The Trojan Scoop
November 2023
Check out what has been going at Catalina and what November has in store.
Dr. Gonzalez
Greetings Catalina Community!
I trust this message finds you well and in good health.
Thank you all who participated in the Trunk or Treat. It was a huge success and it was awesome to see you all!! This week we are engaging our students in the creation of an altar to celebrate the Day of the Dead and recognize loved ones who have passed. Also, thank you for supporting our teams during our Fall sports. We had some amazing wins to celebrate. Let’s get ready to support Winter sports.
This month reveals the states letter grades for all schools. As you may or may not know we have been assigned a letter “D” however, that is not correct. I am working with the district to appeal to the state for our accurate letter grade of a “C”. I will keep you all posted with the results. The window for the appeal is November 1-15 so I should have results soon.
We are fortunate that we are a one-to-one school wherein all of our students have a computer assigned to them. Students are required to bring computers every day as teachers use them for classroom work. Students who are not bringing computers to class and are not prepared will be assigned detention as a consequence. Please encourage your student to bring their computer every day.
For quarter two we are changing our conference period to support students who need extra academic support. If a student received an F in any core class, they will be required to attend that class during conference periods. We are offering multiple opportunities to support students in their academic achievement. Also, reminder that we offer tutoring after school on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Encourage your student to stay if they need that extra support.
Its been a busy month, here is a peek at what went on at Catalina.
Dia de los Muertos preparations at the Presidio
Ms. Fierro's Culturally Relevant ELA classes took a trip to the Presidio Museum in Downtown Tucson on October 26th, to build altars to memorialize TUSD legends.
Cruz and Sebastian wrote the following about their fieldtrip:
On our trip to the presidio museum, we had the opportunity to create beautiful ofrendas to celebrate El Día de los Muertos, honoring our loved ones in a meaningful way. It was a touching and heartfelt experience. We also took the time to research multiple TUSD legends, diving deep into their lives and illustrating the significant impact they made on TUSD. And of course, we couldn't miss out on the museum tour, where we explored the rich history and heritage of Tucson. The knowledgeable guides made the tour even more engaging and informative. Overall, it was a memorable and educational field trip to the Presidio Museum in Tucson!
Girls Volleyball Senior Night- Thank You Ladies!
Required testing from October
October is a month that sees a ton of testing. In early October 9th-11th grade students took their quarter 1 benchmarks. At the end of the month, 9th-11th graders took the PSAT. Plese talk with your students about those experiences and scores. Scores from these tests are used as a tool to drive instruction.
At the end of October 12th grade students took the ASVAB, this is a career assessment provided by the Military, students will receive scores soon.
The next round of testing will take place in December, November is state/district testing free!!
Catalina's 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat
Ms. Tester and her decked out car
Mrs. Sharma sharing something gross from Science
Mr. Getahun and some creepy Science experiments.
Psychology Fun
No better way to learn the primary lobes and cortices than to make a hat and ask teachers and administrators to wear it.
Now they have brains!
The Catalina Media Center
We fell in love with reading this fall.
Pinatas created in the art classes
Hispanic Heritage Month
November 2023: News from the Library Media Center
October was all about horror and thriller books! We highlighted fun books on Witches, Warlocks and Werewolves! We also celebrated LGBTQ+ History month. See our Collections area in Destiny to find a good read!
Have you seen the show or the movie? Why not read the book? We have a Page to Screen Display highlighting all the books we have that have been or will be turned into a show or movie!
We now have a school book club called the “Trojan PageTurners”. The students meet every other Friday during lunch in the library. Anyone still interested in joining can fill out the form HERE.
The library is hosting a Piñta Contest with the help of the Mx. Gonzalez’s Art classes! Students and teachers can vote for their favorite Piñta through November 8th! Winners will receive an award and candy to fill their Piñta!
November the library celebrates… the Historical Heritage of our Native American Tribes. Check out our display in the library and learn more about Arizona’s rich Native American history and contributions.
Our Library Media Website is the best place to get the most updated information about what’s going on in the Media Center as well as information on our books, research, events, and digital citizenship.
Contact me at karin.bernal@tusd1.org if you have any questions or concerns. My office hours are: Monday - Friday 7:40AM to 3:30PM Office phone: 520-282-8424
The Catalina Hiking Club is on the move
Here is what's to come in November.
Conference Period Revamp
Our conference period is getting a revamp next week. Students who have been identified as currently failing, or in danger of failing their English or Math classes will be required to attend conference with their Math or English teacher for the remainder of the quarter.
Students who are not currently failing Math or English will have more choice in how they spend their conference periods. We will have a number of options for them to select from for enrichment opportunities.
We will send home more details about how this is working, once it is rolled out.
Lunch Detention for not bringing laptops
It has been brought to the administration's attention that students have been refusing to bring their school issued laptops to school. Our teachers have planned and created assignments that require students to have their laptops with them in class. From this point on, students who fail to being h=their laptops to class will be awarded lunch detention. Please urge and remind your student to bring their laptop and charger daily.
Science Fair Opportunity
- Greetings to Science, Math and Engineers Students, we are starting a Science Club to support students who want to participate in the SARSEF Science Fair. You will have a lot of fun conducting experiments of your choice and then chance to enter SARSEF Science Fair Register today. We will meet every Thursday during lunch hours in Mrs. Sharma's classroom SC103.
Free Tutoring for Catalina Students
After School Tutoring is underway. If your student needs help in any of their core classes, English, Math, Science or Social Studies, they are all welcome to join.
Tutoring is in the library Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-5pm.
Check out the pinatas in the library!
- The Pinata contest is back!! Mx. Gonzalez’s Art students have been creating some fantastic Pinatas. Come by the library to see them and vote on your favorite one! Contest voting will end November 7th and winners will be announced November 9th. (11/7)
Soccer has begun!!
Women's Soccer has begun Open Field Sessions from 4-6pm Monday through Saturday and officially begins practices Nov. 6th. See coach Mendoza in room FA06, the Little Theatre for more information or come out to the Open Field sessions. You don't need experience to play, just the desire to learn and work hard.
Winter Sports
Attention students the Winter season of sports is coming with boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls wrestling. It all begins on Nov. 6th so get in the game. For information to be cleared contact Mrs. Green or coach Bridges.
Dia de los Muertos
November 1st through the 2nd is Dia de los Muertos and this year we are continuing our tradition of remembering, honoring, and celebrating the lives of those close to us, who have passed. If you'd like to participate, you can bring a small memento, flowers, photograph or other material object that reminds you of a loved one. They can be placed on the altar which will be located by the main entrance staircase. You may pick up your item at the end of the month in the art room M226. Thank you.
The Torch 2023-2024
- Seniors, the yearbook is ready to start collecting your senior and baby photos. Please email or give Ms. K hard copies of the pictures you would like to include. These are due by the end of January. Yearbooks can be ordered in the finance office.
El Rio Health
The Tucson Unified School District and El Rio Health are excited to offer the Teen Telehealth program for your Student, on campus, at Catalina High School. The Teen Telehealth program is offered through a private and secure computer kiosk operated by El Rio Health and the Catalina Success Center to provide students with real-time, face-to-face medical services via video appointments. This Teen Telehealth program will make healthcare for students more convenient and accessible. Easy access to healthcare helps students stay or become healthy and focus on learning by not needing to leave campus for appointments.
Students can receive medical consultation for
• Health screenings
• Consult for colds, cough, runny nose, pink eye, allergies, urinary tract infection, asthma, acne, etc.
• Sexual and reproductive health services (like counseling on birth control methods and testing or treatment for sexually transmitted infections) • Consult for laboratory/diagnostic testing
• Prescriptions for medications
• Referrals to an El Rio Health specialist for further care or treatment (e.g., diabetes or mental health services).
*** Reproductive health services are provided for free or low cost. Some other preventative care services may be billed to insurance. IF your student is uninsured, please contact El Rio Health at 520-670-3909. We can help you get insurance.
Catalina Culinary Program
The culinary classes are working on Pan Dulce (Conchas), literally meaning "sweet bread". Conchas because you can shape them into a shell shape.
Pan Dulce is considered to be a Mexican cuisine even though its origins are European. Other countries in Latin America and even Europe have adapted some of Mexico's pastries, but it's Mexico that the creative new shapes originate. There is also Pan de Muerto (for Day of the Dead). These are made with the extra dough shaped into bones placed on top of the bread then baked.
We will have the bread accompanied by hot chocolate.
We will be baking the bread 10/31-11/2