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TUSD Weekly Update| 9.18.17
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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!
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Director of Technology and Innovation, Jay Brem
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TUSD is excited to launch Project GROW- our ed tech professional development initiative! Project GROW promotes tech PD that includes
Growth mindset,
Responsible tech use,
Opportunities to build capacity and confidence, and
Web-based resources. How did we develop it? We started last spring by having the right people in the room- a set of Lead Tech Teachers and Instructional Coaches we call our Tech Ambassadors. The team looked at a variety of information, including BrightBytes data, models from other districts, and our current professional development efforts, to create an initiative that initially will help staff build discreet skills that make sense for their needs, while providing the team with data to help us structure more in-depth professional development as the project progresses, and as the district moves toward our 1:1 initiative in 2019-20.
While our first “official” event was a Google Bootcamp at Brown over the summer, our first district-wide activity is this kickoff designed to introduce our certificated staff to the badging component of Project GROW and encourage some friendly competition among our school sites. More information is available on the attached flyer, as well as on our Project GROW website bit.ly/projectgrowbadges. We hope to see many of you badging up soon!
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On Wednesday, September 13, On Track Transitions held an Open House to celebrate their new location at the recently renovated Lyons House. On Track serves students with moderate to severe disabilities who are eligible to receive public school services through the age of 22. On Track is an Adult Transition Program with a vocational education and job training component. While at On Track, students work on their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals as well as a variety of functional academics, life skills, and introductory vocational training. Eligible students can work in various local businesses as part of the supported employment component. Job sites include: T.I.D., City Hall, Mundo's Latin Grill, Jessica's House, Napa Auto Parts, United Samaritan, and the Salvation Army. On Track has one classroom teacher, Rachel Knoepfle, and three para-professionals as well as one Vocational Education Specialist and a Job Coach para-professional. We are happy to welcome On Track to their new digs from their former site the past 24 years on Golden State Boulevard.
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Instructional Support Center
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Annette Hadlich has worked in the Instructional Support Center for the past 20 years. As the ISC Technician, she enjoys that every day brings her new opportunities to help people and facilitate the goals of the District, especially when it comes to students' education. The ISC is open to both staff and the public (for a fee). Depending on the time of year, Annette has anywhere from 5 to 35 visitors who make use of the laminators as well as Ellison, VariQuest, and poster machines. Annette's pride and joy is her family; she has three grown children, a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and three grand-dogs. In her free time she enjoys exploring new places, cooking, and reading. Thank you, Annette, for helping put the "US" in TUSD.
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Check out how 1st grade teacher Veronica Martinez at Cunningham Elementary School used the new VariQuest machine to create words for an amazing writing wall!
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There over 1,000 Ellison Cutters in the ISC just waiting to be used to make your classroom walls and bulletin boards AWESOME.
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The American Geographical Society has named Turlock High School Social Studies teacher Jill Ogden as a 2017 Geography Teacher Fellow. Jill was one of just 50 teachers selected from across the United States. As part of the award for being selected as a Teacher Fellow, Jill will attend the AGS Fall Symposium, Geography 2050, in November at Columbia University in New York City. Congratulations, Jill!
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Where in the world are . . . Nancy and Jim Hollister?
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After teaching 39 years at Wakefield, the old Turlock Junior High School (Dutcher) and the new TJHS, Jim Hollister retired in 2006. He taught science for 9 years and PE the last 30 years. Nancy Hollister taught kindergarten for all 37 years of her time in TUSD beginning at Osborn and then moving to Wakefield when it opened up as an elementary school before she retired in 2011. They are thankful to be active and healthy in their retirement. Jim misses teaching students new skills and the really great kids he taught over the years. He does not miss the pressure of so many responsibilities, however! Nancy shared that she misses the satisfaction of students learning what she taught. She especially misses her colleagues, but is thankful to have left behind testing and long staff meetings. Jim and Nancy have travelled to ten European countries and will be heading to Greece soon. They enjoy spending time with their two grandchildren and frequent trips to explore, hike, and fish with their family including TUSD teachers Ryan and Laura Hollister. Thank you Jim and Nancy for your many years of service in TUSD!
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Case Pacheco | Grade 9
Turlock High School
Activities | Student Leadership, Baseball, Relay for Life, Spikeball
Case's Six Word Story is inspired by his determination to never give up!
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Elyse Bucheli | Grade 11
Pitman High School
Activities | ASB, volleyball, track, Passage to Pride, School Site Council
Elyse's Six Word Story is a quote that is very important to her; she believes that everything you go through, no matter how challenging or difficult, will allow you to grow.
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Six Word Stories are inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s famous six-word tale, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn." The “six word story” is a popular assignment in classrooms across the country and challenges students to create their own succinct masterpiece. There are thousands of YouTube videos about Six Word Stories/Six Word Memoirs. Here are just a couple resources if you are interested in learning more:
If you would like to feature your students' Six Word Stories in an upcoming newsletter, please reach out to Marie. The first 5 people to do so will receive a copy of
The Best Advice in Six Words
edited by Larry Smith from
Smith
magazine whose TedTalk you can view
HERE
.
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Follow TUSD on Social Media
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Please contact Chief Communication Coordinator Marie Russell if you have a recommendation for future content including a retiree to catch up with, student to recognize, or employee to feature. 209.648.0968
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