Charter Chatter

A weekly newsletter written to parents of the Tracy Learning Center

Oct. 31, 2014                                                                                               No.13

I was not able to attend all of the great presentations by Primary this week regarding Red Ribbon Week, but I loved what I heard and saw.  I believe we had a great theme this year: THINK. BE KIND!  Most of the times our students exhibit this behavior in all that they do, but we all need reminders.  We especially need to know how important our kindness can be to another person and we all need to remember that caring about one another all of our responsibility is.

I liked the Rap song that P6   presented and I thought I would share it with you.

Don’t think twice, say something nice.

You can’t pretend, if you wanna be a friend.

Smile, care, share and be fair.

Be honest and true, “Hey, invite me too!”

Let’s join in, everybody,

If you wanna be a friend repeat after me.

Don’t think twice!

Say something nice!

You can’t pretend

If you wanna be a friend!

A trusted friend won’t try to hide.

What really matters is what’s inside.

Safety Concerns

We have genuine concern about our Primary Gate in the morning. We have our Primary PE Staff watching the gate making sure students do not leave until the beginning of Unity and at that time the gate is closed and latched. Students who are dropped off after the beginning of Unity run up to the closed gate and wait until someone opens the gate. Many times the person opening the gate end up propping the gate which creates a very unsafe and risky environment for our young students.  This gate must be shut and latched form the onset of Unity until dismissal time. We have ordered a new sign to remind parents and visitors to secure our gate and also will post a staff person at the gate until students are in class.

RETURN OF BIG COOKIE THURSDAY!!!

WOW!!!  Thank you to everyone who came out to participate for Big Cookie Thursday!  It was a huge success, more so than we ever expected!  Next week we will be back and fully stocked with more delicious cookies.  Our sincerest apologies if we ran out of cookies before you had a chance to get yours.  Please come back on Thursday, October 30th to buy more cookies from our PCS student council!

Jackets and Coats

Our lost and found is piling up and will be soon taken to the needy. It is so important for outer clothing to be labeled so that items can be returned to their rightful owners.

Easy Fundraiser

We have partnered with eCycle Group to run a Recycling Fundraiser! The program runs year-round, accumulating constant income for our efforts.  But we won’t get far without your support.  How can you help? Instead of throwing away empty original printer cartridges and used cell phones please send them to us.  We’ll take it from there.  You can drop off your original cartridges and cell phones with Connie in the office.

Thank you for your support!

Next Holiday is Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, Veteran’s day

Entire Thanksgiving Week Nov. 24-28 School Break

What an amazing Halloween parade!  All Primary students did an amazing job and the flash mob was a wonderful addition.  We are also very proud of our Red Ribbon Week presentation (see below).  Students worked very all week long and it showed!  The teachers at Primary Charter School would like to wish all families a happy and safe Halloween night.

Check out PICS from today’s Halloween Parade!!

and check out the Thriller flashmob!

Before you speak
think and be smart
it’s hard to fix
a wrinkled heart.
Phase 1 Charter Chatter

This week was Red Ribbon Week and every morning at Unity each class was able to say their poem or song that they came up with. Our theme this year was Think! Be Kind! P8 will be doing theirs this next Monday, November 3, 2014.

Phase One got into the Halloween spirit this week by learning about bats and spiders during science. P1 has also been learning spooky Halloween songs for music and P8 has been doing several Halloween crafts in art. They had fun at the parade this morning and performing their flash mob for the parents and teachers. Some of the teacher joined in on the fun too! The students went trick-or-treating in Discovery and had fun filled day enjoying this fun holiday.

Conferences are coming up soon! They are November 20^th – 24^th. On Monday, in Red folders there will be a sign up sheet sent home for parent-teacher conferences. Please sign up for your top 3 time slots and turn these in as soon as possible, as it is first come first serve.

Phase 2 had a great Red Ribbon Week!  We enjoyed watching everyone’s Think! Be Kind! messages throughout the week at Unity. We began our Mission projects this week and are looking forward to our field trip. We also had a great Halloween parade and enjoyed trick or treating in DCS classrooms.  We also recognized our Proud Individual students of the month.  P6 got to make spooky Halloween goo and we all enjoyed the exploding pumpkin at Unity on Friday.  What a busy week!

DCS 5^th/6^th

Star Student:

Congratulations to Berenice Torres for receiving the Star Student award this week! Berenice is a conscientious student, aware of her actions and the impact of those actions on her surroundings. As we begin working on the Cooperative Collaboration SWO, we are lucky to have Berenice as a shining example of what cooperative collaboration looks like.

Social Studies:

The Evening Wax Museum Presentations for the homerooms of  Mrs. Beckner and Mrs. Delgado will be held on November 5th and 7th in the gym at 5pm. If you have questions about the event please direct them Mrs. Wallace (dwallace@tracylc.net)

Science Camp:

Registration forms are due to Ms. Pelaez no later than November, 7^th. Late registration will not be accepted.

Fundraising:

OUTDOOR EDUCATION RAFFLE tickets are due back Monday, November 3, sold or not.  We must turn them in to the County Office of Education that day.  Thank you for your help raising funds for Science Camp.

Drama:

Drama/Performance enrichment class will be performing at Unity on Tuesday, November 4th. Parents are welcome to watch the brief performance that morning.

Exciting Sports News

The 6th grade Girl’s Basketball team played their first game of the season this week. They were defeated by Monte Vista 24-6. They are still learning the fundamentals of the game. As long as they work hard and develop confidence in themselves, they will be just fine as the season progresses. Their next game is Tuesday at TLC against Art Freiler at 4pm.

PHSA 7^th and 8^th

The 7/8 Girls’ Basketball team played their first home game of the season this week. They defeated Art Freiler 33-20. The Lady Tigers are off to a 2-0 record to begin the year. The team has been working hard in practice and it is showing with their chemistry on the court. Next Thursday, they play at Monte Vista at 4pm.

Leadership at PHSA is involved in finding ways to help students and the community.

Students in Social Studies have done a great job working on posters displaying the different political views of Hamilton and Jefferson.

We want to thank Mrs. King for arranging for our little ones to trick or treat in the big kids rooms.  We all enjoyed the parade of beautiful and scary characters.

Thank you to the families that participated in the Haunted High event! There was a huge amount of support from our TLC families! All the proceeds from the event will go directly to our fine arts department.  Mr. Snyder and his students did an amazing job on transforming the gymnasium into an interactive and frightening haunted house! Mr. Young also did a wonderful job turning our campus into a festive carnival. Thank you again to the staff, students and parents who made this successful event possible!

Thank you to the wonderful visitor we had this week in our Career Education classes: Michelle Scott-Hood from The Art Institute, San Francisco. Thank you to our speaker in the Senior Internship Class: Donna Baker, owner of At Home Real Estate Group.

College Info

College Early Start Program – Spring Enrollment for Delta

Parents of students who are interested in taking classes at Delta College for the Spring 2014 semester need to carefully read the important steps listed on the website at http://tracylc.net/college-early-start.html Please remember that students participating in the College Early Start program must follow dates and deadlines and receive prior approval to take college classes while attending high school.  TLC provides reimbursement for tuition for those who have prior approval to take specific classes with proof of payment and a successful course completion with a grade of “C” or better.  Textbooks and additional fees are not reimbursable.

Letter to Parents: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/delta_college_parent_and_student_registration_procedures.pdf

Check List: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/delta_college_early_start_procedure_checklist_spring_2015.pdf

Dates and Deadlines: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/spring_2015_important_dates_to_know.pdf

Free Practice SAT

The Tracy Public Library hosting a free practice SAT Test for 9th-12th graders on Saturday, November 15th from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Any students who would like to take the practice exam can sign up online, by phone, or in person. Space is limited to 40 students. Phone number 1-866-805-7323 or 209-937-8221

United States Air Force Academy Forum

Learn about the US Air Force Academy, Cadet life and the application process. Admissions staff and recent graduates will be available to answer your questions. Saturday, November 8^th, 2014 9:00am – 12:00pm Boulder Station Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas, Nevada. Check in will begin at 8:00am.

Senior Info

Every Tuesday and Thursday there is an open lab for students seeking help with the college applications and/or any other college related guidance.  The computer lab will be in the Counseling Office during lunch from 12:10pm – 12:50pm.

Counselors are still taking individual appointments with students to assist in guiding them through the college application process.
Save the Date…Thursday, December 11th at 6pm for MHS’ Financial Aid Information Night. Important topics will be covered such as the types of financial aid available for college and application deadlines will be discussed.

US Representative Jerry McNerney Will Host the Service Academy Night

The United States service academies offer a unique and esteemed educational opportunity for young men and women. Accepted students receive a free 4 year university education, room and board, medical and dental coverage and a stipend in exchange for a 5 year commitment upon graduation. If you are interested please attend the “Service Academy Night” on November 12^th  from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Lincoln High School in Stockton.

Exciting Sports News

Our Cross Country Team did fantastic at their League Championship on Thurs., Oct. 30, 2014 and our impressive results are listed below:

Women All Honors

Estefania Torres and Event MVP!

Mae Sandhu

Olivia Stone

Serena Cho

Valeria Diaz

Men All League

Talon Waters

Donoban Salinas

Charter Chatter

A weekly newsletter written to parents of the Tracy Learning Center

Oct. 24, 2014                                                                                        Vol. 12 No.12

Virginia’s Voice

I gave a workshop this week regarding being an effective student.  The workshop is worthwhile not only for those who attend, but for those who present.  Mr. Woods and I were the presenters.  He stressed how wonderful using Quizlet is for reviewing and learning school work.  He also demonstrated how fantastic it is to work on a project using Google Docs.  Technology is an incredible tool when used to help us study or learn.  I explained that there are many good websites that can be used to help students learn about the books they are reading, the math they are doing, or the history and science they are studying.  Many times, there are video tutorials that can help explain things that may have been confusing in class.

I am convinced that when students want to learn, there are aides out there that really can foster mastery.  Encourage your student to use the Internet as a learning tool.  It can make a big difference.

Safety Concerns

PLEASE PLEASE be aware that around our campus there are many areas you CANNOT PARK.  We realize space is limited on the small roads but we need to obey the laws because they protect our students.  We have several crosswalks that we encourage students and parents to use.  California law state you may not park within 20ft of a crosswalk or intersection.  When cars are parked on the corner or near the crosswalk it is impossible to students crossing the road. Please take a minute to look before you park.

We have genuine concern about our Primary Gate in the morning. We have our Primary PE Staff watching the gate making sure students do not leave until the beginning of Unity and at that time the gate is closed and latched. Students who are dropped off after the beginning of Unity run up to the closed gate and wait until someone opens the gate. Many times the person opening the gate end up propping the gate which creates a very unsafe and risky environment for our young students.  This gate must be shut and latched form the onset of Unity until dismissal time. We have ordered a new sign to remind parents and visitors to secure our gate and also will post a staff person at the gate until students are in class.

Safety Committee Meeting

The year is well underway and we want to hear from you.  We will be holding a parent/teacher safety meeting in D1 (next to the front office) on Wednesday October 29, 2014 beginning at 4:30pm.  We encourage parents and teachers to attend.  It is always great to collaborate on what we are doing to keep our students safe and get feedback from you as to how we can continue to improve.  Last year was a great success and led to a lot of upgrades and safety measures and we hope to keep that focus alive this year.

RETURN OF BIG COOKIE THURSDAY!!!

WOW!!!  Thank you to everyone who came out to participate for Big Cookie Thursday!  It was a huge success, more so than we ever expected!  Next week we will be back and fully stocked with more delicious cookies.  Our sincerest apologies if we ran out of cookies before you had a chance to get yours.  Please come back on Thursday, October 30th to buy more cookies from our PCS student council!

Easy Fundraiser

We have partnered with eCycle Group to run a Recycling Fundraiser! The program runs year-round, accumulating constant income for our efforts.  But we won’t get far without your support.  How can you help? Instead of throwing away empty original printer cartridges and used cell phones please send them to us.  We’ll take it from there.  You can drop off your original cartridges and cell phones with Connie in the office.

Thank you for your support!

Next Holiday is Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, Veteran’s day

Wow!  Big Cookie Thursday was a huge success!  We sold out very quickly!  Student council will be selling cookies everyThursday so be sure to bring your money next week!  We will be sure to purchase plenty of cookies for everyone.

In Initial Phase this week we have continued our discussions about being a Proud Individual.  We’ve had many students earn their Proud Individual bracelets!
Today is the kick off of Red Ribbon Week.  Students will come home with their bracelets that say Think! Be Kind!  Encourage your student to use their words and not their bodies to solve problems.  Finally, we have been learning about plant needs and plant parts.  We are excited to get to plant a real seed while we are at our field trip on Tuesday!

Phase 1 had an awesome week! They had a great time on their field trip to Countryside Farms. They planted seeds, went on a hayride, picked walnuts, learned how to make corn tortillas, picked a pumpkin, and got to pet some cute farm animals. They also had a busy week learning all about the life cycle of a pumpkin. Friday at unity we kicked off our Red Ribbon Week – our focus this year is Think! Be Kind!

Phase 2 students are becoming experts on the California Missions!  We will have an upcoming Mission project we will be working on in class for the next few weeks.  The teachers are eager to see what awesome projects our students will create!  Both classes will also be taking a field trip in November.  We are going to visit Mission San Juan Bautista.  If you would like to chaperone, please make sure you are  cleared in the office first.  We will choose chaperones by a random lottery. On Friday students received their Red Ribbon Week bracelets that remind them to Think!  Be Kind!  Next week at Unity each class will present a short skit or song that reflects our theme of Think! Be Kind!

DCS 5^th/6^th

Star Student:

Congratulations to Chad Maciel for receiving the Star Student award this week. Chad has been a tremendous help as part of Mrs. Wallace’s unofficial technology crew. Chad has proven himself to be a leader among peers and we are happy to see that he is taking the lead in a positive direction. We commend Chad for his efforts and look forward to seeing where his leadership skills take him.

Science Camp:

Please remember that all camp registration forms are due to Ms. Pelaez no later than November, 7^th. Late registration will not be accepted.

Fundraising:

For those students and families selling OUTDOOR EDUCATION RAFFLE tickets, they are due back Monday, November 3, sold or not.  Any unsold tickets need to be returned by that day.  We must turn them in to the County Office of Education that day.  Thank you for your help raising funds for Science Camp.

SWO:

Students received their next SWO Project this week – Cooperative Collaboration.  They will be given time in class and during Enrichment to work on their project, but it is a group project and they may need some time outside of school to get together.  If you want to meet after school in a classroom, please make arrangements ahead of time with a teacher.  Email is the best way to contact us.  The final project is due Friday, December 5th.  any questions, please contact the Language Arts teachers at lrodieck@tracylc.net or adelgado@tracylc.net.  Thank you.

PHSA 7^th and 8^th

The student are reading The Giver and are finding it to be an exciting and interesting book.  Teachers are seeing an improvement in reading and writing skills.

Social Studies is not just about history, students are learning how to organize work, understand the importance of the facts they are learning and the connection of aspects in history.

Math continues to show improvement, particularly at the higher levels.  Mrs. King’s two highest Algebra groups are within a point of each other in their class averages.

Science students are doing a great job taking notes and organizing information.

PHSA Science Olympiad meeting will take place on Wednesday October 29th at 6pm in Mrs Kings room. We will be passing out event assignments and partners so we hope to see all Olympians at the meeting.

The second quarter is off to a good start at MHS. This is a critical time of the year for our students as they work toward having grades that will count on their transcripts for each of their classes. It is also a very fast moving part of the year, one where many classes move quickly and go through a lot of curriculum in a short amount of time. The quarter will end before we know it. Accounting for all the upcoming vacation for the Thanksgiving holiday and the fact that we actually start the third quarter before we leave for Christmas break. There are only five weeks of regular school left and one week for finals before the new quarter starts. Encourage your student to study at night even if they say they don’t have homework and ensure they are turning in all assignments. These two things will really make a difference come grade time.

The annual Haunted High is tomorrow night in the High School Gym. The students have worked very hard on this with Mr. Snyder all week and it is very impressive! It promises to be scary and fun. A tamer version for kids will be from 4-7 and then it gets really terrifying from 7-10 for the older crowd. There will be fun and food and games as well. It is always a great event and promises to be bigger and better than ever this year. Happy Halloween!

Mr. Saldate

Thank you everyone who participated in “Make a Difference Day.” There was a huge amount of support from our TLC families! All the donations will go to the McHenry house to support the families living there.

Thank you to the wonderful visitor we had this week in our Career Education classes: Angel Jimenez from ITT Technical Institute and Donna Baker, owner of At Home Real Estate Group.

Yesterday students had the opportunity to attend a field trip to UC Berkeley and St. Mary’s College. Our students toured both the UC Berkeley campus and the St. Mary’s College campus. Above is a picture from tier “Selfie Challenge” at St. Mary’s.

Community Service

There are a lot of community service opportunities this weekend. Please click the link below to view all of the opportunities.  http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/october__2014.pdf

College Info

College Early Start Program – Spring Enrollment for Delta

Parents of students who are interested in taking classes at Delta College for the Spring 2014 semester need to carefully read the important steps listed on the website at http://tracylc.net/college-early-start.html Please remember that students participating in the College Early Start program must follow dates and deadlines and receive prior approval to take college classes while attending high school.  TLC provides reimbursement for tuition for those who have prior approval to take specific classes with proof of payment and a successful course completion with a grade of “C” or better.  Textbooks and additional fees are not reimbursable.

Letter to Parents: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/delta_college_parent_and_student_registration_procedures.pdf

Check List: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/delta_college_early_start_procedure_checklist_spring_2015.pdf

Dates and Deadlines: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/spring_2015_important_dates_to_know.pdf

Free Practice SAT

The Tracy Public Library hosting a free practice SAT Test for 9th-12th graders on Saturday, November 15th from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Any students who would like to take the practice exam can sign up online, by phone, or in person. Space is limited to 40 students. Phone number 1-866-805-7323 or 209-937-8221

Dartmouth

Dartmouth is hosting two events in our area in October. The first is an information session is a presentation from admission staff and alumni and hoe their experiences equipped them to become founders of organizations and to realize their own goals and aspiration. This event will be held Tuesday, October 28^th, at 7:00pm at Menlo School located at 50 Valparaiso Ave. in Atherton CA. On Wednesday, October 29th, Dartmouth will host an informational session at Bellarmine College Preparatory located at 850 Elm St. in San Jose. For more information on either of these events or to RSVP please visit http://dartgo.org/ontheroad.

Scholarships

There are three scholarships with deadlines this month. Please stop by the counseling office or check the link for more information. http://tracylc.net/counseling-home.html

United States Air Force Academy Forum

Learn about the US Air Force Academy, Cadet life and the application process. Admissions staff and recent graduates will be available to answer your questions. Saturday, November 8^th, 2014 9:00am – 12:00pm Boulder Station Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas, Nevada. Check in will begin at 8:00am.

Charter Chatter

A weekly newsletter written to parents of the Tracy Learning Center

Oct. 17, 2014                                                                                               No.11

Virginia’s Voice

This is the month for Red Ribbon, a time which traditionally is to focus on not using drugs.  We at the Tracy Learning Center like to expand this thought and broaden our theme to be appropriate for ages 5 to 17.

This year our theme is THINK!  Be Kind!  Students will receive a red wrist band with this saying on it.  If people do think before they say or do things, it is usually a better outcome.  Often when someone says something negative or hurtful to someone that person responds similarly and both people walk away hurt.  If all students think about their actions, they can be kind not only to others but to themselves.  It takes thoughtful people to create a caring world.

Our greatest desire is to have everyone here at the Tracy Learning Center respect and care for one another.  Everyone does not have to be friends, but everyone deserves respect.  We all can benefit from the reminder to THINK and BE KIND.

All Schools Announcement

Together, TLC Can Make a Difference!

Dear TLC Families,

It’s that time of the year again…students at the Tracy Learning Center can make a difference on “National Make a Difference Day”.   As part of a school-wide project, TLC will be participating in a donation project to help the McHenry House of Tracy-Family Shelter.  Our goal is to provide much needed household supplies to the seven families awaiting help at the McHenry House.  Each grade level is assigned a different household item to donate.  Below are the items per grade level and where to drop off donations:                                               

Toilet Paper

– K, 1, 2 – Take to student’s classroom

Cleaning Wipes 

– 3, 4 – Take to student’s homeroom

Paper Towels                  

-DCS – Take to Ms. T’s classroom

             Tissue Boxes

-PHSA Take to Mr. Warmerdam’s classroom

House Hold Cleaning Supplies

• Millennium High School

Drop off  items the week of October 21^st – 25^th. 2013.

Thank you for your support!

If you have any questions please contact Ms. Powers at lpowers@tracylc.net

Safety Concerns

We have genuine concern about our Primary Gate in the morning. We have our Primary PE Staff watching the gate making sure students do not leave until the beginning of Unity and at that time the gate is closed and latched. Students who are dropped off after the beginning of Unity run up to the closed gate and wait until someone opens the gate. Many times the person opening the gate end up propping the gate which creates a very unsafe and risky environment for our young students.  This gate must be shut and latched form the onset of Unity until dismissal time. We have ordered a new sign to remind parents and visitors to secure our gate and also will post a staff person at the gate until students are in class.

RETURN OF BIG COOKIE THURSDAY!!!

Primary Student Council is bringing back Big Cookie Thursday!  Cookies will be for sale during carline every Thursday beginning October 23.  They will be 50 cents each! We will have two locations set up for sales: one will be walk-up and one will be ‘cone 5’ for drive up customers.  Please try to bring exact change to help with ease and speed of our sales!  Thank you for supporting PCS!

Next Holiday is Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, Veteran’s day

In Initial Phase this week we are happy to see students who are trying very hard to be Proud Individuals.  We have seen students trying their best to use their words instead of their bodies, trying to do their best work, and giving their best effort to follow Primary rules.  We are happy that they are taking control of their actions.  We will continue this focus for the remainder of the year.

Phase 1 has been learning about continents and oceans in social studies. They have also been writing letters to a pen pal from the other class. Look for the final letter in your child’s Green Folder.  The students are continuing to work on parts of speech in Language Arts. They have taken their Star Reading test again and many kids have gone up in reading levels. The teachers love all the reading we are seeing. In math, they are working on counting money, telling time, greater than and less than and place value.

Phase 1’s first field trip of the year is next Wednesday, October 22, 2014. Both P1 and P8 will be going together. The students will be going to the Country Side Farms Pumpkin Patch and will leave school at 9:45 and return before afternoon carline. Please make sure that your student has a brown bag lunch to take with them, no lunch pails or containers please. Remember we want to represent PCS by wearing our spirit wear!

On the field trip, they will get a tour of the farm from the actual workers and learn about how life on the farm is. They will also learn more about the life cycle of a pumpkin, which is what they will be learning about next week for Social Studies/Science. This will be a fun filled learning day, complete with a ride around the farm and best of all, seeing the pumpkin patch!

DCS 5^th/6^th

Star Student:

Congratulations to Crysuel Cunnan for receiving the Star Student award this week. Crysuel is a deep thinker who is always polite to others. Crysuel follows lessons with true engagement and an intensity that allows her to offer insights beyond the expected curriculum. Teachers feel very fortunate to have her in class.

Fundraising:

We are so impressed by the success some students are having selling raffle tickets for our Science Camp Fundraiser. Thank you for your support as we work to make a trip to camp a possibility for all students.

SWO:

The Personal Awareness SWO projects and scrapbooks were due this week to Ms. Wallace and Ms. Pelaez. We will be starting Cooperative Collaboration SWO very soon.

Science Olympiad:

DCS will be sending two teams to Science Olympiad this year. More than 36 students applied and we were so happy to have the opportunity to involve such a large number. Thank you to the parents who offered to assist students in specializing as an event coach. Parental involvement is certainly needed for the success of our team.

PHSA 7^th and 8^th

Mrs. King was reflecting on her classes yesterday with me and she said it is wonderful to have these students for her last year. (She is retiring in June.)  The students in her math classes are not only achieving excellent grades, they have a great work ethic and they always do all of their assignments.  She said it is so rewarding to teach them.

Arthur Mariott, our new learning guide, was hired to support and help students in PHSA who struggle with paying attention or are academically having difficulty.  He feels he is making progress.  When students are involved and engaged in the class, they stay focused.  He is working on helping them avoid getting oranges and to achieve better grades.

PHSA is also very pleased with the parent support we have received when meeting to discuss issues regarding behavior in the classroom.  One parent comes to school every morning to observe and help her son in Math.  Another father came to school to observe after his son was suspended for difficult behavior.  This follow through on the parent’s part is very important and appreciated.

MHS is hosting its 5th Annual Haunted High next Saturday, October 25th from 4pm-10pm. Come out and show your support. The event has attractions for all ages. There will be a kid’s zone which will include a bounce house, bean bag toss and some gruesome carnival games. The adult attraction is the haunted house located in the gym. There will be two versions of the haunted house with he earlier tours geared for a younger crowd (less scary) You can purchase a $5 ticket for a one time trip into the gym and games with range from 1-2 tickets.  Food, Face painting and more will also be available. We hope you can make it to help support MHS’s Art Department.

Thank you to the wonderful visitor we had this week in our Career Education classes: Sheri Catalano from Expressions College.

“How To Be An Effective Student” Workshop for Students and Parents

Please join Mrs. Stewart in learning tips and strategies on how to be an effective student in and out of the classroom setting. Open to 9^th grade and 12^th grade students and parents. Questions? Contact Counseling Office 209-627-8299

When: Thursday, October 23^rd from 4:00pm-5:00pm

Where: MHS Room M14 (Across from MHS restrooms)

Community Service

There are a lot of community service opportunities this weekend. Please click the link below to view all of the opportunities.  http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/october__2014.pdf

College Info

PSAT

The PSAT  is an affordable and excellent way for students to practice for the SAT exams. We Encourage students to get plenty of rest the night before and eat a well balanced breakfast. The PSAT will take place Saturday, October 18^th, from 7:30am to 11:30am in rooms M-1 and M-2.  Doors open at 7:30am sharp. Students must arrive on time. No food or drinks will be allowed in the testing room. Results will be given in December.

College Early Start Program – Spring Enrollment for Delta

Parents of students who are interested in taking classes at Delta College for the Spring 2014 semester need to carefully read the important steps listed on the website at http://tracylc.net/college-early-start.html Please remember that students participating in the College Early Start program must follow dates and deadlines and receive prior approval to take college classes while attending high school.  TLC provides reimbursement for tuition for those who have prior approval to take specific classes with proof of payment and a successful course completion with a grade of “C” or better.  Textbooks and additional fees are not reimbursable.

Letter to Parents: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/delta_college_parent_and_student_registration_procedures.pdf

Check List: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/delta_college_early_start_procedure_checklist_spring_2015.pdf

Dates and Deadlines: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/spring_2015_important_dates_to_know.pdf

Dartmouth

Dartmouth is hosting two events in our area in October. The first is an information session is a presentation from admission staff and alumni and hoe their experiences equipped them to become founders of organizations and to realize their own goals and aspiration. This event will be held Tuesday, October 28^th, at 7:00pm at Menlo School located at 50 Valparaiso Ave. in Atherton CA. On Wednesday, October 29th, Dartmouth will host an informational session at Bellarmine College Preparatory located at 850 Elm St. in San Jose. For more information on either of these events or to RSVP please visit http://dartgo.org/ontheroad.

Scholarships

There are three scholarships with deadlines this month. Please stop by the counseling office or check the link for more information. http://tracylc.net/counseling-home.html

United States Air Force Academy Forum

Learn about the US Air Force Academy, Cadet life and the application process. Admissions staff and recent graduates will be available to answer your questions. Saturday, November 8^th, 2014 9:00am – 12:00pm Boulder Station Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas, Nevada. Check in will begin at 8:00am.

Other News

T & J Educational Tutoring Annual Fall Festival

The T & J Educational Tutoring Annual Fall Festival will be held Saturday, October 18^th at 320 W. 11^th Street in Tracy from 11:00am-3:00pm. This is an opportunity to meet their tutors. The first 25 people to attend will receive a free gift.

Charter Chatter

A weekly newsletter written to parents of the Tracy Learning Center

Oct. 10, 2014                                                                                        Vol. 10 No.10

Virginia’s Voice

It seems that we have several young children who are using hands and feet instead of words when they are upset or angry.  Not only is it important for schools to help students achieve success academically, it is important that schools help students become productive and proud citizens who know how to deal with people effectively.  This has to start early.  Students need to learn how to express feelings in a positive way.  It is ok to be angry if we learn how to voice our concerns and disappointments in a positive and productive way.  At school, we continue to remind students to use words not hands.  Hitting or pushing results in more hitting and pushing which results in someone being hurt and does nothing to resolve the problem.

It is important for the future of our world, that we help all young citizens learn how to get along and solve things peacefully.  By helping just one child improve in this, we are in fact helping the future of our world and helping to move the possibility of peace just a little closer.

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Picture re-takes for all students is Tuesday October 14, 2015, Order forms are in the front office.  Please bring your order forms will be available. Send in your child’s previous pictures if you were dissatisfied on picture day.

Monday. October 13 is a regular school day.

Next Holiday is Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, Veteran’s day

This month we are working hard on what a Proud Individual looks, sounds, and acts like.  In Initial Phase, we spend a lot of time helping students become aware of how they behave both academically and socially.  This can take some practice.  We have seen a lot of progress, but we have a way to go.  Please talk with your student about the importance of being proud of their actions.  Together we can help ensure that these little ones have a very successful year!

Phase 1 had an awesome week!  Many students reached their AR Goal and had or will have an AR party….Congratulations!!  In Social Studies this week we learned more about maps and our country.  We had fun mapping how far students traveled in the United States.  We are eagerly looking forward to our first field trip to Countryside Farms on the 22nd.   Please make sure you have returned the permission slip and money.  It is due on the 17th.

This week in Phase 2 we discussed what it means to be a Proud Individual, which is one of our SWOs (School Wide Outcomes).  Besides being proud of yourself (and not in a bragging way!)  being proud also includes taking pride in your work and classroom.  Taking pride in work means that it is neat and the student did their absolute best.  Pride in your classroom environment also includes keeping the classroom clean and keeping binders and backpacks organized.  It is a good idea to clean out backpacks every week.  This will encourage organizational skills, neatness, and create a Proud Individual!

DCS 5^th/6^th

5^th/6^th

Star Student:

Congratulations to Carson Edwards for receiving the Star Student award this week! We appreciate Carson for his energetic enthusiasm. Carson embraces challenging assignments and collaborates well with all students during group work. During recess Carson finds ways to interact with a great variety of children, playing many different games. Carson’s joyful spirit makes him a star at DCS.

Language Arts:

Many students who were falling behind on their AR points started to get back on pace. If your child is behind his or her goal please encourage finding books your child can enjoy reading. If you are not sure where your child stands in AR you can look in your child’s agenda. AR points are included in the grades teachers write in student agendas.

Fundraising:

Mrs. Rodieck has introduced two fantastic fundraising opportunities this week, a raffle to raise funds for Science Camp scholarships and a partnership with Del Osso Farms to help our school pay for more general enrichment opportunities. Thank you for your participation. We are impressed by the skilled salesmanship some students are exemplifying as they sell raffle tickets.

SWO:

The Personal Awareness SWO will be due next Friday, October 17^th. All scrapbooks must be submitted to Ms. Pelaez. All personal symbol projects must be submitted to Mrs. Wallace.

Science Olympiad:

Completed Science Olympiad applications were submitted this week. Students who are chosen will be notified by e-mail no later than Friday, October 17th.

PHSA 7^th and 8^th

We are beginning to see a significant turnaround with the students which indicates to me that when we pay attention to things, they can and will improve.

This week in Social Studies, Mr. Warmerdam’s classes did a comparison essay regarding the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.  They did a very good job.  The class average is going up even though the students had to memorize the first ten amendments of the Constitution.

IN PE, the students have completed the first mile of the ever.  Coach Lopez’s class is currently doing Ultimate Frisbee while Coach Easterday is working on basketball skills.  Coach Lunn is a great mentor and help in the class.

The three algebra classes are graphing equations and we are very pleased with their progress.

In Science the students are covering ions and isotopes which is great preparation for high school chemistry. Grades are quite good in science.

In Language Arts, the students are enjoying reading, The Giver.   The book is a movie, but we  believe in the end the students will like the book even better.  Students have been asked not to read ahead.

SWO work in moving along well in class.  The cooperative collaborator SWO is due on November 7^th.  Starting next week we will have work time on Tuesday and Thursday for SWOs.  Teachers are giving a great deal of support and guidance and it is our hope all will pass.

Midterms are over and it’s time to refocus on the 2nd half of the semester.  Progress report cards were mailed out yesterday.  Please be on the lookout for them.  If you do not receive them in the mail by next week, contact the main office to verify that we have the correct mailing address on file.  As a reminder, we offer a free homework support room on Tues, Wed, and Thurs in room M14 from 4pm – 4:45pm.

On October 23rd, Mrs. Stewart will be conducting a “How to Be An Effective Student” workshop in the homework support room from 4pm – 4:45pm.  Students and parents are welcome!  Additional information was included with the progress reports.

Thank you to the wonderful visitor we had this week in our Career Education classes: Linda Verdun-Brown from Humphrey’s College Stockton Campus, Dr. Hu from New Smile Orthodontics, and Jan Bents from University of Utah.

Community Service

We held our 7th Annual Community Service fair this week.  It was a success! All MHS students were able to connect with over 24 local non-profit organizations throughout the community.  They learned about current volunteer needs, services, and resources.  Students signed up to volunteer for current and future opportunities.  Ask your student what he or she learned and what organizations they had a chance to meet.

There are a lot of community service opportunities this weekend. Please click the link below to view all of the opportunities.  http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/october__2014.pdf

College Info

PSAT Sign Ups Now Open!!!!

The PSAT will take place on Saturday, October 18^th, from 7:30am to 11:30am in rooms M-1 and M-2. The cost is only $15.00. Space is limited. There are only a few spots left.  Registration will be taken in the Counseling Office. Please bring payment when you register open to 9^th, 10^th and 11^th grades.

College Early Start Program – Spring Enrollment for Delta

Parents of students who are interested in taking classes at Delta College for the Spring 2014 semester need to carefully read the important steps listed on the website at http://tracylc.net/college-early-start.html Please remember that students participating in the College Early Start program must follow dates and deadlines and receive prior approval to take college classes while attending high school.  TLC provides reimbursement for tuition for those who have prior approval to take specific classes with proof of payment and a successful course completion with a grade of “C” or better.  Textbooks and additional fees are not reimbursable.

Letter to Parents: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/delta_college_parent_and_student_registration_procedures.pdf

Check List: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/delta_college_early_start_procedure_checklist_spring_2015.pdf

Dates and Deadlines: http://tracylc.net/uploads/3/2/6/9/3269718/spring_2015_important_dates_to_know.pdf

Scholarships

There are three scholarships with deadlines this month. Please stop by the counseling office or check the link for more information. http://tracylc.net/counseling-home.html

Other News

“How To Be An Effective Student” Workshop for Students and Parents

Please join Mrs. Stewart in learning tips and strategies on how to be an effective student in and out of the classroom setting. Open to 9^th grade and 12^th grade students and parents. Questions? Contact Counseling Office 209-627-8299

When: Thursday, October 23^rd from 4:00pm-5:00pm

Where: MHS Room M14 (Across from MHS restrooms)

Anyone attending this Saturday’s Football game is encouraged to wear pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness month. This weekend’s game is being called “Kick-off for a Cure” and portion of the gate proceeds will be donated to “Susan G. Komen for the Cure.” Falcons come out and show your support for a good cause.

T & J Educational Tutoring Annual Fall Festival

The T & J Educational Tutoring Annual Fall Festival will be held Saturday, October 18^th at 320 W. 11^th Street in Tracy from 11:00am-3:00pm. This is an opportunity to meet their tutors. The first 25 people to attend will receive a free gift.

Charter Chatter

A weekly newsletter written to parents of the Tracy Learning Center

Oct. 3, 2014                                                                                          No.9

Virginia’s Voice

Yesterday, the MHS students celebrated Homecoming with their annual Homecoming Rally.  It was very well done with a great deal of spirit.  The day before, we had our annual Powder Puff game with a great turn out that included meals cooked by the Lions Club.  Today we will have our parade and the homecoming dance.  It is a wonderful time of the year to celebrate all the students who have been a part of the Tracy Learning Center from Kindergarten through graduation.  I am very proud and pleased to be a part of the TLC tradition.  I know all of you who see the parade, will be impressed with the work that goes into our floats!

Picture Re-takes

Picture re-takes for all students is October 15, 2015, Order forms are in the front office.  Please bring your order forms will be available. Send in your child’s previous pictures if you were dissatisfied on picture day.

Parking

Again we have had multiple complaints from our neighbors about our parents and high school drivers parking partially in their driveways. The residents are very frustrated and tired of being unable to come and go through their driveways during drop off and pick up times. Please be considerate of our neighbors.

In Initial Phase this week students have had a great time with their first spirit week experience.  We have all been very excited preparing for our homecoming parade by learning the song Hakuna Matata.  In addition, we have been busy learning about the life cycle of an apple and soon we will learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin!  Wow! Fall is full of many fun and interesting things!

Phase one had a great week! This was a SUPER fun spirit week! The kids dressed up each day and will end the week with the homecoming parade. The students wrote back to their pen pals and will receive their letter back next week. For Language Art’s they are working on parts of speech, alliteration and contractions. In Math, they are working hard on adding, subtracting, skip counting, telling time, counting money and greater than/less than. For Social Studies, they learned about local maps, how to use them and why they are important.

The students in Phase one will be going on their first field trip to the Country Side Farms on October 22, 2013. Look for the permission slip in your child’s green folder!

Phase Two had a fun filled spirit week!  We saw creative outfits throughout the week and saw a lot of TLC pride!  This week our classes continued to learn about Native American tribes and P6 is almost ready to start our group projects.  We have all learned so many interested facts about the Native Californians.  P3 worked on explanatory writing and P6 is busy learning about persuasive/opinion writing.  P6 would also like to welcome our new teacher, Mr. Sprick!  We are excited to have her and we know she will be an awesome addition to our P6 team.

Primary would like to thank all the students and parents who helped out with our homecoming float.  We appreciate all of your hard work!

DCS 5^th/6^th

This week marks a midway point of the first trimester. Some significant milestones have been reached. In LA students should be at least midway to their AR goal. Some LA classes completed their first group novel. In Science and in some Math classes students have taken, or will soon take a midterm exam. In Social Studies students are in the process of completing their project for the Personal Awareness SWO. We are proud of how well our students are progressing as we continue to increase the level of challenge.

Star Student:

Congratulations to Alaina Pelican for receiving the Star Student award this week! We appreciate Alaina for her tremendous help with our Homecoming parade. Alaina worked with a team of students to complete a float we were proud to show off as DCS student work. We appreciate how Alaina can balance a serious attitude toward learning with a more casual, friendly attitude toward classmates.

Agenda:

This week students tallied their orange and green days in the back of their agendas. Thank you for taking the time to sign that page. We hope that you are also finding time to check what your child writes for homework. It should match the homework calendar posted on the TLC website. As teachers we see a positive change in students when parents take the time to look closely at student agendas.

Science Olympiad:

Completed Science Olympiad applications are due to Ms. Pelaez by Friday, October 10th. Students who are chosen will be notified by Friday, October 17th.

PHSA 7^th and 8^th

We continue to work on behavior issues with the PHSA students.  It is getting better but it is not at the level I would like.  We know that seventh and eighth grade are hard years for students.  They are growing up, want freedom, and continue to need structure.  The most important thing is that they learn to have respect for adults and students alike.  Everyone does not have to like everyone, but they need to know how to get along and be respectful.  This is a life long skill all of us need to learn.

We are very proud of the Leadership class who worked diligently to create a wonderful float for homecoming.  They had pride, worked together collaboratively and enjoyed what they accomplished.  Mr. Warmerdam had students work in the afternoon rather than miss classes in the morning of the parade.  That was a great idea since their float was further along when everyone else started assembling theirs this morning.  Way to go PHSA.

Senior Internships

Our Fall Seniors Interns are nearly half way through their internships! Below are some of them actively working in our community. The Spring Internship process will begin soon.  Students will being interviewing for spring placements in November. More details to follow this month.

Community Service

Banta Hay Day

Student can volunteer at Banta School’s Banta Hay day event Saturday, October 4^th. This event will take place from 12:30pm to 7:00pm. Students will help run setup, break down and assist the event. The student contact is Anita Gonzales 209-740-1341.

Coming Soon! 7^th annual Community Service Fair

Over 20 non-profit organizations will be present to allow students to opportunity to sign up for volunteer opportunity. All students will have the opportunity to meet representative from these organizations and learn about the volunteer needs throughout the community.

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 the Homecoming game can contact him for their duties. Anyone interested in assisting at future games can ask him for more information.

6th Grade Science Camp Volunteers needed!!! LAST WEEK TO APPLY!!!

Any Junior or Senior interested in being a science camp counselor can attend pick up an application in the Counseling Office. Applications are due Thursday, October 9^th.

College Info

PSAT Sign Ups Now Open!!!!

The PSAT will take place on Saturday, October 18^th, from 7:30am to 11:30am in rooms M-1 and M-2. The cost is only $15.00. Space is limited. There are only a few spots left.  Registration will be taken in the Counseling Office. Please bring payment when you register open to 9^th, 10^th and 11^th grades.

CSU Application Workshop

We will have an admissions representative from the CSU system here on Tuesday October 7^th, at 12:05pm in M-2 to go over the application process for applying to CSU campuses. Any Seniors interested in attending a CSU should come to this work shop.

College Early Start Program – Spring Enrollment for Delta

Parents of students who are interested in taking classes at Delta College for the Spring 2014 semester need to carefully read the important steps listed on the website at http://tracylc.net/college-early-start.html Please remember that students participating in the College Early Start program must follow dates and deadlines and receive prior approval to take college classes while attending high school.  TLC provides reimbursement for tuition for those who have prior approval to take specific classes with proof of payment and a successful course completion with a grade of “C” or better.  Textbooks and additional fees are not reimbursable.