SAGUARO HAPPENINGS

 
August 17,  2014
Saguaro Office

Capable Appropriate Trustworthy Supportive

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: 

IMPORTANT DATES 
AUGUST 19th
Open House/Meet the Teachers
6:00 pm
(Come to the Auditorium first for assembly, then visit your child's classrooms and meet the teachers.)

AUGUST 27th
SABERLINKS PTO GENERAL MEETING
6:00 pm
Media Center/Library

AUGUST 29th
SABERCATS FOOTBALL HOME OPENER
vs. Chaparral
7:00 pm
 

Sabercat
 
UPCOMING SAT AND ACT TESTING DATES
SAT
Testing date:  October 11th
Registration deadline:  September 12th
For additional dates, CLICK HERE

ACT
Testing date:  September 13th
Registration deadline:  August 8th
For additional dates, CLICK HERE 

For more information on SAT and ACT testing, see the College section below or visit the websites (links above). 
 
EVENTS & INFORMATION:
 
 
SABERLINKS PTO GENERAL MEETING
August 27th, 6:00 pm
Media Center/Library
All Saguaro parents and teachers are invited to attend our first general meeting of the year.  Please join us!
 
VOTE YES ON THE M&O OVERRIDE!
This November, we are asking you to vote YES on the Override that has been placed on the ballot.  You may ask, "Why is there ANOTHER Override this year?  Didn't we just vote on this last year?"  The answer is yes, but the Override was voted down.  In fact, for two years in a row the Override hasn't passed.  This has led to larger class sizes and cuts to art, music and PE at our elementary schools.  You also may ask, "Why is an Override necessary?"  Here is the reason:  Because of "equalization" funding formula our state uses, our state taxes do not go directly to our neighborhood schools (but potentially to any schools in Arizona that need funds).  Therefore, our state allows Override funding provided directly to the schools by taxpayers of a particular school district.  In fact, our state has come to depend upon Overrides and local taxpayers providing 48% of school funding.  In order to maintain our  "A" school district, it is imperative that we pass the Override in November. Please talk to your neighbors and encourage them to support our classrooms. For details, check out the "Yes to Children" website:  http://www.yestochildren.org/
 
PARENT UNIVERSITY PROJECT
September 13th, 8:00 am-Noon 
Saguaro High School
FREE
All district parents, Scottsdale parents, and even parents from surrounding communities are invited to attend.  This event provides parents with research-based knowledge, skills and resources to support your child's education and increase student achievement.  This year, PUP will focus more on college and career readiness for all age groups.  Free childcare will be offered.  Students will be able to attend free sample enrichment classes that are offered throughout the school year.  Princeton Review will be sponsoring the event with Keynote speaker Robert Franke, author of "The 378 Best Colleges."  There will be a college fair, as well.  
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER (EVENT IS FREE)
 
REGIONAL COLLEGE FAIR
September 15th, 6:00-8:00 pm, 
Scottsdale Community College, Student Center/Turquoise Room
Students and parents are invited to attend this event, hosted by the Arizona School Counselors Association College Relations Committee and is especially for high school students in the Scottsdale area.  Participants 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 25 colleges and universities will be participating. CLICK HERE FOR FLYER 

 

For questions or more information, call 480-423-6450. 

 

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:

 
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.  

SAGUARO BASEBALL DIAMOND CLUB BOOSTERS:

Back-to-Back State Champions:  2010 & 2011  

SAGUARO BASEBALL WEBSITE

DIAMOND CLUB WEB PAGE     

Player and Parent Meeting:  August 21st, 6:15, Community Room

 

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 LACROSSE CLUB:   

SAGUARO LACROSSE CLUB WEBSITE

 

 

SAGUARO CLUBS AND GROUPS:

 

FRIENDS OF SAGUARO ORCHESTRA  

FOSO Website

ORCHESTRA POTLUCK 

August 26th, 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:
 
2014-15 SABERLINKS PTO OFFICERS:
President:  Holly Tyler
Vice President:  Martina Alexander
Secretary:  Kate Strohmeyer
Treasurer:  Cheryl White
 

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

  

 
 
FRY'S SHOPPERS:  SUPPORT SAGUARO SABERLINKS PTO EVERY TIME YOU SHOP!
IF YOU HAVE A FRY'S CARD, PLEASE RE-ENROLL IN THE 2014-2015 FRY'S COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM.  FRY'S REQUIRES THAT OUR PTO SUPPORTERS RE-ENROLL EVERY YEAR.

 

One way our PTO raises money is through the Fry's Community Rewards program.  It is easy:  if you have a Fry's card, simply link it to our organization and we earn money every time you shop!  

Please use the easy process below to enroll.  Thank you!

 

*Go to https://www.frysfood.com/topic/community?activePage=community-rewards-2

*Select 'Sign-In.'

*Enter your email and password then select 'sign in.'

*Select 'My Account', you should see Account Summary at the top. 

*Scroll down, Click 'ENROLL' under Community Rewards. If prompted, enter personal information.

*Enter 80628 as the number for our organization, then select 'search'.

*Under Select Your Organization: Select box next to our organization.

*Then select 'save changes.'

*If you have registered correctly, you should now see our PTO information listed under 'Community Rewards' on your Account Summary page.

 

Remember, you must re-enroll to continue supporting our PTO!

 

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   

2014-15 General Meeting Schedule   
Aug 27, 2014 - Mohave Annex, Room B
Sep 17, 2014 - Arcadia HS
Oct 22, 2014 - Saguaro HS
Nov 19, 2014 - Chaparral HS
Dec 10, 2014 - Coronado HS
Jan 21, 2015 - Desert Mountain HS
Feb18, 2015 - Mohave Annex, Room B
Mar18, 2015 - Mohave Annex, Room B
Apr 15, 2015 - Mohave Annex, Room B
May 13, 2015 - Mohave Annex, Room B
 
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