Wildcat Press Newsletter
Sept 27, 2020 Vol. 11
=========================================
Principal's Message
Hello Wildcat Pride,
One more week and we are at Fall Break. What an interesting time to be living. Thank you for trusting us with your students.
I hope you all are going to be able to get a little time away and let your students get a break. However I also want to encourage you to check grades and if they are struggling we are accepting late work so fall break would be a great time to get caught up.
This week we make another move towards a more typical school year as we have our first spirit week and football game. The game will only have a 25% capacity, but its one more step in the right direction.
Thank you again for sharing your students with us as they are our number one priority.
Have a great break, stay safe and be well,
Rod Huston
Principal
Mesquite High School
@MHSAZ_Principal
=========================================
MHS Administrative Team!
Mrs. Marguerite Brown
Assistant Principal
Activities and Clubs
Grade Level: Freshman
Juniors Last Name O-Z
Twitter: @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
=========================================
Daily Health Assessment
As life becomes more and more back to normal, it is easy to fall into old habits or forget new ones - Please parents check your students, talk with them, we have had a couple of students show up to school and end up at the nurse where we when asked we find out they were sick the night before or had a fever in the morning. It is imperative that if your student is sick you keep them home.
Before attending campus each day your student must complete a student health assessment. Please view the assessment here. Please remember students who are sick or feeling any COVID like symptoms should not attend or be on campus. For more information including health resources and information please visit www.gilbertschools.net/healthservices.
=========================================
Kibbles & Bits
Food Delivery:
We will not be accepting food deliveries to campus. We want to keep the campus as clear as possible of visitors. This includes companies like Door Dash, Uber Eats etc.Grades:
We are still seeing a large number of students that are struggling to get caught back up. With grades posting next Friday, please don't wait to see how your students are doing. Have them show you on Buzz or even better email their teachers, students still have a week to get some work completed and turned in and raise their grades.
=========================================
Wildcats Spirit Week/Message from Student Council
Our very first spirit week of the year will start on Monday, Wildcats!
Plan out your outfits this weekend so you are ready and looking your best!
It is super important that you dress up this week because whichever third hour class has the most participation in spirit week will win the spirit award on Friday, October 2nd!
We are so excited for next week!
=========================================
Yearbook Picture Information
Students and parents,
It's that time of year again and the photographers will be on campus September 29th and October 1 for school pictures. Senior pictures will be taken on Thursday the 1st so please remind your senior to dress to impress! This year, All Pro will not be bringing ties and coats, so if these are something your senior wants to wear, they must bring them to the photoshoot.
Information will follow about choosing photos and purchasing photo packages next week.
Parents remember this is also spirit week, so if you don't want their photo in safari print or a jersey, be sure you remind them on Tuesday or Thursday to dress for their photo.
=========================================
PAWs-atively Awesome
Zachary Turner
Congratulations to Zachary a senior here at Mesquite. While taking multiple AP and Honors courses Zach carries a 4.7 GPA, and is in the top 1% of his class. We were recently notified that Zachary also is a recipient of the National Merit Scholarship Commendation. Way to go Zachary!Cathy Valencia
Thank you Cathy for being a team player and filling in as the Sped Secretary during these times! You are truly appreciated and the support you have given the sped department has not gone unnoticed!
Yvonne Shrader
Thank you Yvonne for holding the Health Office down while we have been searching for a new nurse. You have done a great job, most people would never know you are spending most days taking care of everything!
=========================================
Bell Schedule
Important schedule reminders:
Wednesday is a regular one hour early release day
Friday is a Half-day, grading day.
Fall Break October 5-12
=========================================
Suicide Prevention Week
As part of our commitment to prevention education, Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) is offering depression awareness and suicide prevention training as part of the Signs of Suicide (SOS) prevention program. This program has been proven to be successful at increasing help seeking by students concerned about themselves or a friend and is the only school-based suicide prevention program listed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as an evidenced-based program.
This year, our school will be holding the Signs of Suicide Prevention Programming during the following dates: 9/28/20-10/2/20.
If you do not wish for your child to participate in the program, please complete the parent permission OPT-OUT form.
If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in the program.
SOS Portal for Parents
There is a new feature for parents, right under the sign in feature, where you can click on the active link and it will take you to the Parent resources.
SOS Parent Portal Link: https://sossignsofsuicide.org/parent
This portal provides access to the SOS videos, tips on how to talk to teens about mental health, as well as COVID-19 materials. It is important to note that as a school, we will NOT be administering the screener as stated in the portal for parents.
=========================================
Nutrition Services Update
This year, Gilbert Public Schools received an additional 5.9 million dollars in Federal funds based on income guidelines directly related to student free & reduced lunch eligibility. Taking the time to complete a GPS Free & Reduced Lunch Application means GPS can continue providing additional academic support and services for students (even if your child decides not to participate in the lunch program). Thank you for taking the time to complete an online application and to help ensure our school district receives its fair share of Federal funds. Click here to watch a short video to learn just how important these funds are to our schools and all of our students.
Por qué es importante que las familias completen una solicitud en línea para comidas gratuitas y a precio reducido.
Este año las Escuelas Públicas de Gilbert recibieron 5.9 millones de dólares adicionales en fondos federales basados en las pautas de ingresos directamente relacionadas con la elegibilidad de los estudiantes para almuerzos reducidos o gratuitos.
El tomarse el tiempo para completar una Solicitud de Almuerzo Gratis y Reducido de GPS significa que GPS puede continuar brindando apoyo académico y servicios adicionales para los estudiantes (incluso si su hijo decide no participar en el programa de almuerzo). Gracias por tomarse el tiempo para completar la solicitud en línea y ayudar a garantizar que nuestro distrito escolar reciba su parte justa de los fondos federales. Haga clic aquí para ver un video corto y aprender cuán importantes son estos fondos para nuestras escuelas y todos nuestros estudiantes.
=========================================
Counseling Department
MHS Counselors
Ms. Erin Harris: Last names A- F
Mr. Joe Domikaitis: Last names G-N
Mr. Larry Cook: Last names O-Z
Mental Health Counselor:
Mrs. Megan Mims 480-632-4750 ext 1119
Counseling Secretary:
Mrs. Kaley Farley 480-632-4750 ext 1134
College and Career Center Coordinator:
Jan Lyman 480-632-4750 ext 1108
Students will need to submit a Counseling Appointment Request Form to schedule an appointment with their counselor. There will also be signs posted in school with a QR code for students to scan to submit the Counseling Appointment Request Form.
=========================================
PSAT/NMSQT Exam
DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR THE PSAT EXAM: Friday, October 2nd
Attention Sophomores and Juniors!
Mesquite High School is offering the opportunity for students to take The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) on
Saturday, October 17 at 8:00 a.m. at Mesquite High School.
The exam measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills and writing skills. Students can take the PSAT/NMSQT in order to receive feedback about strengths and weaknesses, enter the competition for National Merit Scholar scholarships (11th graders) and to help prepare for the SAT.
Online exam registration is now open and will end on Fri, Oct 2, 2020 at 11:59 PM. The cost of the exam is $25. To register and pay to take the PSAT/NMSQT exam, please go to: www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/030157
Here are the important dates for the registration process:
Fri, Oct 2, 2019 at 11:59 PM - Registration Ends
Sat, Oct 3, 2019 at 12:01 AM - Registrations and payments after this date will incur a $10 late fee.
Mon, Oct 5, 2019 at 11:59 PM - Registrations that have not been paid for will be canceled and exams will not be ordered.
Please contact Ms. Erin Harris at Erin.Harris@gilbertschools.net if you have questions.
Why is the PSAT/NMSQT important?
Taking the PSAT/NMSQT opens the door to more benefits than you might think.
It connects students to more than $235 million in scholarships, including the National Merit® Scholarship Program. If you opt into the free Student Search Service®, scholarship providers will invite you to apply.
It's excellent practice for the SAT. Both tests measure the same knowledge and skills and ask the same types of questions, so PSAT/NMSQT takers will know what to expect on the SAT.
It's the first step to a free, personalized SAT study plan. Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy® uses your PSAT/NMSQT score to create a customized SAT study plan with sample questions that focus on areas where you need help.
It shows student progress on the road to college. The PSAT/NMSQT is part of the SAT Suite of Assessments that shows you whether you are on track for college.
It shows which Advanced Placement Program® (AP) courses you are ready for. The PSAT/NMSQT Score Report indicates which college-level AP courses you have the potential to succeed in.
Free online SAT practice:
The format and content of the PSAT/NMSQT is almost the same as the SAT, so a great way to start your practice is to use the official SAT practice on Khan Academy.
Just visit www.collegeboard.org and click “Sign Up” to get started.
=========================================
Message from our Athletic Director
Hello Wildcat Families!
Below are the GPS game guidelines that will be implemented to start the 2020 season.
Attendance
Up to 25% spectator capacity for Football fields and Gyms.
Fans are expected to leave all venues immediately after the game or match is completed. You may meet your athlete in the parking lot or outdoor basketball area.
If you are providing transportation for a student athlete, we ask that you remain in your vehicle to wait for them.
Tickets
There will be no in person/cash sales. All sales will be conducted through the GoFan online ticket sales. Tickets can be found at our site or going to www.gofan.co and searching for Mesquite High School.
Season tickets were made available for Varsity Football parents to purchase guaranteed tickets prior to the start of the season.
Live general admission tickets will be available for purchase up to the event start time.
When capacity allows, student tickets will be available prior to the general admission sales.
All tickets will be $5 this year.
Once the capacity limit is reached, no additional tickets will be sold.
Fan Expectations
No outside food/drinks (with the exception of a sealed consumer water bottle), no large bags, and no re-entry.
Face Masks need to be worn at all times.
Social distancing is highly encouraged.
Failure to follow GPS guidelines will result in removal from the event with no refund.
As a reminder we ask that you practice grace and understanding. This has been a challenging time for everyone, and as a community we need to continue to do our part to make this a successful season and keep our young athletes on the field/court.
***GPS COVID-19 Guidelines are subject to change regarding spectators at events***
=========================================
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Helen Trias
Pediatrician, educator and women’s rights activist.
First Latina to be elected President of American Public Health Association
Quote From our MHS student Sophia Kim
Dra. Helen Trías fue una humanitaria que ayudó a mujeres y a muchos otros. Ella, quien era doctora, era muy inteligente y ganó muchos premios por su trabajo. Yo quiero trabajar en la medicina también, y ella es muy motivacional. La Dra. Trías me enseñó que quién eres o de dónde eres no es importante. Y que puedo afrontar los retos, y hacer el bien en el mundo como ella.
Dr. Helen Trías was a humanitarian who helped women and many others. She, who was a doctor, was very intelligent and won a lot of awards for her work. I want to work in medicine as well, and she is very motivational. Dr. Trías taught me that who you are or where you are from is not important. And that I can face the challenges, and do good in the world like her.
=========================================
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