November 1, 2004

Principal's Notes
As I’m sure many of you are aware, Arizona law allows taxpayers to contribute to schools and receive a tax credit for the donation. Tax credit funds will help us to strengthen our arts and fitness classes, after-school activities, and the City Works program. Arts and fitness electives that require extra resources or have additional expenses, such as glassblowing, photojournalism, fitness at the Y, and martial arts, will benefit from the funds. Tax credit donations will also go to support the after-school program; we are eager to support current after-school activities such as modern dance and basketball as well as expand our offerings.

City High School’s innovative City Works program will also benefit from tax credit contributions. Additional funds will allow students and teachers in City Works classes to do more field work, invite more guest speakers, and publish more widely the results of their projects.

A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the taxes one owes to the state. If, for example, a family owes $300 in taxes to the Arizona Department of Revenue and they make a $250 tax credit contribution to City High School before December 31, the family’s tax bill decreases to $50. Taxpayers can also claim the contribution as a deduction on their federal income taxes. Tax credit donations can be for a maximum of $200 for an individual and $250 for married couples.

Please consider making a tax credit donation to City High School this year. Also, please encourage neighbors, grandparents, and colleagues who are looking for a school to support to choose City High School. Please contact the school for more information or visit our website, www.cityhighschool.org.

Carrie Brennan, Principal
(carrie@cityhighschool.org)

First Quarter Report Cards
The first quarter ended on November 5, and report cards will be sent home on Monday, November 15. Please look for a mailing from the school next week. Call the front office if you have any questions about the mailing, 623-7223. If you have any questions about the report card or specific grades, please contact your son or daughter’s advisor.

In the Field
All students will visit one of four major water treatment plants in the next week as part of their water quality unit in science. Tucson Water is providing transportation and presenters for the field trips. Talk with your son or daughter about where they went and what they learned.

Monday 11/1 Tucson Airport Restoration Plant & 12th Avenue Booster Station
Tuesday 11/2 Hayden Udall Water Treatment Plant
Thursday 11/4 Clearwater Renewable Resource Facility
Tuesday 11/9 Sweetwater Wetlands/Pima Co. Wastewater Treatment

Upcoming Holidays
Students will have two four-day weekends in November, so please mark your calendars and plan ahead. The school will be closed for Veterans Day on Thursday 11/11, and Friday 11/12 is a teacher inservice day. While some staff will work here in Tucson on the 12th, most of the teachers will be traveling to San Francisco over the Veterans Day weekend to participate in a national conference on school reform. The school will also be closed for Thanksgiving weekend, 11/25-11/28.