BOXER BRIEFS2013/14 ISSUE NO. 9

DECEMBER 2013 VAIL ACADEMY & HIGH SCHOOL

WEBSITE: vahs.vail.k12.az.us

OFFICE: 520-879-1902

FAX: 520-879-1901

OFFICE HOURS: 7:15-3:45PM

PRINCIPAL: DENNIS BARGERbargerd@vail.k12.az.us

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: MICHAEL FESTERfesterm@vail.k12.az.us

OFFICE MANAGER:TRICIA KAPAROFFkaparofft@vail.k12.az.us

Dear Boxer Parents,

As we prepare for the final two weeks of the semester it is very easy for students to coast across the finish line. Please don’t let them! We need to continue hard across the finish line. For our middle school and high school students semester finals will be approximately 15% of their grade, and the finals are cumulative of material learned since July. Helping your children learn to study, and set up a plan for being successful is important.

Students should begin reviewing for finals now, not the night before the test. Setting as little as 5 minutes a night for each subject to go through old notes and review concepts and information from months ago over two weeks is far better than spending two hours one night. The more times our brains are exposed to information, the more likely it is to learn (think about a song on the radio, you’ve heard it a 100 times and you can sing it even though you never set out to learn the lyrics).

On a completely unrelated issue, we have lots of school events coming up soon. Tonight our PTSA is hosting Jingle Bingo in the MPR at 6:00; Monday we have our K-5 Musical at the Vail Theatre of the

Arts; next Friday is our HS Winter Formal followed Saturday morning by ‘Breakfast with Santa’ also in the MPR.

I am also pleased to share with you that one of our super sophomores, Laurel Wettstein, who is an accomplished musician (viola) has asked to start an elementary school orchestra for students in grades 2-4 who are interested in violin, viola or cello. The club will be meeting on Monday afternoons in Ms. Pratt’s classroom starting after the break. This is a great example of the unique opportunities that a K-12 school can provide, high school students mentoring and sharing their skills with younger students, very cool!

Enjoy your weekend,

Dennis J Barger879-1904

Message From The Principal:

K12 Community: Paving The Road To Success

“VAHS LEARNS”

Vail Academy and High School is a small Learning community that Encourages high academic and social Achievement.  We foster Responsibility through Nurturing individual relationships for life long Success.

IMPORTANTREMINDERPARENTS:

A reminder for all parents! Our school day ends at 2:40 pm, and students are expected to be off campus by 3:00 everyday. The only exceptions are students who are signed up to be in an activity that is sponsored by a staff member. This includes clubs, sports and tutoring. Staff members who are not sponsoring a club, tutoring students or

coaching a team end their workday at 3:15 pm. If your child(ren) is still here after 3:15 there is a liability

concern, please make sure you arrange for child to be off campus by 3:00 each day. Thank you.

Winter BreakBegins Fri. Dec. 20th

Classes Resume Jan. 6th

Half DayThurs. Dec. 19th Noon Dismissal

No After School Activities

NOTE FROM MR. BARGER:

Did You Know? Attendance REALLY matters! According to a recent study at the University of Chicago, students who miss 20

days of school each year (from 5th-9th grades) have less than a 20% chance of graduating high school! Freshman attendance

rates are a better predictor of graduation rate than 8th grade test scores. Yes showing up ready to learn every day, makes a

difference!

Sports SpotlightCALENDAR OF EVENTS

December 2013

Kids Korner: Mon. December 2nd - Fri. December 13th

Jingle Bingo: Friday December 6th @ 6:00pm

Spirit Week: Mon. December 9th - Fri. December 13th

K-5 Rehearsal: Mon. Dec. 9th from 8:30-11:30am @ VTOTA

K-5 Winter Musical: Mon. Dec. 9th from 6-7pm @ VTOTA

Half Way Day-6th grade: Wed. December 11th

Geography Bee: Thurs. December 12th @ 1:30pm

HS Winter Formal: Fri. December 13th - 7:00-11:00pm

Breakfast w/Santa: Sat. December 14th @ 7:00am

Finals: Tues. December 17th & Wed. December 18th

Half Day: Thurs. Dec. 19th Noon Dismissal! No after school activities.

No School: Fri. Dec. 20th

Winter Break: Dec. 20th thru Jan. 5th. Classes resume Jan. 6th.

Enrollment for 2014/2015: Begins Jan. 6th

GIRLS’ MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER GAME SCHEDULE

Desert Valley League TournamentSaturday, December 7th @ 8:00am

All games are subject to change.

BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Location Time12/03 Nosostros Desert Sky 6:30pm12/10 Hiaki Victor Flores 4:30pm12/17 PPHS Desert Sky 6:00pm01/09 River of Life Clements 4:30pm 01/14 SSA-Tucson Sporting Chance 4:30pm01/16 SACA Desert Sky 6:30pm01/21 Southgate Desert Sky 6:30pm01/23 Luz Desert Sky 6:30pm01/27 Ha:San San Xavier 4:30pm01/29 SSA-DM Desert Sky 6:30pm01/30 Basis-OV Resurrection 4:30pm02/04 Basis-Tucson Desert Sky 6:30pm2/13-2/19 SAAA Champ Tourney Desert Sky 6:30pm

BOYS’ MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME SCHEDULE

Desert Valley League TournamentSaturday, December 7th @ 8:00am

**Please note the changes to

the Basketball Schedule.**

 

Schwans Fundraiser:

The class of 2014 will be hosting a Schwan’s Fundraiser. Books are now available in the front office thru January 17th. The school will receive 20% back on product sales and 40% back on eCertificates (limit one per customer, per campaign). Once the campaign period is complete our school will continue to earn 5% for the rest of the year, as long as purchases are made through the campaign via online or call center. If you already order from Schwan’s, when ordering you can designate your regular Schwan’s person to deliver to you. All orders will be delivered right to your home.**Please see the attached flyer (end of newsletter) for details.**

Thank YouTricia Kaparoff Office Manager

SENIOR CORNER4th Annual Breakfast with Santa

Saturday, December 14th 7:00-11:00am

Hosted by the Class of 2014$5 Adults & $3 Kids (5 and under)

Pancakes

Bacon Eggs

Juice & Coffee

Pictures with Santa$3.00Babysitting will be available from 11:00am - 2:00pm

Lunch, Games, Crafts, and More!Donations Accepted

Please sign up with Tricia Kaparoff @ 879-1905

Parents: Just a reminder that all baby pictures need to be turned in no later than Friday, December 13th. Senior picture for the yearbook is due in January. Please remember that if you mark “no” on your son/daughter’s directory, they will not be in the yearbook. Call Tricia Kaparoff with questions, 879-1905.

Volunteering - Good for the Heart and the Soul.

Dawn Hildreth Volunteer Coordinator

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart."Elizabeth Andrew

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."Aesop

Contact Info: Dawn Hildreth hildrethd@vail.k12.az.us

520-879-1949

KIDS KORNERMonday, December 2nd

thruFriday, December 13th

Our Kids Korner Gift Shoppe is in full swing, and the children are having a great time shopping. Our FBLA students are doing a wonderful job

running the shoppe too, but they could still use some help. We have MANY shifts still available, so please check out SignUp Genius for available dates/times. Don’t miss this great opportunity

to experience the gift of giving!

High School Winter Formal Saturday, December 14th

7:00pm - 11:00pmWe still need some great chaperones for our High

School Winter Formal. We have 2 shifts available, 7-9pm and 9-11pm. We just need some adults to keep an eye on the students.

Visit www.signupgenius.com to sign up for any of these events. Thank you!

Art Class Donations Needed...

Mrs. Campanile is in need of the following items for an upcoming art project...

Ø Large Coffee CansØ Small Coffee CansØ Any Size Soup Cans

If you have any of these items, you can drop them off at the front office, or in room 205. Thank You!

Counselor’s CornerFrom Mr. Gutman

PSAT RESULTS ARE COMING SOON

Important Information for the parents of all 10th and 11th grade students who took the PSAT: Your student should be receiving their PSAT results next week. They should expect to receive:

! A detailed score report for all three sections (Reading, Writing, & Math). Your student's PSAT scores are analogous to SAT scores by adding a zero to the score. So, if they got a 57 on the PSAT Reading section, they will likely get a 570 on the SAT reading section if they took the SAT right now.

! The report will also break down how your student did in each specific skill area. These are the same skills tested in the SAT test. Your student can use this to help identify specific areas of strength and weakness to work on and help study for the SAT or ACT.

! They will also get their question booklet back. Their score report will tell them their answers for each question on the PSAT, the correct answer, and the difficulty level of that question.

! An access code to My College Quickstart, a website designed by the college board to help students find colleges, careers, and majors tailored for them.

For a more detailed description of how to best utilize your student's PSAT scores, go to: www.collegeboard.com/html/demo to access a video walking you through the different parts of the score report. Coming Next Counselor’s Corner… The Spring 2014 College Readiness Guide for parents of JUNIORS

CLUB NEWS FROM VAHS...SPORTS CLUB

Vail Academy and High School Sports Club is offered to students 3rd-8th grade.  This club gives the students a chance to be active and compete in an environment outside of regular P.E.  Students will be taught how to play different sports and how to compete with different students at all different levels of ability.  Sports Club is a great place for students of an older age to work with and teach younger students, and raise the confidence levels in students.  Sports Club meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4 pm until February 1st.  

Monday Mr. AdamsMr. Johnson

Mr. Guerrero

TuesdayMs. MaassMs. Misciagna

Ms. Runyon

WednesdayMr. KestlerMrs. Lehr

Mrs. Misciagna

Ms. Vittoria

ThursdayMs.EarlyMr. Friggle

Updated Tutoring Schedule

KIDS KORNER GIFT SHOPPEMonday, December 2nd - Friday, December 13th

Hours: before school - 7:15am-7:45am during lunch hours - 10:00am-1:00pm

after school - 2:30pm-3:00pm

Benchmark Testing: Dec. 2nd - Dec. 13thA few things to remember...

uGet a good night sleep.u Eat a healthy breakfast.

uDetails to be posted on our website.

SPIRIT WEEKDec. 9th - 13th

• • •

Monday: Pajama Day

Tuesday: College Day (Represent your future alma mater)

Wednesday: Class Color DayFreshman = YellowSophomores = RedJuniors = BlueSeniors = Pink Middle School = GreenElementary School = Orange

Thursday: Twin Day(Find a friend to match)

Friday: School Spirit Day(Show your Boxer Pride!)

CANDY CANE GRAMS

Candy Cane Grams can be

purchased from FBLA

students or the front office.

Candy Cane Grams will be on

sale Monday, December 9th

thru Friday, December 13th

Winter Formal: Baby its cold outside, so make your way to the winter wonderland Semi-Formal!

Friday, December 13th from 7pm - 11pm in the MPR! Tickets will be sold Monday through Friday during lunch for $10.

Tickets will be also be sold at the door for $12.

We hope to see you there!

Attention: Grades K-6

The sock and underwear drive is in full swing. Donations for the Women and Children Center will continue until Dec. 19th. Fill up your class Christmas Stocking.

The Dog HouseDid you know we sell

gift cards?

Did you know that Christmas is only 19

days away?

Shopping at your school’s student run store could make your life easy. Get your boxer gear and/or gift card today!

If you have any questions regarding the Dog House, please contact Julie Ellis

ellisj@vail.k12.az.us

K-5 Winter Musical

Rehearsal: Monday, Dec. 9th 8:30am - 11:30am

at VTOTA

**All students must have a signed permission slip to

attend rehearsal. Please turn them in to your teacher

immediately!!!!

Performance: Monday, December 9th @ 6:00pm

at the VTOTA(students arrive by 5:40)

Jingle BingoFriday, December 6th

6:00-8:00pm in the MPRMr. Barger, Mr. Fester, Ms. Jenkins, Mrs. Smith and Ms. Ross will be calling

numbers and winners! Come join them for hot cocoa, candy canes, prizes and fun!

Next Board MeetingTuesday, January 14th @ 6:00pm

PTSA NEWS

Turkey Trot WinnersK-5

Kindergarten: Jaime Chacon Annabelly Vasquez1st grade: Keefe Schorzman Kiara Schorzman2nd grade: Isai Breton Ryann Lightcap3rd grade: Alex Garcia Jillian Lightcap4th grade: Alijah Atwood Veronika Garcia5th grade: Geoffrey Welch Alyda Hunnicutt

Turkey Trot Winners6-12

6th grade: Nick Cosentino

JoJo Scheidt7th grade: Boaz Maiyo Jasmin Benjamin8th grade: Angel Lopez Abby Smith9th grade: Sabian May Jeane Garcia10th grade: Caleb Garcia Lange Navarro11th grade: Jake Luceri Chione Pless12th grade: Trent Karn

Tiffany Markham

TEACHER SPOTLIGHT Amanda Guerrero - High School Math I have been teaching Math at VAHS for 4 years and taught at VHS for a year before that.  Even though I enjoy being in the classroom, the best part of my teaching experience has been meeting my husband, Mr. G!  During our breaks we enjoy taking his three awesome kids to California to boogie board, to Flagstaff to snowboard and to Illinois to visit family.  We also enjoy spending time at home playing music, painting and video gaming (PS4, not xBox!).  My favorite part about teaching math has been the challenge of getting students to enjoy the class and the subject.  However, my favorite part of teaching is seeing the progress that my students make from the time I have them in Algebra to the time they leave.  Thank you to all parents and family members who have allowed me to interact with your students both in and out of the classroom!

Michele Borowski- Spanish Teacher I have been teaching Spanish in the Vail School District for over 15 years and I still love it!  I truly enjoy seeing and hearing the students tell funny stories completely in Spanish.  Witnessing their acquisition of a foreign language and their realization of this important practical skill is a joy.  I have traveled and lived in many places across the globe; including the South Pacific, Europe and Central America as well as many places in the US such as San Francisco and Humboldt County.  Now, I absolutely love living in Tucson and hiking in our beautiful Catalina Mountains and enjoying the fantastic diversity of the state.  I also enjoy the proximity to Mexico and California - for the beaches - and Colorado and Utah - for the skiing! Everyday in the classroom I feel very grateful for having the honor of teaching the great kids here in Vail! Thank you parents!

WANTED: VAIL READING HEROES!What is a VUSD Reading Hero?

A Reading Hero is a volunteer reading coach who works with an elementary or middle school student

for one hour per week.

Your job as a coach will be to make reading fun and to encourage students to become

independent, self-directed readers.

If you are interested in becoming a Reading Hero in the Vail School District this year, please join us at a training!

Where: Vail Education Center (Vail District Office)13801 East Benson Highway, Vail AZ 85641

Training Time: January 15th at 10 am

Please contact Heather Stough with questions and to RSVP for a training at stoughh@vail.k12.az.us or 879-3915

Mentors

needed