Hello Lions,
This was STEAM Week in the Lion's Den. Science teachers, Mrs. Palencia and Mr. Holo, and math teacher, Dr. Rabanera, planned three days of robust STEAM activities for our students. Day one was STEAM Challenges. The morning was dedicated to Adult Transition Program students who competed in Lego car building and racing, an army parachute launch, and paper airplane races. First, second, and third place winners were celebrated in every category.
|
|
The students in the picture below were selected by their teachers to be STEAM Ambassadors for these competitions. Their leadership skills were an asset to keeping the activities running smoothly throughout the day. Thank you, STEAM Ambassadors! |
|
La Vista and La Sierra Opportunity students competed in the Lego car design & race and paper airplane design & throw STEAM Challenges during period five. Each class also participated in an egg drop competition (see picture to the right) to see which class created the best device to protect their eggs when dropped from the second-floor landing. |
|
The second STEAM day was dedicated to Symposium Speakers and student exhibits. The first speakers were photographers who discussed how the art form of photography can give back to the community. The second speaker was from Fullerton College. She presented on the different STEAM pathways available to students at Fullerton College.
After the Symposium, students made their way to the library to see the STEAM projects students exhibited in the following categories:
Science - Environmental Impact
Science - 3D Models
ELD - News Channel
Art - Photography
Math - Theme Park Project
Math - Art
Social Studies - Protest Posters
|
|
Mrs. Palencia, Mr. Holo, and Dr. Rabanera held a STEAM Awards Ceremony in the library on the last day to celebrate the students who placed first in the different exhibit categories. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the students who worked so hard to make this year's STEAM Week such a success. Please click on this week's Lion's Roar (posted after this letter) to see the winners! |
|
Another exciting event that happened this week at La Vista/La Sierra was the Job Fair. Thirty-four employers were there to speak to our students about job opportunities in our community. The event took place in the Troy High School Gym and was organized by the guidance techs at La Vista/La Sierra and Troy. We are grateful to our guidance tech, Carlos Aldaco, for organizing such a beneficial event for our students. Thank you, Mr. Aldaco! |
|
Finally, Superintendent Dr. Steve McLaughlin and I traveled to Sacramento this week for the California Teacher of the Year Gala to celebrate La Sierra High School Adult Transition Program teacher, Sovey Long-Latteri. It is such an honor to have one of our own teachers recognized at this level. The last and only other time the Fullerton Joint Union High School District had a California Teacher of the Year was in 2000 when Sonora High School teacher, Jack Hawkins, received the honor. And he was there! (See picture above). Mrs. Long-Laterri will be doing a lot of public speaking in her role as the California Teacher of the Year and she is using her platform to bring more awareness to special education and the Adult Transition Program. Way to go, Mrs. Long-Latteri. We are so proud of you!
There is only one week of instruction left before finals and even less than that for our graduating seniors. Please use this weekend wisely. It's time to study and complete any work that teachers will still accept. Let's end the year strong!
As a reminder, ASB is sponsoring a "wear pajamas to school" day on Monday so don't forget to wear your PJ's.
Have a great weekend, Lions.
Roar!
Sandi Layana, Principal
La Vista/La Sierra High Schools
|
|
May 6, 2022
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Fullerton Joint Union High School District recognizes the importance of social emotional learning, and has developed a district-wide focus on students’ social and emotional well being.
In the Fall, you may recall that we administered an anonymous wellness screener to gather data on our students wellness and needs as they returned to school. To gather data on our continued needs and potential progress in how we support our students, we will administer a second round of the same survey. The students’ survey will be anonymous, though it will provide us with feedback on student wellness across school sites, grade levels and gender.
The survey questions are a compilation of two nationally recognized social emotional learning surveys, specifically Panorama and CoVitality. The questions were selected to reflect the diversity of our school culture and our communities. The responses will provide insights on how well students are able to navigate their school day feeling secure and supported, managing their emotions successfully, feeling and showing empathy for others, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and making responsible decisions.
This Spring Semester survey administration is just one step in understanding our students’ social emotional development. We intend to closely understand how students are progressing educationally by taking into consideration how growth in social emotional skills positively affects academic progress.
The information obtained from this survey will therefore provide us with an opportunity to continue to create systems of support that will be linked to targeted areas of student development. It will also support our plan and processes for improving students' effectiveness in learning and utilizing various social emotional learning strategies to enhance their academic and social well being.
On May 16, 2022, students across the district will be asked to participate in a brief survey that asks them to:
self-reflect on what resources they can access at school to support them and their goals,
how much they believe they can succeed in achieving academic outcomes, and how much they believe they can achieve when given support; and how well they manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations,
how well they consider the perspectives of others and empathize with them, and
how well they use positive coping skills.
The responses to this survey will be completely confidential, and all the information gathered will be exclusively used by FJUHSD with all privacy laws enforced. If you have any questions about the survey, please don’t hesitate to contact the administration.
Although we encourage that our students take part in this assessment, we respect your decision to have your student opt out of this survey. We therefore ask your student to inform his/her teacher at the time of the administration of the survey of the decision to not participate in it.
Thank you very much for your ongoing support, cooperation and confidence
in our ability to serve all students effectively.
Sincerely,
Sandi Layana
|
|
|
|
Superintendent Steve McLaughlin, Ed.D. provides a monthly newsletter update for parents, students, staff, and the community.
|
|
|
|
|
Virtual College & Career Center |
|
The Sunrise Rotary Club provides tremendous support to La Vista/La Sierra. The club rewards students of the quarter, sponsors students to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening Camp, supports the ATP Rotaract Club, provides scholarships, and more. Each year the Sunrise Rotary Club holds a fundraiser to raise money all the charitable work they do for . This is always a fun event and here is a link to the event if you would like more information or would like to attend! www.fullertonsunriserotary.org
|
|
La Vista La Sierra Clubs 2021-22 |
|
Opportunity Plus Extended Day |
|
Dear parents/guardians,
It is with great enthusiasm that I would like to inform you of a unique opportunity your student will have to receive additional support called Opportunity Plus. Please review the information below. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Mission: To provide students purposeful after school time within a supportive, trauma informed environment to complete school work, develop social-emotional skills and explicitly build strong character. This will be accomplished with the support of positive student leaders, exemplary staff and knowledgeable community partners.
Who: Opportunity students who have been identified as needing additional academic and social emotional support to succeed.
What: Students will engage in individual and group tutoring and counseling led by teachers and trained community partners. During this time students will have access to caring, trauma informed staff and other adults who can support them academically, socially and emotionally.
When: An extended day, 7th & 8th period lasting two(2) weeks: 1:34 pm - 3:07 pm. Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Why: We know that not every student is equipped with the tools and resources to be successful independently. Additionally, some students need more support to build and refine important life skills such as asking questions, communicating effectively, regulating emotions and goal setting. Other students simply require a dedicated safe space to complete work and ask questions away from distractions.
Where: Library - Our library has been refurbished with tables, and chairs that model a college lounge. The library was designed to encourage students to stay, engage and learn. Several classrooms will also be used.
How: Students will be identified based on grades and attendance every two(2) weeks. Students can also volunteer to stay for tutoring or social emotional counseling.
*During Opportunity Plus all students will be offered a snack.
Fred Carr
Assistant Principal, La Vista/La Sierra High School
(714) 447-5504
|
|
Dear Parent/ Guardian,
La Vista/La Sierra High School is excited to bring school-based mental health services addressing concerns that may impact the educational progress of our students. Individual and/ or group counseling services may be available by a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to address school-based mental health concerns. Masters-level professionals and student interns, under the supervision of licensed personnel, may also provide services for the students.
The information discussed in counseling sessions will remain confidential except those issues mandated by law to report. For example, incidents of child or elder abuse, neglect, communication of a threat of physical injury to specific people or property, or indication of suicidal thoughts or plans will be reported.
School-based mental health services are provided by the agencies listed below at FJUHSD:
CareSolace, Vista Community Clinics (VCC), Tasha Training and Consulting (TTC), Phoenix House, Congruent Lives and SENECA
Based on identified concerns, level of support needed, and capacity, students will be linked to the appropriate agency. This form allows us to communicate with one or any of these agencies, in order to ensure your child receives the proper support.
Filling out this form will allow us to communicate with one or any of these agencies in order to ensure your child receives the proper support. If you are interested in your child’s ability to receive any services from any of the listed agencies above, please fill out student information and sign under parent/guardian signature. Click here for the consent form to this letter.
|
|
Dear FJUHSD families,
The Fullerton Joint Union High School District fosters a culture that promotes the health, safety, and well-being of students, staff & their families. In an effort to continuously support this commitment, the district has partnered with Care Solace.
Care Solace is an online resource with a live 24/7 concierge meant to assist individuals in finding local mental health related programs and counseling services. Care Solace is a tool for school staff and families to connect with community-based mental healthcare resources and providers. Their proprietary care navigation system taps into a vast database of mental healthcare resources to find carefully vetted local therapists and programs in minutes.
School district families and staff may access Care Solace services in two ways:
1. Call (888) 515-0595 to speak with someone from your Concierge team
- Representatives are standing by to take your call or email 24/7/365
- Answer ten easy questions to receive an extensive list of referrals to applicable care providers. Care Solace takes into account all types of private insurance including Medi-Cal, Medicaid, and Medicare and those that have no insurance. The platform also filters by age, gender, zip code and special request.
Care Solace is now available for use by district families and staff at no cost. Care Solace does not require a name, address, phone number, or date of birth. All information entered on the Care Solace tool is completely confidential and securely stored.
Please note, this service is an optional resource available by choice and is not mandatory in any way. Care Solace is not an emergency response service or mental health services provider. In the event of a life threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1 or the National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255. If you are interested in seeking counseling-related services at this time, please consider visiting www.caresolace.com/fjuhsdfamilies
Warmest regards,
Dr. Steve McLaughlin
Superintendent of Schools
Fullerton Joint Union High School District
|
|
La Vista & La Sierra High School
(714) 447-7821
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
