Wildcat Press Newsletter
Jan 31 2021 Vol. 26
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Principal's Message
Hello Wildcat Pride,
I am so excited that we will finally be getting all of our Pride back on campus. I want to assure you that we are working tirelessly to ensure that all mitigation and safety strategies are in place. Our custodial team has been busting their tales nightly to ensure that we sanitize each and every room. Students for the most part have been great about wearing their masks - as a reminder if we have trouble with your student we will call home, if they continue to refuse to wear it correctly we will be asking that they be picked up from school. More and more research indicates that if we continue to follow the guidelines, school is not a place where students seem to be contracting the virus.
As we begin February and Black History Month, I want to take a minute to recognize the loss this week of one of my heroes - Henry "Hammerin' Hank" Aaron. If you don't know who this is Hank Aaron was one of the greatest baseball players of all time, and held the record for most home runs in Major League Baseball History for many years. There are many stories about the things he went through as he began to get close to the record. He and his families lives were threatened because he was a black man breaking the record of a beloved white man, Babe Ruth. I remember watching Atlanta Braves games on TV, this was before cable and ESPN they were on one of the major networks. Two things that really stick out to me from him breaking the record. I remember Vin Scully (the announcer) after he hit the home run that broke the record actually recognizing that a black man was receiving a standing ovation in the "Deep South". Being from Arizona I didn't really understand the significance, but I thought it was odd that the announcer felt the need to point it out. I also remember listening to Mr. Aaron talk later. When he was rounding the bases and going between 2nd and 3rd base two fans (white teenagers) came running up and were slapping him on the back, and celebrating him. Mr. Aaron later said that he was scared when he saw came running up, he wasn't sure if they were going to hurt or even kill him. I cannot imagine how terrifying that was, I also cannot help but be sad that at what should have been one of the greatest moments of his life, he was actually scared for his life.
I was only 7 when this happened, I remember after it happened I wrote Mr. Aaron a letter care of the Atlanta Braves, I asked for an autographed photo, I sent nothing no picture, no postage paid envelope, just a letter with a request and a return address. Several month's later I received a letter in the mail from the Braves, it was an autographed photo - I have lost it at this point in my life, but I remember that the autograph wasn't just his name, it said "To Rod, Best of Luck. Hank Aaron" I hope we all can take a little notice of this. Here is a man who took more abuse than anyone deserved because of something he couldn't control (his skin color), and yet he repaid that with kindness to individuals based on their own worth.
We are super excited to have all our kids back, but our promise is that each of them is an individual and we will look at them that way. Giving each of them the best we can, and asking the same in return.
Have a great week and thanks for your 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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February Calendar
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GRADES FOR SECOND SEMESTER
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PAWS-ATIVELY AWESOME
November Students of the Month
Courtney Calle - Freshman
Steiner Aiassa - Roberts - Sophomore
Cole Navarro - Junior
Malia Vega - Senior
December Students of the Month
Jonathan Limas - Freshman
Danny Diaz - Sophomore
Zoe Pratt - Junior
Delena Broyles - Senior
Special Shout out to Zoe and Lucy Pratt
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Wildcat Counseling
Online Classes
If your student is taking an asynchronous online course through Global Academy, they need to be sure to log in to the course EVERY school day. If they do not log in every school day, Global Academy will drop the course, which can result in having to start a course over from the beginning and/or being put on a waitlist because the class is now full.
REGISTRATION
Registration Information for the 21/22 School Year
Registration for your student(s) 2021-2022 school year is underway. Please help make sure that your student has entered their classes in their Course Plan in Infinite Campus as well as returning their paper copy to their English teacher. Please take a moment to look at their sheet and sign it before they return it to their teacher.
Each student will meet with their counselor individually to go over their choices over the next few weeks.
Course Registration Information
Please review the following information:
1. If your completed course registration form has not been handed in to your English teacher, please bring your completed registration form (with parent signature) to the Counseling Office as soon as possible.
2. MHS students who do not have an IN-PERSON English class or have been absent need to follow these instructions:
- Go to https://www.gilbertschools.net/Page/2341.
- Watch the MHS Registration Video.
- Complete the Registration Form for next year's grade level and email the completed form (with parent signature) to your counselor.
- Submit a Counselor Appointment Request Form to schedule a time to meet with your counselor to finalize your course requests
3. FULL-TIME ONLINE Global Academy students need to follow the instructions here to complete MHS course registration.
4. Counselors will be meeting individually with all students through their English class over the next few weeks. If students have questions about registration, they should wait until that time to meet with their counselor. Students may also talk to their current teachers about the best course recommendations for their subject area. **If a student does not have an in-person English class, they need to submit a Counselor Appointment Request Form to schedule their registration meeting.**
5. All course registration information and forms can be found on the MHS Counseling website here: https://www.gilbertschools.net/Page/2341.
AP Exam Registration for Spring Semester Classes
For students who are interested in taking AP exams for AP Government and/or AP Economics spring semester classes, the deadline to register for the AP exams is Friday, February 26th. The cost of the AP exam is $99.00. Click here for instructions to register for the AP exam(s).
Students may still register for any other AP exam until February 26th, but there is an additional $40 late fee per exam for first semester and year-long classes.
Taking the Advanced Placement exams is an important part of all AP courses. Mesquite High School desires that all students take AP exams for the AP classes that they have taken. Scoring well on an AP exam can often earn students college credit for their high school class, saving a significant amount on tuition.
ACT TEST - JUNIORS
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Academic Support
AdviseAZ Virtual
ASU/NAU/UA -Admissions Support
ASU
Connect with our school's admission team at: https://admission.asu.edu/findmyrep. You can set up 1:1 appointments to get personalized guidance on completing the application for admission, FAFSA submission and next steps, and enrollment next steps. ASU has also developed this next steps website for admitted students to walk through the entire process: https://admission.asu.edu/first-year/admitted.
NAU
Please visit https://nau.edu/admission/admissions-officers/ to find your regional representative.
UA
- To find the Admission rep working with MHS - Who is my Recruiter?
- To schedule a 1:1 meeting with an Admission Counselor, on demand, Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm - Virtual Admissions Office Hour Meetings
- You can always reach out to Dan Kellish – Associate Director, Arizona Recruitment – dkellish@arizona.edu
Peer Tutoring
Maybe you didn't do so hot in some of your classes last semester? Don't wait until it's too late this semester! Get extra help now!! During the hybrid learning schedule, PEER TUTORING is available in the MHS Career Center during both lunches on THURSDAYS and FRIDAYS (10:30-11:00 and 11:55-12:25). Don't be shy, 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).
Parent testimonial: This semester we started using your infamous Assignment Tracker for my youngest son who has ADD. I am AMAZED at how much this has helped him keep track of his work and whether or not he has completed it/turned it in. His teacher is over the moon with it as well (I shared it with the teacher to help add due dates/assignments that may have been missed by my son). Everyone is able to see just what is happening and what is going on. I LOVE that I can be here and he's at home yet I can keep track of what he is accomplishing with his work. So, the long and short of it is, you have been a HUGE help to my family and have helped to reduce the stress, anxiety, and frustration for one little boy, 2 grateful parents, and 1 relieved teacher.
Counselor Appointments
Achieving a College Education
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Scholarship Highlight of the Week - MCCCD Presidents' Honors Scholarship
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) Presidents’ Honors Scholarship covers in-state/in-county tuition up to fifteen (15) credit hours (plus the $15 registration fee) per semester, but does not apply to summer sessions. Click here for eligibility requirements and more information about the scholarship.
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Message from our Athletic Director
As you can see from the attached schedule, our Winter sports season is in full swing. As I wrapped up John Wooden's book on leadership this week, he had two words to describe his program that I see with our Wildcats on a daily basis. Competitive Greatness! It does not mean we win every game but our student-athletes give 100% effort in practices and games as we compete to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. I want to give a shout out to all our athletes as well as our coaches who help instill that competitive spirit in our Wildcats.
Spring Season is coming!
Track & Field - Informational meeting this Tues/Wed in A102. Students can swing by for some quick info before school, after school, or during either lunch.
Tennis - Open Court with our coaches is being held Tuesday through Friday from 3-4:30. All are welcome. No experience necessary.
Boy's Volleyball - Open Gym begins this week and throughout February. We will be in the mini gym from 4-6 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All are welcome!
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Wildcat Activities Announcement
Valentine’s Day Grams
Valentine’s Day Grams are on sale now at the Spirit Store during both lunches. Get your special someone a Valentine’s Gram and a candy bar for $1. Come fill out your gram today! There is no option for delivery this year but they can be picked up on February 12th during both lunch hours.
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Health Office Hotspot
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SAFETY AND SECURITY
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WILDCAT WELLNESS
Resilient AZ Crisis Counseling Program
Assists individuals recovering from the psychological effects of the coronavirus pandemic, through outreach, emotional support, and educational services. All services are free and confidential. For individual/family services, 480.736.4978 or email CCReferrals@lafrontera-empact.org, and for group services contact 480.694.4436 or email Krylyn.Peters@lafrontera-empact.org
The program is federally funded through FEMA and SAMHSA, with the goal of providing emotional support, education, and outreach to Arizonans dealing with the psychological impact of the pandemic.
As part of that goal they are offering monthly workshops and groups through the end of May 2021. We also provide individual services. Of particular interest to the people you work with, we have the following scheduled:
- Parenting Skills Group (4-week group in February)
- Tips to Handle Pandemic Stress Workshops (English version 2/25/21 and Spanish version 2/16/21)
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MHS Book Nook
If you are unable to get into BUZZ or Rapid Identity, please try to update your Chromebook, restart and then attempt to log in. You MUST log in through Rapid Identity to BUZZ.
DO NOT GOOGLE Rapid Identity! You will not get to where you are supposed to be.
Updating the Chrome OS on the student and teacher Chromebooks is CRUCIAL to everything working. Here are some simple steps.
Login to your Chromebook
Click on your icon/picture (lower right hand corner)
Choose Settings
Find "About Chrome OS" at the top of the page and click on it.
Click on Check for and apply settings and allow it to go from 0% to 100% and then the Restart button appears.
Restart ChromeBook and everything should be updated.
Restart your Chromebook often to allow AUTOMATIC updates to take effect.
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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