Grizzly Madness

Grizzly Madness will be Saturday, March 23rd from 5 - 10pm at the San Ramon Community Center Fountain Room. Ticket prices are $65 per person for event admission and appetizers, plus 2 drink coupons (wine, beer or soda only), or $150 per person for event admission, poker buy-in, appetizers and 2 drink coupons (wine, beer or soda only).

Purchase your tickets here: 2024 Grizzly Madness Casino Night (auctria.com)

This year's event will feature a Silent Auction with items donated by and on behalf of Cal High Sports teams. Make arrangements for donation drop off by emailing grizzlymadness323@gmail.com for a donation form and drop off instructions.

Textbooks

Seniors!

Your Ball is just around the corner! Be sure to return all your overdue library books and textbooks so you won't be left out! Thank you!

50th Anniversary Edition of the Cal High Yearbook (2024)

1) Purchasing a yearbook:  Please check this list (link here) to see if you have purchased a yearbook (press <ctl><f> to find your name). Ms. Brindley is now selling yearbooks for cash or check only (payable to Cal High Yearbook) in WL-1 until all the ordered yearbooks have been sold. The past two years we have sold out the yearbooks, so please DO NOT WAIT to purchase a yearbook.

2) Deadlines: Please know that the yearbook class has very tight deadlines and all senior and underclassmen pictures have been sent in to be published. The book must be completed by March 28th. It is too late to make any changes to senior portraits and underclassmen pictures.  

If you have any other yearbook-related questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Brindley via email (jbrindl@srvusd.net). 

Class of 2024

Senior Wall Photos Needed

Senior Parents:

Grad Night is right around the corner and one of the highlights of the evening is the “Senior

MemoryWall.”

What is the Memory Wall? It is a poster with photos of your senior through the years.

These posters will be hung at the event for all the students to enjoy and take home at the end of the

night.

What is needed from you the parents? 10 photos (no larger than 4x6) these photos will be cut,

glued, and laminated. Place these photos in a gallon size Ziploc bag with your students’ full name and drop it off in the box at the school office BY MARCH 31st .

If you have any questions, please reach out to Lisa Mittone.

Greenbrook Alumni Scholarship

Greenbrook Elementary is currently accepting applications for the Greenbrook Alumni Scholarship. This is open to any graduating senior that attended Greenbrook Elementary. Application deadline is May 1, 2024.

Cal High PTSA Honorary Service Awards 2024

Recognize the Grizzly having gone above and beyond this year!

Do you know a parent volunteer, teacher, staff member or other organization that contributes exceptionally to the well-being of our students?  Nominate them for the 2024 Cal High PTSA HSA Award.  Deadline to submit is Monday, April 8, 2024.

Recipients of an award will be recognized at a special ceremony in May during the Principal’s Coffee. 

Awards/Criteria

• Very Special Person (VSP) award is for an individual/PTA constituent that has contributed to the school community in a special way.
• Honorary Service Awards (HSA) is a special recognition to an individual for outstanding service to our youth.
• Continuing Service Award (CSA) is special recognition to an individual for exceptional service to our youth over a continued period of time.
• Golden Oak Service Award is California’s state PTA’s most prestigious award to an individual for significant contributions to the welfare of youth in the school or community.
• Outstanding Teacher Award
• Outstanding Administrator Award is special recognition to an administrator service in welfare of youth in the PTA school, or community.

To nominate, click on the CHS HSA Nomination Form 

Art Reflections

Art Reflections is a PTA supported program run entirely by parent volunteers. This year's theme was, I Am Hopeful Because...

Cal High had 22 entries in all 6 categories - a wonderful turnout!! With each advancement of the judging process, we continue to maintain pride in our students and in our school!

Here is a recap of this year's 32nd District Reflections results:

61 submissions from 59 students representing 4 councils and 30 schools, with over 400 students participating this year. Of the 61 submissions, 26 received Awards of Excellence and moved up to CAPTA. 

Let's congratulate these two students representing California High School in their work of art! Both students work of art is included in the Showcase and is advancing forward again!! 

Please join us for the Reflections Showcase held at the:

Contra Costa County Office of Education

Thursday, March 21st, 2024

5 - 6 PM

2024 Signing Day

The Athletic Department is excited to announce that Cal High's 2024 Signing Day will be on April 17, 2024. Any student-athlete who will sign a National Letter of Intent by the end of the school year is invited to participate. Please visit this web page for more information. If you wish to participate, please submit this Google form. Questions can be directed to Chad Ross, Athletic Director: cross@srvusd.net.

California High Athletic Boosters

March CAB Meeting

Monday, March 25 · 7:00 – 8:00pm

Time zone: America/Los_Angeles

Google Meet joining info

Video call link

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 516-261-2106‬ PIN: ‪584 602 161‬#

We are still looking for a Treasurer for the 2024-25 school year. If you are interested, please reach out via email: calathletics@srvef.org

CHS Instrumental Music Boosters is a non-profit organization that fundraises to support the Instrumental Music Program at Cal High.

Booster/Parent Meetings:

Thursday, March 21 at 7pm - Band Room 

Booster Meetings are open to anyone interested in learning about the details of the Boosters' activities or about the wide array of opportunities to help the Instrumental Music Program. Please join our efforts to keep our program running. 

**Call for Booster Board Members **: If you are interested in taking a board position next year, please email calhighbandboosterprez@gmail.com

• President, Vice President / Fundraising & Secretary: our current board members will be around next year to offer support and guidance. 
• Treasurer: We need a new Treasurer now! In order to be fully ready to assume responsibility for this position by June 24, job shadowing needs to begin ASAP. 

Instrumental Music News:

• Area Band Festival, March 20 - CHS Event Center @ 7pm.

Drama Boosters

The Zen Den

Non District Courses

Hello parents, 

If your student is planning on enrolling for a Non District Course during summer please read all the information at this link Summer Advancement Via Outside Institution 

Follow the below steps.

1. Non District Course Intent Application (For summer coursework for 2024-25 school year) - Advancement application closes and Proof of Enrollments are due by June 27, 2024 @ 11:59 pm 

2. Complete Step 2 (Application to Place Credit) on my webpage 

- Please submit this Application to Place Credit form after you have completed the course.

Upload the completed form, signed by both the student and parent(s). Section 4, Question 3 of the Google form is where you need to upload the signed form.

 (NOTE- Paper Copies of "Application to Place Credit" will not be accepted.)

3. Submission of your Official NDC Transcript from the institution to the Registrar's office by the deadline. The deadline to submit the summer transcript is Friday, August 16, 2024 (Transcripts emailed from a student/parent are not considered official and will not be accepted.)

No late submissions will be allowed. 

This Timeline applies for courses taken at all institutions.  

·        June 27 @ 11:59 pm - Advancement application closes and Proof of Enrollments are due 

·        August 16 - Official transcripts are due. Alternatively, if the institution offers an email option to send it directly to vbattu2@srvusd.net  this is acceptable and will be considered an official copy. (Transcripts emailed from a student/parent are not considered official.)  

Thank you, 

Vinita Battu - Registrar 

California High School

9870 Broadmoor Dr. 

San Ramon CA 94583 

vbattu2@srvusd.net 

Phone: (925) 803-3214          

Fax: (925) 828-1054

Registrar's Website

SRVUSD Superintendent Search Survey Now Open!

San Ramon Valley Unified School District’s Board of Education is asking for our entire community’s help in selecting our next SRVUSD Superintendent. To ensure this is a collaborative and inclusive process, the Board is providing an anonymous online survey and encourages everyone’s participation. This is an opportunity for the Board to receive input from students, staff, parents/caregivers and the wider San Ramon Valley community.

Take the survey now: https://bit.ly/SRVUSDsearch. This survey will be open from March 13 to March 22, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Anyone with questions can feel free to reach out to communications@srvusd.net. We thank our entire community for their support of SRVUSD, and their partnership and participation in this important effort to select our next district leader.

EEC Parent Pit Stop Parent Education Night With Greenlight

Curious about the learning to drive process with your teen with exceptional needs? Please join us for a FREE presentation by driving experts and Greenlight Simulation founders Jason Zimmerman and Josh Hurley. They will lay out the steps to acquiring a license and provide some foundational tips on how to approach behind-the-wheel driver training with your teen.

Parent Pit Stop - A Guide To Getting Your Teen Behind The Wheel; Wed. 3/20 7:00pm-8:00pm at Iron Horse Middle School MPR. 

Please be sure to RSVP here. This event is for parents only.

Celebrating and Protecting our Youth

Wednesday, March 20, 5:30-7:00 pm

At this not-to-miss event, attendees can receive overdose rescue training and free Narcan kits! Come build awareness on topics connected to prescription drug abuse, learn about prevention strategies, and be empowered with resources and information shared by local youth. Register: bit.ly/NCAPDAforYouth. 

Raw Truths, Real Solutions: Suicide Prevention Panel

Parents and teens are encouraged to attend “Raw Truths, Real Solutions,” a suicide prevention panel presented by the San Ramon Police Department and Teen Esteem in partnership with Leadership San Ramon Valley Class of 2024 on Wednesday, March 27 at 6PM at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center. This event will dive into the raw truths surrounding depression, educate how to understand the urgency of prevention, and provide ways to recognize symptoms and respond. Information tables will be available to connect students and families with resources such as their local Teen Council, Discovery Counseling Center of the San Ramon Valley, PFLAG Danville-San Ramon Valley, and SEWA.  RSVP to attend.

Parent Engagement Workshops With NAACP

SRVUSD Parents/Caregivers are invited and encouraged to attend these Parent Engagement Workshops, presented by the Hayward Chapter of the NAACP over the coming months. In addition to attending in person at the District Boardroom, a virtual option has been added to each of the dates.  RSVP here. 

The dates are 

• Middle School:  May 2, 6:00-7:30pm
• High School: May 16, 6:00-7:30pm

Measures E & F Protect Excellent San Ramon Valley Schools

California High School PTSA supports Measures E & F. Join us and see who else in the community supports Measures E & F at yesonmeasuresef.com/endorsements. You can add your name there as well.

How to Improve Communication With Your Teen by Minimizing "Why" Questions

Dear Families,

In our last newsletter, I talked about the importance of not constantly grilling teens about grades. Another communication style to be mindful of is the “Why” question.

• “Why haven’t you started your schoolwork?”
• “Why did you wait so long?”
• “Why are you missing work?”

"Why" questions can come across as accusatory, putting teens on the defensive. Instead, ask questions that help move your teen toward a new and more beneficial habit or behavior.

• Rather than “Why are you not studying for bio sooner and meeting with the teacher?" ask, “It looks like the bio test was challenging! Can you think of anything you can change that would help studying before the next test?”
• In lieu of “Why didn’t you talk to your teacher?” ask if your teen would like your help or suggestions: “How about jotting down some questions you have for the teacher so you don’t forget what you need to ask?” 

For more tips on how to improve communication with your teen, read this week’s blog, Talking to Your Teen: The End of ‘Why’ Questions.

You can also join SOS4Students Coach Kelsi Kane and me for our Talking to Your Teen: Collaboration vs Collision parent workshop on March 17 at 6:30 pm via Zoom. In this final session of our 3-part series, we’ll explore typical parent-child communication issues, including woes and pitfalls (see more details below).

Warmly,

Beth Samuelson

Director, SOS4Students

PS: Summer 2024 Workshop Registration Is LIVE! It’s never too early to begin planning for summer vacation and making time for your student to attend one or more of our popular summertime executive-function-based programs. Our workshops sell out, so register before May 1, 2024, to secure a spot and take advantage of early bird rates. More information below..

Summer 2024 Workshop Registration Is Live

It’s never too early to begin planning for summer vacation and making time for your student to attend one or more of our popular summertime executive-function-based programs.

• Designed to build study tools, habits, and strategies.
• Our workshops often sell out, so register before May 1, 2024, to ensure a spot and lock in early bird rates.
• All workshops are held in-person at Lafayette Library.

GRADES 4 & 5

Junior Executive Brain Bootcamp helps 4th and 5th graders prepare for middle school by honing foundational executive function skills. Sign Up

GRADE 6

Mastering Middle School is an intensive master workshop that prepares and teaches incoming 6th graders everything they need to know for a successful transition to middle school. Sign Up

GRADES 7 & 8

Middle School Blitz teaches students entering grades 7 & 8 the essential study strategies they need to manage increasingly complex homework, long-term assignments, and outside activities. Sign Up

Take Note: Introduction to Note Taking for Grades 7 & 8 teaches this fundamental skill to lay the groundwork for continued success in high school, college, and beyond. Sign Up

GRADE 9

Nailing Ninth Grade prepares students and parents for the transition from middle school to high school, including how to handle increased workloads and work more independently. Sign Up

GRADES 10 to 12

Executive Brain Bootcamp teaches executive function skills and strategies high school students need to jumpstart complex tasks, plan, prioritize, and become better organized. Sign Up

GRADES 9 to 12

Secrets of Successful Note Taking demystifies the essential skill of note taking best practices for textbooks, videos, and lectures, making reading and class time more productive. Sign Up

For Parents Searching for Academic Solutions and Tools

In this final session of our 3-part Parent Support Series, we’ll explore typical parent-child communication issues, including woes and pitfalls. You’ll also get to practice how to give effective praise and feedback, plus learn how anxiety can impair effective conversations and how to avoid its trap.

March 17 @ 6:30 pm via Zoom: Talking to Your Teen: Collaboration vs. Collision

If you have questions about SOS4Students workshops, coaching, or other ways in which we can help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (510) 531-4767 or info@sos4students.com. 

San Ramon Children's Makers Market

Vidhra, in collaboration with the City of San Ramon, is thrilled to announce the San Ramon Children's Makers Market taking place on May 4th, 2024, 10AM to 2PM at the Dougherty Station Community Arts Center in San Ramon. This unique one-day marketplace empowers children (ages 7 to 17) to explore their entrepreneurial ideas, receiving valuable feedback from genuine customers in a real-world setting. It serves as an excellent platform for young minds to grasp the intricacies of building a business marketplace. For more information, interested children can contact thevidhra@gmail.com. Act quickly, as applications will be closing soon.