Greetings Fabulous Catalina Community!

We are off to a great start of the 24-25 school year! I am honored and humbled to serve as Principal! At Catalina our focus is on academic excellence through consistent daily attendance to every class.

Our Code of Conduct has shifted to grade bands wherein discipline is progressive during all four years. Students have been made aware of this and they have been made aware of changes to the Code of Conduct. You will find our Student Handbook with our Catalina policies and the Code of Conduct on our website.

I want to take the time to say a huge thank you to students for your patience as we balanced class numbers and had to collapse a few classes that were under-enrolled. This required many schedule changes. Our fabulous counselors have completed the process and there should be no more schedule changes. Your patience during this process was much appreciated.

Students continue to bring to class your computers on a daily basis to access assignments. Our conference period changed slightly this year. Every student attends an IMPACT (Improving My Personal Academic and Collaboration Time) class right after lunch, only on block days. If a student is failing a class and needs to attend another class for re-teach that opportunity is still available. IMPACT is an embedded during the day opportunity for students to take the initiative to complete assignments, get ahead in a class, and get some one-on-one help from a teacher.

Reminder that progress grades will be available Thursday, September, 5th.

In our first month of school, we have worked to establish routines and procedures in class and out of class. New procedures include a digital system to track students outside of the classroom. Students need computers daily to request a pass to be out of the classroom. At Catalina I ensure to take every safety measure to account for all students. Students and teachers are working to be proficient in our Hall Pass system and computers are necessary to ensure the implementation.

We had a fabulous time on Back to School Night getting to know each other. Opportunities to meet face to face are always precious. I look forward to seeing you in person again during Parent-Teacher Conference night. I also look forward to a fabulous school year!!

"I doubt you can find a more impressive Career Technical Education (CTE) three-year turnaround in the state of Arizona," quipped an informed educator.

Last spring, Catalina's three Career Technical Education (CTE) programs excelled in the statewide technical assessments. Mishari Otaibi, Department Chair and Construction Teacher, in his seventh year, has focused his students on the latest standards set by Arizona Industry, ensuring students build employability and technical skills. "Three years ago, only five students across all three CTE programs passed this test. This year, we combined for 57. I am proud to share that 18 of 21 construction students have earned a passing score and state certificate,” Otaibi shared. Additionally, 45 OSHA and 32 NCCER Industry credentials were earned.

Most impressive is the transformation of the culinary program under the leadership of first-year teachers Jennifer Basandrai and John Vance. They implemented a more academic focus to complement cooking performance skills. "These students love to be in the kitchen, but we shifted the focus to include terminology and food safety standards necessary for an upwardly mobile career in the industry," said Ms. Basandrai. The results were clear, as 22 of 40 students passed the statewide examination. "I have seen student teams blossom with intentional conversations about the why and how to run a kitchen. It is easy to identify several students who are ready for employment," stated Mr. Vance. Moreover, 12 Serve Safe Manager Industry Credentials were earned.

The Business Program also experienced incredible success, with 17 of 18 students hitting the mark. Combined, the scores exceeded the state average by 15 points. "I love to watch this transformation in students as they prepare to become leaders in the community," stated Business Teacher Karl Oxnam. Furthermore, 39 Microsoft Office Specialists certifications were earned.

As each of these outstanding students graduate, they will impact the overall school letter grade. The future is bright for Catalina and Catalina CTE!

The Tucson Unified School District and El Rio Health are excited to offer the Teen Telehealth program for your Student, on campus, at Catalina High School. The Teen Telehealth program is offered through a private and secure computer kiosk operated by El Rio Health and the Catalina Success Center to provide students with real-time, face-to-face medical services via video appointments. This Teen Telehealth program will make healthcare for students more convenient and accessible. Easy access to healthcare helps students stay or become healthy and focus on learning by not needing to leave campus for appointments.

Parental consent forms are available in Student Services, the Health Office, and the Success Center with Mrs. Schull. Please contact Mrs. Schull with questions at 520-232-8438 or by email at amy.schull@tusd1.org

Students can receive medical consultation for

• Health screenings

• Consult for colds, cough, runny nose, pink eye, allergies, urinary tract infection, asthma, acne, etc.

• Sexual and reproductive health services (like counseling on birth control methods and testing or treatment for sexually transmitted infections) • Consult for laboratory/diagnostic testing

• Prescriptions for medications

• Referrals to an El Rio Health specialist for further care or treatment (e.g., diabetes or mental health services).

*** Reproductive health services are provided for free or low cost. Some other preventative care services may be billed to insurance. IF your student is uninsured, please contact El Rio Health at 520-670-3909. We can help you get insurance.

Hola From the Success Center!

This is a reminder that students can visit the Success Center during lunch, passing period, or after school if they need School Supplies, Personal Hygiene items, or food to bring home from the Food Pantry. If you are in need of something specific or would like to connect about your Student, feel free to email me at amy.schull@tusd1.org

Welcome back to another great year at Catalina! This is my third year here as the Library Media Specialist and I’m excited to continue working with teachers and students to support their reading, research and information literacy needs!

Library news:

• All new freshmen have had a library orientation so they know how to use the library. More information for parents and students is available on our Catalina library website!

• Students can check out up to 3 books for 3 weeks. If they have any lost books or fines, please have them talk to me in the library!

• Chess club and book club meet every Wednesday in the library.

• The Library is closed Wednesday's after school.

September:

• This month we are celebrating the freedom to read by displaying some of the books that have been historically challenged or banned in various public and school libraries across the country.

• September is ‘sign up for a public library card’ month. We have forms in our library and information about Pima County Library on our website.

• September 15th to October 15th we are highlighting Hispanic Heritage books and information in the library.

• Our awesome student aides create most of our displays, including “Gold Medal books” and “Welcome to Your Next Chapter”

Some Library Collections from our catalog to consider looking at:

• Banned Books: the Freedom to Read

• Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month

• New Beginnings

The Trojan PageTurners book club is starting up this month and will meet on Wednesdays during lunch to read and discuss books. Students can join any time by showing up or signing up online and from our Library website.

Our Library Media Website is the best place to get the most updated information about what’s going on in the Media Center as well as information on our books, research, events, and digital citizenship.

• Find out what books we have on our Destiny catalog

• Contact me at karin.bernal@tusd1.org if you have any questions or concerns. My office hours are: Monday - Friday 7:40AM to 3:30PM Office phone: 520-282-8424

Yearbooks are on sale in the Finance office, Get yours today. The price will increase in January.

School Picture Day is September 16, 2025. There will be only 1 makeup day this year, if your student misses both days, they will not be pictured on their class page in Synergy.

Senior parents: If you would like to include a shoutout or recognition page in the yearbook for your graduating senior, please reach out to Melissa Kornmuller for more Information.

Fall sports are underway and the competitive seasons have begun. Below are the schedules of competition for cross country, football and girls volleyball. The upcoming winter season will include boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls wrestling. If you are interested in joining those teams, go see coach Duran in student services for physical packets and clearance information. The winter season starts on November 4 and many teams have started preseason training.

Cross country

Date Location

9/11 @ Empire High School

9/18 @ Amphitheater High School

9/25 @ Catalina High School

9/27 Desert Twilight Invitational

10/2 @ Pueblo High School

10/9 @ Andrada Polytechnic High School

10/18 TUSD Championship

10/23 Divisional Championship

11/2 State Meet

Football

Date Location

8/23 @ Highland Prep

8/30 @ Catalina High School

9/6 @ American Leadership Academy

9/20 @ Catalina High School

9/27 @ Tanque Verde High School

10/4 @Catalina High School

10/11 @ Catalina High School

10/18 @ Benson High School

10/25 @ Palo Verde Magnet High Schol

11/1 @ Wilcox High School

Volleyball

Date Location

8/30 Tucson High Invitational

9/3 @ San Miguel High School

9/5 @ Desert Christian High School

9/11 @ Amphitheater High School

9/13 @ Cholla Magnet High School

9/18 @ Catalina High School

9/19 @ Catalina High School

10/1 @ Sabino High School

10/3 @ Safford High School

10/9 @ Tanque Verde High School

10/11 @ Catalina High School

10/17 @ Catalina High School

10/22 @ Catalina High School

10/24 @ Palo Verde High School

10/30 @ Catalina High School