Charter Chatter

A weekly newsletter written to parents of the Tracy Learning Center

June 6, 2014                                                                                                               No.39

As the year comes to a close, we are busy planning for a new beginning and as usual, we will make some changes to our program.  I do not find changes to be something to fear as much as something to embrace.  We are very willing to look at what we are doing and to identify areas that could be improved.  That is the basis for changes we make.

The greatest change to Primary will be the change to a single grade for Kindergarten since that is probably the grade with the widest variance.  Some children come with years of pre-school, while others have never left home.  Some are reading while others have not learned to identify letters.  The smaller class size is also a better way to help Kindergarten’s become acquainted with our ways.

Primary will multiage grade 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 for a greater chance for differentiation among students.  It will allow for small group instruction with four teachers in the classroom and will help the transition to multiage in Discovery.

Discovery 5/6 had many changes last year and will continue to evolve.  There will be longer periods for academics, a discovery wheel of experiences rather than selecting electives and more support with SWOs.  Students will not have social studies gap or science review but will have both science and social studies each year.  Those ready to try algebra will be allowed to do that while remaining in the 5/6 team structure.

PHSA will have a variety of new to Discovery teachers.  The curriculum will remain similar but will be differentiated for different levels of students.  Teachers will use the previous elective time for a high school readiness assortment of opportunities instead.  I have been very pleased with the pool of teachers we have interviewed for openings and we are very excited about the teachers we have selected for PHSA.

High school will also have changes. We have added some new courses: comprehension and composition for Spanish speakers, Pathways for Success for students needing support for academic success, two new lower level math classes to help those who are not strong in math become strong enough to be successful in Algebra, and a writing course for Seniors.  There are new teachers on the high school staff as well.  They are joining us with a wide range of experience and ideas.

In closing it is important for me to say we do not change things just to change things, we are always willing to assess how we are doing and are not afraid to change things that could be better.  Thank you for your continued support of our programs.

Our last day of school is Friday, June 27, 2014 and dismissal times are as follows:

PCS    11:30am

DCS    12noon

MHS   1230pm

Our Snack Club will have their normal closing time for those registered in Snack Club.

All students return to school on Monday, Aug. 4, 2014.

TDAP

Just a reminder letters have been sent home to all 6^th graders regarding TDAP Vaccines.

All 7^th grade students must provide the office with proof of his/her TDAP Vaccine (Pertussis – Whooping Cough) prior to their first day of school which is August 4, 2014.

7^th Grade – 12 Grade Students will not be allowed to attend school without this proof of vaccine.

You may bring this record in or fax this proof to Kay Fagundes at (209) 831-5243 or scan and email to kfagundes@tracylc.net .

PCS Gold

Golden Highlights:

The weather is warming up quickly. Students are outside for lunch and PE. Please make sure your child has water and wears sunscreen.

Monday, phase 2 students went on a field trip to the Tracy History Museum. They got to see what places looked liked and the clothes people wore from long ago.

This week the 4th graders participated in Sneak Peek. They got a chance to see Discovery classrooms and interview the students. They can’t wait to be in 5th grade!

Friday was TLC’s Multicultural Fair. Students got to taste different foods and participate in activities from different cultures. Ask them which countries they visited and what they learned.

The end of the year is right around the corner. There will not be study club the last week of school. The last day of study club will be Friday, June 20th.

Evening of Excellence is Wednesday, June 18th. Classrooms will be open from 6-7. Students can’t wait to show off their work!

Reminders

June 18th- Evening of Excellence

June 20th- Last day of Study Club

June 27th- Last day of School. Primary dismissal is at 11:30 on this day.

PCS Sapphire

The Sapphire Team had a wonderful week!

P-1 students have been busy testing and assessing this past week.  We are so proud of their efforts and all their hard work. They are looking forward to Evening of Excellence and showing off all their great work!   Water Day is June 26th!!  We are still looking for volunteers to help with set up, clean up and stations.  Please email the teachers if you are able to help out.  The students have also been working hard on Father’s Day projects…..make sure to look for them to come home this weekend.

P-6 students had a fantastic week as we were busy completing assessments for report cards and designing Father’s Day gifts. We have also finished up so many projects for Evening of Excellence…..can’t wait to show all of you our GREAT WORK!!!!   Reminder:   We have a field trip on Tuesday June 17; make sure that your child wears comfortable shoes and brings a bagged   lunch.   We need your child to be here that day by 7:45.

P5 is very excited to be getting ready for Evening of Excellence! We hope you will be able to join us after the Discovery meeting next Wednesday! We have completed Bandit’s Moon and we are putting together our booklets of work from the book. This week in math, we have studied parts of a circle as well as solid shapes. Ask your student which Sir Cumference book they read this week to solidify the concepts!

Water Day is June 26^th; please contact your child’s teachers if you are able to help with set up, clean up, or during the time that your child will be participating at water day.

Student Council thanks all of you who purchased Father’s Day treats.  Happy Father’s Day to all of our wonderful fathers!!

DCS 5^th/6^th

5^th/6^th

Sneak Peek:

This week students welcomed fourth grade students into our rooms to give them a preview of what it is like to spend a day at DCS. We are excited to have had a chance to meet them. On Wednesday, June 18th the DCS teachers will be holding an informational meeting for families of students who will be entering the fifth grade in 2014-2015.

DCS Beach Party:

The kids had a great time at the dance on Wednesday. Thank you to all who helped make the last dance of the year such a success!

SWO:

Students were given the date for next week’s SWO interviews. Students should come to school in professional dress for the interview. Take the time this weekend to listen to your child practice their answers to the list of potential questions they were given. Preparing in advance helps put the students at ease.

Water Day:

We are taking a head count for the last day of school. Please complete the form that was sent home this week to let us know if your child will be present for this fun filled last day of school.

PHSA 7^th and 8^th

 This week in PHSA….

Students are wrapping up their Shakespeare unit with preparations for their group script presentations next week in Mr. Mitri’s class.

7th-grade- Water Day information went out this week. We are asking for a $3 donation from any students that would like to participate. A day of fun in the water and snacks will be provided!!!!

Permission slips for the afternoon at the park will be going home on Monday and need to be returned by Friday, June 20th in order to go!

Counseling/Guidance Department News:

Thank you to the MHS students who helped with the Multicultural Fair today! Primary students K-4

had the opportunity to “Travel Around the World” at this fun and educational event.  There was music, crafts, dancing, and food samplings available.  We appreciate all the work that student volunteers and parents did to help make our 4^th Annual Multicultural Fair a success!

*****IMPORTANT REMINDER: Community Service Deadline – all volunteer hours for the 2013-2014 school year are due on Friday, June 27^th. 

No hours will be accepted after the deadline. Any hours worked during July will be included in the next school year.

Fast Track

***Attendance Policy reminder: Please remember that attendance during Fast Track is extremely important.  Due to the accelerated nature of classes, each day that is missed is equal to one entire week of school.  The maximum number of days allowed for absence during Fast Track is two days before resulting in a failing grade for the class.  Also, four tardies equal one day of absence.  Therefore, make sure your student comes to school daily and on time. Thank you for supporting our attendance policy during Fast Track.

COLLEGE INFO

All CES forms are due by next Friday, June 20^th, 2014.

Students who are interested in taking Fall 2014  Delta College classes can now apply online for admission at www.deltacollege.edu – It is highly important to apply early and schedule any required assessments as soon as possible.  Due to the limited number of college classes available, the sooner a new student applies, the better it will be! Registration appointments and class schedule will be available starting June 6^th.

More information on the College Early Start program, procedures, and dates can be found on the Counseling/Guidance department web page at www.tracylc.net

Community Service

Other News