SAGUARO HAPPENINGS

 
January 12, 2014
Saguaro Office
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This newsletter is provided as a service by 
Saguaro SaberLinks

   

Capable Appropriate Trustworthy Supportive

   
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: 

 

   
IMPORTANT DATES 
JANUARY 16-31
(Due dates depend upon the student's grade - see below)
2014-2015 Registration
(See below for details on what dates your student will be receiving registration materials and when those materials are due.)

JANUARY 20
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday:  NO SCHOOL
 
ATHLETICS SCHEDULES 

BOYS BASKETBALL
January 15, 4:00 pm, HOME vs. Goldwater
January 17: 4:00 pm, at Campo Verde
     
GIRLS BASKETBALL
January 14:  5:30 pm, HOME vs. Prescott
January 15:  4:00 pm, at Goldwater
January 17:  4:00 pm, HOME vs. Central

BOYS SOCCER 
January 14:  4:00, HOME vs. Higley
January 16:  4:00, at Marcos de Niza
January 17:  4:00, HOME vs. Coronado

GIRLS SOCCER 
January 14:  4:00, at Coronado
January 16:  6:00, HOME vs. Horizon Honors

WRESTLING
January 15:  4:00 at Seton Catholic

SAT and ACT TESTING INFORMATION 

Upcoming SAT Test Dates:
January 25, 2014
March 8, 2014
May 3, 2014
June 7, 2014

Register for SAT tests online at www.collegeboard.com

Registration Deadlines are 4 to 5 weeks prior to the test date; register early to secure your spot!

  

Upcoming ACT Test Dates:
February 8, 2014
April 12, 2014
June 14, 2014

Register for ACT tests online at www.actstudent.org 

Registration Deadlines are 4 to 5 weeks prior to the test date; register early to secure your spot!

 
EVENTS & INFORMATION:
 
 
SAGUARO TEACHERS EARN NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION
Congratulations to Saguaro teachers Tammy Dias and Elizabeth Griffin, who have earned National Board Certification, which is one of the highest achievements in the teaching profession. Thirteen Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) teachers earned this credential recently by completing the rigorous National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) process, and one teacher renewed the credential. SUSD now has 71 board-certified teachers.
 
CONGRATS TO OUR SABERCATS MARCHING BAND!
The Saguaro Sabercats Marching Band set out on an exciting trip on the morning of December 27th to San Diego!  The band performed at two exciting events on Monday, December 30.  First, they marched in The Big Bay Balloon Parade, which was nationally televised on the USA network. Later that evening, the Sabercats proudly joined 2000 other band members from around the country to perform a spectacular halftime show at the Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm stadium.  These dedicated band students worked overtime, even rehearsing over the holiday break, to prepare for these exciting opportunities. Their hard work paid off as they were awarded 2nd place in their division for the Field Show Competition and 3rd place in their division for the parade competition.  Drum majors Justice Ehgner and Sarah Lauchnor were awarded BEST DRUM MAJORS in our division!  Congratulations to the Sabercats Marching Band and Mr. Bock for a very successful trip!  You represented Saguaro with excellence and pride!
 
SAGUARO STUDENT DIRECTORY
If you joined Saguaro SaberLinks PTO this year, one of the benefits is that you receive a free Student Directory.  You should have received your directory this week via your student.  If you did not receive one, please contact Mary Shangraw at mary@shangraw.com.
 
FRIENDS OF SAGUARO ORCHESTRA
ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE
Saturday, January 18, 8:00 am-1:00 pm, Saguaro
Everyone is welcome to bring their family and friends to the annual Friends of Saguaro Orchestra rummage sale on Saturday, January 18th. A wide variety of items will be for sale, including clothing, furniture, electronics, books, and toys.  Get there early for best bargains!  (Sale is located right outside the Saguaro auditorium.)  CLICK HERE FOR FLYER
 
REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR 2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR  
Registration materials for next school year will be handed out in English classes on the dates listed below.  Students must return the information on the date specified.  Students with incomplete forms (including missing signatures) will not be allowed to complete their registration in the computer lab.  Course requests are not a guarantee; you must include alternate elective classes.  By signing the AP/Honors commitment form, you are acknowledging a commitment to at least one semester in that class.  Course selection changes will not be made after the classes are established.

Current Juniors:  Receive Packet 1/16; Packets due 1/23
Current Sophomores:  Receive Packet 1/22; Packets due 1/29
Current Freshmen:  Receive Packet 1/24; Packets due 1/31 
 
SUSD NUTRITIONAL SERVICES OFFERING
CAFETERIA STAFF POSITIONS
Several cafeteria staff positions are available at various SUSD school locations, from 3.75 to 8 hours per day (with summers off, of course!) It's a great way to earn extra cash!  Call 480-484-6233 if you are interested.  CLICK HERE FOR FLYER
 
AZ GIRLS LACROSSE TRYOUTS
Girls lacrosse tryouts will be held beginning today for AZ Girls Lacrosse (grades 9-12).  They are held at Cochise Elementary in Scottsdale starting Sunday, January 12th from 1-3pm, then Mon-Thurs, Jan 16th from 4-6pm.  Beginners are welcome.   Any questions, please contact Jessica Barden at Jessica@azgl.com. 
 
TEEN JOB READINESS SERIES
Sponsored by  
City of Scottsdale Teen Employment Program 
Teens 14-18 years old are welcome to attend!   All these classes are designed to prepare teens for a summer or spring employment.
 
To attend, Teens can register at:  
The Job Readiness Series includes the following programs: 
 
"Design a Professional Teen Resume" -2 Locations 
Thursday, January 16, 3:30-5:00pm @ Civic Center Library 
Located at Drinkwater Blvd/ Indian School Rd

"Job Search Strategies that GET YOU THE JOB INTERVIEW!" 
Thursday, February 13, 3:30-5:00pm @ Paiute Neighborhood Center 
Located at Osborn Rd /68th St.

"Get a Job Refresher" 
Thursday, March 13, 3:30-5:00pm @ Youth & Family Services 
Located at Indian School/Hayden Rd.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 
Scottsdale Teen Opportunity Expo 
(Teen Job/Volunteer/Career/College Fair) 
Tuesday, April 15, 2:30-5:30pm @ ASU SkySong

 
PROJECT GRADUATION
The Project Grad committee is busy working on this year's event. The 50/50 raffle is one way we raise funds.  Support Project Grad by buying some raffle tickets!

PROJECT GRADUATION 50/50 RAFFLE:
Tickets $10 each or 6 for $50!
Winner receives up to $3000!!!
Contact Treasurer Cheryl White for more information at rclbwhite@cox.net

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR SENIORS:
CLICK HERE TO MAKE PAYMENTS
CLICK HERE TO SIGN WAIVERS
Put in the Secure Event Code: 2014

Both are necessary for your graduate to participate in Project Graduation 2014!

Email katestrohmeyer@yahoo.com for more information.

 
YEARBOOK INFORMATION (SENIOR AD UPDATE BELOW!)
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SENIOR AD UPDATE
Attention, senior parents:  senior ads are complete, and there is no space left. Please note that due to the number of ads received, we will not be able to send a proof page out to everyone due to our deadline schedule. We apologize for the inconvenience.

ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK NOW
Yearbooks are on sale in the Bookstore now.  Order before Winter Break for the early-bird price of $70.  Prices will increase after Winter Break.

 
2013-2014 HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING GUIDE

 

 

COLLEGE PLANNING INFORMATION:

 

 
JANUARY
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
Evaluate your first semester grades; make changes if needed.  If you have not used Math Lab or House of Tutors, check into those resources. 
 
Grade 10
You now have 50% of the grades that colleges will look at when deciding whether or not to admit you.  Evaluate your academic and extracurricular profile.  Compare your predicted SAT And ACT scores to the mid-50% range at the colleges you are interested in.  If you are looking for merit scholarships, your grades and test scores should put you in the top 25% of admitted students at your target school.       
 
Grade 11
Begin college list on Naviance.  Use projected SAT/ACT score and GPA to determine which schools are a good match for you.  For merit scholarships, your statistics should be in the top 25% of recently admitted students.  If you have difficulty finding this information, come to the College and Career Center.  Plan to take a full and rigorous course load your senior year, particularly if you are applying to highly competitive programs.  Athletes should register with NCAA clearinghouse:  www.ncaa.org.

Grade 12 
File FAFSA as early as possible in January.  Be sure to use the correct website:  www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Compare course lists for the college majors you are considering.  Do your majors include the courses you expected?  Research the careers associated with your choice of major. Find employment trends and staring salaries.  Will this career allow you to repay your student loans and provide you with the lifestyle you desire? 

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
See Calendar Section Above for Upcoming Testing Dates    

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!

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.

FREE ONLINE TEST PREP HELP FOR SAT and ACT! 

Saguaro students, we are pleased to let you know that Kaplan has given up the following promotional codes for you to access online help:
 
Visit www.kaptest.com/kas

Click on one of the "On-Demand" choices, and use these codes at check-out instead of payment:

SAT On Demand Prep:  KAS2013SAT

ACT On Demand Prep:  KAS2013ACT

 

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 BOOSTERS 

 

SAGUARO BASEBALL DIAMOND CLUB BOOSTERS:

Back-to-Back State Champions:  2010 & 2011  

SAGUARO BASEBALL WEBSITE

DIAMOND CLUB WEB PAGE       

Diamond Club Meeting 

January 14, 6:30 pm, Media Center  

 

SAGUARO SOFTBALL:

SAGUARO SABERCAT SOFTBALL WEBSITE  

 

"ABOVE THE RIM" BASKETBALL BOOSTERS:

SAGUARO BASKETBALL WEBSITE

 

SAGUARO SABERCATS GIRLS BASKETBALL:
2013 Division II State Champions

SAGUARO GIRLS BASKETBALL WEBSITE  

 

SAGUARO CROSS COUNTRY:

http://www.saguaroxc.com/

 

SAGUARO VOLLEYBALL BOOSTERS:
Volleyball Parent Volunteers needed!  
Contact Donna Douglas at 480-209-0663 or Denise Wedepohl at 602-930-5954 to help support our team.

SAGUARO LACROSS CLUB:   

SAGUARO LACROSS CLUB WEBSITE

Lacrosse is the largest growing sport in the country, but because it is not an AIA high school sport, our Saguaro Lacrosse players bear the brunt of the expenses (it is an expensive sport).  The nonprofit Saguaro Lacrosse Club is soliciting the help of local businesses by selling them business card ads for $20 (tax deductible donation) in their souvenir program.  If you would like to support the Saguaro Lacrosse players with a business card ad, please click on the attached form.  LACROSSE BUSINESS CARD AD FORM 

For more information, please contact Cheryl White at 602-505-8247.

 

 

 

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

January 17:  Rummage Sale sorting (4:00-7:00 pm)    

January 18:  Rummage Sale (8:00 am-1:00 pm

January 24-25:  Regionals auditions

February 4:  POPS Planning Meeting (6:00 pm)

February 4:  FOSO Meeting (7:00 pm) - Mandatory Trip Planning 

 

 

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.
 
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 and Copy Room. If you are interested in volunteering your time and talent, please contact Mary Shangraw at mary@shangraw.com.
 
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.
 

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   

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