Monarch Memo

Nov. 28 - Dec. 2, 2016

Winter sports season begins

Welcome back from a well deserved and long awaited break.  With the school year starting early this year many really needed this break to relax and revitalize. We have three weeks left to support our students and help them stay on track before finals.  

Thank you all for your support of our Fall sports season.  Our football team was so close to clinching a spot in the finals for CIF.  Both of our games against Santana were so close and exciting.  Please congratulate our players when you see them.  Congratulations to Coach Hamamoto who received Chargers Coach of the Week honors Friday night.  Thank you to all of our coaches who have worked hard with our players in all sports all season long.

Kudos to our Monarch staff members for all they do to support students.  Ms. Katie Leonard did an outstanding job coordinating the District Fall Showcase,  Ms. Sarah LeClair (Klacka) coordinated an entertaining Choir Fall Concert and Ms. Angie Trujillo and her students connected with future Monarchs at Spring Valley Academy.  The Monarch Stars were honored on Tuesday.  Thank you staff for writing such heartfelt nominations for them. A big thank you to Denise for baking her homemade, famous cupcakes for all the Monarch Star lunches.  

TECH training and support on site at MVHS

Your completion of the MV Tech Landscape Survey provided great insight - Thank you!

Travis and Steve are here to support. Just a reminder to get support just go to the

MVHub to schedule individual, group or PLC meeting support by completing the MV Site DLC Request Form.  We hope you were able to have a visit from our District DLCs (Reuben, John, Franz) during your prep period last Thursday. They plan to visit again in the Spring.  

Reminder there are three, 2-hour PD sessions during the school day on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29. Please email Travis ASAP to see to see if you can still register.  Subs are provided.

• PERIODS 2 - 3: Digital Assessments (focus on Google Forms) - Register here.

• PERIODS 4 - 5: Google Classroom (Beginning to Advanced) Register here.

• PERIODS 6 - 7: Google Drawing Register here.

REMINDERS

Please complete the California Health Kids Survey by Nov. 30. - A message from Joe

The data received is used is important for our site, the district and more.  Please take the time to complete the survey. Before we left for break we had 52 staff members complete this very important survey.  We are hoping for 100% participation.  Yes, it's voluntary but very helpful in providing pertinent information regarding the culture of MVHS.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Here is the link:  https://surveys.wested.org/cscs/MN392MM

School Code: EE23YD

Classified Staff -  A message from Rad

Classified employees with the last name M-Z will be evaluated this year.  The administrator evaluating you will be in touch at a later date.

Laura’s Library Schedule

I am going to be in the library periods 1-6 now, unless I adjust my schedule to work with a period 7 class. If you have students who need assistance, please send them periods 1-6. I also try to help students at lunch and break, but sometimes need to ask them to come back during class time if it's too busy in the library for me to help them.  Thanks for understanding.

Week at a glance

Mon., November 28 Science Collaboration Day, PLC meetings, 9th grade literacy/Achieve

meeting at 8:00 a.m. in the Community Room

AVID field trip to SDSU and UCSD.

Tues., November 29 Tech PD, on-site Nov. 29th, 2 hour PD sessions based on survey needs,

details to come from Travis - DLC.

Sat., December 3 Doc 4 A Day Field trip - (Campillo)

SAT testing - please stay clear of the testing area buildings 100 - 300.

Sun., December 4 Heart Screening - Eric Paredes Save a Live Foundation in the gym

9:00 - 3:00 p.m.  Volunteers (students and adults) are needed and
appreciated. Contact Nurse Jen.

CTE Cosmetology and Barbering Pathway is Hosting the Annual Hair Show

Competition and Toy Drive December 4 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the gym.

  Bring an unwrapped toy to support Rady’s Children’s Hospital.  

Information from the District

Email Warnings  

You may have received email messages titled IMPORTANT PDF within the last few days.  These has been identified as phishing attempts.  If you have clicked on the link, please DO NOT enter your username or password.  

If you did enter your credentials, please change your password.  If you need assistance please contact the HELP Desk at 619-956-4357.  You can also dial HELP from any work phone.

This note is a reminder that just as in our personal lives we are all conscious of this and do not share our personal user codes or passwords, we should follow the same practice in the workplace.

The phone message sent home to parents on Sun. November 27, 2016

We hope you had a restful Thanksgiving Break.  Our break was eventful with our semi-final playoff football game vs. Santana on Friday night.  It was a nailbiter until the last minute of the game. Although we are not advancing to the finals, we thank our players and coaches for an exciting season. Thank you to our parents for coming out to our events the week before break.  It was great to see you at our choir show, Band Showcase and our athletic contests.

 

This weekend Monte Vista is hosting two big events on Sunday, December 4th. The Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation is providing FREE Heart Screenings on campus from 9am to 3pm.  Students, your parents don't have to accompany you however you do need to complete the necessary paperwork to attend.  Please go to the Monte Vista website for a link to this information.  Our CTE Cosmetology and Barbering pathway is hosting a Hair Show and Toy Drive from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in our gym on Sunday, December 4th.  Join us and feel free to bring an unwrapped new toy to the event.  All toys will be donated to Children’s Hospital on behalf of all students and guests participating.  We hope Monte Vista families can join us for both events.

An important reminder that our first semester is ending soon.  Finals will now take place before winter break on December 19, 20 and 21st.  Please check the website for the minimum day FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE (click this link for the schedule). There are just 15 school days left to complete assignments, study and prepare. Monarchs, it is your responsibility as young adults to check your grades and share your academic progress with your parents by logging on to Infinite Campus regularly.  

Please remember to check the Monte Vista website often to stay updated on school related events.  Dress for the cool weather this week Monarchs.  We are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Monarch Memo

Nov. 14-18, 2016

Congratulations! MVHS Jimmie Johnson Champions Grant

Check out the Newsline Blog

It was wonderful to receive some great news during this disparate election week. Our grant submission to purchase 80 sets of Virtual Reality goggles and Samsung phones has become reality. Thank you to Jerry Guzman who had the insight on the product and encouraged us to apply.  Also to teachers Paula, Marisa and many others who had the vision to implement the VR equipment to engage students in realistic learning opportunities.  As with any grant, the JJ Foundation is expecting us to order and utilize the equipment immediately and report back on the effectiveness of its use for student success.  Congratulations!

Two online surveys due this Friday, November 18

We thank you in advance for completing online surveys.  There will be more than usual due to the need for data for our upcoming WASC Self-Study.  You are wonderful.  Thank you.  

1. WASC Focus Group Survey -   Email sent Nov. 7 by Amanda

All staff members please complete this preference survey. We will do our best to assign you to a

Focus Group that you prefer.  Thanks for your participation.  

Please read the descriptions:  Focus Group Descriptions

Complete the survey: Focus Group Survey

**WASC Focus Group Leaders are still needed.  We would greatly appreciate your service and you will be compensated for your time for both meetings and the actual writing of your section of the report. We are hoping to have two leaders per WASC focus area.

Email Amanda if you are interested.  

2. CHKS - California Health Kids Survey - STAFF VERSION

Thanks to the teachers who are completing the administration of the CHKS to our students this week.  They must be completed by  Nov. 18.  Staff members need to complete a staff survey.  Thank you.  Joe Garcia will keep you posted.  

Please go to the link:     https://surveys.wested.org/cscs/MN392MM

  School Code: EE23YD

3. Club Advisors and Coaches:  We are looking for advisors of clubs/teams willing to take small

groups of students to our feeder middle schools to build community.  We are hoping that clubs

will create a fun activity or perform for students during their lunch time.  At Spring Valley

Academy we are invited on Fridays from 11:00 to about 1:15 p.m.   With a smaller group of

students we can drive over and stay through both lunches.  11:30 - 12:00 and 12:30 to 1:00 p.m.

Cosmetology is the first group heading over on Sept. 18th.  Please let me know if you are

interested.  Marietta

Coming up at MVHS

• Staff Meeting 8:00 a.m. Monday in the gym
• PTSA meeting Monday at 6:00 p.m. in Room 104 (Lounge)
• District (Band, Colorguard, Drumline) Fall Showcase November 17 at 6:00 p.m. in our stadium

$8.00 at the door. Come enjoy the music and the food.  

• Football vs. Serra at home, 7:00 p.m.  
• Thanksgiving Break, November 21-25
• Tech PD, on-site Nov. 29th, 2 hour PD sessions based on survey needs, details to come from Travis - DLC.
• Doc 4 A Day Field trip - Dec. 3rd (Campillo)
• Heart Screening - Eric Parades Save a Live Foundation at MVHS, Dec. 4, 9:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Volunteers (students and adults) are needed and appreciated.  Contact Nurse Jen.

• CTE Cosmetology and Barbering Pathway is Hosting the Annual Hair Show Competition and Toy Drive December 4 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the gym.  Bring an unwrapped toy to support Rady’s Children’s Hospital.  
• Spare Chromebooks.  Jerry can only give 3 max per class.  They have limitations - can’t leave the classroom, wifi connectivity, chargers are unique to the model and can only use gmail accounts.  Contact Jerry Guzman with any questions.  

MONARCHS  in Action

           Servant of Two Masters                           H20 Polo vs. Helix

             Freshmen JV     Varsity Volleyball

Information from the District

A message for employee with Benefits- Open Enrollment Nov. 4 - 18th

Open enrollment information and materials are available by clicking here and selecting the Benefits Open Enrollment image or you can obtain from your Site Contact.

The phone message sent home to parents on Sun. November 13, 2016

We have  great news to share.  Monte Vista was selected as one of only 3 recipients in California for the Jimmie Johnson Grant.  We were granted $70,554 dollars to purchase two class sets of Virtual Reality headsets and smartphones to provide 21st century virtual learning experiences for our students. We are honored to receive this grant and can’t wait to get started. Check out the brief article in the Superintendent’s Newsline http://newslineguhsd.blogspot.com/.

Parents, as partners in your child’s education is crucial that you stay informed and up to date with your student’s progress.  Please check your student’s grades and attendance regularly on your Infinite Campus portal account.  If you need assistance logging into your account, please come to the Guidance Office Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. You may also have your student log in and look through their account.

We hope you were able to catch our fabulous students perform in our theatre production of Servant of Two Masters. Musical Auditions for ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, which is a comical retelling of the Princess and the Pea story, will be Wednesday, Nov 16th from 3-7pm in the Little Theatre. There will be music, acting, and dancing auditions on that day. Please see Ms. Benitez for further information to prepare.

We are proud of our marching band who participated in the Veterans Day parade downtown on Friday.  If you love marching bands, please join us Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. in the Monte Vista stadium as we host schools from across the district in the annual Marching Band Field Show.  

Our Boys’ Water Polo team played Helix on Saturday in the playoffs.  Although they are not advancing in CIF play, we want to thank them for an exciting season.  We are proud our boys.  

Friday night, Nov. 18, is our home football playoff game vs. Serra High School at 7:00 p.m.  The cost for CIF games is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students with ID.  Sorry Monarchs, just having your ASB card does not get you into a postseason game. Everyone come out on Friday night to show support for our football team.  

Our PTSA meeting is Monday, November 14 at 6:00 p.m. in room 104.  Please join us parents. We would love to have you.  

This week Nov. 14 - 18 is the last week before the Thanksgiving Holiday.  School will not be in session from November 21 - 25.  We will return from Thanksgiving Break on Monday, November 28th.  

We wish you a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving Break.  

Monarch Memo

Nov. 7 - 11, 2016

Election Day, Nov. 8, Veterans Day Nov. 11

It was nice to see some friendly competitiveness between departments for Halloween Dress up day.  A great way to show school spirit and establish our staff member’s “cool factor” to students. We are in playoff season for Fall sports and in my all call home to parents (see below), I informed them of the status of our teams.  It will be exciting to have two home matches at this point, Waterpolo on Wednesday and football on November 18.  Let’s get the students excited to come out for both.  Please come by one evening to see our Monarch Theatre production Servant of Two Masters Nov. 9 - 12 at 7:00 p.m.  If you would like to take one or more of your classes to a preview show on the 8th periods 3 - 6 please check out the Google doc. Julie Benitez set up to sign up for the preview.  

What’s new?

WASC - We are all in this together.  

This accreditation process that we all take part in is so important for many reasons.  It is most important because it shows our community our commitment to providing a quality, well-rounded educational program for our students.  We are in the planning stages now gathering data and setting timelines for the steps we all need to take for our self study.  Joe Garcia, Amanda Engstrand, Gina Conner and I attended an organizational training last week.  Amanda and Gina will be co-chairs with Amanda taking the lead now and into the spring.  Gina will do more of the writing and editing with us in the fall.  I will do my best to keep you informed of the process along the way, but if you have any questions please feel free to talk to Amanda as she takes the lead on this now.  

Please look for a brief WASC Focus Group survey coming your way this week.  In the email that contains the link to the survey, there will be an attachment with a description of each of the five Focus Group categories to help you decide how to rank your choices.

The purpose of this survey is to gauge staff preferences regarding placement into WASC Focus Groups. Although the MV WASC and Administration teams will make every effort to accommodate everyone's request, at the end of the day we must make sure all of the Focus Groups have a balance of staff from various departments and positions. Please make sure to complete this survey no later than November 18th.

If you have an interest in helping our school prepare for this important WASC visit by serving as a Focus Group Leader, we would greatly appreciate your service. You will be compensated for your time for both meetings and the actual writing of your section of the report. We are hoping to have two leaders per WASC focus area. Please email Amanda and let her know if you are willing to help. If you have a certain WASC focus area you would like to lead please let us know that as well. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.  

Reminders

• 12 week grades due Monday, November 7 at 8:00 a.m.
• Site Governance is Monday at 7:15 a.m. and AVID Site Team at 8:15 a.m.
• The next advisory cycle will begin on Tuesday, Nov. 15th.
• ASSETs will no longer be delivering snacks to the programs, instead we will have the cafeteria be open from 2:00pm till 4:00pm every day. purposely to serve snacks to all assets attendees. So Please send students from the programs your supervising out to the cafeteria if they wish to get a snack.
• FYI - Rad is out Thursday, Nov. 10, Marietta is at the ACSA Conference Nov. 9 & 10.  Please see Bill and Joe for all your Admin. needs.  

Chromebook reminders from Laura Preble, Librarian

PLEASE DO NOT SEND STUDENTS TO THE LIBRARY FOR THESE ISSUES, WHICH

ARE EASILY FIXABLE IN THE CLASSROOM:

1. If the Chromebook will not connect to the wifi, plug it into an Ethernet cable from the

wall or try resetting the time/date. Often the CB thinks we are IN THE FUTURE. Why?

I have no idea.

2. Check SETTINGS for things like trackpad tap-to-click or trackpad sensitivity.

3. Check AUDIO SETTING if headphones don't work.

4. Reset is CONTROL and ALT(bottom left) and the POWER BUTTON at the top right.

           Do this if it gets stuck on a video or audio file and freezes.

Information from the District

Security, Privacy and Protection

of student and staff data are a priority to GUHSD ETS staff.  This note is a reminder that just as in our personal lives we are all conscious of this and do not share our personal user codes or passwords, we should follow the same practice in the workplace. If at any time you receive suspicious emails or an email that asks for personal information please report it as spam, do not open anything attached to it and then delete it.

EL Students in College Prep Courses, Fall 2017 - Michele Estill, EL Director

To prepare teachers for EL students will be in college prep courses, specifically English, math, science, and social science, we have developed a professional learning opportunity to help teachers enhance their skills in addressing the needs of EL students in their college prep courses. Additionally,  we will be working with the "new" 2012 ELD standards and framework to increase their knowledge and understanding on how to implement these new standards.  We believe that teachers who attend this training will be better equipped to serve all students.  Please click here to register for the December 1, training.  If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact myself or Doug Martin at dmartin@guhsd.net or 619.593.2712.

A message for employee with Benefits- Open Enrollment Nov. 4 - 18th

See email sent Nov. 4 titled PLS Read email: Benefits…..

The HIPAA Privacy Regulations require employers to remind all employees, no less than once every three (3) years, about the availability of its Notice of Privacy Practices and how to obtain copies of the notice.  For the HIPAA Privacy Notice   click here.

Employers are also required on an annual basis to provide the Medicare Notice and Women's Cancer Rights notice to employees.  Both notices are available below.

Annual Medicare Notice  click here.

Annual Women's Cancer Rights  click here

BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT

NOVEMBER 4th THRU NOVEMBER 18th  @ 4 pm

GUHSD's benefits open enrollment starts Nov. 1.   We are asking all benefit eligible employees to please review the 2017 Open Enrollment Communication that has been distributed to employees and is also available by clicking here.  This communication will answer most employee's questions.

The phone message sent home to parents on Sun. November 6, 2016

We have some great athletics news to share. Congratulations to Diana Martinez and Susana Espinoza, they are the Grossmont Hills doubles tennis champions.  Our girls volleyball played El Centro in the playoffs on Saturday.  Although they did not advance, we are very proud of their season play.  Boys Water Polo will host San Ysidro in the first round playoffs on Wednesday, November 9th and football earned a number 2 seed and will host a playoff game here at Monte Vista on Friday, November 18th.  Please join us for Water Polo and Football and support our athletes.   

Seniors - many college application deadlines are at the end of this month.  The Guidance Center is here to help.  They will be open for college application assistance from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through November 30.

Are you looking for some great entertainment this week?  Our talented Monarch Theatre presents “The Servant of 2 Masters”.  This production takes place for four evenings from November  9 - November 12 at 7:00 p.m. in our Theatre.  Tickets may be purchased in advance for $7.00 or guests may pay $9.00 at the door.  Children are only $3.00 and ASB and GUHSD theatre discounts are honored.  

Just a reminder that Friday there is no school in observance of Veterans’ Day.  On the Saturday of this three day weekend there are tryouts for Boys’ Basketball, Girls’ Water Polo and Wrestling.  Detailed information about our tryouts and many campus events is available on our fabulous Monte Vista website.  Please check it out daily to stay informed and up-to-date.  

Have a great four day week Monarchs.