Wildcat Press Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 6 ~ September 4, 2022
Principal's Message
Hello Pride,
First, let me say thank you for a great week last week. We had some really great things happening on campus with our club fair and pep rally. I also want to thank all of the community, especially our student section "The Maniacs" for coming out and cheering on our football team in their first game. The Badminton team is rolling at 4-0 and the Volleyball team is finding their footing as they work into the season. Cross country, swim and golf all seem to be starting out with a great effort and a couple of big wins. Come join this week for any of our teams, watching our kids compete is one of the most exciting things you can do.
I hope everyone has some exciting plans for tomorrow to celebrate Labor Day, whether that is grilling out, swimming and enjoying friends and family or coming home from a short vacation. A quick history lesson, Labor Day was developed to celebrate the American worker and their contributions to our country, economy and society. It was to give families an "end of summer" break an opportunity to get together and celebrate. I want to send a special "Thank YOU!" and enjoy your day to all of the staff and faculty of MHS, for the effort and work they put in everyday, every week to help our students reach their highest potential.
Mid quarter grades were posted on Wednesday if you have not looked at them, now is a great time. If your student has a grade lower than a C in anything, its time to encourage them to go get some help. Most teachers will accept late work until the quarter, however the time is not unlimited so they need to go see what they can work on now. If you have not established a routine for your student as to when and where they will complete their homework and you are not asking to see it and looking at its quality please do. They won't like it, and that's okay. But if we are going to give every student their best opportunity, we need to be a team, school, Parent/guardian and student. Without everyone no one will reach their highest potential.
As a reminder fall break is two weeks this year, and is only 4 weeks away.
Have a great week!
Rod Huston
Principal
============================
MHS Administrative Team!
Mr. Rod Huston
@MHSAZ_Principal
Mrs. Marguerite Brown
Assistant Principal
Academics
Grade Level: Juniors
Freshman F-N
@MHSWildcat_News
Mr. Rudy Alvarado
Assistant Principal
Athletic Director
Grade Level: Sophomores
Freshman: O-Z
@MesquiteAthDept
Mr. Kevin Swann
Activities and Clubs
Grade Level: Seniors
Freshman: A-E
@MHSWildcat_News
============================
Reminder - Please Complete the 2022/23 Annual Update
https://www.gilbertschools.net/ic
It is extremely important that all GPS families complete the online 'Annual Update' in Infinite Campus every year. Even if your information has not changed you must still complete the 2022/23 Annual Update so we can ensure we have the most accurate information for your student in the case of an emergency. The information you provide is used by the district and your school to directly communicate with you regarding your student, or in the event of an emergency on campus. Please log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal and complete the 'Annual Update' today!
Kibbles N Bits
Superintendent's Student Senate Representatives
Below you will find photos of Nathaniel Lebron and Trinity Batie, Mesquite High's representatives for the Superintendent's Student Senate. They had their first meeting of the school year on Wednesday, August 24th at the district office.Trinity will be writing a letter to all GPS high school students that will be published in the district newsletter 'In This Together.' Her letter will be published in the March issue.
No School on Labor Day Monday, September 6th!
============================
Reel Milk Moments Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to tell a story on how real dairy is part of fueling your lifestyle.
Video criteria:Visually showcase at least one dairy product (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream etc.) Speak or display the words "real Milk" and/or Real Dairy" Edit length to 30 seconds or less
- Who May Apply: High School Class of 2023 /Arizona Resident
Award Details: Three Recipients up to $8,000
Deadline Details: November 7, 2022
Link to Apply:https://app.goingmerry.com/scholarships/reel-milk-moments-scholarship/11948
--
ALL Juniors: ASVAB Testing on September 15th
On September 15th each Junior will be given the opportunity to take the ASVAB. It will start at 7:30 am in the Auditorium. This assessment will provide students with Post-Secondary information and opportunities that could lead to scholarships. It will be a paper and pencil assessment, so no electronics are needed.
PSAT/NMSQT Testing Opportunity- October 25th
Mesquite High School will be offering the PSAT/NMSQT on Tuesday, October 25th. The PSAT test is administered once a year, there are no alternate or make up dates offered by the school.
For more information about the PSAT, please visit: College Board PSAT information
The test is designed for sophomore and junior students. Sophomore students do not need to register or pay. All Sophomores will be registered for free, however, Junior students must register and pay the $25 testing fee. Junior students who test and get a qualifying score may be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship. Please make the payment in the bookstore.
Registration is open until September 20 and will close at 4:00 pm on that day. Please register ASAP to secure your spot. Here is the link to register: https://user.totalregistration.net/PSAT/030157
Please consider signing up early to ensure this testing opportunity for your child is available.
Testing Information
Location: Mesquite High School
Date: 10/25/2022
Time: 7:30am - noon
Sign up: 9/1/2022 to 09/20/2022
Cost: $25
PSAT Registration link: https://user.totalregistration.net/PSAT/030157
FREE PSAT/NMSQT Practice Exam Courses
Mesquite has partnered with a company that will offer our students FREE practice SAT exams & classes in order to help them prepare for the actual exam. I have been advertising it on google classroom and have flyers all over the school but feel free to share with students so they don't miss out on the opportunity, they can sign up on this link: https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/14628/
Next free class will be held on 9/17 and they can take the practice exam from home :) Please let me know if you have any questions.
PSAT/NMSQT Practice Exam | FREE
Saturday, September 17, 2022 | 9:00 AM MST
Online
Grad Tracker on Infinite Campus
On Tuesday, 9/6, students will have access to view their Grad Tracker on Infinite Campus. The Grad Tracker is a tool that our School Counselors use to ensure students are on track for graduation. If you review your student's Grad Tracker and notice your student is credit deficient, please be aware that the Grad Tracker is one of many tools used to verify a student's graduation status. As you can imagine, no piece of technology is perfect. Counselors also review the credits of each senior and new students by hand to ensure they are on track for graduation. Below is a timeline our counselors utilize to make sure students are on a path to graduate by their 4th year of high school.
Our hope is that the aforementioned timeline demonstrates our urgency in ensuring every student has a path to graduate.
If you have questions after reviewing your student's Grad Tracker. We kindly ask that you hold those questions until your student has updated their 4 year plan according to the timeline.
We appreciate your patience during this time.
MHS Counseling Staff
Course Show Case
Amazing and creative projects from our Fashion and Design class!!
Samples of creative World History projects from Mrs. Redd's class!
============================
College on Campus!
Mesquite students have some great opportunities to speak with representatives from colleges all across the great state of Arizona. Students can gather a wide variety of information from the school reps in our College and Career Center.
Sept. 9th - Arizona State University
Sept. 13th - Benedictine University
Sept. 14th - Northern Arizona University
Sept. 15th - Mesa Community College
Sept. 21st - University of Arizona
Senior Parking Spots
Saturday, September 10th, seniors will have the opportunity to finish painting their parking spots. This has been a multi-weekend process and we are excited to see the creative, colorful, artistic final product!
Fall Senior Meeting
Wednesday, September 14th, seniors will meet in the auditorium from 8:30-10. They will receive information in regards to “Everything Senior”. The meeting will include info on graduation costs, graduation requirements, events seniors can attend throughout the school year and much more! It’s a great way to kick off the year and get seniors excited for all that wonderful things this year has in store for them!
============================
Badminton
Led by Coaches Josh Anson and Michelle Wilcox, our badminton team is off to a great start this season. The girls are 3-0 to start the season and also participated in the Flying Feathers Tournament where two of our athletes brought home some hardware as the doubles champions.
Our team is led by junior Pravindi Gurusinghe and senior Lillian McCullough. I encourage you to come out to the gym this Friday at 4:15 to watch them take on Greenway High. It's fast-paced, exciting, and FREE to come watch.
============================
============================
GPS Tip Line
============================
About MHS
Email: mhsinfo@gilbertschools.net
Website: https://www.gilbertschools.net/mesquitehigh
Location: 500 S McQueen Road, Gilbert, AZ 85233, USA
Phone: 480-632-4750
Twitter: @MHSWildcat_News