COMMUNITY CONNECT DECEMBER 2023 | VOLUME 4 | EDITION 5
P They, along with our communities, provide a compass for our students to follow...giving them access to a healthy and safe high school experience, showing them the value of hard work, allowing them to make mistakes and learn from them, and guiding them to success after high school. Aides, Techs, Specialists and Coaches) are gifts on our campuses and create a climate, culture and learning environment that is second to none. Once again...I will say how surreal it is that we are beginning the last month of this year, which means the end of our first term and halfway through the school year! As most of you have heard me say...after Winter Break, the Spring Term seems to fly by so be sure to keep track of all of the events happening, senior information and planning for next year! During this past term, I have had the good fortune to be out on campuses and witness the amazing things taking place, and perhaps more importantly, the incredible educators making those things happen and guiding our students towards excellence . The teachers, administrators, and ALL of the support staff (Clerical, IT, Maintenance, Nutrition,
December Board Meeting Tuesday - December 19, 2023 5:30 pm Lynn MacDonald Education Center 3775 Richardson Drive - Auburn Official Newsletter of the Placer Union High School District Staff Spotlight - Pages 2 & 3 Program Spotlight - Page 4 Transition to Adult Living (TAL) Program - Pages 5 & 6 “The Point” Podcast - Page 7 “The Squeeze” - Page 8 Out & About in November - Pages 9 & 10 Educators Wanted & Winter Break Info - Page 11 Happy Holidays - Page 12
This is P U H S D and WE are providing Excellence in Education...thank you PUHSD staff and communities! Happy Holidays, Sarah Rath, Communications Officer
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BRIAN ALVAREZ ~ Colfax Custodian
Brian Alvarez is not only a great member of the Maintenance Team at Colfax High School, he is also an amazingly-talented artist! He recently joined Ms. Borruso’s IB/AP Art class to share his portfolio, tools, and his processes with the students and helped them with their own print-making projects. Here’s some information to get to know Brian and some photos of his incredible artwork.
How long have you been with PUHSD? Part time since November 2022 & full time since May 2023.
What are your hobbies outside of work/art? Outside of work I enjoy hiking and backpacking, working with and training dogs, which I have done for the past 8+ years teaching basic behavioral skills and trail manners on and off leash. I am also well versed in cooking and preparing meals from an array of cultures for family and friends and have done that pretty much my entire adulthood. I also love to spend time in my garden tending to my fruit trees and planting bulbs and flowers. How long have you been doing artwork and how did you get started? I have been dabbling in art since childhood. I have been printmaking for the past 4 years or so. I have also created works using watercolor, acrylic paint, collage, digital art, and pastel.
Anything else you'd like to add. I love living in the foothills. To me, this is a paradise, and I hope that one day I get to have a little place to call my own on the edge of a lake, able to wake up and take a brisk swim and sip a warm coffee lakeside. What is an interesting fact about you that you'd like to share? I swam competitively for 15 years and coached for nearly 10. I pretty much grew up on the deck of a swimming pool. What is your favorite food? You just cannot beat authentic Mexican food, but I also enjoy a good Sushi roll and a rich bowl of Ramen when I get the chance. Where is your favorite vacation destination and have you been there? My most favorite place I have travelled to was the south island of New Zealand. I spent 21 days there traveling in a camper van with my best bud traversing the entire rim of the Island.
Thank You Brian for sharing your talents with all of us! We are PUHSD Proud!!!
Woodworking Pathway Woodworking is a popular course at a few of our high schools. Mr. Pettengill at Del Oro High School and some of his Woodworking 2 students recently showcased some of their awesome work during lunch. The safety lessons, skills acquired and the products created in these classes are life-long assets to all of the students who take these courses. This pathway is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and safety practices to be successful in the woodworking/construction industry. When students complete this pathway, they will be certified to use most power tools and hand tools that the industry demands. Intro Course: Woodworking 1 Concentrator Course: Woodworking 2 Capstone Course: Woodworking 3
Promo Video
Transition to Adult Living
One of PUHSD’s programs that many are unaware of is our Transition to Adult Living (TAL) Program for students needing additional support following receipt of their Certificate of Accomplishment from high school. These students, ages 17 through 22, attend TAL at our Placer School for Adults campus in Auburn.
Dr. Carrie Warda (who is also our Director of Pupil Services) serves as the Principal for TAL. Two teachers, Aliasha Ruland and Christian Anderson, along with a wonderful team of support staff - Aides Lotte O’Neil, Brittany Martell, Mikki Yamamoto, Sylvia Dahl and Theresa Bashim; LVN Cheryll McGaugh; Psychologist Laura Owens; Workability Coordinator Rebecca Brandon; and Speech Pathologists Hannah Robbins and Karen Fullerton - share their gifts of teaching, compassion and guidance with these students every day. The days are filled with learning how to manage
personal/social/emotional care of oneself, completing classroom contributions, gaining independent living skills, working on communication and language, understanding community mobility, taking time for recreation and leisure by taking daily walks around the beautiful park pond (we do this year-round because life doesn’t stop when it’s raining) . TAL has chickens and ducks that are cared for by the students; their fresh eggs are used to make gourmet dog bones. Many students participate in making the gourmet dog bones that they sell as a fundraiser to provide funds for community-based outings, field trips, parties and yearbooks. Many of the students are also employed at community businesses (Grocery Outlet, Mel’s Diner, Mission Coffee and Tractor Supply) during the week. Our staff accompanies them to the business to ensure their safety, confidence and success. From interviewing, working, to an exit interview, these opportunities provide valuable life experience for our incredible students. We are PUHSD proud of all!
P INT The
Podcasts will be aired on the 1st and 15th of each month during the school year (unless that needs adjusting due to topics/schedule).
Trailer - August 1, 2023
Episode #1 - August 15, 2023
Episode #2 - September 1, 2023
Episode #3 - September 15, 2023
Episode #4 - October 1, 2023
Episode #5 - October 12, 2023
Episode #6 - November 1, 2023 Episode #8 - December 1, 2023 Episode #7 - November 15, 2023
Classified Manager Academy Human Resource Coordinator Ronda Black, in collaboration with Erik Vereyken (Retired PUHSD Administrator), facilitated the first meeting of the Classified Manager Academy. This group of Classified Managers, Directors and Sr. School Administrative Assistants will gather three more times this school year to discuss the many facets of a Manager’s role, as well as how to create goals to develop their teams, communicate effectively, and continue building on our District’s Mission.
From the desk of Crystal Eatherton, Director Child Nutrition Services Department
ON CAMPUS OUT & ABOUT
Del Oro Turkey Feast
Thanks Assemblyman Patterson for helping!
There are MANY more champions throughout our District, but here are a few pictures that capture some of the amazing successes achieved by our students during this Fall Term.
The time and effort you all put forth to proudly represent your schools and communities are very much appreciated.
Job well done!!! PUHSD Proud!!
LEAGUE, PLAYOFFS, SECTIONS & STATE... COMPETITIONS, MATCHES, RACES & DEBATES.
There’s a need for Educators. How about...
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has launched a Roadmap to Teaching initiative that helps guide potential educators through the process of earning a credential. A digital tool on its website walks candidates through the credentialing process for their desired position, as well as preparation options. (EdSource) The "Roadmap to Teaching" online tools, such as the Career Pathways and the Basic Skills Calculator, can quickly provide answers or a conversation with a career counselor can also be scheduled via an online form.
Roadmap to Teaching Website
WINTER BREAK
REMINDER - NO SCHOOL
Monday, December 25, 2023 through Friday, January 5, 2024
Spring Term begins on Monday, January 8, 2024
13000 New Airport Road Auburn, CA 95603 Phone: 530.886.4400 Fax: 530.886.4449 STAY CONNECTED Placer Union High School District
The Placer Union High School District (PUHSD) is committed to ensuring equal, fair, and meaningful access to employment and education services and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. PUHSD prohibits discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, or bullying in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics of age, ancestry, color, ethnic group identification, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical information, national origin, disability, parental status, political affiliation, pregnancy and related conditions, race, religion, retaliation, sex, sexual orientation, military or veterans status, homelessness, foster status, or any other basis prohibited by California state and federal nondiscrimination laws consistent with Education Code 200 and 220, Government Code 11135, and Title IX. If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, or bullying you should contact Title IX Coordinator (Students) Steve Caminiti 13000 New Airport Road, Auburn, 530.886.4402, scaminiti@puhsd.k12.ca.us; Title II (Students) and Section 504 Coordinator Carrie Warda, 13000 New Airport Road, Auburn, 530.886.4443, cwarda@puhsd.k12.ca.us; and/or Title IX and Title II Coordinator (Staff), Elena DalFavero 13000 New Airport Road, Auburn, 530.886.4426, edalfavero@puhsd.k12.ca.us.
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