TOHS Green Sheet
A Newsletter for the Thousand Oaks High School Community
May 3, 2020
School Closure Edition #4
It is the mission of Thousand Oaks High School to inspire, challenge and empower every Lancer, every day.
Let's Look for Some Balance
Dear Lancer Families,
Our school district's new grading policy has done much to relieve the stress and burden that was mounting in some students regarding their grades. Some of our students were/are facing realities, through no fault of their own, that have truly interfered with their schoolwork and grades. Our policy ensures that there is a safety net for those students.
I have continually tried to remind myself during this school closure that attached to each one of our students, there is an utterly unique and often private "quarantine" story. Some of those stories are mundane : trudging through days that all look the same, yearning for some real life interaction. Days are peppered with both frustration and laughter. While some stories are incredibly uplifting (see below on how three of our students have spent their closure), others are decidedly less so.
Some stories are downright heartbreaking. I've listened to some Lancer families whop describe the impact that this health crisis has had on their family's health as well as their finances. Without our new grading policy, that student who has lost a family member to the disease or whose parents are now out of work and not able to provide food, would receive grades that represent NOTHING other than that this kid was in an emotional and psychological crisis at the time the work was assigned.
Every family has a unique story about how this pandemic has affected them and it's our job as a school to identify those students who are struggling. If you, or someone you know, is reeling at this time and needs help and support, please let us know. We're keeping an eye for these kids as a wide-array of supports and resources are available to them; but in times like these we need help in locating them. See below for information from our counselors that provides some valuable first steps.
We are also keeping an eye out for those students who have "checked-out" from their studies not because they are facing crisis, but because they see the grading policy as an opportunity to coast to June 12. I get it - I really do. Why add any more stress to a kid's life during times like these? However, assuming that a student ready, willing and able to take on their studies, I implore them to stay engaged in their schoolwork. Even if your third quarter grades guarantee you straight As, consider the value of learning for learning's sake. Exercise your curiosity so that you may stay sharp for awaits you down the road. Read this excerpt from a blog I recently read (austinkleon.com):
The lives of great thinkers teach us that learning is the verb of life. The trick to lifelong learning is to exercise your curiosity as much as you can and to let it guide you where it wants to go. To pay attention to what you pay attention to. To not worry too much about where things are going to lead. To learn for learning’s sake, not because it’s going to get you something, necessarily, but because you have faith that the things that interest you will help you become who you need to be.
As a school, it's always important that we try to remain flexible and to search for balance - now more than ever. While it's important that we provide relief to those students who need it the most, it's also important to encourage those students who are able to forge ahead.
During this time more than ever, we are grateful for your ongoing support and partnership.
Eric
Dr. Eric Bergmann, Principal
#BleedGreen
#EveryLancerEveryDay
#TheConejoWay
New Assistant Principal
I am thrilled to finally be able to announce a new member of our Administrative team: pending Board approval on May 5, Mr. Bradley Cook will join the TOHS team as the new Assistant Principal of Athletics. A few bullet points on Brad:
- Brad holds a BS in History from Texas A&M
- He holds two Masters – one in Theology and another in Educational Leadership
- He is currently working on a Doctorate at Abilene Christian University
- He taught history and coached football, baseball and track in Texas from 2005 – 2017.
- In 2017, he moved to California and became the AP of Athletics at Mission Viejo HS
- In 2019, he moved back to Texas where took over as Principal for a year.
- However, he has decided to return to California. Texas’ loss is our gain!
Brad’s experience (both in state and out of state) and quiet confidence will make him an outstanding member of the staff. He and his family will be moving to the area this summer.
Help me welcome Brad!
Cap and Gown Distriubution
At this time, the only gowns that Jostens will be distributing are those ordered prior to December 31, 2019. Any gown ordered between January and May 1, will not be available until the bulk order arrives (about 100 students). With the delays happening at the warehouse, Jostens is filling orders as quickly as possible, with priority being placed on events taking place in May.
On Tuesday, May 5th, Jostens will be in front of the school in order to distribute the following:
1. All ordered announcements
2. All gowns ordered prior to Dec. 31, 2019
Pickup times on Tuesday, May 5
1. Last names A-M will be 10:00-11:00
2. Last names N-Z will be 11:00 to noon
If a student has not placed an order, they can do so through Jostens.com.
Students/parents need to remain in their cars and the distribution will take place in front of the school. A second distribution with the orders placed after December 31, 2019 will be scheduled at a later date.
Teacher Appreciation Week
It's Spirit Week!!
Yearbook Distribution Day!
The 2020 Lancer Legend yearbook is finished and being published right now! Please mark your calendars for
Yearbook Distribution Day on FRIDAY, May 29th.
9:00am – 12:00pm
ALL grades, preorder pick up
& SENIORS ONLY priority sales*
5:00pm – 7:00pm
ALL grades, preorder pick up
& ALL grades sales (first come, first served**)
PLEASE NOTE:
Please stay in your car and line up to receive your yearbook.
Preordered yearbooks will be handed to students and parents ONLY. You cannot pick up preordered yearbooks for friends. NO exceptions.
*Any extra copies of the 2020 Lancer Legend will be sold on a first come, first served basis for $125 until sold out. We can only accept debit cards and credit cards—NO checks or cash.
**We will sell to seniors only until 12:00pm and open sales for any books left at 5:00pm. Extra Yearbooks are $125, debit or credit card only.
CHECK THIS LIST to see if you preordered a yearbook (you'll need access to your student's school ID)
Please email lancerlegend@gmail.com prior to May 29th with any questions.
Valedictorian Announcement
Lancer Commitment Day
To honor students who are committing on May 1st, June 1st, as well as those who are still deciding, we are planning Lancer Commitment Day for May 20th. On May 20th we will air a video that highlights TOHS students and their plans for next year.
Please send us a picture of you and your plans for next year. This includes students who are attending 4-year universities, community colleges, military, art or trade schools, cosmetology school, missions, or other plans you have. You can take a picture of you in your college/other gear, standing in front of your college/other, or holding a sign that is from your college/other.
Send these photos to spiritco.tohs@gmail.com by May 16th to be featured in the Lancer Commitment Day video!
From our Counselors
Distance Learning Resources
Distance Learning and the impact of COVID19 presents many changes for our students and their families. Please visit our District Website Distance Learning page to find resources to support you and your student(s) as we continue to move forward in solidarity.
http://www.conejousd.org/Distance-Learning-Schedules-and-Resources
IT Help
Lancers in the News
From CPRD...
It is my joy to work with several of your students. I wanted to highlight the work and volunteer efforts of three of your stellar Seniors:
- Wilbert Ac
- Lizbeth Alvarez
- Sebastian Pacheco
Telemundo did this piece on the services to our community made possible by your three incredible TOHS Seniors, and featured them in this news piece!
Since school has been out of session, Wilbert, Lizbeth, and Sebastian have worked daily to support the under-served families in our community. They volunteer for Project Safe Passage, which is getting CVUSD meals and providing them to families in town who cannot make it to their nearest lunch site due to obstacles such as lack of transportation and financial resources. They have also distributed the CVUSD academic enrichment packets and assisted students with their work and helped families get connected to Wi-Fi and digital learning. They also distribute art enrichment from Art Trek, science activities from Discovery Science Center, and necessities such as diapers, wipes, masks, gloves, and food, and communicate with community members to facilitate meeting their needs.
I am grateful for the huge hearts these students have, and their strong work ethic in action. They place other's needs above themselves and serve our community.
From TOHS Athletics
Senior Student-Athletes have the opportunity to sign a National Letter of Intent with an NCAA institution from mid-November 2019 until August 1, 2020. Currently, we have 10 Senior Student-Athletes who will be taking their athletic abilities to the next level and we have several others who are still considering or being considered by a college or university. Here is the list of our 10 Senior Student-Athletes, the sport they will be compete in next school year and their college or university.
Scott Ellis (Baseball) at the University of Oregon
Madeleine Feltner (Soccer) at Augustana College in Illinois
Jasmine Krostag (Soccer) at California State University San Marcos
Jenna Krostag (Track) at California State University Fullerton
Jared Miller (Baseball) at George Fox University in Oregon
Michael Mireles (Cross Country and Track) at the University of California Los Angeles
Aaliyah Porter (Soccer) at California State University Fullerton
Sean Schmutz (Volleyball) at St. Francis College in New York
Payton Springer (Acro and Tumbling) at Azusa Pacific University
Jacob Wilson (Baseball) at Grand Canyon University in Arizona
Congratulations and Good Luck! GO LANCERS!
PTSA
Campus Closure
School Lunch
CVUSD will continue to provide FREE school meals, which are a vital source of nutrition for many students. A list of meal pickup locations and times is available at http://conejousd.org/Free-Meal-Information.
Device Distribution
The District is still seeing device requests turned in, but the numbers are getting lower week by week. So our IT department can support both device repairs and distribution; they will be moving device allocations to the DOC at 750 Mitchell Rd in Newbury Park. Families must call the help desk hotline at (805) 498-0527 after filling out the technology request form (found here) to schedule a time to come to the DOC and pick up a device. Schedules may change, so please keep yourself updated.
Message to our Lancers
Ways to Stay Connected
Thousand Oaks High School
#BleedGreen
#EveryLancerEveryDay
#TheConejoWay
Email: tohs_web@conejousd.org
Website: http://www.conejousd.org/tohs
Location: 2323 North Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
Phone: 805-495-7491
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tohighschool
Twitter: @ThousandOaksHS