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Trabuco Hills High School PTSA Pony Express 27501 Mustang Run, Mission Viejo, CA. 92691 (949)768-1934
www.thhsptsa.org
Volume 2 Issue 1 Fall 2011 Craig Collins Principal Andrea Padian Editor (Position Open)
Trabuco Hills High PTSA Saddleback Valley Council PTA Fourth District PTA California State PTA National PTA Andrea Padian President
Principals Message
By Craig Collins THHS Principal Craig.Collins@svusd.org
Start-Up
about repairs. Last year, Trabuco Hills turned 25, or at least parts of it did. The original buildings; the 100, 200 (including the gym and Boys' & Girls' locker rooms), and the 400 are all now 26 years old. The State of California provides funds for modernization to fix items such as air conditioning, fire alarms, and ADA access. A great side benefit of modernization is the replacement of all the roofing, flooring, network infrastructure, and lighting in all of those buildings.
The 2011 school year started off strong. We had a minimum of disruptions and we will not need to add or The tentative schedule has construction beginning in take-away any classes. We will move a few students to the 100 building in April, 2012. We will have portables balance class size but this will affect very few students. dropped off in the back lot in November. Teachers begin moving out over the Winter Break because it will take two weeks to relocate them to portables on the New Teachers blacktop. The remainder of the building, including We have some new staff members this year. Paul administration, will move over spring break and Treibel replaces Chip Walsh, who retired this past year. Paul will run the video program, including Mustangs in construction on the building will begin in full force at that time. We plan to return to a completely refurbished Motion. Claire Eichenberg replaces Tom Hamilton, 100 building in time for Round-up 2012. (Actually, the who also retired, in Physics. Two newcomers are Joe Administration/Guidance may be back in by Round-up Cecil in Spanish, and Lindsay Chappell in Social Science. All four are great additions to our staff and we - Teachers are scheduled to be moved back over Winter break 2012/13) want to give them a warm Trabuco Hills welcome.
Modernization
Lockers
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If you have ever lived in a 25 year old home, you know Because of the construction, the 1,200 lockers in the
Ways to Help our School......... pg 10 Back-to-School Paper Drive.... pg 11 Membership Matters....pg 11 Upcoming Association Meetingpg 11 New Driving Laws / Dui-OMG....pg 12 Taste of the Years2011 .... pg 13 2011 Grad Night.. pg 14 Free SAT Prep Info. pg 15 Free MasterDrive Seminar ...pg 15 THHS / PTSA Calendar ..... pg 16
I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught. Winston Churchill
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Principals Message
100 building are being permanently relocated outside. Rather than issue those lockers and then move students out, we made the decision to have 10th-12th grade students share lockers at the start of the year. As soon as the lockers are relocated, we will issue them to students that no longer wish to share. We hope to get the lockers relocated ahead of schedule, but that will depend on how quickly we can get the plans approved and can coordinate the relocation. Construction in the gym/locker room area is scheduled to begin in late May 2012 with the hope of having the work completed over the Summer break. The Theater area will be modernized in the Fall of 2012 and the work should be completed by the start of our holiday show season. Modernization on the 400 building science labs is scheduled to be completed over Summer 2013 PTSA (Parent, Teacher, Student Association) I am happy to tell you that your PTSA is stepping up to help out school through these difficult times. This year the PTSA is once again 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 is helping our teachers maintain and even expand the learning opportunities for our students. So thank you for your membership dues and support of their fund raising programs that support PTSA, the mini-grant program and much more! If you havent joined PTSA yet, please do so today.
Christina Simon, Drugs & Alcohol Prevention & Silent Auction Chair Sheryl Titchener, Michelle Parry, Challenge Day Leader Mini-grant Chairs Special Education Chair Mike Padian & Toni Solo,
Are you a Student who needs to make $$$ for the holidays or Grad Night?
Kim Waters, Grant Writer Suzann Gastreich, Welcome Committee Chair Gabriela, James & Nicole Perado, Outreach Grazyna Buchowiecki, Ralphs & E-Script Chair Kim Schneider, Taste of the Hills Chair Diane Depreta, Teacher/Staff Appreciation Renate Koziol, Publicity Liaison Shari Goldstein, Kathy Hicks, Sally Hunt, Adopt a Book Chair Restaurant Night Chair
Teacher RepresentativeOPEN
page 3 that this year we will do it! Then as we did last year, we are getting ready for another successful Taste of the Hills event and it looks to be even more fun and special than before. Our Grad Night committee is just getting underway, too, and I am sure this years event will be as fun as last years! Look for more information about all these programs in this issue and more to come.
I find it hard to believe it is November as I finish our As you can see, a lot is going on. If you can help, September/October issue of the Pony Express. This please do! We need volunteers on committees, but we year has been busy and it just started! Or did it? Yikes! also need volunteers for just an hour or two at our So far, the PTSA has hosted a PTSA Welcome Back to events, so help how you can. Everything we do benefits our school and our kids and that is what it is all School Breakfast for our teachers, our first ever Colabout. Come to meetings to find out more and have lege Fair, and our Reflections program entries have been judged with winners forwarded to the district for your voice heard. Meeting dates, times and locations are listed in the calendar on the last page of each issue. further judging. Mini-grants for teachers have been awarded and most of the items requested are already in If youd like to be involved on our board, we will be their hands. Weve been writing other grant applicafilling a slate with officers to nominate for next years tions, tooas we are always looking for more funding board soon, so if youd like more information on that, and technology in the classroom! Fingers crossed! please let me know. We have a wonderful board of caring parents and I can tell you that serving as presiAs well, we continue planning events to come a MasterDrive seminar for parents and soon-to-be driv- dent has been a real pleasure. Think about it! Raising funds for quality student programs doesnt stop in eleers, another viewing of the documentary Race to Nomentary school and we need a strong board every year. where, a highly acclaimed CHP workshop about safe driving and a Study Strategies Class taught by Saddle- Our student board is off to a great start as well! Look back Community College. We are gearing up for an for more information about their first ever classroom incredible program called Challenge Day. Its goal is paper drive competition coming in January and a Valto help prevent bullying and generally build character entines Day letter writing campaign for our overseas and show students at our school that we are all more troops! Thanks for your support! Join PTSA! Go Blue! similar than we are different. It is a program I have wanted to see at our school for years, and I am thrilled
Andrea Padian
Mustang Marvels
A stand out Mustang Marvel this fall is Chris Burns, chairman of our first PTSA College Night. Held in early October, the concern was that we might not have enough students and parents turn out and the college reps would be disappointed - but instead it was packed. We had over 2600 attendees! Bottom line, the event was a huge success and plans are already underway to make improvements, enlarge the venue, stagger classes and offer THHS students an extra hour to attend on their own. It was very clear that something like this was needed and in demand, and as a PTSA, we are proud to help in that area. Chris began working on this project in September 2010 when he showed up for the first PTSA meeting and started talking to me about it. I have to say, I get a lot of great ideas from people, but often when I say, Ok, sounds good! Lets go! -they arent necessarily available
to help make their idea happen. So Chriss enthusiasm and hard work were greatly appreciatedwhen he said Im ready! Our kids need this! he rolled up his sleeves and got cracking. Thank you so much Chris. You rock! I also have to go back to last June to recognize more Mustang Marvels I was unable to thank formally at that time. Lisa Bauer and student, Tim Littman, did a wonderful job chairing the Grad Night committee. Everyone made that night incredibly special from parents to all students involved. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. Thank you all! And congratulations Class of 2011! As well, Brenda Hanrath and her Taste of the Hills committee and volunteers did a spectacular job with this first time event. It, too, was fun, and helped us raise funds for programs we will be sponsoring this year. Thank you! Read ahead for more details about both.
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Sign up NOW before your BIG holiday dinners and shopping begins to get the most out of your cards! Thank you!
Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected of us, and that true homage comes from the heart as much as the lips, and shows itself in deeds. ~Theodore Roosevelt
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Wouldnt it be nice to have new books in the library? For just $20.00 you can donate a fiction or nonfiction book, and for $100.00, you can donate a research book. All adopted books will have the name of the family who purchased the book inside the cover. In the next few weeks, check the school website and PTSA website, www.thhsptsa.org for a list of desired books with prices. Please use the form you received in your registration packet or download a form from our website, www.thhsptsa.org and follow the Adopt a Book link. You will be notified when your book is purchased and ready to be checked out. So far we have received over $1200 in donations towards new books. Thanks to all our book donors! Look for our new books soon! If you have any questions, please email Shari Goldstein at steveandshari@cox.net.Adopt a Book
Advocacy Actions
By Mike Padian Legislative/Advocacy Rep Padianteam@aol.com
On a state level, the PTA supports legislation dealing with community-wide issues such as bullying, foster kids, education technology, safe zones around schools, gangs, and sexting; health issues such as concussions and healthy lunches; parent involvement with foster kids and The PTA is the nations largest volunteer child advocacy suicide prevention; educational financing challenges; and organization, and the Fourth District PTA (mostly com- educational issues associated with teacher evaluation, prised of the school districts in Orange County) is the pupil assessment, and autism and special needs educalargest PTA District in the country (world) - all with a tion. The State PTA is also on the forefront of dissemicommon goal of supporting better education. The PTA nating information about the upcoming redistricting of has a rich heritage of almost 125 years of lobbying for elected seats for the State Senate and Congressional and our schools, including such issues as juvenile justice and State representatives, and the changes in the primary and labor laws in the 1900s, establishing kindergarten in the general elections, wherein the primary is open, and only 1910s, health issues such as polio shots in the 50s, toy the top two vote getters move on to the general election. safety in the 60s, TV ratings in the 70s and 90s, and More information about the State PTA can be found at HIV/AIDS education in the 80s. www.capta.org. On a national level, the PTA currently actively supports legislation increasing parental involvement in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), now commonly known as No Child Left Behind, which is up for reauthorization; reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); early childhood education; federal funding for education; and reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJPDA). More information about the PTAs And on a local level, with your membership and participation in fundraisers, the THHS PTSA is increasing its efforts to provide programs for all students, such as speakers and informational gatherings like the College Fair, and support on multiple levels to fill funding shortfalls with Mini-grants to the teachers and paper drives. And with your help we will continue to represent every child with one voice.
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Arts Advocacy
Tish Witkin
tish92610@netscape.net
change with circumstance and opportunity. Learning in the arts requires the ability and a willingness to surrender to the unanticipated possibilities of the work as it unfolds. 5. The arts make vivid the fact that neither words in their literal form nor numbers exhaust what we can know. The limits of our language do not define the limits of our cognition. 6. The arts teach students that small differences can have large effects. The arts traffic in subtleties. 7. The arts teach students to think through and within a material. All art forms employ some means through which images become real. 8. The arts help children learn to say what cannot be said. When children are invited to disclose what a work of art helps them feel, they must reach into their poetic capacities to find the words that will do the job. 9. The arts enable us to have experience we can have from no other source and through such experience to discover the range and variety of what we are capable of feeling. 10. The arts' position in the school curriculum symbolizes to the young what adults believe is important. SOURCE: Eisner, E. (2002). The Arts and the Creation of Mind, In Chapter 4, What the Arts Teach and How It Shows. (pp. 70-92). Yale University Press. Available from NAEA Publications.
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The college fair was a huge success! 97 colleges attended37 California Schools and 58 Out of-State Schools! The college reps are already talking about next yearand bringing a partner rep and more material are at the top of their list. They loved the students and were impressed by the heavy turnout. It was phenomenal! The four breakout classes were full as well. They included the Princeton Review: Roadmap to College, NCAA Recruitment, Financial Aid and WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange). There were 1310 students and at least another 1300 parents. The SVEA (Saddleback Valley Education Foundation) and Baja Fresh provided dinner for the college reps, our own Trabuco Hills Education Endowment Group provided tables, Laguna Hills High PTSA did printing and the THHS PTSA did all the planning and paid for custodial and misc. expenses. Considering attendance, the cost was minimal. 53% of students were from THHS, 14% from MVHS, 13% from El Toro and 10% from LHHS. 5% of those attending were freshman, 9% sophomores, 41% juniors, and 44% were seniors. Next years plans are already underway and it will be an even better experience. Our first year set the stage, and we are addressing all concerns such as parking, overcrowding and the timing of events. But we know we are on the right track to the best college night ever2012!
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How Can YOU Help Support Our PTSA, Students & Teachers?
DONATION BIN: We have a donation bin in conjunction with Community of Change. Please donate your old clothing, towels, blankets, sheets, rags, purses and shoes! All textiles will be accepted. The PTSA will receive a dollar back for every 50 pounds of donations collected. The bin is located on the Santa Margarita Pkwy side of the school near the tennis courts, on the road that leads to the front of the school. You can just pull up to the bin and drop off your goods. Do it throughout the year! SCREAMIN DAILY DEALS: Want to get a great deal on food, entertainment, massages, hair care and more?? Check out Screaming Daily Deals!! You will get about 3 daily deals per day from local businesses. Purchase your deal, print the coupon and enjoy savings up to 70%! Sign up on the PTSA website, or www.screamindailydeals.com, and choose THHSPTSA as your school to support!! We also get credit for everyone that joins, so do it today! KEY TO SAFE DRIVING: Protect your teen from texting & talking on their cell phones while driving! It does allow your teen access to 911 and parents in case of an emergency. The device is $95.00 and can be purchased from the PTSA website. ITALIAN ICE: Sold every Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm in front of the school. Cost is $3.00 per cup and supports PTSA. Yummy, too! RECYCLING: Drop off your used printer cartridges, laptops, digital cameras, and cell phonebroken or otherwise in the office recycle box. If you know a business that would donate their old recycles, we can pick them up. Email Brenda at brendahanrath@cox.net for info. RALPHS & E-SCRIPT: Go to the PTSA website at www.thhsptsa.org and sign up your Ralphs Club Card or Vons/Pavilions card with the Ralphs Community Contribution Program or EScript program. Its easy and a percentage of all your purchases will go back to the school/PTSA. It costs no money and doesnt take away from your own rewards. Don t wait! Do it today. Families can raise thousands of dollars this way, but not if you dont sign up.. SIMONS AUTO BODY, INC: When you go to have your car fixed at Simons and mention the Trabuco Hills PTSA, he will donate 10% of the total bill back to our PTSA! The shop is at 23551 Commerce Center Dr., Laguna Hills, 949-951-5265.
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Membership Matters!
With a membership in PTSA you do several things. First, it shows that you care about education for all children. Secondly, it shows our legislators that our voices together carry a lot of weight when it comes to education and funding. And it means several things at our own school...mini-grants, college fairs, assemblies for our students, speakers, college funding seminars and study strategy classes...more books in the library, the Reflections Arts Program, appreciation breakfasts and lunches for our teachers, driving programs, and safety and health classes. Plus, we advocate for children in all areas from health to the need for arts in our schools. You can be proud of our PTSA. We are again having a teacher/staff competition with LHHS to see who has the most teacher/staff PTSA members. Last year we lost this challenge and had to serve ice cream to the LHHS staff. We want ice cream for our staffso please show your mustang spirit and join today! We need everyone on board! Currently we have 822 members, but with 3200 students that isnt good enough. We need to increase our general membership to include many more supporters. You still have time to join, so do so today! Download a PTSA form on our website, www.thhsptsa.org, fill in the info needed and send in a $15 check payable to the PTSA either by mailing it to the school or dropping it off with our receptionist, Debi Hope, in the office.
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DUI=OMG
As the holiday season arrives, the smell of fresh baked goods and newly trimmed pine trees fill the air just as California's roadways fill with packed cars going to and from holiday gatherings. The California Department of Motor Vehicles encourages motorists to practice safe driving especially during this season of celebration,, and reminds them of the consequences of driving under the influence. In 2009, there were 26,058 alcohol-involved injuries in California. There were 1,263 fatal traffic collisions in California as a result of alcohol or other drugs, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. These injuries and deaths could have been easily prevented if the driver of the vehicle would have passed their keys on to a designated driver. Under California law, any driver in the state must consent to a breath, blood or under certain circumstances, a urine test, if you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. If you are under 21 and get pulled over, it is illegal to test over a 0.01 percent blood alcohol (BAC) level. If your BAC level is over the limit, you are subject to having your license revoked. You will be issued a temporary license for 30 days maximum and have an order of suspension for one year. After the proper paperwork has been processed, it will be determined whether to release you from the custody of the police, turn you over to juvenile authorities, or contact your parents or guardians. If you are 21 or older and convicted of driving while under the influence of either alcohol, drugs or both, and you have an excessive BAC level (higher than 0.08 percent), you may be sentenced to serve up to six months in jail and pay fines and penalty assessments up to $5,000 the first time you are convicted. Your vehicle may also be impounded, and would then be subject to storage fees. If you wish to apply for a restricted license after being convicted of a DUI, you must complete a DUI program, file a California Insurance Proof Certificate, and pay all fees incurred. The restricted license will allow you to drive to and from work and the DUI program only. If the court decides that you are a risk to others on the road, your request for a restricted license can be denied. The consequences of driving under the influence can follow you for years on job applications, credit applications and be an emotional burden for you and your family. A DUI is considered a two-point violation, which will be reflected on your driving record for 10 years. If you receive a total of four points in a 12 month period, your license will be revoked, so take extra caution if you already have existing points on your driving record. Be responsibledesignate a sober driver ahead of time if you plan on consuming alcoholic beverages. The Designated Driver Program is an anti-DUI effort endorsed by the DMV that encourages one individual in your group to abstain from consuming alcoholic beverages during an outing, so they can be responsible for transporting themselves, and the rest of their friends, home safely. When you and your friends establish a designated sober driver, everyone can relax, have fun, and know that they've all done their part to ensure a safe trip home. If a designated sober driver is not available, call a taxi.
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Get involved and start working with the Taste of the Hills 2012 committee NOW. First meeting was November 1st. Email Kim Schneider at kimschneider@cox.net for more information about the second meeting to be held soon. This is a fun committee and a great group!
Taste of the Hills 2011 was a huge success! With 18 restaurants on board, 22 community vendors for shopping, a silent auction and raffle for fun, and great entertainment that included the school Hip Hop Club, Country Western dancers, school favorites - the Paris sisters (Chasing Paris) and Trabuco grads - The Dealers, as well as a SVK DJing and face painting fun was had by all. And, no one left hungry! The long awaited 2011 Toyota Corolla (Capistrano Toyota) raffle winner was also drawn that evening by principal, Craig Collins, surprising winner and THHS alumni, Lori Holman. Congratulations! Thanks to the TOH committee members for all their hard work, led by our Ways and Means VP, Brenda Hanrath, and thanks to all the volunteers and restaurants that donated their time and food. All in all, almost $7000 was raised!
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GRAD NIGHT 2012 !!! June 14th (Following Graduation) Buy tickets NOW for ONLY $140.00
Last BIG party with your fellow Mustang Grads!
Download required registration and permission forms at www.thhsptsa.org Make checks payable to THHS PTSAGrad Night, write student name on memo line
Turn forms & payment in @ the reception desk in front office or mail to school: Attention: Grad Night, THHS, 27501 Mustang Run, Mission Viejo, CA. 92691
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On Wednesday, January 11, 2012 (6:30-8:30 PM in the Trabuco Hills High School MPR MasterDrive of Orange County will provide a seminar for new drivers and their parents with very specific survivor strategies.
This two-hour program is designed to equip parents with strategies for teaching their teen to become a competent driver. Come learn about today's driving dangers, the licensing process, essential car control skills and response maneuvers, financial liabilities, cars for new drivers and much more. Each family at the seminar receives a complete packet with information and strategies for teaching teen driving. Also, MasterDrive is offering free Drivers Education Classes (a $169 value) for all teens that attend with a parent!
Spaces are limited at this free seminar so reserve your spot now by emailing Linda at boud@cox.net .
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No SchoolThanksgiving Break PTSA Association Meeting, 7 PM, MPR * Challenge Day Video National Special Education Day & Special Educators Day! PTSA Holiday Party-7 PM @ TBD Restaurant, RSVP by December 4th, to Andrea at apadian@aol.com *All members welcome, bring White elephant giftRSVP and prepayto get location details December 13 SVUSD Board Meeting, 6:15 PM, SVUSD Board Room December 19-30 No SchoolWinter Recess PARTY! Happy Holidays! Enjoy your kids! December 31 New Years Eve! Celebrate Safely! January 1 New Years Day January 2 School Begins! Happy New Year! New Efforts! New Start! Go Mustangs! January 11 MasterDrive: 6:308:30 PM MPR RSVP to boud@cox.net
*ONLY $10.00! 30 Vendor discounts you can use every day until the end of August 2012. You can earn your money back after just one purchase in many cases!!! Email apadian@aol.com OR
brendahanrath@cox.net
for information, a full list of vendors, &/or to buy a card today. Help PTSA and SAVE! Students interested in earning holiday money should call, too!
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~ Melody Beattie Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. Saying ~ Native American