New Three-Year Calendar Released

GUHSD Announces Early Start Calendar for 2016-17 School Year

On December 10, 2015, the Governing Board of the Grossmont Union High School District adopted an early start calendar for the 2016-2017 school year. Click here to view it. School year calendars were also adopted for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. Click here to view all three adopted calendars.

Benefits of the new calendar include:

• Better alignment with elementary and middle schools

• More instructional time to prepare for Advanced Placement (AP and IB) exams

• Fewer school days after AP testing

• Fall semester ends before Winter Break

• Eliminates need for review in January before finals

• More time to complete college applications and submit transcripts

• Allows students to attend community college summer programs, internships, and college orientations

• Creates greater opportunity for dual enrollment (students taking college courses)

Grossmont High Hosts “Topping Out” Ceremony

Trustees and school officials pose with signed beam

On Tuesday, December 15, we held a “Topping Out” Ceremony today for the new student support services and arts classroom buildings under construction at Grossmont High School. 

“Topping Out” is a ceremony held when the last structural beam is placed at the top of a building. Students, staff and construction workers signed the beam before it was lifted into place.

These new buildings will provide modern classrooms and offices to support our award-winning Associated Student Body, Art Department and Student Support Services.

The new art building will be a modern two-story building housing our art department in three classrooms – one for photography and digital design, one for 2-D art, and one for 3-D art (clay and metal). There will be two other rooms in the art building; one will house a portion of the school’s special education transition program and the other room will be used by the Associated Student Body, the finance office, and a student store. 

The new student support services building will be a two-story modern facility that will be home to the school’s Administrative Offices, Counseling Department, College and Career Center, and the Grossmont Resource Center.

I thank our taxpayers, board members and district staff who support our efforts to provide quality instruction and modern facilities for our students.

Construction of the new $13 million student support services and arts classroom buildings began this past summer and is expected to be complete by the end of July 2016.

Student Talent Shines at Senator Anderson's Holiday Party

Culinary students from Granite Hills High School

The culinary skills of GUHSD students from IDEA Center, Granite Hills, and Santana High Schools delighted guests at State Senator Joel Anderson’s Annual Holiday Legislative Open House on Thursday, December 10, at Toyota of El Cajon. Our students shined as they represented GUHSD and offered hors d’oeuvres and refreshments to guests. In addition, the beautiful floral arrangements made by the floral design students at IDEA Center made the event more festive.

Teachers Jill Enright (Granite Hills), Donna Small (Santana) and Laureen Botticelli and Brenda Davis-Landini (IDEA Center) did an exemplary job of guiding their students as they prepared for this event.

District Office Holiday Luncheon

Grossmont's Red Robe Choir performs at the Holiday Luncheon

The staff in the district office held their annual holiday party on Thursday, December 17. It was a fun event, made even more meaningful by the generous donations of our staff. Again this year, several families in need were selected from within our GUHSD family of schools and staff purchased clothing, gift cards, bikes and toys. After the holiday luncheon, the gifts were delivered to the families.

The luncheon itself was overseen by our talented Food Services Director, Vince Scimone and his staff. The meal was underwritten by District Cabinet members.

This act of combined generosity, along with all the many wonderful donation programs occurring at our school sites, embodies the true holiday spirit. I’m proud to be part of this amazing, dedicated and compassionate team.

. . .

As we begin our long-awaited holiday this weekend, I wish each and every one of you the very merriest holiday season. Please enjoy a safe and joyous time with your family and friends over the next couple of weeks. Classes resume on Monday, January 4.

Superintendent Ralf Swenson

What's New in GUHSD

El Cajon Valley & El Capitan High Schools Named 2015 Golden Bell Award Winners

El Cajon Valley & El Capitan celebrate receiving Golden Bell Awards

On Saturday, December 5, El Cajon Valley High School’s Newcomer Academy and El Capitan High School’s Excellence through Community programs received the prestigious honor of being named 2015 Golden Bell Award winners.

The CSBA Golden Bell Awards, now in its 36th year, recognizes outstanding programs and governance practices of school boards in school districts and county offices of education throughout California. The awards program highlights best practices in education in all areas of operations, instruction and support services.

The Golden Bell Awards program recognizes exemplary programs in 19 major categories, which are essential to support effective governance and teaching and learning. 

El Cajon Valley’s Newcomer Academy was selected for the English Language Acquisition category. This interdisciplinary academy serves students who score low on tests and have been enrolled in U.S. schools for less than a year. Before the academy, students at this level did not receive access to core content classes. Because of this program, all students, regardless of their English proficiency, take classes in the core departments. The majority of the students come from Iraq, followed by Mexico, other Latin American countries and Afghanistan. Many of the students come with gaps in their education due to experiencing war, trauma, violence, poverty, and other unimaginable hardships. The goal is to accelerate the English language acquisition process and provide support for developing literacy, so students can catch up to their English-proficient peers and experience academic success.

El Capitan’s Excellence through Community program was selected for the School Climate Category. The Grossmont Union High School District, the Governing Board, students, families, and the entire staff at El Capitan High School, developed a positive school climate program that has truly made a difference for their school. The vision for the high school soon became, “Excellence through Community,” and four years later, the school is a completely different place. Students have been empowered and the school now has upperclassmen who have realized their undiscovered leadership potential to make positive change among their peers. 

Congratulations to our 2015 Golden Bell Award winners!

GUHSD Students Tour Two Local Manufacturers

CTE students tour Computer Integrated Machining in Santee

On Thursday, December 3, Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from Santana and El Cajon Valley High Schools received an insiders’ tour of two local manufacturing plants. The tour was offered by the East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC) and was open to the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway students.

The tour was a product of the ECEDC’s Manufacturing, Education, and Workforce Subcommittee and was spearheaded by Mike Brown of Computer Integrated Machining (CIM), which manufactures complex machined components and assemblies. The tour engaged our high school students in the manufacturing industry and helped them discover the many career opportunities in that field.

In addition to touring the facility at Computer Integrated Machining in Santee, students also visited the Deering Banjo factory in Spring Valley.

During the tours, students were guided through facilities and developed an understanding of what it takes to produce products that are made to exact tolerances for the aerospace, oil and gas, music and medical industries. The tours concluded with a luncheon panel discussion at Cuyamaca College.

We extend our deepest appreciation to the ECEDC and our many partners and industry leaders for making this successful event possible. Special thanks are also extended to GUHSD’s CTE Work-based Learning Specialist Jeff Wood and the event sponsors: Wells Fargo, SDG&E, Bank of America, US Bank, Comerica Bank and Cuyamaca College.

George Yousif Named Second Quarter Outstanding Classified Employee

  

Board recognition of George Yousif as Second Quarter Outstanding Classified Employee

At the Governing Board meeting on Thursday, December 10, George Yousif was recognized as the Second Quarter Outstanding Classified Employee of 2015-2016. George serves the Grossmont District as a Community Liaison at El Cajon Valley High School.  He is recognized for his outstanding contributions to his school and community in helping Arabic speaking students succeed in their education.

Classified employees provide critical support to our educational mission and programs. Congratulations, George Yousif, on being selected as the Second Quarter Outstanding Classified Employee of 2015-2016!

Superintendent Ralf Swenson

What's New in GUHSD

November Camp LEAD

Over 100 GUHSD and Mountain Empire students and staff joined forces at Camp LEAD (Leadership, Education and Development) from November 19 - 21, in Pine Valley. 

The three-day, two-night leadership and human relations development program provides an engaging and interactive learning environment where participants gain heightened interpersonal and personal-awareness skills. 

During this program, students and staff members come together to explore personal beliefs, challenge their biases and attain a better understanding of others. After attending camp, many students are inspired to make more positive choices for themselves and to serve as change-agents within their schools and communities.

Camp LEAD empowers students to "be the change they want to see in the world" and opens their minds to new ideas, perspectives and cultures. Participating GUHSD schools included Monte Vista, El Cajon Valley, Chaparral, IDEA Center, REACH Academy, El Capitan and Mount Miguel High Schools. 

Mount Miguel Students Receive Budgeting Lesson at JA's Finance Park

On December 2, the Mount Miguel High School Matador Business Academy's (MBA) junior class was the first GUHSD-CTE pathway to participate in Junior Achievement's new Finance Park.  Students received financial literacy training prior to the visit, and upon arrival at the facility, were assigned "virtual" life scenarios. 

In this high-tech simulation, students experienced real-world decision making and consequences involving personal finance, career and educational choices. Through various savings and investment scenarios, students found that it was helpful to learn financial literacy lessons virtually before "real dollars" were used.

GUHSD Student Art Exhibit Opens this Weekend

The Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation is pleased to present, "Natural Views," an exhibition featuring art from students of the Grossmont Union High School District. This will be the fifth annual exhibit at Mission Trails in which GUHSD teachers selected five pieces of student art to submit to the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center Gallery.

The exhibit will be on display in the Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Visitor Center Art Gallery from December 5, 2015 – January 1, 2016. The public is invited to an opening reception in honor of the artists on Saturday, December 12, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The MTRP Visitor and Interpretive Center is located at One Father Junipero Serra Trail in San Diego and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Admission is free.

We thank Mission Trails Regional Park for recognizing the quality art produced in our East County high schools.

Save the Date: 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.

Presenters will include esteemed educators, professionals, college students as well as community activists who spend a day sharing their expertise. Workshops and breakout sessions by prominent educators and professionals will provide an innovative and engaging atmosphere for those in attendance.

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.

Superintendent Ralf Swenson

What's New in GUHSD

27th Annual Thanksgiving Feast at Chaparral

Students enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal at Chaparral

Chaparral High School hosted the 27th Annual Thanksgiving Feast on Wednesday, November 18. Students and staff were treated to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

The annual tradition is a fitting close to the week before break. Sponsored by Chaparral’s ASB, the event has its origins in the staff wanting to ensure that students at the continuation school received a Thanksgiving dinner and that this time-honored tradition enjoyed by so many is not taken for granted.

El Capitan Shines at National FFA Convention & Expo

El Capitan FFA student Tatiana Woliung with her project

The El Capitan High School FFA program competed at the 88th National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky on October 28-31. The National FFA Convention & Expo is the organization’s premier gathering during which all FFA competitive events, programs and awards are recognized on a national stage. The event brings FFA members together to learn, be inspired and celebrate their accomplishments in the organization.

Top honors recognizing outstanding student achievement went to:

Tyler Mellott and Danny McMullen

3rd place

Gold Award

Food Products and Processing Advanced Team

Tatiana Woliung

9th place

Silver Award

Animal Systems Advanced Individual

Ralph Eastham

12th place

Silver Award

Food Products and Processing Individual

We are very proud of our students for their hard work in reaching this level of competition as well as the outstanding program at El Capitan High School.

Health Pathways Students Attend Men in Nursing Conference

A Health Pathway senior observes valves in a cow heart 

On Friday, November 6th, GUHSD Health Pathway students attended the Men in Nursing conference, hosted at Grossmont College. Students interacted with industry professionals, explored nursing as a career, met with local nursing programs, dissected a cow heart, toured the simulation nursing lab, and practiced the skill of manually taking a blood pressure. The hands-on experience, coupled with the mentorship of actual health care practitioners has helped prepare these future nurses to succeed in their future programs of study!

Special Education Hosts Dutch Educators

Dutch Educators meet with Superintendent Swenson

Last month, the Special Education Career Center and the El Cajon Valley High School Mod/Severe Special Education Department hosted eleven Special Education teachers from the Netherlands. The opportunity grew out of a partnership with the SDSU Interwork Institute and Director Dr. Caren Sax. This was the third year that the two departments collaborated in hosting the Dutch educators. The visit included the sharing of programs, curriculum, and strategies and services to assist the teachers in developing inclusive education and experiences for students with special needs. The group was treated to a visit by Superintendent Swenson, who shared his family's experience of when he hosted a Dutch Foreign Exchange Student. 

In 1973, the United States passed the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the first groundbreaking legislation regarding education for students with disabilities. This Act ensured all students, regardless of the disability, a free and appropriate education. The Netherlands enacted their first legislative act, the Act of Inclusive Education, thereby strengthening the expectation that individuals with disabilities be educated and employed alongside their non-disabled peers. The goal of the Dutch Educator tour is to assist, educate, collaborate and support our fellow teachers around the world to provide what is every student’s right regardless of (dis)ability. 

UPCOMING ATHLETIC EVENTS . . .

The Grossmont Athletic Conference is experiencing quite a bit of success in the CIF-SDS Fall sport playoffs. 

Tonight we have six quarterfinal football games scheduled. Helix Charter, Grossmont, Valhalla, and Granite Hills will all be at home, while Steele Canyon travels to Grossmont, and Santana plays at University City. All games begin at 7:00 p.m.

The Volleyball Division 4 Championship will be decided tonight with El Capitan taking on Calexico at 7:00 p.m. at Canyon Crest High School.

On Saturday the Cross Country Championships will be held at Morley Field in Balboa Park. Ten races are run, with the first at 8:30 a.m. and the last race going off at 1:25 p.m. All eleven of our schools will be represented. 

Two more Volleyball Championships are scheduled for Saturday at Cathedral Catholic High School. In the Division 3 Final, Steele Canyon vs. Mission Bay will begin at 11:00 a.m., with Valhalla trying to defeat Olympian at 1:15 p.m. to claim the Division 2 crown. 

Also on Saturday, Valhalla's water polo match will be held at La Jolla High School at 4:45 p.m. to determine the Division 1 title.

Local news media will highlight our Football semifinals to be played over Thanksgiving weekend. We should also have teams playing in the State Volleyball playoffs and runners competing in the State Cross Country meet on Saturday, November 28. 

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I end this issue by wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. It is my hope that each of you has an opportunity to spend time with your loved ones next week and that your holiday is safe and enjoyable.

Superintendent Ralf Swenson

What's New in GUHSD

26th Annual JROTC Veterans Day Ceremony at Mount Miguel

Mount Miguel JRTOC Cadets render honor to those who have served

Veterans were remembered with honor on the morning of Monday, November 9, as the JROTC Program at Mount Miguel High School held its 26th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony. Principal Kim Hedrick was joined by parents and staff who witnessed the ceremony as more than 200 JROTC Cadets honored military personnel who have served our country throughout history.

The morning ceremony began with Cadet Battalion Executive Officer Dearmin Kassab introducing the key leaders of the battalion and their companies, and he delivered a brief message on the significance of this important day.

Battalion XO Kassab with his Principal & Supt.

He addressed the crowd with a message that from the first battle of the American Revolution to our ongoing war against terrorism in conflicts around the globe, and in humanitarian missions at home and abroad, our veterans have saved countless lives. Over 250,000 American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are deployed and stationed in more than 100 countries. Their determination and readiness to go where needed serve as compelling symbols of liberty, justice and hope for freedom all over the world.

The program also included the Corps of Cadets conducting ceremonial procedures and marching in formation. The Flag Detail raised the flag in conjunction with the playing of Reveille, which was followed by the National Anthem.

To all our service members, past and present, whether far from home or here in the United States, we thank you for your countless contributions and selfless sacrifices.

Thank you to our students for honoring our veterans’ service to this great country.

Grossmont NJROTC Marksmanship Team Aims High

Grossmont NJROTC's Marksmanship Team

In further JROTC news, the Grossmont High School’s NJROTC program participated in the Area 11 Qualifier Match in Phoenix on Saturday, October 24. The match was hosted by Thunderbird High School and fired at the Ben Avery Range Complex. 

Grossmont High School’s Marksmanship Team Captain Anah Rosas fired a 276 to win the Area 11 Qualifying match in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, October 24, besting the entire compliment of Arizona shooters along with shooters from three California schools.

Following up her impressive win was Cadet Khaing who fired a 272 to finish fourth. The team fired a school record of 1,030 to take third place in the intensely competitive match. The team also earned five individual medals. Cadet Rosas earned a medal for first overall and top kneeling shooter. Cadet Than earned medals for second place in both the standing and prone categories. Cadet Callista Zaenger earned a medal during the JV match for the top score in the prone position. The Grossmont High Cadets have now qualified for the Area 11 Championship Match in January. 

Mount Miguel Hosts Visiting Dignitary

Mount Miguel JROTC Cadets with LTG Jeffrey Talley

Mount Miguel High School hosted an Army Advisory Council luncheon with Lieutenant General Jeffrey W. Talley, Chief of Army Reserve and 7th Commanding General, United States Army Reserve Command, on Thursday, November 12.

Lieutenant General Talley holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon, Executive MBA from Oxford University, and several masters degrees. He has taught at LSU and Notre dame and was recently named a Harvard Fellow. He is notably the strongest proponent of education in the US Army.

Mount Miguel JROTC’s Armed and Unarmed Drills Teams performed for the large audience that included representatives from the Union Tribune, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, QUALCOMM, The Heroes, Point Mortgage, Interfaith Community Services, Cubic Corporation, T-Mobile, Solar Heroes and more.

Monte Vista Students Outdo Competition at Surrealism Hair Show

Monte Vista Cosmetology Pathway Students

On October 18, Monte Vista High School Cosmetology Pathway students competed at the Surrealism Hair Show. The event was hosted by the California Hair Design Academy at the Joan Kroc Theater in La Mesa. The event theme was “Flight of the Imagination.”

Monte Vista students swept the competition, taking home first, second and third place in the hair, costume and make-up division. Congratulations to all of our competing Monarchs!

Upcoming Annual Marching Band and Color Guard District Fall Showcase

The District Fall Showcase is an annual tradition

On Thursday, November 19, 2015, West Hills High School will host the GUHSD Marching Band and Color Guard District Fall Showcase at 6:00 p.m. in their stadium. More information is available here.

Please come out and support our music programs. This annual fundraiser by the Parent Music Advocacy Group (PMAG) features spectacular musical performances by students throughout the district. Tickets are $8.00 at the gate.

Superintendent Ralf Swenson