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Students who benefit from your donations. (photo by George Toye)
Dear d.tech families:
As we head toward intersession and spring break, I want to make sure that everyone is up to speed on some important dates and events.
As the Second Annual Auction and Gala approaches, I want to take a moment to emphasize the need for additional funding and how far your donation dollars go. We receive approximately half as much per pupil funding as the local high schools and we need support to help fulfill d.tech’s goals of creating a unique educational experience tailored for the challenges of the 21st century. As stated below, last year’s funds were put to direct use for your child. I encourage you to invite your friends and family to join us at the Spring Gala.
This Friday, March 18, is the last day for students to complete their course work from first semester. If the work is not completed by this deadline students will need to retake the course. If you have questions about missing work, you can get up-to-date information on Buzz.
Finally, the process for selecting the parent representative to the d.tech board is being refined by the board. Our by-laws require that all board members are chosen by a majority vote by the d.tech board. Currently the board is looking at the best process for parents to have a voice in the selection while maintaining consistency with the by-laws we are required to follow as a 501c3. We will have an update in upcoming newsletters.
I look forward to seeing you this Saturday,
Ken
 Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 6pm to 10pm
The VIBE Center, 670 Shell Blvd., Foster City
An Evening to Benefit Design Tech High School
Design Tech High School’s annual fundraising gala, Reaching for the Stars, will be held on Saturday, March 19, at the Vibe in Foster City (6-10pm). We encourage you to attend this annual event that raises much needed funds for our school.
Last year, the auction raised $75,000 which helped fund teacher aides, the new chemistry program, “Band for Today,” math programming, diverse Intersession visual & performing arts selections, supplies/equipment, and so much more. Your continued support will enable us to further enhance the Intersession program and differentiated instruction for our students.
Register for the Auction and Gala. We’re also looking for volunteers to help during the event: servers, auction check-out runners, etc. More information at Volunteer Spot. This is a great way to meet parents, bid on great experiential outings, and have a fun evening!
Unable to attend? Please consider donating to d.tech: click here to donate.
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The following message includes a lot of information about high school testing. Please take the time to read the content and research the links.
Each spring, most students in California participate in the statewide testing program, which is the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System. The tests in the CAASPP System provide information to teachers, parents/guardians, and students about students’ progress and readiness for college and career. This year, 10th grade students will take one of the following CAASPP tests for science on May 10, 2016:
California Standards Test (CST) for Science
California Modified Assessment (CMA) for Science
Assessments for Science
California has adopted new science standards and is currently developing assessments that are aligned with these standards. During the transition to new science assessments, students in grades five, eight, and ten will take the CST or CMA, as identified above.
For information on the new science assessments and who is eligible for each of these science tests, please see the California Department of Education’s (CDE) California Science Assessments FAQ web page.
For information about the content, types of questions, and other targeted resources for the
science tests, please see the CDE’s CAASPP Science Assessment website.
Next Year’s Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments
Next year, grade eleven students will be taking part in the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics. These new, online tests are based on higher academic standards and are part of California’s comprehensive plan for high-quality teaching and learning. Results from the tests will have a direct impact on the California State University’s (CSU’s) Early Assessment Program. The CSU and participating community colleges will use student results as an indicator of student readiness for college-level coursework. For more information, please see the CSU’s Early Assessment Program web page.
The CDE has developed several resources to help parents and students understand the
grade expectations of the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments:
The Parent Guides to the Smarter Balanced Assessments (in English and Spanish) are posted on the CDE’s CAASPP Web page, under the Students and Parents tab. Separate guides have been developed for each of the three grade spans tested: grades 3–5, grades 6–8, and grade 11. Each guide explains the grade-level expectations for students in ELA and Mathematics and provides sample test items.
The practice and training tests, which can be found on the CDE’s Smarter Balanced Practice and Training Tests website, can help parents and students experience the type of test items that students will encounter on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments. Answers to the practice test and scoring rubrics for the performance tests are posted on the Test Administrator (TA) Resources for the Smarter Balanced Practice and Training Tests web page.
If you would like more information about the CAASPP System, please visit the Parent/Student tab of the CDE’s CAASPP website. Please be aware you have the right to exempt your child from statewide assessments pursuant to Education Code Section 60615. If you have any questions regarding your child’s participation, please contact Sarah Krummel at (650) 231-2701.
d.Camping is Awesome!
 Reminder: We finalized the dates for our second annual school-wide camping trip-- Wednesday, May 11, through Friday, May 13. ALL families, please complete this quick survey so we can confirm our numbers with Casini Ranch. Thanks.
- Christy Knott, Director of Health & Wellness |
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Town Hall Update
For those of you who missed Wednesday’s meeting, the March 9 Town Hall deck is embedded. Many thanks to Maria Liu for pulling together the deck and working with the all the presenters prior to that evening.
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d.tech Swim Team!!!
It’s official. We have our first Swim Team!!! We have a MANDATORY parent & swimmer meeting d.tech on Tuesday, March 15, 6:00pm-6:45pm at the d.tech campus. (If you can’t come but want to be a part of the season, please complete this form.) You’ll get to meet our coach, Kellsey Mercado, who comes highly recommended by a parent and d.tech student swimmer. We’ll review our plan for the season. You’ll meet who else is swimming and work out carpools. Practices will be held at San Mateo High School's pool on most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:30pm-8pm. First practice will be Wednesday, March 16, at 6:30pm at SMHS.
Athletic clearance forms: if you haven’t completed these yet for this school year (2015-16), you’ll need to do that before the student is allowed to swim with us. 1. Health Screening Form 2. Informed Consent 3. Sports Medical Form
Student Organizes Blood Drive - Update
Sophomore William DeBruce is closer to attaining the Boy Scouts highest rank: Eagle Scout. William’s eligibility project challenge was to enroll at least 56 blood drive donors for the American Red Cross and hospitals. On March 5, he exceeded his goal with 78 donors! The Red Cross staff was surprised at the great turnout. Way to go, William, for making a difference in your community. Thanks to the d.tech community for participating and showing support as well.
Student Formal - The Great Gatsby Dance
Friday, April 15, 2016 - 7-10pm
Foster City Recreation Center's Lagoon Room, 650 Shell Blvd., FC
Early Bird Tickets: $20 per person (March 7-March 20)
Regular Price: $25pp (March 21-April 10)
‘Week of the Dance’ Price: $30pp (April 11-15 at noon)
 d.Leadership hosts this year’s formal at the Foster City Recreation Center's Lagoon Room. We’ll have lots of food, dancing, DJ, and a photo booth. Students are allowed to bring one guest each if they fill out a guest form. Guest forms will be available from the Front Office or in the student announcements. Guest forms must be completely filled out and approved by the school admin by April 13. Students may not purchase tickets for guests until the guest form is turned in. Tickets sold during lunch in the hangar--cash preferred. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door the night of the dance. Parent flappers needed.
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Our next opportunity to order BART tickets is here. If you need more tickets, please bring your check to the Front Office by Thursday, March 17.
In addition to our d.Mosaic Day to start off Semester 2 and the d.Mosaic Club that has been launched on campus, d.tech is continuing its partnership with 
