Cat Chat Newsletter
December 2020

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.

Please click "View Entire Message" at the bottom of the email to see the full newsletter.
ARTIST: VANESSA QUINTANA
Dear Cienega Families,
 
We are now in the home stretch of our 1st semester. December is the month of finishing strong. Please take the time to go into PowerSchool and check your Cat’s grades. High school grades are final at the end of each semester, and it is imperative that we push hard to finish strong academically. Please do not hesitate to contact your Cat’s teachers if you need information about grades, attendance or assignments on PowerSchool.
 
December is also a great time to contribute your yearly tax credit. Tax Credit Contributions are a 100% dollar-for-dollar credit. For those that pay Arizona state taxes, for every dollar that is contributed, 100% will be returned back in their state tax return. People that are single can contribute up to $200 per year, and married couples can contribute up to $400 per year. 
 
Many of our extra-curricular programs at Cienega depend on tax credits to function each year. Tax credit contributions can be given to any club, sport, fine arts program, activity, or the greatest need of the site. 

I would like to personally thank you in advance for contributing your tax credits to any of our programs. Below is our website for tax credit contributions. This website is a super simple way to contribute your tax credits to Cienega High School.
 
 
I wish you and your family a very Happy Holiday season and look forward to continuing to serve you in the new year.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Kim Middleton
Principal
ARTIST: VIC NOYES
Congratulations Alexander!
NJROTC Cadet Alexander Ciampa has received an Appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He is also the first in Arizona to get an Appointment to West Point this academic year. Cadet Ciampa currently serves as the NJROTC Cadet Commanding Officer. 
ARTIST: SCOTT CARPENTER
Counselors are working like busy elves to prepare for the upcoming semester. 

We will be starting pre-registration for classes at the end of January. Counselors will be coming around to freshman, sophomore, and junior classes to help them make the best choices for classes in the 21-22 school year. As our underclassmen are working toward the next year in their high school career, our seniors should be continuing to complete scholarship and college applications. Seniors should also be making appointments with their counselors to make sure they don’t need any last-minute classes to reach their graduation requirements!

So, as you spend the holidaze ☃️ with your loved ones, I’m including a few links for you to peruse and discuss options with your children for their future. Also, please find the links to information on our kids and how they are feeling during these times of learning to learn all over again. There is quite a bit of really great information on helping our kids cope.

Cienega College and Scholarship HUB Page: https://vail.schoology.com/group/2642839167  
Access Code: RX8B-ZQJW-88Q95




You can also follow our Bobcat College Knowing and Going Instagram page @bobcatsareckg


Here is a link to our current course description book to help you help your child start thinking about what classes they want to pre-register for in January. Course Description Book

Upcoming Events…

U.S. Army Virtual Visit
Interested in a future in the military? Want to find out more about our United States Army? Join Sergeant Tatro for drop-in hours on Friday, December 11th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm using the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83632034595?pwd=dTlSZjBYeGEvNVFlR2tLNC9yTHJmdz09 Passcode: goarmy

Another Opportunity for ASVAB this January
Interested in taking the ASVAB this January? Cienega has scheduled a tentative ASVAB Date for Wednesday, January 27th. Please email your counselor if you are interested in signing up. 
College & Career Week
Cienega High School will be hosting a College and Career week from January 11-14. During this week, colleges, businesses and military personnel will be available in a series of Zoom Sessions. Please keep a lookout for future emails and invitations. 



Happy Holidays from the Cienega Counseling HUB!!!!

Mrs. Alvarado, Counselor

Ms. Mitzel, Counselor

Mr. Boxley, Counselor

Mrs. Roberts, Counselor

Ms. Erickson, Counselor

Mrs. Morrett, Counselor

Mrs. Lewandowski, Counselor
Appointment                                 

Miss Vasquez, College Advisor
STEM Club
The Astronomy STEM Club found out this week that they are CHAMPIONS! The ROADS on MARS Challenge had students study landscape morphology, detecting combustible gasses on the surface of “Mars”, examining soils for signs of macro-invertebrates, flying drones to drop off payloads and take photos, engineering, building, and programming robots to carry out these objectives.

On October 7th they were told that they were the top team in the state, and last week they were crowned as a top team NATIONALLY!

Please congratulate Katie C., Emerson M., Isabella L., Andrew K., and Hanna H. for their accomplishments after 14 months of toil and struggle!
ARTIST: SAVANNA PRENTICE
ACT Prep
Register now for the ACT Prep courses here at Cienega. All Juniors will take an ACT test this Spring at no cost. However, if students would like an additional opportunity to test, there are several locations for ACT testing in Tucson.
For only $40, your child can attend three prep courses. Students can make their payment and pick up materials in the bookstore. Please email Mrs. Greene at greenem@vailschooldistrict.org to reserve a spot!
Testing Schedule:

The 2nd quarter is quickly coming to an end, which means the students will be completing their final assessments to finish the semester. Finals need to be taken during their scheduled time, so please schedule appointments around the test dates. Grades will be finalized on Friday 12/18. Any student who does not complete their finals will be given a zero. 

Benchmarks:
All 9th & 11th Grade Students:
Friday 12/11 Reading Benchmark (asynchronously) 

Finals Schedule:
Please note: Monday & Tuesday, 12/14 & 12/15 are Normal School Days 

Finals will be administered Asynchronously
ARTIST: MELIA GEMROSE
Our NJROTC Drill Team and Color Guard participated in the Hamilton High School Air Force JROTC Field Meet on Saturday, 14 Nov 2020, Chandler, AZ. Our program was the only Navy JROTC present. Seven JROTC programs from across Arizona were evaluated. Arizona State University Air Force ROTC personnel awarded high marks to our teams and our cadets were outstanding Vail representatives. 
Yearbooks are currently $90!
Get them while they are on sale on Jostens.com
Senior Ads for the 2021 Cienega Yearbook are live!

New lower prices for this unprecedented year:
Full Page Ad: $75
1/2 Page Ad: $40
1/4 Page Ad: $25

Completely designed by you on Jostens.com!

The deadline is January 31st! With only a few full pages available, they will sell out fast! Act fast and recognize your senior for their many high school accomplishments!
Hello Bobcat Nation,

The 2020-21 Cienega yearbook is in production and we want to give everyone the opportunity to be featured! Below is a link to a google form that you can fill out and submit a photo of yourself for a chance to be featured. If you do not participate in a sport/club or are one of our “brick to click” bobcats this is one of your best chances to be featured in the 2020-21 Cienega Yearbook. 
Also, follow us on Instagram @Cienega.Yearbook for more opportunities to get featured 
The Coffee Cat is open daily from 8:30-3:45. Stop by and get a $2 cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows!
NJROTC
NJROTC Cadets participated in the Rio Rico High School JROTC Raider Physical Fitness Challenge on Saturday, 7 Nov 2020. Various JROTC programs from Southern Arizona competed in the field meet.
ARTIST: SAMANTHA FISHER
Attention Students:

If you or someone you know is living on their own, please reach out to your counselor. There may be resources available to you from the Youth OTheir Own (YOTO) agency. 

Youth On Their Own – a dropout prevention agency – strives to eliminate these barriers to education and empower Arizona’s homeless youth to stay in school. For over 30 years, we have supported the high school graduation of this unique demographic by providing financial assistance, basic human needs, and one-on-one guidance. With the help of our supporters nationwide, we have empowered over 16,000 homeless youth to remain in school and pursue opportunities for self-sufficiency.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns!
Artwork courtesy of Ms. Latona's Art students
Front Office 879.2802
Attendance 879.2803
Office Manager 879.2805
Bookstore 879.2824
Registrar 879.2812
Health Office 879.2810
Communications 879.2815
District Office 879.2000