Prospector Press 8/23/25

Posted Date: 8/23/25 (12:40 PM)

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August 23, 2025

Prospectors,

We have an exciting week planned and hope you’ll join us in supporting our amazing students!

Wednesday: Don’t miss our first home volleyball game – come cheer on our team as they kick off their season!

Thursday: We start the day with Senior Sunrise, a special tradition celebrating our seniors, followed by a spirited school assembly, and wrapping up with our first home varsity football game under the lights.

We are thrilled to see our students showcasing their talents and school spirit. Let’s pack the stands, celebrate their hard work, and build the momentum for a fantastic fall season. We couldn’t be prouder of our athletes: Go Prospectors!

Principal Ginn

Hello Apache Junction High School parents,

This fall, Apache Junction High School is partnering with GenTech to start an afterschool FIRST Tech Challenge robotics program. This program is for students interested in engineering, programming, and/or marketing.

FIRST Tech Challenge is a competition-based robotics program for students in 9th-12th grade, where students learn to program and build robots for competition. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a reputable non-profit established in 1989. Robotics is a hands-on way for students to learn about STEM and gain skills in collaboration and leadership.

Competitions begin in December, and we are looking to have a program size of 10-15 dedicated students. Meetings will be on select half days from 12:30 pm-4:30 pm starting on September 12th, and a second day is to be determined based on student availability. Students will need to arrange for their transportation home.

Due to this time frame, we require a list of interested students as soon as possible. Below is a program club flyer and interest form to be filled out.

Program Flyer

Interest Form

Thank you!

Micheal Wilson

GenTech

Counselor's Corner

Hello AJHS Families,

We are already halfway through the quarter, as Progress Reports were posted yesterday.

Tayle Brink from the CAC met with dual enrollment students in the library on Wednesday to help ensure a smooth beginning for both English 101/102 and CAC Math. If students have further concerns, her email is Tayle.Brink@centralaz.edu.

In addition, Tayle Brink will present on Monday 8/25 to 9th grade students during Prospector Period. The focus of the presentation will be The Habits of Success.

On Friday 8/29, a representative from UC Berkeley will visit AJHS. An email was sent to all seniors notifying them of the visit. Any interested students need to email Elizabeth Fritsche.

If you have any questions, please contact the counselors: Mrs. Powell and Ms. Fritsche.

Dear Parents and Families,

As we reach the halfway point of the quarter, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your students’ success. Now is a great time to revisit a few crucial areas that play a significant role in a positive and productive school experience.

Consistent attendance is one of the most important predictors of student success. When students are present and on time, they’re better able to stay engaged with learning, participate in discussions, and build strong connections with teachers and classmates.

Absences add up, and missing even two days a month can impact academic progress. Students with nine excused or unexcused absences in one semester may lose credit for those courses. If your student has an unexcused absence in one or more class periods, you will receive an automated phone call that day. If you or your student believes this is an error, please have them contact the teacher as soon as possible to correct the attendance record. Failure to do so will result in those absences being counted towards the semester's maximum allowed absences.

Tardies matter too. Arriving late can disrupt learning for both the student and their classmates. Make sure you are on time to school and all classes throughout the day to avoid being sent to sweep for the class period. Attending sweeps will require the time missed in class to be made up after school.

We understand that occasional absences happen due to illness or family emergencies. If your student is going to be out, please notify the attendance office and make sure to provide any documentation for any medical visits due to appointments, illness, or injuries.

Families play a vital role in reinforcing these expectations at home. Talking regularly with your student about school, encouraging open communication, and staying involved all make a difference. If you have any questions or concerns—or if your student needs additional support—please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help.

Melinda O'Barr

Assistant Principal of Academics

Prospector Athletics

Volleyball kicks off their season Wednesday, August 27th HOME vs. Valley Christian! Freshman/Sophomore team starts 4pm, JV starts 5pm, and Varsity starts 6pm.

JV Football is AWAY vs. Thatcher High School (game located at Thatcher Middle School) with a 6pm start time Wednesday, August 27th

Varsity Football is HOME vs. Thatcher High School on Thursday, August 28th at 7:00pm

Remember, all ticketing this year is digital and can be found at GoFan.co Buy your tickets online before you arrive!

Questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch with Athletic Director Traston Yates at traston.yates@goaj.org

Dress Code Reminders

We must stay mindful of our student dress code as the weather heats up. Student tops should have straps and cover the stomach. No tube tops or strapless tops are permitted. Students violating the dress code can call home for a change of clothes or borrow a shirt from the nurse for the day. Thank you for your help!

How to access AASA scores

Click the link above to find your student's AASA score from Spring 2025. This would be our current 9th graders.

Students in our Career and Technical Education (CTE) Graphic Design program gain more than just creative skills—they have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications that prepare them for future careers. Certifications such as Adobe Certified Professional (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) validate students’ abilities to use professional design software widely used in the creative industry.

These certifications not only strengthen college applications but also give students a competitive edge when applying for internships, freelance work, or entry-level positions in fields like marketing, advertising, and digital media. By completing the program, students leave with a professional portfolio, hands-on experience, and credentials that prove they are career-ready.

Jeff Cox

CTE Director