AVA Family Update

As per usual, I have next week's schedule our usual guidance and community updates below.

The only new thing this week is a note on grades: By the end of the day, all teachers should have updated grades in Aspen. If you take a look, you will get a preview of what Trimester 1 grades are looking like a few weeks before official mid-trimester progress reports are published.

The standing items about the parent portal, academic honesty, and SATs remain below in case you missed them.

Thank you for your time.

Joseph Connor, AVA Principal

jconnor@attleboroschools.com

508.245.9948

We begin on an odd day Monday, and the schedule is below.

The temptation for plagiarism and using AI tools to submit work is strong for all students these days, but it seems an especially strong temptation for virtual school students.

As I have told all the students, anytime a short-answer or essay is submitted in Edgenuity, the platform both checks for plagiarism and runs it through an AI check. If either is detected, the teacher receives an alert. We have been trying to communicate with students when this has happened so far this year, and give them opportunities to right the wrong. Going forward, students and families should know that these assignments will receive a zero without a chance for make ups or resubmissions once alerted to the initial problem. I'll leave this update here for a few weeks and I welcome any questions on the topic.

Your education is important. Do your own work.

With a parent portal account, families can see exactly what their kids are up to: How much time they spend on work, in what subjects, and how many lessons they complete. There is also grading information.

If you would like an account, please email me from the email account you would like associated with the portal. I'll leave this notice here for the next few weeks.

All Grades
AHS had a wonderful turnout for the College Fair yesterday! We had visitors from universities, vocational schools, job companies, and several branches of the military. If any AVA student or family member is interested in having a representative from any of yesterday's visitors (list HERE) or another organization to come present virtually in AVA Advisory, feel free to email Ms Nellie (email below) to request!

Free COVID testing kits
The Federal government is relaunching its program to send 4 free testing kits to every US household address. Starting next Monday on September 25th, you can visit the official website HERE to order your free testing kits.

NCAA Registration

Students and families who are interested in participating in collegiate sports through the NCAA should register online at the Eligibility Center website (linked HERE) sooner than later. Although you may register even after high school graduation, we strongly recommend doing so while still enrolled in high school to ensure a smoother transfer of school records and information. AVA's CEEB code for NCAA registration is: 220067.

Links to useful NCAA information (many updated over this past summer):

Division I requirements
Division II requirements
Division III Information
General NCAA account info
Checklist of NCAA tasks for high school students

Grade 12

What should seniors be doing NOW? Guidance counselors have heard from seniors that a list of what students should be doing now would be helpful. Please see this checklist complete with useful links, including a link to the teacher recommendation request form.

AHS Senior Planning/Financial Aid Night
The AHS Guidance Dept. will be hosting its annual Senior Planning Night next Wednesday evening, Sept. 27th at 6pm in the Bray Auditorium on campus. Specialist in college financial aid will also be presenting. All AVA seniors and families of seniors are highly encouraged to join!

Second Notice: SAT Registration
There are still 3 remaining SAT test administrations for this Fall season. Below is the date chart, and please click HERE to register on the official Collegeboard website. For reference, many high school students typically take the SATs twice: once in the spring of junior year and then once again in the fall of senior year. The dates are again pictured below.

As always, please email me at nng@attleboroschools.com with any comments, suggestions, and concerns, or to make a virtual meeting appointment. Have a great weekend!

Visit the APS Community Fliers page to view the most recent events, opportunities, and resources happening within the Attleboro Community.

Wednesday, September 20

• School Picture Day

Wednesday, September 27

• AHS Senior Planning Night

Friday October 6

• ½ Day—Professional Development Day*

Saturday, October 7

• SAT Exam

Monday, October 9

• Columbus Day—No School