Sunday, April 24, 2016

Update ~ April 25-29, 2016

Spotlight on Success 
Thank you to those who have already sent the highlights and summaries of the many reasons to be proud to be Panther.  These spotlights will be published via the Panther Report over the next several weeks.
Congratulations to the following staff and faculty members for representing CHS and making us all so proud:

1-2-3...Panther Power
Jennifer Hamilton ~ President -Elect Arizona Music Educators
Christine Sapio ~ Governor's Celebration of Innovation Teacher of the Year, Honorable Mention
Keith Nicolson ~  STEM Teacher of the Year nominee
Meg Hughart ~ President-Elect Arizona School Counselors Association
Eric Freas ~  Selected Grand Canyon Regional Representative for the Arizona Interscholastic Association
Brian Locke ~ STEM Teacher of the Year Nominee and the 2016 Coconino County Teacher of the Year
Gina Kugler ~ Flagstaff Advocate of the Year by the Flagstaff Disability Awareness Commission

And 1-2-3...Panther Pride
From the Art Department
The Art Department is very pleased with the number of successful shows that we have displayed so far this year. From the District Office to our annual show at Brandy’s Restaurant (where 10 students sold their pieces!), we have been busy matting our students’ wonderful artwork and getting it ready to display in the community. We had over 15 pieces in the Coconino Center for the Arts Youth Art Show during March and are currently occupying three empty window fronts in the Flagstaff Mall with many new works from our classes. We are working on some new shows for next year as well as bringing in some local artists to the school. The classrooms are clean, running well and as always the level of enthusiasm is what keeps us going!

From JROTC
 -First, a special note to the color guard. They are often the face of the Battalion in the community. This year they represented us at the Coconino County Fair, the State Student Council Convention, the State VA Education Convention countless sporting events, parades, conferences, and ceremonies.

-The Panthers formed a Marksmanship Team the year before last. This year that team, known as the High Altitude Rifles, shot its way to the State Rifle Match in January and fired very competitively. Since then, the team has steadily improved to where its members are routinely shooting regional and national match level scores.

-The Drill team continued to evolve, and added a new capability, Exhibition Drill, this year. This started out as a one-man show (literally) with Cadet Dan Richard, and has grown to JV and Varsity team event.

-And last but not least, the Raiders continued as a force to be reckoned, throughout the Northern Arizona, and in fact statewide. And not just competition with high schools – Coconino Raiders competed at college level at separate competitions with both NAU and ASU Senior ROTC Programs.

-On a more cerebral side, Cadets Sarah Norris and Zoe Bartlett stode up the Panther Bn’s Cyber Patriot Team this year. This is a Nation-wide Cyber Defense Program that provides thousands of secondary school students with skills in the emerging discipline of cyber security through instruction, mentoring, and a robust competition schedule. The Panther Team was made up entirely of freshmen, yet brought home a first place in state competition.

-The cadets of the battalion also increased community service hours, organized a very successful blood drive, added fundraising events, and put on a first-rate military ball.


Way to go Panthers! Please continue to send highlights to share with everyone!

Special Event
CHS is hosting guest, Dave Carsen, Monday, April 25 at 7:00pm on the CHS Mini-Theater. Admission is free!

AZMerit this week
Math Part 2 Wednesday & Thursday

Special Meeting 
F.U.S.D. Human Resources will be at CHS on May 5 at 2:30 pm as part of their "Road Show" to share important budget and negotiations information with us all. Please mark your calendars.

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Sunday, April 17, 2016

Update ~ April 18-22, 2016

Celebrating Success
I received the best voice mail on Friday-It went something like this; " Hi Mrs. Zanzucchi,  I was hoping to talk to you, but I know you're busy so I'll just leave this message.  I wanted to tell you that my son, who is completeing 9th grade at CHS, is soooooo happy.  Before coming to CHS, he was one of those kids that liked school alright, but was shy and didn't really talk much about school, but things have changed. He is absolutely thriving at CHS. He comes hope excited and enthused about school everyday. He played freshmen football, he played basketball, he is now running track. He is in the band and in CIT. He loves his teachers, he loves his friends and loves his school.   No need to call me back, just wanted to tell you how wonderful your teachers are and how grateful we are for Coconino High School"
I just had to shre that meessage with you all and say thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students. PANTHER STRONG, mmmmm hmm!!!

Theater Production
Congratualtuons to Kristi Long and the Drama Club! Saturday's matinee performance of Charlotte's Web was spectacular and to a sell out croud. Kristi shared that she has been puting on productions at CHS for eleven years and this was the first time ever that they sold out! Maybe they heard that CHS math Teacher, David Tollefson and CHS Transition Specialist, Gina Kugler had leading roles in the play.
CHS will hold two additional performances for elementary school students on Monday, April 18 and Wednesday, April 20.

Assessments
All juniors will take the ACT this Tuesday, April 19 in both gyms and several accomodation rooms.
Please keep your eyes out for an e-mail with information about test proctor needs.
AzMerit Math Part 1 Grades 9,10 & 11 ~ Wednesday 4/20 and Thursday 4/21

Who is that crazy woman wandering around our school?
Whisper- You mean the one who scheduled senior class meetings on the same day as her daughter's wedding? Yup! Oh, that would be our principal...I know you get the picture.  This is undoubtedly the busiest time of the year and patience and flexibility are key. As the close of the school year is on the horizon, we are also preparing for next year; registration, master board. teaching assignments, interviewing and hiring for teaching positions, etc. On top of the ordinary craziness of this time of year,  I  have been asked to participate on a district committee,  and my daughter is really getting married at the end of the month in Texas. Piece a cake right?  (I will be out of the building April 28, 29 and May 2). I just wanted to ask your forgiveness in advance if I appear a little more nuts than usual. And, I also ask that you continue to have patience and understanding with our students and one another as we bring this plane down for a safe landing.

Note from the Nurse's office
The end of school year stresses and anxiety can pose health risks. We have a handful of students at CHS who have been known to have seizures. Remember if a student should experience a sezure in your classroom there are some simple steps you can take to help mitigate the situation before the nurse arrives.  Once you have sent or called for the nurse...
1.  Help get the student to the ground safely
2.  If you can, get the student to role to one side
3.  Move away any objects in the area to help keep the student safe
4.  Do not restrain or put anything in the student's mouth
5.  Have someone time the seizures
Please see McKenzie with questions or concerns

Certification Coming to Flagstaff
If you have any certification questions or needs the ADE Certification Department will be in Flagstaff on May 11 & 12 at Ponderosa High school Location in room 137 A.
May 11 ~ 12:00-4:00pm
May 12 ~ 8:00am-4:00pm

Clutter
Not the clutter in your inbox, but real clutter. We are working to de-clutter the teacher mail room. Please help in these efforts and remember to toss unwanted paper scraps etc..  Also, we are looking for a home for the BIG copy machine (The big white one that used to take up a bunch of space in the mailroom).  It is quite large and is not connected to the network, so it serves only as a fancy copy machine. If you would like to house this big boy in your classroom, and do not mind if others use the machine throughout the day, please let Becky or Steve know.

Dates to Remember
Correction: Please note we do NOT have prep hour meetings this Tuesday
4/20 ~ Faculty Lunch and Spotlight on Success in the Cafeteria 1:15pm  *Please note we changed the meeting location so you can enjoy a lesisurly lunch during the spotlight presentations.  
4/22 ~ Spring Pep Assembly
                                                 

Period
Time
Duration
1
7:50-8:40
45 + 5(Pulse)
2
8:45-9:30
45
3
9:35-10:20
45
4/5
10:25-11:10
45
Lunch
11:10-11:40
30
6
11:45-12:30
45
7
12:35-1:20
45
Assembly
1:25-2:20
55

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Sunday, April 10, 2016

Update ~ April 11-15, 2016

Celebrating Success
Congratulations to our four CHS U.S. History Students who won the regional Az History Day Competition at NAU and are advancing to the state level competition on April 16 at ASU.  The winning students are: Konner Brackin with a performance on "The Lewis & Clark Expedition". Lillian Roxes-Powers with an individual category exhibit on "Juan Pujos Garcia" (A double agent who lived a lie that helped win WWII), and a group documentary by Claire Richmond-Tucker and Astor Rich on "Vickings: Explorerers, Traders and Raders".
High fives all around for these Panthers and their teachers!

Lock Down Drill 
Yes, the lock down that took place last Tuesday was a drill. The quick and proper reaction to the announcement was greatly appreciated.  Most everybody went immediately in to "Lock Down" mode; students in a secure location, classroom doors barricaded and class remains still and as quiet as possible until the all clear is announced.  During the drill there were a few classrooms that continued to hold class and conduct business as usual.  Please review the lock down procedures in your red emergency folder if you are unclear about the difference between a "Lock down" and "Shelter in Place".  Through the drill we discovered the classrooms that use a key card rather than a key, did not lock automatically, this issue will be corrected asap. Other than those few minor corrections the practice drill was successful.  Thank you again for and your understanding and cooperation during these important safety drills.

What to say when you keep hearing the same story...
This again? AZMerit round three is this week, April 13th- 14th (Wed & Thurs) AZ MERIT ELA Pt 2 (9th-11th)

Bookkeeper
Our CHS Bookkeeper, Pat Therein is out for a few weeks.  Pat had surgery last week and I am happy to announce the surgery went well, and she is recovering at home.  We wish Pat a full and speedy recovery!
* Please see Carrie Crowther in the book store should you have any accounting related or class materials needs.  Also, Pat will be checking e-mail on occasion, during her absence. 

Keep on keeping on, have a great week!

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Sunday, April 3, 2016

Update ~ April 4-8, 2016

Celebrating Success
Another successful 8th grade visitation under our belts.  You couldn't help but notice the nervousness and excitement as the soon to be freshmen (Graduating class of 2020) roamed the halls of the great big high school for the first time.  Thanks everyone for helping to welcome our new students and to showcase our amazing school.  We had lots of positive feedback about the great teachers at CHS! Oh so proud to be a panther!

Thank you Barrett Tritle for all your work to make the AZMerit run smooth as silk.  Our CHS English Teachers, SPED Teachers, Program Specialist, Tech helpers, Interventionists, A.P. Crystal Holmes and testing coordinator Barrett make an amazing team. Seriously the first round of testing went exceptionally well thanks to everyone who helped.  Our students appeared to be focused and worked hard on the writing portion of the new assessment.
This week we move to round two:
April 6 & & AZMerit English Language Arts Part 1 for 9, 10th and 11th grades 

Way back when...
In August of this school year, during the first back to school days with our students each of you presented an internet safety lesson to our students. I need to submit the documentation that this was done.  You will find the Internet Safety Policy form in your box.  Please sign the form and place in the box located in the mail room labeled Internet Safety. Thank you!

301 Opportunity
Google Survey(Forms) and Flubaroo Thursday, April 7th from 3:30-5:30pm, in room 704
"Google Forms is an online survey app on Google drive. Teachers can use Google Forms to create surveys, ask students questions and even assign and collect homework/assignment questions. This training will cover how to create a Google survey and the applications for its use in the classroom. Taking Google Forms a step further, once a teacher has created an assignment in Forms, they can then turn around and use the program Flubaroo to “grade” the assignment."
Course #49182

Spotlight on Success
On Wednesday, April 20 our faculty meeting will be devoted to sharing our school's many successes. This is the event where we hear from colleagues about their proud moments and recognize one another for the hard work all year. Please plan with your department to present some highlights from this school year. Each group will have about 3-4 minutes to present.  The meeting will start at 1:15pm in the mini-theater.

Calendar
We have a relatively quiet week.  Please refer to the pink paper handed out at our last faculty meeting for the end of year events and mark your calendars.

Proud to be a Panther!

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