TUSD Weekly Update

2017-2018

TUSD Weekly Update| 8.21.17

We hope you are enjoying this new communications effort designed to showcase and keep you in the loop on all the wonderful things happening in TUSD. Please follow us on social media for daily vs. just weekly updates! Got a story idea? Please reach out!

Your Futures So Bright, You Gotta Wear Shades

It's been 99 years since a total solar eclipse has crossed the U.S. from coast to coast. What is a solar eclipse? NASA explains it best: “This celestial event is a solar eclipse in which the moon passes between the sun and Earth and blocks all or part of the sun for up to about three hours, from beginning to end, as viewed from a given location. For this eclipse, the longest period when the moon completely blocks the sun from any given location along the path will be about two minutes and 40 seconds. According to Turlock High School Science Teacher Ryan Hollister we won't experience another coast to coast eclipse viewable here until 2045! At approximately 10:17 AM, we should be able to see a maximum coverage of 75%. Ryan was able to secure 2,500 pairs of solar viewing glasses from Science Friday and Team Educate to ensure safe viewing of the eclipse and to make science come to life outside!

The TUSD Farm Garden

What started out as a blank slate turned into a thriving summer garden with the help of the Farm Manager, Damon Coelho, volunteer Pitman High School teacher Laura Brem, and four high school student workers: Jacob Aguilar, Carolyn Boster, Jake Dallas Climer, and Armando Herrera-Velarde. After putting in long hours and fighting heat, weeds, and bugs, the garden it is now ready for students of all ages to visit and learn about the numerous vegetables and fruits that thrive in our Central Valley's climate. Students can also enjoy the rows of annual and perennial flowers that help to draw in hummingbirds, bees, and beneficial bugs. Soon, with summer drawing to a close, the pumpkins, winter squash and green beans will be ready for harvest and fall vegetables will be planted. The garden is a year-round learning destination, which will bring science to life for our students in Turlock Unified School District.

Summer Plants: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, watermelon, zucchini, okra, strawberries, lettuce, corn

Fall Plants: Carrots, pumpkins, lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, peas

Thank you "Garden Volunteer" Laura Brem for all your hard work this summer helping bring this amazing garden to life!

Marshall Beyer is our TUSD Educational Technology Instructional Coach! He got his start in TUSD at Wakefield Elementary School 11 years ago and is starting his third year as a coach. Marshall shared he enjoys working with all the "great teachers" in our District as well as "some amazing students." Marshall's favorite App is Twitter as it gives him the opportunity to learn from educators around the country, participate in Twitter Chats, and grow his PLN (Personal Learning Network). Marshall became a father a year and a half ago and his son is named Linkin after his favorite band Linkin Park. He is currently working on his Master's in Educational Technology. Contact Marshall this year to learn more about how to use Google in your classroom!

Meet Marshall!

If you or your PLC would like to meet with Marshall, click HERE to fill out a EdTech Professional Learning request.

Check out Marshall On Social Media!

Twitter | @MarshallBeyer29

Facebook | TechInTUSD

Instagram | TechInTUSD

Where in the World is . . . David Jack?

Remember David Jack? He worked in TUSD 37 years-26 years at Turlock High School and 11 years at Pitman High School-teaching English, Yearbook, and Journalism. In 2013 David retired from TUSD and when he is not spending time with his five grandchildren he has been traveling the world! Since 2013, he and his wife Barbara have traveled to 40 countries spanning 6 continents! Last fall they spent 41 days in Africa and in January will be headed to Vietnam and Cambodia after a trip to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival in October. David shared he misses working with students and his colleagues but does not miss grading essays! He looks fondly back at his role in helping open Pitman High School, including naming the school newspaper and yearbook. We miss you Mr. Jack! Safe travels!

The purpose of this weekly mailing is to keep you informed of all the great things happening in TUSD! Please contact Chief Communication Coordinator Marie Russell if you have a recommendation for future content including a retiree to catch up with or employee to feature.

Congrats to last week's Starbuck's gift card winner Technology Secretary Shauneen Terrell whose favorite movie about school is Ferris Beuller's Day Off. Stay tuned for more fun contests!