Our Mission: Avalon School seeks to establish a just world by nurturing an equitable school community for students that inspires active learning, social justice, engaged citizenship, and hope for the future.
AVALON SCHOOL Newsbrief
February 22, 2023
In this news brief:
> Avalon's calendar
> E-learning Days in detail
> Upcoming events in more detail (including a date change)
> Avalon wins the State Academic Decathlon competition
> ACT testing registration for Juniors > March school meals > Care closet needs gift cards
> Spring sports registration > Covid update > Don't risk a gap in your health insurance
E-LEARNING DAYS THIS WEEK!!!!
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
To be counted in attendance for the day, students will need to open their email by 9:00am and correspond with their advisor via email. To log into their email, students should simply visit gmail.com and use their “@avalonschool.org” account.
Working with their advisor, students will make a plan for their work and check-in throughout the day. This could include work on an independent project, work that seminar instructors have assigned, general reading, or whatever else they determine as a team.
As they work, please remember that there are links to HEADRUSH, Google Classroom, the Infinite Campus Gradebook, and other important resources on our website (Avalon School Quick Links).
Students should check-in throughout the day, and send a follow-up email when they are signing off for the day.
Please direct any student-specific questions to your student’s advisor.
Upcoming Events
BIG FUN NIGHT RESCHEDULED! Thursday, March 2, 5pm (originally Thursday, Feb 28): Let's beat the winter blah together with an evening of art, books and food! Soup and Sides Potluck and Book Swap
Come for a Bob Ross art project (see next paragraph), soups and sides potluck and a book swap! Thursday, February 23, starting at 5pm, we'll gather in the Cafe to paint, share a favorite book -- and swap for someone else's fave, and enjoy delicious soups and sides. Come with your own soup or side, a book, and Paint like Bob Ross (registration required, see below) and ready to paint. OR, just come to hang out!
ALSO Thursday, March 2, 5pm: Be Bob Ross
Starting at 5 pm, participants will gather in the Dragon Cafe to watch a Bob Ross tutorial and paint our own happy little trees! We are asking for a $10 donation to offset the cost of the art supplies. Prizes will be awarded for the best 70's or 80's costumes! use this form to register for the event
On the horizon- Friday, May 12: Avalon Spring Art Crawl
Registration is for any Avalon student, staff and family member who wants to display and sell their creative works. The Art Crawl will run from 2-6 pm. We are looking for anyone interested in performing live music as well Use this form to register for the event; registration closes May 4
Avalon Prawns win State Championship
for 5th consecutive year!
back row, l to r: Charlie Neuman, Xander Williams, Rhys Howell, Will Benefield, Sebastian Bear, coach Jill Stever-Zeitlin,
front, l to r: Rei Bernard, Elaine Reise, Abby Heil, Gus Albright, coach Jo Sullivan and coach Jill Howell
The Prawns, Avalon’s Academic Decathlon team won 1st place at the State Tournament, held in Shoreview, MN on Sunday Feb 19th. This qualifies them to represent Minnesota in the USAD National Tournament in Frisco, Texas, April 27-29, 2023.
The team won 60 out of 115 individual medals across all 10 events. Charlie Neuman won the Honors division and was the overall State Champion, followed by teammates Rhys Howell and Will Benefield in 2nd and 3rd in Honors, respectively
In the Scholastic division, Xander Williams and Rei Bernard took 2nd and 3rd respectively in overall scoring.
Elaine Reise placed 1st and Abby Heil took 2nd in the Varsity division for overall scores.
Rhys medaled in every event, including college-level math; Xander and Elaine in 9 of 10 events. Abby was selected for the speech showcase to deliver her speech, "Why the two-party system is ruining American elections," as was Rhys for his speech, "Money is not the root of all evil.”
Many thanks to Avalon staff and students for supporting us, and to the parents that volunteered their time and support as well.
With our next event competing in the Nationals Tournament in Texas, we need to raise funds for travel expenses. If you can, please support the Avalon Academic Decathlon team with a tax-deductible contribution at: https://gofund.me/52a6001a. Thank you.
ACT testing for Juniors
Avalon will offer the ACT to all Juniors on Tuesday, March 7th. Participation is optional. The testing coordinator and special education case managers will work together to ensure appropriate accommodations are requested, as applicable.
The cost for the ACT is $62.00. Scholarships can be available for any that need.
To register, please use this form: ACT Registration. Registration closes Friday, February 24th.
Questions regarding the ACT can be directed to Tim Quealy (tim@avalonschool.org).
February School Meal Ordering Info
Avalon School offers a meal program that includes cold breakfast in the morning starting at 8:40am and hot lunch at 12:20pm daily (12:25 for High School students). Breakfasts are cold and generally consist of some kind of pastry or cereal, with fruit and milk. We offer hot lunches that include an entree, fruit and vegetable choices, and milk.
Invoices for January meals (and any outstanding previous balances) will go out this week, along with instructions for how to pay by check or paypal. If you believe that you qualify for free/reduced meals, but have not received confirmation of this from Avalon, or need help working out a payment plan, or have any other questions please contact barb@avalonschool.org
Help needed
Thanks to your community donations, our care closet is well stocked, for now. However, we have families who could really use gift cards to buy fresh food and other necessities. Cards for Cub, Target and Aldi are particularly helpful, and can be dropped off a the front desk any time. Thank you!!
Spring Sports Registration!
Winter sports were cold but fun. Registration for Spring Ultimate Frisbee is underway!
Masks for school Avalon will follow the CDC masking guidelines. Avalon will monitor Ramsey County levels weekly and follow CDC guidance for indoor masking. The county monitor can be found here: County Levels.All staff, students, and community members may choose to mask at any time and Avalon can provide masks to students who request them.
Avalon Covid Testing
Avalon hasnow distributed all of our Covid PCR tests (the "spit tests"); you may order tests athttps://mn.gov/covid19/get-tested/at-home/index.jsp. We still have many rapid tests to offer staff and students at school. Students can pick these up at the school office any time.
If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Bakken atcarrie@avalonschool.orgor at (612) 440-7096.
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Don't risk a gap....
Covered by Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare?
If you have Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, please update your address,
phone number and email today. It’s important so they can reach you when it’s
time to renew your health insurance.
If you have Medical Assistance, contact your county or tribe.
If you have MinnesotaCare, contact Health Care Consumer
Support at 651-297-3862 or 800-657-3672.
If you have Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, please update your address,
phone number and email today. It’s important so they can reach you when it’s
time to renew your health insurance.
If you have Medical Assistance, contact your county or tribe.
If you have MinnesotaCare, contact Health Care Consumer
Support at 651-297-3862 or 800-657-3672.
Visit mn.gov/dhs/mycontactinfo to learn how to keep your contact information up to date.