Cienega High School
Cat Chat Newsletter
February 2014    

 

 

Dear Cienega Parents and Community,

 

February is a highly active month as we have settled into the second semester of the school year and are a few weeks away from Spring break. As I walk the campus, students are actively engaged in learning and preparing for the upcoming high stakes state testing. They are in the "healthy learning struggle mode". Teachers are giving that push as they prepare students to finish strong for this school year.

 

February also brought to the community Vail Pride Day. Under the planning of the Vail Pride Day Committee, the beautiful day was filled with activities, performances, and awards. At my 15th and final Vail Pride Day as principal, I had the honor of recognizing many Cienega students for academic achievements. I value the comment made by John Anderson, a Cienega parent / Site Council member, and engineer by trade:

 

Today was a special day for me, seeing my son Garrett recognized for his National Merit Scholarship, and sharing the moment with such amazing people.  I can't begin to express my immense satisfaction with the Vail School District in educating our youth.  Given the budget realities of Arizona with respect to public education, what you continue to achieve is nothing sort of amazing.  So allow me to express my heartfelt thanks for all you do.  It makes a difference.

 

The day brought a successful Silent Auction a capstone to a major fund-raising effort as parents and students came together to make the large purchase of the Copper Thunder Marching Band uniforms for our growing marching band. It is awesome to know that we have marching band members from our sister high schools. The band is projected to be 150 students strong who will be outfitted in stunning (much needed) newly designed and fabricated uniforms. The budget realities were overcome for this purchase because of the dedication of the band parents and students and the support of our community. A great display of Vail Pride and a sincere thank you.

 

In addition to the academic honors of our students, our fine arts students and Color Guard have achieved high marks again this semester, our winter-season athletes are setting records and continuing in state championship competitions and our student activities and clubs are committing to hundreds of community service hours. Our community embraces our teenagers - again a great display of Vail Pride.

 

As we continue to work with your children, we want to commit that we will do the best we can in our partnership with you. Imagine a triangle. Students are at the top of the triangle with the school and the parents at each corner as the base to support the student. We will offer intercession courses and the SEP Final workshop during the March break. Your support to enroll your student in these intervention courses contributes to the commitment for them to finish strong for this school year. Please contact us or look at our website and Facebook postings for registration information.

 

I can't thank you enough for your continued support and your Vail Pride.

 

Respectfully,

 

Dr. Tricia Pe�a

Principal

A lifelong Cienega Bobcat

 

IN THIS ISSUE
College & Career Fair
Costa Rica
Seven is Seven
Esmond Station 5k
Karmann Ghia
Band Fundraiser
CHS at Model UN Competition
CatsCARE
Science Fair Winners
Senior Information
BOOKSTORE SALE
Tutoring Schedule
Cheer Tryouts
Youth Heritage Day
Volunteer Coordinator
CHS Cheer at West Coast Competition
PHAT CAT Winners
Math Tutoring Schedule

COLLEGE AND CAREER FAIR
RECORD BREAKER!

 

 

Cienega's 10th Annual College and Career Fair was held on January 29th.  We shattered all previous records with 47 presenters serving over 1,000 students throughout the course of the day. Cienega CTE Programs put on fantastic displays as did Pima County JTED. Also represented were a myriad of colleges, Universities, military, and industries.  All Sophomores and Junior English students participated and were given an assignment linked to their Quarter 3 Benchmark.  Many students arrived in professional dress and our AP Language Teacher, Kirsten Konrad kicked the expectations up a notch by REQUIRING professional dress for her students.  I received an enormous amount of positive feedback about our students in regard to both their insightful questions in addition to their wonderful behavior.  We had numerous presentations from various industries, including welding, racing, fire service, and culinary arts (CHS JTED students ran the demos for fire service and culinary). The highlight of the day was being treated to having THREE Cienega alumni return home as presenters.

They were:
Sydney Smilth    Barbizon                              Class of 2009
Alysa Guevara    Tucson Motor Speedway        Class of 2012
Tyler Brooks       United States Marine Corps    Class of 2013

SPEND SPRING BREAK IN COSTA RICA!

 

 

HEY BOBCAT!!! You a wild thing? Wanna ride zip lines 60 feet up, go whitewater rafting and kayaking, visit hot springs and ride horses? HEY!!! Have you always wanted to see the REAL rainforest? Do you love animals and plants? Want to see tree frogs and monkeys and crazy plants and flowers you never dreamed exist? Wanna go to waterfalls and a place called "cloud forest"?

          

HEY!! Love Spanish? Wanna speak it in real life? Wanna eat fresh mangoes, watch folklorico dancers? COME TO COSTA RICA with Mrs. Conrad and Dr. Rathman next Spring. Insanely cheap & your money goes far. Use Vail Vouchers toward the trip. Only $95.00 to sign up and secure your spot on this amazing tour. 

              

Let's GO!!!!  $100 off if you sign up before the end of February. Stop in and talk to Mrs. Conrad in room 524 or Dr. Rathman in room 512 for more information, or email at:  conradk@vail.k12.az.us  or   rathmanr@vail.k12.az.us 

 


SEVEN IS SEVEN

 

 

Bobcat parents: Just a reminder about our Absence policy - 7 is 7 - A student may only accumulate 6 absences in any one class to receive credit for that class. Please check your student's attendance on PowerSchool to keep up on their absences.

 


ESMOND STATION 5K

 

 

Please support the Esmond Station 5k on March 8th. This event benefits the Vail Preservation Society and the Cienega Construction Technology Preservation Project... Vendor Fair and more....

 

CLICK HERE FOR FLIER 

 


KARMANN GHIA RESTORED!

 

 

Yes, it's finally ready!  The students are very excited about the completing the restoration of their '68 VW Karmann Ghia Coupe. The six year top to bottom refurbishing of the Ghia by students now enters the "show-off" stage, as the car will be put on display at a few local cars shows.  The first unveiling was at Chirco Performance and Restoration, the main corporate sponsor for the car, and then it was shown at Vail Pride Day. 

 

If you would like to see the car at a local show, the Cienega Facebook page will have the show dates posted, or you can contact AC3 Club Advisor Michael Keck at keckm@vail.k12.az.us for information. Nice Job Students!

 


BAND NEEDS YOUR HELP!

 

   

 

We have several fundraisers planned over the next couple of months to help raise some much needed money for the new band uniforms.  

 

One of our fundraisers is a 5k on May 17th. We are calling it the Band Aid 5k.  Save the date!  Click here for more info.  

 


CHS REPRESENTED WELL AT MODEL UNITED NATIONS COMPETITION

 

  

 

In early February the Cienega Model United Nations Team competed at Mesa Community College. Participants Maddie Brandt, Brad Ingram, Nick Irving, John Borja, Wyatt Bunker, Mikayla Yakoubek, Michaela Calata, Zack Alvarez and Shelby Kennedy represented our school well. Way to go Bobcats!!

 


A MESSAGE FROM CatsCARE

 

 Freedom With Responsibility

 

It's not always easy turning an obstacle into an asset but that is exactly what happened when Cienega launched its Freedom With Responsibility program. Often times Juniors and Seniors prefer to take only five classes. This creates some scheduling conflicts amongst 11th and 12th grade core courses. As a result we have begun offering students a freedom with responsibility or FWR period. When students receive FWR, they sign a contract that states they will stay in certain areas and follow school expectations. Nearly every period a guest can walk through our lovely campus and see students reading books sitting under trees, or working on group assignments around a table. Sometime they may be doing a college search in our Career Center or just relaxing in the Bobcat Caf�. Students are able to maintain this privilege as long as they are respectful and follow expectations. So far, FWR has been a great success!

   


2014 SCIENCE FAIR WINNERS

 

 

Congratulations to the following students: 

 

Behavioral & Social Science:

1st Alexandria Peck

2nd Elizabeth Carter & Harry Fuertes

3rd Morgan Bauer

 

Microbiology

1st Emilio Pizarro

2nd Megan Joyner

3rd Emily Clark

 

Computer Science

1st Briana Ibarra & Alonso Huizar

2nd Da'Qavious Brown & Angel Baez

3rd Alexis Balderrama

 

Botany

1st Serena Martinez

2nd Kacey Davenport

3rd Ciara Walden

 

Physics

1st Keven-Madarien Biggs & Shane Burton

2nd Quinn Pond

3rd Morgan Hoose & Robert Ramirez

 

Zoology

1st Destiny Richardson

2nd Bryana Boswell & Cienna Coon

3rd Angela DiOrio

 

Environmental Science

1st Caitlin Tomczyk

2nd Justice Rosaschi

 

Earth & Space Science

3rd Jacob Bowles

 

Medicine & Health

1st Claudia Ortega

2nd Wyatt Dansby

3rd Kelaiah Dillard & Thairah Owens-Arnold

 

Biology

1st Catherine Chiara

2nd Corwyn Krassy

3rd Wiley Holladay

 

Chemistry

1st Seneca Fonseca

2nd Kayli Riesgo

3rd Briana Fjugstad

 

Engineering

1st Aron Carey

2nd Sergio Pizarro

3rd Tyler Maxwell

   

 

INFORMATION FOR SENIORS

 

Cienega Seniors are definitely C2G College!  Over 150 college acceptance letters have been sent to the students in the Class of 2014.  Each time a senior brings in an acceptance letter, they will be entered into a drawing to in an iPad to be given away at Honors Night on Wednesday, May 14th.

 

  

 

 

General Senior Reminders:

  • If your student is taking any courses through correspondence or Dual Enrollment through Pima, it is their responsibility to bring the transcript from that school to the registrar in order to get credit for the class and to be able to participate in graduation ceremonies. This deadline is MAY 1st unless taking a Pima class. That deadline will be two days after the class has been completed.
  • If 7 absences are accumulated in any class regardless of the reason, unless it is a school related activity, THE STUDENT WILL NOT PASS THE CLASS AND WILL NOT GRADUATE IF THE CLASS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION! An appeal may be scheduled after May 1st for illness or extenuating circumstances.
  • Seniors planning on attending a four year college should have applied to their schools by now.  You may lose valuable scholarship opportunities by procrastinating any longer.
  • Be sure to check the CHS Website for updated scholarship opportunities. The link can be found by entering the website at http://chs.vail.k12.az.us click on "Counselor" link, from there click on "Scholarships". This page is updated regularly, so check back often.
  • Senioritis can sometimes creep up on students.  Please be aware of this and monitor your students attendance and grades carefully so that there will be no unhappy surprises in May when it is time to celebrate the graduation of your son or daughter from Cienega.
  • Please utilize PowerSchool on a regular basis and stay informed of the progress your son or daughter is making in his or her classes https://ps.vail.k12.az.us/public/home.html
  • Too many seniors have still not passed their Senior Project Paper or Portfolio. If your senior has a class called SEP Ineligible on their schedule, be aware they must have a passing grade by spring break or they will be required to attend intercession to complete this portion of the SEP. Student who do not have a passing paper and portfolio when the 4th quarter starts will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony in May.

 

BOOKSTORE SALE

 

Get your spirit wear at the bookstore! 

 




 

CHS TUTORING SCHEDULE
FOR 2013-2014

 

 

CHS TUTORING

 

CHS CHEER TRYOUTS AND
CHEER CLINIC

 

 

 


 

CHS STUDENTS AT THE 6TH
ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN
YOUTH HERITAGE DAY

 

 

The 6th Annual African American Youth Heritage Day was historically educational and a fun event. We learned about the culture, arts and the struggle that people of color fought to make sure we had equal opportunities. We learn the importance of education and the different types of black colleges that were put in place for African Americans to express their culture without having racial tension. This was an amazing opportunity. I would encourage every student to attend the next African American Youth Heritage event.   

 

Christa Talbot 

 


The following students attended the event: Taylor Bacon, Destinee Blanchard, Veron Chapple, Alexandria Clark,  

Treyanna Clay, Kelaiah Dillard, Monalicia Ellis, Sabrina Hartzel, Benyeal Hill, Kitiara Hurd, Ahmaad Lomax, Breanna Manalil, Krista Nunn, Thairah Owens, Christian Poe, Devonte Rodriguez, Denesia Smith, Carina Talbot, Christa Talbot, Shawn Vassel, Earnest Walker, and Brittany Wright. 

 

 

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR CORNER

 

January has come and gone and February is flying by!

 

Our College and Career Fair was a huge success! We had 45 presenters from all over the state. It was our largest fair to date. Thank you to all of our fabulous volunteers for helping us out.

 

Our Science Fair judging was equally successful. We had a great turnout and our volunteers really came through for us again.

 

Volunteers seen on campus: Larry Baldasare, Richard Lopez, Ken Sutton, Nancy Pearlman, Laurie Acker, Alan Hutton, Claudine Williams, Tanja Kaletsch, Matt Hoose, Chach Jackson, Vicki Gricius, KiKi Ngo, Christina Huynh, Quang Huynh, Vithal Patel, John Anderson, Kim Solomon, Marissa Long, Logene Bach, Charles Bach, Raymond Hyte, Juana Hernandez, Ronda Dillon, Wendy Clark and Paula Boswell.

 

Happy Rodeo!

 

Patty McKnight

 

 

Sincerely,

Patty McKnight 

Volunteer Coordinator

Cienega High School

mcknightp@vail.k12.az.us 

879-2811

 

CHS CHEER AT WEST COAST COMPETITION

 

 

Congratulations to Varsity Cheerleaders for placing 4th at the West Coast Championship Cheer Competition on Saturday, February 15th. Way to go ladies!

PHAT CAT WINNERS

 

Congratulations to Jeriah Tjalas. Jeriah was selected as the Phat Cat Drawing winner on February 7, 2014. Jeriah won the Insignia CD Player.

 




Congratulations to Thomas Fraunfeld.  Thomas was selected as the Phat Cat Drawing winner on February 19th.  Thomas won the Men's Fossil watch.


MATH TUTORING SCHEDULE
Click here for a schedule.

 


________________________________________________

Thank you parents for your support of Cienega. We truly appreciate your involvement! 

Sincerely,

Cienega High School

DATES TO REMEMBER 

 
 
2/20-2/21 - Rodeo Break

2/24 - 2/25 - AIMS Testing Late In Days 

3/7 - Final day to order Cap & Gown

3/ 10 - 3/ 21 Spring Break

3/29  -  Teacher Job Fair@ Desert Sky Middle School 

4/10 - SEP Junior Parent Meeting

4/26 - Cheer Clinic

4/26 Prom

4/28 - 5/1 - Cheer Tryouts

5/17 - Band Aid 5k Run/Walk

 


Connections
High Standards
Success

 


QUICK LINKS


CHS
INFORMATION

Cienega High School

Vision Statement

 

Cienega High School creates an educational environment utilizing partnerships among community, parents, and staff to assist students in maximizing their academic potential and promoting life-long learning.

 

Front Office   - 879-2800     Attendance   -  879-2803   
Bookstore     -  879-2824 
Registrar       - 879-2812

Health Office - 879-2810
Volunteer Coordinator
Patty McKnight - 879-2811                  


Front Office/200 House   
Principal
Tricia Pe�a, Ed.D
Secretary - Cathy Ochoa 879-2816 
Senior Counselor
John Tritz - 879-1843 
                        

300/700 House
Assistant Principal
Julia Kaister

Secretary - Kim Thielke 879-2855
Freshmen Counselor
Eric Boxley - 879-2854

  

400/600 House/Athletics      
Assistant Principal
Nemer Hassey
Athletic Director - Whitney Holland - 879-1813            

Secretary - Chris Rich  879-2892
Counselor A - L
Dainah Graham - 879-2819
 

500 House/Special Education/Security          
Assistant Principal
Kelly Hadden
Secretary - Teri Tatham 879-2874

Counselor M - Z
Colette Clendaniel-879-2817

Special Education Secretary Kim Lomax 879-1804

 

Communications Coordinator

Elizabeth Taggart - 879-2878 taggarte@vail.k12.az.us 

 

CHS website: chs.vail.k12.az.us               

Moodle:

Silhouette Photography - 886-1710  (Senior pictures for yearbook)
      
Sodexho - 879-2090 or mymealtime.com   

District Office - 879-2000

Transportation - 879-2475


Get your YEARBOOK today!

CAT FRAT
www.catfrat.com


Follow Us on FACEBOOK 

 

 

Follow CHS on Twitter 

 


CHS Online Store
Spirit Wear & More!

Cienega Stadium Chair

Cienega Stadium Seat

 

Only available at our on-line store.

 

 Click here for Online Ordering  

 

 

Hey Bobcats: Looking for a great holiday gift? Use discount code Holiday2013 for 10% off your purchase through our online store! 

 

 

 

Support Cienega while supporting your back. Convenient pockets hold concessions and necessities. Features include: 600 denier polyester. Adjustable straps on each side of seat for perfect fit and easy carrying. Large zippered pocket for additional storage. Dimensions: 17"w x 15.5"d (seat)

 

ALL SALES FROM OUR ONLINE STORE BENEFIT CHS BOBCATS 

 


Job Openings

Are you looking for a job?

 

The Vail School District is looking for dynamic, energetic and positive staff members. Please click on the link below for the job descriptions, qualifications, salary guide, and the application process.

 

Click for job openings here   

 

Cienega High School
Yearbooks

It's that time of year again to pre-order your yearbook.  Go to www.jostensyearbooks.com

 

Would you like an extra 4 pages in your yearbook that you design?  This year, you can buy an extra 4 pages to be put in only your yearbook.  Go to yearbookyourself.com  

for more information.