Early College Student Workshop Wednesday, May 29
The semester is ending, but it is not too early to begin thinking about FALL.
Students on track for MJC classes should attend the Early College Workshop for Students, Wednesday, 5/29 at 12:30. Parents are welcome, too.
Come to the Lion's Den with your MCJ Permission Form signed by your parents and your BOGW completed. If you do not already have these forms, paperwork will be available on Tuesday so that students may take it home overnight. and will be collected at the workshop and delivered to the college. If you would like to select some courses before the meeting, go to mjc.edu and select "Class Schedule" or Class Search to explore classes. A file is attached with a list of classes at times convenient for VCHS. The file is quite lengthy, so use caution in printing.
Students who attend the workshop will also select VCHS electives at this time.
Sincerely, Susan Nisan
MJCFall2013220Classes.pdf
Grade Checks! Parents may print out a grade check for a student to take to each teacher and then to take home to parents to monitor progress.
Valley Charter High School grade check (7).pdf
VCHS Visit to the Gallo Center for the Arts
On Wednesday, May 8, students in grades 9-10 and IL students in all grades will walk at 8:30 am to the play Letters Home in downtown Modesto with their advisors. The play is a touching look at letters exchanged with family members by soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Valley Charter students will be honored to be accompanied at the play by former military personnel and parents.
Only 90 tickets will be available with first priority going to 9th graders and IL students who have not yet attended a play. Tenth graders who attended the previous Gallo performance in March will be placed on standby.
Students must be in good standing, with no unserved detentions, and must have a signed permission form for the play. Students must be on time to take attendance prior to walking to the play and must be in dress code, including a lanyard.
The permission form is attached below. Please sign and return it immediately. Paper copies will be available at VCHS on Thursday and Friday. Forms are due in the front office by Monday at 3:00pm.
Student Activity Permission Walking to Gallo May 8.docx
WE HAVE SPIRIT!
The Valley Charter High School spiritleading clinic and tryout times have been changed. Students must attend an information session on Thursday, April 18 in the Lion's Den from 12:30 until 1:00. The packet will be due at that time. All students are welcome. Please see Mrs. Rose if you need a packet.
The clinic will run May 13 through May 15 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 3:00 until 4:30, and the tryouts will occur on Thursday, May 16 beginning at 3:00.
Valley Charter High School to Hold Early College Information Session
Valley Charter High School invites members of the public to attend an “Early College” informational meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2013 from 5:00-6:30pm in the VCHS Lions Den at 108 Campus Way in Modesto. Kandy Woerz, College Initiatives Program Coordinator for the Stanislaus County Office of Education, will make a presentation about financial and academic preparation for college. Valley Charter staff and students will provide information about how to save money on college expenses and increase college success by earning credits at Modesto Junior College while still in high school. Please RSVP to 209-238-6800 to reserve a seat and an informational packet for the meeting.
Valley Charter High School Lions Softball
Please join us on the softball diamond this Thursday, April 11 from 3:15 to 4:30 at Jim Pike Park on the corner of Kearney and Princeton. Please refer to the materials that we sent out via email. See the flyer, permission slip and league sheet for more information. If you have any questions, please email jmarquez@stancoe.org or call Mr. Marquez at (209) 238-6818.
April VCHS Advisory Board Agenda
The next meeting of the VCHS Advisory Board is Tuesday, April 9, at 5 pm in the Lion's Den. The advisory board meeting is open to the public. Please see the agenda posted below.
April 2013 Board Agenda.pdf
Seniors and Parents: Important Information
1. Modesto Junior College Orientations
2. Financial Aid for Fall
3. Graduation Information
4. Scholarships for Fall
1. Modesto Junior College Orientations
Brand New to MJC
If you are a graduating senior and have never registered for a class at MJC, you should complete the MJC application as soon as possible. Students who go online by Monday, April 8 and complete the application at http://www.mjc.edu/prospective/getting_started/application/index.html will be able to receive an MJC ID number, complete an online orientation by April 11, and participate in MJC Assessment Day on Saturday, April 13. Upon completion of the assessment, students will schedule a “New Student Advising” session for May, June or July. Call 575-6087 to sign up for an Assessment Day session at 8:30 am or 12:30 pm. A parent information session will be offered while students are taking the assessments.
MJC has also added many extra sessions of MGUIDE110: an Educational Planning course worth 0.5 college credits that will help you save time and money by determining which courses to take at MJC. You may check the times of these courses at http://media.mjc.edu/classsearch/
Already Have Taken MJC Classes
You still must complete the on-site or online orientation before meeting with a counselor. Click here http://www.mjc.edu/prospective/getting_started/application/apply7steps/step6_orientation.html to sign up. Call 575-6087 to sign up for an Assessment Day session at 8:30 am or 12:30 pm.
What Happens If You Miss These Dates?
You must still participate in orientation and assessment at a later date on first-come, first-served basis.
2. Financial Aid for Fall
What If You Forgot to Apply for Financial Aid?
You have a second chance! The FAFSA and Cal-Grant dates for community college are later than the March 2 deadline for 4-year colleges. You may still send in the Cal-Grant verification by mail and apply for the FAFSA online. If you have any questions about this process, please make an appointment with Mrs. Nisan between April 16 and 19 between the hours of 9 and 12.
For both the FAFSA and scholarships, you will need a valid email address. You may use your MJC address or your VCHS Gmail address which has the format first.last@valleycharterhs.org. For example, if your name is John Smith, your address would be john.smith@valleycharterhs.org; you may request your password or assistance with the Gmail address by contacting me at snisan@valleycharterhs.org or at 209-238-6800)
3. Graduation Information
During the CST week from April 16-19 seniors will receive important graduation information. Seniors will report to the upstairs technology lab at 8:00 each morning with Ms. Collier and Mr. Pelter to complete all GBE preparation and the following senior items. All students are expected to attend each day until signed out by a faculty member.
Attendance will be recorded. Excessive absences or truancy could prevent a student from walking the stage at graduation. (Note that the Early College room will be locked during this week.)
- April 16 Tuesday, seniors will complete a graduation survey and will begin to work on graduation slides.
- April 17 Wednesday, seniors will work on their GBE presentations and check transcripts for accuracy. Be sure to bring any PE logs that need to be recorded. (IL students should check transcripts with Ms. Taylor.)
- April 18 Thursday, seniors who have applied for the Rotary scholarships will be interviewed while other seniors complete their GBE preparation.
- April 19 Friday, all seniors will have cap and gown photos. This includes IL seniors.
Graduation will be Thursday, May 30 at the MJC Auditorium at 6pm. All seniors will be expected to arrive by 4:30 for photos and a reception. Each student will receive 10 tickets for guests. Tickets may not be sold.
4. Scholarships for Fall
Rotary Scholarship for Valley Charter High School Seniors
Valley Charter High School is pleased to announce the requirements for the Modesto Rotary Scholarship application, due on Thursday, April 11, 2013. The scholarship winners will be determined by GPA, interview, and financial need.
The top six students from the pool of qualified applicants will receive the following generous scholarships to be allocated directly to the colleges of their choice.
Two students will receive $750 each.
Two students will receive $500 each.
Two students will receive $350 each.
Each student must submit a portfolio to the VCHS office by noon on Thursday, April 11th exactly (not earlier or later) consisting of
1. A student photo (small, for example, 3 x 5 or less)
2. A one-page resume/biography that highlights the student's activities, honors, service and leadership capabilities.
3. A photocopy of the student's transcript (Mrs. Nisan will provide this for you if you make a request before 4pm on Tuesday, April 9th to snisan@stancoe.org with the title "Rotary Transcript")
4. A photocopy of SAT or ACT scores (or MJC placement test if you have not taken the SAT or ACT)
On Thursday, April 18th at 9:00 am the interviews will begin in the conference room in the Lion's Den.
Each scholarship winner will be expected to introduce himself or herself to the Modesto Rotary Club panelists in less than one minute. The introduction should include:
1. University or college that the student will attend in the fall of 2013.
2. Intended college major
3. Intended vocation
4. One thing that some would not know about you from reviewing your transcript or portfolio
The 10-minute interview will follow the introduction. The panel will judge each interview on the basis of communication and expressive capacities.
Winners will be announced at the Valley Charter High School May 28 Senior Awards Night in the Lion's Den.
Stanislaus County Pro-Life Speech Contest
If you are interested in this 5-7 minute speech contest on April 27, please see your senior or junior advisor for an application, due by April 20.
Gagos Memorial Scholarship for Valley Charter High School Seniors
The George Gagos Memorial Scholarship was created to acknowledge the efforts and successes of a student who has overcome personal challenges and “turned around” his or her performance in school.
Please note that the Gagos scholarship requires a separate application and two letters of recommendation.
George Gagos Memorial Scholarship_VCHS.docx
Dress Code Forum
Interested parents are invited to attend a dress code forum for
2013-2014 to be held Monday, April 8 at 3pm at VCHS. Recommendations will be
developed to present to the May Advisory Board Meeting for publication in the
2013-2014 Student Handbook. Please see the current dress code and
consequences for violation below.
Dress Code Forum.docx
Early College Week, March 25-30
Did you know that VCHS and MJC established the first Early College Initiative partnership in the state of California?
VCHS will celebrate and honor our Early College students with a college tailgate party on Thursday March 28. All students will enjoy a barbeque lunch with recognition of units earned and local college information.
In addition, on Thursday, April 18 we will have a “College Knowledge” parent and student session at 1pm and again at 6pm for students in grades 9-11 to receive the most accurate information about Early College options for next year. We will continue to strengthen our relationship with MJC while increasing student information about transfer after MJC. More information will follow.
Special Days
This is a reminder that school will be only half a day on Wednesday, March 20. Dismissal is at noon. Bag lunches will be available for students who need a lunch before leaving campus. There will be no homework detention.
Thursday, March 21, and Friday, March 22, will be full days for demos with professional “dress for success” dress code.
WASC Accreditation Visit
On April 21, a visiting committee of volunteer accreditors will arrive at Valley Charter. They will begin with a tour of the school at 4:00pm and a welcome reception at 5:00pm. This is a delay of five weeks from our original date of March 17.
From Monday, April 22 through Wednesday, April 24, the visiting committee will observe our school and will document the extent to which we are working toward our stated goals. They will look for evidence of a rigorous, personalized education that fulfills our vision as an Early College High School to equip our students for college, career and community success. Our WASC Self-Study describes our school and our plans for the future. It is attached below for your reference.
VCHS WASC FINAL SELF STUDY 2013.pdf
March VCHS Advisory Board Agenda
The next meeting of the VCHS Advisory Board is Tuesday, March 12, at 5 pm in the Lion's Den. The advisory board meeting is open to the public. Please see the agenda posted below.
March 2013 Board Agenda.pdf
Hats, not caps
Now that sunny days are here again, it is time to remind all VCHS students that hats are to be worn ONLY as protection against the sun. Ball caps do not provide adequate coverage and should not be worn to school. Leave all ball caps and caps with a bill at home. Do not bring them to school.
Hats are allowed on the playground in all schools in California (Ed Code 35183.5) due to concerns over skin cancer and sun exposure during childhood. However, schools are permitted by the same law to limit the type of hat allowed.
Outside, you may wear a fabric hat with a protective brim all around, such as a safari-style or fisherman-style hat. Hats by Columbia Sportswear, Coolibar, or Dorfman meet UVF protection guidelines, but hats from discount stores also block harmful rays. Your hat may not have writing or sports logos. Do not wear a red hat. Your hat may have a Valley Charter logo, an American flag, be plain or decorated with Honor Roll pins.
Your hat must be put away inside a bag or backpack inside the building. A staff member will confiscate any visible hat and your parent must pick it up after school.
A student may not touch or take another student's hat at any time. Do not wear another student's hat for health reasons. Please write your name inside the hat for identification purposes.
VCHS Visit to the Gallo Center for the Arts
On Monday, March 18, students in grades 10-12 will walk at 8:00 am to the play "Cranked" in downtown Modesto with junior and senior advisors. Students must be in good standing, with no unserved detentions, and must have a signed permission form for the play. Students must be on time to take attendance prior to walking to the play.
The study guide is available here:
http://www.galloarts.org/ArtsEducation/pdfs/StudyGuide_Cranked.pdf
Honor Awards Night at 6:30 on Monday, February 25 in the SCOE Board Room, Upstairs in the Main SCOE Building at 1100 H Street. Park in the main parking lot or across the street behind the Petersen Event Center. All students who received invitations will be receiving awards. Refreshments served after the event.
Watch for your invitation!
Please note that the Honor Awards Night originally scheduled for January 31st has been postponed. In order to include recognition of our Academic Decathlon and Skills USA participants, the event will be held on Monday, February 25th at 6:30 PM in the SCOE Board room at 12th and H Streets. All students who are being honored for their fall semester grades and competition participation will receive invitations the first week of February.
Early College Students, where can you go when the study room is not available?
At 11:00 you may stay in 4th period study hall OR
- Sign in at the front desk to use the main computer lab.
- Sign in at the front desk to be a volunteer TA for a specific teacher (You must pre-arrange this and indicate where you will be.)
- Sign out at the front desk and go to MJC.
ON TIME-ON TASK-EXCELLENCE EVERY DAY!
Valley Charter High School Accepting Applications
VCHS is now accepting applications for new students entering grades 9-12 in the 2013-2014 school year. A LOTTERY WAS UNNECESSARY THIS YEAR BECAUSE ADDITIONAL SEATS WERE MADE AVAILABLE IN GRADE. As of February 1st, 2013 new students will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. The application is available on the website at www.valleycharterhighschool.org.
Currently, there are a few openings in grades 9 – 11 for spring 2013 and parents are encouraged to call for more information about immediate enrollment in Early College High School classes and independent learning programs.
For additional information, call (209) 238-6800.
Lottery Application for 2013-2014
VCHS is accepting applications for the February 12, 2013 ADMISSIONS LOTTERY for the 2013-2014 school year for new students entering grades 9-12. To enter your child into the VCHS random public lottery, submit this completed two-page application to the address at the end of the form.
VCHS siblings are guaranteed a spot as long as an application is received by January 31, 2013. All current families will be contacted in mid-January to confirm the return of continuing students and the addition of siblings.
For your convenience, a two-page form is included below. You may type in the information, print, date, and sign it, or you may pick up a paper form in the VCHS office.
Lottery 2013 2014 PDF pdf - Adobe Acrobat Pro.pdf
Troop Box Packing Party and Donations
Friends, Family and Associates, please join us in supporting our troops.
As many of you have heard, we officially kicked off the event for troop care packages on Monday, January 7. The actual event is Jan. 27 from 2 – 4 pm at VCHS in the Lion's Den (108 Campus Way, Modesto, CA). You can drop off any donation (refer to attachment for ideas) from now until the day of the event in the 3 barrels conveniently located in the front office, upstairs near the Suite 16 EC stairwell and Suite 17 IL teacher stations. Please continue to share this with your family, friends and colleagues. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Mr. Marquez at jmarquez@stancoe.org or leave a message at VCHS at (209)-238-6800.
The Palmer Family has been supporting troops through various events since 2008. They lost their son USMC Cpl Charles Palmer II, who was KIA in Iraq on May 5, 2007. For more information, go to cplpalmertroopsupport.com
Monetary donations are also appreciated. It costs $13.85 to mail overseas. Donations can be mailed to: Cpl Palmer II MTSP, Delta National Bank, 611 N. Mai St, Manteca, CA 95336.
TroopPackingFlyerdonationideas.pdf
VCHS Student Permission Form for January 27 Troop Box Packing Event
Trooppackingpermissionslip.pdf
January 15, 2013 Advisory Board Meeting
Please see the menu at the left for the board agenda. The public is welcome to attend the meeting from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the Lions' Den.
January Character Trait--Leadership
For 2013 show your leadership skills through a focus on academics, accountability, attendance and attitude!
Be sure to arrive on time on January 7th, ready to learn, with 100% effort in all your classes and a welcoming smile for all new students. Before you leave home, check to make sure that you are dressed according to the VCHS Handbook, page 9, including your lanyard with photo ID. Lanyards and photos will be provided for all new students. Replacement lanyards will be available for $2 before 8:00 am for classroom students and before appointments for Independent Learning students. Replacement ID's will be available for $5 (VCHS handbook, page 1).
Hats, caps, and beanies are permitted outdoors only. Facial piercings are not allowed at any time.
Parent Forum
A special, open parent forum with Stanislaus County Office of Education will be held at 3:30 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013 in the Lion's Den to discuss 9th and 10th grade advisories. As a way to effectively deal with dress code enforcement and maintain an academic focus, the VCHS teachers and staff members have proposed separate boys' and girls' grade-level advisories from 8-8:30 each day. Parents and students are encouraged to attend and will have an opportunity to voice their input on separate boys' and girls' grade-level advisories. As part of the proposal, a third, mixed advisory group, open to both boys and girls as an alternative, could be made at parent request. The character education curriculum for all advisory groups would remain identical. Any announcements about outside scholarships or community opportunities for both boys and girls would continue to be made available to all students. For questions about the forum please contact VCHS at 238-6800.
Please note that all students will continue to attend the same mixed advisory as the Fall semester until parents have had additional opportunities for input on this issue.
Seniors and Parents: Important College Information
Financial Aid Forms Online NOW!
On January 1st, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available online at www.fafsa.gov for college money for Fall, 2013. All 12th-grade students should complete this free form, whether you will be attending a community college, a four-year university or a trade school, to establish eligibility for grants, loans and scholarships.
Some programs, such as work-study funds on campus, use the FAFSA information in the order received, so it is best to complete the process as soon as possible. It is not necessary to wait until your 2012 taxes are done. You may use estimates of your 2012 income and make updates later. A list of documents you will need can be viewed at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/help/before003.htm
The FAFSA can and should be completed online in under an hour. You and your parent will each need a PIN number so that you can electronically sign the FAFSA. A PIN number can be obtained at www.pin.ed.gov and used immediately.
Be sure to direct the FAFSA information to any school you might attend. The FAFSA School Code for MJC is 001240. The code for CSU Stanislaus is 001157. Other codes can be looked up on the www.fafsa.gov site when you apply or may be added later.
If you prefer to seek assistance with the FAFSA and other financial aid forms, several workshops will be available in the area. One useful and trustworthy workshop will be held on February 12 from 6 to 7:30 at the CSUS campus in Mary Stuart Rogers Room 130. Avoid scams that charge you a fee when applying for financial aid. See http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/scams for information about these schemes.
For more details about filing financial aid paperwork, please visit MJC’s Frequently Asked Questions site http://www.mjc.edu/prospective/getting_started/paying/financial_aid/faqs.html
Cal Grants Coming Soon!
In addition to the federal FAFSA form, a separate state form is required to apply for a Cal Grant. As soon as fall grades are processed, I will begin to certify Cal Grant GPA information for the forms in time for the March 2 deadline. Students must meet both GPA and income guidelines to qualify for these grants, which do NOT require repayment.
All public two-year and four-year colleges and universities in California are eligible for Cal Grants.
Information about other schools that are eligible for Cal Grants can be found at http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/2013_14_eligible_cal_grant_schools.pdf
Schools that are ineligible for Cal Grants are listed at
http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/2013_14_ineligible_cal_grant_schools.pdf
Scholarships for Fall
Every college posts information about scholarships on the college website. For an example, view MJC’s page www.mjc.edu/prospective/getting_started/paying/scholarships/outside_scholarships.html
A scholarship with a deadline in only two weeks is offered by the California Association of Collectors http://www.cacesf.org/ The scholarship requires an essay on "The Importance of Establishing and Maintaining Good Financial Credit During Your College Years". Whether you win the scholarship or not, reflecting on this topic now can serve you well as you plan carefully for college costs.
Contact Information
For both the FAFSA and scholarships, you will need a valid email address. You may use your MJC address or your school Gmail address which has the format first.last@valleycharterhs.org. For example, if your name is John Smith, your address would be john.smith@valleycharterhs.org; you may request your password or assistance with the Gmail address by contacting me at snisan@valleycharterhs.org or at 209-238-6800)
Open Sections at MJC
If you have not yet registered for a class at MJC, I urge you to consider a few classes which still have openings, including for online sections. I will be available beginning Friday, January 4 to sign permission forms for up to 5 credits of the following classes for any 12th grader with grades of C or higher who has a clear disciplinary and attendance record for Fall, 2012.
The classes are
MGUIDE110: an Educational Planning course worth 0.5 college credits that will help you save time and money by determining which courses to take at MJC after graduation from high school.
MHE110: Healthful Living, a general 3-credit course required for the Associate’s degree at MJC.
MCMPSC201: General Computer Literacy, a 3-credit course that counts toward general education units
I will also sign off on MPEC148 Yoga or MPEC195 Weight Training, both 1-credit physical education courses. You may check the times of these courses at http://media.mjc.edu/classsearch/
If you have never applied at MJC before you should do so immediately by visiting the website at
http://www.mjc.edu/prospective/getting_started/application/apply7steps/index.html
You may also download the high school petition and complete the financial section to expedite the process
http://www.mjc.edu/common/general/forms/mjchighschoolpetition12.pdf
As soon as the online application is submitted and you have completed the petition, including signatures, you may submit your request to MJC. Classes at MJC begin January 14 and end May 4. By taking one or more of these courses now, you can get ahead in your future.
Online College Courses in the CSUDH Young Scholar Program
Students in grades 11 and 12 with a 3.0 GPA and good attendance may enroll in one or two online distance learning college-level courses through the Young Scholar program at CSU Dominguez Hills. Class sessions are broadcast at 3:00 once per week and are archived for repeated viewing. All work is submitted online.
See www.youngscholars.tv for more information about upcoming courses. Registration begins on January 2nd for courses that begin in February. There is no cost for these courses but students must pay a $3.50 registration fee and purchase a textbook. I will be available beginning Friday, January 4 to sign permission forms for these courses. Over the past several years my students who have enrolled in these classes were able to transfer the credits to the colleges they chose to attend and also received high school credit for the courses. If you have any questions about transferring credits to a specific college or university, you should check with the admissions office at that institution.
--Mrs. Nisan, Valley Charter Principal
Parents to Serve on the Principal's Site Council
The Principal's Site Council is a new feature of the governance structure of Valley Charter High School, as outlined in the February, 2012 revision of the VCHS Charter. The council, which makes recommendations to the VCHS Advisory Board, includes two parents, two teachers, and three students. Last week the faculty chose Mr. Jose Marquez and Mrs. Nirona Samuel as their representatives and students will choose representatives on Thursday, December 13.
By the December 10 deadline, two parents submitted nominations in response to a phone call and email on December 3. Because there were only two openings, both parents were given seats without a formal election. Mr. Mark Chase and Mrs. Deborah Phillips have volunteered to serve during the first term, which will run until May, 2013. The next self-nomination period will open on March 1, 2013. Representatives will be elected in April to serve from May, 2013 until May, 2014.
Brief introductions for our new parent representatives are printed below:
Mark Chase, Parent of Ryan Chase (freshman)
I am looking to help serve on the site council for Valley Charter High School as a way to help make the school a better high school and a better place for the future students who may like to attend. I have grown up in Modesto and have been with the Foster Farms Dairy for 28 years. My wife, Amy, and I are raising our children to have a part in giving back to our city and surrounding area. I feel that serving on the site council is a great way to show our boys that being involved with their high school is a way of giving back to our city. I have gotten involved with the robotics booster club at the start of the year and look forward to other areas I may help with the high school.
Deborah D. Phillips, Parent of Joseph Phillips (freshman) and Elizabeth Phillips (junior)
I would like to be considered for the position of parent representative on the advisory board for Valley Charter High School. I believe I would be a tremendous asset to the board, students, and other parents due to my work ethic, level of interest, and past experience with involvement in my children’s school in various capacities. I have a very flexible schedule and am willing to put in whatever time is needed to ensure my role as a parent member of the advisory board is successful.
We welcome these parents to our council. You may direct any topics for discussion by the council to the principal, Mrs. Nisan. The first council meeting will take place from 3pm to 4pm on Monday, January 7 in the VCHS Conference Room. The council will set the agenda for the next VCHS Advisory Board meeting, to be held on Tuesday, January 15 at 5pm in the Lion's Den. Board meetings are open to the public.
Dear Valley Charter Families,
May your days be merry and bright while Valley Charter High School is closed for the holidays. Our doors will again be open on January 4, 2013 in preparation for the reopening of school for the spring semester on Monday, January 7. Until then peace and joy to you and yours, with love from your principal and all the VCHS staff.
2013 Class Changes
The new semester will bring a few class changes to Valley Charter. Students can expect to receive notification of some class changes prior to the new semester and other class changes the first week of the new year, after final fall grades have been computed. We will also welcome several new students in grades 9-11.
Single-semester classes such as Forensic Science, Health, Driver's Ed, Geography, and Microsoft Office will end and students will take other single-semester courses. A new course in Anthropology will begin 7th period the second week of the new semester and will be open to students with grades of C or higher in math. Students with grades below C will attend academic support classes. English academic support and Speech will end after the first week of the semester. Robotics is a full-year class and will not change without written parent request.
A choir elective with Dr. Burns from MJC is also being considered for credit during "8th period" if enough students sign up and make a commitment to attend on Tuesday and Thursday each week from 3 until 4 pm , beginning the second week of the semester. Students must have parent permission and transportation to be picked up at 4pm on choir days. Please contact Mrs. Nisan if you are interested.
Ninth-grade students may see some changes in the periods they are assigned to classes; although students will continue to take English 9, Earth Science, and Math classes with the same teachers, the periods may change to better distribute students and keep class sizes low. In addition a study skills class and an alternative to driver's ed will be available.
An email update was sent January 7, 2013 to explain 9th grade electives and support classes.
This message concerns VCHS electives to explain which spring courses were selected to meet your student's needs. The courses are study hall, driver's ed, Microsoft Office, and choir.
In order to be on track to earn 230 credits for graduation, your student should have earned 30 or more credits this fall. That means passing 5 classes and turning in 5 PE logs. For students who are on track, both core college preparatory classes and elective courses meet these credits and the schedule has room for a study hall.
For students who have earned fewer than 30 credits, a new study skills class with Mrs. Rose and an academic (math) support class with Mrs. Samuel or Mr. A. Parker have been assigned. These 5-credit courses will help students pass their core spring courses. (Study skills was mistakenly listed on student schedules as no credit, but this is incorrect.) If you have questions about why your student was placed in one of these support courses, please contact me for a conference.
Microsoft Office is an elective that is available to support students. It is worth 5 credits and may be taken for one or two semesters.
Choir will be offered to all students in grades 9-12 after school on Tuesday and Thursday if enough students sign up. Please contact me if your students wants this 2.5 credit class from 3 to 4 each day. Regular attendance is required. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students!
This year VCHS has offered driver's ed, a one-semester elective class, to students during 4th period. Several parents have inquired about an alternative to driver's ed during this time period. Because the only other one-semester course offered during this time slot is Geography, which many students have already completed with a passing grade, VCHS now has a study hall during this time. Although the study hall does not count for credit, it offers an option for 9th-grade students who are already on track by having earned 30 or more credits in the fall.
In determining whether the study hall or driver's ed is the best choice for your student now, please consider both the age of your student and future opportunities for driver's ed. Next fall we are considering offering driver's ed only during ZERO period, which is at 7:00 am. If this time is not appropriate for your student, you may want him or her to take driver's ed now. On the other hand, if you prefer that your student waits until age 17 and 1/2 to obtain a permit, a driver's educational course is not required.
Please note that not all students are eligible to take driver's ed. A student with excessive tardies and absences resulting in low or failing grades in core subjects could be blocked from taking driver's ed until his/her grades improve and may be subject to suspension, restriction, or delay of his/her driving privilege pursuant to Vehicle Code Section 13202.7
If you want to change your student in or out of driver's ed this semester, please contact me via email at snisan@stancoe.org or at 238-6800.
Thank you,
Mrs. Nisan
Potential Internships for 2013
Mrs. Nisan, Principal of Valley Charter High School, and several staff members are working with area business leaders to provide entrepreneurial opportunities and local internships for both young women and young men next year. Both the Modesto Chamber of Commerce President Cecil Russell and Lemonade Day City Director Tammie Webb have made recent visits to Valley Charter to offer their support and collaborate with us. Internships for a few hours a week will be open to all juniors and seniors in good standing. Students will be required to have passing grades in all classes and a clear disciplinary and attendance record for the term preceding the internship. Lemonade Day is May 18 and will involve groups from the entire school. For more information see lemonadeday.org
What is Short-Term Independent Study?
Short-Term Independent Study (IS) is a planned, voluntary period away from school of two days to fourteen days. The IS term must be pre-approved by the principal and the form signed by the student, parent, and all classroom teachers in advance of the IS. The policy appears on page 2 of the student handbook; the two-day clarification was voted upon by the VCHS Advisory Board on December 3, 2012.
How Do I Notify My Teachers?
Upon receiving approval, the student must take the form around to all teachers for their initials on the front and their signatures on the back. The first period teacher initials and signs first as the supervising teacher.
Teachers must be given at least 48 hours to provide assignments to the student prior to the IS term. Please get a copy of the form after you have all signatures. You will turn in the copy to the school office before you go on your trip. You will keep the origina in order to complete the log on the back and will submit the form to your first period teacher on the first day back to class.
What If I Need to Take an Exam?
If the planned days away include a proctored final exam, the student must make arrangements to take the exam prior to the IS term during "after school" hours. The classroom teacher will provide the exam to the principal who will assign a proctor. Students may not use regular class time to take the exam and must be careful not to divulge the contents of the exam to classmates who have not yet taken the exam.
What Happens If I Forget to Turn In My Assignments?
If you do not turn in all assignments by your planned return date, you will lose credit for the work and accrue unexcused absences. Unexcused absences can prevent you from passing the course or participating in school events and will result in the denial of future requests for short-term IS.
Valley Charter High School Short Term Master Agreement.pdf
Welcome to the New VCHS Advisory Board, meeting for the first time tonight at 5 pm. The agenda is posted below.
December 3 2012 VCHS Advisory Board Agenda.docx
VCHS Dress Code and Photograph Reminders
Every day the dress code must be followed, including in photographs published in the VCHS yearbook and all other media. Students are to be modest in wearing clothing that covers the body and all undergarments and is not excessively tight or loose. Leggings or knit pants must be covered by a top which is at least finger-tip length. All layers of clothing must meet dress code standards.
The VCHS Student Handbook is attached for your reference and may also be located in the menu to the left.
December 13 and 14 are Dress for Success Days, with a strict professional code for all students both days. Please contact any VCHS staff member if you need assistance obtaining professional clothing.
VCHS Student Handbook Updates 11 30 2012.doc
Dress for Success Days
The following “Dress for Success” attire must be worn on demonstration days (or specified by the school or your teacher) as you would wear for a professional job interview. “Dress for Success” attire may also be worn on any school day.
FEMALES
A business suit with pants/skirt or a dress (either shall be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee). Shirts must be appropriate. No T-shirts, exposed cleavage, and/or bare midriff. Dress shoes and/or heels must be 3 inches or less in height.
MALES
A business suit or slacks with collared, button-up shirt and a tie. A sport jacket, if desired. Dress shoes and socks must be worn.
Senior College Deadlines!
College application deadlines are approaching. All transcripts requested have been submitted.
If you are applying to UC or CSU, the deadline is November 30. Private institutions have a variety of deadlines; check the website of the specific school to view the deadlines and any possible extensions of deadlines. Community college and all financial aid applications will be due in 2013. You will receive an update in early January.
If you have a request for a transcript or counselor recommendation, you must submit the paper request with the student PIN number listed on the paper by Monday, November 26 for applications due at the end of that week. For all other deadlines, please submit the request at least one week in advance of the deadline. If the request is an online request, send it to snisan@stancoe.org at least three days in advance of the deadline.
Please check the calendar to the right for information about the senior trip and senior photos and quotes for the yearbook.
ID's and Lanyards
Dear VCHS Parents:
To promote safety on campus, anyone on your contact list who is picking up your student from school may be asked to show a photo ID. You can always expect to show ID if the front office is being staffed by a sub or a VCHS staff member who is temporarily filling in for our registrar, Delores Cooper. Your student will not be released to anyone who cannot be identified as a contact on your list. If you need to update your list, notify VCHS in advance so the new contact may be added.
Your student is also required to wear a lanyard for identification purposes (student handbook, page 1). Replacement lanyards are for sale from the Associated Student Body for $2 prior to the school day from Ms. Field, Mrs. Nisan, or Mr. J. Parker. Any student not wearing a lanyard prior to the beginning of his or her first class of the day will receive a temporary one-day lanyard from the advisory teacher and will also earn an after-school detention. Students may not leave class during instructional time to purchase a replacement lanyard.
Thank you for keeping our campus safe and orderly,
Susan Nisan
Valley Charter High School Principal
FALL SING
at MJC on Wednesday, November 7 from 3:30 to 5:30 in the Media and Performing Arts Center Main Auditorium. Choirs from CSUS, MJC and local high schools will participate. Free Admission but contact Mrs. Nisan if you want to sit with the VCHS group in the audience.
VCHS Choir Club will meet during November and December on Thursdays only in Suite 15 immediately after school until 3:45. Join Dr. Burns on Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29, and Dec. 6 and 13 to sing some fun and seasonal songs!
CLOSED CAMPUS
VCHS students may not leave campus during the school day without prior authorization. (VCHS Handbook, page 2)
- Early college students may leave after class, may purchase and eat food off campus, and may return and sign in to use the EC room to study. EC students may not take passengers.
- IL students must go home after meetings unless signed in at the IL room for a specific task. IL students may not wander.
- All VCHS students may order a school lunch or bring a sack lunch and eat between 11:30 and 12:00 outdoors or in the Lion’s Den.
- Parents/guardians may deliver food to students at 11:30 (or 11:00 on minimum days).
- IL or EC students may not purchase food for other students.