Stockton Unified Schools Aid in Camp Fire Relief
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Paradise, California, home to more than 27,000 people, has been devastated by the Camp Fire, the most destructive fire in state history. To help those directly impacted, many Stockton Unified schools have stepped up to hold and participate in fundraisers and donation drives.
During a press conference with Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs and community leaders, Edison High School students announced that their two-week donation drive resulted in two vans full of new and gently used clothes, blankets and other items. Students and staff delivered the items to the Red Cross station at the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley, California during Thanksgiving break. While there, students also assisted Red Cross volunteers with organizing the donated items they'd received. “If the tables were turned, I know Paradise High School would help us too,” said Edison High senior Alondra Manzo.
Several other SUSD schools reached out to their school communities to aid those affected by the Camp Fire. Among those schools is Rio Calaveras Elementary, which challenged their school to raise $3,000 by dropping change into classroom donation stations. Huerta Elementary held a “Clothes 4 Kids” drive to collect clothes for victims of the Camp Fire. Peyton Elementary contributed to the Stockton Ports' fundraiser for books and other school supplies for affected schools.
We are incredibly proud of our schools and community for coming together to help those impacted by the Camp Fire. Monetary donations can still be made online at
StocktonHelpsParadise.com
or mailed to the Community Foundation of San Joaquin at 6735 Herdon Place, Suite B, Stockton, CA 95219.
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Chavez Collects Toys for the Stockton Community
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Our very own Cesar Chavez Titans teamed up with California High Way Patrol’s CHiPs for Kids for their 11th Annual Toy Drive Saturday, December 1st. They did not let rain ruin their parade. Led by teacher Patty Rivera, students, parents, and local California High Way Patrol Officers gathered over 200 toys which included four shiny new bikes. Their efforts will continue this Saturday, December 8th. Students hope to double their efforts and will team up December 15th with local officers to distribute toys to the youth of Stockton. We applaud their effort and encourage you to stop by the Wal-Mart on Hammer Lane between the hours of 8:00 am and 1:00 pm to donate and catch some incredible student performances.
As we soar through the season of giving, we are humbly reminded that many of our families have financial hardships. A small gesture can have a ripple effect of hope. Our district is committed to supporting the youth of Stockton, and we could not be more proud of the efforts made by our local community.
Please note that the district has partnered with the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots. Donations are still being accepted at the following locations: Stockton Unified School District Office, 702 N. Madison St., Edison High School, 100 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and Chase Chevrolet, 6441 Holman Rd.
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SUSD Police Department Distributes Meals
By: The SUSD Police Chief Anne Johnston
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During the week of November 19, 2018, Stockton Unified School District made Thanksgiving a little nicer for many of our students and their families. Superintendent Dr. John Deasy’s office coordinated the collection of Thanksgiving meals from SUSD staff, and nearly 40 Thanksgiving dinners, including turkeys with all the fixings and pumpkin pies, were delivered to SUSD high school students and their families by several members of the SUSD Police Department. Recipients of these dinners were extremely surprised and appreciative, and surely enjoyed a family gathering and delicious meal they may otherwise not have, thanks to the donations by many generous and caring SUSD employees.
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"The Egret Takes Flight" Unveiled on the Miracle Mile
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Thank you to all who attended the unveiling of "The Egret Takes Flight" along the Stockton Miracle Mile. The art is based on a photograph by local photographer Rich Turner. The mural can be viewed on the Southeast corner of Adams Street and Pacific Avenue in Stockton, CA.
Three Edison High students contributed to the painting, with Edison High art teacher Temo Moreno as lead artist on the project. Several Stockton Early College Academy student also contributed to the project by preparing the space where the mural was placed.
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Native American Indian Center (NAIC) Expands Library
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For more than thirty-five years, the SUSD Native American Indian Center (NAIC) has been a valuable resource for Native American families in the district. The intertribal center, located on the Edison High School campus, represents nearly a hundred different tribal affiliations within SUSD and works to meet the culturally-related academic needs of Indigenous students.
Among the many resources the NAIC offers is access to a library filled with hundreds of books about native culture. The NAIC expanded this library over the summer by purchasing $20,000 worth of additional books to share with students, parents, teachers and staff.
“The importance of sharing native culture with our students through books and literature cannot be underestimated,” said SUSD Native American Specialist Terri Johnson. “Our library shares our stories and showcases native writers, poets and illustrators. This allows our native students to see themselves, hear voices like their own, and connect with their culture. The library also serves to educate others about Native Americans from the past as well as present day.”
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Parent Tip:
Keep Reading Through the Holidays
Provided by the SUSD Parent/Community Empowerment Department
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Although winter vacation gives your child a break from school, don't let it be a break from learning, too. Parents are the first and best teachers of children, so take advantage of your time together during the holidays.
Research shows that 40 percent of fourth grade students in the United States fall short in reading skills. But, research also shows that children who read with their families know more words than other students. Here are some things you can do as you read with your child:
- Ask questions about the story and illustrations.
- Read from different types of books: poetry, fairy tales and information books.
- Point to the words as you read (if your child is an early reader) so your child sees that words go from left to right on the page.
- Find favorite books and read them again and again.
- Talk about new words. What does enormous mean?
- Find words that rhyme. Say them aloud.
If your child has trouble with reading, talk to the teacher before the vacation begins to get ideas about the best ways to help your child with reading.
If you spend time reading with your child during the holidays, you will be giving the best gift possible—one that will last a lifetime!
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San Joaquin Students Participate in Mock Trial
The San Joaquin Elementary fifth-grade student jury found the 'Big Bad Wolf' GUILTY during their First Impressions Mock Trial based on the "Three Little Pigs."
The First Impressions program, organized by the San Joaquin Superior Court, is intended to teach fifth-grade students about the judicial system and three branches of government. San Joaquin Elementary is one of the select schools in the county to participate.
Mr. Ruelas and Mrs. Moua's classes at San Joaquin Elementary are in the process of preparing for their mock trial court dates with the judges and attorneys. They will be conducting their trials in early December.
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SECA Holds First Annual
3k Color Run
More than 120 students participated in the Stockton Early College Academy first annual "Wolf Pack Color Run"! The 3k race, hosted by the SECA Yearbook Club, contained five color stations along the course. Students had a wonderful time participating!
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Stockton Kings and Barnes & Noble Donate Books to Elmwood Elementary
Students at Elmwood Elementary received a special surprise today when Stockton Kings mascot Dunkson, Barnes & Noble
, Beeline Concrete Cutting, Collins Electrical Company, Inc., and 209 Furniture stopped by to donate books to the school! Thank you for your donation!
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SUSD Gives Back During the Season of Giving
We're so proud of our Kohl Open students, families and staff! They held a two-week change drive for the St. Mary's Dining Hall and raised $2,360.
King Elementary School collected 805 lbs of canned food for the Harvest Food Bank's 2018 Kids Can Food Drive.
Great work by all!
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Founder of Peer Leaders Uniting Students (PLUS) Program
Visits SUSD
John Vandenburgh, founder of the Peer Leaders Uniting Students (PLUS) program, visited several SUSD schools last month to encourage students to commit to taking care of one another. "Our purpose is to create a culture on campuses and in communities where inclusion is a reality for all young people," writes Vandenburgh in his presentation. The district has implemented PLUS programs at all SUSD schools and has used the program for six successful years.
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Challenge Day at Henry Elementary
Students at Henry Elementary participated in Challenge Day, an experiential social and emotional learning program for grades 7-12 and offers schools and youth organizations an opportunity to ignite a shift toward greater school connectedness, empathy, and inclusivity.
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School Psychologists Week
November 12-16, 2018 was School Psychologists Week! Did you know that the Delta Area Association of School Psychologist (DAASP) President Weynesha Fultcher is a school psychologist in SUSD? That's right!
Mrs. Fultcher recently invited California Association of School Psychologist (CASP) President Dr. Brian Leung to speak with district school psychologists about new legislation, innovative practices and more. Thank you for visiting, Dr. Leung!
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Dollar General Donates $15,000 to Edison High Literacy Initiatives
Thank you to the Dollar General for your generous donation to Edison High School! Representatives from Dollar General surprised the school with a check for $10,000 yesterday, but added that an additional $5,000 will be donated for a total of $15,000! The money will be put towards literacy initiatives at the school. Once again, thank you Dollar General!
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Peyton Rises to Pizza Hut's Principal Challenge
Peyton Elementary Principal Carla Gonzales read her heart out this month for the Pizza Hut Book It Principal Challenge! In recognition of National
Young Readers
Week, the Pizza Hut challenged principals to read to classes all day long.
Thank you Principal Gonzales for raising awareness for the importance of literacy and generating passion for reading among your young learners.
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Native American Heritage Month Celebrated in SUSD
The Stockton Unified Board of Education declared November 2018 as Native American Heritage Month. To celebrate, schools across the district taught lessons and held assemblies to demonstrate different aspects of native culture.
Hoover Elementary invited Valley Intertribal Dancers to perform at their school this month. Dancers included: Grass Dancers, Jingle Dress Dancers and more Traditional Dancers. They each performed their dance of origin, as well as old-style and traditional dances.
San Joaquin Elementary held an Indigenous People's Day Celebration assembly for students. Performers included Val Shadowhawk of the Pnaci InterTribal Cultural Heritage Council and Javier Gardea of Danza Azteca, a traditional Precolombian cultural group.
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Stockton Heat Launches Year Two of Literacy Competition
We're excited to have kicked off the second annual "Get in the Game. Read!" competition with the Heat and the Mayor's Office.
Second- and third- grade students from Fremont, Hamilton, Monroe, Van Buren and Taft elementary schools will participate and receive free tickets to a Stockton Heat game this spring, where the school with most books read will be recognized. Our goal is to have our students read more than 20,000 books throughout the competition.
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Father Engagement at the
Haggin Museum
SUSD fathers joined the SUSD Parent/Community Empowerment Department for a private tour of the Haggin Museum to explore paintings, relics and artifacts depicting the history of early Stockton. The hour-long guided tour highlighted the immigrant tapestry that created our diverse city.
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(209) 933-7025
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