Friday, September 9, 2016

What's New in GUHSD

Law Enforcement Presence Enhances Campus Safety

GUHSD School Resource Officers (SROs) and Area Law Enforcement Professionals
GUHSD believes that the learning environment is enhanced when students feel safe. As such, we provide full-time School Resource Officers on our campuses. Under the watchful eye of deputies from the Lakeside, Rancho San Diego and Santee Sheriff’s Stations, as well as police officers from the El Cajon and La Mesa Police Departments, our students attend schools that emphasize safety first.

School Resource Officers (SROs) help keep our GUHSD campuses safe and are key players in the District’s efforts to prevent criminal activity at or near our schools. The presence of these armed and uniformed officers is an effective deterrent.

In the presence of law enforcement agencies, we continually revisit our safety plans and hold regular emergency drills in order to equip our students and staff with an understanding of what to do if an emergency arises. Campus supervisors work with school leadership to reinforce that commitment and to create an environment that allows for learning to occur and for our students to feel secure.

Grossmont High NJROTC Hosts Mini Boot Camp

2016 Mini Boot Camp Participants
Grossmont High School’s NJROTC program hosted its first Mini Boot Camp on August 26 - 28. Seventy Cadets received training in Drill and Ceremonies, Physical Fitness, Personnel Inspection, and setting priorities. The unit was fortunate to have U.S. Army Drill Sergeants from the U.S. Army Reserve’s 95th Division conduct the training and supervise instruction. 

The initial session was conducted in the Old Gym by Drill Sergeant Izunza. The three-hour session on Friday, covered individual drill movements and personal bearing. The Saturday session began with a briefing in the Old Gym followed by four solid hours of instruction in Drill and Ceremonies on Grossmont’s Drill pad. The afternoon session focused on physical fitness and included a Team Handball tournament (an NJROTC staple activity), which was won by Third Platoon, led by Cadet Melanie Gonzalez. The Saturday training concluded with “Drill Sergeant’s Time.” 

Sunday morning began with a competitive inspection where each Cadet was evaluated based on their compliance with the U.S. Navy Cadet Field Manual. Second Platoon was declared the inspection champions, led by Cadet Savanah Metcalfe. The final event was Drill Competition. Despite all three platoons posing fierce competition, Second Platoon, led by Cadet Elizabeth Felix, earned top honors in Drill and went on to earn the distinction of being the training “Honor Platoon.” Grossmont’s Cadets did a superior job and are off to an outstanding start to the school year. 

Throughout the year, those who attended will use their knowledge from the training to teach their peers and use this extracurricular activity as a head start toward reaching the collective goal of the distinction “Most Improved Unit.” This award is given by the Area Manager, Commander Ken Liles, to the one unit each year that demonstrates exceptional effort and achievement. Grossmont’s company has made reaching this goal a top priority. Cadets train on a weekly schedule of rigorous physical training, uniform inspection, Team Handball, naval science, and extracurricular teams such as the award-winning marksmanship team and exhibition drill. All hands are vital toward achieving the unit’s goals for the year.

Upcoming District Events . . . 

International Newcomer Center Parent Forum on Sept. 24

The District’s English Learner Programs is proud to present our first Parent Forum on Saturday, September 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at El Cajon Valley High School. This parent training will provide parents with the tools to access their children's grades, attendance, and transcripts on Infinite Campus.

Parents will also have opportunities to increase their understanding of the high school system and English Learner Programs. The goal of the Parent Forum is to empower parents to be an integral part of their children's success. This informative session is intended for all parents, but is especially useful for parents of English Learners. Interpreters will be available in Spanish and Arabic. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.

El Cajon Valley High School is located at 1035 E. Madison Avenue in El Cajon.

GOT PLANS? Career & College Fair on Oct. 8

The East County Education Alliance is hosting the thirteenth annual Got Plans? Career & College Fair for high school students and parents on Saturday, October 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Cuyamaca College at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon.

The annual event awakens students to the many opportunities available to them after high school, both locally and across the country. Once they make contact with college and career representatives at Got Plans?, students begin to think more seriously about their options after high school.

At the event, students and parents will be able to interact with admissions representatives from public and private universities, community colleges, vocational schools, and the military.

Free workshops will be presented on topics including financial aid and career opportunities. Additional information will be available regarding NCAA eligibility for student-athletes, updates and changes to the SAT and ACT tests, transfer options and more. 

Admission to the fair is free and open to the public. 

We hope to see you there!

Dr. Tim Glover
Superintendent