The start of second semester at AHS comes with a lot of new changes from first semester.  

Testing for Iowa Assessments are going to be a little different. Principal Heather McKay said that students are only going to test on required tests (Math, Science, and Reading), not all the extra ones.

Service Learning Day is also new this semester, as it hasn’t happened in recent years.  Service Learning Day is a day when students go out and volunteer in the community.  Some examples would be helping in nursing homes or raking bike trails. McKay said the date is set for sometime in April. “March is too early and May is too late.”  

A Speech Contest will be held at AHS on Jan. 23. McKay said, “In my 19 years here it’s only the second time I remember us hosting it.” She said she could be wrong.  They are needing volunteers for that day.  This could earn students up to nine hours if they’re enrolled in the Silver Cord Program.  

This year, the Opt-Out semester test policy was new.  McKay said it took them awhile to figure out the logistics of it, but, “It did go smoothly.”  She said kids did a good job of checking in and out; attendance wasn’t really an issue. One thing that the faculty is questioning is whether or not they should include an excused absences limit. This means students may not be eligible to opt out if they are absent from class too many times, even if those absences are excused. 

A winter sports kickoff was held at the beginning of the winter season.  Students were able to watch boys’ basketball practice, a three-point contest, a dunk contest, and a faculty game.  This was a chance to get students fueled up for the upcoming winter sports.  

The question then arises, will there be a spring sports kickoff? McKay isn’t sure and needs to talk to AHS Activities Director Matt Alexander and AHS Fuel Advisor Dan Vargason to see if one will be set up.  Problems may arise as to where to have the kickoff since spring sports are usually centered around the outdoors.