The Roar
Gilbert High School's Newsletter - November 2018
Principal's Message
November 2018
Dear GHS families,
It’s incredible to think we are only a few weeks from the end of the first semester! Be sure to check out the Fall final exam schedule that is posted below in this November newsletter. For new and/or Freshman families, it may be a very different schedule than what you are used to in either junior high school or your previous school.
It’s been a very busy Second Quarter. It’s hard for me to think back and have to pick a favorite memory from this quarter… it could be our Varsity football team making the State playoffs for the first time in seven years, it could be our Gilbert Theatre Ensemble’s amazing production of Our Town, it could be seeing our students of the month being honored by the Town Council and how proud they and their families are, it could be the First Place finish by our Tiger Marching Pride in the State Championship at ASU! It’s been a busy, challenging, and amazing Second Quarter!
Next week, our new School Resource Officer will be starting here at Gilbert High School. Officer Ed Morales has been our SRO the past year and a half and he has served our campus community well. He is moving on to a wellness position within the Gilbert Police Department and will work with officers involved in traumatic events. He will do an awesome job with that role and help keep our community safe! We welcome to GHS Officer Antonio Roldan, who is brand new to the ranks of SROs! Officer Roldan has been on campus a few times already and he has done an amazing job connecting with staff right away! We look forward to him shadowing Officer Morales next week and then flying solo after that. Welcome to the Tiger Family, Officer Roldan!
Winter Sports have started with tournament and scrimmage play underway! Kudos to all of our student athletes, coaches, and parent volunteers and boosters for helping make these upcoming seasons a success!
Please help ensure your Tigers at home are staying on top of their studies during these last weeks of the semester. It’s important to stay focused despite all the myriad activities, concerts, games, etc. Especially during final exams, make sure they get full nights sleep and eat a healthy breakfast the morning of the exams!
This will be the last newsletter prior to the Winter Break so from our Tiger family to yours please have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends!
Go Tigers!
Sincerely,
Christopher Stroud
Principal
----- School News -----
Save the Date(s) for School Council!
School Council will be held once a month in the GHS HUB (formerly known as the Career Center) with Mr. Stroud. These are held on a Monday evening from 5pm to 6pm. Our membership includes two student positions, three “official” parent positions, three faculty members, one staff position and one member of the business community. Our schedule for the 18-19 school year is:
Monday, January 14, 2019, 5 – 6pm
Monday, February 25, 2019, 5 – 6pm
Monday, April 1, 2019, 5 – 6pm
Monday, April 29, 2019, 5 – 6pm
All are welcome to come and participate! Remember that all School Council meetings will be held in our HUB up in the front office. Join us as we discuss and tackle pertinent and timely issues of interest to students, parents, and faculty and staff. We always have awesome treats made by our wonderful Culinary students under the direction of Mrs. Hinton! Coffee will be served, as well!
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GHS Fall Semester Final Exam Schedule 2018
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Gilbert Public Schools District 18-19 Calendar
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GHS Bell Schedules
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Teacher Turkeys!
Information from Ms. Frost!
The Teacher Turkey fundraiser has officially ended and all I have to say is WOW!
Every year, I am completely blown away by how much the student body donates in such a short period of time. It makes me so happy, I could dance!
BACK TO BUSINESS! Last year, we earned a record-breaking $1,751.88. This year's Junior Class was determined to break that record. I'll admit that I was a little apprehensive about raising that much in only 11 days, but...
I am so proud to announce that this year's total amount raised was a whopping...
$2,101.49!!!
Now that's a lot of gravy!
And now for the top three contributors!
The third highest amount raised was by the amazing Mr. Hayward!!
Well done!
The second highest amount raised was by the incredible Hazen Sensei!!
Way to go!
And finally, the teacher who raised the highest amount for this Adopt-A-Family fundraiser was....
MR. HOFFLAND!!
This is such an amazing gift and we have all of you to thank! Of course, none of this would be possible if it weren't for the ever-so-giving students of this amazing school. Please extend our gratitude to your students for donating to this fundraiser. We now have the pleasure of using this money to go shopping for families in need of some assistance during this holiday season.
On behalf of the Student Council Junior Class, THANK YOU and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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Parent Corner
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Link for the GHS Parent Calendar
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Dress Code Reminders
Please stress to your student the importance of dressing for success and to be dressed appropriate for school. The weather of course is still very warm and will be for some time, but we need to make sure we are not dressing for the summer while here on campus. Please refer to the District Student Handbook for guidance, and reach out to the GHS Administration Team if you have any further questions.
Mrs. Gonzales, 480.497.0177, x184
12th grade, 9th grade H-N
Mr. Haasch, 480.497.0177, x169
11th grade, 9th grade A-G
Mr. Yanez, 480.497.0177, x156
10th grade, 9th grade O-Z
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Parking Lot Procedures
Parents, please remember to use the parent drop-off loop in the morning and after school. Please do not drop off or pick up in the faculty lot on the west side of campus as this is used by students who walk and for bus transportation purposes. For everyone’s safety, please use the loop between campus and Elliot Road just north of the building.
As a note of caution to all of our campus community, please know that Gilbert Police will at some point do a traffic enforcement sweep on Elliot Road. We ask everyone to always drive safe and practice patience.
We appreciate everyone’s commitment to the safety of our students!
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Staff Spotlight
Each month, we'd like to introduce staff members who are new to our campus community! This month let's give a warm Tiger welcome to Mr. David Graham and Mrs. Robin Alfaro!
Please introduce yourself to our campus community! (Background, education, family, etc.).
I’m David Graham, the photography instructor. I’ve taught 3D animation, digital media, photography, web development, and all the traditional visual arts either at the college or high school level. I have a Bachelors in Design, and recently completed a Masters in Education at Northcentral University. I’ve worked in multimedia off and on over the last 25 years interspersed with about 7 years of teaching.
I have 11 kids. Yes, sounds insane. It is. Prior marriages and all that. The two oldest are already out of the nest - one at college, and the other in the Air Force. Between everything we somehow find a way to do camping as a family or to work on various projects.
Tell us why you became an educator.
About 22 years ago I got a taste of teaching when I taught at a multimedia university in Tempe (mostly teaching animation). I was pulled away by industry after 2 years. Money pulled me from something I loved doing. Thankfully, in 2013, I realized I was getting further from doing what I loved and had to return to it -despite the change in pay. So, I went through getting state certified, did my student teaching here at Gilbert High in 2016, and finished my Masters in 2017 while working in Mesa. In 2015 I subbed in both the Mesa and Gilbert school districts, and GHS was (and is) my first choice of where I wanted to work. I can’t express how amazed and grateful I am to be back!
What are you looking forward to the most for this school year at GHS? What do you like best about being a part of the Tiger Family?
Getting organized, making sure I have both the darkroom and digital labs in order, is my greatest priority, yet compared to what I look forward to the most it’s nothing. I look forward to every day I’m here; I have an opportunity to know the students and staff at GHS. It isn’t one thing, one event, or anything like that. It’s about making a difference every day.
What is the best part of working with young people in this day and age?
Art production methods may change, but the purpose it brings to students (and life) remains the same. Watching students learn how art works hand in hand with technology is very rewarding. Connecting what they learn with the fast internet-driven pace has its challenges, but participating in their discoveries makes it very worthwhile.
If you could give our students any advice for having a happy and successful life, what would it be?
Feel existence. Don’t do it alone. Feeling existence can feel more validated with friends, but know that your path is your own.
Thank you, Mr. Graham!
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Staff Spotlight
Mrs. Robin "Nico" Alfaro, GHS Media Technician
Hello Tiger Family! My name is Nicoleta Alfaro (aka Nico) and I am your library lady. I am a longtime Gilbert resident, I am married, and a mother of three wonderful children. I have one son, Sammy who is 13, and two daughters, Emma and Sofia ages 12 and 8. I am a strong believer in the power of education and come from a very long line of Arizona educators. I am currently a student myself, working toward my postgrad at Grand Canyon University. I am an avid lover of the written word, music buff, and longtime book collector. I consider myself a general life enthusiast and enjoy learning new things whenever and wherever I can.
I came on board at the very end of last year as a substitute for the previous librarian and fell in love with the staff and students here at Gilbert High School. I consider it a genuine privilege to work within the walls of GHS Stories and absolutely love what I do. This year I look forward to working with my wonderful cohort and watching the continued evolution of our library and continuing to help find new ways of weaving together community, literacy, and college and career readiness. We have so many fantastic things planned and I cannot wait to see them all come to fruition.
I believe that the best part about working with high school students is watching them continually mature and journey through the process of self-discovery. It always amazes me to see how much a student grows from the beginning of their freshmen year to the end of their senior year. Throughout the four years that they spend within our high school walls they continue to learn so much about what they like and dislike, what they value, and what inspires them. Having the opportunity to play a small part in that process makes me very happy.
If I could offer our students some advice for having a happy and successful life, it would be the advice that my very wise lit professor grandmother offered me when I was teenager. Live as though your own life will one day be published as a story. Make it something worthy of being read, and never forget that you too will be written down as a character in the story of others. Try your hardest to be one of the guys that gets written down for the right reasons. Also, always keep eggs on hand.
Thank you Ms. Alfaro!
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Reminder for "Opt In" for Emergency Communication
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Student Handbooks
Student handbooks are available from the district website at http://bit.ly/2lAMLae. (Please note that these haven't been updated as of June - watch this space and we'll let you know once the new ones are live).
This handbook outlines our procedures, activities, rules, etc. Please be sure you and your student take time to review these important guidelines to ensure your student’s success at Gilbert High School. Please take the time to review the attached student dress code policy; it is important for our students and parents to understand the expectations of the dress code before they start purchasing new clothes for the new school year.
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Athletics Information
In order to try out for an athletic team at Gilbert High School, students must have completed the online athletic registration at www.RegisterMyAthlete.com. The requirements include completion of the 2018-2019 Annual Pre-participation Physical Evaluation packet (which needs to be cleared and signed by a doctor); the Brain Book Concussion Course (for first-time high school sport enrollment); and online documents, e-signed by parent/guardian and student. Additionally, an athletic fee of $100.00 is required for each sport (due after try outs and before regular competition season starts). There may be additional fees required per sport. Ask the coach for further details.
Due to many year-round sports, we encourage parents to plan on the completion of the online registration and AIA physical forms before the school year starts, or as soon as possible. We also request this so there is no added delay in an athlete being able to participate in our interscholastic athletic programs. Please log on to www.RegisterMyAthlete.com to register your child. For any questions concerning Athletics, please contact our office at (480) 497-0177, ext. 169.
FALL SPORTS
Football
Girls' Volleyball
Badminton
Boys' Golf
Girls' Golf
Swim & Dive
Cross Country
Cheer
Chess
WINTER SPORTS
Boys' Basketball
Girls' Basketball
Boys' Soccer
Girls' Soccer
Wrestling
Cheer
SPRING SPORTS
Boys' Volleyball
Girls Beach Volleyball
Track & Field
Boys' Tennis
Girls' Tennis
Baseball
Softball
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-----Department and Student News-----
Ag Field Trip News!
GHS AG Engineering & Fabrication students participate in AZ Construction Career Days
Students from the Gilbert Highs School Agriculture Engineering & Fabrication II class participated in the Arizona Construction Career Days held at the Army National Guard in Phoenix. Students chatted with industry professionals and toured booths of the trades in AZ. There were companies, schools, unions and trades ready to demonstrate, share their passion and encourage students to consider their trade as a career choice. Many had employment applications ready and were accepting resumes. Students had a chance to sweat solder, fit gas pipe, compete in nail driving contest, wire switches and lights, weld a plane, operate excavators to name only a few. Each student had a favorite vendor and they were all different.
This is one of the best career field trips I have taken students to in all of my years teaching. Students were engaged from the moment we stepped on the grounds. The industry booth representatives showed a true passion for the trades and motivating students to consider their trade. They spoke truth, wages, work conditions and benefits, employee owned options, career movement, education, internships and starting plans. Ken Johnson – Ag Engineering & Fabrication Teacher
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Counselor Meet and Greet
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Flex seating in Mrs. Polinko's and Mrs. Fujino's classes!
Find below a description from Mrs. Polinko on the new furniture in her classroom!
Flex Seating
This class room design set-up is my twist on “flex seating”. Thanks to the encouragement and support of Mr. Christopher Stroud and Gilbert District we were able to purchase a variety of alternative seating options.
Students now have stand-up white-board tables where they have the choice of standing-at or sitting-on adjustable high-top chairs; half-moon dry erase tables; standard two-student tables with standard ergonomic chairs or rocker chairs, and floor tables with floor rocker chairs, bean-bag chairs, floor pillows, or stools.
These options have dramatically increased student engagement and focus. As co-teachers we have also noticed a reduction in distractions and disruptive behavior. The students now seem to have fun taking notes and working through their math problems and best of all - they truly look forward to coming to class.
As important as this is to us as teachers, what do the students think about flex seating options in their high school math class room? Here is feedback from Co-Taught Algebra and Honors Geometry students:
“I like the high chairs and stand-up tables. They help me stay awake and increase my focus because I can move in these chairs, and work with my partner on the table when I get stuck. In my other classes I have a tendency to fall asleep, it doesn’t feel like a chore in this environment.” (B. L.)
“I look forward to this class all day. The colors are so welcoming they brighten my day. I can feel the stress leaving me as I walk through the doorway. I really enjoy the white-board tables and being able to use them to work through problems. I feel more focused and want to pay attention” (K. G.)
“I like having a variety of options depending on how I feel that day. I can choose the spot that will help me most because my needs change based on how I feel or how tired I am. I just feel more energetic in here” (H. A.)
“This class room is refreshing not just another dull, bland class room with desks that are uncomfortable. It’s hard sitting the same way for 6 hours a day” (A. L.)
“The white-board tables are fun when we do group problems or stations, they are a fun way to stay focused and practice. I feel like I understand it better because I have fun doing it. It doesn’t feel like work.” (E. M)
“I appreciate being able to sit at different desks and chairs. It breaks up having to be seated in the same position all day. I have noticed that my grades are getting better in here because I think I am more focused because I am also comfortable while learning.” (E. B.)
“I like being able to stand up at the tables - it puts me at eye level with the board, so I can really focus. I get tired of sitting all day.” (C. B.)
“I LOVE the environment this class room has created - the diversity and choices. It makes me feel cared about, so I feel like trying harder. I love the rocker chairs because I tend to fidget, they help me stay focused.” (A. R.)
Other general comments from my students:
“I can fidget which helps me focus and I don’t have to worry that I will bother my class mates.”
“I can concentrate better because there are not students sitting in my way with this set-up. The white board tables are good for working through math problems with other students. We can all see what we are working on. This class room is very comforting.”
“Being in this room makes me comfortable and happy. It’s my happy place. I think because of that I feel more like learning. I feel more engaged. It feels easier, but maybe that’s because I don’t feel stressed in here.”
“My friends are all jealous and wish they could be in this class room, I can’t wait to get in here.”
This all started last school year when my co-teacher, Mrs. Char Fujino and I realized we needed to get creative with seating in an attempt to assist students with their focus and engagement. We had of range of student personality traits and learning needs to address from those who struggled to stay awake to students who were so fidgety that they were disturbing class mates.
We purchased bean-bag chairs, stools, wobble cushions, floor pillows, clip-boards. . . the list just goes on. Students were sitting on the floor in front of the smartboard to eliminate distractions and increase their focus. Others sitting crisscross on table tops to be at eye level with the board.
We even had many students who like to stand off to the side or at the back of the classroom with clip boards so they could pace or move without disturbing others simply because they just couldn’t sit any longer.
We noticed grades improving, students staying on task without prompting, with a marked increase in engagement and participation.
This is not just a whim or fad for me. I have attended multiple seminars and professional development training sessions based on the impact that movement has on the brain and the increase in learning and retention.
I have read everything I could find on flex seating, which enables student movement and collaboration. I have been inspired by all of this to explore and try implementing a version of this that works for me and my students.
I had a version of flex seating for the last 4 of the 7 years that I taught in Virginia prior to moving to Arizona. Back then we called it “alternative seating”. My first two years here I went back to what you typically think of for a class room environment, but soon realized that I just didn’t enjoy teaching in that atmosphere and the students are just not engaged.
There are pro’s and con’s to flex seating. I believe the impact I have seen on the students far outweighs the “very” small list of cons. I definitely had to make adjustments along the way to my class room management style. However, as teachers we do that every year, every day, every hour, based on the group of students that are in our class room at that moment. This is not a new challenge it’s an ongoing one and a definitive part of the teaching process.
One of the most important things I have learned is that any change to the environment, or seating has a positive impact on the students and their engagement. Student interpretation is that “you care about us, we matter” and as a result will try harder.
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Boys Golf State Results!
The Boy's Golf Team finished in 8th place at the State Golf Tournament in Tucson on October 29-30. Jacob Weeks placed 18th overall in the individual race with a +3 score for the two days while Brady Haake finished in 33rd at +10. Others that contributed to the team's best finish in the last ten years were Will Fraher, Preston Pastorino and Turner Jackson.
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Speech and Debate at GHS!
In October the Gilbert High Speech and Debate team competed in its first tournament at Mountain View High School. We had a member compete in Lincoln-Douglas debates and three other members deliver different types of speeches such as Original Oratory and Poetry Interpretation. The tournament went well as many of our competitors ranked first in some of their rounds and people observing from the team were able to learn about potential events that they could compete in at future tournaments. Gilbert High is competing in our next tournament on November 30th to December 1st at ASU. See Ms. Peelen in room 1701 for more information about Speech and Debate.
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GHS Volunteering News!
From the Tempe Elementary School District:
Gilbert High School Students Donate 500 Food Bags to Thew Students Every Week
Gabrielle Olson, Strategic Communication Coordinator, Tempe Elementary School District
It’s now the season of giving, but Gilbert High School students have been working hard at giving back all year to students of Thew Elementary School. Thanks to a partnership with Matthew’s Food Crossing, Just Serve Organization, and Winco Foods, Gilbert High School is committed to providing weekly food bags for all 500 of Thew Elementary students this school year!
The weekend can be tough on kids who rely on meals that they receive from school. The Meals to Grow Program, initiated by Matthew’s Food Crossing, distributes food bags to children in need of food for the weekend. Each food bag has enough food for two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners and a variety of snacks.
Beginning in August, Gilbert High School’s Meals to Grow Program has already served 6,000 food bags to Thew Elementary students!
Intervention Specialist Robert Ramos has been leading the effort in student involvement for the Meals to Grow Program at Gilbert High School. Every Tuesday, Ramos organizes tables with donated food items in an assembly line fashion so that students can come and go as they wish during their lunch hour to help pack bags for distribution. Parent volunteers are also there to help assist students with the packing process, as well as deliver the bags to Thew Elementary so that they may go home with students on Friday afternoon.
“I just love watching the students come and go to help pack food bags,” said Ramos. “It’s rewarding to see students return each week to help out.”
Kim Corder, community engagement coordinator of Matthew’s Food Bank, also loves seeing Gilbert High students help out every Tuesday. Corder played a fundamental role in receiving funding for food donations so that the Meals to Grow Program for Thew Elementary students can be sustained throughout the year.
“It’s just inspiring to see students helping students,” said Corder. “It’s a real ‘Do It Yourself’ process and an excellent service opportunity for our students. They’re going to change the world!”
When asked about the impact these food bags have had for the Thew Elementary community, Principal Marissa Schneckloth had nothing but glowing reviews.
“Thew is very fortunate to have an amazing community to help provide opportunities for our kids,” said Schneckloth. “The Meals to Grow program is an essential program to our students who need food during the weekend. The program helps to feed their stomach, and their brain, so that our kids are ready for learning on Monday!”
Although the line is open for Gilbert High students to come and go as they please, many students have become regulars – some even spend their entire lunch hour on Tuesday packing food bags! Gilbert High Seniors Jacob Diemer, Isaiah Jefferies, and Scott “Bucky” Drake are just a few of these students.
“When you think about it, all you do at lunch is eat so why not help other kids who can’t afford to eat,” said Drake.
“Both of my parents work to give back to our community, so I feel inspired by them to come and help give back to Thew students every Tuesday at my school,” added Diemer.
“It’s really become a habit!” said Jefferies. “It feels good to be here and do something to help other kids during lunch hour.”
Thank you to the staff, parents, and students of Gilbert High School and the employees and volunteers of Matthew’s Food Crossing for your generous service to Thew Elementary this school year!
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Dia de los Muertos celebration at GHS!
On November 2 GHS Student Council and Ms. Ida Gaumitz, GHS Spanish Teacher, put together an ofrenda for the Dia de los Muertos! Ms. Gaumitz wrote below:
Muchas Gracias to those who contributed such wonderful photographs to our ofrenda today. The family "spirit" that was created is a reflection of one that makes Gilbert High School a very special community.
And......
¡Feliz Día de los Muertos GHS!
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Orchestra News!
The annual Morning with Musicians chamber music breakfast will be held Saturday, December 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the GHS cafeteria. Sponsored by Brio Tuscan Grill, the event includes a full breakfast buffet while small groups of orchestra students perform chamber music throughout the morning. Tickets to the breakfast are $8 presale and $10 at the door. See any orchestra student for tickets or email Laura Reed at laura.reed@gilbertschools.net. New this year will be a holiday craft and gift boutique for your shopping convenience. If you own a small business and would like to participate as a vendor, please contact Julie Stevens at julie_stevens_2001@hotmail.com.
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Mindfulness Group
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Gilbert High School
Website: http://gilberthigh.ss11.sharpschool.com/
Location: 1101 East Elliot Road, Gilbert, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-497-0177
Twitter: @GilbertHSTigers