Student Gmail Use

Friday August 14th SUCCESS! orientation focused on the importance of email, and how it is used both in school, and in life.  Students learned that checking email is important to do on a daily basis, and they learned how to properly compose and send an email using the following components:

1. Include a greeting at the beginning and a salutation at the end of the message.
2. Include a concise and relevant subject line
3. Be clear about what your question, concern, or communication is about
4. Proofread your message before you send it
5. Spell the recipient's name correctly

Students also had the opportunity to participate in an online google apps training module that walked them through the Gmail system.  Parents can access that module by CLICKING HERE and then clicking on the "Gmail" link in the menu.  

We encourage you to talk to your student about how you use email in your daily life!

Mastery Based Learning

One of our goals at Mountain House High School is to make sure that all students have both the academic and technological skill needed to succeed in both college and career.  One way making sure that students are prepared is insisting that they master concepts and skills rather than just simply completing assignments. We inform of students and parents of this system through newsletters, social media and web presence, classroom explanations, and parent events on campus.  

MHHS has prepared a document that explains Mastery based learning and grading in detail. To access that document CLICK HERE, or visit the link on our webpage under the "Instructional Initiatives" section of the webpage at mhhs.lammersvilleusd.net

ADVISORY WEEK 1--Digital Life 102

Today's advisory lesson focused on the place that digital media has in the lives of our students.  Students discussed how big of a role that digital media plays in their lives, what they enjoy doing with digital media, and how the connect with others over that digital media.

Students then had an opportunity to watch a short video clip about digital media that had real students talking about their perspectives about digital media and how it has impacted their lives.  That video is posted below here:

After watching the video, students talked about what the upsides and downsides of digital life are.

Now that your student has had some background information about their digital lives, we encourage parents to get in on the conversation.  Talk to your kids tonight around the dinner table about your own digital life.  Think about the role that media plays in your life, and share your thoughts about how it impacts you.

Don't know how to start the conversation?  Here's a few conversation starter questions that you can ask the whole family as you talk together:

1. How big a role do digital media (Internet, texting, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, video games, etc.) play in your life?
2. How many times do you think you look at and consume digital media on a daily basis?
3. What are your favorite and least favorite things to do with digital media?
4. Do you connect with others or create things with digital media?
5. What are the positive and not-so-positive aspects of having digital media in your life?

Advisory Curriculum

During this school year, our Advisory class (8th period) meets every week on Thursdays after our Brunch.  During our advisory time this school year, students will be engaging in curriculum that helps them learn the basic principles of Digital Citizenship, and helps them to become better learners.  We want parents to be aware of what their students are learning each week during Advisory period.  Each week we will publish the topic that students are learning about during advisory, and provide some resources for parents in regards to those topics.

This year's curriculum for Advisory comes from two different sources.  The source that we have used for digital citizenship comes from a non-profit organization called Common Sense Media.  They offer resources for parents, students, and educators in regards to the media resources that are accessed by our students and families.  They provide a free, open source curriculum that we will be using throughout the year that will focus on teaching students about internet safety, privacy and security, online relationships and communication, cyberbullying and digital drama, digital footprint and reputation, self-image and identity, information literacy, and creative credit and copyright.  A link to this curriculum can be found by going to their website here:  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/scope-and-sequence

The other focus for this year's Advisory curriculum will include lessons for students developed to help students identify their likes and interests, to teach them about the growth and development of their brain and how to develop a "growth mindset," and to help students reflect about indicators of thriving and the risk factors that can get in the way.  These lessons are developed by a non-profit organization called Thrive Foundation for Youth.  More information about this curriculum, and links to this curriculum can be found by going to their website here:  http://www.stepitup2thrive.org/

We sincerely hope that as we work together to provide resources to our students in regards to digital citizenship, and motivating factors for their learning and personal growth that we can positively impact students' lives.

Please stay tuned to this blog for updates on specific lessons that are taught each week in your students' Advisory Classes.

Chromebook Care

Today in SUCCESS! Orientation, all of our students learned a little bit more about caring for their Chromebook.  Students viewed the video below:

Students were also led through a short presentation.  Take a look at what they talked about in their SUCCCESS! Orientation here:



After students watched the video and listened to the presentation, teachers emphasized the importance of charging the Chromebook EVERY NIGHT.  If students charge their Chromebook at night, it should hold a charge for the entire school day.

Students also learned about the importance of keeping their passwords private.  No students should share any personal passwords, or loan their Chromebook to any other student.

Talk with your student about the care of their Chromebook, and make sure to purchase the Chromebook insurance if you have not already done so by contacting our Chromebook Insurance partner Worth Avenue Group at the following link:  https://my.worthavegroup.com/mhhsca

SUCCESS!

Mountain House High School has incorporated SUCCESS! period this school year as a way to support students in their learning.  SUCCESS! is a 30 minute period of time at the beginning of our 1 hour lunch block.  At the beginning of the school year, all students at MHHS will attend SUCCESS! period for the first 5 weeks of school to receive a beginning of the school year orientation.  We encourage you to check back here on this newsletter to follow the topics that students will be learning during this first 5 weeks.

Our first SUCCESS! Period on Monday the 12th of August, students will be getting to know one another in their SUCCESS! period, and all students will take a beginning of the year survey.

After the first 5 weeks of school, student grades will be used make assignments to SUCCESS! period.  Any student who has a "D" or "F" grade will be assigned to meet with their teachers during this time to get help, and improve their grade.  If the student improves their grades to above a "D" by the end of the next 5 weeks, they will exit from the SUCCESS! period.

Any student who consistently keeps their grade at a "C" level or above will enjoy a 1 hour long lunch every day.

If you have any questions about our SUCCESS! period, or about the topics being discussed during our orientation, please contact us here in the office.

Math Foundation Courses

During this school year, many of our students will have the opportunity to engage in a math curriculum that represents a shift in instructional strategies from the previous year.  As was stated last school year, math courses on our campus will take on a more interactive format where students are engaging in direct instruction, project based learning opportunities, flipped learning activities, lectures, and checks for understanding on a regular basis.  Also, students and parents should notice a marked difference in the communication from the school, and the opportunities for students to get assistance when they struggle.  We look forward to working with all students to be successful in math, and all of their classes this year.

Welcome Back!

We are excited about welcoming students back and kicking off our second year at MHHS. We also want to keep you informed with a few important announcements.

First, while all students have received a copy of their course schedule, changes may have been made over the past several days that necessitate all students picking up a copy of their schedule tomorrow morning from the main office.  Office personnel could use a few good student or parent volunteers to help pass these out.  Please see Mrs. Glenna in the morning if you are willing to help.  

All students and parents who have submitted Schedule Change Requests over the past week, should note that counselors will continue to work on these requests over the next 10 days.  Due to a high volume of these requests, please wait for a counselor to verify the changes and continue going to your printed schedule until a counselor notifies you of a change.  Parents should also note that schedules are also subject to change due to class size balancing and changes in the master schedule.

Please note that the Bell Schedule for this school year has changed.  First period starts promptly at 8:00 A.M. and school ends at 3:30 P.M. each day.  Fridays are no longer early release days.  

Please check the Bell Schedule Document here 

for information about our 12 early release dates and times.  

All students who have a Flex period should report to the Multi-Use Room at the beginning of their Flex period to learn about the rules and expectations of the Flex Period.

We look forward to seeing students back at school tomorrow morning.  If you have questions, please call our main office at 209.836.7460

Summer Sports Practices

Summer Sports Practices 

Attention all Athletes!  If you are planning on playing a Fall Sport next year, many of our teams are running summer conditioning.  Students interested in summer conditioning are REQUIRED to complete the Athlete Packet, including a recent physical.  CLICK HERE to access the Athlete Packet. See below for a schedule of summer practices:

Football
Monday-Friday 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. in the Stadium and the Weight Room
Coach:  Jason McCloskey  jmccloskey@lammersvilleusd.net

Boys Soccer
Monday-Thursday 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. in the Stadium
Coach:  Francisco Soto  fsoto-becerra@lammersvilleusd.net

Girls Volleyball
Monday-Thursday 8:30 A.M.-10:00 A.M. in the Small Gym (Coaches will be there by 8:00 A.M. for early-risers)
Coach:  TBD...contact Ms. Woods at lwoods@lammersvilleusd.net

Cross Country
Monday-Friday 5:00 P.M.- 6:30 P.M. at the entrance to Central Park
Coach:  Jennifer Pena  jpena@lammersvilleusd.net

Girls Basketball-by invitation ONLY
Contact Coach Reno Ursal:  rursal@lammersvilleusd.net

Boys Basketball-by invitation ONLY
Contact Coach Scott McDonald:  smcdonald@lammersvilleusd.net

Become a Summer School Peer Tutor Get High School Credit OR Community Service Hours

Did you know if you got a "B" or above, in any of your classes, you could become a Peer Tutor?  Peer tutors can earn up to a full year of elective credit for work completed during summer school.  Training will be provided.  Sign up to become a peer tutor today!  Visit our Peer Tutoring website by CLICKING HERE or just sign up today by filling out our online form here: http://tinyurl.com/mhhspeertutor

Delta College Assessment for All Incoming 8th Graders!

We are excited to inform all of our 8th grade families that all 8th grade students will have an opportunity this year to participate in a High School and College and Career Readiness and assessment field trip.  Each of our K-8 schools will be communicating with families about the specific date that students will participate.  All 8th grade students will be visiting the Mountain House High School Campus to learn more about preparing for High School and College, and will even have the opportunity to take the Delta College placement test.  The placement test that students will take will allow us to collect important data on our students in the areas of Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.  This test will take the place of the end-of-year MAP testing, and will also be used to determine math placement for students entering Mountain House High School next school year.  This test will also help us determine which students may be ready to participate in our College Early Start and Middle College programs at Mountain House High School.  In order for our students to take this placement test, each student will have the opportunity to learn how to apply for college by going online and completing the Delta College Application.  Your student has brought home a letter with important information about filling out this application, along with the links you need to access the application.  All students must complete the Delta College Application by Wednesday May 20th.

For more information about this High School and College and Career Readiness day, please visit the High School website at mhhs.lammersvilleusd.net and click on the “Early and Middle College” link under the “Instructional Initiatives” section of the webpage.  

Each student will receive individualized test results, and will have the opportunity to tour Mountain House High School Campus, and interact with the MHHS leadership students on the day of the test. Lammersville Unified School District is committed to supporting our goal of High School and College and Career readiness for each of our students through this unique partnership with Delta College.  Your student will be coming home with a form for you to review, sign, and return by Wednesday the 20th.  The form you sign acknowledges that you have completed the Delta College online application, and will permit Delta College to share assessment results with our district.  It is also important that you review and sign the field trip permission form.

If you have any questions about the College and Career Readiness Tour or the assessment, please call Renee Sweeden, counselor at MHHS at 209.836.7460 ext. 2090.  

California High School Exit Exam Results

Mountain House High School is proud to announce the results of testing data that was just returned to us.  In March, all sophomore students at MHHS took the High School Exit Exam.  This exam has been used in the past as one of the measures in the Academic Performance Index (API) as part of the measures of success.  We are proud to announce that the students at Mountain House High School performed extremely well on the exit exam.  This exam tests our Sophomores on their basic readiness for high school graduation in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.  I am proud to report that on this first attempt, 92% of our students passed the ELA portion of the exam, and 89% passed the math portion.  If we compare this to the high school our students have previously attended, students at that school passed the ELA at a rate of 67% and Math at a rate of 67% last school year.  Our students have performed high above the goal set by our district, well above the state average, and significantly higher than neighboring schools and districts!
 Congratulations to our MHHS students!

Non-Returning Students

As our school year comes to a close, we understand that there are some families who will move away, or not be continuing in the Lammersville Unified School District.  As such, we are interested in making sure we make appropriate plans, and ask that parents who have students who will not be continuing next school year please visit our online form to notify us if your are not staying in the Lammersville Unified School District next year.  We encourage you to fill out that form by visiting it online at the following link: CLICK HERE.

Summer School

Summer school status letters have been sent home in the mail.  If you had a student who received a low grade, or an incomplete grade for the first semester, you should be receiving a letter in the mail.  This letter will detail the classes that your student will need to make up to be high school graduation and 4 year college ready by their senior year.  This letter will also have information about how to register for summer school.  If you would like more information about the summer school program, or would like the link to register your student for summer school, please visit our summer school website by CLICKING HERE.

ALL SPORTS Athletics Meeting

On Wednesday, May 20th, MHHS High School will be hosting an Athletics informational meeting for parents AND students who plan on participating in any extra-curricular sport next school year.  This is an important meeting for ALL students and their parents who will play any sport to learn about expectations, rules, and and information about next year’s sports teams.  The meeting will take place Wednesday May 20th at 6:00 PM in the Multi-Use room at Mountain House High School.  At this time, both general AND sport specific information will be shared, including any summer conditioning and practices that will take place.  If you have a student planning on playing any sport, you should plan on being present at this meeting.

WHAT: ALL SPORTS Athletics Meeting

WHEN: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 6:00 P.M.

WHERE: Multi-Use Room at MHHS

WHO: ALL STUDENTS who plan on playing sports next year INCLUDING incoming Freshmen