Charter Chatter
A weekly newsletter written to parents of the TLC
March 11, 2016 No.29
| Virginia’s Voice |
We will soon be approaching Spring break. I believe most students enjoy the two week break in the spring. We find that the second trimester is the longest with all of the holiday breaks. It went from November to March! Then it will be on to the final push for the end of the year.
The one thing I have always liked about our charter schools is that I never feel we rush to finish. After the high school completes its 180 day traditional calendar, they experience a wonderful opportunity called FAST TRACK in which students are allowed to make up a course or advance to get ahead. Some are given the chance to take college courses.
The rest of our schools, Primary and Discovery continue on for an additional 5 weeks of instruction. We believe this gives us a chance to help student truly master the concepts and skills we have presented over the course of the year. It gives us time to really finish out the year. We do not feel rushed or frustrated that we do not have enough time.
Then, the month long break between years is another bonus. Students come back refreshed but they have not forgotten what they have learned and the transition into the new year does not require a month of review.
While some may grumble about the longer day and the longer year, we believe it is the greatest gift we can give our students.
| Misc. Announcements |
MHS Yard Sale
The Senior class is having a Yard Sale on Saturday, March 12 to raise money for the Senior gift. If you have any items you would like to donate to help raise money, please let me know and I can send a kid down to pick up your items.
Thanks so much for your support!
PCS Spring and 8th Grade Promotion Pictures
Picture Day for PCS and 8th Grade only will be on April 8, 2016. Photo information will be sent home several weeks prior.
Next Holidays Spring Break
March 21 – April 3, 2016, returning to school Monday, April 4, 2016
| PCS/DCS Lunch Menu Week March 14 -18
Mon. – Pizza Tues. – Chicken Taquito Wed – Beef Hamburger Thurs. – Beef or Bean Burrito Fri. – Mac and Cheese
|
T K
A major component of the Transitional Kindergarten program is to help students grow socially and emotionally. Our students are learning how to be good friends, to use good manners, to be respectful and listen to adults other than family members, how to regulate their emotions, and how to be patient.
These skills not only help them grow as individuals, but also paves the way for students to be successful students. TK students have been earning SWOs all year and will be ready to exhibit these positive character traits as they enter Primary in the fall. We are so excited to see how much the students have grown so far this year and cannot wait to discuss this progress with you at our parent teacher conferences. Please notify the teachers as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend.
Primary Charter
Initial Phase
In Initial Phase students have been busy reviewing! We have had a lot of fun with rhyming, past sight words, rereading past books, building with flat shapes to make 3D shapes, and writing. Spiraling back on past concepts is a great way to really show off what we know. As the rainy weather continues, please dress students accordingly. Rain boots, rain jackets, and long pants are a great way to ensure that your student stays dry. Next week is conferences. If you have misplaced your date and time, email the teachers. Have a great weekend.
Phase One
Phase 1 students had another week full of learning and reviewing. In Science they learned about personification and what it means for March to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. Students learned about spring, made spring crafts, and explored more about weather. In Writer’s Workshop they finished their final draft of persuasive writing. What amazing writers we have! Many students reached their AR goal and celebrated with fun prizes and activities. Congratulations! Keep reading…Better readers make better writers. Other students took part in a vocabulary challenge and spelling bee. Congratulations to the winners. We are looking forward to Parent-Teacher Conferences next week. Please email your student’s teacher if you will not be able to keep your assigned time. Have a great weekend.
Phase Two
The teachers are very eager to meet with you next week to discuss the progress your child has made this trimester. We have had many great learning days since November and are very proud of how much our Phase Two students have grown! If you cannot attend your scheduled conference, please contact your child’s teachers ASAP.
Yesterday’s “Into to DCS” meeting was very informative. Our 4th grade students are getting very excited about making the transition from Primary to Discovery. They are especially excited about science camp and switching classrooms! If you have any questions, please feel free to discuss them next week at your parent conference.
Discovery Charter
TDAP Vaccine
Just a reminder it is the law that all incoming 7th graders provide proof of receiving his/her TDAP Vaccine. Please get a jump on this and take your 6th grader in ASAP for this mandatory vaccine.
THANK YOU 4th GRADE PARENTS!!!! Thank you 4th grade parents for the great turn-out to 4th Grade Parent Night. It was a pleasure presenting Discovery and our “Wrap Around” Philosophy to you. Student’s spent time practicing talent and speeches (as shown below). They were thrilled to share their knowledge and Tracy Learning Center experiences with you.
CHABOT SPACE AND SCIENCE FIELD TRIP: Do not forget about our fieldtrip: Ms. Rodieck, Ms. Pelaez, and Mrs. Beckner’s classes 3/15/16 (along with the boy’s basketball team) AND Mrs. Hawkins, Ms. Zaca, and Ms. T’s classes 3/16/16 **All boys basketball players will attend the fieldtrip on Tuesday because they have a game on Wednesday the 16th). If you have questions email Ms. Pelaez at lpelaez@tracylc.net or Mrs. Hawkins at shawkins@tracylc.net.
WASHINGTON DC TRIP 2017 – for 6th grade students entering 7th in the 2016-17 school year. Students interested in the 2017 trip to Washington DC should attend a meeting on Wednesday, February 10th at 5:15 in Mrs. Wallace’s room, D10. The meeting will explain everything about this very exciting and educational trip.
TOP 5 Point Earners from each Tiger Den….CONGRATULATIONS!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO A FANTASTIC WEEK!!!
DHSP
DHSP Charter Chatter:
English:
Mrs. Stewart’s English 78 is wrapping up a long second trimester with the final phase of our SWO project. Students did three drafts of their research paper, they then prepared an oral presentation of their findings. She is very proud of the work the students have done and the presentations are quite good. The class will do one more research paper next trimester. The students have finished reading The Pearl and are preparing for a video project related to that novel.
Mrs. Dominguez’s Math classes:
In Geometry, we have been diving into proportions and ratios, which can all be related to real life problems. It has been fun trying to find the wingspan of an airplane or the actual distance between two cities on a map.
In Algebra 1, we are constantly graphing lines all through a variety of activities in our interactive notebooks. Students have been able to “Kill Zombies” and distinguish different methods for graphing equations. It has been a bit messy and sticky, but the interactive notebooks have proved to be fun, but is also enhancing the learning of our kinesthetic and visual learners.
Leadership is currently taking on a job of helping one of our MHS students with their Falcon Project. We as a class are collecting all of the campus recycling to turn in to help this students raise money for building foster kids backpacks. $15 fills a backpack for these children that often do not have much. If you would like to help support this cause you can email Mrs. Dominguez for more information.
Social Studies:
Mrs. Wallace’s classes did a fantastic job with their Africa Exhibits. She could not be more proud!!!
If you do not want your student to have his/her photo published please notify Mrs. Wallace at dwallace@tracylc.net
Washington D.C. 2017!!! Start planning NOW!!!
We will be having a second parent meeting in Mrs. Wallace’s room, D10, on Thursday, April 7th at 5:15 pm.
It’s time to start planning for next years DC trip. Students will visit the Washington Monument, Arlington National Cemetery and the Holocaust Museum. What an opportunity to see our nations capital with classmates. It’s exciting to see how many students have already signed up for this great opportunity.
Mrs. Wallace at dwallace@tracylc.net for assistance.
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 |
Charter Chatter March 4, 2016
College Early Start Program – Summer and Fall Enrollment for Delta
The counselors will be hosting a College Early Start meeting Monday, March 16th during lunch in room M-1. Any students interested in taking a class at Delta during the summer or Fall needs to attend this meeting. Parents of students who are interested in taking classes at Delta College for the Summer or Fall 2015 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.
NYU Precollege Summer Program for High School Students
With NYU Precollege, rising juniors and seniors can apply to take college-level courses for credit and experience life as an NYU student. Credit-bearing courses are available in more than 30 subjects to fit every interest and academic need. Precollege hosts social events and activities to create a sense of community and help students get to know one another while exploring the city around them. Experience life in New York. Apply for scholarships by April 1 at NYU.EDU/PRECOLLEGE This summer program runs from July 5-August 16, 2016.
Upcoming Events:
TLC’s Got Talent Show: Will be held at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts on Friday, April 8th at 6:30pm. The proceeds from this event benefit the Class of 2016. Come support our student from all TLC schools in this great showcase of talent. Tickets are on sale now and available for purchase in the TLC front office, the Grand Theatre Box Office and online at www.atthegrand.org
Juniors
There is a free SAT practice test at the Tracy Branch Library on Saturday, March 12th at 8:30am. Call to sign up, space is limited! Please note that this is not the PSAT.
College Info
College bound seniors: The priority deadline to apply for financial has passed. If you have no completed your FAFSA or Dream Act Application you are still eligible for federal financial Aid. Submit your application electronically as soon as possible.
SCHOLARSHIPS: There are many local scholarships available at this time for our college bound seniors. Visit the MHS Counseling website and select the Scholarships page at http://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/scholarships.html for detailed information on where to obtain an application and how to apply for various scholarships.
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!
Congratulations to the following students on their college acceptances:
CSU Fullerton – Gianna Oliveri
UC Merced – Sim Bhatia
Sheila Ho
Cynthia Hurtado
Priyana Patel
Jeremiah Tower
Leanne Velasco
Cal State East Bay – Gianna Oliveri
Community Service
Community Service: This is a reminder to all students to turn in any completed community service forms they have. All forms must be submitted to the counseling office so they can be uploaded to Aeries. Important deadlines regarding community service are:
- April 4th – to be considered for the Community Service Block Letter sponsored by the Breakfast Lions Club of Tracy. For more details or to check on your progress towards your Block Letter please contact Ms. A in the Counseling Office.
- May 6th – Deadline for seniors to submit their hours towards Graduation!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
- June 24th – Deadline for 9th -11th to submit hours towards the 2015-2016 School Year
| Organization | When | Where | Duties |
| Tracy Little League Challenge League | Saturday thru May | Help out 4 baseball team of students with special needs. Help coaches with practices and games
For more information please see Ms. A or contact Keri Dowell Keri_dowell@yahoo.com |
|
| Boy and Girls Club Basketball Challenge League | March 3rd to May 12th
Games are Thursdays 5pm to 6pm except for spring break –no game.
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753 west Lowell Ave at the club | We are looking for 3 or 4 volunteers under 18 years old to assist our younger players ages 8 to 12.
We are looking for volunteers that are self-motivated and will be willing to share smiles and high fives.
We need volunteers who can arrive weekly and be consistent as the kids look forward to seeing them, this is a special time for our youth to shine.
Our league is made for our youth to have fun; we have been serving youth with disabilities for over 15 years. J |
| Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner | Saturday, March 12th 4:00pm-9:00pm | Tracy Elks Lodge
9100 11th St (West of Banta Road) |
15 volunteers needed
Black Bottoms and White Collard top. Dinner will be provided for volunteers Contact: Jane Williford 209-986-5290 williford@sbcglobal.net |
| Hospice Eggstraveganza | Friday, March 11
evening – TBD |
Masonic Temple (1601 N Tracy Blvd, Tracy) | 5 volunteers needed to set up tables and chairs
Contact: Adela Calderon at 925-200-5339 or |
| Hospice Eggstraveganza | Saturday, March 12 from 10:00am – 2:00pm
|
Masonic Temple (1601 N Tracy Blvd, Tracy)
|
15 volunteers needed to serve meals and tear down tables and chairs afterwards
Black and white server attire required; long hair to be pulled back. Contact: Adela Calderon at 925-200-5339 or |