Marcie Taylor - Gilbert Public Schools

November 2014 Newsletter
Issue #3
Dear Parents,
Welcome to November! The first nine weeks of school flew by quickly and before we know it, we will be ready
for our annual Winter Break. Please take the time to discuss with your child his/her recent report card/grades,
making sure to include both the positives of what he/she accomplished, along with any challenges he/she may
have faced first quarter. Each of our students analyzed their own quarter grades and wrote academic goals for
themselves upon returning from Fall Break, so ask your child about their goals! Teachers will continue to
monitor/mentor students to help them achieve their own personal growth goals during 2nd quarter.
The HJHS faculty and administration would like to thank our PTRO and all of the parents who assisted in
providing soups, salads and desserts during parent-teacher conferences on October 16th. Being able to eat
dinner at school as we hosted our annual parent-teacher conferences was very convenient and allowed our staff
to schedule more conferences in the allotted time. Conferences were scheduled for students specifically
identified by teachers; however, if you would like to meet with one of your child’s teachers, please do not hesitate
to contact them by phone or email to discuss your concerns. You can locate contact information and a teacher
directory, along with other useful information on our HJHS website: http://www.gilbertschools.net/Domain/17.
Thanks also to PTRO and the many parents who attended and helped make our Shadow-A-Student Day on
October 3rd successful! Volunteers are always needed and appreciated, so please let us know if you are willing
and able to help in the Spirit Store or at any of our future events (form attached in newsletter).
We have included a calendar of dates/events for the months of November and December in this newsletter.
Please take special note of the early release and no school days. The calendar is also available on the HJHS
website as previously provided above. A special thank you goes out to all of the Veterans this month who
served or are serving in our Armed Forces – we appreciate YOU! Please see the recognition letter from our
new GPS Superintendent, Dr. Kishimoto, at the end of this newsletter.
We believe that working together as a home and school TEAM is the best way to ensure success for our
students – thank you for your continued participation in your child’s education and support of HJHS! We also
encourage you to exercise your right to vote on November 4th – one vote can truly make a difference!
Sincerely,
Marcie Taylor
Principal
Congratulations to our October
Students of the Month!
Kathryn Bartlett
Shea Burcham
William Rieck
Marin Barton
Andrew Culley
Emmalee Stone
Cameron Bennett
Ryan Greene
Tiffany Zimmermann
GREAT JOB HURRICANES! WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!!
Highland Junior's 17th Annual Spelling Bee competition will be held on Thursday,
November 6th in the media center during 1st - 3rd hours. Parents of contestants are
welcome to attend and should be in the library by 8:00 am. Parents attending, we kindly
ask that you honor a few simple requests: if you would like to take pictures, please do so
only between each round of words, cell phones need to be turned off or on silent during the
Bee, and if small children are attending with you and they become noisy/fussy, they need to
be taken outside to the courtyard immediately, so as not to distract the participants and
hinder the judges' ability to hear each speller's spellings. Students who qualified for the Bee
were given specific directions to follow the day of the Spelling Bee, as well as a list of the
Spelling Bee Rules and a word list to study in advance. If you have any further questions
regarding the competition, please contact Ms. Glenn.
Good luck to all contestants, and may the best speller win! :)
PARENT-TEACHER RESOURCE ORGANIZATION (PTRO) NEWS
We are grateful for the support of our PTRO board members for this school year!
Kryste Turner
Robert Birosh
Tammy Demko
Co-Treasurer
Co-Treasurer
Secretary
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Come join us at our PTRO meetings on the first Monday of each month @ 6:00pm in the library!
*Next meeting date is November 3rd @ 6:00pm
We collect BOX TOP$-drop them off in the white container labeled "box tops" located in the front office! PTRO
also collects Little Caesar’s box labels for free pizzas at school events!
Final Exams and Winter Break
REMEMBER: REST AND EATING BALANCED MEALS CAN RESULT IN
BETTER TEST SCORES
District Final Exams will be given on Wednesday, December 17 th and Thursday, December 18th. Both
days will have an adjusted bell schedule that will include longer class periods for our students to take
their final exams. Please schedule appointments (medical, dentist, orthodontia, etc.) and trips at a
different time. Friday, December 19th is a final exam make-up day as well as a half-day for teacher
grading with student dismissal at 12:00pm. Students who do not take final exams at the scheduled
times in December will be issued an Incomplete for the course(s) and will have to take the exam(s)
upon their return in January. We appreciate you planning accordingly and marking these important
dates in your calendar now. Thank you!
7th Grade Social Studies Update
It has been a busy first quarter and we have learned so much!! Seventh grade students began the year by
analyzing the differences between Northern and Southern culture and society leading up to the Civil War. Classes
then used this knowledge to identify and describe causes leading up to the Civil War. The past few weeks,
students have been studying the major events of the Civil War itself and putting the finishing touches on a Civil
War project. As we begin the second quarter, we are looking at how our nation struggled to rebuild following the
war. We will also be discussing industrialization and immigration before preparing for finals!!!
REMINDER: All 7th grade Social Studies teachers are available for tutoring during lunch.
8th Grade Social Studies
8th grade classes will be winding down their American Founding and Government Unit. We have reviewed the
Revolutionary War, discussed the failure of the Article of Confederation which led to the writing of the
Constitution, and dabbled in some legal aspects of the Constitution looking at rights and responsibilities all in the
first 11 weeks of the school year. As we complete this unit, students should be continuing to see examples of our
studies in current event issues. They are encouraged to make those connections and share those ideas with their
parents. Our next unit of study is economics. We will look at comparative economic systems, basic understanding
of the business cycle, factors of production and end with a personal finance unit. It would be very helpful, if at any
point, parents can explain economic choices, family budgets, or basic credit/debit card factors in the household to
help reinforce the material discussed here at school. This will be our last unit of study for the semester, before
finals prep begins.
All 8th Grade Social Studies teachers are available for student help, either at lunch or before/after school. Students
are encourage to meet with their teacher for clarification and study help. Please have the students check with their
teacher for individual availability.
News from Our Counseling Department
Mrs. Grayson 7th Grade
[email protected]
Mrs. Proft 8th Grade
[email protected]
Tips to Prevent Cyberbullying
1. Keep the computer and other devices in a common area.
2. Learn how various social networking websites work. Become familiar with Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. Become “friends” with your student or “follow”
them on these websites.
3. Acquire their password to their phone and other accounts. The device belongs to the
adult!
4. Talk regularly and specifically with your children about online issues. Let them know
they can come to you for help if anything is inappropriate, upsetting, or dangerous.
5. Build trust with your children. Set time limits, explain your reasons for them, and
discuss rules for online safety and Internet use. Ask your children to contribute to
establishing the rules; then they'll be more inclined to follow them.
HJHS CAREER DAY
The Counseling Dept. will be hosting our annual Career Day
on Wednesday, January 28, 2015.
We are seeking parents who would be interested in participating in
showcasing their profession to our 8th graders. If you are interested
in being a presenter send your contact information (name, email
address, cell phone number, child’s name, and your title/profession)
To Joan Proft at [email protected] or call at 480-6324739 Ext. 2333
School Happenings around Campus
8th Grade Orchestra
Congratulations to the 8th grade orchestra for earning a rating of Superior with Distinction
at the A.B.O.D.A. Fall Orchestra Festival on Saturday, October 18. They received the highest
rating from each of the three judges. The 8th grade orchestra competed against other
junior high and high school orchestras from all over the state. They were also the largest
group (102 members) performing during the two day festival. You can come hear this
award winning group along with the amazing 7th grade orchestra at their next concert on
December 8 in the Highland High School Auditorium.
Knighty Knight Theater Presents:
Best Buddies is hosting a FREE movie night created by one of our SPICE students, Dade
Meadows. Knighty Knight Theater will be projecting the movie in the courtyard Friday,
November 14th, from 6 - 8pm. The movie of choice will be Star Wars Episode IV: A New
Hope. Feel free to bring family, friends, and a picnic blanket to enjoy the viewing! Food trucks
will be available as well as our spirit store for snacks! See attached flyer for details!
Student Council News
On November 22, Student Council will join with NJHS members as they participate in their Semester 1
Community Service Project by shopping for toys for pediatric patients at Cardon Children’s Hospital.
They will also continue to host Fun Friday activities, plan the December Fun Fest, and Winter Sports
Pep Assembly. They will also begin planning a holiday luncheon for staff members.
If you have a company that would like to sponsor an activity at one of our Fun Fests, please send an
email to [email protected].
Visitors on Campus
In order to provide the best possible security for our students, we require that you always check into
the administration office before going onto campus. Please do this even while waiting outside our
doors in the courtyard for your student. You are welcome to visit the administration building or
attendance office WITHOUT a visitor’s badge, but all other areas on campus require a badge during
school hours. Thank you for your cooperation with this security policy!
Halloween Fundraiser – Costumes for a Cause
Thank you to all the teachers and students who participated and contributed to the Halloween
Fundraiser – Costumes for a Cause on October 31st! Money raised this year will be donated to
Cardon Children’s Hospital to assist with their holiday toy drive! AWESOME job Hurricanes –
THANK YOU!!
Volunteers Needed at Highland Jr. High!!
 Do you have skills and talents that might be put to good use by schools in a time of
budget constraints?
 Do you want to make a difference in the education of our youth and the future of our
society?
 Do you want to give back to your community or the educational system that made a
difference in your life?
 Do you want to show your child that their education is important to you?
 Do you want to model volunteerism and generosity for your family?
 Do you have an interest in volunteering at HJHS for the 2014-2015 school year?
If the answer to any of these questions is YES, please fill out this sheet with information on
how we may contact you. Your service is needed and appreciated, even if it is only for an hour
or two on an occasional basis. Please make sure to note your preferences and an attempt will be
made to honor those requests. We appreciate your time and look forward to working with you
to make this another successful year! Thank you – HJHS Administration
Name ____________________________________________________________________________________
Child’s Name _____________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone Number ______________________________ Cell Number ____________________________
Email ____________________________________________________________________________________
Interested in volunteering (circle one):
Weekly
Monthly
As needed for special projects
Days/Times Interested in Working ____________________________________________________________
Special Skills/Talents/Interests (i.e. computer skills) _____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Preferences (i.e. office jobs, teacher assistance, special events) _____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
HJHS Master Calendar of Events
November
3
5
5
6
10
11
12
19
19
19
20
21
26
27 –28
PTRO Meeting – Library, 6:00pm
School-wide AVID/College T-shirt Day
Early out Wednesday, dismissal at 2:00pm
Spelling Bee – Cafeteria, 8:00am
Winter Sports Tryouts Begin
Veterans Day – No School
Early out Wednesday, dismissal at 2:00pm
End of 13.5 Week Grading Period
Early out Wednesday, dismissal at 2:00pm
School Play “Our Town” – Cafeteria, 4:30pm
School Play “Our Town” – Cafeteria, 7:00pm
School Play “Our Town” – Cafeteria, 7:00pm
Early out Wednesday, dismissal at 2:00pm
Thanksgiving Break - No School
December
1
1
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
8
8
8
8
8
9
9
10
11
11
11
11
15
15
15
15
17
18
19
22 – 31
Cross Country Tri-Meet – Home, 4:00pm
PTRO Meeting – Library, 6:00pm
School-wide AVID/College T-shirt Day
Early out Wednesday, dismissal at 2:00pm
Band Concert-HHS, 7:00pm
Winter Pep Assembly, Gymnasium, P.M. Double Assembly
Girls Softball – Away vs. DRJH, 3:45pm
Boys Basketball – Away vs. DRJH, 4:00pm
Wrestling – Home vs. DRJH, 4:00pm
Winter Fun Fest, 3:15-4:45pm
Girls Softball – Away vs. GrJH, 3:45pm
Boys Basketball/Cross Country– Away vs. GrJH, 4:00pm
Wrestling – Home vs. GrJH, 4:00pm
Cross Country Meet – Away vs. GrHS., 4:00pm
Orchestra Concert-HHS, 7:00pm
Winter Sports Pictures
Holiday Choir Concert-HHS, 7:00pm
Early out Wednesday, dismissal at 2:00pm
Test Taking Strategy Video - P.M. Double Assembly Schedule, will be shown during 8B
Girls Softball – Home vs. SVJH, 3:45pm
Boys Basketball – Home vs. SVJH, 4:00pm
Wrestling – Away vs. SVJH, 4:00pm
Girls Softball – Home vs. GJH, 3:45pm
Boys Basketball – Home vs. GJH, 4:00pm
Wrestling – Away vs. GJH, 4:00pm
Cross Country Meet – Away vs. SVJH, 4:00pm
Finals
Finals
Early Release Schedule – Grading Day, dismissal at noon
Winter Break - No School
OTHER DISTRICT NEWS
BUS DRIVERS NEEDED
Gilbert Public Schools Transportation Department has a critical need for good Bus Driver applicants. Recently the
School Board approved raising the starting wage for bus drivers. We will be holding training classes throughout
the school year. The next scheduled training class is November 17, 2014. This position has flexible part time
schedules with the possibility of full time and benefits in the future. Please share this message with your family
and friends. Thank you for your support.
Bus Driver
Term: 9 Months
Wage: $12.87 per hour
Paid Training
Must have a good driving record
Please apply online at www.gilbertschools.net or for more information call 480 497-3311 Option 1.
Junior High Honors Testing
Saturday, January 10, 2014
8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Community Education Office
6839 E. Guadalupe Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85212
Phone: 480-892-9089
No student will be evaluated without parental consent. Students must sign up for the test
in the front office and return a signed parent permission slip no later than January 7 th,
2015. Please remember students can only take this test once during a 12 month period.
Dear Winter Sports Families,
We are fast approaching our Winter Sports Season. Cheer tryouts begin on Monday, November 3, 2014. Our
Boys Basketball, Girls Softball and Danceline tryouts begin on Monday, November 10, 2014. Wrestling practice
also starts on Monday, November 10, 2014. Our Boys and Girls Cross Country practice begins on Monday,
November 17, 2014. Please have your child’s eligibility packet completed and turned in as early as possible. We
will do our best to clear students as quickly as possible on a first-come, first-served basis.
Clearance Requirements:
Clearance includes a current physical, completed after March 1, 2014, using the correct AIA form. There are also
forms that must be notarized, which can be done in the Athletic office, but the signer must be present and have a
valid form of identification. All student athletes must have health insurance. If you currently do not have a policy
one may be purchased at www.studentinsurance-kk.com to cover your child for athletics.
History has shown that some of our student athletes wait until the last minute to turn in required paperwork. If
your child has not been cleared and does not receive a pink clearance slip by November 3, 2014, he/she will not
be allowed to try out until it is completed. Students not cleared on time may miss part of the tryout process, not
allowing them to show their full potential. To guarantee being cleared on time, clearance packets must be
completed and turned in to the Athletics office by Monday, November 3, 2014.
Clearance packets can be picked up in the Athletic office or printed at the Gilbert Public Schools Website:
http://www.gilbertschools.net/cms/lib3/AZ01001722/Centricity/Domain/229/SAthletics%2014062314480.pdf
Please do not hesitate to contact our Athletics office with any questions at 480-632-4739 Ext. 2001.
Thank you and best of luck to all our winter student athletes.
The Hurricane Athletic Team
Winter Sports 2014-2015
Boys Basketball – 4pm & 5pm Softball – 3:45 pm Wrestling – 4:00 pm all sites
Tryout start date 11/10/14; Practice Start Date 11/17/14; Contest start date 11/24/14
Date
GJH
Mon
GrJH
HJH
MJH
DRJH
SVJH
H-GCA
GCA
A-GrJH
11/24
Mon
A-GCA
H-MJH
12/01
BB-Away
BB-Home
SB-Home
SB @ MJH
Thurs
A-SVJH
A-MJH
A-DRJH
H-GrJH
H-HJH
H-GJH
12/04
H-Wr
H-Wr
H-Wr
A-Wr
A-Wr
A-Wr
Mon
H-DRJH
H-HJH
A-GrJH
A-SVJH
A-GJH
H-MJH
12/08
A-Wr
A-Wr (HJH)
H-Wr (GrJH) H-Wr (SVJH) H-Wr (GJH) A-Wr (MJH)
DRJH)
Tues
H-GCA
A-GJH
12/09
Thurs
H-MJH
A-DRJH
H-SVJH
A-GJH
H-GrJH
A-HJH
12/11
A-Wr
H-Wr
A-Wr
H-Wr
A-Wr
H-Wr
Mon
A-HJH
H-SVJH
H-GJH
H-DRJH
A-MJH
A-GrJH
12/15
H-Wr (HJH) A-Wr (SVJH)
A-Wr (GJH)
A-Wr (DRJH) H-Wr (MJH) H-Wr (GrJH)
Tues
A-GCA (BB)
H-DRJH
12/16
SB-Home
BB-Home
SB- @
DRJH
Winter Break
Thurs
H-GrJH
A-GJH
A-MJH
H-HJH
A-SVJH
H-DRJH
1/08
A-Wr
H-Wr
H-Wr
A-Wr
H-Wr
A-Wr
Mon
H-SVJH
H-MJH
H-DRJH
A-GrJh
A-HJH
A-GJH
1/12
A-Wr
(SVJH)
A-Wr (MJH)
A-Wr (DRJH) H-Wr (GrJH) H-Wr (HJH)
H-Wr (GJH)
Tues
A-GCA
H-SVJH
1/13
BB @ GCA
BB-Home
SB-Home
SB @ SVJH
Thurs
A-DRJH
A-HJH
H-GrJH
H-SVJH
H-GJH
A-MJH
1/15
H-Wr
H-Wr
A-Wr
A-Wr
A-Wr
H-Wr
Tues
A-MJH
H-DRJH
A-SVJH
H-GJH
A-GrJH
H-HJH
1/20
H-Wr
A-Wr
H-Wr
A-Wr
H-Wr
A-Wr
Thurs
H-HJH
A-SVJH
A-GJH
A-DRJH
H-MJH
H-GrJH
1/22
A-Wr
H-Wr
H-Wr
H-Wr
A-Wr
A-Wr
Mon
A-GrJH
H-GJH
H-MJH
A-HJH
H-SVJH
A-DRJH
1/26
H-Wr
(GrJH)
A-Wr (GJH)
A-Wr (MJH) H-Wr (HJH)
Tues
A-Wr (SVJH) H-Wr (DRJH)
H-GCA
A-HJH
1/27
-Wrestling Conference Meet @ CVHS 2/4/15
* Make-Up Date: 1/29 (if necessary)*
-Playoff Dates: 1/29 (play-in), 2/2, 2/3, 2/5
CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE 2014-2015
Cross Country @ 4:00pm
Practice start date 11/17/14, Contest start date 12/01/14, Contest end date 1/29/15
Date
GJH
GrJH
HJH
MJH
DRJH
SVJH
GCA
Mon
A-SVJH
H-MJH
H-DRJH
A-GrJH
A-HJH
H-GJH
A-HJH
H-SVJH
H-GJH
A-MJH
A-MJH
H-GrJH
H-HJH
A-DRJH
12/01
Mon
(w/GCA)
A-DRJH
H-HJH
A-GrJH
12/8
Mon
(w/GCA)
H-MJH
A-DRJH
A-SVJH
A-GJH
12/15
(w/GCA)
Thur
H-HJH
1/08
(w/GCA)
Mon
A-GrJH
1/12
Tues
A-SVJH
A-GJH
H-DRJH
A-MJH
H-GrJH
A-GJH
H-GJH
A-MJH
H-HJH
H-SVJH
A-DRJH
A-GrJH
(w/GCA)
H-Tri
A-GCA
A-GCA
A-GJH
A-GCA
A-GJH
H-Quad
A-HJH
A-GCA
H-Tri
A-GCA
A-HJH
A-GCA
H-Quad
1/20
Mon
1/26
CROSS COUNTRY TRI & QUAD-MEETS
Mon
Tri-Meet @ HJH
HJH, DRJH, GCA
Tri-Meet @ MJH
MJH, SVJH, GCA
Mon, 12/15
Tri-Meet @ DRJH
GrJH, DRJH, GCA
Thur, 1/08
Tri-Meet @ GJH
GJH, HJH, GCA
Mon, 1/12
Tri-Meet @ GrJH
GrJH, GJH, GCA
Tues, 1/20
Quad Meet @ GCA-Crossroads Park
GCA, GrJH, DRJH, HJH
Tues, 1/20
Tri-Meet @ GJH
SVJH, GJH, MJH
Mon, 1/26
Quad Meet @ GCA-Crossroads Park
GCA, GrJH, SVJH, MJH
Mon, 1/26
Tri-Meet @ HJH
GJH, HJH, DRJH
12/01
Mon
12/08
Conference Meet: 1/29/15 @ Crossroads Park
Make-Up Date: 1/27/15 @ Scheduled Site
Thank you to Wing Orthodontics for their generous support of HJHS!
Tax Credit Donation Information
A Great Way to Support Your School!
Two methods to contribute:
1) You may download and print this 2014 Tax Credit Form. You will then need to complete and mail the form to the address
found on the bottom of the form.
2) You may make your tax credit contribution online. This link will take you to a secure site to make your online contribution:
Online Tax Credit Contribution
This credit, effective January 1, 1998, allows an Arizona taxpayer to contribute $200 per individual tax return or
$400 per joint tax return to a school’s extra-curricular program. Contributions can be made to the school of your choice
or a combination of schools. At Highland Junior High School, we have many extra-curricular programs that can benefit from
these funds! They include classroom field trips, after-school enrichment programs, registration fees for music festivals,
special musical instruments, extra sports equipment, athletic and tournament fees. A new revision to this law requires us to
use the funds for educational or competitive events (athletic fee); events that are recreational, amusement, or tourist activities
are not allowed. Please consider making your tax credit contribution to HJHS! Tax credit contributions must be postmarked,
or electronically submitted by December 31 of each year in order to be applicable for that tax year. A tax credit receipt will be
mailed to you.
Commonly Asked Questions:
Who can make a contribution? We can accept contributions only from individuals. We cannot accept contributions from
businesses or corporations.
Do I have to have children enrolled in school? No- Any Arizona individual paying state income tax can make a tax credit
contribution to be used towards extra-curricular fees.
Do I have to live within the District? No- Any individual who pays Arizona State income tax can contribute.
Do I have to donate the full $200 or $400? No – But remember, you can take this credit on any tax liability for state income
taxes up to $200 on an individual tax return or $400 on a joint return. You may donate up to your $200 or $400 limit in
installments during the calendar year or donate it at one time.
How does this work on my tax return? As an example, let’s say you made a $300 tax credit contribution. When you file
your state taxes, you will note the credit with a 322 form. (downloadable from the State.) If your State tax return calculates to
a $500 refund, applying the credit will increase your refund to $800. If your State tax return calculates to a $400 liability (you
owe) then applying the credit will reduce your liability to $100. However, you cannot receive a refund greater than your State
income tax assessment for the tax year.
Can a taxpayer receive a refund of these credits? No – The credits may only be used to the extent they reduce a tax
liability to zero on your Arizona tax return. Any unused amounts may be carried forward for not more than five consecutive
taxable years.
Can a taxpayer make a payment of fees to an organization (e.g., PTA, school foundation, school district or school
club) which then gives the funds in a lump sum to the school or directly pays for extra-curricular activities? No –
ARS § 43-1089.01 requires that the fees be paid “to a public school”. Therefore, the payment must be made directly to the
public school only.
Superintendent
Christina M. Kishimoto,
Ed.D.
October 24, 2014
GPS Governing
Board
President
Staci Burk
Clerk
Daryl Colvin
Members
Jill Humpherys
Lily Tram
Julie Smith
Dear Parents,
Veterans Day will be celebrated throughout our nation on Tuesday, November
11th.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the men and women who have
served our country and to those who currently are answering the call of duty to
defend our great nation.
Many GPS staff members are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and we, as the
Gilbert Public Schools family, honor them.
Please encourage your children to reach out to veterans in your family,
neighborhood or church to thank them for their service, their courage and their
dedication.
In the days surrounding November 11th, Gilbert Public Schools will be hosting
various programs paying tribute to our service members. A list of those events
can be found on our website at www.gilbertschools.net.
Dr. Christina M. Kishimoto
Superintendent
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”
- Elmer Davis
140 South Gilbert Road  Gilbert, AZ 85296  Phone 480.497.3300
www.gilbertschools.net