Cat Chat Newsletter - December 2015

Dear Cienega Families,

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving. We are now in the home stretch of our 1^st semester. December is the month of finishing strong. Please take the time to go onto Power School and check your child's grades. High school grades are final at the end of each semester, and it is imperative that we push hard to finish strong academically. Please do not hesitate to contact your child's teachers if you need information about what you find on Power School.

December is also a great time to contribute your yearly tax credit. All 2015 tax credits must be turned in by December 31, 2015 for the 2015 tax year. Tax Credit Contributions are a 100% dollar-for-dollar credit. For those that pay Arizona state taxes, for every dollar that is contributed, 100% will be returned back in their state tax return. People that are single can contribute up to $200 per year, and married couples can contribute up to $400 per year.

Many of our extra-curricular programs at Cienega depend on tax credits to function. Tax credit contributions can be given to any club, sport, fine arts program, activity, or the area of greatest need. I would like to thank you in advance for contributing your tax credits to any of our programs. Below is our new website for tax credit contributions. This website is a much simpler and improved way to make tax credit contributions.

https://vailtaxcredits.org

Happy Holidays and please be safe as we move into 2016.

Sincerely,

Nemer Hassey

Principal

IN THIS ISSUE

Winter Wonderland

CHS FFA

Senior Information

College & Career Fair

Key Club Shoe Drive

Volunteer Corner

Copper Tunder Golf Tourney

AP Fees

ACT/SAT Test Prep

NJROTC

Colorguard

Transition Open House

10th Annual Vail Jingle Trail 5k

SchoolWay App

Phat Cat Winners

WINTER WONDERLAND AT DSMS

Download flier here

CIENEGA FFA

It is with great pride that we share with you the results from the Arizona FFA State MidWinter Competitions.

Wildlife team placed 1st and will be representing Arizona at the National Competition in October 2016.

Tanner Lyman- 3rd high individual

Colt Lyman- 5th high individual

Tucker Kinder- 12th high individual

Mike Kvilvang- 20th high individual

Food Science team placed 2nd

Megan Curtis- 6th high individual

Jordan Murphy- 9th high individual

Jaylin Garcia- 20th high individual

MaKenna Snyder- 16th high individual

The Agriculture Science and Construction classes have teamed up to finish the open air barn in the Landlab facility. Construction poured a new retaining wall for the barn and the Ag students installed the new pens. This gives FFA members the opportunity to raise animals for Pima County Fair as their Supervised Agricultural Experience program.

Cienega FFA members are helping the Vail community by participating in the adopt a family program and are holding a canned food drive to donate to the families in the program as well. If you have any items you would care to donate please send them to Mrs. McCrea.

We are looking for parents to get our FFA Parent booster group started to help support our FFA members. There will be a meeting on January 8^th at 6pm in room 310.

SENIOR INFORMATION

Testing Information:

SAT registration deadline for the January 23^rd test is December 28^th. Go to collegeboard.org to register.

ACT registration deadline for the February 6^th test is January 8^th. Go to www.actstudent.org to register

SchoolWay App:

If you have not yet downloaded the SchoolWay, I highly encourage you to do so. The senior counselor sends push alerts to your Smart phone, or texts or emails if you don't have a SmartPhone. Go to http://www.myschoolway.com/vail to download the App. Join the Vail School District, then Cienega High School and then the GROUP: Class of 2016, or just enter the WayCode: 25fdhd

Financial Aid:

Any student attending college next year should be sure to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1, 2016. Students and Parents may submit the form AFTER January first, but NOT before. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov for details.

Colleges:

In order to have the best chances of receiving scholarships or financial aid at any of the state universities, seniors should have already applied to these schools. Do not delay any longer if you have not yet applied. For out of state or private colleges, deadlines vary. Go to the specific college website for deadlines and information.

Scholarships:

Scholarship opportunities are listed and updated on the Cienega Website on the "Counselor Page." Click here to see the page.

Attendance Issues:

Any student who exceeds eight absences (9 is 9) will not receive credit for that class. If it is a zero hour issue and other classes are not in line with the zero hour absences, a student will be required to drop zero hour and add a class after lunch. Schedule an attendance appeal with Molly Koenig (located in the library) after December 1^st to appeal the absence.

The Wall of the Future is growing rapidly. Any senior who brings in their acceptance letter to a college or trade school, or a letter of enlistment is publicized on our Wall and is entered in the drawing to win an iPad at Honors Night in May. Cienega Seniors are C2G!

COLLEGE AND CAREER FAIR 2016

My name is Rebecca Carrier. I have worked with many of you before to help to make Cienega High School's College and Career Fair a huge success. Our 2015-2016 Career Fair will take place on January 27 , 2016 from 8:30 AM until 12:40 PM. I hope you will consider coming to share your college, career, and career opportunities for our students! We will have over 1,000 students circulate through the browse style fair throughout the day. Most of these will be sophomores and juniors, but there will be some freshmen and seniors as well. If attending, please fill out and return the attached form to me at your earliest convenience (no later than January 15th please). If you prefer, you can call me and we can discuss this opportunity further! Thank you for enriching our Cienega family. I can be reached at 879-1825 or

carrierr@vail.k12.az.us Please download flier below.

College & Career Fair Form

KEY CLUB NEEDS YOUR SHOES!

Cienega High School Key Club is conducting a shoe collection drive! All donated shoes (new or gently used) will be redistributed throughout developing nations. These shoes will help impoverished people start, maintain and grow businesses and go to school in countries such as Haiti, Honduras and other nations in Central America and Africa. Proceeds from the shoe sales made by these people are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send her son to law school. Please see a Key Club member, Mr. Erickson, or Ms. Morse with any questions! We thank you in advance for your greatly appreciated donations!

-Cienega High School Key Club

VOLUNTEER CORNER

COPPER THUNDER INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC BOOSTERS

Mark your calendars for the music boosters Golf Tournament to be held on January 30^th 2016. More information to follow.

AP FEE SCHEDULE

Bobcat Parents:

Just a reminder that Cienega is accepting payments for Advanced Placement tests. We understand paying these all at once can be difficult, so we have created the following payment schedule to alleviate some stress on families. AP test fees are $92 or $18 if your family qualifies for Free or Reduced Lunch (FRL). These fees can be paid in the bookstore.

The following is a suggested schedule. Please follow it as best as you can.

September 25^th	November 30^th
AP World History - Koontz AP Computer Science - Chokel AP Studio Art - Gaylor AP Studio 2D Photo - Nichols AP French Language - Webb	AP Human Geography - K. Farr AP Language - Conrad/Salvagio AP Calculus AB - Hines AP Literature - Duron/Meeker
October 30^th	December 16^th
AP Calculus BC - Hines AP Physics Mechanics - Horton AP Psychology - Graham AP Music Theory - J. Matsushino AP Statistics - Stickney AP Chemistry - Kahn	AP Environmental Science - K. Farr AP Biology - J. Farr AP US History - Smith AP Government - Darling

Want some extra help paying for AP exam fees?

Mrs. Meeker has started an AP club for the sole purpose of helping students pay for exam fees. By joining this club and participating in the fundraising events, students could potentially have all of their AP fees paid for them.

Why should my student take AP exams?

-When students receive a score of 3, 4, or 5 in certain courses, they can use this score to earn college credit at selected universities. That is equivalent to 3 units in some subjects. Current tuition at the University of Arizona is $840.94 per unit. For an AP testing fee of $91, students could potentially save $2359.94 . . .

Please don't hesitate to contact Eric Tatham if you have any questions. He can be reached at 520-879-2864 or tathame@vail.k12.az.us

ACT/SAT TEST PREP SCHEDULE

NJROTC HAPPENINGS

Cadets present the Colors for Arizona Department of Education and Vail School District personnel at the Milken Educator Award Assembly on 16 Nov 2015.

On 13 Nov 2015 cadets teach flag etiquette and ceremony at Desert Willow Elementary School.

On 7 Nov 2015 our Raider Team competed at the Rio Rico HS JROTC Raider Challenge. The team placed 1st in push-ups, 1st in sit-ups, 1st in the 8 x 400 meter relay, 2nd place in the long distance obstacle course, 2nd in sit-ups event 2, and 2nd place overall.

CHS COLORGUARD

Are you interested in joining an after school activity? Are you a dancer? Have you ever been interested in trying Colorguard? Well NOW is your chance! No experience necessary and it is open to all students! Come to our weekly color guard clinics where we will be learning the basics of rifle, saber, dance, and flag! Open to all students grades 6-12 in the Vail School District. Registration is only $50 for the entire semester! Clinics will be on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:30pm, starting January 5th, in the Cienega Student Union! Contact Ms. Coggshall at Ocotillo Ridge Elementary (879-3646) to sign up! We look forward to seeing you there!

TRANSITION OPEN HOUSE

Join the High School Special Education Transition Team for the annual community wide Transition Open House on Thursday, January 21 from 5:30 to 7:00pm in the Student Union at Cienega High School. Enjoy pizza while you meet and connect with community agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities after they leave high school.

10TH ANNUAL VAIL JINGLE TRAIL

Hey everyone! Just thought you should know that this year is the 10TH!!!!! year for the Vail Jingle Trail 5k held here on campus this Saturday the 12th. I say we make it the best year ever! This is such an awesome event put on by Taggrun.com. The best part? The run benefits the community! All toys are donated to The Shyann Kindness Project Toy Drive, and part of the race proceeds go to CHS Key Club to help with their adopt a family. If you weren't convinced to sign up for a good cause. You get an amazing t-shirt AND it's great exercise in prep for alllll the great eats over the holidays.

Its also pretty cool to hear the jingling of the bells on your shoes as the race starts!

Thanks,

Meghan McKinney

Online registration

Download Flier Here

SCHOOL WAY APP

If you haven't already downloaded our School Way APP click on the link below... it's that simple!

http://www.myschoolway.com/vail

PHAT CAT DRAWING WINNER

Congratulations to Walker Tiffany for being the Phat Cat winner for December's drawing. Walker won the Coolpix Digital Camera. Congrats Walker!

________________________________________________

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

Sincerely,

Cienega High School

DATES TO REMEMBER

12/14-12/16 Finals Week - Half day for students

12/15 Cat Frat Meeting 6:30pm Library

12/17-1/1 Winter Break

1/18 No School Martin Luther King Day

1/27 College & Career Fair - Half day for students

STUDENT CALENDAR 2015-2016

STUDENT CALENDAR 2016-2017

QUICK LINKS

CHS WEBSITE

CHS MOODLE

DISTRICT WEBSITE

POWERSCHOOL

CAT FRAT

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
879-2811

Front Office/200 House

Principal
Nemer Hassey
Secretary - Cathy Ochoa 879-2816
Senior Counselor
John Tritz - 879-1843

300/700 House
Assistant Principal
Dean Nourse

Secretary - Kim Thielke 879-2855

Freshman Counselor
Eric Boxley - 879-2854

400/600 House/Athletics

Assistant Principal
Kelly Hadden
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
Kim Middleton
Secretary - Teri Tatham 879-2874

Counselor M - Z
Sylvia Lewandowski-879-2817

Special Education Secretary Patty McKnight 879-1804

Communications Coordinator

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

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

Moodle:

http://learn.vail.k12.az.us/

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 CHS on Twitter

CHS Online Store
Spirit Wear & More!

Cienega Stadium Seat

Only available at our on-line store.

Click here for Online Ordering

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.