March 17, 2010
Finally some nice spring weather! The past few days have been beautiful and the meteorologists are predicting more nice weather for the week. The beginning of spring in schools usually means the beginning of testing season and this year is no exception. Please read the information in this newsletter regarding testing.
STAR Testing
STAR testing is a state mandated testing program for grades 2-11. The STAR test provides parents and students an opportunity to receive feedback on their skills in core academic areas. STAR testing for Venture begins Monday April 19 for grades 2-7 and 10-11. Grades 8 and 9 will begin testing on April 26. Please look for a letter home, via email with detailed dates and times for your student to test. Please remember that all students must take the STAR tests. It is a condition of continued enrollment at Venture.
Summer School
The length of Venture Summer School, the number of credits that students may earn, and the number of Venture students who can attend summer school has been reduced. Please encourage your student to complete all of their coursework by June 15. Please share this information with your student.
This summer the SRVUSD has made changes to the summer school program. All current 8th graders who do not pass the required courses will attend Iron Horse Middle School for summer school. Venture will not be offering summer school to current 8th graders.
Venture will only have 55 spots available for our students to attend summer school. Priority will be given to students in the following order:
· Non Graduating Seniors
· Juniors behind in credits
· Sophomores behind in credits
· Freshman behind in credits
· Repeat class to raise D grade
Venture Summer School is four weeks long, not the traditional six weeks. Summer school will be from June 21, 2010 through July 16, 2010. This means that students will not be able to earn the same number of credits this summer than they may have earned in the past. To earn 5 credits at Venture Summer School, students will need to complete 4-5 tasks per week and take the associated tests.
We also have applications for summer school at Dougherty Valley High School. They will have 2 3 week sessions. Students may enroll in one class per session and earn a maximum of 10 credits. Students may not enroll in both Venture and Dougherty Valley summer schools.
Graduation
Mark your calendars! Venture graduation will be held Wednesday, June 16 at the Canyon View Dining Hall at 680 Bollinger Canyon Way, San Ramon. Graduation will start at 7:00 and graduates should plan to arrive by 6:30. More details to follow. Check with your teacher in April for details about cap and gowns, tickets, etc.
Parent Group
Venture is interested in starting a parent group such as the Parent Teachers Association. Since Venture is not your “typical” comprehensive school, our parent group might look very different from other schools, but the purpose would be similar: increase communication between the school and family and among families. If you are interested in helping to organize a parent group, please see Janet.
From our Counselor
National Holistic Institute will be in the Tech Room at Venture on Monday, March 22 at 9 am. This is a certified program training massage therapists.
Diablo Valley College Informational Meeting for Graduating Venture Seniors
Learn how to apply, enroll and register for classes this summer and fall
· Tuesday, March 23rd
· 10:00 -11:30 a.m.
· Venture School
· Classroom #1
· PARENTS ARE INVITED!!
Behind The Rope and Under the Hoods at Blawkhawk Museum
This is a community service opportunity for students in grades 9, 10, 11
The commitment is from April through August, 2010
· 3 Training Sessions
· Wednesdays, 3:45 - 5:15 PM
· April 14, 21 28
· Monthly Discussion/Update Sessions
· Wednesdays, 3:45-5:15 PM
· May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4
Applications are available at the museum or come see the Venture School counselor
The 19th Annual East Bay College Connection
· Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
· Saint Mary's College of California-College Fair
Learn more about college options and pick up a free and informative college planning guide to learn more about the college application process and financial aid. Go to www.wacacollegefair.com to pre-register.
Summer Session at Community Colleges
8th through 11th graders can attend summer school classes at Diablo Valley College or DVC/SRC on a space availability basis. 9th-11th graders can attend classes at Las Positas College.
See Marsha to get the “Special Admissions Recommendation” Form now.
Fund Raiser
Reminder:
Every time you go online to search, you can help Venture. Simply use the GoodSearch search engine and you can earn much needed funds for Venture. Log on to: http://www.goodsearch.com and add this to your toolbar. If you shop online, check out www.goodshop.com Shopping on line through this site you can help raise funds for Venture.
Community Links
Parent Workshop on Special Education: The San Ramon Valley PTSA is presenting a series of three workshops on special education: an overview of special education, the IEP process, and achieving success. See flyer for more details. Flyer: Parent Workshop Series - Special Education.pdf (140 KB)
COOL Night: Contra Costa County Office of Education hosts this night for 7th and 8th graders who want to learn about high school, college and careers. Parents and students are invited.
Friday, April 23, 2010
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Cal State East Bay, Concord Campus
No registration needed
BandWorks “School of Rock” Summer Camp
For kids 8+, BandWorks Rock n’ Roll Camp is open to young beginners through advanced, older teen players. Top professional musician-instructors create a fun and supportive environment while they teach kids the skills they need to play in a rock band-and make new friends in the process.
Our week-long Summer Day Camps offer a variety of classes throughout the summer. By the end of the week, students are rocking out in a live performance in the classroom. For kids with some musical experience, camps include Rock Jam and our popular “Music of” series, in which students focus on one featured band, such as Green Day, for the week, learning not only their songs, but the tricks that make them great. Campers may enroll for a 1/2 day or full day.
For registration and more info about BandWorks Summer Camp, please contact us today at ariel@bandworks.com, 510. THE BAND (843. 2263), or visit the BandWorks website: www.BandWorks.com
Job Opportunities: The Town of Danville is accepting applications for summer youth employment. www.ci.danville.ca.us/Council_and_Government/Employment.
The Teen Job and Community Service Fair invites all 8th-12th graders to participate in mock interviews (the first 20 to sign up at the fair), attend resume workshops, learn how to sell yourself at application time and interviews, sign up for volunteer work and apply for jobs for teens. This takes place—
Saturday, March 30th
1pm-4pm
San Ramon Senior and Community Center
9300 Alcosta Boulevard
San Ramon
925 973 3200 for more information
Don’t miss your chance for a summer job!
We are interested in providing students and families with as many links to community activities as possible. If you are aware of any activities open to our students, please let Janet know so they can be included in our newsletter.
These sites offer a variety of classes for students of all ages:
City of San Ramon: http://www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us/Parks/default.htm
Town of Danville: http://www.ci.danville.ca.us/default.asp?serviceID1=440Frame=L1
Contra Costa Library: http://ccclib.org/programs
From the PTSA: SUPPORT LOCAL FUNDING FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS – WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please sign the petition to qualify the Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act today! As you know, the California State PTA has endorsed the initiative to lower the passage rate for parcel taxes from two-thirds to 55%. We need your help to collect 1 million signatures by the beginning of April to ensure that this measure qualifies for the November 2010 statewide ballot.
The California fiscal crisis is affecting every one of our schools. Passing local parcel taxes is one way to ensure a reliable source of local funds for schools, but they currently require a supermajority of two-thirds to pass. The Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act will lower the passage rate to 55%, making it easier for communities to invest in their local schools.
Please download and sign the petition today. We urge you to forward this e-mail to all family and friends, and ask them to sign as well. There’s no need to wait. It’s easy! And we can make a strong statement and strengthen our voice in supporting our local schools and speaking out for all children. Just follow these instructions.
1. Go to http://www.improvedschoolfunding.com
2. Click the sign petition button.
3. Pick a package for the number of signatures you want to submit. You can sign a single petition or choose to collect multiple signatures.
4. Read the instructions and check the box at the bottom.
5. Click the link “Click here to download the signature package as a pdf”
After doing this, you will have the signature package ready to print, sign and mail to the campaign. Remember, you can sign as an individual or you can sign and collect other signatures as well.
Do it TODAY! Together, we can make a difference.
If we collect the approximately 1 million signatures required, we will be the first and only organization to successfully qualify an initiative for the ballot without using paid signature gatherers. Help us to make history! This will enhance the strength of our organization and help local schools save programs from future cuts.
If you have any questions, you can visit the website at http://www.improvedschoolfunding.com, send an e-mail to petition@improvedschoolfunding.com, or call (800) 915-4768.
Thank you for your support!
