The
end of another school year is here with final exams and commencement exercises
concluding next week. I extend congratulations to the Class of 2017 and their
families!
As
graduations occur next week, we reflect upon our many accomplishments as we
wish our nearly 5,000 graduates continued success. We are confident that they leave us
prepared for great futures and with many fond memories of their educational
experience.
I
thank our employees for their hard work and commitment to our students’
success. I also want to acknowledge the certificated staff and classified
employees who are retiring. Thank you for your years of service and commitment
to public education.
Please
note, the first day of school for students in the fall is Tuesday, August 15.
The Superintendent’s Newsline will return at that time.
GUHSD Goes Green to Save (Big) Green
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| Solar carports at Valhalla High School are one energy-saving measure |
The projected savings
from extensive conservation projects and utility management strategies in GUHSD
are on track to reach nearly $1.2 million in annual utility cost savings. The
projects, funded through California’s Proposition 39, the Clean Energy Jobs
Act, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), include photovoltaic installations,
consolidation of the number of utility meters, lighting retrofit projects, and
energy storage batteries to offset peak demand.
Annual districtwide
utility costs typically top just over $5 million, including $4.2 million in
electrical costs, approximately $714,000 in water and sewer fees, and
approximately $253,000 in gas costs.
This summer, under an
additional PPA, new photovoltaic arrays will be installed at eight more
campuses and, collectively, will generate 1,963,939 kilowatt hours of renewable
energy each year. Resulting utility cost
savings are projected at $42.1 million over the course of the 25-year PPA. The
solar arrays will contribute to a reduction of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the
consumption of more than one million gallons of gasoline on local roadways.
Utility costs take up
a sizeable portion of our overall operations budget and have historically been
a relatively fixed and inevitable cost. By tapping into a variety of innovative
conservation tools and best practices, and leveraging them with utility
incentives, we are seeing dramatic utility cost savings. By combining these
efforts with greater engagement of students, staff, and faculty on
behavior-based conservation strategies, we can truly improve our schools’
energy profiles.
More detailed
information on GUHSD's strategies for resource conservation are available here
and here.
Mount Miguel JROTC Memorial Day Ceremony
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| JRTOC Cadets participate in annual Memorial Day Ceremony |
Mount Miguel High
School JROTC held its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 26. The
program began with Battalion Executive Officer Cadet Major Logyn Kelsey providing
a brief history and understanding of the significance of this important day.
The program included
the playing of Reveille followed by the National Anthem, as the flag was
raised.
Originally, Memorial
Day was called “Decoration Day,” because it was traditionally marked by
parades, memorial speeches, ceremonies, and the decoration of gravesites with
flowers and flags. In honor of this tradition, Cadet 1st Lieutenant Johnlester
Simon served as Honor Bearer, placing an American Flag, a helmet, and a pair of
boots at the base of the flag pole. He then slowly saluted the flag as a symbol
of respect and honor to those who have served and sacrificed their lives for
America’s freedom.
The ceremony closed as
the flag was lowered while To the Colors and Taps were played.
Santana High School's Design ACEs
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| Santana students present their mock design to professionals in the field |
Santana's
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (ACE) mentorship is a year-long
after-school program where any student interested in pursuing a career in the
STEM field can participate. Students who participate create a mock design that
would benefit the community. Mentors
from industry visit with the students once every two weeks to help guide the
students with their design, ensuring that the students take everything into
account when managing a public works project.
At the end of each year, schools from around San Diego present their
designs to architects, engineers, and contractors from industry.
The students who
participated took on the task of developing a mock redevelopment of the
Lakeside Rodeo. Their project included
repurposing the existing site to an event stadium with shops, extending the
trolley line from Santee to Lakeside, and a parking structure. The event center
would still hold the iconic rodeos while attracting other events such as
concerts, shows, conventions, etc., to improve the amount of use while also
helping property values increase in the local area.
This year's ACE
banquet was held at San Diego State University on Saturday, May 20. The
students presented their ideas and design to a panel of architects, contractors,
and engineering professionals at San Diego State University.
Following the
presentations, members from industry award scholarships to individuals based on
academics, professionalism, and commitment throughout the year. This year,
seven Santana students were awarded $17,500 in scholarships.
Monte Vista & Grossmont Auto Programs Excel
at Cuyamaca College’s Auto Skills Day
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| Monte Vista and Grossmont auto students with their tools |
On Saturday, May 6,
the Cuyamaca College Automotive Department held their 38th annual Skills Day
competition. There are two divisions, "Basic" and
"Advanced." Grossmont and Monte Vista High Schools had a combined total
of 17 students compete in both divisions.
It was a challenging
event that tested the students’ technical expertise. Both instructors, Jordie
Lehr and and Michael Fleming, are proud of the performance of the students from
the District's two automotive pathways. The winning students each won
approximately $400 in tools. Congratulations to the following students for
representing both of their respective schools and the Grossmont Union High
School District:
Advanced: 1st place:
Matt Rempel (Grossmont), 2nd place: Jacob Byerline (Grossmont), 3rd place:
Ashley Martinez (Monte Vista)
Basic: 2nd place:
David Garibay and Mario Espinoza (Monte Vista)
Thanks is extended to
Cuyamaca College for their partnership in helping our students grow in their
passion.
Special Education Students Celebrate Progress
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| PEERS Class students enjoy a social outing |
On Friday, May 5,
students from high schools in GUHSD who participate in the PEERS class (Program
for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) met at Parkway Bowl
after school to meet other students who have been participating in the same
class and celebrate their growth and progress.
The students from El
Cajon Valley, Monte Vista, Valhalla, West Hills and the Home Choice program
have been developing their social and friendship-making skills. They enjoyed
bowling, eating pizza and putting their new social skills to work getting to
know one another and finding students who shared common interests. It was an opportunity to get together with
other teens after school that many of the students in the class had previously
not experienced. Students left the bowling alley that evening with new
friendships and plans to get together with one another for future
get-togethers.
Second
Annual Reclassification Celebration
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| GUHSD Board Member Elva Salinas and Dr. Glover celebrate with students |
On Thursday, May 18, the
English Learner Programs office held its second annual Reclassification
Celebration to recognize students who recently reclassified as fluent in
English (R-FEP). English learners from across the district gathered in
Grossmont High School’s “Old Gym” to be honored for their accomplishment.
They were joined by their families, site administrators, and teachers for celebratory speeches, photo ops, and refreshments. Todd Linke, a science teacher at Mount Miguel High School and one of San Diego County’s Biliteracy Award recipients, delivered a keynote address on the importance of acquiring a second language while honoring and preserving their first language and culture. Students also received a certificate of achievement from the office of State Senator Joel Anderson.
They were joined by their families, site administrators, and teachers for celebratory speeches, photo ops, and refreshments. Todd Linke, a science teacher at Mount Miguel High School and one of San Diego County’s Biliteracy Award recipients, delivered a keynote address on the importance of acquiring a second language while honoring and preserving their first language and culture. Students also received a certificate of achievement from the office of State Senator Joel Anderson.
In addition to gaining
proficiency in English, these students were able to maintain passing grades in
academic subjects, show basic skills in academic English on the NWEA MAP
assessment, and score advanced on California’s English language test in
reading, writing, listening, and speaking. What makes their accomplishments
more remarkable is that many of them have only recently arrived to the United
States.
El
Capitan Hosts Global Language Summit
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| Junior Capstone students participate in a breakout session on Global Competency |
The Global Language and
Leadership Program provides an innovative and rigorous course of study for
students who are interested in furthering multiple language proficiencies in
high school. The goal is to provide a dynamic, international perspective to
students who wish to continue with rigorous language and cultural studies from
their middle schools, while offering a flexible choice of AP courses and
content in the target languages of study.
The program provides a
pathway for the incoming ninth graders who have been in language immersion
courses since kindergarten (either Chinese or Spanish). At El Capitan, they
move into advanced levels of both language study and content courses in the
target language (Art in Chinese, Theater or World History in Spanish, to name a
few.) Many of them are on a triliteracy pathway; taking two classes a day in a
second language and another course in a third language.
The conference brought
together eighth graders as well as ninth through eleventh graders in the
program. Keynote Speakers included Dr. Glover, Maria Angeles Olson, Honorary
Consular to the Embassy of Spain, and Olympia Kyriakidis, Immersion Coordinator
at the San Diego County Office of Education.
The summit also included a
tour of El Capitan High School for incoming 8th graders, a showcase of language
projects, break-out sessions on leadership, college preparation, studying
abroad, and awards presentations. More information on the program is available
here.
Higher
Edge Scholarship College Visits
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| GUHSD students visit Grossmont College |
Students who are seeking a
Higher Edge Promise Scholarship will be required to participate in engagement
activities and college preparation events throughout their time in high school
that will help ensure they are academically prepared for the rigors of a
college education.
Part of the effort is
introducing high school students to Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges to give
them a taste of life on a college campus and inspire them to see that college
is attainable for them.
Over the past two weeks,
selected students from El Capitan High School visited Grossmont College, while
Granite Hills’ students visited Cuyamaca College. The students learned about
some of the academic and career education programs offered and about the
activities and support available to them at the colleges.
We’re delighted that the
East County Education Alliance is getting our students excited about the
prospect of going to college. We want our students to know that a world of
opportunity is open to them when they graduate from high school.
El
Capitan Water Polo Coach Named Eagle Spirit Award Recipient
On Friday, May 19, El
Capitan Water Polo Coach Dave Thomas was honored along with only two others at
the "Victories of Spirit" event hosted by Sharp Health Care Group at
the Manchester Grand Hyatt.
The 2017 Eagle Spirit Award celebrates
extraordinary patients of the Sharp Rehabilitation Services who have overcome
adversity and have gone on to help others. These three individuals were
recognized for their inspiring actions that encourage all others to live life
to its fullest and give back to the community.
Highlights of the evening
included a professional video presentation showcasing how special and important
Coach Dave Thomas is to the program at El Capitan.
The Master of Ceremonies
was Raul Martinez from Fox 5 Morning News.
He was genuinely excited to see so many students present at he ceremony
and mentioned that El Capitan is well-represented by several alumni in the news
room.
Over 45 members of El
Capitan's polo family were in attendance to share in the celebration, along
with hundreds of others. We are
exceedingly proud of the accomplishments he has made, and grateful that he is a
part of El Capitan's coaching staff.
Graduates
Can Get A Head Start on College
If your student is
graduating this June, you may wish to consider enrolling them at Grossmont or
Cuyamaca College this summer. Classes begin June 12, and many online classes
are being offered in addition to classes being taught at the East County
campuses.
For students wanting to
learn how to become successful in college, both colleges are offering College
and Career Success (COUN-120) in class and online, teaching study skills such
as note-taking, listening to lectures, managing time, studying for tests and
improving memory. Also covered are topics such as stress management and
discovering motivations and personal strengths.
Popular general education courses
both colleges are offering include Cultural Anthropology (ANTH-120); Art Appreciation
(ART-100); Business Communication (BUS-128); Prep for General Chemistry
(CHEM-120), a prep course for science and engineering majors; College
Composition & Reading (ENGL-120); Early American History (HIST-108);
Elementary Statistics (MATH-160), Introductory Psychology (PSY-120) and many
more.
Classes are $46 a credit
unit for California residents and financial aid is available. For summer class
schedules for both colleges and information on registering, go to www.gcccd.edu/now or call Admissions and
Records at Grossmont College -- (619) 644-7186, or Cuyamaca College -- (619)
660-4275.
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I
close by wishing you a wonderful summer and leave you with a sampling of recent
photo highlights that showcase student and staff achievements:
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| West Hills Gymnastics - CIF Champions |
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| Santana Softball - Division 2 Champions |
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| Mount Miguel Softball - Division 5 Champions |
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| Brian Wilbur speaks upon receiving 2017 CIF Commissioner's Award |
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| Congresswoman Susan Davis and GUHSD Board Member Dr. Gary Woods congratulate Congressional App Contest Winners at Grossmont High School |
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| Superintendent's Choice Art Award recipient Nicole Donskaya (Grossmont) with teacher Susan Phillips and Principal Dan Barnes |
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| Mount Miguel Academy of Medical and Health Sciences Graduates |
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| Senior welders at El Cajon Valley receive ASW National Welding Certifications as well as certificates from CA Senator Joel Anderson |
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| Mount Miguel Teaching and Learning Pathway student Erica Williams and teacher Courtney Jameson were honored by the Phi Delta Kappa Foundation |
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| Granite Hills Teaching and Learning Pathway student Julissia Martinez and teacher Jennifer Hanzel were also honored for leadership by the Phi Delta Kappa Foundation |
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| The Valhalla Jazz Band performed in Coronado at the opening reception for the Association of California School Administrators Conference |
Dr. Tim Glover
Superintendent
