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In This Edition of
Maeser Updates |
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Upcoming Events
at Maeser Prep |
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Monday, March 16
HS Boys’ Soccer vs. South Summit – HOME GAME!
Varsity 4:00pm on the Maeser field
Orchestra Concert
7:00 pm in the Maeser gym
Admission is FREE
Tuesday, March 17
MS Soccer
4:30pm at Freedom Academy
Maeser Choir Concert
7:00 pm in the Maeser gym
Admission is FREE
Wednesday, March 18
Red Cross Blood Drive
1:00-6:00pm in the Maeser cafeteria
Open to all members of our community!
Students (16 and older) must bring a signed parental consent form.
HS Boys’ Tennis vs. Carbon
4:00pm at Canyon View JHS
Thursday, March 19
MS Soccer vs. American Heritage – HOME GAME!
5:00pm on the Maeser field
HS Service Stomp
8:00-11:00pm in the Maeser gym
Cost: $3 *with* three cans of food to donate; $5 without cans
All proceeds fund future service projects at Maeser!
Friday, March 20
Teacher Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL
HS Boys’ Soccer vs. St. Joseph’s – HOME GAME!
Varsity 4:00pm on the Maeser field
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| About Maeser |
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Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy is a college preparatory public charter school serving students in grades 7-12. Parents may request and receive information on Maeser teacher qualifications by contacting the Director at robyn.ellis@maeserprep.org.
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| Maeser Pride! |
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Congratulations to Erik Harding for qualifying for the AIME (The American Invitational Mathematics Exam). Only students scoring in the top 5% of the entire nation on the AMC 12 (American Mathematics Contest) are invited to participate in the AIME. Way to go Erik!
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| Welcome, New Maeser Families! |
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We are excited to have you join The Pride. On Tuesday, March 24 at 6:00pm, we invite you to attend an orientation meeting for all new students/families for Fall 2015. You will get a brief overview of the school, meet the counselors, make class requests, participate in the Uniform Sale, and get to learn about the departments and extra-curricular offerings at Maeser. You will also learn how to keep up to date with us through email and social media, as well as learn about upcoming important dates and events. We look forward to meeting you!
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| Assessment Announcements |
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SAGE Statement
Dear Maeser Community,
We are approaching our annual testing season, and we will be administering the State-mandated SAGE tests in Language Arts, Math, and Science. We realize that state-testing can be a sensitive issue for many families, so we’d like to clarify Maeser’s position and how the SAGE test affects our school.
SAGE tests are mandated by state law in Language Arts, Math, and Science. Students receive a score from 1 (“below proficient”) to 4 (“highly proficient”). These scores are supposed to be available for us this year within a week of testing.
The SAGE test offers an additional metric to gauge student knowledge and inform classroom instruction. SAGE test results are available quickly, which allows teachers to reflect on their teaching and understand which concepts students understand and which they do not. This information can then help teachers tailor their instruction to better instruct their students.
The State of Utah uses SAGE data as part of the statewide school grading and ranking system. Historically, Maeser has received above-average marks and positive recognition. We feel it is the parent’s right to choose for their student to participate in this testing. As our opt-out rates rise, we would like to help you understand how this affects school grades on the report cards produced by the State each year. Each school's grade calculation is based primarily on a combination of the school's "participation" and "proficiency" scores. Recent changes to State law allow the State to exclude students who opt-out of the SAGE test from the school's participation score, so opt-out rates no longer negatively affect the participation score, so schools with opt-out rates higher than 5% no longer receive an automatic "F" on the school report card. However, students who opt-out of the SAGE test do receive a score of one (“below proficient”), which is reflected in our overall proficiency score and thus lower our school's report card grade. In addition, our Federal Accountability reports reflect a substandard score for both participation and proficiency. Due to the inaccurate data that result from students opting out of the SAGE test, we do not want you to be alarmed in any way by our school's report card score.
At the State level, there is discussion on using the information from these tests in student grades and grade advancement. We are watching this discussion closely to see how this might affect Maeser in the future. Our current plan is to continue the course we have done in the past, do our very best in our responsibilities, and communicate to our community our current status of student performance.
Thank you for all you do to support our Maeser Community!
Sincerely,
Maeser Administration
Spring Testing Schedule
| Test |
Date(s) |
Students Scheduled to Test |
Test Location |
| SAGE English, Science, and Math |
April 15-30 |
All students in grades 7-11 |
Socratic/English, Science, and Math classes |
| AP Exams |
May 4-15 |
Students in AP classes - sign up and pay for your tests at the front desk ($91 each) |
BYU Conference Center |
| Maeser Finals |
May 21-27 |
All Maeser students |
Regular classrooms |
If you have questions about the tests your student is scheduled to take this year, please contact Mrs. Myers at jennifer.myers@maeserprep.org.
AP Exam: Registration and Fees Due March 25
Is your student taking an AP class this year? Registration for AP exams is due by Wednesday, March 25! Please fill out the AP Exam Registration Form and return it, along with your payment ($91 per test), to the front desk.
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| Important Announcement for SENIORS |
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Order Graduation Supplies NOW
If you missed our Jostens representative when he visited our campus, please go online to www.jostens.com/contact or call 1-800-567-8367 to order your caps/gowns, tassels, graduation invitations, etc. Seniors MUST have cap/gown/tassel to participate in graduation ceremonies.
Senior Ads/Tributes
Every year, our Print Comm team includes Senior Advertisements/Tributes in the yearbook. Senior Tributes include pictures and notes from the families/parents of seniors wishing them well in their adventures to come.
If you wish to add a tribute for your senior please contact john@theroar.biz with your pictures and text. Please send your text in the body of the email and the pictures as an attachment. All questions should be directed to john@theroar.biz.
Payment and content are all due by Friday, March 20th.
Senior Tribute Size Options:
1/8 page (business card size) $35
1/4 page $55
1/2 page $95
Full Page $180
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| Winterim Announcements |
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Winterim Proposal: Got Ideas?
Are you interested in sponsoring a Winterim? Some of our students’ favorite Winterim experiences in the past have been from those sponsored from our parent community. Do you have an amazing job or hobby that you could build a Winterim around? Would you like the opportunity to give interested students intern experience? Law & Order/CSI, Aeronautics, Healthcare, Business/Entrepreneurship, or other job shadowing experiences? Please contact robyn.ellis@maeserprep.org to submit your proposal for approval before April 2nd.
Spots Available in Greece/Italy Winterim
We’ve been able to open up a few more spots on our trip! If you were on the waiting list, you’re now approved to go! We’ve also convinced them to open up more spots on our tour, so if you really want to go, you can go to eftours.com and enter tour #1599597KX to see our itinerary, costs, and to sign up, or call EF Tours directly at 800.665.5364.
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| Upcoming Orchestra and Choir Performances |
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The orchestra and choir will perform in California at Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm during spring break. Come hear their very fun programs:
Orchestra Concert
Monday, March 16
7:00 p.m. in the Maeser gym
A family-friendly Feast of Disney favorites and other musical fun. FREE ADMISSION.
Choir Concert
Tuesday, March 17
7:00 p.m. in the Maeser gym
Support your choir as they head Into the West: An evening of favorites from Phantom to Fantasy.
FREE ADMISSION.
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| Service Opportunities |
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Red Cross Blood Drive
WHEN: Wednesday, March 18, 2015 from 1:00 pm-6:00 pm
WHERE: Maeser Prep Cafeteria
WHO: students at least 16 years old, parents, faculty, community members
ALL student blood donors must have a signed Red Cross Parental Consent Form (forms are available at the front desk).
Please consider donating as blood is in constant and dire demand! For more information contact Amber Lee.
Measles and Rubella Initiative
The Student Council Service Committee is holding a fundraiser this week for the Measles and Rubella Initiative. For every $1.50 donated, one life is saved in a third-world country! Donation cans will be available beginning Monday, March 16th. Donors who visit the Service Committee table during lunch and donate $1.50 or more will be given a Red Cross pin.
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| Current Volunteer Needs |
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College Carnival
We are in need of parent volunteers to help with our upcoming College Carnival on March 26th. Specific needs will be posted on Sign Up Genius so keep an eye on the site!
AP Scholarship Fund Donations Needed
We are in need of donations to help cover AP exam fees for students whose families are experiencing financial difficulties. Donations to our AP Scholarship Fund can be made at the front desk. Your donations will count toward volunteer hours (be sure to record them on the Volunteer page on our website). Last year our parents and faculty raised enough money to cover ten AP exams for students whose families were struggling. We appreciate the generosity of our Maeser community in making these opportunities available to our students!
Chinese Class Volunteers Wanted
Any parents or community members who are native Chinese speakers are invited to participate in a variety of in-class volunteer opportunities ranging from talking with students, to sharing cultural perspectives and practices. Please contact Mrs. Woods at anna.woods@maeserprep.org, if you are available during periods 1-3 on varying dates throughout the semester to help volunteer.
Parent Volunteer with Accounting Experience Wanted
The Maeser finances committee is looking for a parent who is a CPA or accountant to assist for a few hours monthly with school finances. If qualified and interested, please contact Steve Whitehouse at steve.whitehouse@maeserprep.org.
Ongoing Maeser Volunteer Opportunities
Get a head start on your 40 hours of volunteer service for 2014-15! Our current volunteer needs are posted online through Sign-Up Genius, which can be accessed by clicking the Volunteer box on our website (http://www.maeserprep.org) or directly by clicking here: Sign Up Genius.
Interested in serving on a Volunteer Committee?
Please fill out our Volunteer Committee Interest Form online: Maeser Volunteer Committees: Sign Up/Update Info.
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| Host a Foreign Exchange Student in 2015-16 |
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NACEL is currently accepting applications for volunteer families who are interested in hosting an exchange student in their home for the upcoming school year. Foreign exchange students make a great contribution to our school, our community, and to your family. Students are carefully selected and screened, and they come with their own health insurance and spending money — all that is required from you is a bed, board and welcome. If your family is interested in hosting an exchange student next year, please call Wendy Waldes for more information: wendywaldes@gmail.com or 801-709-3583.
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| Sports Announcements |
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We will be having open gym for volleyball this week on Tuesday, March 17th, and Thursday, March 19th. We will go from 3:30 pm until 5 pm on both days. Any student interested in playing volleyball is welcome to come!
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| Counselors’ Corner |
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Counselors: Mr. Sekaquaptewa and Ms. Sorenson
Freshman CCR (SEOP) Appointments
We will be finishing up our annual CCR appointments (College and Career Readiness, formerly known as SEOPs) this week with our current 9th grade students. This is your chance to meet with your counselor to discuss graduation progress, make up work needed, and plans for after high school. You will also be able to make class requests for next year. Counselors are required to meet with EVERY 9th grade student. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend with their students. To sign up for a CCR appointment, click on the link for your student’s counselor below to access their appointment calendar. Appointments are available during school hours (8am to 3:30pm). If you need a later appointment, you can e-mail your counselor.
Mr. Sekaquaptewa (Last Names A-J) korys@maeserprep.org:
Mr. Sekaquaptewa’s Appointment Calendar
Ms. Sorenson (Last Names K-Z) sandra.sorenson@maeserprep.org:
Ms. Sorenson’s Appointment Calendar
New Counseling Website
The Counseling Department has a new website! We will use this website to communicate important announcements to students and parents. You will also have access to valuable information about college planning (including links to every Utah college/university), scholarships, Credit Recovery information, and a calendar to see what is going on in the Counseling Department. You can access the website from the following link: http://maesercounseling.weebly.com. You can also access the page from the COUNSELING & SPECIAL ED page on the Maeser website.
College Carnival: Save The Date!!
We will be holding our first annual College Carnival on Thursday, March 26, from 6:00-8:00pm. Games, Prizes, Food, Fun – come play and learn about the many different college and degree opportunities available. Fun for the entire family!
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| Scholarship Center |
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Counselors: Mr. Sekaquaptewa and Ms. Sorenson
T.H. Bell Teaching Incentive Loan
Seniors: are you planning to become a teacher? Need money for college? The T.H. Bell Teaching Incentive Loan for 2015 graduating high school seniors provides an excellent opportunity for qualified students to receive loan assistance while pursuing a degree in education and a Utah Educator License. The program, which is state-funded and jointly administered by the State Board of Education and State Board of Regents, consists of a waiver of tuition and fees at Utah public institutions (or $995 per semester at Utah private institutions) to be used for a period not to exceed eight semesters. TIL recipients will be required to complete an educator preparation program and teach in Utah public schools for a term equal to the number of years for which the loan was received. The 2015 application and accompanying support materials must arrive at the Utah State Office of Education on or before Friday, March 27, 2015 at 5:00pm. For more information and a copy of the application materials, please see your counselor.
Mountain West Center at Utah State Scholarships
The Mountain West Center at Utah State University has two scholarship opportunities for high school seniors. The deadline for application is April 13, 2015. The forms and information needed to apply for these scholarships can be found at the following links:
Conway B. and Elaine W. Sonne Scholarship: http://mountainwest.usu.edu/sonne.aspx
African-American Leadership Award: http://mountainwest.usu.edu/africanamerican.aspx
Scholarship Search
Looking for scholarships? Follow this link for a list of current scholarships available: http://www.ucacscholarships.blogspot.com/.
New Scholarship Search Tool
Learn how to find 100+ scholarships in five minutes. Sign up today at: https://www.scholar-box.com/schools/8988/scholarships.
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| Scheduled Maintenance for PowerSchool |
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PowerSchool may not be available during scheduled maintenance from 4:00-6:30am on weekdays and from 4:00-10:00am on Saturdays. If you have questions about how to log on to PowerSchool to check your student’s grades and attendance, please contact us at info@maeserprep.org.
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