The Weekly Update #21

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

Greetings Cougar Nation,

Semester 2 is off to a fantastic start. I hope that you all had time over the break and the three day weekend to relax and reflect. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose impact we celebrate today, once said "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear". As we head into the week and semester, aware of the world around us, let us all do what we can to Dr. King's vision alive: be kind, be patient, be tolerant, be accepting, be fair and above all be better. There is a lot going on in the coming weeks, seniors, it will not be long before we are out on the field practicing for graduation. Let's start in the manner in which we intend to finish: STRONG!

Some reminders:

All Casa Grande Union students who drive to school must have their parking permit displayed .

Parking violations will be cited, and fines will be assessed at the rate of $5.00/day and per violation.

Please be responsible and get your $25.00 parking permit. YOU MUST PARK IN ASSIGNED SPACES.

If someone is parked in your spot, please let the office know and we will address it.

Our administrative team met with all students to review our behavioral expectations at the beginning of the year, please click here to see the topics we reviewed. Students, your teachers went over this last week in Cougar Hour. It is your responsibility to be familiar with our expectations.

As this semester continues to move forward, there are a number of important items that I want to share. Please remember that Mrs. Clement, Mr. Raymond, Mrs. Telles, Mr. Robbins, and Dr. Gardner and I remain available to assist you in any way that we can.

Protect the Den!

Dr. Chris Lineberry

Principal

Casa Grande Union High School

Rapper-turned-country singer Jelly Roll spoke about the importance of prioritizing the fentanyl crisis at a Senate hearing on Thursday.

The musician, whose real name is Jason DeFord, testified before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, chaired by Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio.

Jelly Roll urged Congress to pass Brown's Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, which would wield financial sanctions against drug traffickers to disrupt the flow of opioids coming in from China and Mexico.

Below is video of his testimony. 190 people die of fentanyl everyday in the United States, that is a 747 airliner filled to capacity. Every. Single. Day. Here is what he had to say (VERY POWERFUL):

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.

Behavior

Student behavior, especially in regard to aggression and fighting has escalated significantly in the last few weeks prior to break. Since Sept 11 we have had 16 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.

Activities for the Week of January 15

Ongoing Activities

January 15-26 – Girls’ Tennis World’s Finest Chocolate Sale

Week of January 15

January 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – No School/School Closed

CGUHS Participating in the City’s MLK, Jr. Day of Service

January 16

9:30 – 12:00 - Villago 8th Grade Visitation @ Auditorium/campus

11:05 – 11:45 – CGUHS Organizations’ Fair in front of the cafeteria

3:30 – Faculty Meeting @ Olas Ki

5:00 – 9:00 – Band Colorguard Practice @ Practice Gym

6:00 – 9:00 – Percussion Rehearsal @ Tennis Court

January 17- No club activities

January 18

9:10 – 10:10 – BMX NO HATE TOUR Assembly for 9th and 10th graders @ Gymnasium

10:45 – 11:45 – BMX NO HATE TOUR Assembly for 11th and 12th graders @ Gymnasium

3:30 – 4:30 – DECA Competition Study Session @ K102

3:30 – 4:30 – E-Sports Team @ Library Reference Room

4:00 – 5:00 – DECA Carr McNatt Park Clean Up Service Project

5:00 – 9:00 – Band Colorguard practice @ Small Gym

6:00 – 9:00 – Percussion Rehearsals @ Tennis Courts

January 19

11:05 - 11:45AM Senior ASVAB Interpretation @ Auditorium

11:05 – DECA Teacher Appreciation Activity

4:00 – FFA to Peoria Mini Conference

January 20

All Day – FFA to Peoria Mini-Conference

Looking Ahead

January 22 – ECAP/JAI begins for all classes

January 23– Reading Growth Testing in English Classes

January 25 – 27 – Student Council to AASC State Convention

January 30 – Make-up CIVICS and CPR testing required for Graduation by the State of Arizona

January 30 – FFA to Regional Competition

February – ELL State Testing all month @ D204/206

February 1 – District Benchmark Testing for all students

February 10 – MORP Dance

February 13/14 – ASVAB Testing for all Juniors and Seniors who were absent

February 15 – Parent Teacher Conferences

February 16 – Early Release Schedule

February 19 – Presidents’ Day – No School

February 22 – Community Interviews for All Juniors and select Seniors

February 23/24 – WGAZ Band Winter Invitational @ CGUHS

January 15, 2024 -Monday

Boys Basketball (H) vs Horizon

Casa Grande Union High School

MLK Classic

Var - 7:00pm

January 16, 2024 - Tuesday

Boys Soccer (H) vs Chaparral

Casa Grande Union High School

JV - 4:00pm; Var - 6pm

Boys Basketball (H) vs Williams Field

Casa Grande Union High School

Fr/So - 4pm; JV - 5:30pm; Var - 7pm

Girls Basketball (A) vs Williams Field

Williams Field High School

JV - 4:30pm; Var - 6pm

Girls Soccer (A) vs Chaparral

Chaparral High School

JV - 4pm; Var - 6pm

January 17, 2024 – Wednesday

NO EVENTS SCHEDULED

January 18, 2024 – Thursday

Girls Soccer (H) vs Campo Verde

Casa Grande Union High School

JV - 4pm

Boys Soccer (H) vs Campo Verde

Casa Grande Union High School

JV - 6pm

Boys Basketball (A) vs Mountain Pointe

Mountain Pointe High School

Fr/So - 4pm; JV - 5:30pm; Var - 7pm

Girls Basketball (H) vs Mountain Pointe

Casa Grande Union High School

JV - 5:30pm; Var - 7pm

January 19, 2024 – Friday

Girls Soccer (A) vs Campo Verde

Campo Verde High School

Var - 5pm

Boys Soccer (A) vs Campo Verde

Campo Verde High School

Var - 7pm

January 20, 2024 – Saturday

NO EVENTS SCHEDULED