SAGUARO HAPPENINGS

 
August 25,  2013
Saguaro Office

Capable Appropriate Trustworthy Supportive

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: 

IMPORTANT DATES 

AUGUST 27th
Baseball Information Meeting
6:30 pm, Community Room
(see below for details)

AUGUST 30th
 Varsity Football Season Opener at Chaparral
7:00 pm

SEPTEMBER 2nd:
Labor Day:  NO SCHOOL

SEPTEMBER 4th:

Underclass Picture Day
(Make-Up Day:  October 10th)
Seniors:  See Below for Picture Deadline and Info

SEPTEMBER 16th
REGIONAL COLLEGE FAIR FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS
6:00-8:00 pm, Scottsdale Community College
(see below for details)
 

Sabercat
 
EVENTS & INFORMATION:
 
 
SUPPORT SAGUARO WITH YOUR FRY'S VIP CARD
This year, our Fry's shopping program is being implemented differently:  In order for our PTO to earn this free money, you must enroll online.  Please go to www.FrysCommunityRewards.com to enroll today!  Saguaro PTO's code is 80628. Click here for detailed instructions.
 
SAGUARO BASEBALL INFORMATION MEETING
August 27, 6:30 pm, Saguaro Community Room
Saguaro baseball families, you are invited to attend an information meeting on Tuesday evening.  The agenda will include the following:
- Fall baseball information
- Diamond Club information
- Coaching update
Questions?  You may contact Dave Fortney at slimshady24@msn.com or Jeff Lace at jwtc_lace@cox.net.
 
 
EXCHANGE STUDENT FAMILIES URGENTLY NEEDED
$500 Referral Fee is Being Offered!
The STS Foundation is a Scottsdale-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to intercultural student exchange.  They have very little time left to make the dream of becoming an exchange student possible for a few remaining students.  We really need your help in getting the word out to anyone you know who might be willing to help a student - and for this week it is so serious that STS is giving a $500 referral fee to any family that refers a family that actually hosts a student.

A host family can be families with kids, or no kids, or small kids, even single parents!  They provide a bed and share their meals ensuring that the exchange students get to their activities while being a welcome member of their family.  The student then pays for all their toiletries, school-related fees, spending money for going to a movie or concert, and possibly even to go on a trip with you.  They have full medical insurance and speak English.  They are eager to share their culture and to experience your family.   If you are interested, please visit http://www.stsfoundation.org/, and call the local coordinator, Leslie, as soon as you can at 480/946-2655 or 480/593-0120.

Here are descriptions of some of the students we hope you will consider:

Italy: 
Beatrice, a 16 year old who loves horses and dogs.  She attends a school that provides a classical education  that includes Latin, Greek and philosophy and Italian classic literature.  She considers herself friendly, polite and funny.
Yemen: 
Ali, 16 yr old boy, from small village that still milk their own cows, likes soccer, basketball, tennis, table tennis, camping, hiking, bicycling, classical music, and plans to become a petroleum engineer.
Mali (Africa): 
Youssouf, a 16 yr old boy, wants to be a computer scientist, interest in economics and banking too, very conversational, likes swimming, movies, drawing, reading, travel, martial arts, dictation/recitation, primary language is French, and is an honor roll student.
Indonesia:  Yongki, a 16 yr old boy, loves math and biology starting an herbarium to observe plants, in Science Club studies alternative energy, is in debate club, a member of PMR Red Cross helping those in critical condition, sings in choir/dance club, loves pets, writing, sports, opera/museums, art competitions.
Germany:  Annika, a 16 yr old girl, plays the transverse flute, dances, plays table tennis, volleyball and has done gymnastics for 8 years. She has studied English 8 years, Latin 5 years, and Spanish 3 years.  She is able to live with pets.
China:  Zhaosen, a 15 year old boy, is 5th in the nation for playing the Chromatic Harmonica having studied under a master, and also enjoys swimming, cooking, drama, making friends and reading. Interested student of philosophy.
Ecuador:  Martin, a 17 year old boy, loves to play soccer, basketball and do mountain biking and  motorcycling as well as has done Olympic shooting.  He has studied English 4 years. He values family time and being healthy.
China:  Meichen, a 16 year old girl, who dances traditional Chinese dance, as well as ancient painting, she enjoys cooking delicious food,  as well as writing and reading.
 
 
PTO COMMITTEE CHAIRS STILL NEEDED!
In order to serve our Saguaro community, we rely on our wonderful volunteer Committee Chairs.  We are still looking for parents to fill the following Committee Chair positions:   Hospitality, Copy Room, and AIMS Breakfast.  If you are interested in volunteering your time and talent, please contact Mary Shangraw at mary@shangraw.com.
 
SCOTTSDALE PARENT COUNCIL
August 28, 9:30 am, SUSD Ed Center
Scottsdale Parent Council invites you to the first meeting of the year.

AGENDA:
 
Welcome 9:30 am
~ Cindy Bitcon, SPC President
 
Parent University 9:30- 9:40 am
~ Dr. Chris Thuman, Executive Director of Community Education and Online Learning
 ~ Kathy Burwell, Executive Admin Assistant, Community Ed
 
Monthly Topic:  Arizona Youth Survey Results 9:40 - 10:45 am
~ Dr.Milissa Sackos, Executive Director of Student Services and CTE
                  
 SUSD Foundation 10:45- 11:00 am
~ Dr. Milissa Sackos, SUSD Foundation Board Member
 
Q & A with Dr. Peterson 11:00- 11:30 am
 
Adjourn 11:30 am
 
SOLE SPORTS RUNNING ZONE CROSS COUNTRY FESTIVAL
September 2
Silverado Golf Course, Scottsdale
This event is a fundraiser for the Saguaro Cross Country Team.  A High School Invitational, it also includes a citizens race, which is open to everyone.  Come out and support our Cross Country team by running, watching, or both! 
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
 
ATTENTION, JUNIORS AND SENIORS:
Regional College Fair
Hosted by Arizona School Counselors Association
September 16, 6:00-8:00 pm
Scottsdale Community College
Saguaro juniors & seniors and their parents are invited to attend a Regional College Fair at Scottsdale Community College, Student Center, Turquoise Room, 9000 E. Chaparral Road.  This is a great opportunity to meet college representatives and learn more about college entrance requirements, financial aid & scholarships, degree programs, and special activities.

JUNIORS AND SENIORS:
Pre-Register for ALL College Fairs!

 
 
SENIOR PORTRAITS INFORMATION
Take photos by October 21st
Seniors must have their senior portraits done by October 21st.  Please contact Cameo at 480-483-6700.

SENIOR ADS
Submit by October 25th
(Discount if submitted by September 27th)

The Saguaro High School yearbook staff is preparing for the 2014 yearbook.  If you would like to purchase a senior ad for your son or daughter, you can do so now.  This is a chance to congratulate your senior on the special occasion of his or her graduation.

If you are not familiar with this tradition of highlighting your student's life, you need only look as far as any recent Saguaro yearbook.  If you do not have a copy of the Saguaro yearbook available, you can view one in the front office or in the school library on campus.

If you are interested in purchasing space in the 2013 Saguaro Sentinel yearbook, please complete the second page of the attached Senior Ad document and return it to Mr. Matt Bohnert as soon as possible. Payment, pictures and message for all ads are due Friday October 25, 2012.  Please adhere to the due date, as we need to plan how many pages are needed for the yearbook.

Discount: If payment for the senior ad is received prior September 27th (no exceptions), you can save approximately 11%. Please see the breakdown on the second page.

Please read the information thoroughly. It outlines detailed information with respect to pricing, sizes, submission requirements and more. Last year, space sold out very quickly; so, please plan accordingly and submit your senior ad as soon as feasible.

***Yearbook reserves the right to adjust the ad as needed to fit the theme of the book. ***

 

 
GRADING PRACTICES INFORMATIONAL MEETING
October 10, 5:00-5:45 pm
Saguaro High School
Followed by Dr. David Peterson's Evening Office Hours

In our quest to deliver a world-class education, Scottsdale Unified School District will implement grading practices designed to promote the highest level of academic achievement and personal growth for our students beginning in the 2013-14 school year. Click here for an overview. Mark your calendars, and please attend this informational meeting to learn more.
 
PARENT UNIVERSITY
October 26, 8:00 am-1:00 pm, Saguaro High School
SUSD's Community Education department will host its 2nd Annual Parent University Project from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on October 26 at Saguaro High School. The Parent University Project provides parents with research-based knowledge, skills and resources to support their children's education and increase student achievement. The event is free to attend, and enrichment courses will be provided to students age 3 - 14 at no cost. In addition, vendors will be present to share information on their programs and SUSD food services will offer a free product comparison that will include food sampling and voting.   Event registration information can be found at www.susdcommunityed.org/pup. We hope to see you there!

 
2013-2014 HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING GUIDE

 

 

COLLEGE PLANNING INFORMATION:

 

 
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
COLLEGE PLANNER

Saguaro parents and students, welcome to our monthly College Planner section, which summarizes what you should be doing each month in every grade level in order to be on target as you plan for college.

Grade 9
Take as many challenging classes, honors and accelerated, as you are able to handle.  Get involved in extracurricular activities, and remember that most of your classes this year are core classes, so your grades count.   

Grade 10
Take a practice PSAT and sign up for the October PSAT.  This will help you prepare for taking the "real" test your junior year.  Attend EVIT presentations to see if this fits your academic plan.  Look for leadership opportunities.
 
Grade 11
Register to take the October PSAT in the Saguaro book store.  Don't miss this opportunity to take the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.  Saguaro's CEEB code is 030404; you will need this code if you test at another school.  Attend college fairs and learn your options.

Grade 12
Review your transcript with counselors and make corrections if needed.  Attend college visits in the College and Career Center at Saguaro (these are posted on Naviance; you must sign up on Naviance).  Make sure your prospective college list is complete on Naviance and that your email address is correct.  Military Academy applicants, continue with nomination process now that you have your class rank.  Ask teachers and counselors for letters of recommendation early!


FOR COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR COLLEGE, INCLUDING MONTHLY PLANNERS FOR EACH GRADE LEVEL AND FINANCIAL PLANNING INFORMATION, CLICK HERE.
 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT COLLEGE TESTING   
The SAT and ACT are broad based comprehensive tests used to evaluate college bound students. Today, each of these tests is equally accepted although some colleges require ACT testers to submit the optional essay and others do not.

In addition to the SAT and ACT, the College Board administers the SAT Subject Tests. These tests are subject specific (math, physics, chemistry etc.) and are offered on most SAT testing dates. Subject tests give you an opportunity to showcase your strengths in competitive admissions and may be used for course placement by some colleges. You cannot take the SAT and the SAT Subject Test on the same date. You may take up to 3 subject tests on the same testing date; each subject test is one hour in length.

You should take subject tests as close as possible to the completion of the subject matter covered while the material is fresh in your mind.  

For details on the SAT Subject tests, click here. 

Look at the colleges you plan to apply to for specific testing requirements, some schools only require one of the general tests (SAT or ACT), others would like both SAT and ACT and may encourage serious applicants to submit subject tests. A strong test score is always a positive!

To sign up for the SAT or SAT Subject tests go to www.collegeboard.com.

To sign up for the ACT go to www.actstudent.org.

When you sign up for testing you will be offered various testing locations, sign up early to give yourself the most convenient options in test location.

We will notify you through Saguaro Happenings as we get closer to registration and testing dates. 

 
SAT and ACT Testing Information

For SAT information, visit www.collegeboard.com.

For ACT information, visit www.ACTstudent.org.

 

NAVIANCE COLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING RESOURCE
 
Naviance is a college and career planning resource that is available to students in SUSD beginning in the 6th grade. This year, Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) began implementing Naviance at the Middle Level. It has been used in the high schools for the past three years. 
 
This program is a great tool that will help students plan their educational path including their Educational Career and Action Plan (ECAP). Starting in 6th grade, students can complete inventories that will help define their strengths and interests. Within Naviance, your student will begin to participate in activities such as Goal Setting, Career Exploration, Course Planning, and High School Readiness. The following is a brief list of resources and activities used at each of the high school grade levels and how you as a parent can reinforce and build on these activities at home. 
 
Freshman Program 
*       Create and enter a 4 year plan of study. 
*       Complete Personality Type Inventory. 
Parent Tips for Freshman: 
Discuss the 4 year plan of study your child is developing through Naviance and help your child break down goals into actionable, manageable chunks. Discuss the results of the personality type inventory and how it relates to your child's 4 year plan of study. If the results of the inventory don't correspond to the plan you may want to consider adjusting it accordingly. 
 
Sophomore Program: 
*       Complete Career Interest Profiler 
*       Save five careers to your favorites 
 
Junior Program: 
*       Complete College Search 
*       Choose 5 colleges "you are interested in" 
*       Complete Game Plan Survey 
*       Complete Resume (Junior or Senior year) 
 
 
Senior Programs (Students will choose one program): 
*       University Bound 
*       Community College/Technical School 
*       Military 
*       Workforce 
 
Example: University Bound: 
*       Move colleges from "I'm interested in" to "Colleges I'm applying to" 
*       Complete Scholarship Search (apply for at least one scholarship) 
*       Request transcripts 
*      Update resume if needed 
*       Complete FAFSA application in January/February 
*       Complete Senior Survey 
 
Parent Tip for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors: 
You should meet with your student's counselor (the sooner the better) and work with them to reinforce the goals and action steps your child is developing through Naviance.  
 
 
HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
Parchment is the secure and easy way to manage your transcript credentials online.  To order your transcripts, visit http://www.parchment.com/
 

SAGUARO ATHLETICS:

 
SAGUARO TOUCHDOWN CLUB
GOLF OPEN
September 15, Gainey Ranch Golf Club


SAGUARO TOUCHDOWN CLUB:
2011 Division III State Champions  

www.sabercatfootball.com  

Season Opener Game at Chaparral

August 30, 7:00 pm

 


SAGUARO BASEBALL DIAMOND CLUB BOOSTERS:

Back-to-Back State Champions:  2010 & 2011  

SAGUARO BASEBALL WEBSITE

DIAMOND CLUB WEB PAGE     

Baseball Information Meeting

August 27th, 6:30 pm, Community Room 

Diamond Club Meeting

September 10th, 6:30 pm, Library

 

 

SAGUARO SOFTBALL:

SAGUARO SABERCAT SOFTBALL WEBSITE  

 

 

"ABOVE THE RIM" BASKETBALL BOOSTERS:

SAGUARO BASKETBALL WEBSITE

 

 

SAGUARO SABERCATS GIRLS BASKETBALL: 

SAGUARO GIRLS BASKETBALL WEBSITE  

 

 

SAGUARO CROSS COUNTRY:

http://www.saguaroxc.com/

 

  

SAGUARO VOLLEYBALL BOOSTERS:

SAGUARO LACROSS CLUB:   

SAGUARO LACROSS CLUB WEBSITE

 

  

ATHLETIC PACKET: 

Saguaro students wishing to participate in athletics must complete the Saguaro High School Athletic Packet and return it to Saguaro prior to tryouts.  This packet includes consent forms and athletic physical form.  Please note that you must include a copy of the student's birth certificate and proof of health insurance coverage.  
CLICK HERE FOR ATHLETIC PACKET

 

 

SAGUARO CLUBS AND GROUPS:

 

FRIENDS OF SAGUARO ORCHESTRA  

FOSO Website

   

ORCHESTRA POTLUCK 

August 27th, 6:00-8:00 pm, Cafeteria 

 

 

 

If your Saguaro club or group would like to list an event in an upcoming Saguaro Happenings, please send the information to Laura Jones at happenings@saberlinks.org.
 
SABERLINKS PTO:
 
2013-2014 SABERLINKS PTO OFFICERS:
The following is the 2013-14 slate of PTO Officers:
President:  Matt Bitter
Co-Vice Presidents:  Mary Shangraw & Lisa Greguska
Secretary:  Mimosa Bitter
Treasurer:  Cheryl White
If anyone is interested in being a part of the PTO for the 2013-14 school year, please contact Matt Bitter at matthewbitter@gmail.com.
 
FRY'S SHOPPERS:  SUPPORT SAGUARO BY RE-LINKING (OR LINKING) YOUR FRY'S VIP CARD
 

JOIN SABERLINKS PTO

We welcome your membership - we appreciate the strong parent involvement in our Saguaro community. 

 

There are two ways to join:

1) Complete the membership form and mail to the school:   

PARENT PTO Membership Form 

STAFF PTO Membership Form 

 2) Join online:   

ONLINE PTO Membership Form

  

 
 

SUSD AND COMMUNITY NEWS: 

 

SUSD  

For District announcements, click here: SUSD ANNOUNCEMENTS 

CHECK OUT THE ALL-NEW DIGITAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL BACKPACK!

 
"ASK SUSD" FACEBOOK PAGE
Scottsdale Unified School District has launched the new "Ask SUSD" Facebook page and invites you to "like" the page. On this page, you will find up-to-the minute information and facts about what's going on throughout the District. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about important SUSD topics.  Click below to link to SUSD's Facebook page or follow SUSD on Twitter.
Like us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter

 
SUSD eLEARNING
Are you interested in taking classes online? Are you self-motivated? Do you want to get ahead?  eLearning online classes can be taken as part of your regular class schedule at school during the day, or as an extra class after school.  Ask your counselor if taking an eLearning class is right for you.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION 
 

SCOTTSDALE PARENT COUNCIL   

2013-14 General Meeting Schedule   
Aug 28, 2013 - Ed Center
Sep 25, 2013 - ANLC (MS Side)
Oct 23, 2013 - Cocopah MS
Nov 27, 2013 - Mohave MS
Dec 11, 2013 - Supai MS
Jan 22, 2014 - Ingleside MS
Feb 26, 2014 - Ed Center
Mar 26, 2014 - Ed Center
Apr 23, 2014 - Ed Center
May 14, 2014 - Ed Center
 
SCHOOL INFORMATION:
 
6250 N. 82nd St
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Office: 480-484-7100
 
 
 OFFICE HOURS:
 7:00-3:30 
  
QUICK LINKS:
 




 

SAGUARO PTO MEMBERSHIP FORM FOR PARENTS


 

ONLINE PTO MEMBERSHIP & PROJECT GRADUATION CONTRIBUTIONS

 

PROJECT GRADUATION WEB PAGE

 

 
 
 
Go Sabercats!

SAGUARO SABERLINKS

The Parent-Teacher Organization of Saguaro High School

Visit our website:  Saguaro SaberLinks PTO