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August 10, 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Back-to-School Night Schedules
 
8.8.16 First Day Back for Teachers!
8.9.16
First Day Back for Students!
8.12.16
8.19.16
'Family Night'  at Barnes & Noble; 5:30pm - 7:30pm. To register, call (209)933-7470 ext. 2225
8.26.16
'Super Hero "Words Have Power' Night  at Barnes & Noble; 5:30pm - 7:30pm. To register, call (209)933-7470 ext. 2225
9.5.16
Labor Day- No School
PARENT  TIP
Common Core for Academic Success
How are standards used in helping students to be academically successful?

Parents use them to:

★  Connect home activities, such as nature walks or even a trip to the grocery store, to content being taught in their child's classrooms

★  Help them in understanding the individual student progress reports sent home each year

★  Help them know what questions to ask at teacher-student-parent conferences when teachers talk about learning expectations

- Tip provided by the Parent Institute
PHOTO GALLERIES
Stockton Public Safety Academy Boot Camp

Students enrolled in the Stockton Public Safety Academy went back to school early for boot camp, where they learned the basic drills they'll use everyday this year. 

The Great Scavenger Hunt' at Barnes & Noble
The SUSD Parent/ Community Empowerment Office partnered with Barnes & Noble to present the Great Big Scavenger Hunt, an event for 1st through 3rd graders and their families! Join in on the fun every Friday in August from 5:30pm-7:30pm at Barnes & Noble. 

First Day of School Photos


We hope everyone had a fantastic first day of school! Please view our photos from Bush, Rio Calaveras, Peyton, Cleveland, Wilson and Pittman elementary schools, as well as Stagg High School and the Stockton Public Safety Academy.


 Fathers & Floats

Parent Empowerment hosted a special workshop for SUSD fathers focused on improving student achievement. For future events, call (209)933-7040 ext. 2228.
Welcome Back from Dr. Dávalos
Dear Stockton Unified staff, students, parents and community,

Welcome back to what is sure to be an exciting and successful year in SUSD! 
  
In June 2016, the SUSD Board of Trustees approved the 2016-17 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).  The LCAP represents the collective voices of students, teachers, administrators , parents and the public.   It is truly a testimony to this community's commitment to our schools and to the expectation that each student in SUSD receives the highest quality educational program in a safe learning environment. 

Among the exciting things you will see this year is a commitment to providing our students with the most up to date tools and equipment for their learning.  High schools will have new, state of the art science equipment which will enhance the STEM opportunities at these schools.  Increased tutoring at our schools will help support the learning needs of all of our students, including support for students learning at the highest levels.  Students will also receive additional assistance with preparation for college admissions tests such as the SAT. 

The district's successful AVID program, which has propelled so many students into becoming the first in their families to attend college, is moving beyond the high schools to elementary campuses.  In 2016-17, through our partnership with San Joaquin Delta College, qualified high school students will be able to engage in dual enrollment courses at their respective comprehensive high schools.  Students enrolled in these courses will have the opportunity to gain college course experience and earn college credits. 

The Stockton Public Safety Academy at the Stagg High campus will launch a class of nearly 100 cadets in 5th-8th grades.  In addition, career readiness opportunities will be expanded throughout the district, with increased partnerships and participation of the area's trades and business sector.  Positive school climates will continue to be enhanced through an increased investment in PLUS, Peer Leaders Uniting Students.  And, just in case you haven't noticed, the Edison High renovation continues at full speed.  New classrooms and facilities at Edison will provide students with the most modern technology available.

I am very proud to serve as the Superintendent of this district.  I know that by working together we can ensure that each SUSD student will graduate from high school and be college and career ready!  

Sincerely,
Eliseo Dávalos, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Ready for Kindergarten!
SUSD's youngest students practiced a day in kindergarten last week, spending part of the "bridge" class with their pre-school teacher and the rest with their new kindergarten teacher. The children heard and wrote stories, did an art lesson and exercised in practice run to the kindergarten day.

SUSD held eight summer bridge program with the help of funding from First 5 San Joaquin to help the children prepare for their first day of school. Parents were able to fill out school forms and have their questions answered as well as meet their child's new teacher. At Fillmore, Preschool teacher Cecilia Vang shared duties with kindergarten teacher Anh Pham to help students get accustomed to the new routine.

"SUSD's Summer Bridge program provides students with the opportunity to transition to school and experience school concepts that may be new to them," said Early Childhood Administrator Debra Keller.
"Taught by credentialed kindergarten teachers and supported by Preschool teachers, the children in the program come to class and experience a collection of activities that will contribute to their success in the coming kindergarten year.
 
"The transition into kindergarten is an important time in childrens' lives, and it influences their later school careers. The Summer Bridge program helps schools establish relationships between the family and the child's school, which is invaluable in supporting positive school outcomes."  

Let's all welcome out newest full-day students!

Edison Historic Remodel Taking Shape
Photo by the Stockton Record.

Edison High School's entrance has moved; Its modern administration building now houses the principal and assistant principals, registration and counseling; the new cafeteria and Taggart Gym are open as is the new football field and Engineering Tech building.

Now come the classrooms! Under construction all summer, completion of the first of three new classroom building projects is planned for completion in November, the next in March and the final in 2018. The massive remodel is paid for out of the bonds Stockton Unified voters approved over the last several years. The full cost is about $66 million.

The new school will be a gem in the city, with energy efficient construction bringing Edison into a new era of technological instruction. Bear with us as we enter this year of continued construction. The result will be a beautiful campus Edison's wonderful students, families and our entire community can be proud of.
Luke Joins Yoda at SUSD Police
The Stockton Unified Police Department has welcomed Luke, a 2-year-old English Springer Spaniel to the force. Luke becomes the department's second drug sniffing dog, joining Jack Russell terrier Yoda as part of the team.

SUSD police Officer Bobby Page took Luke out for his paces last week during a regional K-9 competition at Cesar Chavez High School. Like Yoda, Luke was right on target with his drills. SUSD police Officer Curtis Jue, who trains and lives with Yoda, said the event provided an opportunity for teams to learn from each other and share tactics. Jue and Page were proud of the dogs' performances.

Both dogs were tested for their sense of smell to find heroin, Ecstasy, methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine in buildings or vehicles. Both did very well, with Luke turning in the fastest time for searching vehicles.

The event drew canine units from the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force, Benicia Police Department and other agencies. The Western States Police Canine Association authorized and judged the competitions.
SUSD SPOTLIGHTS
Photo by the Stockton Record.
Summer Music in Stockton Unified

At Chavez, music director Art Coleman and his team taught 230 3rd  through 12th  graders during the month-long intensive music course that exposed students to music and the arts and culminated in a final public performance. Across town, Mel Sugitan held a similar program for a group of students, many of whom heard Mariachi and saw Edison's show stopping drumline for the first time.

View full story & photos >
Merlo Students and their National Award-Winning Mobile App in the New York Times

" Students from  Edward C. Merlo Institute of Environmental Technology  in  Stockton, CA  and  North Division High School Academy of IT  in  Milwaukee, WI  - and their apps - were the stars at the 2016  NAF Next Conference Wednesday in Orlando." -  New York Times

View full story >

Weber Graduate Joins National SkillsUSA Board

Congratulations to Weber Institute 2016 graduate Amanie Gaber on becoming  a national SkillsUSA officer. Amanie will serve as the SkillsUSA 
Parliamentarian- 
what a great honor! Amanie will be attending Delta College in the fall and aspires to be an anesthesiologist. 

View full photo >

W ant your news in the next issue of SUSD Connects? Email your stories and events to the SUSD Connects team at  susdconnect@stocktonusd.net ! Due to space limitations, we may not be able to share all of the news we receive, but we will do our best to share it with as many people as possible. Thank you!