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AFHS Welcome Back to School Letter
2023-2024 School Year, GO OWLS!
Welcome Back Owls!
Dear Agua Fria High School Students and Families,
Welcome to Agua Fria High School, Home of the Owls! As the proud Principal of Agua Fria High School, it is my pleasure to welcome new and returning families to a great 2023-2024 school year ahead. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with such persevering students, an extremely dedicated staff, and a supportive school community. Being an OWL is truly a unique and extraordinary experience. You are part of a school that is rich in history and we are proud of our school traditions with a motto that keeps us grounded, “Honor First, Win or Lose.”
Agua Fria High School is such a special place to learn and grow. Together with our incredible staff, we strive to make connections with students to provide high academic expectations, invest in culture and community, and foster an inclusive environment. Our overarching goal is to help students feel valued, involved and safe as we develop critical thinkers that demonstrate responsibility, integrity, collaboration and communication to prepare for their future opportunities.
The first day of classes for Freshmen only will be Monday, August 7th at 7:15 am. Sophomore, Junior and Senior students will begin classes on Tuesday, August 8th at 7:15 am. Please see below additional details regarding the first day of classes, schedule procedures, school technology, etc.
Our registration and verification process for all students is digital. Below is information that is critical to ensuring your student is ready for school on day one. It is extremely important that all students and families take the time to thoroughly read through and act on all of the following information to ensure that your student is fully registered and has all required information on file and current.
We hope that you were able to relax and make special memories with your friends and families. Now it is time to look forward to a wonderful new school year! Our staff eagerly awaits our owl students and look forward to their energy, and enthusiasm for learning. GO OWLS!
-Autumn Daniels, Principal
Welcome Back Message from our Superintendent!
Social Media and Regular Communication
Regular Communication
Email and the Remind App will be our primary source of communication with parents and students this year. The email address used will be the primary email given at registration. Parents are also automatically added to Remind through the contact information provided in your enrollment paperwork. Students’ Remind accounts are automatically created for students using their student email account.
Join us on the Remind App @aguafriahi
Here are directions to join Remind
Social Media
Click here for all of our Social Media accounts
Website: www.aguafria.org/afhs
Facebook: Agua Fria High School
Twitter: Agua Fria High School @aguafriaowls
Instagram: @aguafriaowls
Freshman Only Day!
Monday, August 7: Freshman Only
All 9th grade students will participate in Freshman Only Day activities on campus
School starts at 7:15 and ends at 2:05
Students will report to the New Gym as they arrive to campus
Students will attend all classes, go on a school tour, and learn about AFHS
Students will receive their Chromebook and login information
Schedules will be available August 3rd
No 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students participate this day
1st Day of School for ALL students!
Tuesday, August 8th: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
All students report to campus, students will begin their day in Advisory
School begins every day at 7:15 and ends at 2:05
Please take a look at the attached bell schedule and take note that Wednesdays are an EARLY RELEASE each week, students attend school on Wednesdays from 7:15-12:20
Students can access their schedule in STUDENTVUE, schedules will be available August 3rd
Returning students need to bring their Chromebooks charged and ready to use.
Having Chromebook issues? Please click on the following link for help:Chromebook troubleshooting
Bell Schedule
School Calendar
AFHS Open House: Meet the Teacher Night
Our Meet the Teacher Night is Thursday, August 10th from 5:30-7:30
We encourage all students and families to attend
The event kicks off at 5:30 in the auditorium followed by class schedules to meet the teachers and tour the campus
Mastery Learning
We are so excited for another year of great learning. Our district is committed to a well-rounded approach to education through Mastery Learning. If you are new to Mastery Learning, click here for a summary.
Student Registration, Class Schedules, ParentVUE and StudentVUE
All NEW students to Agua Fria High School grades 9-12 must register online
REGISTRATION:
NEW STUDENTS:
Students new to Agua Fria High School, Grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 who have not yet registered (selected classes), must complete online registration using a computer. To do this, parents need to go to the ParentVUE website at the Online Registration Account Access and set up a new ParentVUE account to register the new student.
RETURNING STUDENTS:
All students who attended Agua Fria High School last year and are continuing this year must complete a student data verification. Please complete the student profile update. The information in the student profile is the most current parent email address and primary contact information needed for teachers, counselors and administrators to provide vital school specific communications. Please see the link below to access the instructions to update your student profile. The portal opens on July 18th and this update must be completed by Friday, July 28th to receive your students’ class schedule online via ParentVue/StudentVue. This is to be done online using an existing ParentVUE account. Once you log in, you will click on My Account in the top right-hand corner. A screen will come up with information. Please take a look and update any items that need it. If you need assistance with an address/phone number change for a student, please contact Ms. Toni Mueller at tmueller@aguafria.org or at 623-932-7300, ext. 1046. **Proof of residency must be submitted in order to change the address (ex: gas bill, water bill, electric bill, lease agreement).
*No incoming 9th grade students or students new to Agua Fria High School need to complete the registration verification.
Starting on July 24, if you cannot access ParentVUE, please contact Ms. Holly Higuera at hhiguera@aguafria.org or at 623-932-7300, ext. 1040.
STUDENT SCHEDULES:
Student schedules will be available via StudentVUE/ParentVUE beginning on August 3rd
if the above verification of student data (all returning students) or registration (new students) has been completed.
StudentVue and ParentVue:
Class Fees
Several of our classes have class fees associated with them. Please see the Course Fees list.
The bookstore will begin taking payment after the second week of school. Payments can be made online through our website. Agua Fria High School Website
Change of Class Schedule
The schedule of classes offered to your student is based on student requests made during the registration process of the previous school year; therefore, it is imperative for each student to determine those requests carefully each year. Once the student’s daily class schedule has been established for the year, that class schedule may be changed ONLY under the following circumstances:
Completion of a class by online or summer school
Failure of a prerequisite course
Changes necessary because of health reasons
Changes necessary to satisfy graduation requirements
Administrative changes such as course conflicts, unbalanced class enrollments or student misplacement
If you meet the above circumstances and would like to request a schedule change, please contact your counselor:
Counselors: Jennifer Ferrante-Jackson Students with last names A-D
Jill Goodall Students with last names E-K
Bill Lucas Students with last names L-P
Oscar Gironi Students with last names Q-U
Azalea Flores-Moreno Students with last names V-Z and all ELL students
Counselor Corner
Counseling Department Information
During the school year, the school counselors will use Google Classroom as a primary tool for sharing important information with our students.
Students will receive information regarding colleges, universities, programs of study, scholarships and so much more!
The Google Classroom code for each cohort is:
Class of 2024: mv2dsq7
Class of 2025: p5b7ryr
Class of 2026: 4dtmmsh
Class of 2027: mjhuzjy
AFHS Safety Procedures
Agua Fria High School and the Agua Fria Union High School District are committed to providing a safe and friendly learning environment for our students, staff and community. As a reminder, weapons detectors are placed at each entry point into the campus. All students and campus visitors must pass through the weapons detectors. The entry points for campus morning arrivals can be found in this map (See Map). The detectors are mobile and will also be utilized for entry into the school for things such as theater performances or sporting events.
Student entry is reduced to three locations. Students will walk through the detectors.
They must have their school IDs ready to present. (ID pictures will be taken on Friday, August 11th)
3 locations:
1. Student lot
2. Bus drop off, J loop
3. Parent drop off, B loop
Our administration and safety team are trained on the process to ensure it is
effective and efficient.
Parents, please share the following information with your child, so they are prepared
each day upon arrival at school.
Student Responsibilities at Arrival:
1. Have your school ID on a lanyard, visible, and around your neck.
2. Have your Chromebook out of your bag and ready to present.
3. Have both bag straps on your shoulders, in front of you or on your back.
4. Please remove all water bottles and hold them in front of you.
5. Large 3-ring binders should be removed from your bag along with
Chromebooks to prevent a false alarm.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we implement these safety
measures at AFHS.
Safety Protocols
Our school has adopted The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol.
The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is based on an all hazards approach as opposed to individual scenarios. Like the Incident Command System (ICS), SRP utilizes clear common language while allowing for flexibility in protocol.
Standard Response Plan English
Standard Response Plan Spanish
*Students and Staff will be required to wear ID’s
Student and Parent Acknowledgement Form
Please complete the Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement Form
This form is in acknowledgment that you have received and reviewed the following forms:
Student Rights and Responsibilities (Handbook)
https://www.aguafria.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=5322
Technology Usage Agreement
Non-Discrimination Policy
Student Technology
The Agua Fria Union High School district is 1:1 with technology meaning each student is issued a chromebook on which they complete their work. All students must have a Chromebook in order to participate in classes starting August 3rd. The Chromebook is to be used for the sole purpose of accessing educationally appropriate materials, information, programs, and websites. The District will retain full ownership of all Chromebook, equipment, and software. Personal devices cannot be used during the school day for class work. Information about the 1:1 Technology program is located in the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook (www.aguafria.org/studenthandbook). Please review all district policies and procedures. Additional information is provided in attachments to this communication.
Returning students should have kept their Chromebook and charger over the summer. Any returning student who turned in their Chromebook and charger should contact Ms. Fern Heffington to get the items back in time to begin this school year. She may be reached at fheffington@aguafria.org or at 623-932-7300, ext. 1013.
Incoming freshmen will receive their chromebook and charger during Freshman Only Day on Monday August 7th
All students new to Agua Fria High School in grades 10, 11 or 12 should come to campus on Monday July 31st or Tuesday August 1st in the window of 8am-2pm to pick up their school-issued Chromebook and charger as well as get their account username and password. Students will pick up their chromebook in the library.
Students who do not pick up their devices or resolve technology issues may experience delays to starting school. Please contact Ms. Fern Heffington at fheffington@aguafria.org or at 623-932-7300, ext. 1013 with any questions or concerns.
Parents/Guardians have the opportunity to purchase a student device protection plan through the district. The plan costs $30 per device each school year. Payment for the Device Protection Plan must be made by Friday, September 15, 2023 to be active for the 2023-2024 school year.
Payment may be made online at www.aguafria.org/dpp or through the Bookstore – please contact Mrs. Nancy DeSoto at ndesoto@aguafria.org or at 623-932-7300, ext. 1019. Parents/Guardians who choose not to purchase the Device Protection Plan are responsible for 100% of all repair and replacement costs.
Please see the Chromebook Device Information
Student ID and Yearbook Photos
Student ID photos will be taken during Picture Day on Friday August 11, 2023. This will also be the photo that goes in the yearbook for all grade levels, including seniors.
*Students and Staff will be required to wear ID’s
Opt-Out Media Form
Click the link to fill out this google form only if you DO NOT want your students photo on the school or district webpage or social media. If you are ok with your child’s photo on the school/district webpage and social media, you don’t need to fill out the form.
ISS
ISS is our new In School Suspension program. This is an alternative to suspending a student out of school. It is our desire to keep kids on our campus as much as possible. Some violations will still have an out of school suspension but we are working to decrease how many days a student is out of school suspended.
ISS will consist of a student being on campus, working online on assignments for their classes. Students will be separated from other students and monitored by staff the entire day, including lunch, and receive support from our Student Support Specialists. This is another alternative for student consequences where we will still provide educational support and a safe place to work for the day.
ISS is an opportunity for students to reflect on their decisions and learn to respond appropriately in the future. There is a mandatory Student/Parent Agreement and Behavior Contract that students must complete in order to participate in ISS as an alternative to out of school suspension.
Student Health Records
If you have any medical updates please complete the Emergency Health and Medical Card Emergency Health Form and send it directly to the AFHS school nurse assistant Kim Coburn, kcoburn@aguafria.org. If you do not have any updates to add, you do not need to complete a new form.
Food Services/Free and Reduced Lunch
Meal Pricing-- The federal government DID NOT extend the USDA Universal Feeding Waiver for the 23/24 SY. Due to this, students will need to purchase their breakfast and lunch meals beginning August 8, 2022. We are encouraging ALL families to complete and return a 23/24 Meal Benefit Application. Students who qualify for meal benefits may also receive reduced sports/testing fees, reduced college application fees, reduced internet fees etc.
Families can apply for Meal Benefits online at: https://family.titank12.com/application/new?identifier=3ZRQJ3
We are asking all families to please complete the Free/Reduced Lunch application. The F & R application is important for other reasons besides free/reduced lunch, it also may help lessen the cost of or waive testing fees and college application fees. We encourage all families to fill it out every year.
Parking Pass
All students who wish to park in our student parking lot during the school year must have a parking pass visibly displayed hanging from the rear view mirror. We are asking the students to come to campus on Monday August 1 to purchase their pass. Students must provide a copy of their valid driver’s license, valid insurance card, Parking Pass Form (attached) and $50 payment for the year. Any driver who does not purchase their pass on 8/1 must purchase during the first week of school. Students are not permitted to park on campus without the parking pass. If you have any questions regarding the parking pass, please contact Bookstore Manager, Mrs. Nancy DeSoto ndesoto@aguafria.org
On Aug 1, please come through the office and let our office staff know you are here to purchase a parking pass. Please follow the timeline based on the student’s last name:
A-D: 7am-8:30
E-I: 8:30-10:00
J-N: 10:00-11:30
Closed for lunch: 11:30-12:00
O-R: 12:00-1:30
S-Z: 1:30-3:00
Parking Map: Bus/Parent Drop Off and Student Parking
Parking Map
School Map
Bus Riders: Please Read, Important!
Eligible students needing transportation beginning on August 8th are REQUIRED to register via the Edulog app. As before, bus information will be communicated through our smart phone application, known as "Edulog Parent Portal '' and can be found on the Google Play Store for Android devices or the Apple Store for IPhone devices. This app allows parents to track their students' bus in real time as well as allow us to send out push notifications for anything that happens with the bus (Bus running late due to mechanical issues, traffic, road construction, etc.).
All you need to register for the app is a valid email address and your students 5 digit Student ID number. For users new to the app this year or returning from the previous year you will need to go into the app and use the new ride registration function to make sure your student will be on the list for transportation. It is REQUIRED that all students be registered on the parent portal app, in order to receive transportation. This process allows Transportation through the parent portal registrations a way to easily track how many students plan on using our buses. If you run into any complications in the registration process or do not have access to the internet or if you do not have a smartphone, please feel free to contact the Districts Route Coordinator, Christina Sills, in the Transportation department by Phone: 623-932-7023 or Email: csills@aguafria.org.
PLEASE REGISTER BY 08/03/2023*** EVEN IF YOU PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION PROCESS AGAIN SO WE HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF STUDENTS RETURNING ON THE BUSES. Push notifications to all registered riders will be sent out as soon as routes are complete with route information.
***Follow the links which is also available to view on the Parent Hub via the District website: For first time users and for users needing to use the ride registration feature
School hours, Attendance and Tardies
School Hours:
School starts at 7:15 and ends at 2:05
Please note Wednesdays are Early Release at 12:20
All students arriving after 7:15 am will be required to check-in at the welcome lobby at attendance. School dismissal is at 2:05 pm. Students not involved in after-school programs will be required to leave campus and gates will be closed and locked at the time.
All visitors must check in and get a visitors pass at the front office, welcome lobby before proceeding onto campus.
Attendance:
Regular student attendance is necessary to provide the greatest opportunity for student academic success.
If you need to call in an absence for your student, please contact 623-932-7300 ext. 1007 or 1008 and leave your student’s name, ID number, date, and the reason for the absence, and it will be processed as soon as possible.
You can also email at smacias@aguafria.org
Attendance Appeals will be held when a student misses 10 or more classes in a particular course. An Attendance Appeal could result in the loss of credit for the student. Please refer to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and review the district policy regarding attendance and tardiness.
Tardies:
Students who are late to any class during the day may be marked tardy.
5 tardies= warning, 6=detention, 9=owl overtime ( Wednesday detention) and 12=Saturday school.
Dress Code
The following guidelines are not intended to be entirely inclusive of all dress code situations. The school administration retains the final discretion to determine that the garment or accessory meets the dress code.
The Agua Fria Dress Code Guidelines are as follows:
Students Must Wear:
Clothing that covers undergarments and private body parts (genitals, buttocks, chest, and nipples with non-see-through material) when sitting or standing including tops, bottoms, dresses, and rompers.
School IDs
Shoes at all times
Students May Wear:
Clothing with images/logos that adhere to dress code guidelines
Hats, hoodies, and any other head coverings that allow the face to be visible to school staff
Religious headwear and other religious head/face coverings
Tank tops, including tops with spaghetti straps sleeveless, and/or off the shoulder sleeves
Students Cannot Wear:
Spikes or chains
See-through or transparent clothing
Undergarments worn as outer garments/Visible undergarments (waistbands or straps on undergarments worn under clothing are allowed)
Anything that may create an exposure in violation of any of the above guidelines when sitting or standing.
Strapless, backless, narrowly cut in the front/back/underarms that exposes a student's torso that is not appropriately covered.
Any clothing, accessories, and/or jewelry that contain defamatory writing, obscene language or symbols, and/or images, in reference to:
Tobacco
Drugs
Paraphernalia
Alcohol
Nudity
Violence, violent language, or weapons
Gang related or reference to a gang
Hate speech, profanity, nudity or pornography
Anything that is otherwise illegal to possess at school
Any reference that contributes to an atmosphere of threat,
intimidation or negative peer pressure
Cell Phone Policy
- Cell phones during instructional time are strictly prohibited.
- Students may use their cell phones during lunch or during passing periods only.
- In the event a student uses their cell phone during instructional time without teacher permission, a discipline consequence may be issued.
- If you need to contact your student during school hours, please contact our attendance line in the event of an emergency.
Moment of Silence
Arizona revised statute section 15-506(A)(6) requires our school to set aside one to two minutes at the beginning of each school day for a moment of silence. We will have our moment of silence after the pledge of allegiance at the start of the school day. I encourage you to discuss with your child how to best use the moment of silence. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Principal Autumn Daniels at adaniels@aguafria.org
After the Pledge of Allegiance during 1st period, we will hold a moment of silence.
Athletics
Students interested in participating in athletics should contact Athletic Director Josh Jovanelly (jjovanelly@aguafria.org) or Athletic Assistant Julie Dodd (jdodd@aguafria.org) or call 623-932-7300, ext. 1005.
All Athletes must complete the clearance process in Aktivate (formerly Register My Athlete): https://www.registermyathlete.com/
Welcome Letter and Aktivate Clearance Checklist 23-24
Questions for Administration
If you have a question or want to speak to an administrator at any time during the year, please reference the alphabetical breakdown below. A specific administrator is assigned to students based on their last name.
A-C-Mr. Jovanelly jjovanelly@aguafria.org
D-J-Ms. Tiffany ktiffany@aguafria.org
K-P-Mr. Gardner agardner@aguafria.org
Q-Z-Ms. Alickovic aalickovic@aguafria.org
Principal Autumn Daniels adaniels@aguafria.org
Social Media and Regular Communication
Regular Communication
Email and the Remind App will be our primary source of communication with parents and students this year. The email address used will be the primary email given at registration. Parents are also automatically added to Remind through the contact information provided in your enrollment paperwork. Students’ Remind accounts are automatically created for students using their student email account.
Join us on the Remind App @aguafriahi
Here are directions to join Remind
Social Media
Click here for all of our Social Media accounts
Website: www.aguafria.org/afhs
Facebook: Agua Fria High School
Twitter: Agua Fria High School @aguafriaowls
Instagram: @aguafriaowls
Please address all items specified in this letter in a timely manner. We thank you all very much for your partnership with Agua Fria High School and we very much look forward to starting the school year!
GO OWLS!