Charter Chatter
A weekly newsletter written to parents of the Tracy Learning Center
Sept. 19, 2014 No.7
| Virginia Stewart |
It is very important that there is good communication between the school and the home. We appreciate hearing from parents about good things we are doing as well as things we could improve. While this year has had a few bumpy parts, I am pleased with the progress we are making. The greatest challenge we have faced this year is the number of new teachers we have this year. It is not easy to be a new teacher in any school setting, but working at a school like the ones we have is really a challenge. Both students and parents expect high caliber teaching from day one. I am pleased with the new teachers we have hired and have made adjustments when I thought it was needed, but I am also patient. I know it takes a while to make an outstanding teacher. This does not happen overnight.
What we need from parents is support when a student complains about a teacher or a class. Often it is the teacher dealing with students who are testing boundaries and are not acting as they would in any other class. Right now, we are dealing with some of that in PHSA. I believe we have selected a good teacher to replace Mrs. Hawkins and I am embarrassed as to how some of the students are acting towards this new teacher. There are other situations that will improve with time if we all work together.
Thank you for your support as we help new teachers adjust to our way of doing things.
| Misc. Announcements |
Drop Off and Pick Ups
We have recently had several complaints of unsafe drivers. A student was almost hit while crossing with the crossing guard due to people not slowing down or watching for pedestrians. PLEASE SLOW DOWN AND WATCH FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS CROSSING THE STREET. It is imperative for the safety of “our” children for drivers to drive safe so please SLOW DOWN!
Home Coming Parade Day Release Times
We will be releasing students early for the parade on Friday, Oct. 4, 2014:
PCS – 2:30pm
DCS, PHSA and MHS – 3:00pm
Parade begins at 4pm. Students attending must be supervised by his or her parent.
Hearing Van
The hearing van will be here on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014 to test K, 1, 2, 5, 8,and 9th grade students.
Picture Re-takes
Picture re-takes for all students is October 15, 2015, Order forms will be available. Please bring your order forms will be available. Send in your child’s previous pictures if you were dissatisfied on picture day.
The hearing van
| PCS/DCS Lunch Menu Week Sept. 22-26
Mon. – Pizza Tues. – Grilled Cheese Wed – Beef or Bean Burrito Thurs. – Beef Lasagne Fri. – Hamburger |
| Primary Charter |
Thank you to everyone who has participated in the Mixed Bags fundraiser! Orders are due Monday. Please make sure checks are made out to TLC and we do not have to collect sales tax.
In Initial Phase, we are gearing up to experience our first ever homecoming parade on October 3rd! Our theme this year is Lion King the musical. Primary will make a float and students and parents are encouraged to come support our school in down town Tracy. Along with homecoming, our students will experience Spirit Week. Look for information to come home soon about fun themed dress up days as well as our parade.
This week the students in Phase One have been learning all about friendly letters and how to write them. Next week they will be receiving pen pals and writing a letter to them. They will then respond to their pen pal after. In science, the students learned about the three states of matter; solid, liquid and gas. They did many activities and experiments showing the three different states and how they can even change from one state to another state. Their favorite one was the Fizzy Purple Cow (a root beer float with grape soda). In language arts, they are continuing to learn about parts of speech and excelling with the AR program. The students are doing amazing and the teachers are so excited about all that they are learning!
Phase 2 students have been productive workers this week! Several students in both P6 and P3 have earned SWO bracelets and are working on earning their rainbow bracelet. Great job! This week P3 finished their map projects in social studies. P6 started learning about Native American homes. Ask your child what type of home a nomadic Native American lived in! We are also very busy in Writer’s Workshop. P3 worked on opinion writing this week and P6 finished up narrative writing.
DCS 5th/6th
Star Student:
Congratulations to Rayyan Saiyed for receiving the Star Student award this week! We appreciate Rayyan for demonstrating dedication to learning by asking questions that lead to interesting class discussion. Rayyan tracks grades closely so as never to fall behind. Rayyan has the skills of a successful student.
Science Olympiad:
Our first Science Olympiad meeting of the year will be Thursday, October 2 in room D5 from 4:30-5:30. Information and applications for Science Olympiad will be distributed at this meeting. Students who are unable to attend the meeting may pick up an application form from Ms. Pelaez on Friday, October 3rd.
Homecoming Parade:
The parade is scheduled for Friday, October 3rd. Our DCS float will be a Willy Wonka theme this year. We will need parent volunteers to help assemble the float the morning of the parade. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Ms. T (ttakeuchi@tracylc.net).
Exploration:
This was our final week for the first rotation of Exploration. On Monday students will begin their second of six Explorations. By offering students a chance to rotate we hope they will discover new interests outside of the standard classroom curriculum.
SWO:
Scrapbook cover pages were due on Friday to Ms. Pelaez. We will begin working on the Personal Awareness SWO next week. Directions for this portion of the scrapbook will be given by Ms. Pelaez to all students on Monday along with a copy of the rubric. Students will soon begin working on a personal awareness project in Ms. Wallace’s class as well. Both portions of the Personal Awareness SWO are due by October 17th.
Soles4Souls
Thank you for your shoe donations. DCS managed to fill three barrels of shoes to donate to the charity. Way to go!
PHSA 7th and 8th
Please check student agendas for grades and check the calendar for behavior. Green is what we are expecting. Oranges indicate poor behavior in class. Several oranges will result in suspension.
The students in leadership are working on their float ideas. The shoe drive was very successful. Thank you for your support.
Language Arts teachers have begun the expectation to read at least one book per month. Students should have a book with them at all times to read if they have extra time in class.
Mr. Warmerdam is very pleased with the progress his students are making in social studies. He was impressed with all they accomplished this week in their work with the Bill of Rights.
| MHS |
Busy, Busy, Busy…that has been the theme in the High School this week. So much is going on and so much is fast approaching. We have had a great week of spirit as our first Home Football game approaches tomorrow night at Tracy High. The game begins at 7:00 pm and the students are very excited. We are also very proud of our soccer, volleyball and cross country teams as they continue their impressive seasons. We have so many preparations underway for homecoming. Floats are being built, Powder Puff football and cheer begin practicing today. The annual Haunted High is beginning to get organized and we had a great Field Trip today to a few trade colleges. Of course, the most important thing is what we are doing in the class rooms. The first quarter mid terms are fast approaching and students should be focusing in and getting ready to ace these tests. Studying should be a big part of a students life over the next two weeks. Quarter grades really serve as a progress report for students in their classes. For freshman, this is the first opportunity to experience a major test like a final or midterm and for them to get used to the routine of the week and the preparation that is required to do really well. Falcon Pride!
Mr. Saldate
Charter Chatter September 19, 2014
This week we had three speakers in the Junior Career Education class. Millennium High School would like to thank our speakers Judy Beitz from San Joaquin County Work Net, Nancy McDonald from FIDM (Fashion Institute and Design Merchandise), and Daniel Garcia from Hope International University.
Today students had the opportunity to attend the Career Trades Fair and San Joaquin Delta College Main Campus in Stockton. Our students had hands on experience in different trades and skills at the career fair. They also toured multiple departments of Delta College for a more in-depth look at the college and what it has to offer.
Community Service
The counseling office has many community service opportunities this weekend. If you have not already completed your required hours for your 1st quarter SWO, stop by the counseling office or visit the website and sign up today! Please keep in mind community service hours are updated by Fridays. The last Friday before the end of the quarter is one week from today. That is the last day hours will be updated prior to the SWO due date. Please do not come into the counseling office the week of the 29th asking for your hours to be inputted.
Student Tutors Community Service Volunteers
Student tutors are needed to assist with Homework Support. Any students interested in volunteering please pick up an application from Mrs. Saldate or the Counseling Office.
Home Football Games Volunteers
Mr. Hepner needs help after the football games to pick up trash and clean up the event. Anyone interested in assisting him at Saturday’s game can find him after the game for their duties. Anyone interested in assisting at future games can ask him for more information.
MHS Students visit the San Joaquin County Job Fair:
6th Grade Science Camp Volunteers needed!!!
Any Junior or Senior interested in being a science camp counselor can attend pick up an application in the Counseling Office. Applications are due October 9th
College Info
PSAT Sign Ups Now Open!!!!
The PSAT will take place on Saturday, October 18th, from 7:30am to 11:30am in rooms M-1 and M-2. The cost is only $15.00. Space is limited so sign up early. Please keep in mind that students from any high school can sign up for the PSAT at MHS. Registration will be taken in the Counseling Office. Please bring payment when you register open to 9th, 10th and 11th grades.
CAPPEX Diversity + College Access Fair October 1, 2014
The CAPPEX Diversity and College Fair is a virtual, free event for students to connect with colleges, chat with admissions counselors, get all their questions answered, and learn about campus life from current college students. Students also have a chance at winning a $1,000 scholarship just for attending. Registration for the event is FREE for students, and can be completed at this link: http://www.cappex.com/fair
CollegeBoard has a new partnership with Khan Academy! Students can download a real, full-length SAT practice test, watch Sal work through real SAT problems, and get even more practice using our interactive exercises, which feature tons of previously-unreleased problems from real SATs grouped by topic and difficulty level. If you’re taking the SAT in 2016 or later, we have even more exciting news for you. By spring 2015, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art learning tools–exercises, software diagnostics and videos–designed by Khan Academy and College Board specifically for the redesigned SAT. Stay tuned! Visit https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat for more information.
“The Official SAT Question of the Day” App
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Tracy Unified School District College Fair
The Tracy Unified School District College fair will be held Monday, September 29th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at West High School. Breakout Sessions will include UC Admissions, West Point- Military Academics, CSU Admissions, Personal Statement, and NCAA Athletic Recruiting Education. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. For contact information: 209-830-3370×3007 or ltomlin@tusd.net
Click below to see how you can choose a student for the Spirit Award:
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards 2014
Other News
Firefighter Career Expos
In keeping with their mission to recruit, retain and promote more women to the Fire Service, the California Fire Fighter Joint apprenticeship Committee and its Commission to Recruit Women for the Fire Service encourage interested middle school and high school students to attend an expo in September. Dates and locations are as followed:
Saturday, September 20th from 10am-1pm at 526 Commerce Way Livermore, CA 94551