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Cosumnes River Elementary student wins Mercy Methodist Hospital "Name the Robot" contest
Alexander Petro, a first grade student at Cosumnes River Elementary School, was selected from over 5,000 entries as the winner in the Mercy Methodist Hospital "Name the Robot" Contest.
The new robot, MAKO, is used for "MAKOplasty" partial knee replacement surgeries. Students in grades 1-6 in Elk Grove Unified were invited to think up a creative, original name for Mercy Methodist's new robot and then provide a short explanation as to why they selected that name.
Petro created the name "MAKOangelo." The new robot reminded him of a sculpture so he searched for "sculpture" on the Internet. The first entry that appeared was about Michaelangelo, thus the creation of "MAKOangelo."
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Kindergarten/
Transitional
Kindergarten
Registration
Kindergarten registration for the 2012-2013 school year at Elk Grove Unified School District's year-round schools is now open. For schools on a modified traditional or traditional calendar registration begins today on January 3, 2012. In an effort to better prepare students to perform their best when they begin school, California schools are in the process of enacting the 2010 Kindergarten Readiness Act (Senate Bill 1381). This new law will change the birth date for kindergarten eligibility from December 2 to September 1 over the next three years. The new age eligibility requirement will be phased in over three years: - 2012-2013 - Child must turn 5 by November 1 to enter kindergarten
- 2013-2014 - Child must turn 5 by October 1 to enter kindergarten
- 2014-2015 - Child must turn 5 by September 1 to enter kindergarten
For the first time this year, families will also register for Transitional Kindergarten (TK), a new grade level created through the passage of the 2010 Kindergarten Readiness Act. This two-year program was created to build a bridge between early learning and kindergarten by using a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate. TK will follow the same school year calendar as a kindergarten class and will contain the same number of instructional minutes per day. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, Elk Grove Unified will begin offering TK at select elementary school sites in the district. New eligibility requirements for TK will be phased in over three years: - 2012-2013 - Child must turn 5 between November 2-December 2
- 2013-2014 - Child must turn 5 between October 2-December 2
- 2014-2015 - Child must turn 5 between September 2-December 2
EGUSD's PreK-6 Education Department is working with other departments to develop curriculum and select locations for TK classes for the 2012-2013 school year. Schools will contact parents with students who are eligible for TK after April 1, 2012 with the locations of the TK classes so parents can decide on enrolling their child. EGUSD does not provide transportation for TK. For more information about kindergarten/TK registration, contact the PreK-6 Education Department at (916) 686-7702. |
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Monterey Trail High School to offer Parent Project Sr. program
Monterey Trail High School's after-school program (ASSETS) is sponsoring the Parent Project Sr. program. This is a comprehensive, award-winning training program for parents of teenagers ages 12-18. The 10-week training series provides parents with effective techniques designed to help teenagers become responsible, successful adults. This is a great program for parents of all kinds, whether they have ongoing issues at home or are wanting to stay informed so they can be prepared for what may come. Parent Project Sr. runs January 19, 2012 through March 22, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday evenings. For more information or to register for the class, contact Melinda Doss at mdoss@egusd.net or call (916) 688-0050. |
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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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Florin High School students interact with "Wild Things" during after-school assembly
 Florin High School biology students had the chance to get up close and personal with wild animals at an after-school assembly presented by Wild Things, Inc. in December. Over 200 students attended the assembly, the first of several after-school enrichment opportunities planned by Florin's science department. The program featured animals from around the world, including kangaroos, lemurs, spider monkeys, an African porcupine, barn owls, a rattlesnake and an American alligator. Gabe Kerschner, presenter and owner of Wild Things, Inc., spoke to students about the threats these animals face in the wild and the solutions the public can take in an effort for future generations to enjoy these animals in the wild. "The assembly came at the perfect time, as our Biology classes have just finished their ecology unit where they learned about endangered animals and ecology terms, such as habitat and food chains," said Kate Sleeper, a biology science teacher at Florin. "Most of the students were three to four feet from the animals themselves and were allowed to 'pet' the alligator after the assembly. Our students were absolutely overjoyed to hear this excellent presentation and the new information shared about each animal." Wild Things, Inc. features animals that have injuries that keep them from surviving in the wild or animals that people have tried to keep as illegal pets. Currently, Wild Things, Inc. is home to over 60 species of wildlife. These animals are shared in wildlife education presentations offered to hundreds of thousands of students each year. Wild Things, Inc. promotes the idea that through meeting these animals and hearing their stories, students will gain a greater appreciation for the natural environment, making them more likely to have an environmental conscience to make the best decisions that will benefit the earth. |
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EGUSD Virtual Academy holds 1st Annual
Gingerbread House Competition
at Holiday Social
Students, staff and parents of the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) Virtual Academy displayed their holiday spirit at their second annual Holiday Social Thursday, December 8 at Ellen Feickert Elementary School.
This year's Holiday Social featured their first ever Gingerbread House Competition. Ten official entries for the contest ranged in size and scope, from small, sugary cottages to an entire "scrumdiddlyumptious" village with trees made from gingerbread and licorice. Each person in attendance was given one vote to select the best gingerbread house. The top three houses each took home a snow globe as a prize. All students received a certificate of participation and a holiday bookmark. After the competition, guests feasted on a variety of "sugar plums" and warm apple cider while creating holiday ornaments, sharing virtual school tips and enjoying seasonal music.
"Everyone really enjoyed the Holiday Social this year," said Miriam Lyons, a K-8 teacher for the EGUSD Virtual Academy. "Not only did the participants in the competition enjoy making their gingerbread houses, but they also enjoyed eating them. We're all looking forward to our next social event for our K-8 students."
EGUSD Virtual Academy provides a unique learning opportunity for the 21st century parent and student. The online academy allows students in kindergarten through 12th grade to experience teaching and learning from virtually anywhere a computer will take them. Student learning is directed by an adult at home, called a learning coach. Learning coaches and students are guided by an EGUSD teacher.
Curriculum for the EGUSD Virtual Academy is provided by K12, a national online program. All courses in the academy are aligned to the State of California's standards and benchmarks.
Registration for the 2012-2013 school year for students in grades K-12 will begin on Thursday, March 1, 2012. Students residing in Sacramento County - along with students in the neighboring counties of Amador, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Placer, San Joaquin, Solano, Sutter and Yolo - are eligible to enroll in the EGUSD Virtual Academy. Click here for more information about the EGUSD Virtual Academy.
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EGUSD elementary school students enjoy a visit from the Seed Survivor Mobile
Elk Grove Unified School District elementary school students at four elementary schools had the chance to discover plants in further detail when the Seed Survivor Mobile visited their schools on its statewide tour in December.
The Seed Survivor Mobile, sponsored by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, is a plant nutrient classroom on wheels visiting elementary schools throughout California until May 2012. The truck and trailer unit features interactive learning experiences that teach elementary students about growing healthy plants and where their food comes from.
"The Seed Survivor Mobile provides an excellent opportunity for students to discover a better understanding about plants, what they need to thrive and grow and their importance to helping students achieve a much healthier lifestyle," said Ray Pietersen, program specialist for science, physical education, health and family life for the district. "The presentation even allows the lesson to continue when students leave school, as they will plant a sunflower seed that they can take home with them and watch it grow."
Students from C.W. Dillard, Elk Grove, Prairie and Joseph Sims elementary schools spent the first half of the presentation outside the trailer in a guided plant nutrient lesson. They then finished the second half of the presentation inside the trailer using multi-media and virtual reality games, visiting the sunflower seed planting station and interacting with the talking walls.
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Florin High School Culinary ROP students bake up some holiday spirit
at St. John's Shelter
The ROP Culinary Arts class at Florin High School had the opportunity to spread some delicious holiday cheer when they stopped by the St. John's Shelter in Sacramento on December 15. The ROP Culinary Arts classes at Florin have visited St. John's Shelter for the past ten years. Approximately 12 students visited the shelter this year.
"I love bringing my students here," said Mary Ann Adams, culinary arts teacher at Florin. "Not only does participating in this activity give my students a chance to give back to the community and become more aware of the world outside of our walls at school, but they also get to utilize their culinary skills outside the classroom."
Culinary students pre-baked several hundred gingerbread cookies to take to the shelter. The students demonstrated and assisted the children at the shelter in decorating their cookies. Florin students also provided assistance in the kitchen at the shelter, as well as sorting donated clothes.
"My students are very eager and enthusiastic about going to the shelter each year and sharing with the children and adults," Adams said. "They love sharing with the younger children that cooking can be fun and delicious."
The culinary arts ROP class at Florin teaches students how to plan, select, store, purchase, prepare, test, serve and sell quality food and food products. Through the class, students learn how to set up restaurant-style meals, cater jobs on and off campus, food cook-offs and a variety of other events. Students also learn about food from around the world, the different aspects of the food service industry and other topics of student interest.
Click here for more information about ROP programs at EGUSD.
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