-Scott Loehr

As educators, academic achievement tops our list of priorities. At CJUSD we strive to expand and enrich our rigorous academic programs while providing experiences that support and enhance opportunities for all students. We recognize educating the whole child includes meeting their academic needs as well as providing opportunities for social and emotional growth through athletics, activities, music and clubs. We strive to recognize student successes in all academic and extracurricular pathways while continuing to improve programs and create more opportunities for the children of Antelope.

The Center High School Hall of Fame Committee exists to recognize and honor Center High athletes, coaches, teams and sports contributors for their achievements and/or contributions to the CHS Athletic Program. On October 16th, former CHS student athletes Tony Hargain, Rich Manning, Khari Jones and Renee Wright along with former CHS Football Coach, Bob Eason were honored with a celebratory dinner as the first class of inductees to the Center High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Each were awarded a plaque to recognize their contributions to Center High School athletics. On October 18th, the Athletic Hall of Fame wall was unveiled and inductees were introduced to the Center community at halftime of the football game.

In our efforts to support English learner students and families, CJUSD offers a program unique to our district, pairing CHS students with elementary English learners to provide after school homework help focusing on math and English/Language Arts. In September we relaunched the program for the 2019-20 school year at all four elementary schools. Eleventh and twelfth grade students applied for tutoring positions and were selected based upon academic achievement and teacher recommendation. Tutors are earning a paycheck and gaining valuable job experience while our English learners are getting the extra help they need to make academic strides. It’s a win-win that we are very proud of.

At CJUSD we value our Center families and strive to continue to develop meaningful connections between school and home. On October 19th we hosted our first Meet & Greet event inviting families to stop by CHS to get their car washed by the Board, district administrators, site administrators and staff members. It was a wonderful turn-out and we are looking forward to our next community Meet & Greet.

On Wednesday, November 13th, CJUSD and the Family Resource Center are coordinating a parent learning opportunity entitled, Strategies and Resources to Strengthen Your Child’s Well-Being. CJUSD experts will review some of the most common mental health challenges, discuss how we can promote positive mental health within our families and schools and learn key strategies and tools to support student mental health needs. For more information or to register, contact the Family Reesource Center at centerusd.org or 916-338-4632.

There are numerous upcoming opportunities throughout our district for your student and your family to get involved and explore new programs. I encourage you visit the district and school websites, the district Facebook page and contact your school site’s PTA or Booster Club for a calendar of events. Get involved for a worthwhile and rewarding experience for you and your family.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, please make note of the following dates. Schools will be closed November 25th through November 29th for Thanksgiving break and December 23rd through January 6th for winter break.

Enjoy the fall season and the opportunities available to make memories with your family.

-Digol JBeily

The celebration began on Wednesday, October 16th with a dinner for the inductees and their families. On Friday, October 18th, the Hall of Fame wall was unveiled, revealing the name and athletic contribution of each inductee.

Congratulations to 2019 Hall of Fame inductees:

TONY HARGAIN

Tony, a graduate of the class of 1986, played a significant role in establishing Center athletics, especially basketball and football. He made All G.E.L and All City in both football and basketball, setting the bar for all future athletes. He earned a scholarship to the University of Oregon to play football as a wide receiver. He walked on the basketball team as a freshman and became the first University of Oregon athlete to start in two sports. After a successful career at Oregon, Tony was drafted into the NFL by the San Francisco 49ers. He players for the 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams. Currently, Tony owns his own clothing line, Hustlin’ USA.

RICH MANNING

Rich, a graduate of the class of 1988, played basketball at Center from 1985-1987. He was selected All G.E.L 1986 and 1987. He was the Sacramento Bee Player of the Year in 1987. Rich continued playing basketball at Syracuse and University of Washington where he was awarded All PAC 12 1st team honors. Rich continued playing basketball at the professional level first with the Vancouver Grizzlies and later with the Los Angeles Clippers. Rich wrapped up his professional career playing overseas in Turkey and Lebanon. Today Rich works at Summit Funding.

KHARI JONES

Khari, a graduate of the class of 1987, played football, basketball and baseball at Center. He quarterbacked the football team to a league championship in 1988 and was selected to the All Metro 1st Team. In the 1988-89 basketball season, Khari led his team into the playoffs making the All G.E.L and All Metro Teams. Khari continued his playing career at the University of Davis where Khari was a record setting quarterback. In 1995, Khari joined the Arena Football League’s Albany Firebirds. In 1997 he signed with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League. In 2001 Khari was selected the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player after leading the Winnepeg Blue Bombers to the Grey Cup Championship. In 2009, Khari began his coaching career as the Quarterbacks Coach for the Hamilton Tiger Cats. In 2018, he was announced as the new Offensive Coordinator for the Montreal Alouettes. This season Khari was named Head Coach of the Alouettes, where he has led them into playoffs.

RENEE WRIGHT

Renee, graduate of the class of 2002, played basketball at Center from 1999-2002. She was selected All-League two years in a row and was selected all Metro her senior year. After high school, Renee received a scholarship to continue her playing career at the University of California at Berkeley.

BOB EASON

Bob built Center High’s Football program from 1982 through 1995. He was the Assistant Track Coach from 1987-2008. Bob served as Athletic Director from 1991-2008.

Pictured left to right: Tony Hargain, Rick Manning, Renee Wright, Bob Eason

Keep an eye out for our next Meet & Greet event in the Spring.

Our 2019-2020 school year is already off to a running start! There is so much going on here at Cyril Spinelli Elementary School, it’s hard to know where to begin. We have lots of wonderful things happening before, during, and after school with clubs, field trips, and community activities.

In the morning, Spinelli is offering Homework Club and Math Boot Camp. Students who need some extra help with homework may join us each morning to complete it. Math Boot Camp offers fourth, fifth, and sixth graders high interest, hands-on exploration in math instruction.

During the school day, students can participate in service groups that benefit the Spinelli student body.

PeaceKeepers are students who are present during the primary recesses to help younger students problem solve situations that may occur on the playground. They can also reward students with tickets showing kind and helpful traits while out at recess. Another group is the Safe School Ambassadors. They are trained on how they can safely and respectfully respond to mistreatment if they see it on campus. Our Safe School Ambassador program harnesses the power of positive student influence to make our campus a more safe and welcoming place.

Other examples of the offerings here in our school are Garden Club, EL Club, and Lego Club. Lego Club had its first meeting October 14 with a number of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders participating. This is not your ordinary “play with Legos” kind of club. Students are presented with challenges to complete and show their building skills in a fun and creative way.

On October 3rd, Spinelli’s PTO hosted the Harvest Festival. Games, food, and fun was the purpose, but it became so much more. It was an opportunity for the community of Spinelli parents, students, and staff to come enjoy each other’s company in a different way. Several Center High School students volunteered their time to help run games and the turn out was fantastic! We hope to have many more events that are this successful. Keep an eye out for upcoming dates.

The third grade enjoyed a field trip with Sierra Nevada Journeys to River Bend for outdoor science exploration. Having our students get out and experience nature with the hands on activities helps them understand the world around them as well as enrich the material presented in their classrooms.

Tyler Cook played violin, Adrian Esqueda strummed his guitar, and Cain Esqueira blew his saxophone for attentive preschoolers Thursday, October 3. Instructor Chris Berger shared her French horn and bassoon talents as well.

Center Preschool instructors Pat Stayton and Chris Berger organize multiple opportunities for their students to experience. This week, the focus was on music and musical instruments. Teachers shared Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, a book about musical instruments, and Mrs. Berger invited McClellan High School students to demonstrate their instruments to the preschool students.

Tyler, Adrian, and Cain played familiar tunes for both morning and afternoon classes. Songs included "Old MacDonald", "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep", and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", and preschoolers guessed the titles. Overall, it was a wonderful opportunity for our McClellan students to share their talents and for our preschoolers to extend their learning.