Los Altos High School March 2009
EAGLE FLIGHTS
Principal’s Message
BUDGET UPDATE FROM DR. GROVES
I am writing this update on next year’s education
budget. The latest state budget proposal provides for a
cut to education of $8.6 billion over two years with MARCH CALENDAR
increased taxes and fees. The federal stimulus package
will likely have money for California education, but March
little for basic aid (or community funded) districts like 3 LAHS PTSA Meeting, Library, 6:45pm
MVLA. As of this writing (2.13.09), neither the state 4-5 Minimum Days for In-Service
nor the federal plans have been passed. 5 Calming the College Admissions Frenzy, Eagle
Theatre, 7pm
In developing a budget for next year, we are waiting for 9 MVLA School Board Meeting, 7pm
final numbers from the state. The state may pass a 9-13 Science Week
budget outline soon that would also cover the 2009- 11 Science Week Speaker, David Fetterman,
2010 fiscal year. Facebook, Eagle Theatre, 7pm
17-18 CAHSEE Make-up
We will not be issuing any March 15 reduction in force 20 End of 3rd Quarter
notices to certificated employees, as some of our 20 Symphony Concert, Eagle Theatre, 7pm
neighboring school districts will complete. However, 23-27 2009/10 Course Information Letters mailed
we do not know what will happen with our home
categorically funded programs. We may need to adjust 25 Teen Job Fair, 2:30-3:30pm
our categorical programs pending state funding. We 25-26 Early Assessment Program (EAP) Testing for
anticipate employing fewer employees during the next Juniors (for more information check out
fiscal year. Our final staffing needs may not be known http://www.calstate.edu/eap/
until this May. 26 Instrumental Music Concert, Eagle Theatre,
7pm
We are taking steps now to help deal with this 27 Sadie’s Dance, Large Gym, 8-11pm
economic downturn. We continue to request that staff 30-4/3 Stress (less) Week – Girls for a Change
conserve funding this year to provide additional
carryover dollars to help support next year’s programs.
This winter we did not replace three classified
positions, and continue to hire new employees on a temporary basis pending budget decisions.
The next budget advisory meeting will be held on February 26 to discuss possible budget reduction options for the 2009-2010
school year. Our Board of Trustees will discuss budget options this spring with the final district budget adopted in June.
NEW SCIENCE COURSES OFFERED AT LAHS NEXT YEAR
Los Altos High School will start offering three new science classes beginning the fall of 2009. The science department is planning
on offering Advanced Placement Environmental Science, Biology Honors and Chemistry Honors. If your student is interested in
enrolling in any of these courses, please contact your counselor to find out more.
2009/10 COURSE SELECTIONS
By the middle of this month, all students will have selected courses for the 2009/10 school year. Once these selections have been
loaded into the computer, we will be mailing home a letter so that you can verify your student’s courses. These letters will be
mailed out during the week of March 23-27 and you will have until April 10 to make corrections. If you son or daughter is
enrolling in an AP/Honors course, contracts are also due on Friday, April 10.
EAGLE CARDS
Eagle Cards will be available at the end of March. See any ASB member or stop by the Attendance Office. The cost is $20 and all
proceeds go to support student activities at LAHS.
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Los Altos High School March 2009
KEN GREEN SCHOLARSHIP
As you may have read in the Town Crier article entitled “Help a Neighborhood Kid Go to College….Please!”, we are looking for
donations to continue the Ken Green Memorial Scholarship. Los Altos High School commemorates instructor and coach Ken
Green with this memorial scholarship. Ken taught science at Los Altos High School for 15 years and was an inspiration both in
the classroom and on the sports field. Ken coached golf at Mountain View High School and softball and football at Los Altos
High School. This scholarship keeps Ken’s dream alive, to assist neighborhood kids with college freshman fees. Financial aid is
more difficult to achieve the first year of college than in later years. We are upon difficult financial times so we are reaching out
to the Los Altos and Mountain View communities for donations to continue this worthwhile cause. Your donation will not only
help a child financially, it memorializes a teacher’s desire to help him or her build their dream. Please send donations to:
Ken Green Memorial Scholarship
ATTN: Carl Babb
Los Altos High School
201 Almond Ave.
Los Altos, Ca 94022
Checks should be made out to MVLA School District and footnoted Ken Green Memorial Scholarship in order to receive a tax
advantage. If you have questions, please contact Carl Babb at carl.babb@mvla.net.
COLLEGE/CAREER CENTER UPDATE!
There will be a Teen Job Fair on campus Wednesday, March 25 from 2:30 -3:30 pm. Local employers will be looking
for summer hires and/or spring after-school employees. Applications will be available, so make sure your student knows
his/her SS# and a few names they can use as references. There may be some volunteer opportunities as well. I will hold a
job application and a resume-writing workshop at lunch the week before the Job Fair. We hope to provide a positive event in
this economy!!
Get ready for Countdown to College!! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 7th from 6:30 until 8:30 pm. This is an
evening of seminars and mini-workshops all geared towards the college process. There will be multiple offerings from
which you and your student can choose to attend. Topics include the UCs, CSUs, Private Colleges, Community Colleges,
Out of State Public Colleges, Career Trends, Financial Aid, Creative/Performing Arts Colleges, a parent panel, a student
panel, NCAA and Student Athletes among many others. There will be a special session headed by Jane McClure geared for
Students with Learning Disabilities and one geared for Spanish speaking families. This is always a well-attended evening,
full of relevant information!
Registration for the EDGE’s SAT preparation class entitled “How to Outsmart the SAT” will begin March 1.
Registration forms are available in the College/Career Center. These classes will have your student ready to take the May
SAT. Students need to return the completed registration form with a check payable to “The Edge” in the amount of $90.00
before they secure a place in the class. Please know that there is a limited amount of seating, and students are taken on a first
come-first served basis. The dates of the classes are Tuesdays March 31, April 7, 21 and 28 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm.
Remember the FAFSA and Cal Grant deadlines are March 2nd. You must download the Cal Grant GPA Verification
forms from the California Student Aid Commission website at www.csac.ca.gov. The counselors or I will sign and verify
your student’s GPA. The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and I have the hardcopy worksheets in the
College/Career Center.
Local scholarships are still arriving. I have scholarship binders in the College/Career Center, which students have been
looking through or they check on Naviance/Family Connection under scholarships. Many of these scholarships are just
waiting for a Los Altos student to apply. There are thousands of dollars available to our students and awards can be based on
merit or financial need. Some scholarships have online applications.
Senior parents, your students will begin receiving those college admittance letters this month. Please remind your
students to update Naviance/Family Connection with the results. This information will be a requirement for senior checkout
and necessary for school reporting purposes.
Please feel free to call me, Kristin Joseph, Coordinator, with any questions you may have or just stop by room 103
between 7:30 and 3:00 pm. My number is 960-8836, or email me at kristin.joseph@mvla.net.
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Los Altos High School March 2009
LAS NOTICIAS DEL CENTRO DE COLEGIOS Y CARERAS
Habrá una Feria de Empleos para Jóvenes en Los Altos High School miércoles, el 25 de marzo de las 2:30 PM a las 3:30
PM. Empleadores locales estarán buscando empleados para el verano y para la primavera para después de las clases. Habrá
solicitudes, entonces asegure que sus hijos sepan su número del Seguro Social y unos nombres para referencias. Habrá
oportunidades para posiciones voluntarias, también. Habrá un taller en el Centro de Colegios y Careras sobre cómo llenar
solicitudes para empleo y cómo escribir un résumé, o currículum vitae, durante el almuerzo la semana antes de la Feria.
Esperamos proveer un acontecimiento positivo en esta economía.
¡¡Ya viene “Prepárense para la universidad”!! Es martes, el 7 de abril de las 6:30 PM a las 8:30 PM. Marquen sus
calendarios. Ésta es una noche de seminarios y mini-talleres sobre el proceso de solicitar a las universidades. Habrá una
sesión específicamente para las familias hispanohablantes. Los tópicos incluyen: asistencia financiera, las Universidades
de California (UCs), las Universidades del Estado de California (CSUs), las universidades privadas, los colegios de
comunidad, las universidades públicas de otros estados, careras populares, las universidades de los artes, los estudiantes
atletas, y mucho más. Cada año viene mucha gente a este acontecimiento útil y lleno de información.
La matriculación empezará el primero de marzo para el curso para la preparación para el examen SAT dado por
“EDGE” intitulado, “Cómo ser más listo que el SAT.” Los formularios para matricularse se encuentran en el Centro de
Colegios y Careras. Este curso preparará a sus hijos para tomar el examen SAT de mayo. Hay que devolver la solicitud
completada con un cheque dirigido a “The Edge” por $90 para asegurar plaza en el curso. El espacio en el curso está limitado
y se toma al estudiante primer llegado primer servido. Las fechas del curso son los martes: el 31 de marzo, y en abril el 7, el
21, y el 28, de las 6 PM a las 8:30 PM.
Recuerden que hay que entregar las solicitudes para las becas de FAFSA y Cal Grant no más tarde que el 2 de marzo.
Los formularios “Cal Grant GPA Verification Forms” se encuentran en el sitio Web de la Comisión de California de
Asistencia Financiera en: www.csac.ca.gov. O yo necesito o los consejeros necesitan firmar y verificar en este formulario el
promedio de notas del estudiante. Se encuentran los formularios para la FAFSA en el sitio Web www.fafsa.ed.gov. Tengo
copias de todos en mi oficina.
Seguimos recibiendo becas universitarias locales. En el Centro de Colegios y Careras tengo cuadernos llenos de
información sobre becas universitarias. También hay una lista completa de becas en la sección “Naviance/Family Connection”
del sitio Web: www.mvla.net/lahs. Está bajo la categoría “becas.” Hay miles de dólares en becas accesibles a nuestros
estudiantes de Los Altos High School basadas en mérito, necesidades financieras, la etnicidad, etc. Unas becas tienen
solicitudes en sitios de Web.
Padres de estudiantes del último año, (los “Seniors”): sus estudiantes empezarán a recibir las cartas de admisión
universitaria este mes. Recuerden que los estudiantes necesitan entrar estos resultados en la sección “Naviance/Family
Connection” del sitio Web: www.mvla.net/lahs como un requisito de graduarse.
Qué me llamen a mí, Kristin Joseph, Coordinadora, con cualquiera pregunta que tienen ustedes, o vengan a verme en la
escuela secundaria en el salón número 103 entre las 7:30 AM y las 3:00 PM. Mi número de teléfono es el 960-8836; mi
dirección de correo electrónico es: kristin.joseph@mvla.net.
3rd Annual Science & Technology Week
Exciting News: Facebook comes to LAHS Eagle Theater
Wednesday, March 11th 7-8:30pm
This year’s Science & Technology “Distinguished Speaker” will be David Fetterman, Engineering Manager for
Facebook. Over 90% of LAHS students have a Facebook page and access Facebook at least five times a day. Your
students will want to hear from David as to directions for social networking and the evolution of entrepreneurs and
technologists. He will devote at least 30 minutes to answer questions from LAHS students.
As part of Science & Technology Week March 9-13, your students will be inspired by leading technologists from
Silicon Valley’s prestigious research institutions (SETI, Stanford Engineering School, SLAC, NASA-Ames, Stanford
Medical Center) and corporations (Apple, Facebook, HP, NVidia). Be sure to ask your students about what they learned
from these speakers’ work and life stories. Not all students can attend all sessions – videotaped presentations will be
made available to the LAHS community.
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Los Altos High School March 2009
Eagle Library News!
February has been quite exciting in the Library for such a short little month! Along with Black History Month,
February has brought the wonderful Writers Week to our campus. Our students have responded by reading a lot
more than usual this month so far. A number of classes have been doing supplementary "for fun" reading. For
example, the World Literature classes were asked to read fiction written by authors not born in the U.S., or any non-
fiction book. We were very pleased to be able to offer well over 300 different choices from the fiction collection
that meet that criterion. These were featured in a big display, plus some engaging titles from the non-fiction
collection. For Black History Month we pulled about 20 titles focusing on African Americans, and put them on
display with some creative collages made by Mrs. Bridges and one of our students. On the lighter side, romances
and "fun girly books" have been popular this month, of course, to celebrate Valentine's Day. With a rainy winter
break forecast, February should prove to be the perfect month to escape into a good book. Research for the big
World War II project has begun for the juniors in US History classes. We are lucky to enjoy an exceptionally rich
and deep collection of materials to support learning about WWII, as well as the always-rewarding materials to be
found in InfoTrac. Looking ahead into March, we continue to add a few new titles each week that are eagerly
anticipated by the students. The vampire theme is still popular, along with pets--Marley and Me--and new additions
to favorite series such as Louise Rennison's Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl, and P.C.
Cast's House of Night.
We are looking forward to the flowers of spring! What are you reading? Spring-cleaning? Don't toss those
usable paperbacks and other books! We can use them!
Come in and see the library this spring!
Cheers, Doc Waite, your library media teacher.
THE TUTORIAL CENTER CORNER
SAT, ACT, CAHSEE, AP, midterm, and project season is here. The Tutorial
Center continues to help students study and prepare for these, besides their regular daily
homework. Our SAT/ACT prep sessions are underway but new sign ups are welcome. The
sessions are geared toward individual student’s need and pace. The Tutorial Center is also a
great place for group study or to do one’s homework with available material and resources
all around. Please check out our new website under www.mvla.net. Tutors’ schedules in all
school subjects are updated regularly since our tutoring team is expanding.
The Tutorial Center’s services are free to all LAHS students. We are located next to the
library, open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4:30 PM. For further information and
assistance, please contact Quyen Nguyen, the Tutorial Center coordinator, at 650-960-8474
or quyen.nguyen@mvla.net.
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Los Altos High School March 2009
WELCOME TO THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT!
We are well into the spring semester, and this is a very busy time of year in the Counseling Department! Individual
appointments with 9th graders are nearly complete, and counselors have met with 10th grade students in their English classes to
choose courses for next year. Tenth grade individual appointments will begin on March 19th and run through May 8th, during
which we will discuss students’ course selections. A series of two workshops will be held for juniors during Advisory/Tutorial on
April 7th and May 19th. Topics of general interest to juniors will be covered at the first workshop (mandatory for all juniors) and
college/letter of recommendation information will be discussed at the second workshop.
With spring comes testing, testing, and more testing. All 10th graders took the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam)
for the first time in February; students who do not pass it in 10th grade will have opportunities in 11th and 12th grades to take the
exam again. Juniors who have not passed the CAHSEE will retake it this month, as will sophomores who were absent for the
original February test dates. Seniors who have not passed the exam took it in February with the sophomores and will have one
more chance in May. Please note: In order to receive a high school diploma at the graduation ceremony in June, seniors must have
a passing score in hand before the end of the school year; this means that they must pass by February. Seniors who take the test in
May will not have their scores before graduation and will therefore receive a Certificate of Completion, not a diploma, if all other
graduation requirements have been met. They may exchange it for a diploma once they do pass the exam. STAR Testing affects all
freshman, sophomore, and junior students in the school, and this testing will be administered April 22nd – 24th.
Spring is also a time for college testing. Juniors should be signing up for the SAT Reasoning Test and/or ACT, which are
usually necessary for admission to four-year colleges. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors may also be taking SAT Subject Tests
in English, Math, Science, History, or World Language; the University of California requires freshman applicants to take at least
two of these exams in different subject areas. The tests are scheduled throughout the spring. The month of May will bring AP
(Advanced Placement) testing for students enrolled in AP courses. Testing will take place from May 4th – 15th; detailed
information about this testing was given in the February Eagle Flights article. More information on all college admission testing is
available in the Counseling section of the LAHS website, from your student’s counselor, and Kristin Joseph in the College/Career
Center.
Also occurring in May is placement testing for 12th graders who plan to attend Foothill College or DeAnza College. Admission
representatives will be coming to LAHS to administer these exams, which will take place on May 5th – 7th. Students must take
these tests to determine proper placement in math and English courses when entering community college. Students planning to
attend a community college other than Foothill or DeAnza must make their own arrangements for placement testing at the college
site. Parents and students may contact Kristin Joseph in the College/Career Center for more information or to sign up for the May
test dates.
The book that we would like to highlight this issue is Creative Colleges – A Guide for Student Actors, Artists, Dancers,
Musicians and Writers by Elaina Loveland. This is an excellent resource for creative college-bound students. It introduces
students to the unique issues of selecting and applying to colleges in creative fields. Various chapters include information on the
creative student’s college search, frequently asked questions, and specific details for each area of study. Decision-making,
auditions, portfolios, sample résumés and curriculum, profiles of selected programs, and comprehensive lists of colleges in each
discipline are covered in separate chapters. The book concludes with information on making the most of one’s creative college
experience, exploring local arts communities, study abroad opportunities, and exploring career choices after graduation. We have
found this book very useful in our work with students who are considering a major in a visual or performing art. Directors of
enrollment in colleges across the country also praise this book and its usefulness in the college search process. You can find
additional information at www.creativecollegesbook.com.
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Los Altos High School March 2009
PTSA NEWS
Your PTSA dollars at Work! Thanks to Arabella Napier and Bella Shapero and their dedicated committee for organizing
the 24th Annual Writers' Week held February 9-13. This was begun by Lee Cullinan Wooldridge as a memorial to her son,
Tracy. Ms. Wooldridge continues to be active in Writers’ Week and attends many of the class presentations. Writers’ Week is
sponsored by the PTSA and has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to meet novelists, short story writers, poets, and
journalists. The highlight of this year’s program was the talk by author Daniel Alarcon who discussed his book Lost City
Radio. The Wednesday evening event opened with music by the Composition Blues Band and was attended by students,
faculty, and the Los Altos community. Great job, Arabella and Bella! Thank you!
The next PTSA sponsored program is Science & Technology Week to be held March 9-13. Thanks to Julie Cates and her
volunteers for organizing this popular event. Science & Technology Week was created four years ago in response to student
and faculty requests for a program that demonstrates the creative application of science and math concepts in the real world. If
you would like to become involved in Writers’ Week and/or Science & Technology Week, please contact
LAHS.PTSA@mvla.net, and we will put you in touch with the right chairperson.
The next PTSA meeting is 6:45PM on Tuesday, March 3 in the LAHS Library. Mr. Robert Freeman and Ms. Lisa
Bolton will update us on ODFL (One Dollar for Life). The last PTSA meeting for this academic year will be 6:45PM on
Tuesday, May 5 also in the LAHS library. Senior parents will be recognized (and celebrated) at this meeting. Looking
forward to seeing you! Sherry Auerbach and Cameron Bilger, Co-Presidents
Stress Awareness Week
March 30th – April 3rd
Stress has become a highly prevalent and damaging reality for students, families, and school
staff at LAHS. The Girls For a Change club has been working this year with the Challenge
Success program (formerly called Stressed-Out Schools) through Stanford University to
recognize, address, and reduce stress at our school. Girls For a Change is proud to sponsor a very
exciting upcoming event: Stress Awareness Week!
Activities will take place at school for students throughout the week of March 30th – April 3rd,
and we would like to invite parents, students, and staff to join us for School Stress Awareness
Night on Thursday, April 2nd from 7-9pm. The evening will include student-led demonstrations
and a keynote speaker from the Challenge Success program. Please join us to learn how you can
help your students reduce stress as they work toward successful college and career goals. Please
contact Dafna Tarle in the counseling office at 650-960-8817 for more information.
Selpa 1 CAC Parent Education Event
Legislation - Sometimes the services our children need on their IEPs are very expensive, and the special education
budget is limited. Where is the money coming from, how it is distributed, and why are mandated services for our children
are not being adequately funded? Today we invite staff members of our Federal and State Representatives to hear what’s in
the pipeline for Special Education students and families, ask what we as parents can do to help fund programs and services,
and share our ideas for future legislation.
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 - meeting is 9 to 11 am. Hospitality begins at 8:45am. NOTE NEW LOCATION: Loyola
Elementary School Multi, 770 Berry Avenue, Los Altos 94024.
This parent education event is sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org) All of our events are free and open to
anyone who feels they might benefit. No registration is necessary.
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Los Altos High School March 2009
Flowers for Graduation
Help Support the Speech and Debate Team
Wearing Hawaiian-style orchid leis at graduation has become a beautiful tradition among Los Altos High seniors and
a popular way for family and friends to acknowledge their favorite graduates. The Speech and Debate Team organizes
the lei sale and delivers the fresh flowers to the seniors on graduation day as they line up one last time with their
classmates before entering the stands.
The lei sales help the team cover its tournament entry fees. During the 2008 - 2009 school year, more than 80 team
members have competed in tournaments at schools and universities in the Bay Area and across the country. 55 team
members have achieved official recognition; some of those students have received multiple awards. 6 team members
will be going to this year’s Tournament of Champions with more still in line to qualify for that distinction. The MVLA
Speech and Debate Team are great representatives of the School District; please support their efforts while celebrating
“your” senior’s graduation.
The leis must be pre-ordered by May 15th. For order forms, or if you have any questions, please contact Margaret
Arculus, at (650) 938-1581 (evenings), or at margaretarculus@comcast.net.
LAHS Athletic Boosters would like you to
SAVE THE DATE!!
For the Mountain View – Los Altos Golf Tournament
May 2, 2009
Proceeds will benefit
LAHS Athletic Boosters and Grad Night ‘10
Parents of Seniors!
Wondering about Grad Night 2009 and how you can be a part of planning this fun activity for our seniors?
Please join the Grad Night 2009 Committee for our next parent meetings! Come and have fun!
Wednesday, March 25 at 7 pm
and Wednesday, April 22 at 7 pm
in the LAHS library!
What is Grad Night?
What: All night party for Los Altos High School 2009 Graduates that is safe, alcohol and drug free, and is hosted /
chaperoned by parents of our graduating senior class.
When: Friday, June 5th, 2009 – Immediately following graduation ceremony. Buses load at 8:00PM and depart at
8:30PM. Return time approximately 5AM Saturday, June 6th at the Los Altos High School Main Parking lot.
Where: Location / theme is TOP SECRET!! Please attend our Grad Night meetings if you want to know more!
Cost: $135.00 payable to LAHS PTSA Grad Night 2009
Questions:
Please contact Jeanne Von Gunten at mjdsf1@pacbell.net or Cathy Chin at cychin@cisco.com
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Los Altos High School March 2009
LOS ALTOS HIGH SCHOOL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
201 ALMOND AVENUE PRSRT STD
LOS ALTOS, CA 94022 U.S. POSTAGE PAID
MTN. VIEW, CA 94040-4596
Return Service Requested PERMIT NO. 123
EAGLE FLIGHTS is a Los Altos High School PTSA Publication
Next deadline is Mar. 13th. Submissions – Vicki de Alcuaz, vdealcuaz@sbcglobal.net
Principal – Wynne Satterwhite Admin Assist to the Principal – Silvia Alcala 960-8813
Editor – Vicki de Alcuaz Mailing – Kate Farrell
PLEASE CONSIDER GETTING EAGLE FLIGHTS BY EMAIL OR ONLINE ONLY,
WE’LL SAVE TREES! Contact Kim Sheehan, kim@sheehangroup.net or 650-964-5496.
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