Coronado Explorer
Of the Dons, for the Dons, for the Coronado Community
Proud Principal, Ms. Amy Palatucci
Ms. Palatucci's Biography:
You can contact me at:
480-484-6810
Happy August, Coronado Community!
What a fabulous start to the 2022-2023 school year! I want to thank you and your students for helping us have an amazing start to the year. Please join me in thanking, congratulating, and celebrating your scholars on their commitment, honor and respect for themselves, their education, and their community.
Please join us, in person, for our annual Academic Expectations Night on August 24 from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm. This will be an open house schedule so you can come any time that works for you! On this night we will have a food truck (free for the first 400 people), you can meet and network with the teachers and support staff, learn about clubs/activities/athletics, and hear about our programs such as the Title I program and GEAR UP program!
In this first edition of the Explorer for the school year, I want to review the pillars of the CHS Way. We teach these expectations throughout the year and work with students so they understand the behaviors that help them show Commitment, Honor, and Respect.
Commitment
Be in class and on time every day
Make learning a priority
Be prepared; bring needed materials
Honor
Give your best effort
Be honest; do your own work
Follow rules and directions
Use technology appropriately
Show Respect
Listen to other points of view
Honor everyone’s right to an education
Use positive and appropriate language
Following these pillars will help your student find academic and social success here at Coronado. One thing I love about our community is how much we care for each other. Our families, staff, and students show a level of care that is above and beyond. As we begin the school year, let’s remember to show compassion and kindness, and reach out when we need support. We have a network of individuals who are here to support each of our Dons every day. Our sense of community is one of the many aspects that makes Coronado amazing!
Coronado is seeking interested parents and students to serve on our Site Council for the 22-23 School Year! Members of the Site Council will meet at 3 pm on the first Monday of every month in order to collaborate with leadership on ways to continue to make Coronado an amazing place! The Site Council oversees our school's general tax credit funds. We have spots for two parents and two students for the 2022-2023 school year. Please email me if you are interested in joining our Site Council Team!
Here’s to a fabulous school year!
Remember to reach out when we can be of support!
Amy Palatucci
Proud Principal
Join us for Academic Expectations Night on August 24!
Sign Up for Free and Reduced Lunch!
During the past school year, all students received free lunch. However, for the 2022-2023 school year, families must fill out an application for free or reduced lunch. The program is confidential and you could qualify for reduced fees as well. The easy online application can be found here.
Nurse Notes
Each school year, you need to sign new forms (found here: Health Forms ) and provide new medications per SUSD policy. SUSD does not supply any stock medication. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to bring in their student’s required medication. All medication must be brought into the Nurse’s office by a parent/guardian in its original prescription bottle. If it is an over the counter medication, it must be in an unopened package/bottle.
If your student has asthma, an allergy (requiring emergency medications like Epi-pen/Benadryl), diabetes, a seizure disorder or any other medical condition that requires an action plan. Please visit the school website and complete the appropriate forms or call the School nurse to have them mailed home. *These forms are also always available in the Coronado nurse’s office.
*New action plans and health history forms need to be completed at the start of every school year.
Assistant Principal, Education Services, Ms. Melinda Splitek
Ms. Splitek's Biography
You can contact me at:
480-484-6830
Educational Services Updates
Welcome Back!
Please remember that our guidance team has new faces this year and that your student might have a new guidance counselor.
Students are assigned to a guidance counselor based on their last name.
Ms. Anna Huerta: Last names A – E, K, & Q
Email: ahuerta@susd.org
Ms. Arielle Shinder: Last names F – M, & X – Z
Email: ashinder@susd.org
Mr. James Brady: Last names N – W
Email: jbrady@susd.org
Ms. Nicole Tarter: New Coronado Social Worker
Email: ntarter@susd.org
Please visit the Coronado Guidance website for information about how this team can support your student throughout the year.
Please remember to sign up for ParentVUE! This is the best way to access your student’s grades and attendance in real-time. You can also contact teachers right from the app.
Did you move this summer or change your phone number? If so, we need your updated information so that in the event of an emergency we can contact you. Please contact our registrar, Stefanye Dixon, to update your information: stefanyedixon@susd.org / 480-484-6812.
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director, Mr. Robert Villa
Mr. Villa's Biography
I had the opportunity to spend 24 years in education as a math teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. I have worked at schools throughout the valley from Maryvale to Gilbert. I was the first college graduate in my extended family and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education – Mathematics. I later earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. I was born and raised in Arizona and am proud to be a native Arizonan. I have played many sports over the years including football, basketball, and sand volleyball. I am a die-hard Sun Devil fan and regularly attend football and basketball games whenever possible. I have been married since 2002 and have three incredible children. We all enjoy traveling, going to the movies, and attending sporting events together. I am also passionate about the arts and especially appreciate music. My favorite bands range from Depeche Mode to Foster the People and I will often travel to see them live. I value building relationships with students and colleagues and am proud to be a Don.
You can contact me at:
480-484-6804
Athletics Updates
- Fall sports tryouts began this week, but it is not too late to be part of a Dons athletic team. Fall sports include: Football, Cross Country, Golf, Swim, and Girls Volleyball
- All student athletes must be cleared through Register My Athlete (RMA) before participating in tryouts or practices – https://www.registermyathlete.com/login/ - to include a physical filled out on an AIA form that can be found on RMA.
- All Dons athletic events may be attended by anyone in our community. Tickets may be purchased in advance using GoFan.co or at the gate for those who prefer to pay cash.
- All students may purchase an Activity Pass in the school bookstore for $30 which will provide access to all athletic games for the entire 2022-2023 school year. Family activity cards may also be purchased at a discounted rate – see Ms. Brumfield in the bookstore for more information.
- SUSD has implemented a Clear Bag policy for all athletic events. Only items in a clear bag may be brought into any SUSD sports venue and are subject to search. No backpacks or bags will be permitted.
- Coronado believes in prioritizing academics and students mental well-being about all else including participation on sports teams. Please support all Dons athletes in high achievement in the classroom and contact our Athletic Director, Mr. Villa, immediately if any student athlete is struggling with mental/emotional distress. Coronado has a strong support network to assist students including our staff Social Worker, Nicole Tarter.
- Follow Coronado Dons Athletics on Facebook @CoronadoAthletics and on Instagram @Coronado_Dons_Athletics
- Don’t forget to submit your dollar for dollar Tax Credit Donation to help support all Coronado athletics and extracurricular activities.
Assistant Principal, Student Services, Mr. Charles Johnson
Mr. Johnson's Biography
I became a professional educator in 2008 and am excited to join the Coronado Don community this year! For the first 14 years of my career I worked at Basha High School in Chandler as a History teacher, Girls Tennis coach, Academic Decathlon club supervisor, level lead, and instructional coach. I am an AP Reader for AP World and AP US History and a National Board Certified Teacher. I became an educator because of dedicated teachers and coaches in my life who helped me feel seen, heard, and valued, and it is my mission to provide that same sense of care and empowerment for every student. I am honored to be a Don!
You can contact me at
480-484-6806
Attendance and Tardy Policy Implementation
Per adopted SUSD policy, students who are consistently absent or tardy risk being dropped and losing credit. While during the pandemic we, like schools across the nation, were very lenient in enforcing this policy, in this school year we will implement the following:
- At 5 absences, families will be contacted by administration and students and families will be asked to participate in an attendance intervention meeting with their assigned administrator.
- At 10 absences, families will be contacted by administration and students and families will be required to participate in an attendance intervention meeting with their assigned administrator. If parent and student do not meet with administration and student continues to be absent, they will be subject to the audit process and may lose credit for the class.
- At 15 total tardies (cumulative for all classes), families will be contacted by administration and students and families will be asked to participate in an attendance intervention meeting with their assigned administrator.
- For 16-29 tardies (cumulative for all classes), students will be assigned lunch detention supervised by our attendance office. Students assigned lunch detention will report to the cafeteria and be given a sack lunch during RISE hour, then will spend their lunch period picking up trash on campus supervised by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Corrales.
- For 30 total tardies (cumulative for all classes), students will be contacted by administration and students and families will be asked to participate in an attendance intervention meeting with their assigned administrator. If families and student do not meet with administration and student continues to be tardy, then per district policy, we may proceed with dropping them from each individual class in which they have accumulated 10 or more tardies.
Our renewed emphasis on making sure that our students are in class on time depends on support from everyone in our Coronado family – students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators. As we work together in this effort, we know that our students will experience greater success academically and continue developing positive habits that will lead them to success beyond high school.
Student Services Updates
Student Activities
- Yearbooks for the 2022-2023 school year are on sale in the bookstore for the low price of $50. Payment plans are available for as little as $5.00 per month! These prices are available until Friday, August 12. Please contact Brandi Brumfield, our bookstore manager, at bbrumfield@susd.org or 480-484-6848. Order your yearbooks today!
- Your Coronado High Student Government has partnered with Panda Express for Don Spirit Nights this school year. The first of these is this Friday, August 12 between 9:30 AM and 9:30 PM. You can order through the Panda Express App and enter code 339976 in the fundraiser code box or bring the paper flyer, which will be distributed to all students on Thursday, August 11, to the Panda Express just down the street on Scottsdale Road. 20% of every purchase will come back to Coronado Student Government. Mark your calendars for all of our Panda Express Don Spirit Nights – September 16, October 21, December 2, and January 6!
Code of Conduct and Dress Code
The Code of Conduct establishes a standard of conduct for the Scottsdale Unified School District which will. It is important to the learning environment and safety of all that students follow the rules and policies outlined in the code of conduct. Please review these guidelines with your child.
Student Arrival on Campus
Coronado High School, Home of the Dons
Email: apalatucci@susd.org
Website: www.susd.org/Coronado
Location: 7501 East Virginia Avenue, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-484-6800
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CoronadoSUSD
Twitter: @CoronadoSUSD