A B C D A - Avon Public Schools

The Friday Falcon
Volume II, Issue 25
March 20, 2015
Dear Avon High School Families,
As mentioned in the February 20 issue of the Friday Falcon, this spring we are
excited to welcome renowned author and speaker Rosalind Wiseman to our
community. Rosalind’s visit to the Avon Public Schools will be made possible
due to the generous support of the Avon Education Foundation, and our Parent
Teacher Organizations. Rosalind is best known for authoring the book Queen
Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends,
and the New Realities of Girl World. This book was the inspiration for the 2004
film, Mean Girls. During Rosalind’s visit she will present school assemblies as
well as an evening session for families. Please save the date of April 8 at 6:30
PM if you would like to attend that presentation. Students are able to sign out
copies of Queen Bees and Wannabes, and her newer publication Masterminds
and Wingmen: Helping our Boys Cope with Schoolyard Power, Locker-Room
Tests, Girlfriends, and the New Rules of Boy World from our school library.
There were several rumors floating around this week that an assembly was scheduled to take place on
Thursday. While we did have a guest speaker in our Human Rights course, there was no planned school-wide
assembly. Whenever there is a large school event planned, I will use this weekly communication to make you
aware.
The rumors of this assembly were also connected to what some students may have reported as an increased
police presence at Avon High School. I can assure you that none of this is connected, just coincidental. We are
fortunate to have Officer Jason Reardon as our new school resource officer, but he has not begun with us in
that official capacity just yet. As soon as Officer Reardon is on board with us full time, I will make you aware
that he is here as well as the planned programming his role will provide. In the meantime, students will see
him around the building on occasion.
Finally, spring is officially here according to the calendar. For parents of seniors, you may already be
experiencing the infamous senioritis. I believe I also heard a few juniors complain of senioritis early this week.
When the weather turns warmer, regular attendance historically becomes a challenge. Please remember,
every day counts. Like I said at the beginning of the year, coming to school on time, doing your homework,
getting involved, and being nice to one another is the starting point for success in school. Set some goals with
your AHS student for a successful spring!
I hope you are able to enjoy a restful weekend.
Q
3/23/15
3/24/15
3/25/15
3/26/15
3/27/15
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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 Janey Loynes, Andrea Galuska, and Greg Dunford
This Thursday, twelve AHS Advanced Placement
Chemistry Students participated in the
Connecticut Valley Section Chemistry Olympiad
at UConn -Storrs. Avon finished first in the team
competition, and five students were local
finalists: Christian Gutowski, Ben Lerner, Anish
Moorthy, Mike Thramann, and Andy Zhao.
During our spring vacation, two of our students,
Ben Lerner (senior) and Nivedha Nattchiapan
(sophomore) participated in the CT Science and
Engineering Fair (CSEF) at Quinnipiac University.
Ben presented a poster presentation on his research performed during his volunteer experience at
UCONN in Dr. Lichtler's lab involving stem cells and tissue engineering. Ben has been volunteering in
his lab for 2 years. Ben's research was: "Investigation of Osteoclast Activity as an Explanation for Lack of
Bone Maturation in Tissue Implantation" Ben received second place honors.
Nivedha presented her work titled: "Program Your Diet". Nivedha designed a computer software
program with the ability to provide the user with nutrition information on the foods they eat. She
received third place honors and was recognized by Xerox where she was awarded the Xerox Computer
Science Award as the Senior High Finalist. Congratulations to all of our students and faculty coaches on
these great accomplishments.
Follow us on Twitter
Chris Tranberg - @PrincipalAHS
Greg Ferry - @AvonFalcons
School Counseling - @avonhscounselor
AHS Library @1AHSLibrary
Avon vs. Farmington Faculty Basketball
The Avon vs. Farmington faculty basketball game to support Relay for Life has
been postponed. New date to be announced soon.
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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.
School Counseling News
Seniors:
Please complete your Dollars for Scholars application. Deadline is April 15, the
same as tax day!
Juniors:
Have you been visiting colleges? Please see your counselor and let us know your
thoughts!
Sophomores:
Please check the list in your English teacher's room for your counselor checkin/course selection review appointment. This will be an excused absence from
class. These are counselor/student meetings only.
Upcoming Events
Juniors:
The Avon/Simsbury College Fair is here! Tuesday 3/24 at the Hartford,
Simsbury, (Rt 10), from 6:30-8. Meet representatives from over 120 colleges
and universities across the country and beyond. This event ends promptly
at 8:00, so arrive on time in order to see as many colleges as possible.
Sophomores and Juniors:
Mark your calendars for College Knowledge Night in the AHS auditorium
on Wednesday, May 20, when a group of admissions representatives will serve
as panelists covering all aspects of the admissions process.
Parents and Seniors:
We can't wait to hear your news as college decisions come in. We know that this
is a time of great excitement and some anxiety as well, and we hope that you will
call upon the counselors with any questions or concerns. You may have seen the
following article making the rounds. The book is excellent, but even if you don't
read the book, please check out this extremely reasoned and thoughtful article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/15/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-how-tosurvive-the-college-admissions-madness.html?_r=0
Seniors Kian Rossitto and Alec
Whipple won Best Delegate
awards in their respective
committees at The University of
Massachusetts Model UN that
was held March 13-15.
Congratulations to the whole
team!
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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.
Booster Club Event
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,
mascoli@sbcglobal.net
Thank you for your support and Go Falcons!!
As we head into our long-awaited and well-deserved winter break, we hope that
students relax, rest, and return refreshed! This is a great time to finally kick those
winter colds and other ailments that have run rampant through our school, and
through the entire Northeast this winter!
Please keep the following in mind as the quarter progresses:
 Any class with absences totaling ten or more over the course of the
semester, even if parent-excused, will be subject to credit loss upon the
conclusion of the semester. Exceptions to this are any doctor-verified
illness, or documentation for other reasons, such as court appearances
or drivers’ license tests.
 Students in grades 9-11 are assigned to study halls when they do not
have academic classes. Though they may go to the Media Center, get
extra help from a teacher, or go elsewhere in the building to make up
work, they must be accounted for, and need to sign into their study hall
or Cafe Resource before going anywhere else in the building.
 Seniors signing out during senior privileges may only do so during double
periods; either a long block or two free periods back-to-back. They may
not sign out during one single open period. If they will be missing a class
after senior privilege due to an unavoidable reason, they are to sign out
in the main office, with parent permission.
We hope for all students to have a strong finish for the third quarter, as we head
into spring, warmer days, and good health! Should you have any attendancerelated questions, please call Carolyn Taylor at 860-404-4746, or email her
atctaylor@avon.k12.ct.us.
PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY
There has been an increase in expressed concerns regarding safe driving in the
school parking lot. Please remember to watch your speed, and yield to
pedestrians. Student drop off is on the north side of the building only. Please
help keep our parking lot safe for all.
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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.
Please Mark Your Calendars
March 21, 2015
March 23, 2015
March 24, 2015
Talent / LipSync Show – 6:30 PM – Auditorium
Parents / Players Spring Season Night – 7:00 PM – Auditorium
Project Graduation Planning Meeting – 7:00 PM -- Cafeteria
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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.