Marie Russell, Chief Communication Coordinator |
After several weeks of advocacy and effort by our TUSD team and those of neighboring districts, Stanislaus County Health Services Agency will now allow seating chart contact tracing as an option for a positive case in a classroom. This will include not only secondary but elementary schools as well. SCHSA will be providing a final document this week, but here are some main components of the new plan:
- Site administrators will confirm school mitigation practices to Public Health (i.e., masks, supervision, seating charts, ventilation, physical distancing, etc) with teacher(s)
- Student factors will be assessed (i.e., grade level, bus rider, a participant in sports/band/choir)
- If certain criteria met, will proceed automatically to seating chart contact tracing option. Close contacts will be directed to quarantine. Notification will also be required for those who are “contacts,” but not “close contacts.”
- All other situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with Public Health.
We have developed a process for a contact tracing investigation, a stream-lined communication plan, and a user-friendly graphic to help students and parents understand various COVID scenarios (i.e., illness, exposure, positive case). It is important to note that there is still a chance some classrooms may need to be quarantined, but we hope this will be the exception rather than the rule. How can a classroom quarantine be avoided?
- Universal masking
- Strict use of A-Z seating charts with limited mixing in classroom (Note: If students participate in centers or work in the shop, for example, teachers should also keep track of these situations.)
- Door/window open and/or adjusted ventilation by M & O to increase air exchange in classrooms that cannot open a window
- Physical distancing
- Hand hygiene embedded in classroom routines (i.e., when coming into the classroom, before eating, before/after using a shared object, etc)
With the continued decrease in positive cases, we are hopeful that seating chart contact tracing will allow us to keep students and staff safe while also avoiding the disruption of multiple classroom quarantines. Questions? Just reach out.
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Hali Bream, Interim Farm Coordinator |
The Farm has been transitioning into a place of activity, even if students have not been able to come to visit. 1st-grade tours have begun virtually and will be continuing every Wednesday through May! It is exciting to share the Farm's happenings with these student groups. High school FFA market animals are beginning to arrive at the Farm to prepare for the county fair this summer. Check the Instagram site @tusd_farm, or weekly farm clips (elementary) for updates on the animals that arrive! If you haven't checked out the "Farm Clips" that get emailed to all K-6 sites on Mondays please do. You can find plant science and animal science short videos that encourage math and language arts integration. The videos virtually address STEM by researching plant growth & requirements in addition to recording data from our Farm animals as they grow! To check out the past videos you can always go to the TUSD Farm Google Site and find the collection. Last month, a socially-distanced "taste & teach" outdoor lesson for a 4th grade class at Cunningham provided students an opportunity to sample produce from the TUSD Farm and complete a science exploration plus argument as to whether or not they are "super tasters"! Hopefully, I will be able to meet with more students and share what the Farm has to offer as this school year progresses... If you would like to schedule time for a future virtual Farm tour or a lesson with your class, please contact me! |
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Sitara Ali, Ed Tech Coach |
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National Women’s History Month: Inspirational Women
Through education, we can change the world. Through education, we can teach love and acceptance. Dr. Pedro Noguera, during the opportunity to hear him speak on March 4th about Teaching for Racial Justice and Equity, spoke about engaging students in the classroom while using strategies to mitigate inequality, along with eliminating the barriers that are present in our education system. He also stated that in order to raise the poverty level and education of people all over the world, we must first educate women and girls. The education of women has been proven to lead to the education of their children and families, decreasing their family’s poverty
level, and thereby decreasing the education gap which is ever present in our communities. (To hear Dr. Pedro Noguera: Click here to watch.) What better way than to educate our students than by teaching them of the past accomplishments and struggles of women during Women’s History Month.
By using information of famous women throughout history, we can educate our youth to look at past accomplishments and struggles of women of ALL colors throughout history, and utilize technology in order to learn this information and share it with our peers. Libraries may be closed, but the internet is vast and available, putting the entire world at the fingertips of our students.
In looking at using technology to help research and teach our students about Women’s History Month, a wonderful teacher on a Facebook group I follow put together a slideshow with information about many different women throughout history. She used photos she pulled from another artist, and pulled information from online and shared this free resource, to help with the education of our youth.
National Women’s History Month wouldn’t be complete without the great women of today and our past. In honoring all of the women before and after us, I wanted to share this presentation copy, in the hopes that someone could utilize it with their students and with their class. This slideshow makes the perfect starting point for a research topic or a conversation starter with your students, and can be used and shared through Google Classroom with ease.
If you need help with sharing this document or coming up with ideas about how to use this presentation slide show in your classroom, please contact me! I am happy to connect and help.
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Veronica Gomez, Pitman High School |
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How long have you worked in TUSD? 1 year
What is your job title? Administrative Assistant
Where did you work prior to TUSD? I was a Paralegal at a personal injury firm in Modesto
Any info you would like to share about your job? My day consists of a little bit of everything! What I enjoy the most though is the opportunity to problem-solve various situations and communicate with staff throughout the district as well as the public. Problem-solving even the smallest things might make the biggest difference. I am looking forward to having kids back on campus and experiencing that dynamic!
Things you are most proud of? Professionally: Being offered this position. Personally: Continuing to stay positive and move forward regardless of the obstacles and challenges that arise.
Challenges? Answering questions about myself! Ha, this was tough! Drinking a healthy amount of water is also a big challenge...10 out 10 times I will choose an iced coffee instead.
Favorite memory/story? Living in Santa Barbara and having the beach as my backyard! The weather was always beautiful and the sunsets were incredible. Every concert I have been to has left me with great memories too.
What are you reading? Just finished Burnout by Amelia Nagoski and Emily Nagoski. I will be starting The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo.
Fave movies? 50 First Dates
Anything surprising we may not know about you? I hardly ever watch TV and cannot catch on to movie references, even if I have watched the movie multiple times.
Anything about your personal life you’d like to share? Outside of work you might catch me on the coast for the weekend, taking my dogs out for walks, spending time with friends/family in my backyard or on my way to Pismo Beach or Dumont Dunes.
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Dave Walls, Pitman High School |
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Cross Country
Boys and Girls XC hosted the second CCAL Meet of the year on Wednesday. The Pride welcomed the Enochs Eagles and Modesto Panthers for a wet day of running. Even before the first race of the day all of the competitors had to be moved to the Pitman gym to avoid the afternoon lightening. The races were delayed 30 minutes as we waited for the storm to pass. The Pride did a great job on the day as they took both varsity races. Winners on the day: Varsity Boys (3 Miles) – Efren Sanchez 16:08 and Varsity Girls (3 Miles) – Maci Day 18:51. The Pride travel to Gergori on Wednesday for what could be one of the best meets of the short season. While the Pride travel to Gregori, the Turlock Bulldogs will be hosting Downey and Modesto at Pitman.
Girls Golf
Pitman Girls Golf played at Turlock CC on Wednesday as they battled Turlock and Enochs. The ladies finished behind Turlock and Enochs on the afternoon with a team score of 261. The Pride were led by Simon Samra’s 43 which was a new personal best, Isabelle Rodriguez 48, Monet Sayadian 49, Hailegh Faria shot a 58 to go along with Tiffany Sommerville’s 63. The Pride also took time to celebrated their two seniors on the day Isabelle Rodriguez and Hailegh Faria. We appreciate all they have contributed to Pitman golf over the last four years and they will be missed.
The Pride will finish up league play on Wednesday as they return back to Turlock CC for a match against Turlock and Downey.
Boys Tennis
Boys Tennis continues their improved played with two matches on the week. On Tuesday the Pride traveled to Downey as the Knights took victory 7-2 over the Pride. The Pride ended the week on Thursday with a tough fought 2-7 match against the Turlock Bulldogs. The Pride won #1 # 2 doubles for the day.
Boys Tennis will host Enochs on Tuesday and travel to Gregori on Thursday to end the season.
Swimming
Boys and Girls Swimming travel to Modesto on Friday to take on Gregori. The JVB and JVG all continuing to improve. The Varsity Boys had their best meet of the year as they lost to the Panthers 82-74 as the meet came down to the last event – the 400 Free Relay. The Varsity Girls brought home another victory as they moved to 3-0 on the season. The Lady Pride took the afternoon 93-61.
Boys Individual Winners
Cesar Flores – 50 Free @ 25.47
Evan Lumpkin – 100 Fly @ 1:09.31
Girls Individual Winners
Varsity Girls Medley Relay (A) @ 2:06.27
Lily Martin – 200 FREE @ 2:27.72
Maddie Ngo – 200 IND MEDLEY @ 2:32.96
Megan Hall – 50 FREE @ 26.39
Megan Hall – 100 FLY @ 1:09.41
Lily Martin – 500 FREE @ 6:36.38
Grace Linderman – 100 BACK @ 1:13.45
Maddie Ngo - 100 Breaststroke @ 1:21.19
Varsity Girls 400 Free Relay (A) @ 4:09.82
Upcoming Pride Athletics 3/15-3/20
Monday
No Sports
Tuesday
BOYS TENN vs. Enochs – 3:00 PM
Wednesday
Cross Country @ CCAL #2 Cluster Meet / Gregori HS - 2:30 PM
Girls Golf @ Dryden GC (Downey / Turlock) – 1:30 PM
Thursday
BOYS TENN @ Gregori – 3:00
SWIM @ Downey – 3:30
Friday
JV Football vs. Enochs HS (@ Johansen) – 5:00 PM
Varsity Football vs. Enochs HS (@ Johansen) – 7:00 PM
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Colin Wenstrand, Turlock High School |
SEASON ONE REVIEW
Girls Golf by Coach Krupka
On Wednesday the Bulldogs took on the crosstown Pitman Pride and Modesto’s Enochs in a girls CCAL golf match that was held at TGCC. The golf course was in great shape and the gals played a quick 9 holes to get the match completed without interference from thunder showers. Here are the final scores:
- Enochs 236
- Turlock 241
- Pitman 261
As with the previous two matchups with Enochs, Turlock finished 2nd. But, in contrast to last week’s match, where THS lost to Enochs by 31 strokes, the Bulldogs put some heat on the Eagles, only losing by 5 strokes. This was a great improvement by the team and Coach Krupka was very proud of her gals. Seniors, Ainslie Coughran and Lacey Hibdon, lead the way for what was their last match at TGCC as BULLDOGS. Helping the team with the rebuilding plan were freshmen Sydney Streeter and Isabella Dowd. These two young ladies, in their own quiet way, have brought the team some positive and competitive mojo.
The team has their last match next Wednesday at Dryden Golf in Modesto. The team hopes to build off of their latest performance and finish strong.
Boys Tennis
On Tuesday, Turlock’s #1 thru 5 singles players won their individual matches to notch a 5-4 team win against Gregori. Gregori had previously defeated Turlock in first-round play where three matches went to a tie-break, so Tuesday’s outcome was a great step for Turlock. On Thursday, Turlock traveled across town for the Harvest Slam match against Pitman controlling the day for another team win.
Cross Country
Cross Country had their second race of the season last week with another CCAL tri-meet held on campus at Gregori last Wednesday. Freshman standout, Ryan Arias, had a stellar finish on the JV Boys side while Isabella Sanabria had another great race in JV Girls. Sergio Mazon and Brody Vecchione led the Varsity Boys while Fatima Chavez and Cynthia Varela led the Varsity Girls on the wet 5K course at Gregori. Girls video | Boys video
Swim
Swim traveled to Downey last week for their third of five CCAL meets. Both Varsity squads remain undefeated as the girls topped the Knights 123-43 and the boys 136-30. Michael Tobin, Cohen Harris, Jackson Thomas, Christian Heppner, Evan Christophera and Drew Folly all won their individual events on the boys side while Emma Jacquay, Sierra Yandel, Abigail Braley, Hannah Castro and Briann Kuntz won their races respectively.
SEASON TWO PREVIEW
Last week Girls Tennis and Boys Golf continued their early-season training and preparation with an eye on March 22 opening day for Golf and March 30 for Tennis. Football was given the go-ahead to begin their season following the CDPH’s most recent numbers for Stanislaus County along with the development of a weekly testing program arranged by Admin, Student Activities, the Health Office and our Athletic Trainer. Football opens this week at home against Downey. Volleyball has been moved from Season Two into Season Three to coincide with other indoor sports including Basketball and Wrestling.
This Week in Sport
Tue 3/16: Boys Tennis v Downey - 3 PM
Wed 3/17: Girls Golf at Dryden - 1:30 PM
Cross Country @ Pitman - 1:30PM
Thu 3/18: Boys Tennis v Modesto - 3 PM
Fri 3/20: Swim @ Enochs - 3:30PM
Football v Downey - 5PM & 7PM
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She’s not throwing away her shot! "I've never been so excited to get a shot.”
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We interrupt your regular scheduled programming to take over your news feed with pics of the beautiful, new Turlock High School science building. Science teachers got a sneak peak inside for the first time yesterday and it will soon be move-in day! What a journey it has been and none of it would have been possible without our Turlock community’s support of Measures N & O. Give a shout out to a science teacher who made a difference in your life! |
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Share Your Awesome!
Marie Russell
Chief Communication Coordinator
mrussell@turlock.k12.ca.us
209.648.0968
@tusd_mrussell
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We would love to have ALL staff help share our TUSD story to the world, but if that is not really your thing, just email Marie Russell for an opt-out form. |
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