 Yosemite
& Coarsegold Districts 
School
News
September
24 ,2004
A
grand opening for the Baker Swim Complex
Recipients
of Microsoft Settlement vouchers can donate them to schools
District
dress code is driven by community values of modesty
Three
alternative schools earn WASC accreditation
Golf
tourney to raise funds for sports
New
staff members for YJUHS
Yosemite
Joint Union High School District News
A
grand opening for the Baker Swim Complex
Harry
Baker stands on the platform separating the shallow end of the pool
from the deep end. Baker said he would never have thought the school
would have such a fine facility. He said he is glad, now, that they
were not able to build a pool when the school was first started almost
30 years ago. It would not have been nearly as nice as this pool, he
said.
Representative George Radanovich congratulated Yosemite High School
and the community on the opening of the Baker Swim Complex Sept. 11.
Shown with him are Superintendent Bill McCabe and Board Members Bert
McSwain and Linda Olson. Radanovich said he was proud of the school
and the community for coming together to build such a wonderful asset
for the area. The swimming pool, which is handicapped accessible, is
now open to the public at designated hours. The pool schedule and pool
fees are listed in a brochure that is available at the pool or at the
Yosemite High School office.
Recipients
of Microsoft Settlement vouchers can donate them to schools
Schools
are allowed to re-ceive up to $10,000 each in computer hardware and
software through the Microsoft -California Class Action Settle-ment.
The $1.1 billion settlement of the class action suit against Microsoft
provides families and businesses with vouchers that can be used to purchase
technology products. Anyone can donate up to $650 of their settlement
vouchers to their local schools.
Vouchers can be used to purchase desktop computers, laptops, printers,
scanners, monitors, keyboards and software from any manufacturer, not
just Microsoft.
The law firm of Townsend and Townsend and Crew has been appointed by
the California Superior Court as lead counsel in the consumer anti-trust
litigation against Micro-soft. The firm has contacted school principals
with information regarding the donations to schools.
People who purchased eligible Microsoft products bet-ween February 18,
1995 and December 15, 2001 for use in California must file a claim form
with the claims administrator. The deadline has been extended, with
Nov. 23 being the earliest possible date that claim forms are due.
Claim forms are available on the official settlement Web site: http://www.microsoftcalsettlement.com
The Web site cautions people that it is the only authorized Web site
for the Calif-ornia settlement and the only authorized place to find
out how to file claims and receive vouchers.
When people receive their settlement benefits, they have the option
of keeping them or donating them to their local schools.
A court authorized document released earlier this year notes that people
who are entitled to benefit settlements are those who fall in either
of two groups:
“All persons or entities who, between February 18, 1995 and December
15, 2001, indirectly purchased ‘Microsoft Windows operating system
software or MS-DOS operating system software’ for use in the State
of California and who did not purchase it for the purpose of resale.”
Also “All persons or entities who, between February 18, 1995 and
December 15, 2001, indirectly purchased Microsoft ‘Word’
word processing software and/or ‘Excel’ spreadsheet software
compatible with ‘Windows operating system software or MS-DOS operating
system software’ for use in the State of California and who did
not purchase it for the purpose of resale.”
The court document explains that “You ‘indirectly purchased’
Microsoft software and are part of the settlement if you legally ac-quired
your software from a person or entity other than Microsoft.”
People who do not file a claim with the claims administrator have given
up their rights to benefits and will not receive vouchers.
District
dress code is driven by community values of modesty
Yosemite
High School students are following the dress code for the most part
this year with far less referrals for violations than last year when
school started.
YHS Principal Steve Raupp is pleased with the way in which students
have complied. “We have seen comparatively few dress code violations
this year and we commend the students for their cooperation in following
the guidelines,” he said.
The Yosemite Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees adopted
a district-wide dress code several years ago. The code is “driven
by community values of modesty, school safety, and preparation for the
world of work.”
The general guidelines on the YHS campus and at all school activities
are:
1. Clothing shall be sufficiently modest in order to reduce distractions
to student learning.
2. Clothing should be neat and fitted to the student.
3. All apparel shall be safe and appropriate for the classroom.
4. A student’s dress should contribute to a positive self-image
and a productive learning environment.
The following are specific requirements for all students:
1. Footwear and shirts are required at all times.
2. Chains, collars, or bracelets with spikes, or studs, or any other
injurious objects not necessary for the academic purpose of the pupil
are prohibited on school grounds.
3. Clothing and personal items are to be free of writing, pictures,
or any other insignia which are profane, sexually suggestive, or which
bear drug, alcohol, or tobacco advertising, or which advocate racial,
ethnic, or religious prejudice, or are gang-related.
4. Hats, shirts, or any other items with individual nicknames or with
gang-related affiliation are not acceptable. Bandannas are not permitted.
5. Clothing shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times.
See-through or fish-net fabrics, spaghetti straps, tank tops with oversized
armholes, halter tops, low-cut tops, bare midriffs, bare shoulders,
or skirts or shorts shorter than mid-thigh are not acceptable. Skirts,
shorts, slits should be at or below the fingertips when standing in
a relaxed position.
6. Bike shorts or gym shorts are unacceptable attire outside physical
education classes.
7. Pants must fit and be worn at the natural waist. All belts worn by
students should be properly fitted, and any excess belt should be worn
in the belt loops so that it does not hang down from the waist.
Students who are dressed inappropriately will be sent home to change
and parents will be contacted. Repeated incidents will be treated as
defiance of the school's authority.
Three
alternative schools earn WASC accreditation
Three
of the Yosemite Joint Union High School District alternative schools
- Ahwah-nee High School, Evergreen High School and Yosemite Adult High
School - have been granted an interim accreditation through June 30,
2007 by the Western Associ-ation of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
This is the first time these alternative schools have been accredited.
Alternative Principal Roberta Tackett says plans are to apply for accreditation
for Foothill High School and Raymond Granite High School in the future.
Tackett says she is “really excited” that the schools are
accredited and, she says, the reviewers from WASC were very impressed
with the schools’ programs.
Ahwahnee High was opened in 1979 and serves as the district’s
continuation high school. Evergreen High opened in 1987 and is an independent
study school. Yosemite Adult High School opened in 1993 and provides
an opportunity for adults to earn a high school diploma through classroom
instruction as well as independent study.
The accreditation report noted that “Students seem genuinely appreciative
of the support provided in each of these educational settings.”
The report also noted that the committee was particularly impressed
with the quality and preparation of teachers in all three programs.
The three schools were commended “for creating such a nurturing
environment and sense of family.”
The district was commended for providing “new, comfortable and
safe facilities for learning and critical access to technology.”
Students were commended for being engaging and friendly and instructional
assistants were commended for their dedication and active involvement
with students.
The visiting committee commended the teaching and administrative staff
for active and productive collaboration and the instructional staff
for “impressive programs in aligning curriculum to state content
standards.”
Tackett explains that accreditation certifies that a school meets basic
quality standards for curriculum, instruction and student services.
After the initial evaluation, it becomes an ongoing process of self
study, goal setting and action by the schools based on the accreditation
report.
Every three to six years the school is re-evaluated by a visiting team
from the accrediting commission. Going through the accrediting pro-cess
demonstrates the school’s commitment to the community to provide
quality educational programs for the students and to continue to strive
to improve.
Graduation from an accredited program makes students eligible for Cal-grants
and other post-high school opportunities provided they meet other eligibility
requirements, Tackett said.
Golf
tourney to raise funds for sports
The
Yosemite Golf and General Athletic Programs will host A Taste of Oakhurst
on the Green golf tournament Saturday, October 16, beginning at 9 a.m.
at Sierra Meadows Ranch.
The cost to participate in the tournament is $75 per person. Proceeds
will go to the Yosemite High golf program and the general athletic fund.
The funds will be used to purchase supplies such as golf balls, practice
and team equipment. Some of the money will also be used to give two
$1000 scholarships to the best graduating senior on the men’s
and women’s golf teams.
There will also be four $500-$1000 scholarships for underclassmen for
golf camp. These scholarships will be given to the two best underclassmen
on the men’s and women’s golf teams.
The tournament will be a scramble format with prizes going to the first
and second low gross scores as well as first through fifth place low
net.
There will be a food vendor at every other hole with samples of food
for each golfer.
Lunch will be sponsored by Red Lobster of Fresno and by Raley’s
Supermarket.
For more information, contact YHS golf coach Rusty Oetinger at 683-4667
ext. 287.
New
staff members for YJUHS
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