Charter Chatter

A weekly newsletter written to parents of the Tracy Learning Center

Dec. 12, 2014                                                                                                               No.18

Gone are the days when all classrooms are quiet.  Productive student talk is an essential part of learning.  Talking, when focused usually is a good indicator of thinking.  Sometimes the talking goes astray and it is the teacher who needs to facilitate a change.  Teachers do know that talking facilitates reading the writing development.  Those who are able to express their thinking verbally usually do a good job writing essays as well.

There are some good conversational moves we can all make to help foster productive thinking and talking.  These moves include asking:

• Can you tell me more about that
• Would you say that again, it interests me and I was only half listening
• Can you give me another example so I can understand
• I wonder what others think about that
• Take your time explaining, I can see you still want to say more about this
• Why do you think that
• Where could we find more information about that
• I can say what you said and you can let me know if I heard it correctly
• That is a great question; do you want to learn about it with me?

I always think of these as great car conversation starters when students are talking about things in their day or activities that can and do lead to other ideas.  Listening to the news together and commenting is another great way to extend thinking.  Talking is an important part of learning.

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!

Give Every Child A Chance

Tracy Learning Center has been approved as a new site for the strong and expanding tutoring/mentoring program Give Every Child a Chance!  They are bringing a homework assistance group tutoring program to our school for 7th through 12th graders.  The program is free for students who have a D or an F in any subject, an IEP, or a strong teacher recommendation. Math and Language Arts assistance will take place Monday-Thursday between 4:00-6:00pm in D-13, Mrs. Saldana’s room.  For more information about GECAC, please see their website:  www.gecac.net.  For an application, please contact Ms. Moore at the MHS Counseling Office, or visit http://www.gecac.net/downloadsapplications.html and click “One on One Tutoring Application”.  You may write in “Tracy Learning Center” as your site of choice.  Turn in applications to Ms. Moore at MHS Counseling.

Winter Concert presented by the Tracy Learning Center Musicians

We are looking very forward to our first Winter Production conducted by our music teacher, Mr. Zepeda. These talented musicians are our very own PHSA  Band and MHS Advanced Band Students. This should be a wonderful and very entertaining event.

Where – Kimball High School Theater 

When –  Tues, December 16, 2014 at 7pm 

Cost –    Adults-$5

             Children/Students-$3

Winter Break begins Mon. Dec. 22, 2014 and all students return to school on Mon. Jan. 5, 2015

Primary Musical Performances by selected Primary Classes!!

Friday, December 19^th

The following classes will be performing in their rooms at these times only (these are their regular music elective times):

10:30   P3

12:30  P5

1:00   P7

2:00  P1

Dear Parents:

The students and I would love to have you join us during one of these exciting times! The students are working hard learning holiday songs.

Holiday hats will be allowed, provided they do not block other students.  Santa and elf hats would be appropriate.  Reindeer headbands and flashing hats may be too distracting.

We are looking forward to sharing some holiday cheer with you!

Mrs. Watson,

TLC Primary Music Teacher

In Initial Phase this week students have been intrigued with all of this rainy and windy weather.  We have been busy discussing how to read a forecast to help us plan our day, travel, and what we wear.  Students are enjoying predicting the forecast as well.  Reminder, label all clothing, gloves, and hats that you send to school with your student.

Phase 1 Students had another wonderful week of learning.  The weather kept us cooped up and a little anxious, but we made through the week, especially with our elves, Luke and Peppermint, keeping an eye on us! The students had fun learning all about holidays and traditions all around the world.  P1 students made Kwanzaa mats, Hanukkah menorahs, and tasted tamales! P8 students made a suitcase and passport for their travels.  Mrs. Thompson taught about Hanukkah and the traditions. They traveled to Mexico and learned about their traditions and made poinsettias and traveled to Russia and learned about their traditions and made a Nutcracker.  We are so proud to welcome many new students to the AR program.  We have great readers in Phase 1.

Phase 2 students had a very productive week.  We are learning about holiday traditions around the world and even got to taste some different foods from other countries.  We learned about Hanukkah and other winter holidays.  Phase 2 students are also working on winter narratives and we have some very creative writers!  Please remember that we have lunch, recess, and PE outside so dress accordingly for the weather!

 
5/6
Star Student:
Congratulations to Grace Bhatia for receiving the Star Student Award for the Week of December 15th. Grace always works hard and is kind and helpful to all those around her.

Science News:
Teams continue working hard to get ready for the Science Olympiad.

Social Studies:
All classes had their Colonial America Final this week. Overall the scores were pretty good!!
Mrs. Wallace’s 0 and 1st periods have begun their Wax Museum project.

The new Trimester is off and running. Can’t believe it is almost 2015!!

The students have done a great job with all the rainy days this week. DCS Rocks!!!

PHSA 7^th and 8^th

Mrs. King is very pleased with the progress her math students are making.  She also wishes everyone a happy holiday break.  She is suggesting a few small gifts for stockings as well: expo markers for white boards, pencils, erasers, and maybe even binder paper.

Mrs. Santiago is pleased to see the improvement in grades in her math classes and is encouraged with the student participation in class as well.

Oranges are going down.  Fewer students are receiving oranges in agendas for talking or disrupting instruction.  There is a greater focus in class.  All students are remembering their agendas.

Mrs. Saldana and Mrs. Sierra are appreciating the improvement in student writing and they are pleased that the students are enjoying the new novel: Copper Sun.  While the book discusses mature topics, they are pleased with the mature response of the students.

Finals are over and grades will be posted soon. Report cards will be mailed out next week. There may be some important information included with the reports cards, so please be on the lookout for them.  If you do not receive a report card by the end next week, please contact the main office to verify your mailing address.

The beginning of the Spring semester begins this Monday, December 15th.

Thank you to parents and students who participated in donating canned food, non-perishable items, and toys for Brighter Christmas.  We are proud of those who can help make this holiday season a much merrier one!

In January and February, Mrs. Stewart and the counseling staff will be meeting with all students for their annual counseling review.  Fast track classes and next year’s schedule will be planned.  Only 10th grade parents will be invited for an appointment.  Time is extremely limited and we encourage 10th grade parents to rearrange schedules as necessary to attend their scheduled time. Appointment letters will be mailed out when we return from the holiday break.

College Info

College bound seniors: 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!

San Joaquin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 12th Annual Student Financial Aid and College Awareness Workshop (STUFA)  Sunday, January 25, 2015 at the Alex G. Spanos Center at University of the Pacific
Services are FREE and include: One on one assistance filling out financial aid forms, Tax preparation assistance and Scholarship information. For more information please call (209) 946-7705 or email: iruiz@pacific.edu

12^th Annual Black College Expo

12^th Annual Black College Expo to be held  from 9am-5pm at the Marriott Convention Center Downtown Oakland, California. For more information call: 877-427-4100 or visit our website at: www.theblackcollegeexpo.org

Senior Info

Spring Semester Interns!!!! All interviews are finished and our Spring Interns have been placed! A list of the participating businesses will be posted soon.  Please be aware that the internship begins for students when we return to school the week of January 5th.  The first internship class is on Wed, January 7th from 12:10pm until 12:50pm. Since this class only meets once a week, attendance is crucial to the success of your student’s internship. Please make sure to plan any appointments around this class.

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.

MHS Financial Aid Information Night! Thursday, December 18th at 6pm in room M-2 is 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.

Other News

Give Every Child A Chance

Tracy Learning Center has been approved as a new site for the strong and expanding tutoring/mentoring program Give Every Child a Chance!  They are bringing a homework assistance group tutoring program to our school for 7th through 12th graders.  The program is free for students who have a D or an F in any subject, an IEP, or a strong teacher recommendation.  Math and Language Arts assistance will take place Monday-Thursday between 4:00-6:00pm in D-13, Mrs. Saldana’s room.  For more information about GECAC, please see their website:  www.gecac.net.  For an application, please contact Ms. Moore at the MHS Counseling Office, or visit http://www.gecac.net/downloadsapplications.html and click “One on One Tutoring Application”.  You may write in “Tracy Learning Center” as your site of choice.  Turn in applications to Ms. Moore at MHS Counseling.

Give Every Child A Chance Volunteer Opportunity

Give Every Child A Chance is a tutoring/mentoring program that needs volunteer tutors!  If you are interested in tutoring 7th-12th grade students here at Tracy Learning Center for two community service hours a week (which can go toward a block letter!), please attend an informational meeting Thursday, December 18 at 12:15 in M-1. Listen at Unity for any additional details.

COSMOS- California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science

Want to spend a month on a college campus exploring topics in STEM- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics? Application period is from January 20^th – February 20^th, 2015. Dates for the program are late June to Early- August. For more information please visit www.ucop.edu/cosmos

San Joaquin Delta College Engineering Departments 28^th Annual Engineering and Technology Day

The 28^th Annual Engineering and Technology Day at Delta College will take place on Friday, February 6^th, 2015from 8:30am-3:00pm. The day’s activities will include Drafting Contest, Eggs Launcher Design and Competition, a robotics/electronics demonstration and a Career Orientation Seminar and an Awards Ceremony. For more information please visit the counseling office or 209-954-5285.

Sow A Seed Community Foundation’s annual Boys-to-Men Conference is back!

The conference, which is entitled “Born to Win: Know Yourself. Know your worth. Live your best!” is sponsored by Sow A Seed Community Foundation and co-sponsored by Kimball High School.  The primary goal of the event is to help young men identity some tools and resources that will help them achieve success in all areas of their life.  They will also learn career options and ways to avoid common social pit falls that lead to peer-pressure, poor academic achievement and/or unhealthy relationships and affiliations. Registrations can be faxed to 209-740-4047 or you may register online at www.sowaseedcf.org . For More Information or questions please contact 209-229-4559.