Arcadia High School PTO Newsletter

August 28, 2013
Override News
VOTE YES
VOTE YES ON SUSD OVERRIDE!
 
HOW COME THE OVERRIDE IS FOR 15%?
For those if us who have been around for a while, the 10% override number is a bit stuck in our heads.  That's because, until 2010, Arizona public school districts could ask for both a K-3 (5%) AND a M&O (10%) override.  In 2010, the legislature decided to do away with the designated K-3 override, and instead allow districts to ask for UP TO 15% of the M&O budget as an override.
Since SUSD has had both the M&O and K-3 overrides in place for many years, the Governing Board approved the request of the district leadership to ask for a renewal of the full 15% amount.
When the override is renewed, the district leadership has pledged to use the funds to keep and hire more teachers, continue to fund all day Kindergarten (which the State does not), restore competitive compensation for teachers, and continue fine arts education K-12 (which is mandated but not paid for by the State).
So, now you know why it's 15% and what that 15% will bring to our classroooms.  It all depends, though, on your YES vote at the ballot this November!
 
CHECK OUT THIS INFORMATIVE PRESENTATION ON THE OVERRIDE
It is also viewable on the PTO website
 
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 6-8 pm
District leadership will be visiting Arcadia High for a factual presentation and Q&A about the override.  Bring a neighbor!
 
GOT AN OVERRIDE QUESTION? Please submit it to arcadiapto@gmail.com so we can give you an answer!

 

PTO News
PTO apple
PTO WELCOME BACK GATHERING
Thursday August 29, 9:30 am in Mt. Olympus

The first PTO general meeting of the year will take place TOMORROW!
Important items on the agenda include:
* A vote on the budget. 
* Principal's Update
* Technology presentation by AHS Teacher- Librarian- Webmaster, Sharon Ewers
* A visit from Yes To Children to discuss the M&O Override
* Light refreshments will be served.*
ALL ARE WELCOME!
MISS A MEETING- MISS A LOT!
 
*Special thanks to Lanette Romero and Contessa Catering for providing the refreshments for our event. Please see the ad on the sidebar to the right.
 

ARE YOU A MEMBER?
It's never too late to join the PTO.  If you are not a member yet, join today!  Pick up a form in the front office, go online and donate through our Paypal account. Annual dues are $25, but remember that no amount is too big or too small! Thanks in advance for your generosity! 

 

Campus News
A logo
PARENT OPEN HOUSE- MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
September 9, 6-8 pm
This is Arcadia's Back to School Night. Parents will be able to walk their students' schedules, meet with teachers, and learn about their students' year ahead with announcements from STUGO, PTO and more. Don't miss this opportunity to find out more about our amazing high school!
 
AHS CHOIR TO SING AT CHASE FIELD!
This is an invitation for Arcadia students, parents and faculty to join us at the Diamondbacks-Rockies game on Saturday, Sept. 14th at 5pm.  The Arcadia choir will be singing the National Anthem and would love to have additional  support in the audience. Bobble-heads will be given out at the door.   Advanced tickets are $20 (bleacher seating) and the 
deadline is Tuesday, Sept 3rd
See a choir member or come to room 2351 during 6th hour or after school to place your order or get information.    Hope to see you at the game!!!

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS TAKING A 7TH HOUR CLASS
Effective September 3rd the 7th hour fee charge will increase to $185.00. Any payments made September 3rd or later will need to be for $185.00.  On that date any outstanding 7th hour fines will also be increased to $185.00. Payments should be made in the Arcadia Bookstore. For more information, please contact Arcadia Academic Counselor, Sonya Kim.

 

PSAT INFORMATION

ATTENTION Parents and Students:

PSAT test will be held October 19th at Arcadia High School, on the second Saturday of Fall Break, 8am to 12pm. Please be aware that the date of the test is set at the national level, and also that National Merit Scholars are chosen in part based on the scores of this test.

The fee for the test is $20.00, and must be paid in the student bookstore.  We have limited tests, so first come first served.

The deadline for AHS students to sign up for PSAT is Friday, October 4th, at 3 pm. 
We will offer seats for the test to off-campus students after our AHS students have had a chance to register. Starting Monday, October 7th at 8am, Arcadia High School will allow off campus students to have any open seats.  

 

ATTENTION JUNIORS AND SENIORS

Juniors and Seniors wishing to retake AIMS to "Exceed" the standards in Reading, Writing, and/or Math must sign-up in the front office by September 27. The tests are scheduled as follows:

  • October 22nd - AIMS Writing
  • October 23rd - AIMS Reading
  • October 24th - AIMS Mathematics

If you are a Junior or Senior who has not passed AIMS, you have been signed up automatically to retake. If you have any questions please see Mrs. McFarlin in the front office.


 

MONTHLY INSIGHTS FROM OUR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST, RICK DWYER

High school can be a rewarding time for young people. But for some students, it can also be emotionally difficult, especially in 9th grade during the transition to high school and again in 12th grade during the transition out of high school. The stresses of high school and the mental and emotional stage of adolescence can combine with risk factors for suicide, such as depression, and increase the risk of suicide for some teens. Parents and school staff can help identify students at risk of suicide and help them get treatment before a tragedy occurs.

Read the rest of Parent Info on Suicide


STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO F.A.S.T.
Free After School Tutoring started Monday, August 19!
Monday through Thursday
2:30 - 3:30 pm
Mt. Olympus (circle building)
All students are welcome. 
Tutoring is provided by Arcadia Math and Science teachers.
Tutoring is available in all subject areas.
  
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME...

Ms. Hanley will be collecting and distributing gift cards to deserving Titan families throughout the school year. If you would like to help, just drop off a gift card at the front desk. We know you receive many requests for donations, but thank you for considering this one!

 

 

District News
DID YOU KNOW...?
All documents from the SUSD Governing Board meetings are available on line. In fact, you can watch a video of each meeting in its entirety.  Can't make a meeting?  No problem!  Everything you need to know about what happens at the Governing Board meetings and how it might affect your children is just a click away.  Check it out here.

NEW GRADING POLICY: SOME HIGHLIGHTS FOR H.S. PARENTS & STUDENTS
After a year of committee work, and Governing Board approval, the SUSD has implemented a new grading policy for K-12. A full review of the policy and guidelines is available here.
Here are some of the highlights as they apply to high school:
* Semseter grades are to be determined by a running total throughout the semester and a final examination.
* Penalties for late work will be fixed as opposed to escalating.
* Students are not to be awarded extra credit in the determination of any grades.
For more information on the new grading policy, including the answers to frequently asked questions, please log onto the SUSD Backpack site.
Thanks for being informed!

PARENT UNIVERSITY OCTOBER 26
SUSD's Community Education 
2nd Annual Parent University Project 
8 a.m.-1 p.m. on October 26 
at Saguaro High School. 
Event registration information can be found at www.susdcommunityed.org/pup. We hope to see you there!

 

 

Legislative News
your vote counts
HAVE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?
Voter registration for the upcoming November election ends October 7. Don't delay; register today! Regsitration is very simple, and take only a few minutes.  Voter registration forms are always available in the front office; or you can do it on line at  https://servicearizona.com/webapp/evoter/selectLanguage

Please remember to remind your new 18 year olds that it's time for them to register too!
Every vote counts!

 

COMMON CORE & NCLB- WHY THEY MATTER
In last week's newsletter, there was information about the Common Core and what it means.  Common Core is also a critical piece of Arizona's recent granting of a waiver from No Child Left Behind, the federal law reauthorized in 2001 requiring certain levels of accountability from all public schools in the nation. What does that mean?  By adopting the Common Core and implementing teacher and principal evaluations as a matter of law, Arizona has successfully petitioned the US Government for a waiver from abiding by some of the most onerous provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). For a summary of the NCLB legislation, please see this article by Education Weekly. For more information on this approved flexibility request, please visit the Arizona Department of Education website.  And to see which states in the Union have also petiioned and have been approved, please see this map. 
 
Community News
 
TODAY!
SCOTTSDALE PARENT COUNCIL AUGUST MEETING:
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28, 9:30 AM, ED. CENTER
Scottsdale Parent Council is a congress of parent representatives from all the schools in SUSD. The mission of SPC is parent education and awareness of issues relating to our schools, our district and public education in the State of Arizona.  All general meetings are open to the public.
NEXT MONTH: Join us Wednesday September 25 at the Mohave Annex at 9:30 for presentations on education funding, and the SUSD override.

 
FOR ARCADIA JUNIORS AND SENIORS:
TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS- MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

TOMORROW!
COLLEGES THAT CHANGE LIVES EVENT 
On Thursday, August 29, Colleges That Change Lives will be at the Doubletree in Scottsdale at 7 pm.  This organization helps bring representatives from unique colleges to various cities around the country. According to its website, "Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. (CTCL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. We support the goal of each student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college."
This event is listed on the Arcadai H.S. website, by the College and Career center, as something of interest to our Arcadia students. Among the colleges that will be represented at the meeting ar Reed College, Whitman College, University of Pugent Sound and many more. For a complete list of the member colleges and more information, log onto www.CTCL.org

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16
REGIONAL COLLEGE FAIR
Scottsdale Community College, Turquoise Room
6-8 pm

This annual event is specifically for the Scottsdale Unified and Tempe Unified school districts and is part of the official Fall Visitation Tour offered by the AzSCA - Arizona High School/College Relations Committee.  

Participating students will have the opportunity to meet with college representatives to learn about admissions requirements, financial aid and scholarships, degree programs, campus activities, and much more! Approximately 20 colleges and universities will be participating.

Interested students are encouraged to pre-register for this fair online at www.gotocollegefairs.com

Please see this flyer for more details.   

 
 
 

 
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