Dear Parents/Guardians,

Greetings and welcome to school year 2012-13! 

In case you have not yet heard the wonderful news, Sabino was (for the second year) designated by the Arizona State Department of Education an "A" school.  You may recall that ADE has moved away from its past rating system (where we were Excelling for many years) to the new letter grade designations.  I am proud to say that we have the distinction of being one of only two TUSD high schools with an "A" rating.  Thank you for sending us students who have a focus on high academic achievement; without our students' fine test scores and the quality instruction delivered daily by Sabino teachers, we would not enjoy this acclaim.

By the time this issue of the Sabercat Pride reaches you, we will have hosted several of our annual events here at Sabino:  New Student Orientation (July 31); Student Council's "Welcome Back" assembly (Aug. 10); Cats Win (Aug. 16); Freshman Orientation on Students Rights & Responsibilities (Aug. 17); and Open House (Aug. 22).  I hope that you were able to attend many of the aforementioned and that I will see you at Parent/Teacher Conferences on September 19.

Because the South Korean government was so impressed with the exchange experience that their students had with Sabino (and two TUSD middle schools) last January, our Superintendent and we three Principals were guests of the South Korean government this summer.  We had the opportunity to visit the sending Korean schools and out of that, our relationship with the TKAP (Tucson Korea Ambassador Program) was strengthened.  We anticipate that our Korean partners will once again be sending students/ambassadors for another month-long stay in January.  With that said, please know that we will need host families for our Korean students.  As I get more information on this year's exchange, I will share it with you in hopes that we can make this year's exchange an even better experience.

As fall approaches, it is not too early to begin thinking about your Tax Credit donations.  For the fourteen years that I have been a part of the Sabercat family, our students have benefitted greatly through your generous donations.  Thank you in advance for your continued support.

K. Halvorson (A-K)

M. Semko (L-Z)

J. Allen (CTE/Career)

Sabino Counseling Office Phone Number: 584-7743

SENIOR NEWS:

On Monday, September 10th, seniors will have an opportunity to hear presentations from 4-year and 2-year colleges at the Fall College Visitation on Sabino's campus.  Afterwards, counselors will make a presentation to seniors about graduation and becoming prepared for 

life after Sabino.  Seniors will be encouraged to print their Senior Handbook from the Language Arts Department website.  The website address is http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/Sabino/LanguageArts.html. 

This handbook provides helpful information about planning for the

future. Please ask your senior to share their Senior Handbook with

you. 

Seniors who have not taken an SAT or ACT test and are going

to a four year college need to take one as soon as possible.

Major colleges will not admit students without the appropriate test scores.  Many base academic scholarships are awarded based on 

these scores.

Student athletes who intend to participate in athletics at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) school need to register at http://www.eligibilitycenter.org .  Students who intend to participate

in athletics at a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

(NAIA) school need to register at http://www.playnaia.org .

JUNIOR NEWS:

Counselors will make a presentation to juniors in September.  

Students will be asked to print their Junior Handbook from the Language Arts Department website.  The website address is http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/Sabino/LanguageArts.html .  The 

handbook provides helpful information about planning for the future

and includes many resources to help students as they think ahead to college and career.  Please ask your junior to share the Junior Handbook with you. 

This year's PSAT (the national qualifying test for National 

Merit Scholarships) is being administered to all sophomores 

and juniors on Wednesday, October 17th during school.  The PSAT is good practice for the SAT and if students perform well as juniors, they can qualify for competition for a National Merit Scholarship.  The PSAT is free at Sabino this year and is only offered once a year.  After taking the PSAT, the College Board can help prepare your student for taking the SAT by using their PSAT results.

Juniors who are college bound are also encouraged to take the SAT and/or ACT by the end of this school year, so their scores are available to send in with their applications during the summer.  

There are several private companies in Tucson that offer more preparatory classes.  A list of these prep class options is available in the Counseling Office or can be found online at http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/Sabino/counseling/PSATSATACTAP.html.  Free SAT practice tests can be located at www.collegeboard.com 

and on the counseling department website.

ZAPS will be offering a PSAT/SAT Seminar for test preparation at Sabino on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, September 10th and 11th, 2012, from 2:45 PM to 5:15 PM.  Cost is $89.  Students may register at www.zaps.com or call 1-877-927-8378.

SAT

     2012-2013 TESTING SCHEDULE                                                                                                           (Late Fee Charge)

Test Date            Registration Deadline      Late Registration Deadline

ACT

2012-2013 TESTING SCHEDULE                                                                                                    (Late Fee Charge)

Test Date            Registration Deadline     Late Registration Deadline

For online registration -- ACT:  http://www.actstudent.org   SAT:  www.collegeboard.com

The Sabino code for both tests is 030503.

THE ASVAB CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAM is a career planning and exploration program that combines a multiple-aptitude 

test with an interest self-assessment and a wide range of career exploration tools. And it's FREE!  This is optional for any sophomores, juniors, or seniors.  The ASVAB will be offered on Thursday, September 20th.  The test will be available again in February.  In addition to being a fabulous career assessment, the ASVAB is also a good pre-test for the ACT and SAT and is required for all students entering the military. 

SOPHOMORE AND FRESHMAN NEWS

Counselors will be visiting with all freshmen to talk about planning a successful high school experience in September.  Students will be 

able to print their handbook from the Language Arts Department website, which is http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/Sabino/LanguageArts.html.   Parents will

be interested in the information, too.  Please ask your student to share their Freshman or Sophomore Handbook with you.

SCHEDULED COLLEGE VISITS (as of 8/6/12)

Sept.14th

11am  - Washington University in St. Louis (MO)

Oct. 9th

Grand Canyon University Trip - sign up with Mrs. Allen in the 

counseling office

Oct. 17th

1pm - Whittier College (CA)

Students, regardless of grade, may meet with representatives from 

these schools by signing up in the Counseling Office.  They will 

receive a pass the period before the visit to confirm the location of 

the meeting.

We add new visits regularly.  Please check the Parental Access 

Bulletin Board or Sabino counseling website for updated college representative visit information. 

TUCSON COLLEGE NIGHT
Tucson College Night will be held on Tuesday, October 16th, 2012, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona.   There is no cost for parking or attendance. 

This event is sponsored by the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). Over 200 college representatives from across the United States will be present to talk to students and parents, answer questions and hand out materials.   This is open to all students.  For more information, including an updated list of colleges that will attend, visit http://www.tusd1.org/contents/depart/counseling/college.asp

UPDATED COUNSELING INFORMATION

The Sabino Counseling Page (http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/Sabino/counseling/) has important information including tutor lists, scholarship information, college visit information, and much more.  This is updated on a regular basis.  Visit us! 

PARENTAL ACCESS, NEW AND IMPROVED...

Did you know that you can see your child's grades, attendance, test scores and more on the internet?  All you need is a TUSDStats Parental Account!  Parents can set up their student's account by following the instructions on the Parental Access Information Sheet.  Parents who have not established their parental access account at other TUSD schools, may call the Counseling Office at 584-7743 to obtain a copy of the Information Sheet. 

Also, remember to check the Parental Access Bulletin Board for important information regarding testing, scholarships, college representative visits, and more information from teachers, administration, and the counseling office!

AIMS

AIMS tests will be given this fall on the following dates for juniors and seniors:

Tuesday, October 23rd       Writing

Wednesday, October 24th   Reading

Thursday, October 25th       Math

Hello Sabercat Families,

I hope everyone had a great summer and I hope your school year is off to a good start.  Your PTSA has been busy this summer helping at registration, answering questions at New Student Orientation and Open House and also provided a Welcome Back Breakfast for our teachers.  A special thanks to all our volunteers who helped with these events.

In addition to our Non-Event Fundraiser which is a grant programs to fund teacher requests, we are signing up families for the Safeway E-Script fundraiser.  Register your Safeway Club Card on-line at www.escrip.com.  Link your card to Sabino High School, group # 6629879.  Sabino will receive up to 2% of what you spend.  This fundraiser alone earned our school over $11,000 last year.  Your Safeway Club Card must be register each school year.  We are also set up with Fry's Cool Cash.  Pick up your Fry's Cool Cash barcode and link it to your Fry's VIP card once during the school year.  Just hand the barcode to the cashier the next time you go to Fry's.  You will help Sabino earn some "cool cash". 

Our next PTSA meeting is Tuesday, August 28th at 12:30 pm in the Administration Building basement.  Everyone is welcome.  If you not able to attend or participate this year, consider joining our PTSA.  Our membership is open to everyone - parents, teachers, students, grandparents, business, and extending family and neighbors.  Joining does not obligate you to attend meetings or volunteer.  Your membership is showing support for your child and Sabino High School.  There are three types of memberships - $10 for individuals, $20 for Family (3 members) and $25 for a Business members (provide 2 business cards).

Thank you for your support.  I know this school year will be another successful year for Sabino.  I am looking forward to seeing you at our PTSA meeting.

Go Sabercat!

Mary Palacio-Hum

PTSA President