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 23rd – 27th for .50 cents each!
Be on the lookout for important Halloween day information!
No school on Friday, November 10th for Veteran’s Day!
Parent-Teacher conference week is November 13th – 15th there will be more information and sign ups coming home soon!
The end of trimester on is November 17th and Thanksgiving break is the week of November 20th!
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 27th 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 19th. 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 5th 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 6th.
***Please note: The Saturday, October 28th 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