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| A ribbon cutting ceremony marks the completion of the new physical education building |
On Thursday, December
4, the District celebrated the completion of the new physical education
building at El Cajon Valley High School with a ribbon cutting and building
dedication ceremony.
The new 22,780-square
foot facility was built to replace two outdated locker room buildings,
originally built 60 years ago, that did not meet current seismic safety
standards. It will accommodate physical education instruction and campus sports
conditioning programs.
The new ADA- and
Title IX-compliant building features a weight room, comparable team rooms for
boys’ and girls’ sports, coaches’ quarters, athletic trainers’ workroom, secure
lockers, restrooms, showers, accessible outdoor restrooms for pool and stadium
users, and a large general purpose/great room for gymnastics, wrestling and
large-group assemblies. The last phase of construction will include restoration
of the adjacent multi-purpose physical education courts.
The dedication event included
remarks by GUHSD Trustee Jim Kelly, Superintendent Ralf Swenson, El Cajon
Valley High School Principal Erin Richison, student
athletes Ninwey Esho and Michael Shearin, and Jerry Schniepp, Commissioner of
the CIF San Diego Section.
Master Chefs in Training Whip up a Win
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| Santana students prepping their winning creation |
High school teams from all over San Diego
County participated in the second annual Master Chef competition at Orange Glen
High School in Escondido on Tuesday, November 18. In a high pressure battle of
culinary prowess, each team had $40 of shopping money and 60 minutes to prepare
a winning dish for a panel of distinguished judges.
Without any coaching from their culinary
teachers, student teams were on their own to prepare, cook, and plate their
masterpieces while judges roamed the kitchen areas watching techniques and
asking questions. The Master Chef competition provides Career Technical
Education students with an opportunity to bring their learning to life outside
of their classroom. In addition to
applying math, science, and technical skills, teams needed critical thinking,
problem solving, creativity, and communication skills to get the job done in
the kitchen and presented to the panel of judges.
At the end of a long day of cooking and
fierce competition, the Santana High School team from Donna Small’s CTE
Culinary Arts program brought home second place with their creation: Chicken Schnitzel with parsley, pine nuts,
and golden raisin Gremolata sauce served with creamy orzo and sauteed
asparagus, peas, and basil.
Congratulations to our Culinary Arts teams:
Santana:
Teacher – Donna Small
Students: Stephen Cliff,
Noah Dotterman, Trystan Patron, Melanie Polonio, Griffin Rodvold
Valhalla:
Dish - Seared salmon fillet
lightly seasoned with olive oil and a hint of lemon on a bed of Basmati rice,
drizzled with a pomegranate white wine reduction and served with a medley of
seasonal vegetables.
Teacher – Eugenie King
Students: Matthew Hagen,
Mayumi Booker, Isabella Busalacchi, Andrew Watkins, Andrew De Large
Granite Hills:
Dish - Pan-seared salmon
with chili cilantro couscous, sauteed asparagus and zucchini with Lemon Buerre
Blanc Sauce
Teacher – Jill Enright
Students: Michelle Ramirez, Kyler Gilliland, Carlie Valdes, Jessica Garcia
GUHSD Innovators Share and Learn New Digital Strategies
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| Teacher April Baker and her students from Grossmont Middle College |
On Saturday,
November 15, over 30 GUHSD teachers and administrators actively participated in
the annual San Diego CUE Tech Fair at La Costa Canyon High School.
Eight GUHSD teachers and administrators
presented at the educational technology event, including April Baker (Grossmont
Middle College), John Berray (West Hills), Jarrod Carman (West Hills), Mike
Falconer (Santana), Dan McDowell (District), Matt Norris (West Hills), Josh
Reyes (West Hills), and Mike Skocko (Valhalla). Our own Reuben Hoffman (West
Hills) serves as the SDCUE Vice President and oversaw the organization of the
entire event.
Additionally
April Baker and Mike Skocko brought students and participated in the Student
Showcase. Mrs. Baker’s students shared their Literature blog and Mr. Skocko’s
students demonstrated the student built and supported gamification plug-in that
is redefining classrooms across the country.
