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Falcon Flash 2/3/23

News From the Principal

Hello Falcons-

It is an exciting time for our students as we head into course selection for next school year. This week our current juniors met with their counselors to look at options for course selection their senior year. Parents also had the opportunity today to meet with the counselors at our Coffee with the Counselors so they are looped in and informed too.

Also, this week, both girls and boys basketball hosted their senior nights. Thursday StuCo held their annual Powder Puff game where proceeds and donations will be sent to Stand Up to Cancer. Wednesday, 2/1 we sent our CSHS pom team to Florida for their national competition and this week, on 2/8, our CSHS cheer team heads to Florida for Nationals. Good luck Falcons!

The Cactus Shadows thrift store, Falcons' Closet, accepts donations of clothing and accessories (jewelry, handbags, scarves, belts) throughout the school year. Our store is run by students in our Life Skills program. The store provides them with the opportunity to learn important skills that they can use to transition and be successful after high school. Some of the skills include: laundry, cleaning, categorizing, money exchange and customer service. Donations can be dropped off in our front office. If you have any questions, feel free to email Caitlin Leja, cleja@ccusd93.net. Thank you to all who have donated so far.

Parents and guardians, thank you for your continued support of your student(s), our school, and community.

WE ARE FALCONS!

If you ever have questions, please call the school at 480-575-2400.

SENIOR FAMILIES

Graduation: Please visit the senior page of our website for important information regarding your student's upcoming events https://www.cshsfalconfamilies.com/seniors. A one-page summary was sent in a separate email on 2/2/23.

PTO ASK: The post graduation party at Marvix will include a crazy sock giveaway. Please consider donating gift cards, fun socks or Zelle us $25 and we can purchase the socks for you. If Zelle is what you prefer, you can Zelle $25 to CSHS PTO using our email: cshspto@gmail.com (Zelle does not charge fees which allows 100% of your donation to go to these events).

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JUNIOR,SOPHOMORE & FRESHMAN FAMILIES

As families of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, we as a community would like to once again pay it forward and do something nice to support our seniors and their families. As part of the Graduation Falcon Farewell Party, PTO gives seniors raffle tickets for a chance to win something they want and/or need as they go off to start life outside of Cactus Shadows. As you can imagine, senior year is costly for families; so let's take advantage of all the sales between now and the holidays and PAY IT FORWARD!!!

Visit the FALCON FAREWELL AMAZON WISHLIST to see ALL items requested to give our seniors a great send-off! There are items in every price range: gift cards; sheets, towels, Keurigs, and all kinds of other great stuff.

DIRECT DONATIONS can also be made via Zelle at: cshspto@gmail.com (zelle=no fees=we love zelle)

Thank you for your support!

CSHS PTO

Regular attendance is the key to much of the success a student may gain from his/her school program. Students should remain out of school only when absolutely necessary, as much of the classroom activity cannot be made up. The benefit of lectures, discussion, and participation is lost forever to those who are absent. A doctor’s verification will be requested for excessive illness-related absences. All absences in excess of a cumulative 10% of the instructional days for the school year shall be reported to AZ Department of Education as unexcused.

Tax Credit

If you haven't done so already please consider a tax credit contribution to Cactus Shadows High School. Our Marquee along Dove Valley has been out of commission since this summer. We will be using tax credit money to purchase a new one. Please see the link to donate. We thank you!

Payment and Lunch Info

Follow us on Instagram @cshs_falcons & Twitter @CSHS_Falcons or click the links below.

News from EDUCATION Services

Graduation is within reach!
Next up for selecting 2023-24 courses! If you are unable to make it to the Coffee With the Counselors, check out the Counselors webpage on the Cactus Shadows website: https://www.ccusd93.org/domain/408
Josten's has CSHS Senior Gear!

Free money for college!

Come to the FINANCIAL AID NIGHT, on February 16 from 6:00-7:00. The presentation is geared for families of students in grades 9, 10 and 11.

Math Tutoring

We are fortunate to have Bill Bristol volunteer his time 3 days a week to tutor our students in math. Please encourage your student to go to the library on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00-3:00 if they need any help in algebra, geometry or precalculus. You can reach out directly to Mr. Bristol at: bristoljb@yahoo.com or call him at (480) 747-0400.

NHS Tutoring

CSHS National Honor Society is offering FREE tutoring. Tutoring is in room 402 after school from 2:15-3:15 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Tutors may vary and it is walk-in only. Mr. Scott LaVigne oversees our NHS students so please direct specific questions to him at slavigne@ccusd93.net.

Spanish Tutoring

If you know of a student struggling with Spanish please let them know that the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica offers tutoring in Sra. Raught's room (155) after school on Monday and Thursday and at lunches on Wednesday and Thursday.

Seniors: If you are applying to colleges and need a transcript: log onto your Naviance account, add the school to Colleges I’m Applying To, and request the Initial Transcript. The school registrar (Ms. Sierra Eyler: seyler@ccusd93.net), will send out the requested transcripts within a week.

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AES Scholarships 2023

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AES Engineers is once again offering an annual scholarship for 2023. This is the 18th consecutive year that we are making this offer.

Application Process

Students will submit an essay on the topic that appears on the scholarship page of our web site https://www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.php

Full details are available on our site. Please encourage your students to apply. We wish them all good luck! The winner(s) will be announced within 2 weeks of the deadline. Each winner will be personally notified by email.

Best regards,

AES Engineering Solution

BREAKING NEWS:

Look at the scholarship opportunities YOU may be qualified to receive! Click on the links and reach out to your counselor if you need guidance:

Arizona State University

Arizona State University wants to share the Nina Scholars Program, a scholarship program dedicated to providing recipients a comprehensive support system to help them earn their college degree. As a Nina Scholar, students join a community that helps them find their place at ASU. Through individual mentorship, study spaces, workshops and social events, students will establish a sense of community with their fellow Nina peers.

The Nina Scholars Program serves the following three populations:

Students who experienced foster care or are financially independent young adults.

Students who have dependents.

Students who have a physical disability.

Benefits eligible students may receive:

Up to a six-year need-based financial award for an undergraduate program.

Guided support and individual mentorship from Nina Scholars staff.

Office and study space for scholars.

Nina course for new cohorts.

Participation in Nina Scholars exclusive student success workshops and social events.

Support from Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions staff.

A sense of community with Nina peers.

The Nina Scholars Program application is now open. Learn more and apply by March 1.

Ladies, check out this opportunity!

Youth Scholarships

Each year, Community Celebrating Diversity offers youth scholarships to college-bound high school students. The sponsors of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event provide the funds for the scholarships.

Since 2007, 52 students have been awarded a total of $126,500 in scholarships. (2022)

These scholarships are for study at post-secondary institutions of higher education in Arizona. The following selection criteria are utilized in identifying our scholarship recipients:

The eligible student must be a full-time resident of Arizona and has community involvement in Scottsdale.

The eligible student must be a U.S. citizen, or provide evidence that he or she is a permanent resident of the United States.

The eligible student must be a graduating high school senior with a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.

The 2023 scholarship cycle is open from 10/31/2022 to 3/20/2023.

Please contact Joe Rusin at 480-205-8620 for further information. Here is a link too: https://www.ccdarizona.org/youth-scholarships

Check out this website too when applying for colleges:

Are you interested in a Summer Leader Experience? Check this out:
Columbia University has awesome Pre College Programs. Get a head start this summer!

News from Counseling:

  • A-D Elizabeth Sigette esigette@ccusd93.net
  • E-H Lori Dahne (Department Chair) ldahne@ccusd93.net
  • I-L Abbey Schroeder aschroeder@ccusd93.net
  • M-R Paige Altwegg paltwegg@ccusd93.net
  • S-Z Sara Miller smiller@ccusd93.net

Desert Foothills Woman’s Club 2023 Scholarship Program has a March 19th deadline.

If you are a female, HS senior, on track to graduate by May, 2023, have a weighted GPA between 2.8 - 3.8, are accepted to a 2 or 4 year College/University, or Other Accredited Post- Secondary Program, you are encouraged to apply. Contact your School Counselor for details.

Please Email Applications and/or Questions to: Desertfoothillswomensclub@gmail.com or

Mail to:

Desert Foothills Woman’s Club

P.O. Box 958

Carefree, AZ 85377

Kiwanis of Carefree offers multiple scholarships for CSHS graduates. Information is coming soon. Be on the lookout.

About the New Scholarship Program

The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is made up of 26 international sororities and is the largest advocacy and support organization for the women’s-only sorority experience. Beginning with women graduating high school in 2023, NPC plans to award 10 college scholarships of US$2,000 each annually through our new NPC Centennial Scholarships Program. The scholarships may be used to offset college tuition, dues and fees.

NPC has a long history of advocating to make the cost of a higher education more affordable to more women. These new NPC Centennial Scholarships are one more step we are taking to improve college affordability.

The scholarships are named for the NPC Foundation's Centennial Fund, which is providing funding for the new scholarship program.

News from Athletics

Please wish our Pommies good luck as they venture across the country to compete in the UDA National Pom and Dance competition. We are very proud of our ladies!!!! #FalconAwesome!

Weekly Schedule

  • Friday, 2/3: Boys and Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Washington, Falcon Field @ 4pm & 6pm
  • Friday, 2/3: JV Girls and Boys Soccer vs. Washington, WHS @ 4pm & 6pm
  • Friday, 2/3: Boys Basketball vs. Chaparral, The Nest @ 4pm, 5:30pm & 7pm
  • Friday, 2/3: Girls Basketball vs. Chaparral, CHS @ 5:30pm & 7pm
  • Saturday, 2/4: Girls Varsity Wrestling Sectionals, Westwood HS @ 8am
  • Saturday, 2/4: JV Wrestling at The Big 15 Tournament, Mesquite HS @ 8:30pm
  • Saturday, 2/4: V Boys Soccer vs. Desert Mountain, Falcon Field @ 10am
  • Monday, 2/6: JV Girls and Boys Soccer vs. Chaparral, Falcon Field @ 4pm & 6pm
  • Thursday, 2/9: Girls Varsity Soccer- Possible Play-in Game @ 6pm
  • Thursday, 2/9: Girls Basketball vs. TBD, Play-in round @ 7pm
  • Friday, 2/10: Boys Basketball vs TBD, Play-in round @ 7pm

Physicals Needed

Physicals MUST be completed before tryouts. Please upload to https://registermyathlete.com/

Please welcome the following new sports to campus...

We have been busy adding additional sports to our current offerings. In the spring season we are now also offering Boys Volleyball, Girls Beach Volleyball and both Girls and Boys Lacrosse! If you missed the Spring Sports parent meeting, please reach out to the coach for information. Also check the CSHS Athletics site for continued updates!!!!

Athletic Schedules & Spring Sports Tryouts

Spring sports tryouts begin Monday February 6th. Athletic schedules are posted on our school’s web page, or you can click here to view upcoming CSHS tryouts, practices and games. Other high school athletic information may be obtained at AIA 365.

Reminder that all tickets must be purchased through GoFan. Watch how to videos on the GoFan website or call 678-679-7676 for ticket support.

News from Student Activities & Testing

CS Press Honored

Our CS Press has been nationally recognized as a top 100 publication by the National Scholastic Press Association. This award honors the very best of high school and middle school magazines, newspapers, and yearbooks. Thank you to Ms. Hart and all the other people who make this possible. The students create a top notch newspaper.

Scully Learning Center

Scully Learning Center, who works with developmentally disabled individuals, is looking for a Cactus Shadows student willing to work with technology and be willing to keep their new website up to date and current. They will be working with an established company, AKerInc, to create and maintain their website. Please contact Paula Scully for more information. paulasscully@msn.com / 480.595.0508 / 480.772.0889

Band/ Choir at NW Regional Honors Festival

The Cactus Shadows band and choir had a strong showing at the NW Regionals Honors Festival. 10 band students earned a spot in the band, and all the choir students who auditioned earned a spot. Each of the 3 voice parts (soprano, alto, bass) are first chair spots. Very proud of the students and the sponsors for representing CSHS well. Bravo!

From left to right: Vivian Carden, Jordan ElJallad, Kyle King, William Lim, Morgan Heintz, Karen Dolezal

Powder Puff

This year's Powder Puff game ended with a 30-8 victory by the Senior/Freshman team.

January 30 - February 3 was Powder Puff week at Cactus Shadows. Powder Puff is a student-led, campus-wide charity event benefiting Stand Up to Cancer. This year 107 students joined together to play football and raise awareness. Over the years, CSHS has raised in excess of $75,000 for cancer research.

Staff Spotlight

William Wharton Department: Math Course(s): Geometry

Mr. Wharton grew up in Tucson. He has a BA in Math from UCSC and a MAEd from NAU. William has been teaching math for close to ten years. He was a chess coach/teacher before that, and he is looking for a few good players to start a team at Cactus Shadows. Max, the calculus dog, drags him around various trails in the area.

News from the Community

Student Accident and Sickness Insurance

Information for Student Accident and Sickness Insurance plans, including plans for athletics, can be found at https://www.myers-stevens.com/enrollment-page/ for voluntary purchase.

If you have an enrollment questions contact Lori Haye at 480-575-2021.

Events On Campus

  • 2/6 10th grade course selection presentation with counselors
  • 2/7 Bus Evacuation Drill #2
  • 2/8 9th grade course selection presentation with counselors
  • 2/9 Junior Registration
  • 2/9 Student Matinee for Dance Concert
  • 2/9 Dance Winter Show 7-9pm FAC
  • 2/10 9-10am Parents of current 10th graders Coffee with the Counselors
  • 2/10 Dance Winter Show 7:30-9:30pm FAC

* see athletics section for all athletic events

Senior Panoramic- April 11

Helpful Links

CCUSD Governing Board

President Janet Busbee, Vice President Scott Brown, Member Jeff Fortney, Member Jackie Ulmer , and Member Brianna Walker