A SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLICATION
FEBRUARY 2013
SWEETWATER CURRENTS
EastLake Middle Teacher Recognized by State Superintendent
Sweetwater Libraries Reward Students for
EXCELLENCE IN READING Mar Vista High
Palomar High School
Librarian Creates NaNoWriMo Club
Wants You to Finish High School
PLUS! SWEETWATER www.sweetwaterschools.org
STUDENTS GO FEBRUARY GOOGLE 2013 P.9 SWEETWATER CURRENTS
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SWEETWATER CURRENTS FEBRUARY 2013
CONTENTS FEATURES
KUDOS
05 PALOMAR HIGH SCHOOL
05 CLAUDIA GARCIA
Wants You to Finish High School
ELM Spanish/ELD Teacher Recognized by State Superintendent
04 SWEETWATER LIBRARIES
Reward Students for Excellence in Reading
07 MONTH OF FEBRUARY
National African American History Month
06 NEW CCSS RESOURCES
05 BONITA VISTA HIGH
BVH Participates and Wins in the Green Build Academy Regional
08 KEITH BREEDEN
Great Tools Coming from the Common COREner
MVH Mariner Marches in Tournament of Roses Parade
09 COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
05 TROY BEALE
Free Food for Families at CPM and Much More!
08 AS SEEN IN SWEETWATER SPOTLIGHT Happening Across Sweetwater Schools
11 SUPERINTENDENT’S COLUMN
MOH Athletics Director Selected as Director of the Year
08 MONTGOMERY MIDDLE SCHOOL New Construction “Tops Off”
The Classroom of the Future Moves Online
Board of Trustees Jim Cartmill • Bertha J. López • John McCann • Pearl Quiñones • Arlie N. Ricasa Dr. Edward M. Brand Superintendent
www.sweetwaterschools.org
Produced by: Grants & Communications
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Mar Vista High Librarian Creates NaNoWriMo Club
Students at Mar Vista High got a taste of the life of the writer last November. A voluntary lunch club met all month in the library to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) with librarian and club advisor Mary Doyle. NaNoWriMo, a non-profit internet sensation, challenges participants to write a novel in one month. Of course, the final product may be rough draft, but the goal for adults is 50,000 words scrawled or typed out by November 30. Young writers pick their own word-count goal. The web-site provides free resources and encouragement all month. But, as most writers can attest to, it comes down to putting pen to paper and producing pages of words.
Ms. Doyle visited English classes to publicize the month long event, and met with the writers frequently at lunch. One sequel to the November success: a creative writing club with advisor Ms. Doyle is in the works. Collectively, the group of high school writers scribbled and typed 87, 374 words. At lunch the group discussed their characters and plot development or sat off to the side composing a few more paragraphs for their daily goal. From fictional blog entries about teenage life, to stories set in fantastical deserts and supernatural scenarios, the writing was eclectic. At the end of the month, Mr. Braddock, MVH principal, celebrated with the students, sharing cake and inspired advice. An informal lunch celebration with NaNoWriMo certificates reminded students that they had attempted something many only talk about: writing a novel. Pictured: Nayely Ceballos, Shade West and Krisynthia Gomez lunch in library while they follow their muse.
www.sweetwaterschools.org
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Sweetwater Librarians Reward Students for Excellence in Reading Sweetwater libraries across the district are promoting literacy and encouraging academic success by rewarding students who show excellence in reading. Teacher librarians at all sites work with students and staff to provide incentives and prizes for students who are meeting goals in reading each semester. Middle school libraries use the districtwide license for the Accelerated Reader program to motivate students to keep reading for schoolwork and for fun. At both Hilltop Middle and EastLake Middle, English classes competed against each other for the most “A’s” in Accelerated Reader. The winning classes in each grade won pizza parties at the semester. At EastLake Middle, top readers were invited to the library for a lunch time party, and school-wide students who met their goals in Accelerated Reader participated in a raffle. Winners of the raffle took home Kindles, iPod Shuffles and Barnes and Noble gift cards. At Chula Vista Middle, students who passed AR tests in their reading ranges were entered in a raffle to win prizes like the giant teddy bear pictured with student Lizbeth Pioquinto. The more CVM students read throughout the semester, the more chances they had to enter the raffle and win prizes. In addition, each week tickets were drawn for smaller prizes like special Chula Vista Middle Read t-shirts. These are just a few of the ways that Sweetwater libraries are promoting literacy and encouraging students to love reading at their sites. Visit your school library soon for more www.sweetwaterschools.org FEBRUARY 2013 SWEETWATER CURRENTS 4 information!
Palomar High School Wants You to Finish High School! Palomar High is starting this campaign to get students who have dropped out to come back and finish their HS diploma. They are targeting a couple of specific groups – students who have all the credits but didn’t pass CAHSEE, and students who need only a few credits. Click Here to View the Flyer.
KUDOS! Claudia Garcia
Tom Torlakson and the Department of Education recognized EastLake Middle Spanish/ELD teacher Claudia Garcia for “outstanding service as a dedicated and valued member of the Common Core en Español Peer Review (English and Math). Mr. Torlakson congratulated and thanked Ms. Garcia for her bilingual expertise, assistance in reviewing the Spanish translation of the CCSS and spirit of service.
KUDOS! Troy Beale
Congratulations to Montgomery High Athletics Director Troy Beale for being selected as the San Diego Section Athletic Director of the Year
KUDOS! Bonita Vista High
Congratulations to Bonita Vista High and teacher Erendira Rangel-Palacios for receiving a $1,000 gift for having the most students participate in the Green Build Academy Regional competition. Eight schools and 400 students from across San Diego County participated. At BVH, 125 students participated by taking eLearning courses in Building Science Basics and Going Solar.
KUDOS! David Buse
David Buse, Science Teacher at Southwest High was awarded his National Board Certification in Adolescence and young Adulthood Science. Congratulations on the Accomplishment!
www.sweetwaterschools.org
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NEW CCSS RESOURCES
Common COREner Stanford University’s Understanding Language Project ELA Unit The Understanding Language Project at Stanford University has published an instructional unit aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts (ELA) that shows instructional approaches that are likely to help English learners meet the CCSS ELA standards. The unit, Persuasion Across Time and Space, includes more than 230 pages of resources, complete with full student handouts. You may download the full unit from the Understanding Language Teaching Resources Web page.
EDC’s Implementing the Mathematical Practice Standards Web Site Explore the Education Development Center’s (EDC) Implementing the Mathematical Practice Standards Web site to learn more about the CCSS for Mathematical Practice and how they can be connected to the content standards. Use their illustrations, centered on student dialogues, to see the Mathematical Practices in action.
Mathematics Common Core Toolbox The Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin and Agile Mind, Inc. have created The Mathematics Common Core Toolbox Web site as a resource designed to support districts working to meet the challenge and the opportunity of the new standards. Here you will find tools and instructional materials designed to help you better understand and implement the CCSS for Mathematics.
California Spotlight on Stanislaus County Office of Education Hard-working educators across the nation have produced many resources to transition and implement the CCSS. Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) highlights many of those essential resources for K–12 educators, parents, and students. Please visit SCOE Common Core Standards Web page to view up-to-date resources. www.sweetwaterschools.org
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Excerpted from CDE’s External Linking Policy: The CDE is providing these links only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by the CDE or any association with the sites' operators
FEBRUARY 2013 National African American History Month
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Valentine’s Day
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National Freedom Day
National Counselor’s Week
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Lincoln Day
President’s Day (Holiday Observed)
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Washington Day (Holiday Observed)
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School Board Meeting
NEWS & VIEWS
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• See the latest Sweetwater Spotlight • Read the latest Budget Updates here • Keep up with the latest Board Updates and recent minutes
NTS E M T N I O P P IVE A T A R es T S I N I Fiscal Servic M AD r ia Chief Financ
Dr. Albert Alt nso Nadege Joh
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Pamela Tipp www.sweetwaterschools.org
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Program Ma Labor Relatio
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As Seen In...The Sweetwater Spotlight See the great things that happening across Sweetwater School Campuses. Sign up to receive the Sweetwater Spotlight in your inbox at www.sweetwaterschools.org/spotlight/
KUDOS! Montgomery Middle Construction “Topping Out”
Construction is all about designs, plans and timelines. At Montgomery Middle School, a new construction project celebrated their progress with a “Topping Out” ceremony where the final beam was placed on the top of one of the new buildings. The ceremony commemorates a significant milestone in the construction process. For Montgomery Middle, it means that the project is on schedule to open for students when the new school year starts in July, 2013. Read the full story here KUDOS! Granger Junior High Takes Center Stage, Yet Again School retains “Model Status” and named among the best in California On January 3rd State School Chief Tom Torlakson named Granger Junior High in National City one of only nine high-performing California Schools to retain their model school status in the Schools to Watch™−Taking Center Stage program. The schools were acknowledged by Torlakson for “continually striving to improve student performance.” Read the full story here
KUDOS! Mariner Keith Breeden Marches in 124th Tournament of Roses Parade
Any weekday in Imperial Beach, you’ll find Mar Vista High School student, Keith Breeden walking to school. But on Tuesday January 1st, 2013 he was on a seven mile walk in Pasadena, California carrying a heavy musical instrument on his shoulder, marching proudly in the 124th annual Tournament of Roses parade. Keith was selected from among students across the nation to be in the Bands of America National Honor Band. Read the full story here www.sweetwaterschools.org
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Sweetwater Students Go Google! Every day Sweetwater teachers and students gain more access to technology-based resources for learning thanks to the Educational Technology/Alternative Education Departments and Director, David Damico. The most exciting news? Sweetwater has gone Google! Students will now have Gmail accounts, beginning with 7th grade students in phase one. With Google, comes access to the suite of Google Drive and Google Docs for all of their presentation, word processing, and file sharing needs. “We applaud the work of Mr. Damico and his team,” said Board Member John McCann. “Because of this technology, access and communication between students, parents and teachers has never been so seamless.” Teacher training Direct from iPad, access to approved and vetted YouTube sites, and access to Canvas Course management system are also some of the latest ways that Sweetwater Students are gaining an educational edge. Keep up with all the news at http://edtech.sweetwaterschools.org/
Community Opportunities Free Food for Families at Castle Park Middle
South Bay Community Services has just announced that Castle Park Middle School is a new food distribution site. The distribution will take place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 4-6pm. The first distribution will be February 20th. Castle Park Middle school is located at 160 Quintard Street in Chula Vista. See the flyer for more details. If you are interested in volunteering please contact David Oliver, School Support Services Coordinator, at 619-754-5485 or dolivera@csbcs.org.
Mission Fed Sponsors Cox Cares Scholars Program
Mission Fed is once again proud to be a sponsor of the annual Cox Cares Scholars 2013 Program (formerly known as Cox Heroes). This college scholarship opportunity is offered to graduating high school seniors. Graduating high school seniors can earn up to $10,000 to pursue their dreams of a college education. For qualifications and application, please visit www.cox-cares.org. The deadline to apply is February 6, 2013. Cox will award $100,000 in scholarships to students statewide.
www.sweetwaterschools.org
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Ten Sweetwater Science Teachers Attend the LSSI
Ten Sweetwater science teachers attended the LSSI (Life Science Summer Institute) externship program January 7 to January 11, 2013. This 40 hour program was created especially to accommodate Sweetwater’s year round schedule. This program was created by AMGEN to help increase awareness of the local life science industries (biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics and related areas) to those individuals who are most influential in the development of our future workforce, teachers. In addition to visiting many industries; such as Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and Sapphire Energy, biotech curriculum training was provided. Laboratory support and materials for labs in your “own classroom” are provided in an ongoing manner to participants of the program. For information for next year’s January program contact: Biotech@workforce.org
Pictured from Left to right. Ryan Soto, Abe Hanono, Jorgina Hall, Bobbie Bottroff, Jessica Pimentel,
www.sweetwaterschools.org 2013 SWEETWATER Jewyl Clarke, Adriana Monforte, Duke Raley, AndreaFEBRUARY Neises, Melanie Brown CURRENTS 10
Sweetwater Invites You to An Evening With UC San Diego Featuring Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla Tuesday February 19, 2013 6 pm - 8 pm Chula Vista High School Performing Arts Center
17th Annual Adelante Latino Conference Saturday February 23, 2013 8 am - 3 pm SDSU
Click Here for More Information
Click Here for More Information
20th Annual Adelante Mujer Conference Celebrate 20 Strong Years of Inspiring Girls, through career workshops & presentations Saturday March 2, 2013 7:45 am - 2:00 pm EastLake Middle School Click Here for More Information
www.sweetwaterschools.org
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Superintendent | Dr. Edward M. Brand
SUPERINTENDENT’S COLUMN The Classroom of the Future Moves Online It used to be that in order to take a college-level class, you’d have to register at the college, sign up for the class, buy the book, follow the course syllabus and adhere to the class schedule. Today, it’s as simple as turning on your computer, or powering up your tablet, and finding a subject area that interests you. In November of 2012, a New York Times article declared 2012 as the “Year of the MOOCs.” MOOCs, or massive open online courses, are the latest trend in learning. Websites such as edX and Coursera offer access to thousands of courses from some of the most prestigious universities in the nation – Harvard, UC Berkeley, Stanford and hundreds of others. I recently completed a course on Artificial Intelligence that was taught by professors from MIT and UC Berkeley. MIT has even introduced open courseware for high school teachers and students (http://ocw.mit.edu/high-school). As we move further into the 21st century, I want us to be mindful of the changing world around us. Teaching and learning continue to develop as we learn more and more about what constitutes an effective strategy. We have seen great success in our students as we have introduced technology into the classroom and know that Sweetwater will continue to be a leader in this area. Although the medium in tools such as the TED Talks and the Khan Academy are still lectures, these tools give us access to different perspectives and different approaches that we might not have thought of previously. We are able to access the best and the brightest from around the world at an instant.
www.sweetwaterschools.org
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The way that students learn in 2013 is more evolved than it has ever been. As a district, Sweetwater will be looking into ways to make our curriculum as widely available as possible. This will include additional focus on web-based applications and web-based learning. Recently, we kicked off enrollment for the first course of Sweetwater U where Juniors and Seniors in high school are able to take a college-level course that is UC-CSU approved. In the coming months we are working on increasing the number of partners in Sweetwater U and expanding the courses that can be offered to students. Currently we are in discussion with De Vry University, National Hispanic University and Carrington College, among others. We will also continue working towards providing our students with tablet computers and access to technology such as SMART boards in the classroom. Sweetwater stands at a great crossroads on what used to be called the “information superhighway” and we know that with your continued support, our students will not only get on that highway, but they will thrive. Education and learning happens 7days a week, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. The 21st century is now, and our students are ready to succeed.
line t o H ’s t n e n d n e t dent’s Hotline o n te rin e Superin p Su e th en 2:30 ting calls at
cep betwe t Dr. Brand is ac rn, call 691-5570 e c n o c r o n A reminder tha io st n the first ge e hotline is ope Th you have a sug t. If n e 5. d . n b te Fe rin y, e a Tuesd the sup talk directly with to . .m ry month. p 30 4: d n a Tuesday of eve
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