Twin Rivers Unified School District
eWeek At a Glance  Week of 
 August 24, 2009
Don't Delay - turn in your lunch application today!
Welcome to the TRUSD eWAG.  We hope you find this electronic week at a glance helpful. 
 
We are actively soliciting information on events and news items from our schools, departments and community organizations.  Please send them to Kathy.Young@twinriversusd.org or call our Communications Department at 916.566.1628.
 
Quote of the Week
"A person is not given integrity. It results from the relentless pursuit of honesty at all times."

-Unknown
Events, Gatherings & Meetings

Saturday, August 22nd
~ Del Paso Heights Farmers' Market, Robertson Community Center at 3525 Norwood Avenue, 7:30am to noon, WIC and EBT accepted
~ Elkhorn Farmers' Market, Towne Center at Watt Avenue and Elkhorn Boulevard, 8am to noon
~ "Algebraic Reasoning" Professional Development for Educators of Grades 3-5 at RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching), 3136 Howard Street in McClellan Park, 9am to noon

Monday,  August 24th
~ Cool Kids Club sponsored by Rio Linda / Elverta Recreation and Park District, Westside  Elementary, 2:30 to 6pm, offered every school day, for information call 916.991.5929

Tuesday, August 25th
~ Back to School Night, Rio Tierra Junior High, 5:30 to 7:30pm
~ Back to School Night, Rio Linda Junior High, 6 to 7:30pm
~ Jiujitsu sponsored by Rio Linda / Elverta Recreation and Park District, Depo Building at 6730 Front Street in Rio Linda, 6 to 7pm, offered every Tuesday and Thursday, for information call 916.991.5929
~ Karate sponsored by Rio Linda / Elverta Recreation and Park District, Depo Building at 6730 Front Street in Rio Linda, 7 to 8pm, offered every Tuesday and Thursday, for information call 916.991.5929

August 26 and 27
~ Walgreen's Community Wellness Van, CA State Fair, noon to 8pm

Wednesday, August 26th
~ Cool Kids Club sponsored by Rio Linda / Elverta Recreation and Park District, Westside Elementary, 7:30 to 9:30am, offered every Late Start Wednesday, for information call 916.991.5929
~ Cool Kids Club sponsored by Rio Linda / Elverta Recreation and Park District, Orchard Elementary, 7:30 to 10am on Late Start Wednesday and 7:30 to 9am on other school days, for information call 916.991.5929
~ Bright Beginnings for Parents with Children Ages 0 to 5 years, Firehouse Community Center, 810 Grand Avenue, 10am to noon, call 916.567.9567
~ Back to School Night, Garden Valley Elementary, 5:30 to 7pm
~ Back to School Night, Smythe Academy (K-6 campus), 5:30 to 7pm
~ Back to School Night, Woodlake Elementary, 5:30 to 7pm
~ Back to School Night, Village Elementary, 6 to 8pm

Thursday, August 27th
~ Community Farm Stand, Las Palmas Adult School at the corner of Las Palmas Avenue and Fairfield Street, 8:30 to 10:30am, EBT accepted
~ Community Farm Stand, Freedom Park Head Start at 6015 Watt Avenue, noon to 2pm, EBT accepted
~ Back to School Night, Dry Creek Elementary, 5 to 7pm
~ Back to School Night, Noralto Elementary, 5 to 7pm
~ Back to School Night, Strauch Elementary, 5 to 7pm
~ Back to School Night, Allison Elementary, 5:30 to 7pm
~ Back to School Night, F.C. Joyce Elementary, 5:30 to 7pm
~ Back to School Night, Woodridge Elementary, 5:30 to 7pm
~ Back to School Night, Norwood Junior High, 5:30 to 7:30pm
~ Back to School Night, Northwood Elementary, 6 to 7pm
~ Back to School Night, Pioneer Elementary, 6 to 7pm
~ Back to School Night, Creative Connections Arts Academy, 6 to 7:30pm
~ Back to School Night, Frontier Elementary, 6 to 7:30pm
~ Back to School Night, Hagginwood Elementary, 6 to 7:30pm
~ Back to School Night, Hillsdale Elementary, 6 to 7:30pm
~ Back to School Night, Pathways Community Day School and Vineland Preschool, 6 to 7:30pm
~ Piano Lessons sponsored by the Rio Linda / Elverta Recreation and Park District, Depo Building at 6730 Front Street in Rio Linda, 6 to 8pm, offered every Thursday, for information call 916.991.5929
~ Back to School Night, Aero Haven Elementary, 6:30 to 8pm
 
Saturday, August 29th
~ Del Paso Heights Farmers' Market, Robertson Community Center at 3525 Norwood Avenue, 7:30am to noon, WIC and EBT accepted
~ Elkhorn Farmers' Market, Towne Center at Watt Avenue and Elkhorn Boulevard, 8am to noon
~ "Dry Ice Investigations" Professional Development for Educators of Grades 5-10 at RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching), 3136 Howard Street in McClellan Park, 9am to noon
~ Farmer's Market and Craft Fair hosted by Rio Linda / Elverta  Chamber of Commerce and Food Source, Food Source Center at 430 Elkhorn Boulevard, 10am to 3pm, for more information call 916.991.9344 or e-mail LisaLMorris@comcast.net
 
Sunday, August 30th
~ Walgreen's Community Wellness Van, 5020 Madison Avenue, noon to 6pm
Looking Ahead
August 24 through October 16
   TRUSD Essay/Poster Contest for Grades K through 12. call Gewon Richards @ 916.566.1600 x 1264

August 31 to September 3
   Professional Development Day (non-student day), one per school, see dates listed below

August 31
   Professional Development Day (non-student day) for
Aero Haven Elementary
Babcock Elementary
Castori Elementary
Del Paso Heights Elementary
Dry Creek Elementary
Foothill High School
Foothill Oaks Elementary
Garden Valley Elementary
Grant Union High School
Highlands Academy of Arts & Design
Kohler Elementary
Orchard Elementary
Rio Linda High School
 
September 1
    Professional Development Day (non-student day) for
Fairbanks Elementary
Foothill Farms Junior High
Hagginwood Elementary
Harmon Johnson Elementary
F.C. Joyce Elementary
Martin Luther King, Jr., Technology Academy
Larchmont Elementary
Madison Elementary
Noralto Elementary
Norwood Junior High
Oakdale Elementary
Rio Linda Junior High
Rio Tierra Junior High
Sierra View Elementary
   Back to School Night, Foothill Farms Junior High, 6 to 8pm
   Board of Trustees Meeting, District Office Bay-A, 6:30pm
 
September 2
   Professional Development Day (non-student day) for
Creative Connections Arts Academy
Eastside Campus of WPCS (Westside Preparatory Charter School)
Frontier Campus of WPCS (Westside Preparatory Charter School)
Frontier Elementary
Hillsdale Elementary
Northwood Elementary
Pioneer Elementary
Ridgepoint Elementary
Smythe Academy of Arts and Sciences (K-6)
Village Elementary
Westside Campus of WPCS (Westside Preparatory Charter School)
Westside Elementary
   Bright Beginnings for Parents with Children Ages 0 to 5 years, Firehouse Community Center, 810 Grand Avenue, 10am to noon, call 916.567.9567
   Back to School Night, Madison Elementary, 5:30 to 7pm
   Back to School Night, North Avenue Elementary, 6 to 7:30pm
   Back to School Night, Oakdale Elementary, 6 to 7:30pm
 
September 3
    Professional Development Day (non-student day) for
Allison Elementary
Morey Avenue Early Childhood Development Center
North Avenue Elementary
Pathways Community Day School
Regency Park Elementary
Rio Linda Elementary
Robinson Community Day School
Strauch Elementary
Woodlake Elementary
Woodridge Elementary
   Community Farm Stand, Las Palmas Adult School at the corner of Las Palmas Avenue and Fairfield Street, 8:30 to 10:30am, EBT accepted
   Community Farm Stand, Freedom Park Head Start at 6015 Watt Avenue, noon to 2pm, EBT accepted
   Back to School Night, Castori Elementary, 5:30 to 6:30pm
   Back to School Night, Kohler Elementary, 5:30 to 7pm
   Back to School Night, Smythe Academy (middle school campus), 5:30 to 7pm
   Back to School Night, Fairbanks Elementary, 6pm
   Back to School Night, Martin Luther King, Jr. Technology Academy, 6 to 7:30pm
   Back to School Night, Grant Union High School, 6 to 8pm
   Back to School Night, NOVA Community Day School, 6 to 8pm
   Back to School Night, Vista Nueva Career and Technology High, 6 to 8pm
   Back to School Night, Foothill High School, 6 to 8pm
   Back to School Night, Pacific High School, 6 to 8pm
   Back to School Night, Rio Linda High School, 6 to 8pm
   Back to School Night, Harmon Johnson Elementary, 6 to 7:30pm
   
September 4
   Student Minimum Day, Junior High and Senior High only
   Best Babysitter! class sponsored by Fulton - El Camino Recreation & Park District, registration deadline, call 916.927.3802 x 114

September 5
   Del Paso Heights Farmers' Market, Robertson Community Center at 3525 Norwood Avenue, 7:30am to noon, WIC and EBT accepted
   Elkhorn Farmer's Market, Towne Center at Watt Avenue and Elkhorn Boulevard, 8am to noon
   Classic Car Show & Swap Meet, Dry Creek Ranch House, 8am to 4pm, for car show information call Bob Bastian at 916.991.2484, for swap meet information call Al at 916.991.5212
 
September 7
   District Office and schools closed for Labor Day
   Fishing in the City sponsored by Fulton - El Camino Recreation & Park District, Howe Park at 2201 Cottage Way, 8:30am to noon, for more information call 916.358.2872

September 9
   Bright Beginnings for Parents with Children Ages 0 to 5 years, Firehouse Community Center, 810 Grand Avenue, 10am to noon, call 916.567.9567
   Best Babysitter! classes sponsored by Fulton - El Camino Recreation & Park District, Howe Park at 2201 Cottage Way, 4 to 7pm, for registration info call 916.927.3802 x 114
   Back to School Night, Babcock Elementary, 5:30 to 7pm
   Back to School Night, Rio Linda Elementary, 5:30 to 7pm

September 10
   Suits and Slippers to benefit Roberts Family Development Center, Market Square at Arden Fair, 7:30 to 9am, click here for online ticket purchase
   Community Farm Stand, Las Palmas Adult School at the corner of Las Palmas Avenue and Fairfield Street, 8:30 to 10:30am, EBT accepted
   Community Farm Stand, Freedom Park Head Start at 6015 Watt Avenue, noon to 2pm, EBT accepted
   Free Movie in the Park sponsored by Fulton - El Camino Recreation & Park District, Howe Park at 2201 Cottage Way, movie starts at dusk
   Sacramento Monarchs' WNBA game to benefit RAFT (Resource Area For Teaching), ARCO Arena, 7pm
 
September 12
   Del Paso Heights Farmers' Market, Robertson Community Center at 3525 Norwood Avenue, 7:30am to noon, WIC and EBT accepted
   Elkhorn Farmer's Market, Towne Center at Watt Avenue and Elkhorn Boulevard, 8am to noon
   "Solar Schoolhouse Solar Primer" Professional Development for Educators of Grades 4-12 at SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District), 6301 S Street in Sacramento, 8:30am to 3:30pm
   Celebrate Natomas!, South Natomas Community Park/Center/Library at 2921 Truxel Road, noon to 8pm
   Concert in the Park sponsored by Supervisor Susan Peters, Pioneer Park in Old Foothill Farms, 3 to 6pm
   Second Saturday Art Exhibition and Phantom Galleries Participation, VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) featuring Rio Linda High School, location to be determined, 6pm

September 13
   Community Yard Sale sponsored by Fulton - El Camino Recreation & Park District, Howe Park at 2201 Cottage Way, 7am set up and shopping from 8am to 1pm, call Clara or Teri at 916.927.3802 x 114 for registration information

September 14
   "Toramai" Tiger Dance Performance by Matsuyama Seiryo High School students, Foothill High School, 8:30am

September 15
   American River Salmon School Days (for 4th grade students and teachers) Application Deadline, call 916.808.5264 for details or click here for application
   Board of Trustees Meeting, District Office Bay-A, 6:30pm
    "Toramai" Tiger Dance Performance by Matsuyama Seiryo High School students, Grant Union High School, time to be announced

September 16
   Bright Beginnings for Parents with Children Ages 0 to 5 years, Firehouse Community Center, 810 Grand Avenue, 10am to noon, call 916.567.9567
    Best Babysitter! classes sponsored by Fulton - El Camino Recreation & Park District, Howe Park at 2201 Cottage Way, 4 to 7pm, for registration details call 916.927.3802 x 114  
 
September 17
   Community Farm Stand, Las Palmas Adult School at the corner of Las Palmas Avenue and Fairfield Street, 8:30 to 10:30am, EBT accepted
   Community Farm Stand, Freedom Park Head Start at 6015 Watt Avenue, noon to 2pm, EBT accepted
 
September 18 through 20
   Grant Union High School Class of 1984 25th Anniversary of Graduation, click here for details  
 
September 19
   Del Paso Heights Farmers' Market, Robertson Community Center at 3525 Norwood Avenue, 7:30am to noon, WIC and EBT accepted
   Elkhorn Farmer's Market, Towne Center at Watt Avenue and Elkhorn Boulevard, 8am to noon
   Robla Cleanup Day, meet at Robla Community Park, 8am to noon
   Playground and Butterfly Garden Grand Opening, Community Center Park at 810 Oak Lane in Rio Linda, 10am
   E.A.T. from the Garden free adult cooking and gardening classes, last class, 10am to 1pm, call Fatima Malik at 916.256.6593 or Genine Morris at 916.256.6100
   Oktoberfest 2009 to benefit Kops-N-Kids, Brew It Up at 801 4th Street, 6pm, for tickets e-mail Lisa Hinz at lisa@kopsnkids.com
   Grant Union High School Pacers vs Bellevue High School Wolverines football game, Bellevue, Washington, 8pm, for privately sponsored Rooter Bus information call Ray O'Bannon at 916.275.7067

September 21
   Open Enrollment Workshop for TRUSD employees, District Office Bay-A, 8 to 10am
 
September 23
   Bright Beginnings for Parents with Children Ages 0 to 5 years, Firehouse Community Center, 810 Grand Avenue, 10am to noon, call 916.567.9567
    Best Babysitter! classes sponsored by Fulton - El Camino Recreation & Park District, Howe Park at 2201 Cottage Way, 4 to 7pm, for registration details call 916.927.3802 x 114  
 
September 24
   Community Farm Stand, Las Palmas Adult School at the corner of Las Palmas Avenue and Fairfield Street, 8:30 to 10:30am, EBT accepted
   Community Farm Stand, Freedom Park Head Start at 6015 Watt Avenue, noon to 2pm, EBT accepted

September 25 and 26
   Highlands High School Class of 1984 Reunion Celebration, click here for details

September 25
   Open Enrollment Workshop for TRUSD employees, District Office Bay-A, 3 to 6pm

September 26
   Del Paso Heights Farmers' Market, Robertson Community Center at 3525 Norwood Avenue, 7:30am to noon, WIC and EBT accepted
   Elkhorn Farmer's Market, Towne Center at Watt Avenue and Elkhorn Boulevard, 8am to noon
   TRUSD 2nd Annual Elementary Schools' Soccer Jamboree, Foothill High School, 9am to 2pm
   Sacramento World Music & Dance Festival, Cultural Extravaganza at Benvenuti Performing Arts Center, 3 and 7:30pm

September 27
   Sacramento World Music & Dance Festival, Festival at Historic Old Sacramento, 10am to 5pm

September 30
   Bright Beginnings for Parents with Children Ages 0 to 5 years, Firehouse Community Center, 810 Grand Avenue, 10am to noon, call 916.567.9567
   "Math Around the World" Professional Development for Educators of Grades 3-12 at SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District), 6301 S Street in Sacramento, 4 to 7pm
   Best Babysitter! classes sponsored by Fulton - El Camino Recreation & Park District, Howe Park at 2201 Cottage Way, 4 to 7pm, for registration details call 916.927.3802 x 114

Around Twin Rivers

The seven elementary sites which hosted summer school - Aero Haven, Castori, Del Paso Heights, Foothill Oaks, Noralto, Ridgepoint and Westside - reported significant gains in student achievement.  3rd through 6th grade students scored over 7 points higher in Mathematics and had an amazing 23 point increase in English/Language Arts test scores.
 
Congratulations to the Twin Rivers summer schools students who participated in our summer reading incentive program and earned 1,000 free books.  Special thanks to Barnes and Noble for supporting this program by donating all the books.  
 
Summer School Administrators,
Wendi Cowan, Brent Givens and Gwyn Lamar, would like to thank Project DREAM and district cabinet members for generously supporting summer school enrichment activities including KidzArt, cooking classes, science habitat studies, a cultural fair, a ZooMobile visit, a roller skating field trip and an Explore-It science assembly.  
 
Congratulations to Highlands Academy of Arts & Design students Kyle Gorton, Ryan Draper, Gabriel Mendoza and Alex Nord who received the Orienteering Award while attending Spring Encampment at Camp Parks, Dublin, CA.  Chief Phillip Cameron said this was the first time Highlands AFJROTC (Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) presented this award to any cadet.
 
Special thanks to Communications Department student interns, Samantha Madrid, a senior from Highlands Academy of Arts & Design, and Amber Sutherland, a graduate of Foothill High School, as well as all the student interns in the Summer Youth Employment Program.  A celebration dinner will be held on Friday, August 21st at 6pm in Bay-A of our District Office. 
 
Twin Rivers incoming 9th grade students participated in an online summer school Biology course that involved face-to-face interaction and online biology activities, including chat room, collaborative projects, interactive glossaries, forums, discussions, journals, e-mail, blogs and more.  Those completing the Biology class earned 10 units and can enroll in more advanced science classes their first year of high school.  Twin Rivers is exploring the possibility of offering additional UCCP (University of California College Preparatory) program courses in the future.  Please contact Sarah DiRuscio at 916.566.1600 x1271 for additional information.
 
20 Twin Rivers school libraries had over 1,000 visits this summer and almost 10,000 books checked out.  Many thanks to staff members who provided story time, arts & crafts and access to computers in addition to the opportunity for our students to check out books.
 
Last school year, students from 18 Twin Rivers elementary and junior high schools participated in Ed2Net Learning.  This online service provided customized tutoring in Science, Mathematics, English and ESL (English as a Second Language) and was included in after school programs and summer school.  Learning was guided by a live tutor.  Because tutors were assigned small groups, students learned at their own pace which built academic strength and self confidence.  Students and principals were enthusiastic about the program, and students at some Twin Rivers schools improved as much as 15 to 20% over the six to eight week tutoring periods.  

All Twin Rivers families are encouraged to return completed Free and Reduced Lunch Application forms even if you do not plan to participate in the program.  The forms affect schools' cafeteria funding; Title 1 funding and eRate (computers, software and phones) funding.  In addition, elementary schools are competing for a free movie night for all students.  Secondary students have the chance to win a variety of high-tech gadgets.  Click here to access the form online.
 
Twin Rivers Business Support Services has announced a PERS (Public Employee Retirement System) two-month health premium "holiday" for PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) members.  The savings will average $134 over the two months and is expected sometime this fall.
 
Twin Rivers employees who want to make changes to their current medical / benefit plans are encouraged to attend one of two workshops being held at the District Office, 5115 Dudley Boulevard, Bay-A.  Mark your calendar for Monday, September 21st, from 8 to 10am or Friday, September 25th, from 3 to 6pm.  Medical / benefit providers will be available to answer questions and review plan options.  Payroll / benefit technicians will assist employees with paperwork.  Those employees not making any medical / benefit plan changes do not need to attend or complete any paperwork.  Additional information is being sent from CalPERS to employees' home addresses.  
 
The Grant Union High School Class of 1984 will celebrate their 25th Anniversary of Graduation on September 18th through 20th.  Click here for class reunion information.