Fall, 2012
Principal’s Message
Welcome back to the fall semester of 2012! The first 6 weeks have flown by!
We had the College Fair, Career Day, PLAN and EXPLORE test on Sept. 26.
If your teen has not talked about the day, you might ask them about these
activities.
The Cats Crew/ freshmen transition program is going well. We greeted and
mentored approximately 180 freshmen to Affton High. Each week, their seminar
teachers (like a homeroom teacher) review grades and attendance with each
individual student during the Wednesday Seminar time. Those freshmen who
have all passing grades will be allowed to ‘travel’ and attend clubs during the
second 6 week marking period. Closely monitoring students’ success is a goal at
Affton High.
Homecoming was a great success with dress up themes of “Study Aboard around
the World,” pep assembly, the sports games and the Homecoming dance with the
coronation of the king and queen. Thank you to the many parents who
chaperoned and assisted with the punch and cookies and coat check for the
evening. Your presence helped to make the event very special for the students.
We hope you will join us for the Parent-Teacher conferences on Tuesday Oct.
16 and Thursday, October 18 from 4:30-7:30 pm each night. No appointment is
necessary. Teachers are located in their rooms. These nights give you an
opportunity to visit the high school, view your child’s learning environment,
meet their teachers and hear from them how your child is progressing in their
studies. Most of you access the Power School portal to view your child’s grades
on a regular basis, which is very helpful to stay updated. Additionally, having
face to face conversation with your teen’s teachers will also help you understand
their expectations and how your child can be as successful as possible in their
courses. We hope to see many of your there.
The Principals’ Coffees are every first Wednesday of the month from 8-9:00 am
and the following Monday evening from 6-7:00 pm. I hope you can join us to
discuss a variety of topics related to your child’s education at Affton High.
College Trips sponsored by the AEF: November 6 and November 7,
counselors, administrators, and about 50 juniors and seniors will have the
opportunity to visit come college campuses in Missouri and Illinois. This is the
third year the Affton Education Foundation is fully funding these trips. Many
thanks to Judy Rethwisch and Mary Carpenter, our college counselor, who have
organized these trips for our students.
BioMedical and Engineering---Project Lead the Way courses: We continue
to offer these exciting electives for our students. We have two full sections of
year one of the Biomedical program and two full sections of the year two course.
This year BioMedical will have the opportunity to earn accreditation. Last year,
our PLTW engineering program (now in its third year) earn full accreditation.
We currently have three sections of the engineering courses and look to offer
year four next year. Missouri S & T in Rolla offer college credit for these
courses. Thank you to Marilyn Allen, our A+ and Career and Technical
Education Advisor, for coordinating these programs.
Partnership with Child Development classes and our new Early Childhood
Center: Students in our Child Development II classes have begun to visit the
Early Childhood Center for lab practicums/observations with Linda Hobbs, their
teacher. Karin Fleming, the new ECE director, is in partnership with AHS as we
develop this learning experience for our students.
A special BIG thank you to all who came to back to back fund-raising events
Sept. 28 and Sept. 29. The Mothers’ Club Harlem Wizards vs. the Affton
District staff was so well attended! With a sell-out crowd of 1200---many
remarked it was the most crowded they had even seen our gym! The Sunset Ford
event---Drive 4 UR School---the next morning, netted the AFFTON STRONG
program the top prize money of $8000! We could not have accomplished so
much at these events without the help of parents, students, staff and the
community!
Thank you for your continued support of our AFFTON STRONG program.
At the high school---our motto is FINISH STRONG! We hope through all the
continually interventions and resources we have for students ---Cats Crew,
Guided Study, ACE program, Missouri Options, free tutoring after school,
Seminar, Sports and clubs, Academic Intervention room during school, College
Counselor, AP and 1818 courses, Cougar news station, night theater courses,
E2020 on-line computer courses, and an enriched curriculum with excellent
teachers--- we are setting students up for success and to FINISH STRONG!
Thank you for being a part of your child’s learning experience and our
partners in education.
I hope to see you around campus this fall at one of our many events. Please
check our website for athletic updates as well as updated events’ calendar.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sue Jackson