Westside Wire - Westside Union School District

Westside
Wire
2nd Annual Junior Touchdown Tailgate Party
Our West Antelope Valley Educational Foundation (WAVE) recently joined forces with the
Antelope Valley College and the Marroquin Foundation for our 2nd Annual Junior Touchdown
Tailgate party. This annual event is a perfect opportunity for students to
begin planning their path to college before entering high school.
This year we were able to sell about 680 Junior Touchdown Club
memberships. Each membership included a goody bag with a membership
card, a free meal at the tailgate party and free admission to all 2016
regular season home football games. Proceeds were split between WAVE
and the Antelope Valley College. (continues on next page)
October
2016
Serving over 9,000 students spread across 346 square miles, Westside Union School District prides itself on being
“the district of choice” with more choice-based programs than any other district in the Antelope Valley. Westside
Union School District features 12 schools, providing world-class education to students from kindergarten to 8th grade.
Continuing a tradition of high academic achievement, a majority of Westside Union School District schools exceed
the coveted 800 score on the Academic Performance Index administered by the California Department of Education.
Junior Touchdown Tailgate Party Continued..
Board of
WAVE will use the proceeds for future grants for all of our schools. Last
Trustees
year, the WAVE foundation gave more than $40,000 dollars in grants
to support a variety of programs such as Vex & Lego robotics, Dancing
Linda Jones
Feet, Model UN, AVID and more.
Joan Sodergren
We would like to thank all our Westside families for your continued
Steve DeMarzio
support in investing in our students’ future. Keep an eye on our district
Facebook page to learn about WAVE’s upcoming fundraisers and
grants that have been distributed to our schools.
Stop!t App Arrives at Westside
Our middle schools recently launched Stop!t, an app that allows
students to report any incidents of harassment, harm and/or bullying
anonymously to our administrative team. Students may download the
app for free and enter their school’s unique identification code and
begin reporting incidents. The app also allows students to submit
photos and video, send an instant message to administrators, receive
push notifications and call for
Patricia Shaw
Get Social!
Get social with
Westside!
Find, friend, follow
and like us to stay up
to date on the great
things going on!
@WestsideSchools
www.pinterest.com/
westsideschools
help. We want to encourage all
our 4th - 8th grade students to
www.facebook.com/
westsideschools
download the app today. Over
2 million students are using this
www.youtube.com/
MyWestsideSchools
award-winning mobile app
internationally.
Westside Union School District
41914 N. 50th Street West
Quartz Hill, CA 93536
(661) 722-0716
John Curiel
www.westside.k12.ca.us
Joe Walker’s Annual Vex Robotics Competition
It has become an annual
tradition for Joe Walker to
host a VEX Robotics
Competition. Twenty-four
vex robotic teams from
across the county competed
at Joe Walker Middle
School. Teams arrived for a
non-stop, action-packed day of competition where they battled
against each other with their robots created from the VEX
Robotics Design System. Participants will square off in this year’s
Starstruck competition created by VEX Robotics, Inc. and the
Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, leaders in
educational and competitive robotics. The judging panel consisted
of volunteers from leading engineering/aerospace industries in
the Antelope Valley.
Middle school teams from the following areas joined our Vex
Jets: Antelope Valley, Downey, Chino Hills, Murrieta, Simi Valley,
Sherman Oaks,
Ridgecrest, Rolling
Hills Estate, and Pico
Rivera.
Anaverde Hills
2902 Greenbrier St.
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 575-9923
Cottonwood
2740 West Ave P-8
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 267-2825
Del Sur
9023 West Ave H
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 942-0488
Esperanza
40521 35th St. West
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 575-0420
Gregg Anderson Academy
5151 W. Ave. N-8
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 206-3750
Hillview Middle School
40525 Peonza Lane
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 722-9993
Joe Walker Middle School
5632 West Ave L-8
Quartz Hill, CA 93536
(661) 943-3258
Leona Valley
9063 Leona Avenue
Leona Valley, CA 93551
(661) 948-9010
Quartz Hill
41820 50th St. West
Quartz Hill, CA 93536
(661) 943-3236
Rancho Vista
40641 Peonza Lane
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 722-0148
Sundown
6151 West Ave. J-8
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 722-3026
Valley View
3310 West Ave. L-8
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 943-2451
Westside Academy
5606 West Ave. L-8
Quartz Hill, CA 93536
(661) 206-3711
A Message From The Superintendent
Happy fall! As the weather starts to change, bringing cooler temperatures, the changing colors on our trees, and shorter days, it also reminds us that the first quarter of our school year is rapidly drawing to a close as well. Progress reports were issued and parents had the opportunity to schedule appointments with their children’s teachers on October 10th and 11th, which were non-­‐student days for those meeCngs. Our school populaCon has conCnued to grow this year, resulCng in an all-­‐Cme high student enrollment of over 9,300 students. We are in the process of adding more classrooms to accommodate the growth, but are awaiCng approval to do so from state regulatory agencies. In addiCon, we are conCnuing the construcCon on CoJonwood School and the library at Rancho Vista School. Thanks for your paCence as these projects move forward to compleCon.
Academic results on the Smarter Balanced Assessment for 2015-­‐16 were sent home for your review. As you may be aware the State Board of EducaCon is in the process of compleCng how these assessment results will be used to idenCfy trends in student achievement. This process will be considerably different than the one used with the API scores in the past. We anCcipate that the process will be finalized in the coming months.
One of the goals of our Board of Trustees is that our current grade reporCng process (report card) be revised to reflect the current curriculum. In addiCon, the new reporCng process will separate academic achievement from non-­‐academic achievement (such as homework, school aJendance, parCcipaCon) and result in separate grades. If you are interested in joining with staff in the development of this revised grading process, please contact the District Office at 722-­‐0716 or by email to let us know of your interest.
CongratulaCons to our EducaConal Services staff on the first ever Community Services Fair. ConnecCng families with community services was the goal of this event, and we thank you for your aJendance and support.
Thanks so much for allowing our staff to be part of your children’s academic success. We are hopeful that this will conCnue to be an excepConal year for all students and their families.
Regina Rossall
Superintendent
Anaverde Hills
Westside Round Up:
A message from your
principals
At the end of September, Anaverde Vipers in Kindergarten through 2nd
grade concluded their Community Helpers unit with interactive visits from
our local fire department, highway patrol, a doctor, local bakers, animal
control, NASA, and even had a skype session with the Secret Service! Our instructional focus at Anaverde continues to emphasize AVID
pedagogical strategies, as well as ensuring that students participate in
STEM related project based learning opportunities. Anaverde PTSA
hosted its first Lunch on the Lawn which was a tremendous success, and
have planned many other parent-student events throughout the year. Our
girls’ volleyball teams had an incredible season and improved
significantly over last year! Go Vipers!
-Dr. Kristin Kruizinga, Principal
Cottonwood
Del Sur
This month, Cottonwood partnered with the City of
Palmdale and our local Palmdale sheriff's deputies
to celebrate National Walk to School Day on
October 5th. Students, staff, and parents met at
Vons and walked to school accompanied by our
awesome police officers. PTA provided a special
snack for students upon their arrival at school. In
October, students will also enjoy "Science Takes
Flight," an exciting interactive STEM assembly with
hands-on learning stations. Everyone is looking
forward to the annual Fall Festival at month's end.
Go, Team Cottonwood!
-Laura Duran, Principal
Del Sur Dragons: October is a busy month for our Del Sur Super Heroes.
We have a Fall Festival scheduled for Friday, October 21st from
4:30-7:00 PM: families, friends and community members are welcome. Our Volleyball and Cross Country teams are wrapping up their seasons. Our after school tutoring sessions will begin for students in grades
kindergarten through 8th grade, the end of October. We are also
looking forward to a great Red Ribbon Week October 24-28, October
20th: Middle School AVID Field Trip, Monday the 24th: Boo Gram Sales
begin and Mustache Monday. Tuesday the 25th: The School Site Council
meeting at 2:15pm Wednesday the 26th: AVID and College Shirt Day
Thursday: Red Shirt and Crazy Sock Day. Friday: Costume Day and
Parade ASB Dance at 2:15pm. Go Dragons!
Jessica Kott, Principal
Esperanza
Gregg Anderson Academy
At Esperanza, we’ve rolled out our Boys Town Skill of
the week. Each week we focus on a behavioral skill that
will give our students tools for success. We also just had
our first AVID Parent Night and PTA Movie Night. Mrs.
Hernandez and Ms. Torres discussed how to access
Power School, while Mrs. Bartlett and Mrs. Zamudio
discussed why a Growth Mindset is so important. We
finished off the presentation with a great video
showcasing the Power of Yet! No one is an expert the
first time they attempt something new. It’s all about the
“Power of Yet!”
-Nicole Hernandez, Principal
There are great things happening at GAA. We are working hard to
become an AVID certified school and have our students become AVID
scholars. We are also implementing Project Lead The Way, our STEM
curriculum, in all classroom grades K-6. Our PTA is working hard as it
prepares for our Fall Festival. This is the biggest most awesome festival
anywhere. We always love to see the excited students and happy family
members at this event. Our fall festival will take place on October 28th.
Hillview
Joe Walker
Hillview students have been hard at work in the
classroom, on the court, on the dance floor, on the
stage, and on the field! Our volleyball season got off to
a great start with most of our teams leading the league.
We will be introducing Dancing Feet to our 6th, 7th,
and 8th graders this month. Our drama club and other
students participating in our lip sync battle fundraiser
have been practicing for some outstanding
performances. And our Cross Country teams are
gearing up for another award-winning season. Finally,
students and staff are continuing to show their school
spirit with a record number of spirit wear items sold. Go
Hawks!!
Joe Walker has had a very exciting start to the school year. The Civil Air
Patrol Color Guard greeted military veterans at the AV Fair in August for
Military Appreciation Night and presented the colors at the Figure Eight Race
later that evening. We had two student groups participate in the AVC Junior
Touchdown Club Tailgate Party on September 17. Joe Walker’s cheerleaders
greeted the team and held signs for the AVC football players as they exited
the locker rooms and cheered through the first half of the game. Joe Walker’s
Civil Air Patrol Color Guard presented the colors at the beginning of the
game during the opening festivities. It was a great turn out with many
students and staff members in attendance. Additionally, we have some great
events coming up during the month of October. We are very excited to have
our 8th grade students taking the PSAT 8/9 Test on October 18. GO JETS!!!
-Jennifer Slater-Sanchez, & Rodney Lots Co-Principals
-Shelly Dearinger & Thomas Morreale, Co-Principals
-Steve Wood, Principal
Leona Valley
Quartz Hill
Leona Valley students got a taste of history on the Walk to
School Day in early October. They walked to the 1915
Leona Valley Schoolhouse which is within walking distance
from the current school. During their visit the had the
opportunity to tour some different historical displays
including a Native American cooking hearth and some
other displays from the Lancaster Museum of Art and
History. Students were able to ring an old school bell and
see authentic old school desks. They also played some old
fashioned recess games, while celebrating the way school
used to be many years ago.
This quarter has been filled with fun and learning at Quartz
Hill Elementary. Student enrollment has increased, allowing
us to add an additional kindergarten class. We had a visit
from the Antelope Valley College football players which
was fun for all of our students to meet and play basketball,
kickball, and wiffle-ball with. We had many students join the
Junior Touchdown Club and visit AVC for a tailgate party
and football game. This year teachers are taking full
advantage of our technological resources to increase
engagement in the classroom. Classrooms are frequently
linking up digitally to collaborate with one another. Second
quarter should prove to be just as busy as the first.
-Cathy Bennett, Principal
-Andrea Paxton, Principal
Rancho Vista
Sundown
Rancho Vista continues its college focus with AVID
Thursdays, and lots of conversations about college,
including where the teachers went to college. One of the
events that supported this theme was the Touchdown Club
on September 17. Students got to visit the local campus of
Antelope Valley College and experience a college football
game. Football players visited the students to encourage
them in a college direction. Sundown Elementary School is off to a great start as we
near the end of the first quarter of school. We are excited
to host our Halloween Family dance on October 21st
presented by the PTA. The students have been utilizing the
iPads and chrome books in their classrooms and in
conjunction with our new language arts curriculum.
Sundown had an excellent student turn out at the WAVE/
AVC Tailgate Junior Touchdown Club event in September!
-Cathy Bennett Principal
-Timothy Barker, Principal
Valley View
Westside Academy
As the first quarter ends, Valley View continues to Shine
On. Mrs. Caitlyn Hatchitt and Ms. Lisa Walker received a
Project Lead The Way grant to help us create a designated
MakerSpace, a lab classroom where students can work on
project based lessons. Our Bilingual Parents meet weekly to
explore bilingual books and learn fun ways to engage their
children in reading. Our first STEM parent night was a
success. Students built pasta cars to race and compete for
the best distance. It was amazing to see little engineers
design and test their cars!
Westside Academy is gearing up to celebrate science by
having a designated science day in October. We have a
special science teacher joining us who will be bringing the
excitement of a field trip directly to our campus! Students
will have an assembly highlighting the physical sciences
directly followed by a hands-on work session where they
will be working directly with materials for “make it and take
it” science projects.
-Rebecca Davis, Principal
-Deborah Rutkowski-Hines, Principal