Charter Chatter
A weekly newsletter written to parents of the TLC
Aug. 12, 2016 Vol. 2
| Virginia’s Voice |
The school year has started and we are very pleased with the transitions our students have made from one grade to the next. Our DHSP students who went on to high school are looking great and seem very grown up. It is a good change for them.
The new Discovery students in grades 5 and 7 are doing very well. They are spirited and enthused about learning and are following expectations very well.
The new students in Kindergarten are doing very well. Those who had been in TK look like returning students and are definitely setting the bar for the rest. I have never seen such good coloring in Kindergarten this early in the year. It tells me many are ready for writing. The Kindergartens who are now in first grade are fitting in very well.
TK just started this week and have adjusted well. We are pleased with the results of the meet and greet last week. It helped acquaint the students with their new environment. Preschool is just about full. There are only four openings left for three or four year olds.
As a teacher of 5/6 students in Algebra and as a teacher of 7/8 Advanced English students, I am pleased with the transition and most of all the caliber of learning the returning students bring to the class. They are the beacon that others imitate and follow. They set a great tone for the class and help make the bar even higher for the next school year. It is a wonderful advantage to have returning students.
Just by accident we noticed that one of our groups in Discovery High School Prep was predominately boys, so we divided the boys and the girls into two separate learning groups. The girls responded in a very positive way right away, the boys were a bit more skeptical. There is a great deal of research indicating that test score results are better when classes are divided this way. The teachers see a difference. The students are in these groups for math, science, social studies, and language arts, but are mixed for electives, PE, and lunch. Oh, and by the way…most students sit in separate groups on their own for lunch!
Thank you for your support of our schools. I believe we offer an exceptional educational opportunity. Please do not hesitate to ask questions. Teachers do best with e-mail and if you need to discuss someone further, you can call Kay (831-5240) and ask for an appointment with me, Virginia Stewart.
| Misc. Announcements |
Picture Day
High School Picture Day is next Wednesday, August 17, 2016. Flyers are being sent home today. All students including seniors and those without early period classes must come to school and have their pictures taken.
PCS and DCS Picture Day is Wednesday, August 24. Flyers will be sent home, Friday August 19, 2016.
Parent Volunteers
Parents who plan on volunteering in the classrooms this year must give the office a new contract and make sure his/her TB Test has been done within the last 4 years and have given the results to the office along with a copy of your California Driver’s License and Volunteer’s Contract.
Volunteers can begin volunteering after Sept. 12, 2016. Please make these arrangements with your child’s teachers.
| PCS/DCS Lunch Menu Week Aug. 15 – 19
Mon. – Pizza Tues. – Chicken Teriyaki Wed – Beef, Gravy and Potatoes Thurs – Chicken Corn Dog Fri. – BLT / Tuna or Egg Salad Sandwich
|
Millennium Athletics
2nd Annual Golf Tournament
Sunday October 2nd 2016
10:00 a.m. $60 Single
Shotgun $225 Team
Old River Golf Course
18007 S. MacArthur Drive
Tracy CA
Interested in becoming a sponsor
OR
Registering as a participant??
Email Coach KV at kvigil@tracylc.net for more information
T K
We had an amazing first week in TK! Students were so excited to meet the teachers and all of their new friends. We did several projects together, read many stories, and did graphing activities! Students learned new concepts such as how to read bar graphs and T-charts, what phonemes are, and they learned about alliterations, just to name a few! Lots of learning for our little friends! Students have also enjoyed having PE everyday and singing new songs with our Music teacher! They are quickly learning our classroom procedures and showing us what responsible students look like! We are so proud of our new TK students and can’t wait to watch them grow throughout our year together.
Primary Charter
Initial Phase
In Initial Phase this week we have been busy assessing, getting to know each other, practicing rotations, becoming more and more independent, trying to increase academic stamina, and learning why it is important to be a good listener. We have completed all beginning of the year assessments and students will be placed in their learning groups starting next week. In addition homework starts next week. Please be sure to use the homework folder (RED) to assist you nightly. Finally, our green and red folders are a very important part of our daily lives in P-6. Please help your student become responsible and independent by incorporating a backpack routine, by talking about the days of the week and the days that each folder is due. Not only will this foster independence it will help students take ownership of their learning. Thank you!
Phase One
Phase 1 students have completed their second successful learning week! They are in their new groups and working hard. In Language Arts, they are reading and engaging in interesting and meaningful discussions. In Math, they are working on numbers and operations in base 10. Taking numbers apart and examining them can be fun! The Summer Olympics are bringing lots of excitement to the classroom….especially since USA has won the most medals! Students in Phase 1 have been earning lots of SWOs and really demonstrating how a Primary student should behave. We are proud of their accomplishments. Please remember to take out all the papers in your student’s green folder and initial the behavior calendar. Thank you again for all the generous donations!!
Phase Two
What an excellent second week of school! We have finished assessing our students and have placed them in their language arts and math groups. Students have been busy learning their groups’ procedures, rules, and expectations. In language arts, students started reading their books and other fun activities. In social studies, we continued learning about maps and are doing different projects and activities. Ask your student all about it!
We started using our agendas this week. Please remember to sign your student’s agendas on Friday and return it on Monday.
Please remember to send a labeled art shirt and headphones with your student if you haven’t done so already!
Thank you for your continued support!
Discovery Charter
THANK YOU PARENTS and GUARDIANS for attending our BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT! – Our Back to School Night was filled with wonderful Discovery School families. We are grateful you took time out of your busy schedules to gain insight on teachers, classrooms, curriculum, and our vision for the 2016 – 2017 school year. Please contact your child’s teacher for additional information – we welcome open communication!!
THANK YOU PARENTS AND GUARDIANS for attending our Science Camp Evening of Information!! Please mark your calendar for Monday, January 9th – this is when your children will be leaving for Santa Cruz – Science Camp. All questions should be emailed to Ms. Pelaez at lpelaez@tracylc.net. Science Camp fundraising information was sent home with your child today (Friday 8-12). Please ask your child to share that information.
Ms. T talks to students about our August
Community Service drive – We are asking
students to donate new clothing, school supplies,
or other items to Case for Kids, a non-profit
organization that provides supplies to children
in foster care.
On Monday, students received certificates if they were their den’s “TOP 5.”
Siberians (1st place) Top 5 with Bengal’s in 2nd place…the Top 5 Sumatran’s in 3rd with
AUGUST SAVE THE DATES:
PIZZA NIGHT: Thursday, August 25th at the Mountain Mikes on Grant Line Road – 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday, August 24th – Discovery Charter School Picture Day
*****PLEASE REVIEW YOUR CHILD’S AGENDA FOR ADDITIONAL DATES. THEIR AGENDA HOLDS DATES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR TO INCLUDE EVENTS, HOMEWORK, PROJECTS, HOLIDAYS, and BREAKS.
DHSP
What a great first two weeks of Discovery High School Prep. Students continue to show enthusiasm and dedication to their education! The DEN Pride this year is contagious. The first ever combined DCS/DHSP rally was held on the field. Mrs. Dominguez and her Leadership class did a fantastic job of leading us in the fun and excitement
Go Tigers!!!!!!!!
There were a few class changes this week to get the students all placed into the correct classes for their optimal learning level. Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. Wallace decided to create gender specific classes for one level based upon research that has shown great results can come about with such a grouping. So far this week all of those classes are doing great. Mrs. Wallace said, “I am already amazed at how much material we have been able to cover with those two classes, and I am very impressed with the class discussions that are taking place about the Electoral College!”
Back to School Night was a terrific success. Lots of parents came to see what Discovery High School Prep is all about.
The evening started with the leadership class leading the parents through an example of our morning Unity. Then parents followed their child’s class schedule. It is always so nice to have a few minutes to let parents have a glimpse of what goes on in the classrooms.
Please feel free to contact any of your student’s teachers if you have any questions or concerns.
Math: Mrs. Dominguez ddominguez@tracylc.net
Math: Mrs. King lking@tracylc.net
Language Arts: Ms. Langston alangston@tracylc.net
Language Arts: Mrs. Cerezo acerezo@tracylc.net
Science: Mrs. Ramirez aramirez@tracylc.net
Social Studies, 7/8 Learning Director: Mrs. Wallace dwallace@tracylc.net
Enjoy your weekend.
| MHS |
Community Service
Counselors visited 9th grade and 10th grade classes this week to discuss the community service process. Make sure to ask your student how they are progressing toward completing their community service graduation requirement. The 9th grade SWO is all about Community Service. You can view current opportunities by visiting the community service section of the Counseling website or by stopping by the counseling office in M-2 and looking at the community service bulletin board.
Community Services hours are now available to view on Aeries. They are located in the 9 period class in the gradebook. Please not this is not a “real subject matter” class but purely a way for you to view and keep track of your Community Service hours. Please note Community Service hours will be updated weekly by the end of day Friday.
Picture Day: Wednesday, August 17th
College Info
Classes start the week of August 17th. Students who registered for a Delta college class that was not previously approved on their College Early Start form must complete a change of course form with the Counseling Office. Reimbursements for tuition cannot be approved if students are enrolled in courses not previously approved. For textbook ordering information, please visit www.deltacollege.edu
***Students can visit the Counseling Office to either advertise their books for sale or to see about purchasing used textbooks
Homework Support
The homework support room will be open next week from Monday to 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.