February 8, 2016

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CDO

Amphi District Webpage - Check it the great things in our district

Fri 2/12 - Last day to help with Toy Drive (see below)
Thurs 2/18 - 3 on 3 Basketball Shootout, 6:30pm, Gym
Wed 3/2 - Mandatory Band Informational Meeting, 6pm Band Room
Tues 3/8 - Feeder School Band Concert,
Thurs 3/10 - Band Festival Preview Concert,
Wed 4/6 - Mandatory Band Informational Meeting, 6pm Band Room
Thurs 4/7- Sat 4/9 - Band Spring Tour, Anaheim CA
Fri 5/6 - Band Spring Concert

FROM OUR COUNSELORS

News from the Counseling Department

Week of February 8, 2016

Parents of Seniors admitted to the U of A

We will be hosting a U of A Admitted Students Night on Thursday, February 18 at 6:00 pm in the Cafe. This event is for all admitted students and their parents, regardless of whether you've committed to the U of A or not. Topics such as what happens at orientation, what is the timeline on enrollment and housing, what is the level of urgency around claiming your spot at the U of A, how and when does the financial aid offer enter the equation, etc. will be covered. Please sign up online and join us that night!

Parents of Juniors...It's time for your student to be thinking about which colleges he/she wants to apply to!

Spring of the junior year is the time to begin your college search if you haven't already done so. Students apply to college starting in the early fall of the senior year, so it is important that students come in to the senior year with some college research done and a list of potential schools made.

There are many websites available to you to help with the college search process. You can find several of them linked from the CDO Counseling webpage (http://www.amphi.com/schools/cdo-high/counseling.aspx) or you can start with my favorite: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search?navid=gh-cs. This site allows you to enter in information that is important to you in finding the right school (i.e. location, major, diversity, athletics, etc.) and it immediately brings back a list of schools that match your criteria. You can then link to the school website for more information.

To further help you with this process - and in understanding the whole college application process - we will be offering two College Planning Nights next month:

College Planning Night for IB Juniors will be held on Tuesday, March 1 at 6:30 pm in the CDO Café
College Planning Night for Juniors will be held on Wednesday, March 9 at 6:00 pm in the CDO Café.

A pre-registration note for parents of Pre-IB 9th graders

Please have your Pre-IB 9th graders review their course selections with Mrs. Barcanic prior to submitting their requests. It is important to ensure that they remain on-track for entering the IB program their junior year. Thank you!

SAT and ACT Registration

It is time for college bound juniors to start looking into registering for these exams. College bound juniors should take an SAT and/or ACT during the spring of their junior year. This allows plenty of time to retest early in the senior year if desired and still meet college application deadlines. Registration for the SAT occurs at http://sat.collegeboard.org and registration for the ACT occurs at www.actstudent.org. Please contact your students' counselor if you have any questions about either of these exams.

Summer
It's time to start thinking about what your student is going to do this summer!

There are many options available to high school students throughout the summer to improve their academic skills, investigate various career fields, experience college life, give back to their communities, and many other opportunities. We will be compiling a list of various summer opportunities and posting them on our website (thank you Mrs. Mapp!) at: https://www.amphi.com/schools/cdo-high/counseling/enrichment-opportunities.aspx and click on "summer opportunities." Please check the list often as more opportunities will be added on a regular basis as they become available. Many programs require an application and application deadlines begin as early as February for summer 2016.

Don't Forget College Goal FAFSA!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2016-2017 academic year is available now! For students planning on enrolling in college for the upcoming year, the FAFSA is the first critical step in applying for federal/state grants, loans and scholarships. In order to receive maximum consideration for all available financial aid, especially free money, and to meet the priority filing deadlines of the Arizona public universities it is important for students to complete the FAFSA by March 1, 2016. The FAFSA can be completed at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

For families that need help completing the FAFSA, College Goal FAFSA is here to help! College Goal FAFSA (previously College Goal Sunday) provides information and FREE professional assistance to students and families seeking college financial aid. High school seniors who are planning to enter college this year can get free help to complete the FAFSA, which is the first critical step in applying for financial aid. College Goal FAFSA will be held on Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14. For locations and information regarding what to bring with you, please visit their website at www.collegegoal.az.gov/college-goal-fafsa.

Scholarship Spotlight:

The mission of the Valley Foundation Scholarship Program is to provide financial assistance in the form of college scholarships to current or returning students who have not earned the highest grade point averages and who are experiencing financial difficulties. A good citizenship record is important with participation in school activities, community services and/or employment constituting a prerequisite for consideration. Preference is given to graduates of high schools in Southern Arizona as well as students currently attending Pima Community College and the University of Arizona. United States citizenship is required and awardees/recipients must attend and complete full-time enrollment (12 hours per semester). High School students whose grade point averages places them in the top 5% of their class and applicants receiving substantial financial aid from other sources such as grants, waivers, or scholarships will not be eligible.

The average scholarship granted is $3000-$4000 for a university and $1500-$2000 for a community college, but scholarships for both more and less have been awarded based on circumstances and availability of funds.

Application deadline = March 4, 2016

Website: http://valleyfoundationaz.org/wp/

Upcoming College Visits:

February

Grand Canyon University Tuesday, February 9, 9:00 am

U of A Admitted Students Night (in the Café) Thursday, February 18, 6:00 pm

Northern Arizona University Monday, February 29, 9:30 am

March

College Planning Night - IB Juniors (in the Café) Tuesday, March 1, 6:30 pm

University of Arizona Wednesday, March 2, 9:30 am

College Planning Night for Juniors (in the Café) Wednesday, March 9, 6:00 pm

Carrington College Thursday, March 10, 10:00 am

Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction, CO) Wed, March 23,10:00 am

PROJECT GRAD - OV CUP

PARENT ORGANIZATION UPDATE

Dear CDO Parent Community,

We would like to thank the 7 families that have donated to the CDO Parent Organization since our recent email request. As of now, we have received $330 towards our goal of covering our newsletter costs for this year. We are hopeful that more families will donate to support our efforts in providing weekly parent communication and regular staff appreciation events.

Please consider a donation to CDO Parent Org so that we can cover our newsletter costs. If every family that reads our weekly email donated, we could cover all of our costs for our newsletter annual fee and staff appreciation events throughout the year.

Please drop off a donation to the office for CDO Parent Org or use our donate button below. We will provide you with a tax receipt for your donation.

Thanks
CDO Parent Organization

SAT TEST INFO

ACT TEST INFO

WHY SHOULD YOUR STUDENT TAKE AP CLASSES?

Why Should Your Student Take AP Classes?

Impress College Admission Counselors

At nearly every college in the country, your academic record is the most important part of your college application. The folks in the admissions office want to see that you've taken the most challenging courses available to you. Success in difficult courses is the surest sign of your preparedness for college. The most challenging courses, of course, are college-level Advanced Placement classes.

Develop College-Level Academic Skills

AP classes require the type of high-level calculating and critical thinking that you'll encounter in your first year of college. If you can write essays and solve problems successfully for an AP class, you've mastered many of the skills that will lead to success in college. Be sure to check out this article on the differences between high school and college academics.

Save Money

If you take enough Advanced Placement classes, you can potentially graduate from college a semester or even a year early. Early graduation isn't always a good idea, but for a student who isn't receiving financial aid, it can save tens of thousands of dollars...read more

Choose a Major Sooner

AP classes can help with your selection of a major in two ways. First, each course provides an in-depth introduction to a specific subject area. Second, a high score on an AP exam often fulfills one of a college's general education requirements. This means you'll have more room in your schedule to explore different academic fields early in your undergraduate career.

Take More Elective Classes in College

Not only do AP classes help you zero in on a major sooner, but they also free up your schedule so you can take more elective classes (college classes that are not required for graduation). For many students, a college's general education requirements and major requirements leave little room for fun and exploratory classes. If you want to take that interesting class on glass blowing or the occult, AP credits will make it much easier to fit the course in your schedule.

Add a Minor or Second Major More Easily

If you're particularly driven and have multiple interests, AP credits can make it more feasible to add a minor (or two) or even a second major to your undergraduate academic plan. With a standard work load and no AP credits, you might find it impossible to complete the requirements for two majors in four years.

Article by Allen Grove for About Education

Link for AP class credit for University of Arizona
Link for AP class credit for Pima Community College

Additional Articles of Interest

http://www.raisingarizonakids.com/2006/01/teen-consider-ap-classes/
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/03/14/20100314honors-classes-college.html

KIDS HELPING KIDS - PLEASE SUPPORT

AMPHI GALA - SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS - COMPANIES TOO!

Gala Sponsorship

Gala Donation Form

FROM MR DEWEERDT-

PARENT OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE FEEDBACK

Here are links to the two different parent surveys that need to be done for CDO. We have until Spring Break to get as many surveys completed as possible. These are the same surveys that all of the schools need to complete. Each survey gives the parent the opportunity to pick the school that they are filling out the survey for in case they have students in more than one school. The students will complete their surveys at school through their math classes.

The AdvancEd Survey:

2015 - 16 Parent Survey (K-12)

In an effort to improve system practices, Amphitheater Unified District 10 is conducting a Parent Survey. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey.

In order to complete the survey, please go to:

http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/0755923

Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous. Your honest opinion is appreciated. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

The School Quality Survey:

Parent Survey about School Quality 2015-16

Here are the links you need to the online versions for the school quality survey.

Link to the Spanish parent survey

http://es.surveymonkey.com/r/amphipadres16

Link to the English parent survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/amphiparents16

If you want to complete more than one survey for kids in different schools, you will need to click the link again.

Students who took the PSAT test back in October, your scores are in! Please stop by and see Rhonda Ellerd in the Admin office to pick up your packet!

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

STUDENT INFORMATION

SENIOR SHIRTS ARE IN!

If you ordered a senior shirt you can pick it up in the Dome during
4th period.

SENIORS:

Big Picture / Stadium Picture order information is available in the office, library, and counseling if you are interested. This is order information for the senior class stadium picture.

ORO VALLEY YOUTH LACROSSE

THANK YOU CDO FAMILIES FOR USING AMAZON SMILE

When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Canyon Del Oro Parent Organization. Bookmark the link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/86-0763723 and support us every time you shop.

WE RECEIVED OUR FIRST DONATION FROM PEOPLE PURCHASING AT AMAZONSMILE.

PROJECT GRAD GOLF TOURNAMENT

OV LACROSSE CLUB

Campus Announcements

CDO ANNOUNCEMENTS

DRESS CODE

HEY DORADOS! This is a reminder that the dress code is still in effect. Ladies, your tops must have straps on the shoulders, no showing or exposed undergarments and your midriff, front and back, must be covered. Open or exposed backs on shirts are not allowed, either. Gentlemen, same for you: no exposed undergarments, no tank tops where the armpit hole extends to the waist, no exposed midriff and no images or language on shirts that violate the dress code. Dress code violators will be directed to Mrs. Henkel in Counseling where they will exchange their top for a CDO t-shirt. Keep it classy CDO.

STUDENT IDs

A GENTLE REMINDER ABOUT IDs: IDs must be worn and displayed while on campus by all students. Around the neck or on the bag facing front is perfectly acceptable. In the pocket or out of site is unacceptable - students must have it on and showing. If you don't have it on or showing in front you will most likely receive a lunch detention. Thanks for your thoughtful cooperation.

In This Issue

What's Happening

News from Counselors

Please Help - Project Grad

CDO Parent Organization

SAT Test Info

ACT Test Info

AP Classes

Kids Helping Kids Toy Drive

Amphi Gala

School Surveys

Student Announcements

OV Youth Lacrosse

Amazonsmiles

OV Cup

OV Lacrosse

SPRING SPORTS

All spring athletes must have their physicals and packets turned in by noon on Monday, February 8th.
The fee of $76 must also be paid in the Bookstore prior to clearing.

CDO ALUMNI

Please register with our
cdoalumniconnection@gmail.com

If you graduated from CDO, we want to know about you.

Parent & Student Portals

The Parent Portal and Student Portal are excellent resources for families to monitor academic progress. Previously established Parent Portal and Student Portal accounts should still be active from last year. If you need to set up a new Parent or Student Portal account or if you are having difficulty with your current account, please contact Patsy Valencia at pvalenci@amphi.com for help.

Information

Regular Bell Schedule

Alternative Bell Schedule

Student Announcements