SAGUARO HAPPENINGS

 
October 12,  2014
Saguaro Office

Capable Appropriate Trustworthy Supportive

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: 

IMPORTANT DATES 

OCTOBER 13th-17th
FALL BREAK

OCTOBER 22nd-25th
COFFEE HOUSE
October 22-24: 7:00 pm
October 25:  1:00 pm
Saguaro Auditorum
(See below for details.)

OCTOBER 28th
SAGUARO ORCHESTRA CONCERT
6:30 pm
Saguaro Auditorium
(See below for details.)


ATHLETICS GAME DATES



IMPORTANT AIMS RE-TAKE AND 
PSAT TESTING DATES & INFORMATION:
OCTOBER 28th
AIMS WRITING Re-take
For juniors and seniors who have not passed or would like to improve from "meets" to "exceeds."

OCTOBER 29th
7:45 AM:  PSAT for juniors and sophomores
Free for ALL sophomores.  Juniors will sign up and pay $20 at the bookstore September 2-25th (cash or check only, no refunds)

LATE START at 11:38 AM FOR EVERYONE NOT TAKING THE TEST

AIMS READING Re-take
For juniors and seniors who have not passed or would like to improve from "meets" to "exceeds."  Juniors who are taking PSAT in the morning will take the AIMS in the afternoon.

OCTOBER 30th
AIMS MATH Re-take
For juniors and seniors who have not passed or would like to improve from "meets to "exceeds."
 

 
 
UPCOMING SAT AND ACT TESTING DATES
See SAT/ACT Testing Section Below
 
EVENTS & INFORMATION:
 
 
SAGUARO PTO TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
October 30th
Volunteers and Donations Needed!
To show our wonderful teachers and staff our appreciation, SaberLinks PTO is providing them with a special luncheon on October 30th.  In order for it to be a success, we depend on our parents to volunteer at the event and/or donate food items.  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
 
SCOTTSDALE TEEN EMPLOYMENT SYMPOSIUM
OCTOBER 14-15, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (Fall Break)
Scottsdale Community College
FREE
This will be 2 fun-filled days of interactive workforce development workshops, activities, food and prizes for Scottsdale teens 14-18 years old.

Teens will be immersed in job search techniques, workforce skills, social media management and college/career exploration.

As a special reward for participation, Symposium teens will attend our

Symposium Job Fair to interact with hiring employers, internship and volunteer programs. Teens will also receive a mock interview from a local Scottsdale professional.  To qualify, teens must either live in Scottsdale or
attend a Scottsdale school and be able to attend both days of the event.

 

Registration will open online Monday, September 1, 2014
 
COFFEE HOUSE
October 22-24, 7:00 pm
October 25, 1:00 pm
(Box Office opens an hour prior to start times)
Saguaro Auditorium
Balcony Seating: $8
Stage Seating:  $10-20 
ATTENTION ALL SABERCATS!  Make your plans now to attend Coffee House the week after we come back from Fall Break.  This event takes place just once a year, and it is one of the many things that makes Saguaro truly special.  There are four performances beginning on Wednesday, October 22 through Friday, October 24 at 7 pm, with a special Saturday matinee performance at 1 pm on October 25.  The show takes place in the SHS auditorium and features the very best talent Saguaro has to offer in music, dance and comedy - in addition to delicious desserts and beverages, featuring Starbucks Coffee! Ticket prices are just $8 for balcony seats, with stage seats ranging from $10-$20 each, depending upon how close you want to sit to the performance space.  The box office in front of the auditorium opens an hour before show time, so invite your friends and family and don't miss it!

 

SAGUARO ORCHESTRA COMPLEX CONCERT
October 28th, 6:30 pm
Saguaro Auditorium
FREE
Space:  The final frontier - and also the theme of this year's Saguaro Orchestra Complex Concert and costume contest.   Join us for this annual event, featuring all three Saguaro orchestras, as well as the Mohave 6th grade orchestra and Kiva/Pueblo/Navajo 5th grade strings students.  The students dress in costume and compete in various categories.  Friends of Saguaro Orchestra booster club will be serving baked goods and water in the lobby.  Once again this year, the Saguaro Orchestra Student Club will be collecting candy for the Treats for Troops program, so candy donations are welcome.

 

FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES & JUNIORS: 

EVIT PROGRAM (East Valley Institute of Technology) 

FREE BOOT CAMP INFORMATIONAL CLASS  

Saturday, October 25th, 8:00-11:00 am

The East Valley Institute of Technology is offering a free Saturday class to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors on Saturday, October 25th from 8-11 AM.  This is a great opportunity to learn more about a specific program.  Information is available in the Saguaro Guidance Office.  You must register at www.evit.com/bootcamp to attend.  For more information, please call 480-461-4153.

 
ATTENTION SOPHOMORES:
ACHIEVING A COLLEGE EDUCATION (ACE) PROGRAM
Achieving a College Education Program (ACE) at Scottsdale Community College presented information to the sophomore class on September 30th and provided applications at the meeting.  The priority deadline date for the application is Friday, October 31st, and the program deadline is December 15th.  Please bring your completed applications to the Guidance Office.  If you need information, please call (480) 423-6138 or meet with your Saguaro counselor.  We have ACE information and applications in the Saguaro Guidance Office.

 
SELECTIVE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PANEL
Wednesday, November 12, 2014, 7:00-8:30 PM
Chaparral High School Auditorium 
(6935 E. Gold Dust Ave., Scottsdale 85253)
This event is for parents and high school students who want to learn more about what it takes to be admitted to highly selective colleges.  Panel will consist of an MIT admissions officer, with local alumni interviewers from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Dartmouth and U. of Pennsylvania.  This is most beneficial for underclassmen (and even younger students), as the highly selective track involves a long-term commitment beginning in freshman year.  CLICK HERE FOR FLYER

 
 
EARLY BALLOTS WERE MAILED OUT THIS WEEK;
THE ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 4th -
WHETHER YOU VOTE BY MAIL OR AT THE POLLS,
FIND THIS ON YOUR BALLOT AND VOTE YES! 
YOUR VOTE COUNTS -  
AND OUR SCHOOLS NEED YOUR VOTE! 
Last year, the override lost by only 237 votes.  YOUR VOTE COUNTS - and so do the votes of your neighbors!  Many of our neighbors still are not aware of the override and why it is so important.  Please be sure to tell your neighbors about the override and that our "A" school district has a positive effect on their property values and neighborhood safety.  Override funds directly impact class sizes and programs, so if we want to maintain our  "A" school district, it is imperative that we pass the Override in November.
 

WHAT IS AN OVERRIDE?  

 

For more details, check out the "Yes to Children" website: http://www.yestochildren.org/ 

 

 

GRADUATION UPDATES FOR SENIORS

Graduation information is listed on the Saguaro website under both the Parents and Students tabs.  Please note the following upcoming meeting dates:

Senior Class Meeting
Friday November 7th
During 3rd Period
Students report to your 3rd hour class for attendance and then go directly to the auditorium. All Seniors should be in attendance. This meeting will discuss everything relating to Graduation:  Cap and Gown ordering, Project Graduation, Tickets, Etc. Order forms will be handed out to each Senior for ordering their Cap and Gown and deadlines.

You may also go directly to the BalfourAZ website
follow the prompts to order your graduation necessities.
If you need further assistance, please call the Balfour Rep at
480 990-0414

Graduation Ordering Parent Night
November 12th, 6:00-7:30 pm
Community Room
Parents can come to the Community Room and place your child's graduation order directly with BalfourAZ, our Graduation rep.

Additional graduation details can be found on the Saguaro website under Parent and/or Student tabs OR  CLICK HERE
 
REMEMBER TO ORDER A YEARBOOK!
The price is just $65 until Winter Break - after that, it goes up to $80.  You can order in the bookstore or online.  
To order online:
2) Login is student's ID number; password is student's last name
3) Click on Saguaro
4) Click "Shop for items at student's school"

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ATTENTION, SENIORS WHO DON'T HAVE A CHANCE TO GO TO CILENTO FOR THEIR YEARBOOK PHOTO:  CILENTO WILL BE AT SAGUARO ALL DAY NOVEMBER 10TH. WE NEED ALL STUDENTS TO HAVE A SENIOR PHOTO IN THE YEARBOOK, SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CHANCE TO GO TO CILENTO, PLAN ON HAVING YOUR PHOTO TAKEN THAT DAY.  

Senior Yearbook Photos
Cilento Photography has notified us that if our seniors have had a difficult time getting their yearbook photo taken by the September 1st "free" deadline, they are waiving the $10 fee that normally would be charged after that deadline. FOR DETAILS, CLICK HERE FOR LETTER

Submission Deadline:  October 26, 2014 
SENIOR PHOTOS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY OCTOBER 26th in order to appear in the yearbook!
Please schedule with Cilento at 480-947-4467.  Cilento has evening appointments available for our seniors.  The yearbook photo is FREE! If you do not have your photo taken by Cilento, you will not be in the senior section of the book.  There is no obligation to purchase a photo package.

Senior Recognition Ads in the Saguaro Yearbook
Submission Deadline:  October 24, 2014
Salute your son or daughter by purchasing a Recognition Ad in his/her senior yearbook!  Submit a favorite photo(s) and a heartfelt congratulatory message, and our yearbook staff will create an ad that your child will cherish forever.  CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS, INCLUDING PRICING

 
SUSD GOVERNING BOARD CANDIDATE FORUMS
In the upcoming November election, the SUSD community will be voting to elect two members to our school board. The candidates are Kim Hartmann, Pam Kirby, Laddie Guy Shane, and Francesca Thomas.  Forums have been scheduled so that we all can become better informed about the candidates and their positions on issues affecting our students, teachers and district overall. Below are the forum dates:

Tea Party of Scottsdale 
Location: Chaparral Suites, 5001 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Date: October 16, 2014
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
*Open to the Public

Scottsdale Parent Council
Location: Saguaro High School
Date: October 22, 2014
Time: 9:30am - 11am
*Confirming Open to the Public
 

ADVERTISE IN SAGUARO HAPPENINGS

Do you own a business?  Reach an engaged, loyal, local audience by advertising in Saguaro Happenings!  Every week, Saguaro Happenings goes out to 1484 parents, teachers and staff of Saguaro High School.  Not only will you be communicating your advertising message, but you also will be demonstrating your support of our Saguaro community!  For ad details and rates, contact Kate Strohmeyer at katestrohmeyer@yahoo.com.

 

Thank you to this advertiser for supporting SaberLinks PTO: 
Linda Edgar's Tutoring Service
CERTIFIED TEACHER WITH 25 YEARS  OF EXPERIENCE
Reading, Math, Writing Skills, Algebra, Geometry
Individualized Tutoring Grades K-12
NOW ENROLLING SAT AND ACT PREP COURSES
Next ACT prep course for February ACT begins December 6th
Next SAT prep course for March SAT begins January 9th & 10th
602-795-6312 or ledgar@cox.net
 

COLLEGE PLANNING INFORMATION:

 

 
OCTOBER
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
Review your first quarter grades;  make plans for improvement.  Log onto Naviance and complete the interest/personality tests.   Research some careers that match your interests.  Get in the habit of doing your most difficult homework first, when your energy level is high. 

Grade 10
Take the PSAT to prepare for the junior year test and the SAT, which you will take in Spring of junior year.  Log onto Naviance and complete the "Manage my course plans" section.  Use Naviance to explore career options.  

Grade 11
Take the PSAT to qualify for scholarships and prepare for SAT.  For service academies, research the steps to nomination and assess areas in need of improvement, such as physical fitness.  Consider your activities; well- developed and clearly-demonstrated leadership skills will serve you well in the nomination process.  Log onto Naviance and answer the "Game Plan" questions.  Become familiar with the "colleges" tab.  Use "Prep Me" on Naviance to prepare for testing.

Grade 12
Complete in-state applications.  Apply to ASU by October 1st if applying to Barrett Honors College.  Complete the Common Application if necessary and begin supplements.  Register for CSS Profile with the College Board if required.  Make sure you know all necessary financial aid forms for your colleges.  Check early application deadlines for scholarship eligibility.  High School Transcript:  
Community College Transcript:
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. 

 
UPCOMING SAT AND ACT TESTING DATES
See SAT/ACT Testing Section Below
SAT
Test Date                     Regular Deadline           Late Fee Required
November 8, 2014       October 9, 2014           October 28, 2014
December 6, 2014       November 6, 2014        November 24, 2014
January 24, 2015        December 29, 2014      January 13, 2015
March 14, 2015           February 13, 2015       March 3, 2015
May 2, 2015                 April 6, 2015               April 21, 2015
June 6, 2015               May 8, 2015                 May 27, 2015
TESTING IS AT SAGUARO.  TO REGISTER, GO TO:  www.sat.org/register

ACT
Test Date                       Regular Deadline          Late Fee Required
October 25, 2014         September 19, 2014     Sept. 20-Oct. 3, 2014
December 13, 2014      November 7, 2014        Nov. 8-21, 2014
February 7, 2015         January 9, 2015           Jan. 10-16, 2015
April 18, 2015              March 13, 2015            Mar. 14-27, 2015
June 13, 2015              May 8, 2015                  May 9-22, 2015
ACT TESTING IS NOT AT SAGUARO.  WHEN YOU REGISTER, YOU WILL DESIGNATE A TESTING SITE.  TO REGISTER, GO TO: www.actstudent.org     

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      

Diamond Club Meeting:  November 12, 6:00 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 LACROSSE CLUB:   

SAGUARO LACROSSE CLUB WEBSITE

 

 

SAGUARO CLUBS AND GROUPS:

 

FRIENDS OF SAGUARO ORCHESTRA  

FOSO Website
October 28th:  Complex Concert, 6:30 pm, Auditorium
November 1st:  Symphonic Orchestra to NAU Festival
November 5th:  FOSO Meeting,November 5th, 7:00 pm, Orchestra Room

  

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!

 

SABERLINKS PTO APPRECIATES OUR SUPPORTERS AND ADVERTISERS!

If you wish to advertise in this Saguaro Happenings newsletter, please contact Kate Strohmeyer at katestrohmeyer@yahoo.com.

SaberLinks PTO values every advertiser.  Although we do not endorse our advertisers, we are proud to provide their information as a community service.

 

SUSD AND COMMUNITY NEWS: 

 

SUSD  

SUSD's Community Connection is a monthly newsletter with District news, individual school news and important updates.

CLICK HERE FOR AUGUST COMMUNITY CONNECTION NEWSLETTER

 
"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 Remaining Schedule
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