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Food donation distribution: (back) Aiden,Thomas, Alex W, Daphne, Fern, Alex L,
Robotics Mentor Christine and (front) Julia & YoYo just about to start. (see story in “Student Life”). Click image to enlarge.
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d.tech families,
Not only does Intersession provide a great opportunity for our students to pursue new interests and discover new talents, it provides an opportunity for d.tech staff to reflect on school practices and problem-solve important areas. This past week d.tech staff reached consensus in two important areas: wrapping up first semester classes and creating a ‘due date’ system that supports personalization and self-direction. Here is where we are headed:
New Policy for Unit Exams and Performance Tasks
Beginning 2nd Semester, due dates will take on more weight for performance tasks and unit exams. If a student misses a due date without talking to the teacher, the maximum grade the student could earn is an 80%. If the student needs more time, they need to contact the teacher for an extension prior to the deadline. We have made this change to make the process more authentic for students. As adults, we know that in the world of work if we are unable to meet a deadline, it is imperative that we communicate it to our supervisor. We can’t have a deadline come and go and not turn in anything without some explanation. If we did that we would have consequences at work. We are trying to mirror this experience for students. Students still have access to a personalized pace, but this pace is worked out in coordination with the teacher.
Finishing 1st Semester Classes
Students not completing a semester 1 class will be assigned to stay after school on Fridays until 3:30pm. They will be assigned to stay after school on Fridays until they have completed the coursework for that class. Students will be supervised by d.tech staff during this time and have support from peer tutors. Students will also be assigned to office hours during lab times so that teachers can help them develop a plan for their time during Fridays. Students will have until March 18 to complete first semester work. If they have not completed the work by this date, they will need to retake the class the next time it is offered.
We hope these adjustments will help our students build good habits and support their learning needs.
Have a great week,
Ken
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PSAT Mailing Expected
The College Board announced paper score reports will be sent to d.tech by January 30. As a result, @dtech teachers will distribute the individual paper reports to students on or about Thursday, February 4, during @dtech. Please contact the College Board directly if you have any questions about your student's login credentials.
Intersession: If My Plate Could Talk
On Wednesday, students visited Project Open Hand to volunteer packing food during their Intersession hosted by Bon Appetit in San Francisco. L-R: Victoria, Hanna (instructor), Jared, Ian Sullivan, Marcus, Elian, Ian Savelson, Aries, Ashley, Zaina, and Portia. (photo by Kay Phan)
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Supplies Needed
“...I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight.” - Anonymous
- Post Its
- Index Cards
- Glue sticks
- Blue packing tape
- Duct tape
- Scotch Tape
- Glue Dots
- Scissors
- Expo Markers
- Sharpie Markers
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Copy Paper
Please drop off any donations to the Front Office. It’s much appreciated. |
Annual Fund Update
Dear d.tech Families,
 I want to send a big shout out of thanks and gratitude. We have raised $120,000 from our families and an additional $30,000 from our external community. We have 100% board participation and 40% parent participation. The Annual Fund closes at the end of June so you still have time to participate.
As you may be aware, San Mateo Union High School District schools receive $13,500 per student. As a charter school, we receive only $8,500 per student; that means we have a gap of $5,000 per student. The Annual Fund is critical to the overall operation of the school.
Funds have gone towards chemistry class supplies, Intersession, a math aide in Ms. Mitchell’s class, and more. Thanks to the generous donations raised over the last few months, we were able to hire a full-time school counselor in January.
Thank you again for your support,
Namrata Gupta
Development Director |
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Adobe Anti-Bullying Challenge Winners
 Congratulations to students Tatiana Fakoukaki, Meghna Gaddam, Georgina Fakoukaki and Melina Shapiro for being selected as the national winners of the GenHERation challenge! Our lady Dragons submitted a project to build a peer-based website to provide support and advice for students who have experienced bullying.
GenHERation and Adobe teamed together to provide mentoring and support for the challenge winners to take the winning team's idea to implementation. Lady Dragons were awarded $150 scholarship, a mentor from Adobe, and a visit to the Adobe campus. You go, girls!
Don’t be Ice-solated! Join d.tech at Belmont Iceland
Family and friends are cordially invited to participate in d.Leadership’s upcoming skating and bake sale! d.Leadership organizes student social events such as school dances and ice cream socials. Event proceeds go towards the spring formal dance. It’ll be icing on the cake to treat yourself to dessert too!
Event: Ice Skating & Bake Sale
Date: Friday, February 12, 2016
Time: 7:30-9:00pm
Where: Belmont Iceland, 815 Old County Rd, Belmont
Cost: $15 per person
Tickets may be purchased from Nic Garland (ngarland18@dtechhs.org) or Julia Wang (jwang18@dtechhs.org). Cash and checks accepted; make check payable to "Design Tech High School" with "d.Leadership Ice Skating" in the memo. At the door: $15 cash only.
Robotics Team Reaches Out to the Community
As a part of the BREAD Robotics Team’s competition standards, students are required to volunteer in their community, which may also include STEM-focused assistance. Last Saturday, our students handed out groceries and fresh produce to 314 hungry families in SF--outdoors and in the pouring rain at the Excelsior Community Food Pantry. The kids enjoyed themselves so much that they’ve all agreed they want to return. Thanks go out to parent mentor Christine Boles for connecting BREAD with the Food Pantry.
About d.Hoops
 Jan 25: d.tech Girls JV v East Palo Alto Academy, 22-48 L
Jan 25: d.tech Boys v East Palo Alto Academy, 37-49 L
Jan 30: Summit Prep v d.tech Boys, 45-38 L
Jan 30: Everest v d.tech Girls JV, 17-45 W
Student Pizza Social & Party
The Parents Social Events Team will host a party for the entire student body this Friday. If you require gluten-free, please contact our team.
Friday, February 5, 2016
12noon, student social activity
12:30pm, pizza party starts
Students: bring your own drink
Yearbook Sale - Early Bird Pricing
Hurry, only two weeks left! February 12 deadline approaching to order your yearbook at the early bird price of $40 per book. Starting February 13, price per book increases to $50. Please fill out a yearbook form, add $40, seal both in an envelope marked “yearbook payment,” and leave at the Front Office. Check should be made payable to “Design Tech High School.” Payment receipt will be an email acknowledgement sent to the student.
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month's Coffee Chat will feature tastings of fresh local produce and foodstuffs from Farmigo (
Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, 
