Owls Nest Newsletter
Agua Fria highlights & updates for owl students & families

A Few Words from Principal Daniels
Hello Owl Families!
During the first week of September our Senior Citizen Family was on campus for our Senior to Senior Program kickoff! Our 12th graders met their Senior Family and led campus tours in the morning to show off what learning and collaboration looks like in our classrooms today. Shoutout to our Entrepreneurship Class & Ms. Debbie Eissner for the custom t-shirts & thermos cups to give to our Senior Family!
We celebrated our Third Annual Grandparents Day on Friday, September 5th. We had over 50 families in our Innovation Space in the Library for breakfast, conversation, and a Generation Game that had students identify floppy disks & Farrah Fawcett and our Grandparents try and identify Snapchat Streaks & Minecraft characters. We loved having so many alumni back on campus, our generations of families that graduate from AFHS is something we value and celebrate.
Last week our Freshmen Experience (FX) and Fine Arts Music Classes had a special experience during Owl Opportunity. Alice Cooper's Solid Rock Teen Center took over the auditorium for a live concert. Alice Cooper's Solid Rock Teen Center now has a Goodyear location; it's only 2.7 miles away from AFHS. This center offers FREE lessons for dance, music, singing, fine art, and more! It also has recording studios which are accessible for students...for free!
This week is HOMECOMING WEEK! We hope to see students dressed up for the Spirit Week and attending all the fun after school events and traditions! We also warmly invite families to attend the Football Game on Friday night against Carl Hayden where we will crown our Senior Homecoming Royalty- Fireworks included! Find the Homecoming Tab for more event information!
A reminder for families and students to use our digital bulletin board to keep up with everything going on at AFHS! Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement. Here’s to another great month of school, with cooler temperatures!
Warm regards,
Principal Daniels
🎉Attendance Celebration
👑🏈HOMECOMING 2025 Info Here!
This years Homecoming Theme is A Night in Las Vegas! Each grade level will be competing all week long in dressing up for the Spirit Days. The class that has the most kids dressed up at the end of the week will win the Spirit Trophy🏆!
Spirit Days
Monday – Rhinestone Rodeo 🤠🪩
Western glam: boots, fringe, denim, and sparkle
Tuesday – Roaring Vegas 🐾🐯
Show off your wild side with bold animal prints and flashy patterns!
Wednesday – Tourist Takeover 📸🌴
Tourist-core: fanny packs, shades, visors, vacay tees.
Thursday – Caesars Palace 🏛️💫
Greek god/goddess vibes: togas, gold, laurel crowns.
Friday – Final Bet Friday ♠️🔥
BLACK OUT
After School Homecoming Events
🔥Bonfire Kickoff: Monday
7-8pm behind the Beach Volleyball Courts
Pie Eating Contest at 7:15PM
Alumni Welcome!
🍿Movie Night: Wednesday
5:30-7:30pm in the Auditorium
Tickets are $3 at the door, concessions sold for cash only
🌅Senior Sunrise: Thursday
Gates open at 5:50AM, Predicted Sunrise Time: 6:10AM
Coffee Food Truck will have items for sale
👖Senior Spirit Jeans: Thursday
2:30-4:00pm in the Owl Cafe Paint will be provided, students should bring jeans & embellishments
Must have early release to come at 230pm
🏈Friday Night Lights
Kickoff at 7pm
Senior Homecoming Royalty crowned at halftime
💃🕺Homecoming Dance: Saturday
7:00-10:00pm in the OK Fulton Gym
Final day to buy a ticket in the bookstore is 9/17
🚨Senior Assassin Game Notice
Please note, Senior Assassins is NOT an Agua Fria or AFUHSD sponsored or approved activity. The game is strictly prohibited on all district property, including parking lots and during school events. Seniors may not bring water balloons, water guns, or similar items to campus or school events.
📖 Parent Directory Information
What is directory information?
It’s basic information about your student (like name, grade, activities, or awards) that schools often publish in things like yearbooks, honor rolls, graduation programs, and sports rosters.The primary purpose of directory information is to highlight student accomplishments and share their participation in school activities. Directory information is generally not considered harmful.
Why does the school use it?
We use directory information to celebrate student achievements, communicate with families, and
create publications that highlight student involvement in academics, athletics, and activities.
Who else might see it?
- Yearbook companies
- Class Rings and Graduation Vendors
- Military (as required by federal law)
- Other vendors or organization connected to school activities
- Your child’s name and photo will NOT appear in yearbooks, playbills, graduation programs, honor rolls, or recognition lists.
- Your family may not receive certain school communications that rely on directory information.
- You may be asked to provide written permission for your child to participate in activities where directory information is used.
If you are okay with your student’s information being shared as described, you don’t need to do
anything. If you do NOT want your student’s information shared, complete and return the Opt-Out Form to your school within 15 business days.
📚Academic Updates
📚AFUHSD is undergoing Math and ELA Adoption Review
Strong curriculum and resources utilized in classrooms are essential for maximizing student learning and achievement. If you are interested in reviewing the options, click here to review them and submit your feedback on this form.
🗓️Save the Date: AP Family Night is Thursday, November 20th from 5:30 - 7:00pm!
We have 585 AP enrollments this year—over 100 more than last year! We’re proud of the learning and accomplishments happening in these rigorous courses. Join us to celebrate our students and learn more about AP opportunities before registration for next year. We look forward to seeing you!
📚 AFHS Book Drive - please donate gently used books
Our theme for the ’25–’26 school year is promoting literate problem solvers. All English classes dedicate 10 minutes daily to independent reading, since the best way to improve is to read often. While our Agua Fria library and English classrooms are well-stocked, we hope to expand choices with your help. Please donate gently used books to the front office. Our goal is to collect 500 books by Fall Break (October 3). Thank you!
🤫Anonymous Tip Line: School safety is always our #1 priority. As we reinforce to our students: if you see something, say something. We have an anonymous tip line posted around campus and also on the background of student Chromebooks so they always have access to sharing any concerns. Here is the link.
📸Portrait of a Graduate Students for August
Teachers nominated students in the month of August that they believe exemplified one of our five tenets of our District Portrait of a Graduate. A huge congratulations to these five students for demonstrating quality character that makes our campus a better place, way to show your Owl Pride!
🏅Athletics
We are excited to have our Fall Sports Season underway and are excited to celebrate our first Athletes of the Month for August!
"It's athletes like Priscilla that set the supportive culture of the program and allow for new members to flourish and come into their own. I think the sincerest mark of respect that demonstrates her respected reputation is seeing some of the newer female runners take on some of her traits as they become more comfortable as a teammate and friend to the team," says Coach Haubenstricker. Priscilla was also nominated as a Portrait of a Graduate Student for August! Congratulations Priscilla!
It is clear to see that Rodrigo has completely separated himself from the rest of the boys on the cross-country team as a top contender. This is Rodrigo's first year on the team, and he has led each workout and run with discipline, poise, and professionalism. He never complains, and every time the workload increases, he keeps grinding. "I have never had an athlete say so much with no words, only actions. One of our goals for Rodrigo is to qualify for states at the end of the season, and we have the utmost confidence that he will achieve this," says Coach Haubenstricker.
In just three weeks, Sahara has already made a huge impact on our JA-A volleyball team. She leads with integrity, shows compassion for her teammates, and is always willing to teach and encourage others on and off the court. Her leadership and positive energy set the tone for our team’s success! Sahara is also on the Executive Board for Student Council and is heavily involved in school activities. Thank you for being so dedicated to the Owls!
Schedules
Please click HERE for a one-pager for the Fall Sports schedules. Schedules by team can also be found at azpreps365.com/schools/aguafria
Contact a Head Coach
Want to see what sports are offered at AFHS or contact a head coach? Click HERE.
How to Get Cleared for Sports
All sports participation requires student-athletes to be cleared by the Athletic Department. For full instructions on how to get cleared through Final Forms, including the Physical paperwork, click HERE.
For further questions about the clearance process or about athletics in general, contact Athletic Director Josh Jovanelly (jjovanelly@aguafria.org) or Athletic Assistant Julie Dodd (jdodd@aguafria.org) or call 623-932-7300, ext. 1005.
🏐Mens Sand Volleyball Makes History
Our Mens Sand Volleyball Program is in it's inaugural season! Coach Mateo Brown & Coach Alicia Cordova and the team had their first win in program history at their first home match against Verrado last Monday. Read the AIA feature story here.
🏫Counselor Corner
In-State Public Universities - Applications are Open
Now is the time to apply!
Tri-University Events are designed for high school students, and their family members, to learn about Arizona’s public universities and how to prepare for college.
PSAT is for 10th and 11th grade students who sign up to take it. The test will be in October. We will be providing more information soon.
Touchstone Behavioral Health Services offers comprehensive behavioral services for our youth and their families. They are currently enrolling students with AHCCCS and private pay. If you are interested, please contact your student’s counselor. If you don’t qualify for their program, we can provide more resources.
Please remind your student to check their emails and your Google Classrooms for their cohort. Counselors are communicating important information.
The Google Classroom code for each cohort is:
Class of 2026: 4dtmmsh
Class of 2027: mjhuzjy
Class of 2028: sh7gerx
Class of 2029: 2uj3de4j
🏫College & Career Center
The College & Career Center (CCC) is a resource for all students at Agua Fria High School.
The CCC offers information and hands-on learning sessions, featuring guest speakers from various colleges and trades, to guide students through the college application process, scholarship search, and FAFSA application process. These sessions are held weekly during the RTI "Owl Opportunity" sessions in the Career Center on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays of each week.
The CCC is open during school hours for students to visit, ask questions, and research local, state, and nationwide schools. Additional information is provided on local scholarships and grants. For those students who wish to spread their “owl wings,” financial aid and school information are available for out-of-state schools.
Students and parents can visit the CCC website to view upcoming RTIs, visits by the colleges, trade schools, and the various military branches. Students and parents can also make one-on-one appointments with Mrs. Espinoza through the link below.
Arletta Espinoza
Phone: (623)932-7300 x 1044
Email: aespinoza@aguafria.org
Website: https://afhs.aguafria.org/departments/college-career-center
✅ Title 1 Information
📍School hours, Attendance and Tardies
We want to remind you that school starts at 8:30am. Students that walk or are dropped off should be on campus by 8:20AM to ensure they have time to get through the detectors and to class on time. We will begin placing students on attendance agreements this week.
School Hours:
School starts at 8:30AM and ends at 3:15PM
Please note Wednesdays are Early Release at 1:30PM
All students arriving after 8:30AM will be required to check-in at the welcome lobby at attendance.
All visitors must check in and get a visitors pass at the front office, welcome lobby before proceeding onto campus.
Attendance:
Regular student attendance is necessary to provide the greatest opportunity for student academic success.
If you need to call in an absence for your student, please contact 623-932-7300 ext. 1007 or 1008 and leave your student’s name, ID number, date, and the reason for the absence, and it will be processed as soon as possible.
You can also email at egalaviz@aguafria.org
Attendance Appeals will be held when a student misses 10 or more classes in a particular course. An Attendance Appeal could result in the loss of credit for the student. Please refer to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and review the district policy regarding attendance and tardiness.
Tardies:
Students who are late to any class during the day may be marked tardy.
5 tardies= warning, 6=detention, 9=owl overtime ( Wednesday detention) and 12=ISS and parent meeting.
🆔 Student IDs
Students must be wearing their IDs on their person, either on their neck on a lanyard or clipped to their pocket (ID out and visible) at all times. Students cannot have it IN their pocket or attached to their bag. This policy is to keep our campus secure and safe and also to help our school-wide systems, like lunch service, run smoothly and efficiently.
📱Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones during instructional time are strictly prohibited.
Students may use their cell phones during lunch or during passing periods only.
In the event a student uses their cell phone during instructional time without teacher permission may result in a discipline consequence.
If you need to contact your student during school hours, please contact our attendance line in the event of an emergency.
🅿️Parking Pass
All students who wish to park in our student parking lot during the school year must have a parking sticker visibly displayed on the front windshield. Students must provide a copy of their valid driver’s license, valid insurance card, Parking Pass Form (attached) and $50 payment for the year. Students are not permitted to park on campus without the parking pass. If you have any questions regarding the parking pass, please contact Bookstore Manager, Mrs. Nancy DeSoto ndesoto@aguafria.org
❓Questions for Administration
If you have a question or want to speak to an administrator at any time during the year, please reference our discipline breakdown.
Freshmen & Sophomore Discipline
Aida Alickovic: Academy of Business, Design & Technology
Olivia Allpress: Freshman Academy
Tony Gardner: Academy of Creative Arts & Media
Josh Jovanelly: Academy of Science, Service & Innovation
Junior & Senior Discipline
Olivia Allpress: A-F
Aida Alickovic: G-O
Tony Gardner: P-Z
Mrs. Aida Alickovic aalickovic@aguafria.org
Mrs. Olivia Allpress oallpress@aguafria.org
Mr. Anthony Gardner agardner@aguafria.org
Mr. Josh Jovanelly jjovanelly@aguafria.org
Principal Autumn Daniels adaniels@aguafria.org
Social Media and Regular Communication
Email and the Remind App will be our primary source of communication with parents and students this year. The email address used will be the primary email given at registration. Parents are also automatically added to Remind through the contact information provided in your enrollment paperwork. Students’ Remind accounts are automatically created for students using their student email account.
Join us on the Remind App @aguafriahi
Here are directions to join Remind
Social Media
Website: www.aguafria.org/afhs
Facebook: Agua Fria High School
Instagram: @aguafriaowls