A SAFETY NOTE FROM PRINCIPAL THOMAS

Thank you for your patience and communication this past week. We had some technological challenges with our phone services, and then when those were back up and running, we had some rumored social media threats, that were proven to be unfounded. Although those particular posts proved to be unfounded, we will maintain the same level of diligence we have throughout the past week, and the rest of the school year. Thank you for the communication and for reporting to us/law enforcement when a concerning post arises.

When a concerning post arises...

1. Report it, Don't Repost It... (report to administrators, law enforcement, parent/guardian, teachers)

• Anonymous Tip Line is an option as well.

A PERSONNEL NOTE FROM PRINCIPAL THOMAS

AD Update - Mr. Maier has accepted an opportunity to transition into the assistant principal of students services, clubs and activities, and supporting teaching and learning. For the SY23-24 he will remain our athletic director, and we will be hiring an athletic director for SY24-25, over the course of the next few weeks.

RTI - VIPER CONNECT SCHEDULE - THIS WEEK

Monday 1/29: Report to 3rd Hour

Tuesday 1/30: Report to 4th Hour

Wednesday 1/31: NONE

Thursday 2/1: Report to 5th Hour

Friday 2/1: Report to 6th Hour

~ONE VERRADO~

1. FAFSA is Open! + Scholarship Expo

• FAFSA- The 2024-2025 FAFSA application is now open! Please visit FAFSA to apply. We will be hosting a FAFSA night in the future. More information coming soon about FAFSA night on February 13th.

• Scholarship Expo Info- The Scholarship Expo is this Thursday, February 1st from 4:30pm - 6:30pm at Burton Barr Central Library. At this event you will be able to mix and mingle with scholarship providers. Please see info graphic below with more information about the event.

2. SPRING TRYOUTS - GENERAL INFORMATION

• Students MUST BE CLEARED IN AKTIVATE (REGISTER MY ATHLETE]. Clearance packet is available online or in the Athletic Office with Mrs. Gaylen Barnes. For general athletics questions, please email gbarnes@aguafria.org.
• TRYOUTS BEGIN THE WEEK OF FEB.5TH - - You MUST be cleared to tryout (see above).

For More Information see the Athletics Section Below!

3. VHS FBLA TEAM ACHIEVEMENTS: Congratulations to our VHS FBLA Team! In our Regional Conference they won 3 bronze medals, 1 silver medal, and 2 gold medals. Anasia Jones and Evee Dardano won 1st place in Digital Photography - Commercial Portfolio. Natalie Eng and Adriano Lopez Perez won 3rd place in Coding and Programming. Thomas Duarte won 2nd place in Introduction to Financial Math and he also won 3rd place in Data Analysis. Way to go Vipers!

Counseling Connection at VHS

• Please check out The Counseling Connection, for 3rd quarter updates from our counselling department.

Student Journalism at VHS 📰

• Please check out The Viper Times, for digital journalism regarding all things Verrado High School, reported by Verrado High School Students!

Student News Network at VHS 📽️

• Please check out KVHS for video reporting on all things Verrado High School, reported by Verrado High School Students!

• WINTER SPORTS! (Basketball, Wrestling and Soccer)! Check out https://azpreps365.com/schools/verrado for schedules 🏀⚽🤼(BOLD = HOME)

  • Tuesday, Boys soccer VS. Lake Havasu- Senior Night for Boys Soccer (Girls @ Lake Havasu)
  • Tuesday, Boys basketball VS. Desert Edge
  • Thursday, Girls basketball VS. Millennium (Boys @ Millennium)
  • Thursday, Girls soccer VS. Agua Fria
  • Friday, Girls soccer VS. Sierra Linda (Boys @ Sierra Linda)
  • Friday, Girls basketball VS. Lake Havasu

  
  

• SENIOR NIGHT for BOYS SOCCER- January 30th
• ARMY CAMPUS VISIT- Monday: During both lunches
• MARINES CAMPUS VISIT- Tuesday: During both lunches
• US NAVY CAMPUS VISIT- Thursday: During both lunches

Mix and mingle with scholarship providers! Snacks and raffle prizes will be included. Register to reserve your spot! Contact csmith@aguafria.org for more information.

Click the photo below or visit FAFSA to apply. FAFSA night coming soon- stay tuned for more info!

Hello, Vipers!

We are excited for you to join Verrado Athletics! Verrado High School has been the home of many athletic successes since we opened, and we are thrilled for you to continue that tradition. Winter sports are upon us- basketball, soccer and wrestling. For sports schedules, please visit https://azpreps365.com/schools/verrado. Please contact GBarnes@aguafria.org, for more information).

All student-athletes will need to create a Register My Athlete (Button Below) account and upload all required forms prior to participating in any athletic activities (including tryouts).

If you’re looking to support our Vipers, visit the Bookstore and/or Verrado Athletics Store (Button Below) online for spiritwear and other merchandise.

Visit verradovipers.com (Button Below) for more info!

Garrett Maier

Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

Gaylen Barnes

Athletics Admin Assistant

623-932-7400 x4003

Spring Coaches List

• Tennis -Boys dduplain@aguafria.org (Tryouts)

• Tennis - Girls cleoni@aguafria.org (Tryouts)

• Track & Field - Girls nolveda@aguafria.org (Non-Cut Sport)

• Track & Field - Boys amorris@aguafria.org (Non-Cut Sport)

• Baseball agarcia@aguafria.org (Tryouts)

• Softball thampton@aguafria.org (Tryouts)

• Boys Volleyball mlopez@aguafria.org (Tryouts)

• Beach Volleyball mbowen@aguafria.org (Tryouts)

• Tryouts begin the Week of February 5th, with Sport Specific Times Coming Soon. Register My Athlete MUST BE DONE FOR YOU TO TRYOUT.

• MUST COMPLETE SEASON WITH WINTER SPORT BEFORE trying out for a spring sport (Spring Sport Coaches need to Know you Intend on Trying out)

• MUST WEAR ATHLETIC CLOTHING AND ATHLETIC SHOES; BRING WATER; BRING NEEDED EQUIPMENT

Towards the end of March we will begin our state testing on campus. Please check out the testing calendar and schedule below.

Class of 2024 has until February 1st to order class rings, caps and gowns, and letterman jackets! Visit Jostens.com or click the image below to place your order.

Verrado Pom is hosting a Dance Clinic on January 30th and 31st. Please reach out to sbooth@aguafria.org for more information.

Please reach out to Coach Duplain in room E5 or email: dduplain@aguafria.org for more information.

• The last day to order a senior ad for the yearbook is February 12th 2024
• The last day to order a yearbook is April 6th 2024
• Click the image or button below to order

To contact an ASAP substance abuse team member, please call 602-434-0249 or visit https://www.asapaz.com/. Click on the buttons below for more information on the program.

Here is the information for your counseling department for the 2023-2024 school year!

The wing in which students attend advisory (homeroom) will determine their counselors. Students were given introductions to their counselors, and have had opportunities to meet them. Please see the list below to reference the counseling team.

A-wing Counselor - Mrs. Schepker, vschepker@aguafria.org

B-wing Counselor - Mrs. Palmgren, hpalmgren@aguafria.org

C-wing Counselor - Mrs. Enders, cenders@aguafria.org

D-wing Counselor - Mr. Pratt, spratt@aguafria.org

E-wing Counselor - Mrs. Hink, shink@aguafria.org

Please click this link, for more information from the counseling team!

Purchasing Parking Passes: For the safety and security of our students and staff, parking permits are required to park on campus. We need to be sure that the cars parked on our campus are that of our students, and want to ensure that we are doing our best to ensure the safety on campus. The application can be filled out here. Payment can be made in the bookstore. Thank you!

If students do not have a parking pass, we are going to begin to communicate with them as they arrive to campus, to ensure they register for their parking pass.

1. Please forward your student THIS LINK if they have not yet completed the application.
2. You will be notified once your student is approved, and charges have been applied

Contact RSandiego@aguafria.org with questions.

SEE GRAPHIC FOR LOCATION OF STUDENT LOT + PAYMENT BUTTON BELOW

Payment for AP tests aren't due until April 1st. (Note: We are working on additional discounts & possible savings -- if you already paid before we activate those, we will refund the savings to your students account). Payments can be made at the VHS Bookstore. The cost of the 1st test is $49 ($98 for all additional tests)

• The Civics Test is a graduation requirement of all Arizona H.S. Students
• Using your students chromebook, they can complete the required test!
• SEE THE INFOGRAPHIC BELOW

IMPORTANT: YOU MUST RE-REGISTER FOR RETURNING STUDENTS!

How to Apply for Transportation: Please follow the directions in the Edulog App (in the App Store, or Google Play store). NOTE: Eligible students needing transportation beginning August 7th are REQUIRED to register via the Edulog app.

Requirements: 5-Digit Student ID (visible in parentvue), plus a valid parent email address, and complete the registration in the app.

Steps: There are multiple steps, so please be diligent when completing the application. (Link to Edulog Tutorial in District website). This tutorial will walk you through the process

You will be able to see students schedules in ParentVue & StudentVue

• Can view through the apps in App Store // Google Play Store (Or use the Button Below for Browser Version)

Note: Families in need can complete the Fee Waiver request form and submit it via email or in person to Ryan San Diego at RSanDiego@aguafria.org

Why Mastery Learning?

Our district is committed to not only focusing on academic knowledge but also equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. By helping students master skills, our high schools ensure that graduates are better prepared for the demands and expectations of the professional world. Along with key academic coursework, mastering skills in high school can have a long-lasting impact on students' careers. The skills students develop during their education can serve as a solid foundation for their future professional growth. Proficiency in skills such as technology, leadership, creativity, and collaboration can contribute to career advancement and open doors to opportunities. We believe that students who develop strong skills during their education are more likely to embrace continuous learning and seek personal and professional development throughout their lives. This is crucial in a rapidly evolving job market where individuals need to adapt to new technologies, industries, and work environments.

Lunch: Here is the link to our Food Services website. There you will also find the Food Services application (LinqConnect -- Button Below).

• We encourage all families to apply for the Agua Fria High School District Free and Reduced Lunch program.
• In addition to receiving free and reduced price lunch, it has many other cost benefits when it comes to athletic and academic programs.
• The Meal Benefit Application is available on the website by visiting: www.aguafria.org/meals.

You may also utilize the attached packets below for more information and application

• 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 623-932-7400 Extension 1 and leave your student’s name, ID number, date, and the reason for the absence and it will be processed as soon as possible.
• Students who are late to any class during the day will be marked tardy. 5 tardies to a class will be the equivalent of 1 absence for the class.
• 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.

Note: For further information, please see the attached document below.

If you have any medical updates please complete the enclosed form and send it directly to the school nurse directly – Michelle Fernandez, mfernandez1@aguafria.org

Please see the Button below to access the form.

Please read the following, as it pertains to parental response during safety procedures.

Please review the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for more information

Please review the following regarding weapons detectors at AFUHSD sites.

Verrado 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 detectors are mobile and will also be utilized for entry into the school for things such as theater performances or sporting events.

Districtwide, we want to showcase our students, teachers, and programs during the school year. During the school year, there may be times when your student is photographed and/or their image is posted on social media. Please complete the link below if you do not want your student’s image to be shared. By completing this form, you are opting out of having any photos of your student(s) being displayed on our school or district websites.