Charter Chatter
A weekly newsletter written to parents of the TLC
August 25, 2017 Vol.3
| Virginia Stewart |
Number of charter schools, students in U.S. rises
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The number of children attending charter schools in the United States hit a record of about 6 percent of all students in public schools, according to a federal education report released on Tuesday.
Charter schools are publicly funded schools operated separately from local school districts. They are usually independently run but can also be managed by for-profit companies or nonprofit organizations running multiple schools.
About 3 million students were enrolled in charter schools in the 2015-2016 school year, up from roughly 1.8 million students five years prior, according to the report by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.
They represented 6 percent of the total in 2015-2016, up from 3.6 percent.
Of more than 90,000 public elementary and secondary schools, charter schools made up nearly 8 percent, an increase from 5.9 percent five years earlier, the report said.
The three most populous states – California, Texas and Florida – have the highest number of charter schools. In Arizona, among the most pro-charter states, charter schools make up about 25 percent of all K-12 public schools.
Six states do not allow charter schools.
As charter schools and the number of students attending them grow, bonds used to finance the schools is also a growing segment of the municipal bond market.
About us
Our charter schools have started their 17th year. The high school and Primary school were begun after Discovery was three years old. We began our TK and preschool program three years ago. Tracy Learning Center is home to 1300 students – preschool to twelfth grade.
We are very pleased with our progress and accomplishments. This year we are especially pleased that our buildings and grounds are being remodeled to make the outside as excellent as the educational opportunities that are available to our students inside our classrooms.
| Misc. Announcements |
Board Member Opening
The Tracy Learning Center is now accepting applications for a TLC board member. All interested applicants please send a letter of interest and a resume to 51 E. Beverly Place Tracy, CA 95376- ATTN: Human Resources. Board meets once a month.
Next Holiday – Monday, Sept. 4 Labor day
PCS, DCS and DHSP Picture Day is Wednesday, August 30th
Picture Order Forms will be sent home today
Pre-K and TK Picture Day is Tuesday, Sept. 5th
Order Forms coming home soon
Discovery Pep Squad Try-Outs
6th, 7th, and 8th grade Pep Squad tryouts are Monday and Tuesday (8/28 and 8/29) from 4:15-5:30pm. Try-out forms should be turned in with a parent signature. Come prepared with your own dance choreography and music (3 minutes max). Good luck to whoever is trying out!!
MHS Sports
Fall Sports kick-off this Friday as the Millennium Falcons JV and V football teams take on Ripon Christian at 5 and 7:30pm at West High! Admission is $7 adults/$5 students. Come out and support your teams!!
Volleyball kicks off next week… Stay tuned to the MHS Athletics Social Media for details!
Car line Safety
We are very concerned for the students that are continuing to be dropped off near our construction area. Students are getting out of their cars and walking where there aren’t any sidewalks. This is very dangerous and is a huge risk for your child. Please do not drop off your child or allow your child to walk anywhere near the construction site.
Annual Golf Tournament
Good morning and Happy Friday!
I’m excited for this year’s tournament and the changes that we have made. We will be hosting the 3rd Annual Millennium Athletics Golf Tournament at Dublin Ranch on Sunday September 24th! This tournament will be a 4 man scramble with a two drive minimum. Shotgun will be at 9 am so my Raider fans can get home in time for kick off at 5:30! 49ERS play that Thursday and the Cowboys play Monday so let’s play some golf for a good cause!
If you plan to play, please register no later than September 1st. I have to give my final head count by the 8th. If you could also do me a favor and tell all of your golf buddies about this tournament we’d greatly appreciate it. We have attached the flyer as well as the registration form so you can spread the word whether it is email or social media.
On behalf of Millennium Athletics, we thank you for your continued support!!
Hope to see you soon!
Coach KV
kvigil@tracylc.net
Falcon Voice
Millennium is in search of “The Voice of the Falcons”! If you’re interested in being an announcer at the JV and V home football games this season, please contact Miss Balsamo at sbalsamo@tracylc.net as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Stevi Balsamo
Physical Education/Athletic Director
Millennium High School
http://www.MHSFalcons.com
Facebook.com/BalsamoPE
Instagram: @Millennium_Athletics
Twitter: @MHS_Falcons
| PCS/DCS Lunch Menu Week August 28
Mon. – Pizza Tues. – Mexican Chicken and Rice Wed – Chicken Parmesan Thurs – Beef and Gravy and Mashed Potatoes Fri. – Beef Hot Dog |
Pre K
Best in Tracy! 2017
T K
This week on TK island we had an amazing time incorporating our new electives. The little fishies enjoy learning about Spanish, Music, Art, and PE. Another important part of our busy day is doing circle time. This is a time to discuss things that we like or dislike and how we are feeling and most importantly how to handle situations with our words.
Primary Charter
P-6 loves the author Robert Munsch. We would love to encourage you to explore www.robertmunsch.com and listen to the stories we’ve experience! These stories would be great to use toward your nightly reading routine. We’d also like to offer some helpful tips for choosing books to help your little one develop a love of reading:
- Choose books that explore kid interests, offer new experiences, and exposure to different genres of writing.
- Read stories that let your child see how characters behave toward others.
- Select books about real topics (volcanos, dinosaurs, cats) with lots of colorful photographs or illustrations that help kindergartners build knowledge about the world and expose them to new vocabulary.
- Find series, such as If you Give a Mouse a Cookie, as they offer opportunities to compare stories for similarities and differences.
Happy Reading!
Phase 1
What a busy week! In social studies, we continued our unit on citizenship. We learned why it is important to be a good citizen and learned many different strategies students can apply. Students had so much fun during Friday Minute-to-Win it Unity! In order for students to be able to participate they must wear Spirit. Please encourage your student to wear spirit on Fridays! Congratulations to our SWO students of the month of August and to the classrooms that won the Golden Lunch Box and the Golden Broom! Way to go!
Please remember that Wednesday, August 30th is Picture day!
Phase 2
Chlorophyll and photosynthesis…these are two new words that our phase 2 students learned in science this week. We’ve enjoyed learning about plants, life cycles and are now learning about animals. We are also working on place value and rounding. Did you know you can teach your child about rounding at the grocery store? Add up the items in your cart by rounding the prices and use mental math. There are so many ways to use rounding in real life!
Discovery
Discovery Charter School
Routines are being set and the year is in full swing! Last Friday was our first rally and the students really enjoyed themselves, and wow they were loud and full of Tiger Pride!
Reminders:
Please check your child’s agendas for homework and important dates.
Picture day is Wednesday, August 30th.
Science Camp fundraiser from Mixed Bags.
If you would like to reach any of us, we would love to hear from you.
English and Humanities
Ms.Rodieck lrodieck@tracylc.net Electives
Mrs. Ernst eernst@tracylc.net Ms. Dane mdane@mdane@tracylc.net
Social Studies Mr. Root croot@tracylc.net
Ms. Zaca szaca@tracylc.net Mr.Dougherty sdougherty@tracylc.net
Science Spanish
Ms. Pelaez lpelaez@tracylc.net Ms. Rapoza jrapoza@tracylc.net
Math PE
Ms. Takeuchi ttakeuchi@tracylc.net Coach Penirian mpenirian@tracylc.net
Mrs. Zuniga mzuniga@tracylc.net Coach Easterday deasterday@tracylc.net
Coach Woods dwood@tracylc.net
Discovery Pep Squad Try-Outs
6th, 7th, and 8th grade Pep Squad tryouts are Monday and Tuesday (8/28 and 8/29) from 4:15-5:30pm. Try-out forms should be turned in with a parent signature. Come prepared with your own dance choreography and music (3 minutes max). Good luck to whoever is trying out!!
DHSP
Note to Parents: We are working hard to ensure that carline moves swiftly and successfully both in the morning and afternoon and over the last three weeks have seen major improvements in how quickly carline is moving. In an attempt to improve even further, please remember to wait in line for the car in front of you to move forward (not creating another lane to exit), and be sure the be paying attention at all times both for the sake of safety and to facilitate the flow of carline.
*As a reminder, parents should pull all the way through the carline loop and students should exit swiftly. Please refrain from using your phone and/or stopping to talk to teachers who are working to open car doors. Thank you for your cooperation!
DHSP Leadership is officially in full swing and planning our first event
Geometry (Honors Pink) has just taken their Pre Unit Exam and students are excited to jump the first unit of Geometry curriculum. This vigorous high school course has students challenged and eager to learn. Algebra 1 (Scholastic Green) has so many bright students and as we continue to dive into more Algebra, it is evident that this group is excited to learn. Math 78 (Varsity Gray) has done nothing but surprise myself and Mrs. Sian with their dedication and commitment to learning. This group of 7th and 8th graders feed off of each others energy in mathematics. They was to be the best and their participation is amazing. I am so please with my groups so far as they are all jumping back into the swing of school with full force.
Here are a few pictures from our Math Olympiad Competitions in Geometry. Students cannot wait for the county competition.
7 / 8 Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts students are continuing their study in the music and geography of Africa. They are improving their writing skills every week through weekly essay assignments, grammar lessons, and timed writing.
A few reminders:
- Students receive an essay every week; they must have a hard copy of the essay before they come to class;
- Every Friday students are tested on the concepts they have learned over the course of the week, which includes weekly vocabulary and words from the weeks before
- At DHSP we are having homeroom competitions! Whichever homeroom brings in the most items (clorox wipes, tissues, paper towels, hand sanitizers, and other items like this used for the class every day) will receive a donut party! Please consider donating (or “donut-ing”) some items to help your student’s homeroom win!
| MHS |
MHS Sports
Fall Sports kick-off this Friday as the Millennium Falcons JV and V football teams take on Ripon Christian at 5 and 7:30pm at West High! Admission is $7 adults/$5 students. Come out and support your teams!!
Volleyball kicks off next week… Stay tuned to the MHS Athletics Social Media for details!
MHS
It was an activity filled week of clubs, spirit, and a kick off rally to our Fall sports. Our first Football home game is this Friday, August 25th at West High. For more information about our sport programs, please visit: http://mhsfalcons.olinesports.com/coaches.php
Community Service
Hours for community service for all students is updated in Aeries. Please visit the website at http://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/community-service.html to get more information about our Community Service requirement and updated listings of opportunities.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITY!!! Sunday, September 10 – 9/11 fundraiser – 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: Nirvaana (1005 E. Pescadero Ave, Suite 101, Tracy – outlet mall)
2-4 Volunteers needed to clean facility before the event, set up tables and chairs, greet and seat guests, and tear down for Tracy Fire Department and Tracy Police Department 9/11 fundraising event.
Contact: Jass Sangha 209-740-6020 or sanghajass23@gmail.com
College Info
College Classes started this week of August 21st. 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. Important reminder about our new reimbursement policy – Students must earn a grade of “A” or “B” for tuition reimbursement.
For students and parents interested in learning more about our College Early Start program, please visit: http://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/college-early-start.html
An information session for students will be conducted in October for Spring classes.
PSAT SAVE THE DATE: PSAT (Premilinary SAT) testing for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will be on Saturday October 14th from 7:30am to 12:00pm. As soon as materials arrive around mid September, we’ll begin taking registration and sign ups for the test. The cost is $18.00. Space is limited, therefore it is important that your student sign up when announcements are made.
Senior Info
Coming soon!!! Senior information packets with important information regarding graduation, senior portraits, dates and deadlines will be mailed the last week of August. Information will also be available on our website at www.tracylc.net on the Counseling/Guidance webpage.