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Serrano Newsletter November 2011 spanish

Chris Taylor

Serrano Newsletter November 2011

Chris Taylor

This Year in Pictures


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Serrano & Vernon Middle Schools and Montclair Police Department: A Great Partnership

More than 300 attendees were assembled at the April 4th State of the City at the Montclair Community Center this week. The event's theme - "A City on the Right Track" is certainly true. Montclair is a city to be counted on as Serrano and Vernon Middle Schools of the Ontario-Montclair School District can certainly attest.

Serrano and Vernon Middle Schools partnered with the Montclair Police Department this year. “The Montclair Police Department rocks,” said Elena Zerbel, Assistant Principal. “Their collaboration with our school has had a positive impact on all of us.”

Earlier this year Serrano and Vernon took a stand against bullying. It was a campaign that effected students, staff and community that day and continues to affect them today as evidenced by the great interactions and activities that are happening at the middle schools.

“Not everyone is supposed to like you, but they should respect you,” reflected Eva Vega, a 7th grade student, after a week of activities from the anti-bullying campaign, culminating on December 2, 2011.

Staff and students at Serrano Middle School spent the entire week learning about, understanding, identifying, and taking a stand against bullying. Guest speakers, essays, significant colors worn each day, spirit assemblies and community participation gave strength to a powerful message, “We will not tolerate bullies here.”

Ann Brownell was one of the guest speakers during the week. Mrs. Brownell is the mother of Amanda Brownell, a victim of bullying who attempted to take her own life. Students were deeply affected as they listened to Mrs. Brownell, whose message to students was a simple, but powerful one… “Never give up. Tell someone you trust if you are being bullied. People care about you.” Resource Officer Mandy Holloway, the Montclair Police Department, and the Montclair Police Association stood together with Serrano’s students as they listened to Mrs. Brownell’s speech and then each made a commitment to stand up against bullying.

Colors became strong symbols of peace and unity. Students wore blue on Tuesday to signify PEACE and stood together, creating a human PEACE sign on the field where Officer Holloway and the Montclair Police Department took an aerial photo. On Wednesday students were encouraged to wear the color purple as a symbol of royalty and treating each other as royalty. On Friday students wore pink as a symbol to “Stand up to Bullying and not be a bystander”.

The week concluded with a spirit assembly that included students, staff and numerous dignitaries such as, Council Member John Dutrey, Assembly Woman Norma Torres, and Police Chief Keith Jones. Assembly Woman Norma Torres shared her story of being teased and bullied in high school. She reminded students not to be a bystander because a bystander is just as guilty as the bullier.

The Serrano cheerleaders danced to the music of Bruno Mars “Just the way you are” and Celia Cruz “La Vida es un Carnival”. Student of the month awards were given, there was a Caught you Caring raffle, and then the Montclair Police Department presented the school with a framed photograph of the aerial peace sign from earlier in the week. Dr. Ursula Reveles, principal of Serrano Middle School said “I am proud of our students and the awareness that this week has brought to them. Every child should grow up in a world without fear. I think that this week empowered our youth and enlightened them. It was a great week.”

And indeed it was a great week and a great year as we caught Serrano Middle School teaching, learning, and caring.

Created: 4/16/2012 11:16 AM

Serrano Open House: A Night To Celebrate Student Success

Serrano Middle School was sizzling with excitement on the evening of Tuesday, March 13, 2012. “What I really liked about Open House was the M.P.R. room display. It was very neat, especially the interactive tables,” said Matthew Ortega, 7th grader. The school’s multipurpose room was turned into a stunning exhibition of student work.

The quad was abuzz with performers. For a few hours, parents, students, teachers and staff were all able to celebrate a year of student achievements. “I loved the performers! It was very entertaining,” exclaimed Isaac Corzantes, 7th grade.

“I really liked hanging out with my friends, having fun, and enjoying the performances,” said 7th grader Candace Doyle. There were plenty of performances to enjoy right at the beginning of the evening! The Serrano Cheerleaders, Band, Drum Line, and Chorus all performed for the audience. ASB and AVID students spoke about the educational journey they are in the middle of and how the AVID program has guided them to success!

The University of California, Riverside, the University of California, Irvine, Scripps College and Chaffey College were also part of the festivities. They were all at Serrano to support student learning. They gave information to students and families about the various colleges in the area and ways to finance college through loans, grants and scholarships.

The Montclair Fire Department, Station One and Station Two, as well as the Montclair Police Department were also on hand to support student learning and student achievement. The students were very impressed by the vehicles they brought and by the food… “You don’t usually get burgers cooked by cops!” said Derrick Roberson, 7th grade. The community delighted in the good food that our esteemed Fire and Police Departments brought and prepared for Serrano students.

“Our students and staff here at Serrano work very hard,” said Dr. Ursula Reveles. “I am always proud of our school, but tonight, I am especially happy to be part of this wonderful celebration of student success.”

Created: 3/21/2012 3:30 PM

Willy Wonka Visits Serrano Middle School

The Serrano Spartans in the Ontario-Montclair School District performed Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, live on stage on Thursday evening, February 23rd and Friday February 24, 2012. “59 students in both 7th and 8th grade worked together with their teacher Mr. Chris Taylor to put on this fabulous performance,” said Dr. Ursula Reveles.

“This was an important moment in my life. It was fun just putting on my funny costume, green wig, and orange and white make-up on my face. I just had a great time with my friends and classmates,” exclaimed Elizabeth Vidales, a Serrano Middle School 7th grader.

Another 7th grader, Ashely Ye said, “Although I had a small part as an Oompa Loompa, it helped me realize that being on stage with tons of people looking at you isn’t so bad.”

Lilia Santos, another 7th grader said, “I got to meet new people that helped me with many things. I also learned many things that I have never found inside of me before.”

Every student in the play was beaming with pride and satisfaction at pulling off the performance and experiencing all of the hard work that goes into preparing for a live performance. It took team work, cooperation, and perseverance to go the distance and Mr. Taylor’s acting class was certainly up to the challenge.

Mr. Taylor built the sets and the students, Mrs. Taylor and friends of Serrano all participated in painting them. Every play has its own set of challenges. This play was no exception. “Willy Wonka is a play that has opportunities for many interesting props and special effects. There are always the challenges with getting everything to work. We built a chocolate waterfall with a water pump. The water came out onto a dust pan to give it an even spread. Augustus fell into the imaginary chocolate river the microphone didn't get turned off and the audience could hear him complaining about getting wet from the splashing water,” said Mr. Taylor.

Many lessons were learned while putting on the play. Another lesson was about creativity and problem solving. At the last minute one of the students had to go out of town who had a big part...Grandpa Joe. An understudy did not have time to rehearse the part and so Mr. Taylor stepped in. During the play, Charlie and Grandpa Joe drink the fizzy lifting drink and start flying with the aid of climbing harnesses, cables and pullies. Mr. Taylor is heavier than the original actor and couldn't be lifted at first. He was jumping up in the air in hopes that the crew would pull on the rope, but the timing was wrong and he just went back down each time. When he did get up into the air, he turned upside down with his feet pointing to the sky. The whole audience was roaring with laughter. Mr. Taylor inched himself up on the cord and threw out his hand to the audience with a big smile on his face because the biggest lesson of all is…”The show must go on!”

Sarai Popora, a Serrano 8th grader said, “I will never forget the feeling of being on stage and acting out a character. I made new friends, and developed a new skill, acting.”

That is what it is all about at Serrano Middle School. Students are encouraged to participate during school and in extra-curricular programs after school to learn, experience, challenge themselves, and grow into the very best that they can be. Bravo Serrano!

Created: 3/2/2012 2:33 PM

Serrano AVID Students Visit UC Irvine

Serrano Middle School AVID students visited the University of California, Irvine on January 17th, 2012. Students were given a tour of the campus where they discovered that the school is home to three Nobel Laureates, has the Jack Langson Library which houses the largest library collection in Orange County, and currently has about 28,000 students in attendance. Students were also given the opportunity to interview college students to discover how long they study, how they seek help as a college student and what advice they have for a student interested in UCI.

The students enjoyed the college atmosphere and were astonished at the size of the campus and the amount of walking required to get from one place to another. They also enjoyed the fact that the mascot was Peter the Anteater. Zot! Zot! Zot!

Created: 2/10/2012 3:08 PM

Serrano Middle School Students Participate in National Girls and Women in Sports Day at Pomona College!

National Girls and Women in Sport Day began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic Volleyball player Flo Hyman for her athletic achievements and her work to assure recognition for past and current sport achievements, to promote the positive influence of sports participation, and to support access for women in sports.

Each year in January or February, thousands of sports educators, coaches, athletic directors, recreation directors, students and parents across the country show their support of the Day by organizing and sponsoring various events.

This year approximately 100 students from Fremont Middle School in Pomona and Serrano Middle School in Montclair participated in the January 28th sport day activities. The theme for this year’s event is PLAY: Today…Tomorrow…Always!
The day included warm-up games and a morning of “Quick Start” tennis activities, a relatively new approach to teaching tennis and includes modified balls and court size.

Created: 2/3/2012 1:32 PM

Serrano Middle School recognizes student, “Mathletes”

Jaime Escalante once said, “We are all concerned about the future of American education. But as I tell my students, you do not enter the future -- you create the future. The future is created through hard work.” And Serrano Middle School students not only recognize hard work, but in their first "Mathletes" competition this year they worked hard!
Event coordinator, Mrs. Shari Megaw said that in the first round, 28 students competed in an elimination process in which students were given challenging problems and those who answered correctly remained until the top 2 students were left. Patrick Huynh, the top 8th grade student in round one, said, “It was fun to participate in the math competition! I really liked the first round and enjoyed working with my group during the final competition.”

The top 13 students from round 1 participated in the final challenge round. During that final round students worked in cooperative groups to solve a difficult algebraic word problem. Each team was scored on a five point rubric with credit given for, the correct answer, a diagram or picture that illustrated their solution, teamwork, the oral report, and overall performance.

Research confirms students who are competent in math are more likely to succeed in the higher paying fields. And Serrano is committed to making sure that students are ready for that world by teaching them to solve higher level, real world problems and ensuring that they know how to work effectively in groups.

The winning team included Vanessa Castro, Koji Karuhaka, and Ky Nguyen. Serrano will host an additional Mathlete competition in the spring and hopes compete against another local middle school.

Created: 11/17/2011 11:11 AM

Serrano's STAR Performers

Ontario-Montclair School District celebrates and salutes Shining Star Students who scored perfect on the STAR test in Spring 2011. Congratulations!
El Distrito Escolar de Ontario-Montclair saluda y celebra a los estudiantes “Estrellas Brillantes” quienes lograron obtener calificaciones perfectas en el examen “STAR” la primavera del 2011. ¡Felicidades!

Created: 9/9/2010 8:40 AM