Knightly Update February 4, 2024
ACP High School - Edition Vol 3 Issue 27
Hello. We had a nice week showing off our ACP spirit. Saturday's MORP dance was an enjoyable event too. Thank you to the members of StuGo for the work they did behind the scenes helping to prepare for the week and dance. I am sorry we were forced to cancel Friday's Knight Games, but we look forward to finding a date next quarter to hold this event. I hope our students enjoyed the week and had some fun.
Throughout the month of February, our Black Student Union (BSU) will be sponsoring a variety of events to celebrate Black History Month. Encourage your child to listen to the daily announcements to learn about the activities in which they can participate. I look forward to seeing what BSU puts together. It is going to be a fun month.
This week we have another exciting event on the horizon, our Annual STEAM Knight. This family event showcases the science talent that we have on campus while offering interactive activities, lessons and games for our students and guests to participate. It really is a fun evening and I hope our students attend, and I encourage our families to attend too (additional information is below). It is a great night and the scientific minds of our students will certainly impress. I hope to see you Friday evening in our school's courtyard.
Congratulations to our boys and girls soccer teams on being crowned East Sky Region Champions after a stellar regular season. Both our soccer teams, our boys basketball team, and several of our wrestling athletes are preparing for the upcoming state championship tournaments. Once we learn who we will be playing, we will communicate that information with our school community. It's been fun to watch all our winter athletes compete this season and I am excited to see them take part in the state tournaments and work to bring home a championship trophy. Let's go!
Best of luck to those students who are trying out for a spring sport. Tryouts begin this week and the tryout schedule is below.
Lastly, it is National School Counseling Week! Please join me in thanking our counseling team for all that they do to hep our students throughout the year. They are a terrific group and our students are very lucky to have them on their side. Thank you to our counselors, Ms. Jamesse Evans, Ms. Rachel O'Brien, Mrs. Margot O'Donnal, and Ms. Amy Steele. The team is assisted by our counseling secretary, Mrs. Trisha Pfleiger, College & Career Specialist, Mr. Chris Ator, and assessment coordinator, Mrs. Christy Ludwig. We appreciate all that you do! Happy National School Counseling Week!
I hope you have a nice week. As a reminder, mid-quarter grades will be posted on Friday. Please take a few minutes to review your child's progress. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. Enjoy your week.
Rob Bickes
Principal
School Events - Week of February 5, 2024
Site events listed in bold.
Monday, February 5
- Free Dress Day - $2 participation fee
- Spring Sport Tryouts Begin (see below for details)
Tuesday, February 6
- 8:00 AM-2:00 PM - Vitalent Blood Drive, ACPHS Visitor Parking Lot
- 8:15 AM - Class of 2024 Panoramic Photo, ACPHS Main Gym
- 4:00 - Esports League of Legends vs Basha HS
Wednesday, February 7
- 8:00 AM - Signing Day, ACPHS Auditorium
- 4:00 - Esports Super Smash Bros. vs Eastmark HS
Thursday, February 8
- 4:00 - Esports Rocket League vs Sierra Linda HS
Friday, February 9
- Mid-Quarter Grades available for review via Infinite Campus Parent Portal
- 4:30-7:30 - ACPHS Steam Knight, ACPHS Courtyard & Cafeteria
Saturday, February 10
- Varsity Boys Wrestling Sectionals @ Moon Valley HS
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Event Recap - Week of January 29
Monday, January 29
- 4:00 - JV Boys Soccer WON @ ALA-Gilbert North, 1-0
- 4:00 - Fr/So Boys Basketball @ ALA-Gilbert North
- 4:00 - JV Girls Soccer WON vs ALA-Gilbert North, 4-0
- 4:00 - Fr/So Girls Basketball WON vs ALA-Gilbert North, 35-34
- 5:30 - JV Boys Basketball @ ALA-Gilbert North
- 5:30 - JV Girls Basketball WON vs ALA-Gilbert North, 57-23
- 6:00 - Varsity Boys Soccer WON @ ALA-Gilbert North, 9-1
- 6:00 - Varsity Girls Soccer WON vs ALA-Gilbert North, 1-0
- 7:00 - Varsity Boys Basketball @ ALA-Gilbert North
- 7:00 - Varsity Girls Basketball WON vs ALA-Gilbert North, 49-39
Wednesday, January 31
- 4:00 - Esports Super Smash Bros. WON vs Sunnyslope HS, 3-0
- 4:00 - Fr/So Boys Soccer WON @ Campo Verde HS, 3-0
- 4:00 - JV Girls Soccer WON @ ALA-Queen Creek, 1-0
- 4:00 - Fr/So Girls Basketball WON @ ALA-Queen Creek, 35-34
- 4:00 - JV Boys Soccer WON vs ALA-Queen Creek, 3-0
- 4:00 - Fr/So Boys Basketball LOST vs ALA-Queen Creek, 50-52
- 5:30 - JV Girls Basketball WON @ ALA-Queen Creek, 45-22
- 5:30 - JV Boys Basketball LOST vs ALA-Queen Creek, 47-49
- 6:00 - Varsity Girls Soccer WON @ ALA-Queen Creek, 8-2
- 6:00 - Varsity Boys Soccer WON vs ALA-Queen Creek, 6-0
- 7:00 - Varsity Girls Basketball LOST @ ALA-Queen Creek, 47-53
- 7:00 - Varsity Boys Basketball WON vs ALA-Queen Creek, 56-52
Thursday, February 1
- 4:00 - Esports Rocket League LOST vs Basha HS, 3-1
Saturday, February 3
- Speech & Debate PLACED 1st @ Jackrabbit Jamboree, Mesa HS
- Academic Decathlon PLACED 3rd @ AcDec Regionals, Williams Field HS
- Girls Wrestling PLACED 2nd @ Girls Wrestling Sectionals, Amphitheater HS (Tucson)
- 9:00 AM - JV Boys Wrestling NSR @ Pioneer JV Wrestling Invitational, Pinnacle HS
Knights in the Spotlight
Huge congratulations are in order for seniors Nico Castagna and Swanuja Godasi! Nico and Swanuja were named as one of 36 Flinn Scholarship Finalists after the 80 semifinalists were interviewed in January. The two will be interevewed in March with the program's Selection Committee as they continue their journey with the hope of becoming one of this year's 20 Flinn Scholars. We are extremely proud of both Nico and Swanuja and wish them the best of luck as they prepare for next month's interviews. Congratulations and good luck to you both!
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We are thrilled to share some exciting news regarding Jinoo Park, ACP junior, and his recent accomplishment in the field of music. Jinoo, who has been achieving success in competitions since his freshman year, including notable wins at the Chicago International Music Competition, Odin International Music Competition, American Protégé and the Arizona Music Fest, added another prestigious achievement to his collection by securing second place in the Violin Concerto Competition of the Inaugural Arizona International Music Competition (AIMC), Senior Category. His remarkable rendition of Wieniawski's Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22, impressed the judges and earned him this prestigious recognition. Congratulations, Jinoo! Well done.
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Congratulations to the varsity boys soccer team on being crowned Region Champions after finishing their regular season RECORD. The boys are now preparing for the state tournament will they have their eyes set on bringing home a state championship trophy. Congrats on your success and good luck in the state tournament, gentlemen!
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Your varsity girls soccer team was crowned region champions after an impressive 11-0-1 regular season! Way to go ladies!! The girls are now preparing for state tournament play and look forward to battling their way to bring home a state championship trophy. Fantastic season! Good luck at state!
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Congratulations to the following members of the Class of 2024 on their selection as candidates for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. Students are choses for outstanding performance on the ACT Assessment or the College Board SAT; and/or nomination by the Chief State School Officer. The Scholars program was established in 1964 and recognizes the accomplishments of some of our nation's most distinguished graduating seniors. Scholars are choses for leadership and service to school and community and they demonstrate exceptional schoarship; visual, creative, and performing arts talent' and accomplishment in technical fields. Up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen annually. Congratulations and good luck to each of you!
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Congratulations to the following students who were selected for participation in the AMEA Southwest All-Regional Band and Orchestra Festival which will take place on February 16th and 17th. Through their acceptance into this very competitive ensemble, they will also be eligible to audition for the All-State Band and Orchestra Festival to be held at the University of Arizona in April. Way to go, Knights!
Helena Tang
Violin
Anthony Chen
Violin (2nd Alternate)
Adonis Miller
Viola
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ACP's girls wrestling team competed at their sectional meet this weekend and battled their way to the second place trophy! Congratulations, ladies. In addition, seven wrestlers on the girls team (below) qualified for the state tournament later this month. This is the most state qualifiers in the programs history. Way to go! Good luck at state!
Willow Arnold
1st Place Sectionals
Booke Le
3rd Place Sectionals
Nia Lyman
2nd Place Sectionals
Samantha Martin
3rd Place Sectionals
Maya Moberg
4th Place Sectionals
Rosa Villanueva
3rd Place Sectionals
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Three of our students participated in the Palm Springs Karate Championships last weekend. They represented Chandler Martial Arts Center and did fantastic. Nicolas Acedo (black tracksuit), sophomore earned bronze in kata (a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements made to be practiced alone. It can also be reviewed within groups and in unison when training), and silver in kumite (kumite is the part of karate in which a person trains against an adversary). ACP freshman, Emilio Acedo (white gi), earned two silver medals, one for kumite and one for kata. Junior Alyssa Ryan (no photo available) garnered two bronze medals in kumite. Way to represent Arizona and Chandler! Congratulations!
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Congratulations to our Speech and Debate team who competed against 35 other schools at the Mesa High Jackrabbit Jamboree and walked away with the championship trophy. Congratulations to the following individual trophy winners.
Big Questions Debate
- Aayush Rastogi – 3rd
- Sid Kanderi & Garv Sharma – 1st
Congressional Debate – House 1
- Aden Smith – 5th
Congressional Debate – House 2
- Jishnu Nayak – 5th
- Isaac Mottern – 2nd
- Divya Natarajan – 1st
Congressional Debate – House 3
- Suhani Karkra – 5th
- Gauri Murkoth – 1st
Congressional Debate – House 4
- Finn Roffler – 4th
- Victoria Bernabe 3rd
- Aanya Venkat – 2nd
Duet Acting
- Sid Kanderi & Talia Keen – 5th
- Joanna Thomas & Maddie Tung – 4th
- Grace Chang & Lucas Williams – 2nd
Duo Interpretation
- Sunshine Lyon & Aden Smith – 4th
- Talia Keen & Nina Suberville – 3rd
Humorous Interpretation
- Aari Kanderi – 4th
Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate
- Anusha Bagchi – 3rd
- Sam Saliba – 1st
Novice Public Forum Debate
- Samyak Duggirala & Anika Bommareddy – 3rd
Policy Debate
- Anika Kulkarni & Mrinal Sharma – 2nd
- Abhinav Saxena & Aden Smith – 1st
Original Spoken Word Poetry
- Isaac Mottern – 6th
Poetry Interpretation
- Valerie Yasnogorodskiy
Program Oral Interpretation
- Makenna Sandlin – 4th
Varsity Public Forum Debate
- Isaac Mottern & Jishnu Nayak – 2nd
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ACP's Academic Decathlon team competed at Williams Field High School this weekend and placed 1st in the Super Quiz relay, brought home 18 individual medals and the most improved trophy and finished in third place overall in the hardest region in the state. Absolutely amazing performance for a team that is only in its second year competing. Fantastic job, Knights!
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Each year, ACP's faculty and staff select an outstanding volunteer, faculty or staff member, and student citizen award winner. We are very pleased to share that Mr. Clint Bragg and Mr. Rob Bickes will be recognized at this year's District Night of Recognition ceremony as our volunteer and faculty award winners. The family of Sydelia Orr will also be accepting the Student Citizen Award posthumously on behalf of their daughter at this ceremony. As a school, we had the honor of celebrating these individuals while remembering Syd at our assembly on Friday. Please join us in congratulating each of them and recognizing their work and contributions to ACP. Congratulations!
National School Counselor Week
It’s National School Counseling Week and we are so appreciative of all of the hard work our team puts forth for the ACP High School community! Share your appreciation for each of them this week when you see them around campus!
Jamesse Evans
Counselor (Last Names A-E)
Rachel O'Brien
Counselor (Last Names M-R)
Margot O'Donnal
Counselor (Last Names F-L)
Chris Ator
College & Career Specialist
Christy Ludwig
Assessment Coordinator
Trisha Pfleiger
Counseling Secretary
Class of 2024 Panoramic Photo - February 6
Members of the senior class will take their class panoramic photo on Tuesday, February 6th. Information about Tuesday's photo was shared last week with the students. Students must be in formal attire for this photo (e.g. shirt/tie, dress), and attire must be school appropriate. The photo will be taken during advisory. Students will be released from their first period at 8:10 in order to report to the gym. Please contact the office if you have any questions.
ACP Swim Clinic Begins
ACPHS Swim Skill and Conditioning Clinics begin this week. Come train with Our 2023 Division III State Champion Boys and Girls Teams!
General Details & Information:
- Who: Any Arizona College Prep Athlete, Grades 7-12
- When*: Saturdays, 2/3-3/2, no clinic on2/24*
- Where: Kerry Croswhite Aquatic Center (CHS) Pool
- Time: 9:40 am-12:00 noon (dryland** & stretching starts at 9:45am)
- Cost: $80 for 4 Saturdays, attend when you can!
- Athletes-Please bring tennis shoes for dryland training.
Questions? Please contact:
- Coach Kristine Nelson - nelson.kristine@cusd80.com
- Coach Carson Sundem - sundemc@yahoo.com
Heart Felt Thanks
Please join the Prep PTO in working to provide a Soda Station as a Heart Felt Thanks on Valentine's Day for the staff at ACP. Please click on the button below to review the available donation slots and to sign up to donate. All donations need to be taken to the ACP office by February 12th. Thank you for supporting our amazing staff.
FAFSA Workshop At CGCC
Chandler-Gilbert Community College will be having a FAFSA Completion event at their Pecos campus on Thursday, February 15, 2024. This event is to serve their east valley high school partners and college community.
- Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024
- Time: 5:00pm-7pm
- Location: Pecos Campus Coyote Kickoff Room
Signage will be located throughout the campus directing students where to go.
AP Prep with Revolution Prep
Revolution Prep has options for families to consider to help students prepare for this year's AP Exams. For additional information, click on the picture or scan the QR code to learn about the services offered.
Support Your School's PTO - Donate Today!
Please support ACP's PTO! Donate to our Educational Advancement Fund!
- What is The PREP PTO? The official parent/teacher organization of ACP High. Our role is to help support the staff, students, and faculty of ACP.
- 2023-2024 Goal Amount: $25,000
- Amount Raised: $15,282
- Remaining Goal Amount: $9717
- How will your donation make a difference? Your donation helps to shape the future of our school by ensuring that our students have access to the best opportunities and resources available. Suggested donation is $60.
If you are in need of a donation receipt, please contact us at treasurer@preppto.com.
- General School Support
- Graduation & Back to School Events
- Teacher Appreciation Expressions of Gratitude
Together, we can make this year exceptional for our children and our school community!
Thank you for your Support!
ACP Blood Drive
ACPHS Steam Knight is Friday!
Badminton Tax Credit Donation Drive
As we gear up for another thrilling season in the fall, we're reaching out to our ACPHS badminton community to seek your support in a special way.
In preparation for next season, we are focusing on enhancing the training experience for our talented players through dedicated coaching and top-notch equipment. To achieve this, we are excited to inform you about an incredible opportunity to contribute while also benefiting from tax credits.
By making a tax-deductible donation to the ACPHS badminton program, you not only help elevate the skills of our young athletes but also gain valuable tax credits. Your generous support will directly contribute to allowing for the continuation of the same leadership that our winning teams experienced this year and will allow us equipment upgrades, ensuring our players have the best resources to flourish on the court.
To make a donation and maximize your tax benefits, simply visit your Infinite Campus account or donate directly at: https://www.cusd80.com/taxcredit If you have friends or family members outside of the ACPHS community they can donate as well at: https://az-chandler-lite.intouchreceipting.com/
Every contribution, big or small, plays a significant role in shaping the future of our badminton stars. Thank you!
Chandler Innovation Fair - February 24, 2024
Black Leadership Summit - February 24, 2024
ACP Baseball Golf Tournament
Support ACP Baseball March 2nd, 2024
Purchase a foursome or DONATE via the QR code
Have questions or want to receive the ACP Baseball Newsletter
Email acpbaseballbooster@gmail.com and ask to be added to the distribution list
Follow Us on Social Media:
Instagram @acpbaseballboosters
Facebook ACP Baseball Boosters
X formerly known as Twitter @ACPBoostersBall
International Knights Festival
Does your family or club represent a diverse cultural perspective? If so, the ACP International Knights Festival needs you! This award-winning annual festival aims to spread cultural awareness and understanding through educational and fun booths as well as performances in the form of songs, dances, and poetry. Links to register are below. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Williams.
The festival is set to occur on Friday, April 5 (5-8pm) with several events to be held during the week including a cultural fashion show in the auditorium during school hours.
Represented cultures do not have to be from other countries. We welcome contributions from all cultures, including Native American and regional subcultures as well.
- Click here to register for the fashion show. (This is during school hours the week leading up to the festival.)
- Click here to register to perform on the night of the festival.
- Click here to register to host a booth.
Do not delay! Sign ups will close on March 5th!
Spring Sport Tryout Information
It's almost time to start thinking about spring sports at ACP. Anyone attending any tryout session must be fully cleared through Aktivate for the sport they are trying out for and they must appear on the Coach's cleared roster in order to participate.
If your athlete is currently on a winter team roster - they MUST notify the spring coach that they intend to request a late tryout, once their winter season is complete. If they do not communicate with the spring coach prior to tryouts week, there may not be roster sports available to them. If you have any questions, please contact ACP Athletics.
CEF Winner's Choice Car or Cash Raffle
Knights start your engines! The Chandler Education Foundation Winner’s Choice Car or Cash Raffle
Fundraiser is here! This exciting event provides valuable funding for our school PTO/Boosters and
scholarships for promising CUSD students!
Just $20 per ticket for a chance to win either $27,000 off the MSRP of any Toyota vehicle OR $20,000 cash – it's your choice!
PLUS – if you purchase your ticket before 9 am on February 5, you’ll be entered into a BONUS drawing for Early Bird Prizes!
Don’t wait – get your ticket online now at https://rb.gy/ss9nna. And please help spread the word with your friends, family and colleagues! Thank you for your support!
Chandler Education Foundation Scholarships Application is Open!
Attention seniors! The Chandler Education Foundation (CEF) has just opened their scholarship application platform for students graduating in 2024. With thousands in award funds available, don’t miss this opportunity! Applications are due by midnight on Sunday, March 3, 2024.
Click here to visit CEF’s website for full details and to access the online application platform.
Ranging from $500 to $3,000, these scholarships are made possible through generous donations from individuals and organizations. Some exceptional graduates even receive multiple awards! Note that students should prepare the required documents in advance, so an early start is recommended. Any questions, contact CEF at info@chandleredfoundation.org.
Diploma Seals
Home Athletic Games
In addition, please pay attention to the following:
Tickets prices are $7 for adults, $5 for students with high school (plus a $1.00 GoFan Fee)
- ACPHS Stadium, Auxiliary and Main Gym ALL require clear bags. To enhance public safety and make venue access more efficient, CUSD Athletics adopted a Clear Bag Policy (click on button below to review the policy). Fans may bring in one (1) clear bag (Any Size). Fans are limited to one clear bag per person, along with a small clutch or purse for privacy.
- No outside food or drinks are allowed in the stadium or gyms.
- WATER in factory sealed, clear containers ONLY are permitted. NO HYDROFLASKS will be permitted.
- Upon leaving the gym or stadium, spectators will not be permitted to re-enter.
Get Your 2023-2024 Yearbook
For your convenience, this year's yearbook may be purchased online at jostensyearbooks.com (type in "Arizona College Prep High School") or you can simply click on the button below to go directly to our school's webpage. You may begin purchasing your yearbook on July 5th. Yearbook packages include:
Back-to-school special: $75.00. This is the lowest price of the year with a savings of $15.00.
Signature package: $92.00 includes yearbook, personalization, autograph pens, and autograph pages. The free icons are a back-to-school special only for a limited time. Additional accessories available for purchase.
Personalized yearbook cost: $82.00 includes name embossed on the cover and 4 free icons of your choice. The free icons are a back-to-school special for a limited time only. Additional accessories available for purchase.
Prices will increase on all three options throughout the year, and there are a limited number of yearbooks for sale, so be sure to purchase yours today! This back-to-school special ends August 18th, but you can still purchase a yearbook until February 28th. Arizona College Prep High School has received the National Yearbook Program of Excellence Award the past four consecutive school years.
If you have any questions click here to email Mrs. Patterson.
Driving on Campus
Procedures for driving on campus are below and can be downloaded for your convenience. These procedures are to be followed by all families that drop-off and/or pick-up their child, and for students that choose to drive their personal vehicle to school and park in the student parking lot. Staff will be posted along the route to ensure procedures are followed appropriately.
- Parent/guardian vehicles must use the ingress east of the Visitor Parking Lot entrance on Brooks Farm Rd. and form two lanes (if driving west on Brooks Farm, please engage your turn signal if turning right onto campus)
- ACP Traffic should only enter the neighborhood from Gilbert Road and Brooks Farm Road (from the west): and Mustang Road and Chandler Heights (from the south).
- Do not enter the neighborhood from Lindsay Rd.
- Student vehicles must enter the campus via the ingress east of the JV softball field on Brooks Farm Rd.; Families may also drop off via this ingress (follow security directions if using this entrance)
- There is NO entrance to the campus from Gilbert Rd.
- Students may be dropped off/picked up along the sidewalks south of the administrative building and west of the B building and gymnasium.
- Parent vehicles in the left lane that have dropped off or picked up their child along the south side of the administrative building may exit the campus via the visitor parking lot exit.
- Parent/guardians in the right lane will exit the campus via the stadium traffic light turning north or south onto Gilbert Rd.
- Entrance to the campus via the visitor parking lot is closed from 6:45-7:30 AM and from 2:00-2:45 daily.
- DO NOT DROP OFF OR PICK UP YOUR CHILD IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR OR AROUND THE CAMPUS.
- Empathy for our residential neighbors is appreciated.
Please Make a Tax Credit Donation
If you are able to make your tax contributions early in the year, your donation would be greatly appreciated and give us a jump start on some of our essential extracurricular activities. We have set a goal to collect approximately $50.00 per family for a total of $57,500.00 and hope that you will be willing to help us meet our goal. Thank you for supporting your child and our school!
Tax Credit Basics…
A tax credit donation is a full refund, not a deduction. Contributions eligible for a tax credit are donated directly to schools, not to the state or school district. To participate or learn more, follow the link listed below to donate online or you can complete the enclosed form and submit your contribution at your convenience.
http://www.cusd80.com/taxcredit
Arizona Law ARS 43-1089.01 enables taxpayers a tax credit contribution of up to $400.00 per year if filing status is “Married, filing Joint Return;” $200.00 per calendar year if filing status is “Single of Head of Household;” and $200 per calendar year if filing status is “Married filing separate returns.” These contributions fund extracurricular activities in public schools and greatly impact our school community and our students.
Stay In Touch!
Contact Information
School Day Begins: 7:15 (gates close at 7:25)
School Day Ends: 2:15
Office Hours: 7:00-3:30
School Address:
4477 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler, AZ 85249
Phone Numbers:
Administration: 480-424-8700
Attendance: 480-424-8703
Fax: 480-224-9268
Find us on the web: www.cusd80.com/acphs