Elk Grove Unified School District
Excellence by Design
 EGUSD News and NotesAugust 22, 2011 
In This Issue
Daylor's Energy Grant
Sims VAPA Program
Sheds for sale @ SHS
EGVA Back-to-School Picnic
Helpful Links
Internet Safety Tips
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Tip: Be Smart about Smart Phones - Many phones include web access. If your children are going to use a phone with web access and you are concerned about where they might go on the Internet, turn on filtering or turn off web access.

 

Honoring Our Volunteers 

Patti Lee of Foulks Ranch Elementary School

LeeFamily

Patti Lee was recognized as an Education Partner at the August 16, 2011, meeting of the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Education.

 

Patti has been an extraordinary parent and supporter of Foulks Ranch Elementary School for the past 10 years.

 

In the classroom, Patti supports each and every child in class.  She is a faithful volunteer, visiting classrooms two to three times a week.  Patti is always willing to do whatever is needed - from copying worksheets to assisting a child with an assignment.  Teachers who have been lucky enough to have her in their classroom as a volunteer have mentioned that Patti is always willing to lend a hand and is often called upon to help brainstorm teacher ideas and turn them into finished projects.  Patti has contributed to the Accelerated Reader and Math programs at Foulks Ranch and has served as a FRAP (Foulks Ranch Accelerated Program) parent for several years.

 

Patti has also been a consistent supporter of the Foulks Ranch library.  Patti has long been the parent who came to the library to just offer her help.  She has been the most devoted volunteer for years.  Patti possesses the knowledge to do almost anything in the library, from cataloging books to cleaning covers.  She interacts well with all students and is always willing to help them find the perfect book.  Patti is always looking out for Foulks Ranch students and can even be spotted on weekends shopping for the latest trend in books to help keep the school's collection up-to-date.  Each year, Patti is responsible for decorating the library with fun themes to match the Book Fairs she volunteers to run.  Last year, the entire Foulks Ranch library system crashed; Patti spent countless hours reentering books back into the system.  With her assistance, the Foulks Ranch library system was reinstated with 13,000+ entries.  Even when the funding ran out to restore the collection, Patti volunteered her time to help complete the project.

 

Patti is married to Eugene Lee.  They have two children - Hannah, a freshman at Cosumnes Oaks High School and Stephen, a 6th grade student at Foulks Ranch.    

 

 

 

New rhymes sought for Attendance Campaign poster contest

The EGUSD Communications Department is seeking new rhymes to use in the 6th Annual No Excuses - Go to School Attendance Campaign Poster Contest.  Anyone - EGUSD employees, school staff, students and the community - are invited to create a fun rhyme about excuses kids use for not attending school.  Students will be asked to illustrate 12 rhymes for the poster contest.  Examples of rhymes include:

 

Pretending to be sick?  Get here quick!  OR Don't whine, just get here on time!

 

Please send all rhyme ideas to [email protected] by Friday, September 9th to have your rhyme considered for use in the poster contest.

 

Click here for more information about the No Excuses - Go to School Attendance Campaign. 

 

 

Free immunization
clinic offered for
EGUSD students   


Still need to have your child immunized for the 2011-2012 school year?  The Elk Grove Unified School District is offering a free immunization clinic on August 24. 

 

The Elk Grove Unified School District's free immunization clinic is for students in grades K-12 who qualify.  This clinic will provide ALL immunizations students need to attend school for the 2011-2012 school year.  This includes the required Tdap (whooping cough) booster shot for students entering grades 7-12 for the 2011-2012 school year.

 

For EGUSD's clinic, students must meet one of the following three requirements to participate in the clinics: 1) have no health insurance or insurance that does not cover vaccines; 2) are Medi-Cal eligible; or 3) are American Indian or Alaska Native.

 

The immunization clinic will be held on Wednesday, August 24 at 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Florin High School (7956 Cottonwood Lane, Sacramento, CA 95828).  

A parent/guardian must accompany their child to the clinic.   

 

Parents/guardians must bring their child's immunization card (yellow card) or "Out of Compliance" letter from their school.  No appointments are necessary.  For more information about the Tdap requirement, click here

 

 

 
Welcome to eguNews, an EGUSD email newsletter published every two weeks.  If you have questions about eguNews, you can email [email protected] or call (916) 686-7732.

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William Daylor High School receives
SMUD solar energy grant 

 

SMUDLogo

 

William Daylor High School's Green Construction Technology ROP class has earned a $2,500 grant from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District's (SMUD) 2011 Energize Minds for Solar Design Program.  Daylor is using the grant to build a mobile solar generator research and solar education outreachSMUD will also donate eight 64-watt solar modules.

 

"We're planning on purchasing a trailer and all of the necessary accessories for the project during the first quarter," said David Adams, teacher at Daylor.  "It's our goal to have a finished product by winter break.  We will use the generator to supply power for our Green Construction Tech class, as well as other school functions.  We also hope to be able to do demonstrations at other schools in the district once everything is up and running."

 

The SMUD Energize Minds for Solar Design Program is open to all high schools and community colleges within the SMUD service area.  SMUD offers grant awards up to $10,000 to help fund projects that help students and their community explore solar energy. 

 

"We are very excited to receive this grant from SMUD," said Tom Martens, principal at Daylor.  "It will enable our students to have the opportunity to gain real, practical experience in the new and growing field of green energy technology."

 

Click here for more information about the SMUD Energize Minds for Solar Design Program.

  

 

 

Joseph Sims Elementary School
VAPA Program offers dual benefits  

to students and teachers   

   

 SimsVAPA

 

Students in all grades at Joseph Sims Elementary School will expand their creative horizons and soar to new artistic heights through dance, art, music and theater in a new Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Program.

 

Thanks to full funding from the Sims PTO, the VAPA Program will be a fixture on campus for the entire 2011-2012 school year.

 

"The program was created for two reasons," said VAPA teacher Charmaine Bray.  "The first is to teach our students about Visual and Performing Arts using our district's standards.  In addition to this, the program also helps to reduce class size so our teachers have time for differentiated small group instruction.  Each teacher receives a total of 90 minutes of small class instruction - twice a week - for 13 weeks a year through the program."

 

During regularly scheduled times throughout the week, half the students in two classes participate in the program, leaving the other half of the class with their classroom teacher.  The first half spends 45 minutes in the VAPA program and then switches with the other half of the class so they can participate in the VAPA program.  While half of the class is engaged in the VAPA program, the other half has a chance to receive more one-on-one time with their teachers.

 

"Each student at Sims will perform in either a play or dance this year," said Bray.  "At this time, I have six performances scheduled with a total of seven or eight classes participating in each performance.  Students will also have an opportunity to participate in an art walk and poetry slam."

 

In the future, Bray would like to see the program expand to give students and teachers the chance to participate in the program for an entire school year, instead of only 13 weeks at a time. 

 

 

 

Sheldon High School Building Trades Program celebrates 13 years
of shed building
       

 SHSBTP 

 

 

Sheldon High School's Building Trades Program (BTP) is celebrating their 13th year of constructing storage sheds for sale to the community.  The program is currently taking orders for sheds to be delivered in mid-winter.

 

"Students work in teams of three to construct the sheds over an 18-week period as they learn framing and roofing skill sets," said Jeff Merker, a building trades teacher at Sheldon.  "The profit made on each shed, which is approximately $1,000, goes directly back into the program.  Over 150 sheds have been produced by this program."    

 

BTP students can build a variety of different sized sheds, but the most common sizes are 8'x10', 10'x12', 10'x14' and 10'x20'.  In the past, sheds have been built and used as offices, studios, snack bars, livestock dwellings, playhouses and announcement booths.  The sheds constructed by Sheldon BTP are less expensive than commercially built sheds and are built with superior materials and workmanship.

 

Standard features for the sheds include:

 

  • Pressure-treated 4'x6' floor girders supporting 2'x6' joists on
    16" centers
  • �" tongue and groove plywood flooring
  • 2'x4' wall studs on 16" centers
  • 50-year composition roof with drip flashing
  • 5/8" T-111 pre-primered Doug Fir siding
  • Gradual 3/12 roof pitch
  • Stanley steel clad door with deadbolt and door lock or roll-up door
  • 2'x2' dual pane window
  • Multiple screened vents and 30-year caulking (A $90 option on other manufacturers)
  • 8" rafter overhang capped with 2'x6' barge rafter

 

Prices, which include tax and delivery, are: 8'x10' ($2,200), 10'x12' ($2,700), 10'x14' ($3,600) and 10'x20' ($4,400).  Sheds can also be customized with the following options: ramp to door ($70), wall shelving ($100), extra window ($35) and workbench ($75).  A payment plan is available for 50 percent down and the balance due on delivery.

 

For more information, contact Jeff Merker at (916) 681-7500, ext. 8115 or (916) 947-4902. 

 

EGUSD Virtual Academy holds 1st Annual Back-to-School Picnic   

 

EGVAPicnic 

 

William Land Park provided the perfect setting for the Elk Grove Unified School District Virtual Academy's first annual K-8 Back-to-School Picnic, held on August 17.

 

"Our first EGUSD Virtual Academy Back-to-School Picnic was a tremendous success, with approximately 40 families attending the event," said Miriam Lyons, a K-8 teacher for the Academy.  "Parents participated in an ice breaker of 'Find Someone Who...' - where the winner received a $5 Starbuck's card - and the students made Student of The Week posters and played P.E. games with us.  Families brought lunches, coolers and blankets and enjoyed their time getting to know their teachers and each other. All families are eagerly looking forward to our next event."

 

The EGUSD Virtual Academy offers an innovative learning experience for the 21st century student. This accredited online academy allows students in kindergarten through 12th grade to experience teaching and learning from virtually anywhere a computer will take them. The curriculum is provided through a partnership with K12, a national online program. All courses are aligned to the State of California's standards and benchmarks. Classes span from core subjects to a wide variety of electives with a strong emphasis on building skills and critical thinking.

 

Parents of students in grades K-8 can still register for the EGUSD Virtual Academy until September 2, 2011.  Registration for students in grades 9-12 ended on Monday, August 1.  The EGUSD Virtual Academy will host an information meeting for students and parents interested in learning more about the program from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, August 22.  The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the Robert L. Trigg Education Center (9510 Elk Grove-Florin Road, Elk Grove, CA 95624).  Click here for more information on how to register for the EGUSD Virtual Academy.