Santiag Sentinel - Orange Unified School District

Santiag Sentinel
The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
March, 2013
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GO SANTANA’S!!
Principal’s Prologue...
"Things have been very busy at Santiago over the last month.
Our students have been preparing for CST testing while our
teachers have been focusing on the state standards. Outside
of the classroom, we have been visiting all of our feeder
schools and rolling out the welcome mat for our incoming 6th
grade students both at the GATE/Honors Night and at Open
House. Open House was a huge success and very well
attended! On Friday, March 1st, Santiago students went to
Panorama Elementary School to read to younger students for
"Read Across America" Day. The students loved it and we even
made a "pit stop" at McDonalds on the way home to nourish
our hungry readers. In addition to our feeder schools, we have also been collaborating with
El Modena High School on several fronts to make sure our 8th graders are prepared for the
next chapter of their educational journey. On March 5th, our 8th graders will walk to El
Modena for a tour of the high school in order to get familiar with the staff and the campus.
We have our annual Texas Hold Em’Tournament coming up next week, March 9th, and this
year we have added 3 live auction items. We will be auctioning off a spacious one week time
share in Kawaii (Kauai), Hawaii, a free spot on our Washington DC/NYC trip in June, and a
Dinner Party in your home cooked and served by yours truly in addition to my talented staff.
Just like last year, this event promises to be a great time.
On March 31st, fifty students, parents and teachers will be traveling to Germany, France, and
the Swiss Alps for a 9-day tour. This will be a great opportunity for our students to see the
world.
Santiago will again be participating in the 20th annual Charter School Conference in San Diego
this year. After all, we were the very first charter school in Orange County and now there are
over 1,000 charter schools in the state of California. We hope to continue to represent the
charter school movement by continuing to produce a great education for our students and a
family based experience for our entire school community."
Jim D'Agostino
Principal
"There can be no keener revelation of a
society's soul
than the way in which it treats its children"
~Nelson Mandela
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The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
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Curriculum Corner
Amazingly we are entering the third and final trimester of the 2012/2013 school year. The year has gone by
quickly and hopefully you and your student are enjoying this year’s middle school experience.
Please continue to encourage your children to keep up their academic performance as “Spring Fever” hits.
Learning Logs should be completed daily in each class and signed by parents nightly. Assignments need to
continue to be completed on time with an eye towards accuracy and academic growth.
February was a very busy writing month for all students. Each student wrote a RDF paragraph in each of their
classes. The collection of paragraphs will be showcased in the students’ Student Led Conference binder and
presented to the families in May at the conferences. Writing across our curriculum has always been important
at Santiago and will continue to be a focus as we align ourselves with the emerging Common Core standards.
Thank you to all the families who aended Open House February 28th. It is always so nice to enjoy an evening
celebrating our students’ successes. The campus looked wonderful due to the hard work of our students and
staff. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Gonzales and the ASB students for making the campus welcoming to all.
As we enjoy a well earned two week Spring break, please encourage your student to keep their academic skills
sharp by visiting hp://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/css05rtq.asp and taking the practice California Standards
Tests available in Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. T he actual California Standards Test will be
in early May. The more comfortable the students are with the test, the beer they will do.
Happy Spring!
The Curriculum Managers
Marisa Mallory and Kristi Peckham
Please continue to collect and turn in your
Box Tops for Education. This is a great way to
collect some “free money” for our school.
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The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
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haracter
Counseling Spotlight
with Ms. Patel
We hear it everywhere, but what
really is character?
Character is the group of traits and qualities we have that make us who we are. When we interact with others we
show them those traits, our character. We can choose to have and show good character or bad character, but what
we present to others is how they will see us and how they will treat us.
Here are a few important character traits we should all STRIVE to have from the Character Counts! Program:
Trustworthiness
Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing •
Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country
Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad
language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults,
and disagreements
Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be selfdisciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set
a good example for others
Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame
others carelessly • Treat all people fairly
Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need
Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed;
vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer
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Miss Roshni Patel, Counselor
Rpatel@orangeusd.org
The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
Are
ALWAYS
Needed!
Email our Volunteer Coordinator if you have any questions:
Maria Fahey
dfahie@pacbell.net
✦PTSA Meeting will earn you one service hour for each meeting. They are usually held on the 4th
Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the library.
✦Helpers are needed for the Holiday Dance on Friday, February 8th. Please contact Debbie Carter at 714-421-1563
or
debbie@streetsweeper.com if you would like to donate baked goods, drinks, money to help
pay for pizza, or to chaperone.
✦Parents are always needed to help in the cafeteria anytime between 9:00 AM-2:00 PM. No need to
call; just show up and report to Gloria Solis.
✦Office/clerical work is available in the office, but needs to be scheduled with Cathy Ruddy by
calling the school at 714-997-6366.
✦Our Librarian can also use help from time to time. Please call 714-997-6366 and ask if you can
help out.
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✦Attending Charter Board Meetings is another way to earn a service hour. These meetings are
typically held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Library.
✦ Saturday Clean-up is the second Saturday of the month from 8:00 AM-Noon. There is NO
NEED TO CALL; just show up and meet in the amphitheater. Please do not bring young children as
supervision of young children has become a problem. Workers must be 15 years or older.
Thank you very much to those who volunteer, your time is greatly appreciated!
Please continue to support the
8th Grade Promotion Party by
buying $1.00 ice cream after
school every day.
Type to enter
textA BIG thank you to Yong
Davidson for all your hard
work selling the ice cream.
You are Awesome!!
Recycling (Plastic Bottles & Aluminum Cans)
Academic Clubs have set recycling boxes around Santiago's
campus and are encouraging students, staff, and community to
help us (and our environment) raise money for our school! If
you have any plastic beverage bottles or aluminum cans that you
would like to donate to Santiago, please send them to school
with your student or drop them off at the school anytime during
school hours. Thank you for your help!
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The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
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Lab Safety
What an amazing turn out we had
at open house...let’s take a
sneak peak into some of the
classes that parents walked
through
Science
Experiments
Math Haiku’s
Thank you
Mrs. Wallace
for once again
facilitating
a great outlet for our
students to display
their talents and
GREAT Job
Santana’s!!
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The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
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Jog-A-Thon
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N
I
F
H
S
I
$ 10,000
Awesome Job
Santana’s!!
This money goes directly to
adding technology onto our
campus!
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Ink & Toner Cartridges
Academic Fundraisers are collecting ink and toner cartridges in the front office. They will have a box set up in the
front office to collect those items beginning in January. Please drop off your used/empty ink and toner cartridges
and make a difference.
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The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
Every year our 8th grade language programs celebrate Mardi
Gras! Thank you Madame Eckdale for taking the lead and
showing our students how to have a great time! Congratulations
to the Prince and Princesses!
Through the generous donations from Build-ABear Workshop Foundation and Chevron,
DonorsChoose.org helped Santiago’s library
acquire over $900 in library books! Here are a
few pictures of our students showing off our new
books! Thank you Build-A-Bear Foundation,
Chevron and Donorschoose.org!
Who’s on Facebook? Santiago Charter Middle School is!!
Check out our page and click
for updates and news about
what’s happening at Santiago.
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Our Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Santiago-Charter-Middle-School/221566217912237
The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
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In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Santiago participated in National Read
Across America day. Students spent their PrimeTime either being read to
by their teacher or reading to each other. Our ASB also visited Panorama
Elementary School to read to the students. Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!
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Thank you to the ASB
leadership for being a great role
model and representation of
our school!
Brooklyn Peters
Ashely Rock
Katie Cunningham
Evan Mele
Madelyn Garcia
Tasso Daoussis
Brynn Deily
Julianna Janes
Patrick Lambert
David Segovia
Nick Real
Petra Azar
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The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
Santana’s to be Recognized!:
Metric Mastery - 1st place - Kyle Nguyen and Darren Fan
Rotor Egg Drop - 3rd place - Anne Bilog and Jakob Mull
Forestry - 4th place - Kyle Nguyen and James Rice
Crime Busters - 5th place - Dana Davidson and BrianVertullo
Mousetrap Car - 5th place - Robert Almand and Eric Holst
Road Scholar - 6th place - Maggie Laton and Dana Davidson
On Friday March 1st, the
science olympiad team
went to compete against
Middle Schools from all
over Orange County.
our students did their
best and we received 6 of
possible 15 event Team
Medals.
A special “Thank You” to our Math
department! Our 1st place medal would
not have been possible without your
efforts.
Good Luck to our 7 teams
competing in the Orange
County Science and
Engineering Fair on March
19th! We know you will
(sham)Rock!!
And thank you Mrs. Shukla for the time
and effort you put into making this
happen each year.
Too Short
Life is too short
Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness
Laugh when you can
Life’s too short to be unhappy
Apologize when you should
You have to take the good with the bad
And let go of what you can’t change Smile when you’re sad
Live deeply and forgive quickly
Love what you got
Take chances
And always remember what you had
Give everything
Always forgive
And have no regrets
And never forget
Learn from your mistakes
But never regret
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By:Maria Gamboa
Poem by Maria Gamboa, current Santana
The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
OUSD
HONOR
BAND &
Santiago is once again hosting the OUSD all
ORCHESTRA
district Honor Band, Honor Orchestra
rehearsals and concert. Musicians include the
best of the Orange Unified School District.
Students went through a rigorous audition
process to earn spots in the groups. Guest
conductors are Robert Frelly from Chapman
College and Harold Whitten from Canyon
High School. Concert is scheduled for
Wednesday, March 27th and 7:00pm at
Santiago Middle School. Please plan to
attend and support our performing arts
programs.
Coming
Up!!
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March
29th
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Tickets on sale March 26 @ 7:15 in
cafeteria
$5 per ticket OR $10 to include free
dress!!
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Tickets with and without free dress can
also be purchased using 20/40 “Thank
You” cards or 2/4 service hours. Listen in
your PrimeTime for more details.
Tickets on sale March 25th @ 7:15 in
cafeteria
$5 per ticket
ALSO!!! Don’t forget to bring spare change
to vote for your favorite teacher starting
Monday, March 25th at lunch!
Come see your fellow Santana’s and your
favorite teachers, SHAKE THEIR GROOVE
THANGS!!
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED!!
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Teacher Appreciation Week:
please contact Kris Erickson
for more information
Honorary Service Awards:
please contact Christy Sternlicht
for more information
The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
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This month the campus theme is Responsibility. Here are a few of examples of what makes
a Responsible Santana:
What is Responsibility?
• Being accountable for what you do, your actions, and your behavior.
• Doing the right thing at the right time.
What are ways you can show Responsibility?
• Complete your homework on time without being reminded.
• Follow through on your commitments, even when you don’t feel like it.
• Make wise choices.
• Find out what needs to be done and just do it.
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Responsible!
March = FORGIVENESS
Next Month’s Theme:
Forgiveness/Empathy
Not Responsible
Be aware, Teachers and Staff will be
leading by example and looking for
EMPATHY on Campus.
“ I am responsible for doing the
work I need to do today even
though it may be hard.”
~Helen Keller
Helen Keller
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The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
Employee of the Month
Classified
Employee
Each month one certificated staff member (teacher) and one classified staff member
(non-teacher) receive an award of excellence, given to them by the previous months
winner. Santiago is so proud of each acknowledged staff member, who by the way
scores a great parking spot, we thought we would share how lucky we, and your
students, are to have them! Keep up the good work Santanas!
The Golden Apple
Award
Mrs. Hunsberger, as given by Mrs. Brown
This month’s recipient is the quiet engine that is the
power behind the Santiago English Department.
Day in and day out her determined input carries the
students and the teachers as they travel the road to
success.
As a member of the original board, which launched
our charter, she has worked tirelessly to advance the
vision and goals for our outstanding school.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment.
Mr. Ramos, as given by Mrs. Delgado
Jose Ramos was chosen as the Classified Employee of
the Month. Mr. Ramos is an outstanding employee
who is always willing to go the extra mile. We had two
school beautification projects this month and thanks to
his diligence we were able to complete them
successfully.
Staff Spotlight!
Meet Mrs. Gonzales! Mrs. Gonzales has been
coordinating ASB students for the past 6 years. She
makes sure her ASB are leaders among the students
and reaching out into the community. Under
Mrs. Gonzales, ASB holds elections, decorates the12
campus, works with the teachers & staff, hosts spirit
building activities, and much more.
The Santiago PTSA Monthly Newsletter
Next Sentinel deadline:
Contacts:
April 19th
Attendance - 714-997-6366
Articles may be edited for clarity and as
space availability demands
Natalie Barbas, Sentinel Editor nbarbas@orangeusd.org
Mark Your Calendars
March
April
Mon 4
Open Enrollment Begins
Mon 1Fri 12
Spring Break!! No School!!
Tues 5
8th graders walk to ELMO
7th graders - State Writing Test
Mon 15
School Resumes
Wed 6
Late Start, (Bell Rings at 8:40),
Wed 17
Late Start, (Bell Rings at 8:40), Charter
board meeting @ 6:30pm
Fri 8
Trimester 2 ends
Minimum Day
Thurs 18
Promotion Party Meeting
Sat 9
Work Day 8am-12pm
Texas Hold Em’ @ 6:30pm
Sat 20
Saturday work day 8am-12pm
Wed 13
Late Start, (Bell Rings at 8:40),
Wed 24
Late Start, (Bell Rings at 8:40), PTSA
Meeting @ 7pm
Fri 15
Open Enrollment Ends
Fri 26
Minimum Day, school ends a noon
Wed 20
Late Start, (Bell Rings at 8:40),
Tues 30
Jeans for perfect attendance!!
Wed 27
Late Start, (Bell Rings at 8:40), Spring
Concert @ 7pm, PTSA Meeting @ 7pm &
Renaissance Fair
Thurs 28
Dancing with the Teachers @ 6:30pm
Fri 29
STRIVE assembly, Jeans for perfect
attendance,
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