Annual PTA Founders Day
Celebration
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| Superintendent Swenson, Teacher of the Year John Berray and PTA Leaders at the Founders Day Celebration |
On Wednesday, February 18, I
joined school administrators, principals, teachers, school board members,
superintendents and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) leaders from across San
Diego County to celebrate the founding of the PTA and its rich history of
accomplishment.
This year’s Ninth District
PTA Annual Meeting/Founders Day Celebration Brunch was held at the Scottish
Rite Center. Several of our local PTSA presidents were in attendance including
Foothills Secondary Council PTA President Beth Bacting. We deeply appreciate our
local PTSA leadership and its service on behalf of our youth.
The Founder’s Day event
included recognition of the San Diego County Teachers of the Year, including
West Hills High School’s John Berray. Monte Vista High School was also named
the recipient of a Ninth District 2014-15 PTA Grant in the amount of $500
toward an eight-week parent program.
The Founder’s Day event
underscores the dedication and commitment that the members of our school PTAs
offer. Parent involvement and presence makes a positive difference at our high
schools.
If you are not a member of
your school PTSA, I encourage you to get involved. Membership forms are located in your school
office and on your school or PTSA website.
Please join today.
Monte Vista Students Bring Home
Gold
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| Monte Vista Auto Students with Teacher Mike Fleming |
The Monte Vista CTE
Transportation Team walked away with the gold in the Intro to Automotive
Technology competition at the SkillsUSA Regional competition, which was held on
Saturday, January 31, at Universal Technical Institute in Rancho Cucamonga. In
this competition, students used precision measurement tools, scanners and a
digital volt-ohm meter to diagnose and test a variety of automotive challenges.
There were ten stations that
included both written and hands-on skills tests from eight automotive ASE testing
areas. Team members Cynthia Locke (12th), Eric Palomares (11th), and Colin
Donaghue (12th) are all in the CTE Transportation pathway at Monte Vista High
School. They competed successfully against 12 other teams from the southern
half of the state and will advance to the state-level competition on April 11
at the Town and Country Hotel in Mission Valley.
Two advanced students from
the CTE Transportation Pathway, Johnny Jones and Andreas Beas, also competed in
the Automotive Service Technology advanced competition. They demonstrated their
ability to diagnose electrical circuits, use precision measurements tools and
identify a wide variety of systems and related parts. These events are
important for students because they show the relevance of the skills learned in
the classroom.
The CTE Transportation
Pathway at Monte Vista High School is a four-year program that integrates core
academics (math, English, and science) with Career Technical Education classes
in the area of Transportation and Automotive Technology, providing a real world
context for academic learning. CTE pathway students benefit from a rigorous academic
curriculum infused with guest speakers, field trips, and job shadow
opportunities that allow them to prepare for college and career.
Laurels for Leaders Luncheon
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| ASB Presidents from GUHSD Schools attend Laurels for Leaders |
On Tuesday, February 17,
GUHSD principals, ASB Presidents and Advisors and District Administrators
attended the 58th Annual San Diego County Laurels for Leaders Luncheon. The
event honors San Diego County’s high school student body presidents.
School ASBs enhance campus
life. They are concerned with the entirety of the high school experience and
maximizing student activities and options while on campus. During the event,
leadership awards were presented to high school ASB presidents.
I am very proud of our ASB
students for their participation in the 6th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. High
School ASB Food Drive Challenge. Grossmont High School was recognized as the
third place winner for its number of cans donated for needy families. Their
efforts, combined with other participating county schools will provide
nutritious meals to San Diegans in need.
Superintendent Ralf Swenson