Charter Chatter
A weekly newsletter written to parents of the TLC
Dec.11, 2015 No.18
| Virginia’s Voice |
This is always a challenging time of year, the time between Thanksgiving and Winter break. We are serious about school and learning, but there are so many distractions and the three weeks in between come and go so quickly. I am sure you feel the same way at home. It seems we just cooked the turkey and suddenly we were getting ready for the next holiday.
After winter break, we settle back down to a serious continuation of the second trimester and the second semester of high school. We are also into important times. Our high school seniors are hearing from college applications, and our eighth graders are making decisions about the high school they wish to attend.
Speaking of selecting a high school, we are very pleased with the students in grade 8 who are continuing on to Milennium High School. We believe we offer an extraordinary program. We have our version of advanced placement and IB. Our program is allowing students to attend college classes. College classes are weighted grades, we also pay the tuition for these classes and many of our students leave our high school with a year of college completed. The reason we chose to allow our students to take college classes was to ensure the colleges would accept the credit. All Advanced placement (AP) and IB classes are not automatically accepted for college. We have had students enroll at Berkley and Davis and have one or one and a half years of college completed when they began. There are other reasons our high school is a good choice: we have competitive athletic and academic teams, students are grouped according to the level of challenge required, teachers know the students and communicate through Aeries on a regular basis, and over 84% of our students go on to college.
| Misc. Announcements |
Crab Feed
SAVE THE DATE and EARLY HOLIDAY GIFTS: February 6, 2016 10TH Annual Tracy Learning Center Crab Feed
What an awesome event for our school! Crab, pasta, salad, bread, dessert, raffles, dancing and so much more.
This event sells out each year. Please consider purchasing your tickets early. Great holiday gifts.
Our raffle committee will be putting out a flyer after the holiday for a $5.00 donation from each family, a gift basket and/or gift cards.
Please contact Donna Baker at (209) 321-9157 or email donna@donnabaker.com.
WINE LOVERS…. I know that many of you love wine and may have an extra bottle from the holiday.
Can you kindly consider donating a bottle of wine to the Crab Feed that will be included with an amazing wine rack.
Please contact Donna Baker at (209) 321-9157 or email donna@donnabaker.com
McHenry House Appreciation
We received a very nice thank you letter from the McHenry House Director thanking the TLC for raising $832.92 in coins. The McHenry House provides shelter to homeless families along with parenting classes, counseling and other services. The TLC has been very generous and are efforts have been greatly appreciated.
Next Holidays – December 21 – Jan. 3, Return to school on Jan. 4, 2016
| PCS/DCS Lunch Menu Week Dec. 14 – Dec. 18
Mon. – Pizza Tues. Taquito Tuesday Wed – BLT or Tuna Sandwich Thurs. Chicken Corn Dog Fri. – Beef and Gravy and Mashed Potatoes
|
T K
TK students will be doing a holiday performance for their families on Thursday, December 17th at 2:30pm. This will be a brief presentation by the students. They are allowed to wear holiday clothes but are not required to do so. We will be serving refreshments following the student performance. We hope to see you there!
See Pink Eye information under PCS Section.
Primary Charter
We have had several students who were recently diagnosed with Pink Eye from both T-K and PCS. If your student develops any of the symptoms listed below he or she should stay home from school and see his or physician to determine if this condition needs medication prescribed and whether or not it is contagious. Often times Pink Eye is either viral or allergic so medications are not always prescribed but only your Physician can determine this. A note from the physician clearing your student is required upon his/her return to school.
Please notify the school at T-K (209)229-1575 and TLC (209)831-5240 if your student is not going to be in attendance. We appreciate your cooperation and communication in this matter.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) can include:
- Pink or red color in the white of the eye(s) (often one eye for bacterial and often both eyes for viral or allergic conjunctivitis)
- Swelling of the conjunctiva (the thin layer that lines the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid) and/or eyelids
- Increased tearing
- Discharge of pus, especially yellow-green (more common in bacterial conjunctivitis)
- Itching, irritation, and/or burning
- Feeling like a foreign body is in the eye(s) or an urge to rub the eye(s)
- Crusting of eyelids or lashes sometimes occurs, especially in the morning
- Symptoms of a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection may also be present
- Sensitivity to bright light sometimes occurs
- Enlargement and/or tenderness, in some cases, of the lymph node in front of the ear. This enlargement may feel like a small lump when touched. (Lymph nodes act as filters in the body, collecting and destroying viruses and bacteria.)
- Symptoms of allergy, such as an itchy nose, sneezing, a scratchy throat, or asthma may be present in cases of allergic conjunctivitis
- Contact lenses that do not stay in place on the eye and/or feel uncomfortable due to bumps that may form under the eyelid
Discovery Charter
BAND CONCERT –Thursday 12/17 – Grades 6 – 12 will perform at the band concert at Kimball High Theater. Doors will open at 6:45 and the concert will begin at 7:00. Cost is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for 11 – 17 year olds, while 10 and younger are free. What a great way to spend the evening! We hop you are able to attend.
TLC Canned Food Drive: DCS students are collecting cans through December 17th for A Brighter Christmas. Our goal is to collect 700 cans.
ORDER NOW!!! The basketball team has “FUTURE FALCON” t-shirts available for $13.00. They are amazing shirts and will help the team raise needed funds. If you are interested, please email shawkins@tracylc.net.
The Nutcracker– The Children’s Dance Theater of Tracy presented dances from “The Nutcracker.” The event was amazing. You may purchase tickets at The Grand Theater. Shows will be held Saturday December 19th or Sunday December 20th at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. It is a great performance.
DHSP dancers performed for unity. They were wonderful and fun to watch. After their dance (as seen below), DHSP along with DCS students led us in our morning cheer.
SLEEP OVER – DCS’ FIRST ANNUAL SLEEPOVER to be held on Friday January 8th, 2016. $30.00 per child (overnight) or $25.00 (up-to-midnight). Children will enjoy spending time with their teachers and friends while enjoying dinner, snacks, games, and more! Please email Ms. T or Mrs. Hawkins for additional information (email is listed below). Permission slips are due 12/18.
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
Coach Easterday – deasterday@tracylc.net Coach Penirian – mpenirian@tracylc.net Coach Lopez – blopez@tracylc.net
DHSP
DHSP Charter Chatter:
One more week until Winter Break. The year is flying by. DHSP started off their Spirit week on Friday with Santa Hats/Reindeer Antlers. The kids were all decked out.
Unity had an intense Den Competition this week with Team Bengal winning:
English:
Mrs. Stewart’s English class is reviewing grammar and reading SAT style. It is important to know how to apply good reading skills and grammar skills to select correct answers on college SAT tests. While the students are not great, practice has helped each one improve. All students in the class will take the PSAT at the end of January.
In addition to grammar, the class spends time developing vocabulary, with essay writing, rhetorical reading, and literature as well. The class is doing well.
There will be a CJSF meeting in D-12 on Tuesday, December 15th, for students at lunch. This is a community serviced based club that offers endless opportunities, including, but not limited to, looking amazing on college applications and even scholarships! By joining CJSF at the middle school level, students will not have a waiting period when joining CSF at Millennium. For more information, email Mrs. Sierra at msierra@tracylc.net
Academic Pentathlon is well underway! We are learning about the history of modern day India. Upon returning from break, we will begin our math and science units. Teams have yet to be determined, but spots are limited. Students will be chosen based on level of commitment, participation in class and overall grade in this elective.
In English class students are learning many life lessons through the adventures of Mowgli and his jungle friends. The novel is turning out to be quite a pleasant surprise with much to offer.
Math:
Algebra II and Geometry just took the high school semester finals. How Exciting!!
All other Math Classes are working hard and doing well !!!
Social Studies:
Students completed a quiz about the Crusades this week along with a poster project in class. Mrs. Wallace was very pleased with the results. Next Friday will be the Unit test for the Crusades.
Science:
We just finished resistors and going into sources of electricity and voltage next…
Exploration:
Leadership has been super busy with candy grams sold, and promoting all of the Spirit activities:
Spirit Days for December:
Friday 12/11 Santa Hat/Antler Day
Monday 12/14 Cozy Day (PJ’s)
Wednesday 12/16 Cindy Lu Day (crazy hair day)
Friday 12/18 Sweater Day (we will have a competition here for specific categories)
The winter canned food drive is off to an amazing start. Each Den is busy bringing in canned and boxed foods to help out those in need. The lead Den at the moment is Malayan with 68 items; followed by Sumatran with 31 items; Bengal with 22; and Siberian with 11.
Band:
For anyone interested in joining us for the Band Concert:
The following groups will be performing:
6th Grade Band
7th – 8th Grade Band
High School Beginning Band 9th-12th
High School Advanced Band 9th-12th
It will be at the Kimball High Theater. Doors will open @ 6:45pm and the concert will begin at 7:00pm. It is Thursday 12/17. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for students/family 11-17yrs, Free 10 years or younger.
Our band was invited to perform at the Amazon facilities in Tracy next week. Quite the honor!! Way to go Mr. Zepeda!!!
If you do not want your student to have his/her photo published please notify Mrs. Wallace at dwallace@tracylc.net
DHSP teachers welcome parent communication, please contact us if you have questions, concerns, or ideas!
Mrs. U. at rulricksen@tracylc.net
Mrs. Dominguez at ddominguez@tracylc.net
Mrs. Saldana at asaldana@tracylc.net Mrs. Sierra at msierra@tracylc.net Mr. Compton at rcompton@tracylc.net Mrs. Wallace at dwallace@tracylc.net
Have a Fantastic Week!!
| MHS |
Finals are over and grades will be posted soon. Report cards will be mailed out next week. There will 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 14th.
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.
Our Spring senior interns will be starting their internships when we return from winter break in January. We are very proud of our students and how they conducted themselves with our local business partners. We received excellent feedback regarding their interviewing skills and professional demeanor throughout the entire placement process. Keep an eye out for our students at the following businesses and non-profit organizations throughout our community:
| 2016 Spring Internship Placements | ||
| Armor Up – The Almost Everything Store | Delta College
Athletic Training Room |
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital Ob/Gyn Department |
| Astoria Gardens | Great Beginnings | Sutter Tracy Community Hospital Physical Therapy |
| Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Clydesdale Property | In Shape Club | Sutter Tracy Community Hospital Wound Care Department |
| Boys and Girls Club
(Jacobsen Unit) |
In Shape Fit Club | The Photographic Art Studio |
| Boys and Girls Club
(Monte Vista Unit) |
In Shape Sport Club | The Tracy Press |
| Boys and Girls Club
(Southwest Park Unit) |
Main Street Music | TLC IT Department |
| City of Tracy Department
of Engineering Services |
MHS Athletic Department | TLC Maintenance
and Ground |
| City of Tracy
Police Administration |
My Best Friend’s Closet | TLC Pre-K Program |
| City of Tracy
Police Explorer Program |
Premier Auto Services | Tracy Grand Theater
Center for the Arts |
| City of Tracy
Recreation Division |
Signscape Graphics, Inc. | Uneed2 |
| Community Partnership for Families of San Joaquin | Skyview Aviation | VBR Children and
Family Services |
| Creative Design, Inc. | Sow a Seed Foundation | VCA Old River
Animal Hospital |
| Custom Sounds | Stephen M. Tsang, M.d., Inc. | Hawkins-Thompson
Child Development Center |
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 13th Annual Student Financial Aid and College Awareness Workshop (STUFA) Sunday, January 26, 2016 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 visit http://www.icangotocollege.org/events.htm for more information.
Community Service Opportunities
Brookdale Retirement Home: Theme for the month is England. Brookdale is looking for someone to showcase the English culture (i.e. Dance, Art, Music, etc.) Speak on the English colonies, or holidays in December (Hanukah, Kwanza, Etc.) Christmas caroling
If interested please contact Lisa Santos: Lisa.santos@brookdale.com
**Also looking for bingo callers, and performers of any culture/ discipline
Moose GALA Dinner: Friday, December 11 5:30 p.m. – until ? (serving begins at 6 p.m.) Moose Lodge (35 East 6th Street, Tracy) Volunteers: 2 dish washers and 6 servers are needed – black and white server attire Contact: Alex Zamora 209-815-6408 or azamora@pacbell.net
Children’s Christmas Party: Sunday, December 20 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (volunteer positions are filled) Location: Moose Lodge (35 East 6th Street, Tracy) – ring doorbell to 8-10 volunteers are needed to help decorate and assist children with various activities, singing, Contact: Danette Poole at 209-815-0476 (text) or dpoole@newpennfinancial.com
SSCO – POSADAS: December 21, December 22, December 23 from 5pm-9pm Guadalupe Center 126 W. 1st Street Tracy 3 volunteers needed Nice Black Bottoms and Nice White Top for serving Contact: Annie 209-814-6580 Anita: anitalou8@yahoo.com
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 Tuesday, January 5 or Wed, January 6th 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.
Other News
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.