"Every kid is just one caring adult away from being a success story." ~Josh Shipp
|
|
|
Stay tuned for a highlight video of Festival on the Green coming next week!
|
|
Bret Theodozio, Director of CTE and Program Equity
|
On Wednesday, March 13, TUSD hosted the CTE Industry Collaboration Breakfast at the Assyrian American Civic Club. Approximately 150 businesses, industry representatives, city and county leaders, representatives of higher education and TUSD staff gathered to celebrate the excellent collaborative relationship in our area between industry and education.
The program started with the Presentation of Colors by the Turlock High School NJROTC followed by the singing of the National Anthem by the Madrigals from Pitman High School. Students from both Pitman and Turlock High Culinary Arts Programs helped with the food and beverage service and the beautiful flower centerpieces were provided by Turlock and Pitman High School agriculture students. All TUSD elementary schools provided a gift basket representing their school theme that was raffled off at end of the meeting as door prizes for those in attendance.
The program included several presentations about how industry can work with and support TUSD programs, life at the District Farm, and a keynote presentation by Greg Harrison, Warehouse Manager at Turlock Costco. Alice Pollard hosted a special panel of industry partners that included Erik Schulze, City of Turlock; George Kosmas, Crust and Crumb; Rebecca Bettencourt, E& J Gallo Wineries; Matt Cranford, Stanislaus County Fairgrounds; Don Wilkey, Wilkey Industries, and students Jodie Parolini, Turlock High; Nestor Olivares Pitman High graduate 2018. The panelists answered questions for the audience about their experience with work-based learning though Career Technical Education internships.
A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated and worked hard to make the event a success!
|
|
Women's History Month-Student Voices
|
|
eCademy Charter at Crane School
|
|
Just Hold On
Momma
Hold on to who you are
Even if the world disapproves of you
Hold on to what you believe
Even if I disagree
Hold on to your strength
Even if you feel yourself falling apart
Because you are great
And no one can replace you
|
|
Jaylen Johnson is a 12th grade student at eCademy Charter School. She is an artist, dancer, and former cheerleader. She has been writing poems for about 3 years now describing her life through high school. She chose to celebrate Women's HIstory Month with a poem about a woman she has the honor to call mom. "I love you, Momma."
|
|
I Am a Mother
I am a mother
I wonder if my children are happy
I watch them grow
I want the best for them
I am a mother
I pretend I'm not tired
I feel very tired
I touch softly
I worry constantly
I cry when they're not around
I am a mother
I understand their pain
I say what will make them happy
I dream they will make it in life
I try to do the best I can
I hope they will make good choices
I am a mother
|
|
Katelyn Tagge, senior at eCademy Charter at Crane, will be attending Modesto Junior College next year. Outside of school, her hobbies include working with elementary and junior high school students in after-school programs. Katelyn dedicates her poem to her "hard-working mother who will move heaven and earth" for her kids.
|
|
Helen Chavez is a senior at eCademy Charter School. She likes to read and listen to music in her spare time. She is the only daughter in a household of many kids and happens to be a twin. She plans on jumping into the workforce after high school, but has applied to some colleges just in case she changes her mind. She wants to be a photographer and is considering being a tattoo artist. Of her work she says, "I had just started drawing after taking a break from it for a while. This was my first piece of art since my eighth grade year. I honestly am so proud that my drawing came out so perfectly in one fell swoop."
|
|
|
Stephany Aguilera is an eCademy Charter junior who has been passionate about drawing since the sixth grade and intends to pursue a career in the arts. The concept behind the drawing is her mother as “a giant that takes care of all of us. Head of the house and head of our lives.”
|
|
|
Turlock Junior High School, Sitara Ali, Science Teacher
|
Maria Canga, a STEM hybrid and 7th grade science teacher is bringing engineering to life at Turlock Junior High School. Going along with the theme for Go Green Week, and in an effort to increase engineering in the classroom, each student in Mrs. Canga’s 7th grade science classes invented a prototype and are building an apparatus to fight plastic waste in the ocean. This was all made possible by Mrs. Canga applying and receiving a SPIE Grant from Stanislaus County Office of Education, which offers the students in her classes the ability to become engineers and take learning into their own hands. The students are not only learning about the negative impact plastics have on ocean ecosystems, but also learning how to be responsible citizens making more “green” choices.
|
|
20/20 Fruit & Veggie Contest
|
|
Child Nutrition and the Stanislaus County Fair
|
Stanislaus County Fair’s Kids Club Educational Program has once again partnered with TUSD's Child Nutrition program, Real.Fresh. to promote healthy eating throughout the summer and school year. This is the fifth year the Stanislaus County Fair has partnered with TUSD to launch the 20/20 Fruit & Veggie Contest. The contest, which begins on Monday, March 18
th
, was created to reward students for their nutritional choices. Elementary students will keep track of their healthy eating choices by using punch cards. The intention of the partnership is to support healthy food choices by promoting access to fruits and vegetables.
“Our kids club program educates our children on agriculture and how our county provides organic food options from our local farmers,” said Adrenna Alkhas, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Fair. “With a partnership involving our Kids Club and TUSD’s child nutrition program, we can successfully introduce them to making innovative approaches to nutritional and tasty choices.”
Over the span of 20 days, students who choose one fruit or vegetable option for their lunch will receive a punch on their punch cards. Once the card is complete, it will be entered into a grand prize drawing. Four students from each elementary school in the Turlock Unified School District will be randomly selected to win either a Stanislaus County Fair Family 4-Pack (which includes ride tickets), a bicycle, or other great prizes. The school with the most Stanislaus County Fair Kids Club sign ups will get a BBQ party at the end of the year.
“Together, the Stanislaus County Fair and TUSD can push towards a healthier diet and overall lifestyle for our children,” said Scott Soiseth, Director of Child Nutrition at TUSD. “It’s never too soon to introduce them to nutritional diets – in fact, there is no better time than now.”
|
|
English 11 teachers at Turlock High School brought a little real-word sleuthing to the classroom last quarter with a unit based on the hugely popular
Serial
podcast. As of September 2018, this podcast had been downloaded over 340 million times world-wide. During this unit, students read transcripts and listened to six episodes of the podcast’s first season which is a true crime case involving Adnan Syed, a high school senior accused in the death of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. According to English teacher Tim Oldenburg students had a large amount of “buy-in” during this unit and were “hooked.”
Oldenburg shared that throughout the unit students analyzed a narrator’s bias and examined inconsistencies and holes in Adnan, the accused, and Jay, the star witness, statements to police. During the unit, students used a great deal of higher-order thinking skills and investigated the evidence used against Adnan—including cell records and timelines. Towards the end of the unit, teachers conducted either a mock trial or debate which allowed students to learn public speaking tools such as PVLEGS. Oldenburg provided a couple student perspectives on this unit:
- Rodrigo Galvan: “Sarah Koenig (the narrator) taught us multiple things throughout the podcast, but I believe the most important thing that she taught us was critical thinking. Critical thinking is very important because it is a skill that I need to possess in order to be ready for college, and it is a skill that can be a great asset in my career. This podcast really improved by ability to think critically.”
- Darren Holtzclaw: “This podcast taught me how to put clues together, and piece together an alibi. In the end, I highly recommend this podcast to anyone and it’s taught me to have new perspectives and search for clues.”
Based on the informal polls taken of Mr. Oldenburg’s classes, it seems THS students are as conflicted about the outcome of this case as is the general public!
|
|
White House History Teacher Institute
|
|
Former Pitman High School graduate and current AP U.S. Government and Economics teacher Isaac Farhadian will be attending the White House History Teacher Institute this summer in Washington, D.C. Farhadian was selected from a pool of applicants to participate in this exciting summer institute and will be joining 30 other teachers from throughout the nation. Farhadian will attend workshops, learn from experts, and visit important historical sites in D.C., including guided tours inside the White House.
|
|
School Attended
: Turlock High School
Year Graduated
: 2018
Military Branch
: Army
Rank
: E2/ Private 2nd class
Job
: 15Q Air Traffic Control Operator
Duty Station
: Camp Humphrey’s South Korea
Why I Joined
: I wanted to challenge myself.
Favorite part about being in the military
: Challenging myself to see what I can overcome and how much I can handle.
The Biggest Challenge
: Making it through air traffic control school; that was hands down the hardest thing I have had to overcome.
Future Goals
: I would like to attend Drill Sergeant Academy and Pathfinder School.
Hobbies
: Working out and ruck marches.
Recognition
: The Recruiting Office, NJROTC, and Lisa Jensen at THS.
|
|
Athletic Director Weekly Sports Wrap-Up
|
|
Mike Brown, Turlock High School
|
Baseball
Varsity played El Capitan on Monday and beat them 4–3. Varsity played Central Catholic on Wednesday and beat them 8-6. JV team played Central Catholic and lost to them Varsity played Lincoln and lost 5-4. JV/F played Enochs and JV won 10–0 and Freshman also won.
Softball
We played Enochs on Tuesday and lost 7–3. We played Modesto Thursday and won 4–0.
Swimming
League swim meet against Modesto High. Boys Varsity Won 92 – 76; Girls Varsity Lost 102–129; JV Boys Lost 46 – 134; JV Girls Lost 46 – 120. Nor Cal Relays: All the teams who got 1st place. V. Boys 200 Free Andrew Folly, Dylan Newsome, Jackson Thomas, Michael Tobin; JV Boys 200 Back/Breast Harrison Clark, Donte Clemans, Christian Heppner, Zack Murphy; JV Boys 200 Fly/Free Ethan Bealey, Harrison Clark, Sean McMillan, Abraham Vargas; JV Boys 200 Back/Breast/Fly/Free Evan Christopher, Donte Clemans, Juan Garcia, Zack Murphy; V. Girls 200 Fly/Free Sadie Bigler, Amelia Boyd, Izzy Romeo, Sierra Yandel.
Boys Golf
We played Enochs high at Turlock Country club and won with a score of 436 - 559. Remember in golf you want the lowest scores!
Track and Field
Wednesday they had their first League Center meet. Varsity boys 1st place with 217 points; Varsity girls 2nd place with 180 points; JV boys 2nd place with 160 ½ points; JV girls 1st place with 280 points.
The following athletes took 1st place in our entire league:
Varsity Boys: 100 meters Sammy Wilson 11. 0; Shot Put Jake Dirkse 41’; Discus Chianti Motley 128’ 5”; Pole Vault 15’; Long Jump Jonah Kosakiewiez 20’ 11 ½ ”; Triple Jump Nick Santos 39’ 3”.
Varsity Girls: 100 meters Kylee Redman 12.54; 200 meters Katja Guerro 26.55; 300 Hurdles Madison Mar 53.98; Pole Vault Sarah Romo 10’ 6”. F/S Boys: Shot Put John Walker 43’ 5”; Discus John Walker 108’ 3”.
F/S Girls: 100 meters Candace Roy Williams 13.31; 300 hurdles Kylee Kelso 54.84; 4 x 100 relay Candace Roy Williams, Avery Hayes, Koryn Nunes, Daniela Sanchez 52.00; Shot Put Marya Reed 26’ 9 ½”; High Jump Signe Rodrigues 4’ 8”; Pole Vault Kylie Viray 7’ 6”; Long Jump Candace Roy Williams; Triple Jump Candace Roy Williams.
Athletes of the Week:
Varsity Boys Track:
Darian White placed 3rd in the 100, 200 and 4 x 100 relay and 2nd in the 4 x 400 relay. Darian helped boys varsity team to a 1st place finish.
Varsity Girls Track:
Katja Guerrero 1st in the 200, 2nd in the 100;
Frosh/Soph Girls Track:
Candace Roy Williams 1st in the 100, 4 x 100 relay, long jump and triple jump. Candace helped girls Frosh/Soph team to a huge score of 280 points.
Coming up next week for the Bulldogs:
Mon: V/JV baseball @ Oakdale, F baseball is home against Oakdale, Golf Cross Town Cup @ TGCC
Tues: Softball is home against Pitman, Tennis is home against Modesto
Wed: V/JV baseball @ Modesto, Tennis JV tourney
Thurs: Softball @ Gregori, Tennis @ Enochs
Friday: V baseball @ Oakridge, JV/F home against Pitman, Track @ Oakdale for County Clash
|
|
Dave Walls, Pitman High School
|
|
Baseball
The Pride are playing hard and coming up short. Pride Baseball fell to Sierra 0-5 on Tuesday and 0-2 to Tokay on Thursday. The Pride are waiting for the bats to wake up.
Softball
The Lady Pride started the week off in great fashion with an 12-1 victory over Downey on Tuesday. The Lady Pride faced to tough pitchers on Thursday and Friday – falling to Gregori 5-1 on Thursday and #1 Ranked Golden Valley 6-0 on Friday. The Ladies are 3-5 on the year as the head into the second week of league.
Boys Tennis
The Pride move to 9-1 on the year. The Pride picked up victories over Modesto on Monday 7-2, Turlock on Tuesday 7-1, Downey on Wednesday 7-2 and Enochs on Thursday 8-1. The Pride remain undefeated in CCAL play as they head into the home stretch.
Swimming
Pitman Aquatics hosted Modesto on Friday and came away with the 4 sweep. Varsity Boys 91-79, Varsity Girls 93-76, JV Boys 80-72, JV Girls 111-53.
Boys Golf
The Pride traveled to the Hilmar Invitational on Monday and placed 11th out of 25 schools and fell to Gregori on Tuesday.
Track & Field
Pitman and Turlock hosted the first CCAL Center Meet at Joe Debely Stadium on Wednesday. Pitman Standouts:
Stefanie Rodriguez - #6 All-Time 1600m – 5:44.96; McKinley King - #8 All-Time Discus (#3 Frosh) – 107-9; Derek Barnes - Tied #9 All-Time High Jump 5-8; Charlotte Laska - #10 All-Time 3200m 13:24.28; Damian Garcia - #2 Frosh 1600m 4:56.99; Ben Plaa - #3 Frosh 3200m 11:01.55; Mavleen Mann - #3 SR 800m 2:33.69
Coming up next week for the Pride:
Mon: Golf @ Cross Town Cup TCC
Tues: Golf @ Gregori - Muni, Baseball hosting East Union, Softball @ Turlock, Tennis @ Gregori
Wed: No Games
Thurs: Softball @ Enochs, Tennis @ Modesto
Fri: : Track @ County Clash – Oakdale HS, Swimming @ Downey, Tennis @ Nor Cal Tennis Challenge – Rocklin, Baseball @ Lodi
Sat: Tennis @ Nor Cal Tennis Challenge – Rocklin
|
|
Stephen Valgos, Turlock Junior High School
|
How long have you worked in TUSD?
This is my 2nd year in TUSD, first as an English teacher at Turlock High in 2008 and now as the Dean at Turlock Junior High. My official job title is Dean of Students, but I like to think of myself as the Dean of Student Transformation because, ultimately, my goal is to change student behavior in the classroom.
Where did you work prior to TUSD?
Before TUSD I worked for SCOE Educational Options Division at the Stanislaus Military Academy as the “bootcamp” instructor. Prior to that I have worked in catholic elementary and high schools teaching English, History, and Theology.
Any info you would like to share about your job?
My job is amazing. All day long I get to support teachers by working with kids who are struggling to find success in and outside the classroom, and use the many tools at my disposal to come up with a plan for their success. There’s nothing greater than seeing a student “get it,” make a change, achieve success, and discover their own greatness. It’s super cool and I love it. I’m most proud of my efforts, and the efforts of TJHS staff to work with kids for their safety and success. We have amazing teachers, paras, campus supervisors, and other support staff who care a lot about kids, and I’m proud to be able to contribute in some way toward helping them achieve their goals.
Challenges?
Conversely, the biggest challenge I face is my own lack of imagination, ideas, or resources to help kids who struggle find success. I take it personally when a student doesn’t find success at our site. It makes me want to learn more and help more.
Favorite memory/story?
My favorite story is when I went to a family’s home to drop off some registration paperwork only to discover that the family was sleeping on the floor and had no table upon which to fill out the forms. Within a week TUSD employees and members of the community had beds, school clothes, backpacks, and a table for that family. That’s what I call creating an environment where students can be successful in the classroom!
What are you reading?
I’m currently reading “Parenting Teens with Love and Logic,” by Foster Cline and Jim Fay.
What are you watching on TV?
Not much time for TV, but am finishing up the final season of
Vikings
and looking forward to
Game of Thrones
!
Hobbies?
Outside of work I do a lot of backpacking, hiking, and camping with my two boys, Mark and Luke, and my wife, Jill, who teaches 5th grade at Julien. I’m also a scuba diver and abalone diver.
Anything surprising we may not know about you?
You might not know that I’m a former Force Recon Marine, acted in Shakespeare plays in L.A., am an author for St. Mary’s Press, and am in formation to be ordained a Catholic Deacon next year.
|
|
Students of TUSD: Medeiros
|
|
Something new in communications . . . Last year we introduced you to our schools, this spring we are introducing you to our students—a little feature we’re calling ‘Students of TUSD.’ Thank you to Julien Elementary School Principal Jenny Henderson for letting us visit with Jocelyn, Mason, and Miguel. Go Mustangs!
|
|
Kids' Art Corner: Medeiros Elementary
|
|
March is National Athletic Training Month, a time to celebrate the positive impact ATs have on work, life and sport.
Shout out to Turlock High School's Mike Collins and Pitman High School's Markus Turner for taking such outstanding care of our student-athletes.
HOSA Sports Medicine wants to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers in Turlock. The 2019 slogan is "ATs Are Health Care.” #NATM2019 #ATsAreHealthCare
|
|
American Ag Credit employees are volunteering the next few days at the TUSD Farm helping to build raised garden beds. These beds will give ALL students access to get their hands dirty in the garden. Spring is coming to life at the TUSD Farm and pigs are moving in on Sunday. We can’t wait for our students to come for a visit!
|
|
|
You took the TUSD LCAP survey now comes the hard work! The TUSD LCAP Cohort is meeting ALL DAY to review survey responses as well as examine data that aligns with the considerations/actions for the LCAP. Still have something to say? Come to our TUSD LCAP Community Forum on March 20 from 6-7 PM in District Office 102.
|
|
|
Share Your Awesome!
Marie Russell
Chief Communication Coordinator
mrussell@turlock.k12.ca.us
209.648.0968
@tusd_mrussell
|
|
|
We would love to have ALL staff help share our TUSD story to the world, but if that is not really your thing, just click on link below to download an opt-out form and return to "Marie Russell, D.O." via district mail.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
