Welcome to Avon Lake High School!
 
We would like to invite your student  to attend freshmen orientation on Wed. Aug. 16th from 9:00-11:00 a.m.  We will meet in the P.A.C.,  where they  will be introduced to the  high school administrative team, guidance counselors and the office staff.  We will be presenting  important academic and extra-curricular information pertinent to your student’s  transition to the high school.  Your student will be provided with  the opportunity to tour the building with members of  the National Honor Society.  These upperclassmen will help your student become familiar with the building and field any questions.  Your freshmen student will also be able to pick up their schedules and walk the building following their new 9th grade schedule.  The printed schedule will also include the student’s locker number and combination.  Clubs and various activity  representatives will be available in the commons area to introduce your student to the extra-curricular opportunities available at ALHS.
 
Please feel free to call or email me with any questions, comments or concerns.  Again, welcome to ALHS!  It will be a great experience!
 
Sincerely, 
 
Melissa Isaly-Johns
Assistant Principal

Per the ALHS schedule on the District site:
2017 Schedule Pick-Up:
Returning 10th, 11th, and 12th graders can pick up their schedules on Wednesday, August 16th between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. or between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the High School Commons. 
2017 9th Grade Orientation:
9th Grade Orientation (students only) will take place on Wednesday, August 16th beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Avon Lake High School. Along with schedules and locker information, students will receive important and helpful information to help make their transition to ALHS a success. Please plan on having your student attend this important event!

​ALHS PTA congratulates this year's scholarship winners:  Josephine Klingshirn, and Stefan Nieschwitz.

Josephine will be attending Kent State's Honor College majoring in Physical Therapy with a minor in Business.
​
Stefan will be attending The University of Cincinnati majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

CONGRATULATIONS on a job well done.  Through their hard work and determination, they have proven to be student's that ALHS PTA wants to recognize and encourage to continue in their educational effort.

The Avon Lake High School PTA Scholarship is made possible through PTA membership supporters, supporters of the PTA Craft Fair, and those who contribute directly to the scholarship fund.  We thank all of our donors that have made the ALHS Scholarship possible.

​ALHS PTA would like to congratulate our 2014/15 scholarship winner, Theresa Klingshirn, for making Dean's List three semesters in a row at Rochester Institute of Technology.  Theresa will graduate from R.I.T. in 2019 with a degree in Packaging Engineering.

With this fundraising event, BJ's will donate 20% of food and soft beverages when the flyer below is presented.

​Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:37 PM by President Ashley Whitehead.
 
Clipboard Items and Volunteer Hours: There is a Christmas card from the school board and school staff on the clipboard. Please make sure you log your volunteer hours.
 
Guest Speaker: Therese Radca with Mighty Goliath Productions spoke about the group.  Mighty Goliath Productions is an independent non-profit fundraising organization that benefits the performing arts programs for Avon Lake City Schools. MGP supports the ALHS Drama Club and has helped with several improvements.  The group is looking for sponsorships. They will be performing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in February.  Please visit their website at www.mightygoliath.com.
 
Principal’s Report: Dr. Cocco

• Dr. Cocco has been working on the HS page of the website.  There is now a link with a list of documents/forms such as important dates and senior dates that can be accessed.  As he is getting requests for information, he will add to the link. 
• The SWOT Analysis is a work in progress.  Discussed at the meeting:

1. Strengths- AP/PSEO classes, majority of teachers go above and beyond for students, very strong performing arts and music program
2. Weaknesses- economics not a college level class, guidance department not up to date with college information and lacking good communication, need more general ed classes, course offerings not balanced, should have an option for guidance counselor
3. Opportunities- senior project, engineering class
4. Threats- standardized testing, some teacher attitudes are demeaning

• Awards Ceremony will be on May 15th.
• Ashley Whitehead asked which senior events will be attended by JVS students if during the day.  There needs to be better communication between the schools.
• Tina Durisek asked if a teacher has been found to head the Renaissance program.  As an ALCS employee, she is willing to be the lead person. 
• Dr. Cocco asked the PTA for money for an incentive reward.  He needs $100 for gift cards.  Nancy Klingshirn said this can be taken out of the assemblies fund.

 
Secretary: Krissy Hart 

• November 2016 minutes will be filed as written.

 
Treasurer’s Report: Nancy Klingshirn

• Monthly Report for Nov/Dec- Craft show was most of the activity.  The scholarship table at the craft show netted $573.  Ending Cash Balance: $21786.06.
• Giant Eagle now gives rewards as cash.  We received a check for $687. 
• Don’t forget to patronize the Rock Pile.  You have to tell them ALHS.  They do not ask.
• Christa Olijar made a motion to direct the $687 mentioned above to the scholarship fund.  Sue Mueller seconded the motion.  All present voted in favor of the motion. 

 
President’s Report: Ashley Whitehead

• Nothing to add this month

Membership: Rachel Allan

• Seven new members joined in December.

 
Delegate Report: Nancy Klingshirn/Krissy Hart

• No meeting in December

 
Board of Education: Tina Durisek/Christa Olijar

• The abatement for Kopf Builders passed.  They are tax exempt on the buildings ONLY.  Building will commence in 2017 and be completed in 2019.  There will be 529 units.
• It is a state law that the school district MUST provide busing for grades K-8.  If unable to, must provide a stipend.
• All day kindergarten is $2400.
• VIP is a program to help support kids with special needs.  There are six pilot schools in Ohio.  It will help enhance communication between families, schools and other support.  The program runs for five years.  Fifteen students preK-3rd grade will participate.

 
Committee Reports:

• Craft Fair: Ashley Whitehead- The show went well.  There will be a post show meeting to see what needs to be tweaked. Parking and signs were an issue again this year.  Next year’s show will be held on December 2nd.
• Publicity: Sue Mueller- Send any items to Sue that you would like on the Facebook page.
• Scholarship: Sue Mueller- We now have just over $4000 for scholarships.  Applications are due by February 24th.  At least one parent must be a PTA member by then.
• Reflections: Ashley Whitehead: There are 156 entries from ALHS.  So far, seven have won best of show honors.  A big thank you to Christa Olijar for helping!
• Staff Appreciation: Per Ashley Whitehead, the staff asked for gift cards for Christmas.  Ashley let Liesa Wetzig know that the staff members are not signing up to be PTA members so the PTA would not be providing gift cards this year.  There was a discussion about only providing gift cards to staff that are PTA members as well as the janitorial staff during staff appreciation week. 

 
New Business:

• Nancy Klingshirn: Fundraiser at Salad Kraze for the swim team on 1/24. You need to bring a flyer which will be up on the Facebook page.
• Theresa Baker: The Frats, a rock group from ALHS will be performing on 1/28 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Tri-C High School Rock Off.  Tickets are $10.

 
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.
 
The next meeting will be held on Monday, February 13th at 6:30 PM.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
 
Krissy Hart, Secretary

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:38 PM by President Ashley Whitehead.
 
Clipboard Items and Volunteer Hours: Please make sure you log your volunteer hours.
 
Principal’s Report: Dr. Cocco

• Dr. Cocco discussed the reason/background for the letter that was recently sent home.  There has been verbal bullying towards minority students.  Some actions have been caught but others have not.  Students have been reporting incidences of bullying.  Two families have left the district because their kids felt uncomfortable. 
• Three groups/clubs are available for those that wish to join: ROOTS led by Mrs. Meyers, Diversity led by Mr. Wilson and Ambassadors led by Dr. Cocco.  The students are making a tremendous effort. 
• Dr. Cocco asked the PTA to please encourage parents to call with any questions.
• Questions posed to Dr. Cocco: Tina Durisek would like to see the speaker that the staff had at the August inservice to speak at the high school. Sue Mueller mentioned the Stand for the Silent assembly that Learwood hosted. Christa Olijar would like to see the club heads updated.  Tina Durisek also wanted to know when the Awards Assembly would be held in May.
• Dr. Cocco said a letter will be coming home regarding the new graduation requirements.  The letter will have the current points for those that have begun taking the graduation tests.  All juniors will take the SAT in March which will be the new standard for graduation.  Thresholds for this test for graduation will be included in the letter.

 
Secretary: Krissy Hart

• October 2016 minutes to be filed as written.

 
Treasurer’s Report: Nancy Klingshirn

• For October- Beginning Cash Balance: $14189.39 Cash Receipts: mostly craft fair Cash Disbursements: copy center $75 Ending Cash Balance: 15278.89
• Questions: Is there money for an assembly? There is a seminars/assemblies line item.

 
President’s Report: Ashley Whitehead

• ALHS is looking to upgrade the media center into a more digital space.  The HS would like to add more computers to be able to take part in online classes.  It may be open to the public after school hours.  Blueprints will be drawn, ideas will be put forth and then both will come back to the attendees of the meeting.
• We are missing several committee folders.  Ashley had questions about the Renaissance program (it is a quarterly reward program). She would like to keep end of the year committee reports on Google Drive in the PTA gmail account. 
• Ashley signed a code of ethics and code of conduct for the PTA
• We are in need of volunteers for the 9th grade vision/hearing screenings on November 21st.

 
Membership: Rachel Allan

• We currently have 95 members. 
• Cheddar Up is a new website which will let PTA members register and pay online.

BOE Delegate: Tina Durisek

• At the October meeting, Natalie Fior spoke about using Google Docs in the classrooms. The five year forecast was approved.
• At both the October and November meetings, Bucky Kopf asked for a 10 year abatement on his planned apartments at Miller and Walker.  He would pay the ALCS 25% of the exempted taxes.  One of the board members requested specific numbers.  As of the November meeting, this information had not been supplied.
• The Watson project (a grant in conjunction with Home Depot and IBM) would track students from kindergarten to 12th grade.  This will be voted on in December.  Tina shared her concern that the project would only show objective scores with no subjective history.
• The December meeting will be held on December 13th at 6:30 PM at Redwood.  A grant presentation will be held on the VIP program, an app that would allow team members to share videos, pictures and other information in real time regarding a special needs student. 
• Hires and fires are available for anyone that would like to see them.

 
PTA Council Delegate: Nancy Klingshirn

• The VIP and Watson projects were discussed at the meeting.
• Mr. Scott spoke about the state report card and steps being taken to explain the scores.
• The membership site, Cheddar Up, will be utilized by the PTAs.
• Reflections have started their creative sessions.
• If any pictures and/or names of students are posted online, a form must be signed.
• The elementary schools have a program called One School, One Book.
• Beginning next year, all Troy and Learwood students must have an adult present with them at all times at the football games.

 
Committee Reports:

• Bylaws: Kristen Masa- They will be voted on next month.
• Craft Fair: Ashley Whitehead- The fair is full with 113 tables and approximately 100 vendors.  There is a waiting list.  Signs are only allowed in tree lawns.  Model UN has said they will send students to help.  Key Club has not yet replied. Kristen Masa will make a sign up for volunteers for ticket sales and the scholarship table.
• Publicity: Sue Mueller- Send information for Facebook and the Weebly page.  Sign ups can only go to PTA members if money is involved.
• Staff Appreciation: Ashley Whitehead for Kristen Gallo- The conference dinners went well.  Feedback was given by the staff as to what they would like for the holidays.

 
New Business:

• Tina Durisek: Help is needed for After Prom, both volunteers and financial.  Ideas for fundraising include Pampered Chef, Wristbands, Chipotle, Zoup, Coleones and Salad Kraze.  After Prom will be held at Dave and Busters.
• Nancy Klingshirn: 11/21 Buffalo Wild Wings night for the swim team

 
The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM.
 
The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 9th at 6:30 PM.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Krissy Hart