Wildcat Press Newsletter
Nov 15, 2020 Vol. 17
Principal's Message
Hello Wildcat Pride,
We are making our way cautiously through the semester. As we move toward the end and the holiday season and all the weather changes let's be extra careful about keeping students home when they have symptoms. Please do your daily well checks, including temperature. If we all do our part we can keep moving in a positive direction.
As a reminder next week we only have classes on Monday and Tuesday. During those days we will be having digital citizenship lessons both days for an hour. Please take time to talk with your students about their online behavior and what they learned.
If you are staying in town for the holiday, check out the section on Native American History Month, it will give you a couple of cool ideas for day or even partial day trips to get out with the family.
Please note November 18th is a 1/2 day schedule.
Students are out at 11:20am
Stay Healthy, and thanks again for sharing your students with us!
Rod Huston
Principal
Mesquite High School
@MHSAZ_Principal
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MHS Administrative Team!
Mrs. Marguerite Brown
Assistant Principal
Activities and Clubs
Grade Level: Freshman
Juniors Last Name O-Z
@MHSWildcat_News
Mr. Rudy Alvarado
Assistant Principal
Athletic Director
Grade Level: Sophomores
Juniors Last Name E-N
@MesquiteAthDept
Mrs. Mitzi Escobar
Assistant Principal
Registration & Academics
Grade Level: Seniors
Juniors Last Name A-D
@Mhsescobar
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2020-2021 Bell Schedule
Please note November 18th is a 1/2 day schedule. Students are out at 11:20am
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Activities for November
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MHS DRESS CODE
It is our goal to respect the rights of our students and families, while supporting a positive educational environment.
For your convenience here is a link to the Gilbert Public School District High School Handbook which details this policy.
Please see below a list of guidelines for quick reference, which you may find useful:
- Tops should have a 2 inch minimum strap-width on each shoulder. (easy check is the width of an ID card)
- Shirts and tops should be long enough to cover midriff.
- Clothing must modestly cover under arm, back, cleavage, and chest area.
- Clothing must cover the undergarments and entire buttocks.
- Shorts, skirts and dresses must be modest in length.
- Shoes must be worn at all times.
- Pants and shorts must be worn to fit, no bagging or sagging.
- Prohibited items include but are not limited to: clothing identified by school administrator or law enforcement as negative or gang affiliated / clothing that references drugs or alcohol / offensive symbols or inappropriate messaging on clothing, backpacks, binders, jewelry or tattoos, anything that might be identified with violence ( ie guns and knives)
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Reserve a copy of the 20/21 MHS yearbook today!
DON'T MISS A MEMORY
They come in different sizes and grade levels, but yearbooks always contain your student's memories of that school year: the people, the clothes, the events and more. You're buying something they will cherish always.
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Seniors Cap & Gown Order
MHS Class of 2021,
Graduation will be here before you know it! Below are links to some informational videos from Jostens, our cap and gown vendor. After you watch the videos, you can place your order for your cap and gown, class ring, announcements, and so much more to help you celebrate!
Currently, Jostens is offering a free cap and gown with a purchase of a class ring (some exclusions apply).
Here's how to take advantage of this offer.
- Design your ring online
- put in your cart
- choose your graduation items
- put in your cart
- THEN - in the cart there is a coupon spot.
- Enter: FREECG.
Paid in full rings will deliver before Christmas if they are ordered by the deadline.
Don't delay....Deadline to order is November 23rd!
Questions? Call 1-800-Jostens
If you would like to order in person visit us at:
Jostens
21023 N. Cave Creek Road
Suite #1
Phoenix, AZ 8502
Monday - Friday / 10:00am - 5:00pm
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PAWs-atively Awesome
Lets celebrate two of our student-athletes who signed their National Letter of Intent to play their sports at the collegiate level.
Wildcat nation couldn't be prouder! Congratulations!!
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Wildcat Counseling
Behind in your classes?
Make a checklist of the assignments you are missing. Check with your teacher to see which assignments you can make up. Give yourself deadlines to submit your missed work (thinking about everything at once can be overwhelming!).
Attend peer tutoring sessions during half of your lunch hour (10:30-11:00 and 11:55-12:25) on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays in the Career Center.
Ask your teachers for extra help!
If you need the extra help and support, GET IT!! We have help and support for you… your teachers, peer tutors, school counselors, a social worker/mental health counselor, a college and career center coordinator, and more!
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Check your credits for graduation!
Although times are different right now, don't forget that your classes and grades still matter! If you have questions about your credits, please be sure to contact your counselor.
Review your credit check through Infinite Campus by following these instructions:
Log into Infinite Campus
Click on “Academic Plan”
Click on “Progress Report”
Select “Detail” and check the “Select All” box
Click “Generate Report”
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What should you be doing this quarter to stay on track for your future?
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Counselor Appointments
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National Native American Heritage Month
Message from our Athletic Director
I wanted to thank all of you for your support of our Fall season athletes. All our teams saw success this Fall including a State Champion badminton player, swim/dive and golf competing at State and now volleyball and football participating in the State playoffs. As brackets are released and games are scheduled, they will be updated on our social media sites so make sure you find us on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram for the latest updates on playoff games. Our social media accounts can be found at www.mesquitewildcats.com
I also wanted to share some good news as it relates to our football program. We were recently awarded a $4000 grant from the NFL to purchase new football equipment for the kids and then were notified by the AZ Cardinals and State Farm that we were one of two schools in the state that they awarded $100,000 to for field improvements. We are thankful to the NFL and the Cardinals for their support of our Wildcats.
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In Need of Food?
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Trip Reduction Program
Gilbert Public Schools is happy to announce the initiation of the Trip Reduction Program (TRP) for 2020-2021 school year.
Why do we do TRP?
The Trip Reduction Ordinance is the result of a bill passed by the Arizona legislature in 1988. The Air Quality Bill (ARS 49-581) requires all employers and school districts with 100 or more employees and/or driving-age students to design and implement their own Trip Reduction Program.
Gilbert Public Schools TRP Implementation for 2020-2021
There are several opportunities to win prizes with your participation in the survey and efforts to reduce air pollution in the Valley with the use of alternate modes of transportation. We would like to promote and encourage participation from all campuses and departments for this very important community effort enforced by the Maricopa County Air Quality Department. The goal each year is to reduce single occupant vehicle trips and/or miles traveled by 10%.
What to look for:
A survey will be conducted electronically through a link from Maricopa County Air Quality Department. This survey will be emailed to all Juniors and Seniors and all Staff during the week of November 16, 2020. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey when you receive it. A minimum response rate is 70% is needed to avoid any fines being assessed against the District.
The locations that have the highest percentage of survey participation (top 5 locations) will receive a free field trip or pizza party.
TRP Drawings & Prizes
Frequency of Drawings: Monthly * Quarterly * Annually
Prizes: Fry's Grocery Store * Harkins Movie Tickets * Valley Metro Bus Pass
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HEALTH OFFICE HOTSPOT!
GPS Health Services Website
COVID - it seems like we can't escape it, and we even want it to disappear. But, now is when we need to stay vigilant! In order to stay "on top" of the situation a few suggestions:
1. COVID TESTING: If you choose to have your child tested for COVID, regardless of what time you choose to have your child tested, please do NOT send your child to school until the results are known. Once the results are known, whether positive or negative, please call the Health Office for further direction.
2. QUARANTINE: Sometimes students need to be quarantined, through NO FAULT of their own. If students need to be quarantined, they CANNOT test their way out of quarantine. In addition, the student will NOT be able to participate in their sport/after school activity until the quarantine days have come to an end.
3. SPORTS / AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY: A positive student who plays sports MUST follow AIA Return to Play guidelines. Check with the Athletic Office BEFORE returning to the sport/activity.
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About MHS
Email: mhsinfo@gilbertschools.net
Website: https://www.gilbertschools.net/mesquitehigh
Location: 500 South McQueen Gilbert, AZ 85233
Phone: 480-632-4750
Twitter: @MHSWildcat_News