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Welcome to the 2019-20 school year, our 50th year at Apollo High School. I am Alicia Fischer, proud Principal. I am excited to be leading our wonderful students and staff and hope you and your family have had a great start to our school year. On behalf of our entire staff, I want to extend our deepest thanks for your partnership this year. As we dive into the school year, I would like to take this time to remind parents of our cell phone policy across all ISD 742 secondary buildings. Cell phones may be used before and after school, during passing time and at lunch. I appreciate your attention to this matter as our goal is to focus on the academic and social needs for student success.
One addition to our Apollo staff this school year are the Deans of Students. Please help me in welcoming, Bill Sininger (9th grade), Molly Kensy (10th grade) and Mendell Midy (11th grade) to our staff. Our Deans of Students are responsible for providing support in the following areas: student support, school safety, and building a positive, welcoming school climate.
As of today, we have 1,388 students enrolled, and we continue to add to our enrollment daily. We’re grateful for every family who has chosen to enroll their student at Apollo High School. Our school offers extensive, rigorous coursework delivered by top-notch instructors and a safe, welcoming school climate. We are so grateful for all that you do to support us in our work.
As usual, it’s been a busy start to the school year. Activities are well into their fall seasons, faculty and staff are planning and creating lessons to enhance student learning, and our Apollo community just celebrated Homecoming. There’s much to be excited about and I’m looking forward to a great year!
I always invite families to contact me if I can be of assistance to you or your student.
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What is Advisory/Lunch at Apollo?
You may have noticed, Apollo students have “Advisory/Lunch” on their schedules either during period 3 or 4. During this time, students have lunch for 25 minutes and an Advisory class for 25 minutes. Advisory classes are grouped by grade-level in which students have an adult to check in with daily. Three days per week, teachers check in with students on things like grades, missing work, and organization. Two days per week, students receive lessons related to social and emotional learning (SEL), career and college readiness and school-wide academic and behavioral expectations. These are great opportunities for teachers and students to make positive personal connections.
Each day, advisory teachers present students with daily announcements (which can also be found in Schoology), and keep students in the loop with the happenings of the school. Students can also touch base with other teachers, get additional support, get caught up on homework and make positive connections with their peers.
Go to https://www.gettingsmart.com/2015/04/the-role-of-advisory-in-personalizing-the-secondary-experience/ to read one article about advisory and the benefits it has for high school students.
Assistant Principal Brenda Tiber @ Brenda.Tiber@isd742.org
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Apollo High School was one of the first schools in the state of Minnesota to adopt an educational and behavioral theory called PBIS. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, and it is a way for parents, teachers, custodians, food service employees - basically everyone, to communicate and support our students and their positive behaviors.
For example, we have School-Wide Expectations that help students understand what is appropriate behavior in classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria, the gym, and the auditorium. Each classroom teacher also has class-specific expectations posted so students are aware of how to achieve success in each and every classroom!
When students demonstrate their understanding of our school's expectations, they earn positive referrals we call SOAR Slips. SOAR is our school acronym and it stands for Safety, Optimism, Acceptance, and Respect. Students collect these slips and use them to purchase incentives and rewards throughout the school!
Apollo's PBIS team meets three times a month and our goal this year is to provide students with memorable, school-wide experiences to help build a strong community of kindness and positivity.
The PBIS team also values parental guidance and advice - so if you are interested in learning more about PBIS, or contributing ideas to our team - please reach out to us!
Contact Information:
PBIS Internal Coach: Nick Ferguson @ Nicholas.Ferguson@isd742.org (Language Arts)
PBIS Admin: Brenda Tiber @ Brenda.Tiber@isd742.org (Assistant Principal)
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The Apollo Resource center is open for business! In the last month we have handed out MacBooks to 11th and 12th graders and new Chromebooks to 9th and 10th graders. Ask your child to show you what their device can do! All students should be able to access the Apollo homepage, check their grades in Skyward, and show you their Schoology courses.
We are also filling our shelves with new books. We are really excited about some new graphic novels we’ve gotten in, and we are adding more books every day. You can always see what books we have by going to Student Connect on the Apollo homepage. Click on Destiny Library Catalog to search for the book you want! If you’re looking for an old favorite or something new to read, the RC staff is happy to help!
Media Specialist Andrea Telega andreatelega@isd742.org
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Hello Eagle Nation! Our Fall Activities have gotten off to a fast and furious start and we have experienced the highs and lows that come with competing at a high level. As a new Activities Director, I have really enjoyed seeing how our students who are involved in sports and activities carry themselves and interact with staff and their fellow students. The pride they show in representing Apollo and their teams/clubs is awesome and contagious. In my couple of weeks here I have already had several students come to me with interest in starting new clubs, ranging from a student advocate club to a coin collecting club. One of our focuses in the activities office is to get as many students as possible connected and involved in an activity here at Apollo.
The School Spirit continued to shine as we embarked on Homecoming week here at Apollo. With themes for each day of the week, staff and students had a chance to come dressed in their best tropical clothes, hippie gear, twin day, and school colors. The week ended with our girls soccer team playing cross-town rivals Tech at Michie Field under the lights on Friday the 27th and and then the Homecoming football game on Saturday the 28th vs. Big Lake, followed by the homecoming dance later that evening.
One of our biggest highlights came from our Cross Country team that competed in the Milaca Mega Meet, in which over 100 teams competed, and we took a 3rd place finish.
The Fall musical will be Once Upon A Mattress. Auditions were be held:
9/30/19 in the Choir Room
10/1/19 in the Auditorium
Stay tuned for the performance schedule!
Jared Ellerson, Activities Director jared.ellerson@isd742.org
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Parents! Did you know that you can report a students' absence using your Skyward Parent Portal?
Here's how you can do it:
Log into Skyward Parent Portal
Choose the student you would like to enter attendance for
Click on attendance module
Enter Request
Clerical staff will see the request as an email and they will approve it or not. The parent will then get an email saying the request was received.
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| --Shout out to Nick Ferguson at Apollo High School for all his work this summer as the new internal coach of our PBIS team! What a way to get everyone on the same page and inspired to kickoff the new school year! Thank you! |
--"I would love to give a shout out to the outstanding Apollo administrative staff! Brenda Tiber, Justin Skaalerud, Robert Murry (Laura Freese during his medical absence), Jared Ellerson and Kris Pitt have done an incredible job preparing for our school year! I am grateful for their leadership!"
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October is College Knowledge Month! Our goal is for every Apollo senior to a have a Senior Meeting with their School Counselor between now and the end of October. A Senior Meeting includes a check on credits for graduation, discussing career goals, looking at test scores and what tests are needed, explaining the college application process, supplying resources for applying for scholarship, and providing information about applying for financial aid. Also, many MN state colleges waive their application fees during the month of October, so it is a great month to apply to college. To find out more please visit https://sites.google.com/view/minnesotagoestocollege/site-coordinators/free-application-opportunities
The school counselors will be presenting to the juniors through US History class on October 3rd. The presentation follows along with College Knowledge Month. The juniors will be hearing about what they need to do at this point in their high school career (why grades matter, what are options after high school, what tests do they need to take, etc.). Parents are encouraged to follow up with their children and are invited to bring any questions to the school counselors.
Congratulations go out to Feodor Blinnikov! Feodor has been awarded a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program. Feodor is a commended student for outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in 2018. He is the only student in the Class of 2020 from Apollo to be awarded this honor.
Counselors:
A-E Gretchen VanHauen gretchen.vanhauen@isd742.org
F-J Jessica Glieden jessica.glieden@isd742.org
K-Q Richard Larson richard.larson@isd742.org
R-Z Toni Backes tonibackess@isd742.org
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Vaping has exploded as a popular activity for youth, which has prompted state and local governments to take action in order to protect minors. In accordance, several cities in Minnesota have raised the legal tobacco age from 18 to 21.
There are various vaping devices for inhaling nicotine and other substances. Vape devices are also known as: e-cigs, mods, vape pens and JUUL’s. The devices all contain four basic components: a cartridge that holds the vape juice, a heating piece which is referred to an atomizer, a battery and a mouth piece where the vapor is inhaled.
Some devices resemble everyday objects that appeal to adolescents such as USB sticks, credit cards, lipsticks, whiteout devices and ordinary pens. These devices are easily concealed at school and home. Various substances can be vaped; the most common are flavored e-liquids, flavored e-liquids with nicotine and marijuana. Many of the e-liquids come in kid-friendly flavors like cotton candy or pancakes and syrup. The flavored e-liquids that contain nicotine often encompass very high nicotine levels. The popular vape, JUUL, contains 59mg/ml of nicotine per pod. One JUUL pod equals one pack of cigarettes and some adolescents report using multiple pods daily.
Many perceive vaping as a less harmful option to cigarettes; however, vaping isn’t safe, especially for youth. Since the adolescent brain is still developing, nicotine use can actually rewire the brain and increase the risk of other substance use problems. It also affects concentration, learning and impulse control. In addition, there are other toxic substances in e-juices that can cause long term health issues, including several substances that are even unknown. Exposure to certain e-liquids can be harmful if skin or eyes come in contact with the liquid. Data has proved that vaping can induce asthma and other respiratory symptoms. Some poor-quality vaping devices have even exploded, leaving burns and other injuries on users. Finally, youth who vape are 4 times more likely than non-vaping peers to begin smoking traditional cigarettes.
For more information visit www.drugfree.org, text a question to 55753 or call Parent Helpline 1-855-DRUGFREE.
Tonya Klug BS LADC Tonya.Klug@isd742.org
Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor
North Junior High and Apollo High School
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As a reminder, in the upcoming 2019-20 school year, the academic calendar includes five days with a two-hour early release in order for staff to participate in professional development. Please mark your calendars:
- Nov. 1
- Dec. 6
- Feb. 7
- March 13
- May 1
These dates can also be found on the District calendar. We are excited to share that our partnership with the Central Minnesota Boys & Girls Club will enable families to utilize after-school care and activities on early release days.
Elementary students can join and utilize KIDSTOP (K-5 students at all elementary schools) and the Boys & Girls Club if your child is not yet a member, and it will be a seamless transition if your child already attends. Boys & Girls Club locations are listed below, and transportation from the school to the Boys & Girls Club site is provided. A minimal fee applies; however, scholarships are available. Registration is required.
KIDSTOP for grades K-5 students
Available at all elementary schools
Eastside Boys & Girls Club
320 Raymond Ave. SE, St. Cloud
320-253-5159
Roosevelt Boys & Girls Club
345 30th Ave. N, St. Cloud
320-257-5124
Southside Boys & Girls Club
1205 6th Ave. S, St. Cloud
320-251-4314
Please contact your school principal with any questions.
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We encourage families to check out our updated District Health Office Website. This site includes health office contact information, forms, and protocols. Recently updated protocols include food allergies, immunizations, and illness guidelines. If your child has a health condition or if you have any questions, please reach out to your school nursing staff.
Health Office Web Address:
https://www.isd742.org/domain/522
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The District 742 dyslexia team is excited to share our dyslexia webpage as a resource for families and staff. Information will include dyslexia characteristics, frequently asked questions, district protocol, dyslexia resources and more.
The webpage also provides contact information for Sue Keranen, our dyslexia specialist. Sue has been working closely with teachers and staff as a resource and consultant around dyslexia, as well as providing professional development and training on district interventions and the dyslexia characteristics screener. Feel free to contact Sue if you have any questions regarding dyslexia.
A new requirement for the district will come into effect on July 1, 2020. This change includes: A school district must screen all students for dyslexia before the end of kindergarten and must additionally screen for dyslexia no later than the beginning of grade 2 any student who is identified with characteristics of dyslexia or who is not reading at grade level. District 742 is proactive and has started screening students for characteristics of dyslexia last year, as well as providing appropriate interventions for struggling/striving students.
Dyslexia Webpage Link: isd742.org/dyslexia
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Lunch Account
RevTrak is an online payment processing system. Lunch fees can be paid through this cashless account. For instructions on how to make a payment go to:
http://isd742.revtrak.net/tek9.asp
Parking Permits
Parking permits are available in the office (speak with Alicia S). The cost is $100.00 per permit. Parking forms may be picked up in the office and must be COMPLETELY filled out in order to receive a permit.
Designated student parking is in the north lot. If you do not have a parking permit you will receive a sticker on your window and a second violation may result in your vehicle being towed at your own expense.
Parking permits are dependent on good attendance. Attendance will be checked and a permit may be revoked without a refund.
Appointments for Students
Please send a note with your student in the morning if they are to be excused to leave during school hours for appointments. Students should bring the note to the office before the first bell to receive their pass to leave class.
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Skylert Messages will be sent to all staff, as well as parents/students, to announce school closings and late starts due to inclement weather conditions.
Announcements will continue to be made on radio and television stations, as well as the District 742 and St. Cloud Times websites.
RADIO WVAL 800 AM WCCO 830 AM KASM 1150 AM
WJON 1240 AM KXSS 1390 AM KNSI 1450 AM KVSC 88.1 FM
KCFB 91.5 FM KKJM 92.9 FM KMXK 94.9 FM KKSR 96.7 FM
WWJO 98.1 FM KZPK 98.9 FM KCML 99.9 FM WHMH 101.7 FM
KLZZ 103.7 FM KCLD 104.7 FM KDDG 105.5 FM
TV
WCCO-4 KSTP-5 KARE-11 KMSP-9
In addition to these radio and television outlets, weather alerts are announced on the St. Cloud Times website at www.sctimes.com. You may also tune into the area’s cable education access, Channel 187, District 742’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/isd742.org, or the District 742 website at www.isd742.org for up-to-the-minute closing and/or late start reports. Skylert (School Messenger System) will also be used to send messages to all staff, as well as parents/students, to announce school closings and late starts due to inclement weather
conditions.
Winter weather and emergency situations are not predictable, and they may happen at any time. The purpose of the weather-related closing plan is to assist parents/guardians and students to be better prepared to deal with emergency situations and reduce their effects. Parents are encouraged to prepare for emergency closings. Special child care arrangements should be made which could be used in the event of a late start, early release, or a school closing.
Ultimately, the parent/guardian should make the final decision whether a child should attend school during severe weather.
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Apollo High School
A 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Sustaining Exemplar School
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Copyright © 2015, ISD 742 All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Apollo High School
1000 44th Ave North
St. Cloud, MN 56303
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