A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Good Morning! I hope you've enjoyed the 3-day weekend! Quick shoutout to the science departments for their work in the AFUHSD STEMCON event this past week at Agua Fria High School! Congratulations to 21 Verrado Students who placed top 3, or honorable mention!

This weeks mailer is FULL of opportunities for your students...

1. Scholarship Opportunities (ASBA + Gilder Lehrman Scholarships)

2. FAFSA is ready for Seniors to begin Applying

3. Camps & Extension Opportunities (IT for Girls - Fulton Summer Engineering Academies - Civic Leadership Institute)

4. Fundraisers (Noodles.com for Baseball - Tonight 4-8pm / / Krispy Kreme for Key Club - Online Orders until Mar. 5th --> Flyers & Links Below!)

Please scroll the flyers below to get a quick glance at all of the above, or points of interest!

~ONE VERRADO~

1. RTI + VIPER CONNECT

Viper Connect has been finished/restored, and we will be back on beginning this coming Thursday! Please remind your students to begin choosing your sessions at this time!

• Tuesday 2/20 - Advisory
• Wednesday 2/21 - Early Release
• Thursday 2/22 - Viper Connect
• Friday 2/23 - Viper Connect

• FAFSA- The 2024-2025 FAFSA application is now open! Please visit FAFSA to apply, or view the information below!

3. ACT PREP SESSIONS (Saturday Trainings - - Juniors, or non-juniors who will take the ACT)

Verrado will be hosting ACT Prep Sessions in English/Reading, Math, and Science as well as a modified full practice test to help prepare our juniors for success on the upcoming ACT test.

Each Saturday session will run from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. You can attend as many sessions as you would like. Students must sign up for the session they will be attending. Click here to sign up.

Saturday Sessions will be held on:

March 2 - English/Reading

March 23 - Math

March 30 - Science

April 6 - Modified Full Practice Test

If you have any questions, contact Holly Bonessi (hbonessi@aguafria.org)

4. The Week Ahead, Scholarships, Camps, Fundraisers, and So Much More!

• For the events in The Week Ahead, please scroll to the section below!
• Please see our Fundraisers that are upcoming as well, including Krispy Kreme for Key Club, or Noodles.Com for Baseball (Today Only!) -- Scroll below for links and Codes!
• We have a LARGE number of promotions, scholarships, tours, etc... Please see them by scrolling below!

Counseling Connection at VHS

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

Student News Network at VHS 📽️

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

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!

SPRING SPORTS START THIS WEEK! (Beach Volleyball, Boys Volleyball, Softball, Baseball, Tennis and Track)! Check out https://azpreps365.com/schools/verrado for schedules 🏃‍♂️🎾🥎⚾🏐

(BOLD = HOME)

• Tuesday, Beach Volleyball VS. Mountain Point
• Wednesday, Beach Volleyball VS. Campo Verde
• Wednesday, Baseball VS. Tolleson High School
• Friday, Baseball VS Apollo High School in Flagstaff
• Saturday, Boys and Girls Track VS. Higley

• PRESIDENT'S DAY: No School- Monday, February 19th
• MARINES CAMPUS VISIT- Tuesday: During both lunches
• US NAVY CAMPUS VISIT- Thursday: During both lunches

Verrado will be hosting ACT Prep Sessions in English/Reading, Math, and Science as well as a modified full practice test to help prepare our juniors for success on the upcoming ACT test.

Each Saturday session will run from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. You can attend as many sessions as you would like. Students must sign up for the session they will be attending. Click here to sign up.

Saturday Sessions will be held on:

March 2 - English/Reading

March 23 - Math

March 30 - Science

April 6 - Modified Full Practice Test

If you have any questions, contact Holly Bonessi (hbonessi@aguafria.org)

February 1st through March 29

It’s time for seniors to apply for ASBA Scholarships! Click the link below for more information.

School Board member Eric Cultum will add a personalized letter for any AFUHSD student who wishes to apply from our district to go with their scholarship application

Students have the opportunity to spend their summer at the National History Academy’s Residential Summer Program for rising 10th through 12th grade students, June 30–July 26, 2024, on the campus of the Foxcroft School just outside Washington, DC.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute and the National History Academy are once again partnering to provide twenty scholarships exclusively to students at schools in our Affiliate School Program.

To apply for the Gilder Lehrman–National History Academy Scholarships, click the link below

Click the photo below or visit FAFSA to apply.

• Support your VHS Key Club by purchasing Krispy Kreme donuts through a fundraiser hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Litchfield!
• $17 per Original Glazed Dozen! Over 50% will be donated back to help and support students!
• Order by March 5th.
• CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ORDER DIRECTLY INTO THE FUNDRAISER!

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

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

• Tennis - Girls cleoni@aguafria.org

• Track & Field - Girls nolveda@aguafria.org

• Track & Field - Boys amorris@aguafria.org

• Baseball agarcia@aguafria.org

• Softball thampton@aguafria.org

• Boys Volleyball mlopez@aguafria.org

• Beach Volleyball mbowen@aguafria.org

Attention Junior and Seniors! Ira A Fulton School of Engineering will be on campus: Monday, February 26th during Viper Connect

Contact csmith@aguafria.org for more information or to sign up.

Estrella Mountain Community College is hosting an admissions workshop on February 29th from 8am to 3pm. Learn about what EMCC has to offer.

Contact csmith@aguafria.org if you have any questions.

We have early release on Friday, March 8th!

Unified Sports Field Day will be at CVHS on March 8th from 10:00am to 12:30pm.

Glendale Community College is hosting an open house on Tuesday, March 26th! You can tour the campus to see what programs they have to offer. Financial aid specialists will be able to answer any finance questions you may have.

Contact csmith@aguafria.org if you have any questions.

Discover the endless possibilities in IT for girls. Girls Get IT is open for Juniors and Seniors in High school and are interested in the Field of Information Technology. GCC is hosting an event on March 29th!

Contact ggit2024@gccaz.edu or csmith@aguafria.org for more information.

Participants will engage the political thought, speeches, and statesmanship of contemporaries Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass to explore the fundamental American principles of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution, such as liberty, equality, constitutionalism, and democracy.

When: June 17-21

Click the link below for more information.

Touchstone is offering virtual parenting workshops via TEAMS. Please see the flyer below for more information. Click the images or button below to register for the workshops. Contact maria.navarrete@touchstonebh.org if you would like more information.

• The last day to order a senior ad for the yearbook is March, 6 2024
• The last day to order a yearbook is April, 6th 2024
• Click the 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.

The Freshman Mentor Program is designed to encourage the growth of all freshmen through the efforts of upperclassmen as role models. Mentors join their Freshmen advisories and are expected to lead lessons while keeping students engaged. They provide a supportive environment, the goal is to enable students to make smooth academic and social adjustments to high school. Contact: sbooth@aguafria.org for more information.

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!

Welcome to the new Viper engraving online store. The engineering shop will engrave or 3D print pre-selected or custom designs for you. You can choose an item, then select any personalized options where available. Taxes are included in the price.

Orders can take 2-3 weeks depending on what products are on hand. Order your engraved item(s) early instead of waiting until the end of the season or the school year. Suppliers tend to start running low on items towards the end of every school year, so please plan accordingly!

Scan the QR code or visit the Viper Engraving website to place an order.

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.