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IRHS News
From the Nighthawk Parent Organization
November 6, 2013

From Principal Szolowicz.... 

 

     We have a lot to be proud of in the Ironwood Ridge High School community.  In just the past week, our students have demonstrated excellence in numerous ways including:

·         100 seniors accepted to the University of Arizona with over $346,000 in initial scholarship awards, renewable to over $1.4 million over four years.

·         The University of Arizona choosing Ironwood Ridge High School to celebrate national early-acceptance day.  U of A admissions officials, ambassadors, cheerleaders and, yes, Wilma, hosted a special celebration during first lunch on Friday, November 1.  IRHS was the only school selected for this honor.

·         The 40 students admitted to the National Honor Society based on their proven scholarship, leadership, character and service.

·         DECA creating the "pink out" of the stadium in support of cancer awareness and the numerous community service hours given to the community through students involved in the IRHS Key Club, Student Government, National Honor Society and other student clubs.

·         The Marching Band earned a "Superior" at the State Festival along with four citations for excellence.

·         The parent, community and student support of Project Graduation as seen in the thousands of dollars and hours of volunteer service donated to make graduation night safe for all of our children.

·         The girl's and boy's swim teams who placed 3rd and 1st in this past weekend's Southern Arizona Regional Qualifier.  Francisco Vasquez qualified for state in 100 yard backstroke and Craig Simmons in 100 yard butterfly.  The girl's 200 yard freestyle relay team of Sarah Stanley, Hailey Palma, McKenzie Harrison and Madeline Bolin also qualified for state as did eleven other swimmers.

·         The Boys Cross Country team winning second place in sectionals and Girls took third.  Both qualify for the state tournament.

·         The football team qualifying for the state tournament.

·         The volleyball team qualifying for the state tournament.

·         Girls golf finished sixth in state and boy's golf also competed in the state tournament.

     Additionally, we have some outstanding faculty and staff including:

·         Office Manager Debbie Stillson who just received the Amphitheater District Distinguished Service Award for her decades-long service.

·         Social Studies Teacher Don Dickinson is a finalist for the Circle-K Teacher of the Year award.  In addition to teaching, Mr. Dickinson started the Veteran's Heritage Project in which students interview veterans; the stories are then compiled and placed on file in the National Archives.  This year, the students are focusing on interviewing World War Two veterans from our community.

     I am proud to be a Nighthawk because of the great students, parents, staff and community who are Ironwood Ridge High School.  Go Hawks!

 

 Michael Szolowicz, Principal

Ironwood Ridge High School

520.696.4004
IN THIS ISSUE
From Mr. Szolowicz
Food Drive
TAX CREDIT
IRHS BAND & GUARD
Volunteers
November NPO Meeting
District/School survey
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Sports
Upcoming Sports
Reminders
Post-High School Opp Visits
Resources & Links
Newsletter Archive
FOOD DRIVE

The IRHS Food Drive has begun.  Last year we raised over 9,000 pounds or food and our goal for this year is 10,000 pounds!  Please have your student bring non-perishable food items to the English class.  The winning teacher will win a party for each of their classes.

This food greatly benefits the families in our community that struggle every day. 
This can be one of the ways your family donates an hour a month by collecting at work and bringing food to IRHS, collecting in your neighborhood, etc. 
GO NIGHTHAWKS! 

 
tax credit

Remember, the Arizona School Tax Credit is a Genuine "Two-fer." If you contribute to the Arizona School Tax Credit, that money might also be a "Tax Deduction" on your Federal Income Tax form. See your tax advisor or refer to Arizona Law (A.R.S. 43-1089.01) for additional details.

You do not have to have a student to take advantage of the Tax Credit opportunity!

Ask family and friends to donate to IRHS, use the link above, the IR icon or go to the AMPHI website.
balloons_congrats.jpg
IRHS BAND & GUARD
The IRHS Band received a superior rating and will be going to the final competition on Nov. 16th.  They were awesome!  Congrats to Mr. Hodge and the Nighthawk Band and Guard.


Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers.  This is a great opportunity for adults, teens and families to work to build a better community.  If you are interested, go to

  NPO Banner  

Upcoming November NPO Meeting

 

Tuesday, November 19 in the Library Lecture Hall
6:30 pm
Join parents to talk about how we can help IRHS to become the best high school for our children.

   

Student & Parent Surveys

The Amphitheater School District is participating in an important accreditation process involving all of our schools.  For the first time, we will be taking our entire school district through this process, which is known as systems accreditation.

 

This process will help Amphi  

  • Evaluate effectiveness using research-based processes.
  • Examine the whole district (the school and district programs, culture and climate of our schools, and all members of our community - students, parents, staff, administrators, the Board) to determine how well we all work together to meet the needs of students.
  • Improve student learning and make continuous school improvement.

In an effort to improve our system practices, we are conducting parent and student surveys.  We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey.  In order to complete the survey, please go to or cut and paste the following link into your browser.

 

PARENT SURVEY:  http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/7020595 

Parent Letter from Amphi 

 

STUDENT SURVEY:  http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/9299346

Student letter from Amphi  

 

Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous.  Your honest opinion is appreciated.  This parent survey will take place of the longer Spring Climate Survey that you used to participate in.  Please complete this survey before Thanksgiving Break. 

 

 

UPCOMING DATES FOR IRHS

calendar

   

Wed.   Nov 6  - Assembly Schedule                         
                          No Conference period & extra time added to 4th
                          period for school-wide reading activity
Nov 7 & 8       -  "Clue" Drama Production @ 6:30pm in Auditorium 
Nov 9              -  "Clue"  @ 1:30 & 6:30pm in Auditorium
Mon. Nov 11   - Veteran's Day - No School
Nov 14 & 15   - Class Musical, "Cinderella" 7pm Auditorium
Friday Nov 22 - Progress Reports
Tues. Nov 26  - Early Out
Nov 28 & 29   - Thanksgiving Break

Sat. Jan 11      - Formal Dance, location TBD 
 Cheer Squad Fundraiser 

  cheerleader.jpg  

IRHS Varsity Cheerleaders are selling personalized all sport
and club clings and bracelets.  For more information stop by
the athletic office for a flier.  Also, show your team spirit by
joining the IRHS Cheer Squad at Chipotle at the Foothills Mall on
Thu, Nov 14, from 5-8pm. Just let them know that you are there in support of the Cheer squad and 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the squad.

  go-team-fans.jpg  

Upcoming Sports 

 

Thursday, 11/7 
Girls Volleyball State Home Vs. TBA, 7pm

Friday, 11/8
Varsity Football (State Playoffs) @ Marcos de Niza, Tempe AZ, 7pm
Swimming (State) @ Skyline Aquatic Ctr - 845 S Crimson Rd Mesa, 2:30

Saturday, 11/9
Cross Country (State) @ Cave Creek Golf Course - 15202 N 19th Ave, Phx
Swimming (State) @ Skyline Aquatic Ctr 2:30
Girls  Volleyball (State) @ Mesquite H.S. 500 S. McQueen Rd. Gilbert, AZ 12 noon
Student Announcement Reminders

Ironwood Ridge High School is pleased to offer after-school tutoring. Tutoring will be held Monday through Thursday in the library from 3:45-5:00 PM for Math, Science, English, Language Arts and Social Studies. More details and the tutoring schedule are available on the school website.

 

Open Jar Institute Summer Workshop Auditions- Glitz Show Choir will be hosting the auditions for the Open Jar Institute Summer Workshop in NYC. Sixty students are selected to work one-on-one with Broadway's best working professionals for a full week in New York City during this summer music theatre intensive workshop. Students will work with Broadway directors, choreographers, agents, and casting directors, plus get to see FOUR BROADWAY SHOWS!! Auditions will be held Sunday, November 24th
from 2:00PM - 5:00PM in the IRHS Auditorium. For more information please get a flyer from E110 (Choir room). There is a $5.00 facility fee to audition.

 

Are you interested in a Medical Career
- You might be interested in the Medical Reserve Corps. Come to a presentation on the Medical Reserve Corps of Tucson hosted by IRHS Biosciences HOSA Wednesday Nov. 13th during conference period in the Library Conference Room

Attention, all you organized students and you who wish to become more organized, the school planners are now 1/2 price. For $5 you can be the proud owner of an IRHS planner. Did you know that the planner includes the school calendar? Never miss a day or come to school on a holiday.
Also, there are some very useful facts and figures in the back along with lots of helpful hints that can be a GPA booster! So come on down to the Bookstore and get yours today.

 

Attention members of NHS! Don't forget that we have a meeting on Thursday, November 7th during conference period. Members are only allowed 2 absences per semester so make sure you attend or contact Ms. Spencer beforehand.

There will be an FCA meeting this Thursday during Conference Period. The meeting will be held at 8:30 in the Big Gym. Hope to see you there.

 

HALF-DAY, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING - EARLY OUT DAYS
Tuesdays: November 26, January 14, February 11, March 11, April 22
Post-High School Opportunity Visits

11/7
FIDM
11/7
Army Visit
11/13
Univ of Az
11/14
Army Visit
11/18
Pima Comm College

Resources




Project Graduation Get updates about Project Grad volunteer activities by joining their email list.

Nighthawk Parent Organization welcomes anyone to submit ideas for this newsletter, school speakers, and NPO-sponsored events/projects. Please email us anytime with your information or your concerns.

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