CTE/ROP Student Ambassadors are recognized by the Governing Board on May 8

At the Tuesday, May 8, Governing Board Meeting we recognized our CTE/ROP Student Ambassadors. The CTE/ROP Student Ambassador program was created in 2009 by the CTE/ROP Department to provide students the opportunity to share their passion and promote awareness for Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and pathways. Student Ambassadors demonstrate outstanding leadership and communication skills, while providing service to their school, the district, and the community.

Over the past year, these Student Ambassadors have consistently participated in district events for a minimum of 25 service hours. These service opportunities ranged from recruiting events, middle school visits, school elective fairs, legislative advocacy, leadership trainings, school tours, new facility dedication speakers and other event presentations. Their positive attitudes, hard work and dedication to representing our district CTE programs is commendable. They are passionate about the benefits of CTE/ROP classes and are outstanding role models for our District.

Also at the Board Meeting, a Resolution inspired by an action taken by the Santa Barbara County Office of Education was passed unanimously on behalf of the students and schools within the jurisdiction of GUHSD. The Resolution titled “Statement of Conscience” was spearheaded by Governing Board Vice President Richard Hoy and reflects the Board’s earnest commitment to speak out on behalf of restoring adequate levels of funding to public education and the urgent need to do so. You may view the Resolution here.

Valhalla and Helix Make US News & World Report Best Schools List

Valhalla and Helix Charter High Schools were included among the list of America’s best high schools released on Tuesday, May 8, by US News & World Report Magazine. Valhalla ranked 295/1,405 and Helix Charter ranked 277/1,321. This is the fourth year the magazine has ranked high schools, partnering with American Institutes for Research to analyze the schools. Nearly 22,000 public high schools were evaluated and schools were awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals based on state proficiency standards, how well they prepare students for college, and other factors. More information on the 2012 rankings is available here.

Helix Water District’s 10th Annual Water Colors Photo Contest

Water Maze by Shadeh Rassoulkhani, El Cajon Valley High School. 1st place Color and Best-in-Region (tie).

The Helix Water District’s Board of Directors presented awards to winners of the tenth annual Water Colors High School Photo Contest at a recent board meeting. This highly successful program, designed to raise awareness of water issues within the high school community, has grown rapidly over the past several years.

GUHSD students competed for cash prizes, recognition, and publication of their work in the District’s reports and websites. This year, 156 entries from six schools within the District vied for the awards with the best-of-region prize shared by two entries—one from Otay and one from Helix.

Judges chose winners in black and white, as well as color categories. A Best-in-Show was also awarded. Four years ago, the contest became regional with Otay Water District and Sweetwater Authority joining the competition.

Throughout the summer, a rotating exhibit of entries may be viewed in the lobby of the Helix Water District administration building at 7811 University Ave., in La Mesa. The public is welcome to view the display during regular office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Photos are also available in an album on the Helix Water District’s Facebook page.

Student winners are as follows:

 Oasis Awards Ceremony

Instructor Rachel Clibborn presents an OASIS Student Award to Tammy Van De Walker

More than 150 people were in attendance for the Grossmont Adult School’s Outstanding Adult Students, Instructors, and Staff (OASIS) Awards ceremony on Friday, May 4, at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon. Teacher, student and staff honorees were nominated by Adult School students and staff members.

One student award recipient, Tammy Van De Walker, is working toward her high school diploma. Since enrolling in 2009, Ms. Van De Walker has never missed a day of class, and never received a grade lower than a B. She did not succumb to the many obstacles that life threw her way and never swayed from her goal. She will graduate with her diploma at Foothills Adult School on Tuesday June 19, and the next morning her daughter will graduate from El Capitan.

In total, ten students, ten teachers, and three staff members were honored at the evening event which included raffle prizes, beautiful awards and fabulous student-prepared desserts.

Adult School Students Conduct Health Screenings

Adult School students conduct health screenings at Petco Park

The San Diego Stroke Consortium, the County of San Diego, and UC San Diego Health System partnered with the San Diego Padres to promote an evening of stroke awareness and survivor celebration at Petco Park on May 1. Thirty vocational nursing students from the Grossmont Health Occupations Center (HOC) Adult Education program participated in the Strike Out Stroke awareness campaign at Petco Park.

The Strike Out Stroke event provided literature on the signs and risk factors on stroke. The event was in collaboration with many area hospitals and each had a booth set up for fans to pick up materials as they entered the stadium. Our HOC students provided free blood pressure screenings and walked the park distributing literature and recruiting people to get their blood pressure checked.

Strike Out Stroke was a great community service event, and our students were excited to be a part of it. They received a Strike Out Stroke t-shirt as well as a free ticket to the game.

Save the Date: 26th Annual GUHSD District Art Show

I hope you will join us for the opening reception of the 26th Annual GUHSD Student Art Show at Westfield Shopping Center-Parkway Plaza, near JC Penney. The opening reception will be held on Friday, May 18, at 5:30PM. Student artwork will be on exhibit through Sunday evening, May 20.

The district student art exhibition has grown and developed into a wonderful exhibit over the past 26 years, with ten different categories, including: black & white drawing, color drawing, painting, photography, creative photography, digital arts, sculpture, functional ceramics, printmaking, metalwork/jewelry, with beginning and advanced divisions in each category. Please check out the creative talents of our students at the District Art Show!

Save the Date: 16^th Annual Family University on May 19

On Saturday, May 19, the Grossmont Adult School Parent Education Program will proudly present the 16th Annual Family University Event. This year’s theme is “Under the Sea” and will include parent education presentations as well as free raffle baskets and a Scholastic Book Fair. The family-friendly event includes carnival games for children with free prizes, free Child ID Cards and community resources for parents and caregivers. Community Resources participating in the morning event include the El Cajon Police and Fire Departments, the American Red Cross, and more. Family University will run from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm at Foothills Adult Center, located at 1550 Melody Lane in El Cajon. There is no cost for the event and you may register online at adultschool.guhsd.net.

Superintendent Ralf Swenson