Salpointe Weekly Peek - March 5, 2021

Happy Friday, Lancers! Please take a moment to read the important announcements below.

Announcements 

Hybrid Learning Expanding to Four Days
In case you missed the announcement earlier this week, we are delighted to inform you that Salpointe will open for four days/week in-person learning starting on Monday, March 8. 
 
Current hybrid learners who are attending in-person classes two days/week will automatically shift to a four days/week in-person class schedule. These students will attend Monday-Thursday classes in person and Friday classes remotely. Two days/week hybrid learning will no longer be an option. If your student is currently enrolled as a hybrid learner, you do not need to do anything other than have your student attend classes on campus Monday-Thursday starting on March 8.
 
At-home learners will continue to receive synchronous educational content delivery online five days/week. The next opportunity for at-home learners to return to four days/week in-person learning is Monday, March 22. The deadline to request this change is Monday, March 15. To make this change, click here.
 
Please click here to read the letter emailed to parents and students on Wednesday, March 3 for additional information.
 
Virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences
Salpointe will host virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences beginning the week of March 8. This is the same format as the fall semester Parent/Teacher Conferences. Parents are encouraged to reach out to teachers via email to set up digital conferences after the 9th Week Progress Report is released on March 8. In addition, teachers may reach out to request a digital conference with parents. Thank you for your flexibility as we work to maintain clear and consistent communication with you, while modifying our events in a responsible and meaningful way.
 
Summer School
Salpointe will run in-person Summer School this year. Session 1 will run from May 24 to June 10. Session 2 will run from June 14 to June 30. The Summer School Resource Board is now available in MyPointe with a link to a Google Form to sign up. Additional information on financial aid, class schedules and more can be found on the Summer School page on our website.
 
Student COVID Cases
Salpointe has had one additional student positive case since we last reported case numbers on February 19. We are working to keep our community safe and we appreciate your support. Click here for more information. We ask you to insist that Lancers follow prescribed health and safety protocols. Please honestly report all COVID exposures and confirmed cases to Salpointe’s health office at 520-547-9395 or kkohnke@salpointe.org.
 
9th Grade Hearing Screening Postponed
Due to the nature of this school year with hybrid learning, remote learning and many students not on campus, the hearing screening normally done for 9th graders will be postponed until the 2021-2022 school year. At that time, new, incoming 9th graders, new students and 10th graders (this year’s current freshman) will have their hearing screened. In the meantime, if you feel your student has difficulty hearing or you have a concern, please contact the school nurse at kkohnke@salpointe.org. Please continue to wear your masks, social distance and wash hands frequently. Here’s to a happy and healthy spring!
 
Instrumental Music Accolades
Six Salpointe students have been selected from the audition process and will participate in the Arizona Music Educator’s Association's 2021 Regional Honor Band and Orchestra Festival. This year registrants auditioned virtually and the festival will be recorded and presented virtually on March 20. Six Lancer musicians were chosen to represent the best within our Region’s Band and Orchestra programs. They are: Scotty Bonser ’22 (Trumpet), Mary Casey ’22 (Clarinet), Sofia Jimenez-Smerz ‘22 (Violin), Rhea Lim ‘24 (Violin), Frankie Valencia ‘21 (Violin) and Lee MacDonald '23 (Cello). Congratulations to the Salpointe Instrumental Music Program and Lancer musicians!
 
Youth Summit for Mental Health Awareness
Gen Z Community Champions is hosting a virtual Spring Youth Summit on March 13 from 11am-2pm for youth and young adults. The summit will go over how to take care of your mental health, how to help a friend who is struggling, and what schools can do to promote mental health. There will also be a youth speaker from Sunnyside High School who will discuss the signs of healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships, how to set healthy boundaries, and what consent looks like. Click here to register.
 

Financial Aid

Emergency Financial Aid Assistance Available
CTSO is now accepting applications for Emergency Financial Aid assistance. To apply for emergency funds, please complete an application by clicking here and attach a statement of need due to an unforeseen event that has resulted in financial hardship.
 
Please send your completed application and statements by mail to: Julieta Gonzalez CTSO, PO BOX 31, Tucson, AZ 85702; or Fax: 520-838-2578; or Email: jgonzalez@diocesetucson.org. CTSO will accept applications until Saturday, April 3 for any families who have gone through CTSO's Round One of the regular scholarship process. For more information, please contact Theresa Lehrling at accountmgmt@salpointe.org.
 
The Financial Aid Independent Review (FAIR) is still accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year. Please apply before our next deadline of April 16, 2021 in order to be considered in our next round of funding. Apply online at www.fairapp.com using Salpointe's School Code: 800 and School Password: ctso800.
 
The following School Tuition Organizations (STOs) are now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year:
 
Institute for Better Education (IBE) Apply at www.ibescholarships.org
 
Arizona School Choice Trust (ASCT)
Apply at www.asct.org. Application fee is $35 and the deadline is April 30, 2021.
 
Arizona Private Education Scholarship Fund (APESF)
Apply at www.APESF.org. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2022.
 
School Choice Arizona, Inc.
 
The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year. You can apply at https://esa.azed.gov/Account. Please see below how your student can qualify: Preschool student with a disability, K-12 student with disability, student with a parent who is active duty military, student with a parent who was killed in the line of duty, student with a parent who is legally blind, deaf or hard of hearing, student attends a D or F rated school, student resides within a Native American reservation, student is a sibling of a current or previous recipient, the student was a Ward of Court, or the student was a previous ESA recipient.
 
Please note: ESA recipients cannot combine ESA funds with additional School Tuition Organization (STO) financial aid and/or tax credit funds. For more information on the ESA program, contact Theresa Lehrling at accountmgmt@salpointe.org.

Student Services  

Carmelite Student Prayer Book
Students from six Carmelite high schools in the U.S. and three in Peru are coming together to create a Carmelite Student Prayer Book. Salpointe has the opportunity to submit 20 prayers from our students and we want to hear from you!
 
How to write your payer: Prayer is a conversation with God. You can think of it as writing a short letter. First, make sure you address God directly. Next, are you asking for something? Are you grateful for something? Express those feelings. Finally, close your prayer with "Amen." Be creative, be poetic and speak from your heart. Prayers can be in English or Spanish. Prayers must be 150 words or less.
 
How to submit your prayer: Compose your prayer in a google doc and upload it in this Google Form by March 8. Please contact  Fr. Manu  at efrancogomez@salpointe.org if you have questions.
 
Character Counts
As we continue along our Lenten journey, our commentaries provide thoughts to reflect on. Tuesday morning, Gabe Gastellum provided a challenge as to how respect is shown to others (Assessment on Respect). Thursday morning, Diego Marquez focused on the Golden Rule and how this important principle has surfaced in a variety of cultures and religions (No Matter How You Say It). Follow the links to see the full messages!
 
College Counseling
Juniors and seniors, please take some time to read over the February College Newsletter sent to your email recently. This has some excellent information on the college process. 

Juniors are invited to participate in one of several four-day Kick-Start! College Application Essay Workshops this summer. The workshop, run by veteran English teacher Mr. Tim Evans, is designed to help students tell their unique story in college essays. There is individualized writing instruction and college application coaching in an enthusiastic environment that promotes engagement, reflection and creativity. The cost for 16 hours of instruction is $485. Choose from: May 24-27, June 1-4, July 30-August 2. Students can register now to hold your place at: KickStart Registration 2021

Juniors, please set up an individual appointment to meet with one of our college counselors (Mrs. McCall or Mrs. Ossowski) to discuss college ideas and plans. The link to request an appointment is in your Future Plans Google Classroom. 
 
Sophomores, juniors and parents: Join us over the next four Tuesdays from 2:30 to 3:15 for College Counseling Chats. We are here to move you along in your college exploration process. Topics include: playing sports in college, selective college admissions, the common application and military options. Schedule and meeting links at: College Counseling Chats. We will record the discussion and publish the links later in the month.

Seniors attending University of Arizona: If you missed Salpointe’s exclusive meeting with UA admissions to review your next steps held this week, you can sign up to attend a general UA Next Steps workshop on Monday, March 8 at 4:00 p.m. Pre-register at UA Next Steps. If you are having some difficulty understanding your financial aid offer (located in your UA portal) or wondering how it was calculated, check out his guide: How to Read Your Aid Offer. May 1 is the deadline to apply for on campus housing at UA. Get details on how to apply and see virtual dorm tours at UA Housing Info.

Seniors attending Arizona State University: If you missed Salpointe’s exclusive meeting with ASU and Barrett Honors admissions to review your next steps held this week, you can sign up for a live-hosted workshops on class registration, housing, student life and important things to handle now. There are several planned for March and April, with the first one on March 8 at 4:30 p.m. Pre-register at ASU Next Steps Live Workshop. Get details on how to apply and see virtual dorm tours at ASU Housing Info. Use this link for a one-stop page with your ASU Next Steps. Attend a live-hosted virtual webinar on ASU scholarships and financial aid at Paying for your ASU Education.

Seniors attending Northern Arizona University: If you missed Salpointe’s exclusive meeting with NAU admissions to review your next steps held this week, you can find details at Next Steps to Attending NAU. Get information on how to apply for housing at NAU Housing Options. One important step for NAU is to complete their priority enrollment profile so that you can start selecting classes for next fall. 

Seniors attending Pima College: If you missed Salpointe’s exclusive meeting with Pima College admissions to review your next steps held this week, you can find details at Next Steps to Attending PCC. Once admitted, you must activate your MyPima account and then check if you need to take any of the PCC Placement Tests to determine the right level of classes. New student orientation is where you will learn which classes to take, how to register and what resources are there to help you at PCC. You’ll get personalized advising at orientation. Sign up for a virtual orientation date today at PCC Orientation. PCC’s scholarship application is now open with a deadline of April 18, 2021. Don’t miss this opportunity! PCC scholarships

Students in all grades can learn about college options and majors:

The Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) has launched an innovative new Bachelor’s Degree in Management here in Tucson. This very affordable degree offers extensive internship and hands-on experiences in local Tucson businesses with a strong background in Catholic traditions. Students will jointly enroll at Catholic University and Pima Community College for the first two years, and then solely with Catholic U in Tucson. Details at www.catholic.edu/tucson. For more info, contact CUA Program Coordinator, Mr. Kieran Roche, at 602-687-3912 or rochek@cua.edu

Learn about college programs across the nation in the areas of marine and environmental sciences. The Ocean Institute (CA) invites you to attend a free, virtual Marine and Environmental Studies College Fair on Saturday, March 27 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Live presentations, small session chats, student and alumni panels, exhibits and more. Register in advance at: Ocean Institute

Students in all grades are invited to a virtual presentation called The Mountains are Calling - Study in Colorado on Thursday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. or Monday, May 3 at 4:30 p.m.. Hear updates from Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Denver, followed by the opportunity to ask admissions professionals any questions you have about college in Colorado. Register at: Colorado!

Join colleges in Arizona and the region for a Virtual College Fair this spring. This is a chance to connect with colleges from around the area and learn about their academic programs, scholarships and opportunities. Dates: March 27 and April 27. Registration and list of colleges attending can be found here: AZ College Consortium Virtual Fairs.
 
Tri-University Weeks: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona are teaming up to host virtual information sessions for interested students and parents. There will be 14 different sessions offered between March 22 and April 3. This is a great way to launch your investigation of college options, learn about financial aid, get acquainted with college majors and hear about the scholarship process. See details at Tri-University Weeks.

Spirit Store

The Spirit Store is a great place to find gifts for any occasion! Our Pura Vida bracelets ($6) come in many different varieties, including one for suicide awareness prevention. We have baseball style tees, rhinestone ladies tees, snapbacks and more all in stock. And don't forget to place your Letterman Jacket order! Deal of the Week: Performance style Polo shirts are 10% off. Thank you for supporting the Spirit Store!

We will have extended hours on Monday, March 8 from 8am-6pm. See you soon!
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Salpointe Catholic High School

1545 E. Copper St.,
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 327-6581
Attendance: (520) 327-1990
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