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Gold Fun Facts
The unification of eight elementary school districts with one high school district into the Elk Grove Unified School District was done under the supervision of Sacramento County Superintendent T.R. Smedberg.
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| Honoring Our Volunteers
Rebecca Alfaro of
Samuel Kennedy Elementary School
Rebecca Alfaro was recognized as an Education Partner at the March 17, 2009, meeting of the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Education.
Ever since Alfaro's son Alec first started kindergarten at Kennedy, Alfaro and her entire family have been one of the most visible groups at Kennedy. Alfaro is responsible for coordinating the school's multicultural fair, talent show and harvest festival. Alfaro has devoted many hours volunteering at Kennedy, including building booths and displays, lining up acts and even performing in the talent show. She has served as the leader of the School Site Council for many years where she has offered valuable input and ideas. Alfaro also attends every awards assembly at Kennedy - whether her son is being honored or not - because she believes children should be recognized for their accomplishments.
In addition, Alfaro's volunteering gene has been passed on to her son, Alec, who often volunteers at Kennedy while he is off track. |
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EGUSD Superintendent Receives "Superior Achievement" Award
The Zeta Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. presented Elk Grove Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Steven M. Ladd the "Superior Achievement" Award at the 55th Annual Founders Day Brunch on March 22, 2009 at California State University, Sacramento.
The Zeta Beta Lambda Chapter recognized Dr. Ladd for his leadership in the movement of eliminating the educational achievement disparities affecting a significant number of African American students. Dr. Ladd has created an environment of inclusion in developing policies that encourage, support and sustain collective efforts with the EGUSD staff, parents, community based organizations and others.
"Dr. Ladd's leadership is 'bold beyond boundary" as exhibited by his vision, courage, and tenacity," said John Taylor, president of the Zeta Beta Lambda Chapter. "He consistently looks for innovative strategies to implement long and short term action plans, and elicits input and participation from all sources, while tirelessly linking resources and people with the ultimate goal of removing barriers to student achievement."
Dr. Ladd was recognized as a supporter of the Alpha Academy, after school programs and Concerned African American Parents (CAAP),a recently created parent advocacy group at Laguna Creek High School. The Alpha Academy boasts a diverse membership of over 40 young men and women who meet weekly with members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., who mentor them in setting goals, provide tutoring and teach life skills.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was founded in 1906 as the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans. It was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in the U.S. The Zeta Beta Lambda Chapter was founded in 1954.
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Valley workability students to sell home-grown vegetables
The workability students at Valley High School are selling vegetables that they have grown themselves in the Valley High School greenhouse. Workability students are between the ages of 18-22 and have moderate to severe disabilities. The workability program focuses on developing job skills, independent living skills, mobility and social skills. Proceeds from the vegetable and plant sale will be used to purchase cooking supplies and for community-based instruction.
The following items are available for purchase: tomatoes (sweet 100's, super beefsteak, beefsteak, red lightning hybrid, Rutgers, big boy, rainbow heirloom and roma), sunflowers, peppers (purple bell peppers, red/green bell peppers, Anaheim chili peppers and sweet, mild, long mix peppers), and assorted vegetables (basil, red onion, oregano, carrots, beets, zucchini, Asian eggplant, summer squash straightneck and summer squash crookneck.
Tomatoes are $2 per 6-pack, 3" and 4" sunflowers are $2 per pot, peppers are $2.50 per 6-pack and other vegetables are $2.50 per 6-pack.
Contact JoAnn Milligan-Link at (916) 689-6500, x6569 to order.
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Welcome to eguNews, an EGUSD email newsletter published every two weeks. If you have questions about eguNews, you can email communication@egusd.net or call (916) 686-7732.
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EGUSD presents CTE programs to Senate Education Committee Hearing
On March 25, 2009 Superintendent Steven M. Ladd, Ed.D., Franklin High teacher Mike Stone and STEM Academy students had the opportunity to present EGUSD's Career Technical Education (CTE) programs to the California State Senate Education Committee.
Dr. Ladd shared with the Senate Education Committee the cutting edge classes and skills offered through EGUSD's 15 academies and five career pathways. Senators got a glimpse of some of the projects that EGUSD academy students work on.
"Senators, I want to frontload you with a vision. What would you say if I was to tell you that we have students building a synergy engine, hydrogen cells, solar-powered wind tunnels for solar energy and manipulative toys for children with cerebral palsy?," Dr. Ladd said.
"What would you say about our programs were you to learn that we have students graduating from a high school animation program and going on to work for Pixar, Disney and the Cartoon Network? Well, I'm here to tell you that we have all of this and much, much more taking place through our Career Technical Education programs," Ladd said.
Franklin High School students Stephanie Shijo and Josh Loessberg-Zahl had the opportunity to tell the education committee about how the School of Technology, Engineering and Media (STEM) had changed their lives. Not only did these students say that they felt prepared to enter a four-college or university, they told the senators that they would graduate with skill sets that would allow them to find a job right out of high school. Franklin High STEM students Savannah Spencer, Kiana Morkioka, Alex Acosta, Brandon Manolo, Arnold Hardy and Obaudullah Rasooli had an opportunity to interact with the senators and present their CADD drawings.
The EGUSD presentation was one of four panels sharing information about preparing students to enter a changing economy and global workforce. All four panels addressed the next steps for California in ensuring a skilled workforce that represents the state's diversity and is ready to fuel the next state of economic growth.
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Harriet Eddy Middle School hosts "Parents on Campus" Day
On the Harriet Eddy Middle School campus, faint sounds of music drifted across the campus on a cool March morning. But within the crowds of students arriving at school, there was an extra group added to the mix - parents.
On March 27, Eddy hosted their third Parents on Campus Day of the year. Parents of current and incoming Eddy students are invited to spend the day attending classes with their children on the last day of each quarter.
Parents were greeted by Eddy principal Peter Lambert, vice-principal LaNiecia Henderson and various Eddy staff as they entered the cafeteria. The Eddy Symphonic Band played a variety of musical arrangements for entertainment and refreshments were provided for parents.
"Parents on Campus Day was started five years ago by our principal," said Saody Tep, activities director at Eddy. "Peter felt that parent involvement and their presence on campus helps to maintain a strong learning environment."
Eddy parent Rey Nantuna was one of the parents who attended Parents on Campus Day.
"My wife and I have always been involved in our son's education," said Nantuna. "What motivated me to attend Parents on Campus Day was to see what our son does everyday in middle school."
Edythe Taylor, Eddy PTAC president and parent of Eddy eighth grade student Bryan, agrees that it's important for parents to attend events such as these.
"Events like Parents on Campus are a good way for parents to see what is actually going on at school and in the classroom," said Taylor. "You will have the chance to see firsthand how the teachers teach and how they interact with the students in a classroom environment."
Although Eddy offers four Parents on Campus Days each year, parents are welcome to visit the campus and attend their child's classes at any time.
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Elitha Donner Elementary School inducts students into National Elementary Honor Society
Elitha Donner, John Ehrhardt and Foulks Ranch elementary schools have chartered chapters of the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS), the first-ever elementary school honor society in the Elk Grove Unified School District.
Elitha Donner was the second of the three elementary schools to induct fifth and sixth grade students into their chapter of the NEHS. Donner students were inducted at a ceremony on March 12, 2009. Ms. Lochie Paige, the great-grand daughter of Elitha Donner, the school's namesake, was a guest speaker at the event.
"We are very proud of our over 100 students that were inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society Inaugural ceremony," said Michelle Jenkins, principal at Donner. "Our children work diligently to achieve the high academic standards expected of a student at Elitha Donner. This program allows us to recognize our students' accomplishments while providing them an on-going program that enhances their educational future. Being a part of the Laguna Creek Regional team, our students will have the opportunity to continue their membership through the Jr. Honor Society at Harriet Eddy Middle School and the Honor Society at Laguna Creek High School and into their college years."
NEHS membership is open to students who meet the standard in three areas of initial evaluation: scholarship - academic achievement - and responsibility. Students are selected to be members of NEHS by teacher advisors appointed by the principal. Students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades are eligible for membership.
Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale. The students who meet this criterion are invited to complete a Candidate's Form and get teacher recommendations.
Once inducted, new members are required to maintain the same level of performance, or better, in all the criteria that led to their selection. Members must attend monthly meetings during the school year and participate in other chapter service projects and activities.
NEHS was created by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in cooperation with the National Association of Elementary School Principals in April 2008. NASSP created the program to help schools give students in grades 4-6 national recognition for their accomplishments. The program is designed to foster leadership development and to encourage the participation of elementary-aged students in service activities.
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Storm Water Pollution Poster and Stencil Contest looking for participants
The Elk Grove Unified School District's Department of Curriculum and Professional Learning is sponsoring a poster and stencil contest to educate the public on storm water pollution. Students may submit either a poster or stencil design.
Poster Contest
Students in grades K-12 can enter this contest. The grade level divisions are as follows: Elementary Division (K-3), Elementary Division (4-6), Secondary Division (Middle School) and Secondary Division (High School).
Each poster must educate the community on the impact of Storm Water Pollution on our freshwater supply and include a title that focuses on the theme of "Educating people about the effects of Storm Water Pollution."
Contest winners will receive a certificate and will have their posters displayed at the Robert L. Trigg Education Center.
All entries are due on Earth Day - April 22, 2009.
Stencil Contest
Students in grades K-12 can also enter this contest. The grade level divisions are as follows: Elementary Division (K-3), Elementary Division (4-6), Secondary Division (Middle School) and Secondary Division (High School).
Each stencil must educate the community on the impact of Storm Water Pollution on our freshwater supply through our school district storm drains. A good example of a stencil is the spray painted sign that is found on county storm drains.
Contest winners will receive a certificate and will have their stencils displayed at the Robert L. Trigg Education Center. The winning stencils will also be considered for use in labeling EGUSD school storm drains.
All entries are due on Earth Day - April 22, 2009.
For more information on the contests, please contact Raymond Pietersen at (916) 686-7797, x7407. | |
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