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Irvine Unified School District
April 2015
Venado Middle School Newsletter
Newsletter at a Glance
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A Message from the Principal
Residency Verification
Trimester 2 HONOR Awards Assembly
Trimester 2 PBIS Extended Lunch
Choir Musical Review
Clean Campus Challenge
State Testing
Talent Show
Elective Course Request Process
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Important End-of-the-Year Activities
Parent Night for Incoming 7th Graders
Real-Care Baby Simulation
Irvine High School Family Night
Spirit Days
Honors Concert at Segerstrom Hall
High School Registration Information
City of Irvine Middle School Program
Student Empowerment at Middle School
Events for April
4/6 – 4/10
4/13
4/16
4/16
4/17
4/17
4/21
4/23
4/24
4/27
Spring Recess
Begin SBAC Testing
Knight’s Out – Ruby’s
School Site Council Meeting, 3:15-4:30 pm
Flannel Friday Spirit Day
Talent Show at Irvine High School, 5:00-7:00 pm
Parent Night for Incoming 7th Graders, 6:30-7:30 pm
PTSA Meeting, 6:30-8:00 pm
Wear Green Day Supporting Earth Day
Honors Concert – Segerstrom Hall, 7:00-9:00 pm
A Message from the Principal
As you may know, Venado Middle School was the first middle school in IUSD to bring a Tutorial Program
to the district. Our Tutorial Program offers students a 25 minute period of time immediately after lunch
Monday-Thursday in which to get help from teachers. Students, for the most part, get to pick where to
go for help. Although our staff members believed we had a solid program, they thought there was room
for improvement. As such, Mrs. Vam Dam and I convened a committee of teachers to evaluate the
program and identify changes. After hours of hard work and a great deal of collaboration with our
whole staff, we finalized the program revision and achieved staff consensus to implement the changes.
Students were taught the new expectations in a special lesson delivered through Homeroom classes on
Monday March 23. The changes went into effect the following day. Here are some of the highlighted
changes:
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Students may only attend the Tutorial of one of their teachers.
Teachers will check all Student Planners at their classroom doors for students who have been
stamped to attend a required Tutorial of another teacher.
Students must have their Student Planners out and open to the right day at check-in.
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In addition to the Library and the lunch area, the Computer Labs in room 110 and 111 are now open
to students as privileged areas.
Students must have a plan and a back-up plan for Tutorial.
If no students report to a particular teacher’s Tutorial, the teacher will close it and help a colleague
and students in another classroom.
Students must have a novel/reading material with them in Tutorial each day.
Teachers will provide more details for the posted Tutorial Schedule to facilitate better student
planning.
Teachers with very small Tutorial classes have the option of collapsing their Tutorial and helping in
an area with more students.
These are just a few of the changes. Check-in with your child about these and some of the other
changes.
Earlier last month, an important email was sent to all parents of incoming 7th and 8th graders who are
slated to attend Venado Middle School for the 2015-2016 school year. We asked parents to complete a
brief electronic form in order to help us project our upcoming student enrollment and to determine
staffing needs for next year. I am pleased to report that we have received over 600 responses. If you
have not already done so, please click on the link below to complete the short survey. Please complete
one survey for each of your children that are slated to attend Venado next year. Thank you!
http://goo.gl/IA4D27
We will be observing the Spring Recess from April 6-April 10. School will not be session during this time.
Instruction resumes on Monday, April 13. We hope that all students and staff get the opportunity to
rest and relax. The break is well-deserved!
The school newsletter is produced collaboratively each month by a number of staff members who write
various brief articles each month. The name of the individual who wrote each article is indicated. I
would like to thank this month’s contributors. I would also like to especially thank my Administrative
Assistant, Ms. Peggy Mariani, who rounds up, creates the layout and edits the articles each month.
~ Luis Torres, Principal
Residency Verification
Residency verification for all IUSD students enrolling for the 2015-16 school year were due on March 31,
2015. To view the IUSD Residency Verification letter click here. If you have not completed and returned
your Residency Verification packet, it is imperative you do so immediately, as this may affect your child’s
participation in the end-of-the-year activities, Elective Course Requests and enrollment for next year.
Please visit the following link for the required forms: Residency Verification Documents
The forms can be returned to the Venado front office, or emailed directly to taritalaughlin@iusd.org
~ T. Laughlin, Clerk
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Trimester 2 HONOR Awards Assembly
The second trimester HONOR Assembly was held on Tuesday, March 31. We honored and
acknowledged students who made the Principal’s Honor Roll (GPA of 3.75 to 4.0), the Assistant
Principal’s Honor Roll (GPA of 3.0 to 3.74) and students who were chosen by their teachers to receive an
HONOR Award for academic distinction, athletic achievement or for modeling our HONOR Code. We are
pleased to share the following with you:
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230 students made the Assistant Principal’s Honor Roll. This represents 37% of our student body;
235 students, or 38% of our student body, made the Principal’s Honor Roll;
465 students, or 75% of our student body, made the Principal’s and Assistant Principal’s Roll,
combined.
All award recipients received a certificate. Congratulations, once again to all of our students who
received awards!
~ Luis Torres, Principal
Trimester 2 PBIS Extended Lunch
Venado students must meet published eligibility criteria (see pages VII-VIII of the Student Planner) to
participate in extracurricular activities such as dances, end of the year activities, etc. The eligibility list is
generated based on the first and second trimester report card grades and marks. Eligibility for end-ofthe-year activities is based on the third trimester progress report. We are happy to report that the vast
majority of our students, 521, were eligible based on the second trimester report card. This represents
84% of our student body!
PBIS Extended Lunches are held two times a year (after the first and second trimesters) to acknowledge
and reward students for being eligible. Our second PBIS Extended Lunch of the year was held on
Wednesday, April 1. Eligible students enjoyed a 55 minute lunch period, instead of the typical 35 minute
lunch period. The ASB/Leadership Class provided a DJ who played tunes on the outdoor stage. They
also provided all eligible students with ice cream sandwiches. Stacy Martin, City of Irvine Middle School
Program (MSP) Coordinator, and her colleagues were also on hand to setup and supervise various games
and activities. Students engaged in an inflatable obstacle course, mass dodgeball game, a football toss,
Ping-Pong and air hockey.
~ Dawn Baranski, Teacher and PBIS Coach
Choir Musical Review
On April 1, the Venado Choir presented their musical revue entitled Broadway Blast! The choir
performed numbers from award winning and popular musicals such as Wicked, Phantom of the Opera
and Hairspray. The students worked very hard and were very excited for this performance. They did an
outstanding job.
~ Mr. Hammers, Long-term Music Teacher and Ms. Agboola, Student Teacher
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Students Win Second Trimester Clean Campus Challenge
Students are encouraged to keep our lunch areas clean and HONOR our campus by participating in our
Clean Campus Challenge. The lunch areas, which include the lunch tables, blacktop, field, Field House,
and planters, are graded each day by our supervision staff. The daily goal is a score of 80% or higher,
and students earn the score based on how clean the campus is after lunch. On the weeks that students
win the challenge, music is played at lunch on the outdoor stage. Students have to win the challenge 10
out of 12 weeks during each trimester win.
We are pleased to announce that students won the Clean Campus Challenge for the second trimester.
The prize for the second trimester is a dodgeball tournament at lunch. Sign-ups begin the week we
return from Spring Break in Ms. Hinman’s room, at lunch or after school. Rumor has it that the third
trimester reward will be a staff member dunk tank!
~ Luis Torres, Principal
State Testing
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is the system of academic tests that replaced the
Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program tests in English/Language Arts and Math. SBAC
tests, based on the Common Core State Standards, will be administered at Venado between April 14 May 28. The students will be taking grade-level assessments in English/Language Arts and Math on the
dates below. The exact testing date varies by teacher and grade level.
 ELA between April 14 – May 1
 Math between May 8 – May 26
SBAC tests will be taken via computers through your child’s English and Math classes.
The SBAC Practice and Training Tests provide examples of these new tests. SBAC practice tests are
available to the public at http://caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html. Practice tests and answer
keys are available for grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 in both English/Language Arts and Math. The
tests are accessed by clicking on the Student Interface Practice and Training Tests tab. The answer keys
are found by clicking on the Test Administrator Resources tab.
Your child has received instruction and practice in Social Science and Science classes on the types of
questions that will be part of the SBAC test, as well as on the format of the tests. There are four major
types of questions that your child may see: multiple choice, multiple response, short answer, and
performance task assessments. I encourage you to explore the practice tests with your child.
Eighth grade students will also take the Science California Standards Test (CST) on May 27. This
assessment will be administered with a test booklet and multiple choice answer document, as in years
past; it is not a computer adaptive test such as the SBAC.
Please remember, it is critical that your child attend school when important assessments are
administered. Attendance is extremely important. Being on-time to school and full day attendance is
critical. We highly recommend that you avoid scheduling doctor and dentist appointments, if possible,
during school hours during testing. If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask your child’s teacher(s).
~ Shannon Van Dam, Assistant Principal and Dawn Baranski, Math Teacher/SBAC Site Coordinator
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Talent Show
Come join us for Venado’s Annual Talent Show, April 17. The event will be held at Irvine High School
Theater with a start time of 5:00pm. Bring your family and friends to witness all of the amazing talent.
Admission will be $1.00 and there will be snacks and drinks served during intermission. Food and drinks
are not permitted inside the theater.
~ Cory Hinman, ASB/Leadership Advisor and Teacher
Elective Course Request Process for Incoming 8th Graders
Current 7th grade students will receive information about selecting their elective choices for the next
school year on April 20 in Homeroom. On this same day, we will also send this information electronically
to the parents. There will be information about reviewing course descriptions on Venado’s website and
instructions for requesting electives. Some electives will have prerequisites, so please read the
information carefully. Also, please note that we are asking students to select three courses that they are
interested in taking. Please consider elective choices carefully before submitting the form. The Elective
Course Requests online window will be open from April 22 – May 8. Venado will send an email to alert
families when the online form is live.
~ Shannon Van Dam, Assistant Principal
Important End-of-the-Year Activities
Be on the lookout for important information about Venado’s end-of-the year activities. On April 20,
your child will bring home information about these activities such as Open House, the School Service
Trip to Disneyland, yearbook distribution, the Promotion Party, Knott’s field trip, 7 th Grade Day and 8th
Grade Promotion. This information will also be sent home electronically.
The School Service fieldtrip to Disneyland is on May 29. The 8th grade trip to Knott’s Berry Farm is on
June 17. As a reminder, the School Service fieldtrip is for eligible students who have given back to
Venado by participating in special clubs, certain classes, or volunteering to do community service on
campus. The School Service Hours Log (page XIV in the Student Planner) must be turned in by April 24
and the fieldtrip permission slip and money (approximately $90 including the cost of transportation) will
be due by May 1. For the 8th grade Knott’s Berry Farm Fieldtrip, all eligible 8th graders are invited to
attend. The permission slip and money (approximately $30 including the cost of transportation) for the
Knott’s fieldtrip will be due on May 15. If your child holds a pass to either park, please ensure that the
pass is valid on the specific day of the field trip. Students with passes will be required to pay for the
nominal cost of transportation.
~ Shannon Van Dam, Assistant Principal
Parent Night for Incoming 7th Graders
Venado will be hosting a Parent Night for the parents of incoming 7th graders on the evening of Tuesday
April 21, 6:30-7:30pm. Administrators and Counselors will be presenting an overview of Middle School,
Elective offerings and the registration process.
~ Erin Garcia, School Counselor
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Real-Care Baby Simulation
Venado’s seventh grade students will soon experience many of the responsibilities of caring for a
newborn infant. As a temporary parent, students will care for a computerized infant simulator that will
need to be fed, burped, rocked, and have its diapers changed. This experience will teach how to keep
Baby happy, understanding of the full-time commitment of childcare, persistence (getting through the
simulation without quitting), and responsibility (returning everything to school on-time). Families can
help by providing emotional support and treating Baby as if it were real. Offer advice or take advantage
of this opportunity to discuss the benefits of abstinence. Your child should do the actual work of caring
for Baby.
~ Lori Fallace, Science Teacher and Science Department Chair
IUSD High School Family Nights
Do you have an 8th grade student who will be entering Irvine High School in the fall of 2015? If so, make
sure to attend the IHS 8th Grade Family Night, April 22 from 6:15- 8:30pm, with your child. At this
meeting you will receive your child’s course request packet, which will include your Advisement
Appointment date and time. There will also be an Electives Fair, Student Assembly and Presentation of
course scheduling and other information. This meeting is for both students and parents.
Other IUSD high school Family Nights are as follows:
University High School: April 15
Woodbridge High School: April 22
Northwood High School: April 22
For more information, please visit the high school’s website.
~ Erin Garcia and Debbie McKinnon, School Counselors
Spirit Days
Encourage your child to show his/her school spirit, by participating in school spirit days every Friday.
The period 5 class with the most participation each month wins a pizza party.
Here are the period 5 class winners so far:
September: Mrs. Fallace’s class
October: Mr. Bui’s class
November: Mrs. Sarmiento’s class
December: Mrs. Sarmiento’s class
January: Mrs. Sarmiento’s class
February: Mr. Bui’s class
March: Mrs. Sarmiento’s class
Upcoming Spirit Days:
April 3: Wear Jeans Day
April 17: Flannel Friday
April 22: Wear Green Day (Supporting Earth Day)
April 24: Black and Gold
~ Cory Hinman, ASB/Leadership Advisor and Teacher
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HONORS Concert at Segerstrom Hall
The following students have been selected to participate in the 2015 IUSD Middle School Honors
Orchestra: Derek (Seokwon) Han, Isaac Hong, Kristopher Jacobson, David (Chanyoung) Jeong, Sophia Jin,
Elina (Nakyung) Kim, Faith Lee, Phoebe (Sing-Yu) Lin, Eunice (Youn Kyung) Oh, Jai Radhakrishnan, Jessie
Zhao, Elaine Suh, Joanna Chow, Sidharth Dedhia and Ethan Hue.
We also have 8 members from our choral class that have been chosen to sing in the 2015 IUSD Honors
Choir. Those students are as follows: Aparna Alluri, Sarah Heil, Varij Patel, Beth Motta, Sraddha
Samantula, Michelle Schuk, Anaya Sharma and Joyce Troung.
Hundreds of students from around the district auditioned, yet only a select few were chosen. We are
very proud to have a number of our students from Venado be selected this year. It is a huge
accomplishment. Bravo! These students will be performing at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert
Hall on Monday April 27 at 7:00pm. They will also have a second performance at Disneyland on
Thursday, April 30 (time TBD).
They will also perform at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall on Monday, April 27, 2015 at
7:00 pm. Congratulations to all of these students. We are proud of you!
~ Michael Hammers, Long-term Substitute Music Teacher
High School Registration Information
Recommendations are being completed by 8th grade teachers and will be forwarded to the appropriate
high schools. Students slated to attend Irvine High School for the 2015-2016 school year and their
parents will be meeting with a counselor/advisor regarding class registration on either April 29 or April
30 from 1:00-4:00pm. Parents will receive registration materials and appointment times at the 8th
Grade Family Night on April 22 (see “Irvine High School Family Night” article above for more
information). Parents and students should report to the Venado front office 20 minutes prior to the
scheduled time to be signed out for these appointments.
Other district high schools:
 Woodbridge High School: at Venado, April 30 in the afternoon by appointment. Venado school
counselors will schedule appointments.
 University High and Northwood High Schools: Staff will contact parents to make an appointment for
registration.
~ Erin Garcia, Counselor
City of Irvine Middle School Program
The City of Irvine Middle School Program (MSP) Staff have planned some fun and exciting recreation
classes and programs for your middle school students. We are currently taking registration for the
following classes:
 iFly Indoor Skydiving & Movies @ Universal City Walk in Hollywood
Tuesday, April 7, 8:30am-7:00pm (during Spring Break)
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 Spring Break Teen Camp - April 6-10
Excursions include: Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, Balboa Beach, Dave & Buster’s, Movies,
Roller Skating and Pizza Making
 Sierra Mountains Camping Trip - Friday, May 22 – Sunday, May 24
Lacrosse (co-ed) - Tuesdays & Thursdays, May 5 – May 28
To see the April Activities Calendar, or for more information regarding upcoming programs with the City
of Irvine Middle School Program, visit the “Students” section of the Venado homepage. Program flyers
are located at the entrance to the Venado Library or visit our website at www.IrvineMSP.org
~ Stacy Martin, Venado MSP Coordinator
949.724.7190 smartin@cityofirvine.org
Student Empowerment at Middle School
We have successfully completed another year of the SEAMS program! Officer Gramer and the 7th
graders have had a blast working together over these past few months. Although this marks the end of
the SEAMS program for the year, Officer Gramer will still maintain a presence on campus interacting
with students, parents and staff. Students and parents are always welcome to ask him questions. Officer
Gramer can be contacted at rgramer@cityofirvine.org or you can find him on Facebook by searching:
Officer Rick Gramer.
~ Officer Rick Gramer, Middle School Resource Officer
Home of the Venado Knights
Honest  On-time  Noble  On-task  Respectful and Responsible
4 Deerfield Avenue, Irvine, CA 92604  949.936.6800  FAX 949.936.6809  www.iusd.org/ve
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