Hello parents, students and

friends! Our 2016-2017 school year

is well underway, and it’s hard to

believe, but we are already

approaching the end of the first

semester. I am currently in my 11th

year as the principal of Tulare Union

High School, and it seems that each

year passes by more quickly then the

previous one.

Each new school year brings new

people on staff, as well as new

changes to the campus. We were

pleased to hire seven new teachers

this year, several of which are alumni

of both Tulare Union and Tulare

Western. We are truly blessed in that

oftentimes former Redskin students

“come home to roost” and take up

residence in the classroom once

again, but as teachers this time

around. We are also blessed to have

many others come make their home

as faculty members in our Tribe.

I would like to take this oppor-

tunity to introduce you to the fol-

lowing new teachers:

D. J. Bennett graduated from

Tulare Union in 2008. He teaches

science and study skills in the Special

Education department and coaches

football. The former teacher, Jason

Edwards, was promoted to the posi-

tion of Director of Special Education

overseeing the District’s efforts in

educating our resource students.

Larissa Monreal is another alumni

having graduated in 2009. She teach-

es mathematics in the Special Educa-

tion department after serving as a

substitute for the district for a couple

of years. Former teacher Mike Lewis,

resigned from teaching to relocate

and become a missionary in Vicente

Guerrero, Baja California, Mexico.

Vanessa Perales is a 2010 gradu-

ate from Tulare Western High

School. We are glad to welcome this

Mustang into our Tribe. At the end

of the 2015-2016 school year, we

lost two math teachers: David Terrel

transitioned into the full-time athletic

director position at Mission Oak

High School and Michelle Reindl

moved over to the new Accelerated

Charter High School. Vanessa teaches

Algebra 1.

Derek Williamson graduated in

2002 from Tulare Union. He actual-

ly taught in the English department

in the previous school year, and then

jumped over to the Social Studies

department in this year to teach

Economics Honors, AP Government

and World History. The former

teacher in those classes, Sara Zakari-

an, is now the Dean of Students at

the Accelerated Charter High School.

Jessica Handly comes to us from

the Visalia Unified School District.

Born in Montgomery, Alabama,

Jessica graduated from Bullard High

School in 1998. She teaches English

to our sophomores. We are very

pleased to welcome this Bullard

Knight into the Tulare Union Tribe.

Jordan Lapadula is another Tula-

re Western alumni, graduating in

2010 with Vanessa Perales. Jordan

served in the capacity of substitute

teacher in the 2015-2016 school year

and became the “go-to” sub for

many of our teachers on campus.

We were excited to hire Jordan to

join the English department, where

she teaches Freshmen English and

one period of English Language

Development.

Kelly Lawler graduated as a

Lemoore High School Tiger in 1988.

This past summer, we gladly stole

Kelly from Delano High School

where he taught English. He has

jumped in full-throttle at Tulare Un-

ion teaching all six periods (no prep!)

and coaching our Mock Trial team.

Currently in his 20th year of teach-

ing, Kelly took on not only sopho-

more and junior level English, but

also an English I Honors class.

On a personal note, I would like

to thank all of our parents, students,

staff, friends and

colleagues for your

support of Tulare

Union academics,

athletics and co-

curricular activities each year, day-in

and day-out. Your support is amaz-

ing. Everyone brings an enthusiasm

to the campus that is contagious.

There is a new slogan in popular

culture, that was given to me carved

in wood by Ag Teacher Jennifer Sou-

sa. It says:

Find Your Tribe,

Love Them Hard.

That is our intent. To love our

students, and do our best to make

them world-class citizens ready for

the leap beyond high school for con-

tinuing education and the workplace.

Remember to use #TUTRIBE

when posting on social media.

Go TRIBE!!

Tulare Union makes a home for The TRIBE

California Distinguished School ♦ Exemplary Career Technical Education School

Title I Academic Achievement School ♦ AVID National Certified School

U.S. News & World Report America’s Best High Schools Silver Medal ♦ Tulare County Office of Education Torch Academic Achievement Award

Fresno State Exemplary Commitment to Character and Virtues Education ♦ California Department of Education Civic Learning Award of Merit

December 2016

Principal Dr. Michelle Nunley

Beginning Monday, November 28

following the week-long Thanksgiving

break, school begins at 9:00 am in the

morning each day, as follows:

Regardless of weather conditions,

school will start at 9:00 am. If there is

extensive fog, buses will either be delayed

two hours or cancelled. Classes and

instruction, are not delayed.

A detailed explanation and schedule

for foggy day schedules are found on

page 6 of this newsletter. If you have any

questions concerning the bus schedule

please call the District transportation

department at 688-2021.

When buses are cancelled due to fog

(Plan C), a teacher will be available at the

Adult School portables located on the

south side of the Pixley School campus at

1690 E. Court Street (middle portable)

from 12:00 noon–3:00 pm to help

students with their school work. Teacher

Carol Bowman will monitor the students and

take attendance which will be forwarded to the

high school. Teachers may fax assignments

to 757-1952.

In order to attend the Pixley campus

portable class, students must:

Any student not utilizing the center as

a study hall for school assignments will be

asked to leave and no attendance credit

will be given.

Tulare Union's Drama Department presents the play

"Dracula: The Twilight Years" by Tim Kelly.

There is no shortage of humor in this whimsical spoof

on the vampire craze! A group of students trekking

through Europe has lost their way and find themselves

unknowingly spending the night in the castle of

Count Dracula.

2 The Tribal Times December 2016 - February 2017

Tulare Union High

School was one of the

earliest schools to adopt

AVID (Advancement Via

Individual Determina-

tion) in the central San Joaquin Valley back in 1994. Since then, the

program has expanded and strengthened, thanks to a great deal of

support from our principal, our leadership team, our teachers and

our students.

The mission of AVID is “to close the achievement gap by prepar-

ing all students for college readiness and success in a global society”.

TU’s AVID students take this mission to heart, by modeling

“individual determination” and sharing the knowledge and skills they

learn in their AVID classes with friends and classmates.

This year’s AVID Senior Class is a perfect example of the AVID

mission in action. AVID Coordinator for Tulare Union Ms. Courtney

Hendrickson has 28 AVID seniors. These students are now working

on college applications, so it is an excellent time to reflect on how

AVID has helped students prepare for this culminating moment.

AVID Senior Jessica Lopez explained how AVID kept her on track

so that her dream of college can become a reality. “As the first per-

son in my family to attend college, I knew I was going to need lots

of help, and over the past 3 years I've been in AVID, I've always

been assured of having emotional and academic support,” she said.

In AVID Jessica learned to keep organized and manage her time, and

she appreciates how being in AVID means she is informed about

what she needs to be prepared for university life.

She also explained how AVID at TU helps all students, not just

the AVID students, “Many of my other classes have endorsed the use

of Cornell Notes because they realize it is more beneficial for

students. Having AVID students in classes seems to be beneficial to

other students because there are cases where they're the most

informed students on campus and are able to keep their fellow class-

mates on track as well.”

Indeed, Tulare Union’s Site Team plan for this year includes

sharing AVID strategies across the campus so that all students can

benefit from the sorts of activities students complete in AVID classes.

The Site Team is also arranging for peer mentoring on the Tulare

Union campus.

After graduation, Jessica hopes to attend UC Santa Cruz and pur-

sue a major in Human Biology. “With that, I have hopes of attend-

ing medical school and becoming a doctor,” she revealed.

Parents who are interested in learning more about how AVID

works to improve the high school experience for all students are

encouraged to call AVID District Director Vicki Leoni at 559-688-

2021, extension 2043,

Article from Vicki Mailes Leoni

AVID District Director

The Tribal Times December 2016 - February 2017 3

Participation in the graduation

ceremonies including the senior hon-

ors assembly, the senior breakfast,

and graduation is limited to those

students qualifying to earn a diplo-

ma from Tulare Union High School

on the date their class graduates.

To qualify for a diploma a

student must:

Complete all district and State of

California required coursework through

classroom attendance and accrual of

credits.

Earn a minimum of 220 credits

in the appropriate courses.

Pass the high school district’s

minimum skills requirement.

Complete the last semester at

Tulare Union High School unless an

exception has been granted prior to

that last semester by the school and

district administrations.

In order to participate in the grad-

uation ceremony, all seniors must main-

tain a 95% attendance rate (nine days

of absences) during their senior year of

high school.

We encourage our parents to be

aware of their student’s graduation

status and if they have any questions

or concerns, to contact the

Counseling office at their earliest

convenience.

When these kids were born, Bill Clinton was in the Oval Office, SpongeBob Square

Pants debuted on Nickelodeon, Mark Zuckerberg was 15 years old, and you could still leave

your shoes on at the airport. It doesn't seem so long ago, and yet the world these Millenni-

als were born into is vastly different from the dynamic and ever-evolving one they've

grown up in. They grew up with computers and the Internet in their homes, which has

shaped the way they learn and communicate. Everything is at their fingertips and they have grown accustomed to

finding information in a matter of seconds. The advent of smartphones and tablets has further facilitated that in-

stant gratification, and library terms such as "Dewy Decimal System" and "microfiche" are likely Greek to

them. Let's celebrate their last year of high school!

The Winter Formal is moving to a new exciting venue, soon to be announced! It will

be hosted on Saturday, December 10 from 8:00-11:30 pm. Ticket prices: Single $20 Couple

$30; or $40 at the door. There will be outdoor dancing, a dessert bar, a S’Mores bar and

campfire area, photo booth, cozy seating arrangments, and fun lawn games. Photos will be pro-

vided by Essence Photography and DJ Services by These Guys-Dominic Avila, Elijah Henningham.

All students grades 9-12 are invited.

If your graduating student missed out, Graduate Services will be back on campus on Tuesday, December

13 to receive make up orders for graduation caps, gowns, announcements, and other graduation products. You

may also order online at (559) 431-2541. It is important to remember that sen-

iors are required to wear a cap and gown in order to participate in graduation ceremonies.

Grad Night 2017 at Six Flags Magic Mountain on Friday, May 26! Mark your calendars and make your

deposit. There are only 106 spots available to

our senior students at the low price of $125

(which can be made in 3-easy payments: $50

non-refundable deposit, $50 payment and final

$25 payment). The price includes transporta-

tion by charter bus, VIP Early Entrance to the

park, all-you-can-eat buffet with unlimited rides

from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am. Guests will also re-

ceive a voucher for free admission to Hurricane

Harbor Water Park, as well as a souvenir photo.

The Senior class is currently accepting artistic submissions for the Class of 2017's class shield and commence-

ment

4 The Tribal Times December 2016 - February 2017

Children, regardless of immigration status, foster youth,

pregnant women, and legally present individuals—including

those with DACA status—may be eligible for no- or low-cost

Medi-Cal.

Medi-Cal covers immunizations, checkups, specialists, vision

and dental services, and more for children and youth at no-

or low-cost.

Medi-Cal enrollment is available year-round.

www.coveredca.com 1(800) 300-1506 Find in-person help: www.coveredca.com/get-help-local/

Find a primary care doctor in your network.

Schedule an annual checkup for you and your family.

Make sure to take your child to the dentist.

Pay your monthly premium if your plan requires it.

Covered California is where legal residents of California can

compare quality health plans and choose the one that works

best for them.

Based on income and family size, many Californians may qualify

for financial assistance.

Enroll during Open Enrollment or any time you experience a life

-changing event, like losing your job or having a baby. You have

60 days from the event to complete enrollment.

Medi-Cal must be renewed every year. Medi-Cal will mail the

renewal packet. Complete and return. For help, contact your

local Medi-Cal office or call 211.

Health plans through Covered California must be renewed every

year. Renewal information will be mailed at the end of the

year, or contact Covered California at 1(800) 300-1506.

Tulare Union in partnership with the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) is excited to begin Year 7 of the very successful Parent Engagement Education Program. This program has educated our Tulare Union parents on how to foster a positive educational environ-ment for their children both at home and at school. The program, which lasts nine weeks and begins on Wednesday, January 18, is FREE to parents. Parents who participate learn how to create a positive and lasting educational environment at home using a number of proven academic success tools: dedicating a home study location and time of day for homework; creating ongoing dialog with their kids’ surrounding their academic successes and challenges; dis-cussing children’s college expectations; and more. Creating a bridge between home and school is also emphasized. Parents learn about how grades are used for college admittance; what classes are important and needed for children planning to attend college; how to navigate the school system, and other information vital to academic success of their children. Classes are taught in English and Spanish by professional PIQE facilitators, who are members of the communities they serve. The class series culminates in a parent group meeting with Principal Dr. Michelle Nunley, followed by a PIQE graduation ceremony. Parent gradua-tion is a celebration that is typically very powerful to parents who may not have a formal education, and an opportunity for children to see their parents as graduates themselves. Since the program’s inception in 1987, more than 475,000 parents have graduated from PIQE’s programs nationwide and an amazing 1,224 parents have graduated from Tulare Union’s PIQE program! Significant research studies show that PIQE increases children’s aca-demic success. We encourage all our parents to come out for PIQE. Mark your calendars for every Wednesday morning or night beginning January 18, 2017.

The Tribal Times December 2016 - February 2017 5

The College Board made content, format, and scoring changes to the SAT in 2016. The redesigned SAT test prioritiz-es content that reflects the kind of reading and math students will encounter in college and their future work lives. Below you can find a summary of the changes and see that they are far from a simple return to the 1600 scoring. These changes were implemented to better test the skills and knowledge deemed most important in determining students’ readiness for and likelihood of success in college. 1. Vocabulary Words - The new SAT left behind obscure terminology, replacing it with more useful vocabulary that students can expect to use throughout their lives. 2. Interpretation and Use of Evidence - An important theme throughout the new exam is “evidence-based rea-soning.” Students will be tested on their ability to understand and combine multiple sources of evidence to answer questions. 3. Changes to the Essay - The essay is different in multiple areas: a) It is optional, but will likely be required by some colleges, b) The prompt will remain constant through multiple test dates and be available in advance of the writ-ing date, 3) It will be based on a provided text, from which the student must draw evidence to support their thesis. 4. Three Primary Math Topics - Problem Solving and Data Analysis, the Heart of Algebra, Passport to Advanced Math. 5. Real World Scenarios - Questions on the new SAT will use real world scenarios. Questions will ask students to correct errors, as well as edit and revise text. 6. Science and Social Studies - Students will see questions that apply to a number of subjects, including science, history, and social studies. 7. Founding Documents and Great Global Conversation - The new SAT will use text from at least one of the United States founding documents (Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, Bill of Rights), or text related to the “Great Global Conversation about freedom, justice, and human dignity.” 8. No More Penalties - Students will not be penalized for incorrect or unanswered questions. This will drastically alter test-taking strategies, encouraging students to provide an answer for every single question—even if it’s a complete guess—without the concern of point deductions. SAT registration packets are available in the counseling office or you may register online at collegeboard.com. The ACT is a national college admissions examination that includes 215 multiple-choice questions in the subject area tests of English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science and is highly recommended for juniors and seniors. ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States. ACT registration packets are available in the counseling office or you may register online at actstudent.org. For a California State University, students are required to take the SAT or ACT test by December 2016. SAT Tests will be given at the locations noted below from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon:

Test Dates Test Test Location Registration Deadline December 3, 2016 SAT Test & Subject Tests COS November 3, 2016 January 21, 2017 SAT Test & Subject Tests COS December 21, 2016 March 11, 2017 SAT Test only COS February 10, 2017 May 6, 2017 SAT Test & Subject Tests COS April 7, 2017 June 3, 2017 SAT Test & Subject Tests Tulare Union May 9, 2017

The ACT Test will be given at Tulare Western High School on April 8, 2017.

FAFSA Update

The FAFSA determines a student’s eligibility for vari-ous loans, grants, scholarships and work study. The gov-ernment will need time to process the applications before the beginning of the spring semester, so it is a good idea to complete the application before Thanksgiving. Filing the FAFSA is a student’s first step in applying for financial aid for college. A FAFSA must be filed before

each academic year to be considered for financial aid. To receive priority funding, the FAF-SA should be

The federal government (Pell Grants, Cal Grants, and institutions of higher learning will base their financial aid, grants, loans and work-study on the FAFSA information you sub-mit. Go to fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible. Tulare Union will host a parent workshop on FAFASA on Wednesday, November 16 at 5:30 pm. To be considered for a Cal Grant award, students must complete two requirements: their FAFSA must be completed at fafsa.ed.gov by the March 2, 2016 deadline; and, students must ensure that a certified Grade Point Average (GPA) is submitted to the California Stu-dent Aid Commission by March 2, 2016. See note in the box to the above right-hand side. Cal Grants are awarded to students every year based on student’s academic achieve-ment and family income. Be sure to apply!!

SAT CHANGES / ACT FACTS

6 The Tribal Times December 2016 - February 2017

DECEMBER 2016

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

WINTER SCHEDULE BEGINS

(29 days)

NOVEMBER 28-B

NOVEMBER 29-A

NOVEMBER 30-B

Boys Basketball-Dinuba

Tulare Christmas Parade

DECEMBER 1-A

Full Staff Meeting

7:30 am Breakfast 8:00 am

Meeting Cafeteria 2-B

TKMEA Honor Band Audi-

tions at Alpine Vista

8:00 am—2:00 pm 3

4

Red & Gold Boosters Meeting

6:30 pm Cafeteria

5-A

Boys Basketball-Gold. West

Boys Soccer-Redwood

6-B

7-A

School Board Meeting

7:30 pm District Office

8-B

ELAC Meetng

8:00 am Cafeteria

PBIS Lunchtime Raffle

9-A

Cyberquest Competition

8:30 am - 2:00 pm

TCOE 6200 S. Mooney

Winter Formal Event

8:00 -11:30 pm

Facility to be determined

10

11

12-B

FINALS: Periods 1, 3, 5

Grad Services “Make-ups”

Wrestling-Golden West

WINTER SYMPHONIC AND

ORCHESTRA CONCERT

6:00 pm Auditorium

13-A

FINALS: Periods 2, 4, 6

END OF 6-WEEK/SEMESTER

GRADING PERIOD

Boys Basketball-Tulare

Classic (Varsity)

14-B

TEACHER DUTY DAY

NO CLASSES HELD

Boys Basketball-Tulare

Classic (Varsity)

15

Boys Basketball-Tulare

Classic (Varsity) 16

Boys Basketball-Tulare

Classic (Varsity)

17

18

Boys Soccer-Exeter

19

Girls Basketball-Exeter

Boys Soccer-Granite Hills

20

21

Inter & Intra-District Transfer

Window closes today.

22

23

CHRISTMAS EVE

24

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

25

26

27

28

29

30

NEW YEAR’S EVE

31

JANUARY 2017

1

2

Boys Soccer-Fowler

3

4

5

LAST DAY TO PURCHASE A

YEARBOOK for $70

Boys Soccer-Monache*

6

7

8

SCHOOL RESUMES! Classes are

still on Winter Schedule

Boys Basketball-Lindsay

9-A

Boys Basketball-CVC

Girls Soccer-Delano*

10-B

TCOE Remembering the

Holocaust 6:00 pm

TCOE 6200 S. Mooney

11-A

Boys Basketball-Monache*

Girls Soccer-Porterville*

12-B

ELAC Meetng 8:00 am

Cafeteria

13-A

TKMEA Honor Band

Concert

Hanford Fox Theatre

14

15

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

NO CLASSES HELD

Red & Gold Boosters Meeting

6:30 pm Cafeteria

16

17-B

HEART Lesson - 1st Period

School Advisory Meeting

8:00 am Cafeteria

Girls Basketball-Delano*

Boys Soccer-MOHS*

PIQE Planning Session

6:00 pm Cafeteria

18-A

Wrestling-Delano*

School Board Meeting

7:30 pm District Office

19-B

Perfect Attendance

Breakfast

10:15 am Cafeteria

Girls Basketball-Porterville

Boys Soccer-TWHS*

20-A

TKMEA Honor Orchestra

Concert

College of the Sequoias

SAT Test at College of

Sequoias 800 am - Noon

21

22

23-B

FAFSA Student Workshop

9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Computer lab

School Site Council Meeting

3:15 pm Library

Boys Basketball-Mission Oak*

Girls Soccer-Monache*

Mock Trial - Tulare County

Courthouse 5:00 - 8:00 pm

24-A

PIQE Classes

8:00 am /6:00 pm Cafeteria

Academic Decathlon Online

Essay Competition

Wrestling-Porterville*

25-B

Boys Basketball-TWHS*

Boys Soccer-Delano*

Mock Trial - Tulare County

Courthouse 5:00 - 8:00 pm

26-A

27-B

Academic Decathlon

Speech & Interview Com-

petitions

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

TCOE 6200 S. Mooney

28

29

30-A

Mock Trial - Tulare County

Courthouse 5:00 - 8:00 pm

31-B

FEBRUARY 2017

PIQE Classes

8:00 am /6:00 pm Cafeteria

Girls Basketball-Monache*

Boys Soccer-Porterville*

Poetry Out Loud Competi-

tion 6:00 pm

TCOE 6200 S. Mooney 1-A

Mock Trial - Tulare County

Courthouse 5:00 - 8:00 pm

School Board Meeting

7:30 pm District Office

2-B

LAST DAY OF WINTER

SCHEDULE

Boys Basketball-Delano*

Girls Soccer-MOHS*

3-A

Academic Decathlon

Testing/Super Quiz Relay/

Awards 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

TCOE 6200 S. Mooney

South Valley Winter Arts Assoc.

Colorguard & Drumline

Hanford West 4

5

REGULAR SCHEDULE RESUMES

6-B

Boys Basketball-Porterville*

Girls Soccer-TWHS*

7-A

PIQE Classes

8:00 am /6:00 pm Cafeteria

School Advisory Meeting

3:15 pm Cafeteria 8-B

Girls Basketball-MOHS*

Mock Trial SEMI-FINALS

Tulare County Courthouse

5:00 - 8:00 pm 9-A

Full Staff Meeting

7:30 am Breakfast 8:00 am

Meeting Cafeteria

10-B

12

Red & Gold Boosters Meeting

6:30 pm Cafeteria

13-A

14-B

PIQE Classes

8:00 am /6:00 pm Cafeteria

Girls Basketball-TWHS*

15-A

END OF 6-WEEK

GRADING PERIOD

PBIS Lunchtime Raffle

Mock Trial FINALS

TCOE 6200 S. Mooney

5:00 - 8:00 pm

School Board Meeting

7:30 pm District Office 16-B

LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY

NO CLASSES HELD

17-A

18

19

PRESIDENT’S DAY

NO CLASSES HELD

20

National History Day Com-

petition

8:00 am - 3:00 pm

TCOE 6200 S. Mooney

21-A

INSTRUCTIONAL ROUNDS DAY

PIQE Classes

8:00 am /6:00 pm Cafeteria

COS Placement Test

Upstairs Detention Room

22-B

COS Placement Test

Upstairs Detention Room

Pre-Festival Concert

Concert Symphonic Band

7:00 pm Auditorium

23-A

Late Start Friday at 9:30 am

Lip Synch Competition

7:00 pm Auditorium

24-B

South Valley Winter Arts Assoc.

Colorguard & Drumline

Lemoore HighSchool

25

26

27-A

28-B