A Note From the Principal October-November News

Advisory Time at Stapley Junior High

Welcome back to Stapley Junior High for the 2012-13 school year. When you looked over your child’s

handbook this year you will have seen a time during the day called SOS. During second hour an advi-

sory time is included in our school wide schedule and we call it SOS for Sabercats Organized for Suc-

cess. Advisory time is a program that provides a way for an adult advisor to meet regularly with a

group of students during the day. This allows for an extra set of eyes to watch over and support each

student. When students make a lasting connection with at least one caring adult, academic and person-

al outcomes improve.

Our SOS time consists of two new components and one very familiar concept for our students. First,

SOS is specific time for students to look at their own performance. We ask them to be aware of how

they are performing and have frequent discussions about their grades and behavioral progress. Inter-

ventions can be implemented earlier, when they are most effective, instead of waiting until the end of a

grading period. These interventions can be academic or behaviorally focused.

Second, SOS time will be used to teach students self-management skills such as organizing their own

binder and then checking it each week during advisory. This daily planner program supports those stu-

dents who are already organized and provides a model for those students who are still acquiring organi-

zational skills. You should be able to look over your child’s planner and know what they are working

on at any time this year.

Third, ‘Stapley Survivor’ is back. Stapley Survivor is a program designed to enhance the affective so-

cial environment of our junior high. The Carnegie report, Turning Points 2000, by Jackson and Davis,

states the need to “provide a safe and healthy environment as part of improving academic performance

and developing caring and ethical citizens.” Renowned educator Madeline Hunter speaks to a school’s

affective environment in her Principles of Learning with the term ‘Feeling Tone’. The feeling tone or

caring environment so important in the junior high years really revolves around the adults on the cam-

pus connecting with and caring about students.

The ‘Stapley Survivor’ incorporates a series of designed activities with the purpose of reinforcing

Truth, Trust, Respect, and Responsibility as behaviors the students actively use to self-monitor their

actions. A series of team building activities will reach out to include all students during SOS and their

lunch time. The subtle reminders of the four behaviors will remain a part of the program even when

the Stapley Survivor Challenge changes.

2

Counseling

Counseling office hours:

8:15-4:15

A-M Mr. Benham

N-Z Mrs. Griner

All students have been in the computer labs learn-

ing how to log onto their MyMPS accounts.

MyMPS is a place where students and parents can

view grades, attendance and other school infor-

mation. It is suggested that students and parents log

on at least once a week to check grades.

7th grade

Counselors met with 7th grade students through

their English classes and introduced the Navigator

Career Planning System. Mesa Public Schools

students use the system to develop educational and

career plans for personal success. The program

helps students explore interests and skills through

various assessments, allows them to investigate

careers and to begin work on the E.C.A.P. plan.

8th grade

All 8th grade students will be taking the ACT Ex-

plore test during the week of October 15-19th. This

test is made up of one educational and career plan-

ning component as well as four academic sections

that cover English, Math, Reading and Science.

This test is similar to the ACT students take for

college entrance. The results of this assessment

will give you and your student an idea of his/her

strengths and weaknesses related to college en-

trance. Results will be presented to students as

soon as they are sent back to us.

An E.C.A.P. (Educational Career Action Plan) plan

reflects a students’ current plan of coursework,

career aspirations and extended learning opportuni-

ties in order to develop individual and career goals.

This plan is initiated in 7th grade and updated each

year through high school. You can log into the

Navigator with your student at

www.mpsaz.kuder.com. Their user name is: st+6

digit ID, password is: 6 digit ID.

PARENT UNIVERSITY

Parent and Children Connected

Parent University is sponsored by Mesa

Public Schools. It offers free classes to

parents to help deal with a wide variety of

topics. For more information go to

www.mpsaz.org/parentu.

Registration is required

Lost and Found

is Located in the

Bookstore

3

Silver Service Award

All Mesa 7th and 8th grade students may choose to earn the Mesa Public Schools Silver Service Award for Excellence in Service Learning. Stu-dents who earn this Award will receive:

* A certificate with a “Silver Seal” * A notation of the Award on their permanent record

The Silver Service Award will be awarded to students for their completion of 50 hours of un-paid service during their 7th and 8th grade years of junior high. Those hours include preparation, action, and reflection. Students may earn hours from the first day of 7th grade through 8th grade. Students may earn hours from a combi-nation of curriculum-based and extracurricular service.

If your son or daughter works as a volunteer at a hospital, church, zoo, school or does any ser-vice activity where there is not pay, he or she can receive credit for his/her time by filling out an application, keeping track of the hours on a timecard and completing a reflection activity in April. If your child would like to pick up an ap-plication or wants to be involved in an activity but doesn’t know how, please encourage them to contact Mrs. LeRoy in room 119.

Research confirms that when

parents are involved in the edu-

cation of their child, that child is

more focused, comfortable,

trusting and excels in both aca-

demics and social behavior.

Parent University offers ses-

sions that provide opportunities

to learn more about child devel-

opment and effective guidance.

Please check out the classes

available at:

www.mpsaz.org/parentuwww.mpsaz.org/parentuwww.mpsaz.org/parentuwww.mpsaz.org/parentu.

4

The Mesa Public Library

will be offering several

teen programs.

For more information,

please contact

Shari Brown

Mesa Public Library

(480) 644-4090

Media Center News Welcome back Stapley Sabercats! Mrs. Rasmussen and Mrs. Stalcup are very excited to be working with all the stu-dents and can’t wait to help them find the perfect book to read. Just a few reminders about policies in the

library:

* Stapley library is open everyday from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. * Students must have an ID to check out books. * Books are checked out for two weeks and may be renewed once. * A limit of two items may be checked out at one time. * Drinks and food are notnotnotnot allowed in the

library.

We will be having our annual Scholastic Book Fair November 13-16. This is a great opportunity to do some holiday or other shopping. All of the English classes will be attending and we will be open before and after school, so feel free to stop in! See you at the Media Center!

COUNSELORS CORNER

Mesa Public Schools Presents

OP SHOP

A world of options and opportunities

featuring over 100 representatives from:

Colleges and Universities

Business and Industry

Professional Organizations

Military Services

Technical and Vocational Schools

Monday, October 15, 2012

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Red Mountain High School 7301 East Brown

Road

Mesa, AZ 85207

For more information go to www.mpsaz.org/

guidance/op-shop/

5

FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE

Dear Parents,

My name is Alma Woods and this is my first year at Stapley Jr. High. I have been an RN since 1992. I decided in 2005

to make the change from hospital to school nursing. This is my 9th year with MPS and I have enjoyed helping students

with their medical needs. My Health Assistant, Diane Hunt, has worked for MPS almost 20 years. This is her 5th year

at Stapley. We want to work together with you to help your son/daughter stay safe and healthy as well as optimize

their learning at school. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns/information regarding their medical

needs. (480) 472-2798 or adwoods@mpsaz.org

Here is some information regarding our medication dispensing policy. Please note that parents must go through the

health office for all prescription and over the counter medication taken at school. Loose medication or expired

medication cannot be accepted. We are unable to administer narcotic medication at school due to safety concerns

while on campus. The following policy is intended to comply with state laws and to ensure the safety of the students

while at school. Medications must be brought into the health office by an adult.

Medication Policy

When it is necessary for a student to take medication during school hours, the following requirements need to be met:

♦ Prescription medication must be in ORIGINAL container with a non-expired prescription label.

♦ Over-the-counter medications must be in the ORIGINAL container with original package directions.

♦ Herbal/Natural supplements cannot be dispensed for more than 5 consecutive days without a prescription from a

medical provider.

♦ Age-appropriate dosage as stated on the label will be dispensed.

♦ A Parent’s Consent for Giving Medication at School must be signed by the parent/guardian for us to administer

medication to the student.

♦ A signed consent form to self-carry medications such as inhalers and Epi-Pens must be on file in the health office

every school year in order for students to carry.

♦ Name of student, dosage, time, dates to be given, and the name of the medication must be clearly stated on the

consent.

♦ It is recommended that when you get a prescription filled that you request a separate “school bottle” from the

pharmacy. This is especially important with liquid medications (such as antibiotics).

♦ All inhalers, self-carry or not, must have a pharmacy label placed on them or have the inhaler inside the box

that has the pharmacy label placed on the outside of the box. Inhalers not properly labeled are not allowed per

district policy.

♦ Medications given three times a day are discouraged at school. Please make arrangements to give these medica-

tions before and after school.

♦ Narcotic pain medication cannot be given at school.

♦ Medications brought to school and not meeting the necessary requirements cannot be dispensed due to state guide-

lines. The medication will be locked in the health office until parent/guardian verifies the medication, signs the

proper forms or takes it home.

6

The Mesa Police Department would appreciate your assistance in providing the following information

to MPS junior high and high school students. Please consider publication on your website and/or in

your student newspaper and parent newsletter:

Teen Connection is a new section of the Mesa Police Department’s website. You can read and down-

load educational brochures, submit a tip, sign up to receive police alerts or submit a question to a

crime prevention officer. Check it out at:

http://www.mesaaz.gov/police/teen-connection/default.aspx.

Teen Connection es una sección nueva del sitio de internet del Departamento de Policía de Mesa.

Puede leer o imprimir folletos educativos, compartir información, registrarse para recibir alertas de la

Policía o someter preguntas a un oficial de prevención de crimen. Visítanos al: http://

www.mesaaz.gov/police/teen-connection/default.aspx.

Contact:

Patty Gallagher, crime prevention officer

Mesa Police Department

130 N. Robson

Mesa AZ 85201-6697

(480) 644-2033

The district's silent witness program, Take a Stand, is available 24 hours a day to report campus con-

cerns anonymously to the MPS Security Department: (480) 472-STOP or (480) 472-7867.

Emergency Communications

Mesa Public Schools wants to keep communication open between home and school. In

the event of an emergency during the school day, there are two new tools to provide you

with information about lockdowns, utility problems or stranger danger incidents. Visit the

district Web site at www.mpsaz.org and click the “Alert” button or dial the Parent Infor-

mation phone line for a recorded message at (480) 472-1175

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GO STAPLEY CHORUSES!

The Stapley Choruses are off to a great year and are already showing a lot of progress! We are very happy to wel-

come all of the new chorus students to our program and to welcome back the students from last year. The choruses

are working on their music-reading skills and correct vocal production this semester. We are looking forward to our

concerts this year which will be on the following dates:

Sep. 27 Thurs. 7:00 pm Fall Concert - Stapley Auditorium - All Choirs

Oct. 22 Mon. 12 - 9 pm MPS Choral Festival - Mesa Arts Center - Advanced

Dec. 18 Tues. 7 pm Winter Concert - Stapley Auditorium - All Choirs

Feb. 23 Sat. 8 am - 4 pm Mesa Honor Choir - Mesa Arts Center - Chosen

Mar. 1 Fri. 3 pm Stapley Street Fair - All Choirs

May 3 Fri. 8 am - 4 pm ACDA Jr. High Choral Festival - Phoenix - Advanced

May 16 Thurs. 7:00 pm Spring Concert - Stapley Auditorium - All Choirs

It is very important to get into the chorus program early and to learn the basic skills that are necessary to move on

to more advanced groups or prepare for high school. Research has shown that there is a definite link between stu-

dents who consistently study music and academic achievement. Research also shows that music students watch less

television, report less boredom in school, and are less likely to drop out of school. If your son or daughter has not

yet tried chorus, encourage them to take part in this program to enhance their junior high experience!

8

UPCOMING SPORTS

Keep America Beautiful

Baseball

Softball

Badminton

Register Online

Practices may start October 22

Volleyball

Flag Football

Cross Country

Practices may start January 7

Girls Basketball

Boys Soccer

Practices may start March 18

9

STAPLEY BAND 2012-2013 PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

Times given are the student’s commitment time.

Concerts taking place at Stapley JHS typically start at 7pm.

Please see the band calendar (online) for exact start times.

♦ Friday, September 7th 5:00-10:30pm @ Mountain View HS

Wind Ensemble

Mtn. View Football Feeder Night

♦ Tuesday, October 2nd 6:15-8:15pm @ Stapley JHS

All bands

1st Quarter Concert

♦ Thursday, December 13th 6:15-8:15pm @ Stapley JHS

All bands

2nd Quarter Concert

♦ Tuesday, January 15th (time TBA, during school) @ Stapley JHS

Wind Ensemble

Celebrate the Arts Performance

♦ Thursday, January 17th 5:00-8:30pm @ Mountain View HS

Wind Ensemble

Mtn. View Concert Band Feeder Night

♦ Thursday, February 7th (time TBA, evening performance) @ Stapley JHS

Jazz band

Show Off Stapley

♦ Friday, March 1st 4:00-7:45pm @ Stapley JHS

All bands

Spring concert

♦ Thurday, March 21st or Thursday, April 25th (time/location TBA)

Wind Ensemble

ABODA JHS concert festival

♦ Thursday, May 9th 6:15-8:00pm @ Stapley JHS

All bands

4th Quarter Concert

Dates may be added, deleted, or changed. Please check your email address that you will provide on the last page to

receive updates. Also, check the Band Calendar on the website!

STUDENTS THAT HAVE BRACES SHOULD NOT VISIT THE ORTHODONTIST

TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO OUR PERFORMANCES!

10

To Our Sensa�onal Booster Club

For ALL You Do!

THANKYOU

11

WE NEED YOUR HELP

ProblemProblemProblemProblem: Special Education

Buses transporting our disa-

bled students morning and

afternoons have experi-

enced great difficulty enter-

ing the south parking lot.

This hazard has been creat-

ed by parents dropping off

and picking up students in

front of the school rather

than in the back. If an emer-

gency arose, emergency ve-

hicles would not be able to

enter the parking lot.

SolutionSolutionSolutionSolution: Please drop off and

pick up your students in the

north parking lot, in the back

of the school. It is designat-

ed as the drop-off and pick-

up area for students. Red

fire lanes and cross walks

have been painted to make

the area safer and more ac-

cessible.

Vehicles should not should not should not should not be enter-

ing the BUSES ONLY area.

Cybercat Cafe LinksCybercat Cafe LinksCybercat Cafe LinksCybercat Cafe Links For Homework Help and

Extra Teaching Tips use the link below:

http://www2.mpsaz.org/stapley/parent-info/cybercats_cafe/

Purchase

Yours Today!

Spirit Day is Every

Friday

Show your Spirit and

Wear Your Shirt

T-Shirts are available for pur-

chase in the front office.

$15.00 for V-Neck—$10.00 for

Crew Neck

The Black Zip-up Hoodies are

in. The cost is $22.00

S

12

BUILDERS CLUB

The Stapley Builders Club is off to another great year! This year’s elected of-ficers are as follows: Taylor Motley, President; Abby Mintz, Vice President & Secretary. The Treasurers are Thomas Sutherlin and Ashley Stearns. Con-gratulations!

The Builders have begun their Box Tops for Education collection. Second hour teachers are collecting the box tops. At the end of each quarter, the class with the most box tops will be recognized and rewarded. Each box top is worth ten cents. All proceeds will be directly deposited in the club account to use for community service projects.

Builders Club continues to recycle all of the paper for the school. The yellow and green PAPER ONLY bin is located in the parking lot in the back of the school. You may deposit newspaper, mail, phone books, etc. in this bin. Proceeds are deposited into the Builders Club account.

For their September project, The Builders Club donated $100.00 to the Ameri-can Red Cross Relief Fund to help those who suffered from recent disasters.

Future planned projects include their annual Thanksgiving pie drive, walk for Lymphoma, sock drive, Christmas angels, and more.

Any student still interested in joining the club or any parent that is interested in donating ECA money or items for any of our projects may contact Mrs. Mat-tingly at ematting@mpsaz.org or call 472-2733.

Thanks to all who continue to support the good work of the Stapley Builders Club!!!

13

SLAC’r Club

Join the Stapley Jr. High Library Advisory Club (SLAC’rs)! We meet eve-

ry other Wednesday afternoon between 3:50 and 4:20 p.m. in the Media

Center beginning September 11th. We will read books and then discuss

them in a friendly, casual setting. As a group we may be able to organize

trips to the book stores to see authors and also see movies that have been

adapted from books. HUNGER GAMES is coming up! Our club will also

be involved in giving opinions on which books to purchase for the Stapley

Library. We will have time to socialize while discussing our own personal

thoughts about the books we read. We will again do our fantastic fund-

raiser called “Pennies for Pets” in January and our Read-A-Thon in

March. In the spring we will sponsor a school wide drawing contest. Come

join the SLAC’rs and minds will be opened to great things when reading.

Booster Club Information

If you are interested in attending a Stapley Junior High Booster Club Meeting, they are held on the 2nd

Thursday of each month. at 10 AM in the Den. October’s meeting will be held on October 4th due to

October Break. The Booster Club is always in need of parent input and assistance with various projects.

Parents who are interested in taking photos of 7th grade student activities during the school year

please contact Joni Nielson at the e-mail listed below.

F.Y.I. — There will be an on-going clothing drive for the nurses to use for clothing malfunctions. If you

are sending in shorts, please make sure they meet dress code rules. Also, if anyone would like to con-

tribute food items for the parent Thanksgiving Dinner in Mrs. Mattingly’s classroom November 15th,

please bring them to the front office by November 9th. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.

Also, student council will be doing a “Toys for Tots” toy drive November 7th - 20th. We will also have

our annual food drive in the spring.

Ocean Blue comes to Stapley every Thursday to sell their delicious yogurt to the students and staff for

one dollar. Proceeds help purchase items for our school.

Joni Nielson jnielson9@cox.net

14

Now Through Thanksgiving in

the Front Office

On Sale

*After November 26th the cost

will be $38.00

$32 NOW

SJH Sabercats Expiration Date: 00/00/00

ADVERTISEMENT HEADING

“Stapley Sabercat Secrets”

Expiration Date:

Order it Now! On Sale Now At the Bookstore

YEARBOOKS

“Stapley Sabercat Secrets”

*Yearbooks must be ordered by December 1st otherwise you will be placed on

a waiting list for the remaining few that are left over.

15

Attendance at School

Attendance at school is very important for your child’s success. Excessive

absences often result in poor school work. When an absence is necessary,

please call the attendance office by 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the absence.

Absence excuses can be left 24 hours a day on the attendance line (472-

2785). If a parent is unable to call, a note should be brought to the office on

the day the student returns to school. After 24 hours an unexcused absence

may be considered a truancy. Teachers may choose not to accept or award

credit for work missed because of truancy.

It is a students responsibility to request makeup work and make necessary

arrangements with teachers when absent.

Stapley JHS is a closed campus. Students may only be checked out for

lunch by their own parent.

We appreciate parental support in this matter. Students who live close to the

school and prefer to eat lunch at home must obtain a lunch permit from the

office. Otherwise, all students are expected to remain on campus.

Students will only be released from school to their own parent/guardian. Al-

low time to come to the office to sign your student out. In emergency situa-

tions, students may be checked out of school by others only with written per-

mission from a parent. This procedure is for your child’s protection.

The education of your student is extremely important to us. If you have

any questions or concerns, please contact the attendance office at

472-2785 or your student’s counselor at 472-2790.

Cafeteria News

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s meal account, please call us 472-2724.

During breakfast and lunch serving times, we operate a special window marked “Problems and Prepayments”

to assist students who have questions or concerns. Students are encouraged to bring prepayments to this

window during breakfast.

16

Join the advanced drama class in their production of "The Princess

Who Had No Name" on November 1st at 7 pm. You will be whisked away to

an enchanted forest full of all your favorite fairy tale characters including:

Snow White, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Goldilocks, and even the Wicked

Witches! And...introducing, the confused princess who has forgotten her name

and travels throughout the forest meeting many of the famous characters in or-

der to figure out who she is not, so she can figure out who she is. This fractured

fairy tale is full of laughs that the whole family will enjoy!

Again, join us on November 1st at 7pm. Tickets are $2 in advance and $3 at

the door. Tickets will go on sale Monday, October 15th.

The Princess Who Had No Name

17

NON-DISTRICT-SPONSORED TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY

Interested in a terrific travel oppor-tunity for students and adults to-gether? Mary Evans, Professional Development Specialist for Stapley, and TSA Tours invite you to enroll in Mrs. Evans’ 8th European tour. The July 2013 trip includes Paris, Rome, Venice, Salzburg, and Mu-nich, with an extension to Athens including a 3-day Greek Isles cruise. For information, e-mail Mrs. Evans at: mmeevans1@gmail.com or look at TSA’s website at www.tsatours.com under the Parents and Students tab.

Mesa Youth Volleyball is a new

program for 4th – 8th grade girls in

Mesa Public Schools. The goal of

MYV is to teach volleyball skills to

the youth girls and create enthusi-

asm for a fun sport. The season

will include coaching clinics, prac-

tices and games.

Please visit www.mpsaz.org/myv

or contact John Huckelberry at 480

-472-7267 or jchuckel@mpsaz.org

for more information.

Parents can register their daughters

at www. mpswebpay.mpsaz.org.

SCIENCE

Mark your calendars. Stapley's science fair is coming on Wed. Feb. 6th,

2013. This year's fair will have more participants. All SC19, SC20, Fort-

ner's classes and any student who is interested can participate Your child's

teacher will provide more information.

18

POLEVAULTING Does your son or daughter want to become a Pole Vaulter? Here at Mountain View High School we have be-

come a powerhouse in this event. We have produced 17 State Champions or Runners – up in the last 17 years.

To keep our tradition growing we have opened up the opportunity for ages 12 and up to begin learning this

great sport. We have started a Pole Vault Club based at Mountain View High School. The Club trains Mon-

days-Tuesdays- and Wednesdays from 4:00-6:15pm

SESSION I – For NEW to the sport Pole Vaulters

Mondays-Tuesdays and Wednesdays 4:00pm-6:00pm

September 10th and finishes October 3rd

MANDATORY Parent Sign-up Meeting at the Mountain View High School Track

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 5th AT 6:00pm

SESSION II – For All Pole Vaulters Beginner through Advanced

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00pm – 6:15pm

Begins November 5th and Finishes February 2nd

MANDATORY Parent Sign-up MEETING

at the Mountain View High School Track

TUESDAY OCTOBER 30TH AT 6:30pm

A Parent must be at the meeting

If you have any questions please call Coach Sullivanat (480) 472-7106 or email jmsulliv@mpsaz.org or

go to our Website for more information at : http://heatstrokepolevaultclub.com/

19

The East Valley Wrestling Club’s Jr. High & USAW

Kids seasons run from Sept 27th 2011to Jan 28,

2012.

Club practices are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

nights.

Pre-K to 4th grade or Rookie, Bantam & Intermedi-

ate 6:00-6:45pm (Kids born in the year 2002 or later ).

5th-8th Grade or Novice and Schoolboy/Girl, 6:45-

8:00pm (Kids born in the year 2000-1998 or1997 if in 8th grade).

*The Club Jr. High team and USAW seasons run at the same time. Jr. High kids can wrestle USAW also but on-ly 5th-8th Graders can wrestle the Jr. High schedule.

The registration cost is $200 for the Jr. High Team. $150 for 4th grade and below. The fee covers team shirt, shorts, 3 months of coaching and all tournament registration fees. Multiple family discounts available.

ATTENTION: No wrestler will be turned away be-

cause of money.

For more information visit:

www.eastvalleywrestling.com or call

Bob Callison 480-220-3949.