Paw Prints

Principal's Message

Happy Friday Cougar Families!

The wonderful staff at Steele Canyon never cease to amaze us and I would like to use the Paw Prints to highlight a couple of our teachers.

Mrs. Francis -

This summer, Mrs. Francis went on a conservation trip with a group of 16 to two different locations in Costa Rica. They watched birds, planted trees, took educational walks with local school children, and learned about jaguars, snakes, and sea turtles. The experience was filmed as part of an upcoming documentary. Click here to see the trailer

Mr. Robbins -

Mr. Robbins connection to the Medal of Honor Character Education Program has provided our students with countless learning experiences about courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism. Yesterday, Mr. Robbins was recognized for his service and given the opportunity to fly with The Blue Angels. Click here to see a short spot on his experience.

Our school is full of amazing people with amazing stories to share.

Thank you for sharing your students with us

Rah! Rah! Cougars!

Dr. Parr

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, 9/29: 11th & 12th Grade Assembly
Wednesday, 9/30: BSU - Back to School Etiquette For Success
Thursday, 10/1: Q1 Cougar Stars
Tuesday, 10/6: PTO Meeting
Wednesday, 10/7: Cougar Congress
Thursday, 10/8: Make-up Picture Day
Friday, 10/9: End of Quarter 1. Minimum Day (Minimum Bell Schedule)
Monday, 10/12: Quarter 1 Break, No School
10/12-10/14: Dance Lab @ Helix
10/13-10/16: Say Something Week
Wednesday, 10/14: Club Rush (Extended Lunch Schedule)
Wednesday, 10/14: Governing Board Meeting @ 5pm
Thursday, 10/15: Great CA Shakeout
Saturday, 10/17: PSAT for 10th and 11th Graders
Tuesday, 10/20: Start Smart @ 5:45pm
Thursday, 10/22: Orchestra Concert with SDSU
10/26-10/30: Red Ribbon Week
Saturday, 10/31: Halloween

Seniors & Parents/Guardians,

The Counseling Office will be hosting FAFSA/CADAA Financial Aid Workshops from 5:00–6:30 p.m., presented by Cuyamaca College staff. These workshops will provide hands-on assistance to students and families completing their financial aid applications. Attached are flyers with those dates.

Space is limited to 50 participants per session, so please register only once per family using this Google Form.

Please bring:

Charged Chromebook, charger, and cell phone
2025 tax returns (student and parent)
FSA IDs for student and parent
Social Security Number
Driver’s License or ID card
List of colleges to receive FAFSA information

Students should access their FSA ID process through CaliforniaColleges.edu.
Parents should create an account if you do not already have one through FSA
Look forward to seeing you!

Thanks to an awarded scholarship, the Black Student Union (BSU) cordially invites 9th and 10th grade classes to a special presentation: "Back to School Etiquette for Success," presented by Etiquette Expert, Elaine Swann.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, September 30 (Block 1)
Location: Theater
Time: 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM (To accommodate Mrs. Swann's schedule, the presentation begins promptly at 10:00 AM and classes must begin exiting at 10:50 AM.)

Help us reach 200 PTO members! Your membership helps support our students, teachers, events, and the Steele Canyon community.

Join today: https://tr.ee/kEuyDlW1Fw

Already joined? Thank you! If you haven’t picked up your membership incentive yet, contact Jemima at PTO@schscougars.org.

Together, we can make a difference!

College Visits
We have more college visits for the month of October! There is one career presentation added to this month's visits. All representatives will be presenting in the Counseling Office and students will be given a pass to come in on the day and time they have signed up for. Thank you.

Sports, Sports, and More Sports!

Follow us on Instagram: @sccougarsathletics

Cozy Up, Cougars!

Game days are about to get a whole lot cozier!

Grab your Steele Canyon Fleece Blanket and show your Cougar pride wherever you go! At 50" x 60", it’s perfect for chilly bleachers, Friday night games, movie nights, or just snuggling up at home.

$35 each — and every purchase helps support Steele Canyon High School Athletics!

Get yours here: Steele Canyon Athletic Boosters Shop

Stay cozy. Show your pride. Support our Cougars!

If you place an order please pick it up at the football games.

Can't make it to a game to get your swag? Contact us and we will coordinate how to get it to you. athleticbooster@schscougars.org

SCHS media students made a movie! A team of 11 current and former students, and their media teacher, entered the 48 Hour Film Project. By entering the contest, Cougar students competed against teams of adults, some of them being former professionals in the industry.

Teams are randomly given 2 genres of film to create as well as a required line of dialogue, character and prop. Then, they only have 48 hours to write, shoot and edit an entire short film. Steele Canyon students created their movie over the weekend of August 28 - 30. And then, the movie premiered on the big screen at Ultrastar Cinemas in Hazard Center on Monday Night, Sept. 21st. Judges will announce the winners of the contest in early October. But win or lose, Steele Canyon students were successful in completing their movie on time and got to experience what it was like working on a real movie set.

🌊 Dive into Walter Munk Day! 🐠

Join the fun on Saturday, October 3 from 9:30 AM–4:00 PM at Kellogg Park for a FREE day of ocean discovery! Explore more than 70 ocean-related exhibits, STEAM activities, robotics, scavenger hunts, shark rides, face painting, art, music, food trucks, and more. There’s something for the whole family!

🐙 FREE EVENT • Lots of fun for everyone!
🔗 Learn more and register: https://waltermunkfoundation.org/

🌊 San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition Returns! 🎬

Celebrate 27 years of ocean-focused filmmaking at the San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition (SDUFEX)! Enjoy two nights of international short films showcasing marine life, underwater exploration, conservation, and the people working to protect our oceans.

📅 October 9 & 10, 2026
📍 Qualcomm Hall, San Diego
🎥 14 short films each night
🎟️ Tickets: $25 per night sdufex.com⁠

Can't attend in person? An online festival will be available October 15–December 14 for $20.

🌊 Learn more at sdufex.com.

🚧 FCL Hard Hat Expo: Build, Explore & Make a Difference!

Families are invited to the FCL Hard Hat Expo, a FREE community event where kids can get hands-on experience with construction, robotics, drones, and more!

📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 RDO Equipment Co.
10108 Riverford Rd., Lakeside, CA 92040

There will be plenty to explore! Kids can see a live construction project, watch local robotics teams demonstrate how robots are built and driven, learn how drones are used on construction jobsites, and enjoy a Kids Zone with block building, face painting, a photo booth, and hands-on exhibitor activities. Snacks and water will also be provided!

❤️ Build Beds. Help Kids.
This year, FCL is partnering with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to help provide beds for local children. Attendees are encouraged to bring a NEW twin-size bed cover or twin sheet set to donate. Those who bring a donation will receive an extra chance in the opportunity drawing!

🎟️ Admission is FREE, but registration is encouraged!

👉 Register at: futureconstructionleaders.org/hard-hat-expo

🔬 Explore Science at Scripps Research Discovery Day!

Steele Canyon High School is excited to share a FREE STEM opportunity for students and families!

Join Scripps Research for Discovery Day, an interactive event where students can explore science through hands-on activities, chemistry demonstrations, and conversations with Scripps Research scientists.

📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Scripps Research Auditorium Courtyard, La Jolla
🎟️ FREE

This is a great opportunity for students interested in science, STEM, research, or future careers in these fields to experience science beyond the classroom.

Pre-registration is requested. Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit scripps.edu/discoveryday for more information and registration.

Join Steele Canyon PTO!

Your membership makes a difference!

When you join Steele Canyon PTO, you're helping provide:

Staff Appreciation Events
Student Activities & Programs
Campus Support
Scholarships & Senior Events
Family Engagement Opportunities

The best part?

You do not have to volunteer to be a PTO member. Simply joining shows your support for our students, teachers, and school community.

We’ve also updated our membership tiers with fun perks to show our appreciation:

Cougar Supporter– $25
A thank you email and the pride of knowing you’re directly supporting SCHS PTO and a 3" vinyl sticker
Cougar Champion – $50
All of Tier 1, plus a holographic SCHS acrylic keychain
Cougar Legacy– $100
All of Tiers 1 and 2, plus an SCHS tumbler and a 1" magnet of our favorite mascot Scratch.
Cougar Elite – $250
All of Tiers 1–3, plus your name listed on our PTO website (if desired), and an exclusive PTO tote bag.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/steele-canyon-ptos-memberships

Drive Safe - the Cougar Way

Friendly reminder to please drive cautiously when entering and exiting campus. Our Campus Supervisors are here to help keep traffic moving safely and efficiently, and we appreciate your cooperation in following all directions from security personnel. When approaching the school from east Campo Road, please do not drive on the shoulder and allow vehicles to merge into the right-turn lane just before the school entrance. When waiting in traffic lines, please “close the gap” so we can accommodate as many vehicles as possible entering and exiting campus. Please also note that vehicle access at the back of the school is not available during the school day. Thank you for your patience and partnership in keeping our campus safe.

SDSO E-Bike Safety Flyer

Safety Tips from SDSO for those who ride or are considering an e-bike!