CAT CHAT
MHS Staff Newsletter Vol 36
.........................................................
04/18/2021
Leaders of the Pride,
Time continues to progress and the end of the year gets nearer and nearer. It seems like no matter how much we do, there always seems to be more work and less time. I know there are a lot of things that get in the way between here and the end. If you looked at the quote by C. S. Lewis in the box, I think this is a great reminder that we need to focus on finishing strong, put our students first and insure they are confident in what comes next for them. Our Path is not defined by the past or its obstacles, it is created by our effort and attitude.
Thanks for all YOU do!
Rod
GO CATS!
.........................................................
April Calendar
Important Time and Location Change
.........................................................
Below is a link and schedules for each day
.........................................................
!!! TESTING TESTING 123!!!
Testing Dates
April 20th
AzM2 Math part 1- 10th grade
April 22nd
AzM2 Math part 2- 10th grade
Room Assignments
The room testing assignments are the same as last week.
On Tuesday, we will be administering AzM2 Math 1 and 2.
For all other grades, 9th, 11th, and 12th: They will be working on their ECAP assignments, which are being emailed to them. You also have a copy in the non-testing folder under April 20th -22nd. Identify what grade level you have in your class and display the assignment on the board. The ECAP is a graduation requirement. So please make sure your students are working on it.
.........................................................
Kibbles and Bits
Sub Notes
Scholarship to earn National Board Teaching Cerification
The Arizona K12 Center is offering a National Board Pre Candidacy class online June 10-29th, and a National Board Institute that follows will be in September! Completing these classes will assist you in working towards National Board Certification and will help you pay the larger application fees.
Candidates do not have to attend a daily web meeting for this class. On June 10th there is a candidate meeting from 2:30 - 6PM and another one at the end on July 29th from 2:30PM-6PM. In between those dates, you will be doing a self-paced online program with periodic contacts from facilitators they provide to you. Please know there are only 50 spots that will be filled.
Please know the pre-candidacy class has a $20.00 fee, and the following Nat'l Board Institute charges a one time $40.00 fee.. Upon completion of both AZ K12 classes, the $1900.00 fee to pay the NBC process will be covered by K12 Center funding. Each of the four components normally cost $475.00 each and can be done separately. Please know there is a one time $75.00 registration fee at the National Board to maintain your records and online membership within the website.
The $3000 per year GPS stipend upon obtaining your NBC remains for five years. Visit NBPTS.org to view more information on the process or go to https://www.nbpts.org/national-board-certification/.
If you want to sign up for the summer Pre-candidacy class & the institute before it fills up, please log into the K12-center as you must set up an account.
They do not charge fees right away.
Look for this in the upper right hand corner: Sign up/log in
Here are the inservice links:
National Board Pre-Candidacy Course: https://www.azk12.org/PreCan2021
National Board Institute: https://www.azk12.org/NBI2021
.........................................................
SPIRIT WEEK DATES & THEMES
Spirit Week: April 26th-30th- Throwback to Childhood
Monday- Bikers Vs. Surfers- Teen Beach Movie
Tuesday- Dress as your favorite Disney/Nik character
Wednesday- Monsters University- Wear a college shirt
Thursday- 2000's Day- Dress as your favorite icon/trend
Friday- Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat- Blue out
Upcoming Events
Dance Concert- April 22nd & 23rd @ 7 pm in the Auditorium
Winter Drumline and Guard Parent Show- April 24th @ 6pm in the Mini Gym
April 30th: 3rd hour Virtual Pep-Assembly
Senior Dinner Gala- May 1st- Mesquite Courtyard @ 5:30pm
.........................................................
2021 Graduation Corner
Senior Gala
Baccalaureate
Students who attend will be given 2 tickets for family members only.
Graduation
We will be limiting seating to 4 tickets per graduate.
.........................................................
From the Athletics Office
The 2nd & 7 Foundation
Spring sports
.........................................................
Wildcat Counseling
TXTS 4 TEACHERS
Dual Enrollment Tuition Assistance
For students interested in dual enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year, the Tuition Assistance Application is on the Chandler-Gilbert Community College website. Go to cgc.edu/dual and click on Getting Started, the link is at the bottom of the page. The deadline to apply is August 31, 2021. The funds are on a first come, first serve basis and can pay up to 12 credits per year for those who qualify.
Dual Enrollment allows students to receive college credit when taking college level courses in high school. For more information, contact MHS's CGCC advisor, Sandra Martinez, at sandra.Martinez@cgc.edu.
.........................................................
PAWs-atively Awesome
Alicia Hall
After 11 rounds of Debate, losing only 1 round, competing from 8 AM to 10 PM, Alicia Hall,
a senior from MHS, earned that one spot.
.........................
FFA Superior and National Chapter Ranking
.........................
All-Conference Recognitions
.........................
FFA
1. Maricopa County Fair Results:
Jenna Brock won Champion Dorper Lamb and Pride of the County
2. Maricopa County Fair Results:
Ashley Bowen was 3rd overall in Senior Novice Showmanship
3. Maricopa County Fair Results:
Christian Gammons was 4th overall in Intermediate Showmanship
4. Maricopa County Fair Results:
Kaitlyn Engelstad was 2nd in her Market Goat Class
5. Maricopa County Fair Results:
Congratulations to our beef showman: Brynnen, Leah, and Reagan!
6. Maricopa County Fair Results:
Congratulations to our lamb showman: Chrisitian, Connor, Jenna, Jordan, and Rowdy
7. Maricopa County Fair Results:
Congratulations to our goat showman: Ashley, Hailey, and Kaitlyn
8. Maricopa County Fair Results:
Congratulations to our swine showman: Blake
9. Maricopa County Fair Results:
Congratulations to our poultry showman: Alison and Bruce
IMPORTANT
Please remember to nominate your Colleagues AND Students who are doing extraordinary things! It takes only a moment to shout out your colleagues and that moment you take can change their whole day.
.........................................................
Wildcat Wellness
AZ Educator Peer Support Program
Educators are often focused on others' needs before their own.
But it's OK to ask for help.
Taking care of yourself is another way to take care of your students.
The AZ Educator Peer Support Program pairs teachers and administrators in Arizona with a trained peer coach who can help you to alleviate the pressure that can sometimes lead to destructive behavior such as substance abuse, depression, or conflict with others.
Trained Educator Peers are teachers and administrators (in Arizona) just like you. All peer coaching is strictly informal and all contact with the Educators' Peer Assistance Program is confidential. In fact, you don't even have to submit your full name (first name and last initial only).
If you are a teacher or administrator in Arizona, visit www.azeducator.org to submit your request to connect with a peer. Once you submit your information, along with any special requests, you will be matched with an available peer coach who will contact you via email to set up a peer coaching session via conference line or video platform. Peer coaches will offer 3-5 sessions of up to 45 minutes each, and can assist participants to connect with professional services as needed.
.........................
Breaking Down Common Mental Health Misconceptions
Myth: Mental health problems are uncommon.
Truth: Because talking about mental health is still rare, some may think that mental health problems are too — but this is far from true. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) currently estimates 450 million people worldwide are experiencing a mental or neurological disorder. In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates one in five Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year.
One of the most common mental health disorders is depression, which affected more than 264 million people globally in 2017. More recently, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a US-based study concluded, the number of adults experiencing depression has tripled.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is prevalent too: 6.8 million adults in the U.S. are currently living with GAD — that’s more than 3% of the population. These statistics really illustrate how common mental health challenges are and that they can affect anyone. Just by the numbers, you may know someone who is living with a mental health disorder.
Myth: Those living with a mental health disorder or challenge are unable to work.
Truth: A person living with a mental health disorder can still work and be productive. They may need to take time off, or work with certain accommodations, but they can be just as productive as those without a mental health disorder. One study found that 54.5% of individuals with a severe mental health condition were employed, compared to 75.9% of people without a mental illness. In young adults (ages 18-25), there was just a 1% difference in employment rates between those with and without a serious mental illness.
Myth: Mental health challenges are a sign of weakness.
Truth: This statement is no more true than saying a physical injury is a sign of weakness. We don’t call someone “weak” if they break their arm or catch a cold, and a mental health diagnosis is no different. Factors that contribute to a person’s likelihood to develop a mental health disorder include genetics, stress, standard of living, working conditions and social support.
Myth: Addiction stems from a lack of willpower.
Truth: Addiction is a chronic disease, much like heart disease, arthritis and osteoporosis, and there are many determining factors similar to the ones listed above, with genetics playing a large role. Mental health disorders and addiction often happen at the same time (comorbidity). Comorbid substance use disorder and mental illnesses are common, with about half of people who are experiencing one condition also experiencing the other. Those struggling with addiction face a tough challenge, and it takes a lot of strength to get help and stay healthy.
KOI Education
Understanding mindfulness and using mindfulness practices can promote a classroom characterized not only by greater engagement, focused learning, and improved classroom management, but also improved kindness and compassion, and safe and supportive teacher-student and peer-to-peer relationships. Attendees will learn the effects of stress and trauma on both teachers and students and take away concrete practices to facilitate a classroom environment where both teachers and students thrive.
Space is limited, so please use the link below to register as soon as possible.
Mindful Classrooms Zoom Webinar.
Wednesday, April 21 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm