Sunday, September 25, 2016

Monarch Memo: Sept 26 - 30th

Monarch Memo
September 26-30, 2016
Grades close on Monday, Sept. 26 at 8:00 a.m.
Extended Lunch Sept. 30, new Advisory cycle starts Oct 4

Congratulations Coach Hamamoto, an all-time leader in football coaching victories.



WHAT'S NEW?
Knowing that everyone’s Personal Communication Style is different, it is difficult to meet everyone’s needs.  This Memo tries to include a little bit for the REDS, YELLOWS, GREENS and BLUES.  Some are grateful for the reminders, others like the Kudos and Congrats, others just want the facts, data and want to move on.  Please check it each week to make sure you stay informed.  

STOP! Don’t complete the required online training for all staff.
ETS has discovered a glitch in the JPA, AB 1432 Mandated Reporter Training. If you have not completed the training, do not complete the training until directed to do so.  We hope to have the restart sometime next week.  They will likely extend the deadline.
Google Ninjas needed.  1-2 MV teachers for every subject area
You do not have to be a techie just willing to learn and try something new as well as willing to work with others.  Any questions, please ask.  Thanks to a few of you who have applied.
Here is a link to the application: https://goo.gl/forms/0jkT1IMThFvoJtzz2


REMINDERS AT A GLANCE - Green’s skip this if you don’t need reminders (smiley face here)
Pledge of Allegiance every day period 3 and Newscast Wednesdays to keep students in the loop.  
  • Club Charters must be submitted to Finance office by Sept. 30 and approved by ASB for Clubs to be in the yearbook. Join in time to participate in the Midway sales at Homecoming and to get your club’s picture taken for the yearbook.  They start Oct. 4th.
  • District PAC Committee - we still need a rep. From Monte Vista
  • WASC - still taking interested teachers.  Please see Marietta.
  • Chromebook Freeze? -  Great tip: Press the CONTROL and ALT keys on the left side of the keyboard AS WELL AS the power button. Hold down for 10 seconds. This usually unfreezes the screen.
  • Fire alarm testing on Monday September 26, 2016 around 6:45 am.
  • Kristine will be on vacation from Oct. 7 - Oct 18th. Please email Robin at rmcgrew@guhsd.net or call her at ext. 03025 with any repair. ​Please contact Tino for emergencies only at ​ aramirez@guhsd.net or call him at (619) 867-4066.  If he is unreachable or if you need police assistance please call the Sheriff's Department dispatch at (858) 565-5200.
  • Have you been asked by a colleague to take the MV Fight Song Challenge?

Professional Development Opportunities - I am posting these because the district does not have a site for all PD opportunities, yet.
The EL Programs Office will be hosting Engaging LTELs in the Mainstream Classroom, a two day, non-consecutive, professional learning.  The two dates are Thursday, September 29 and Thursday, December 1, from 8-3pm held at IR.
This is a great opportunity for teachers who:
  • teachers who have at least one EL student in their science, social science, math, or English courses
  • teachers who struggle with supporting underperforming students
  • teachers who need to increase their understanding of the 2012 ELA/ELD standards, which apply to all disciplines
​Pl​ease sign up here, at bit.ly/guhsdpd.  

 If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact Doug Martin, EL Curriculum Specialist, dmartin@guhsd.net; 619.593.2712 or me at 619.593.2710.
Here is the phone message sent home to parents on Sunday, September 25, 2016
Good Evening Monte Vista Families, this is Principal Minjares with a weekly update.

 Important information for this week includes a College Scholarship Night Sponsored by Cal-SOAP; SOAP stands for Student Opportunity and Access Program.  Come get assistance finding, applying, and securing scholarships for college.  Join us on Thursday night from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.  

 The deadline for parents to purchase the insurance for Chromebooks is this Friday, Sept. 30th. Visit our website or feel free to call us if you need assistance learning how to sign up online.  Other reminders on our website include how to sign up for National Honor Society and the purchasing of Spirit Packs which include discounted rates for Homecoming events and the yearbook.  

 Monte Vista will be administering the PSAT on Wednesday, October 19th. Registration is FREE and Juniors have first priority to sign-up until October 1st. Juniors sign up now in the Finance Office.

 Parents we would love for you to join PTSA.  Your $10.00 donation shows your support.  There is no commitment to volunteer with your membership; your donation helps us sponsor programs for our students.  Please sign up through our website or pick up an envelope in the front office. Together we make a difference for our students. 

 We hope you had a great weekend. See you tomorrow Monarchs.  Just a reminder that it is Monday, late start C.P.T day.  
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Monday, September 19, 2016

Monarch Memo: September 19 - 22

Monarch Memo
September 19-22, 2016
Staff meeting for ALL staff members at 8:00 a.m.
September 19 in the Gym
What’s New?
District PAC Committee
Teachers - Monte Vista needs a representative for the District PAC committee.  We need a voice. They meet about 3 times a year.  They take place at the end of the day at the District office. Please email me if you are interested.  
WASC - we will be gearing up in Spring 2017 for 17-18.
Teachers we will be looking for a teacher to be a coordinator.  This involves release time of course. If you have an interest, please let me know.  There is a training coming up in October that promises to be very helpful.
Your PTSA Membership shows our appreciation.
The PTSA does so much for Monte Vista. A great way to show we appreciate and support them is to join PTSA.  Memberships are just $10 which is the equivalent of $1/month for the school year and helps PTSA do great things for students and staff at Monte Vista!  
All teachers and staff who join by the end of the school day on Friday September 23 will be entered in a drawing for a $25 La Posta Mexican Restaurant gift card or a $25 Baskin Robbins gift card. This includes teachers and staff who have already joined this year.
It would be wonderful and a great GOAL to have 100% of our staff join the PTA. Envelopes are in your mailbox or sign up online.  Thank you.


REQUIRED: Online training for all staff - due date September 30th  
There is a new on-line training that all school employees are required to take each year, AB 1432 Mandatory Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Training.  The course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and it does not need to be completed in one sitting.  The course is designed so that when you stop, it will automatically bookmark itself, and when you return, it will resume where you left off.
How to Log In:
Click this email link: http://www.jpalearninglibrary.com/login/89/  It will take you to the “Making Right Choices” Training Center website (under which this training is located).
USERNAME: This is your email address used when you took the “Making Right
                                   Choices” course.
PASSWORD: Will also be what was originally used when you took the “Making Right
                                   Choices” course; BUT if you have forgotten your password, directions for
                                   resetting it are on the log-in page.  
Upon the completion of the course, please print the Certificate and turn it into your Principal’s secretary; she will check off your name as completed. We would like to have all school sites complete the training by September 30, 2016. Thank you for taking the time to complete the course in the spirit it was intended, which is to protect our students.
Reminders at a glance - Pledge of Allegiance every day period 3 and Newscast Wednesdays
  • Please do not send students to the Guidance Center during class time unless the student is in crisis.  Please always send students in crisis with a pass. Students should take care of all other guidance business before school, break, lunch, and after school.
  • Assistant Principal alphabet breakdown. Please copy the correct AP on emails about students. A-G:  Joe Garcia
H-N:  Rad
O-Z:  Sullivan
  • Collegiate block letter hoodies now available for $27 in the Finance Office.
  • Classified staff members interested in serving on School Site Council please contact Denise by Friday, September 23rd.
  • Here is a GoGuardian youtube playlist with a handful of GoGuardian tutorials
  • 2016-17 California Retired Teacher Association Grant good for $100 toward classroom activities.  They are giving away 25 - $100 grants.  Please see the email sent by Denise on September 15.
  • Fire alarm testing on Monday September 19, 2016 around 6:45 am. They will be sounding the alarms then silencing them. This a a mandatory annual test.
  • Advisory Message  - just in case you missed it.
It is key that we follow a structured system for advisory. I am watching, learning and monitoring for effectiveness as many of you have shared with me the necessity for refinement.  Thank you for this feedback. After observing the process for these past few days there are a few key things that must be adhered to:
1.  Once grades are entered students MUST stay in that advisory for three weeks.  So be mindful of the grade they earned and you posted.  We not going to drop kids mid-way because the grade has improved. There is plenty of other work they can complete for their classes.  Do not email Amanda or the counselors to make any changes.  
2.  Students must stay in advisory for the entire advisory period. Do not excuse them early.  
During this first round, I have noticed that there is a discrepancy between the numbers of students in various classes.  This is going to happen at times, however, in the future the goal is to have a better balance of students in advisory classes. All full time teachers should expect to be assigned students in an advisory. We will be addressing and working to ensure a balance of students and equity of assignments for the next cycle that begins Oct. 4. Thank you for cooperation and understanding.
Interested in Professional Development Opportunities? 5 listed below
WeVideo
This is a hands-on experience where you will be placed in the role of a student learning how to shoot better videos, storyboard, and editing video with WeVideo. The goal is that you will walk away from the day with the confidence to introduce WeVideo to your students and the ability to plan your own video projects.​​​​​​​
Date: October 6, 2016 (Thursday) Time: 8-3pm includes 1hr lunch on your own
This workshop is limited to 30 people. If you participated in the WeVideo workshops in the summer or last school year, please know that this will be a very similar experience.  Interested in attending this workshop? Please complete the GUHSD PD Registration Form. If you have any questions concerning this workshop, please email rhoffman@gushd.net.
EL Strategies
The EL Programs Office is proud to offer the following professional development workshops for teachers of all subject areas:   Engaging Long-Term English Learners in the Mainstream Classroom -- 2 Days
  • Gain knowledge and strategies for meeting the needs of all students in your classroom.
  • Intended for any teacher with at least one EL student in a mainstream class.
  • Register for both sessions.
    • Thurs. Sept. 29, 8:00-3:00 -- Instructional Resources Classroom
    • Thurs. Dec. 1, 8:00-3:00 -- Instructional Resources Classroom
EL Programs Institutes -- 1 Day
  • Review data from standardized assessments in EL and develop a site-based plan for addressing issues.
  • Intended for administrators, counselors and teachers of ELD and EL Support classes.
  • Register for one or both sessions.
    • Fall -- Wed. Nov. 30, 8:00-3:00 -- Instructional Resources Classroom
    • Spring -- Thurs. May 11, 8:00-3:00 -- Instructional Resources Classroom
Click on this Google Form to self-enroll. If the PD meets on multiple days, please register for each session separately.
SDCUE 2016 Tech Fair - November 5, 2016 - if interested, let Marietta know.
In 2015, almost 1200 educators from southern California attended the SDCUE Tech Fair!
Don't miss out on the 2016 edition!   More information: sdcue.org
La Costa Canyon High School, Carlsbad - November 5, 2016, 7:30-2:30
Group discounts: $40/pp  |  Single registration: $60/ea
    • 90 min hands-on workshops
    • 45 min presenter sessions
    • Student Showcase
    • Networking with new friends
    • Morning snacks and lunch
    • Door prizes
#GoOpen Summit  -  Register For #GoOpen HERE
Vista Unified School District is hosting the a national #GoOpen Summit on Friday, October 7, 2016.
#GoOpen Summit Goals:
  1. District leaders will be able to reliably distinguish between and identify the advantages, disadvantages, limitations, and tradeoffs of  open, free, CC licensing
  2. Define and identify examples/proof points through the Story Engine in order to visualize the variety of #GoOpen entry points and plans
  3. Become familiar with #GoOpen Launch Packet and identify the readiness of each district and where they are in the process
  4. Showcase work of Ambassador districts through conversations and presentations
  5. Develop mentor and peer relationships between districts and between districts and state leaders that lead to long term collaboration.
MOOC - (Massive Open Online Course) on Book Innovator’s Mindset
George Couros, the author of the Innovator’s Mindset, is hosting a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) surrounding the key concepts of his book. Over the next six weeks, he will lead well over a 1,000 people through a series of activities and discussions to explore what it means to have an innovator’s mindset. This is not just about technology, it’s about teaching and learning in the modern world.
If YOU are interested in taking part - you can get all the information you need here.
Additionally, if you want to participate, we will purchase the book for the first 50 people who are interested. Just complete this form! We will get you the book ASAP.
Here is the phone message sent home to parents on Sunday, September 18, 2016
Good Evening Monte Vista Families, this is Principal Minjares with a weekly update
This Friday, September 23 is the end of the 6th week grading period. This means we are one-third through the semester. Six week grades are used for sports eligibility. Please make sure you have at least an unweighted 2.0 GPA and have satisfactory citizenship grades to participate in athletics.   As a reminder, grades are no longer mailed home.  Please remember that parents are able to check grades regularly on the Parent Portal.  
There is still time to apply for Free and Reduced Lunch.  Please do so right away. For assistance please see Mrs. Engstand in the main office or visit the Guidance Center.  
Participate in our after school PRIDE program which is free to our Monarchs. Stay active after school and participate in sports, hobbies, tutoring and dancing.  Check out the PRIDE Opportunities Schedule link on our website and on the email version of this message.


In addition to reading the Monte Vista website regularly, please check out the  Superintendent's Newsline link from Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent, Dr. Tim Glover.  You will see some familiar faces from Monte Vista in this week’s post.


Remember to wear college shirts on Thursday and Monarch spirit wear on Fridays to show your Monte Vista Pride.  

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Sunday, September 11, 2016

Monarch Memo: Sept 12 - 16th, 2016

Monarch Memo
September 12-16, 2016
Grades due at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 12

It is hard to believe that it has been 15 years since 9/11.  Our current high school students were barely born or infants when this occurred.  I recall watching the news all day in disbelief with my high school ASB students and providing whatever emotional comfort we could to each other.  Our never-ending thoughts and prayers are with those who struggle through this day and everyday from the loss of loved ones and so many others.   

Thank you for reading the Monarch Memo, but more importantly for your on-going support of our students and each other.  Every day I get to see more and more of what makes Monte Vista special.  I appreciate all you do.    

What’s New?

First Advisory Cycle begins Wednesday - please distribute schedules to students on Wed., Sept. 14 during period 3.  

Certificated Evaluations
Teachers will be notified before September 30th if they are on the evaluation cycle for this school year.  Each administrator will directly notify the teachers on their list and schedule, pre and post meetings and observation dates.  There will be a brief overview of the evaluation process at the end of the staff meeting on September 19th.  

Transportation Dept. After Hours Emergency Number: In case of emergency, the phone number to after hours transportation for GUHSD is 619-592-0703.

ZIKA virus information - stay informed (Thanks for the resources Jen Enright)

CAASPP Data - A message from Alan Grulich
Although we have still not received our final CAASPP data file with SBAC scores (and, apparently, neither have a number of other districts in the County...despite CDE having published information to the public), we've just published our preliminary results to Illuminate.
In order to access this information from Illuminate, select Reports --> List Reports. (If you have any filters turned on, select "Clear Filters."). From there, search for "preliminary". You should see three reports available (depicted in the attached screen capture).

As you review this data, please be aware that Illuminate is date sensitive and the date parameters used in the reports will affect the results returned. These reports allow you to disaggregate information by EL, special ed, etc.

Although the data is preliminary, and will be replaced by the final file we should receive in the middle of this month, we don't anticipate large changes. However, once the final file arrives, a different set of reports should be used to work with this information and our user guides/instructions are designed for this set of reports.

Alternatively, you may also use CDE's public results website at the following URL:
http://caaspp.cde.ca.gov/sb2016/Search  With any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Reminders:   Show the Newscast every Wednesday
Pledge of Allegiance every day period 3.

First Advisory Cycle starts Wednesday, please review thank you.
  • The four-week grade window will close on Monday, 9/12/16 at 8:00 a.m.  
  • There are many groups  on campus (counselors, coaches, EL, CEIS, AVID, Admin) who use these grades to monitor students, so please make every efforts to upload your grades during the window.  The plan is to begin our first Advisory Cycle on Wednesday, September 14th.
  • Please do not allow (i.e. clear) students into your Advisory if they have an A, B or C with you UNLESS they are doing test make-ups.
  • If you need to clear a student, please use the MV HUB. Please make every effort to do this by 1:30 that day. If you do not clear the student via the MV HUB they will be assigned a lunch detention for the following day.
  • Please do not allow students to go get food and return to your Advisory.  
  • If you need to release a student early from Advisory, please make sure to give them a pass.
  • Please do not release your entire Advisory class early; they must stay until the bell rings.
More Reminders
  • Tuesday, Sept. 13 is an Extended Lunch and a lunch meeting for Freshmen Advisory teachers in the Library Community Room at 12:10 p.m.
  • Support the Julie Weaver Scholarship for MV Students.  Fundraiser Thursday, Sept. 29 @ Cafe Coyote in Old Town, 5:00 p.m.
  • New Enrollees and Chromebooks: When you get a brand new student, please DO NOT send your new students to get Chromebooks on the same day they register for school. Their registration does not roll over until the second day so I (Laura)  cannot access them in Destiny on that first day. Thank you.
  • Interested in PD?  - This is just one but there are so many more.  
Digital Assessments Workshop
September 29, 2016
8am-3pm (1-hr Lunch on your own)
Instructional Resources
How can you assess student learning digitally? We assess students using both formative and summative assessments in our classes all the time. In this workshop, you will experience and learn more about a variety of digital assessment methods and tools. Some of the tools we will discuss are Illuminate (online hybrid tests), Socrative, GoFormative, Forms Quizzes, Flubaroo, Doctopus/Goobric. We will also share peer assessment workflows so your students can provide each other with feedback.
Click here to register. Make sure to select Digital Assessments Workshop.


 Here is the phone message sent home to parents on Sunday, September 11, 2016

Good Evening Monte Vista Families, this is Principal Minjares with a weekly update:

Today has been a day of remembrance for those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks.  As a parent of two high school students who were infants 15 years ago, the conversations we have had at home about this day have been difficult but very important.  It is history for them but still so fresh in many of our hearts and minds.  We remember and honor those who lost their lives 15 years ago today.  

Our Monarchs have settled in with the use of their Chromebooks at school and at home.  We highly encourage all families to take advantage of the yearly Warranty Coverage on the Chromebooks that can be purchased before September 30, 2016 only. The Grossmont Union High School District is offering coverage of 100% parts and labor, accidental damage as well as theft.  Please click on the link provided on the email version of this message or go to the Monte Vista website to the Future Forward banner at the top to find the link.  

Families that do not purchase the warranty shall be responsible for all repair costs and replacement.  The fee to purchase the warranty is well worth it, so please do so before the September 30th deadline.  

We are back to our regular Monday C.P.T. last start schedule.  Period 1 begins at 9:30 a.m.  tomorrow. Thanks for showing your Monte Vista spirit and pride each day Monarchs.



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