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E-News: Feb. 14, 2012

Seven Logan Seniors Named National Merit Finalists
All seven of the James Logan High School seniors who were named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship program also have been named finalists, Principal Amy McNamara reports.
 
The students -- Zong Yang Huang, Diane Qi, Lucia Song, Michael Xu, Jimmy Yin, Jason Zhang and  Sihong Zhu – are among only about 15,000 finalists nationwide, from among an estimated 1.5 million original entrants. About 8,300 finalists will receive either a National Merit Scholarship, worth $2,500, or a corporate-sponsored or college-sponsored Merit scholarship.
 
“An Evening in Monte Carlo” Raises $23,000
The New Haven Schools Foundation announced last week that “An Evening in Monte Carlo,” the Foundation’s first attempt at a casino-night fund-raiser, netted approximately $23,000 that will be used to support New Haven students. The Foundation, which donated $100,000 to the District this year to help fund after-school activities such as athletics, band and forensics, also sponsors student scholarships and classroom mini-grants.
 
Foundation President Cindy O’Brien thanked sponsors Federicos’ Tapas and Wine Bar, which catered dinner, Tri-CED Community Recycling, Too Much Fun Club, Inc., the New Haven Teachers Association, the City of Union City and the New Haven Boosters Association. Prizes and auction items were donated by Tri-CED, Dale Hardware, Best Buy, Mango Tours, Alameda County Supervisor Nadia Lockyer and Ropers, Majeski, Kohn & Bentley.
 
Ms. O’Brien also thanked Logan High’s Interact club, led by student organizer Priscilla Wu, for set-up duty, and Boy Scout Venture Crew 186, led by New Haven teacher Kathy Mabie, for bussing tables and cleaning up.
 
AMS Lands 12 on State Band; Ukulele Club Invited to Festival
Alvarado Middle School will be represented by the third-largest contingent in California when the All-State Junior High Honor Band gathers Thursday (Feb. 16) for three days of rehearsals and performances in Fresno, AMS band director Nelson Agregado reports
 
Twelve AMS students auditioned and were selected from more than 1,200 students from throughout  the state. They are: Rachel Abusaidi (tuba), Charlotte Alegado (French horn), Olivia Li (trombone), Christian  Nam (trumpet), Tommi Oatis (string bass), Eric Ohata (alto saxophone), Liberty Onia (clarinet), Bruce   Powers (bass clarinet), Chandanjeet Singh (tuba), Teresa  Valdez (bass clarinet), Rafay Warsi (trombone) and Mackenzie Wu (tenor saxophone).
  
Meanwhile, the AMS Ukulele Club is preparing to perform at the 18th annual Northern California Ukulele Festival, teacher Teri Hawkins reports. The festival, featuring 20 groups, is Sunday, April 1, at Chabot College. The AMS group, which includes 37 students, is scheduled to perform at 12:45 p.m.
 
Advance tickets, priced at $10 are available online (ukulelefestivalnorcal.org).  Tickets are $15 at the door, if available. The festival generally is a sellout.

The AMS Ukulele Club started four years ago and has grown from a handful of students to more than 40 students meeting every Wednesday, Ms. Hawkins reports.
 
Logan Students Vie in Chemistry Olympiad
Three Logan High students have qualified to compete in the initial stages of selection for the U.S. team that will take part in the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad in Washington D.C. in July, teacher Michelle Galaria reports.
 
With the help of advanced placement chemistry teacher Roy Ting, students Matthew Wang, Edgar Malagon and Michael Wang qualified for local examinations in March, after which 1,000 qualifiers will advance to the national competition, which involves a three-part exam. The top 20 scorers on the national exam will be invited to a study camp, after which the four-member U.S. team will be selected.
 
Community Meetings Conclude This Week
The last two in a series of meetings to solicit input on the essential elements of the District’s strategy for teaching and learning are scheduled Wednesday (Feb. 15) at Hillview Crest Elementary at 4 p.m. and Kitayama Elementary at 5:30.
 
Chief Academic Officer Wendy Gudalewicz has been hosting meetings throughout the District to review the essentials, present data and ask participants to identify questions or concerns based on the data and the essentials. She also asks participants to help identify and prioritize potential action steps
 
Parent Workshop is Wednesday
“Practical Strategies to Promote Positive Behaviors in Your Kids” will be the topic Wednesday (Feb. 15) at the next in New Haven Unified’s ongoing series of parent workshops.
 
District Social Worker Sandy Vaughn will review seven tactics to promote good behaviors and apply those to common problems such as completing homework and chores and getting up and out in the morning. Parents who attended the January workshop will have an opportunity to discuss how the tactics worked or didn’t, “but you DO NOT have to have attended the January workshop in order to benefit from this one,” Ms. Vaughn emphasized.
 
The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 34200 Alvarado-Niles Rd., Union City. To reserve a place, call 471-1100, ext. 60425. Childcare and translation services are available on request.
 
Logan to Host College Planning Event Thursday
Logan High juniors and their parents are invited to learn more about college admissions and requirements and financial aid at a meeting Thursday (Feb. 16), Counselor Satinder Samra reports. Guests will include representatives from Cal State East Bay, UC-Berkeley and Santa Clara University, as well as Ohlone College. The meeting will be in the Little Theater, starting at 7 p.m.
 
Ms. Samra also reports that a second Cash for College Financial Aid Night is scheduled Thursday, Feb. 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The workshop-only event, designed to give senior students and their parents an opportunity to work on their financial aid application, will be in Computer Labs 41 and 43. Trained volunteers will be in attendance for one-on-one assistance, and Spanish-speaking volunteers also will be available. 
 
Also, Counselor Regina Irvin reminds Logan parents to save the evening of Thursday, March 8, for “Achievement Night,” an enhanced version of the annual spring Open House. Parents are invited to visit classrooms, chat with teachers and take advantage of workshops covering topics such as pre-registration for parents of eighth-graders, advanced placement courses, athletic eligibility for college, Mandarin and Spanish information on college and the Dream Act.

Dinner entrees from Texas Roadhouse will be on sale starting at 5:30 p.m., and Logan clubs will be selling other foods and dessert. The workshops start at 6.
 
Parcel Tax Advocates Meet Thursday
As New Haven Unified considers the possibility of placing a parcel tax on the June ballot, in an effort to mitigate some of the budget cuts that have been forced on the school district because of the state’s ongoing financial difficulties, a group of parents, community members, teachers and classified employees is continuing to meet to plan a campaign.  
 
Those interested in learning more are invited to the group’s next meeting, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 16), at the New Haven Teachers Association office, 32980 Alvarado Niles Rd., Suite 812, Union City. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to fill out and submit a contact form, available online at
www.nhusd.k12.ca.us/files/ParcelTaxVolForm.pdf

 
Ohlone Basketball to Help Inciong Family
Logan High sophomore Zoe Inciong, currently under treatment for a rare form of bone cancer, will be the beneficiary this Saturday (Feb. 18) when Ohlone College hosts a pair of “Coaches vs. Cancer” basketball games, Alvarado Elementary Principal Tracie Noriega reports.
 
The event is being organized by Ohlone men’s coach John Peterson, whose team is ranked No. 12 in the state and will play No. 18 Las Positas at 1 p.m. Ohlone’s women’s team, ranked No. 8 in the state, will play Skyline at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for high school and college students and children under 12. Proceeds will help defray the costs of Zoe’s medical expenses.

Ballet Folklórico Sets Date for Conceirto 
The Ballet Folklórico de James Logan High School has set Saturday, May 19, as the date for its annual Conceirto de Primavera Folklórico production.

Logan High counselor and Folklórico director Jaime Huertas reports that the group once again has invited
Mariachi Méxicanisimo, singer Crystal Rosas, harpist Salvador Vásquez and the children/ youth Folklórico troupe from Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church to perform. In addition, the Flor de México children/youth dance troupe of Union City has been invited to make its Conceirto debut.
 
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show, which is expected to sell out, are priced at $15 for adults, $12 for students and $10 for children. More information is available by contacting Mr. Huertas (471-2520, ext. 60124 or jhuertas@nhusd.k12.ca.us)
 
Parent Project
Parents of teens who need help making better choices or need motivation to succeed are invited to investigate “Parent Project,” a program designed to provide support, tools and strategies for parents of children 10 and older. The program, sponsored by Union City Youth & Family Services in conjunction with the District, begins Tuesday, Feb. 28 and continues on Tuesday evenings through May 29.
 
Free parent information meetings are scheduled from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Alvarado Middle School and Thursday, Feb. 23, at Cesar Chavez Middle. More information is available at www.parentproject.com or by calling Kristie Potter (675-5217). Spanish-speaking parents can call Adrian Valadez (675-5821).
 
Names ’n’ Notes
Community organizations interested in recruiting student volunteers are invited to inquire about setting up a table at Logan High’s annual Community Service Faire, to be held Thursday, March 15. For more information, contact Barbara Hart (bhart@nhusd.k12.ca.us). … Logan cross-country coach and longtime track and field coach Lee Webb has been selected for induction to the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame in Oakland. Ticket information regarding the March 31 induction ceremonies are available online ( www.afrosportshall.com). … A retirement party for longtime warehouse employee Joe Sullivan is scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, at the food services center and warehouse. RSVP to Laurie Skelton (lskelton@nhusd.k12.ca.us). … As part of an annual effort to help low-income students gain access to senior activities, the Princess Club (for Princes, Too!) at Logan High has kicked off its annual Prom Gown drive. The club collects semi-formal and formal attire for the young women and men who cannot afford attire for the Senior Ball. Formal dresses and other formal wear for young women and men can be dropped off in the front office at Logan. Donations also will be accepted at Paddy’s Coffee in Old Alvarado, through March 1. …Any members of the New Haven community interested in joining Logan High freshmen Ajjit Narayanan and Jesse Jen on a return trip to Tijuana, Mexico, -- where they spent part of winter break helping build a home for an impoverished family – are invited to an informational meeting Saturday, Feb. 25, starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Union City Library.