Knightly Update August 4, 2024

Welcome to August! It was nice seeing many of you at this year's Meet the Teacher Night. I hope you enjoyed learning about the courses your child is enrolled and seeing our campus. If you have any questions over the course of the year, please contact the appropriate instructor(s) or administration.

As you know, our school's E building was damaged due to a water leak that occurred last week. All classrooms, except for the drama room and dance room have been reopened and students have returned to those rooms. Unfortunately, the auditorium, drama room, and dance room suffered significant damage and will remain closed for the next several weeks. The district was fantastic in helping us on Friday and have all parts in motion to help repair and restore the damaged areas as quickly as they can. I appreciate the flexibility, compassion, and understanding that our students and staff demonstrated on Friday, and I am very grateful for the the way our faculty is continuing to work together to help their colleagues impacted this event. Great job, everyone!

As the quarter continues, please remember to frequently review your child's academic progress via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Mid-quarter grades for this quarter will be posted on Friday, August 16. If you have any questions regarding your child's progress, please reach out to your child's teachers. Thank you for supporting your child and their academics.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, ACP counselor, Ms. Rachel Bopp, is needing to leave ACP and move to Virginia. We are working to interview applicants to fill this vacancy in a timely manner. In the meantime, the counseling team has divided up Ms. Bopp's caseload as follows:

• Mr. Dixon - last names Jop-Koo
• Mrs. O'Donnal - last names Kop-Lim
• Ms. O'Brien - last names Lin-May
• Ms. Steele - last names Mc-My

Students who were assigned to Ms. Bopp at the start of the year need to make note of this temporary assignment. We will communicate the individual selected to replace Ms. Bopp when permitted to our school community. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to fill this position.

I've received a few concerns from our neighbors since the start of the school year regarding ACP traffic. Please remember to drop off and pick up your child using the guidelines established. With after school activities/practices starting soon, the pick-up process will shorten and become more efficient as many students will be staying after school to engage in various activities. Please follow established guidelines and show compassion for our neighbors as you would hope others would show to you and your neighbors. I appreciate your attention to this expectation.

General reminders about school rules and procedures were shared at my student meetings earlier this year, which included a review of our school's dress code. Please remind your child to be cognizant of modesty when choosing what to wear to school. I realize current fashion trends market extremely short bottom attire, but our expectation is for students to wear attire that is appropriate for a school/business environment. Maintaining modesty is expected. We always begin the year with a grace period as students are reminded of dress guidelines, and with that period behind us, students who choose to wear attire that is deemed to be inappropriate or violates general dress standards, will receive a dress code infraction and be assigned appropriate consequences. If you have any questions about attire guidelines, please review the Summer Edition of our Knightly Update or contact any member of administration.

I hope you have a very nice week. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. Have a great day!

Rob Bickes

Principal

Site events listed in bold.

Monday, August 5

• No events scheduled

Tuesday, August 6

• 9:15 AM - Freshman Freeze, ACPHS Courtyard

Wednesday, August 7

• No events scheduled

Thursday, August 8

• 9:00 AM - Club Fair, ACPHS Courtyard and C-building hallways
• A, B & C Lunches - Class of 2025 Graduation Order Collection (Josten's), ACPHS Cafeteria

Friday, August 9

• 7:00 - AcDec Trivia Knight, ACPHS Cafeteria

Saturday, August 10

• No events scheduled

********

SAVE THE DATE

Homecoming Week - September 16-20

Homecoming Dance - Saturday, September 21 - 7:00-10:00 PM - ACPHS Courtyard

Do you know an ACP student, staff member, alumni, or family that deserves to be recognized? Email Mr. Bickes with the information so we can share the amazing news with our school community. Go Knights!

It seems that every week we learn of another student who earned a perfect ACT score. Well this week is no different. We have two additional members of the senior class who earned that perfect 36 on their ACT. Congratulations to seniors Katie Stefanovski and Michael Stevenson on earning the highest possible score on their ACT assessment. Absolutely incredible achievement. We are so proud of our Knights and Katie and Michael are just another shining example of what ACP students are made of! Congratulations to both of you on your perfect score!

We are excited for our Club Fair for the 2024-25 School Year. The Club Fair will be held this Thursday, August 8th. The Fair will take place from 9:05 to 9:42 (last 15 minutes of 2nd Period and Advisory). Students will have the chance to explore our different clubs on campus and get more information. Shortly after the Club Fair, clubs hold informational meetings. Once these informational meetings take place, club officers along with sponsors must complete our annual club paperwork requirements and then official club meetings start the first week of September. Most of our clubs meet after school. However, some of our clubs also hold meetings during our advisory period. Please email the club sponsor if you need more information for a specific club. We will be sending out our new list of clubs for the 2024-25 school year, along with the Club Fair Map, on Tuesday August 6th to all students through Student Square. Students will then have a chance to see all the Clubs that ACPHS has to offer and then explore their options at the Club Fair.

Our ACP teachers have big ideas for how to make your child’s learning more fun and engaging. The annual Cash For Classrooms fundraiser is your chance to help make those ideas possible!

Past grants have funded robotics equipment, propagation stations, special education resources, community gardens, special guest speakers, library materials, reading fluency tools, exciting field trips, and more! These resources and experiences enhance learning for all our students!

Donate online here to help light up learning at ACP! AND - if you donate $100+, you’ll receive a special State Forty Eight t-shirt as a thank you for supporting our students!

Link Crew Coordinators are excited to share that the Class of 2028 t-shirts will be distributed during lunches on Friday, August 9th. Link Leaders will be manning tables outside the cafeteria where students will be able to go and receive their shirts. If you have any questions about this please reach out to the Link Crew Coordinators, Mrs. Michaelson, Ms. Weber, Ms. Figueroa, & Mr. Soto. Thank you!

ANYONE attending any tryout session must be fully cleared through Aktivate

and appear on the Coach’s cleared roster to participate.

Unless otherwise noted, tryouts begin Monday, August 12th.

We are excited to offer you with the opportunity to take your AP exam at ACP in May 2025. Student access to MyAP began August 1, 2024. AP teachers will be sharing “Course Join Codes” throughout the month of August. It is critical for families and students to review the information below and in the corresponding attachment to understand all things associated with AP. Please note, deadlines ARE NOT flexible.

AP Exams are OPTIONAL at ACP; Therefore, students who are enrolled in AP courses are NOT automatically signed up to take the exam. Students must follow these two steps to order an exam:

1. Enter the JOIN CODE in MyAP to be added to the AP Classroom
2. Pay the $100 Exam Fee per exam (note: Seminar/Research exams are $150)

The $100 Exam Fee is NOT automatically added to the student’s Infinite Campus account. This needs to be added by the student/parent in Infinite Campus (directions on how to do this are attached). In addition, students have the option to pay the $100 exam fee in the ACP BOOKSTORE during bookstore hours.

Important dates and deadlines to be aware of regarding AP registration at ACP (these dates are not flexible):

• November 8, 2024 (If you do NOT meet the 11/8/24 deadline for payment, there will be a $50 late fee added)
• Final Date to sign up in MyAP using the Course Join Code (provided by AP instructor)
• Final Date to pay $100 Exam Fee per exam. ($150 for Seminar/Research)
• February 28, 2025
• THE FINAL DATE WE CAN ACCEPT LATE EXAM PAYMENTS ($150 for general exams; $200 for Seminar/Research)
• After February 28, 2025, you will not be able to order an AP exam at ACP.
• College Board's deadlines may differ, however, ACP's FINAL DEADLINE IS 2/28/25

If you would like to cancel an ordered exam, you may do so:

• Before November 8, 2024 = 100% refund
• Before May 1, 2025 = 50% refund
• After May 1, 2025 = no refund

Other FAQs

If you are interested in taking an AP exam, but you are not enrolled in the AP class on our campus, please see Mrs. Ludwig in B102 to get an “Exam Only” Join Code.

If you have two exams scheduled on the same day and same time, please visit Mrs. Ludwig in B102 so that we can schedule one of the exams as a “late exam”. Students who are absent on the date of their AP exam are not guaranteed to take the exam late unless it is arranged ahead of time. Additionally, no refunds will be given.

In case you did not purchase an Activity Card during Virtual Day of the Knights, it's not too late! Activity Card purchases are available throughout the year, so purchase yours today!

Student Activity Card Information

We highly recommend the purchase of this card to take advantage of discounts for school activities and athletic events.

The Activity Card can be purchased for $50 and is good for the 2024-2025 school year.

Student Activity Card Benefits…

• 50% off ticket for Homecoming

• $10 off Prom Ticket

• Free or reduced rates to other Student Government events

Student Athletic Benefits…

• Admission to all AIA regular season home games (does not include tournaments or playoff games)

We are proud of the culture and traditions we get to provide all students with this year. The Activity Card provides huge discounts and helps increase involvement in our school community. This is a great purchase for each student.

Students/families wishing to participate in NSLP free and reduced meal program must fill out a 2024-25 free & reduced application. Those students who were eligible last year have the first 30 days of school in ‘carryover-temporary’ status grace period while they reapply. Any students who were on the ‘carryover-temporary’ status and have not reapplied on or before August 26th will revert to PAID status on August 27th. For additional information and to apply/reapply, click here.

CUSD is proud to offer the Seal of Personal Finance, Seal of Civics Literacy, Seal of Arts Proficiency and Seal of Biliteracy to all high school students. Each seal has unique requirements and different application windows. Students must complete all requirements successfully within their high school years to qualify. Students interested in applying for any of the seals should visit the Diploma Seals website for more information. Freshmen – Juniors are encouraged to complete an Intent to participate form.

The Seal of Biliteracy application closes on September 20th for all students graduating this year. Click here for additional information. No late applications will be received after this date.

Hey Knights. If you don't already have the StudentSquare app on your device, please make sure to download it today. StudentSquare is an easy to use and secure communication tool for students and staff.

What you can do with StudentSquare

• Receive messages from school by email, text or mobile app.
• Send messages to your teachers and staff at school.
• Stay in the loop regarding late start days, extracurricular activities, and class projects.
• Subscribe to calendars, RSVP to events, complete forms, use sign-up sheets and participate in groups.

To learn more about StudentSquare, watch the video (button below) and review the corresponding documents. If you have any questions, please contact administration. Don't forget to get this extremely critical app on your phone today.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College Dual enrollment registration is now open for new and returning Dual Enrollment Students. View your high school class list for dual enrollment course offerings and admissions, placement or prerequisites needed for enrollment. To avoid a delay in processing your admissions application and next steps forms, ensure you have completed all the required prerequisites for enrollment and uploaded your Identity Authentication and Residency documents in your next steps forms.

Visit cgc.edu/dual to complete the first-time dual enrollment steps.

As a first-time dual enrollment, you'll need to follow the these steps:

1. Get admitted to Chandler-Gilbert Community College
2. Set up Duo two-factor authentication on your smart phone
3. Visit your Student Center, maricopa.edu/students, to complete first-time Next Steps forms
4. Register for Classes
5. Pay your tuition and fees

Returning Students: If you have taken Dual Enrollment classes before, you are already in the system with an established MEID (User ID) and should be able to log into your Maricopa Student Center at maricopa.edu/students to self-enroll.

• If you believe you meet the prerequisites for a class but the system will not allow the class to be added, please add all other classes first. Then email dualenrollment@cgc.edu with the following information.

Dual Enrollment First-Time Students Registration Steps

ACP students provide a tremendous amount of service hours throughout their high school career. The method for inputting and tracking one's service hours has changed this year. All students will now input their service hours through Infinite Campus. The attached document shares the steps students will need to take to input their hours. It is very important that students record any service provided over the course of their entire high school career. They may need to input this information when applying for scholarships, to colleges, internships, employment, or other opportunities during and after high school. Please make sure to enter your service hours via the method share in the attached document. If you have any questions, please see contact the office. Thank you.

As a reminder, all students in grades 9-11 will take the PSAT on Tuesday, October 22nd this year. Junior students have the opportunity to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship by taking this exam. Students in grades 9, 10, and 11 must pay to take the PSAT assessment before September 11th. It is absolutely critical that ALL juniors pay the $25 assessment fee in order to be considered for National Merit opportunities. Students in grades 9 and 10 are STRONGLY urged to pay the fee so they receive a score report and personalized feedback that includes corresponding online lessons based on their performance in order to potentially improve their score on future PSAT/SAT exams. If you have any questions or need to discuss financial support, please contact Mrs. Ludwig. All students will take the exam regardless if payment was received; however, only those students who pay the fee will receive a score, corresponding personalized feedback, and qualify for National Merit* opportunities (* Class of 2026 only).

Please support ACP's PTO! Donate to our Educational Advancement Fund!

What is The PREP PTO? The PREP PTO is the official parent/teacher organization of ACP High, dedicated to supporting our staff, students, and faculty. With school funds only covering so much, we work closely with the administration to identify and fund the school’s needs.

2024-2025 Goal Amount: $25,000

• Amount Raised - $7805.00
• Remaining Goal - $17,195.00

How will your donation make a difference? Your donation helps to shape the future of our school by ensuring that our students have access to the best opportunities and resources available. See the attached flyer for detailed information. Thank you for your support!

Procedures for driving on campus are below and can be downloaded for your convenience. These procedures are to be followed by all families that drop off and/or pick-up their child, and for students that choose to drive their personal vehicle to school and park in the student parking lot. Staff will be posted along the route to ensure procedures are followed appropriately.

1. Parent/guardian vehicles must use the ingress east of the Visitor Parking Lot entrance on Brooks Farm Rd. and form two lanes (if driving west on Brooks Farm, please engage your turn signal if turning right onto campus)
2. ACP Traffic should only enter the neighborhood from Gilbert Road and Brooks Farm Road (from the west): and Mustang Road and Chandler Heights (from the south).
3. Do not enter the neighborhood from Lindsay Rd.
4. Student vehicles must enter the campus via the ingress east of the JV softball field on Brooks Farm Rd.; Families may also drop off via this ingress (follow security directions if using this entrance)
5. There is NO entrance to the campus from Gilbert Rd.
6. Students may be dropped off/picked up along the sidewalks south of the administrative building and west of the B building and gymnasium.
7. Parent vehicles in the left lane that have dropped off or picked up their child along the south side of the administrative building may exit the campus via the visitor parking lot exit.
8. Parent/guardians in the right lane will exit the campus via the stadium traffic light turning north or south onto Gilbert Rd.
9. Entrance to the campus via the visitor parking lot is closed from 6:45-7:30 AM and from 2:00-2:45 daily.
10. DO NOT DROP OFF OR PICK UP YOUR CHILD IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR OR AROUND THE CAMPUS.
11. Do not loiter or "hang out" in the yards, driveways, or general property of residential households.
12. Empathy for our residential neighbors is appreciated.

For your convenience, this year's yearbook may be purchased online at jostensyearbooks.com (type in "Arizona College Prep High School") or you can simply click on the button below to go directly to our school's webpage. You may begin purchasing your yearbook now. Yearbook packages include:

• Back-to-school special: $79.00. This is the lowest price of the year with a savings of $15.00.

• Signature package: $97.00 includes yearbook, enhanced personalization, autograph pens, and autograph pages. The free icons are a back-to-school special only for a limited time. Additional accessories available for purchase.

• Personalized yearbook cost: $86.50 includes name embossed on the cover and 4 free icons of your choice. The free icons are a back-to-school special for a limited time only. Additional accessories available for purchase.

Prices will increase on all three options throughout the year, and there are a limited number of yearbooks for sale, so be sure to purchase yours today! This back-to-school special ends August 2nd, but you can still purchase a yearbook until February 28th. Arizona College Prep High School has received the National Yearbook Program of Excellence Award the past five consecutive school years.

If you have any questions click here to email Mrs. Patterson.

The first step of your senior journey is to have your portrait taken for the yearbook. The yearbook’s deadline for senior pictures is September 16, 2024. In order to meet this deadline, we have partnered with Lou Coopey Photography in Mesa, AZ to take your yearbook photos. Photos taken past this date risk not being placed in the yearbook due to deadlines. If you schedule your picture past this date, please see Mrs. Patterson no later than Monday, September 9th.

There are two options: one is free, the other is $40.00. Please read through this message completely for details and choose the option that works best for you. If you have questions, please email Mrs. Patterson at Patterson.kristin@cusd80.com

OPTION 1 ($40.00 deposit, $50.00 credit to account):

Schedule an appointment with Lou Coopey to have your portrait taken at their Mesa studio located at 202 N Lindsay Rd Suite 101, Mesa, AZ 85213 before the September 16th deadline.

Key Information about Option 1:

• A $40 deposit will be collected at the time of scheduling.
• This deposit, along with a $10 credit ($50.00 total) will be applied to each account to purchase portraits and services offered by Lou Coopey.
• Satisfaction guaranteed including retakes, reprints or refund (if certain restrictions are met for refund).
• After 30 days, the $10 complimentary credit will expire.
• The $40 remains on your account and can be used for any senior portrait purchase.
• Click here to book your appointment: https://lcpseniors.as.me/schedule.php
• Or go to https://loucoopey.com/ and click the red button to book your appointment.

To ensure a preferred experience for your Senior Portrait session, please keep in mind the following:

• It is recommended that Seniors bring their own clothing. However, if necessary, the studio will provide loaner jackets, ties, and drapes as needed.
• Students are encouraged to bring props to personalize the photo experience (i.e., sports equipment, musical instruments, etc.)
• All studio services beyond the sitting (scheduling, ordering pictures, and paying fees) will be conducted online.
• Senior sessions will include 9-14 poses (with more poses available if you have additional outfits) on a variety of backgrounds as well as Cap & Gown photos for graduation.
• All post-sitting contact will be done online (choosing the yearbook pose, ordering photos, and any additional payment).
• Students must be dressed to impress (collared shirt, tie, dress, and/or professional blouse) for their senior portrait.

Option 2 ($0.00):

Take your senior yearbook photo on campus on October 24, 2024. Note: if you choose this option, you will only be able to take your photo in one outfit due to time constraints with your classes that day.

Key Information about Option 2:

• A limited number of poses will be taken on the yearbook background only.
• Students must be dressed to impress (collared shirt, tie, dress, and/or professional blouse) for their senior portrait. Students may not take their pictures in school uniform this day but must change into professional attire prior to their picture being taken.

NOTE: For both options, students must dress to impress (collared shirt, tie, suit jacket, dress, and/or professional blouse/professional wear). Clothing must be free of logos/signage/text and should not be transparent or too revealing. Spaghetti straps of any width and off-the-shoulder tops are not permitted and will not be put in the yearbook. Jeans and denim shorts are not permitted in the yearbook. Head wear is not permitted (except in the case of religious or medical purposes).

Congratulations, Class of 2025!!

If you are able to make your tax contributions early in the year, your donation would be greatly appreciated and give us a jump start on some of our essential extracurricular activities. We have set a goal to collect approximately $50.00 per family for a total of $57,500.00 and hope that you will be willing to help us meet our goal. Thank you for supporting your child and our school!

Tax Credit Basics…

A tax credit donation is a full refund, not a deduction. Contributions eligible for a tax credit are donated directly to schools, not to the state or school district. To participate or learn more, follow the link listed below to donate online or you can complete the enclosed form and submit your contribution at your convenience.

http://www.cusd80.com/taxcredit

Arizona Law ARS 43-1089.01 enables taxpayers a tax credit contribution of up to $400.00 per year if filing status is “Married, filing Joint Return;” $200.00 per calendar year if filing status is “Single of Head of Household;” and $200 per calendar year if filing status is “Married filing separate returns.” These contributions fund extracurricular activities in public schools and greatly impact our school community and our students.

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School Day Begins: 7:20 (gates close at 7:30)

School Day Ends: 2:25

Office Hours: 7:00-3:30

School Address:

4477 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler, AZ 85249

Phone Numbers:

Administration: 480-424-8700

Attendance: 480-424-8703

Fax: 480-224-9268

Find us on the web: www.cusd80.com/acphs