Preparing each student for higher education by ensuring that all students reach their full potential in every class.

A proud member of the Glendale Union High School District

Moon Valley 3625 W Cactus Road, Phoenix, AZ 85029 | 623-915-8000 | moonvalley.guhsdaz.org | Spring 2017

From the Desk of Principal Salyer

Preparing All Moon Valley

Students for Higher Education

During your student’s four years of high school they experience days that are packed with activities, friends and fun;

but we must remember the number one goal for all our high school students: preparing students for higher education.

Why is college-readiness so important? A recent study shows that by 2020, 75% of jobs will require at least a two-year degree or higher. That compares to just 62% of jobs requiring higher education in 2009. Also, a college degree makes a big difference for lifetime earning potential. Those with only a high school diploma earn about $1.2 million over their working lifetime. But those with a Bachelor’s degree earn almost twice that – about $2.1 million.

Here are some important things for all students to remember as they work toward their higher-education goals:

Your high school transcript sticks with you for life.

All students should take the PSAT during both sophomore and junior year and the Pre-ACT junioryear as a way to prepare and practice for the ACTwhich is taken, for free, junior year.

Take advantage of Moon Valley’s College Exam Prepclass offered for juniors every September.

Visit the Career Center inside the Media Center or call 623-915-8055.

Contact your student’s counselor with any questionson scholarships, institutions, higher education or guidance.

In addition, here are some upcoming dates to help your student reach their college goals:

On March 14th, juniors and their parents are invited

to our College Parent Night to learn about the essential checklist of what is needed to enter higher education. This will take place in the Auditorium starting at 6:00 p.m.

On March 27th, all students will have the

opportunity to get ready for upcoming state and national testing. On this day, ALL of our students will be learning test-taking techniques to get them ready for the challenges of high-stakes testing. By learning these skills, our students will have the opportunity to excel on college-entry exams as well as the AzMerit and AIMS exams.

On April 19th, all of our junior students will be

taking the ACT exam for free. This amazing opportunity will help your students get accustomed to national exams so they can be successful. By doing well on college-entry exams, students can earn scholarships towards higher education. For more information on free ACT testing at Moon Valley, please call the Counseling Office at 623-915-8002.

Throughout the year, Moon Valley has a college club that meets, called UNI101. Every first Wednesday of the month, students meet with club advisors to talk about college. Topics include things such as important exams needed for college entrance, options in higher education, applying for college and setting goals throughout high school. All students are encouraged to join UNI101. Find out more information by contacting your student’s counselor.

Moon Valley prides itself on a vision that all students will go on to higher education. We will continue to promote our vision of helping every student to be college and career ready!

MV Jazz Band Heads to State after Rockin’ NAU

On Saturday, February 25th, the Moon Valley Jazz

Band traveled to Flagstaff to perform at the 2017 NAU Jazz Festival. The festival covered a three-day period with 62 high school jazz bands performing.

Moon Valley received a superior rating, one of the highest ratings a band can receive at the festival. In addition to their rating, the band had three performers that were honored as outstanding soloists. They are Efrain Carranza, Kekoa Veit, and John Poertner. The band will perform on March 10

th at

an ABODA area jazz festival. Their rating at NAU qualified them to perform at the state jazz festival for the third year in a row.

Rocket News Spring 2017

Taco Bell Foundation One of Many to Partner with Get Schooled

Moon Valley is on board with Get Schooled website. It uses digital platform and gamification to inspire and engage students, reaching more than five million students in the following ways . . .

Tips for succeeding in high school, including textwake up calls

Games that teach college application tips

An easily searchable database of scholarships

Tools to find a job that will help pay for college

Tools to explore college options

Real-live help through texts

Get Schooled was founded five years ago through a partnership with Viacom and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Their mission has been to give young people the tools and inspiration to get the education they need to succeed.

For more information on how to sign up, log onto: www.getschooled.com

Sidewalk Art Show is a Moon Valley Tradition

Mr. Art Smith began the tradition of Art 3-4 and Advanced Art students

spending an entire day producing an elaborate pastel rendering of a

subject of the student's choice. His students made them for several years

prior to his retirement and this is the fourth

year that Shanalee Dorsey has continued the

project.

Students first lay out the image with regular

white chalk, then add a base layer of the color

desired. As they draw the chalk creates piles

of dust that they press into the cement. The

drawings are sprayed frequently with

hairspray to lock in the color.

The artwork will remain until

the summertime when our

maintenance crew will

power wash them off of the

cement.

14th annual free prom dress boutique

Saturday, March 25, 8am-3pm April 1 and 8, 8am-3pm

The Cinderella Affair Boutique 411 N. McKemy Avenue, Chandler

To find out how to participate in the dress selection process, log onto:

http://www.cinderellaaffair.org/index.html

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together — Vincent Van Gogh

March 13-14—Post Secondary Planning with Juniors

March 14—Junior Parent Night

March 17—Spring College Browse in Quad

March 28 and 29 AZMERIT Reading and Writing

April 5—AZMERIT Math

April19—AIMS/ACT/PE testing

April 26—Senior Grad Meeting

May 2—AP Testing begins

May 12—Student of Month Breakfast

May 15—Honors and Awards Night

May 23—Graduation

May 24—Last day of School

Looking for Tax Credits? Arizona law provides a tax credit for contributions to public schools which support extracurricular activities and character education programs. Your contribution will immediately go to support the high school program of YOUR choice. A tax credit is different from a deduction, because you may subtract the whole contribution from the amount of taxes you may owe the state of Arizona. An individual may contribute as much as $200, and a couple filing jointly may contribute as much as $400 to a public

school and receive the money back in the form of a tax credit. To be eligible for a state tax credit in 2016, your contribution must be received or postmarked by April 15, 2017. Tax Credit Donation forms are available at the Bookstore or online at: http://moonvalley.guhsdaz.org/academics/bookstore

All the World’s a Stage … Aside from our much anticipated musical Willy Wonka, which ran from March 2-4, there are other exciting events for theatre in the near future. On March 9th to 11th, the troupe will be taking a trip to the happiest place on earth, Disneyland! There, the students will not only enjoy time at the park, but they will also be attending a 3 hour tech and costume workshop hosted by Disneyland themselves. Moon Valley Theatre will be attending with our sister schools, Thunderbird and Glendale. The date couldn’t come any faster! In April, there will be two exciting opportunities for both Moon Valley students and their family and friends. Our annual talent show will be held on April 27th in the auditorium, showcasing the many talents of our student body. From singing, to dancing, to playing an instrument, there is too much talent to present, so be sure to come and watch. In addition, not only will our advanced

theatre students show off their directing skills, but all students are welcome to come and act in the 5-8 Show. The show consists of multiple scenes selected by the advanced 5-8 students who have worked hard on a prompt book. With this book, they hold auditions and select their cast members. On the night of April 6th, the talents of both directors and actors/actresses will be shown. As the year draws to a close, Moon Valley Theatre would like to invite everyone to our shows, and to be apart of the memorable productions that we have worked hard on this school year!

Moon Valley’s Randy Grivel

Qualifies for International Business Competition

Randy's experience in the Moon Valley DECA chapter started last year when he competed in his first district and state competitions. After getting blown out of the water by seasoned DECA veterans, Randy spent hours preparing for this year's competitions. After placing first at the district competition and tying for second at the state competition, he is now a qualifier for the International Career Development Conference, in Anaheim California. This conference brings together over 12,000 business students from around the country and the world. Success at this conference can be the beginning of a long and prosperous career.

Parents & Guardians Give Moon Valley High Marks

According to our Parents Satisfaction Survey that we distribute each year, 96% of MV Parents and Guardians are satisfied with the education their child is receiving at Moon Valley. This is directly attributed to the faculty and staff, and their strong belief that by ensuring all students reach their full potential in every class, they will be better prepared for higher education and a successful career. Go Rockets! 2017 GUHSD Annual Parent Survey is included with this issue.

Rocket News is published for the parents and members of the Moon Valley High School community and is also available online at: http://moonvalley.guhsdaz.org. Comments and inquiries should be directed to Editor at: Roxanne.Chaisson@guhsdaz.org

GLENDALE UNION

GOVERNING BOARD

Upcoming Events

Rotary Randy Grivel Kevin Omanwa

Rocket Boosters Brandie Ramarui Cyan Contreras

Trevor Thompson Javan Lee

6 Pillars of Character Rebeca Acosta Gomez Samantha Deleon

Athletics 623-915-8013Attendance 623-915-8001Bookstore 623-915-8019Blast Center 623-915-8161Cafeteria 623-915-8043Counseling 623-915-8002Media Center 623-915-8054Nurse 623-915-8005Social Worker 623-915-8175

Important Numbers

Students of the month

January February

Public Notification of Nondiscrimination Annual Public Notification of Nondiscrimination Glendale Union High School District does not

discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in admission to its programs, services or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations. GUHSD provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. GUHSD Career & Technical Education Department does not discriminate in

enrollment or access to any of the programs available, such as business, applied technology, FACS, nursing, and fire science. The lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in the district’s activities and programs. GUHSD does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by Title VI of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions, complaints or requests for additional information regarding these laws may be forwarded to the designated compliance coordinator(s), call 623-435-6006 or 623-435-

6067, 7650 N. 43 Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301

Notificación Pública Anual de No Discriminación: El Glendale Union High School District (GUHSD) no discrimina en base a raza, color,

nacionalidad, género, edad, o discapacidad de admisión a sus programas, servicios, o actividades, en acceso a ellas, en el tratamiento a individuos, o en ningún aspecto de sus operaciones. GUHSD provee el acceso igual a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos designados para los jóvenes. El departamento de Educación Técnica y de Carreras de GUHSD no discrimina en

su matriculación ni en el acceso a cualquier de sus programas disponibles, como negocios, la tecnología aplicada, FACS, enfermería, y formación para bomberos. La falta de habilidades con el inglés no será una barrera a la admisión ni la participación en las actividades del distrito y sus programas. GUHSD tampoco discrimina en sus contratos o prácticas de empleados. Esta

noticia es provista y requerida por el Título VI del Acto de Derechos Civiles de 1964, Sección 504 del Acto de Rehabilitación de 1973, Título IX de la Enmienda Educativa de 1972, en el Acto de Era de Discriminación de 1975, y el Acto de los Estadounidenses con Habilidades Diferenciadas de 1990. Ud. puede comunicarse con el coordinador de cumplimiento sobre

preguntas, quejas, o para más información con respecto a estas leyes. Director de Operaciones y Atletismo, 623-435-6006 Directora de la Educación Especial 623-435-6067, 7650 N. 43rd Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301.

MV Rocket Boosters meet each month at 5:00 pm in Build 5 Conf. Room.

Upcoming Meeting Schedule

April 4 May 2

Mark Your Calendar:

Spring Break Mar 20—24 AzMERIT Testing Mar 28 & 29 AzMERIT Testing April 5 AIMS/ACT/PE Testing April 19 Honors & Awards May 15 Graduation May 23 Last Day of School May 24

Moon Valley

Graduation

May 23 — 4:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon University

All Students will be released at 12:00 pm

Graduates are guaranteed 6 (six)

complimentary tickets.

Additional tickets can be purchased at

the bookstore for $5 each. Each guest

must have a Moon Valley ticket to enter.

D-BACKS and CHASEHit One Out of the Ballpark for

Moon Valley’s Baseball and Softball Teams

The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and Chase proudly joined forces to revitalize

high school baseball and softball programs in Arizona. Together, the D-backs and

Chase help high school programs and student-athletes reach their academic and

athletic potential by chasing their dreams!

The D-backs "Chase Your Dreams" program provides support through three different

areas: equipment, field maintenance assistance, and facility improvements.

On February 21, D-backs’ representatives presented our baseball and softball teams

new bats, batting helmets, catchers gear, baseballs and softballs, and team

equipment bags for each of our freshman, JV and varsity teams.

Thanks D-Backs and Chase!