WOLVES NEWSLETTER
Week of April 1-5, 2024
Options Secondary School
Principal's Message
Welcome Back to Quarter Four!
Dear OSS Parents and Students,
Welcome to the last quarter of the 2023-2024 school year! I call this the Quarter of Assessments...but more on that later...
IMPORTANT SCHEDULE CHANGE:
To accommodate two important events--Honoring Principal Honor Roll recipients and Day of the Teacher, we are making the following schedule adjustments to our calendar:
- FRIDAY, APRIL 5 will be a REGULAR DAY for all students. DISMISSAL will be at 4:07 PM.
- FRIDAY, MAY 10 will be a MINIMUM DAY for all students and teachers. DISMISSAL will be at 2:41 PM.
NEW TEACHER:
Our new Math teacher joined us on the last few days before Intersession. We welcome Mr. Jose Gonzalez to our OSS community.
THE GREAT:
- We reached 98% participation rate for the CA Healthy Kids Survey. In addition, twenty-six (26) parents also participated in the survey. Your remarkable response will make a difference as we look at data on how to support our students. Thank you!
- Congratulations to our Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Honor Graduate. Enjoy the pictures and the short narratives below.
THE ASSESSMENTS:
ELPAC--What and Who:
- English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is an assessment that is used to measure how well students have progressed in their English Language proficiency. Here is a link to understanding what the ELPAC is: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/elpacpgtu.pdf
- There are four areas that are measured: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
- The results of this assessment, together with other criteria such as SBAC scores and grades are used for reclassification to Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (R-FEP). Students who are reclassified to R-FEP stop taking the ELPAC.
- Students will be assessed the week of April 2. They will only need a day to complete this assessment.
- It is important to take the test seriously. ELPAC scores are used not only as criteria for reclassification but also to be able to transfer to Alternative programs such as Options, Independent Studies, Palomar HS, and Launch Virtual Academy.
- I will be speaking to our students on April 2 (Tuesday), before they take the ELPAC to emphasize the reclassification process. Taking the assessment seriously is the first step to the road to reclassification.
SBAC--What and Who:
- Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) creates a common core state standards-aligned test in English Language Arts (ELA), Math, and Science. This assessment is part of the CA Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System, which is designed to give information to teachers, students, and families about what students know and are able to do and also indicates whether students are on track to be ready for success in career or college when they graduate from high school.
- Students in Grades 7, 8, and 11 will be taking this computer-based test beginning April 9. The bell schedules and testing schedule are attached below.
SBAC--Why It Matters:
- The SBAC is ONE WAY to measure student learning and achievement. This assessment collects data for the state about our school's performance. Because they are aligned to the standards we teach, we can use the results to identify the areas students are doing well in and the areas where they might need more support.
- Within the SBAC is the Early Assessment Program (EAP). It is one of the multiple measures the CA State University utilizes to assess grade eleven students' readiness for college-level coursework. They use the results to determine a student's placement after admission to the CSU. Students who score Standard Exceeded (Level 4) enroll directly in college General Education English or Math classes; those who score Standard Met (Level 3), after completing approved year-long English and/or Math college-level courses in the 12th grade with a grade of "C" or better also enroll directly in college General Education English or Math classes.
SBAC PREPARATION and TO-DO's:
- Last year, all Options Secondary School students participated in the SBAC. Last year, 29 students took the SBAC, and our scores increased by 41.9 points in ELA and 20.4 points in Math. These are significant gains.
- Students have been preparing for this all year. There is nothing extra to do except show up with determination to take the assessment and do they best they can. We will be providing breakfast and snacks to students who participate.
- All students must bring their charged device to ensure they work properly.
A separate email will be sent with more reminders regarding SBAC testing.
I have always called the Fourth Quarter the "Quarter of Assessments". These assessments, from ELPAC to SBAC to Advanced Placement to Finals are all important and mean something to the future of our students. There is also a lot of anticipation as we look forward to finishing the school year--for seniors, it may be all the senior events and graduation; for others, it will be moving up a grade and a year closer to graduation. Whatever it is, I encourage every student to FINISH...and FINISH STRONG.
Let's have a GREAT REST OF THE YEAR...GO WOLVES!
Sincerely,
Ms. Mary Rose Peralta
Quarter 4 Begins Tuesday, April 2, 2024
First Day Reminders
- It is the beginning of a new semester. Pick up your locator cards at the Main Office starting at 9:30 AM.
- Instruction begins on the first day of the semester. Make sure you have your school materials (i.e., notebook, device, writing implements).
- If there is no locator card for you, inform our Registrar, Ms. Turincio, so she can refer you to our counselor, Mr. Acosta.
- If you believe there is a mistake in your schedule or you are missing a class, fill out the form to request to see your counselor to change a course before school, during passing period, during lunch, or after school. These forms should be available in the Main Office. Our counselor, Mr. Acosta, will call for you. Please do not ask your teacher to see the counselor during class time. You will be sent back to class.
Request for Submissions: 12th Graders (Seniors)
Seniors (12th graders), if you have been accepted to a college, university, the military, specialty school, trade school, and/or any post high school internship/work leading to your career goal, please send a copy or picture of your admission letter and, if you can, a picture of you (JPEG or PNG), via email to me at: maryrose.peralta@sweetwaterschools.org Please make sure to put your name on the Subject heading so I can accurately identify you.
I plan to publish your submissions in this community bulletin. You do not have to attend the colleges, universities, trade schools, specialty schools, and community colleges where you have been admitted to, or accept every internship offered, so send me every admission letter and acceptance letter you receive. I want to showcase your post-high school plans.
Thank you for allowing me to recognize you and your accomplishments.
Honor Grads Ceremony
Congratulations to our Honor Graduates
Options Secondary School is proud to announce and celebrate the following students graduating with high honors:
- VALEDICTORIAN: Tanner "TJ" Bertschinger
- SALUTATORIAN: Gressia Lizarraga
- HONOR GRADUATE: Leno Rowe
They are pictured, above, with the Graduating Class of 2024. We missed Leno Rowe at the ceremony but they were, nevertheless, honored as well. All our high-achieving seniors are great role models of what it means to be a WOLF. Congratulations!
Tanner "TJ" Bertschinger, VALEDICTORIAN
TJ, as he is widely known, has been a 4-year member and officer of MESA. He earned a GPA of 4.04 to become our class valedictorian. He plans to attend SDSU.
Here are some things that have been said about TJ that make him stand out as the highest achiever of his class:
- TJ is the ASB Vice-President and has played Track and Football. He is the epitome of an excellent student-athlete.
- He took every AP class offered at OSS.
- He is very involved and engaged not only in the classroom but with the school.
- He connects very easily with people with his great sense of humor and friendliness.
- He builds rapport easily with people because he is easy to talk to.
- Aside from being a hard worker, TJ is interested in new ideas. This curiosity makes him academically adventurous and willing to take learning risks.
- He takes feedback well and acts on it.
- He is helpful and takes care of others.
Gressia Lizarraga, SALUTATORIAN
Gressia is the President of the Green Club and earned a GPA of 3.82 to become our class salutatorian. She plans to attend SDSU.
Here are some things that have been said about Gressia that make her stand out as an achiever at our school:
- I wish all of my students could get to be friends with someone like Gressia. She has genuine integrity, kindness, and inquisitiveness beyond her age.
- She is a diligent and hard worker. An active member of the classroom, she was recently awarded Wolf of the Week, together with another student, for stepping up in the classroom in the absence of a Math teacher to take ownership of their learning.
- Her caring character is seen in her genuine concern for the welfare of others. The Math class again comes to mind. She could have just taught herself and not shared…but she wanted to ensure that everyone experienced success so she shared her talents.
- Gressia is a good self-advocate when she needs something. She is highly motivated, responsible, personable, and takes care of business.
Leno Rowe, Honor Graduate
Leno is the Senior class president and earned a GPA of 3.63 to become an Honor Graduate. They plan to attend SDSU.
Here are some things that have been said about Leno that make them stand out as an Honor grad aside from the academic achievement:
- A great artist with a great sense of style
- A sophisticated individual
- Exudes a calm demeanor and shows a great sense of maturity in their interactions with students and adults on campus. They show great diplomacy and tact when bringing up issues
- Pays attention to detail and takes great care in ensuring a high quality of work both in the classroom and in their activitie
- Leno can do anything they can set their mind to.
Pancake Breakfast
Kick-Off for Finals Week
The leaders of the Associated Student Body (ASB) kicked off Finals week with a Pancake breakfast to encourage students to do well during their Finals. Congratulations to the efforts of these students who brought out lots of smiles. Kudos to ASB Advisor Abram Pelayo, Mr. Juan Barba, and Ms. Maria Rosales for assisting the students in this effort. Many, many thanks to the teachers and staff who supervised and encouraged students to enjoy a pancake the way they like it.
Something To Think About
Register Now! 31st Annual Adelante Mujer Conference
After School Tutoring
Why We Do What We Do
Mission Statement
The mission of Options Secondary School (OSS) is to educate students in the 21st Century skills necessary to succeed in college, career, and life. OSS embraces diversity, individual learning needs, and a culture of acceptance through a positive alternative to the traditional school setting.
SCHOOLWIDE LEARNER OUTCOMES:
All students at Options Secondary School will attain the goals of our mission statement through the incorporation of the following established schoolwide learner outcomes:
- Students are prepared to be successful in college and the workforce.
- Students are empowered to apply learning to make well-informed decisions about themselves and the world around them.
- Using evidence, students articulate and defend sophisticated ideas and arguments through a variety of rhetorical strategies.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The Sweetwater Union High School District prohibits discrimination, intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment) or bullying based on a person’s actual or perceived age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, immigration status, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For questions or complaints, contact Equity Compliance Officer, Dr. Vernon Moore at 1130 Fifth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 691-5564, vernon.moore@sweetwaterschools.org; Title IX Coordinator, Robert Hughes at 670 L Street, Suite G, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 600-4900, compliance@sweetwaterschools.org; and Section 504 Coordinator Sonia Picos at 1130 Fifth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 691-5564, sonia.picos@sweetwaterschools.org