CUSD Update
December 2016
SUCCESSFUL EVENTS
State Champions!!!
The entire Chico community congratulated the Pleasant Valley High School Viking Football Team on their State Championship Win with a Parade in downtown Chico on Wednesday, December 21.
To compete at the state level is a huge accomplishment and to win at that level is a once in a life time accomplishment. Congratulations Coach Cooley and the PVHS Football Team!
A win of this nature is truly a huge win for our entire district and our larger Chico community. The Chico community rallied to ensure the team had the funds available to make the trip to Long Beach and the Chico community is now excited to celebrate that tremendous win.
Thank you to all who made this celebration possible including the City of Chico, the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Chico Business Association, CSU Chico, Franklin Construction and many, many others.
CUSD Awarded Classified Credential Grant
Thanks to the grant writing efforts of Liz Metzger and our strong collaboration with Chico State, CUSD was awarded a grant that will provide academic and financial support to current classified staff members as they pursue their teaching credential. Thank you and congratulations to all that worked on this grant—this is an outstanding opportunity for our classified employees to become teachers at a time when California is experiencing a teacher shortage. This is a big win for our Chico community!
CUSD Kindergarten Faire
Chico Parade of Lights Winners
Congratulations to the 2016 Chico Parade of Lights Winners: Little Chico Creek, Hooker Oak, Rosedale and the CUSD Transportation Department. Way to go CUSD!!! To see the full list, please use the link below.
CUSD Board Attends the California School Boards Association Annual Conference
The CUSD Board of Education - Eileen Robinson, Kathleen Kaiser, Gary Loustale, Linda Hovey and Elizabeth Griffin-- all attended the CSBA Conference in San Francisco. The three day conference draws attendees from most districts in California and focuses on a wide variety of educational issues. Kudos to the Board for their dedication to staying abreast of current educational topics!
PG&E Savings By Design for Energy-Efficient New Construction - Fantastic Savings!!!
Stuart Chase, a PG&E representative, awarded the District with Savings By Design incentive checks in the amount of $10,923.00 for the Marsh Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Building and Science Building. So far, the District has received nearly $140,000 on CUSD new construction projects from the PG&E’s Savings By Design program.
Savings By Design is a statewide program offered by PG&E to encourage high-performance new building design and construction for commercial buildings. The high performance design of all CUSD new construction helps the District save money by reducing operating costs, increasing comfort, health and productivity for our students, teachers and staff.
The incentive checks received from these projects will be used toward future Facilities Master Plan projects.
OUR AMAZING STUDENTS
CHS Smoker-Barrel Event a Success
A shout-out to Ronnie Cockrell and his students for the great smoker-barrel event, which had an amazing mid-day turn-out. The student work was amazing, especially the 9 foot tall Tin Man smoker, and the food was delicious.
YouthBuild Students Making Progress on their 20th St Build with Habitat for Humanity!
College Connection
Elaine Ellsmore, Teacher/Advisor, with the College Connection Program sent the most recent issue of the Road Runner Tracks where her students were recognized on the first page.
Pleasant Valley High School Veteran's Glen Dedication
November 30, 2016, marked the dedication of the PVHS Veteran’s Glen which showcases the names of all PVHS Alumni that have served our country in the Armed Services. This project was the brainchild of two PVHS Student Government Students, senior Lillian Duntsch and junior, Garrett Kemp. They reached out to the Chico Noon Rotary Club for support and a partnership was developed. Thank you to the all the PVHS students who helped to make this possible, including the inspiring music provided by the PVHS Band and Choirs, Principal John Shepherd who worked alongside the students on the project, and local business owners such at Tim O'Connell, Dan Andreasen and Pat Conroy, who dedicated time, materials and their expertise to see the project through to completion. Approximately 200-250 people including students attended the dedication.
PVHS Kayla Joyce Recognized as a Max Preps Medium School All American Volleyball Player!
A-A - Kayla Joyce, Pleasant Valley (Chico, Calif.), 5-6 Sr.
Joyce was an All-American setter as a junior, but moved up front and responded with 2.6 kills, 5.3 digs and 8.7 serve receptions. She also served for 89 aces as the Vikings reached the second round of state playoffs.
Art Show at PVHS
The Art Studio @ PVHS had an art show and reception on December 1 in the PVHS library. Forty-eight (48) students showed their work and over 150 people attended the reception, which was catered by the PVHS culinary class. Live music was performed by the PVHS Jazz Band. In the photo below student Liachiang Lo stands with her art exhibit.
Solar Suitcases
Inspire is again building solar suitcases and PG&E will be on campus filming the students while they build. Staff and community members are welcome to attend the build, which is scheduled for December 6 after school.
Congratulations to Bidwell Jr. High Student Allison Williams
A month ago the gardening class at Bidwell Junior High School submitted stories to the Imagine this…story writing contest. The contest was conducted by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. Student stories had to include accurate information regarding California commodities, and had to be written in a fun, creative way. BJHS Student Allison Williams became a regional winner for her story, Grace and her Garden. Congratulations Alli!
LCC Students Reaching Out to Others
Little Chico Creek students held a canned food drive with North State Food Bank (Community Action Agency) with a goal to collect 1000 cans. They reached their goal!! We did the same last year as well. Community Action Agency shared the group picture and info on their Facebook account.
Citrus Students Hit the Ropes!
Jason Davison shared the pictures below demonstrating the positive experience his students had at the Youth for Change Ropes Course in Paradise. Jason states, "Hello! I just wanted to share the wonderful day that my students, staff, parents and guardians had today. Without the generous support and hard work of my parent volunteer this day would not have been possible. This is a day that we will never forget and the bond between us has grown tenfold. We have found so much inner wealth, unity and community in this event it would be hard not to share it with others. Thank you for all of your support, reassurance and care for my awesome room 24 students." --Jason Davison, Education Specialist at Citrus Elementary School
Market Day for Elementary Students
Sierra View Student's Art Work Selected for Calendar Cover
Keenan and Associates produces a safety calendar using the art work from various students throughout the north state. This year featured on the front page of the calendar is the artwork from one our students. Congratulations to Henry Heithchecker, a 4th grade student at Sierra View Elementary School. Not only will his work be on the cover of the calendar, but Henry's teacher will also be awarded a $50 gift VISA gift card to be used for a class event. In addition, another Sierra View students had her artwork selected for honorable mention. Congratulations to Megan Moural, also a 4th grader.
OUR AMAZING STAFF
PVHS Teacher to Present at National Science Teacher Conference
Ray Barber is presenting at the National Science Teacher’s Association National Conference in Los Angeles in March, 2017. Congratulations Ray and thank you for representing Chico Unified School District!!
NSTA Press® Session--Formative Assessment Classroom Techniques for Uncovering ALL Students' (and Teachers') Ideas: Experience a strategy harvest of written, verbal, and digital techniques that elicit all students' ideas and support a safe classroom environment where everyone's ideas are valued.
· Presenter(s): Page Keeley (The Keeley Group: Fort Myers, FL), Joyce Tugel (Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance: Augusta, ME), Ray Barber (Pleasant Valley High School: Chico, CA)
· FORMAT: Presentation
· GRADE LEVEL: 5 - 12, College
· SUBJECT: General Science Education
Viking Collaboration
Following are pictures of the Viking Collaboration Report-Outs. PVHS asks that all department collaborative teams report out their goals and progress towards those goals at the end of each semester. This is just a glimpse of some of the great things happening at PVHS!
Superintendent's Awards
November Superintendent's Awards
Superintendent's Awards were presented to the following people at the December 14, 2016, Board Meeting:
- CHS Teachers Stephanie Starmer and Kathyleen Bishop by Principal Mark Beebe; and
- AFC Office Manager Sharyn Fields by Director David McKay.
Winter Break Reminder
As you get ready to take a much deserved break, M&O would like to remind you that your custodial staff may also be off during this time. Please secure all windows and lock doors before leaving and if you return during the break.
Thanks and Happy Holidays from the M&O Staff!
PERFORMANCES
Inspire Students Keeping Busy
Inspire Performing Arts Students kept busy this Holiday Season. Thirty students participated in the Very Chico Nutcracker. In addition, the Inspire Choir performed at the LDS church, followed by a performance at the Stansbury House, and then caroled downtown.
PVHS Band Concert
Beatriz Sehorn send an email stating: "The Band Concert at PVHS was incredible! My students truly enjoyed the performance. The high school students were engaging and fun. Please make sure both teachers and students know how much we appreciate all their hard work." ~ Beatriz Sehorn
Ryan Heimlich responded that it wasn't just PVHS as Ruben Morales and Jenise Coon, both from CHS, also performed with their students. It was a fun day for CUSD Music!
Marsh Jr. High Winter Concert
Hooker Oak Enjoys Successful Wizard of Oz Performances
Hooker Oak Principal Brian Holderman shared that the school just completed three very successful performances of the Wizard of Oz.
Below are pictures of the two students who performed at the December 14th Board Meeting.
A huge thank you to the staff, students and parents at Hooker Oak school for their dedication to the performing arts!
Hocus Pocus Comes to Chapman Elementary
Elementary Fine Arts teacher Kathy Naas is bringing Hocus Pocus to Chapman on January 27, 2017. Hocus Pocus with Magician Kevin Spencer is an entertaining educational program that focuses on inclusion and self-esteem. Thank you Ms. Naas for your close collaboration with CSU, Chico and your never ending support of our Chico schools!