Honoring our Volunteers
Michael and Elizabeth Pott & Robert Mustain of
Helen Carr Castello Elementary School
Michael and Elizabeth Pott and grandfather Robert Mustain were
recognized as Education Partners at the October 20, 2009 meeting of the Elk
Grove Unified School District Board of Education.
The Pott family has been involved at Castello since the
school first opened its doors. During
Castello's inaugural year, Elizabeth served as PTA treasurer. She has also served as membership chairperson,
fundraising chairperson, president-elect and president of Castello's PTA. Currently, she is Elk Grove PTA Council President
and a member of the PTA 3rd District Board. Elizabeth has also chaired numerous events
for the Castello PTA, including fall festivals and spring carnivals. Lastly, Elizabeth has served for two years on
the Superintendent's Parent's Advisory Committee.
Michael served on Castello's School Site Council from 2005
to 2009 and held the office of president for two years.
Elizabeth's father, Robert Mustain, has been Castello's
Grandparent Advisor to the HCC Science Club.
Mustain is a retired civil engineer with the U.S. Government Corp of
Engineers.
Michael and Elizabeth have three children - Ryan - a 4th
grade student at Castello, Haley - a 2nd grade student at Castello
and Kyle, a future Castello student.
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5th Annual Jessie Baker School Golf Tournament
seeking golfers and sponsors
Jessie Baker School will host their 5th Annual
Special Needs Kids Golf Tournament and Fundraiser on Friday, November 6 at
Wildhawk Golf Course in Sacramento. The
golf event is a key fundraiser to raise money for Baker's adaptive programs.
The cost of the tournament is $125 per player. The tournament offers participants 18 holes
of golf - including golf cart, various contests, raffles and lunch. Participants will be treated to a video
presentation about Jessie Baker School and examples of their adaptive programs
during lunch. Registration begins at 7
a.m. and the tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. For those who would prefer to attend only the lunch, the
cost is $29 per person. Sponsors are still needed for the tournament as well. There are a variety of different sponsorship
opportunities ranging from $50 to $3,000.
For more information on registration or sponsorship, contact Shirley
Lewis at (916) 224-9904.
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EGUSD high school bands win awards at
Sam's Club Drum Line competition
Sam's Club hosted a drum line competition featuring local
high schools during the grand opening celebration of their newest store on October 8.
Three Elk Grove Unified high school bands competed for $1,750
in prizes. Elk Grove High School earned
$1,000 for first place, Pleasant Grove High School won $500 for second place
and Laguna Creek High School took home $250 for third place. "Mario Sebastian did an excellent job in serving as MC for the drum line competition," said Sara Noguchi, director of secondary education. "The competition ran quite smoothly thanks to Mario's hard work."
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EGUSD preschool programs now accepting enrollment
The Elk Grove Unified School District offers a variety of preschool programs for 3½ and 4-year-old children. Head Start, State Preschool and Title I Preschool are currently accepting enrollment for the 2009 - 2010 school year.
These programs are funded from different sources and have varying requirements.
Head Start
Head Start is a federally-funded program for preschool children from low-income families. Head Start is operated by the Early Childhood Education Department in Elk Grove Unified.
At Head Start, children participate in educational activities focusing on emerging literacy and numeracy skills. They also receive health follow-ups, and enjoy healthy meals and snacks and playing outdoors in a safe environment. Special services are offered for children with disabilities. Classes are 3½ hours long, Monday through Thursday.
State Preschool
California's State Preschool income-eligible program is available for 4 year-old children. This state-funded program focuses on preparing students for kindergarten and first grade. Classes in this program are 3 hours long, Monday through Friday.
Title I Preschool
Title I Preschool is for children who reside within the boundaries of a Title I school. The following elementary schools have a Title I Preschool program: Isabelle Jackson, Samuel Kennedy, Herman Leimbach, Charles Mack, Barbara Comstock Morse, Prairie, David Reese and John Reith.
To register a child for any of these programs, please call 916-686-7595. Preschool registration is ongoing throughout the year. More information can also be found on the EGUSD website here.
Elk Grove Unified also offers parent participation preschool programs through Adult Education. These programs are located at James McKee, Sierra Enterprise and Irene B. West elementary schools and Valley High School. For registration information on parent participation preschool programs, please call 916-686-7717 or click here.
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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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"The President's Own" Marine Band plays at Isabelle Jackson Elementary
On October 16, students at Isabelle
Jackson Elementary School got their day started with a musical twist - courtesy
of representatives of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band Jazz
Combo.
Four Marine sergeants - who played
piano, saxophone, bass guitar and drums - played upbeat songs and smooth
ballads for students at two assemblies.
After playing for about 20 minutes in each assembly, the musicians spoke
to students about the history of the band.
They also allowed students to ask questions.
After both assemblies, students in
Jackson's band had a chance to ask more in-depth questions of the band members.
"We
are very fortunate and honored that what may be the finest group of musicians
in our nation took the time out of their busy schedule to share with our
students and community," said Marc Surrey, vice-principal at Jackson. "Through this opportunity, our students were
able to gain a firsthand glimpse of an American institution - which is the 'The
President's Own' United States Marine Corps Band."
Founded in 1798, the Marine Band has
held the same primary mission - to provide music for the President of the
United States and the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. The band has performed at every presidential
inauguration since Thomas Jefferson. "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band is America's oldest continuously
active professional musical organization. Today, "The President's Own" is celebrated for its role at the White
House and its dynamic public performances. "The President's Own" encompasses
the United States Marine Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra, and Marine Chamber
Ensembles, and performs regularly at the White House and for more than 500
public performances across the nation each year.
For
more information on "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band, click here.
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Jessie Baker students participate in 3rd Annual Read-A-Thon
Books and pajamas were the name of the game when students at Jessie Baker School participated in their 3rd Annual Read-A-Thon.
"The Read-A-Thon has become an event that the students look forward to every year," said Kathy Dona, principal at Baker. "It is an excellent tool in promoting the importance of reading to our students and giving back to those in need."
Baker's Read-A-Thon is a part of "ClassroomsCare," a program sponsored by Scholastic Books. The ClassroomsCare program donates 100 books to students in need for every 100 books read by Baker students by December 18, 2009. Last year, Jessie Baker School donated 1,300 books.
A total of 171 Baker students participated in the event this year.
The books that Baker students earn will go towards Scholastic's goal of donating one million books to children across the United States in crisis centers, early childhood centers, literacy/enrichment programs, healthcare facilities, communities in need, shelters and intervention programs. Baker students will vote on where they would like to have their books donated.
Throughout the day, volunteers joined the students to participate in the Read-A-Thon, including: board members, district administrators, Chick fil-A, bus drivers, police officers, firemen, local clergy and city officials.
For more information on how to get involved in ClassroomsCare, click here.
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Franklin High School recognizes National Teen Driver
Safety Week
In recognition of National Teen Driver
Safety Week, Franklin High School hosted one of two press conferences held
throughout the state by Impact Teen Drivers.
The press conference, which featured
speakers from education, law enforcement and traffic safety, served to announce
steps to reduce teen deaths from distracted and reckless driving through the
Impact Teen Drivers awareness and education program.
"Distracted driving is an important issue
that touches not just students, but their families and the community as well,"
said Charlotte Phinizy, principal at Franklin. "Organizations like Impact Teen Drivers and Franklin's Students Against
Destructive Decisions (SADD) are essential in educating teens about the dangers
of distracted driving."
For the past three years, Franklin has
had an active SADD Club with approximately 15 members.
"When SADD first began in 1981, its
mission was to help young people say 'No' to drinking and driving," said Jamie
Davi, SADD advisor at Franklin. "However, SADD expanded its focus to include using positive peer
pressure, role modeling and environmental strategies to help prevent young
people from making destructive decisions and lead healthier, safer lives."
SADD, along with students in Friday
Night Live (FNL), are responsible for Red Ribbon Week, educating their fellow
peers about the dangers of drugs. Both
clubs are also active during prom season by educating others about drinking and
driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving,
the California Highway Patrol and the Elk Grove Police Department have assisted
in this activity in the past. One of the
biggest projects SADD and FNL worked on was a "Click It or Ticket" campaign. Students prepared for the campaign for over a
month. During the campaign, club
members counted the number of teachers, students and parents who wore seatbelts
when they arrived in parking lots at Franklin.
Impact Teen Drivers also introduced a
new contest for teens - Create Real IMPACT. This contest awards up to 30 $1,000 grants to teens that create
meaningful messages for other teens about being safe behind the wheel. Entries may include videos, music, art,
speech or writing formats.
For more information on the Create Real
Impact contest, click here. |
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Red Ribbon Week
Starting
on October 19th, thousands of students throughout the district decided
to "Just Say No to Drugs" through numerous activities and events in recognition
of Red Ribbon Week.
Red
Ribbon Week began in 1985 as a tribute to Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a
U.S. DEA officer who was killed in the line of duty. Today, Red Ribbon Week is nationally
recognized. It is known as the oldest and
largest drug prevention campaign in the country. By wearing a red ribbon during this
designated week in October, students from across the country demonstrate their
opposition to drugs.
"Red Ribbon Week is a time for us to be reminded of the positive future
which lies ahead for all individuals who make good choices," said Linda
Meyerson, director of elementary education for the district. "It is a time to choose the future and not
allow drugs to make the choice for you."
Schools
throughout the district have created many new and exciting activities to
commemorate Red Ribbon Week.
Students
and staff at C.W. Dillard Elementary School chose the theme "I've Got Better
Things to Do" to define Red Ribbon Week at their school. Although the popular door-decorating contest
and dress-up days returned this year at Dillard, Red Ribbon Week also brought a
new activity. One new addition was the
"Red Ribbon Information Booth." During
lunch recess, staff and guest speakers manned the booth to answer questions and
give out prizes each day.
Joseph Sims
Elementary School will recognize Red Ribbon Week October 26-30. At Sims, each day of the week has a dress-up
theme - Monday - Turn Your Back on Drugs (wear your shirt backwards), Tuesday -
Team Up Against Drugs (wear athletic apparel), Wednesday - Sock It to Drugs
(wear crazy socks), Shade Out Drugs (wear sunglasses) and Friday - Rally in Red
(wear red).
At the
secondary level, Katherine L. Albiani Middle School and T.R. Smedberg Middle
School will also recognize Red Ribbon Week October 26-30. At Albiani, students and staff will
participate in dress-up days, including Lei Off Drugs (wear Hawaiian clothing),
Tie Together, Drug Free Forever (wear tie-dyed clothing), Light Up a
Scoreboard, Not a Cigarette (wear sports jerseys) and Born to Be Drug Free
(dress up third period teachers in red clothing and accessories). Albiani students also participated in
inventive lunchtime activities. At
Smedberg, students will participate in dress-up days and have class spirit
competitions based on participation in Red Ribbon Week activities. Smedberg students will also participate in a
door decorating contest and a poetry contest.
Maeola
Beitzel Elementary School will commemorate Red Ribbon Week October 28 -
November 4. Students at Beitzel will
recite a Drug Free Pledge each morning during announcement time. Bracelets and bookmarks encouraging a
drug-free lifestyle will be distributed to students. Beitzel students will also enjoy a drug-free
rally presented by Smedberg students.
Arlene Hein
Elementary School will partner with the Department of Justice for a day filled
with drug-free activities on October 28th. A helicopter is scheduled to land as a part
of the day's events and multiple law enforcement agencies will give mini
presentations for students.
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