2011 THUNDERGRAM

Parent Newsletter

Sprin

gThunderbird High School

Students in Mrs. Campbell’s Honors Thinking Science classes read the book, Rocketboys, studied Newton’s laws of motion and concluded the semester by building and launching rockets. The students had help in the construction by volunteer parents and friends. The launch was held on the last day of first semester on the softball field. The rockets flew approximately 100 feet high. A few rockets had a higher class of engine and flew over 200 feet. The students and adults had a great morning watching science in action. Article submitted by Elaine Campbell

Honors thinking science read Rocketboys and built rockets

A big thanks to Outback Steakhouse and Jim Wawryk for generously hosting our beginner ELL students as they learned about restaurants. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Thank you for helping us take the learning outside the classroom! Article submitted by Angela Schneider

Photos are of ELL students at Outback Steakhouse.

ELL students express thanks to Outback Steakhouse

Students travel to Museum of Tolerance and Japan town in CA Students had the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles and visit the Museum of Tolerance and the Santa Monica Pier. Students have the opportunity to interact with a survivor of the Holocaust on May 12. The Japanese Club went to Los Angeles on March 15 during Spring Break. The students visited the Japanese American Musuem and Litte Tokyo. They learned about the Japanese American’s life during World War II when they were forced to live in internment camps.

ALCBusinessELLEnglishFACSFine ArtsForeign LanguageMathNJROTCPerforming ArtsPhysical EducationScience Social Studies

Congratulations to the following students of the month. They were nominated by members of the specific departments and selected for recognition by members of the honors and awards committee.

Outstanding Senior Award: (March) Jacob Graham, Kelly McCann. (April) Joshua Tokioka, Erin Johnston. Chief Pride Award: (March) Andre Singleton, Anthony Batson, Cecilia Corona-Arroyo, Chance Reed, Hunter Van Atta, Iesen Mamy, Jacqueline Burrie, Paola Lujan. (April) Amy Wong, Chelsea Jackson, Cyanna Hicks, Desire Barriga, John Souza, Luis Espinoza Loza, Monica Roman, Steven Camacho.

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

for March: Mackenzie PolleyJazmin RodriguezMairol MotaJazmine VillanuevaAlexander MatulaHailey MillerElizabeth WrightMatias OpizzoMatias OpizzoBailey EllingtonAllysia BrownAna Alvarado AguirreNayeli Perez Martinez

Principal: Matt BeldenEditor: Demetria GrahamContributors:Department ChairsAdministrative Staff

The Thundergram is an official publication of Thunderbird H.S.1750 W. Thunderbird Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023Call 623-915-8900 to place an article or to be added to the mailing list.

staffTHUNDERGRAM

for April: Tania CervantesLuke AtkinsonAnahi FelixJulie RuminskiJakelyn MacedoMicheala DeBernardisNayeli PerezIsabella KongJulianne FreemanIan DziukJames MatthewsAnnastacia JohnsonOjeen Korkes

SURVEYPARENT4: How satisfied are you with the communication between the school and the parents?Please choose only one of the following:o Extremely satisfiedo Satisfiedo Somewhat satisfiedo Dissatisfiedo Strongly dissatisfied

5: How satisfied are you with the safety and security of the school environment?Please choose only one of the following:o Extremely satisfiedo Satisfiedo Somewhat satisfiedo Dissatisfiedo Strongly dissatisfied

6: How satisfied are you with the extracurricular activities that the school provides?Please choose only one of the following:o Extremely satisfiedo Satisfiedo Somewhat satisfiedo Dissatisfiedo Strongly dissatisfied

7: How satisfied are you with the school overall?Please choose only one of the following:o Extremely satisfiedo Satisfiedo Somewhat satisfiedo Dissatisfiedo Strongly dissatisfied

Completed surveys forms can be sent to:Thunderbird High School c/o Principal’s Office1750 W Thunderbird RoadPhoenix, AZ 85023or be returned to the front office.

PARENT SATISFACTION SURVEYAs we enter the final semester of the 2010-2011 school year, it would be easy for Thunderbird High School to rest on its laurels.The Arizona Department of Education awarded us the status of an Excelling School; however, this school strives to become better so we are asking you, the parents to take a few moments and complete this survey.

Directions: Please choose one answer per question by placing a check mark in the box.

1: How satisfied are you with the academic standards set by teachers?Please choose only one of the following:o Extremely satisfiedo Satisfiedo Somewhat satisfiedo Dissatisfiedo Strongly dissatisfied

2: How satisfied are you with the quality of instruction?Please choose only one of the following:o Extremely satisfiedo Satisfiedo Somewhat satisfiedo Dissatisfiedo Strongly dissatisfied

3. How satisfied are you with the leadership the administration provides for the school?Please choose only one of the following:o Extremely satisfiedo Satisfiedo Somewhat satisfiedo Dissatisfiedo Strongly dissatisfied

Summer school and other important informationCREDIT RECOVERY If your student is behind in credits due to failing classes, please start making plans now to make those credits up! Summer school information is available in the Counseling Center now, so please contact your counselor with ques-tions at 623-915-8915.

Three options for summer school exist; they are as fol-lows:o Algebra 1, Semester 2 and Geometry, Semester 2 Recovery Program, taught on Thunderbird’s Campus: June 1 to June 30, 8am-1pm. No charge. NOTE- Spots are limited for this session, so an application process will begin in May through Math classes on campus. o Traditional Summer School offering freshmen and sophomore-level courses, taught at Cortez High School: June 6 to July 14, AM and PM sessions. $150/session.o Online Summer School offering junior and senior-level courses, available online: Register as early as May 2; end date= July 14. Hours vary due to student pace; open computer lab available on Cortez High School’s campus. $150/semester.

BRIDGES- PLANNING FOR THE FUTUREBridges is a career development resource that is avail-able to our students. Visit http://bridges.com to access your student’s personal information and academic and career interests.Portfolio Name: guhsd_ID# Password: first initial+ last initial + birthdate (mmddyy)

SUMMER PROGRAMSSummer is right around the corner! Apply for special summer programs if interested. Check out THS’ web site for further information: http://thunderbird.guhsdaz.org.

SENIORS:

FAFSA• The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is an important tool to help earn your student finan-cial aid for their college endeavors.• If you nor your student have not filed a FAFSA,

apply online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or pick up a hard copy of application in the Counseling Center.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE GOERS

• If seniors plan on attending a community college, they should fill out their applications and take their place-ment tests now.• The Counseling Center has applications. The ASSET placement test is administered at the community col-lege. For a sample review test, check out http://gquiz.gc.maricopa.edu/qm_asset/perception.dll?name=student. • Students should seek appropriate advisement and register for classes on the community college campus.

JUNIORS:

UNIVERSITY-BOUND STUDENTS: ACT/SATs

• Juniors interested in applying for admission to 4-year colleges or universities are advised to take the appropriate admissions test (ACT or SAT Reasoning test) in the late spring (March, May or June).• For information, visit the Counseling Center or go to the following websites: www.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org. THS school code is 030312.• Thunderbird offers prep classes for both the SAT and ACT. Cost= $100. Contact your counselor at 623-915-8915 or the instructor Mr. Casper at eric.casper@guhsdaz.org for more information.

MILITARY-BOUND STUDENTS

Those interested in applying to any of the military acade-mies should begin the process now. Contact your student’s counselor for more information.

STUDENT ATHLETES

Student athletes who want to play sports while in college should check out the NCAA Clearinghouse at http://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/ in order to start the recruitment process.Article submitted by Lauren Colombo

COUNSELING UPDATES

Glendale Union High School District7650 N 43rd AvenueGlendale, AZ 85301

SuperintendentDr. Jennifer Johnson

Governing Board MembersIan Hugh, Governing Board PresidentPam Reicks, ClerkRick FieldsVicki JohnsonPatty Kennedy

POSTAGE

EVENTSSprin

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11 UPCOMINGApril 25-29- Student Art ShowApril 28- Read Across Campus 6pm; Band Concert 7pmApril 29- Senior Class Meetings Period 3April 30- Free Physicals at Sunnyslope 9am; SAT Prep Room 310 8-3pm

April

MayMay 4- Parent Grad Night 6:30pmMay 5- Jazz Band Concert May 6- Talent Show 7pmMay 7- Round 1 State Playoffs for Baseball and SoftballMay 9- CPA Meeting 6pmMay 10- Choir/Orchestra Concert 7pm

JuneJune 1- June 20- Math summer school classes at THS (by application only)June 6-July 14- Traditional summer school for freshmen and sophomoresMay 2 end date July 14-Online summer school for juniors and seniors

AugustAug 1-5- Walk-thru registrationAug 15- First day of school

May 11- NJROTC Awards 7pmMay 16- Honors and Awards Ceremony 7pmMay 18- Title I Awards Ceremony 5pmMay 19- Senior Finals Periods 4-7May 20- Senior Finals Periods 1-3May 23- Senior Breakfast; Grad MeetingMay 24- Finals Grades 9-11 Periods 1-3May 25- Finals Grades 9-11 Periods 4-7; Grad Practice 8amMay 26- Graduation 7pm

May cont’d