Feb/Mar 2012

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IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

VIKING EXPLORER 

1994, 1995 and 2005 

 A California Distinguished High School

Community/Parent Newsletter 

 


In This Issue
STAR Testing
Registration for 12-13
Sign Up Now For Grad Night!
PTSA Update
QUEST Parent Night
IHS Booster News!
C/O 2012 Families
Career Center News
News from FUSD
IHS Science Bowl Team WINS BIG!

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IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

41800 Blacow Road

Fremont, CA 94538

Principal
Sarah Smoot
x46486

Vice Principal
Bob Moran
x46475
 
Asst. Principal 9 & 11
Jana Holmes
x46468
 
Asst. Principal 10 & 12
Kristina Palos

School Secretary

Donna Hartigan

x46452

 

 
Counselors
 
A-G
Leticia Velazco
x46477
 
H-O
Natalie Mintey
x46464
 
 P-Z
Veronic Serrano
x46484
510-656-5711 
 

Fax

510-623-9805

 

Fremont Unified School District  


Reminders from the

Attendance Office

 

If your student is absent or will be absent from school please provide the following information in a note or a phone call to the attendance office;

 Student's last name

 Date of Absence

 Reason for Absence

 

Only parents or guardians who have a signature on the student emergency card are authorized to sign absence notes.

 

Students are not to leave campus during class time without receiving an "Off-The Grounds" pass from the attendance office.

 

Students can obtain passes from the attendance office prior to the start of the school day with a note from their parent/guardian.

 

I.H.S. Attendance Clerks:

Stacy Yin (A-G)

x46472

Dana Kleinsasser

(H-O)

x46460

Sharon Flores

(P-Z)

x46315

 

WASHINGTON ON WHEELS

On campus the Second Wednesday of the Month.  9:00 - 1:30

12/14, 1/11, 2/8, 3/14, 5/9, and 6/13 

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL 

Dear Irvington Families,

Congratulations for making it through 1st semester! We have had many wonderful achievements to celebrate, from our We the People civics competition team making it to the state championships, and the Irvington cheerleaders making it to Nationals, to our recent win at the Regional Science Bowl competition! These types of achievements cannot happen without a supportive, nurturing environment for our students. Thank you to the Irvington community for all of your support!

 

As we move into 2nd semester, I encourage you to follow Irvington.org, and the newsletter for up-to-date information about events on campus, registration, testing schedules, and news from the counseling department about summer school. Second semester moves quickly, and there is always something to look forward to.

 

The registration process will begin next month. If you have any concerns about your student's academic progress, now is the perfect time to make an appointment with your student's counselor, or grade-level administrator to make the right decisions about classes for next year, and start planning for graduation.

 

Cookies with the Principal

I would like to invite you to an informal meeting with me on February 21st, at 6:00 in the library, before the PTSA meeting. Bring questions, concerns, or suggestions about absolutely anything Irvington-related. This is an informal and relaxed setting in which you can meet me, and get to know other Irvington parents. Hope to see you there.

 

Sincerely,

Sarah Smoot

Important Dates in February and March!

February 20 - Holiday, No School

March 1 - Freshmen Parent Orientation/Spring Open House

March 15 - Spring Musical Opens

April 6 - 13 - Spring Break, no school

 

Please check the ASB Master Calendar for additional events and activities at Irvington High School!

Statewide Standardized Testing and Reporting Program

  

This Spring Fremont Unified School District will participate in the California STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) Program using the California State Standards.  Students in grades 2-11 will take tests aligned with the state language arts and math content standards.  Students in grades 8, 10 and 11 take tests aligned with social science.  Students in grades 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11 take tests aligned with science.  Students in grades 4 and 7 will take a state standards test in writing on March 6th.  The district will administer all other tests to students in grades 2-11 from April 30th  - May 18th.

 

Testing results for all these assessments will be posted by the State Department of Education on the Internet

late summer by state, county, district, school, and grade level (but not individual class or student) at the following website address: www.cde.ca.gov.  Results will also be sent to districts at that time.  They will then be mailed to parents.  If a parent wishes their child to be excluded from all or part of the test, they may submit a written request to their school principal.

 

Following state guidelines, limited English proficient (LEP) Spanish speaking students in grades 2-11 will be given the California Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS).  The STS will be given to those who:

            .  Are receiving instructions in Spanish regardless of the length of time they have been enrolled in             

                school in the United States, or

            .  Will have been enrolled in a school in the United States less than 12 cumulative (not consecutive)           

                months on the first day of testing.

Students who take the STS are required to also take the CST's and/or CMA appropriate to their grade level.

 

In general, all special education students are included in the testing program.  Some special education students will be taking the California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) test from April 30th  - May 15th.  These include students with the most significant disabilities and who are generally not working toward a regular high school diploma. A student with an IEP in grades 3-11 may take the California Modified Assessment (CMA) in one or more content areas.  Parents wishing to know more about the STAR program should contact the principal.

 

It is important that schools and parents work together to ensure that students will be as well prepared as possible for this assessment.  Schools are addressing "test prep" skills, standards aligned curriculum, are projecting a positive attitude toward the testing program, and teaching the curriculum addressed in each grade level test.

Parents can help by making sure that students do the following:

 

1.      Be at school.  Please avoid scheduling medical and other appointments, which would have

your child away from class during this time.

 

2.      Get plenty of sleep.  A well-rested child will perform better.

 

3.      Eat a nutritious breakfast.  Well-fed 'brain cells' function best.

  

4.      Be positive and do not apply too much pressure.  Students will perform better if they feel selfconfident and supported by their families and schools.  They need to know that we feel they

CAN do well.


REGISTRATION FOR 2012-2013 STARTS IN MID-FEBRUARY

      

The process of registering for classes for the 2012 - 2013 school year will begin on February 21 this year, and will finish March 5. 

 

For registration this year, counselors will again deliver course selection planning forms to current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors from February 21 through February 24.  During this time the counselors will answer student questions and provide information regarding college entrance requirements.  One week later, students will visit a computer lab or office on campus to get their course requests formally entered into the district's student information system.  At that time, students will be given a printed confirmation of the courses that they have selected.  Parents can and should ask to see this. 

 

On Monday, February 27, school representatives will visit Horner Junior High to begin the same process with next year's incoming freshmen.  An informational Freshman Parent Orientation meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, March 1.  The welcome session will take place in Valhalla, the campus auditorium, between 6:00pm - 7:00pm with breakout sessions to follow, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, where parents can learn more about the special programs available at Irvington High School. During these sessions, parents will have the opportunity to get their questions answered.

 

Incoming freshmen must complete their course selection forms in time for them to be collected at Horner starting on March 5.

 

Vice Principal Robert Moran, who is in charge of class registration, again emphasized the importance of students taking the entire process seriously.  Students and parents should choose classes carefully, and with all of their long and short-term goals in mind, because course sign-ups determine what classes will be offered next year.  Classes will be tight next year so choose classes that you will want to keep.  Class changes will be difficult once your schedule is made.

 

Irvington is able to offer the broadest choice of electives and the largest number of classes and teachers if everyone signs up for classes on time.  If a student fails to sign up for next year's classes on time, a counselor or administrator will choose classes for the student.  Administration encourages students and parents to follow teacher recommendations regarding core class placement for the following year.  Following those recommendations tends to improve student grades.

 

Sometime in May, the school will to distribute course request confirmation forms so that students may review, for a second time, the course selection choices that were fed into the district's computer system in their name.

 

SIGN UP EARLY FOR GRAD NIGHT!!

GRAD Night 2012  

PTSA Update
 

Hello,

Hope that you had a great first semester and are ready for the second. We would like to bring more informative and fun events for you in these coming months. Please participate in our survey to let us know what interests you and your student. Your response will give us the impetus to plan better programs for our community.
Our technology committee is working closely with the IHS staff and would like to take on projects to help maintain the computers and smart boards on the campus. Also, to help in planning field trips and guest lectures for students. They are looking for volunteers who can help in these endeavors. No prior experience is required and training will be provided. You can help even if you are not from IT field but if you are, then you will be able to help more by training others and also by providing leads for fields trips. Please write to [email protected] or go to www.irvington.org/PTSA to sign-up for volunteering for this committee.
We are happy to announce that we have donated $4K to the school for painting the lockers and $2K to the school library. This has been possible due to the generous donations from you. These monetary donations help us to support the school and provide more for our students. But equally important is donation of your time. We hope that we get more 'helping hands' for our projects. First timers as well as experienced volunteers - all are welcome. Students are also encouraged to actively participate in PTSA.
In fact, soon we will have elections for the next year's executive board and you are all welcome to consider being a member of the board.
Our 'School supplies' and 'Test prep and College prep books' donation drives are on-going. Please drop off your donations with your school counselor.
In February, we will be hosting a Parent information event 'Role of SAT and ACT in college admissions'.
Please visit www.irvington.org/PTSA for PTSA news and information.

As always, your active participation is crucial for our success in delivering the BEST to our students, our school and our community.

Thank you,
Ujjwala Gadgil
IHS PTSA President 2011-12

Vocal Music Notes

 

SINGING BIRTHDAY TELEGRAMS: Do you have someone special you would like to receive a singing birthday telegram? The IHS Chamber Chorale will visit a classroom on campus or call if off campus and sing them Happy Birthday Irvington style for only $5!! For more info, email or call Mrs. Olson  jolson@fremont.k12.ca.us or 510-656-5711 x 46423.

 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - Dates for IHS Vocal music

February 15: CSUEB Chamber Festival 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Feb 18: ACDA Women's Festival (Treble & Chamber Women)

March 15: Spring Musical Opens!

April 16-30: Mother's Day Cheesecake fundraiser

June 5: Spring Concert 7 p.m. "It's All Kids' Stuff"

June 15 - Graduation (All Seniors)

 
SENIOR FAMILIES
Check out the new SEGrad HatsNIOR link on the IHS Main Website under Students tab. 
The IHS Grad Night 2012 Committee also has a email database that you can sign-up to join to get relevant Senior information at [email protected].

Donations aregreatly appreciated.  It's not too late to attend, please send back your RSVP with your tax-deductible contribution to support
a fun, safe-sober graduation event!  If each IHS family donated $10 our fundraising goals would be met. 
IHS Grad Night 2012, 41800 Blacow Road, Fremont, CA  94538.

News from the Career Center

 

  Ohlone College: Wednesday & Thursday, March 21 & 22.  Ohlone College will have representatives on campus to help seniors through the application and assessment process.  If you are planning to attend Ohlone in the fall, it is important to attend at least one session and the Ohlone assessment test.  The first application session is 3/21/12 during Tutorial/Advisory.   Assessments are scheduled at Irvington on April 4 & 5. 

Students must register with Mrs. Kimmel.

 

 

AP REGISTRATION: Registration for the May 2012 administration of the AP Exams will take place February 27-March 9 ONLY.  Students may register during lunch or after school at the Viking Vendor or Irvington Business Office.  The fee is $90* per exam. 

 

Important notes:

 

  1. Choose your exams carefully, as a $25 per exam cancellation fee will be charged.
  2. Students may not register for exams offered at the same time/same date.  (example-you may not take both the Chemistry and Environmental Science exams)
  3. We do not offer Art History, Music Theory, German, European History, Human Geography or Spanish Literature.  
  4. All students and parents must sign an AP agreement to register for exams.  Required forms will available for download at Irvington.org in February.  Click on the Counselor tab, then College/Career center, AP Exams. 

*Fee waivers are available for qualified low income students. (proof of income is required)

 

If you have questions regarding AP Exams, please contact Mrs. Kimmel-AP Coordinator.

 

Scholarships:  Scholarship applications are arriving daily in the College/Career Center.  Seniors should check the file monthly for updates.  Currently available:  S. F. Cherry Blossom, Italian Catholic Federation, Japanese American Citizens League, South Bay Chinese Service, Washington Hospital Service League, Bobby Sox Softball, California State PTA, Cabrillo Civic Club, Hispanic Community Affairs, The Olive Hyde Art Guild and LAM.

All Irvington scholarships will be available in late February and early March.

Requirements may include: academics, leadership, service.

Additional sources for scholarships: www.fastweb.com, www.findaid.org, www.freshinfo.com, www.studentpaths.com and www.collegexpress.com

 

 

SAT/ACT:  Final testing dates for the 11-12 school year:

Test:               Date                Deadline

SATI                March 10         February 10    

ACT                April 14            March 9

SAT                 May 5              April 6

SAT                 June 2              May 8

ACT                June 9              May 4

The SAT or ACT* (*include the writing test if applying to UC) is required of students applying to the CSU or UC Systems and most other four year universities. 

It is recommended that juniors take the SAT or ACT and SAT Subject tests in April, May or June.  To be eligible to apply to UC and CSU during the November 2012 filing period, all college admissions test must be completed by December 2012.  (a few CSU campuses require tests be completed by October.  See Mrs. Kimmel for those specific campuses.)  Registration material is available in the Career Center or you can register on line at www.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org.  Questions:  see Mrs. Kimmel

 

Financial Aid for College: 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and

GPA verification forms are available in the Career Center.  Both forms are required to apply for any type of grants, low interest loans or work-study programs.  The filing period is January 1, 2012 - March 2, 2012.  If you would like to apply online or receive additional information, the U.S. Department of Education website is: www.edgov/finaid.htm.  The FAFSA and the GPA verification forms are the only financial aid forms required by the CSU and UC systems.  Private and out of state colleges may require additional documentation.  FAFSA on the web at: www.fafsa.ed.gov

 

Making Sense of Government Aid:

To apply for any of the aid options below, you must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

 

Federal Pell Grant:

Generally awarded only to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's or professional degree.  The maximum award in 2010-2011 was $5550.  You can find the amount you are eligible to receive by submitting your Student Aid Report (SAR) to your school's financial aid office.  You receive the SAR after submitting the FAFSA.

 

Federal State Grants:

The FAFSA is used to apply for most state loan, grant and scholarship programs.  The US Department of Education forwards your FAFSA information to the state student assistance agency.

Federal Work Study:

Jobs reserved for Federal Work Student can include working for your school, in a project related to your major or community service work.

Perkins Loan:

The Perkins Loan is awarded to college students with exceptional financial need. This is a campus based-loan program.  The amount you receive is determined by your school's financial aid office.  Your school also acts as the lender.

Stafford Loan:

The federal loan for students is called the Stafford Loan and has two variations.  Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans are provided by private lenders such as banks and credit unions.  Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP) loans are provided by the US government directly to students and their parents.  Both loans are guaranteed against default by the federal government.

For more information about these types of programs visit www.finaid.org

 

Check the College/Career Center page at Irvington.org for weekly updates!

 

NEWS FROM F.U.S.D.

The first day of school for the 2012-13 school year is still being negotiated.  We recommend that families do not plan vacations for the last two weeks in August.  Keep checking our website www.fremont.k12.ca.us for future information. 

Beauty & Beast 

I.H.S. Science Team wins Big!

 

Sci Bowl
Team members with Advisor, Mr. Alex Lee

Irvington High School Science team won 1st place in the Regional National Science Bowl competition held Saturday, January 28, hosted by Sandia National Laboratories/California and Las Positas College at the LPC campus in Livermore.  All first teams from each school were accepted on a first-come first-served basis as their registrations were submitted.

The competition consisted of 24 teams from the east bay: Hayward, Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, Danville, Brentwood, and Fremont.  They will now head to Washington DC in April 26, to compete in the National Science Bowl.
Irvington High Schhol Team A members:  Irving Hsu, Anthony Ma, Aileen Cheng, Andrew Wang, and Arjun Lakshmipathy. 
Team B members: Danielle Nguyen, Farhana Sarker, Rachel Bian, George Geng, and Preston Zhou came in 5th place out of 24 teams

These are our best showings ever from Irvington High School teams in Science Bowl competitions.  I have literally waited almost 20 years for this day.


The Viking Explorer is produced to provide information to the Irvington Community. Although we make every effort to provide you with the most accurate and complete information, please be aware that some mistakes can happen. We combine information from different sources as they may be pertinent to you.

 

Sarah Smoot
Irvington High School

Use this area to provide your subscribers information about your organization.
 
Sincerely,