Message from Dr. Duarte March 7th, 2013
Principal Newsletter
March 7, 2013
Dear Tritons,
Wow, two listservs in one day! I even recorded a phone call to go out this afternoon, too! I am on fire! Granted, the first listserv was me forwarding some important information from the grad nite committee. Here’s some more announcements I would like to share…
Please check out the link to a recent article in the Orange County Register about the work that Triton alumnus Brian Ivie has been doing to change the world through film:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ivie-496934-film-hollywood.html
You may remember that Brian was our ASB president that was instrumental in transforming sports assemblies to more inclusive spirit assemblies.
Also, another SCHS alumnus was recently named by President Obama for a very important position. Edith Ramirez has been nominated to head the Federal Trade Commission. Not only is Edith is a native of Orange County and the first Latina (or any other ethnic minority, for that matter) to be appointed to head the FTC, but she was born and raised in San Clemente, CA and graduated from San Clemente High School, Valedictorian, Class of 1985. Her mother (Judith Ramirez) still lives in San Clemente after immigrating there from Mexico City 50 years ago. Edith and all her siblings graduated from SC High. SC High School should be proud of this native daughter and amazing alumnus.
Battle of the Bands is here! The show is tomorrow, Friday March 8th in the Triton Center at 6:30 pm. Come watch San Clemente's Bands and Solo acts compete for best of show. There will be a special performance by The A+ Dropouts and Orange County's top cover band, House Party! Tickets are $5 for SCHS students if you get them after school and $10 for general admission at the door. See you tomorrow!
Come out today to support SCHS Boys soccer at 5:30 here at home in the second game in our round to win the State championship. Saturday evening, the boys soccer team beat Servite high school to become CIF champions!
SCEF's College Knowledge Series
“Selecting High School Coursework for Selective Colleges and the Advanced Placement & International Baccalaureate Programs”
with Kathleen Sigafoos, Wendy Washington, and Kathleen Teager
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
7:00pm in SCHS’s Little Theater
San Clemente High School's Educational Foundation invites you to their 8th College Knowledge seminar for the 2012-2013 school year entitled, “Selecting High School Coursework for Selective Colleges and the AP & IB Programs” with Kathleen Sigafoos, Wendy Washington, and Kathleen Teager. This is a FREE college admissions seminar for all Triton parents and students grades 9-12. It will be held in the Little Theater on Tuesday, March 12, beginning at 7:00 pm and will include a discussion aimed at understanding the choices you have for acceptances into colleges with selective admissions. It will include suggestions on high school classes you should be taking to increase your chances of getting into these colleges as well as a discussion on the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.
The SC Ed Foundation wants to ensure you and your student has the most up-to-date college admissions information. A Q&A session will follow the presentation so you can get the answers to your most pressing college admissions questions.
SCHS turns 50 years old next year. Ideally, we would like to have part of the celebration take place to coincide with our Homecoming Week. Please let me know if you are interested in being part of the Golden Anniversary Committee!
George Duarte, Ed.D.
Principal
San Clemente High School
Principal Newsletter
October 31, 2012
Dear Tritons,
As I have noticed that many Triton boys and girls (young men and women) are dressed in costumes, I am reminded of just how young our kids still are. It is so affirming to see these kids still get excited about dressing up. SCHS neither encourages or discourages costumes, provided the costumes are not distractions to the educational environment.
In the last two days I have spent several hours in the classrooms observing instruction and I have to tell you two truths:
1. We have the BEST teachers.
2 We have the BEST students.
Speaking of the best, our Academic Performance Indicator (API) was recently released by the California Department of Education. Our new API is 844, the highest in the school’s history! Hats off to the San Clemente community!
The San Clemente Collaborative is hosting a panel this coming Monday (November 5) evening. The topic will be "Youth substance abuse in San Clemente; What can we do about it?" The discussions will include: the easy availability of legal and illegal substances, increased strength and toxicity of illegal substances, abuse of prescription medications, social and medical consequences of use, community social norms, when and where to seek help. The conference is open to all and will in our Little Theater. Here is the timeline and the panelists:
6:30 - 7:00 Reception & networking, refreshments – HELP bake sale
7:00 - 7:15 Welcome and announcements
7:15 - 8:15 Panel Presentation 8:15 – 8:30 Questions
Christopher Knippers, Ph.D. - Program Director, Mission Pacific Coast Recovery
Mike Darnold - Drug and Alcohol Prevention Programs, Dana Point High School
Josh Beauchaine, MS, LMFT - Hope & Care Counseling
Martin Pennington, Psy.D. - A Mission for Michael
Henry Hockett- Student
Moderator: Susan Parmelee, MSW, Chair, San Clemente Collaborative
The SCHS Student Store is located in room 100, across from the Triton Center. The SCHS Student Store will be open this Wednesday and Friday, during lunch, selling Triton sweatshirts, decals, school supplies, and more. Students, teachers, staff, and parents are welcome to stop by.
I had the pleasure of attending the SC PTSA Reflections ceremony at Shorecliffs Middle School recently. I saw so many great entries from the students who attend SCHS and our feeder schools. This year, 46 San Clemente High School students prepared amazing works of art interpreting the 2012 PTA Reflections theme, "The Magic of a Moment". Congratulations to our SCHS 2012 Reflections artists: Madison Chronister, Kathryn Renard, Christopher Steele, Laura Hatanaka, Cambria Mogavero, Lynn Modie, Lauren Romaro, Evan Stele, Brooke Hendrickson, Daniel Klevit, Allexys Hickman, McKenna Ray, Camille Davey, Donovan Weaver, Donte Harrington, Zoe Noreyko, Megan Caverly, Emily Africa, Calissa Hoye, Abigail Murphy, Molly Morris, Victoria LeCause, Angela Cifarelli, Algina Cousineau, Madison Tangeman, Kyle Coughlin, Rachael Tilly, Emily Mauldin, Ryan Crawford, Dylan Hauser, Kaila Coleman, Daniel Willett, Brianna DeSoto, Hunter Clark, Kailash Kumar, Nicole Bridgeman, Hannah Nowak, Emily Latta, Courtney Smith, Matthew Shew, Trevor Jensma, Charlotte Ranson, Chase Gutierrez, Kasia Kosmala-Dahlbeck, Emma Hatanaka, and Laura Hatanaka. Truly, this was a Job well done!
CUSD’s Capistrano Adult School presents "Financing Your Child’s College Education" A two-evening class that will provide detailed information on the Financial Aid process and is especially designed for parents of seniors, although parents of underclassmen can get an early jump on their understanding. The course includes a line-by-line completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) & discussion of strategies to provide financial information. Handouts are provided and participants will organize a strategy to assess financial aid offers from colleges/universities. Topics include estimating a yearly college budget and accessing the six major sources of aid.
Two Thursdays: November 8 & 15, 6-9pm (course #079313) $29
Two Tuesdays: December 11 & 18, 6-9pm (course #079314) $29
Two Wednesdays: January 9 & 16, 6-9pm (course #079315) $29
Held at Capistrano Adult School in San Juan Capistrano, one block north of the mission. Pre-Register by calling (949) 493-0658 or online at www.CapistranoAdultSchool.org
The primary purpose of the San Clemente High School Mandatory Tutorial Program (MTP) is to provide additional academic support and to encourage all students to succeed. The SCHS MTP is a mandatory intervention program for any 9th through 12th grade
student who receives one or more F’s on any progress grade report. Their teachers will notify students at the end of each grading period, and parents will be notified via letter (SCHS Mandatory Tutorial Notification) that their student is required to participate in the MTP. Students assigned to the MTP during the 6 and 12 week grade reporting periods will be required to attend 5 sessions in the next six week period during the regularly scheduled Wed/Thur tutorial from 9:48AM – 10:18AM. Students must attend tutorials with the teacher (or combination of teachers) they received an "F" from. Students may also attend after school tutorial (Monday and Wednesday, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the Library) to receive credit. The program is centered in academic tutoring from teachers, but it also requires that students take responsibility for their academic performance; the program is not a behavioral/discipline alternative. In order for the tutoring sessions to be successful, strict behavioral expectations will be enforced.
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
George Duarte, Ed.D.
Principal
San Clemente High School
(949) 492-4165, ext 2230
Fax (949) 361-5175
gduarte@capousd.org
Message from Dr. Duarte
October 12, 2012
Our API results have been released and I am so pleased to report that once again, SCHS has set a new record for our API. I want to congratulate the staff, students, and parent community on this milestone and thank you for your hard work in preparing our kids. Our new API is….we went up 8 points…here are some random numbers to build suspense, 6745, 312, dos, 685, and our API is…844!!!!!!
This week our surf team competed against Laguna Beach down at T-street and we did very well sweeping 11 of the 12 heats.
BAJA FRESH Fundraiser: Help earn important dollars for our Girls' Volleyball Program! Take the night off and let Baja Fresh take care of dinner tonight!
Go to Baja Fresh (979 Avenido Pico) anytime between 10:30am and 9:30pm today and drop your receipt in the Triton Box. Baja Fresh will generously donate 15% of the proceeds to SCHS Girls' Volleyball!
The CARE4kids run/walk will take place tomorrow on Saturday, October 13 at Aliso Viejo Middle School in Aliso Viejo at 8 a.m. This special event for adults and children support the CARE Foundation. The mission of the CARE Foundation is to strengthen education opportunities for all children in the Capistrano Unified School District community and to build a brighter future for the region. Participants in the run/walk can choose to join one of three races: 10K, 5K or 1K (for children 10 and under). Advance registration is strongly recommended for this event. To register, please go to www.care4kidsrun.com or www.Active.com. For more information, please contact race coordinators (949) 234-9570 or send an email to info@care4kidsrun.com. You can watch Ambuehl Elementary School principal Curt Visca prepare for the race at http://goo.gl/eibhA. Students, do you need Community Service Volunteer Hours? Come and volunteer at CARE4KIDS Run/Walk on Oct. 13th, 2012 at Aliso Viejo Middle School. There are different volunteer opportunities available. Sign up on-line at: http://www.care-4education.org/events/Volunteerform.html
For more information visit: www.care4kidsrun.com or call: 949-234-9570
Do you have a child headed for college? Familiarize your self with the process and timelines of college applications:
CUSD’s Capistrano Adult School is pleased to present "College Applications: Making Decisions So Students Don’t Miss Out"
Thursday, October 25, 6-8:30 Niguel Hills Middle School, Laguna Niguel Course # 079117, Cost $10
To register, visit www.CapistranoAdultSchool.org or call (949) 493-0658
SAVE THE DATES
San Clemente Educational Foundation’s
College Knowledge Seminars 2012-2013
SCHS Little Theater- 7:00pm
Free- For 9th-12th grade Students and Parents
Oct 16 Recommendations /Resumes/Brag Sheets Rachele Ross
Oct 24 Navigating the College Admissions Process Free Kitty Schmitt
Nov 7 College Testing Allan Pulido
Jan 29 Financial Aid Kevin McMullin
Feb 12 Athletes & College Admissions John Mathiesen
Feb 27 Creating a Balanced College List Nancy Haug/ K. Schmitt
March 12 Selecting Coursework, AP/IB K.Sigafoos, W. Washington, K. Teager
April 18 Embracing & Enjoying the Inexact Science of College Admissions Debbie Morgan
The SCHS cheerleaders helped to cheer the participants in the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure 2012 Sunday, September 23rd in Newport Beach. The annual fundraiser was for local breast cancer treatment and screening. The cheerleaders, wearing pink, cheered and encouraged the walkers and runners for this wonderful cause. http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/564708_532193106797481_373576526_n.jpg. I wanted to publicly give another bit of kudos to our cheer program. In the last few years, out cheer program, has really expanded its role to cheer on the entire school, not just the athletic teams. It is so heartening to see cheer making signs for another hard-working student organization (ASB)saying "Cheer loves ASB". To the young ladies of cheer, thank you and you are making a difference!
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this newsletter!
Sincerely,
George Duarte, Ed.D.
Principal
San Clemente High School
(949) 492-4165, ext 2230
Fax (949) 361-5175
gduarte@capousd.org
Principal Newsletter
September 17, 2012
Dear Tritons,
Welcome back to school! I hope your summer was restful and that the children are ready to hit the books again. This year promises to be an exciting one here at SCHS. We have several important academic considerations to contend with and you may see some exciting activities. First, this year we will be focusing on our accreditation as a high school. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) will be visiting our school in April 2013 to determine our term of accreditation. The WASC process is lengthy as our staff examines virtually every aspect of our campus to seek out programs to celebrate and to address programs to improve. To learn more about the WASC process, please visit the link: http://www.acswasc.org/
Simultaneously, we will be preparing our school (and working with all Capistrano Unified School District schools) as we transition to the CommonCore StateStandards (CCSS). This will be a remarkable shift that will affect how we approach and teach math, science, social science, and English-Language Arts. Here is a link to the Orange County Department of Education webpage that will explain more about the CCSS: http://www.ocde.us/CommonCoreCA/Pages/default.aspx. One way to summarize the CCSS is to say that students will be expected to learn less material but to learn the material in greater depth. The CCSS follows a curriculum for all students that is closely aligned with the purposes of the International Baccalaureate program.
We will be continuing our push toward transforming our instructional practices to include more Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) activities in all our classrooms. SIOP is a proven methodology for engaging students of all abilities to learn instructional materials. SIOP is well-paired with the CCSS curriculum expectations. For more information on SIOP please see the following links: http://www.cal.org/siop/ and http://www.siopinstitute.net/.
One of the WASC components we already discovered where SCHS needs to improve is in the area of excessive absences. Please call the attendance office hotline at (949) 492-8537 on the day of each absence to clear the absence. Uncleared absences will become truancies if not addressed within three days. No student will be able to turn in any missed work, take missed quizzes or tests, etc. if it is determined that he or she is truant.
Mark the date: Our Back to School Night is October 1, 2012. More information to follow.
We have a text to tip line! Contact SCHS Text to tip by simply texting 949 328-7247; or for more information, visit the school website at www.sctritons.com. “Texters” can report abuse, bullying, thefts, drug sales/use, safety concerns, vandalism, depression, or suspicious activity.
San Clemente High School is presenting its annual Safe Driving Program to coincide with AT&T’s “No Text On Board-Pledge Day” on September 19, 2012 from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Triton Center. Junior students who received a provisional on-campus parking pass are required to attend this school-sponsored, PTSA coordinated, program with a parent/guardian. Attendance for the entire program is required and to be eligible to receive a permanent pass students must sign out after the event ends. All attendees—students and parents—will be encouraged to go to www.itcanwait.com to take the no-texting-and-driving pledge, a public awareness campaign, sponsored by AT&T, and supported by JourneySafe.
This next paragraph is truly sad. A SCHWINN STEALTH 1000 Electric Scooter was taken from SCHS on September 10, 2012. It is electric and black with lots of stickers on the foot area. Please return to the school or call Mrs. Sommer so the parent may pick it up. Parents, if you see this scooter in your garage or around your home it was not borrowed it was stolen, please call so she can pick it up. Thank you. Please phone Jan Sommer at 949-290-0614
San Clemente High School Music department will be hosting South Orange County's first food truck event here on campus! 6 food trucks will be here this evening from 5:30 to 8:30 pm! This is the first food truck event hosted in South Orange County. The food trucks will be parked right in front of the admin building. The trucks accept credit cards and TVs will be playing Monday night football.
Calbi - BBQ Short Ribs, Chicken, Pork, and Shrimp calbi.com/menu
Tailgate Truck - Burgers and Hot Dogs thetailgatetruck.com
We Heart Fro Yo - Frozen Yogurt weheartfroyo.com
Tornado Potato - Spiral Cut Potatoes mytornadopotato.com
A Bite Truck - Gourmet food in smaller portions abitetruck.com
Flip Truck - Really Really Good Sliders thefliptruck.com
The Boys and Girls club wanted me to let you know that the co-ed volleyball league will be starting soon (today). For more information, please call 949 492-0376.
It is never too soon to consider college and from September-November various college and university admission counselors visit SCHS. The college representatives that visit are usually responsible for reviewing the applications that come from SCHS. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about their academic programs and admission requirements. Visits take place in the ROP-Career Center. If you do not see your school of interest, check the college’s website for regional informational sessions that take place in the evenings or on the weekends in Orange County, San Diego, Los Angeles or the Inland Empire. If you miss a visit that took place, stop by and see Mrs. Light for information.
SCHS COLLEGE VISITS
As of 9/14/ 2012
See Mrs. Light in the ROP office for an updated list, changes daily
Seton Hall Wednesday 09/19/2012 Tutorial
Service Academy Night @ Orange District Office 9/19 @ 7pm
Boston University Monday 09/24/2012 1:45
Arizona State University Tuesday 09/25/2012 Lunch
University of Montana Friday 09/28/2012 Lunch
Chapman University Monday 10/01/2012 1:45
Air Force Academy Wednesday 10/03/2012 Lunch
Yale University Thursday 10/04/2012 3:00
UC Boulder Monday 10/08/2012 Lunch
Univ. of Colorado @ Denver Monday 10/08/2012 1:45
Westmount College Monday 10/08/2012 1:45
Duke University Tuesday 10/09/2012 Lunch
Pacific University Oregon Tuesday 10/09/2012 Lunch
Oregon State University Wednesday 10/10/2012 Tutorial
USC Wednesday 10/10/2012 2:00
College Round-Up at Laguna Beach High School 10/10/2012 @ 7pm
College Fair @ SMCHS 10/11/2012 @ 6:30
College of Charleston Thursday 10/11/2012 Tutorial
University of Washington Thursday 10/11/2012 Lunch
U Mass Amherst Thursday 10/11/2012 1:45
Hawaii Pacific University Monday 10/15/2012 Break
Columbia University Thursday 10/18/2012 Lunch
Baylor University Monday 10/22/2012 Break
Azusa Pacific University Monday 10/22/2012 1:45
University of South Carolina Wednesday 10/24/2012 Tutorial
Concordia University Thursday 10/25/2012 Lunch
University of San Diego Friday 10/26/2012 Lunch
The San Clemente High School Dance Team will be holding their Fall Dance Clinic, entitled “iDance,” on Saturday, September 29, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the Main Gym. The clinic features instruction is basic dance moves, learning and performing a dance routine, as well as face painting, snacks, T-shirts and lots of fun! The clinic is $60 and open to all girls and boys, ages 5-11. For further details, go to www.schsdance.org.
Thank you Tritons and as always, if you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me at gduarte@capousd.org or phone me at 949 492-4165, ext 2230.
Sincerely,
George Duarte
Principal
San Clemente High School
(949) 492-4165, ext 2230
Fax (949) 361-5175
gduarte@capousd.org
