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Upcoming Events:
MON. (5/6) AP Testing Begins
For A Calendar Of AP Test Dates Click Here
Outstanding Arts Educator Award @ Segerstrom, 6pm
David Moellenkamp To Receive An Award!!!!
TUES. (5/7) AP Testing Continues
For A Calendar Of AP Test Dates Click Here
TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY --- Check Your Mailbox!
WED. (5/8) AP Testing Continues
THUR. (5/9) AP Testing Continues
FRI. (5/10) AP Testing Continues
Our Spring Sports Are Really Good :)
Come Support Tennis & Baseball this week as we get ready for Playoffs!!!
& On The Horizon...
May 16-18 Los Al Dance Show "Happily Ever After" @ 7pm in PAC May 21 Retirement Reception @ District Office, 3:30pm May 23 Retirement Reception @ Eagle's Nest For Nona & Shari May 24 Carol Jago To Work With 6-12 English Teachers
June 13th............GRADUATION!!!
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#CST2013 Instagram Contest Starts Monday:
Here's How It Works...
If you type in "#CST2013" on your Instagram app right now, pictures like this are what you'll see. Above, you'll notice Mr. Rubio's AP Spanish Lit class "studying" for their upcoming exam. It's pictures like these that we're looking for to help build awareness (and fun) surrounding this year's Testing Season.
It wasn't until Instagram sold their company to Facebook last year for a cool $1 Billion that people really started noticing how easy it is to share photos. Now, with the advent of "tagging" pictures to increase their search/find capabilities, schools and businesses across the country are creating Photo Contests to promote all kinds of special events.
For Los Al, we're using Instagram to promote studying for CSTs & APs... and the 5 winning photo takers will gain themselves a ticket to next year's Winter Formal!!!
 So, whether you snap a photo of one of your teachers wearing our new "LEAVE YOUR LEGACY" t-shirts (see Mr. Pazeian, left), or you post a pic of one of your friends leading an in-class review session (bottom, left), you'll be helping to build awareness around one of the most critical times in schools.
Of course, all of these photos are available on Instagram right now for you to view and share with others. Just type in "#CST2013" to find them. And if your students decide to post some pics and enter the contest, remind them to tag their photos accordingly... ONLY PHOTOS WITH "#CST2013" AS A TAG ARE ELIGIBLE!
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Best. Prom. Ever.
May The 4th Be With You...
Senior Tom Flores celebrates Prom as Chewbacca literally jumped into his arms!!!
  Prom organizers Jason Farvour, Keely Hafer, and Melissa Miller celebrate a job well done, as Prom was safe, successful, and fun for students and staff alike!
Think this is a line? You should have seen how many well-dressed Juniors & Seniors waited patiently to get into Prom at The Phoenix Club on Saturday Night.
  Dr. Gates & Dr. Arnold took some time to pose with students as the Star Wars theme was in full effect Saturday Night.
 It wouldn't be Prom without a proper Prom Court. Students from all walks of campus life were nominated for Prom Prince and Princess, King and Queen, and their friends cheered them on heavily as announcements were made right at the stroke of 10 O'Clock. It was truly a night to behold, and the students couldn't have looked and acted more mature and respectful all evening long.
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Test Chats Are Going On In English Class This Week:
Here's What You Should Know To Keep The Conversation Going In Your Classroom...
 What you're looking at above is a sample CST Report from last year that's being distributed to ALL 9th-11th Graders in advance of their CST exams in just a week and a half.
The most critical part about this one-pager is the accompanying Score Conversion Rubric we've placed on the bottom of every page. The idea here is for students to think about the exam in terms of how many questions they get right, as opposed to "350" or "400" --- both meaningless numbers when you don't know what they represent.
So, on every student's CST Report there is a RAW SCORE that indicates how many questions they got right in a particular subject area. When they look down on the Rubric, students can easily see where their score falls on the range, and their awareness of how (and why) to do better this time around should also increase.
What we anticipate will happen with this protocol is one of the following:
- "OMG! I'm only 1 question away from being Proficient, I'm definitely gonna' hit it this time!"
- "Yikes. I only scraped Advanced by 2 questions, I better work hard if I want to keep it that way..."
- I'm Proficient in everything but Math. And in Math, I'm just questions away... I can do it!"
Whichever the case, all of this language supports increased self-efficacy among our students. Whatever you can do to continue this language and thought process in your class has the potential to go a very long away.
Remember... We're #2 In The County... For Now... |
It's Game Time:
AP & CST Prep Is In Full Swing...
No. Those aren't copies of the actual CST in our students' hands... teachers like Ms. Parsons are steadily doing test prep with released question banks from the state in advance of CST Testing May 17th -22nd @ Los Al.  Ms. Brosius sets up a unique protocol in which she literally transforms the inside and outside of her room to become an environment of super-encouraging messages and well-wishes...
 Pictures like this one, of a student reminding another student that "I Want You... To Study Right Now" help to create an immerse and positive (though slightly Big Brotherish) classroom environment.
 The truth is AP/CST Prep comes in all different shapes and sizes. And one doesn't need a slogan, or a poster, to create an ethos that promotes test awareness. Still, these shirts worn by Ms. Fox's AP Calculus BC students are a healthy way to create a sense of "team" in class and around school, and help to recognize students for all that they've achieved even before their yearly assessments.
Los Al is distinct in that we're prideful in our school with our without test scores. We know that with great preparation comes great results; and by fostering creativity and innovation in the classroom, everything else will take care of itself.
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Longevity:
The Real "I <3 Los Al..."
 That's Phil Doran (left, not wearing a pink blazer). And he's been working at Los Alamitos High School for 40 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know about you, but it really struck me to see how many people have dedicated so many years to our school and district. Certificated and classified staff alike, the people who work at Los Al really do love this place.
 So whether you've been working here one year, or a cool thirty-five, we all know that it wouldn't be possible to stay in the same place without loving the people you come to work with day in and day out. In truth, it's a testament to everyone when we celebrate the longevity of our staff, because nobody would keep working somewhere for 20+ years if it wasn't more than just a job... but a realy extension of family as well.
Perhaps Boardmember Diana Hill said it best when she talked about the legacy that each one of our employees leaves on Los Al as they gain years and share experiences in our district. "Our district is who we are because of the legacy you've helped to create."
Congratulations to all of our longevity pin recepients!
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 May 7th Is Teacher Appreciation Day In Our Country
MAKE SURE TO CHECK YOUR BOX TUESDAY
MORNING FOR SOME WELL-DESERVED GOODIES!
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Listen to these Los Al Jazzers as they warm the crowd with the sounds of "The Girl From Ipanema" at our annual Academic Awards Night at Bethany Church
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Kathy Currie:
Teacher Of The Year Semi-Finalist For All Of Orange County...
 Even though she's been our Teacher Of The Year since December, Kathy Currie is now vying to be Orange County's Teacher Of The Year Representative and compete for State honors.
When you see Kathy Currie this week, make sure to give her a pat on the back. Just like Jason Farvour and Mark Celestin before her, Ms. Currie was selected as a Semi-Finalist last week for this year's Orange County Teacher Of The Year.
Her interview was last Wednesday, and to prepare she sat down with Mr. Farvour and Mr. Celestin to take notes on what they thought would be keen answers to some of the committee's interview questions.
In the end, Ms. Currie reported talking about her 30+ years as a classroom teacher, how she strives to reach each and every kid, and how Instructional Rounds is a legacy she hopes can stay relevant at Los Al long after she retires.
Congratulations Ms. Currie! And good luck in the Semi-Finals!!!
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Los Al's Surf Team Takes State Championships... TWICE!
That's Bart Smith. And in his hand are two State Surfing trophies. One for Girls Shortboard and one for Boys Bodyboard. Sweeeeeeeet!
In case you're wondering where Mr. Smith is every day at 7:30am as you're scrambling to make last minute copies and checking your mailbox... he's out winning state championships in Surf. And loving every minute of it.
Mr. Smith (as evidenced by the boards hanging up in his room) is an avid surfer, a great motivator, and a bit of a Zen Master when it comes to coaching his students out in the water.
 Of course, they absolutely adore him, and love the fact that they're able to compete, have fun, and make memories every weekday morning starting at 6am. The trophy's not bad, either...
Way to go Los Al Surf! See you on the South Side Of The Pier... |
Ah... The Girls Track Team...
What Else Are You Supposed To Do
When You Keep Winning?
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Dear Sunset League...
Thanks For The Girls And Boys Swim Championships This Year!!!
This pic was taken moments after they won it all!!! The best part is the coaches swimming in the middle of everything, still dressed...
Swimming is an incredible sport. And at Los Al, we do it the best. Our Boys and Girls Swim Teams each won Sunset League Titles this year as they swam laps around the competition all season long.
Now, it's time to head into CIF, and see how our Griffins do as the level of competition ramps up and they take on amazing swimmers from all parts of Southern California.
Good Luck!
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National College Acceptance Day Was May 1st...
Here's How Los Al Celebrated
I'm pretty sure you can't play Quidditch at UCLA. Still, with the matching sweatpants, it's clear where this Griffin is headed next.
 These students in Ms. King's English class all wore their college gear to school on Wednesday. Colorado, Vanderbilt, and Biola were among the many choices for post-secondary education that our Seniors selected. The college gear is getting more and more creative too. Many of us got a kick out of seeing new versions of some of our favorite University gear.
 Worried about going off to college and never seeing your friends again? Not these two. They're both headed up North to the Bay Area and will be studying alongside each other in San Francisco.
College Acceptance Day at Los Al allowed for all of these narratives to be shared, and for students to see their friends and upperclassmen don the gear of their next stop in life...
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Could This Crop Of Teachers Bring Home Dodgeball Gold?
Could it be done? Could these teachers actually beat the students????
 Is it possible that shots like these from newly-minted Assistant Principal Chris Vlasic could help propel Los Al's adult Dodgeball Team to victory against a much younger, much more athletic, much better prepared student team with nationally-ranked athletes on its squad?????????
 Would the mocking finger-pointing of Ms. Lundblad be enough to rattle the developing minds of the student-led Dodgeball Team, and cause their powerful throws to somehow become off-target and feeble in comparison to the teachers?
Did the teachers have a chance? Could they claim victory once and for all against the students???????????
Maybe Not...
Final Score: Students 3, Teachers 0
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The New Los Al Track, Field, And Stadium Stands Finally Breaks Ground!!!
Board President Dave Boyer, along with Boardmembers Diana Hill, Karen Russell, Meg Cutuli, and Dr. Jeff Barke, join Superintendent Kropp, Deputy Superintendent Patti Meyer, and a host of coaches and onlookers at the official groundbreaking of Los Al's new Track & Field.
When it's all completed (around November of this year), Los Alamitos High School will have a state of the art track, beautiful synthetic field, lights, and a 1,200 seat stadium to go along with it.
Facilities like this will only add to the prominence of Los Al athletics... remember, with new tennis courts and a new wrestling facility, both of those programs took county and state honors this year. Who knows what football, soccer, lacrosse, and track can expect in the years to come?
(A rendering of the new track facility is on display in the Main Office.)
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Did someone say that Mr. Arnold is a blur????
NEW PICTURE
DOWNLOADING SITE
From now on, if you need a picture from any of these Monday Morning Memos,
The pics there are high quality, easy to access, and always downloadable.
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Los Alamitos High School
3591 Cerritos Ave.
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
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