December 15, 2014 Volume 6, Issue 8 Hot Sheet WINTER BREAK DECEMBER 22, 2014—JANUARY 9, 2014 Visit us @ www.guajome.net Like us on Facebook GuajomeSchools Follow us on Twitter @GuajomeSchools @GPPAK5 Dear Parents, UPCOMING EVENTS As we come to the close of another semester, it seems like this fall has flown by! Winter sports have started up, fall and winter drama and music productions are taking place, and weather changes have reminded us that living in San Diego is truly a unique experience to be valued! This year will continue to bring about some of the following benchmarks for Guajome: the new state-wide testing will be taking place this spring, we will be submitting the traffic engineering report to the City of Vista for our Melrose property and will hopefully begin construction in February, and we have received another honor of distinction for our organization! 12/16 - Basketball Home Game 12/17 - Choir & Orchestra Concert 12/18 - Basketball Home Game 12/22 - Winter Break First, a brief overview of the new state (PSAA) testing format and general considerations: As many of you are aware, California State Testing and Reporting (STAR), the annual state-wide assessment tool used to measure student achievement and public school performance has evolved into Public Schools Accountability Act (PSAA). The goal of this state-wide assessment tool is to help schools improve and to measure the academic achievement of all students. CAASPP will include the California High School Exit Exam, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium for grades 3-8 and grade 11, California Standards Tests for Science for grades 5, 8, and 10 in addition to other specialized assessments. Because of the recent shift from STAR to CAASPP, the Academic Performance Index (API) which measures academic performance and growth of schools, will be based on results from statewide tests administered in grades three through eight, and eleven. One of the unique elements of these tests is that they are computer adaptive. We have been working feverishly behind the scenes to ensure this component of the testing goes smoothly. The initial formal roll out of these mandated tests will take place his spring. You will be hearing more from us on how to prepare your students success on these assessments as we draw closer to the testing dates (we always encourage you to check out our web site www.guajome.net for the most recent updates). For more information about Smarter Balanced, and PSAA, please visit the Smarter Balanced website at http://www.smarterbalanced.org/. Second, if you have not seen our new Melrose property for Guajome Park Primary Academy, I would encourage you to drive by the property. We are located at 1132 Melrose Dr. At this point, it may not look like much, but we have very exciting plans for the facility including developing a performing arts center supporting our K-12 music, media and drama productions! We are hoping to get the City’s approval for a use permit no later than February and begin construction shortly thereafter. We are anticipating that end of July we should be ready for move-in and start of school in August. One never can be sure of these timelines, but we are cautiously optimistic that this will take place. We are seeking donations for facilities improvement including but not limited to playground, kitchen and general classroom equipment and would gladly welcome your tax deductible contributions for this tax year. You can make checks payable to Guajome Park Academy Foundation and earmark this as “GPPA facilities.” You can mail these in, simply drop them off, or go to our Foundation page and use the PayPal option for an electronic contribution. What a great way to support our families and get that end of year tax write off many may need to do! Finally, Guajome received another distinguished recognition. Niche ranked us as one of the top 100 Best Public High Schools in the state of California. In addition, we have been recognized as the 13 highest ranked school in San Diego County! What a testament to our students, parents and staff for the great jobs they have done! Congratulations again on creating and supporting such fantastic educational opportunities for our students! I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays! We are very blessed to live in a country that values freedom and provides choice. During this season of giving, I would encourage you to reflect and share the resources that we individually and collectively have been blessed with. Whether it’s our time, wisdom, finances, or possessions, give freely to those around us. Please think of our servicemen and women who are away from their families and those who face the challenges of our economic times. Thoughts are with you, Bob Hampton Bullfrog Cafe Invites you to join us on Thursday, December 18, 2014 for a special “ ”Holiday Lunch” Honey Baked Ham with Dinner Roll Macaroni and Cheese Green Beans Pineapple Chunks Snickerdoodle Milk or Juice For only $3.50! PARENT PORTAL ParentsThe Parent Portal is now set up for you to update your child’s address, telephone number and emergency contact information. We ask that you check and edit this information by January 5, 2015. Please help us keep you informed by keeping your information current. Happy Holidays! PARENT OUTREACH Join us on January 22, 2015 in the High School Building from 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Vista Community Clinic will present a Teen Health program: Mental Health Don’t miss this important educational program! A movie for the kids and snacks will be provided. 2 PARTICIPATE IN THE FUNDRAISER FOR OUR ACADEMIC TEAM! Just in Time for the Holidays! GPA’s stellar Academic Team has an online store with Equal Exchange where your fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate and gifts can be ordered until December 31, 2014 ONLINE! Gifts will be delivered directly to your gift recipients from Equal Exchange. The URL for our online store is http://fundraiser.equalexchange.coop/?fundraiser=GUAJ002W. “WINTER SCENES FROM THE SILVER SCREEN” The Guajome Middle School Choir and Orchestra will be presenting the “Winter Scenes from the Silver Screen” concert on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 7 p.m. in the gym. The concert will feature music from popular movies featured during winter. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for 5 – 18 years, and free for Guajome students with ID. Come support the singers and musicians who have worked very hard. We hope to see you there! Winter Formal “2015 Leagues Under the Sea” will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the SEA LIFE Aquarium at the LEGOLAND California Resort. The event includes access to all aquarium displays, refreshments at the Harbour Adventure Café, and dancing under the stars to music by SOS Entertainment. Tickets will be on sale as follows: Wednesday, December 10 – Friday, December 19, 2014: $35.00 without ASB sticker, $32.00 with ASB sticker Monday, January 12 – Friday, January 16, 2015: $40.00 without ASB sticker, $35.00 with ASB sticker Monday, January 19 – Wednesday, January 21, 2015: $45.00 without ASB sticker, $40.00 with ASB sticker Guest passes are available and must be approved before the guest ticket can be purchased. ASB stickers are still available in the Finance Department for $20.00 including Community Discount Card sticker. The venue requires the final count by January 21, 2015, therefore, no tickets will be sold after that date. 3 CONGRATULATIONS BOYS SOCCER Last week, the Boys Soccer team celebrated three victories, outscoring their opponents 24 to 7. If you want to get in on the hype, come out this Friday, December 19, 2014 to end the semester in style with a doubleheader of Boys and Girls soccer. Make noise, and take pride in Guajome! Then join the boys and girls teams for the after-party at Shakey’s in Oceanside immediately after the game for food and a good time! We hope to see you there! ADOBE WALK Ms. Premo’s Art classes learned about much of the history of the Rancho Guajome Adobe on December 10th and took advantage of its close proximity. The students were able to walk through the nature preserve to the adobe. At the adobe the students were able to practice their linear perspective and observational drawing skills. Currently, they are using their drawings for an adobe ink and watercolor project. 4 ANNOUNCING: GPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PARENT VACANCY One of the vital areas in which parent stakeholders can participate at GPA is the governance of the school through service on the Board of Directors. We are currently soliciting nominations for one vacancy for Parent Director on the Board. The position will be as follows: According to the Charter by laws the nominees must be non-interested, must have a child attending GPA for a minimum of one year and must have attended a minimum of four Board meetings prior to your nomination. The Executive Board shall screen applications, conduct interviews, and submit recommendations to the Board for elections. The recommended nominees shall meet with the Charter School Superintendent prior to the Board elections to review Board protocols and practice. Parents who currently have a student attending GPA and are non-interested persons (not employed or compensated by GPA and no family member employed or compensated by GPA) are eligible for nomination for a Parent Director position. Nominations are received and considered by the Board of Directors who will elect the Parent Directors during a Board Meeting in June 2015. The nomination form is available to download on the GPA Board of Directors website: http://www.guajome.net/BoardofDirectors/GPA or may be requested by emailing vossda@guajome.net Completed nomination forms must be returned per directions on the nomination form by May 1, 2015. If you have any questions you may speak with Dawn Voss at (760) 631-8500 ext 1222. FRIENDS OF FROGS Friends of Frogs (FOF) is a parent group of GPA, supporting primarily Middle School and High School. Our mission is to provide volunteer support to help create and promote a strong school community. On December 18, 2014, Friends of Frogs will host a Holiday Cheer for the Teachers and Staff of GPA. The event will start at 7:15 a.m. Coffee and pastries will be served. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Second computer class to be announced for the end of January. The class will be presented in Spanish/ English for those interested in learning how to use MS Word. Class will start at 6:30 p.m. A movie for the kids and snacks will be provided. There are open positions for the following leadership roles within FOF: Volunteer Coordinator: Communicates with parents regarding the volunteer needs of the activities/events. Treasurer: Keeps financial accounting, budget and coordinates the deposits and payments/reimbursements through the Foundation’s Treasurer. Also acts as Fundraising Chair. For more information, or to volunteer, please contact FOF at friendsoffrogsguajome@gmail.com HELP RAISE MONEY FOR GUAJOME Go to www.target.com/tcoe Click on “Enroll in Take Charge of Education” Enter Target School ID GLC: 152414 Target School ID GPA: 36521 Target School ID GPPA: 153154 When you use your REDcard, Target will donate up to 1% of your purchases to our school. FARMER’S INSURANCE OPEN GOLF TICKETS Farmer’s Insurance Open Golf Tickets! Buy discounted tickets to February’s golf tournament in Torrey Pines and help the soccer team fundraiser! Tickets are $30 and allow access to any one of the four days of the tournament. Contact Kurt Haider: haiderku@guajome.net or (760) 631-8500 If you would like to purchase tickets via credit card, please see Kendria Tavares in the Business Department of the Upper Administration Building. GIRLS SOCCER FUNDRAISER CONTINUES Help support Guajome High School Girls Soccer by participating in our Mixed Bag Fundraiser! The fundraiser will continue online through the end of December. To browse through the catalog and order, please visit: http://www.mixedbagdesigns.com/Retail-Home?fundraiserid=50624 Thank you in advance for participating in our Fundraiser! WINTER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES HDSA Marathon Mile ONGOING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Sunday, January 18, 2015 5:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue http://www.forgottenpaws.org/Petco Rancho Vista Nursing Center 760 E Bobier Dr., Vista 92084 Little Bit of Comfort http://little-bit-of-comfort.wikispaces.com Pajama Project We need 40 volunteers to support the HDSA Mile along the route! GROUPS & YOUTH WELCOME!! *Minors must be accompanied by an adult Come and cheer on the runners and show your support for HDSA! To register go: http://www.doitsports.com/volunteer2/info.tcl?job_id=54212454 pjproject92024@gmail.com 760-822-9573 For more info contact: mindy.schroeder@gmail.com Stitches from the Heart http://www.stitchesfromtheheart.org/ Angel’s Depot The San Diego Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America is in the fight to improve the lives of people affected by HD and their families. For more info go to http://www.hdsa.org/sd Rick Cunningham, Director of Public Relations volunteer4us@theangelsdepot.org San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy http://sdrvc.org/current/crest-canyon/ It’s never too early to think about what the kids could do during the summer. Here are two sites to research over the long winter break UC San Diego Youth Camps and Enrichment Programs http://blink.ucsd.edu/HR/services/support/parents/youth.html UCLA Early Academic Outreach Program http://www.eaop.ucla.edu/ SCHOLARSHIPS HIGHLIGHTS 12/19/2014 Carson Scholars Fund Nomination Grades 4 - 11 Amount: $1,000 http://carsonscholars.org/nomination-rules-and-policies 12/30/2014 Young Voices of America ‘Write a Family Story’ Grades K-12 Amount: $10-$100 http://www.youngvoicesfoundation.org/youngvoiceshome.html 12/31/2014 Soroptimist ‘Live Your Dream’ Contest Grades K-12 Amount: Gift Certificate http://www.soroptimist.org/members/liveyourdream/lyd_guidebook/lyd_artcontest.html *There are a lot more scholarships on GPA’s website: go to the counseling tab; click on scholarships!
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