Weekly Bulletin
for City High School Families

December 5, 2005

Principal’s Notes

City High School is a technology-rich environment. The school is wireless and students use mobile laptop computers in their classes. Teachers have their own laptops to use for developing curriculum, documenting grades, and accessing student information. Each student has his or her own email address and an account on the school fileserver. In addition to computers, students have access to digital cameras and videocameras to use as part of their classes. We’re excited to be able to integrate different kinds of technology into all aspects of the curriculum, including core classes, electives, and City Works.

Some of you might have seen the article on myspace.com that ran in the Arizona Daily Star on Saturday, December 3. The article raised questions and concerns about teenagers and internet behavior. At City High School all school rules and policies apply to behavior in the “virtual” world as well as the normal school environment. Appropriate use of technology is spelled out in the student handbook, which we required all students and parents to sign at the beginning of the year. We will continue to engage students in conversations about appropriate and inappropriate uses of technology and to monitor their behavior at school. We encourage parents to also take an active role in understanding their students’ computer and technology use, so that we can work on this together – parents and teachers. Please give me a call if you have any questions about the technology resources or policies at City High School.

                    ~ Carrie Brennan, Principal (carrie@cityhighschool.org)

Winter Dance

The Student Voice Committee is sponsoring the 2nd annual Winter Dance on Friday, December 9 at City High School. The dance will take place from 6:00-10:00 p.m. with doors closing at 9:00 p.m. Music will be provided by a local D.J. Students are welcome to bring a guest from another school, but they need to fill out a visitor request form with a parent signature. Admission for the dance is $3.00. Please note that once students have left the dance, they will not be allowed to reenter.

City High Parents

The next meeting of the parent organization is Tuesday, December 13 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the school library. All parents and guardians are welcome to participate. The group will be planning second semester events, such as a “work day” to help spruce up the school alley area.

Intersession Week – January 2-6, 2006

The week between semesters will be a time for student conferences, whole school events, test prep (AIMS and TerraNova), service learning, and other activities. More information for parents will be mailed home regarding theconferences and the week’s agenda.

Second Semester Lunches

The lunch program will be similar next semester, with burritos offered on Mondays, burgers on Tuesdays, sandwiches and salads on Thursdays, and pizza on Fridays. Lunches will continue to be $3.00/lunch. Students need to prepay for lunches and can do so by the week, the month, or the semester. Sign-up sheets for secondsemester lunches are now available at the school office. Any questions? Please call our Business Manager, Kate Goldman, 623-7223 x202.

School Tax Credit DonationsArizona law allows taxpayers to contribute to schools (up to $200 for an individual and $300 for married couples) and receive a tax credit for the donation. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the taxes one owes to the state. If, for example, a family owes $400 in taxes to the Arizona Department of Revenue and they make a $300 tax credit contribution to City High School before December 31, the family’s tax bill decreases to $100. All Arizona taxpayers are able to take advantage of the school tax credit option, whether or not they have children in the school system. They can also claim the donation as a deduction on their federal income taxes. Please call the school with any questions about the tax credit program. Thanks to all theparents who made tax credit donations thus far!

ARIZONA SCHOOL TAX CREDIT FOR CITY HIGH SCHOOL

Enclosed is a tax credit contribution for the following amount (please circle one):

                                          • $300                                          • other amount: _________

Name/s of donor/s:  _____________________________________________

I would like the contribution to go toward (please check one or more of the following):

________ program where funds are most needed        

________ arts and fitness electives

________ after-school activities                                                      

________ City Works program

________ more specific class or program: ________________________

Please fill out this form and submit it with your donation. Checks need to made out to TSSP/City High School or Tucson Small School Project, the nonprofit corporation that oversees City High School. Tax credit donations can be dropped off at the school’s office or mailed to City High School, 48 E. Pennington St. Tucson, AZ 85701. For more information about the tax credit or to get a copy of tax form 322, visit the Arizona Department of Revenue website www.azdor.gov. For more information about City High School visit www.cityhighschool.org.