Ygnacio Valley HS: Wolf Den News!

Welcome Back from Winter Break YV Families,

As we start the new year, we look forward to a great Spring semester which begnins January 9th, 2023. This allows for a fresh start and a new beginning. We encourage all families to speak to their students and encourage them to set goals for the rest of the school year. We hope this conversation will blossom into discussing your student's future and post high school goals and dreams.

For the start of the semester, we want to start on the right track. One of our challenges is attendance and punctuality to class. As we transition to the new semester, ensuring students are getting to class promptly will continue to be one of our many priorities. Our Student Support Office (Main Office) is working to adjust our tardy plan for the start of the second semester as we are seeing students that are not getting to class on time. Parents and guardians, please discuss the expectation that your child gets to class on time. Additionally, Ygnacio Valley High School is a closed campus, so students are required to remain on campus throughout the school day. Our greatest achievements at Ygnacio Valley High School have been when our attendance improved and students were getting to class on time. This is why we are asking everyone to do their part as we work towards continual improvement.

Students will be selecting their courses for next year this month in January and February. We will be offering new classes in the upcoming year to include Ethnic Studies, Ceramics (in Spanish), and Digital Music. We are excited about expanding more opportunities to kids.

We want to wish all our YV Families a happy new year that is positive and filled with love and joy. Our school staff works hard daily to provide the best school experience for our students and families as we follow our motto: Students First. Learning Always!

Go Wolves!

As a school, it is important to have a Vision, Mission, and values that guide us as we continue to serve our students and community. We strive to do our very best, and use these to carry out our everyday work. Please take a moment to read them so we are all partnered together as one family.

We held our first ever 9th Grade Families Academic Success Night in December. Families were treated to many strategies and supports with the goal of being successful in high school. The number one and most important focus was that YVHS wants to partner with our families to empower them in our mission of "Every student that starts at YV, should Graduate from Ygancio Valley". Families were treated to yummy food and presentations by our many partners. Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), CAREs After School Program, Upward Bound / Education Talent Search (College Focused Support programs), Contra Costa County Health Department, Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program, and our own teachers who gave tips on how students can be successful in school. You can see what was presented to families at the links below. This is great information about all our support programs for all students and families.

Presentation in English

Presentation in Spanish

If your child is not feeling well and has any symptoms, it is best to be cautious even if you are unsure. Please have your student remain home. Now more than ever it's important to be cautious. Please call the office at 925 685-8414 extension 3605 or 3681so we can monitor and excuse your student. If you do leave a message on our attendance hotline, please make sure to:

• Say your student's name clearly.
• Say your student's grade.
• Say the date of absence.
• Explain the reason why your student is absent.
• Say your relationship to the student (students cannot excuse their absences)
• If COVID-related, please contact our school nurse at 682-8000 extension 3659 or extension 3681 for Spanish speaking.

If your student will be absent for more days, please make sure to contact the attendance line and we may assist with contacting teachers for any missed assignments.

ATTENTION: Parents, we please ask to call in your attendance or conduct other school related business if at all possible. For everyone's safety, it is best to minimize contact with our staff members or students. Please call our main office number (925) 685-8414 or visit our website Ygnacio Valley High School for further information to help you.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

We will be honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his social justice leadership and service. Students will not have school on Monday, January 16th.

Students will be required to select their courses on line through the Aeries Homelink system for the 23-24 school year. Students will have a variety of courses and electives that we have offer at Ygnacio Valley. It is important that your student at home completes this course selection so they can be scheduled for the next school year.

JAN 9: First Day of Spring Semester

JAN 9: Special Education Assistant Job Hiring Fair

Jan 12: YV Community Equity Task Force Meeting @ 5:30pm

JAN 16: No School - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

JAN 17: PTSA Meeting @ 6:30pm Room 210

JAN 23: Kindness Challenge Week

With the help of the CAREs Afterschool Program, muralist Erick Rosales along with 22 YVHS students complete a mural that centers around diversity and cultural inclusion. Students take pride in their work as they completed a month long mural in the cold temperatures. Through the hard work and dedication of Erick and the students, this wouldn't have been possible. We want to thank the MDUSD CAREs afterschool program, and most importantly, our students who will leave a lasting impact on our YV community.

YV Music is going strong and well as Music Teacher and Director, Noah Telles leads his students in a wonderful winter concert. Students show their musical talents and pride as they played for a full house of proud parents and families. A big thank you to our YV Music Boosters who go all out to support our music program.

Leadership students and student clubs compete to show their school spirit as they decorate each of our hallways in a themed setting. Students work long hours and show their artistic and creative talents which brings lots of happiness and pride in our school. It's our favorite time of the year.

We have lots of sports going on at Ygnacio Valley High School this month. Come support our YV Student Athletes and show our school pride. Games times are for Varsity level only. Junior Varsity is approximately 90 minutes before a Varsity game time. You can check out further information at the following link. Max Preps Sports

Go Wolves!!

SPRING SEMESTER IS HERE and the counseling department is ecstatic to welcome back Ms Taylor Sukoski from maternity leave and to have a full counseling team once again!!

New Year New Caseloads:

Last Names...

“A” thru“Garcia-C”

Ms Madison Kelleher

Office: Room IC-1

Phone: (925) 685 - 8414 ext.3651

email: kelleherm@mdusd.org

“Garcia-D” thru “Ochoa”

Mrs. Taylor Sukoski

Office: Room: IC-3

Phone: (925) 685-8414 ext. 3653

Email: sukoskit@mdusd.org

“Ochoa-A” thru “Z”

Mr. Carlo Navarrete

Office: Room: IC-2

Phone: (925) 685-8414 ext. 3652

Email: NavarreteC@mdusd.org

*Hablo Espanol*

School Counselor Office Hours 8:15am-3:30pm

Students can access counselors before school, brunch & lunch, or during the school day with a pass from their counselor or teacher.

Appointments can also be requested with counselors via email

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM!!!: @yvhs_school.counselors

Upcoming College Visits: Sign up through Naviance under the College Tab, or through Teachmore

• Scholarship links

• Exclusive Ygnacio Valley High Scholarships

Financial aid night on Feb. 7 from 3:30-6:30pm.

HBCU Fair will be Feb. 2nd, and more information to come.

Student assistance with financial aid and college applications during Advisory periods and Wednesday’s after school.

Every Senior is required to submit their financial aid application. The due date is March 2nd. For assistance and additional information please contact Mrs. Cardona at the Career Center in room IC-5.

What’s needed to complete your Financial Aid Application?

FAFSA Application

CA Dream Act Application

Please look at the files below for updated Scholarship Information.

Questions about colleges, universities, career pathways, or questions about financial aid and SAT? ACT? Meet our College and Career Advisor Mrs. Maria Cardona in room IC-5. Next to the Wellness Center

Need to reach Mrs. Cardona? You may schedule an appointment by visiting the CCC page HERE

or email at cardonam@mdusd.org

Work permits will be completed by our College & Career Advisor, Ms. Maria Cardona. Please turn in your work permit request forms in either the Vice Principal's Office or to the College & Career Center in room IC 5. Work permits take approximately 2 days to complete and will be ready in the College & Career Center. All students applying for a work permit, must have a 2.0 Grade Point Average, and positive attendance in school. Please see Ms. Maria Cardona for more information or email: cardonam@mdusd.org (habla espanol)

Our YV Administration Team and PTSA parents teamed up early morning to provide a breakfast treat for all the YV staff in appreciation of their dedication and service to our students and community. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, lots of deserts, orange juice and coffee were served with love and gratitude for a awesome YV staff. Big thanks to our PTSA who stayed after the bell for all the clean up. We couldn't have done it without you.

Our next PTSA meeting will be this upcoming Tuesday, January 17th at 6:30pm in the YVHS room 210-212. There will be lots of information shared along with our reports from our students, teachers, and Principal.

YVHS has a great opportunity for you to be involved and stay informed. PTSA is a non-profit organization for parents, students, and teachers to come together and support the educational experience for all at YVHS. Meetings are usually held monthly and bring important information to help you support your child through High School. Please Visit this Link YVHS PTSA below if you wish to know more or visit them at the YVHS Facebook page.

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YVHS tiene una gran oportunidad para que usted participe y se mantenga informado. PTSA es una organización sin fines de lucro para que los padres, estudiantes y maestros se reúnan y apoyen la experiencia educativa para todos en YVHS. Las reuniones generalmente se llevan a cabo mensualmente y brindan información importante para ayudarlo a apoyar a su hijo durante la escuela secundaria. Visite este enlace YVHS PTSA a continuación si desea saber más o visítelos en la página de Facebook de YVHS.

Advisory: Make Appointment for Advisory

PLAN YOUR FUTURE!

Advisory is for improving your learning and we expect you to take advantage of this opportunity! Right now, you are assigned to one of your teachers. However, you can still make an appointment with one of your other teachers! There is limited space so please check to see if there is room.

• Need help in Math? Make an appointment with your math teacher!
• Need to make up a quiz in Science? Make an appointment with your science teacher!
• Need to work on a group project for History? Make an appointment with your history teacher!
  

1. Go to https://www.teachmore.org/ygnaciovalley/students/ and login with Google Login

2. Click blue button “Student Created”

3. Select correct date, event (Advisory), and teacher

Remember: you MUST go to the teacher you select! Go immediately there before the tardy bell rings.

Teachers can also make appointments. If a teacher makes an appointment for you, you HAVE to go to that class. If you don’t go, you will be marked absent.

You have 3 choices:

• You make an appointment with one of YOUR teachers and go to their class

• A teacher makes an appointment with you and you go to their class

• You go to your Home Advisory if you don’t have an appointment scheduled by the afternoon before Advisory (Monday for Tuesday Advisory; Wednesday for Thursday Advisory)

Remember: You MUST be in an Advisory with one of your own teachers!

Questions? Check here!

IB

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program here at YVHS is going strong! As we prepare for the upcoming IB Exams in May, there are several fun things to share with you.

• Our 5-year evaluation wrapped up in December with many positive observations and some helpful suggestions for growth. We will share the official report with you once it's received from the IB Organization.
• IB Info Night for 9th, 10th & 11th graders THURSDAY, JANUARY 19th 6:30 to 7:30 What is so special about the IB program and IB classes? Why should EVERY student at YVHS take at least one IB class? Come find out and discover the options available to your student!
• SAVE THE DATE! IB Gala on Thursday, February 9th 6 PM to 8 PM This is an open house and the event is open to everyone. Help us celebrate the successes of our IB students and see what they have been up to! IB Certificates (exam results) from last year will also be handed out to those who graduated in 2022.
• Learner Attribute of the Month: Reflective "We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development." Would you like to recognize a student, staff member, or another parent as someone who demonstrates being REFLECTIVE? If yes, thank you! Please Click HERE.

Scheduling for the 2023-24 School Year

YES! It's almost that time of year! We are getting our Program Guide together and we are very excited about classes we will be adding to our lineup for the 2023-24 school year. More information to come soon!

Questions about IB? Contact Carissa Weintraub at weintraubc@mdusd.org or 925-685-8414 x 3607.

Aeries Estudiantes / Padres

Aeries Parent Portal Homelink is available to review your student's data anytime. Please login using the link below or download the App on your smartphone.

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Aeries Parent Portal Homelink está disponible para revisar los datos de su estudiante en cualquier momento. Inicie sesión utilizando el enlace a continuación o descargue la aplicación en su teléfono inteligente.

• February 1: HBCU Fair Field Trip @ College Park
• Senior Portraits: February 6-8
• Spirit Week February 6-10
• Winter Rally Friday, February 10
• Winter Dance Friday, February 24

It's time to order your YVHS Yearbook! The yearbook features all students and memorable high school events for you to enjoy.

Don't forget to reserve yours by clicking on the following link for more information. YV Yearbook

As part of the State's "Free School Meals For All" program, all students are now entitled to free meals. Our Cafeteria staff is working hard in preparation for all students to access these meals. We are so excited that students now have access to one of the most basic needs to support their learning.

This form replaces the application for Free & Reduced Lunch.

Alternative Income Form English

Alternative Income Form Spanish

For more information, go to the Food and Nutrition page on the MDUSD website. Forms are also available in the main office.

County Connection offers bus service and has a special service to accommodate the YVHS bell times. There is currently a pilot program offering youth ages 6-18 discounted fares using the Youth Clipper Card. Please see the following flyers for more information:
Youth Clipper Card - English
Youth Clipper Card - Spanish

File

Ygnacio Valley High Printing.pdf (PDF)

What is Pass2Class?

Pass2Class offers free bus passes to Contra Costa students at the beginning of the school year to encourage the use of bus transportation to and from school. Pass2Class reduces traffic congestion and air pollution by reducing the number of cars being driven to school. Up to two months of rides are being offered for the 2021/2022 school year to help students as they return to in-person learning.

Passes are available while supplies last.

¿Qué es Pass2Class?

El Pass2Class le ofrece pases de autobús gratis a los estudiantes de Contra Costa al principio de cada año escolar, para incentivarlos a utilizar el autobús como método de transporte para ir y venir de la escuela. El Pass2Class ayuda a reducir el tráfico, el congestionamiento y la contaminación, al utilizar menos vehículos como método de transporte escolar. Estamos ofreciendo hasta dos meses de viajes en autobús para el año escolar 2021/2022, para ayudar a los estudiantes a retornar a la escuela y a las clases en persona.

Los pases estarán disponibles hasta agotar su existencia.

Website: https://yvhs.mdusd.org/
Location: 755 Oak Grove Rd, Concord, CA, USA
Phone: (925) 685-8414
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YVHSCommunity/

Principal, Ygnacio Valley High School

Email: pikej@mdusd.org
Website: https://yvhs.mdusd.org/
Location: 755 Oak Grove Rd, Concord, CA, USA
Phone: (925) 685-8414