TUSD Weekly Update
"Every kid is just one caring adult away from being a success story." ~Josh Shipp
TUSD Student and Staff Recognition Event
April 10, 2019 Program
5:30 PM 2017-2018 Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments
6:00 PM Every Student Succeeding
6:30 PM 2018-2019 Superintendent's Student Senate
7:00 PM 2018-2019 State Seal of Biliteracy
7:30 PM Volunteer of the Year
8:00 PM Character Recognition, Students and Staff
8:30 PM 2018-2019 Employees Making a Difference
1:1 Devices Coming Soon
Jay Brem, Director of Technology Services
On April 2nd, the Board of Trustees approved almost 6,000 new Chromebooks in 2019/20 for Phase 3 of the District Technology Plan. What does that mean? We’ll officially be at 1:1 next year. At our elementary sites, each classroom will have a cart with Chromebooks, very much like what we have now. Our secondary sites will have a take-home model, with devices being checked out to students, like textbooks, at the beginning of the year. There’s a lot of work left to do to launch this initiative, but we’re excited at the direction and looking forward to providing more technology-related opportunities for our students and teachers.

I want to give a huge “thank you” to the members of our Technology Planning Committee. It is through the work of this group that the district has its current technology plan that has led to our 1:1 commitment. With its recommendation, our 9-12 students will be using the first hybrid touch Chromebooks in the district. Additionally, all of our teachers will receive the same device as their primary web-based, mobile teacher tool.

The 1:1 initiative runs on the back of the district technology network infrastructure, led by Acting Director of Technology Services Robert Brogdon. At the same meeting, the Board approved the purchase of major upgrades to our district server environment. Our servers are critical pieces of connectivity and communication in the district, and these upgrades will allow for more data to be saved, provide better protection for the data, and support better efficiency with management and maintenance. Even though most people will never see the servers, without them we would be without many of the services we need in the district!
NGSS Drawing
Eric Hauck and Ryan Hollister, TUSD Science Instructional Coaches
We have some exciting news! TUSD has written and approved a science mission and vision. This was created in collaboration with teachers from the district and was based on the mission and vision of our California framework for K-12 science education, colloquially known as the NGSS framework.

Mission:
To develop the curiosity of students, staff, and partners with experiences that promote lifelong critical thinkers and problem solvers who investigate our world using scientific principles.

Vision:
  • Provide ongoing professional development
  • Increase community experiences and relationships
  • Encourage the use of locally based phenomena
  • Ensure phenomenon-based instruction
  • Create a system of ongoing evaluation of our mission
  • Increase cross-curricular integration

The mission and vision statements will serve to root our educational endeavors in evidence based practices from our framework. Ryan and I will be using this as a guide whenever we work with you moving forward.

March Raffle Drawing: TJHS 7th grade science teacher Maria Canga is the winner of this month’s “Work with a Science Coach, Win a Science Trip” raffle for a 4-pack of tickets to the San Jose Tech Museum! Maria and her PLC were entered into the raffle for attending a mini-PD to learn about the newly-released CAST Item Specifications and how they might useful for future in-class assessment design.
 
Other teachers earned tickets by; working one-on-one with a coach in their classroom, engaging in a grade level collaboration with a coach, or providing evidence of NGSS in action in their classroom.
 
If you are interested in obtaining a ticket yourself, you can obtain a raffle ticket by providing evidence of your implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards. There is a variety of “evidence” that will be accepted for this. Here is a non-exhaustive list of ways to obtain a ticket:
 
  1. Work directly with a coach Eric’s Survey for K-6 Email Ryan Hollister
  2. Film yourself teaching a lesson
  3. Provide a copy of a lesson plan you did with student work
  4. Provide a reflection on a lesson series w/ things you think went well and could have been better
  5. Provide record of you and your team collaborating on a storyline and the phenomena that you are using
Turlock and Pitman AP Environmental Science Students Conduct Environmental DNA Research with UC Merced Ecologists
Thanks to the amazing collaborative efforts between UC Merced officials and AP Environmental Science Teachers Laura Hollister, Brian Hofsteen and Kevin Testo, nearly 130 Pitman and Turlock High School students were able to contribute to authentic, cutting-edge biodiversity science at the UC Merced Vernal Pools & Grasslands Reserve. Nearly 130(!) students worked shoulder-to-shoulder with UC Merced professors to collect soil and sediment samples from vernal pools while soaking-in the sweeping views of the distant Sierra Nevada. Vernal pools are small depressions in the valley and foothills that fill with water to become temporary wetlands in the winter and spring before evaporating completely during the hot summer months. Vernal Pools are known habitat for endangered amphibians, fairy shrimp and native plant species that are found nowhere else in the world! The samples collected by the students will be taken to a new multi-million dollar lab at UCLA where remnant biological material such as fur, cells, urine & feces found in the soil will have its DNA extracted and sequenced. The DNA found in the environment (eDNA) will let researchers know EXCATLY which microbes, fungi, plants and animals call the Vernal Pools home during the spring! 

Many students developed a newfound appreciation for the Great Central Valley by experiencing it beauty and discovering its biological value. The results of the student-collected samples will be freely available to the public within the next several months on the Cal eDNA interactive map at https://data.ucedna.com/
Student Rep to the School Board Reports
Turlock High School
Turlock NJROTC Air Rifle Team—Conner McKeon, Ramandeep Singh, Jaspreet Singh, Javier Lemus and Hannah Nunes—travelled to Sutter, CA, for the CRPA State Championships and took 1st place overall for the 5th year in a row. 

Fanney Bjargardottir won 1st place at the District Rotary Speech Contest and a $1,000 scholarship! She will be representing THS and the district as she gives her speech in May at the Rotary District Conference.

Julian Aguilar and Ainslie Coughran are going to National Speech finals in Dallas, TX, in June. Julian also placed 4th at the California State Mock Trials for journalism. He was the County Journalism champion and Anna Lima was the county artist champion.

Turlock FFA program has been busy the last couple of weeks: Modesto Junior College Field Day-Ag Mech - 4th High Team; 3rd High Individual - Gerardo Avalos ; Floral - 1st High Team, 1st High Individual - Maria Cervantes , 4th High Individual - Jordyn Silva; Farm Power - 1st High Team, 1st High Individual - Nick Hickman, 3rd High Individual - Michael Alamo, 5th High Individual - Cole Marchy; Dairy Judging- 3rd High Team 5th High Individual - Allison NuneAt the State Degree Ceremony Turlock had two members who received Sectional Star Awards and 22 members who received their State Degree; Regional Star in Agri-business and FFA proficiency Award in Specialty Animal Production - Ashlee Anderson; Sectional Star Farmer and regional proficiency Award in Diversified Crop Production-Cole Marchy 

Juniors and seniors recently participated in the Every 15 Minutes program. The program is designed to help students make better choices and understand the impact of their choices. 23 students were able to be part of the program and attend an overnight retreat. The 23 students were tasked with sharing all the information they learned and experienced with the peers, family, and community members. We hope the ripple effect created by the 23 participants continues to be far reaching and life-changing!

We are currently in the process of accepting applications for ASB office for the 2019-2020 school year. We will hold an Election Assembly on Tuesday April 16th. 

Our prom will be Saturday, April 13th at Larsa Hall. The theme is Enchanted Garden. The prom committee has been working hard the past few months preparing! 
Pitman High School
State testing continues this week. Seniors who did it take the science CAASPP last year took their test sometime last week. Juniors are taking their tests this week.

Upcoming Events:
  • Second Semester Blood Drive on Tuesday April 9th.
  • PHS drama’s production of Mamma Mia sold out all their shows except for the matinee on April 12th @ 3:00 PM.
  • On April 14 interested juniors and seniors will take the ASVAB.
  • ASB Elections will be held April 29th-May 3rd. Office positions include: President, Vice President, Activities Commissioners, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Athletic Director Weekly Sports Wrap-Up
Mike Brown, Turlock High School
Baseball  Varsity Baseball beat Modesto on Monday 3–1, We also beat them again on Wednesday 9 – 1 and had 3 homeruns, We played them Saturday for one of the nicest days we have had all year and beat them 3-0.  JV baseball beat Modesto 11–0, also beat them again on Thursday 11-0. Freshman got rained out on all their games.

Softball  We played Pitman @ Pitman and it was a battle.  Turlock pulled it out in the top of the 7th scoring two runs to go ahead 3 – 1 and hold off the pride for a win.  JV girls beat Pitman by a final score of 12 –2 .  Great Job ladies. 

Golf We went out to Diablo and finished 2nd with a score of 425.  

Swim This week we went against our cross town rival Pitman High. Here are all the team scores:  Varsity boys Turlock 62 Pitman 106, Varsity girls Turlock 127 Pitman 46, JV boys Turlock 120 Pitman 48, JV girls Turlock 127 Pitman 43. Great job everyone.   

Track and Field It was a great week for the track and field team.  We swept all 4 divisions in the Center meet # 2.   We have one more Center meet on April 17 and it will be a real big meet for our Girls Varsity because right now we stand tied with them at one win apiece. Here are all the athletes who got 1st in their events:
Varsity Boys: 100 meters Sammy Wilson  11.23, 3200 Eric Hernandez 10:24, 4 x 400 Relay Jackson Allen, Uriel Alverez, Rios Rogers and Darian White 3:26.8,  Shot Put Jake Dirkse 42’, Discus Jake Dirkse 137’ 11”, High Jump Ty Montgomery 6’, Pole Vault Wyatt Romo 14’ 6”

Varsity Girls: 100 meters Kylee Redman 12.82, 200 meters Katja Guerrero 26.34, 4 x 100 relay Katja Guerrero, Sarah Romo, Kylee Redman, Catelyn Cummins  50.3, 4 x 400 Relay Romy Sauter, Christiance Garner, Raquel Zapata, Kylie Viray 4:24.55, High Jump Jazman Tubbs 5’ 2”, Pole Vault Sara Romo 10’ 6”, Triple Jump Candace Roy Williams 34’ 4”. 

F/S Boys: 110 hurdles Calvin Kirchhoff 18.08, 4 x 400 relay Johah Bertalotto, Ian Strode, Luke Appleby, Preston Roberts 3:55.9,  High Jump Davin Hytower 5’ 8” , Pole Vault Dean Larick 12’ 6”, Long Jump Jose Aquirre 18’ 4”, Triple Jump Calvin Kirchhoff 38’ 6”. 

F/S Girls: 100 meters Avery Hayes 13.74, 1600 Eliana Moreno 6:05, 4 x 100 relay Avery Hayes, Koryn Nunes, Anaiya Mess-Street, Daniela Sanchez  53.31, Discus Audrey Arrigotti 89’ 9”,  Pole Vault Mia Ulrich  7’,  Long Jump Avery Hayes  14’ 4”, Triple Jump Avery Hayes 31’.

My athletes of the week come from our track team:
Uriel Alvarez 1st in the 4 x 400 relay 3:26, 3rd in the 800 2:07, 6th in the 400 52.51
Jack Dirkse 1st in the shot put 42’ , 1st in the Discus 137’ 11” These two got some big points to help our Varsity boys win the meet.

Cynthia Vaiela 4th in the 1600 5:34, 4th 3200 12:47.  Those are big points and very difficult races to run in a meet.
Fatima Chavez 3rd in the 1600 5:33, 3rd in the 800 2:32.  Once again very important points in the distance races to help our Varsity girls win the meet. 
                                                                                                                                     
Coming up next week for the Bulldogs:
Mon-Varsity baseball @ Pitman @ 3:45 PM, Golf in Atwater @ Saddle Creek
Tues-Softball home against Gregori @ 3:45, Tennis is at Downey
Wed-Varsity baseball is home against Pitman at 3:45, JV/F are at Pitman, Golf home against Downey
Thurs-Softball is @ Downey 3:45 PM, Tennis is at Mohi @ 3:00 PM, Diving is here @ THS for the diving championships. 
Fri-Varsity Baseball is over @ Pitman 3:45 PM, JV/F baseball is home against Pitman, Swim is at Downey high for the league championships 9:00 AM.  
Sat-Swim is at Downey for the finals of swim championships at 9:00 AM.                                                              
Dave Walls, Pitman High School
Baseball
The Pride went 2-1 on the week and winning the series with Gregori. The Pride started the week off with 5-1 victory as Kade Morris picked up the victory. The Pride hosted Gregori on Wednesday as the Jags got stellar to pitching and beat the Pride 6-1. On Thursday The Pride traveled back to Gregori for the rubber match and took the victory 11-0. The Pride are 5-1 in league play and host Turlock on Monday.
 
Softball
The Lady Pride spent the week dodging the rain as the Tuesday game against Gregori was canceled and rescheduled for Monday. On Thursday the Pride hosted crosstown rival Turlock Bulldogs. The game entered the 7th inning tied 1-1 as Shelby Frutoz (T) and Gabbie DeLeon (P) put on a pitching dual. The Bulldogs scored 2 in the top of the inning and the Pride stranded 2 in the bottom half and fell 3-1 to the Dogs.  
 
Boys Golf
The Pride competed in the CCAL Mid-Season Tournament on Wednesday and finished 3rd. The Pride have 4 golfers qualified for the SJS Playoffs.
 
Boys Tennis
The Pride continue building on a successful season as the moved to 12-2 overall and 6-1 in CCAL play. Rain out on Tuesday caused a rescheduling of the Downey match. On Thursday the Pride traveled across town to face Turlock and came away with a 7-2 victory. 
 
Swim
Pitman Aquatics hosted Turlock on Thursday with the boys and girls varsity dual championships on the line. Congratulations to the Pitman Varsity Boys and Turlock Varsity Girls for capturing the CCAL Boys and Girls Championship. Results from Thursday - Varsity Boys (P)106-62, Varsity Girls (T)102-46, JV Boys (T)120-48, JV Girls (T)127-43. Some of the outstanding swims from Thursday: Maddie Ngo 2:28.39 – 200 IM. Sean Bernard 200 FR / 500 FR, Joe Carlson 50 FR, Matt Silva 100 FLY and Ethan Woodruff 100 FR brought home victories for the boys.
 
Track & Field
Pitman Track participated in the #2 CCAL Center Meet at Joe Debely Stadium. The Turlock Bulldogs took the day at all four levels. The Pride finished second in all four levels. Varsity Boys – Turlock 10, Varsity Girls – Turlock 9 / Pitman 9, FS Girls – Turlock 10 / Pitman & Gregori 7, FS Boys – Turlock 9 / Pitman 9.

Coming next week for the Pride:
Mon– VBB vs. Turlock 3:45, SB @ Gregori 3:45, Golf @ Atwater Invitational TBA
Tues– SB vs. Enochs 3:45, Tennis @ Enochs 3:00
Wed– VBB @ Turlock 3:45, Golf vs. Enochs 1:00 TCC
Thurs– SB @ Modesto 3:45, Tennis vs. Gregori 3:00, CCAL Diving @ Turlock TBA
Fri– VBB vs. Turlock 3:45, Swim @ CCAL Championships - Downey TBA, TRK @ Hanford TBA
Sat– Swim @ CCAL Championships - Downey TBA, TRK @ Hanford TBA
This is TUSD
Danielle Silveira, Walnut Elementary Education Center
How long have you worked in TUSD?  7 years 
What is your job title? 6th grade teacher, Drama Elective Director at Walnut Elementary Education Center
Where did you work prior to TUSD?  Patterson Unified
Any info you would like to share about your job?  My day is always a new, refreshing adventure! I love teaching spunky, innovative 6th graders because they keep me on my toes! I enjoy having rich conversations and keeping my students engaged in the subject matter. We love talking about hot topics and even diving into math! Every day brings up a new approach and strategy that helps me reach the students in the seats. In addition to teaching, I have found a new passion at Walnut. I have been the director of our school's musical for the last 6 years. With this task comes a whole new set of expectations and adventure- of which I would never give up. Watching the cast shine is the highlight of my year!
Things you are most proud of?  The lightbulbs that go off in my students' minds. Those a-ha moments that seem to impact the students the most. These are the students who come back, years later, and share the journey that their life has taken. I feel lucky to have had an effect on the students, even in a simple way. When my musical cast shines on the stage I am beaming with amazement! How is that these kids can pull off a junior high level show?! If you haven't seen a show- it's a must see!
Challenges?  I always want to do more, but the challenge I face is time. I can never fit in all I set out wanting to accomplish. New ideas for student engagement, standards-based teaching, in-depth analysis of motivation and its effect on learning... the list goes on and on!
Favorite memory/story? There are too many magical moments in the course of a day, but some of my favorite are when a student see themselves in a new light. They realize the power of their words and are reaching out to help others who are struggling with this crazy thing we call "LIFE". These are the tear-jerker moments that take your breath away and make me smile!
What are you reading? I just started Girl, Wash Your Face .
Any favorite shows you’re watching on TV? I am digging an oldie on Netflix- Sherlock .
Anything surprising we may not know about you? Well, for most people my childhood is a complete shock. The greatest story from that is being chased by bulls while I lived in Mexico at age 9 or so. Resilience started at a young age for me! Ha!
Anything about your personal life you’d like to share?  I love living in a house of all boys! Never a dull moment!
Students of TUSD: Cunningham
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 Cunningham Elementary School Principal Tami Truax for letting us visit with Brayden, Balraj, and Zharyah. Go Wildcats! 
Seen on Social Media
HOSA Shines at SLC in Sacramento
Congratulations to the Turlock High School HOSA SLC members for their hard work and dedication representing their chapter at SLC in Sacramento. HOSA Bulldogs represented in five competitions, six Courtesy Corps, multiple HOSA workshops and Camp HOSA leadership seminar. All six attending members participated in a rigorous medical terminology exam. Turlock High Makaylah Donley and Ulises Salas competed in Nursing Assistant exam and skill preparation. Turlock High HOSA showcased Health Career photography with Freshmen Jessica Guzman and Abigail Mensonides advanced to round 2. Turlock High HOSA showcased Cardiac Surgeon featuring DaVinci Robot. Turlock High HOSA Senior Lily Gallegos and Freshman Jonathan Fino competed in team event  Health Careers Display board showcasing in the medical career of a Cardiac Surgeon featuring traditional heart surgery and DaVinci Robot minimally invasive surgery techniques. Turlock HOSA chapter placed in two recognition events and brought home two State finalist awards in HOSA Happenings Newsletter and Outstanding HOSA Chapter Scrapbook. They also had two voting delegates and six Courtesy Corps awards. During the conference, THS HOSA members collaborated with both Pitman Sports Medicine and Heritage chapters. Graduating seniors are inspired for their future medical pathways and continuing HOSA Bulldogs to lead in 2019-2020! ~Bernadette Galvan
Pitman High School
Last Wednesday the Pitman High School Assyrian Club celebrated the Assyrian New Year at the Assyrian-American Civic Club. Pitman teacher and club advisor Isaac Farhadian, President of the Assyrian-American Civic Club Sam David, Mayor Amy Bublak, and Council Member Andrew Nosrati joined a group of students, family, and community members for a celebration with food, entertainment, and even a history lesson! Guests enjoyed trying traditional foods such baklava, nazook, dolma, hummus, yogurt, and tea.

Facts about Assyrians:
-Stateless nation, mostly in Diaspora
-Predominately Christian
-Unique Middle-Eastern-style culture
-Modern Assyrian language originating from the Ancient Assyrian language (Akkadian vocabulary and Aramaic grammar) Happy Assyrian New Year!
Wakefield Elementary School
New planter boxes for the Wakefield Elementary School Garden!
Osborn Two-Way Immersion Academy
For the 3rd year in a row, Osborn Elementary had approximately 100 third grade students participate in its after school Math Club.
The 411
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.