What's New in GUHSD

Santana’s Brooke Crocker Named 2016-17 San Diego County Teacher of the Year

Brooke Crocker (Right) with 2016-17 San Diego County Teachers of the Year

Santana High School Teacher Brooke Crocker was one of five local educators who were named San Diego County Teachers of the Year during the 26th annual “Cox Presents: A Salute to Teachers,” sponsored by San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). The annual event honors San Diego County’s public school teachers and was televised live on Channel 4 San Diego from the Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego. 

Brooke Crocker teaches AP U.S. history, U.S. history, and honors geography to 9th- and 11th-grade students at Santana High School. She began teaching at Santana in 1994. She is very involved at Santana as AP/GATE Coordinator, US History PLC Leader, and Varsity Academic League Coach. She received the Varsity Academic League Coach of the Year award seven times and was a Golden Apple Award winner in 2007.

A total of 43 teachers were nominated for the 2016-17 County Teacher of the Year honor from among the 26,000 public school teachers in the region, and the field was narrowed to ten finalists. The finalists were selected based on student achievement, professional development and community involvement, teaching philosophy, knowledge of current issues in education, promotion and development of the teaching profession, accountability, and ability to serve as ambassadors of education. The five teachers of the year will represent San Diego County in the California Teacher of the Year program. The state winners will be announced later this year.

Dr. Jeffers and his wife Artielia at the VIP Reception

The County Teacher of the Year honor also includes the selection of five finalists and Dr. Mark Jeffers of Mount Miguel High School was awarded this high honor. Brooke Crocker and Dr. Jeffers represent the very best we offer to students each and every day in GUHSD. We are proud of them and their steadfast commitment to our students.

El Cajon Valley Remembers Victims at 9/11 Memorial Ceremony

El Cajon Valley Link Crew

A 9/11 Memorial Ceremony was held at El Cajon's Centennial Plaza last Sunday. Interns from Senator Joel Anderson's office placed 2,977 miniature American flags in the plaza by El Cajon City Hall, with each flag representing a life lost on 9/11. 

El Cajon Valley Link Crew students Haneen Qaryaqoos and Lydya Shawka both bravely spoke at the event and shared what 9/11 meant to them and their families as refugees. Afterward a women came up to the group in tears and hugged them both while saying how glad she is they are here and safe now. 

Link Crew members assisted with tying “in memory of” yellow ribbons around the small flags after the ceremony. They assisted with the clean up after the event and spoke with local firefighters and police officers. Senator Anderson’s office has requested that El Cajon Valley students participate and speak at the event next year as well.

Participation in the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony by El Cajon Valley students and staff is a powerful example of the positive connections being built between our schools and the broader community.

Jeni Mendel Receives Life Changer Award

L: Dr. Glover, Jeni Mendel, Lucia Washburn, and Bob Mueller (SDCOE)

On Friday, September 9, I was pleased to participate in the Annual Summit on Student Engagement and Attendance where GUHSD's Jeni Mendel was honored with the prestigious Life Changer Award. 

Ms. Mendel provides crucial support to students as our Coordinator of Child Welfare and Attendance, as well as in her capacity as our Liaison for Foster, Homeless and Military Youth. Jeni was selected for this high honor in acknowledgement of her unwavering support and commitment to the youth and families of San Diego County.

Recognition of Monte Vista & District Staff for Heroism in Saving the Life of a Student

Governing Board Recognition of Staff & First Responders

At the Governing Board Meeting on September 8, we recognized the heroic acts of several staff members at Monte Vista High School whose quick actions ultimately saved the life of a student. When a student collapsed walking across campus and required immediate medical intervention, trained staff sprung into action, providing CPR and using the site's AED unit until the paramedics arrived to take over care of the student. 

Special Education Aide Carmen Gray, Dropout Prevention Specialist Ron Carper, substitute LVN Macy Heiderich, and Assistant Principal Bill Sullivan were commended for their heroism. Representatives from San Diego Project Heart Beat, Cardiac Science Corporation, AMR Ambulance and participating Fire and Transport Paramedics were present for the recognition.

We later learned that the report from the AED unit indicated that the staff's actions saved the student's life. Even though they were providing CPR, the shock from the AED is what re-started the student's heart. It was a joy to honor the staff members whose reward is knowing they truly made all the difference in this young man's life.

El Capitan FFA Chapter Participates in Leadership Camp-Out

El Capitan FFA Attends Leadership Camp-Out

This past weekend, Chapter Officers from El Capitan High School's FFA Chapter attended the San Diego Section FFA Leadership Camp-Out at El Prado campground in Mount Laguna. This Olympic-themed camp-out inspired San Diego members to "Go for Gold!" and to make the most of this year and to live up to their chapter's full potential. 

Participating El Capitan FFA Chapter students learned new skills and gathered new ideas to bring back to their local chapter and community. Students learned how to successfully publicize FFA events, received tips on public speaking and how to run a meeting according to parliamentary procedure. They also learned the importance of community service and how their chapter can positively affect the lives of others. Best wishes to our talented students in achieving their goals!

Please Support PTA!

Dr. Glover Addressed PTSA/DAC Members at their September Meeting

Parents, if you are not a member of your school PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association), I encourage you to get involved. Parent involvement and dedication is making a difference at our high schools. 

PTSAs work with schools to engage and involve parents and help implement programs that support the safety, well-being, and achievement of all students on campus. By joining PTSA, you're helping to do great things for students at your school.

If you have not already joined or supported your school’s PTSA, I encourage you to do so today by accessing this form.

My thanks to the extensive Foothills Council PTSA network of parents and community members who are working to improve the educational experience and well-being of all our students.

Dr. Tim Glover

Superintendent

What's New in GUHSD

Law Enforcement Presence Enhances Campus Safety

GUHSD School Resource Officers (SROs) and Area Law Enforcement Professionals

GUHSD believes that the learning environment is enhanced when students feel safe. As such, we provide full-time School Resource Officers on our campuses. Under the watchful eye of deputies from the Lakeside, Rancho San Diego and Santee Sheriff’s Stations, as well as police officers from the El Cajon and La Mesa Police Departments, our students attend schools that emphasize safety first.

School Resource Officers (SROs) help keep our GUHSD campuses safe and are key players in the District’s efforts to prevent criminal activity at or near our schools. The presence of these armed and uniformed officers is an effective deterrent.

In the presence of law enforcement agencies, we continually revisit our safety plans and hold regular emergency drills in order to equip our students and staff with an understanding of what to do if an emergency arises. Campus supervisors work with school leadership to reinforce that commitment and to create an environment that allows for learning to occur and for our students to feel secure.

Grossmont High NJROTC Hosts Mini Boot Camp

2016 Mini Boot Camp Participants

Grossmont High School’s NJROTC program hosted its first Mini Boot Camp on August 26 - 28. Seventy Cadets received training in Drill and Ceremonies, Physical Fitness, Personnel Inspection, and setting priorities. The unit was fortunate to have U.S. Army Drill Sergeants from the U.S. Army Reserve’s 95th Division conduct the training and supervise instruction. 

The initial session was conducted in the Old Gym by Drill Sergeant Izunza. The three-hour session on Friday, covered individual drill movements and personal bearing. The Saturday session began with a briefing in the Old Gym followed by four solid hours of instruction in Drill and Ceremonies on Grossmont’s Drill pad. The afternoon session focused on physical fitness and included a Team Handball tournament (an NJROTC staple activity), which was won by Third Platoon, led by Cadet Melanie Gonzalez. The Saturday training concluded with “Drill Sergeant’s Time.” 

Sunday morning began with a competitive inspection where each Cadet was evaluated based on their compliance with the U.S. Navy Cadet Field Manual. Second Platoon was declared the inspection champions, led by Cadet Savanah Metcalfe. The final event was Drill Competition. Despite all three platoons posing fierce competition, Second Platoon, led by Cadet Elizabeth Felix, earned top honors in Drill and went on to earn the distinction of being the training “Honor Platoon.” Grossmont’s Cadets did a superior job and are off to an outstanding start to the school year. 

Throughout the year, those who attended will use their knowledge from the training to teach their peers and use this extracurricular activity as a head start toward reaching the collective goal of the distinction “Most Improved Unit.” This award is given by the Area Manager, Commander Ken Liles, to the one unit each year that demonstrates exceptional effort and achievement. Grossmont’s company has made reaching this goal a top priority. Cadets train on a weekly schedule of rigorous physical training, uniform inspection, Team Handball, naval science, and extracurricular teams such as the award-winning marksmanship team and exhibition drill. All hands are vital toward achieving the unit’s goals for the year.

Upcoming District Events . . . 

International Newcomer Center Parent Forum on Sept. 24

The District’s English Learner Programs is proud to present our first Parent Forum on Saturday, September 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at El Cajon Valley High School. This parent training will provide parents with the tools to access their children's grades, attendance, and transcripts on Infinite Campus.

Parents will also have opportunities to increase their understanding of the high school system and English Learner Programs. The goal of the Parent Forum is to empower parents to be an integral part of their children's success. This informative session is intended for all parents, but is especially useful for parents of English Learners. Interpreters will be available in Spanish and Arabic. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.

El Cajon Valley High School is located at 1035 E. Madison Avenue in El Cajon.

GOT PLANS? Career & College Fair on Oct. 8

The East County Education Alliance is hosting the thirteenth annual Got Plans? Career & College Fair for high school students and parents on Saturday, October 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Cuyamaca College at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon.

The annual event awakens students to the many opportunities available to them after high school, both locally and across the country. Once they make contact with college and career representatives at Got Plans?, students begin to think more seriously about their options after high school.

At the event, students and parents will be able to interact with admissions representatives from public and private universities, community colleges, vocational schools, and the military.

Free workshops will be presented on topics including financial aid and career opportunities. Additional information will be available regarding NCAA eligibility for student-athletes, updates and changes to the SAT and ACT tests, transfer options and more. 

Admission to the fair is free and open to the public. 

We hope to see you there!

Dr. Tim Glover

Superintendent

What's New in GUHSD

CTE Prepares Students for Success

Today’s rigorous and relevant Career Technical Education (CTE) prepares youth and adults for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers. The Grossmont Union High School District Career and Technical Education program is a major focus of our overall instructional program. The CTE focus transforms high schools by providing programs of study that give students the technical, academic, and employability skills they will need for their future. For thousands of students, CTE provides motivation for attending and staying in school.

The Grossmont Union High School District continues to support and expand quality programs to ensure that students are both college and career ready when they graduate. Currently, we offer over 40 Career Technical Education Pathways in high-wage, high-demand Industry Sectors.

Our CTE pathways serve over 4,000 students and include two to four year sequences of classes in an industry sector. We also have over 2,000 students participating in our Healthcare Pathways supported by the Grossmont Healthcare District. In addition, some of our pathways are implementing a Linked Learning approach where the students’ CTE and academic classes are coordinated to have a unique career-themed, learning experience with additional student support from their teacher team. Students in all pathways learn industry-current technical skills and incorporate their academic standards in an applied and relevant project-based learning environment with authentic audiences.

Opportunities include:

• Work-based learning integrated at each level (industry tours, guest speakers, community projects, teacher job shadows and externships)
• Exposure to a full range of post-secondary options: entry-level jobs, apprenticeships, military, two- or four-year colleges
• Articulation and alignment with post-secondary institutions and industry level certifications

The Grossmont Union High School District is partnering with other high school and post-secondary districts as well as with private organizations and business partners to implement and expand this work at a local and regional level. 

Following are two examples of the great opportunities available to students in our pathways programs.

Health-Careers Exploration Summer Institute

During the summer months, 15 Health Career Pathway students from Granite Hills, Mount Miguel, Valhalla, Santana and West Hills served as hospital interns, gaining skills working at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa. The Health-Careers Exploration Summer Institute (HESI) program began with an intense month of preparatory homework leading up to the program start date and four rigorous training days.

Next, the interns spent the month of July rotating through nearly 20 hospital departments. Students spent over seven hours a day with medical professionals and spent their evenings researching and writing case studies and reflecting on their personal growth. Additionally, students generated e-portfolios. These digital spaces house the students’ CVs, resumes, evidence of scientific writing competency, and transcribed interviews with healthcare professionals, which can all be used by the students long after their attendance in the HESI program.

The departments that hosted our students welcomed them and taught them about their careers, medical procedures and technology, and patient. Most importantly, these mentors provided them with life lessons and insights that will alter the course of their lives.  In this way, students benefitted from incredible career exposure, learned about the value of finding a career they will be passionate about, practiced work readiness and communication skills, and applied knowledge from their Health Career Pathway courses to a “real-world” setting.

The rigorous internship program concluded with individual final student presentations at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center to a crowd of nearly 90 guests including families, Grossmont Healthcare District Board Members and CEO Barry Jantz, Sharp Grossmont Hospital staff, GUHSD Governing Board Members, and several members of my management team.

Our students did a superb job in sharing their transformative experiences and afterward officially graduated from the program. Photos from the event are available here. 

Inaugural Solar Energy Academy

Also over the summer, GUHSD-CTE partnered with SunPower Energy, Vital Link and Cuyamaca College to offer interested juniors and seniors an opportunity to participate in the SunPower Solar Energy Academy.

The intense, five-day event, was hosted by Cuyamaca College. It provided students with an in-depth working knowledge of residential photovoltaic system design and installation.

In collaborative teams, students learned how to design a residential solar system, calculate financing and present the benefits of solar energy in a high-quality presentation. This week also included lectures from solar professionals, hands-on activities and a visit to the impressive SDG&E Energy Innovation Center. GUHSD Program Managers Dena Johnson and Lindsey Emerson also outlined their role in the Valhalla Solar Project.

CTE teachers Joe Cota (El Capitan) and Todd Myers (IDEA Center), with support from SunPower and Vital Link consultants, provided a great opportunity for students to:

• receive hands-on experience and training
• acquire valuable technical and professional skills
• build teamwork and problem-solving skills with like-minded students
• expand  their resume, career portfolio and college application content

Students from the following programs participated:

• Building and Construction Trades: El Capitan and IDEA
• Advanced Manufacturing: Santana and West Hills
• Engineering: Santana 
• Transportation: Monte Vista
• Business & Marketing: Mount Miguel

The week culminated with student presentations held at the Energy Innovation Center. Business panelists were very impressed with the quality of the content and presentation skills displayed by the students.

I thank the following panelists for contributing their valuable time for our students: 

• Lindsay Boyd, Project Coordinator, Sea World
• Tisha Tumangan, Senior Human Resources Representative, Sea World
• Samuel Lindsey, District 21 Director, American Welding Society
• Rich Nagel, ASI Heating and Air
• Carmen Contreras, Business Development Specialist, Point Loma Credit Union

These are but two examples of the many experiences GUHSD students may benefit from on the way to college and careers.

Labor Day Send-off

In closing, I wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend. Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 6.

Dr. Tim Glover

Superintendent

QUALITY FACILITIES: PART OF OUR EQUATION FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

Quality school facilities and technology are part of our equation for equipping students for college and careers. Following a thorough due diligence assessment and planning effort, the Grossmont Union High School District Governing Board took action on August 4, 2016, to place Measure BB, a local school bond, on the November 2016 Presidential General Election ballot. 

Passing local school bonds is the most common way California communities upgrade their local schools. Over the past year, GUHSD has performed an extensive facility needs assessment (an update to our 2009 Facilities Master Plan) identifying the most critical facilities needs to protect the quality of education in East County high schools.   

Our District maintenance and operations staff work hard to keep GUHSD schools safe, clean and in working condition. With 12 high school campuses in constant use by over 21,850 students and over 3,000 staff, our facility needs far exceed the standard funding allotment we receive from the State for school facilities maintenance. An ongoing investment in local school facilities is critical to give our students the same opportunities as others to compete for college and 21st century careers. 

Click here for more Grossmont Union High School District School Bond Information. Following is a quick summary.

Measure BB will:

•Repair aging roofs, deteriorated plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical systems

•Renovate career-training facilities for science, technology, engineering, math and skilled trades

•Upgrade classrooms and technology to meet rising college/university admission requirements

•Rehabilitate or replace aging student support facilities (e.g., labs, libraries, restrooms, etc.)

•Improve campus safety, security and access for disabled students

Measure BB Facts:

•By law, ALL Measure BB funds STAY LOCAL dedicated to East County (GUHSD) schools ONLY. 

   

•The State CANNOT take Measure BB funding away. 

•Measure BB is for school technology infrastructure, classrooms, facilities and equipment ONLY. 

•NO funds are allowed for administrators' salaries or pensions. 

•Independent Citizens' Oversight and mandatory audits will ensure proper spending.

•Passage of Measure BB will qualify GUHSD for up to $50 million in State matching funds.

For a summary of the accomplishments that are transforming our East County High Schools, please click here.

SAVE THE DATE: Upcoming District Events . . . 

International Newcomer Center Parent Forum on Sept. 24

The District's English Learner Programs is proud to present our first International Newcomer Center Parent Forum on Saturday, September 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at El Cajon Valley High School. This parent training will provide parents with the tools to access their children's grades, attendance, and transcripts on Infinite Campus.

Parents will also have opportunities to increase their understanding of the high school system and English Learner Programs. The goal of the Parent Forum is to empower parents to be an integral part of their children's success. This informative session is intended for all parents, but is especially useful for parents of English Learners. Interpreters will be available in Spanish and Arabic. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.

El Cajon Valley High School is located at 1035 E. Madison Avenue in El Cajon.

GOT PLANS? Career & College Fair on Oct. 8

The East County Education Alliance is hosting the thirteenth annual Got Plans? Career & College Fair for high school students and parents on Saturday, October 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Cuyamaca College at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon.

The annual event awakens students to the many opportunities available to them after high school, both locally and across the country. Once they make contact with college and career representatives at Got Plans?, students begin to think more seriously about their options after high school.

At the event, students and parents will be able to interact with admissions representatives from public and private universities, community colleges, vocational schools, and the military.

Free workshops will be presented on topics including financial aid and career opportunities. Additional information will be available regarding NCAA eligibility for student-athletes, updates and changes to the SAT and ACT tests, transfer options and more. 

On a personal note, the Got Plans? College & Career Fair is the exact event where my son and I started his research on college attendance. This week he begins his senior year in college and I have Got Plans? to thank for planting the seeds of "college going" information with him. 

More information will follow in the coming weeks. Admission to the fair is free and open to the public. 

We hope to see you there! 

Dr. Tim Glover

Superintendent

Superintendent's Welcome to the 2016-17 School Year!

Dear GUHSD Families:

Welcome to the 2016-17 school year! It is truly an honor to serve the Grossmont Community as the new District Superintendent. I speak on behalf of our Governing Board and schools when I say that all of us in the Grossmont Union High School District are excited to begin a new school year filled with learning and discovery.

If your family is returning, welcome back! If you have not experienced GUHSD previously, you will find us to be an exceptional community of learners dedicated to your child’s success. Our educators truly care about our students and want to guide them to success.

I’ve been all over the District this past month meeting with our dedicated staff and members of the community. Those conversations have reinforced the deep sense of pride we collectively share in our school district and echoed the very reasons I enrolled my son in a GUHSD high school.

In the coming weeks, I will share more about our district’s focus and the impact we're having on preparing students for their future. Our goal is to prepare every student for college and careers with engaging programs that inspire students to reach for their dreams.

Whether you are a long-time member of our school district community or new to us, you will see reflected in my weekly communications the deep commitment of our staff toward excellence and a strong desire to deliver our very best each day.

Once again, welcome! We look forward to serving you!

Dr. Tim Glover

Superintendent

For more information on Dr. Glover’s career, please click here.