February 13, 2015
SUSD 2015-16 LCAP Outreach Continues
2015-16 is year-two for the state's Local
Control Accountability Plan and SUSD is already planning for it. Join us! We have a number of parent meetings scheduled and look forward to seeing you there! Last year, the LCAP included funding for a number of programs aimed at helping the district improve academic achievement for low income, English learners and foster youth. What more should the district do? What are your ideas? Meeting dates are posted in the events calendar to your right. Meeting dates, the LCAP survey and more information can be found on the LCAP website.
Measles Outbreak Information
As you may be aware, several California counties are experiencing outbreaks of measles. Last week, the California Department of Public Health reported 92 confirmed cases of measles across the state with 59 of them linked to Disneyland parks. There are no reported cases in Stockton Unified Schools and none in San Joaquin County, but we want to remind parents and guardians to vaccinate their children against the disease to prevent its spread. Stockton Unified has a very high rate of immunization among students, but we want to make sure all our students are safe from this highly infectious disease. If you need more information or help getting vaccinations for yourself or your children, please call SUSD Health Services at 933-7060.
The Symphony Comes Alive for SUSD Students!
A big thank you to the Stockton Symphony and Conductor Peter Jaffe who performed for more than 1,000 SUSD elementary students at the San Joaquin Delta College Atherton Auditorium this month.

The students, many who had never been to a symphony before, heard music by Peruvian composer Daniel Alomia Robles and Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky as well as some original songs written by the students themselves. They got a special treat from Paul Reisler, founder of Kid Pan Alley, the program that made the performances possible. Reisler provided students with directions how to pre-write a song, actually draft the lyrics, and finally, write the music.

Response was terrific. Students appreciated what they called "an amazing opportunity." Marshall seventh grader Tatyana Nevarez actually wrote one of the songs performed at the concert. "It was easy because the words just come to you once you think about whatever inspires you," she said. "In fact, I'm writing more songs now!"

Our appreciation to San Joaquin Delta Community College, the Stockton Symphony and Paul Reisler for their wonderful contributions to our students!


To see photos, please view the district Facebook page.
Reading for Success Parent Trainings

Unsure of how to get your child to read more? Then check out one of our "Reading for Success" parent trainings! Parent/Community Empowerment will be hosting the trainings at different schools, beginning with Washington Elementary School on Feb 27, 2015, 8am-9am. "Reading for Success" is an hour-long course where parents and guardians learn the importance of building reading skills for lifelong learning and success. Attendees will also discuss ways to encourage a love of reading and help parent's develop those skills in student's right at home. For more information, contact Kim Romena at (209)933-7470 ext. 2228. Register online to attend.

Students Go on an AgVenture

Hundreds of SUSD students were able to explore the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds at this year's AgVenture. Students learned about nutrition, locally grown crops, farm animals, equipment and much more at the county-wide event. Activity favorites included petting Titan the horse, learning how to line dance, and being able to sit inside real sheriff and firefighter vehicles. Thank you to all who organized this fantastic educational event!

 

View more photos on the district Facebook page

Congratulations President Allen!
Congratulations to SUSD Board President Gloria Allen for receiving a Susan B. Anthony Women of Achievement Award! The award is given annually to women who have excelled in their fields and raised the status of all people in the San Joaquin County area. Allen was nominated by the Stockton Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. A member for 35 years, Allen created its Youth Summit and Career Fair and is the co-founder of Ebony Business and Professional Women's Association. Congratulations President Allen! We are proud of you!
Merlo Institute: Brothers Invent Together

Stockton Unified's Board of Education got a treat this month: a demonstration from the Montero brothers who just completed construction of a cutting-edge remote controlled underwater robot built from scratch at SUSD's Merlo Institute of Environmental technology.

Jesus, 17, Eusebio, 18, and Fernando, 15 gave a power point presentation, followed up by a reveal of the invention, that had board members and the audience on their feet with shouts of applause. The students used a 3-D printer, that broke, and drawing software they had to teach themselves to use, to come up with the remote control machine.

 

"There were other, easier projects we could have done," said Jesus, who, along with his brothers, is a member of SkillsUSA, a career and technical education group that focuses students on developing skills like the physics-based engineering concepts they had to learn to build the robot.


"But our teacher said we had to build something unique and we had to teach ourselves how to do. So we just built something we liked."

Teacher Mark Hall said the project grew so complicated the brothers had to study how to actually use the programs needed to finish. "They were just passionate about it," he said. "And they've gone way over my head now."

The brothers took a first for the robot in last year's state SkillsUSA competition, earning them a spot on the nationals. So now they are working on building their own controller and they want to build a remote controlled vehicle that actually works to help with underwater search and recovery teams.

Well done Merlo and the wonderful Montero brothers!

Is your K-5th grader on track in school?
Is your K-5th grade child on track in school? Find out by watching the new Milestones videos, created by GreatSchools.org. Milestones let you watch kids demonstrate success in the core disciplines: reading, writing and math. If you don't believe your child is on track after watching the videos, then the website also provides you access the resources that can be used at home to get them there. What a great tool for parents and guardian! Click here to view these videos.
Want your news in the next issue of SUSD Connects?
Just email your stories to susdconnect@stocktonusd.net to have them considered- stories must be in by 5pm on the 20th of every month for inclusion in the next issue. Wmay not be able to use all items, but we'll make every effort to share your news with as many people as possible.
Upcoming Events
February - March 2015
(click links for more)
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Feb 25:






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Mar 4:





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Mar 11:





Mar 12:






Mar 20:


LCAP Parent Meeting at San Joaquin Elementary; 6pm

Abraham Lincoln's birthday - no school

LCAP Parent Meeting at Cleveland Elementary; 5:30pm



Presidents' Day - no school

LCAP Parent Meeting at Hamilton Elementary; 9:30am

Peyton Science Night; 5-8pm

Stockton Public Library's Bookmobile at Harrison Elementary; 3-4pm

Rotary Read-In

LCAP Parent Meeting at Elmwood Elementary; 8am

LCAP Parent Meeting at Rio Calaveras Elementary; 6:15pm

LCAP Parent Meeting at Hong Kingston Elementary; 9:15am

Deadline for FAFSA, Cal/ Pell, and California Dream Act grants

LCAP Parent Meeting at School for Adults; 10am
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SECA Students Prevail in Academic Decathlon
Congratulations to the SECA students who placed third overall in San Joaquin County's Academic Decathlon Competition Division One and took first place in Division Two! The students took home more than 30 medals, surpassing the efforts of the four-year reigning champs from Tracy! Terrific work by the 61 students on the team and their tireless coaches: Andrea Bear and Shannon Kelly. These coaches have worked with the ACADEC students since March of last year! Please see the link HERE for the list of winners from SECA. We are so proud of you! Special thanks to the San Joaquin County Office of Education for holding this great annual event promoting academic achievement!

FREE 'Cash for College' Workshops
This is your student's chance to win scholarships for college!
The workshops provide help for applying for Cal/Pell grants, FAFSA and the California Dream Act application. The deadline to apply for these grants is March 2, 2015. For more info, go to calgrants.org or call 1-888-CA-GRANT.
Stockton Unified School District | susdcommdept@gmail.com | http://www.stocktonusd.net
701 N. Madison St.
Stockton, CA 95202