HAWK TALK
http://www.gilbertschools.net
October 2014
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Dear Hawk Families,
I love October in Arizona—the weather starts cooling a tad and school
is in full swing. October is a busy month for the Hawks! Our fall
music season kicks off with concerts throughout the next couple of
weeks and our sports teams continue to collect wins in cross-country,
volleyball, badminton, swim, golf and football. Coming up right after
fall break is our Homecoming Week and as always it will be a busy
one with Spirit Days, the carnival and bonfire, the varsity football game against Basha and wrapping
up with the Masquerade Ball on Saturday, October 18.
As you probably know, our school board elections are coming up in November. I would encourage
you to become familiar with the issues and register to vote, if you have not already.
If you are looking for ways to get involved on campus, please join us at our monthly parent advisory
meeting. This is a great time for me to share campus news with you, and for you to keep us informed
of community happenings and concerns. Those meetings are typically held on the fourth Monday of
the month, but will be held this month on Tuesday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m. in our Lecture Hall.
You are welcome to attend.
Thanks for all you do to support our students!
Melinda Murphy
Principal
OCTOBER CALENDAR
by Lance Smith, Assistant Principal
1
2
2
2
3
3
6-10
10
13-18
13
15
16
16
17-18
17
17
18
18
20
21
22
23
24
24
27-11/7
28
28-29
29
29
30
31
Page 2
Choir Concert – Auditorium – 7:30PM
Underclass Photo Retakes – Bookstore – 7:00AM - 2:00PM
Jostens on Campus Taking Graduation Orders – 4th/5th Hour
Hawk Varsity Football Game – Away @ Gilbert HS – 7:00PM
Last Day to Drop a Class w/out W/F
Grading Day – Early Release Day – Grading window closes 2:00PM
Fall Break – No School
Hawk Varsity Football Game – Away @ Perry HS – 7:00PM
Homecoming Spirit Week
PSAT Sign-Up Ends
Orchestra Concert – Auditorium – 7:30PM
Homecoming Bonfire & Carnival – 6:00PM – 9:00PM
Drama Showcase –Auditorium –7:00PM
ABODA Fall Orchestra Festival – Auditorium
Homecoming Parade/ Pep Assembly
Hawk Varsity Football Game – Home vs. Basha HS– 7:00PM- HOMECOMING
PSAT Test – 8:00AM
Homecoming Dance – Hawk Hall – 8:00PM – 11:00PM
PLAN Test Sign-Up Begins
Fire Drill – 1:40 p.m.
One Hour Early Release Day – Professional Learning Day
Drama Club Variety Show – Auditorium –7:00PM
Choir Silent Auction “Night at the Opera” – 6:00–8:30PM – Cafeteria
Hawk Varsity Football Game – Home vs. Hamilton – 7:00PM
Extra Mile Food Drive – Hawk Hall Bins
AIMS Writing – Jrs/Srs
Club Photos – Hawk Hall – 2:40PM–4:00PM
AIMS Reading – Jrs/Srs
One Hour Early Release Day – Professional Learning Day
AIMS Math – Jrs/Srs
Hawk Varsity Football Game – Away @ Chandler HS – 7:00PM
NATIONAL MERIT INFORMATION
National Merit Semi-Finalist
McKay Wrigley
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that
began in 1955. McKay met published program entry and participation requirements.

Semi-Finalist National Achievement Scholarship Program
William D. Newman
This scholastically talented young man has an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately
800 Achievement Scholarship Awards worth about $2.5 million.

Commended Students in the 2015 National Merit Program
Tesah Barton
Maria Chavez
Faith Christensen
Charles Daggs
Kurgan Lackey
Isaac Morales
Hattie Morrell
Nika Moussavi
Jeremy Payne
Winter Roth
Jarod Sharpe
Abigail Walker
Mary Welch
“The young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for
academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC.
Highland High School Hotline Number—480.507.1421
Page 3
FOR SENIORS ONLY
by Lance Smith, Assistant Principal
Oct. 2
Jostens on Campus Taking Graduation Orders – 4th/5th Hour
Oct. 3
Last Day to Drop a Class w/out W/F
Nov. 13
Jostens on campus taking graduation orders – 4th/5th Hour
Dec. 12
Deadline - Graduation Announcement Orders – 4th/5th Hour
Jan. 7-12
Senior Credit Checks – Counselors
Feb. 2
AP Registration Begins – Bookstore
Feb. 3
Senior Panoramic Picture – Main Gym – 3rd Hour
Feb. 27
AP Registration Ends
March 6
Last Day to Drop a Class w/out W/F
March 6
Deadline for Seniors – Extra Mile Hours
March 31
Cap & Gown Photos – Auditorium Lobby – 7:00AM-1:30PM
April 8-9
Jostens Distribute Cap & Gowns – Bookstore
April 11
PROM 7:00-11:00PM
April 15
Senior Graduation Visits - Counselors
May 1
Senior Slide Show – Auditorium – 3A/3B Schedule
May 4-15
AP Testing
May 11
Scholarship Reception/ Senior Gilbert Golden Scholars – Cafeteria – 6:00 p.m.
May 13
Extra Mile Cord Distribution
May 15-19
Senior Final Exams
May 17
Baccalaureate – Auditorium – 3:00PM
May 19
Senior Picnic – 1:30PM – 3:30PM
May 21
Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal – Hawk Stadium - 7:00AM
May 21
Graduation – Hawk Stadium – 7:00PM
Page 4
SEPTEMBER HAWKS OF THE MONTH
Matthew Vaglienty (Senior), Nicole Lant (Senior), Caleb Rogers (Senior)
HOMECOMING CARNIVAL AND BONFIRE
October 16
HOMECOMING
FOOTBALL GAME vs
BASHA
HOMECOMING
DANCE
IN HAWK HALL
October 18
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
8:00 - 11:00 p.m.
October 17
7:00 p.m.
Page 5
IMPORTANT AIMS INFORMATION
by Mitzi Escobar, Dean of Students
Fall AIMS Test Dates:
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
AIMS Writing
AIMS Reading
AIMS Math
Juniors and Seniors who have not yet passed the AIMS exam are required to retest on the appropriate exams in late October. Students will receive a notification with their test dates and times and their room
assignments during the week of October 20-24. Students will be excused from the classes they miss for
testing. There is no makeup testing allowed for fall test dates, therefore it is imperative that students are in
attendance on the date of their tests.
Students who would like to retest to achieve Exceeds on all three tests will need to see Mrs. Maltby between
October 13-17 to sign up.
If you have any questions, please contact your student’s counselor at (480)813-0057 ext. 4020.
Spring AIMS Test Dates:
February 23, 2015
February 24, 2015
February 25, 2015
AIMS Writing
AIMS Reading
AIMS Math
BUS DRIVERS WANTED!!
Term: 9 months
Wage: $12.87 per hour
Training will be paid.
Applicant must have a good driving record.
For more information, call 480.497.3311, Option 1
BUS MONITORS
Term: 9 months
Wage: $9.18 per hour
Training will be paid.
Please apply online at www.gilbertschools.net
Page 6
LAST YEAR
BLOOD DONATIONS
Channel 3 interviewed Jade Morse
(Senior) and Hannah Bathen (Senior)
regarding Highland’s award of the
most blood donations for the last
school year.
Jade and Hannah also accepted the
award plaque on behalf of the 808
generous Highland blood donors
from Audrey Jennings, United Blood
Services Executive Director.
HOORAY HAWKS!!
Information provided by Bob Allen, English/GC105 Teacher and Jill Schlessinger, English/GC105 Teacher
A thank you to HHS for their amazing team effort. We received 242 donations at Highland’s Blood Drive on September
18. With these donations, we have the potential of saving over 725 lives!
A special thank you to the blood drive planning committee, GC105 students, Banner Hawks Club members, and Extra
Mile Club members. We are well on our way to defending our title of blood drive state champions! Highland High has
been the state champion in our large-school division for 10 years running. In addition, Highland has had the “Most Total
Donors” for 7 years running.
The Cross-Country Lady Hawks won the Conley Invitation—beating the top 25 schools in the state.
Marisa Kennedy, Tessa Murdock, Mallory Menden, Allyson Girard, Addi Montgomery, Lauren Ellsworth, Kayla Vance
Page 7
Highland High School presents:
THE PHANTOM
OF THE CARNIVAL
Thursday, October 16th
6:00-8:00 p.m.
GAMES, FOOD, &
ENTERTAINMENT
$0.50 per ticket
Bonfire @ 8:30
Announcing of Homecoming Royalty
Thank you to our ROTC students for a moving September 11 ceremony. A special thanks to LTC (Retired)
Robbie Kiermayr and SFC (Retired) Ryan Headley, Highland High ROTC Instructors.