Celebrating
Valhalla Modernization with an Open House
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| School, District and Community Officials Celebrate Modernization at Valhalla |
On Tuesday, October 11, we
held a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house with building tours to view the
newly modernized main building at Valhalla High School. Elected officials and
community stakeholders joined students and staff for the event.
The Main Building, which is
over 40 years old, and the theater at Valhalla High School have been
dramatically modernized. The 14-month project has completely transformed the
building while preserving some historical elements. The modernization work
included new technology upgrades, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire alarm and
much more.
The round, four-story main
building provides academic classrooms and teaching spaces. Level 200 features
the renovated Theater, Choral room, Food Services, CTE classrooms, and Special
Education Suites. Level 300 includes
Student Support Services, consisting of Administration, Guidance, and Health
Services. The District also installed LED lighting, solar carports over the student
parking, and other energy-saving measures, which are expected to offset 90% of
the main building’s anticipated electricity usage.
Construction on these
projects concluded in time for students’ arrival on the first day of school. I
thank our taxpayers, board members and district staff who support our efforts
to provide quality instruction and modern facilities for our students.
The modernization work at
Valhalla High School was part of the Proposition U bond passed in November 2008
by East County voters.
IDEA
Center Student Showcase/Senior Humanities' Mock Election 2016
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| R: Presidential Candidate Jose Aranda wins Mock Election Aided by Campaign Manager Caitlyn Morris & Speech Writer Noah Larive |
On Tuesday, October 11,
IDEA Center High School held a well-attended open house to showcase student
presentations in a station format on an exciting range of topics from Cool
Chemical Reactions, Ecology and Human Impact Projects, Art and Construction, and
a Humanities Political Party Campaign project to name a few.
IDEA Center seniors have
been hard at work on a presidential campaign for the showcase. Senior English
and Government/Economics students explored the question, “What do you stand
for?” Groups created their own political parties, selected a candidate, developed
campaign staff roles and researched and developed issues-based campaign
platforms. The seven-week project included the creation of websites,
commercials and argumentative papers from an individual and group platform.
The presentations were
followed by a 12th grade Humanities Presidential Candidate Panel Discussion in
the main quad.
You may review the
candidate websites here. This link will give you access to each
political party's website, candidate profile, and campaign commercials. The information was shared with all students
so that they could begin to think about who they were going to vote for on
Tuesday after the panel presentation.
Santana’s
Brooke Crocker Named California Teacher of the Year Finalist
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| Santana Teacher Brooke Crocker with Principal Tim Schwuchow |
L. Brooke Crocker, a
history and geography teacher at Santana High School was one of eight finalists
for the California Teacher of the Year Program, which began in 1972 to honor
outstanding teachers and encourage new teachers to enter the profession.
County offices of education
nominate teachers for the California Teachers of the Year competitions through
their county-level contests. A state selection committee reviews candidates'
applications and conducts site visits to evaluate the teachers' rapport with
students, classroom environment, presentation skills, and teaching methods.
The teachers are
interviewed by the California Department of Education. The State Superintendent
then selects the five awardees.
The 2017 California
Teachers of the Year, finalists, and semifinalists will be honored by State
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson at a gala in Sacramento.
Congratulations to Ms.
Crocker on achieving this high honor!
Industry
Reinforces Skills Taught in CTE
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| Manufacturing Panel Featuring Representatives from Chuao Chocolatier, Dr. Bronner's Soap and Calbiotech |
The
San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Center for
Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) at San Diego City College hosted a San
Diego Manufacturing Elected Representative Reception on October 7 at the Liberty
Station Conference Center. The legislative reception was an opportunity
for Teri Sprecco, Director II of College and Career Readiness, Frank Luera,
Work-Based Learning Specialist, and Eileen Bagg-Rizzo, CTE Curriculum
Specialist, to interact with San Diego manufacturers and elected officials to
open a dialogue about the importance of manufacturing.
In
addition, the CTE team attended the 2016 San Diego Manufacturing Day Breakfast
immediately following the reception, which included a panel of leaders who
discussed manufacturing trends in San Diego County.
All
of the members of the panel stated that they struggle to find skilled labor and
expressed an interest in promoting work-based learning in community colleges
and high schools. They also expressed the need for skilled workers who
understand the importance of the soft skills needed in the workplace. The
trends in manufacturing reflect the goals in the GUHSD career technical
education pathways.
GUHSD
has Manufacturing pathways at El Cajon Valley, Monte Vista, West Hills, and
Santana High Schools as well as Engineering at Grossmont and Santana.
Parent
Safety Forum on Oct. 27
East County school
districts are partnering with local law enforcement and the San Diego County
Office of Education to host a Parent Safety Forum on October 27, 2016, at
Greenfield Middle School, 1495 Greenfield Drive in El Cajon. Presentations will
begin at 6:00 p.m. Food trucks will be available from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Topics discussed in brief
presentations include School Safety, Internet/Social Media Safety, Current Drug
Trends, and Pedestrian Safety.
There will also be
representatives from various community agencies to provide information to
parents.
Childcare and translation
services will be available.
Dr. Tim Glover
Superintendent
