HOLIDAYS MESSAGE

As we wrap up the first half of the school year, I want to wish you all a wonderful and restful Winter Break. Enjoy this time with your loved ones, relax, and recharge. We are grateful for your continued support and partnership in making this school year so successful!

While we celebrate the holidays, I want to acknowledge that some families are going through some of their most difficult times right now. Challenges don't fall to the way side as a result of the holiday cheer. Please know that wherever you're at in your families journeys, we are wishing the best.

SENIOR FAMILIES

Senior families! Please be sure to get your cap & gowns! Also, Graduation will be on Saturday, May 17th, at 11:30 am, at State Farm Stadium! Much more information to come, but wanted to allow time for planning!

EVENTS OVER BREAK

While we take a well-deserved two-week break, we have some exciting events happening during this time. Please take a moment to check out the events schedule below, and join us in supporting our students as they continue to shine in their activities.

Please note: School will resume for students on Tuesday, January 7th.

Wishing you a joyful and safe holiday season, and I look forward to seeing everyone in the new year!

~ONE VERRADO!~

• 1/6: No School for Students – Teacher PD Day
• 1/7: Students Return From Break
• 1/14: FAFSA Night- See flier below
• 1/20: MLK Jr. Day- No School

Winter Sports ⚽🤼🏀

-Individual tickets will be sold through GoFan for all athletic events, as well as all student and family passes for all events. Please go to https://gofan.co/ to purchase your tickets.

Verrado Athletic Director - Barry Cromer- bcromer@aguafria.org

Verrado Athletics Assistant - Gaylen Barnes - gbarnes@aguafria.org

Week Ahead in Sports: Follow @Verrado_Athletics for up to date sports information.

Thursday, December 26, 2024

🏀 Girls Basketball vs. TBA (Queen of the Court Tourney): Away

Friday, December 27, 2024

🏀 Boys Basketball vs. TBA (Visit Mesa Basketball Tourney): Away
⚽ Boys Soccer vs. TBA (Independence Winter Soccer Tourney): Away
🏀 Girls Basketball vs. TBA (Queen of the Court Tourney): Away

Saturday, December 28, 2024

🏀 Boys Basketball vs. TBA (Visit Mesa Basketball Tourney): Away
⚽ Boys Soccer vs. TBA (Independence Winter Soccer Tourney): Away
🏀 Girls Basketball vs. TBA (Queen of the Court Tourney): Away

Monday, December 30, 2024

🏀 Boys Basketball vs. TBA (Visit Mesa Basketball Tourney): Away
⚽ Boys Soccer vs. TBA (Independence Winter Soccer Tourney): Away

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

🏀 Boys Basketball vs. TBA (Visit Mesa Basketball Tourney): Away
⚽ Boys Soccer vs. TBA (Independence Winter Soccer Tourney): Away

Thursday, January 2, 2025

🏀 Boys Basketball vs. TBA (Nike TOC): Away
🏀 Girls Basketball vs. TBA (EPIC Tourney's New Year's Classic): Away

Friday, January 3, 2025

🏀 Boys Basketball vs. TBA (Nike TOC): Away
🏀 Girls Basketball vs. TBA (EPIC Tourney's New Year's Classic): Away
⚽ Girls Soccer vs. TBA (Estrella Foothills Lady Wolves Classic): Away

Saturday, January 4, 2025

🏀 Boys Basketball vs. TBA (Nike TOC): Away
🏀 Girls Basketball vs. TBA (EPIC Tourney's New Year's Classic): Away
⚽ Girls Soccer vs. TBA (Estrella Foothills Lady Wolves Classic): Away

Mark your calendars for these exciting events and show your support for VHS! 🐍🎉

Welcome to the Counselor Corner. Here you will find contact information for your students counselor along with their quarterly updates!

Please check out the Counselor Connection for 3rd quarter: https://secure.smore.com/n/pb35w

COUNSELING TEAM

Mrs. Palmgren, hpalmgren@aguafria.org

Mrs. Enders, cenders@aguafria.org

Mrs. Hink, shink@aguafria.org

Mr. Pratt, spratt@aguafria.org

Mrs. Schepker, vschepker@aguafria.org

Get your Verrado 2024/2025 yearbook from Josten: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01096775

Class of 2025- You can order your cap & gown now! Click this link: https://www.jostens.com/ to place your order. Order deadline: January 15th

Through our partnership with Varsity Tutors, students have the ability to access online tutoring 24/7. In addition to tutoring, Varsity Tutors offers college and career readiness prep, enrichment classes and much more! Check out the video and flyers below!

Students can access Varsity Tutors through Clever.

Looking for scholarship opportunities? Check out our career center's scholarship page by clicking the button below!

Civics Test - did your child take this test in 8th grade?

Both our feeder districts, Avondale (AESD) and Litchfield (LESD) Elementary School Districts, have administered the state required Civics test to students in 8th grade. AESD gave the test to our current 9th grade students (Class of 2028) and current 10th grade students (Class of 2027). LESD gave the test only to our current 9th grade students (Class of 2028).

We have records from both the Avondale and Litchfield Districts of which students received a passing score. We are working to make sure the right individuals at each high school receive this information. Please do not contact the feeder districts to request scores. In addition to the opportunities for our students to meet the Civics test graduation requirement while they were either in AESD or LESD, we also offer students the opportunity to pass the Civics test during high school.

The shop will Engrave, Mill, or 3D print pre-selected or custom design's. Choose an item, then select any personalized options where available. Invoices will be sent to your emails. Tax included in the price.

Orders can take 2-3 weeks depending on what products are on hand. Recommendation, order early instead of waiting till the end of a season or the school year. Our suppliers start running low on items at the end of every school year. We may have to order if supply is low.

Scan or click the QR code to place your order.

Please use the East side of campus, and enter the far north side of the lot from Pioneer Drive. That will provide you ample drop-off space, once you enter the lot. You will follow the loop and exit back onto Pioneer Drive from the Southern Exit, back onto Pioneer. Please DO NOT, enter the Southern Exit.

We advise that you arrive with enough time to drop off your students, and have them be able to walk through campus and get to class before 8:15. Students will have the opportunity to enter campus, and eat breakfast starting at 7:45

We are a CLOSED campus for lunch. All students must remain on campus for lunch.

1. STUDENTS must complete the parking application while logged into their school gmail account
2. PARENTS/GUARDIANS cannot complete the parking application, but may need to assist for legal documentation purposes.
3. FORWARD your student THIS LINK to their school email if they have not yet completed the application (they were sent the link via the school email system)
4. Approval will be processed and charges will be applied.
5. You will be notified once your student is approved, and charges have been applied.
6. Pick up of passes can be completed at the school bookstore once approval has been met, and the fee ($50) has been assigned and paid
7. BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR! PLEASE DO NOT park across the street in the businesses (you could be towed at your own expense) or the surrounding neighborhoods! If you find yourself passing through in the neighborhoods, DO NOT LITTER, and DRIVE RESPECTFULLY!

Contact ajuarez@aguafria.org or lbustamantez@aguafria.org with questions around payment and approval.

SEE GRAPHIC FOR LOCATION OF STUDENT LOT + PAYMENT BUTTON BELOW

IMPORTANT: NEW & RETURNING STUDENTS MUST REGISTER/RE-REGISTER TO RIDE THE BUS

IMPORTANT: ALL STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED USING THE EDULOG APP

Steps: There are multiple steps, so please be diligent when completing the application. (Link to Edulog Tutorial in District website). This tutorial will walk you through the process.

There will be NO FREE LUNCH on Monday, August 5th

Lunch: Here is the link to our Food Services website application for Free & Reduced Lunch.

Note: A New Application is Required Each School Year!

• We encourage all families to apply for the Agua Fria High School District Free and Reduced Lunch program.
• In addition to receiving free and reduced price lunch, it could have many other cost benefits when it comes to athletic and academic programs.
• The Meal Benefit Application is available on the website by visiting here or clicking the button below.

You may also utilize the attached packets below for more information and application

Is your student anxious about going to school? If they are struggling, they do not need to struggle alone, we have a ton of support on campus to help. Please reach out to Sabrina Booth sbooth@aguafria.org or Michael Okezie mokezie@aguafria.org our Student Support Specialists if you would like more resources or help for your student. Thank you!

• Regular student attendance is proven to give the greatest opportunity for student success.

• If you need to call in an absence for your student (must be called in within 24 hours), please contact 623-932-7400 Extension 1 and leave your student’s name, ID number, date, and the reason for the absence and it will be processed as soon as possible.
• Attendance Appeals may be held when a student misses 10 or more classes in a particular course.
• An Attendance Appeal may result in the loss of credit for the student. Please refer to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and review the district policy regarding attendance and tardiness.
• Students who are late to any class during the day will be marked tardy. 5 tardies to a class will be the equivalent of 1 absence for the class during a potential credit review.
• 5 or more tardies to a class may lead to a disciplinary outcome.

Note: For further information, please see the attached document below.

We are excited to announce a new feature in ParentVUE! Parents are able to verify student attendance and submit doctor's notes when students are absent from school. Please check out the infographic below for more information.

A moment that serves as a powerful reminder that there are steps we all must take in looking out for loved ones, the people in our community, and those who have been impacted by this leading cause of death.

Click the buttons below to check out your students grades via ParentVue or to pay your students fees via InTouch Receipting

Note: Families in need can complete the Fee Waiver request form and submit it via email or in person to Linda Bustamantez at mailto:lbustamantez@aguafria.org

Why Mastery Learning?

Our district is committed to not only focusing on academic knowledge but also equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in college and the workforce. By helping students master skills, our high schools ensure that graduates are better prepared for the demands and expectations of the professional world. Along with key academic coursework, mastering skills in high school can have a long-lasting impact on students' careers.

• Please update any necessary contact-info/address/power of attorney, etc... if necessary, as soon as possible, using the following link, or email rzavala@aguafria.org

Questions or concerns with this process, please contact Data Specialist, Renee Zavala at rzavala@aguafria.org

Verrado High School and the Agua Fria Union High School District are committed to providing a safe and friendly learning environment for our students, staff and community. As a reminder, weapons detectors are placed at each entry point into the campus. All students and campus visitors must pass through the weapons detectors. The detectors are mobile and will also be utilized for entry into the school for things such as theater performances or sporting events.

STEP 1 - - Remove your Chromebook & Large Metal Water Bottles as your are Walking Up

STEP 2 - - Have your ID on a lanyard and wear it, OR have the ID prepared to be presented. You will not be allowed in without it, once they are distributed.

Most Common Unintentional Detector Alerts:

-Large Metal Water Bottles

-Umbrellas

-Aerosol Spray Cans

-Portable Power Banks

-Glasses Cases

-Large 3-Ringed Binders

-Metal Lunch Boxes or Pen/Pencil Holders

-Other Large Metallic Objects

*Note: We'll do our best to ensure we identify the unintentionally alerted item, and you can remove it along with your Chromebook in the future to avoid having to have your bag checked.

! See the Video Below for More, as well as Demonstrations !

Please review the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for more information.

If you have any medical updates please complete the enclosed form and send it directly to the school nurse directly – Michelle Fernandez, mfernandez1@aguafria.org

Please see the Button below to access the form.

• If your students needs medication during the school day it MUST be reported to the nurses office at mfernandez1@aguafria.org, and medical form must be completed.

Please review the following documents and acknowledge using the button below to complete the form!

• Non-Discrimination Policy
• Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook
• Technology Usage Agreement

👇 Please Complete the Form Below by Clicking on the Button 👇

• Cell phones during instructional time are prohibited.

• Students may use their cell phones during lunch or during passing periods only.

• In the event a student uses their cell phone during instructional time without teacher permission may result in a discipline consequence.

NOTE: If you need to contact your student during school hours, please contact our attendance line in the event of an emergency.

Districtwide, we want to showcase our students, teachers, and programs during the school year. During the school year, there may be times when your student is photographed and/or their image is posted on social media. Please complete the link below if you do not want your student’s image to be shared. By completing this form, you are opting out of having any photos of your student(s) being displayed on our school or district websites.

Media Opt out form

20050 West Indian School Road, Buckeye, AZ, USA

623-932-7400