:55 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

This catered event is free!

We are encouraging donations of non-perishable food items or cash to help support Care & Share.

Please call 234-6000 to RSVP by Friday, November 11th.

We look forward to seeing you then!

ASPEN VALLEY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, 12/13/2016,

4:30-6:30 p.m.


Mental Health Facts -

Children & Teens Fact:

1 in 5 teens, ages 13 ‐ 18, have or will have a serious mental illness.

Impact: 50% 50% of all life me cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24.

10 yrs The average delay between onset of symptoms & interven on is 8 ‐ 10 years.

50% Approximately 50% of students age 14+ with a mental illness drop out of high school.

Suicide: Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in youth ages 10 ‐ 24. 90% of those who died by suicide had an underlying mental illness.

Warning Signs: Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than 2 weeks (e.g., crying regularly, feeling fa gued,

feeling unmo vated) Trying to harm or kill oneself or making plans to do so. Out‐of‐control, rusk‐taking behaviors that can cause harm to self or others. Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, some mes with a racing hearth, physical discomfort,

or fast breathing. Not ea ng, throwing up or using laxa ves to lose weight; significant weight loss or gain. Severe mood swings that cause problems in rela onships. Repeated use of drugs or alcohol. Dras c changes in behavior, personality, or sleeping habits (e.g. waking up early and ac ng

agitated.) Extreme difficulty in concentra ng or staying s ll that can lead to failure in school. Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily ac vi es like hanging out with friends or

going to classes.

4 Things Parents Can Do: Talk with your pediatrican.

Get a referral to a mental health specialist. Work with the school.

Connect with other families.


Providing Input to the Pumas

In our ongoing efforts to promote open and honest communica on, we are offering this opportunity for our parent

community to provide informal feedback and input. Look for this feature in every newsle er, and please feel free to

let us know what you think! Mail, fax, or send this sheet to the AVHS office c/o George Stone, Principal.

Dear Mr. Stone:

Just wanted to let you know . . .

Posi ves:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Concerns:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signed,

Phone Number: ____________________________ email address: _____________________________________

Aspen Valley High School Address: 1450 Chapel Hills Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80920 Telephone: (719) 234‐6000

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