Jon Petersen, Principal
Listen to Mr. Petersen's Pod-cast

TEEN TRUTH ASSEMBLY SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, FEB. 22
On Monday, Feb. 22, 2010, we will be presenting Teen Truth Live: Bully. This is an interactive, multi-media presentation that incorporates motivational speeches with an award-winning 22-minute film that was created by students.  The presentation provides students with a critical understanding of bullying, raises an awareness of the social problems that can escalate into school violence, and teaches ways of preventing bullying in school.

The purpose of the assembly is to challenge the audience to have a positive impact on others everyday, in order to make school a safe, healthier place.

Teen Truth Live has received positive acclaim from other local schools that have presented this powerful assembly. You can read this article about Bear Valley Middle School's experience in the San Diego Union Tribune. 

We will present the program in three different grade-level assemblies. The seventh-and eighth-graders will see a film that incorporates a short clip from the Columbine shooting. The sixth-graders will see a version of the film that does not include the Columbine piece.

You can learn more about Teen Truth Live at their website.

Many thanks to the MS Teacher Parent Club and to the ASB for donating the funds to bring this important assembly to our students.

THE MUSIC MAN IS THIS YEAR'S SPRING MUSICAL:
Meredith Wilson's The Music Man is one of the top five most popular musicals of all-time. The original 1957 Broadway production ran for 1,375 performances, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and won the first-ever Grammy Award for "Best Original Cast Album." The 1962 film of the show was nominated for six Academy awards, winning the prize for best musical adaptation.

In March the VCMS musical theater will present The Music Man Junior, an adaptation of this beloved musical created just for middle school students. The role of the charismatic con man Harold Hill will be played by two different students on different nights. The beautiful but starchy town librarian, Marian, will be performed by three different students as will most of the other roles. The story takes place in a small Iowa town in 1912 where Hill plots to fleece the town with a false scheme to organize a boy's band. But Hill's plans go afoul when he falls for Marion. The Music Man Junior features a dazzling All-American score with well known songs such as "76 Trombones," "Ya Got Trouble" and "Till There Was You." Show times are March 12, 16, 18, and 19 at 6:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees on March 14 and 21 at 2:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!

PLANNING FOR EIGHTH-GRADE PROMOTION:
On Monday, February 1, our 8th grade students had a short assembly to talk about promotion from 8th grade to high school. Parents are invited to a meeting on February 25th at 6:30 p.m. Information, hand-outs, and volunteer sign-ups will be included in this meeting in the multi-purpose room.
We will be fitting the students in their robes on May 12th.  Cost of the robe rental is $15.00.

The 8th grade dinner dance will be held in the MPR on Saturday, June 12, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Cost for the dance is $15.00. The 8th grade promotion will take place on the field at 5:30 p.m. on June 15, 2010.  Each student will receive six tickets to invite family or friends. The 8th grade, TPC-sponsored breakfast will be on June 16, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.

YEARBOOKS:
The price for a yearbook is now $40.00. If students wish to purchase the book after April 1, 2010, they will be required to bring cash as checks will no longer be accepted. If students wait until after distribution, the price will be $45.00. You may reserve your yearbook on Tuesdays or Thursdays before school at the student store. If paying by check, please make your check payable to VCMS-ASB and put the student's name and grade on the check.

Teacher Parent Club (TPC)
The TPC is an important part of our school. They work endlessly to provide for our students, teachers, and staff.  They organize & staff many of our most treasured events such as Renaissance Day, Health Fair, book fairs, Holiday Boutique, dances, student registration, and student awards.  Many of our important programs, such as our AG program, are financially subsidized by the TPC.  If you are interested in volunteering or joining this motivated group, please click this link to contact the TPC President.  Remember, whether you have an hour, a day, or more time to give, you are appreciated and encouraged to volunteer.  To read the most recent TPC Minutes, please select this link:  TPC Monthly Minutes.

Student Newspaper: Mrs. Striblen's class writes a monthly student newspaper. Click here to view the Thunderhawk Tales.

Please visit our VCPUSD home page for answers to your questions about the H1N1 flu, or go to the Center for Disease Control Quick Reference Guide for Public Information on Infection Control.

The School Accountability Report Card for 2008-09 has been posted under Educational Services on our VCPUSD website - www.vcpusd.net.  For translations in numerous languages, scroll down and click on the flag of choice on the bottom of the webpage.  The school office will have hard copies available upon request.