Wildcat Press Newsletter
April 11th, 2021 Vol. 35
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Principal's Message
Hello Wildcat Pride,
I know it seems crazy but we are almost done with this school year. I first want to say again how honored we are that you have trusted us with your students, we have done our very best to make this year safe and "normal" as was possible.
That being said it has been a difficult year for everyone. Please take a look at your students grades and talk with them if you have concerns. What most of them don't understand is how little time there actually is left to get caught up. Do not let them tell you they have this, make them see their teachers and if they don't give you a definitive answer as to how it's getting fixed, please check in with the teacher. We can finish this year strong if we all pull together, family, school and students, all together as one pride of Wildcats.
This week I took a couple days to get away with my some of my family and it was a great reminder to me about what is important. I went fishing up in the Glen Canyon Dam area, what a great experience. It was a boys trip, with dads, uncles, brothers, and cousins, we had 3 generations represented. What it really reminded me of was how little time we have to build those relationships and how we need to be intentional about them. In a crazy world and society that is has us all scrambling, we become very easily distracted from what really matters. I want to encourage you to take time to intentionally plan time with those in your family, and with your friends. When you do, unplug even for only a few hours or a day from all that can distract you. It is one of those things that when we don't do it we forget how much it means. When we do it reminds us of why we are here, of the purpose for our lives. It makes those that matter remember how much we love them.
As we head toward the summer, lets dig in with OUR kids help them reach the end of the school year, and then unplug for a bit and share the greatest gift we get ... time.
Yours in partnership,
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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April Calendar
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PAWs-atively Awesome
MHS Choir
FFA Maricopa County Fair
Jenna Brock:
Champion Dorper Lamb, Pride of the County, and 6th in senior Showmanship
Christian Gammons:
4th in Showmanship, 5th in market class
Kaitlyn Engelstad, Ashley Bowen, and Hailey Brown all did excellent in Goat showmanship.
With Kaitlyn finishing second in showmanship.
Blake Hammond showed his pig in market and received a blue ribbon
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Testing Dates and Information
10TH GRADE
You will need earbuds for portions of this exam, please remember to bring your own that can connect to the Chromebook.
- Part 1- April 20th
- Part 2- April 22nd
**Transportation will run at normal times on every day of testing**
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Wildcat Activities Announcement
Dance Concert- April 22nd & 23rd @ 7 pm in the Auditorium
Winter Drumline and Guard Parent Show- April 24th @ 6pm in the Mini Gym
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Seniors Corner! Class of 2021!
Graduation
Baccalaureate
Cap and Gown
https://www.jostens.com/apps/catalog/gradProducts.mvc?customerName=Mesquite+High+School&customerId=1034683
Jostens will schedule another delivery day in the near future so you can conveniently pick up your cap and gown on campus.
Senior Gala
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Attention Seniors!
We want to recognize your accomplishments! Please complete the 2021 Senior Scholarship Survey here. This form must be filled out and submitted by Wednesday, April 7, 2021 in order to be included in the MHS Scholarship Recognition Program.
Transcript Requests
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Wildcat Counseling
Chandler Gilbert Community College
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Summer School
GPS summer school is filling up fast! Summer school provides in-person and online learning opportunities for GPS students to take courses for initial or repeat credit. If you would like to register for a summer school course, please contact your counselor.
Registration and payment secures your spot in the summer school class. After your counselor submits a summer school recommendation, please be sure to register and pay for the summer school class(es) as soon as possible!
Click here for the GPS summer school website.
Do you know the credits you need to graduate? 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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Scholarship Highlight of the Week - The Gilbert Chamber Foundation Scholarship
Apply today! (Applications will be accepted through April 30th.) gilbertaz.wufoo.com/forms/zoliir01dho5zd/
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2021 RECHARGE Conference
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Academic Support
Peer Tutoring
PEER TUTORING is available during both lunches on TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS (10:30-11:00 and 11:55-12:25) in the MHS Career Center. No appointment is needed; come on in!
Assignment Tracker
Click here for an Assignment Tracker to list your missing assignments/quizzes/tests and catch up in your classes (you will need to make a copy of the Assignment Tracker in order to enter your information, or you can print a copy).
Counselor Appointments
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MESSAGE FROM OUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
I wanted to announce an exciting partnership we recently committed to with Baseball Showcase that'll make Mesquite HS a popular venue for local baseball tournaments in the East Valley. With the athletic department and booster clubs able to sell concessions, this will bring money in for our athletes that can be used to get those items on our bucket list. Here's an example of one item I'd like to get to help celebrate our athletes and championship teams: https://youtu.be/0Mgp4cuvsmA
If you watched the video and want to help, click HERE for a link to the GPS Tax Credit site where you can make a donation to the Mesquite Athletic Dept. What a great way to commemorate all the incredible accomplishments of our students.
Thank you!
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Wildcat Wellness
Skills groups are weekly on Thursday starting April 29.
Groups are only 20 minutes long during lunches (11:00am and 12:00pm).
If you have questions, please reach out to Mrs. Mims, Mr. VandenBerg, or Mr. McKay.
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Wind Down and Relax
- Schedule technology-free time. Many of us are guilty of scrolling through social media or watching a show before we go to sleep. But studies have shown that the blue light emitted from your screen negatively affects your circadian rhythm. Some devices allow you to control the level of blue light in your screen or even schedule when to adjust the blue light emitted from the screen, which is a great alternative. Any type of bright light signals to your brain that it’s time to be awake so try to avoid looking at any screen, computer included, too close before bed. The National Sleep Foundation recommends you cut your screen time at least 30 minutes before bed.
- Separate work from bed. For any of us working from home, this can be a tough one. As we continue to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic, work-life balance has taken a serious hit. Regardless of whether you go into the office or your office is down the hall from your bedroom, it’s important to log off when the workday is over. Try to avoid answering emails after dinner – some email services even have a “Do Not Disturb” function that you can customize so you won’t be notified during certain hours of the day. If that’s not an option, try physically closing your laptop to signal that you’re done for the day.
- Read a book. An actual paper book works best (remember that pesky blue light from screens), but any kind of reading will help you relax. One study showed that just six minutes of undisturbed reading can reduce stress by 68%, and it’ll give you the opportunity to think about something other than your worries.
- Listen to music. No matter what you choose to do to wind down, listening to soothing or calm music in the background can help you feel relaxed, even if you just have it playing in the background. Classical music has been proven to lower blood pressure but if that isn’t your vibe, your favorite music should do the trick too.
- Try stretching or light yoga. Stretching exercises help relax your muscles by relieving some tension after a long day. A comprehensive review found meditative activities like yoga are wildly beneficial for sleep quality and also improve quality of life and depression.
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Health Office Hotspot
April doesn't only mean the end of the school year is close; it also means much warmer weather is on its way or here! It's been 90+ degrees the last several days. Warmer weather seems to mean shorter shorts, skimpier tops, and everything in between - and I am NOT just talking about girls. Boys are guilty too! The GPS dress code policy is clear on what is acceptable in dress for both boys AND girls while students are on campus. If your reaction to what your student is wearing resembles something along the lines of "You're wearing THAT to school?!", kindly tell your student they need to change their clothing. Please explain to your student that the particular outfit or shirt needs to be worn when they are off campus without any worry.
Boys: leave the Playboy shirts, sexually suggestive, sleeveless or extra large arm hole shirts, baggy pants and shorts that have underwear hanging out the bottom at home.
Girls: leave the spaghetti strap, tube tops, tank tops, crop tops, and shorty shorts/skirts at home.
It will save us all a lot of frustration in the long haul. It's not worth taking the chance.
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SAFETY AND SECURITY
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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