Apollo Families,
The first quarter flew by! It seems like just yesterday we were starting school in August, and now we are halfway through the semester. We have had a great start to the school year, and I want to share a few important reminders, celebrate what we have accomplished, and look ahead to the second quarter.
Celebrating Our First Quarter
We have had a great first quarter at Apollo! All of our fall sports were up and running, our choir held concerts, and our marching band performed at football games and competitions. Our swim, golf, football, volleyball, and cross-country teams have also been showing their athletic abilities. We also hosted a fall assembly to celebrate our fall sports. It has been great to see our students involved, representing Apollo, and making the most of the opportunities available to them!
What's Ahead in the Second Quarter
This week is Homecoming Week! We have dress-up days, an assembly on Friday, and lots of opportunities to show our school spirit.
I also want to invite our families and community to join us for the Homecoming Festival on Wednesday. Student Council has planned a fun evening with a carnival atmosphere, games, food trucks, and music. The evening kicks off at 5:00 p.m. with a parade down 47th Avenue, starting at Alice Avenue and ending at the school. Come out and enjoy this great Apollo tradition! On Friday, we will have our homecoming football game, fireworks, and more festivities. Students will finish the week with the Homecoming Dance on Saturday night. We also have our fall play coming up in November, along with Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and semester finals before we know it. Students, make sure you are working hard and earning grades you will be proud to see on your transcript at the end of the semester. These grades become part of your permanent academic record, so finish the semester strong!
Student Success and Learning Center
One of the things I continue to stress with our students is the importance of doing well in their classes. Students, make sure you are checking StudentVUE to see how you are doing. Parents, I encourage you to check ParentVUE regularly and use ParentSquare to communicate directly with teachers. Teachers also share important information about what is happening in their classes, so please take advantage of these great resources. One of the best opportunities students have every day is Learning Center. Learning Center is not a punishment. It is an extended learning opportunity to help students become more successful in their classes. If you were tardy, missed a day of school, or did not understand a concept, Learning Center is a great place to get help. You do not need to wait until you have a 59%, 52%, or even a 75% in a class to attend. You can attend Learning Center even if you have an A and want to learn more or better understand something from class. Parents, please encourage your students to take advantage of this opportunity. We want them to be successful in their classes and in life. Learning to ask for help when you do not understand something is an important life skill, and Learning Center is a great place to build that skill. I will be asking teachers to share their Learning Center schedules and availability through ParentSquare so you know when your students can get extra help. Parents, you can also check to see whether your student attended Learning Center and use that as an opportunity to talk with them about their progress.
A Few Important Reminders
Please continue to make good attendance a priority. This includes arriving at school on time and being ready to learn. Our tardy policies have not changed, and being in class on time is an important part of being successful. I am excited about the second quarter and all the opportunities ahead. I look forward to seeing our students continue to grow, succeed in their classes, and prepare themselves for life after high school. Thank you for sending your students to Apollo and for the support you give our school. We appreciate our families and community, and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and activities.
Have a great second quarter, and as always, Choose Excellence!
Ben White
Principal, Apollo High School
