The Trojan Scoop
February 2024
From the desk of Dr. Gonzalez
Greetings Esteemed Catalina Trojans!
This month we are starting off with recognitions for our high achieving students. I want to congratulate all the students that were recognized and attended our Honor Roll Dinner on February 1st . Also, a huge thank you to our culinary classes for preparing the delicious lasagna dinner. Thank you to Chef Basandri, Chef Vance, and Chef Blanco and students! It would not have been a success without our fabulous faculty, staff and students that came out to help serve and assist in making the event a success. Achieving an Honor Roll status is no small feat. It reflects a commitment to academic excellence, a demonstration of resilience, and a thirst for knowledge. Each student recognized has shown that one can reach new heights with determination, focus, and a passion for learning. As we celebrate these outstanding accomplishments, let us also acknowledge the unwavering support of the parents, guardians, and educators who have played a crucial role in nurturing and guiding our students on their academic journey. Your encouragement and guidance have undoubtedly contributed to the success of our high achieving students. Congratulations Trojans!
I would like to say thank you to Elements church who will be coming out on Sunday, February 11, to beautify our school. Elements volunteers will be helping to cleanup our grand entrance area to the building, the cafeteria patio, science patio, and our student success center. Elements church thank you for your service to the Trojan Community!!
This month we have scheduled district and state testing. Students make sure to bring your charged computers with your charger every day. Look out for specific testing dates.
Spring sports start this month. Students come try out for our softball and baseball teams as well as tennis, golf and track. See Mr. Bridges for more details. We had an awesome winter season of sports. Thank you for coming out and supporting our athletes.
Second semester is off to a great start. On Monday, February 5th , AVID is welcoming 80 Doolen Middle School students to Catalina to see what high school is about. We are excited to welcome our guests and future Trojans!
As always please reach out to any Catalina administrator should you have concerns and/or want to get involved. Students remember the importance of daily attendance and grades.
From the desk of Dr. Bristow
We are proud to announce that Catalina High School has officially been awarded a C letter grade for the 2022-23 school year! There are five categories in which points can be earned that determine the school letter grade: ACT testing proficiency, ACT testing growth from the previous year, graduation rate, English Language Learner’s (ELL) English proficiency test scores on the AZELLA, and College and Career Readiness Indicator (CCRI). Our current grade is a victory because the letter grade has been a struggle for our school: In the 2018-19 school year, we earned a D for the third year in a row. Because state policy states that three consecutive Ds result in an F for the year—and because grades were frozen during Covid—Catalina received an F for two years. We worked hard to address our letter grade during those years, and in the 2021-22 school year, Catalina was awarded a C!
Though we continued working hard to support students during the 2022-2023 school year, an unfortunate cyberattack in the spring of 2023 disrupted our mandatory ELL testing. The state did not allow us to extend the testing window for our large population of ELL students, and though we completed the AZELLA test within the timeframe, our scores on the AZELLA test reflected this strain.
At the end of October 2023, we learned that Catalina HS had earned a D, but we were only .1 away from a C. While the composite score was lower than in previous years, our scores in most categories were similar to the previous year. We even gained two points in the CCRI category by making sure that as many students as possible completed two years of a foreign language, two years of a CTE program, and—for seniors—the FAFSA (which qualifies them for federal student aid for college).
Realizing that the letter grade did not accurately reflect the strengths of our school, Catalina administration appealed the grade based on “adverse testing conditions” resulting from the district-wide cyberattack. On December 4, 2023, we learned that we won our appeal, and Catalina High School was officially awarded a C. Administration, teachers, and support staff are all working extremely hard to maintain or improve Catalina’s letter grade for the 2023-24 school year.
From Mrs. Bernal in the Library Media Center
This month we are celebrating Black History month by focusing on our own Black Cowboys of the West and their important contributions. The Library is also encouraging students to participate in Blind Date with a Book this month! They choose a book from our display without knowing what it is! Once it's checked out, they agree to 'date' it for at least 30 pages. Participants have a chance to win some fun prizes at the end of February.
Some Library Collections to consider this Month from the Destiny Discover Catalog:
The Trojan PageTurners, the Catalina student book club, meets every other Friday during lunch to read and discuss books. Students can join any time. We have a blast!
Some Semester One stats:
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
Honor Roll Dinner
Congratulations to all the students who were honored at this years Honor Roll Dinner for maintaining an outstanding GPA in the 1st Semester. Keep up all the hard work Trojans!!!
Announcements
- Spirit Week and the Pep Assembly have been pushed back to next week. Monday is Valentine Pajama Day, wear your favorite valentine’s PJ’s. Tuesday is Monster Inc. day, where your favorite Monster’s Inc gear. Wednesday is Country vs. Country Club day, come dressed as a cowboy or a country club member. Thursday is Generations Day, Seniors dress like senior citizens, Juniors dress like an adult, Sophomores dress like a toddler and freshmen dress like babies. Friday is Pink and White Day Seniors and Sophomores wear White and Freshmen and Juniors wear Pink or Red.
- The library is celebrating Black History Month in February with a special focus on the Black Cowboys of the West; the true cowboys. Come by and see our display and pick up a book to learn more!
- Not meeting that special someone? Take a chance on a book and participate in our Blind Date with a Book activity coming up in February! Participants take part in a drawing for prizes by filling out a Book Date review by the end of February!
- Yearbooks are on sale now in the finance office. The cost is $50 per book. Be sure to get yours before they sell out.
- Seniors and Juniors Prom season is coming up. Our prom will be held on Friday May3rd from 7-11pm at the Savoy Opera House. Tickets will be on sale starting in April. Tickets will start at $50 for a single and $90 for a couple. The week of prom tickets will go up to $55 for a single and $100 for a couple. On Friday May 3rd all tickets will be $100 each. Off campus guest forms will be available after Spring Break. All guest forms are due to the finance office by Wednesday May 1st.
- Attention all student athletes, tutoring has resumed for this semester! Tutoring is offered every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday in room M120 from 3:30-5:00 with Ms. Tester.
- Class of 2024, the FAFSA is now OPEN! The FAFSA priority deadline for most colleges and universities is March 1st, so don't wait until the last minute to complete it. If you need any assistance with completing the student portion of the FAFSA, please see Ms. Cuadra in M224.
- Catalina's College and Career Coordinator, Maria Cuadra, will be available for FAFSA assistance during the Parent-Teacher Conference on 2/8. Stop by room M224 for assistance. Please note, the FAFSA can NOT be completed the same day an FSA ID is created. Please be sure that both parent/guardian and student have each created an FSA ID before 2/8.
- Catalina Students - Free and low-cost health care services are now available through a telehealth program here on Campus. If you are in need of a health appointment to discuss minor health issues such as birth control methods, colds and coughs, pink eye, infections, or acne you may be able to be seen and treated by El Rio Health here at school. Students under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian permission, and students over 18 are eligible to provide their own permission. Information sheets and permission packets are available in the Attendance Office, Student Services, the Health Office, and in The Success Center with Mrs. Schull. Completed forms should be returned to Mrs. Schull or the Health Office. Please see Mrs. Schull in the Success Center if you have questions.
- The AVID Ambassadors will be leading their first ever tour! A group of about 80 Doolen Middle School students will be visiting CHS on Monday, February 5th
- AZELLA testing is February 12-15 for most ELD students! Please be on time and bring your computers charged and ready to go!
- Catalina's College and Career Coordinator, Maria Cuadra, will be available for FAFSA assistance during the Parent-Teacher Conference on 2/8. Stop by room M224 for assistance. Please note, the FAFSA can NOT be completed the same day an FSA ID is created. Please be sure that both parent/guardian and student have each created an FSA ID before 2/8.
- Spring sports start on February 5th, 2023. Sports include Girls/Boys Track and Field, Girls/Boys Tennis, Girls/Boys Golf, Softball, and Baseball. Please speak to Mrs. Green in Student Services to register today!
February Testing Dates
AZELLA- February 12-16, 2024 (ELD Students Only)
Q3 Benchmarks- February 26th-March 1, 2024 (9th-11th graders)
NAEP- February 28, 2024 (select 12th graders)
Winter and Fall Sports
Track and Field
Catalina Track officially starts on Monday, February 5th. There are events for everyone—whether you are a jumper, thrower, sprinter, or distance runner. The bus leaves at 3:30 on Monday for practice. For more information or questions, please contact Coach Chelsea at 520-270-5927.