IN THE LION`S DEN - Diego Valley Charter School

IN THE LION’S DEN
Fall 2015
Issue No.16
Diego Valley Charter School
Principal’s
Corner
Hello, my name is
Jonelle Godfrey and I
am the newest member
of the Diego Valley
Administrative team. As
the new assistant
principal, I am fortunate
to join a team that is
dedicated to caring for
each student and
supporting them in
accomplishing their
goals. From the
moment I walked in the
doors at Diego Valley,
it was evident to me
that the teachers and
staff truly care about
what is best for
students.
As far my experience,
my educational career
began over fifteen years
ago as a high school
math teacher. Later,
while teaching at a
charter school in
Lakeside, my passion
for growing programs,
developing leaders and
participating in the
charter school
movement blossomed. I
have had the privilege
of writing two charter
petitions and
...continues on page 4
Basketball Tryouts
NWEA
Dates to Remember
DV Alumni and Staff Receive Proclamation
from County Board of Supervisors
From what began as a small civic engagement project in a United
States History Seminar, came a countywide proclamation. Diego Valley
Students and Staff proudly represented at a Board of Supervisors meeting,
last month. They were presented with a certificate that proclaims September as Chaldean American Month in the County of San Diego. This
event is among many others that shows the impact that students and
school communities can have in bettering and educating their world-atlarge. Throughout this process they have exemplified the power of political activism
through the democratic process. Congratulations to all who put in their time and effort to
make sure this success came back to Diego Valley!
Mrs. Hemans Goes to
New Zealand!
Patricia Ann Hemans of Diego Valley Charter
School in El Cajon, CA has been awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching grant to conduct research in New Zealand. Mrs. Hemans is
one of approximately 49 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad through the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program in 2015-2016. She will start her sabbatical in the
Spring to research Trauma Informed schools throughout New Zealand.
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding
between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Recipients of
Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well
as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The Program operates in over 160
countries worldwide. Please join us in congratulating, Mrs. Patricia!
Fall 2015
Diego Valley Charter School Newsletter
BLUEPRINTS
TO FREEDOM:
AN ODE TO
BAYARD
RUSTIN
A Day Out at
Blue Apple Ranch
Last October, students
attended a world-premiere
production of Blueprints to
Freedom: An Ode to
Bayard Rustin. The La
Jolla Playhouse produced
play centered on forgotten
civil rights activist, Bayard
Rustin. The play took its
audience behind the scenes
of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
The March was spearheaded by Mr. Rustin, but as
students learned was never
given the credit he deserved
because of his homosexuality.
The play was a first for
many students who had
never experienced theater
before. A student remarked, “it was amazing to
see what it was like, it felt
like I was there.” She was
referring to a scene where
Dr. King gave his I Have a
Dream speech.
These field trip is just
among some of many experiences that students can
take advantage of. Many
more opportunities will be
available in the Winter and
Spring. Keep an eye out!
On November 4th, students
from Diego Valley Charter School, along
with Diego Springs Academy, visited
Blue Apple Ranch in Ramona, CA. Blue
Apple Ranch is an ecologically responsible horse sanctuary that rescues and
cares for horses, cows, donkeys, dogs and
other animals. They work with the community to provide many services, including a summer camp for youth and internships on the ranch. Twentyfour students attended the trip, as well as
four chaperones.
The Blue Apple Ranch trip included a walking tour of the ranch, hay
ride through the ranch and composting
area, and time to pet and get to know the
horses. We learned about eco-friendly
ranching practices, composting, horses
(various breeds, rescuing, grooming, general care), as well as future opportunities
on the ranch. The next visit to Blue Apple Ranch will likely be in January; if you
are interested, please discuss with your
teacher counselor.
Fall 2015
Diego Valley Charter School Newsletter
ATTENTIONS SENIORS:
COME HAVE LUNCH WITH US!
Exciting things are
happening for seniors at Diego
Valley! Seniors, or students who will participate in the Janu-
event will be a luncheon in December,
where students will enjoy pizza, arcade
games, and much more!
Seniors are also planning for their future.
ary 2016 or June 2016 graduation cere- One way that they are doing this is
by meeting with their counselor to develop
mony, are invited to be a part of
many new and
a road map for their post-high
exciting activities
school plans. They are also at-
at Diego Valley!
tending the workshops designed
Last month, sen-
to help them achieve their fu-
iors were invited
ture goals, such as college en-
to a "Breakfast
rollment and financial aid work-
with the Principal" event, where they
shops, employment seminars,
munched on breakfast burritos, met
and ASVAB (military entrance) testing.
with college counselors and military
Stay tuned for all of the many exciting, fun,
recruiters, won raffle prizes, and took
and informative opportunities for seniors at
goofy photo booth pictures. The next
Diego Valley!
BASKETBALL TRYOUTS COMING SOON!
BOYS VARSITY TYROUTS 12.2.15 @ JOAN KROC
CENTER FROM 10AM TO 12PM
PLAYERS MUST HAVE A CLEARANCE PACKET
& MUST AVERAGE 3-4 CREDITS PER LEARN
ING PERIOD
PLAYERS MUST BE 19 YRS. OLD OR YOUNGER
SEASON STARTED FRIDAY, JANUARY 8TH
*CONTACT YOUR SUPERVISING TEACHER TO SIGN UP!
Fall 2015
Diego Valley Charter School Newsletter
New focus and tools
come with NWEA !
that is accrued on an
annual basis.
At Diego Valley, teachers will use
the results to inform
personalized instruction and improve every student’s learning. We are focused on improvement
and growth and this diagnostic will allow
This Fall, Diego Valley will em- us to support students in that.
Students will take the MAP
ploy a new assessment tool to better di(Measures of Academic Progress) test
agnose student instructional levels and
twice each school year as benchmarks for
develop appropriate curriculum. The
learning. It is a personalized assessment
Northwest Evaluation Association
(NWEA) is a global organization that is experience that adapts to each tester’s
used in over 7400 schools, districts, and learning level. We hope that this will
add to our mission of providing quality
education agencies worldwide. The research based assessment is rooted in data personalized education that align to student needs.
Principal’s
Corner Continued
developing extraordinary programs. Most
of my experience as a teacher and
administrator has been in a personalized
learning charter school environment. This
has given me the understanding and
perspective that the traditional school
model does not work for all students. I
believe that all students can learn and that
it is our collective responsibility to do
whatever it takes to help them succeed.
I look forward to continuing to help grow
the program at Diego Valley and provide a
high quality education to every student
who chooses to be a part of our family. I
Dates To
Remember:

Nov. 26th
THANKSGIVING DAY
NO SCHOOL

Nov. 27th
FRIDAY AFTER TD
NO SCHOOL

Dec. 21st January 1st
WINTER BREAK
NO SCHOOL

Jan. 25th
SPRING SEMESTER
STARTS
#ToyDrive is
Back!
Diego Valley &
will continue to help
develop partnerships in
the community and
bring services and
supports to our students.
I want to continue the
vision that our Principal
Craig Beswick set before
us, with high expectations for credit
completion coupled with the support
students need to reach their potential.
*Contact Mrs. Godfrey at
(619)517.6473 or email her at
jgodfrey@diegovalleycharter,org
Diego Springs will be
hosting their 3rd Annual
#TOYDRIVE. DV and
DS students can participate as a recipient in our
toy drive by providing
their teachers with their
child’s or children’s information. Staff and Family
and Friends of Staff will
then choose to sponsor a
specific child or
children, or a
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”
~Albert Einstein
To learn more about Diego Valley visit our website at
www.diegovalleycharter.org or call (619) 870-0608.
general donation can be made.