Weekly Update #4

Our Declarations:

• ALL STUDENTS WILL FEEL SAFE AT SCHOOL
• ALL STUDENTS WILL BE TREATED WITH RESPECT
• ALL STUDENTS WILL LEARN AT HIGH LEVELS
• WE WILL EDUCATE STUDENT BY STUDENT, SKILL BY SKILL
• ALL STUDENTS WILL ENHANCE THEIR SPARK TO THRIVE AS LIFELONG LEARNERS
• WE ALL WILL IMPROVE EACH DAY
• WELL-BEING MATTERS FOR EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY

MISSION

All CGUHSD students will graduate College or Career Ready.

For a more detailed accounting of our commitments to our community and students, please click here.

Hello Cougars...we join our Vista Grande Family in mourning the loss of Mr. Louis Ramirez, the athletic director at Vista Grande and a Union alumni. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the Vista Grande staff and student body, as well as to the family and all of those impacted by this tragic loss.

I would like to thank all of our staff, students, and families for attending our Open House this past week. We had a phenomenal turnout and lots of fun. Thank you especially to Mr. Sergeant and Mr. Keiser for cooking all of those delicious hotdogs as well!

You will see that some of the information in the newsletter is repetitive weekly, this is intentional as it is extremely important information for all students, staff, parents, and community members to be aware of. There is also new information included weekly, so PLEASE take the time to read through the newsletter every week; I send them out on Sundays.

• Please, check out our new kindness wall......students, staff, and parents can give shoutouts of positivity to one another here and it will be displayed for all to see! This will go through a filter / approval process. Please click here to participate.
  

• I humbly ask for the opportunity to earn your trust. You will always receive accurate, honest, timely, and concise information from me. I have created a "Back To School"website where you can get a lot of important information. Parking, schedule changes, etc can all be found here. Additionally, you can listen to past episodes of our Podcast, "The Consummate Cat" here. We will be doing student interviews at least once per month. If you are a student and are interested in being featured on our podcast and being interviewed, please click here to complete the Interest Form.

1. Our administrative team met with all students on campus. We have reviewed our behavioral expectations; however, below is a summary of what we will / have reviewed and a link to the presentation is here:
2. Personal Electronic Devices
1. Off and away during class time, including if leaving the classroom to use the restroom or go to the office.
3. Hall passes. Security has been directed to inquire with students who are out of class and ask to view their pass. Please help us with this by ensuring you are in compliance with having a pass.
1. Restroom
2. Office/Counselor/Teacher/etc.
3. Nurse
4. Dress Code

• This is how I think is the most efficient way to handle the dress code violation load utilizing the three strike rule:

1. Students will receive an email from Mr Raymond's office, Ms. Mendoza, notifying them that they have been dress coded and the number of strikes they have.

1. Once a student reaches strike three, they will be given IFS (intervention for success) the following day.
2. Consequences will increase with each violation up OSS.
3. Dress code violations will reset at the end of the semester.

1. Be the Three
1. Respectful, Responsible, Reliable

1. Here is the video that explains our new parking model. PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS IN THE VIDEO TO HELP US ENSURE A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAILY. STUDENTS MUST GET A PARKING PASS FROM THE BOOKSTORE AND MAY NOT PARK IN UNDESIGNATED SPACES. WE WILL START ENFORCING PARKING TAGS ON WEDNESDAY AND YOU MAY BE FINED IF YOU FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES. You can learn more here.
1. Fighting / Vaping - Please see district policy, violations may result in short-term suspension (1-10 days out of school), Long-term suspension (a hearing with up to 365 day suspension), and applicable criminal charges as they may apply.

As this semester continues to move forward, there are a number of important items that I want to share. Please remember that , Mr. Raymond ( Student Discipline), Mrs. Telles (Climate / Culture), Mr. Robbins (Athletics / Activities), and Dr. Gardner (Academics) 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

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.

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.

We face and a few challenges as we begin the school year. I still see two major challenges as we approach the beginning of our second week of school: incoming metal detectors and student drop off / pick-up.

Magnetometers (Metal Detectors)

We have purchased 4 metal detectors that are being utilized on our campus. We began using these on Wednesday, Aug 8. Thus far, we have had a very smooth and successful experience and I would like to say thank you to ALL of our students and parents for arriving a bit earlier and for your cooperation with this new process. It is going to take some time to work through the process of getting everyone through in a timely fashion. STUDENTS AND PARENTS WE NEED YOUR CONTINUED HELP WITH THIS. Students, you will need to pass your laptops to security as you walk through the detectors. Nothing else needs to come out of your bags. We will have much more in depth discussion and training for our students once school begins. This process will be starting next week......STUDENTS WHO DRIVE, and who are DROPPED OFF, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU ARRIVE EARLY, OTHERWISE WE WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT BACK UP AT THE GATE.

**Demonstration Video**: Click here for a video demonstration of the OPENGATE system and its operation is available for you to view. This will help you understand how the system works and what to expect.

Schedules:

Schedule CHANGE REQUESTS ENDED ON FRIDAY AUG 9, 2024.

Moving Forward:

1. Counselors have been directed to address classes that need to be balanced. This will impact the flow of some schedules on Monday. We are doing this because we must adjust class sizes in order to ensure that all students have equitable access to a guaranteed and viable curriculum. If you have questions, please contact lgardner@cguhsd.org .

CGUHS Student Responsibilities 2024 - 2025

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

Please stay tuned for information

Our counselors and Dr. Gardner will be working closely with parents 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). Additional information can be found here. We will be rolling out our ECAP (Education and Career Action Plan - state requirement to graduate) program as well as ensuring that students have opportunities to take and pass the Civics test and CPR (both state requirements to graduate) in the coming weeks.

Hello Cougar Athletes & Parents/Guardians,

August 12th (Monday) is the first official AIA practice day for Flag Football & Volleyball. Student Athletes make sure your online registration is complete before you go to practice. You must have clearance from the Athletic Office prior to attending practice. Be aware of Heat Advisory warnings. The Athletic Office will keep you posted on practice procedures. Go Cougars!