As you begin making plans for the year ahead, I wish to remind you that in December we adopted a new, early start calendar for the 2016-2017 school year. You may click here to view it. Similar calendars were also adopted for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. Click here to view all three of the adopted calendars.
Key benefits of the new calendars include:
•Better alignment with our client districts (Fall semester ends before Winter Break)
•More instructional time to prepare for Advanced Placement (AP) exams
•Allows students to attend community college summer programs, internships, and college orientations
•Creates greater opportunity for dual enrollment (students taking college courses)
El Cajon Valley Students Perform Surgery
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| Teacher Lynette Smith instructs her Physiology students |
Health Pathway students at El Cajon Valley High School learned to perform open-heart surgery. Teacher Lynette Smith's Physiology students learned about congenital heart defects and studied cardiovascular anatomy in preparation to perform surgery on a "four-year old patient with an atrial septal defect and a ventricular septal defect,” that was actually a prepared sheep's heart.
Working in surgical teams, students learned how to garb Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), simulated the surgical procedure, practiced their suturing skills and were tested on their knowledge of the related anatomy. These future health professionals now have a greater understanding of not only the anatomy of the heart, but also about healthcare careers, teamwork in medicine and basic medical skills.
Grossmont Students Compete in Technology Challenge
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| Grossmont students compete at the Women's Hackathon |
Students in the Information Technology pathway at Grossmont High School recently participated in a Cal State San Marcos-sponsored Women’s Hackathon. The 12-hour semi-annual event was open to all female high school and college students who work collaboratively to design a website, game, or mobile app that addresses a selected real world challenge.
Prior to the event, teams can plan, storyboard, and determine what they want to do and how they will go about building their solution. The only caveat is that no programming is allowed until the day of the event.
Our students won awards for Creativity, and Originality & Impact. Afterward, they were invited to a special dinner presentation at the Sony headquarters in Rancho Bernardo.
Upcoming Events . . .
IDEA Center High School Showcase on 1/14
On Thursday, January 14, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., IDEA Center High School is holding an open house to showcase pathway classes and provide campus tours. CTE classes will be showing off student work in culinary, construction, digital arts, cosmetology, and floral design. IDEA Center High School is located at 1600 North Cuyamaca Street in El Cajon.
11th Annual East County Young Men’s Leadership Conference on 1/23
Mount Miguel High School will host its 11th Annual East County Young Men’s Leadership Conference on Saturday, January 23, 2016, from 8:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Here is a downloadable flyer.
The keynote speaker for the event is Ms. Sade Burrell, author, motivational speaker, college counselor and Mount Miguel High alumnus. She will be giving away 100 copies of her latest book, What Are You Reaching For?
Presenters will include esteemed educators, professionals, college students, and community activists who will spend the day sharing their expertise. Workshops and breakout sessions by prominent educators and professionals will provide an innovative and engaging atmosphere. One activity will involve Michael D. Love, college counselor and Mount Miguel alumnus, offering a lesson on how to tie a necktie. Every young man participating will receive a free necktie along with the lesson.
The conference is open to all young men in grades 6 – 12 throughout San Diego County. The goal is to motivate, support and encourage them to effect positive change in their lives through self-empowerment and wise decision-making.
For more information on how to sponsor or attend the free conference, please contact Mike Love at mlove@guhsd.net. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
2016 Cox Scholars Program
Cox is excited to launch its 2016 Cox Scholars program. Each year, The Cox Cares Foundation awards college scholarships to graduating high school seniors looking to pursue their dreams of a college education. This year, Cox will award up to $110,000 in scholarships to students across their Southern California service area (San Diego County, Orange County, Palos Verdes and Santa Barbara).
Here is a downloadable flyer. Eligibility requirements and application details can be found on their website. The deadline to submit an application is February 3, 2016.
Superintendent Ralf Swenson
