September 2015 The St. Francis Ecology Club is hosting a video contest! Pope Francis is an advocate for environmental issues, so we acknowledge that this is an issue we all need to take on and address "together in spirit". We have joined with the Save the Earth Foundation to host this contest. Here are the guidelines: First, download a free e-book, Emotion for the Oceans.The book can be found at SaveTheEarth.org. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage and you can see the book: Emotion for the Oceans. Click on the cover and it will give you instructions for a free download. Next, read the book, Emotions for the Oceans. After reading the book, create a movie that is no longer than five minutes that addresses what from the book was inspirational. Students can talk about how they want to make a difference, how they are going to get involved, or what they liked most about the book and how it relates to their lives. This is a creative and fun project. Go to interesting locations, use unique effects, and involve friends and families. Each student should make sure to identify him/herself at some point in the video by his/her name and grade level. Some of the videos may be shared online, so students should submit videos that they are comfortable with other people seeing. The videos are due by December 1st to Mr. Bare. He has blank CDs for each student to put their video on--the disks will be sent to the Foundation and judged by a panel of professionals. There will be a 1st and 2nd place winner from each grade. 1st place receives a $400 savings bond and 2nd place receives a $100 savings bond. This is not only a great opportunity for the students, but also a good opportunity to spread the word about Emotions for the Oceans and the environmental issues it raises. We hope that this project inspires students to create change, because everyone can make a difference, no matter how big or small the contribution. Dear Students, Parents and Guardians St Francis believes that our student's health and safety are of paramount importance. Over the past 2 years, the School has been a leader in the management and treatment of concussions in high school student-athletes in the Santa Cruz Area and around the country. We always do our best to stay informed about current research practices and to support causes we believe will lead us to a better understanding of concussions. We have been approached by Stanford University and requested to participate in a research study involving eye-tracking and attention difficulties following a concussion. The researchers' goals are to establish a database of normal eye-tracking movement in high school adolescents.  On Tuesday, we had our first batch of student-athletes perform their baseline tests. We tested 22 students and it was a huge success. If your student did not get to test this week and you would still like to participate, Stanford will be coming back for a second time on November 12th from 1:00-6:00 (this is an early dismissal day). There are only 35 slots available and this will be the last time they visit our school this year. To participate in the study, please go to the following website braincenter.stanford.edu or call Rita Hitching, Clinical Research Manager at the Stanford Concussion and Brain Performance Center at  650-497-7045 or email braincenter@stanford.edu.  Feel free to contact me with any other questions. Thanks, Nicole Sutherland Please Return Drive For Schools Tickets. Parents please return your Drive For Schools ticket stubs. Stubs need to be filled out completely. Only those over 18 may be named on the ticket. You have paid for these tickets through your registration fee. You do not owe any money for these tickets.  Return completed tickets stubs to the front office no later than October 16. Grand prize is a new Toyota Prius or Subaru Outback. You may opt for $25,000 in cash. There are 10 additional $1000 prizes and over 100 other prizes in this drawing. Orchid Centerpieces We still have several orchid center pieces from the Burgundy and Gray. The arrangements are for sale in the front office for $15.  The ceramic containers are in either black or white. Costa Rica Spring Break 2016 We currently have 17 students registered for travel to Costa Rica during the first week of Spring Break (March 19 - March 25) and this means the trip is on!  There is still time to register for this great travel, and science adventure.  The highlights of the trip include: A firsthand look at the Poas Volcano (an active volcano!) A zipline canopy tour through the rain forest Coastal ecology tour Horseback riding through jungle and onto the beach Costa Rican cooking and cultural excursion Whale watching and snorkeling Volunteer work doing a beach cleanup and National Park trail restoration (these count towards St. Francis service hours) Outrigger Canoe Tour Jungle River and Mangrove Adventure Opportunity for High School Credit If your student is interested in the trip, please contact Mr. Cmaylo at cmaylo@stfrancishigh.net.  To register for the trip go to www.worldstridesdiscovernow.org and use Trip ID# 117347 to sign up. Pura Vida! Dear Parents: Your student's Quarter One progress report will be available for viewing on RenWeb, Friday, October 16. As a parent of a St. Francis student, you are asked to review and acknowledge your student's quarter grade. Once you have logged into RenWeb, please follow the two steps outlined below: 1. Go to Student Information > Report Card.  Please note that "hard copy" report cards are mailed home only at the completion of the semester.  If you would like a hard copy, you may print your student's progress report from this location on RenWeb. 2. Go to School Information > Web Forms.  Please electronically sign the web formentitled "Report Card Received Signature (Q1)."  This verifies that you have received and reviewed the progress report. If you still need to setup a RenWeb account, please visit this LINK. Forgot your username/password?  Please visit this LINK Sincerely, David M. Cmaylo Assistant Principal of Academics Please note that this form is only visible using a Parent's Account, and isn't visible in a student's account. "Do good while you still have time." -St. John Bosco   Sincerely,   Newsletter Team St. Francis CCC High School