Charter Chatter A weekly newsletter written to parents of the TLC

Oct. 29, 2017                                                                                                                        Vol 12

 

This year our theme for Red Ribbon

Week is that BETTER CHOICES = BEST RESULTS. This is a great slogan for this year in particular. Our students are learning the benefit of good choices in the classroom on a daily basis with our new program of Restorative Justice. We are helping students realize that when they are a distraction in the classroom, they are not only hurting their own learning, they are taking time and attention from the class and they are not allowing us to maximize learning. The students are realizing that they can help one another make better choices. Some of our student serve on our review committee that look at the students who are acquiring more than negative twenty points in our middle school and high school classes. These students ask questions, give advice and suggest ways to improve. They have had an impact on the effectiveness our teachers are having in the classroom. Better choices, serves all of us. The more a student focuses on the right things, the better it is for all of us. I especially liked all of the posters our Primary students made to celebrate the theme. They are helping all of us reflect on the choices we are making and allow us to ask, is this choice going to lead to better results? In reality some of our choices are not actually wrong, but they may not lead to the best result. Forcing ourselves to work harder, think more, give more than we are comfortable doing may help us all experience the best results.

 

 

General School News

 

Production Pleased to Announce: Choir and Drama Students will be presenting their first Discovery Performance Showcase on November 6, 2017 At Kimball Auditorium in two sections; Mr. Dougherty will offer his choir performance from 6:30-7:15 or 7:30 A short intermission will follow Ms. Dane’s Drama classes will perform from 7:30 or 7:45 – 8:30 Singing, Dancing, Poetry, Reader’s Theater and Video will show what students have been working on during the trimester. Tickets are free to family and friends. Special performances include; dances, piano, trumpet, ukelele, American Sign Language, My Shot from Hamilton, You’re Welcome from Moana, Lightning Larry and Monkey’s Paw reader’s theater plays and examples of video taped classroom performances.

 

Next Holiday Veteran’s Day Friday Nov. 10, 2017

 

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.

 

South Sudan Donations This year students at Discovery are working on learning the importance of recycling and the value of using water responsibly while fundraising for the Water for South Sudan organization. The Water for South Sudan organization aims to provides clean, accessible water to peaceful communities in South Sudan by building wells. Discovery is fundraising for this cause through buying waters on campus, recycling bottles, and participating in coin-collecting challenges. Student Recycling Teams are also helping to collect and organize all of the recycling on campus as well as working towards promoting positive recycling behaviors. Our goal is to raise five thousand dollars by next April, as well as to encourage a recycling culture among our students. By reaching our goal, we will be entered into a drawing to win a visit from Salva Dut (from this year’s Pentathlon book, A Long Walk to Water), as well as helping to provide hundreds of people in South Sudan with clean water.

 

PCS/DCS Lunch Menu Week Oct. 30 – Nov. 3 Mon. – Pizza Tues. – Cheesy Goulash Wed – Sloppy Grilled Cheese Thurs – Chicken Taquitos Fri. – Beef, Gravy and Mash Potatoes

T K

 

This week on our TK island, you’ll find witches and green monsters running amok! We have eagerly been crafting spooky decorations in preparation for Halloween, and are very excited about our upcoming class parade! In fact, we’ve been practicing a magical pumpkin song that we can’t wait to perform for our parents. It’s been pumpkins, witches and goblins galore..and we can’t wait for even more spooky fun next week!

 

Primary Charter

Initial Phase: October is a fun month for so many reasons. But one of our favorite things about October is exploring pumpkins! Students learned all about pumpkins this week! They even got to look inside a pumpkin that was cut open lengthwise! Ask your student what they observed while looking inside the pumpkin. Students also learned the parts of a pumpkin and labeled a pumpkin they made out of construction paper. Ask your student to tell you the parts of a pumpkin! We have even been able to watch the lifecycle of a pumpkin in the garden next to our classroom! We have had lots of pumpkin fun this week; don’t forget to ask your child what they learned about pumpkins!

 

Phase one students had a fun Red Ribbon Week! Our slogan this year was Better Choices = Best Results. On Monday, Students received their red bracelets and helped create the PCS cup design on our fence. On Tuesday, students helped create a poster in which they pledged to make the right choices. On Wednesday we had a door decorating contest! P6 won the contest! Congratulations P6! On Thursday, we wore red! Friday, we had our Read-a-thon results announced during unity. Thank you for all of your continued support! So far the Read-a-thon raised about $11,072! This money will be used to purchase technology for our students! Thanks again! Please remember that our Halloween parade will be on Tuesday, October21st.

Phase 2 students are excited about our upcoming field trip on November 1st! If you were selected as a chaperone, we ask that you please pay the $30 fee. This week in science, we learned more about biomes and how different animals adapt to their environment. We are asking for students to please bring in 2 liter bottles for an upcoming project in science. Thank you!

 

 

Discovery Discovery Charter School This has been a busy week for Discovery students. The end of trimester one is just around the corner and students are busy preparing for tests, projects and SWOs. Please continue to check your student’s agenda regularly for information on upcoming due dates. Upcoming events: Monday, October 30, 2017 Hearing Van Tuesday, October 31- Primary trick or treats Friday, November 3^rd is the last day of Trimester 1 Please be on the lookout for information that will be coming home regarding Trimester 1 conferences. Ms. Dane and her Drama students gave Discovery a preview of the upcoming Choir/Drama show that is being held at Kimball High School Auditorium on Monday, November 6. Choir will perform at 6:30 pm, with Drama performing at 7:30. Here are few pictures for a preview. Hope to see all of you there!

 

^DHSP

 

General Reminders:

• All students: The first SWO and first trimester community service hours are due next Thursday (11/2)
• Red Ribbon Week is next week! Discovery will be having Red Ribbon week starting Monday, October 30th and it will go till Friday, November 3rd. Our slogan this year will be BETTER CHOICES = BEST RESULTS. Don’t forget to dress up for spirit days!
• First trimester grades drop between November 6-8th; make sure your students has completed and turned in all missing assignments!

CJSF: Next week, the students of our DHSP California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF) will be kicking off their annual week long coin drive. This year the students decided to donate the money collected to those affected by hurricanes Irma and Maira in Puerto Rico. They will also be collecting any new or “like new” stuffed animals to comfort the children who lost so much. We’ll be partnering with another organization already sending a shipment of goods to Puerto Rico. Language Arts: Students are working on their final projects for our first novel, A Long Walk to Water, as the first trimester comes to a speedy close. All classes have begun our next novel, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, an awe-inspiring work that recounts the life of a uniquely talented young boy.

MHS

8^th Grade Parent Night – November 1st The Counselors visited DHSP students this week to share information about Millennium High School. DHSP parents are invited to attend our 8^th Grade Parent Night on Wednesday, November 1^st from 5:30-6:30pm at the temporary high school campus at 1904 N. Corral Hollow Rd. in room A-2. Parents of students who do not attend DHSP are invited to attend the second session beginning at 6:30pm in room A-1. College Early Start – Begin the process to take a college class this Spring!

On Thursday, October 5^th there was an informational meeting for students who are interested in starting the process for taking Spring 2018 Delta College classes while in high school. Students and parents may visit our website for more information on how to participate in the program at: https://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/college-early-start.html Forms are available in the Counseling Office as well. Students new to the program are encouraged to apply ASAP! There are many steps to the process, and CES Forms are due to the Counseling Office by Monday, November 6^th. ***Please note: The Saturday, October 28^th assessment has been rescheduled due to a power outage scheduled in the area on that day. The test will be held on November 4^th at 8:30am on the Mountain House campus. Students may sign up with their Delta ID at the Counseling Office.*** Upcoming Community Service Opportunities Make a Difference Day – Arbor Day WHEN: Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 9:00am WHERE: Lincoln Park, Tracy, CA (East St. & Eaton Ave.) Volunteers are needed to help plant trees AND paint fire hydrants all over Tracy. Please bring shovels, gloves, and a water bottle. For additional community service events this month, please see our website at: https://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/community-service.html

      Charter Chatter

                                        A weekly newsletter written to parents of the TLC

 

 

Oct. 20, 2017                                                                                                                              Vol 11

Virginia Stewart

 

School Communication

When it comes to school communications, parents today want more information from their children’s teachers and schools, but they also want that information to be timely, targeted, and personalized to their children or their interest areas.

The latest data from Speak Up Research Project gives insights on school-to-home communications. In “Text, Twitter, Email, Call—What Do Parents Say About School Communications?” Dr. Julie Evans, chief executive officer of Project Tomorrow, shared these insights from parents, educators, and administrators, and discussed takeaways from the research.

Currently: How Most Parents Receive Information

Schools and districts have many external audiences for communications, their primary audience being parents of school-age children. However, those thinking ahead for their children, as well as other guardians of children, want to know important information, too. Parents of children too young to attend school now and grandparents are also top audiences. Regarding how that information is obtained, about 1/3 of parents surveyed say word of mouth is the primary way they get information about their child’s school, which may not be the most effective way to ensure accurate information in conveyed

What: Types of Information Parents Would Like to Know More About

Parents want more information about their child’s education. They had four top areas which they wanted to know more about:

• Recommendations about apps to use at home to support learning
• Types of technology or workplace skills their child is learning
• What type of technology they should have at home to support learning
• How to work with teachers to improve learning opportunities.

68 percent of district communication officers were already providing information about the last point. Two of the top priorities for school or district communications professionals were increasing stakeholder engagement and increasing parental knowledge about school and district programs and policies.

AT THE TRACY LEARNING CENTER

It is important to note that we send out electronically our newsletter that summarizes each school in the Tracy Learning Center.  It is not read by most parents, but we encourage you to be sure it is e-mailed to you.

Teachers are more than willing to respond to e-mail anytime you write to them.

Our website is currently being redesigned for greater information and ease, and we will let you know when that project is completed.

Teachers send more notes by way of students frequently, but many might be lost in backpacks.  Primary students have a system with red and green folders to better communicate with parents.

Please let us know if you have a suggestion for better communication from us.

 

 

 

Misc. Announcements

 

Production

Pleased to Announce: Choir and Drama Students will be presenting their first

Discovery Performance Showcase on November 6, 2017

At Kimball Auditorium in two sections;

Mr. Dougherty will offer his choir performance from 6:30-7:15 or 7:30

A short intermission will follow

Ms. Dane’s Drama classes will perform from 7:30 or 7:45 – 8:30

Singing, Dancing, Poetry, Reader’s Theater and Video will show what students have been working on during the trimester.  Tickets are free to family and friends.

 

Special performances include; dances, piano, trumpet, ukelele, American Sign Language, My Shot from Hamilton, You’re Welcome from Moana, Lightning Larry and Monkey’s Paw reader’s theater plays and examples of video taped classroom performances.

 

 

 

 

Next Holiday

Veteran’s Day Friday Nov. 10, 2017

 

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.

 

South Sudan Donations

This year students at Discovery are working on learning the importance of recycling and the value of using water responsibly while fundraising for the Water for South Sudan organization. The Water for South Sudan organization aims to provides clean, accessible water to peaceful communities in South Sudan by building wells. Discovery is fundraising for this cause through buying waters on campus, recycling bottles, and participating in coin-collecting challenges. Student Recycling Teams are also helping to collect and organize all of the recycling on campus as well as working towards promoting positive recycling behaviors. Our goal is to raise five thousand dollars by next April, as well as to encourage a recycling culture among our students. By reaching our goal, we will be entered into a drawing to win a visit from Salva Dut (from this year’s Pentathlon book, A Long Walk to Water), as well as helping to provide hundreds of people in South Sudan with clean water.

 

 

PCS/DCS Lunch Menu  Week Oct. 23-27 Mon. –  Pizza Tues. – Chicken Choy Mein Wed – Beef Lasagna Thurs – Chili or Cheese Nachos Fri. – Chicken Alfredo Casserole

 

Hey TLC Family!!! Come out to Buffalo Wild Wings next Wednesday between 4 and 10pm for Eat Wings, Raise Funds as we get ready to kick-off the Winter Sports season AND prepare for Fall teams heading into the post season!

All you Future Falcons can come get your picture taken w/Freddy the Falcon between 5 and 6pm that evening! Show your server this ticket and 10% of your bill will be donated back to MHS Athletics!

Do you frequently dine at BWW?? Here’s another opportunity to raise funds for MHS Athletics! Show them the Home Team Advantage card below on ANY day between now and 11/30/17, and we receive 10%!

 

TK

 

This week on TK island the little fishies were learning all about the letter P and the Pumpkin Life Cycle.

As part of learning all about pumpkins we were able to venture off the island and explore the Pumpkin Patch. They had so much fun riding a hay ride, climbing a hay mountain, sliding down the super slide, playing in a box of kernels, and watching a pig race.

Our pig, Feona, won the race with a galloping race to the finish line.  Our field trip was absolutely perfect!

Primary Charter

 

Time is flying by! We are getting closer and closer to the end of the first trimester! We have a lot of activities coming up and important dates to remember. Here are a few things to keep in mind…

 

Red Ribbon Week is next week! Check out each classroom’s banner by the Primary playground! Our slogan this year is: Better Choices = Best Results. Don’t forget to wear red on Friday!

 

Candy grams will be sold the week of October 23^rd – 27^th for .50 cents each!

 

Be on the lookout for important Halloween day information!

 

No school on Friday, November 10^th for Veteran’s Day!

 

Parent-Teacher conference week is November 13^th – 15^th there will be more information and sign ups coming home soon!

 

The end of trimester on is November 17^th and Thanksgiving break is the week of November 20^th!

 

Phase one students continued to work on maps this week.  We focused on learning all about urban, suburban, and rural communities!  Our students completed different projects that summed up their learning.  Ask your student all about it!

Read-a-thon pledges and reading logs were due today!  You are still able to turn in your student’s envelope next week.  Read-a-thon awards will be given Friday, October 27^th during unity.

Phase 2 permission slips were due today. Chaperones will be notified soon.  Please note that if you were selected as a chaperon, we ask that you pay the $30 to attend the field trip.  This week we continued our unit on biomes and habitats.  We are excited to see all the animals and adaptations we’ve been learning about when we visit the zoo next month!

 

 

 

DCS and DHSP PE

 

 

 

Discovery

 

After an exciting homecoming week, it is back to the regular schedule.  This first trimester is quickly coming to an end. Please continue to regularly check your student’s agenda to make note of important due dates, test dates and current grades.

 

Our drama and choir teachers, Ms. Dane and Mr. Daugherty, are holding a performance on Monday, November 6 at Kimball High School Auditorium. The Choir will perform at 6:30, there will be a short intermission, and then Drama will perform at 7:30.  We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Please, if you need to come on campus in the morning, be sure that you are going through the office.  No one but students and staff are allowed to come through the east gate in the morning. Thank you for your understanding.

 

 

 

 

^DHSP

 

Language Arts:

Big developments in reading! In Language Arts, we have completed our pentathlon book, Long Walk to Water. Students should expect to receive a comprehensive test on the novel as well as a project to demonstrate what they have learned in and from the book. We will be starting our next novel shortly. Students should also expect to receive their next rotation for book club books next week.

 

Math

Mrs. Dominguez Geometry class is cruising through this intense high school curriculum and are constantly impressing me. This week we took the high school midterm and I anticipate those score to be impressive. Algebra 1  got a slow start, but as we pick up the pace, students are being challenged and rising to the occasion. Math 78 is going to Unit 4 test next week and their enthusiasm to learn is incredible. This is by far the best grade level class I’ve had at DHSP. They are brilliant and when challenged they shine.

 

Leadership took a few days off and are ready to kick into the fall and winter spirit. We plan to start with a candy gram fundraiser coming soon as well as a 7/8 dance that we cannot wait to advertise.

 

P.E.

Happy 11th Week of School!!! Please be on the look out next week as students will be given a “News Letter” home from the DCS/DHSP PE Department regarding the “Red Ribbon” activities that we will be doing in PE during Red Ribbon Week October 30th – November 3rd.

 

 

MHS

 

 

 

Community Service Fair

All MHS students attended our Community Service Fair on Thursday, October 19^th.  They got the chance to meet representatives from 14 local non-profit organizations.  Students had the opportunity to ask questions and sign up to help with upcoming events.  We are so grateful to be connected with our community partners, and that our students are able to give back and learn about themselves and their community through volunteering.  For any questions regarding community service requirements or processes, please contact the Counseling Department, or visit our website at:  https://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/community-service.html

 

 

College Early Start – Begin the process to take a college class this Spring!

On Thursday, October 5^th there was an informational meeting for students who are interested in starting the process for taking Spring 2018 Delta College classes while in high school. Students and parents may visit our website for more information on how to participate in the program at: https://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/college-early-start.html

 

Forms are available in the Counseling Office as well.  Students new to the program are encouraged to apply ASAP!  There are many steps to the process, and CES Forms are due to the Counseling Office by Monday, November 6^th.

 

***Please note:  The Saturday, October 28^th assessment has to be rescheduled due to a power outage scheduled in the area on that day.  All students will be informed of the new date next week.***

 

 

 

 

Upcoming College Field Trip – San Jose State University and Santa Clara University

Attention Juniors and Seniors!  We are taking a field trip to SJSU and Santa Clara University on Tuesday, November 7th.  Permission slips are available in the Counseling Office.  The fee is $20.

 

Coin Drive Fundraiser for McHenry House

Next week, our CSF club is hosting a coin drive fundraiser for McHenry House.  This is a nest competition!  Students can earn points for their nest by bringing pennies, and can sabotage other nests with silver coins and dollars.  The drive will last Monday 10/23 to Friday 10/27 for Make a Difference Week.

 

 

Upcoming Community Service Opportunities

 

Make a Difference Day – Arbor Day

WHEN:  Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 9:00am

WHERE:  Lincoln Park, Tracy, CA (East St. & Eaton Ave.)

Volunteers are needed to help plant trees AND paint fire hydrants all over Tracy.  Please bring shovels, gloves, and a water bottle.

 

 

For additional community service events this month, please see our website at:  https://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/community-service.html

 

      Charter Chatter

 

A weekly newsletter written to parents of the TLC

 

 

 

Oct. 13, 2017                                                                                                                                Vol 10

Virginia Stewart

 

Homecoming Reflections

This past week, we celebrated homecoming.  What makes the Tracy Learning Center homecoming so unique is the inclusion of all of our students from preschool to seniors in high school.  It is a wonderful sight to see all of our classes and teachers preparing for the parade and other events.

The parade is a unifying event as the little ones begin the parade with all of their enthusiasm and pride and as the parade progresses the crowd is in awe of the band and color guard who perform at a high level of excellence.  The parade began with a sign that said, “Please be advised, TLC is under construction.”  Originally that sign was made to let the public know why we did not have the usual large floats.  Instead we limited exhibits to pull wagons and walking exhibits.  Again, a drawback turned into an advantage, we had more participation in the parade than usual with so many able to walk.

The powder puff game this year, due to construction, had to be played at Kimball’s football field.  It was the best powder puff game of all time.  The lady players deserve to show off their skills on a regulation field and the men cheerleaders had a venue to show off their skills as well.  It is interesting how something that seemed to be a limitation ( no access to our usual practice field) became a great opportunity.

Yes, we are under construction.  Our primary and middle school is presently being built.  It is scheduled to be completed sometime in February.  Then the remaining buildings will be rebuilt for the high school.  The true homecoming will be when we are all once again reunited when Millennium High School returns to the TLC site. The high school is doing well over at the alternate site, but the rest of the students are missing their presence. The homecoming events reminded us we are a wonderful preschool to high school senior continuous program. It is something that makes all of us proud.

 

 

 

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.

 

South Sudan Donations

This year students at Discovery are working on learning the importance of recycling and the value of using water responsibly while fundraising for the Water for South Sudan organization. The Water for South Sudan organization aims to provides clean, accessible water to peaceful communities in South Sudan by building wells. Discovery is fundraising for this cause through buying waters on campus, recycling bottles, and participating in coin-collecting challenges. Student Recycling Teams are also helping to collect and organize all of the recycling on campus as well as working towards promoting positive recycling behaviors. Our goal is to raise five thousand dollars by next April, as well as to encourage a recycling culture among our students. By reaching our goal, we will be entered into a drawing to win a visit from Salva Dut (from this year’s Pentathlon book, A Long Walk to Water), as well as helping to provide hundreds of people in South Sudan with clean water.

 

 

Mixed Bags Fundraiser

Mixed Bags have extended our period for online fundraising through the end of December. That means you can make your holiday purchases through Mixed Bags and 40% of the sale will go directly toward helping our DCS students have the experience of an outdoor education. Here is a link to my website from which you can access the shop:

http://pelaezscience.weebly.com/fundraising.html

Thank you in advance for your support.

 

 

PCS/DCS Lunch Menu  Week Oct. 16 Mon. –  Pizza Tues. – Beef and Broccoli Ramen Wed – Chicken Corn Dog Thurs – Teriyaki Meatball and White Rice Fri. – Chicken Pot Pie

 

 

 

 

Pre K

 

This week on TK Island the little fishies made ships like Christopher Columbus did when he made the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.  They set sail to see if their ships will float.  Some were able to float and some sank. They loved making their ships out of paste, cups, straws, and paper. They sailed across the island to explore the letter E. They observed with their eyes eight enormous elephants eating eggplants with an excited electric eel and an elegant eagle in an Evergreen.

 

Primary Charter

 

WOW! What an exciting week in P6! On Monday, our class had a marble party that included a surprise visit from firefighters! They talked to the boys and girls about fire safety and then we got to go outside and see their fire truck! The firemen even let the students try out the fire hose!! We are so thankful for this special visit; the students loved it! Here is what some of our students had to say about their surprise:

“It was really fun and cool squirting the big hose!” –Hugo

“I learned that I should shut my door if there is a fire by my room.” –Adrian

“The big fire truck was awesome!” –Noble

“The firemen were really nice and funny and cool.” –Hashmeet

 

Phase One

What a fun week!  Phase one students did a great job dressing up every day for homecoming spirit week!  Our students had so much fun and had a great time walking in the homecoming parade!  Thank you to all that donated materials and money to make our homecoming wagon! We appreciate your support!

Remember, the Read-a-thon ends today, October 13^th.  Please record and add up student’s minute in their reading log and turn it in with their money by Friday, October 20^th.

Have a great weekend!

Our Phase 2 students loved walking in the parade with their flower hats!  We loved all the TLC spirit we saw this week and are proud of our Future Falcons!  The Phase 2 field trip permission slips went home today in the green folders.  We are going to the Oakland Zoo on Wednesday, November 1st.  Permission slips are due on Friday, October 20th, this includes parent chaperone forms.  Thank you!

 

 

 

 

DCS and DHSP PE

 

 

 

Discovery

 

Discovery Charter School

 

Homecoming week has been wonderful this year!  Our annual parade was a huge success this year even if we did not have floats.  Our students proved that they could make a parade out of just about anything! Thank you to all of the parents who showed up at the parade and those who helped with supplies and their time.  Ms. T and Mrs. Dominguez did a great job with our students making our parade “float.”

 

It is hard to believe, but we are a month away from the end of trimester 1.  Please remember to check your student’s agendas for important information and to help them keep up with their school work.

 

^DHSP

 

Charter Chatter Week of 10/9-10/13

 

This week is Homecoming Week and has been a major success! Students dressed up each day to earn points for their dens and to show their school pride. The Homecoming Parade, which encompasses all of the wonderful TLC schools was Wednesday October 11, and it attracted a large crowd. Each school showcased their own holiday with spirited clothes, music, and imaginative make-shift floats. Below are a few pictures from the event.

 

 

 

Language Arts:

Students are continuing their work on our first novel of the year, A Long Walk to Water, and are reviewing the eclectic art and music of Africa.

 

Math:

All students are working on their first SWO of the year! They are making excellent progress.

 

Social Studies:

The Recycling Club is continuing to collect bottles and recycling in their endeavor to support the Water for South Sudan foundation. They are collecting tons of discarded bottles around campus and are being more cognizant about their own water usage.

Pictured Below: Some of Recycling team members

 

 

 

 

 

MHS

 

 

College Early Start – Begin the process to take a college class this Spring!

On Thursday, October 5^th there was an informational meeting for students who are interested in starting the process for taking Spring 2018 Delta College classes while in high school. Students and parents may visit our website for more information on how to participate in the program at: https://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/college-early-start.html

 

Forms are available in the Counseling Office as well.  Students new to the program are encouraged to apply ASAP!  There are many steps to the process, and CES Forms are due to the Counseling Office by Monday, November 6^th.

 

***Please note:  There is an assessment available to Millennium students on Saturday, October 28^th at 8:30am at the Delta Mountain House campus.  Bring your Delta ID number and sign up at the Counseling Office.***

 

 

PSAT on Saturday!

PSAT (Premilinary SAT) testing for 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th grade students is taking place on Saturday, October 14^th from 7:30am to 12:00pm.  Students must arrive on time and check in through the front office.  They may bring an approved calculator.

 

 

 

Upcoming College Field Trip – San Jose State University and Santa Clara University

Attention Juniors and Seniors!  We are taking a field trip to SJSU and Santa Clara University on Tuesday, November 7th.  Permission slips are available in the Counseling Office.  The fee is $20.

 

 

Community Service Fair Next Week

MHS’s Community Service Fair is taking place next Thursday from 9:15am-11:15am in the covered lunch area.  Nonprofits from the Tracy community will be there to meet with students and share information about upcoming events for which they need volunteers.  All MHS students will attend the fair in shifts, and may sign up for events and ask questions of the non-profit representatives.

 

 

Upcoming Community Service Opportunities

 

 

Sign up at the Counseling Office!

 

History Day at the Museum

WHEN:  Saturday, October 21, 9:00am – 2:30pm

WHERE:  Tracy Historical Museum (1141 Adam Street)

Volunteers are needed for set-up, clean-up and other duties.  Please visit the Counseling Office to sign up.

 

Animal Rescue of Tracy’s BARKtober Fest

WHEN:  Saturday, October 21 9:00am-3:30pm

WHERE:  Lincoln Park (By Tracy Library, East and Eaton Ave.)

Volunteers needed for set-up, clean-up, walking, face painting, Kid Zone activities, assisting with entertainment and contests, and working with animals.  Volunteers must fill out an application online: www.animalrescuetracy.org

 

 

For additional community service events this month, please see our website at:  https://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/community-service.html

 

      Charter Chatter

                                     A weekly newsletter written to parents of the TLC

 

 

Oct. 6, 2017                                                                                                                                 Vol 9

Virginia Stewart

 

It is important to provide the best conditions for our students while they study or work on home work. Here is an interesting read about just that.

 

Multitasking Harms Recall—Music, Not So Much

A new study confirms that multitasking negatively impacts studying. Listening to music, on the other hand, may have little effect.

By Youki Terada

October 3, 2017

 

 

A new study confirms what many teachers would already have bet money on: Multitasking while studying significantly reduces students’ ability to recall information. Performing a second cognitive task while studying reduced students’ ability to remember a list of words by 33 percent compared to a control group. Listening to music, though, had only a very modest negative effect.

The report, published in the journal Psychological Science, examined how distractions and multitasking affect students’ ability to recall words. Researchers at UCLA’s Memory and Lifespan Cognition Lab asked 192 college students to memorize 120 words divided into six sets of 20. To test whether they could prioritize important information, each word was paired with a number from 1 to 10, representing how many points would be earned if the word was correctly recalled—a word paired with the number 10 would be worth 10 points.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Students were randomly assigned to one of four groups:

• In group 1, students had no distractions.
• In group 2, students multitasked: While viewing the word lists, they listened to an audio recording of a voice reciting numbers. If they heard three consecutive odd numbers, they were to press a button.
• In group 3, students listened to familiar pop songs.
• In group 4, students listened to unfamiliar pop songs.

The students who were verbally distracted, group 2, performed the poorest, recalling only 5.2 words per set of 20. The undistracted students recalled an average of 7.8 words, and students who listened to familiar and unfamiliar pop songs displayed similar rates of recall, at 7 and 7.4 words, respectively.

In all groups, students were five times more likely to recall a 10-point word than a 1-point word, demonstrating that they could prioritize important information even with distractions. And students in all groups remembered more words by the sixth round than they had in the first.

“Distractions are often unavoidable,” according to the study’s authors, led by Catherine Middlebrooks. But students “frequently partake in distracting activities that lead to poorer comprehension of and memory for to-be-learned information.”

Interestingly, the UCLA study found that listening to music may not be as harmful as prior research had suggested. Although students who listened to music recalled slightly fewer words than ones who didn’t, they were almost equally able to recall high-priority words. “Participants compensated for limitations owing to divided attention by devoting their remaining resources to the most important items, providing further evidence that factors that worsen memory do not, necessarily, similarly affect study strategizing,” explain Middlebrooks and her colleagues.

The takeaway: While pop songs may have little impact on students’ ability to focus, other distractions—loud conversations or an always-on television—can severely impair their ability to study effectively.

 

 

 

 

 

Misc. Announcements

 

Picture Re-take Day – Tuesday, October 10, 2017 for all 3 Sites

Flyers will be sent home on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. All students who were absent or not yet enrolled on previous picture day must have their pictures taken on this re-take day. Those students who were not satisfied with their previous pictures must bring in their entire picture packet to return them and pictures will be re-taken.

 

 

MHS Home Coming Parade – Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017 at 3pm (staging at 2pm)

Early Dismissal Times

PCS – 1pm

DCS/DHSP – 1:30pm

MHS – 12:18pm (directly following 4^th period)

 

 

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.

 

South Sudan Donations

This year students at Discovery are working on learning the importance of recycling and the value of using water responsibly while fundraising for the Water for South Sudan organization. The Water for South Sudan organization aims to provides clean, accessible water to peaceful communities in South Sudan by building wells. Discovery is fundraising for this cause through buying waters on campus, recycling bottles, and participating in coin-collecting challenges. Student Recycling Teams are also helping to collect and organize all of the recycling on campus as well as working towards promoting positive recycling behaviors. Our goal is to raise five thousand dollars by next April, as well as to encourage a recycling culture among our students. By reaching our goal, we will be entered into a drawing to win a visit from Salva Dut (from this year’s Pentathlon book, A Long Walk to Water), as well as helping to provide hundreds of people in South Sudan with clean water.

 

 

Mixed Bags Fundraiser

Mixed Bags have extended our period for online fundraising through the end of December. That means you can make your holiday purchases through Mixed Bags and 40% of the sale will go directly toward helping our DCS students have the experience of an outdoor education. Here is a link to my website from which you can access the shop:

http://pelaezscience.weebly.com/fundraising.html

Thank you in advance for your support.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

We appreciate your participation and support in this year’s annual MHS golf tournament

We had a great time and saw some great play from this years contestants.

 

PCS/DCS Lunch Menu  Week Oct. 9 Mon. –  Pizza Tues. – Chicken Fried Rice Wed – Mashed Potato Casserole Thurs – BLT or Turkey Sandwich Fri. – Pigs (Hot Dog) in a Blanket

 

 

TK

 

This week on TK island we have traveled through the city, state, and world by using maps. They have learned how to use a compass rose to travel north, east, south, and west through the island. The little fishies have been working hard on their costumes for the parade and are excited to march through the town using their new found knowledge of maps and directions to help navigate through the town.

 

Primary Charter

 

Initial Phase:

Homecoming is next week! We are so excited to participate in the homecoming parade on WEDNESDAY! We will have an early release on WEDNESDAY (parade day) and all PCS students will be released at 1:00. P6 Students will make bunny ear hats and bunny nose/whiskers to wear for the parade! Students must have turned in the permission slip to participate in the parade. Don’t forget that we have special dress up days for homecoming spirit week. The days are as follows:

 

Monday: Favorite holiday- students can dress showing their favorite holiday. NO HALLOWEEN COSTUMES.

 

Tuesday: Veteran’s Day- students can wear red, white, blue, or camouflage.

 

Wednesday: Easter Day (PCS homecoming theme)- students can wear an Easter shirt, spring colors, or something that they would wear on Easter.

 

Thursday:  Valentine’s Day- students can wear pink, red, or hearts.

 

Friday: Black & Gold Day- students can wear any MHS clothing or black/gold in support of MHS.

 

 

Phase One

Students had fun learning this week!  We continued to study maps and learned about different community maps!    Students practiced reading maps and some even created their own maps!  Give your child the opportunity at home to practice giving directions and identifying different street names!

Remember, the Read-a-thon began Monday, October 2^nd, and ends Friday, October 16^th.  Encourage your child to participate and read!

Next week is homecoming spirit week.  Monday is dress as your Favorite Holiday (NO Halloween costumes).  Tuesday is Veteran’s Day (Camo, red, white, or blue).  Wednesday is Spring/Easter Day (Spring colors, Easter).  Thursday is Valentine’s Day (Red, pink, hearts).  And Friday  wear black and gold day in support of MHS Falcons.

Tuesday, October 10^th is picture make-up day!

Wednesday, October 11^th is our Homecoming parade.  Students will be dismissed early, at 1:00 pm.  Please arrive to the roundabout on the corner of Central and 6^th street at 2:30.  The parade will start at 3:00 pm.  Please make sure you return your student’s permission slip to walk in the parade.

Have a great weekend!

 

Phase 2:

We are excited about the parade next week!  Third and fourth graders will be making flower hats to wear for the parade.

This week we started our units on habitats and biomes.  Our students are really enjoying life science this trimester and we will send out information about our upcoming field trip!

4th grade leadership students have been selected for October.  They have a “spooktacular” project coming up!
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DCS and DHSP PE

 

 

 

Discovery

 

Discovery Charter School

 

Fall is here!   With that comes homecoming next week.   This is an exciting time for all of The Tracy Learning Center and there is so much going on.

Spirit week is October 9-October 13.  Our annual parade, though smaller in scope than in the past, will be Wednesday, October 11, 2017.  We will be having spirit week.  The themes are as follows:

Monday, October 9- Sports Day

Tuesday, October 10- Disney Day:

Wednesday, October 11- Homecoming theme Kwansa

Thursday, October 12- Neon Day

Friday, October 13- Den Day

We have been busy this past week with an exciting version of DSC’s Name That Tune:

Mr. Daugherty showing off his vocal skills during Name That Tune.

This week’s top five:

 

 

Important reminders: Read-a-Thon continues through Friday, October 13, 2017

Please remember our fundraiser; we are collecting Water for Sudan.  Please send any   donations to your student’s homeroom teacher.

Please remember to check your student’s agenda for important due dates and assignments.

 

^DHSP

 

Homecoming week is NEXT week! Remind your students to dress in the themed attire each day.

 

Monday- SPORTS

Tuesday- DISNEY

Wednesday- KWANZA

Thursday- NEON

Friday- DEN COLORS

 

Language Arts:

 

This week students are reviewing skills and knowledge they have learned over the course of the year and practicing new skills. Each week, students receive new vocabulary words, a new essay prompt (this week’s is about irony), new articles to discuss, and new opportunities to practice both new and old skills. In addition to attaining mastery in these areas, students are also wrapping up their first book club rotation through projects. They will receive their next book in the following week.

 

Math:

 

Math Olympiad is well under way! Students are enjoying the challenge!

 

Social Studies:

 

Recycling team is working daily to pick up all empty water bottles. They are doing a fantastic job earning money for Water for South Sudan as well as keeping our school campus pristine.

 

*Note about car line: Car line is moving much faster these days and for that we thank you. However, teachers are seeing a lot of students being dropped off along the street and not using the crosswalk to enter campus. Please remind your students to walk down to the crosswalk and cross safely. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

MHS

 

College Early Start – Begin the process to take a college class this Spring!

On Thursday, October 5^th there was an informational meeting for students who are interested in starting the process for taking Spring 2018 Delta College classes while in high school. Students and parents may visit our website for more information on how to participate in the program at: https://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/college-early-start.html

 

Forms are available in the Counseling Office as well.  Students new to the program are encouraged to apply ASAP!  There are many steps to the process, and CES Forms are due to the Counseling Office by Monday, November 6^th.

 

***Please note:  There is an assessment available to Millennium students on Saturday, October 28^th at 8:30am at the Delta Mountain House campus.  Bring your Delta ID number and sign up at the Counseling Office.***

 

 

PSAT Testing Info

PSAT (Premilinary SAT) testing for 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th grade students will be next Saturday, October 14^th from 7:30am to 12:00pm.  Taking signups now!!!! The cost is $18.00. Student will also be given a practice student guide/test. Space is limited, but we currently have about 20 spots left – therefore it is important that your student sign up as soon as possible.

 

Kaplan will be offering the only free, live PSAT prep program available to students online: PSAT Prep Live. Lessons begin September 23 and continue through October 8.  Get free prep at: www.kaptest.com/psatpreplive

 

 

September Attendance Challenge Results

175 of our Millennium students had perfect attendance in the month of September!  We held a drawing and awarded four students a “cut in front of the lunch line pass”:  Sergio Ramirez, Maria Diaz, Sara De La Torre and Anthony Rhead.  Luis Rodriguez won our grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card.  Congratulations to our winners!  Daily, timely attendance is crucial – it is truly step one to academic success.

 

 

HOMECOMING WEEK is next week!!!  October 9^th-13^th

Please see the Homecoming Week schedule below.

***Please note that MHS students are dismissed early on Wednesday, 10/11 at 12:18.***

Monday– Nest Color Day- wear the color of your nest

9:45- 10:20- Rally on the Basketball courts. Will reveal the Royalty Winners

12:25- Dodgeball-Peregrine vs. Saker

 

Tuesday– Veteran’s Day- wear red, white, blue, camo (any combo of!)

Picture Make- Up day

12:25- Dodgeball- Kestrel vs. Amur

 

Wednesday– Parade theme day

12:18- Students dimissed

2:00 Parade staging at Central and 6th

3:00- Parade starts

5:45- PowderPuff Game at Kimball High

 

Thursday– Valentine’s Day- wear pink, red, purple, and/ or hearts

A day to breathe!

12:25- Dodgeball- Mon. Winner vs. Tues. Winner

 

Friday- Extreme Black and Gold

12:25- Dodgeball- Thursday winner vs. Teachers

6:30- Homecoming Football game- at West

9:30- 11:00- Homecoming Dance (immediately following the football game)

 

 

Community Service Opportunity This Weekend!!

 

Chest of Hope Love 5K Run/Walk

TOMORROW, Saturday October 7, 7:00am-12:00pm

Location: Lincoln Park (East & Eaton Ave.)

8 Volunteers Needed for face painting, handing out medals, working at stations, and other tasks.

Contact: Jessica Krabkin at (209) 681-1093 or jessicakrabkin@gmail.com

 

For many additional community service events this month, please see our website at:  https://millenniumhscounseling.weebly.com/community-service.html

 

 

Tracy Police Explorer Program

Attention high school students aged 14-18 who are interested in law enforcement!!  The Tracy Police Explorer Program is designed to give students a working knowledge of police functions within the community, as well as being of service to the police department.  This is a highly recommended program for students who are interested in law enforcement.  Please see the Counselors for more information, including and application.