Eye on Education

A Publication of The Victorville Daily Press June 3, 2018

EASING THE HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION Each school year brings new opportunities. Although attending a new school can involve some butterflies as kids acclimate to their new classmates and teachers, the transition from grade school to high school is typically one of the more dramatic transitions students have to make.

Although starting high school can be an overwhelming experience full of change, there are many ways for students to ease this transition.

• Take part in high school orientation. Orientations help students acclimate to their new surroundings. Orientation sessions can provide insight on coursework and help kids learn about the campus and any amenities it provides. Learning the layout of the school in advance can help calm any first-day jitters students may encounter.

• Arrive prepared. Make sure all summer assignments are completed so you start off on the right foot. Unprepared students are likely to be apprehensive.

• Adjust to new sleep-wake schedules. Summer vacation may have been filled with late nights and sleepy mornings, but now that school will begin anew, it’s time for students to gradually readjust their schedules. That will make it easier to wake up for school.

Many high schools begin the day earlier than grammar schools and

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middle schools. It may take a few weeks to grow accustomed to the earlier hours, so start waking up earlier as the summer winds down.

• Plan to arrive with friends. Seeing familiar faces can help students feel more secure. High schools tend to be larger than grade schools and include kids from various neighborhoods, but chances are your friends will be attending the same school as you.

Carpool with friends during the first week of school so your first steps on campus are with friends.

• Enroll in a mentoring program. Some high schools pair freshmen with upperclassmen so younger students can learn the ropes of the school. New students can benefit from these personalized guides and should feel comfortable asking questions about teachers and school protocol.

• Participate in clubs and extracurricular activities. Another way to feel more comfortable at a new school is to participate in activities. High schools offer numerous extracurricular activities that cater to an array of interests. Band, choir, sports teams, debate teams, student government, and foreign language clubs are just a few examples of enjoyable

Entering freshmen can take several steps to make their transition to high school easier. extracurricular activities. Joining such groups can introduce you to like-minded students.

• Arrive to class on time. Teachers may be more lenient the first few weeks of school, but over time they will expect students to learn their schedules and arrive to class on time. Students can make arrangements with friends to share lockers or employ other strategies to make it easier to get to class on time.

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3 TIPS TO FINDING THE RIGHT GRADUATE PROGRAM

VVUHSD celebrates excellence, looks to bright future The Victor Valley Union High School District has been recognized at the local, regional and national levels this school year, and more accolades are sure to come as the district continues to build a foundation for the future.

VVUHSD recently celebrated the nationwide ranking of both of the district’s grade 7-12 schools of choice: Cobalt Institute of Math & Science (CIMS) and University Preparatory (UP). CIMS was ranked as the best high school in the Inland Empire by U.S. News & World Report, with UP earning the second-highest ranking. Both UP and Silverado High were finalists in the recent Best of the Desert listings, voted on by Daily Press readers.

The district also excelled in this year’s California PBIS Coalition rankings, which recognize schools with a positive climate and culture for students. Goodwill Education Center was the only high school in the High Desert to earn a PBIS gold medal.

Adelanto, Silverado and Victor Valley high schools were awarded silver while Lakeview Leadership academy won bronze.

VVUHSD was the first high school district in the Victor Valley, with a tradition stretching back more than a century. The district is making sure that tradition remains strong with upgraded facilities for its older campuses. A new gymnasium was recently constructed at Hook Junior High, and a new building at Victor Valley High will house a performing arts center and new classrooms. VVHS is also upgrading its football field and track.

Graduate school allows college graduates the chance to intensify their studies as they pursue advanced degrees.

Many professions require advanced degrees, but students may enroll in graduate school for various reasons, including their own intellectual curiosity and the chance to improve their earning potential.

Choosing a graduate program is an important decision that can impact students’ career prospects and financial futures. According to Peterson’s Real Guide to Colleges and Universities, the average annual tuition for a graduate program at a public university is $30,000, while graduate students at private universities can expect to pay nearly $40,000 each year. Such figures illustrate just how important it is for prospective graduate students to find the right schools for them.

1. Conduct exhaustive research.

Because the cost of graduate school is so substantial, students should be extra diligent when researching potential grad schools. Gather as much information about each school as possible, even contacting department heads and/or (Continued on Page 6)

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Lakeview is also looking toward the future with the addition of 10th grade for the 2018-19 school year. Lakeview now offers a wide variety of courses for grades 7-10.

With a strong focus on career and college readiness, VVUHSD is the right choice for your grade 7-12 student!

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3 TIPS TO FINDING THE RIGHT GRADUATE PROGRAM professors to learn if a given program is best for you. Graduate programs tend to be specialized, so make sure each school you’re considering offers exactly what you’re seeking. For example, graduate programs in history may specialize in a particular period of history. As a result, students who want to pursue graduate degrees in history must find the program that allows them to study the period that most interests them.

Finding such programs requires extensive research, so students must afford themselves ample time.

2. Speak to current students and recent graduates.

Current students and recent graduates can provide a unique perspective that prospective grad students won’t get from brochures or online research, no matter how exhaustive that research might be. Encourage students and recent grads to be candid, asking them about their experiences as grad students and, for recent grads, how they fared in the job market after earning their degrees. Don’t discount the latter, as grad school

is an investment of time, energy and money, and that should lead to professional fulfillment upon graduating.

3. Be realistic about your finances.

While many people enroll in graduate programs to improve their earning potential, some students may not enjoy that benefit. The cost of grad school varies depending on the school and the program, but prospective grad students may want to change their plans if the cost of obtaining an advanced degree will greatly affect their financial freedom for years to come.

Students worried about their post-grad school earning potential may want to choose less expensive programs so they can still pursue their degrees without mortgaging their financial futures.

Graduate school requires a substantial investment of time, energy and money. Prospective grad students should do everything possible to ensure they invest in the grad school that best suits their particular needs.

— Metro

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HOW TO HELP AND SUPPORT SCHOOLS Good schools help to harbor a strong sense of community.

Children often make their first friends at school, and parents often meet their neighbors through school-sponsored activities.

Students and school districts face a new set of challenges each year. Many of them can be remedied or made less daunting with the help of volunteers. Here are some of the many ways men and women can support the schools in their communities.

Practice open communication. Parents of children in the school should become familiar with teachers and the staff in the school. Find a balance between being involved and being intrusive. Joining the PTA is one way to be active in the goings-on of the school. When the opportunity arises, exercise your right vote on proposed policy changes and programs. Show an interest in your children’s assignments and ask to meet with teachers if the need arises. Doing so illustrates to the teacher that there is a connection at home and they’re not alone in the journey.

Participate in school fundraisers. Schools may not have enough money to cover all of their needs, and fundraisers are vital to the success of many schools. Fundraisers may provide

money for the entire school or be collected for particular efforts, such as new technology or athletic uniforms. While you don’t have to get behind every fundraiser, participating in just a few can help the school raise needed funds.

(Continued on Page 8)

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HOW TO HELP AND SUPPORT SCHOOLS (Continued from Page 7)

Keep a clean campus. Students and parents can work together to keep the school and surrounding areas clean.

Organize trash pickup days when participants gather and dispose of litter. Parents also can pitch in to make school grounds more aesthetically appealing. Donate and plant flowers or trees, and encourage groups that meet at the school, such as Boy and Girl Scout troops, to donate their time and effort as well.

Donate books to the library. Members of the community can ensure students have plenty of reading materials available to them by donating used books in good condition to the school library. If you can afford it, purchase new books on summer reading lists and donate them to the school library. Schools also may appreciate donated subscriptions to magazines, newspapers and other periodicals.

Send in complete supplies. Teachers often ask parents to supplement supplies for their classrooms. Remember to send in what is requested when school supply lists are given to students. This helps classrooms run more efficiently and may reduce out-of-pocket expenditures for teachers. Schools are an integral part of many communities. Explore the many ways to support schools with donations, volunteerism and more.

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3 TECHNIQUES TO HELP KIDS CONCENTRATE Classrooms are now vastly different from the ones today’s parents were accustomed to when they were children. Technology has changed the face of classrooms, and while digital classrooms have revolutionized the ways kids learn, they also can make it more difficult for students to concentrate.

Computers, tablets and smartphones can be invaluable resources for teachers and students. But when such devices compromise student’s ability to concentrate, parents may need to embrace various techniques aimed at improving kids’ ability to concentrate.

1. Discourage personal devices in the classroom.

Computers and tablets can expand learning opportunities in the classroom, but parents who want their kids to focus on lessons (Continued on Page 12)

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ORO GRANDE A recent partnership between Riverside Preparatory High School and Brandman University has made it possible for students to get a taste of “the college experience” while in high school.

Beyond that, the participating Riverside Prep juniors and seniors are earning actual college credits, giving them a head start upon graduation.

“It’s one of the most powerful things I’ve seen in education to be able to witness high school students feel the success that comes with completing college courses,” Oro Grande School District Executive Director of Administrative Services Dr. Minda Stackelhouse said. “We’re very fortunate to be a part of a district that’s committed to helping students take their first steps in their college plans.”

Riverside Prep launched its program last school year, with a total of 43 students enrolled in online courses at Brandman. The program has shown shining results, receiving positive feedback from students, 95 percent of whom passed the classes. Of those, nearly 80 percent received A’s.

“None of us had taken actual college classes ... only (Advanced Placement) classes,” Dezerie Cortes, a senior, said. “But I felt like the Brandman courses were much more meaningful, not just busy work.”

One period each day of the school week is dedicated toward the classes, overseen by ASB Director Elizabeth White, with the students working independently the rest of the time.

“We provide them with all of the materials, like computers, books, (Wi-Fi) hotspots if they need them ... It lets them work at their own pace and learn time management,” White said. “It’s giving them the college experience before they leave the safety net of high school.”

3 TECHNIQUES TO HELP KIDS CONCENTRATE (Continued from Page 7)

can discourage the use of personal devices, such as smartphones or personal tablets, in the classroom. As noted by the Child Mind® Institute, apps and web content are designed to be user-friendly and addictive. In addition, modern youngsters socialize through their smartphones.

Alerts or messages from social media apps or friends can distract kids from their lessons, which may adversely affect their academic performance. Unless teachers ask students to bring their personal devices to class, parents can discourage, if not restrict, their children to bring their smartphones or tablets with them to class.

2. Limit multitasking.

A 2009 study from researchers at Stanford University found that heavy media multitaskers were more susceptible to interference from irrelevant environmental stimuli and from irrelevant representations in memory than light media multitaskers. Students who try to do too much at once may think they’re getting a lot done, but dividing their attention among several subjects may make it harder for them to fully understand or learn their class lessons. When studying, students who concentrate on one subject or task may understand materials more fluently than those who divide their attention among subjects or those who focus on studying while also performing other tasks.

3. Encourage strategic breaks.

The Academic Success Center at Oregon State University notes that taking breaks can improve concentration and make studying more efficient and effective. When taking study breaks, students should set time limits on their breaks and change their scenery. Walking away from a book, device or computer screen for 10 minutes can help students avoid fatigue that can develop when they study for too long without a break. That fatigue can affect students’ ability to absorb the lessons they’re trying to learn, so parents can encourage students to take strategic breaks. Once per hour might be enough, but some students may benefit from more frequent breaks.

The competition for kids’ attention in the classroom is greater than ever before. As a result, parents may need to encourage their children to embrace various strategies that can improve their concentration.

— Metro

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NAVIGATING TECH CHOICES FOR SCHOOL USE Technology is essential in the daily lives of students. Whether it’s kids learning their ABC’s or graduate students pursuing advanced degrees, technology has transformed the way lessons are taught and learned.

Statistics support the notion that technology in the classroom is irreplaceable. According to data from the tutoring resource PracTutor, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and various colleges, 98 percent of schools have one or more computers in the classroom. In addition, 77 percent of teachers use the internet for instruction, while 40 percent of teachers report students use computers during instructional time in the classroom.

Many instructors now assign homework that must be completed online. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development looked at computer usage among 15-year-olds across 31 nations and regions. Many students in high-performing nations reported spending between one and two hours a day on a computer outside of school. Because computers are so necessary in and out of the classroom, families and students may want to revisit their options before buying new devices.

Desktop computer Desktop computers used to be the go-to for families and students, and there are still many reasons why desktops make sense. In addition to their relatively inexpensive sticker price, desktop computers allow students to customize their packages according to their needs and get a powerful operating system in the process. New and advanced processing speeds also mean that many desktop computers can be relied on for educational purposes while also being fast enough to handle recreational gaming.

One of the main disadvantages of desktop computers is their lack of portability. Desktops are not easily moved, and if repairs are necessary, it can be a hassle to have them fixed.

Laptop computers

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Over the last decade, laptop computers have become more popular than desktop computers, largely because of their portability. Laptops are designed to be taken from place to place, so students can use them for note-taking in the classroom and then studying at home.

Although laptop processors have just about caught up to desktop processors, they may be lacking the processing pop (Continued on Page 16)

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NAVIGATING TECH CHOICES FOR SCHOOL USE

(Continued from Page 14)

unless consumers are willing to pay more for laptops with high performance. Another shortcoming of laptops is that they generally have smaller screens than desktop computers, which can make working on fine details more challenging.

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Tablets offer the most in terms of portability. They’re lightweight and small and offer a wealth of access in a compact package. Today’s tablets offer much more than the first such devices to hit the market. Some can run apps and equivalent programs that were once exclusive to desktop and laptop computers. Tablets also tend to be less expensive than desktops or laptops.

Where tablets may fall short is in the peripherals. It’s difficult to connect backup drives and other accessories to tablets. However, with advancements in cloud-based storage, this may not be an issue. Also, note-taking on virtual keyboards may be more challenging, and working on tablets’ small screens can be tiresome over time.

Convertible tablet/laptops are now emerging to bridge these gaps.

Shopping for a new computer can be complicated, but basing purchases on need rather than want can help guide the process.

— Metro

VOCATIONAL SCHOOLING CAN PAVE THE WAY TO HIGH-PAYING JOBS Many students believe that the next natural step after graduating from high school is to go off to college. Secondary education has become such a common transition that many parents begin saving for college tuition as soon as their children are born. Although college can be the next chapter in a student’s education, many teenagers still choose to attend trade school. Television personality Mike Rowe says the country is in the midst of a skilled labor shortage because workers lack the necessary training to fill the hundreds of thousands of available jobs. Lack of information may drive the notion that trade jobs are nothing more than a backup plan if college doesn’t pan out.

However, by realizing that trade jobs, along with short-term vocational training, is a smart investment and eventually a lucrative career choice, attitudes about trade schools and labor-intensive jobs may shift. A great number of college graduates enter the workforce with degrees that may not help them land jobs. And these students typically carry thousands of dollars in tuition debt. Many college grads

are underemployed and working in jobs that aren’t even in their fields of study. Career and technical schools help students develop specialized skills that make graduates immediately marketable in (Continued on Page 18)

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VOCATIONAL SCHOOLING CAN PAVE THE WAY TO HIGH-PAYING JOBS (Continued from Page 7) their chosen fields, and trade salaries can be very competitive.

The following are some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying trade careers to consider, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Forbes magazine. Construction professionals with great organizational and communication skills can enjoy high earning potential as construction managers. Expected growth of this career over the next 10 years is 5 percent. The average income of a construction manager is $87,000. However, with a top-end hourly pay of around $75 per hour, it’s easy for managers to earn into six figures.

The oil and gas industry relies on rotary drill operators to extract oil or natural gas from underground sources. Salaries for these jobs can range from $30 to $40 per hour.

Cleaning teeth and inspecting mouths for disease is an important role. Job growth is still hovering around 20 percent, and hygienists can expect to earn up to $98,000.

Electricians and plumbers are continually in demand. With a short amount of trade school and apprenticeship, itÕs possible to earn up to $90,000 per year. These are just a few of the many skilled professions that vocational schools prepare their students for. Scholarships and funding programs are available to help make vocational training an affordable possibility.

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Victor Valley Christian School Victor Valley Christian School (VVCS) is both WASC and ACSI accredited.

We have been providing a quality, private school education since 1971. Our campus is located at the corner of Balsam and Nisqualli Road, which is in the heart of Victorville, just off the I-15 freeway. Our location is ideal for students living in Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia, Phelan, and Victorville.

VVCS is the largest Christian school in the High Desert, and offers a college preparatory program, which includes a variety of honors and advanced placement (AP) courses, extra-curricular activities, scholastic clubs, fine arts and music, CIF sports, and other enrichment opportunities.

Our Bible-based curriculum is taught by highly qualified, credentialed teachers who utilize a variety of teaching methods, which ensures that all of our students are engaged in the learning process, and are well prepared for academic success.

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In addition, after school supervision is available for junior and senior high school students, as needed. VVCS also offers a variety of after school clubs and activities to enhance students’ learning and social experiences.

HOW TO HELP YOUR KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM Parents often play a crucial role in helping their kids do well in school. Numerous studies have shown the positive impact that parental involvement can have on a student’s academic career, and those studies have inspired many educators to encourage their students’ parents to take a more active role in their children’s education, including helping them with their homework.

Parents can help kids with their homework in various ways, but that very involvement alone can help to establish a groundwork in which kids understand there are specific rules regarding their homework and that these rules will be enforced. Even parents who might not be able to help kids with their calculus homework are already helping by simply creating an environment in which kids know they are expected to do their homework every day and that mom and dad will be there to make sure they do.

(Continued on Page 20)

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HOW TO HELP YOUR KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM (Continued from Page 19 ) But enforcing rules about homework is not the only way parents can help their kids in the classroom. The following are a few simple ways parents can support their children’s academic efforts as well. * Contact teachers. Contacting teachers is now easier than ever before. Many teachers recognize the benefits of involving parents in their youngsters’ education, and as a result these teachers go to great lengths to make information about their classes available, whether it’s by posting a class syllabus online or emailing parents about upcoming assignments or examinations. Whereas the parents of yesteryear used to wait until parent-teacher conference sessions to learn how their child was performing in the classroom, today’s parents can email their children’s teachers for updates or questions if they notice their child is struggling with a particular subject. * Help your child choose his or her coursework. The competition to get into a good college is stiff, and many of today’s high school students recognize that reality. Unfortunately, some students bite off more than they can chew. High school students don’t have the flexibility with regard to their (Continued on Page 20)

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Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District is celebrating its 25-year anniversary and wants to remind High Desert resident that “Clean Air is Everybody’s Business.” Geographically, MDAQMD is the second largest air district in the state, spans two counties and serves nearly 600,000 residents.

MDAQMD’s mission is to “to attain and maintain a healthful environment while supporting strong and sustainable economic growth.” The district works with local businesses to ensure they are not causing pollution, and alerts the public when the air quality is bad enough to affect the health of residents.

Encompassed in the district’s mission is a wide array of duties and responsibilities. One major driver of the District is Community Education. The district’s community relations and education department is dedicated to educating the area’s youth on the importance of maintaining healthy air quality. Through community presentations, contests, social media campaigns and the school flag program, the district is continuing to expand its outreach efforts to ensure a healthy air quality for generations to come.

“Few things are more important than finding fun ways to educate our next generation of leaders on the importance of air quality and environmental stewardship,” said Brad Poiriez, Executive Director of the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District.

MDAQMD is also the lead supporting agency of the Mojave Environmental Education Consortium, a separate non-profit organization whose sole focus is to educate teachers and students on a wide array of environmental issues. Activities that MEEC undertakes include an annual solar oven cook off, multiple teacher workshops, annual scholarship and awards banquet, a Youth Environmental Leadership Conference and much more.

To learn more about educational program offered

by MDAQMD visit www.mdaqmd.ca.gov or call (760) 245-1661 ext. 3001. Be sure to follow the district on social media @MDAQMD on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

HOW TO HELP YOUR KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM (Continued from Page 20 ) coursework that they will have in college, but that does not mean their schedules are entirely up to someone else.

When the time comes for kids to pick their courses, parents should sit down and help kids choose a schedule that’s challenging but not overwhelming.

• Emphasize education over extracurricular activities. Parents often marvel at the ease with which their children juggle busy schedules.

While students might be deft at balancing academics with a host of extracurricular activities, many adults feel that today’s kids are overburdened, and parents who feel that way should not hesitate to take some tasks off their youngsters’ plates. Parents should stress to their children that education takes precedence over their extracurricular activities, paying careful attention to kids’ academic performances during those times of the school year when their children’s schedule seems especially busy. During such times, parents also can contact children’s teachers and ask that teachers let them know if their youngsters’ academic performance begins to suffer.

• Limit distractions. Time to unwind is important, but parents should keep a watchful eye on just how much time their kids are unwinding. Too much time spent online or in front of the television can compromise academic performance. Establish limits as to how much time kids can spend online, watching television and playing video games, and enforce those limits so kids have time to focus on their academics.

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TIPS FOR ADULT STUDENTS RETURNING TO SCHOOL Adults return to school for a variety of reasons. Some might be spurred by a desire to pursue a new career, while others might go back to school to learn more about their existing field and improve their career prospects. While their reasons for returning to school may differ, many adults find themselves battling some nerves as they begin the process of going back to the classroom. Feelings of doubt are common among adults returning to school. But there are steps all adult students can take to reduce their anxiety and make the most of the often exciting experience of going back to school.

Start slow. Unlike more traditional college students, adults returning to school tend to have significant responsibilities, including families and careers. Juggling work and family is difficult on its own, but doing so along with college coursework is even harder. Adult students returning to school after a long layoff would be wise to take things slowly at first so they and their families can gradually adjust to their new schedules. Many schools now offer online courses, which can be especially beneficial for working

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professionals. Have a plan. Many adults only return to school when they know exactly what they want to study or which courses they need to take to complete a degree or earn a certificate. If you have not already mapped out such a plan, do so before enrolling in any classes. The cost of a college education has no doubt increased considerably since you last stepped foot on campus, so you don’t want to be signing up for costly classes that will not help you accomplish what you hope to accomplish by returning to school.

Research your options. Just because you are an adult returning to school does not mean you are ineligible for scholarships or other forms of financial aid. The United States Department of Labor maintains a scholarship search engine at www.careerinfonet.org where students of all ages and academic levels can search for scholarships, grants and other financial aid opportunities to determine if they are eligible for some help paying for tuition. In addition, adults returning to school may want to discuss their plans with their employers, especially if they are looking to continue working in their current fields. Employers may have programs in place to subsidize employees looking to continue their education. Don’t be discouraged. Many adults mulling a return to school are hesitant to do so because they feel as if they will be the only older students in classrooms filled with millennials. However, the National Center for Education Statistics predicts a 14 percent increase in enrollment of students 25 and older between 2011 and 2021, suggesting that adults going back to school are unlikely to be the only graybeards in their classrooms. Returning to college as an adult can be both exciting and overwhelming. But adults need not be nervous about returning to the classroom, even if it has been quite some time since they last stepped on a college campus.

HOW MUSIC AND SINGING BENEFITS CHILDREN Music is everywhere: on the radio, in movies and television shows and as a backdrop when shopping or celebrating milestones.

Music is an integral part of cultures all over the world. Music can express emotions not easily conveyed otherwise. It also provides a sense of community and belonging and can help unite the divided.

Playing musical instruments or singing has a number of benefits.

From the earliest days after their birth, children can be calmed by music. Music helps people work out their feelings and can be uplifting and comforting when people need a boost. While many people are familiar with the mood-enhancing benefits of music, they may not know that music also has developmental benefits.

According to Don Campbell, internationally known educator and author of “The Mozart Effect for Children,” music enhances intelligence, coordination, emotional expression, creativity, and socialization skills. Studies have suggested that music and movement affect all areas of development. Music can bolster listening skills, improve motor skills, assist with problem solving, and promote spatial-temporal reasoning. Many others say that music can calm and focus the mind, which is why it so often employed by therapists. In the book, “The Importance of Music,” author Ellen Judson cites a 10-year study that tracked more than 25,000 middle

and high school students. The study showed that students in music classes receive higher scores on standardized tests than students with little to no musical involvement. In addition, singing and engaging in musical appreciation sharpens one’s ability to communicate. Learning a piece of information attached to a tune will more readily embed that information in the brain. For example, many children learn the alphabet via song. Pairing lessons with song can help anyone retain information more easily. Music also is fun, so much so that kids may not realize they’re actually learning while singing. Matthew Freeman, development manager of “Sing up,” a national singing project to help enhance music in children’s education, states that children don’t think of singing as work and may be more willing to participate. Song can be used to reinforce all different subjects, from language arts to mathematics. Children or adults who are apprehensive about meeting new people can use music as a means to open the door to new friendships. Joining a choral group will immediately introduce people to others who enjoy music as well. Group singing is less intimidating than singing alone, so it takes some of the pressure off of a person and can staunch performance anxiety. Music is beneficial throughout one’s life and can be an enjoyable way to make learning more fun.

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VICTOR VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

RAISING THE BAR W

ith a tradition stretching back more than a century, the Victor Valley Union High School District continues to build for the future. The district is adding new facilities to serve more than 10,000 students in grades 7-12 at eight campuses in the cities of Victorville and Adelanto.

VVUHSD has garnered national and regional acclaim from U.S. News & World Report, the Daily Press, the California PBIS Coalition, the Association of California School Administrators, the California League of Schools, the California Middle Grades Alliance and many more.

More than 900 VVUHSD employees are dedicated to putting your student on a path to career and college readiness!

Enroll today for the 2018-19 school year! ...Or enroll in person: Central Enrollment Center: 16350 Mojave Drive, Building 8, Victorville Enrollment hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (excluding holidays) Phone: (760) 955-3201 extension 10400

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Don’t delay! School starts August 6, 2018