The Weekly Update #11

VISION

All Living the Pursuit of Excellence for Lifetime Achievement

MISSION

The Mission of CGUHSD is to inspire excellence by providing globally competitive educational and career opportunities for all students

Nationally, there has been a significant spike in cyberbullying and classroom disruptions from cell phones in the classroom. We know that teen mental health continues to decline across the country from excessive screen time and social media. You can read some of the latest research on this important topic here. Our policy is OFF AND AWAY (Cell phones and Earbuds) during classtime.If there are extenuating circumstances, ex. diabetes and need to monitor, a caregiver with severe illness, etc please send Mr. Raymond an email and he and our staff will work with you to come to a solution.

Between classes and at lunch, there is no problem with students having their phones out or listening to music with their earpods, etc.

Great news! We now have 1 full class period of AVID being offered. If you are interested, see your counselors asap so that we can form a second class. For more information on our course offering and the AVID program you can click here and view a video here:n What AVID is

Behavior

Student behavior, especially in regard to aggression and fighting has escalated significantly in the last 2 weeks. Since Sept 11 we have had 14 students suspended for fighting. We have to be better than this. Parents, students, families.....I am asking for your help in eliminating this behavior from our campus. We have to be better than this, and as a school we are going to focus on empowering our students to make decisions and have options in order to resolve conflict peacefully. We are all Casa Grande Cougars, we all bleed the same. We hurt the same, we care the same, and we all to a certain degree want the same. There is no room on our campus for discrimination. Period. There is no room for violence. Period. We will always take the proper steps to ensure that our students, teachers, and staff are fully supported. If you would like, you can take a listen to my latest podcast (all students will be doing so this week in Cougar Hour) to learn about The Code of the West and how we as a school are going to embrace the Code, not only in our words, but in our actions as well. I will be asking our students to take a pledge against engaging in fighting and ask for all of your support in this endeavor.

Credit Recovery is progressing beautifully! Students are working extremely hard and staff is doing a phenomenal job of guiding and assisting!

Information

Please click here to read more about our Credit Recovery Challenge and how we intend to overcome it.

Vaping - Repeat from Last Week, However, VERY IMPORTANT

Here is some information on the continuing issue of vaping on campus and how to have those conversations with students regarding vaping.

Behavior:

I would like to remind students that when you are attending any school sponsored event, whether you are participating or watching, you are responsible for following our behavior guidelines and code of conduct. I would also like to remind our athletes, coaches, advisors, club members, parents, etc that when we attend an event, we are representing the community of Casa Grande, our families, and our school. School rules still apply and conducting ourselves with respect, kindness, honesty, and integrity (whether competing or just attending) are all integral components of our expectations for our campus.

Students must pay any and all fines / fees in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. Any student fines or fees can be paid online. Students can purchase parking passes, pay class fees, technology fines, etc. All of this should be done online. You can access the payment center by doing the following:

You will need a PowerSchool Parent Portal account to access TouchBase.

If you don’t have a PowerSchool Parent Portal account, please call your
student's school office to get an account set up.

Please sign into to PowerSchool to access TouchBase. The steps below
can only be done using an internet browser such as Google Chrome, Internet
Explorer, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, Android browser, etc. (computer, tablet, smartphone) and CANNOT be done using the Powerschool Mobile App.

1. Sign in to PowerSchool.
2. Once signed in, click the icon in the left panel labeled Purchases and Payments (see image on left).
   
   You will immediately be taken to TouchBase without having to sign in.

CGUHS Student Responsibilities 2023 - 24

This school year we will be discussing academic responsibilities at length with all of our students. It is important that students not only familiarize themselves with these responsibilities, but that they practice these responsibilities on a daily basis. We reviewed these expectations with students this week. If students follow the guidelines below, they will experience tremendous success at Casa Grande Union High School.

• Acquire Knowledge of Content - Students understand the content they are learning in class.
• Come Prepared for Class - Students bring the needed materials for class.
• Take Notes - Students accurately and completely take notes.
• Ask Questions - Students ask questions when a lack of understanding occurs.
• Complete Homework - Students complete assignments on time.
• Attend Tutoring/Seek Help - Students attend tutoring or seek help when they need it.
• Attend Regularly - Students attend class regularly and arrive on time.
• Take Assessment Seriously – Students bring their best effort possible on assessments.
• Appropriate Work Ethic/Attitude/Behavior - Students display appropriate work ethic, attitude, and behavior.
• Put cell phones and ear buds off and away while in the classroom
• Be Kind

Our counselors will be working closely with Mrs. Clement and our students / families to ensure that students are on track to graduate. Seniors must complete 22 credits in order to graduate. Additionally, every senior must take and pass the AZ Civics test, and must complete ECAP (Education and Career Action Plan). This year we will be using the AZ Pipeline program to guide our students through this process. Additional information can be found here. We will be rolling out our ECAP program as well as ensuring that students have opportunities to take and pass the Civics test in the coming weeks.

The Pinal Promise is a fantastic opportunity for our students to attain scholarship money and attend CAC. This scholarship is exclusively for students who live in Pinal County. For more information, click here. Additionally, Dr. Flemister and Mrs. DeCarlo will be sharing information with all seniors and senior parents throughout the year regarding scholarship opportunities.

This week Student Council attended the Spirit Conference at Perry High School. We won an award for largest contingent of students! Photos below

On-going Activities

Band Coin Drive

DECA Cougar Cards Sale

Girls' Tennis Football Cards

DECA World's Finest Chocolate Sales

9/25

11:05-11:45 - Link Crew Meeting

Advisors: Mrs. Machelor and Ms. McCallin

Auditorium

7:00 P.M. - CGUHS Town Hall with Superintendent Lavender and Dr. Lineberry

Auditorium

9/26

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM - Senior Class Meeting

Advisor: Mrs. DeCarlo

Library

3:30 - 5:45 - Auditions for the play, "The Jungle Book"

Director: Mr. Kepler

Auditorium

5:45 - Band Practice

Director: Mr. Hebda

9/27

10:00 - SEDS Your Place In Space Series via Zoom

Advisor: Mr. Morris

L100

3:30 - 5:45 - Auditions for the play, "The Jungle Book"

Director: Mr. Kepler

Auditorium

9/28

2:30 - 7:00 PM - Parent Teacher Conferences

Gymnasium and Practice Gymnasium

5:45 - 9:45 - Band Practice

Director: Mr. Hebda

9/29

Early Release Day for students and staff

9/30

CGUHS Pride of Casa Grande Band Competition @ CGUHS All Day

LOOKING AHEAD

October 2-13 - FALL BREAK - NO SCHOOL

October 3 - 3:00 P.M. - CTE Engineering Arizona Space Business Roundtable @ UA Tech Park, Tucson

October 3 - 6:00 P.M. - CACtus Outreach Band Concert @ CGUHS Auditorium

October 5 - 8:00 - 4:30 - SkillsUSA Engineering Fall Leadership Conference @ Phoenix Convention Center

October 6 - 7:00 P.M. - Home Varsity Football Game - Theme - "Cougar Crazy"

October 19 - Underclass Picture Re-Takes

October 20 - Senior Picture Re-Takes

October 21 - DECA Yard Sale

October 21 - UofA Band Day - Tucson

October 16-27 – Student Council Candy Drive for Trunk or Treat

October 24 - PSAT/NMSQT Testing for Juniors and Sophomores

October 30 – Student Council Drive Thru Trunk or Treat for the Community! Children welcomed!

If your group or company would like to participate, please contact Stacy Brady at sbrady@cguhsd.org

11/13 – Veterans’ Banquet sponsored by Student Council

September 25, 2023 - Monday

Varsity Boys Golf (H) vs Vista Grande

Dave White Golf Course – 3:00 pm

Varsity Girls Golf (A) vs Multiple Schools

Aguila Golf Course - 3:00 pm

Freshman/Sophomore Girls Tennis (H) vs Mountain View

Casa Grande Union High School - 3:30 pm

Girls Volleyball (H) vs Campo Verde

Casa Grande Union High School - 4:00 pm

September 26, 2023 - Tuesday

Varsity Boys Golf (A) vs Multiple Schools

Ahwatukee Country Club – 3:00 pm

Freshman/Sophomore Girls Tennis (H) vs Corona del Sol

Casa Grande Union High School - 3:30 pm

Freshman/Sophomore Boys Tennis (A) vs Corona del Sol

Corona del Sol High School - 3:30 pm

Girls Volleyball (A) vs Mountain Pointe

Mountain Pointe High School - 4:00 pm

Varsity Flag Football (H) vs St. John Paul II

Casa Grande Union High School - 5:00 pm

September 27, 2023 – Wednesday

Boys & Girls Cross Country (H) vs Dobson & McClintock

Casa Grande Union High School - 2:00 pm

Varsity Girls Golf (H) vs Sunnyslope

Dave White Golf Course - 3:00 pm

Freshman/Sophomore Girls Tennis (A) vs Xavier Prep

Xavier College Prep High School - 3:30 pm

September 28, 2023 – Thursday

Varsity Boys Golf (A) vs Basha & Combs

Lone Tree Golf Club - 3:00 pm

Freshman/Sophomore Girls Tennis (A) Mountain View

Mountain View (Mesa) High School - 3:30 pm

Boys & Girls Swimming (A) vs Desert View

Sunnyside High School– 4:00 pm

Varsity Flag Football (H) vs Mountain View (Marana)

Casa Grande Union High School - 5:00 pm

Freshman/Sophomore Football (A) vs Desert View

Desert View High School - 6:00 pm

September 29, 2023 – Friday

Varsity Football vs Desert View

Desert View High School - 7:00 pm