03/04/2015—Board Meeting

Sundown Mountain SUNDOWN MOUNTAIN STAFF EMPOWERS EVERY STUDENT BY

PROVIDING TOOLS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIFE-LONG SUCCESS

March is a good month to think of Nutrition and Exercise. Parents are often concerned about what their teen is eating and want to know how to promote healthy eating habits for teens. A Healthy Meal Plate is an idea that has been around for a while in many forms. Healthy Meal Planning can be made easy by using a standard ten inch dinner plate. Imagine dividing the plate into halves, and then dividing the one halves into two quarters. From there fill one half of the plate with vegetables (this should be NON- Starchy vegetables), fill one quarter of the plate with lean protein (examples are fish and chicken), fill one quarter of the plate with starchy vegetables or whole grains. Fruit and dairy foods should have a place around the plate and make good choices for snacks throughout the day. Additionally, fruit can substitute for some of the vegetables and starchy foods at some meals. Dairy (Greek Yogurt) can substitute for some proteins in a meal. The Health Meal Plan is a great guide to help keep your teen on a healthy eating path.

Starting a regular physical activity program is a great way to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke but also, eases stress and anxiety, sleep more restful and improves self- esteem. The weather is warmer so just start by taking a fifteen minuet walk and gradually increasing the time. Find an activity YOU enjoy doing as you will be more likely to stick with it long term. Gardening, walking, dancing, and swimming are all great options. Start slow and build up over time. SO EAT RIGHT AND EXERCISE! Nurse Leisure

The end of the third quarter is quickly approaching! Work study students: make sure you are turning in your

assignments this quarter and working hard at your jobs! Spring Break is the perfect time to get more hours and

advance in your job skills. Students looking for a job can see me in room 133 for assistance with resumes and

applications. Sundown and AAUW partnered with Western Peaks Elementary school on March 2 to celebrate “Read Across

America” week. Sundown Students: Kailey Berry, Kristy Wallace, Jackie Jacobi, Alexis Wood and Katelyn

Camper read to Kindergarten, First and Second grade students at Western Peaks. This

is one of the many opportunities available for students to get involved in the

community.

We were honored to have Deputy Deborah Case from the Maricopa County Sheriff Office speak to our

AAUW students about her experience as one of the few female detectives in the sheriff's department.

Deborah has over 20 years experience and was the first female to be trained in SWAT and Hostage

Negotiations. She was featured on the TLC reality show, “Police Women of Maricopa County”.

HEALTH OFFICE

2014/2015 School Year, Volume 8

Our mission at Sundown Mountain is to provide students with a high quality, safe and orderly educational alternative which honors diversity, promotes academic excellence, and builds relationships that connect home, school and community, leading to life-long success as productive citizens and responsible leaders.

by Ms. McVay

Mr. Grieshaber, Principal

03/9-03/13—FINAL EXAMS

03/16-03/20—Spring Break—NO SCHOOL

Getting the most from our Math Department

It's the end of the quarter and this week the Science classes will finish up next week and start a new quarter after break.

Biology has been working on Cancer presentations. They will receive a study guide this week. Next quarter we will begin our studies with DNA and RNA.

Botany will finish the quarter discussing GMO's and they will also receive their study guide for the final. Our 4th quarter will begin with the evolution of animals and sea animals.

Anatomy is finishing up with Special Senses and a study guide for the final. Next quarter is going to begin with the cardiovascular system.

The World of Science By Mrs. Gorosics

Ms. Rasset Social Studies As we wrap up the quarter, the students are challenged to think back through the history that America was established under and the endless possibilities for those coming to the New World and how it has changed. Students are debating one of the most controversial topics faced in Arizona…immigration. From the beginning students believed they knew where they stood, but as they researched the topic they began to realize how little they knew, from immigration years before compared to immigration now. Why has the drastic change occurred? And what role do morals and ethics shape our view of treatment of others?

Ms. England Social Studies

The third quarter is drawing to a close!

As a reminder- all makeup work must be submitted

and all assessment retakes must be completed

by Wednesday 3/11 at the latest. No work will be accepted after

this date.

Next week we will be concluding US/AZ Government class. This is

a required .5 credit for graduation and students will move on to

another class after Spring Break. Students will be completing a

citizenship test and preparing for the final exam next week.

Next week World History students will be completing their

requirements for their .5 credit in World History. Many will be

continuing on with me for the other .5 credit after Spring

Break. Students will be reviewing necessary Social Studies skills

and preparing for the final exam next week.

I encourage all parents and students to monitor the portal

frequently.

Ms. M

iller

We are in the home stretch in the 3rd quarter and students are feverishly working to get the best possible grade they can. In Financial Math we are finishing up with Income Taxes. What a great time to be learning about taxes. Who knows, your son or daughter might be able to share a thing or two they have learned that will help you with your taxes this year. We also just completed our quarter project where students were asked to find three jobs they currently qualify for and learn all about the positions. This is a great project as it helps students who are out trying to find their first job. They learn about companies they are interested in working for and then determine which job they would take if they were offered all three. A couple have actually gotten jobs through this process. Next week are final exams and it is my hope every student studies hard and finishes strong. One more quarter and the 2014-2015 school year will come to a close. I am so excited to see

many of our students receiving their high school diploma and moving on to their next big adventure. Some find this to be a scary time as they don’t know what to expect after high school. Please take time to talk with your teens about their plans and encourage them so they know the next step is a big one, but can also be very exciting. If we all work together, we can be sure they all finish high school strong and ready for wherever their next step may take them.

Ms. Bohon

English 4 and English 8 As we wrap up the first part of the second semester, I am encouraged by the success of many

students. Both English enthusiasts and those who hate the subject made great strides with the

curriculum. A few students I would like to mention are Connor Gilroy for his enthusiasm for

whatever subject we may read and his willingness to discuss; Yesenia Diaz for her hard work,

and Jalon White for sticking with it and completing the class even though he doesn’t like to read

or write! I look forward to what next semester will bring. I wish all my students success next

semester.

Mrs. Kuettel’s classes are focused on finishing strong this semester. In the English 5 classes we

are continuing our journey through the literature of the major time periods of American History.

We are currently contemplating some major themes of the Dark Romantic Period and how Edgar

Allen Poe’s famous gothic literature relates to “America’s story” in terms of historical and

psychological aspects. In the English 1 class, we are exploring yet another narrative style, delving

into “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros. After analyzing the content and form of her

unique vignettes, we are preparing to write a chapter from our own lives, mimicking certain stylistic

elements, but ultimately creating our own unique equation of imagery, figurative language, and

personal style.

Congratulations to the Seniors who have finished English 7 and are graduating this Spring! I am so very proud of

your hard work and accomplishments.

Our culminating activity has been an extraordinary experience for students. We have recently explored the ideas of

chivalry and analyzed medieval romances through annotation and several close reading activities. Sir Gawain and the

Green Knight has been mysterious and unpredictable literary work of the time period. Students are currently

finalizing their drafts of Argumentative Essays with modern day topics while incorporating advanced college ready

vocabulary with an emphasis on word choice. Be sure to prepare for the finals and finish strong!

Mrs. Saeed

Ms. Santacasa

Ms. Kuettel

Ms. Saeed

Attention Seniors: Graduation is fastly approaching! Have you ordered your cap and gown? Please see Ms. Bohon if you still need your cap & gown. Arizona Career Information System (AZCIS) provides comprehensive career information for students developing and updating educational plans. Using AzCIS in high school supports lifelong career planning and promotes career self-reliance.AzCIS includes tools that encourage self-assessment, exploration, research, goal setting, and decision-making. Please talk to your student about their AZCIS portfolio.

Ms. McVay and I took 13 students to Estrella Mountain Community College on Feb. 18. These students were able to tour the campus and apply for admissions. On March 31st, the same students will return to take the placement test. Estrella Mountain has been serving the West Valley community since 1990.

Teen Lifeline is a service to provide safe, confidential and crucial crisis service where teens

help teens make healthy decisions together. If your teen is struggling with coping skills,

please visit the website for additional information, www.teenlifeline.org.