Vista Grande become “Team Awesome.” Every Thursday, we dance as part of our PE curriculum. I broke up the dance into six combinations, taught a piece each week, and then posted review videos on Google Classroom. Students practiced on their own, at home, and came prepared the following week. In only 8 practices, these children pulled together the confidence, energy, and talent to perform their dance at the STEM festival at Petco Park. Their excitement and pride is evident in the video. Our next journeys are Vista Grande’s annual Variety Show in late March and the TEDx event on June 3rd.
The first day of spring is around the corner, and we are all looking forward to the warmth and color it will bring after so much rain. Magnolia, however, has been BLOSSOMING year round.
We are recognized for innovation supported by sound pedagogy as we have been busy hosting guests in recent weeks. Sites are beginning to check-in to learn more about our journey toward and implementation of flexible seating and its impacts on teaching and learning. Our work in creating an individualized, strengths-based educational experience for every student becomes more visible each day. Every student at Magnolia is connecting the “why” to the learning and work we do at school as a result of our reflection and action around Holland Occupational Themes (RIASEC) and the World of Work. We have been proud to share our work with guests from within CVUSD and beyond including a recent visit from a group from our District, a team from Abermarle Virginia, and Grant Lichtman.
During the past three weeks the 7th grade students at Hillsdale Middle School have been completing their National History Day projects which they have been working on since September. The six students who competed in the San Diego County National History Day competition all won first place and will be competing at the State competition in May. It was quite an impressive showing for Hillsdale and Cajon Valley USD and the third year we have had students make it to State. In the past, the winning students of this competition were honored by the District at a board meeting. We were hoping you could make arrangements to add these students to an upcoming meeting.
We have also included links to all of the Hillsdale students’ projects for your viewing. We are so proud of our students for their continual perseverance and follow through on one of the most in-depth research projects they have ever done. They began six months ago with a glimmer of an idea and those ideas grew into amazing products.
Several students emailed primary sources and received feedback which greatly inspired our students. They received packets of information from the Mother Teresa Center in San Ysidro, first hand knowledge on what it was like to be a 19 year old, white Freedom Rider from Professor David Fankhaus, and information from Carlotta LaNier who was one of the Little Rock Nine who integrated Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. This makes history come alive for our students.
Mika Peck and Jordan Alstad, who won top Junior Division Group Website and Best Use of Primary Sources Award sponsored by San Diego History Center, were able to interview Candy Lightner of MADD on the phone for their website project and are meeting with her personally this Sunday, March 12, for dinner. Ms. Lightner plans on adding their website to her foundation website. Jack Gardner along with his first place Junior Division Performance award won a special award from the Friends’ of Classics. He will meet with this club soon for a luncheon at the San Diego Yacht Club. Savanna Sterck, Alexa Davis, and Hannah Torres not only won first place in Junior Division Group Performance, but also an award for Outstanding Historical Performance in Honor of Cassandra Davis, sponsored by Nicole Carnation Grolman. They all put in numerous hours and work to achieve their honors.
Below are the links to all of the Hillsdale History Day projects:
Promotional video for Cajon Valley Union School District’s World of Work initiative to bridge the gap between K-12 Education and the Global Economy.
The Cajon Valley Advantage is a key component to making our community a great place to live, play, work, and raise a family. The Cajon Valley Union School District recognizes each student enters our schools with his or her own unique strengths, interest, and values. Our schools offer students personalized programs and opportunities to further develop their strengths and interests into concrete, goals, ideas, and eventually careers that will impact the world.
This week we welcome the children of an interpreter for the US Military in Iraq. Although the story is heroic, it is not uncommon. We are so grateful to serve a community that draws strength from diversity and peace from understanding. Thank you to our Long Range Planning and Special Education staff for sharing this story.
Cajon Valley Middle School’s budding artists enjoyed a special event on Friday, February 24th at the Emerald C Art Gallery where their work, along with the work of Cajon Valley staff members were showcased. Penny Rothschild, owner of the Emerald C Art Gallery in Coronado, was kind enough to open her doors to showcase student work for this special event.
CVMS staff, students, and families enjoyed an evening of light refreshments, live music (played by CVMS staff and students), and amazing art work. Student’s work and stories were celebrated by all and will remain on display in the Emerald C Art Gallery until March 1st.
Cajon Valley Middle School’s Art Teacher Deborah Myers did an amazing job preparing her students for the event. The showcase highlighted CVMS’ commitment to the arts and art education for our students.
Avocado Elementary is going to be collecting school supplies for the second year in a row to send to students in the Maasai community in Kenya. We will be collecting for the next week. Here is a video that they made for us last year when we sent them pen pal letters and supplies.