Charter Chatter
A weekly newsletter written to parents of the Tracy Learning Center
Nov. 14, 2014 No.15
| Virginia’s Voice |
It occurred to me this week when I met with one parent that many of you do not feel the comfort of knowing all the teachers as you have in the past. While the new teachers were an adjustment to the students, it is also an adjustment for each of you. It is always a good feeling when you can call or e-mail a teacher you have known for a while.
So this is one reason that the parent conferences for this trimester is an important time for all of you to “get to know” the new teachers on a more personal one on one basis. The more you reach out to know the new teachers the better partners we will become. Call this a building year of new relationships for all of us.
The new staff has added new ideas and the established staff has offered great support as new teachers learn our systems and culture. It is very challenging to be a new teacher here at TLC but all of us are working to continue to develop the best program for our students.
Enjoy your chance to meet and greet the new staff during parent conferences. Primary and DCS have sent home individual appointments. Flyers went home with PHSA to announce a meeting date for Tuesday.
| Misc. Announcements |
Upcoming MHS Play
The school play, Arsenic and Old Lace will opened Friday, 11/14 at 7pm. Student ticket price is only $5.00 with General admission costing $7.00. Come on out and support our amazing MHS actors as they perform this hilarious Dark Comedy about murder, old ladies and love! Additional performances will be Saturday night, 11/15 at 7pm and a matinee showing on Sunday, 11/16 at 2pm.
Thank you for supporting the arts at Millennium High School!
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!
Entire Thanksgiving Week Nov. 24-28 School Break
| PCS/DCS Lunch Menu Week Nov. 17-21
Mon. – Pizza Tues. – No Meat Spaghetti Wed – Chicken Patti Wednesday Thurs. – Chicken Taquito Thursday Fri. – Turkey or Ham Feast |
| Primary Charter |
Attention Primary Parents! We are now selling spirit wear in adult sizes! Several parents have complimented the teachers on their new, sparkly spirit wear! We are now offering a similar version to students and parents. There are samples of the sprit wear in the office. There are two options; a royal blue t-shirt or royal blue sweatshirt. Check out the samples! Order forms went home today in green folders. Orders are due by December 1st. Thank you!
In Initial Phase this week we have been busy with many things. Students have shown us their growth and we are ready to show off to parents at conferences. We have learned about state and national symbols and what Veterans Day is. We can’t wait to see you at conferences next week!
This week in Phase 1, the students learned about the 3 branches of government. They went over their classroom rules and how they relate to the real world and the constitution. They have also been working on their Trimester 1 Project “Me on the Map” where they learned about the school we go to, the city, state, country and continent we live in and the planet we live on.
The students this week had a review week in language arts where they review all the vocabulary and grammar concepts they have learned this far this school year.
Next week, both classes will be celebrating Thanksgiving by learning about t all week in Social Studies and ending the week by having a small feast in Friday. Please refer to your child’s weekly newsletter for more specific information.
Phase 2 had a great week and both classes worked hard on their Mission projects. We saw a lot of collaboration, teamwork, and productivity! They are Mission experts now! We will be wrapping up our Mission unit next week. Please note that next week is parent-teacher conference week. If you are unable to make your day/time, please let the teachers know as soon as possible. Thank you!
DCS 5th/6th
5th/6th
DCS Charter Chatter:
Star Student:
Congratulations to Kirstin Tyler for receiving the Star Student Award for the Week of November 17h. Kirstin always works hard and is kind and helpful to all those around her!!!
Conferences:
Your child should have brought home a conference time for you to meet with their homeroom teacher … (if you have questions or concerns please feel free to email the teacher) See You there J
Science News:
-Next Science Olympiad practice is after school on Friday, November 21st in D5. This practice is for “build” events .
-What to Pack for Science Camp meeting in M1 from 5:00-6:00 on Monday, December 8th.
We have approximately 120 kids going to Away Camp and 65 who will be at the Stay at School Camp!!!
Social Studies:
Mrs. Wallace is looking forward to all the imaginative Edible Colony projects that will be coming into class this week.
Periods 0 & 1 Due Tuesday, November 18th
Periods 6 & 7 Due Monday, November 17th
Periods 4 & 5 Due Thursday, November 20th
Final Fundraiser before Science Camp:
The Turkey Trot will take place during PE on Friday, November 21st
The money from this fundraiser will go toward both Away Science Camp and Stay at School Science Camp (and a possible field trip in the Spring)
Pledges are due Friday, November 21st
Money is due back to school by Monday, December 1st
PHSA 7th and 8th
The 3 social studies groups are taking their Unit 4 Exam this Friday covering George Washington, The Federalists and Anti-federalists, U.S. and Native American interactions and the War of 1812. Mr. Warmerdam is very pleased with most everything they are doing! The students have done very well this unit that has lasted the past 6 weeks and included 2 projects, reading comprehension and literacy, a Reader’s theatre, note-taking, an art collage, timelines and many other exercises.
Two algebra classes have mastered adding, subtracting and multiplying polynomials. Their unit test will be next week. The third class just took the graphing assessment and will take the Trimester 1 final, even though it will not impact their grades until trimester 2.
Trimester 1 SWO was turned in. The score is 10% of the trimester 1 math grade. December 1st the students will receive the Trimester 2 SWO. Right now they should take advantage of just having the yearlong SWO to work on.
Students took home a flyer announcing parent report card pick up night on Tuesday. Parents have two choices to attend at 4:10 to 5:10 or 6:00 to 7:30. We will meet in Mrs. King’s room and then there will be a chance to meet with individual teachers.
| MHS |
MHS Charter Chatter November 14, 2014
UC Santa Cruz and Santa Clara University Filed Trip for 10th and 11th grade students only.
Millennium High School students’ grades 11th & 10th will be visiting UC Santa Cruz and Santa Clara University on Thursday, November 20th from 7:00am to 4:30pm. Students will be eating lunch at UC Santa Cruz. Any student attending the trip will need to bring a sack lunch or money for lunch in the dining hall. This trip is full. The bus list will be posted Monday in the counseling office.
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
Senior Info
Congratulations! to the following students who have received early admissions to the following schools:
Matthew Leal
Scholarships Awarded: To be divided over 4 years
Presidential Scholarship: $60,000
Opportunity Award: $4,000
St Albert Scholarship: $8,000
California Award: $4,000
College bound seniors have been applying to colleges and universities. The deadline to apply to CSU and UC’s is fast approaching on November 30th. Most colleges will be notifying applicants the status of their admission in early Spring by either mail or online via a student portal on the individual college web site. We anticipate hearing about the acceptance letters. All students accepted to a college or university should let the Counselors know as soon as they are notified. Best of luck to all of those who applied!
Attention Seniors!! If you have not already taken your Senior Picture at the Photographic Art Studio please do so as soon as possible. This is one more item to check off on your to do list for graduation. Please call 209-830-8830 to set up your appointment.
Important Date Change!!! Save the Date for December 18th 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. Reminder postcards will be mailed soon.
Senior Spring Internships
Spring semester interns have been busily selecting and preparing for their interviews for potential internships that will begin next semester. Students will begin interviewing next week and will continue to interview over the next few weeks. Once the interviews are complete parents will be notified of their student’s placement.
Open Lab for College Application Assistance
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.