UNIVERSITY HIGH NEWS

“Success means

having the courage,

the determination,

and the will to be-

come the person

you believe you

were meant to be”

George Sheehan, American physician,

author and running enthusiast

In This Issue

Niche Rating - #2 in the

State

Student Successes

Classroom Highlights

7 Habits & Grit

Academic Night

Title One in our School

Congrats to Aneyssa Romo for top award in the Voices of Democracy (FVW Post 6310) Essay Contest

Welcome Parents!

Title 1 Feature:

University High is very committed to uphold the expectations of our Title 1 fund-

ing. Our teachers benefit from professional development, our students benefit

from tutoring services and programming opportunities we would otherwise not

be able to provide for our school. Some parents have asked for more infor-

mation about Title 1 legislation. “The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as

No Child Left Behind (NCLB), is the largest federal program funding elementary and secondary education in the

United States. Authorized in 2002, NCLB brings many important changes to how schools operate. For example

NCLB:

Places high expectations and high standards for all students

Holds schools responsible for results

Promotes teaching methods that have been proven to work

Provides parents greater choices

Helps parents take a strong role in their children’s education

There are ten education programs, or “titles,” which make up NCLB. The largest is Title I, a program that pro-

vides funds to identified schools serving low-income students. Tolleson Union High School District currently

offers Title I school-wide programs at all six of our high schools. Title I schools are expected to meet goals for

teaching all students to state standards and to make strong efforts to involve parents in their children’s educa-

tion. In fact, NCLB states that parents are key partners in helping their children succeed in school and in helping

schools improve.” TUHSD Website

Harnessing the Power of Dreams Newsletter December 2014

7 Habits... University High Students work with the 7 Habits of High-

ly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

This Month’s Habit: Habit #3 Put first things first

The habit training our students work on every day focuses on how to put

things first, answering the question: How do I get all this done? Beyond

prioritizing, we ask students to evaluate what we need to prioritize in the

way of what are big rocks vs little rocks, and building discipline around that

organization. Facing FEAR is also a component of this habit. “Fear whis-

pers, ‘You can’t do it.’ If you listen to your fears you’ll miss out on the big

part of life. To put first things first, you’ll stretch yourself and leave your

comfort zone.” But this takes great discipline, discipline gained by a Uni-

versity High experience. How can you as a parent support your student in

facing their fear? Here is a powerful Tedtalk about The Power of Vulnera-

bility...the courage to be imperfect and embrace our vulnerability. It is ok

not to be perfect, however it is necessary to embrace our imperfections,

and dig in with discipline and face the fear of failure. Our students and

families are struggling in enormous pressures...it is ok...we can face it to-

gether. Here’s to putting first things first for 2015 for all of us.

It takes Grit...

Our students come to us with all sorts of talent, some not even known to our student

when they arrive...we unlock potential, but not without a commitment to the develop-

ment of our students’ “grit.” Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth studies grit in all areas of in-

dustry. Here is what she has to say about True Grit. Her research harnesses the power

of passion, but it can’t stop there, it must have sustainability. When we listen to our

alumni students each year, this is what they value most from their University High ex-

perience. They learn how to follow passions with tenacity and are able to face adversi-

ty with a sense of excitement rather than fear.

University High School:

Niche Rankings: Best Pub-lic High Schools in AZ

Check out the link

Graduation Rate: 95%

Math Proficiency: 95%

Reading Proficiency: 95%

Inquiry method...what will happen?

Mrs. Lawson supports STEAM Family Style Night at Tolleson Public Library

Counselors' Corner

Junior Meetings start end

of January. Parents, be

on the look out for ques-

tionnaires.

Sophomores: They

should be working on

their wellness-118 days

left!

University High

College Connection:

Congrats to our 2 Quest Bridge match-es: Four Year Scholarships!

Nathalie Guevara-Pomona College

Sabrina Kwak- Haverford

Acceptance:

Ronae Matriano was accepted to Scripps and Anthony Seto was accepted to Harvey Mudd.

Title 1 Parent Engagement Opportunity

Site Council Meetings for Spring: Tolleson H.S. Library

5:30-7:00

Jan. 15th Feb. 12th

March 12th April 16th May 28th

All Parents Welcome We need your input

The Back Page…

University High

Academic Consultation Night

Tolleson High’s Cafenasium

Jan. 29th

5pm to 8:00pm

Meet with teachers and build a

proactive plan for the Spring Semester

Parent support:

What is out

there to help

you help your

students?

Click the icon

and see.