Charter Chatter
TLC Weekly Newsletter
Sept. 11, 2015 Vol. 6 No.6
| Virginia’s Voice |
Schools have received results from the state testing taken last spring. This testing is the new format set by the state that focuses on the use of technology and higher level thinking skills as well as application for problem solving.
The results returned to the school seem to be quite good for a start. We have nothing to compare the scores to other than other schools. These are baseline scores. We will study the results and see what we can do to improve.
Each of you will receive a personalized report if you child took the tests. The report is quite extensive and gives an overall score and subtests scores. Test results are available for grades 3 and 4, 5 and 6 and 7, 8, and 11.
The more students take these computerized tests, the better they will do and the more we will learn about expectations and standards.
I am convinced the emphasis on research, rhetorical reading, writing, and math application and problem solving is important and is the future of education. I wholeheartedly support the new testing emphasis and believe it has been the priority of the Tracy Learning Center since we began.
| Misc. Announcements |
Parent Volunteers
Any parents who plan on volunteering this year must bring in their appropriate paperwork including a cleared TB Test which is good for 4 years and give it to Kay Fagundes. These forms are available in the front waiting area.
| PCS/DCS Lunch Menu Week Sept. 14 – 18
Mon. – Pizza Tues. – Chicken Patti Sandwich Wed – Chicken Alfredo Fettuccini Thurs. – Beef or Bean Burrito Fri. – Beef Hot Dog |
T K
TK had a wonderful first week of school! We explored our classroom, made new friends, and began learning our classroom routines. We also learned fun things like syllables, rhyming, alliteration, and graphing. We are looking forward to a great school year!
Primary Charter
All PCS parents: The Mixed Bags fundraiser is well underway! All orders are due on September 18th. Orders will arrive 2-3 after the 18th. Thank you!
In Initial Phase this week, students have been discussing the forecast and how to dress appropriately. Furthermore, we have discussed summer activities, weather, and words to describe summer. As fall comes closer and closer we will discuss how the weather will become cooler and cooler. After the temperatures this week, it cannot be soon enough! Reminder, study sight words, both past and present as often as your schedule allows. Sight words are found in everything we read and cannot be easily sounded out.
This week Phase 1 students had fun learning about different kinds of maps and parts of a map. They know what a map scale is, a map key, a compass rose, and even know how to read map coordinates. Some students made a map to our Time Capsule! Other students are really enjoying reading and learning all about Johnny Appleseed. Later this month we will be writing an opinion piece on whether we like red apples or green apples. In Art the students are learning all about lines, patterns, and organic and geometric shapes. We are definitely looking forward to cooler weather. Please make sure your student has a water bottle labeled with their name for those hotter days.
The Phase 2 Primary Leadership students were hard at work this week! Their first project was campus beautification and they did an awesome job picking up trash and making our school a more pleasant place. Phase 2 students are finishing up our unit on animal groups. We’ve learned so many interesting facts and have expanded our science vocabulary! Please make sure that agendas are getting signed on Fridays. This is also a great way to communicate with the teachers…if you have a question or concern, you can always write it in your child’s agenda. Overall, we are very impressed with how responsible everyone has been with their agendas.
Discovery Charter
What a great way to end our week!! Discovery PE brought FOOTBALL FRIDAY to campus. Coach Wood’s brought some Millennium Falcon football players to play a game of football against our brave and talented staff members…..ask your child who won, and who their favorite player is. Students and staff alike wore their favorite team jerseys and cheered the players on. This event brought school unity, laughter, and competition. THANK YOU TO OUR GREAT PE STAFF!!!
MIXED BAG FUNDRAISER: Information for our mixed bag fundraiser was sent home last week. If you have not had a chance to look at the catalogs, please take the time to look at the merchandise. The quality bags are a fun way to carry items, make terrific gifts, and are a great way to help the environment! The 5/6 class who earns the most money for the fundraiser will receive a special treat!!
SPELLING BEE: We had our SECOND Spelling Bee meeting on Thursday and the classroom overflowed with students. Mrs. Stewart was our guest speaker. She will be the hostess of our Spelling Bee competition which will be held the first week of November (date TBA). If your child is practicing for the Spelling Bee, please help them at home. If you have questions, please email shawkins@tracylc.net.
UNITY: Our Leadership group keeps unity entertaining.
Last Friday we had dancers, who made everyone smile! What talent we have at TLC!!!
At DCS, students work with peers to get learn concepts.
EVERYDAY COUNTS!: This September, University of the Pacific and community partners are celebrating Attendance Awareness Month with an Every Day Counts Attendance Challenge. Any student who comes to school on time, every day in September will be entered into a drawing for prize. Prizes include E-readers, gift cards, tickets to Pacific athletic events, and more. Help your child to have PERFECT ATTENDANCE!!
GRADES: Updated grades will be placed in your child’s agenda on Wednesday, September 16th. Please review their grades and contact your child’s teacher if you have questions. Look for updates every other Wednesday.
DCS teachers welcome parent communication, please contact us if you have questions, concerns, or ideas!
Ms. Rodieck – lrodieck@tracylc.net; Ms. Pelaez – lpelaez@tracylc.net; Mrs. Beckner – sbeckner@tracylc.net
Mrs. Hawkins – shawkins@tracylc.net; Ms. Zaca – szaca@tracylc.net; Ms. Takeuchi – ttakeuchi@tracylc.net
DHSP Charter Chatter:
Even though this was a short week it feels like we were able to get a lot accomplished.
MIXED BAG FUNDRAISER: Information for our “mixed bag fundraiser” was sent home Friday (9/4). Please help your child raise funds for our school while promoting a great product. All orders and money are due in to Mrs. Wallace by September 18th.
Spirit week is next week. Mrs. Saldana and leadership have some really fun days planned: The Den with the most spirit for the week will be rewarded with Extra Den Points!!
Monday – – – – – – – – -Sports Day
Tuesday- – – – – – – – -Crazy Hair and Mismatch Day
Wednesday- – – – – – Tiger Pride Day
Thursday – – – – – – – -Pajama Day
Friday – – – – – — – – -Super Hero Day
English: In Mrs. Sierra’s English class students are practicing proper verb usage and sentence diagramming. Students are discovering that proper grammar sometimes “sounds funny” because we often neglect grammar rules when speaking. It is a work in progress, but students are improving!
In Mrs. Saldana’s ELA classes this week we are continuing to develop an understanding of the characters in Lord of the Flies, and we are beginning to analyze the 4 different types of conflict that arise in the novel. Our work on syntax and the mechanics of writing is paying off and we are seeing great improvement in our writing.
Science: Science has finished their first lab and the Class is working on the chemistry of life.
| MHS |
Community Service Opportunities
Mountain House Flag Football: Saturday, September 5 at 8:00am-2:00pm. Location: Mountain House at Bethany Park (corner of Legacy and Communidad) or Bethany School (corner of Heritage and Communidad) Responsibilities include: filming games and/or selling concessions at the snack table. Volunteers need to be at least 13 years old. Contact: Andy Su
Tracy Buccaneers Youth Football: Saturday, September 12 – 4 volunteerss from 7:00am-12:00pm and 4 volunteers at 1:00pm-6:00pm. Location: Tracy High School Football field.
Contact: Marlena Posten buccsvolunteers@gmail.com
South Side Community 16th of September Celebration: Saturday, September 12th, 2015 from 7am-8pm at Lincoln Park. Students will help with set-up decorations, vendor tents, Kid Zone area; trash duty; assist in food and information booths; clean-up; run Kid’s Zone games; face painting. Danette Poole at 209-815-0476 (text) or dpoole@newpennfinancial.com
HO Train Display at the Tracy Museum: Saturday, September 12th, 2015 from 9:30am-4:00pm at the Tracy Historical Museum at 1141 Adam Street. Students will help Run the museums HO Train, and assist other museum visitors to operate the Museum HO Train. Work an information booth to give away coloring sheets to children, and sales of publications. Operate a digital projector. Please email Bill Carter as possible if you can commit to volunteering wjabcart@pacbell.net
PSAT
The PSAT will be held on Wednesday, October 14th, 2015. More details will be included in next week’s chatter addressing the cost and further details about the testing day. Signups for the PSAT will begin Monday, September 14th, 2015. The test fee is due when you sign up for the test.
Other News
Counseling News!
Would you like to stay up to date with what is going on in Counseling? If so follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/millennium.counseling) or Twitter (CounselingAtMHS).
NUUE Tour
In October 2015, admission officers from our four universities will host a group presentation and then be available for questions during an hour and a half program for you and your family in the San Jose and Berkeley. Please visit www.theNUUEtour.org for more information or to register.
Update: Homework Support!!!
The homework support room is open Monday-Wednesday from 4:05 PM-4:45 PM in room M-2. All students are welcome to come for educational tutoring and support.
Tutors wanted!!!
If you are interested in tutoring on campus please stop by the counseling office for an application.
Give Every Child A Chance – Tutors Wanted!!!
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!).
Expanding Your Horizons Conference – Young Women Grades 6th – 12th
Expanding Your Horizons is a career conference for 6th-12th grade young women. This event will be held on October 10, 2015 at the University of the Pacific, Stockton Campus. For more information or to register for the event please visit www.sjeyh.org.
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 on Saturday, September 12th from 10am-1pm at 526 Commerce Way Livermore, CA 94551. For more information please visit their website at: http://www.cffjac.org/go/jac/recruitment1/becoming-a-firefighter/firefighter-career-expos/