TLC Charter Chatter
March 14th 2020
A message from Virginia:
I think we are all still ‘shell-shocked’ from a week that seemed to change every 5 minutes. As you know, all schools in San Joaquin County are closed for the next 3 weeks beginning March 16th. TLC Spring Break will continue as planned, from April 6th through April 19th, so we will all return to classes on April 20th. I don’t think anyone has experienced anything quite like this and it is almost too hard to comprehend.
In speaking with students on Friday there was a feeling of disappointment and uncertainty. As adults, we feel frustrated and then realize this is what is best for our community and the world but for our students, the change is jarring and confusing.
The link below touches on some great ideas to make this time easier on everyone. The overlying message is communication and discussion at the appropriate age level and providing some structure to your day.
With regards to our school and your child’s education, here are some FAQs we have received:
- Will we have to make up these 3 weeks at the end of the year?
TLC is in a unique place where we already have a longer day and year and so even with this extended break, we still meet the state requirements for instructional time. We are in communication with the state with regards to any changes to their policies.
- How will this affect Millennium Fast Track since they do not have an extended year?
We have some options here as well. We will make sure students complete courses and are able to take their Fast Track classes. We will continue to follow the state guidelines.
- Are students going to be doing distance learning or online classes?
This was discussed, especially in high school, but the logistics of getting every student the ability to work online was impossible. We cannot be sure EVERY student has internet access and did not want students to be REQUIRED to go out in public to use the library WiFi etc.
However, we do ask that students and parents monitor their emails and the newsletter as we will be providing information and links to help students keep up with their academics. Enrichment or review work through web links and pdfs can help your student maintain some order and structure during this time so please be on the lookout for announcements from our classrooms.
I cannot emphasize enough how much we appreciate your understanding during this time. If you have any questions or concerns please contact your teachers or tlc (contactus@tracylc.net). We are all in this together and want to support our TLC families any way we can.
| PreK, TK – 4th Grade Spring Picture Day and 8th Grade Promotion Picture Day has been postponed and we are working on alternative dates. Stay tuned……
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Spring Break – Monday April 6, 2020 through April 19, 2020. All Students return on Monday, April 20, 2020
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Personal/Family Days for Current and Future School Years
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VERY IMPORTANT Information for our current 2019/2020 school year beginning August 5, 2019, we have reduced personal/family days for students from 10 days down to 7 days. Allowing 7 days is still much higher than what the district schools allow and we feel 7 days is more beneficial for the school and for each students’ education.
Don’t forget to click the STAR after scanning and enter your student’s classroom number for credit.
NOW HIRING: Fall 2020 Head Athletic Coaches-
Girls Volleyball (All levels): https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1275148
TLC Preschool
At Preschool we work hard at helping our students learn that they are in control of their own upset. We teach our students to use breathing techniques such as the S.T.A.R to help feel calm again. S.T.A.R is an acronym for:
Stop
Take a deep breath
And
Relax
Try it! You’ll find that it works for adults too!
Initial Phase
Thank you to all of the parents who came out to meet with the teachers this week. We love having the opportunity to tell you how awesome your child is. Now we enter the final stretch of our year.
This week we discussed ways to keep ourselves healthy and prevent sickness. We watched a brain pop on proper hand washing, ask your student to tell you how long they need to take to properly wash their hands. Teachers have been cleaning surfaces down even more than usual and encouraging all students to wash hands or use hand sanitizer throughout the day.
This week in TK, we learned all about Habitats.
First, we learned all about the Arctic Habitat. Some of the animals that live there are polar bears, seals and arctic foxes. The weather can get as low as –50. Brrr!
. Next we learned about the Rainforest Habitat. There are four levels in this habitat! Some of the animals that live here are birds, snakes, monkeys and sloths.
Lastly, we learned about the Ocean Habitat! The kids really enjoyed learning about all the animals that live here. Some are octopus, squid and even plants like seaweed.
Phase One:
Phase 1 teachers would like to thank all the parents that were able to conference with us this week. We enjoyed sharing your student’s growth and successes. Many of you voiced concerns about the Coronavirus. We hope we were able to answer all of your questions. Be assured that we are taking every precaution and following updates closely. The students know and understand the importance of washing hands and keeping germs to themselves!
In science the students had a fun week learning about plants. They learned all about the parts of a plant, its life cycle, and observed a fun experiment. Did you know you could turn flowers blue because of the way they ‘drink’ water? The students had fun making hypotheses and seeing the results.
The Book Fair was a huge success! We were so excited to see how excited the students are about reading!
Have a great weekend.
Phase Two:
Thank you for coming to parent-teacher conferences this week. We appreciate your questions and enjoy sharing your child’s success and goals with you.
Our book fair was a big hit! Did you know our school receives free books based on our sales? Our students loved shopping for books and fun supplies. Thank you to the parents who volunteered to help out.
Discovery Middle School 5-6
Upcoming ⅚ Dates:
April 6-17: Spring Break!!!
Leadership video links:
5/6 wall winner
Leadership announcements
Mrs. Zuniga’s Math:
Varsity: Students took their unit 3 test this week.
Honors: Students have been continuing to work on proportions. The students have worked on percent proportions all week long to prepare for the next lessons in the unit.
Scholastic: Students are completed their unit 5 test this week. They have also been reviewing past concepts to prepare for state testing. Last week, students used quizlet live to study for the vocabulary words on their unit test. (see photos below)
Mrs. Nijjar’s Math:
Varsity: We spent this week reviewing the concepts about comparing fractions and learned about improper fractions. In addition, students took the quiz for the same and are close to completing the fourth unit. When we return, students will be learning about mixed fractions and will be comparing the same.
Scholastic: Students spent this week learning about simplifying fractions, equivalent fractions, improper fractions, and mixed fractions. When we return, students will be taking the unit test for the fifth unit.
Honors: Students put their best efforts to take the unit-4 test and our class received the second-highest score out of ALL the Algebra 1 classes – 78%. We have started with the fifth unit and took the first quiz for this unit. When we return, students will be learning more about solving linear equations using different strategies.
Ms. Rodieck’s Language Arts and Humanities:
Welcome to Trimester 3. This week students were assigned their first Book Book. Scholastic and Honors need to be done reading their books by April 27th. They will be creating a Book Trailer in a group that week. Varsity will be turning in their first Book Club Book Report Friday, April 24th.
Some classes also did a Diagramming Nest Challenge – fun was had by all.
We also brainstormed ideas for our research project. More on this later.
Of course we continued reading Frankenstein and talked about some of the issues like forms of persuasion and nature versus nurture.
Language Arts with Mr. Harding:
Social Studies with Mr. Bird and Mr. McCarthy:
This week in social studies, we were very busy assessing what we have learned about ancient Greece. After a successful Olympic Games activity last week, students reviewed everything about ancient Greece before our unit test on Thursday. To review for our unit test, students played a fun game of Kahoot! Students were competitive and eager to show their knowledge! After our test, we celebrated on Friday with a Greek celebration as students brought in different Greek foods and other treats.
Science with Ms. Diaz:
Greetings scientists! This week, we did our weather experiments, where for the first time, we had to think of our own methods. Boy, was it a lot harder than we thought! Even when given the list of materials, it was still perplexing to map out what we had to do and the order of steps. But, upon trial and error, we finally figured things out (maybe with a little help for Ms. Diaz…). Check out the pics below AND this link http://bit.ly/tornadoinbottle to see a tornado in a bottle in action. We also got a taste of severe weather by starting the movie Day After Tomorrow. Next week, we will write up our very first methods papers from the weather experiments that we did. We will also continue Day After Tomorrow.
Last but not least, come one and come all to check out the DCS science blog site at: www.tlcdiscoverychannel.weebly.com. Read all about What Were Megalodon Sharks? (Harjap Randhawa) and The Top 10 Most Dangerous Prehistroric Animals (James Hayes).
Awesomely Interesting Announcements
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory “Science on Screen” event. Flyers available for your student.
- Please don’t forget to check Google classroom and/or the science class website regularly with your student
Google Classroom: Hon/Scholastic→ jp9wlua Varsity→ 8d4s9b
Science class website: https://diazdoesscience.weebly.com
Stay curious & keep exploring!!!
Discovery Middle School 7th-8th
-Honors PSAT is on TBD
-MHS Placement Test TBD
-Superquiz Event Friday TBD
-Spring Break begins 4/6
Nest Certificate Winners for Week 28:
School Improvement Committee Invitation!
The School Improvement Committee is a new aspect of our DCS team this year. This Committee is comprised of students, staff members, the DCS Team Leads, parents, Mrs. Woods, Mrs. Stewart, and a TLC Boardmember (Mr. Murray). We meet roughly once a month to discuss the DCS Action Plan and the overall progress of our school. We would love to welcome new members! If you are at all interested in joining or attending a meeting to find out more about DCS then please contact myself, acerezo@tracylc.net for more information.
Attention all DCS Parents: 2019-2020 Parent Survey (SURVEY UPDATED)
Attached you will find a Google Form Survey that we are hoping our DCS parents/guardians will fill out. As a team we are always looking for ways to improve our practices and assist our students. We have developed a survey to check in with you all to determine how we are doing and what areas can be improved. If you have a moment, please complete the short survey. If you have any additional questions or comments feel free to email Ashley Cerezo (78) acerezo@tracylc.net or Kathy Prescott (56) kprescott@tracylc.net
Leadership:
For the month of January and February, students decorated their walls for the theme Healthy Habits. Here is our winner for 7/8!
Social Studies with Ms. Zaca
For one thousand years, Europeans believed that the sun and all other planets revolved around the earth. It wasn’t until Copernicus published his book after 25 years of observations that he finally proved Ptolemy’s theory wrong. 7/8 social studies students learned all about the scientific revolution the last month of trimester 2. They discussed how Galileo was experimented with two different falling objects, Kepler’s theory of the earth and other planets orbiting in an eclipse, and Isaac Newton’s finally identifying gravity and his laws of motion. As students leaned about these new discoveries, they connected it with their own lives.
With our final trimester already beginning, students are now analyzing the Enlightenment period. In Social Studies we have started to discuss how John Locke’s ideas led way to our Declaration of Independence.
Millennium High School
IMPORTANT INFO REGARDING SCHEDULING:
This week the High School began meeting with students to go over the class options for their schedule next year. Due to the Coronavirus closure, we are working on a system to continue these meetings. We have some options such as via email, phone etc. so please watch for Google Classroom or Remind notifications. We will let you know how we will proceed this coming week.
YEARBOOK ORDERS and SENIOR DEDICATION AD ORDERS CLOSING SOON!
Yearbooks are on sale now! Yearbooks are $75. Now is the perfect time to order a 2019-20 yearbook for your student. We look forward to yearbook delivery day, May 15th. Senior ad dedications are due by March 15th. Yearbook orders are open through March 30th. Click HERE to go to our convenient online order center! Or you may go to yearbookordercenter.com and enter code 21362. You may also pay by cash, check, or card in the front office or by contacting Miss Lamanna, blamanna@tracylc.net
Senior Dedication ads in the yearbook are available and can include photos alongside a personal message to your son, daughter, or teammate. There are a limited number of pages available, so act quickly. The deadline to place an ad is 3/15/20. Credit cards accepted! If you have any questions, please direct them to blamanna@tracylc.net.
Activities
Millennium Charter Prom has been postponed until further notice.
Disneyland Grad Nite – We will notify you if there are any changes to the following:
Some seniors have still not paid their $50 deposit for Disneyland. The $50 deposit to reserve your spot on the Disneyland Grad Nite trip was due by March 1st. This may be paid through our paypal donation portal at the bottom of the page on http://tracylearningcenter.com, or through our front office or Miss Lamanna by check, cash, or card. The full cost to attend Disneyland is $240. The $50 deposit reserves your student’s ticket and counts toward the $240 cost. Packets were sent home with students regarding this trip on our return from Winter Break. Extra information/release form packets are available in the front office and with Miss Lamanna.
This week in Science …..
All of the physics students participated in the MHS Inaugural Double Egg Drop Contest. Each team was given a set of materials to built a protective shell around two eggs. Congratulations go out to the winners, Milan Jaspal and Adriel Alvis.
Integrated Science: We have begun introductory level chemistry! Students observed the behavior of substances at different temperatures and explored the relationship between electrical charges and attraction/repulsion. Students were also introduced to the trends and patterns that are displayed on the periodic table of elements.
Environmental Science: The textiles we use have a major implications for society and the environment. Students have studied the origin and chemical structure of fibers like cotton, wool, and Kevlar. They also designed and conducted investigations to test properties of fibers, and researched the environmental impacts of the most commonly used fibers. Did you know that the average piece of clothing in the United States has a lifespan of 4 years? What resources does it take to produce that clothing and where does it end up when it is no longer in use?
Athletics
Interested in donating to the Athletics program to help complete furnishing of the weightroom and equipment purchases: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=JV4bGcCRYeBxsAoeIm9378Hq0cPdQ5v5cVuYxrIDCxod5qM0FM8eQcBKQ-YhqrA_hGj2tG&fromUL=true&country.x=US&locale.x=en_US
Weekly Schedule
(Softball, Baseball, Track & Field, Golf, Tennis, Boys Volleyball & Swim):
Spring Sports at Millennium have been postponed until 4/3 with the school closure, and will continue through Spring Break, unless otherwise notified. Plans to re-evaluate the remainder of the season will take place on Monday 4/20 if no decision has been made heading in to Spring Break.
Sports Scores:
Softball: Falcons 3, Stone Ridge Christian 15
Falcons 0, Stone Ridge Christian 10
V Baseball: Falcons 9, Stone Ridge Christian 4
Falcons 14, Stone Ridge Christian 2
JV Baseball: Falcons 2, Mountain House 12
Falcons 5, Linden 10
NOW HIRING: Fall 2020 Head Athletic Coaches-
Girls Volleyball (All levels): https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1275148
Interested in a future coaching position at Millennium? Submit your coaching resume/application here for consideration in future openings: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1143376
Follow Millennium Athletics on Social Media:
-Instagram- @Millennium_Athletics
-Twitter- @MHS_Falcons
-Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/BalsamoPE
We appreciate your continued support!
FALCON PRIDE!!
Upcoming Fundraisers for Athletics:
-Baseball, Softball, Track & Field: eTeam Email fundraiser (ongoing)
COUNSELING, COLLEGE, AND COMMUNITY NEWS!!!
Summer College Early Start Process has begun for 9th-11th Graders!
On Friday 3/6, informational meetings were held during lunch for students interested in taking a Delta College Class this summer. Students who missed the meeting can pick up info at the Counseling Office. The first step is to apply to Delta College ASAP here, this weekend preferably!: https://deltacollege.edu/apply Students will need to provide their Social Security Number. It is important to get this step done ASAP to meet necessary deadlines. Ultimately, the College Early Start Form is due to the MHS Counseling Office on Wednesday, March 25th. More information can be accessed here: http://www.tracylearningcenter.com/counseling/college-and-carrer-planning/
Current seniors who need to apply to Delta College are encouraged to attend an upcoming application workshop on Delta’s Mountain House campus IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON ATTENDING THIS MEETING, PLEASE CONTACT DELTA COLLEGE TO SEE IF THEY HAVE CANCELLED OR POSTPONED:
Quarter 3 Ends March 6th
Report cards will be mailed out soon! We are now in the home stretch…Quarter 4! Make sure your students are working hard and preparing to finish this semester strong! Quarter 4 ends on May 21.
FAST TRACK – Our Mandatory Summer School Program
Official Dates: Friday May 22 – Friday June 26
FAST TRACK is our mandatory summer school program that students utilize to make up classes they failed or to get ahead. The program is five weeks long and students will be in school half a day. Students are able to earn a total of 10 credits, which is a year of one course.
Attendance to Fast Track is extremely important – missing one day is like missing an entire week of school! Additionally, students must be present a certain number of hours for us to be able to award credit for a class. Fast Track Attendance Policy: Students are only allowed to miss 8 hours of time during the entire FAST TRACK. Tardies count as one hour and a day is four hours. Any combination above 8 hours results in a need to withdraw and an F grade for the affected semester. There are no excused absences during FAST TRACK. Students may not miss more than two days. Four tardies are the equivalent of one day of school, therefore; two days absent and one tardy will result in a failing grade.