Friday, April 28, 2017

What's New in GUHSD

PIQE Graduation at Monte Vista High School

Monte Vista Principal Marietta Minjares and Superintendent Glover with Proud PIQE Graduates
On April 5, I joined Monte Vista Principal Marietta Minjares at the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) event at Monte Vista High School. PIQE graduating parents received a certificate of completion on behalf of PIQE and the California State University System.

It was nice to see parents recognized for their commitment and hard work on behalf of their children’s education. Since its inception in 1987, PIQE has graduated over 625,000 parents in California. In 2016, PIQE San Diego graduated 1,491 parents at 31 K-12 schools.

Congratulations to our PIQE graduates!

El Cajon Valley Welders are Making Waves in the Maritime Industry

An El Cajon Valley Welding Student
El Cajon Valley High School has consistently produced some of the best entry-level welders in the local maritime industry. By recognizing the unique demands of their advisory board members, El Cajon Valley High School regularly consults and works with Trident Marine to prepare welders to their specific industry demands. 

Last year El Cajon Valley welding partnered with Trident Marine to teach maritime welding skills to students in high school. Trident staff made weekly visits to the weld shop to train the student welders to meet the military’s demanding welding specifications. Students who completed the program were guaranteed careers at Trident.

Currently there are eight graduates working for Trident Marine on combative warships. These former students are working on America’s most advanced warships, helping to keep them combat ready for the most demanding environments. 

In order to achieve the level of welding that is used in these environments, El Cajon Valley has created a three-year Linked Learning welding pathway that emphasizes American Welding Society industry certifications. With the hard and soft skills gained at El Cajon Valley, welders are prepared to enter the workplace directly upon graduation.

With grant funding, El Cajon Valley and Trident have partnered to build a ship simulator in its welding facility. The simulator will be used to further enhance their CTE curriculum by creating a realistic shipboard environment and adding additional maritime specific skills.

Click here to view a fantastic video from Ron & Karen Cook of East County Style highlighting this high demand program.

Health Occupations Center Spring Donation Drive

Health Occupations Center Students Gathering Donations for Foster Youth
The Health Occupations Center (HOC) focused its spring energy on a donation drive for local foster youth.  The HOC Student Council organized all campus programs to collect spring baskets for little kids and practical items for youth transitioning to independent living. 

The baskets were full of games, toys, and candy. Toiletries, cleaning supplies, and other useful items were gathered for the older youth moving into apartments and group homes. Overall, hundreds of items were collected and delivered to a local foster care organization for distribution to youth in their care. 

Mount Miguel Street-Painters Teach Middle Schoolers

Mount Miguel Art Teacher Paula Annicchiarico's street-painters traveled to the La Mesa Art Academy last month to teach Mrs. Lindsay's art students how to create their own murals on the ground in their quad. By leading them in a mini-street-painting festival, the Mount Miguel students created an inspirational mural for them, and taught them as they created their own murals.

Click here to view another exceptional video from Ron & Karen Cook of East County Style memorializing the collaboration.

Upcoming Events . . .

IDEA Center High School Open House on May 3


On Wednesday, May 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., IDEA Center High School is holding an open house to showcase student work, classes and provide campus tours. Click here for more information. IDEA Center High School is located at 1600 North Cuyamaca Street in El Cajon.

SAVE THE DATE: District Art Show May 5 - 7


Please plan to join us for the 31st Annual GUHSD Student Art Show at Westfield Shopping Center-Parkway Plaza. The opening reception begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 5, with an awards ceremony. Student artwork will be on exhibit through Sunday afternoon, May 7.

Dr. Tim Glover
Superintendent