Cat Chat Newsletter - January 2018 

 
   

   
Dear Cienega Families,
 
Happy New Year!
 
Second semester promises to be very busy for both our staff and students. Seniors need to remain strong with grades, SEP, and their college and career planning. Before we know it, graduation will be upon us. Our 2018 Graduation Commencement will be held at the Tucson Convention Center on Saturday, May 19th at 4:00 p.m. We are excited about this final semester and want to be sure every senior is a part of this ceremony.
 
As our seniors are making plans for after graduation, our freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will be choosing their classes for next year. Pre-registration begins the last week in January. The Course Selection Handbook will be finalized and available on the counselor link of our website the week of registration, and your student will be bringing home a course selection form for you to review and sign. Please do not hesitate to contact your child's counselor if you have any questions regarding graduation requirements and suggested courses.
 
Spring sports will be starting in February. For those that are interested in signing up, please get your paperwork turned into the 400 building athletic office as soon as possible.
 
Thank you for your tax credit donations! Our extra-curricular programs and clubs have received many tax credit contributions in the last few weeks. We truly appreciate your support!
 
 
Sincerely,
 

Nemer Hassey
Principal

IN THIS ISSUE
TRANSITION OPEN HOUSE
POETRY OUT LOUD
SENIOR INFO
AP EXAM INFO
FAFSA
COLLEGE & CAREER
NJROTC
FASHION CLUB
ACT PREP CLASSES
SENIOR PICTURES
VOLUNTEER CORNER
PHAT CAT WINNERS

TRANSITION OPEN HOUSE 
 

 
Join the High School Special Education Transition Team for the Annual Community Wide Transition Open House on January 18th, 2018 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. The event will be held at Cienega High School in the Student Union. Enjoy pizza while you meet and connect with community agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities during and after they leave high school .


POETRY OUT LOUD 
 

The 2017-2018 Cienega Poetry Out Loud contest is open to all Bobcats. This is a National Poetry recitation contest. Your student might win up to $10,000 for college and a trip to Washington D.C.  It will be held in the library from 3:45 to 5:15 PM on Wednesday, January 31, 2018. Interested students should go to poetryoutloud.org to choose a poem, and stop by room 406 to sign up and get more information.    

IMPORTANT SENIOR INFORMATION
 

SchoolWay App:
If you have not yet downloaded the SchoolWay App, I highly encourage you to do so. The senior counselor sends push alerts to your Smart phone, or texts or emails if you don't have a SmartPhone. Go to www.myschoolway.com to download the App. Join the Vail School District, then Cienega High School and then the GROUP: Class of 2018.
   
Testing Dates :
There are only a couple more opportunities to take the SAT or ACT this year!
Go to www.collegeboard.org for dates and deadlines for the SAT
Go to actstudents.org for dates and deadlines for the ACT
Or use the Counselor website for all of this information http://chsstaff.vail.k12.az.us/~johntritz/testing.htm
 
General Reminders:
  • If your student is taking any courses through correspondence or Dual Enrollment through Pima, it is their responsibility to bring the transcript from that school to the registrar in order to get credit for the class and to be able to participate in graduation ceremonies. This deadline is MAY 1st unless taking a Pima class. That date will be two days after the class has been completed.   
  • If nine absences are accumulated in any class regardless of the reason, unless it is a school related activity, THE STUDENT WILL NOT PASS THE CLASS AND WILL NOT GRADUATE IF THE CLASS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION. Refer to the student agenda for exceptions to this policy.
  • Seniors planning on attending a four-year college should have applied to their schools by now.  You may lose valuable scholarship opportunities by procrastinating any longer.
  • Be sure to check the CHS Website for updated scholarship opportunities. The link can be found by entering the website at http://chs.vail.k12.az.us click on the "Counselor" link, from there click on "Scholarships". This page is updated regularly, so check back often.
  • The FAFSA (free application for financial student aid) should be completed ASAP if you are expecting to be awarded some type of grant.
  • Senioritis can sometimes creep up on students.  Please be aware of this and monitor your students attendance and grades carefully so that there will be no unhappy surprises in May when it is time to celebrate the graduation of your son or daughter from Cienega.
  • Please utilize PowerSchool on a regular basis and stay informed of the progress your son or daughter is making in his or her classes (https://ps.vail.k12.az.us/public/home.html)

AP EXAM FEES
 

AP Students and Parents!!!!
 
This is a reminder that we are accepting payments for AP exams from today until April 1st. Many students pay for their exams in advance of the final deadline in order to alleviate the burden on their parents. You can even pay for one exam every few weeks to help with the cost.
 
How much does an AP Exam cost? - $94 (less if student is eligible for free/reduced lunch)
 
Where do I make the payment? - CHS bookstore
   
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call our Instructional Support Teacher, Eric Tatham, at (520) 879-2864 or send him an email at [email protected] 


FAFSA 
 

COLLEGE AND CAREER CHRONICLE
 
 
College and Career Fairs are good places to learn about many different schools and careers in one place. At College and Career Fairs you are able to gather information you're looking for on potential colleges from college representatives who are scouting for students that would fit well at their schools. It is also the perfect opportunity to meet with interesting career professionals. Next week on Wednesday, January 24th Cienega High School 
is hosting its annual College and Career fair in the auxiliary gym. With a little preparation you can make the most of your visit to the fair.
 
There will be a wide variety of professionals present at the fair. Don't be shy! Representatives are there to talk to you and answer all of your questions! Feel free to ask about anything from academic requirements for admission, to what life is like on their college campuses, to what it is like to work in the representative's profession.
During the fair you will be able to walk around the different booths, exploring the different schools' brochures, reading the posters they've set up and ask the representatives questions about the college they're representing.
It's useful to have a checklist of information you'd like to learn when you go to a college fair. Below are suggestions you can utilize before, during and after the fair.
Before and During the Fair
  • Write down the names of the schools you'd like to spend time learning more about.
  • Create a list of questions you have for the representatives.
  • Bring your list of questions, a pen, notebook and a bag to hold any brochures you may pick up.
  • Visit the booths and ask college representatives your list of questions conversationally.
  • As you ask questions, take time to write down notes as you get answers. This way, you'll be sure to remember when you get home.
  • Even though you had specific colleges in mind, check on some that weren't on your list. It never hurts to try something new!
After the Fair
  • Reflect on which of the school stood out. Why?
  • Organize your notes along with any marketing material you picked up at the fair. Keep them in a safe place to reference during your college search process.
  • Keep researching the colleges and careers you really liked. Look on their websites, plan a visit if you're able and check admission requirements to see if attending the school is a reality.
  • Talk to your parents and/or guardian, school counselors and teachers about your experiences at the fair. College and career decisions are big and you'll need all the support you can get!
Parents, we still have room if you are interested in participating in our College and Career Fair. Contact Mrs. Graham at [email protected] for more information about participating.
 
NJROTC HAPPENINGS 
 
 
NJROTC Cadets volunteered at the Desert Sky Middle School annual "Winter Wonderland" on 15 December 2017.  Over 20 cadets helped run activities and carnival games at this event. 


 
 
FASHION CLUB  
 
 
Fashion Club Revives Interest in Learning Craft Skills

Cienega High School's Fashion Club is full of new, eager members who would like to learn crafting skills. These skills include, but are not limited to: hand and machine sewing, embroidery, beading, crochet, knitting, fabric painting and design. Students have started bringing in materials from home (usually leftovers from other family members.) To keep encouraging this great interest in more traditional skills, Mrs. Garrett (the club's sponsor) would like to encourage community members to volunteer and share their knowledge and/or resources with these eager young minds. When cleaning out your "craft" room - consider donating your scrap materials and tools. If you got a new sewing machine or serger for the holiday consider donating your old machine. Do you have a crafting hobby you absolutely love? Please consider teaching the skills to a new generation. Do you know the best way to market crafts? Show us how to earn doing what we already enjoy. We love to learn new stuff that we can keep using! Cienega's Fashion Club is also a Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing fashion club. Contact Wendy Garrett at [email protected] if you'd like to donate or volunteer. 
 
ACT PREP CLASSES 
 
 
SENIOR ADS FOR YEARBOOK
 

Hey Senior Parents!

Have you ever wanted to recognize your senior for all the great accomplishments they have achieved throughout their academic journey? How about with a senior ad in the back of the 2017-18 yearbook! Create your's today on  Jostens.com! Only 8 full pages remain, order today to secure your space. Deadline is February 14!


 

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR CORNER
 

Happy New Year Bobcats!

Thank you Cienega parents, volunteers and CatFRAT for your AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS donations of homemade soups, chili's, desserts, rolls, salads and drinks! Wow, what a feast! Thank you for blessing and spoiling us! Mmmm! A special thank you to Kiki Ngo for coordinating our soup luncheon, our volunteers and working with our FABULOUS parents and CatFRAT for our staff luncheon, thank YOU Kiki and Volunteers! YOU GIRLS ROCK!!! 

~ Future VOLUNTEER opportunities ~

College and Career Fair Day
Wednesday, January 24th (half day for students) 
7:30am-8:45am - Set-up tables, snacks and drink area 
8:30am-12:45pm - Refill snacks and drink tables for vendors
12:30pm-1:15pm - Clean-up 
Auxiliary Gym 

Science Fair Judging
Thursday, February 1st
1:30-4:30pm - Judge Science Fair Projects
Dr. Pena Education Center and Library

Please contact Amy Burton, Volunteer Coordinator if you can volunteer for either or both events at (520) 879-2811 or [email protected]

Thank you for your consideration!

PHAT CAT DRAWING WINNERS
 

Congratulations to Samara Jones who won the Pizza Hut drawing on December 15th.  Samara will receive FREE Pizza, Pasta or Wings, once a month for 1 year!  Congrats Samara.

Congratulations to Samantha Rottler!  Sam won a Fitbit on January 12th Phat Cat Drawing.  Congratulations Samantha.



 


________________________________________________

Thank you, parents, for your support of Cienega. We truly appreciate your involvement! 

Sincerely,

Cienega High School

DATES TO REMEMBER

1/20 Winter Formal  
 
1/24 - Half Day  
12:40 dismissal
 
2/8 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
 
2/16
Half Day  
12:40 dismissal 
 
2/17 - Vail Pride Day
 
2/22 - 2/23 - Rodeo Break
 
3/12-3/23 - Spring Break
 
3/30 - No School 
 

QUICK LINKS


CHS
INFORMATION

Cienega High School
Vision Statement
 
Cienega High School creates an educational environment utilizing partnerships among community, parents, and staff to assist students in maximizing their academic potential and promoting life-long learning.
 
Front Office   - 879-2800     Attendance   -  879-2803   
Bookstore     -  879-2824 
Registrar       - 879-2812

Health Office - 879-2810
Volunteer Coordinator
879-2811                  


Front Office/200 House   
Principal
Nemer Hassey
Secretary - Chris Rich 879-2816 
Senior Counselor
John Tritz - 879-1843 
Bobcat Scholars Counselor
Dainah Graham - 879-2819
                        
300/700 House
Assistant Principal
Dean Nourse

Secretary - Kim Thielke 879-2855
Freshman Counselor
Eric Boxley - 879-2854

  
400/600 House/Athletics     
Assistant Principal
Kelly Hadden
Athletic Director - Whitney Holland - 879-1813            

Secretary -  Sandi Morrison
879-2892
Counselor A - L
Colette Alvarado 879-2904

500 House/Special Education/Security          
Assistant Principal
Kim Middleton
Secretary - Cassandra Bahrychuk 879-2874

Counselor M - Z
Sylvia Lewandowski-879-2817

Special Education Secretary Patty McKnight 879-1804
 
Communications Coordinator
Elizabeth Taggart - 879-2878  
 
 
 
CHS website: chs.vail.k12.az.us               

Moodle:

Silhouette Photography - 886-1710  (Senior pictures for yearbook)
      
Sodexho - 879-2090 or mymealtime.com   

District Office - 879-2000

Transportation - 879-2475


Get your YEARBOOK today!

 
 
 
 

CHS Online Store
Spirit Wear & More!


 Click here for Online Ordering  

 

 

ALL SALES FROM OUR ONLINE STORE BENEFIT CHS BOBCATS 

 


Job Openings

Are you looking for a job?

 

The Vail School District is looking for dynamic, energetic and positive staff members. Please click on the link below for the job descriptions, qualifications, salary guide, and the application process.

 

Click for job openings here   

 

Cienega High School
Yearbooks

It's that time of year again to pre-order your yearbook. 
www.jostensyearbooks.com