The Pony Express

Trabuco Hills High School PTSAPony Express 27501 Mustang Run, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 (949) 768-1934 Trabuco Hills High School PTSA Saddleback Valley PTA Council 4th District PTA www.thhsptsa.org California State PTA National PTA

Volume 1 Issue 1 Sept 2010

Craig Collins Principal

Cindy Ashley Editor

Andrea Padian President

Principals Message
By Craig Collins, Craig.Collins@svusd.org
Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year, and if you are new to THHS, welcome to Mustang Country! This promises to be a very challenging year and I have every confidence that our teachers and staff will rise to meet these challenges. While we have dealt with shrinking supply and textbook budgets for the past three years, this year will present many new challenges. Our school year has been shortened by five days. While this may not seem to be a great deal of time, it will certainly challenge all of our students who will experience three days less of school as they prepare for their CST and CAHSEE tests, as well as those students preparing for the Advanced Placement and IB tests. Fortunately, the other two days are scheduled after the May tests in June. While the students and teachers are both losing five school days, the teachers are losing an additional four days. In past years, these were our In-Service, or training, days. As a school, our challenge will be to continue to move forward with instruction without any scheduled time dedicated to working together. We will continue to use our brief snack and lunch times, as we always have,

Please join us for our first MEETING of the 2010-2011 year! Monday, Sept 20, 7 pm
In the Library

but the loss of these four days will certainly put a strain on our creativity. These were valuable days to our teachers, providing them with many opportunities to communicate with each other and learn new and better ways to teach their subjects. I am happy to tell you that your PTSA is once again stepping up to help our school through these difficult times. This year PTSA will be offering mini-grants to teachers so that they can purchase items for their classroom to maintain the high level of instruction that our students deserve. While our supply budget has steadily decreased, the needs of our students are constant and the need to maintain and stay current with technology strains those budgets. PTSA will help our teachers maintain and even expand the learning opportunities for our students. Thank you for your membership dues that support PTSA and this endeavor.

A Message from Andrea

By Andrea Padian, PTSA President, Apadian@aol.com
Welcome back to school! The summer sure flew by, but Im excited to start this year as your new PTSA president. Ive worked hard to build and grow a new board and weve come up with some great plans for the year. Everyone is very dedicated to our children, teachers and school and Im impressed with each of them. Our goals are high and I hope youll all help us succeed. A favorite quote of mine comes from Warren Buffett. Talking about our children, he said, They are better than they think they are, and not yet what theyll grow to be. Thats probably true of all of us, but that idea is what is directing our PTSA board this year. We want to do many new things, but above all, we want to bring more programs to our students-to help them discover who they are, to dream big dreams, to build character and foster opportunities. Because we are a PTSA, (Parent, Teacher and Student Association) we want our students involved and part of the group as members and lead-

Inside this issue:

Spotlight on: Mr. Collins 3 Volunteer Spotlight, 4 Volunteering, Hospitality Grad Night, Parent Education Reflections, Membership Guidance Corner 5 6 7

Special Events, Website 8 information Legislation, Calendar 9,10

Trabuco Hills High School PTSAPony Express

A Message from Andrea (cont. from page 1)

ers. In high school, these almost adults have amazing ideas and I feel their input is essential. We already have eight student board members (and growing) and I love their energy. Its heartwarming and infectious. I feel privileged to work with them. Were also trying to increase our general PTSA membership students, parents and teachers. A school with 3300 students should not have a small PTSA. Our members not only help our school, but our advocacy efforts in Sacramento. I encourage you all to join. We work for all students at our school, as well as our teachers and parents, but we need your support. slashed for the last five years, particularly last year - $33 million dollars alone! The simplest things- like paper and supplies arent being fully funded. We now all know about furlough days and what that means to our students and teachers. We have to fight for more funding. Its not just our school district, its the entire state. While we pay some of the highest taxes in the country, our students are paying a high price with the budget cuts - no librarians, for example. Its almost an impossible thought! Its our job, as a PTSA, to advocate for all our kids. I still need two advocacy representatives on our board. If youre ready to inform and fight the fight, we need you. Its about our kids and their futures. Please dont stand on the sidelines and watch our kids educational aspirations and dreams wither. They need to discover the wonder of themselves. They need the opportunities to grow, dream and shine. We can help. But we must do it together. Please join PTSA and be part of the solution.

We generally meet every third Monday at 7 PM in the library for our association meetings. Please join us there, be part of our decisions and get involved. Well also have guest speakers at many meetings that we think will interest you, and we hope teachers, parents and students will attend. At our first meeting, we will discuss our budget and fall plans. I hope to see you there. If that isnt possible, at least join the PTSA and watch what we can do. Its a challenging time. Our school budgets have been

Its our job, as a PTSA, to advocate for all our kids.

Until next time, have a great new school year, and while were all busy doing a million things, dont ever forget to enjoy your kids. They grow up very fast once in high school and the days go quickly.

Welcome to the Pony Express!!!!

By Cindy Ashley, Newsletter Editor
Hi Everyone, It is my pleasure to serve as the editor of the new PTSA Newsletter, the Pony Express. My hope is that this newsletter helps everyone to be a little more connected and informed. Look for great articles in every issue from our principal, Andrea Padian (our new President), one of our Guidance Counselors and various PTSA Board Members. One week before each of our seven PTSA meetings, be on the lookout for the latest newsletter. Debi Hope will be e-mailing each newsletter and all issues will be available on at thhsptsa.org. Thanks for reading!

Support the PTSA and Win a Car!!!

For just $50, you can purchase a raffle ticket to win a 2010 Toyota Corolla LE 1838 from Capistrano Toyota. Only 600 tickets will be sold and every ticket purchaser will receive a coupon for 50% off an oil change at Capistrano Toyota. When will you ever have these kind of odds? Dont let this chance slip away. For more details and purchase information, visit thhsptsa.org.

(must be 18 to purchase a raffle ticket)

Page 2

September 2010, Volume 1 Issue 1

Spotlight on: Craig Collins, Principal

Since many of you are new to Trabuco Hills, and since this is the first issue of our PTSA newsletter, I would like to tell you a little about myself. This year will mark my 28th year working in education. I am a native Californian and have spent my entire life in Orange County. I graduated from Katella High School in Anaheim and then went on to receive both my Bachelor's Degree and Teaching Credential from Cal State Fullerton. I began teaching in special education as an Adaptive Physical Education instructor. I then received a second credential in science and began teaching in that department. I worked on my first Master's in Computer Applications and taught in the computer lab. After 18 years of teaching science and coaching four different sports (ten of those years in the Saddleback District), I received my second Master's from Azusa Pacific in Administration. I worked as the Assistant Principal for Discipline at El Toro High School for three years and then moved to the role of Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Guidance. Last year was my first year as Principal at Trabuco Hills. I can honestly say that I love what I do and my career has been blessed with some of the finest mentors for whom anyone could ask. I look forward to serving you as your principal and working to make Trabuco Hills High School the finest in the district, state, and country.

GO BLUE!!!

Supporting PTSA Has Never Been Easier!

1. Buy a raffle ticket! (see previous page) 2. Sell raffle tickets and earn 10% of ticket sales for your THHS group! 3. Register your Ralphs card. Visit http://www.thhsptsa.org and scroll down to Ralphs Club Card in the Latest News section. 4. Recycle your used printer cartridges and cell phones. Drop box located near Mrs. Hopes desk in the office. 5. Buy a Mustang Discount card for only $10 and get great discounts at 28 local businesses. To see the complete list, visit thhsptsa.org, click on Forms and scroll down to THHS PTSA Discount card flyer.

6. Visit http://escrip.com and earn money for the PTSA while you shop. Our Group ID is 10482514.

Page 3

Trabuco Hills High School PTSAPony Express

PTSA Mustang Marvel: Volunteer Spotlight!

By Andrea Padian, PTSA President, Apadian@aol.com
Brenda Hanrath is a PTSA Superstar. Her energy and drive are unmatched and we appreciate all her hard work. Brenda is the PTSA Vice President of Ways & Means and all summer she has worked endlessly getting a amazing array of businesses to participate in our Mustang Discount Card Program. She has also set up our first car raffle with hopes of bringing more programs to the students with funds raised from the raffle. It was a lot of work and she never seems to tire. She has arranged our recycling program, Italian Ice for the kids every Friday, the Ralphs Community Contribution Program and more. She is wonderful and we thank her for her passion and dedication to our students, teachers, parents and school. Go Brenda. Go Mustangs! We thank you!

Brenda Hanrath VP Ways and Means

Volunteer Opportunities
By Cindy Ashley, Volunteer Coordinator, cindy.ashley@cox.net
First, a tremendous Thank You to all of the volunteers who helped out with preparing registration packets and Mustang Round Up. With your help, we are able to prepare the packets in record time and to keep those lines moving during Round Up. If you are new to the school, let me give you an idea of what type of volunteer opportunities there are at THHS. Volunteers are needed to sell dance tickets during snack and lunch and also to check students into the dances in the evening. Parents are also needed to help set up and serve at the CIF Luncheons. As part of International Week, the school has a Food Fair in March. Parents are needed to sell tickets before and during the event. In June, there are several opportunities to help out with senior activities. And Ms. Hinesly, our media clerk, will use volunteers to help collect textbooks during the last two weeks of school. Mrs. Hope, our school receptionist, forwards volunteer requests to her email list. To be on her list, visit: http://thhs.svusd.org/ subscription.html

Hospitality
By Karyn Gustafson, Hospitality Chair, jst1volunteer@hotmail.com
This year, PTSA Hospitality will be organizing some fun meals for our teacher and staff. Today, we started the year off with our Back to School Breakfast. Our big event of the year is the Holiday lunch and cookie exchange. Last year, each teacher and staff member got to take home 3-4 dozen homemade cookies! This was made possible by our wonderful parents ans students baking all those yummy treats. We hope to do the same this year as well. Throughout the year you will receive e-mails for your time or donations. We hope you choose to participate at some level. It is very appreciated!

Page 4

September 2010, Volume 1 Issue 1

Grad Night 2011!!!

By Lisa Bauer, Grad Night co-chair
Its the start of another school year, yet not too early to start planning for the 2011 Senior Grad Night party. This year, students and parents are joining together in a collaborative effort to plan an event that reflects what our seniors want as their final memory of Trabuco Hills High School. During Mustang Roundup, we surveyed seniors stopping by the PTSA table regarding their preferences and provided some possible options from which to choose. We were able to survey 38% of the seniors, and based on this survey, the top three choices, in no particular order are: A) An on campus surprise theme party with a myriad of activity areas such as: dancing, casino, photo booth, rock video production plus a variety of entertainment options. B) An off campus theme party at a fun location with a variety of activities similar to option A. C) Knotts Berry Farm which would include rides and a dance area plus additional options, possibilities include a hypnotist, photo booth or other choices. All choices would include a meal and breakfast in the morning plus other refreshments. Please note that Disneyland is not an option this year because graduation is on a Tuesday and Disneyland only offers the park for Grad Nights on Thursdays. We appreciate your understanding, collaboration and assistance as we plan what will hopefully be an enjoyable and memorable evening for the 2011 graduating class. We will continue to poll the Seniors to find out what they prefer. Surveys will be distributed the second week of school (look for them on or around Monday, Sept. 20th). It is important that all surveys be returned to your teachers no later than Friday, Sept. 24th so that we can tally the votes and begin planning this final Senior event. Make your vote count and have a voice in your Grad Night!

Parent Education

Support the PTSA! Buy Italian Ice Fridays after school

By Kim Dennis, Parent Education Coordinator,

ocfiremom@cox.net
As Parent Education Coordinator for PTSA, I will be bringing to you speakers and resources that will hopefully help you with the challenges and new experiences you and your child face in high school. Some of the programs we will be bringing to you are: Master Drive, WITH HOPE (Helping Others Prevent Suicide through Education) and FADD (Friends Against Drinking and Driving). I am hoping to broaden the scope of programs we provide to meet the ever-changing needs we have as parents. Please contact me if you have any specific concerns or if you have an idea or a program that you are interested in seeing. Watch for program announcements on our PTSA website and through the Daily News e-mails. Send your ideas or questions to ocfiremom@cox.net.

Page 5

Trabuco Hills High School PTSAPony Express

Reflections: Together We Can

By Karrie Coon, Reflection Chair, kcoon@digitalnetworksgroup.com
We are so pleased to bring the Reflections program to Trabuco Hills this year. Reflections is a national PTA program to provide opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and receive positive recognition for original works of art. This years theme is Together We Can and entries are due October 8th, 2010. There are six different art areas. Students may submit original works of art in one or all of the six areas as many times as they desire: Literature Not to exceed 2,000 words. Musical Composition Not to exceed 5 minutes. Photography Not to exceed 11 x 14 inches, including mat. Photos must be taken by the student. Visual Arts Must be flat, no thicker than 3/8 inch, not to exceed 24 x 30 inches, including mat. Video/Film Production Not to exceed five minutes. Story, editing and filming must all be done by the student, who can appear in the film if using a tripod. Actors are OK. Dance ChoreographyMay not exceed 3 minutes. No more than 3 dancers, which may or may not include the choreographer. To obtain more information and specific rules visit: http://www.thhsptsa.org. Click on the Reflections Program link on the left. Scroll down to the Attachments section and download THHS PTSA Reflections Packet2010.pdf. The application is on pages 43-44. All entries must have a student entry form. If you have any questions, please contact Karrie Coon at kcoon@digitalnetworksgroup.com or Andrea Padian at apadian@aol.com Entries are DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8th, 2010, and may be turned in at the Reflections table between the office and the MPR before school or during lunch. Be creative, have fun, and good luck to everyone!

Membership Matters!
By Vanessa Braaksma, VP of Membership, v.braaksma@hotmail.com
Hello Mustangs! Thank you to all of our students and parents for supporting the Trabuco Hills PTSA. During Mustang Round-up, we had 720 students and parents join! If you happened to have missed our table during round-up you can still join the PTSA. Visit our website at www.thhsptsa.org and click on the Membership link on the side. There, you can download our membership form. Just drop off your completed form with your membership dues to Mrs. Hope, in the office, in an envelope marked PTSA. Checks can be made check out to THHS PTSA. You can also order your Mustang Community Discount Cards for only $10.00. This year we have 28 stores and restaurants participating on this card with great deals and discounts! Check our website for the complete list. This year, for the first time, we have students on the THHS PTSA Board to help voice their ideas and opinions. We encourage all students to get involved and join. Those students who came by our table during round-up and joined received a raffle ticket with a chance to win $50 from the PTSA. If you are a student and still want to join, it is not too late to enter into our drawing. You have until the end of the school day on Thursday, September 16th to be enPage 6

tered. We will announce the winners on Monday, September 20th. There will be four winners in all - one student from each grade level. Also for the first time, we are having a membership battle of the Hills: Trabuco Hills vs. Laguna Hills! The school with the higher percentage of Staff PTSA memberships will have ice cream sundaes served up by the losing school's principal, PTSA president and membership! Help us by encouraging your teacher to join the PTSA. If you are undecided about joining the PTSA, please remember we are an advocacy group that promotes education for all students. By joining the PTSA, you will be making a difference at THHS by supporting student programs such as: Reflections (Art Program), Every 15 Minutes (Drunk Driving Program), speakers to help guide you with college financial aid, senior scholarships and much more! By becoming a PTSA member, not only will you help with the programs here at THHS, but you will also be joining one million other parents who have joined the PTSA to strengthen our voice with the policy makers in Sacramento to help bring back money for our students education! If you have any questions please contact me at v.braaksma@hotmail.com.

September 2010, Volume 1 Issue 1

Guidance Corner
By Mrs. Jenelle Huffman, Guidance Counselor, Jenelle.Huffman@svusd.org
Since its opening as a small school, and through the subsequent growth that has occurred, the Trabuco Guidance staff has placed much emphasis on serving the various counseling needs of the individual student. With limited staffing, Trabuco uses the following structure to best serve our students:

STUDENT SERVICES TECHNICIAN/ RECORDS

Mrs. Vicki Fronke is responsible for maintaining student files, entering academic histories entered for new students, verifying GPAs for insurance companies and CalGrant applications. Beginning August 1, 2010 transcript requests will be provided through the online Docufide process. Please refer to the Trabuco Hills website and click on Guidance & Scholarships for instructions. The following guidance staff members will be highlighted in the next issue: ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Mr. Dave Williams GUIDANCE CLERK Mrs. Chris Braley ROP CAREER SPECIALIST Mrs Bridget Mondt GUIDANCE COUNSELOR Special Projects Mr. Murle Sango PSYCHOLOGIST Ms. Stephanie Andersson

HIGHLIGHTS BY GRADE LEVEL

SENIORS College admission is right around the corner. Seniors will be receiving information through their college prep English 4 classes regarding the university selection, application, and the letter of recommendation process. These sessions with the students will be followed by Senior Parent Night held Wednesday, October 6th at 7:00 p.m. Please plan to take advantage of this important opportunity to receive the step by step process regarding college admission. Individual appointments with your students Guidance Counselor will be scheduled at the end of the event. JUNIORS College bound juniors should plan to take the PSAT on Saturday, October 16th at 8:00 a.m. at Trabuco Hills. Sales will begin in the Student Store September 20th, cost will be $30. SOPHOMORES There will be a Sophomore Parent Night on March 16th where general guidance information will be presented. FRESHMEN Planners will be distributed in English class during the first week of school. English teachers will review the information in the planner regarding successful student strategies: homework completion, organization, time management, note taking and test preparation. Please discuss the use of this planner with your student and have them consistently note assignments, tests, etc, so that you can more successfully monitor them at home. Freshmen Orientation will be held September 16th through English classes as well. The Assistant Principal of Discipline will be outlining the guidelines from the School Handbook as well as answering specific questions.

GUIDANCE COUNSELORS
Two fully credentialed Guidance Counselors are available to service the entire student body in the areas of: crisis intervention, college and career planning, severe academic problems, conflict mediation, college scholarship and application information, letters of recommendation, assessing student course placement and making referrals to the school psychologist or community based agencies, when appropriate. Methods of delivery are through Career Unit presentations at each grade level, evening parent information sessions and individual appointments when possible. Mrs. Jenelle Huffman Mrs. Christa Schulz ( A Le) (Li Z)

STUDENT SERVICES TECHNICIANS

Each student is assigned alphabetically by their last name to a Student Services Technician who is primarily responsible for enrolling the student, setting up his/her class schedule, tracking the students graduation requirements and college entrance requirements. The students will remain with their assigned Student Services Technician for the entire four years of high school where their progress will be monitored. Mrs. Teri Ansevin Mrs. Rita Thomas Mrs. Jay Wozniak Mrs. May Terry (A El) (Em Le) (Li Ri) (Ro Z)

CONTACTING GUIDANCE
As we begin a new year with additional staff reductions and furlough challenges, we can more quickly reply to your questions via e-mail. Our e-mail addresses are also found on the THHS website. Your patience is greatly appreciated as we continue to strive to meet your students needs in the 2010 2011 school year.

Page 7

Trabuco Hills High School PTSAPony Express

Special Events: Mark Your Calendar

Meet the New Superintendent: Dr. Clint Harwick
Everyone is invited to a reception welcoming Dr. Clint Harwick, Ed.D. on Thursday, September 16, 4 pm6pm in the Saddleback Valley Education Center Board Room, 25631 Peter A. Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, CA. Dr. Harwick was the Superintendent at Charter Oak Unified School District in Covina and Rim of the World Unified School District. Prior to beginning his career in education, Dr. Harwick was a baseball player for the Chicago Cubs.

PTSA Student Programs Presents: College Funding Presentation

Join us September 27th, 6:30pm8:30pm at THHS (Room TBD) for an informative talk on the ins and outs of college funding. Our guest speaker will be Tom Bottorf, College Funding Strategist. Seating is limited. Reserve your seats at http://www.getcollegefunding.org/events/ seminars/ or call (949) 485-2632.

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse Prevention Workshop

We are very pleased to have Michelle Mar, Health Educator with Project PATH, speak to us on this important topic on October 18th, 7:30pm8:00pm in the Library, immediately following our PTSA meeting. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. For more details on these events, please visit our website.

Have you Visited http://www.thhsptsa.org Lately?

By Deb Johnson, Webmaster, dkb454@yahoo.com
This year we are very excited to bring more information to parents, teachers and students about activities and events the PTSA coordinates and supports for our school on our completely revamped website. Meeting information, fundraisers, membership, Grad Night, Reflections, regional and national PTA links are just a few of the things you can find out about on our site. Always be sure to check our website for the very latest information on PTSA events. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook: http://twitter.com/THHSPTSA http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Trabuco-Hills-High-SchoolPTSA/115969895087565 We look forward to your visits on the web!

Page 8

September 2010, Volume 1 Issue 1

Legislative/Advocacy News
By Joan Rosenberg, Legislative Rep/Advocacy, nrosenberg@firstam.com
Hello, My name is Joan Rosenberg and I am the current Advocacy/Legislative Representative for the Trabuco Hills High PTSA. I represent our school and students, along with other district wide advocates, exploring ways to obtain more funding from the State for our school, as well as to inform the parents, teachers and students at THHS about educational issues important to them. Last year, we got together to sign banners that were delivered to Sacramento requesting fair and adequate funding for our schools. We were trying to get the legislators to listen, and dozens of such banners were delivered to their desks, in person, by advocates representing the entire Fourth District at their annual Fourth District PTA Sacramento Safari. The Sacramento Safari is an annual event, generally held in March, where every school in our district is asked to send their advocates to Sacramento for a day of pounding the pavement and visiting as many of our legislators as possible to fight for our schools. During Open House, we met parents in the courtyard in an effort to obtain needed signatures for a November ballot measure for this year's election in November. The measure dealt with alternative funding for schools, but not enough signatures were submitted to put that measure on this year's ballot. A new cause we are hoping to explore this year is how to help and support foster care students in our state and at our school. This is a pioneer area and reaching out will be exciting. If you can think of ways to help, please let me know. I look forward to the new year as our PTSA Legislative Representative/Advocate.

20102010-2011 PTSA Meeting Dates

The PTSA General Meetings are an excellent opportunity to hear personally from the principal, Mr. Collins, and stay informed about what is happening at Trabuco Hills. It is also the chance for all PTSA members to vote and get involved! All meetings will be at 7pm and will be in the Library (unless otherwise notified).

September 20 October 18 November 16 February 7 (tentative) March 21 April 25 (tentative) June 6 (tentative) Words to Ponder.
I was taught that the world had a lot of problems; that I could struggle and change them; that intellectual and material gifts brought the privilege and responsibility of sharing with others less fortunate; and that service is the rent each of us pays for living, the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time or after you have reached your personal goals. Marian Wright Edelman, President and Founder of the Childrens Defense Fund
Page 9

The Pony Express

Mark Your Calendar...

September 16Last Day for students to join PTSA and be entered in raffle September 16, 4-6pmReception to welcome Dr. Clint Harwick, Superintendent: Saddleback Valley Education Center Boardroom 25631 Peter A. Hartman Way Mission Viejo September 17No school (Fall Recess) September 20registrations begin for PSAT in Student Store ($30) September 20PTSA student membership drive raffle winners announced September 20, 7 pmPTSA General Meeting, Library September 24Grad Night surveys due September 27, 7pmCollege Funding Speaker October 6, 7pmSenior Parent Night October 7Banners due for the Battle of the Bands (see our website for details) October 8Reflections Entries Due October 8Battle of the Bands for the Rock N Road Red Ribbon Week Celebration deadline (see our website for details) October 14Back to School Night (Minimum Day) October 16PSAT October 18, 7pmPTSA General Meeting, MPR, with special guest speaker, Michelle Mar presenting Prescription & Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse Prevention Workshop October 23, 2-8pmRock N Road Red Ribbon Week Celebration at the Block in Orange (See http://www.rocknroadoc.info for details) November 11No school (Veterans Day) November 12No school (California Admission Day Observation November 15deadline for seniors to apply for State PTA scholarships (see http://www.capta.org for details)