MARK Highlights
Manteca Unified School Board
the
November 2018
Hope for Paradise Page 11
Why?
MUSD School Board
Making a positive difference to each and every student daily.
President Stephen J. Schluer, Area 6 Vice President Bob Wallace, Area 7 Board Clerk Evelyn Moore, Area 5 Eric Duncan, Area 1 Kathy Howe, Area 2 Michael Seelye, Area 3 Nancy Teicheira, Area 4
MUSD Superintendents Superintendent Dr. Clark Burke Deputy Superintendent
Roger Goatcher
Vision A Fond Farewell After 24 and 20 years of service on the MUSD Board of Education Trustees, we bid a thankful farewell to trustees Evelyn Moore and Nancy Teicheira. Their service has helped shape MUSD, and we are grateful.
#proudtobeMUSD
Manteca Unified School District will ensure every school day is relevant, rigorous, and leads students to become productive and engaged members of a global society while residing in the central valley.
Mission Manteca Unified School District is committed to providing a safe environment where all students will thrive with the tools, resources and support needed to achieve their academic and personal potentials. Manteca Unified School District 2271 West Louise Ave Manteca, CA 95337 (209)825-3200 Submit stories:
communityoutreach@musd.net The Mark Highlights is published by the MUSD Superintendent’s Office Community Outreach team. Highlights content is contributed by every school site. When highlight articles are submitted, they are edited for length and clarity. Feature writing is produced by the Community Outreach Team. Highlights is intended to be a reflection of the MUSD Vision and Mission, because above all,
we value making a positive difference to each and every student daily.
Peter Gale Design, Photography, and Reporting
The Mark Highlights Team are:
Erica McCullough Design and Photography
Victoria Brunn Director and Executive Editor vbrunn@musd.net Lindsay Stayner Content Coordination and Editor lstayner@musd.net
Johanna Victor Photography and Reporting Community Outreach Interns In-depth stories submitted by student interns, or an outside contributor, will include an author’s byline credit.
Contents
NOV E M B E R 2 01 8
Making the Mark
Mossdale Makes it Count!
4
Order of Operations at Woodward
5
Joshua Cowell’s Turkey Apples
5
Brock Elliott Day
6
Roaring Cougars Award Assembly
8
Sierra High Lobo Gold Rally
10
SHS Veteran’s Day BBQ
10
#HOPEFORPARADISE 11 Manteca High Happenings
12
Congrats MHS Tennis!
13
School Bus Safety
14
BE.First Experience
14
CA STEAM Symposium
15
Stella Brockman Red Ribbon Winners
15
6
17
Features MUSD EdCon 5
17
BE.Tech Recognized with Top Statewide Educational Honor
22
Great Valley Be the Change
24
WRHS Hosa Students Define their Purpose
26
NE Fights Child Hunger
28
22
Community Corner M.E.L.S. Garage
30
In The News
31
AgVenture 2018
32
26
4
M a k i ng th e Ma r k
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
Mossdale Makes it Count! Stuff the Bus Food Drive
Number Talks Students are practicing the California Math Curriculum with station rotations, a math scavenger hunt and number talks with a math carousel. Students working together in small groups, while moving around the room, helps them to own their learning.
Character Counts During the months of September and October, Vice Principal, Inderjit Dhillon has recognized 306 students for displaying the character traits of Fairness and Respect at Mossdale School. The Character Counts program corresponds directly with the school’s PBIS program, The Power of The Paw. Students are encouraged to display good behavior that results in character traits being developed and utilized at school and life!
Mossdale Jaguars partnered with Lathrop Police Department to participate in “Stuff the Bus” food drive this month to support the Second Harvest Food Bank for the community of Lathrop. The Student Council coordinated, planned, and hosted the food drive. Hundreds of canned nonperishable items and
toiletries were collected. Congratulations to Ms. Klatt’s class for collecting the most items and thank you to the Lathrop Police Department and its volunteers for their help. We appreciate Lathrop community for generously donating the items and participating in this food drive to assist people in need. Well done Jaguars!
Hope for Paradise Mossdale filled up a Uhaul trailer with donations bound for Chico.
N ove m b e r 201 8
Makin g t he M ark
5
Order of Operations at Woodward
At Woodward Elementary, Ms. Melissa DeMatteo’s class of 5th grade surgeons undertook a busy day in the operating room. With several knee replacements and open-heart
surgeries on the table, each surgeon had to successfully dissect text and complete the mathematical order of operations in order to save their patients! Well done, Doctors!
Joshua Cowell’s Turkey Apples
6
M a k i ng th e Ma r k
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
Brock Elliott Day
Brock Elliott Day is a time to honor the school’s namesake, Brock Elliott, and all the men and women who have served our country in the military. This year’s event included Lathrop High’s JROTC color guard, musical presentations from Brock Elliott’s choir and band, and guest speaker, Chris Silva.
8
M a k i ng th e Ma r k
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
Roaring Cougars Award Assembly At the Roaring Cougars awards assembly, Weston Ranch High School honored students who excelled both academically and responsibly. Students gathered together in the gymnasium after second period to honor Cougars who achieved high grade point averages or perfect attendance. Assembly organizer Ms. Deborah Chavez commented, “It’s important to show all students that we care about how well they do in class, and that we are proud of them for being successful.”
N ove m b e r 201 8
Makin g t he M ark
Sierra High School’s Community Leaders of America (CLA) invite you to our…
PROCEEDS SUPPORT A Manteca-Sunrise Kiwanis Project
FREE INDOOR EVENT FOR ALL SHOPPERS! SIERRA HIGH SCHOOL GYM & CAFÉ 1700 THOMAS ST MANTECA
Dream Closet Helping college-bound foster children realize their dreams of higher education. Questions? Advisor Jared Rio - jrio@musd.net
209.858.7410
9
10
M a k i ng th e Ma r k
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
Sierra High Lobo Gold Rally
Sierra High School celebrated academic achievement this month at their semi-annual Lobo Gold
or perfect attendance. Lobo Gold students who achieved a grade point average of 4.0 and above received engraved medals and certificates.
Rally in the school’s large gym. Students were commended for their grade point average, 2.25 and above,
Students were entertained with live music from the Sierra High band, dancing and acting from teachers and students, and a raffle with Mr. Timberwolf himself.
SHS Veteran’s Day BBQ Sierra High School’s Community Leaders of America (CLA) club hosted their second annual Veteran’s Day BBQ paying tribute to local veterans and active military personnel. Joined by the Sierra High School, band and the Sierra and Lathrop High JROTC posting the colors, CLA President Ariana Rodriguez delivered the keynote presentation.
N ove m b e r 201 8
Makin g t he M ark
11
#HOPEFORPARADISE
The Sierra High School Community came together to organize the Hope for Paradise Donation Drive to support the fire evacuees in Butte County. Under the direction Jared Rio, Community Leaders of America club advisor, the school coordinated with 19 other MUSD schools for their participation in the donation drive. As our schools collected many new, gently used, and monetary donations, Sierra High school served as the District’s collection hub.
animal supplies.
Librarian Sam Hein and office staff worked diligently to organize the dozens of donations that came pouring in daily. Over $3,500 in gift cards were collected as well as 30 boxes of new school supplies, dozens of boxes of new hygiene products and countless
MUSD’s Nutrition Education Department provided a large truck so that all donations could make their way north, to Butte County. Rio, along with FFA teacher Amy Bohlken and counselor Paul Bennett and CLA club officers made the drive to Chico on Thursday, November 29th to drop off donations. #proudtobemusd #hopeforparadise
12
M a k i ng th e Ma r k
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
Manteca High Happenings The first annual Diwali Festival of Lights celebration was hosted by the Manteca High Sikh Honor and Service Society on Friday, November 9th. Manteca High Indian Club and Hispanic Youth Leadership Club were joined by students from the Sierra High Indian Club as well as students from Ceres High.
Diwali Festival of Lights
The festival dances were enjoyed by everyone present. Special thanks to Ms. Bhanupreet Gill, Manteca High science teacher for coordinating this event.
CTE Students Explore Muslim Fashion Students from CTE Fashion Merchandising and Interior Design courses traveled to San Francisco’s De Young Museum on Wednesday, November 7th to explore the world of Muslim women’s fashion styles.
showcased the complex, modest and diverse dress code of Muslims worldwide. The exhibit also depicted the urban street fashion styles of the younger Muslim generation from the Middle East to South East Asia.
On display were several exhibits that
The topic of social media, along with
the young Muslim fashion blogger and influencer’s impact on the fashion industry were depicted through the exhibit’s dynamic displays and vibrant photography.
College and Career Fair On October 30th, MHS held its annual College and Career Fair in the quad during both lunches. Representatives from various colleges, military branches and the community were available to answer student’s questions about their futures. Students were encouraged to sign up for more information and contact organizations they were interested in learning more about. This included Manteca High alumni from Manteca Fire Dept., University of the Pacific and the United States Navy.
N ove m b e r 201 8
Makin g t he M ark
13
Congrats MHS Tennis! Winning the VOL title was not enough for the Lady Buffs tennis team. The Manteca High Girls Tennis Team is once again the CIF Sac-Joaquin Division III Section Champions!
This is the third consecutive year the girls advanced to the section final match, and their second championship.
The Lady Buffs defeated Mira Loma High School of Sacramento 5-4 to win their second blue banner in the last three years. Way to go Lady Buffs!
STEM Day in the Brasmer Library In recognition of National STEM/STEAM Day, the MHS Brasmer Library hosted Mrs. Merrill’s classes to participate in STEM activity stations created with Mrs. Buchanan.
There were three stations: Sphero Maze, Build a Bridge, and Parachute Construction. To build, they had to use ordinary items that could be found around the house. The kids were all excitedly involved, discussing and collaborating on new ideas. The MHS Brasmer Library plans to make this an annual event.
14
M a k i ng th e Ma r k
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
During the morning and afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 14th and Thursday, Nov. 15th the Manteca Police Department’s Traffic Unit conducted a traffic enforcement campaign focusing on school bus safety. The Manteca Police Department cited violators associated with failing to stop for school bus stop signs and yield child pedestrian right of ways to remind drivers of school bus safety procedures.
School Bus Safety
Manteca PD Public Information Officer Stephen Schluer said, “We have issued 15 citations just this morning for passing busses illegally. When the red stop sign comes out with the flashing lights, you have to stop for busses.”
BE.First Experience Is this the career for me?
That is one of the key questions that BE.Tech students ask themselves in their academy experience. BE.Tech Charter High School provides many opportunities to connect with adults in the community and learn a taste of what they do. The BE.Tech campus is often used by police, fire, and other first responder, emergency services teams to train in a new
environment and connect with students.
On November 15th, the Tracy Police Department SWAT team came to train on part of the BE.Tech campus. Afterwards, they gave the BE.First students a chance to see their Bearcat armored assault vehicle and ask questions about their job and how the vehicle keeps them safe.
N ove m b e r 201 8
Makin g t he M ark
15
CA STEAM Symposium Staff from Sierra High, BE.Tech and the District Office presented at the California STEAM Symposium to over 3,000 students! Presentations included: • Art of the Game: Using Game Design to Bridge Art & STEM • LEGOS: More Than Interlocking Plastic Bricks • Equitable Access & Co-Teaching: Developing STEM Skills for SDC – MS Students.
Stella Brockman Red Ribbon Winners Stella Brockman celebrated Red Ribbon Week with school assemblies, activities, dress up days and a poster/essay contest.
Winners of the contest following the theme, ‘Life is Your Journey, Travel Drug Free’ were second grader Haley Hernandez and eighth grader Marisa Rush.
16
Fe a t u re s
Top: Dr. Clark Burke welcomes educators to the MUSD EdCon 5 prior to the first speaker of the day. To the right and above: with a volunteer educator helper, Keynote speaker Roni Habib leads educators through an interactive series of class play activities that build connection and increase learning trust with students. A key part of the games is to own mistakes with a loud “Wahoo!�
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
N ove m b e r 201 8
Fe at u r e s
MUSD EdCon 5 Educators Teach Each Other
17
18
Fe a t u re s
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
1
EdCon - A Variety of Professional Learning for Educators. 1.
Kathy Bumgardner during her keynote on teaching strategies.
2. Educators enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other and with their peers.
On November 2, MUSD Educators rallied together once again at Lathrop High School for the Fifth Manteca Unified School District Educator Conference (EdCon). This is the largest MUSD professional development conference of the year, where all MUSD educators gather in one location to teach each other. Julie Jenkins, Director of Professional Learning, commented, “This is year 5 and each year we refine it. We take the evaluations very seriously 2 and we look to see how we can improve it.” Because teachers volunteer to present on subjects they find individually successful in the classroom, it can be a
challenge to meet everyone’s needs. “In general, this (EdCon) started when we were going digital as a technology conference,” said Technology Coordinator Kristen Messer. “Now that we are more comfortable with technology, EdCon is meeting other needs.” “Now, it is how do we better use our digital programs and curriculum?” said Jenkins. “How do we use these tools in engaging our students?” This year, Ed Con included 4 keynote speakers and 221 learning sessions. Of the 140 presenters, 123 were MUSD educators. Of those, 28 MUSD Educators were presenting for the first time at EdCon to the 1,088 MUSD educators who attended the event. “We are also more familiar with the teachers in the district,” said Messer. “So if we see there is a lack in a particular area, we know whom we can ask to present to fulfill that need.” Before the keynote sessions, Superintendent Dr. Clark Burke
N ove m b e r 201 8
19
Fe at u r e s
3
4 3. The EUHS admin team during the leadership session.
4. Working together in the LHS computer lab.
5. SHS science students came to demonstrate their projects.
6. LHS science students use a blacklight environment to help teachers learn more about slime.
7. Keynote speaker Emily Diehl uses
5 greeted the attendees of the first keynote with some words of gratitude. After acknowledging educators who work at every grade level in the room, Burke stated that each person helps shape students from preschool to graduation.
“Be in awe of what you do. I believe in you because you chose a career of service. It is noble because you serve kids.” Following Burke’s words, Kathy Bumgardner shared a keynote message about teaching strategies. “You have to reflect realistically. You have to be optimistic. You teach more by the questions you ask than by the
statements you make,” said Bumgardner. “The best teachers show you where to look without telling you what to see. The art of teaching is now the art of assisting discovery.” Several of the keynote speakers also taught other sessions during the day. Following Bumgardner, keynote speaker Emily Diehl shared information on fostering a growth mindset in our students. “A growth mindset means that I believe that things I do make me smarter and better,” said Diehl. “That doing things and learning
6 7
a video to demonstrate how brain neurons grow as positive habits are formed.
20
Fe a t u re s
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
8
8. An interactive session on classroom games where a teacher pretends to die dramatically.
9. Learning about customized reporting with state testing data.
10. Teaching how creations within
Minecraft can be 3D printed for greater creativity.
11. Discussing strategies with peers to come up with best practices.
12. Keynote speaker Steve Garton shares information on digital privacy.
13. Administrators from New Vision,
BE.Tech, and Lathrop High School share a moment together.
9 things is what intelligence is and I get smarter as I practice.”
facial recognition, and 18 would not say if they used it or not.”
After explaining how the brain grows and how habits become proficiency, she added, “Students need to hear ‘You believe in me, that I belong, and that I can succeed here,’” said Diehl. “It all shows our beliefs in other people.”
The final keynote was Roni Habib, a speaker coming back to MUSD. Back in August, he spoke to administrators at the Superintendent Symposium. At EdCon, he returned to share the same message with other interested educators.
Giving attendees a lot of variety in what to choose from, the next keynote speaker Steve Garton from Common Sense Media spoke about digital privacy.
“Did you know that last year Alexa and Siri got over one-million marriage proposals?” asked 12 Garton. He added, “They track data of all that we say to these assistants. Do I really want a live microphone in my bedroom?” Garton also explained that many organizations use security cameras with facial recognition software. “There is no reasonable expectation of privacy,” said Garton. “The ACLU asked the top 20 store chains if they use
“I started mindfulness practice in earnest, at least 15 minutes a day and my life transformed,” said Habib. “I had more energy, I was more connected to my purpose, I was more productive, more creative and kids would stay in my classroom longer.” He made the argument that teaching mindfulness to students is just as important as other curricular standards. “What I want most for my kids is happiness. For some reason, when it comes to school, happiness gets shoved aside a little bit,” said Habib. “The research is so clear that if we give kids skills to help them be well now and in the future, that the learning in the classroom actually deepens.”
Overall, the fifth year of EdCon survey feedback from participating educators seems to suggest
N ove m b e r 201 8
Fe at u r e s
21
A Few Survey Comments First time going and I really enjoyed it. I have never had something like this before. All of the sessions provided valuable information that I will utilize in my classroom.
10 10
11
it is an experience they value. In the survey, 85% of those who attended a keynote agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: “The keynote session I attended was useful to me as a professional and of high quality.” In another question about the day, 87% of educators agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: “I valued and will use in my classroom the information from the sessions that I attended.” To see some more of the positive comments about the day from educators, see the sidebar at right. “EdCon definitely has a conference feel to it. Overall, District leadership feels that this day is important and needs to continue to happen,” said Jenkins. “Because it is K-12 and everyone is there, it is the best day where everyone can interact and be collaborative. It is a fun day where we are all at one site all together.”
13
One of the best! Great job to all the presenters and District personnel who put together this fabulous day! Presenters were enthusiastic and inspiring! I enjoyed the variety of topics offered. There was something for every learner. I really appreciate the desire to make us all well-rounded teachers and school sites. Always striving to reach the needs and opinions of everyone. I gained some helpful take-aways that I can start using immediately. All the sessions I attended were relevant and applicable to my daily teaching. Awesome! I can’t wait until the next staff development day. Ed Con presentations are improving each year. Keep Ed Con going. Thanks for the great opportunities for professional development and inspiration. This was my first Ed Con and I found it very helpful! MUSD is a district that cares about staff development. Thank you again.
22
M a k i ng th e Ma r k
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
1
2
BE.Tech Recognized with Top Statewide Educational Honor 1. The CSBA Golden Bell Award. 2. BE.Tech Principal Carey Simoni,
Superintendent Dr. Clark Burke, and Board President Stephen J. Schluer with representatives from CSBA.
3. Senior Director of Secondary
Education Clara Schmiedt with BE.Tech Principal Carey Simoni.
4. BE.Cuisine students work on grain to go with a gourmet salad.
5. BE.First students celebrate a successful rescue drill.
BE.Tech Charter High School has been chosen as one of 51 recipients of the state’s leading educational honor, the Golden Bell Award.
The Golden Bell Awards, now in their 39th year, are sponsored by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) to recognize outstanding public school programs for innovation, sustainability and best practices that facilitate positive student outcomes. BE.Tech Principal Carey Simoni accepted their award at a recognition reception and ceremony Thursday, November 29 at CSBA’s Annual Education Conference and Trade Show in San Francisco. Recognized for their exemplary practices and programs in career technical education including their four pathways BE.First, BE.Cuisine, BE.Industrial and BE.Next, BE.Tech thrives to provide students with job readiness competencies and technical
coursework in their career pathway while students earn their high school diploma. BE.Tech Principal Carey Simoni commented, “We are very excited and proud to be acknowledged by the California School Boards Association as a Golden Bell Award recipient. This supports the everyday work and commitment of our staff as they strive to implement the mission of our school to empower students with skills and knowledge in a highly personalized learn-by-doing environment.” The high school’s innovative work experience component provides students with practical employment experience while their Professional Development 101 course encompasses guest speakers and field trip opportunities that provide students with broader career and employment exposure.
N ove m b e r 201 8
Makin g t he M ark
4
3
5
A 17-member judging panel made up of experts from school districts and county offices of education reviewed the written entries and made the initial recommendations for the awards. On-site validators assessed the programs in action. This year’s awards are presented to school districts and county offices of education helping students achieve through after-school programs, mentoring, instructional interventions, use of data and other innovations.
6
“The Golden Bell recipients exemplify the spirit of innovation and excellence for which all of California’s public schools strive,” said CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy. “The Golden Bell Awards reflect the depth and breadth of outstanding education offerings in our state, and demonstrate the tenacity, vision and dedication of school leaders across California.” To learn more about the Golden Bell awards, visit the California School Boards Association’s Golden Bell website at https://gb.csba.org/.
6. BE.Industrial students learn to operate a scissor lift. 7. BE.Next students fine-tune the code for their latest 3D simulated interactive worlds.
7
23
24
Fe a t u re s
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
Great Valley Be the Change 1.
Teams work together to follow instructions.
2. Crawling through the leg tunnel. 3. Receiving instructions from Annie Cunial of SJCOE. 4. After learning the steps, team members rush back to tell their teams what to do next.
Sometimes, school can be a lonely place. That loneliness disappears when you and your team are working together to do fun and silly things, like sending someone crawling through you team’s tunnel of legs. To help their students build awareness of each other and a stronger school community, Great Valley held a “Be the Change” event on November 27 with Debra Chavez’s WRHS Peer Resource students helping to facilitate.
2
“This is to empower students to know they are not alone in their feelings, they can reach out to other students and adults on campus,” said Great Valley Vice Principal Lisa Goodwin. “They can use
1
that awareness to support and uphold each other every day at school and outside of school as well. They can Be the Change!” Developed and led by Goodwin and Annie Cunial from San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE), each team would send one person to get the instructions for the next game, who would then rush back and explain the fun steps they had to complete together. The fastest team would win and get to deliver their team cheer together afterward. “We had half of our Junior High students attend the event on Nov. 27 and the other half will attend on December 4th,” explained Goodwin. “This includes teachers, paraprofessionals, custodial staff, district office leadership and an office manager. The student group was a mixture of 7th and 8th graders.” This provided an opportunity for
N ove m b e r 201 8
students to interact with different peers that are not usually together. Students were split into 13 teams which included two WRHS student leaders and an adult leader. The WRHS students were the group leaders and they worked together to come up with a group cheer, a machine skit, and then progressively deeper questions regarding their experiences as junior high students and adolescents.
After they had built up a sense of trust by working hard as a team to win the games, students were able to open up and really talk to each other. “We explored as a group the many challenges students face in their private life, like divorce, being picked on, sexual orientation, gender, and physical appearances,” said Goodwin.
Fe at u r e s
3
4
5
6
25
“We also asked them to own times when we weren’t so tolerant of others.”
5. Team 4 offers their team chant for the group.
Sharing their thoughts and feelings in small groups, these students were asked to comment using the prompt, “If you really knew me, you would know….” This gave students a chance to share as little or as much about themselves with their group as they were comfortable.
6. In Fox and Hound, students try to tag each other before the person links up with a group.
“It was a very powerful time and students were laughing and crying together and supporting one another,” said Goodwin. “We were able to gather some information regarding how students feel adults perceive them, what students want adults to know about teenagers, and what we can do to make things better in their experiences as Junior High students.” Be the Change will hopefully help to make school a place where Great Valley students feel connected to each other, the staff, and the community.
7. Principal Jaclyn Davis puts her shoes back on after a game.
7
26
Fe a t u re s
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
WRHS Hosa Students Define their Purpose
1 Putting their knowledge into practice, the Weston Ranch High School (WRHS) BE.Vital students held a Hosa leadership conference November 9th. Tamara Basepayne, lead WRHS Hosa educator said that about 125 WRHS students participated, with 40 Delta College Nursing students assisting with the instruction and evaluation.
2 1.
Delta College nursing students instruct and evaluate CPR.
2. Tamara Basepayne helps a Hosa student understand how the conference schedule works. 3. Working with splints and wraps.
“Our main purpose of today is to prepare our students for the Hosa State Leadership Conference,” said Basepayne.
WRHS Freshman student Brianna Velasquez explained that they get to do things at the conference that they have never done in class. In nursing assisting skills, you get to transfer a patient from a hospital bed to a wheelchair,” said Velasquez.
“I went in for an interview and filled out my first application. It’s fun, but it is stressful.”
Scheduled on the same day as a blood drive at Weston Ranch, students shared the small gym, learning CPR and first aid. “They are applying what they have learned in their academic classes to actual skills in health sciences,” explained Basepayne. “The Delta Nursing students provide them with workshops about prevention of suicide, driving under the influence, and sexually transmitted diseases.” Basepayne added that these Delta volunteers explain what students need to do to get into nursing. “This is an opportunity and a preparation for other leadership conferences throughout the year,” said Basepayne. “This is the first one with just our school site, and then in February, they will compete with ten other high schools in our area, including Weston Ranch High, Manteca High, Lathrop High School.” Basepayne added, “In March, they have the Hosa state leadership conference. Last year, there were over 5,000 students from all over the state
N ove m b e r 201 8
Fe at u r e s
4
3
5 who were competing.” Weston Ranch BE.Vital has a partnership with Delta College. As part of their pediatric rotation, these Delta students earn hours toward their college degree requirements. In addition, Delta sends a nursing student once per week to come out to WRHS and present to the BE.Vital students.
“One of the other purposes of the conference is about fostering that competitive nature to just be your best self,” said Basepayne. Lou Vang, who won first place for the Extemporaneous Health
27
6
7
Poster, said, “We want to make our posters as informative and attractive as we can in the limited time given.” Nathan Nepomuceno, who won second place in the Prepared Speech competition began his speech by saying, “I am one of the lucky few to be here among the most influential and inspiring individuals that I will ever meet in my life and who will help me make my purpose more defined.” Like many students, Nathan connected well with the WRHS Hosa conference theme, “Define Your Purpose.”
8
4. Moving a patient from a bed to a wheelchair. 5. Extemporaneous Poster. 6. Prepared Speech. 7. Extemporaneous Writing. 8. Collaborating with a Delta Student.
28
Fe a t u re s
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
NE Fights Child Hunger There are ten production kitchens that make on average 25,000 meals per day between breakfast and lunch.
Nutrition Education (NE) serves an invaluable role in the lives of students within Manteca Unified. This is evident from summer-sack lunches and Farmers Markets in the park, from school breakfast to lunch and supper programs—many provided with fresh fruits and vegetables with the Farm to Fork initiatives. Each day, our Nutrition Education team begin their day at 6:00 am to prepare breakfast and lunch for MUSD students. In the classroom, teachers take count of how many meals are needed that day. This data is communicated to a production kitchen, so the cooks and bakers can prepare accordingly.
Providing healthy meals to children helps fight child hunger.
“We serve more free and reduced lunch benefits than we do paid lunches,” commented Patty Page, Director of Nutrition Education. “Families who need the meal assistance should really take advantage of these programs.” There are ten production kitchens that make on average 25,000 meals per day between breakfast and lunch. The kitchens are located at five elementary schools, including: August Knodt, Joshua Cowell, McParland, Stella Brockman and Brock Elliott. There are also kitchens at each high school. The production kitchens distribute breakfast and lunch to 3-5 nearby school sites. On November 15th, Nutrition Education served approximately 12,500 lunches—of which 9,500 of those were distributed as part of free or reduced meal benefits.
N ove m b e r 201 8
Breakfast is served free in the classroom at every elementary school. At high school, breakfast is served before or during brunch periods. On that same day, Nutrition Education provided 13,000 breakfast meals to students. Then comes supper. Supper is a newer program that launched in the 2015-2016 school year, where Nutrition Education fed students who participated in the after-school program that operated until 6:00 pm. The supper program became a huge success. Supper meals are prepared in the Walter Woodward kitchen and are served directly after school to students who enroll in the Give Every Child a Chance After School Advantage Program at various school sites. On average, 900 supper meals—that include locally sourced fresh fruits and vegetables—are served free to elementary students. “At our first annual Health and Wellness Expo [hosted at Golden West this past summer], we received lots of
Fe at u r e s
positive feedback relating to how much parents appreciate the fresh produce and newly implemented summer Farmers Markets,” commented Page. “Children are learning to identify and love the various fruits and vegetables.” The final serving of the day is called snack. Snack is distributed around 5:30 pm to the remaining students in the after-school program. Again
on November 15th, approximately 260 free snacks were distributed to students.
The average total daily meal participation is 26,200, with over 66% being free or reduced benefit meals.
29
30
C o m mu n i ty C or n e r
N ove mb e r 2 0 1 8
M.E.L.S. Garage
Groovy Lava Lamps
MELS Garage hosted Groovy Lava Lamps for 1st to 4th grade students on November 14th.
designed the lesson and led the class.
Weston Ranch High School’s Advantage Future Teachers students
Students made lava lamps using water bottles, water, vegetable oil, dye, seltzer
tablets, and flashlights. Students learned about viscosity, the properties of oil and water, and the negative side effects of oil spills.
MELS Garage is the District’s Makerspace program that works to connect Manufacturing, Engineering, and Learning through STEM activities for students and families of Manteca Unified. MELS provides our community with the opportunity to use critical thinking skills to creatively problem solve, work collaboratively and bring imagination to life.
Slime-O-Ween
MELS Garage hosted Slime-O-Ween for kindergarten to second grade students on October 24th. Sierra High School’s Advantage Future Teacher students designed the lesson and led the class. Students made glow in the dark slime while expanding their vocabulary. They learned about chemistry, and how combining simply ingredients—liquid starch and glue—can make something new and fun...and slimey!
N ove m b e r 201 8
C o m mu n it y C o r n er
31
In The News
Alycia Nunn is shown in this 2016 file photo getting the clothes closet at Lincoln School in order. - photo by Manteca Bulletin file photo.
711 Homeless Students
One in every 33 Manteca Unified students — as defined by federal law — is homeless.
The Top Spellers
S-U-C-C-E-S-S may not have been listed at Thursday’s District-Wide Spelling Bee of the Manteca Unified School District.
3,300 learn about Ag at MUSD school farm
Jaylene Brown was a third-grade student at Brock Elliott Elementary when she attended Ag Venture at the Manteca Unified school farm.
Top Sierra High Students
Lobo Gold students could be considered the best of the best at Sierra High.
Keeping Tabs On kids’ Lunch
The days of a kid taking lunch money and spending it on candy are long gone. Payment apps had taken care of what was once an age-old problem.
Your Story Matters
New Hope Church issued a challenge to Manteca High teachers to help impact the lives of students in positive ways that go beyond what they do in the classroom.
More Space, Less Cost
Manteca Unified is now pursuing a course that will accommodate 1,584 more elementary students while keeping neighborhood schools intact and saving between $8 million and $22 million in the process.
Hope For Paradise
Isabella Velasquez is among the many throughout the Manteca Unified School District who wanted to do her part for the Camp Fire victims in Butte County.
Schools stayed open out of concern for students
The Manteca Unified School District’s decision to keep schools open and on a modified schedule as air quality reached nearly hazardous levels appears to have been rooted in ensuring that every student had a safe and stable place to go.
AgVenture 2018 On November 1, 2018 at the Manteca Unified School Farm, more than 1,000 third grade students from MUSD and neighboring school districts attended a two-hour educational field trip to learn about agriculture in the county and the benefits of healthy eating.
Over 40 sponsors help fund the more than 80 plant, animal, machinery and other agricultural displays and more than 400 volunteers make it happen. MUSD high school agricultural students are some of those volunteers. Some present their animals, some
share information about agricultural machinery, and still others help make it all work. For many of third graders, this is the first time they experience farm animals, making AgVenture a truly memorable experience.