Avery High School

Good evening, This message is for junior and senior students who are attending the Charlotte College field trip tomorrow, Thursday, October 26th. Please arrive at school by 6:55 tomorrow morning. We will return to school by 6:30 pm. Thank you.

October 24, 2023 Greetings from the Avery County School System! Our first grading period has quickly passed. All staff and students are working very hard to address academic priorities throughout each school and grade level. Last year’s student performance data has been released and is now available through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction at the following link, Accountability Data Sets and Reports. As a result of the intense focus on reading and math, we continue to see significant academic gains at the elementary level and have a lot to celebrate. We also have several opportunities for growth throughout Avery County Schools. In addition to academic growth, attendance has been improving across all grade levels and will continue to be among our top priorities this year. Thank you to all parents, guardians, and students for recognizing the importance of being in school and arriving on time each day. In addition to academics, safety is a top priority for Avery County Schools. Our fleet of buses are traveling throughout Avery County each school day transporting our students. Vehicles must stop in both directions on all Avery County roadways for stopped school buses when red flashing lights are on and stop arms extended. Compared to this time last year, we are experiencing an increase in the number of vehicles running through stopped school buses, endangering the lives of our children. Buses are on our highways each morning between the hours of 6:00am to 8:00am and 2:30pm to 5:00pm. Motorist are reminded to be on the highest level of alert to avoid running stopped school buses and the possibility of seriously or fatally injuring a child as they are boarding or exiting a school bus. As fall has quickly arrived so has cold temperatures. We have transitioned all schools and other buildings from air conditioning to heat. Fall is also a reminder that snow will soon return to our area. Along with our winter season, comes the frequent decision to close or modify our school schedules, including delayed starts or early releases. Decisions to cancel school or expedite a delayed start will continue to be made at the earliest time possible to allow parents and guardians adequate time to plan for childcare or to make other arrangements on snow days. Our current academic calendar has additional time built in for inclement weather without the need to make up days of instruction. However, if we exhaust all “banked” hours with extended snow days and cancellations, we will have to revisit our calendar and all available options, including make-up days. This is a very exciting time of year with the holidays quickly approaching and the first semester halfway complete. Thanksgiving will be here in a few weeks providing each of us an opportunity to pause and reflect on our numerous blessings. We all have a lot to be thankful for, especially our health, family and this great county we call home. The Avery County School System is very thankful for our strong partnerships between our schools and families as we strive to make this the best school year ever in Avery County!

Good evening, Students were given report cards today. Students should come home with their report card, their attendance record for the first grading period, and a letter outlining Avery County Schools' attendance policy. If you have any questions, please contact the school. Tomorrow is parent/teacher conference day from 8:00 to 3:00. Thank you.

Good evening, Report cards for the first grading period will be sent home with students this Wednesday, October 18th. There is no school for students on Thursday, October 19th. This is parent/teacher conference day. Teachers will be available for conferences on Thursday between 8:00 and 3:00. To schedule a conference with a teacher, please contact the teacher or call the school. During this Friday night's football game against Owen High, we will have Senior Night for our senior football players and band members. All Avery County High School seniors will be admitted free to the game. Come out and support our Vikings!

Good evening, Avery High School's football team will play Madison High tomorrow, October 13th. The game will be played at Mars Hill University. If you are attending the game, the venue only allows clear bags in the stadium. Thank you and go VIKINGS!

Good evening, Youth night is tomorrow, October 6th during the home football game. Students who participate in Avery County Youth football may wear their jerseys for free admission to the game. Avery High plays Mountain Heritage. Kick off is at 7:30. Go VIKINGS!

Good evening, Avery High School's football team will play Mountain Heritage at home this Friday night. Beginning with this football game, children are no longer allowed to bring athletic balls into the football stadium. This includes soccer balls, volleyballs, tennis balls, footballs, etc. This is due to safety concerns and interference of play. We have had spectators get hit by balls and balls have gotten onto the football during the game. Thank you for your cooperation.

Good evening, Senior retakes will be on Wednesday, October 4th, starting at 10:00 a.m. If seniors have not signed up for a time, they need to do so by the end of the day on Tuesday. Please see Ms. Eller with any questions. Thank you.

Good evening, Tomorrow, Friday, September 22nd, is Avery County High School's homecoming. All students will be dismissed at noon tomorrow. The parade will begin at 4:00 in downtown Newland. The football game against Draughn will begin at 7:30. The Homecoming Court will be recognized during half time. At the conclusion of the game, we will have fireworks and the band will perform. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night!

Good afternoon, The Avery High School football game scheduled this evening will be played at the planned time of 7:30. Please remember, we are honoring all past and present members of the military this evening for Military Appreciation Night. GO VIKINGS!

Due to the town of Newland having water issues and little water pressure, Avery High School, Avery Middle School, and Newland Elementary is dismissing at 10:00. Thank you.

Good evening, Avery County High School will proudly host Military Appreciation Night this Friday night, September 8th during our home football game. We will be serving dinner to Veterans and current military members at 6:30 in the JROTC room. Please spread the word. We appreciate all members of the military, past and present. GO VIKINGS!

This is a reminder that if you're traveling to Bessemer City this evening to support our Vikings, Bessemer City High School doesn't allow bags including purses, fanny packs, or clear bags in their stadium. They also do not allow outside food or drinks. GO VIKINGS!

Good afternoon, The message sent on Monday evening did not have the date for the Senior Parent Meeting. The Senior Parent Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6th at 5:30 in the Media Center. We apologize for the confusion. Thank you.

Good evening, Our athletics this week is as follows: Our girls volleyball will play McDowell at Cranberry Middle School on Tuesday. The mens soccer team will play West Wilkes on Wednesday at West Wilkes. Volleyball will play Rosman at Rosman on Thursday. Varsity football will play Bessemer City on Friday at Bessemer City. Parents of seniors, there will be a Senior Parent Night on Wednesday night beginning at 5:30 in the Media Center. The counselors will be discussing upcoming senior events. Thank you and have a wonderful evening.

All 12th grade students in North Carolina are required to have a 2nd meningococcal vaccine. We have several seniors who are not up to date. Proof of this vaccine must be submitted to the school by September 15th or your child will be required to stay home. If you are unsure if your child has had this vaccine or if you have any questions please contact your health care provider or the school nurse.

Congratulations to Logan Brown on being selected as the Farm Bureau Player of the Game for Week 1 in the win against Cherryville.

Good evening, We have been receiving feedback from parents and the community about the Student Code of Conduct. The Student Code of Conduct has been in place for several years. There were very few changes made to the rules and policies in the Code of Conduct. This is the first year the Code of Conduct has been printed and sent home with students. This was done so parents and students are aware of the expectations. In previous years, it has been made available online only. The discipline matrix was an addition to clarify rules and consequences. The discipline matrix is a work in progress and will be reviewed throughout the school year. There is false information being circulated. Students are allowed to have water bottles and snacks in classrooms, students are allowed to bring lunches from home, and students are allowed to wear any colors they choose. Please contact the high school if there are questions about the Student Code of Conduct. Thank you for your support.

The first day of school is Monday, August 14th. If you are brining your child to school, students cannot be dropped off until 7:30 am. Student drop off is on the side of the school. There are signs directing traffic for car drop off and student drivers. In the afternoon, the gate for car pick up is not unlocked until 2:20 pm. Our School Resource Officer and staff members will be directing traffic. Please follow their directions. On Monday during first block, all students will be given a copy of the Student Code of Conduct. There is an acknowledgment form on the last page of the Code of Conduct. Each student and parent need to sign this acknowledgement form and return the form to school. Please review the Code of Conduct with your child so he/she is aware of the rules and procedures. We look forward to see all of our Vikings on Monday morning!

Please remember our Open House will be held this Thursday, August 10th from 6:00 to 8:00. If your child does not have a schedule yet, please go to the cafeteria to get his or her schedule. Teachers will be in their classrooms to meet students and parents. Also, our representative from Mayland Community College will be in the media center from 5:00 to 6:00 to discuss registering for and taking Mayland classes. We look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!