Week 10

Hello Vipers and Verrado families,

Welcome back from fall break! 🍂 We hope you had a chance to rest and recharge. We’re excited to see our students back on campus and ready for a great second quarter!

Juniors will have a class meeting and a presentation from Jostens on Tuesday in the Main Gym during RTI.

There are plenty of opportunities to cheer on our Vipers this week. Our teams will compete in badminton, beach volleyball, flag football, indoor volleyball, cross country, golf, swim and dive, and football. 📣 We’ll celebrate our cross country seniors at Tuesday’s home meet, recognize students at Pins and Letter recognition during RTI this week, and cheer on varsity football, cheer, pom, and band at Canyon View Friday night. Good luck to everyone competing and performing this week! 🐍

👻The Verrado Baseball boosters will be hosting a trunk-or-treat on Saturday in the VHS parking lot from 5:30pm-7:30pm!

💗 Save the date for Dig Pink! Join the Verrado Lady Vipers Volleyball team on Wednesday, October 21, at 6:00 PM in the VHS Main Gym as we raise breast cancer awareness and show our support for Marianna and her family. Raffle basket tickets will be available for $5 each or five for $20, and shirts are $15 with preorders due before October 15. See flyer below!

📚 Check out the Q2 Counselor Connection SMORE below! Our Counseling Department’s quarterly newsletter shares helpful information about academics, college and career readiness, and personal and social well-being. We hope it supports you and your student as you navigate high school and beyond.

📸 Attention Senior Families!
Senior parents, please remember to schedule your student’s senior yearbook photo with GRADS Photography as soon as possible. 🎓 Senior yearbook photos must be taken by GRADS Photography to be included in the yearbook. Appointments can be scheduled here: GRADS Photography – Senior Portraits.

One Verrado! 🐍

Matt Lees
Principal
Verrado High School

Monday, October 12

• 🏐 Boys Beach Volleyball at Canyon View HS — 4:00 PM
• 🏸 Badminton vs. Central HS — 4:00 PM | Home
• 🏈 Flag Football at Copper Canyon HS — 6:00 PM

Tuesday, October 13

• 🏃 Cross Country Senior Night vs. Trivium Prep, Mountain Pointe, and Betty Fairfax — 4:00 PM | Home
• 🏐 Indoor Volleyball vs. Flagstaff HS — 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 PM | Home

Wednesday, October 14

• ⛳ Girls Golf at West Valley Wrap Up — 12:00 PM
• 🏸 Badminton at Alhambra HS — 4:00 PM
• 🏈 Flag Football vs. Willow Canyon HS — 5:00 and 7:00 PM | Home
• 🏈 Freshman Football at Canyon View HS — 6:00 PM

Thursday, October 15

• 🏐 Indoor Volleyball at South Mountain HS — 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 PM
• 🏊 Swim & Dive vs. Goodyear and Centennial HS — 4:00 PM | Home

Friday, October 16

• 🏐 Indoor Volleyball at the Saguaro Last Chance Tournament — 9:00 AM
• 🏐 Boys Beach Volleyball at the Mesa Beach Bash — 9:30 AM
• 🏈 Varsity Football at Canyon View HS — 7:00 PM, with Cheer, Pom, and Band supporting our Vipers! 📣🎶

Saturday, October 17

• 🏐 Indoor Volleyball at the Saguaro Last Chance Tournament — 8:00 AM
• 🏐 Boys Beach Volleyball at the Mesa Beach Bash — 8:00 AM
• 🏊 Swim & Dive at the Forktoberfest Qualifier — 2:00 PM

Stay connected with the Verrado High School Counseling Department! Check out the Quarter 2 edition of Counselor Connections for important counselor department updates!

Join us on October 21 at 6:00 PM in the Verrado High School Main Gym for a volleyball game raising breast cancer awareness and showing support for Marianna and her family.

Come cheer on the Lady Vipers, enter the raffle, and visit the snack bar! Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Dig Pink shirts are $15 and must be preordered by October 15. Snack bar proceeds will go to Marianna’s family. Let’s fill the gym with Viper pride and support! 🐍💕

Need a little extra help with an assignment or classwork? After-school tutoring is available in the VHS Library with teachers ready to support students in a variety of subjects!

📅 Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
⏰ 2:15–3:15 PM
📍 VHS Library
📖 Math • English • Science • Language

🚌 Tutor buses are available for eligible students who have a bus route printed on their Student ID.

We encourage students to take advantage of this great opportunity to ask questions, get caught up, and build confidence in their classes!

At Agua Fria High School District, we firmly believe in Our Schools, Our Community, Our Way—and we want you to be a part of our future!

We warmly invite you to join us for A Strategic Plan Framework Journey 2026. Come reflect on where we’ve been, learn where we are today, and look ahead to where we’re going. Together, we’ll celebrate our district's accomplishments and explore the priorities shaping the future for our students.

Whether you are a parent, guardian, student, staff member, or local community partner, your voice matters.

Event Details / Detalles del Evento

• Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026

• Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM MST (Note: Corrected time)

• Location: Hilltop Theater & Concert Hall

  (5356 N Litchfield Rd, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340)

• Hosted By: Agua Fria High School District

How to RSVP

Please take a moment to reserve your spot by October 1, 2026:

👉 Click Here to Register / Haga Clic Aquí Para Registrarse

Students are invited to join us for an unforgettable educational adventure to Belize in Summer 2028! This experience will give students the chance to explore a new culture, see incredible places, and build confidence, independence, and a global perspective.

📅 Interested? Join Our Info Meeting!

Come learn everything you need to know about the trip, including our itinerary, costs, academic opportunities, enrollment, and more.

👉 CLICK HERE FOR MEETING INFO & TO RSVP

⭐ Why Attend?

💰 Save $250 with early enrollment
🎟️ Get first access to limited spots
🌎 See what we’ll explore and experience in Belize
📚 Learn about academic opportunities
💵 Get details about trip costs and enrollment
❓ Have your questions answered

🌎 Learn More About EF Tours

EF Tours has 60 years of experience helping students experience educational travel safely and affordably.

👉 Learn More About Educational Travel with EF Tours

Spots are limited, so don’t miss the informational meeting!

Seniors, don’t miss this incredible opportunity! The Flinn Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship for Arizona students attending ASU, NAU, or the University of Arizona. The scholarship is valued at more than $140,000 and includes tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meals, study-abroad opportunities, internship and research support, and mentorship. 🎓✈️📚

📅 Application Deadline: October 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Interested students and families are encouraged to review the qualifications and learn more at flinnscholars.org.

Seniors will need to schedule an appointment with GRADS photography to take their senior picture for the yearbook. Link here.

Stay ahead by keeping the 2026–2027 Agua Fria Union High School District Academic Calendar handy! Be sure to mark important dates such as the first day of school, holidays, fall and spring breaks, quarter end dates, early release days, graduation, and the last day of school. Planning ahead helps students and families stay organized throughout the school year.

Student and staff safety are paramount for the Agua Fria district. Please see expectations and watch the video below to familiarize yourself with our weapons detection system.

• When students arrive on campus they MUST show a physical ID to enter campus. Failure to have a physical ID will result in a new ID being printed and a charge for the new ID will be applied.
• NEW FOR 2026-2027 We will begin using scanners at all entrances to scan students ID in the morning as they enter. This supports our commitment to student safety. We piloted this procedure last year on the East side entrance. We ask for some patience as we begin to implement this campus wide.

Students and staff will go over school safety protocols and procedures as well but please familiarize yourself with our expectations and procedures. Thank you!

As technology plays an important role in learning, we ask all students and families to review our Student Responsible Use Policy. This guide outlines expectations for using school devices, accounts, and the internet safely, responsibly, and respectfully to support student success. Thank you for partnering with us to promote positive digital citizenship!

If you do not want Verrado High School/AFHSD to disclose directory information, you are required to print and fill out the attached form. The school must receive this form within 15 days.

Don't miss out on all the exciting things happening at Verrado High School! Follow us on Instagram for school news, student celebrations, athletic highlights, event reminders, and a behind-the-scenes look at life on campus.

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @1verrado

We can't wait to share another amazing school year with you! #OneVerrado 🐍

AFHSD is making school-to-home communication easier than ever! 🎉 We're transitioning from Remind to ParentSquare, your new one-stop hub for school updates, messages, alerts, and announcements.

✅ Receive important notifications
✅ Message teachers and staff
✅ Get updates by text, email, app, or web
✅ Access messages in your preferred language

Be sure to download the ParentSquare app and stay connected all year long!

Help avoid unexpected repair and replacement costs by enrolling in the Verrado High School Device Protection Plan for the 2026–2027 school year.

For just $30, the plan helps cover accidental damage, malfunctioning parts, and reduced replacement costs for lost or stolen devices—including chargers.

🗓️ Purchase by Friday, October 2
💳 Available at the VHS Bookstore or online:
🌐 www.aguafria.org/dpp

Thank you for helping keep your student's device

Being on time is an important part of student success! We appreciate your partnership in helping students arrive to class on time each day.

Please note the following attendance guidelines:

• ⏱️ Every 5 tardies in the same class will count as 1 absence for that class.
• 📚 Students who arrive 15 minutes or more late to class will be marked absent.
• ⚠️ Excessive absences may result in a loss of course credit in accordance with district policy.
• 📋 Students will receive consequences for every 5 tardies. Continued tardiness may result in progressive disciplinary actions, ranging from detention to suspension.

Thank you for reviewing these expectations with your student and helping us promote strong attendance habits. Arriving on time each day helps students make the most of every learning opportunity!

Help us keep our students, families, staff, and community safe during arrival and dismissal!

🚫 No student drop-off is permitted on Indian School Road. This is a busy roadway, and stopping to drop off students creates a safety hazard, increases the risk of accidents, and slows traffic entering the school parking lot.

🚫 Students may not park in surrounding neighborhoods or at nearby businesses. Unauthorized parking impacts our neighbors and local businesses and may result in vehicles being towed.

✅ Please use the designated school parking lot for all student drop-offs and pickups.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our campus and surrounding community safe. We appreciate your cooperation and support!

✅ A parking permit is REQUIRED to park on campus! Permits are issued on a first come, first served basis to eligible students. Spots are not assigned.

⚠️ Reminder: Students who park without a valid permit will face disciplinary consequences.

To apply, students must:

• 📨 Use their school email address to complete the form

• 📸 Upload a valid driver’s license, current registration, and auto insurance

• 💵 Pay the $50 permit fee (Payment link provided in the application)

• ✅ Wait for email confirmation of approval from the bookstore

The BusRight Parent App helps families stay connected with their student's bus transportation. Parents must register through the app to receive bus information, including route details, bus stop locations, and near real-time bus tracking so you know when your student's bus is approaching. You'll receive an email invitation from the district with instructions to download the app and create your account.

Helpful Features:

• 🚌 View your student's bus route and stop information
• 📍 Track your student's bus in near real-time
• 📱 Receive transportation updates through the BusRight app
• ✅ Easy setup with an email invitation from the district

The Agua Fria Union High School District Food Services Department is committed to providing students with nutritious, affordable meals each school day. Families can view school breakfast and lunch menus, add money to meal accounts, and apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits online. A new Meal Benefit Application is required each school year, and qualifying families may also be eligible for additional benefits such as reduced testing and activity fees.

Helpful Resources:

• 🍽️ View breakfast and lunch menus
• 💳 Manage your student's meal account through LINQ Connect
• ✅ Apply for Free & Reduced Meal Benefits
• 📋 Find meal pricing and nutrition information

Families, as we continue supporting a safe and respectful learning environment, please take a moment to review the Agua Fria District Dress Code Guidelines. This includes what students must wear, what they may wear, and items that cannot be worn on campus.

Encouraging students to dress appropriately helps keep our focus on learning and ensures everyone feels comfortable and supported at school. Thank you for partnering with us!

Arizona HB 2484 requires school districts to establish policies governing student internet access and the use of wireless communication devices during the school day.

At Verrado High School, we use the district's Stoplight Device Policy to help create a focused learning environment. We encourage all families to review this policy and discuss the expectations with their student before the first day of school.

🚦 What to Expect in Class:

• 🔴 All classes begin on RED. Students should have their cell phones, earbuds, and other personal devices put away at the start of every class.
• 🟡🟢 Teachers will let students know if and when devices may be used for instructional purposes by changing the classroom's stoplight level.
• 
  

Thank you for partnering with us to support a positive, distraction-free learning environment where every student can be successful!

Planning to participate in athletics this school year? All student-athletes must be fully cleared through FinalForms before attending any tryout or practice.

To be eligible, students must complete the following:

• ✅ Register in FinalForms: https://aguafria-az.finalforms.com/?forward_path=%2Fstudents
• 🩺 Submit a current sports physical (physical forms can be downloaded directly from FinalForms)
• 🧠 Complete the required Brainbook/Opioid Education & Certification
• ✍️ Ensure all required parent, student, and physician signatures are completed
• 
  

Please complete these requirements before tryouts begin to ensure your student is eligible to participate.

Questions? Contact: gbarnes@aguafria.org

Freshman families, mark your calendars! Our students will have the opportunity to explore exciting career pathways, meet professionals from a variety of industries, and learn about future education and career opportunities at the Academies of the Southwest Valley Freshman Career Expo.

📅 Thursday, September 17, 2026
📍 Phoenix Raceway
⏰ 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

This is a fantastic opportunity for students to begin thinking about their future and discover careers they may be passionate about. We can't wait for our freshmen to experience this exciting event! 🌟

We are so excited for another year of great learning. Our district is committed to a well-rounded approach to education through Mastery Learning. Mastery Learning helps students build strong academic knowledge while also developing important real-world skills such as communication, collaboration, responsibility, leadership, and technology use. Through meaningful projects, discussions, and opportunities to practice new skills, students learn to take ownership of their growth and prepare for success in college, careers, and life beyond high school. 📚🚀 If you are new to Mastery Learning, click here for a summary.

Stay connected with your student's education through ParentVUE! Parents and students can log in anytime to view grades, attendance, class schedules, assignments, report cards, and important school information.

📱 Access ParentVUE/StudentVUE here:
https://afsd.edupoint.com/PXP2_OEN_Login.aspx

New to ParentVUE? Contact your school's registration office for assistance with activating your account.

Planning your student's high school journey starts here! The AFUHSD Course Description Book provides detailed information about all courses offered throughout the district, including graduation requirements, honors and AP courses, Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways, electives, and course prerequisites. It's a valuable resource for students and families as they explore academic opportunities and plan for future success.

Helpful Resources:

• 🎓 Graduation requirements
• 📚 Course descriptions and prerequisites
• ⭐ Honors & Advanced Placement (AP) offerings
• 🛠️ Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways
• 📝 Academic planning information
• 
  

📖 View the Course Description Book using the button below.

The Arizona Department of Education requires us to update our records to determine if a child meets the criteria for homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act. If your housing has changed, please review the Arizona Residency Questionnaire and turn this into [social worker name and email]. You may also drop this document off at the school. The school social worker will determine eligibility.