Dear Cienega Community,

This is my last Cat Chat to you as principal of Cienega High School.

Another school year comes to end marking 13 years of Cienega traditions. I am going to take some time to share with you the memories from when we first opened our doors in 2001. On a 55 acre site, a 221,000 square foot campus was created over that first school year.

• The school year started with a campus under construction. The 100 Administration Building and the 300 House - Freshman Academy were the only two completed buildings.

• Pizza was the only lunch option for 6 weeks. The seating areas were the shaded areas on the sidewalks of the 300 house.

• The band played in the lobby of the Administration Building. The only "office phones" were cell phones, and staff would have to ask parents to hold until the band students reached a stopping point in their playing.

• Room 317 was the football changing room and a large circus tent was rented for shade during lunch times. Sapling trees were planted to start the landscaping amongst the yellow tape and orange cones.

• The football game against Sabino High School on the back grass field with a rolling white board as the scoreboard, the gym dedication to Dr. Boyd Baker, the girls soccer team at Tucson High placing 1^st State Champions Runner-Up, Piece of My Heart, Seussical, wild and exciting assemblies, talented musicians and artists, TSW projects, Guest Speakers Bureau, YES Talent Show.

• A+ School of Excellence - twice!, A labels from the Arizona Department of Education, Silver level of the Best High Schools by U.S. News and World Report, two Golden Bells, National Renaissance Model School, National Commitment to Graduate Model School, NJROTC

• Multiple staff award winners as Outstanding High School Faculty of the Year, High School Principal of the Year, Assistant Principals of the Year, Renaissance Educators of the Year

• Students and staff who have passed leaving their legacy to our school and community

• The red carpet, the Wall of the Future, NJROTC Pass and Review, Bobcat Radio, Bobcat Broadcasts, Career Fairs, Honors Nights, Graduations

Over the years Cienega has served over 20,000 students (yes, some students have been counted 4 times!). Students have achieved incredible academic honors, scholarships, internships, accomplishments and college and Academy entrance across the country.

Cienega High School has been so much a part of my life. I have come to love working and talking with teens. Every day has inspired me. The next chapter in my life will be to share with schools across the country how to create a school filled with a positive culture and climate. We are not perfect, but . . . but we have achieved our mission, Connections, High standards, Success all aligned to the motto of the Vail School District, "Where education is a community effort".

Over the last 13 years, WE have accomplished and have become a value-add to our community. I know more is yet to come! I wish all of the students, families, and staff well under the leadership of Mr. Hassey, Principal. This is not goodbye, but see you later.

Have an enjoyable summer.

Humbly proud of our school and our community,

Dr. Tricia Peņa

A lifelong Cienega Bobcat  

Registration Form 

Informational Flier   

Click here for additional information. 

Pictured below are Bobcats and future bobcats who participated at the Pima County Fair through our FFA and 4-H programs on campus.  Cienega came home with six buckles, 12 grand or reserve plaques, blue ribbons and more.  We have an awesome program and we thank Tim and Trish Rush for ALL of their efforts and hard work. You will be missed! 

Virginia Moody   

Haley Miller and Baileya White  

   Baylee Teague and Julia Johnston 

Ainsley Varvel

4-year Navy ROTC scholarship

Cadet Cynthia Morton - University of Arizona

Cadet Taylor Burleson - University of Arizona

Cadet Logan Miller - University of Arizona

Cadet Dylan Brummett* - University of Arizona

4-year Air Force ROTC scholarship

Cadet Dylan Brummett* - University of Arizona

Cadet Garrett Anderson - University to be determined

*Awarded both scholarships

Vail NJROTC cadets took second in the JROTC AZ SeaPerch Championship.  SeaPerch is a JROTC underwater robotics competition.  The cadets build and operate their underwater vehicle.  The vehicle must navigate an underwater obstacle course, conduct an underwater sprint , and retrieve an object floating in the pool.  Ten JROTC teams (Navy and Air Force) from across AZ competed at Apollo High School in Glendale. Vail cadets who participated: Garrett Anderson, Robert Barron, Catalina Mitchell

, and Dylan Brummett .  

On Friday, 16 May, 34 NJROTC cadets from Andrada, Empire and Cienega supported the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event at Empire High School.  The cadets assisted event organizers with a Color Guard, set up and other support. The cadets raised over $1200 by walking Empire's track throughout out the night.     

This is a reminder that  the Vail Governing Board approved a lunch price increase of $ .10 for the 14/15 school year. This action was necessary to be in compliance with the requirement of the Arizona Department of Education to meet lunch price equity. The increase will be as follows:

K-5                    $2.15

6-8                    $2.30

9-12                  $2.55

We encourage families to go to the following website to apply for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.   click here 

If your family is approved, you high school student qualifies for reduced or no cost Advanced Placement exams, scholarships for summer school, and intercession courses, and may also receive additional college scholarship opportunities. Parents/Guardians are to apply every school year for the benefit to remain in effect. 

As additional District families qualify for this program, additional funding benefits come back to the school district and also may assist District teachers in a student loan forgiveness program. 

Our district demographics are fluid as is the income of many of our community households. Applying on-line provides anonymity and will cover all children in your household. It is important for you to be informed to make the best decisions possible for your family and children.

Don' delay!  Plan now to GO TROPICAL in 2015!!!! 

Email Mrs. Conrad or Dr. Rathman at:  

 conradk@vail.k12.az.us  or rathmanr@vail.k12.az.us 

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

5:00 - 8:00 pm 

600 Building

$30 (cash or check made out to Cienega High School) *No credit/debit cards accepted

Money is used to support the CHS Sports Medicine Program in order to buy medical supplies for all sports teams

Please call 879-1822 for an appointment!

Dreaming of going to Greece?  

Well now you can, and inexpensively!

$2805 - you can also save $100 if you register early!

That's only $226 a month

March 09, 2015-March 17, 2015

Here is the link for this fabulous trip!

 http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1513920JJ  

There will be a ...

Mandatory parent meeting on Wednesday,

March 26, 2014 at 6:30pm in room 302

This trip is includes airfare, entrance to all exhibits, hotel and two meals every day!

Some of the sites we will be visiting are:

Athens - including the temple of Athena

Olympia - Where the Olympics were born!

Dephi - the temple of Apollo

Epidarurus

Mycenae and much, much more!

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.

Special Education Secretary Patty McKnight 879-1804

Communications Coordinator

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

Follow Us on FACEBOOK 

Follow CHS on Twitter 

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.