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TICKETS: It's time for a HOME SWEET HOMECOMING! The Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 7:00 - 11:00 PM in the Peak. Dance tickets can be purchased during lunch outside of the 300 6-pod. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased for $20, cash or check only. Ticket prices increase to $25 on the night of the dance.
GUEST FORMS: If you would like to bring a guest to our HOCO Dance who attends another school, please pick up a guest form from Ms. Neumann's room (304) before school or during lunch. All guest forms must be fully completed and turned back into Neumann by Wednesday, October 18th @ 4:00 PM. There will be no exceptions. On the night of the dance, Guests must bring their student ID. No guest forms will be accepted after the due date or on the night of the dance.
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CTSCO - CTE CANNED FOOD DRIVE | |
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In Vail, we like to ensure that all of our students, and their families, needs are being met. We offer a number of different resources to help fill the gap. We can provide support through our Weekend Backpack Program. This is a food program to help bridge weekend food needs. We can also provide support with Holiday Meals, Holiday Gift Giving, and more. If you could use assistance, or if you know of anyone who might benefit from resources, please reach out. All of our programs are confidential. Contact Stacey Hickey at 520-879-3881 or hickeys@vailschooldistrict.org.
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IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR..
Wednesday, October 18th is the day for the Federal Impact Aid Survey.
WE NEED 100% PARTICIPATION!
Look for the district email with directions and log in to PowerSchool to complete your online survey.
If you need your PowerSchool login please contact our Technology Department at 520-879-3807
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Do you know someone or have a business that students would be passionate about gaining interest in for a career?
College & Career Fair
Wednesday, February 7th, 2024
7:40 AM - 1:00 PM
If interested please contact Emily Bass
at basse@vailschooldistrict.org
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** If you have questions please contact Yearbook
advisor Ms. Mari at marij@vailschooldistrict.org.
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Class of 2024:
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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is delayed this year and is projected to open in early December. Go to the official FAFSA website to apply. The counselors will keep you informed. All college-bound students should apply
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To finish the FAFSA, you must create a FAFSA ID for both the student and the parent. Use this site to create the FAFSA ID. You should do this now.
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Apply to all of your colleges and universities using your SchooLinks account. When you receive your acceptance letter, please bring it to your counselor so they can get you on the Wall of the Future and be entered to win an iPad to be given out at Honors Night.
- All military-bound students bring in their enlistment papers to your counselor so they can get you on the Wall of the Future and be entered to win an iPad to be given out at Honors Night.
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Keep your profile accomplishments up to date in SchooLinks. You must complete a resume as part of your Senior project. The information you enter on your profile page will generate this resume.
Class of 2025, 26 and 27:
- Begin exploring career and college/post-high school opportunities utilizing your SchooLinks account.
- Keep your profile accomplishments up to date in SchooLinks.
AP Students: Important AP information
The deadline to pay for AP exams is November 1st! All students taking the AP exam must log on to their MyAP account, register for the test through Collegeboard, AND pay $98.00 in the Spirit store. A $40.00 late fee is assessed for each test ordered after this date. See Mr. Tritz if you are on Free or Reduced lunch for your payment options.
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The front office staff here at Mica Mountain will not accept deliveries from any outside delivery services or restaurants.
Thank you for your understanding,
MMHS Administration
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Pre-Season Information
Boys Basketball
All boys interested in basketball this season at Mica Mountain High School
Complete Register My Athlete.
Important Dates:
Preseason conditioning began on Oct. 9th
Report to the track after school.
ThunderBolt Basketball Mile Oct. 27th
Questions:
Contact Coach Lee 480 206-3831
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Welcome to the 2023-2024 Mica Mountain High School’s sports!! Any student interested in trying out for a Mica Mountain sports team must complete your registration online using RegisterMyAthlete (aktivate)
Aktivate provides a one-stop solution for students, parents, coaches, and administrators.
For more information visit our Athletics Page.
If you have a question please contact our athletics secretary Terri Smith
at smitht@vailschooldistrict.org
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FOOD SERVICES: MMHS MENUS - CLICK HERE
Adding funds to your student lunch account can be done online at https://www.mymealtime.com/
Free and Reduced Meal Applications are now available in both paper and electronic formats.
1. Electronic applications can be completed on a computer or tablet by visiting www.mymealtime.com/apps
2. Paper applications can be picked up and returned to the front office of any Vail school or at the District Office.
Due to annual changes to federal income guidelines, we encourage every family to complete a Free and Reduced Price Meal
Application to determine eligibility.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Vail Food Service by email at vailfoodservice@vailschooldistrict.org
or phone (520) 879-3913 or (520) 879-2015
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PURCHASE TICKETS & SEASON PASSES | |
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SCAN the QR Code or
Click Here to purchase tickets for fall sports or a season pass for sports this school year.
If you have questions regarding athletics please contact Terri Smith at smitht@vailschooldistrict.org
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Thunderbolt Advanced Scholar Academy | |
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Ivy League Schools: Myths vs. Realities
MYTHS-
Myth 1– If you have been an overachiever and topper in school, you’ll do absolutely great in Ivy League colleges, or you are a perfect fit for an Ivy League college.
Myth 2- Like the other qualities schools value, athletic ability is merely one of them.
Myth 3- You need to be an academic superhuman to get into an Ivy League college
Myth 4- It’s Ivy League colleges or nothing- only Ivy League colleges will help you achieve something great in your life or become famous and they’re the only colleges with the best amenities and opportunities for the future.
Myth 5- Admissions will be aided by participating in a summer program at a dream school
Myth 6- Ivy League colleges are the nation’s most picky schools.
Myth 7– Volunteering your time and effort to improve society- Admissions officers at Ivy League colleges value applicants who have a track record of volunteering in their communities and genuinely care about making the world a better place.
REALITY-
Reality 1- Being a topper or an overachiever in high school doesn’t AT ALL guarantee a 100% success rate in Ivy League colleges. In fact, there have been many cases of performance going down after getting into an Ivy League college. This is because the pressure Ivy League colleges put on students not only academically but also in terms of extracurriculars is TREMENDOUS! An elite university is not necessarily the best option for a student because they have perfect grades or a profile full of outstanding accomplishments. Regardless, it implies the inverse: that they have the drive to succeed wherever they go and that they will be happy and successful in an environment that suits them. In fact, The Princeton Audit 2022 School Expectations and Stresses Overview found that 74% of respondents detailed high or exceptionally high worries about their school applications.
Reality 2 – Athletes are a unique case and are given immeasurably more inclination than other recognized categories. By providing the admissions office with a list of recruited athletes that are typically respected highly, varsity coaches have a significant impact. Outstanding actors, dancers, musicians, and artists are not treated equally. Even the preference for legacies or minorities pales in comparison to this one. Athletes were 48% more likely than applicants without a hook to be admitted in a study of 30 selective institutions conducted by James Shulman and William G. Bowen, the former president of Princeton, compared to 18% for racial minorities and 25% for legacies. However, the data presented in the most recent Harvard lawsuit provide the strongest evidence regarding varsity athletes:
Reality 3 – Many people mistakenly assume that superhuman academic achievement is the deciding factor for admission because of the great SAT scores and good grades of students admitted to Ivy League colleges. In actuality, there are several factors used to evaluate candidates, including extracurricular activities, physical ability, and the mysterious “personal” ranking. Academic ability is simply one of them. The personal rating held the most weight and the academic ranking the least, according to Harvard’s own statistical assessments, which were made public throughout the litigation. This skepticism of candidates with biased academic backgrounds has a long history: The dean of admissions at Harvard, Wilbur Bender, issued a warning against the idea that “the only person who belongs at Harvard is the valedictorian, the obvious intellectual, the white-faced grind” and implemented an effective quota of 10% for “top brains” as early as the 1950s.
Reality 4 – On other campuses, Ivy League benefits are also accessible.
Ivy League universities are not the only institutions with attractive campuses, high academic standards, powerful alumni networks, and other qualities that make an Ivy League college desirable. So think about what initially drew you to Yale. There’s a good possibility you’ll find it at another college. In fact, there are many famous people who rose to fame without attending Ivy League schools.
Reality 5 – Over the past few decades, thousands of high school students have attended classes, and lectures, and resided in dorms in schools across the nation. They act in the same manner that college students would. These initiatives may cost parents thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars, but if they provide their child an edge when applying to that school in a year or two, they are deemed beneficial. However, this is based on the supposition that enrolling in these programmes will make it easier for the student to get accepted. However, in practice, they won’t.
Reality 6 – Due to the fact that Ivy League colleges have really high fees and can be extremely expensive for many, it is normal to think these are the country’s most specific universities. It is also true that it is difficult to get accepted into an Ivy League college- over 280,000 students applied to the eight Ivies in 2017, but less than 10% were accepted.
Reality 7 – It is nearly impossible to distinguish between students who are “doing it to get into college” and those who are genuinely interested in community service because the concept of community service has been so misunderstood and abused. There are numerous opportunities for community service in most high schools; for some, it’s a graduation requirement. Because so many students include information about their involvement in community service on their applications, it has lost its originality. As long as the student is willing to devote several hours to doing so in a manner that is relevant to their theme, community service may be included in the application. Volunteer work, on the other hand, should be avoided if it only serves as application material.
Emily Bass
TASA Counselor
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Welcome back from Fall Break, Bolts! Mr. Penland and I hope you all had an enjoyable and restful break and spent time in the place(s) you love the most. This month, we would like to remind families about two upcoming testing opportunities and share some important information regarding the ACT.
First, Mica Mountain High School will host the PSAT/NMSQT on Thursday, October 19th. Nearly two hundred sophomores and juniors are registered for this exam, where they will gain access to over $300 million in scholarships, qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, and provide access to personalized SAT practice. Students and parents can access the results of this exam through a student’s College Board account on November 16th. Please click here to set up an account if you have not already done so.
Second, the entire Junior class will take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test during the school day on November 21st and December 12th. Students with last names beginning with A - L will test in November, and students with last names beginning with M - Z will test in December. The ASVAB test is free and gives students feedback on their natural aptitudes. Taking this test also provides students with additional practice in working through standardized testing conditions, which helps make them calmer for other tests, such as the ACT. In addition, should a student consider enlisting in the military, their ASVAB test scores will remain active for two years from the testing date.
In the spring of 2023, as part of our Arizona state testing opportunities, all Mica Mountain Juniors will take the ACT, but we do not recommend that this be the first time students take this college entrance exam. Students can and should take the ACT multiple times. Studies have shown that students consistently improve their scores with each subsequent attempt. And with an increased score, students open up new college possibilities and increase access to scholarships and better financial aid packages. Here are a few reasons students' scores improve with repeated tests.
- Students can pinpoint areas and subjects that need more practice and prep.
- Students can familiarize themselves with the timing and types of questions.
- Students can reduce the jitters and stress of the unknown.
- Students can better utilize time-saving test-taking strategies.
Here is a list of local schools hosting the ACT, the ACT dates, and the sign-up deadlines. Please click here to register your student for one of these exams.
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MARCHING BAND, CHOIR
& STEEL DRUMS
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THANK YOU parents, students, families and friends for making our first fundraiser a huge success! We made it close to our goal, and it's all because of YOU! I'm so grateful to every one of you for the hard work, shares on social media, and support you've given our students and their performing arts programs!
Updates for the marching band, steel drums, and choir are below. We've had a terrific start to our 2023-2024 season!
Marching Band - please review carefully
October 13, 4:00pm - show practice
October 16, during class - formal photos
October 17, 7:15am - show practice
October 20, play for homecoming spirit assembly
October 20, half time show
October 21, times TBA - UA Band Day competition
October 24, 7:15am - show practice
October 27, half time show
October 27, times TBA - parents work concessions to raise funds for steel/choir/marching band
October 28, times TBA - IRHS Band Day competition
Choir - please review carefully
October 16, during class - formal photos
October 23, performance time 9:30am - ACE Choral Festival at CFHS (location change!)
Choral Classics is CANCELED (Nov 6)
November 14, 7:00pm - ADDED - Vail Governing Board Concert
Steel Drums- please review carefully
October 16, during class - formal photos
Pan Fest is CANCELED (Nov 13)
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MMHS PTO/VOLUNTEER CORNER | |
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Thank you so much to all those who have signed up for memberships and contributed to our largest fundraiser of the year. It’s not too late to join or donate, just visit our website at https://micamountainpto.com/services, or visit the PTO booth at all home football games and other school events. Your membership and/or donation does not require any volunteer commitment for you, you can choose to be as involved as you like.
Thank you for all the donations to our first staff luncheon of the year! The baked potato bar was a huge hit with staff and they were very appreciative. Our next staff luncheon will take place in December and we will send out information in early December.
PTO will have a booth at every home Varsity game where we will be selling water, popcorn, and popsicles. In addition, we will have our Thunderbolt jewelry and collapsible fans for sale as well. Stop by and say hi!
Save the date for our upcoming Craft Fair on Saturday, November 4th! Visit our website at https://micamountainpto.com/ to reserve your vendor site or make a donation. Please contact us with any questions at mmhspto@vailschooldistrict.org.
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Opportunities to Support MMHS PTO:
One EASY WAY to support our PTO is the Fry’s Community Rewards program.! The funds we receive directly benefit Mica Mountain, allowing us to help and give back to our amazing students and staff! To sign up visit the Fry’s website and use Group NPO #NF341 or search MICA MOUNTAIN PTO at https://www.frysfood.com/i/community/community-rewards. Shop at Fry’s and swipe your V.I.P Card and Fry’s sends us a check! Be sure to re-enroll each school year starting Aug. 1st!
Find us on Facebook: Mica Mountain PTO for information on how to join, meetings, news, and to check out our current Thunderbolt Jewelry Fundraiser! For questions, comments, or concerns, please email us at mmhspto@vailschooldisctrict.org.
We hope to see you at our next meeting on November 7th at 6:00 PM in the Student Union.
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Front Office - 879-3800
Attendance - 879-3803
Spirit Store - 879-3824
Registrar - 879-3812
Health Center - 879-3810
Tech. Office - 879-3807
Office Manager
Della Martinez 879-3805
SAT- Student Achievement Teacher
Gretchen Stickney 879-3809
Communications Coordinator
Juanita Mari 879-3808
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Principal
Nemer Hassey
Secretary
Chris Rich 879-3806
Assistant Principal
Brittany Matsushino 879-3819
Secretary
Amy Osmun 879-3822
Assistant Principal
Jay Campos
Athletic Director
Whitney Holland 879-3813
Secretary
Terri Smith 879-3814
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#mmhsvailaz #theboltsinvail #fearthebolt #thundercountry #boltsup #proud2babolt #mountainstrong #micamountainhighschool | |
We hope you enjoyed our MICA MOUNTAIN THUNDERBOLT NEWS!! | |
Mica Mountain High School | 520-879-3800 |10800 E. Valencia Road Tucson, Arizona 85747 | | | | |
