Monarch Memo

February 6 - 10, 2017
Happy National Counselors' Week to our Guidance Team

We appreciate everyone’s participation in the WASC process.  Thank you to the department chairs for leading the Home Group discussions on Monday.  Feel free to add information to the shared Google Docs or provide information to your Focus Group leaders at any time during the process.

Our next WASC minimum day is March 8.  

Our thoughts and prayers are with Rad and her family.  Her father, who has been struggling with heart problems, passed away Saturday morning.  Rad will be taking the time she needs to take care of matters related to her father’s passing.  We appreciate you being permanently flexible with any commitments she may have scheduled this week.  Thank you for your understanding and prayers.  

What’s New?

Budget Projections for 2017-2018

Principals were unexpectedly called to meet with district personnel last week regarding next year’s budget.  Early projections anticipate a shortfall of 11 million.  District personnel is in the process of collecting information and brainstorming possible budget solutions.  The HR Department requested all certificated employees to verify their employment just in case this shortfall leads to cuts in personnel. Certificated staff please return the verification form directly to HR no later than February 10th.  I will be sharing the information presented to Principals in a powerpoint at our Site Governance Meeting on Monday.  Department leaders, please make sure to share this information with your department members.  

Advisory brainstorming sessions this week.

Many staff members have been floating ideas about how to refine our advisory program.  Let’s bring all these great minds and ideas together to make sure everyone who has an interest shares what they have been brainstorming.  Administration will be hosting three different times for any staff members to attend these Advisory brainstorming sessions.  These will take place Thursday, February 9, Period 6, 7 and after school and Friday, Feb. 10,  period 1.  I will let you know the locations of the meetings later in the week.

Help us, help you via EMAIL

Please help the administrative team help you when you need assistance.  When you have an issue, concern or question to email administration, please send the email to the person who is in charge of the program they oversee.  Help us all be more efficient by sending the email "TO:" the person it is for. If you need the other members of Administration to know what is going on, please put these names in the "CC" area.  It is not required that you "CC" the rest of Admin.  We are pretty good about filling each other in on items that are critical.  If you feel something is timely or an emergency, please do not hesitate to reach all of us.  Thank you for helping us assist you more efficiently and effectively.

REMINDERS

1. Four week grades are due at 8:00 a.m. Monday, February 6.  Extended Lunch is on Tuesday and Wednesday.  New Advisory Cycle beings on Thursday.
2. Site Governance Meeting Monday at 7:15 a.m.
3. The BEHAVIOR TRAINING #1 on Mon. Feb 6, from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. in room 1001 is only for SPED teachers, staff and campus supervisors.  
4. A NEW Substitute system is coming March 1.  Please see the email sent by Denise.   Please note: Access I.D.'s and PIN's will change for everyone.   You will be notified either from the district or me what your new ID and PIN will be. A letter and email will be sent out from the district office explaining this change in sub systems.
5. The Griffin-Coyote Connect program starts THIS week. Representatives from Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges will be on campus. Seniors may miss class on the following dates:

February 8 - 1 hour application workshops

March 1 or 2 - 2 hour assessment testing

March 15 - 1 hour orientation/advising sessions

MARK YOUR CALENDARS - Important dates for your planning - thank you Rad.

 

March 21, 2017  - The Superintendent, our new Board Members and Assistant Superintendent will be walking classrooms with the admin. team on this date.  Just an FYI.  

February

8:  Parent Institute for Quality Education begins

15: Frosh Showcase begins at 5:15 p.m.  

15-16: Unity Days for Freshmen

22-24: Catalina Trip

March

8: Minimum Day:  WASC meeting from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

16-18, 23-25: Once Upon A Mattress, Musical

20:  Staff Meeting

*24: School Assembly

27-April 7: CAASPP Testing

31: Powder Puff in evening

April

1: Possible "Spring Fling" ASB Dance at SDSU - Montezuma Hall

7: CAASPP Testing ends

10-21: Spring Break

24: AP Pre-Administration

24: Hand out Registration/Information Packets to 9th-11th

27: Frosh BBQ in evening

May

1-12: AP Testing

3: Current 9th-11th Registration/Info. Packet Return in SS

3: Incoming 9th grade Registration in evening (1/2)

4: Incoming 9th grade Registration in evening (2/2)

5: Current 9th-11th Make-Up Day Packet Return

5: Grad Night - evening

16-19: Play - The Road Taken (3 one-act plays)

17: Minimum Day:  WASC meeting 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

27: Prom, Grand Manchester Hyatt - evening

31: Senior Breakfast and Senior Luau

31: Senior Awards - evening

June

1: Pride of the Lion's Den - assembly during 3rd

5-7: Finals

8: Graduation

MONARCHS in action

Using rubrics for self-assessment, last Academic League home match on Wednesday, JV Scrimmage, Varsity Match

The phone message sent home to parents on Sunday, February 5, 201

Our next PTSA meeting is tomorrow night, February 6 at 6:00 p.m. in our wonderful library. Everyone is welcome.  

Our school district will be changing the format of all school websites this summer. They are looking for parents to give their feedback on the type and content of a school website that is  important for families.  All parents are invited to attend this website meeting on Tuesday, February 7 at 6:00 p.m. at the Grossmont Union High School District Office.  

Monte Vista is hosting PIQE, the Parent Institute for Quality Education, which provides free classes for parents on topics that include: Understanding the high school system, identifying your child’s  “4 Year Plan”, the importance of grades for college and career readiness, support programs and preparing for higher education and financial aid options.  Childcare and refreshments are provided and classes are offered in Spanish.  If you have an interest in joining us for this 8 week opportunity, please join us for our informational opening night on Wednesday, February 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Flex Room that is located behind the gym.  

Parents there is still time to take our California Healthy Kids Survey.  Please go to the link on our website and type in the school code (case sensitive): ZP44ZC.  Thank you to the 83 parents who have completed the survey so far.  We really appreciate your time and feedback.  

Last week Seniors were sent information on ordering their cap and gown, announcements and other graduation items.  Go to sdgrad.com and either rent the cap and gown for no cost or buy the cap and gown for $28. The SDGrad representatives will be on campus at lunch on Tuesday, February 7th to take paper orders and answer questions.  If Seniors miss this date or do not want to hand in orders at this time, all ordering can be completed online.  

Monarch families please take advantage of all the important information on our website.  It is your best source of information for all our Monarch events, programs and athletics.