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On March 10, our students returned to in-person learning after almost a year in either a hybrid or distance learning format. It was absolutely amazing to see our scholars walk through the doors. Both students and staff shared a mix of emotions that morning as we all wondered what it would feel like? What would be the same? What would be different? As students found their way to their first-hour classes, I saw many greetings and reunions between friends. During the lunch periods, I could hear the laughter and chatter before I entered the cafeteria. Students were excited to sit together again, and have more hot lunch options in the food line. It seemed it was the little things- like a chicken patty sandwich- that everyone missed the most. By the end of the day, it was clear to all in the building that we were back in the swing of things, right where we belonged.
As the proud principal of Apollo, I couldn't be more impressed with how our kids show up each day. Everyone is doing so well with their continued respect for masking and distance protocols within the school. It is such a unique effort of teamwork and individual responsibility that shows all of our Eagles’ commitment to their community’s health. We have a wonderful, caring staff who is here to support our students and families with a variety of supports and services we provide. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our team for anything you may need.
As we head into the busyness of spring, I encourage each student to finish the school year strong academically. Course registration is complete, so Apollo administrators are planning and preparing not just for the end of this school year, but next as well. I especially love the spring season because we get to spend time celebrating the excellence of our students whether that be on Scholarship Night, music concerts, or graduation. This year we will enjoy and appreciate these celebrations more than ever, as closely and as safely as we are able. I look forward to warm weather and longer days.
I am so proud of how well students have continued to respect masking and distance protocols within the school. It is such a unique effort of teamwork and individual responsibility that shows all of our Eagles’ commitment to their community’s health.
 
Be well,
Principal Fischer
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Save the date: The 2021 Apollo Activities Golf Scramble is scheduled for Friday, August 6. This is the largest single fundraiser for Apollo Activities and a great way for staff and community members to connect. Registration details will be coming soon.
Congratulations to Apollo swimmers Louie Freeman and Truett Carlson for qualifying for the State Swim Meet.
Congratulations to the Apollo Knowledge Bowl team for qualifying for their regional meet.
You still have time to register for spring sports: Adapted Softball, Baseball, Golf (boys & girls), Lacrosse (boys & girls), Softball, Tennis (boys), and Track (boys & girls). Whether you are new to the sport or played it for years, these teams will welcome your participation. You can register online at the Apollo website or pick-up a packet in the Activities office.
*Stay up to date on everything Apollo Activities by following us on Twitter @ApolloActiviti1
Peter Hamerlinck
Interim Activities Director
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Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about returning books and devices for the end of the year!
Textbooks should be returned to the Resource Center at the end of the school year. Your teacher may collect your textbook.
Library books that were checked out this year may be returned to the library at any time. We can take books that belong to other St. Cloud schools, too!
Computers, cords, and hotspots will be collected at school in May. More information will be provided nearer the time. Make sure your device is clean, and remember the cord!
Seniors should start thinking about anything in their Google Drive that they may want to save outside of their school Google account. Senior students will lose access to these accounts over the summer.
If you have any questions about missing books or other items, please be in touch. We are happy to help!
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“Testing season” began in January and ends in May. ACCESS testing was conducted January-March for many students. ACCESS for English Language Learners Online “(ACCESS Online) is a computer-based, adaptive test that responds to student performance and may be administered in group or individual settings. This assessment is given annually to students in Grades 1-12. It tests students' language in four domains: Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing” (https://wida.wisc.edu/assess/access/tests).
Many 11th grade students took the ACT or the Accuplacer March 30th (the rest of our Apollo students had a flexible learning day). “The ACT contains four multiple-choice tests—English, mathematics, reading, and science—and an optional writing test. These tests are designed to measure skills that are most important for success in postsecondary education and that are acquired in secondary education. The score range for each of the four multiple-choice tests is 1–36. The Composite score is the average of the four test scores rounded to the nearest whole number” (http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act-educator/the-act-test.html#order-reg-materials). Click here for access to sample ACT tests (scroll to the bottom of the page). “The ACCUPLACER Simplifies Placement Decisions: ACCUPLACER makes it easier for advisors and counselors to determine whether a student is ready to take a college-level class, or if they need additional support before enrolling in credit-bearing courses.” (https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/about/get-to-know-accuplacer).
MCA’s (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments) in Reading (grade 10), Math (grade 11) and Science (grade 10) will be conducted April through May. “The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and alternate assessment Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and also meet federal and state legislative requirements” (https://education.mn.gov › MDE › fam › tests).
- MCAs looking ahead - The window for MCAs at Apollo is as follows:
- Reading- grade 10 only: April 6th to May 7
- Math- grade 11 only: April 6th to May 7
- Science- grade 10 only: April 6th to May 14
And finally, AP (Advanced Placement) exams will be conducted during the month of May. “AP ® tests are college-level exams on specific subjects and are administered upon the completion of an AP course taken at a student's high school. At many colleges and universities, a high enough score will earn the student college credit” (https://www.princetonreview.com/college/ap-information).
Whichever test your student is taking, be sure s/he comes prepared with a good night’s rest and a good breakfast the morning of.
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April 2 - No School
TDB - Prom
May 6 - Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:30-7:00 - Video meets only
May 6 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
May 28- Last Day For Students
Apollo Graduation - Venue TBA
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- March
- AP testing update: please view the Apollo Guidance page for updated information regarding AP testing in May. This information has also been communicated with a letter home to family and posted in their classroom Schoology page
- Seniors: connect with your counselor if there are credits that need to be made up for graduation ASAP.
- Night school will be wrapping up the end of April. Please work with your counselor if you have questions or need to continue to earn credits this summer
- Summer school info will be coming soon!
A-E Gretchen VanHauen gretchen.vanhauen@isd742.org
F-LE Jessica Glieden jessica.glieden@isd742.org
LF-P Richard Larson richard.larson@isd742.org
Q-Z Toni Backes toni.backes@isd742.org
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We were excited to welcome back our students to in-person learning on March 8th, as we began trimester 3. Students were able to see all of their teachers in person and make connections in their classes.
As we continue with trimester 3 the Apollo Administration has a few reminders for all students and families. If you drive to school and you have not yet picked up your parking pass, please see Alicia Spartz in the main office. There is no charge for a parking pass, but all students that drive to school need to register their vehicles.
We are also asking that students continue to do their Covid screener every morning before they arrive at school, if you feel sick please stay home and make sure to let the Apollo attendance office know, they can be reached at 370-8653.
Finally, if you are a member of the Class of 2021 and have not ordered your Cap and Gown, please contact Alicia Spartz in the main office at 320-370-8654 and she will assist you in completing that form.
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College and Career Readiness
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Pathways Apollo Launch Center: Preparing Students for College and Careers
All area high school girls are invited to attend, Savvy Teens, Seminars for Career Success!
· Monday and Tuesday, June 7 and 8, 2021 at the Park Event Center, 500 Division Street, Waite Park, MN 56387
· Six 45-minute seminars will be offered from 1: 00 – 4:00 p.m. The students will receive a Savvy Teens T-shirt and a snack and beverage break each day.
· Cost is $10 and check-in begins at 12:15 p.m.
· Registration can be done through Saint Cloud, Sartell, or Sauk Rapids-Rice Community Education
o You can get the registration form from your high school counselor, in the Apollo Launch Center from Ms. Lacina, or at the Saint Cloud Area (MN) Branch of AAUW website
o Registration begins in April and ends by May 15, no exceptions. Register early as attendance may be limited
Seminar Highlights
· Choosing a career
· Interviewing and networking
· Competing in the job market
· Learning about job opportunities
· Finding good-paying jobs with a high school diploma
· Building lifelong skills and a lifelong career path
· Stories and valuable advice from 12 dynamic women
Alisha Lacina
Pathways Coordinator
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Building Assets Reducing Risks (BARR)
All 9th-grade students at Apollo High School benefit from the BARR (Building Assets Reducing Risks) model. We want to share with you the BARR Mission Statement:
BARR’s mission is to create equitable schools where every student, regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status, has access to high-quality education where adults know them, recognize their strengths, and help them to succeed. Built from a foundational belief that all schools have the capacity to make key changes using current staff, BARR produces proven and significant results.
As each trimester ends and a new one begins, our BARR staff takes some time to reflect on our work. Our BARR team reflected on how much time we spent as a team talking about our 9th-grade students for trimester II:
- Approximately 33 meetings were held in Big/Small Block & Risk Review discussing all 9th-grade students at least once (student strengths, involvement in school activities, school successes, concerns, missing assignments, grades, mentor/mentee relationships)
- More than 50 hours were spent specifically talking about all 9th grade BARR students in various BARR meetings
- Approximately 400 students were talked about by their BARR teachers and staff
Each week, BARR teachers from one of the departments (Science, Language Arts, or Social Studies & Health) will deliver an I-Time lesson. “I-Time,” is a key tool for building assets in students. Weekly I-Time activities are designed to create a positive school climate by engaging students and team teachers in shared activities around a variety of topics. These were the topics by department covered in trimester II:
Science LA Social Studies & Health
1. Learning to Listen 1. Responding Skills 1. What is on your Plate?
2. Values 2. I Am 2. Risky Behavior
3. Self-talk 3. Who is your Champion? 3. Conversation Dice
Ask your student to share one of the topics with you.
If you have suggestions, feedback, or questions about BARR, please complete the brief questionnaire form at the link: Optional Parent Feedback Form
Cindy J. Rimnac
BARR Coordinator
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Congratulations to these Students
Aisha Abdi (9), Abdullahi Ali (9), Sayadali Iman (10), Tautianna Jackson (9),
Patrick Njoya (11), Zach Pollard (12), Evelyn Raya-Landa (12), Megan Rogers (10), Hunter Ruhl (10), Hamza Tekle (12), and Rahma Yussuf (9)
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We are continuing to follow the COVID-19 guidelines and decision tree set by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Please call the Health Office if you have any of the following symptoms:
*Fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher * New cough or a cough that gets worse * Difficulty/hard time breathing * New loss of taste or smell * Sore throat * Nausea * vomiting *diarrhea *chills *muscle pain *extreme fatigue/feeling very tired *new severe/very bad headache *nasal congestion/stuffy or runny nose.
Per MDH they recommend you stay home...
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home until all three of these things are true:
- You feel better. Your cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms are better.
- It has been 10 days since you first felt sick.
- You have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without using a medicine that lowers fevers.
- If you have tested positive for COVID-19 but do not have symptoms, you must still stay home and away from others for 10 days.
- People who have had close contact with a person with COVID-19 need to stay home and away from others. The safest option is to stay home and away from others for 14 days.
Nadine Meyer, RN, LSN
Apollo High School, Prince of Peace, and St. Wendelin
p: 320-370-8667
f: 320-370-8946
nadine.meyer@isd742.org
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Apollo High School has been an Exemplar Status, PBIS school for over 15 years. Being a PBIS school means we utilize Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports to create a positive learning community with all of our students. The PBIS Team works with students and staff to create our School-Wide Expectations and provide Social-Emotional Learning Activities for our students.
Since transitioning to an In-Person Learning Model, the energy at Apollo has just been BUZZING! Teachers and Staff are so excited to see our scholars and be able to help them learn and achieve great things while all being in the same room! (Aside from our Concurrent Learners, of course).
Teachers have been treating these first few weeks of Trimester 3 as if it were a brand new school year by reviewing classroom expectations, affirming students’ appropriate behaviors with SOAR Slips and kind words, and doing a variety of fun get-to-know-you activities. All of this hard work - on behalf of the teacher AND the students - has led us to a pretty perfect transition to In-Person Learning!
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The Apollo PBIS Team is also starting our Weekly Drawings again, so encourage your scholars to “spend” their SOAR Slips in the Front Office and hopefully they’ll win a prize from our PBIS Rewards Chest!
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The PBIS Team will continue constructing creative ways for students and staff to honor each other, no matter what learning model we are in!
If you have any questions about PBIS, you can reach out to Nick Ferguson (PBIS Internal Coach at Apollo) or Laura Freese (AP for PBIS at Apollo). Thank you!
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Apollo High School
A 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 Sustaining Exemplar School
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Copyright © 2019, ISD 742 All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Apollo High School
1000 44th Ave North
St. Cloud, MN 56303
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