Monarch Memo
August 21-25, 2017
All staff meeting in Focus Group Rooms at 8:00 a.m.
Partial Solar Eclipse Monday
The first day of school seemed to fly by. Thanks to the office staff and classified aides the distribution of ID’s and schedules went very quickly and smoothly. We hosted a brief Freshmen Welcome Assembly on Wednesday to introduce the Freshmen Advisory teachers and
provide our 9th graders with some basic rules and guidelines for getting around MVHS the first week.
The end of the week we jumped right into Unity Days and Chromebook distribution. Both ran smoothly thanks to the combined efforts of the Guidance Team and the Tech Team. Hats off to Tracy for her on-going passion for coordinating Unity Days. We always need our teachers and staff to lead groups, and build connections with the students. There are some great photos of Rad dancing with the kids. We were fortunate to have Jen Placencia, Cafeteria Manager, cater the calzones and pizza for the kids. All this set up and clean up by Steele and Manny. We can’t make it happen without you all.
The first week of school is one of the busiest times for the Guidance staff, but they fulfilled their vision of having the Freshmen start off the year with this important community building event. The Chromebook distribution could not have happened without the collaborative efforts of Travis, Laura and Jerry Guzman. Jerry had to work diligently through the summer to make sure all of the Chromebooks were programmed and ready for distribution. We appreciate Laura’s on-going attention to supporting students who come to the library with Chromebook issues. Thanks to everyone who helped with the distribution on Thursday and Friday. This week they will be troubleshooting problems and still distributing to new enrollees. You all are incredible. 
It was great to see teachers jumping right into the year with many teaching a “best lesson” as Jacob Clifford would say. Many great icebreakers took place as well and team-building activities and some short assessments. Thank you to Dave Zaino and Karen Rodifer-Zaino for supporting the staff by bringing in plants. They do this a few times a year and it is very much appreciated.
WASC Staff Meeting - bring a laptop
A big shout out to Amanda Engstrand for the incredible organization of our WASC process. She spends countless hours organizing timelines, gathering data and creating documents needed for the entire process. We appreciate all you do, Amanda.
Focus Groups (A-E) meet on Monday, August 21st. Please be at your assigned room at 8am.
Advisory begins August 22
The Advisory time is designated for teachers to provide support to students. During these next four weeks, 9th graders are in Freshmen Advisory. Tenth through twelfth graders should take advantage of office hours. Please encourage your students to attend your advisory. This is a great way to get to know your students and build relationships while getting them in the habit of attending each day. Thank you for taking the time to do this and making our students feel comfortable and safe.
Campus Supervision Assignments
These were emailed out last week along with the map of supervision areas 1 -5. Please see the highlighted changes in the chart below.
I love the 80’s Challenge
Thank you to the staff members who participated in the challenge last Monday.
Congratulations to the winning team of Nicole Thomas, David Crabtree, Ryan HaasMike Kastan, Jonathan Geraci, Bob Muschek, Eric Wilson. This team not only had every song title correct, but every band as well. 2nd place went to team Alvarado, Delgado, Blackwell, McClure, Oakley, Hoover and T. Engstrand. 3rd place went to team Cass, Laura Zoch, Ginger, Shannon, Martha, Jess, Leisa and Mary. Thanks for being great sports.
REMINDERS
- Turn in your Syllabus to Denise. Thank you if you have done do already.
- ASSETs begins on Monday. Please see the email with the schedule sent out on Friday and feel free to advertise to your students.
- 707- for internal emergencies. When you dial 707 and press the dial button Admin., Denise, Robin, Debbie, Kristine, SRO and supervision will be notified on their office phones that assistance is needed in whatever room it is dialed from. Similar to when someone calls 911. This is for urgent needs that do not require 911 but are urgent enough that you need help ASAP. Please only use this as a dangerous, urgent matter only. FYI: To get an outside line, dial 5 first then the number.
SOLAR ECLIPSE August 21 - 9:07 a.m. - 11:46 a.m.
Please make sure your students understand the dangers of watching the eclipse without eye protection. Emphasize the fact that sunglasses do not protect their eyes. Here is a link about how students can safely watch the eclipse. Here are resources for the solar eclipse. Please share! Here is a video as well.
Chromebook Distribution and Tech Presentation
Thank you to the Tech team for smooth distribution to the Freshmen and new students on Thursday and Friday. We appreciate the presentation on Monday by Travis, Laura and Joe. Here is the Informational Tech Presentation that contains our website and Chromebook procedures. Additionally, here is a tutorial on Using the New Intervention Tool in IC. Both of these resources have been added to the MVHub.
Assistant Principals and Counselors Alphabet Breakdown
Please email the appropriate AP and Counselor when dealing with a student.
Joe Garcia - A-G
Andrea Rad - H-N
Bill Sullivan - O-Z
Tracy Leota - A-D
Heather Bowler - E-K
George Owitti - L-Q
Deanna Goldberg - R-Z
Monte Vista Needs to Know - Google Folder
Denise has given you access to Monte Vista Needs to Know, a google doc that has important information for you. To access, go to your google drive, Monte Vista Needs to Know, School year 2017-18: You will find the following:
Admin responsibility chart
Form A and B for curriculum writing
Bell Schedules
Student Support Teams
Finals schedules
GUHSD year calendar
Telephone extension list (coming soon)
Agenda for PD
REMIND 101 - A reminder from Marisa Alvarado
Just a reminder, if you'd like me to advertise an event, activity, accolade, etc on the MV Updates (Remind texts) we have a parent and student account I can send information out to. Club advisors - I'd be happy to send out a text regarding your first club meeting. Just send me an email (malvarado@guhsd.net), leave a note in my mailbox, or catch me in the hallway. Also if anyone is interested in using Remind in their classes or for their group and you would like help setting up an account please don't hesitate to ask.
Article in the Washington Post with resources for educators
Week at a Glance
Monday, August 21 Staff Meeting 8:00 a.m. Report directly to WASC Focus Group meeting
Partial solar eclipse 9:07 - 11:46 a.m.
Hall Lockers distributed at lunch
Tuesday, August 22 Behavior Presentations in English classrooms - Admin.
Hall lockers distributed at lunch and advisory
Wednesday, August 23 Field trip: District ASB Conference - all day, ASB students
Behavior Presentations in English classrooms - Admin.
Hall lockers distributed at lunch and advisory
Thursday, August 24 Behavior Presentations in English classrooms - Admin.
Friday, August 25 Behavior Presentations in English classrooms - Admin.
Frosh and V. Football @ Mar Vista High School V. @ 7:00 p.m.
Here is the message sent home to parents on Sunday, August 20, 2017
We had a great and busy first week of school. Here is important information for the upcoming weeks ahead.
Tomorrow is the partial solar eclipse occurring between 9:07 and 11:46 a.m. Our teachers have been sharing information about the event and have reminded our students of the precautionary measures that must be taken. In last week’s all call, I sent out information for families to share with their children. There is additional information provided by the San Diego County Office of Education attached to the email version of this message. http://www.sdcoe.net/news/Pages/eclipse-viewing-advice-for-families-and-educators.aspx
Here is a link to a video as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0wP9At8Jo8
Our solar panels in the north parking lot are just about complete. Until they finish, we will not be able to use the entire parking lot. The completion date has been moved back to Sept. 15, so the whole lot will not be available for parking on Back to School Night, Wednesday, August 30. Please keep this in mind and plan accordingly.
ASSETs, which is our free before and after school program, begins on Monday. Homework Center
begins at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow and every Monday. On regular days, it opens at 6:00 a.m. There are a variety of after school academic and extracurricular programs for your student to take advantage of such as math tutoring, writing clinics, weight training, arts and crafts, photography, media arts, culinary arts and science and outdoor explorations and volunteer opportunities. Check out the calendar on the Monte Vista website.
Just a reminder that it is each year during the first few weeks of school student schedules are not firm. We receive an influx of new enrollees and administer placement testing which may lead to adding or dropping sections of classes. We appreciate your patience and understanding with the scheduling process. If you have any questions about schedules, please contact your student’s counselor.
Our administrative team will be visiting classrooms this week to review school procedures, rules, and dress code. Please review our Student Handbook that is posted on our website located on the Student drop down menu.
If your child wants a hallway locker, they will be given out at the Student Support Center this week during lunch and advisory. Because we do not have enough lockers for every student, students must partner up and share. Partners must line up together to sign up and bring an ID card.
Remember to wear your college T-shirts or sweatshirts on Thursdays and your Monte Vista gear on Fridays. Our first football games begin this week and we are away this Friday at Mar Vista High School at 7:00 p.m. We hope you can attend.
Just a reminder that our website has our calendar and is filled with important information for you such as Chromebook insurance information that is posted in the announcements section of our website. Parents, visit our PTSA section and find out how you can become a member and/or volunteer to support our students. Have a great week Monarchs!
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