TriVocis December2014 FinalFrom the Guidance Office 8 De la Oficina de la Consejería From the Career Center Desde el Centro de Carreras AP Calculus BC, PSAT/SAT prep Fashion Show

T R I V O C I S THREE VOICES… STUDENTS, PARENTS, FACULTY DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 MENLO-ATHERTON HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 62, NUMBER 4 555 MIDDLEFIELD ROAD, ATHERTON, CA 94027

WWW.MABEARS.ORG (650) 322-5311

To the Menlo-Atherton Community

The semester’s end is rapidly approaching and final exams are almost upon us. It’s been a busy and successful fall, with a banner sports season and a varied assortment of performances and experiences. The freshman class has made a smooth adjustment and has proven to be a strong group.

Principal Change As announced by the Superintendent, come this spring I’ll begin the process of transitioning into a new role working on the District Facilities program and accommodating student growth. A new principal will be selected through a traditional search process that will include the participation of staff, students, and parents. Leaving my home for the last ten and a half years will be a difficult one, but Menlo-Atherton is on firm footing and a very positive trajectory. My trusted administrator, Simone Kennel, will step up in January to serve as co-principal to allow me to work on identifying sites and development plans for two small high schools and to shepherd two large construction projects through the design and approval phase. It’s been a tremendous pleasure to serve as principal and to be part of a team that has strengthened the school and transformed the campus physically. I want to thank everyone for the amazing support that I’ve received and to say what an honor it has been to be the school’s leader. Student Support I would like to reiterate what was sent out in a recent BearNotes about holiday stress and student support services. As we enter the holiday season, it's im-portant to remember that the holidays can be both joyous and stressful for many students and families. College application deadlines, family holiday ex-pectations, and semester finals can add additional layers of stress for students with an already challenging schedule. Fortunately, M-A has a variety of Student Support and Counseling Services that can help students navigate through these strenuous times. Through our partnership with StarVista, a local non-profit, M-A provides on-campus counseling and prevention/intervention services that support our students' social-emotional wellbeing. All of these services are available to M-A stu-

Calendar highlights December 3: Mandatory Fashion Show Model Mtg December 4: Band and Orchestra Concert December 5: Guitar and Choir Concert December 6: SAT exam December 6: Canned Food Drive Distribution December 8–12: Dead week—finals preparation December 13: ACT exam December 15–18: Finals schedule December 18: End of 1st semester December 19–January 5, 2015: Winter break January 6: First day of 2nd semester January 7: Financial Aid Night - Seniors and Parents January 13: Sophomore Parent Information Night January 16: Last day to add a 2nd-semester class January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. holiday January 20: AP calculus BC info meeting for parents January 21: Junior Parent Information Night January 22: Special Education Parent Info Night January 24: SAT exam January 24: Winter formal dance

Contents

From the Principal Del Director From the PTA Desde la PTA Holiday Gift Drive Foundation for the Future From the Guidance Office De la Oficina de la Consejería From the Career Center Desde el Centro de Carreras AP Calculus BC, PSAT/SAT prep Fashion Show Visual Arts Parent Education Electronic Media Use Survey Athletic Boosters Menlo Park Library Events City of Menlo Park Events TriVocis December 2014 calendar TriVocis January 2015 calendar Future events

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2 December 2014/January 2015 TriVocis

dents; parents are strongly encouraged to contact us or their child’s guidance counselor with any questions. During non-school hours, StarVista's Adolescent Hotline & Prevention Program (CAHPP) is a great resource and can be reached at (650) 567-5437. In addition, the school is establishing a working group to address academic stress and the junior year work load. Canned Food Drive For more than twenty years, a signature part of the late fall on campus is the an-nual canned food drive. Started by Coach Parks, and sustained now by the Lead-ership Program, this effort brings together huge parts of the school’s community. The annual canned food drive has begun, with an ambitious goal of collecting 200,000 canned good items. M-A is again partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB). Here are ways that you can help:

• When grocery shopping, please add a few extra cans to your cart and drop them into the SHFB barrels.

• Consider donating online at SHFB. Enter “Menlo-Atherton” in the Food Drives search box.

• Sign up for canning. Students do not have to be in the Leadership class to participate. Contact Mr. Amoroso at [email protected] or Mr. Seni-gaglia at [email protected] or go to room B-21.

New and Noteworthy • Sophomore Naomi Lee was named Athlete of the Week by the San Jose

Mercury News in October for her fierce work on the girls’ golf team this season.

• Senior Victoria Canny received the Girl Scouts’ highest honor—the Gold Award—for her outstanding work with the Sequoia Teen Wellness center.

• Alumni Michael Abramson was named Midwest Conference Special Teams Performer of the Week for the second time this fall. Michael is a kicker for Macalester College.

• The school-sponsored Holiday Gift Drive returns for another year. Your assistance is needed to help lower income M-A families. To become a donor and to learn more about this unique program and op-portunity, please visit http://mabears.org/?id=14.

Happy Holidays. Matthew Zito Principal

Estimada Comunidad de Menlo-Atherton El final del semestre se acerca rápidamente y los exámenes finales están casi sobre nosotros. Ha sido un semestre ocupado y exitoso, con una temporada de deportes, un surtido variado de actuaciones y experiencias. La clase del noveno grado ha hecho un ajuste suave y ha demostrado ser un grupo fuerte. Cambio de Director Según lo anunciado por el Superintendente, comenzaré el proceso de transición hacia una nueva posición centrada en el programa de instalaciones del distrito y acomodamiento de capacidad por crecimiento de los

TriVocis December 2014/January 2015 Volume 62, Number 4 M-A High School PTA News 17th District PTA

Published monthly by the PTA of Menlo-Atherton High School 555 Middlefield Road Atherton, CA 94027 (650) 322-5311

www.mabearspta.org

Principal: Matthew Zito

PTA co-presidents: Shari Conrad Juliana Andersen

Articles editor: Cheryl Cathey Production editor: Leah Strichartz Calendar editor: Kathleen Balestra Proofreaders: Jane King, Becca Garcia,

Brian LaPorte Mailing: Corby Locke, Kim Steere, Kelly

Perri

The purpose of the newsletter is to promote communication between the administration/ faculty and parents. We welcome all your comments, suggestions, and articles. The mention of any business or service in this newsletter does not imply an endorsement by the M-A PTA.

Send articles for next issue by Wednesday,

January 14 to [email protected].

TriVocis December 2014/January 2015 3

alumnos esta primavera. Un nuevo Director/a será seleccionado mediante un proceso de búsqueda tradicional que contará con la participación del personal, estudiantes y padres. Dejar mi casa de los últimos diez años será difícil, pero Menlo-Atherton esta firme y con una trayectoria muy positiva. Mi administradora de confianza, la Sra. Simone Kennel, servirá como co-directora en enero para que yo pueda trabajar en la identificación de sitios y planes de desarrollo para dos pequeñas escuelas secundarias y dos grandes proyectos de construcción. Ha sido un enorme placer haber servido como director y ser parte de un equipo que ha fortalecido y transformado la escuela físicamente. Quiero dar las gracias a todos por el gran apoyo que he recibido y ha sido un honor ser líder de la escuela. Apoyos de Estudiante Voy a reiterar lo que fue enviado en una reciente nota. Adicionalmente, la escuela está estableciendo un grupo para ayudar con el estrés académico y la carga de trabajo del año. Como entramos en la temporada de vacaciones, es importante recordar que las vacaciones pueden ser alegre y estresante para muchos estudiantes y familias. Plazos de solicitud de la Universidad, las expectativas de vacaciones en la familia y finales de semestre puede agregar capas adicionales de estrés para los estudiantes con un horario desafiante. Afortunadamente, M-A tiene una variedad de apoyo al estudiante y servicios de asesoría que puede ayudar a los estudiantes a navegar a través de estos tiempos extenuantes. Mediante nuestra asociación con Starvista, M-A ofrece servicios de asesoría y prevención/intervención en la escuela que apoyan el bienestar social y emocional de nuestros alumnos. Todos estos servicios están disponibles para los estudiantes de M-A; se le recomienda a los padres que se comuniquen con nosotros o la consejera/o de su hija/o con cualquier pregunta. Durante el horario no escolar, el programa de Adolescentes Hotline Y Prevención (CAHPP de StarVista) es un gran recurso (650) 567-5437. Eventos de Diciembre Canned Food Drive Por los últimos veinte años, al caer el otoño, la escuela empieza la unidad anual de alimentos enlatados asociado con Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB). Iniciado por el entrenador Parks y sostenido ahora por el programa de liderazgo, este esfuerzo reúne a grandes partes de la comunidad de las escuelas. La unidad de alimentos enlatados anual ha comenzado con un ambicioso objetivo de reunir 200,000 enlatadas. Maneras en la cual usted puede ayudar: cuando ande de compras, por favor agregue un par de latas extra a su carro y póngalas en los barriles de SHFB o póngase en contacto con el Sr. Amoroso [email protected], el Sr. Senigaglia en [email protected], o vaya al salon B-21. Nuevo y Notable

• Naomi Lee fue nombrada atleta de la semana por el San Jose Mercury News en octubre por su feroz trabajo en el equipo de golf femenino esta temporada.

• Victoria Canny recibió el honor más alto de Girl Scouts — el premio de oro — por su destacada labor con el Sequoia Teen Wellness center.

• Michael Abramson fue nombrado Midwest Conferencia ejecutante de equipos especiales de la semana por segunda vez este otoño. Michael es un pateador de Macalester College.

• La escuela esta patrocinando devuelta el programa de regalo navideño este año. Su ayuda es necesaria para ayudar a familias de bajos ingresos de M-A. Para convertirse en un donante (y para aprender más sobre este programa único y oportunidad), por favor visite http://mabears.org/?id=14.

Matthew Zito, Director


From the PTA

As the beauty of autumn is blowing by and falling into winter, the PTA would like to give thanks for all the amazing volunteers who have been working hard on behalf of the M-A community. Parent Education Thank you to Charlene Margot for putting on our most recent Parent Education Programs. “A Conversation About College Admission” featured our very own incredible College Advisor, Alice Kleeman, as well as the Di-rector of Admission at USC, Kirk Brennan. Thank you for this great opportunity for our juniors and seniors to learn about the college admission process. Trick or Treat Street This fun event got an extreme makeover this year thanks to an enormous effort by Kristi and Scott Waldron and their entire extended family. They provided fabulous Halloween decorations and spent many hours setting up and cleaning up after the event. A spooktacular time was had by all who attended, and it was great fun watching guests of all ages enjoy the sights and sounds of the spectacular graveyard on the green. Canned Food Drive The Canned Food Drive is off to a great start! Thanks to our wonderful chairs, Lori Cohen and Paula Rash, we expect to collect thousands of cans for families in need this holiday season. Holiday Gift Drive The Outreach Club is organizing M-A’s annual Holiday Gift Drive. As always, donations of gift cards are need-ed to help students through a crunch time or reward them for a job well done. Gift cards may be dropped off in the front office to Mrs. Orcutt. Directories This year, we are presenting an electronic version of the M-A School Directory. A huge thanks to Ken Wang for working hard to develop this customized electronic Directory. Parents will be able to order a printed directory if one is needed. Look for an email with instructions on how to access the directory online and how to order a paper copy. Fashion Show After winter break, the annual student Fashion Show, one of M-A’s most energetic events, kicks into high gear. The Fashion Show will be on March 21, and it is not to be missed! Thank you to Michele Culhane, Nancy Kess-ler, Mary Fischer, and Karen Fryling for leading the charge. If you are interested in helping out in any way, please email [email protected]. Thank you—all M-A parents, administrators, and faculty—for everything you do to make our community such a strong, positive place for our students today and year-round. We hope that you enjoy this last, busy month of the year! Shari Conrad and Juliana Andersen, PTA Co-Presidents


Desde la PTA

Mientras la belleza del otoño nos deja y entramos en invierno, la PTA quiere agrader a todos los voluntarios que han trabajado tanto para la comunidad de M-A. Educación de Padres Gracias a Charlene Margot por organizar nuestro último Programa de Educación de Padres. La increíble Alice Kleeman de M-A y el Director de Admisiones de USC, Kirk Brennan participaron en “Una Charla Sobre la Admisión a la Universidad”. Gracias por esta gran oportunidad para nuestros juniors y seniors para informarse de todo el proceso de la admisión universitaria. Calle Dulce o Travesura (Trick or Treat Street) Kristi y Scott Waldron, y su familia entera pasaron horas decorando, preparando y limpiando después para que este evento fuera más divertido que nunca! Crearon todo un espectáculo para participantes de todas edades, y todo el mundo disfrutaron muchísimo en la fiesta! Campaña de Recolección de Alimentos Enlatados Este año, la campaña ha empezado mejor que nunca! Gracias a nuestras co-lideres maravillosas, Lori Cohen y Paula Rash esperamos recoger miles de latas de comida para familias necesitadas durante las fiestas navideñas. La Campaña de Regalos Navideños El Outreach Club ya está organizando la campaña de este año, y como siempre necesitan donaciones de tarjetas regalo. Los estudiantes aprecian las tarjetas mucho en los momentos más ajetreados de estudiar, así como un premio por su buen trabajo. Se puede dejar las tarjetas en la Oficina de la Sra. Orcutt. Directorios Este año presentamos el Directorio de M-A Electrónico. Muchísimas gracias a Ken Wang por haberlo logrado! Se podrá pedir un directorio imprimido si es necesario. Habrá un email pronto con instrucciones sobre cómo acceder el directorio electrónico, y cómo pedir un directorio imprimido. La Exposición de Moda (Fashion Show) Después de las vacaciones de invierno, todo el trabajo de organizar la exposición de moda anual, uno de los mejores y más divertidos eventos de M-A comenzará. No se puede perder este evento el 21 de marzo. Gracias a Michele Culhane, Nancy Kessler, Mary Fischer y Karen Fryling por dirigir el programa. Si quiere ayudar de cualquier manera, por favor mande un email a [email protected]. Gracias a todos los padres, la administración, y los profesores de M-A por todo lo que hacen para que nuestra comunidad sea un lugar tan fuerte y positiva para nuestros estudiantes hoy, y todo el año. Esperamos que disfruten de este último y ajetreado mes del año! Shari Conrad and Juliana Andersen, Co-Presidentas de la PTA


M-A Holiday Gift Drive

It’s time to brighten the holidays of families in need within the M-A community through the annual M-A Holiday Gift Drive. Last year, we fulfilled the holiday wish lists of over 70 M-A families. We need your help again. We are looking for families and groups to sponsor or adopt a needy family this season to help make their wishes come true. By participating in the M-A Holiday

Gift Drive, your family, office, church, book club, sports team, scout troop, professional organization, church, or social group can give directly to a family within our own M-A community. As a donor, you will receive a wish list from an M-A family. The wish lists include names, ages, sizes, favorite colors and toy requests to make your shopping fun and easy. Our goal is to provide $30 gifts to family mem-bers 18 and under and a gift card for the family. Gifts should include a toy for small children. Wrapped gifts will be dropped off at M-A on the morning of Monday, December 15. To become a gift donor, go to mabears.org to sign-up on-line. Around December 5, you will receive shopping tips, drop-off information, and a link to your family’s wish-list. You can also give a monetary donation of any amount that will go directly to buying gifts. Monetary donations can be dropped off at the M-A main of-fice. Make checks payable to Holiday Gift Drive. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].


We need to raise $2.2 million this school year… All M-A students are counting on us!

Two Challenge Grants that can get us $330,000 closer to our goal have been issued and we need your help:

#1) Challenge to Increase Giving: It’s a $300K Great Day @ M-A!

Four generous supporters of M-A want to motivate YOU to give more before year-end:

Donate by December 31, and NEW donations or the INCREASE in your donation over last year

will be matched up to $150,000.

This will result in $300,000 in increased support for our students!

#2) Freshman Family Challenge: Don’t be Thrifty…We Need 150!

A generous group of M-A freshman families has issued a challenge

to increase freshman family participation before year-end.

If 150 freshman families* donate by December 31, special friends of the Foundation will contribute $30,000

to our 2014-15 Annual Campaign!

We need your help more than ever this year! It’s a Great Day at M-A…Let’s Keep it That Way!

Please donate now - www.mafoundation.org

* A “freshman family” is any M-A family with a student in the M-A Class of 2018, including a family with student(s) in other grades.


From the Guidance Office

Junior Parent Information Nights

• College Information Night took place on Wednesday, November 19, 2014. We hope you were able to attend.

• Course Selection and Planning Night will take place on Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00 pm. The English session will take place in the library, and the Spanish session will take place in the PAC Cafeteria.

Please note that these nights will replace the previously scheduled events on January 20 and February 24, 2015.

End of First Semester/Finals There is a grading period every 4½ weeks to keep you and your student informed of his/her academic standing. Please remember to visit School Loop to check on your student’s academic progress.

• Final exams for all students will take place December 15 through 18, 2014. • All students have been provided a planner and should use it to plan their study time. They should also re-

view their Cornell notes before each exam. • Students should be aware of class deadlines, organize class materials, prioritize time for studying, get in-

volved in study groups, and check-in with teachers as necessary. • Please encourage and support your student to do his or her best on final exams and projects.

Beginning of Second Semester Second semester starts Tuesday, January 6, 2015. All students need to pick up their schedules on the first day of the second semester. We will open the doors of the new gym at 7:30 am in order for students to pick up their schedules. The last day to drop a class without penalty during second semester will be February 17, 2015. Mid-Year Reports Seniors who apply to private colleges need to request mid-year reports from the Guidance Office using the Mid-Year Transcript Request form. Students should submit the completed form and $5 during January, 2015. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our parents for continued support of our Guidance Office. Silvia Torres-Garza, Head Guidance Counselor Francine Andrade, Laura Duran, Lara Sandora, Karina Escobar-Weaver, and Jason Kubo, Guidance Counselors


De la Oficina de Consejería Noches de Información para Padres/Guardianes de Estudiantes del Onceavo Grado (Grado 11)

• Noche de Información Acerca de Colegios y Universidades se llevó a cabo el miércoles, 19 de noviembre de 2014. Nosotros esperamos que ustedes pudieron asistir.

• Noche para Planificar las Clases del Próximo Año Escolar se llevará a cabo el miércoles, 21 de enero a las 6:30 de la tarde. La sesión en Inglés se llevará a cabo en la biblioteca y la sesión en español se llevará a cabo en la cafetería del edificio PAC.

Por favor tome nota de que estas noches informativas van a reemplazar los eventos previamente planificados para el 20 de enero y el 24 de febrero del 2015. Final del Primer Semestre/Exámenes Finales Hay un periodo de calificaciones cada cuatro semanas y media para mantener a ud./uds. y su/s estudiantes informado(s) del progreso académico del/los estudiante/s. Por favor acuérdense de visitar el sitio School Loop para revisar el progreso académico de su estudiante.

• Los exámenes finales para los estudiantes se llevarán a cabo del 15 al 18 de diciembre del 2014. • A todos los estudiantes se les ha entregado una agenda o “planner” y deben usarla para planear su tiempo

de estudio. Ellos también deben repasar sus anotaciones “Cornell” antes de cada examen. • Los estudiantes deben de estar concientes de las fechas límite para sus clases, organizar los materiales de

clase, hacer prioridades en su tiempo para estudiar, e involucrarse en grupos de estudio y hablar con sus maestros cuando sea necesario.

• Por favor anime y apoye a su estudiante en hacer el mejor esfuerzo en los exámenes y proyectos finales. El Inicio del Segundo Semestre El segundo semestre inicia el martes 6 de enero, 2015. Todos los estudiantes tienen que recoger sus horarios el primer día del segundo semestre. Nosotros abriremos las puertas del gimnasio nuevo a las 7:30 de la mañana para que puedan recoger sus horarios. El último día para dejar una clase sin que aparezca en el expediente académico durante el segundo semestre será el 17 de febrero, 2015. Reportes “Mid-Year” Los estudiantes del doceavo grado que solicitan ingresar a las universidades privadas necesitan solicitar reportes “mid-year” de la oficina de consejería usando el formulario “Mid-Year Transcript Request form.” Los estudiantes deben entregar el formulario y $5 durante enero 2015. Deseamos tomar esta oportunidad para darles las gracias a todos los padres de familia por su constante apoyo a la oficina de consejería. Silvia Torres-Garza, encargada del departamento de Consejería Francine Andrade, Laura Duran, Karina Escobar-Weaver, Jason Kubo y Lara Sandora, consejeros.


Career Center

Many students and parents wonder about the four GPAs that appear on student transcripts. Here’s a brief explanation of them. Cumulative GPA (weighted) This GPA includes ALL courses taken in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade, whether the courses are “college-prep” or not. It includes extra points for classes with an “HP” on the transcript. These include all AP classes plus AS English III, AS Physics, and AS Chemistry. (There are other AS courses—for example, AS Algebra II—that do not earn the honors designation.) Cumulative GPA (unweighted) This GPA includes all courses taken in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade, whether the courses are “college-prep” or not. It does not, however, include extra points for honors or AP courses. CA Cal Grant GPA This GPA includes all courses taken in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade except PE. It does not include extra points for honors or AP courses. This is the GPA used by the California Student Aid Commission to see if students quali-fy for a Cal Grant (free money from the State of California for students who go to college in California, whether they go to community college, CSU, UC, or California private colleges). Weighted 10-12 A-G GPA This GPA includes ONLY college-prep courses taken in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. It includes extra points for honors and AP classes. This is the GPA used by the CSU and UC systems to evaluate our students. While it says it includes 12th grade, students will apply to the UC and CSU before they have any 12th-grade classes com-pleted, so the UC or CSU would only include 12th-grade classes if the student took a year off between high school and college and applied with the full 12th-grade set of grades. It is very important to know that many colleges recalculate student GPAs (in a variety of ways, according to their own values) as they evaluate students for admission. They do not necessarily use the GPAs on our tran-scripts. It is also important to know that when colleges say they use an unweighted GPA to evaluate students, those col-leges will do a separate evaluation of the rigor of a student’s course load. In other words, they unweight the GPA so they are not comparing apples to oranges when they are looking at students from high schools that of-fer weighted courses and students from high schools that do not, but they definitely pay attention to whether students have taken advantage of opportunities available to them at their high schools, so student selection of honors or AP classes will not go unnoticed but will just be evaluated separately. I hope this is helpful! Alice Kleeman


Desde el Centro de Carreras

Muchos estudiantes y padres se preguntan lo que significan los cuatro promedios de calificaciones (GPA – grade point average) que aparecen en los “transcripts” (expedientes académicos). A continuación está una breve expli-cación de cada uno de estos promedios. Cumulative GPA (weighted) Promedio cumulativo (la suma del promedio de cada grado) y ponderado con puntos adicionales). Este GPA incluye TODOS los cursos que se tomaron en los grados 9, 10, 11, y 12, no importa si los cursos fueron “co-llege-prep” o no. Incluye los puntos extras de los cursos con “HP” incluidos en el reporte. Este promedio tam-bién incluye todos los cursos AP, así como AS English III, AS Physics, y AS Chemistry. (Hay otros cursos con nivel AS – por ejemplo: AS Algebra II— que no reciben la designación de “honores”.) Nota: un curso AP es un curso en M-A que es de nivel universitario (avanzado). Cumulative GPA (unweighted) Promedio no ponderado con puntos adicionales . Este GPA incluye todos los cursos que se tomaron en los grados 9, 10, 11 y 12, no importa si los cursos fueron “college-prep” o no. Sin embargo, no incluye puntos adi-cionales por tomar cursos “honors” o AP. CA Cal Grant GPA Este GPA incluye todos los cursos que se tomaron en grados 10, 11 y 12 con excepción de PE (deportes). No incluye puntos adicionales por cursos “honors” o AP. Este es el GPA utilizado por el “California Student Aid Commission” para evaluar si un estudiante califica para la beca Cal Grant (dinero gratis del estado de California para estudiantes que asisten a universidades en California, no importa si están en un community college, CSU, UC o universidades privadas en California). Weighted 10-12 A-G GPA Este GPA SOLO incluye cursos de nivel “college-prep” que se tomaron en grados 10, 11 y 12. Incluye puntos adicionales por cursos “honors” y AP. Este es el GPA que utiliza CSU (California State University) y UC (Uni-versity of California) para evaluar nuestros estudiantes. A pesar de que dice incluir las calificaciones del grado 12, estudiantes ya habrán enviado su solicitud sin que hayan completado algún curso del año. Esto implica que los UC o CSU solo verían calificaciones del grado 12 si el estudiante se tomó un año entre high school y college y está enviando su solicitud con sus calificaciones completas del grado 12. Es muy importante tomar en cuenta que muchas universidades calculan de nuevo los GPAs de los estudiantes (de muchas maneras y de acuerdo a sus valores propios) durante el proceso de evaluar estudiantes para admi-sión. No utilizan necesariamente el GPA que viene incluido en los expedientes académicos de M-A. Es también importante saber que cuando las universidades dicen que utilizan un GPA no ponderado para eva-luar estudiantes, estas universidades harán una evaluación adicional para evaluar el rigor de los cursos tomados (¿fueron difíciles? ¿fueron numerosos?). En otras palabras, las universidades “unweight” (quitan los puntos adi-cionales) del promedio para así comparar equitativamente estudiantes de high schools que ofrecen promedios ponderados con estudiantes de high schools que NO ofrecen promedios ponderados. Pero es definitivo que se fijan si un estudiante aprovechó plenamente las oportunidades que ofrece su high school. O sea que estudiantes con cursos de nivel “honors” y AP no pasan por desapercibidos. Solo lo evaluarán de manera diferente. Espero que esta información les ayude! Alice Kleeman


AP Calculus BC Summer Dates Each year M-A offers AP calculus BC as a three-semester course with the first semester held during the first four weeks of summer. In 2015, the calculus program will be offered from Monday, June 8, through Thursday, July 2, from 8 am to noon. An informational meeting for all parents whose students are currently in pre-calculus will take place on Tuesday, January 20, at both 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm in room D20. Pre-calculus parents will receive a letter in early January inviting them to attend the calculus information meeting. If your son or daughter is not currently enrolled in pre-calculus but you are interested in learning about the AP calculus BC program, you are also welcome to attend this meeting.

M-A’s Own PSAT/SAT Prep

Enrollment in M-A's Own SAT Prep is open for students who plan to take the March SAT. The course will begin in mid-January, go for five weeks, and end the week the March SAT is given. It will take place on campus on Mondays and Tuesdays, 3:30 to 5 pm. Enrollment is meant primarily for juniors but is also for any seniors who wish to enroll. We teach techniques to conquer this test, which involves logic and rea-soning. We use timed practice tests and teach stress time management and the best way to make answer choices in order that the student has a chance to score as high as possible. Thus the student will have developed successful test-taking practices by the time he or she takes the SAT. All we need is a willing student who provides good attendance and does the small amount of homework asked each week. Sharing the homework solutions in the next class meeting enriches all the students. Our fee, which includes all necessary materials, ranges from a base of $100 to a high of $225, depending on the number of students enrolled. Once a student takes a seat in the class, the parent or guardian is responsible for the fee. If a student must be absent for good reason, a note or email from the parent should be sent. We have been conducting this program at M-A since 1980, so our experience speaks for itself. For Q&A and/or to enroll your student, please contact Jane King at [email protected] or [email protected]. Jane King, Director


Save the Date! 2015 M-A Fashion Show

Mark your calendars now for the 2015 M-A Fashion Show on Saturday, March 21, in the Performing Arts Cen-ter. There will be three performances: 1 pm (preceded by a catered luncheon), 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm. The fash-ion show is a professionally choreographed, high-energy production that stars our incredible senior class. For over 35 years, the fashion show has been an M-A tradition and the PTA’s largest fundraiser, providing funding for many of the important student and school services we have come to expect at Menlo-Atherton. The show helps the seniors bond and celebrates their last year at M-A while bringing the community together to cel-ebrate the spirit that is M-A. If you have never been to one of our fashion shows, this is the year to attend. Don’t miss it! Please let us know if you would like to be part of the tradition and volunteer your talents for this important event. We have many ways for parents of all classes to get involved. Watch for volunteer sign-ups in BearNotes or contact one of the co-chairs now at [email protected]. We also need help with underwriting and ad sales, so if you have a business you want to promote, let us know that, too. Fashion Show co-chairs for 2015 are Michele Culhane at [email protected], Mary Fischer at [email protected], Karen Fryling at [email protected], and Nancy Kessler at [email protected].


Visual Arts

Keep an Eye Out for Student Work! Student work is out and about in campus galleries, display cases, and display boards. You will find student art-works on display all over campus throughout the year. The works on display are examples from class projects from all levels. Some of our permanent locations include:

• Administration Building Advanced Artist Gallery – located in the Administration Building's corridor • Pride Hall Art Department display cases – all levels, 3-D and 2-D artworks • Library Foyer display cases – Ceramics, beginning and intermediate artworks • Library display panels – beginning and intermediate 2-D artworks • Library niches and walls – beginning and intermediate 2-D and 3-D artworks


M-A Parent Education Series 2015 Spring Semester Events!

In November, the M-A Parent Education Series welcomed Kirk Brennan, Director of Admission at USC, and Alice Kleeman, M-A College Advisor, in “A Conversation about College Admission.” In this honest and engag-ing discussion, Mr. Brennan advised students to find their own interests, talents, and passions, and to present this information to colleges in their authentic voice. “Don’t ask us to tell you what we’re looking for,” counseled Brennan, “instead, tell us what you did!” Speaking to a packed audience in the PAC, college experts fielded questions from parents and students on a wide range of topics such as the importance of extra-curricular activi-ties, campus diversity, students with learning differences, and the importance of grades and test scores on col-lege admissions. Spring semester brings two outstanding programs to the M-A Parent Education Series. On February 3, 2015, Denise Pope, Ph.D., co-founder of Challenge Success, returns to Menlo-Atherton in “The Well-Balanced Stu-dent.” Challenge Success, formerly the highly successful SOS: Stressed-Out Students project, is an organization founded at Stanford University in response to an increase in academic and emotional problems among teens in the United States. Since 2007, Challenge Success has become a trusted “voice of reason” for parents and educa-tors in reducing student stress and improving the mental, physical, and emotional health, and well-being of youths. The final event of the season brings an acclaimed new documentary film, The Mask You Live In, produced by The Representation Project. This film from the makers of award-winning Miss Representation takes an unsparing look at how we as a society are failing our boys. Mark your calendars now for these two great events! 2014-15 Program Offerings Tuesday, February 3, 2015 “The Well-Balanced Student,” with Dr. Denise Pope, Challenge Success, Stanford University 7:00-8:30 pm, M-A PAC Thursday, April 2, 2015 The Mask You Live In, Documentary film from The Representation Project (Jennifer Seibel Newsom, producer of Miss Representa-tion) 7:00-8:30 pm, M-A PAC M-A Parent Education Series events are free and sponsored by the M-A PTA, the Sequoia Healthcare District, and the Sequoia Union High School District. For more information, contact Charlene Margot, M-A Parent Ed-ucation Series, Founder/Program Director, at [email protected] or (650) 868-0590. Charlene Margot, Program Director


Survey: Parenting & Electronic Media Use in Families Researchers at MRI, a leading non-profit family therapy institute, invite you to participate in a survey about elec-tronic media use in families—a topic of great importance to today’s parents and therapists. Please consider sharing your views by completing the survey posted at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EM-P1. Your survey code is MA2. One participant per family please. Taking the survey may qualify you for a paid fol-low-up interview. For more information, contact Diane Schiano at [email protected].

Estudio: El Uso de los Medios Electrónicos dentro de Su Hogar Investigadores del MRI, institución líder en terapia familia, lo invitan a usted a participar en un estudio sobre este importante tema de actualidad, tanto para las familias como para los terapeutas. Comparta su opinión respondiendo el siguiente cuestionario: respondiendo el siguiente cuestionario http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EM-P1S. Su código de participación es MA2. Solicitamos que por favor responda un participante por familia. Si responde a este cuestionario, quizás califique para una entrevista por la que se le pagará posteriormente. Para más informatión, favor de contactar a Diane Schiano: [email protected].


Athletic Boosters

Wow! Fall! What a start for the 2014-15 M-A Bears! Menlo-Atherton had 12 teams competing in the Penin-sula Athletic League this fall—seven won their league championships (some undefeated) with an additional four finishing their seasons in second place. Congratulations to our league champions!!

• Boys’ cross country • Girls’ golf • Girls’ tennis • Girls’ varsity volleyball • Girls’ JV volleyball • Girls’ freshman volleyball • Boys’ varsity water polo

2014 Menlo-Atherton High School Athletic Hall of Fame M-A welcomed its 2014 Hall of Fame inductees on Saturday, November 8, with a wonderful dinner and cere-mony attended by over 300 Bear supporters. 2014 Hall of Fame Inductees: Greg Camarillo, Class of 2000; Kelly Eaton, Class of 2006; Connie and Owen Hawkins, 1989-1993; Erica Hayes, Class of 2008; Jeremy Mineau, Class of 2004; Susan Mohr, 2003-present; Kitty Moore, 1969-2012; Brent Vartan, Class of 1994; Plato Yanicks, 1965-1994; 1978 girls’ swim team; 1989 boys’ basketball team M-A Athletic Boosters will spend this month preparing for our January granting session. Many, many thanks to those who have supported the M-A Athletic Boosters and all our Bears.


Menlo Park Library Events Saturday, December 6: “Never Too Late!” Musical Review from Stagebridge The Friends of the Menlo Park Library are presenting the hilarious musical revue, “Never Too Late,” from Stagebridge Theatre. Stagebridge’s talented troupe of senior thespians promises catchy songs, outrageous skits, and unpredictable fun. The free show will take place Saturday, December 6, at 11 am at the Menlo Park City Council Chambers, located at 701 Laurel Street. Refreshments will be provided. Saturday, December 13: Teen Gingerbread House Design & Contest Teens aged 11-18 are welcome to create and display their sugary creativity by building gin-gerbread houses at Menlo Park Library on December 13th from 12-2 pm. Pictures will be taken of each masterpiece, and the creator of the most original house will be awarded a prize. Tools and candy will be provided, as well as snacks. Please see http://menlopark.org/556/Teens for registration. Sunday, December 14: Family Gift Tag Workshop Personalize your gifts this year with tags you create in a fun workshop for the whole family! Take a break from your holiday shopping and join us for this relaxing and enjoyable craft event! Artists Betsy Halaby and Susie Peyton will bring a variety of colored papers, stamps, glitter, sequins and more; the rest is up to you! Samples will be provided to stimulate your own creativity. This workshop will be drop-in--no advance registration is re-quired. Meet downstairs in the Storytime Room. Please arrive by 3:30 to allow enough time to complete the activity. For ages two to adult--perfect for everyone! Thursday, December 18: Montclair Women’s Big Band at Menlo Park Library The Friends of the Menlo Park Library are presenting a free, after-hours performance by the Montclair Wom-en’s Big Band. The 17-member all-female orchestra promises holiday, swing music, blues and more. The free performance will take place Thursday, December 18, at 6:30 pm at the Menlo Park Library, located at 800 Alma Street.

January 1-February 28: Teen Winter Contest: Make Your Own Comics/Manga Do you love graphic novels? Teens (ages 11-18) are welcome to enter their own comic or manga in the winter contest. The public will vote for the favorite. Come by the library or email Sydnee Mardell at [email protected] for more information, including dimensions of the comic.

Friday, January 9: Teen Night: Winter Wonderland Crafts—Paper Mache Snowmen Join other Teens (ages 12-18) from 6:30-8:30 pm as you create your own snowman! Snacks, including hot cocoa and apple cider, will be provided. Please see http://menlopark.org/556/Teens for registration.


Saturday, January 15: Duffy Hudson portrays George Burns The Friends of the Menlo Park Library are presenting an appearance by the legendary George Burns, as por-trayed by actor Duffy Hudson. Hudson’s Burns will sing, dance, and tell stories in the old star’s memorable style. The free show will take place Saturday, January 15, at 2 pm at the Menlo Park City Council Chambers, lo-cated at 701 Laurel Street. Refreshments will be provided.

Saturday, January 24, February 28: Teen Winter Book Club Menlo Park Library’s Book Club program for ages 12-18 is set to meet during the win-ter. Meeting dates are on Saturdays, January 24 and February 28, from 3:00-4:30 pm. To register for the book club, please send an e-mail to Sydnee Mardell at [email protected].

For more information on these events, visit menlopark.org/library or phone 650-330-2501. Media Contact: John Weaver, Menlo Park Library Outreach Coordinator, [email protected].

City of Menlo Park Events 2014 Holiday Showcase On Saturday, December 13, 4:00 pm-6:00 pm, at the Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, the City of Menlo Park presents our best programs and classes of the year! We pride ourselves on creating a community that is vibrant, diverse, and fun! Come see all that we have to offer in our fabulous collection of classes and pro-grams where you, our talented community, enter into the spotlight! For more information, visit www.menlopark.eventbrite.com. Elf (2003)—Free Movie Don’t be an angry elf! Bring your friends and family and join the City of Menlo Park on Friday, December 19, at 7:00 pm at the Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center for a FREE showing of Elf! After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. RSVP online at www.menlopark.eventbrite.com.


TriVocis Calendar—December 2014

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 M-A Canned Food Drive continues through Decem-ber 5

2 Spring 2015 CEEP class signed contract deadline; lunch; D20

3 EL parent work shop; Library; 6 pm

Seniors: M-A PTA Fashion Show MANDATORY meeting for models; 7-8:30 pm; M-A PAC (bring completed forms)

La Entrada Parent Educa-tion lecture, "Raising Resil-ient Tweens and Teens"; 7 pm; La Entrada MUR

4 M-A Band and Orchestra concert; 7pm; M-A PAC

5

M-A Canned Food Drive collection ends

M-A Choir and Guitar concert; 7 pm; M-A PAC

6 SAT exam; 8 am

M-A Canned Food Drive distribution at Ecumenical Hunger, East Palo Alto; 9 noon

8

Dead week- finals preparation

9

Dead week- finals preparation Math contest; lunch; D20

10

Dead week- finals preparation SUHSD board meeting; 5:30pm

11 Dead week- finals preparation SDMSC meeting; 3:45pm; Career Center

12 Dead week- finals preparation

13 ACT exam; 8 am

15

Revised class schedule for periods 0-6 and finals schedule M-A Holiday Gift Drive drop off (Mabears.org to sign up)

16

Finals schedule 17 Finals schedule ELAC celebration dinner; M-A PAC Cafe

18 End of 1st semester Finals schedule Senior off-campus course completion deadline for graduation

19

No school for students; teacher work day

Staff Appreciation Holiday Breakfast

20

22

Winter Break-no school 23





29 Winter Break-no school Deadline to register for the January 24 SAT

30 Winter Break-no school

31 Winter Break-no school M-A Foundation for the Future Class of 2018 chal-lenge grant deadline: Donate now! (mafounda-tion.org)


TriVocis Calendar—January 2015

Note: TriVocis calendar items are current as of November 23. For the most current, updated information about M-A events, please check the M-A Bears Web site at www.mabears.org and the weekly newsletter, BearNotes. Submit calendar entries by e-mail to [email protected].

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Happy New Year! Winter break-no school

2 Winter break-no school

3

5 Professional staff devel-opment- no school for students Staff Appreciation breakfast

6 First day of 2nd semester for students; schedule distribution beginning at 7:30 am; New Gym

Seniors: submit private college Mid-Year Transcript Request forms for Guidance Office during the month of January!

7

ELAC meeting; 6 pm; Library

Financial Aid Night for seniors and parents; 7 pm M-A PAC Café (Spanish in the Career Center)

8 9 Registration deadline for the February 7 ACT

10

12

13

Math contest; lunch; D20

Sophomore parent college information night (parents only); 7 pm; M-A PAC Cafe

14 SUHSD board meeting; 5:30 pm

EL Parent workshop; 6 pm; Library

February TriVocis article deadline

15 Senior off-campus tran-scripts for graduation due to Guidance office

16

Last day to add a 2nd semester class

17

19

Martin Luther King holi-day- no school

20

AP Calculus BC information meeting for parents; 6pm and 7 pm; D20

Foundation for the Future board meeting; 7 pm

21

EL Parent workshop; 6 pm; Library

Junior Parent Information night: course selection and planning (parents only); 7 pm; Library (Spanish in PAC)

22

SDMSC meeting; 3:45 pm Staff Center

Special Education parent night; 5-8 pm M-A PAC Cafe

23

M-A Athletic Boosters round two grant request deadline

24 SAT exam; 8 am

Winter Formal; 7-11 pm

26 Band exchange concert; 7 pm; M-A PAC

27 28 EL Parent workshop; 6 pm; Library

February TriVocis published

29 Spring club training; after school

Band exchange concert; 7 pm; M-A PAC

30 31

Menlo-Atherton High School PTA 17th District of California PTA 555 Middlefield Road Atherton, CA 94027

TRIVOCIS Articles editor: Cheryl Cathey Production editor: Leah Strichartz Calendar editor: Kathleen Balestra Mailing: Corby Locke, Kim Steere, Kelly Perri Proofreaders: Jane King, Becca Garcia, Brian LaPorte

Next submission deadline: January 14, 2015 Next publication date: January 28, 2015 Send article submissions to [email protected]. Send calendar entries to [email protected].

This issue was mailed and a PDF version posted online at www.mabearspta.org on November 25, 2014.

FUTURE EVENTS

February 2: Spring sports team athletic clearance deadline and tryouts February 3: M-A Parent Education: “The Well-Balanced Student”, Dr. Denise Pope; 7 pm; M-A PAC February 7: ACT exam; 8 am February 13: Lincoln’s birthday- no school February 16: Presidents’ holiday – no school February 17: Last day to drop a 1st semester class February 19: PTA mini-grants spring cycle applica-tion deadline March 2: Winter sports awards night; 7 pm

March 3: PTA meeting; 8:45 am March 21: M-A PTA Fashion Show- luncheon and 3 shows March 30: Cesar Chavez Day- no school April 9: M-A Open House; 6-8:30 pm April 10: Minimum day – early release at 12:20 pm April 10: Junior/Senior Prom April 20-24: Spring break- no school May 3: 10th Annual Big Bear Run supporting all M-A Athletic teams; 9 am

IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR RECEIVING TRIVOCIS ! A copy of TriVocis is sent via USPS mail only to households that do not have an e-mail address in the Infinite Campus system. House-holds with an e-mail address in the Infinite Campus system will receive an alert each month with a link to the new TriVocis. Please e-mail [email protected] with any questions.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 43 MENLO PARK, CA

Documents

TriVocis December2014 FinalFrom the Guidance Office 8 De la Oficina de la Consejería From the Career Center Desde el Centro de Carreras AP Calculus BC, PSAT/SAT prep Fashion Show