CURRENT ISSUE | goodthingsoctober

November 15

4:45 pm

GCC Board Meeting @GCC

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ENGAGE

Where did October go? October was Bullying Awareness month and I want to affirm each of our schools as they have begun to reflect and expand on their practices to create cultures of care, compassion, tolerance and inclusivity. We’re looking forward to cultivating excellence in this area.

November holds so much opportunity for each of us; we have the privilege to exercise our civic voice and vote this month (11/8), the opportunity to honor those who serve or who have served our country (11/11); and we have the Thanksgiving celebration. The holidays are nearly upon us; with only 19 days until Thanksgiving (and 50 days until Christmas) I hope that you are already beginning to dwell on the many things for which to be grateful. As the leader of this incredible organization I am so grateful each day for the opportunity to serve alongside each of you as we do the great work we do each day for the students in our care.

As we say goodbye to October and move into the holidays, let us work together to continue to promote academic excellence and enhanced physical, socio-emotional and cultural growth for ALL our students.

~ Dr. Cindy Petersen, Superintendent/CEO

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Good Things Newsletter

Business Services Update

The Business Services Department has just wrapped up the fieldwork on our annual audit and is now working with the auditors to develop the final report. Thanks to the hard work of the Business Services Department and the schools, there were no reportable audit findings for another year. We have also just released the new version of the Travel/Conference pre-approval and reimbursement forms to help improve the process for requesting travel/conference approvals and registrations. We are developing a web based form for purchase requisitions to streamline that process as well. In addition, the team is working on our First Interim Budget revisions based on updated enrollment and grant information due to our authorizing school districts on December 15.

Office of Community Engagement and Development:

The Office of Community Engagement and Development team is continuing our work with the GCC Foundation, marketing and outreach for the organization and individual school sites, social media communication, developing the Community and Business Advisory Council (CBAC); and outreach to government, community and business leaders in the area to gain support for GCC schools as well as continuously assisting in coordination and strategy development for parent liaisons at various school sites.

Director of Community Engagement and Development, Jason Sample and Assistant Director, Sergey Terebkov recently represented Gateway Community Charters at Sacramento Metro Chamber Of Commerce Education and Workforce Development Committee, Multicultural Business Expo, Twin Rivers Unified School Board Meetings, San Juan Unified School District, Yolo County Board of Education Meeting and Annual Leadership Breakfast, City of Sacramento. Assistant Director Terebkov recently met with the newly selected Sacramento City Manager and other elected officials as well as representing the GCC for the Fort Ross Dialogue at Stanford University.

GCC Athletics Update

The GCC Soccer League recently came to a close after another successful season. All of the schools that participated have done a great job showing effort and sportsmanship and the coaches have done a great job being positive and including all players in the games. Thanks to Adrienne Herbst and the site sports coordinators for putting on another successful GCC Soccer League. The next sport for GCC schools will be basketball and we anticipate great participation from all of the GCC schools.

EdCamps

GCC values the unique skills of all of our employees and we encourage everyone to sign up to conduct an EdCamp in an area of expertise. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, paraprofessional, playground assistant, office support staff, etc. – we believe that everyone has unique skills to share with our organization. Building stronger “system coherence” is something that GCC strives for. We are looking forward to bringing a wide variety of EdCamps to you in 2016-2017. For questions, or more information about EdCamps, please do not hesitate to contact jerry.kosch@gcccharters.org.

Please visit the GCC Training Calendar located under the “calendar” tab at www.gcccharters.org for details about EdCamps as well as other GCC and SCOE professional development opportunities.

"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."

~ Unknown

October 2016

Good Things Are HappeninG

All Across the GCC!

Futures High School

Lunch Time Visit with the Sheriff Department

During one of our school lunches, our students were surprised with a visit by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. They brought a few of their youth service vehicles with flashing lights and sirens. Students had a chance to interact with officers and see the vehicles they use for their work. This was a motivational and educational experience for our students. This event and others are ways that we partner with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

Blood Drive

We strive as a school to have a positive impact in the lives of our students and model the way for them to create positive impact. Students had an opportunity to give back to their community by giving blood to save lives. October 6th we partnered with BloodSource to give blood for those in need.

Girls Volleyball

The Lady Knights volleyball team entered their final week of the season as they traveled to Victory Christian High School on October 27th. The team recognized and said goodbye to their seniors as the they hosted their rivals, Encina, recently in the final home game of the season. There was significant staff, student, administrative, and familial support at the game and the girls were able to pull off a huge 3 game sweep to reign victorious.

Cross Country

The Knights finished their freshman season at the Bella Vista High School Invitational recently. The Knights were a bit under the weather, as many of the kids weren't feeling at their best. Despite all of this, the Knights showed their toughness as they raced hard and came away with a great finish and a feeling of accomplishment. Coach Herbst is anticipating an even more successful sophomore season and cannot wait to continue to grow the program.

Gateway International School

International Baccalaureate Night

Gateway International School held our 2nd annual International Baccalaureate Night, Thursday, October 20th. We packed the multi-purpose room with more than 250 family members, enjoying dinner together, all while hoping to win one of the amazing baskets each class had put together for the raffle. Both parents and students alike enjoyed visiting the classrooms and new portables while playing IBingo and learning more about the Primary Years and Middle Years IB programs. The night brought our GIS family closer together and helps ensure our success as an IB school.

Collaborative "EdCamps" at SAVA Power Inn!

At SAVA PI, staff recently spent some time in collaborative “EdCamps”. Teachers collectively brainstormed topics they’d like to learn about, and then gathered with like-minded colleagues to discuss how to better serve students. Groups discussed Google Tools, Student Engagement, our new touchscreen monitors, and Dealing with “Tough” Kids.

New Recording Studio and Kitchen at SAVA Elk Grove!

SAVA Elk Grove has recently completed two exciting new spaces: Recording Studio and Kitchen!

These new spaces will afford students the opportunity to take classes such as Recording Theory, Recording Workshop, ProTools, Introduction to Kitchen, and Food & Nutrition on their own campus.

SAVA Sim Good Things:

In the photo to the right, paraeducator, Elizabeth Losson, is using an IPad to teach one of our students math. What used to be a white board lesson is now an interactive lesson using an IPad. SAMR Model in action!

Sacramento Academic & Vocational Academy

Community Collaborative

Charter School

CCCS Goes to Yosemite!

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike. John Muir - The Yosemite (1912)

How to sum up 3 days of outdoor experiential education in a “brief blurb”? Exciting, Exuberant, Exploratory, Extremely Beneficial, Exactly what we needed. From Sunday morning, October 16 to Tuesday evening, October 18, 16 intrepid students and their trusty teachers set out on a Yosemite Valley Academic Adventure par excellence. We may have arrived in the soaking rain, but we departed in the sun dappled autumn glow of a perfect Yosemite day having hiked, climbed, laughed, observed, discovered, experimented, studied, created, and pushed ourselves in ways both unexpected and necessary. NatureBridge provided a fantastic learning experience that was more than hands on –it was learning by doing. Every activity, large and small, facilitated academic and person growth for our students, each new moment created memories and proved to them that they could do more than they believed. Whether hiking the Mist Trail or doing an 8 mile day that summited for lunch across from Bridal Veil Falls, studying the ages of the earth or how glaciers deposited and shaped the iconic granite of Yosemite, students lived science and lived strong together.

Each participant came away from the trip with new passion for the outdoors, new friendships, new skills and new confidence. It was agreed by all that our Yosemite trip was too amazing to be contained in 3 days. Next year’s trip is already on our minds, and we are planning for 4 days. Just think what we will gain from 4 days of outdoor experiential education!

Higher Learning Academy

Some Highlights this Month from HLA:

Our recent Fall Carnival was so much fun! It was wonderful to see all our families and to enrich our school and family partnerships.

HLA had a successful anti-bullying Spirit Week October 10-14.

HLA has just begun the New Program: Saturday Scholars and Leaders which has been a very positive addition!

In the picture to the left, Mr. Bagozzi was leading his students in an interactive math activity.

Middle School Highlights:

In collaboration with Futures HS student leadership, the Red Ribbon Week at COA Middle School is filled with student-led meaningful activities during various classes as well as during lunch breaks. Every day during the week of October 24th, there were organized activities and games made available to the middle school students each loaded with the anti-drug use message. Teenagers are actively teaching teenagers about the dangers of drug use. The message is powerful and the delivery is strong: You Only Live Your Life Once. Make it Count!

Elementary School Highlights:

The Readers of Today are the Leaders of Tomorrow

All of the first grade classes went on a field trip to the Sylvan Oaks Library where students received their very own library card, listened to stories from the librarian, went on a tour of the library, and every student chose their very own book to check out from the library.

Anti-Bullying Assembly

Our Character Education Leader and Student Leadership Coach, Mr. Tony met with some of our Student Leaders about an upcoming Anti-Bullying assembly. THEY will be the ones to help convey the message that bullying is not acceptable at COA!

Fort Ross Dialogue at Stanford University

Principal Gonchar attended the 5th Annual Fort Ross Dialogue, an independent forum where Americans and Russians meet in constructive atmosphere to encourage conversation and collaboration. Special key speakers: California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Dr. William Perry, 19th US Secretary of Defense, Governor Yakushev, Governor of the Tyumen region etc.

Community Outreach Academy

Empowering

Possibilities International

Charter

IB Learner Profile Traits

EPIC recently recognized their student scholars with a Learner Profile Traits Award Celebration. Scholars from each class displayed the learner profile trait of - THINKERS

Thinkers use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems.

Community Impact Academy (CCCS/SAVA)

Community Impact Academy is off to a great start this school year. The classes at CCCS and SAVA have been focusing on the topic of Poverty and include a new partnership with the Creation District. Students have attended a City Council meeting and shared their opinions and voice around the Right to Rest movement and the homeless issues facing our city. We also visited The Tubman house where students learned about transitional housing plans, created their own plan and got to speak/ ask questions with staff and residence. We will also be visiting Loaves and Fishes and the Creation District main office this semester.

Lastly, Community Impact Academy is putting together a “Right to Rest Run” to raise money to help support the homeless all over the Sacramento area. The run is a 5k that will be held at Freedom Park in North Highlands, California. The run fee will be $5 and there will be free food and drinks. There will also be games, vendors, contests and prizes!

Who:

A family fun event, everyone is invited

When:

December 10, 2016

10:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Where:

Freedom Park

North Highlands California

Please save the date, a flyer will come out shortly!

Heartzones in the GCC

A number of our sites have implemented the Heartzones PE Program into their physical education curriculum. The Heart Zones System provides the opportunity for objective assessment and personalized programs. By using heart rate and zone training to level the playing field, physical educators are able to truly assess student health and fitness, as well as prescribe legitimate personalized programs for improvement. HeartZones brings Physical Education into the 21st Century!

Heartzones in Action at COA Middle School!