Charter Chatter
A weekly newsletter written to parents of the TLC
Jan. 22, 2016 No.22
| Virginia’s Voice |
Each year at this time I have the pleasure of meeting with each one of our high school students individually to review the student’s grades and to plan for FAST TRACK and the following school year. This is the genesis of setting up the staffing and schedule for the new school year.
I find it to be a very time consuming but very worthwhile use of time. Students who never come to the office, and have never had to meet with the “principal” have a chance for a brief chat and often hear a compliment on how well they are doing. We actually thank students for their hard work and dedication to learning and grades.
Others get a chance to learn why poor grades will set them back and how they can get back on track.
Most Freshmen do not have a clear sense of what they want to do beyond college or vocational training but others are very specific with their future plans. I like that those who want to be baseball or soccer players also have a” backup” plan.
Next week, we will be meeting with tenth grade students and their parent. This is the one year we invite parents as well so that the entire family knows how things are going and how much needs to be done to graduate or to be able to apply for a four year college. The entire process of meeting with all of the students takes a total of ninety plus hours. Time well spent.
| Misc. Announcements |
Crab Feed Donations
We have not receive many donations yet for our upcoming Crab Feed yet. WE are in great need for any “monetary” donations and or gift cards. These donations help make this even a great success. Thank you for your generosity.
Pink Eye
Just a reminder we have had many students in PCS with Pink Eye. If you are at all concerned that your child may have an eye infection please DO NOT send him/her to school because this is highly contagious. Some of the symptoms are redness, drainage, discomfort and light sensitivity. Students with Pink Eye must have treatment for 24 hours and a clearance note from his/her Physician.
Drivers
We continue to have many complaints of unsafe driving, “near misses” and parents failing to follow our carline procedures.. Our students’ safety is our biggest concern so once again we ask for drivers to please SLOW DOWN and give our students who are crossing the street the right of way. This morning we had a high school student almost get hit by a parent dropping off their child. It would be so tragic if any of our students were ever injured due to an unsafe or “rushed” driver. We have copies of our carline procedures in the office. Thank you in advance for safer driving.
Crab Feed
SAVE THE DATE and EARLY HOLIDAY GIFTS: February 6, 2016 10TH Annual Tracy Learning Center Crab Feed
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
New Drama Production
TLC will be holding auditions for our upcoming spring musical, Peter Pan. The audition will be open to all 3rd thru 12th grade students. Every part is open for consideration, with many acting opportunities for ALL the grade levels.
Auditions for 3rd – 8th graders will be on Wednesday, Jan. 20th from 4-6 in M1.
Auditions for High School will be Thursday, Jan. 21st from 4-6 in M1
Callbacks will be that Friday Jan. 22nd from 4-6
To prepare for the audition, practice a song and perform it in front of an audition panel. Be prepared to learn a simple dance number and present it to the panel as well.
If you have any questions or wish to see the cast list, please contact me directly and I would be more than happy to meet with you.
Next Holidays
Feb. 15, 2016
| PCS/DCS Lunch Menu Week Jan. 25 – 29
Mon. – Pizza Tues. – Taco Tuesday Wed – Chicken Patty Sandwich Thurs. Beef Enchiladas Fri. – Chicken Corn Dogs
|
T K
This week in TK we have been learning about living and non-living things. Our little scientists know what living things are, what they need to survive, and all the things they can do. Students practiced distinguishing living and non-living things through sorting activities and a game! They compared and contrasted a boy and a robot and even did an experiment with earthworms and gummy worms!
Reminder: School starts promptly at 8:30am. The door will be closing at that time. If you arrive after the door is closed your child will be tardy and must check in at the office. Thank you for understanding!
Primary Charter
This week in Initial Phase we have discussed, explored, and experimented using our five senses. Students explored items using only one sense at a time, participated in virtual sensory tasks, and even got to taste things that their tongues didn’t really like!
Currently we are working on what a Polite Citizen looks like, sounds like, and acts like. Many students have earned tallies toward their SWO bracelet for using manners, taking turns, working quietly, and many other wonderful acts of kindness. Talk to your student about the importance of being a polite citizen.
Phase 1 students had a great learning week. They learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and what great ideas he brought to our country. They are learning to use context clues to understand text. They are working on different strategies to solve the same math problem. They learned all about the barter system and supply and demand in Social Studies. In Writer’s Workshop they finished their unit on narratives. Next week they will start letter writing. Please feel welcome to come into the classroom to volunteer or to just visit. Make sure you are cleared with Ms. Kay in the office. If you can donate any supplies we would greatly appreciate it. Check our newsletters for more information about the Crab Feed and the Talent Show!
Phase 2 students were hard at work this week. We are exploring and learning all the different writing styles such as persuasive writing, narrative, how to write directions, and some groups are even doing research and writing biographies of famous Americans. We are also learning about the government, symbols of our nation, and rules and laws. Our 4th grade Leadership students were so thoughtful this month…they made “Happy New Year” goodie bags for all of the Primary teachers! The teachers were so surprised and thankful for their treats…what sweet students we have!
Discovery Charter
Tiger Points are working well!!! If your child has not talked to you about our new point system ASK THEM!!! Students met with their leaders to review what is working well (gaining points), and how they are making good decisions which is keeping them from earing negative points. If you want more information about Tiger Points, please feel free to email your child’s teacher or Mrs. Hawkins at shawkins@tracylc.net.
LAST WEEKS “TOP 5” POINTS FOR EACH TIGER GROUP GO TO:
BENGALS: Bianca Vilaflor (100 points) Madysen Mah-Bishop (110 points) Edmundo Mena (110 points) Vernon Real (110 points) and Rayyan Saiyed (140 points)
MALAYAN: Ashleigh Garcia (110 points) Kyle Carlos (115 points) Anikha Kemshetti (115 points) Amrita Kaler (135 points) and Paul Coleman with the highest points overall (145 points)
SIBERIAN: Josiah Killian (115 points) Abby Curran (120 points) Emely Hernandez (120 points) David Banderas (125 points) and Mia Escobar (140 points)
SUMATRAN: Riley Vatran (85 points) tied with Lilana Zapien (85 points) Solomon Martin (115 points) Marianthe Tsirelas (115 points) and Izabell Zepeda (130 points)
CONGRATULATIONS TO A FANTASTIC WEEK!!!
SWO – Students received information on their new SWO project. LIFELONG LEARNER: College Research Project which is due February 19th. This portion of the SWO will be completed individually. Students must prepare a Google Slide presentation or PowerPoint presentation on a state college or university they would like to attend. The presentation will be used during a graded class presentation. The goal is to help students develop a life plan and research information about a future college they hope to attend. Please ask your child for a copy of the rubric.
Loren Ponte plays Josiah and Kyle Carrie and Ashley the piano lead us in the Pledge thank 4th grade
students at Unity
DHSP Charter Chatter:
It certainly was a fast week.
Math:
The math classes are doing well. It is exciting to see students grasping these very important concepts.
Social Studies:
Students are busy deciding which of four West African Empires to base their spring project on. Lots of excitement is happening in the social Studies room.
English:
Mrs. Stewart’s class has completed Book One of the Jungle Books and has started a project that is theme related concerning each of the seven short stories included in the first book. The students have also completed the second phase of their SWO. They have identified sources they will use and have developed a Works Cited page with annotations using the MLA format for web sources. Finally, the class continues to build mastery with vocabulary and syntax of sentences as well as close reading in preparation for their chance to take the PSAT on January 25. While, Mrs. Stewart realizes they are only in 7th and 8th grade, it is a great time to see how the advanced students will do on the PSAT. They will have at least two more chances to take this test again, The good part is it gives a base for improvement and the students will start getting mail from colleges as a result of this experience.
CJSF held its first official meeting on Thursday the 21st during lunch in Mrs. Sierra’s room (D-12). They elected club cabinet members during this time.
Exploration:
Leadership
DHSP Winter Ball January 29th 4:30-6:30
Snacks served from 4-4:30
Photo booth with photographer and a high school DJ
Dance/Performance
Mrs. Wallace’s performance class is having a great time working on chorography for their performance at the end of January. Weather permitting there will be an outdoor performance on Thursday, January 28th. Parents are invited!
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 Weekend!!!
| MHS |
All Schools
Charter Chatter January 22, 2016
Mrs. Stewart and the counseling staff have started to meet with 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. Letters detailing the scheduled 10th grade appointment times should have been received earlier in the month. Time is extremely limited and we encourage 10th grade parents to rearrange schedules as necessary to attend their scheduled time.
Give Every Child Chance – 3rd Annual Health Careers Forum
A Health Careers Forum is being organized between the EMP and Doctors Hospital of Manteca for February 8th 2016. The way this event came about was due to the high interested number of students in the health field and not enough job shadow opportunities. HIPPA regulations are very tight and therefore make it difficult for our students to sit in on patient care, visits, etc. PowerPoint presentations, Speakers and flyers will be given to students by professionals in the field. This event is for the first 40 interested students. Recruitment remains focused with the health ROP classes within the high school, but any student that has a great interest in the medical field is welcomed to summit their application. Applications are available from the counseling office.
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) welcomes highly motivated and talented students to explore Engineering at the college level. The Academy’s intensive, three-week programs combine sophisticated theory with hands-on practical experience in cutting edge technologies. Work with leading faculty, live on Penn’s historic campus, and connect with new friends from around the world. For more information please visit https://esap.seas.upenn.edu/
The California State Summer School for the Arts is a rigorous, preprofessional, month-long training program in the visual and performing arts, creative writing, animation and film for talented artists of high school age. CSSSA provides a supportive environment in which students hone acquired skills and explore new techniques and ideas for an intense and exciting learning experience. The California State Summer School for the Arts is a state agency funded through a unique public-private partnership. California residents enrolled in grades nine through twelve may apply to attend CSSSA. The admissions process is highly competitive. (Last session approximately one in three applicants in most departments were accepted). Students invited to the school are named California Arts Scholars. For more information please visit https://www.csssa.org/
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 19th – February 19th, 2016. Dates for the program are July 10- August 6. For more information please visit www.ucop.edu/cosmos
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!
Free virtual college fair for the Western United States! This fair is scheduled for Jan. 25th-30th. Students can log on any time during this week to get information from many colleges. There is a question and answer section for the students to get answers directly from college reps. Students must go to www.collegefairsonline.com to the students tab to register ASAP and we will send them a reminder e-mail. This service is completely free. Please register as soon as possible and choose the West fair when registering.
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
| Organization | When | Where | Duties |
| Primary Homework Club | M-F 3:45pm-4:30pm | Primary | Help tutor students grade K-4 |
| Chamber Gala | January 29th
6pm-10pm |
Tracy Community Center
(950 East Street near E. 10th) |
8 students for the event
Contact: Patricia Palma patiapalma@gmail.com |
| Case For Kids – Princess Tea Party
|
January 31 | The organization has moved to an online registration system for interested students & residents, wishing to get involved in the various opportunities throughout the year. | |
| Crab Feed | Saturday, February 6th, 2016
5pm-11pm |
St Bernard’s Holy Family Center | Servers needed for event
20 volunteers needed Nelia 510-468-6447 |
Attention Junior Girls
Applications for the Distinguished Young Women (DYW) Program are now available. There will be a mandatory parent/student orientation for all participants on February 4th, 2016, 7:00pm at California Advantage Real Estate Located 9TH STREET in Tracy. Applications can be submitted at the orientation. The Distinguished Young Woman program (formerly Junior Miss) Class of 2017 program is scheduled to be held at Banta School on April 16, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Participants must be a junior in high school this year, graduating in 2017 to be eligible. A minimum 3.0 GPA is recommended. Participants must be a student in Tracy Unified School District or live in the Tracy area. They are permitted to attend school in another town as long as their residence is in Tracy. Participants can potentially win up to $2,500.00 locally and advance to the State program and be eligible for scholarships up to $20,000.00 (DYW of California).
Senior Info
Seniors who need to apply for financial aid for college can get hands on help with the FAFSA (Free application for student aid) and have an opportunity to win a scholarship at our upcoming Cash for College Night on January 27th from 4-7pm at Kimball High School or January 28th from 4-7pm at West High School. We encourage all students and/or parents to attend this interactive workshop. Computers will be available but we encourage students to bring a laptop. For other Cash for College nights in our area, visit www.calgrants.org for a list of workshops.
