Friday, April 27, 2012

HJUHSD awards diploma to WWII internee


The HJUHSD Board posthumously awarded a diploma to Mr. Frank Tokumoto of Hanford this week.

Tokumoto was placed in an internment camp in 1941, which interrupted his education and his ability to complete the required course of studies to graduate with the HHS class of 1942.

HHS Principal Cheryl Hunt presented the diploma to Mr. Tokumoto's wife Ayako Tokumoto, his daughter Carey Takasaki, son-in-law Bruce Takasaki and granddaughter Amanda Takasaki at the HJUHSD Board Meeting April 24.

Mr. Tokumoto worked for the City of Hanford and was a master craftsman. Along with his siblings, he was an avid high school sports fan, rarely missing a game (especially baseball and football).

Under California Education Code, the District can retroactively grant high school diplomas to former students who were interned by the federal government during World War II or who are an honorably discharged veterans of World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, who did not receive a diploma because their education was interrupted by internment or military service.


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

HHS teacher is state finalist for agsci teacher of the year

Congratulations to Hanford High School teacher Sam Rodriguez on being named a state finalist for Agriscience Teacher of the Year by the California FFA Association.

The Agriscience Teacher of the Year Award recognizes outstanding agricultural educators who emphasize science concepts, principles and applications in their curriculum. Agriscience education enhances the image of agriculture by portraying to students that agriculture includes many careers that are not solely agricultural production or business-oriented.


Tuesday, April 24, 2012

HHS principal, teacher are county "Excellence" winners


Congratulations to HJUHSD's Kings County Excellence in Education Award winners: Hanford High School Principal Cheryl Hunt and teacher Carol Smith! And congratulations as well to School Employee of the Year finalist, Hanford High's Connnie Soares.

The Kings County Excellence in Education Awards are sponsodred by the Kings County Office of Education and the Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU). See EECU's photos of the event on their Facebook Page and read more about the event on the EECU webpage.




Monday, April 23, 2012

HW Band Director wins national award

Lisa Butts, band director at Hanford West High School, has been named to the Bandworld Magazine’s Legion of Honor, a prestigious national honor bestowed on those selected as the best band directors for a given year. Read more at The Hanford Sentinel ...

http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/features/community/hanford-west-band-director-earns-prestigious-award/article_2f4918ce-8b5a-11e1-8669-001a4bcf887a.html


Friday, April 20, 2012

HJUHSD Library Media Center Missive

by HJUHSD Library Staff

LIBRARY WINS GRANTS

The Sierra Pacific High School Library has been thrice blessed this spring! First, a $150 dollar grant was awarded to Mrs. Carol Bennetts (HJUHSD Teacher Librarian) by the Kings Retired Teachers’ Association. Mrs. Bennetts wanted to add some permanent artwork to the library and chose to purchase four prints of famous paintings/photographs with frames. Two busts (one of Ernest Hemingway and one of Frederick Douglass) were also purchased and donated to the library.

The second grant of $700 was awarded by the California Table Grape Association to fund the project “Know Your Heritage.” Books about local history have been purchased from the Carnegie Museum and the Hanford Chamber of Commerce. Additional books have been ordered that will be part of the grant project, which will consist of students using the books about local history and agriculture to answer a daily question relating to Hanford, Kings County, the Central Valley, or California. Prizes (purchased from the Carnegie Museum) will be awarded each day and the project will run for one month. The books will then become part of the permanent library collection, and the historical knowledge gained will become part of the students!

The third grant of $5,000 was just received from the Barona Indian Tribe and will be used to add reference and non-fiction books to the collection. Assemblyman David Valadao (who sponsored Sierra Pacific in the grant competition) will be awarding the check to the Sierra Pacific Library this week at a small reception. The Sierra Pacific Library Staff (Mrs. Carol Bennetts, Ms. Amanda Martin, and Mr. Jason Wix) would like to thank these generous grantors for their help in making the library even more inviting and comprehensive.



CYRM PROGRAM A SUCCESS

Hanford West, Sierra Pacific, and Hanford High Libraries have completed the California Young Reader Medal (CYRM) program for the 2011/12 school year.

The voluntary reading incentive program kicked off in January with Mrs. Bennetts (Teacher Librarian) trying something new this year as far as inviting students to participate in the program. Thanks to Mr. Ross Brock and his video production class for filming the traditional book talks which were then sent to teachers to show to English classes. During the next few months, Mrs. Calderon & Mrs. LaTraille (HW), Ms. Martin & Mr. Wix (SP), and Mrs. Stafford & Mrs. Brock (HH) worked hard at getting books back from students in a timely manner and getting them into the hands of other students. The 3 books chosen at the state level for this year were If I Stay by Gayle Forman, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, & Beastly by Alex Flinn. Students received prizes (& sometimes extra credit in English) for each of the three books read.

At the completion of the program on March 21, 2012, 42 students (HW), 32 students (SP), and 16 students (HH) who had read all three books were invited to attend a pizza party in the Library, at which time they voted as to which of the three books they preferred. The book chosen as the best by students at all sites was Graceling. Additional prizes and congratulations were given to Sarah Porter & Emma Graff (HW), Harrison Nicholas & Christina Gong (SP), and Beatriz Garcia & Lorraina Hernandez (HH) who were 1st & 2nd of all students at each site to complete the 3 books. This was the 11th year that the program has been run at HW and the second year at HH & SP (Mrs. Wheaton ran last year’s program at SP). Students from all four grades are included.

 A big THANK YOU goes out to the English teachers, who not only handed out prizes for us and kept students on track, but also gave extra-credit points to encourage the students to read. Way to go, English teachers (& thanks, also, to our principals for funding the reward parties)!



LIBRARY STATISTICS 

Library Books in collections – HW 13,557 books worth $325,379 HH 11,835 books worth $225,639 SP 3,368 books worth $86,835 Textbooks in collections – HW 35,511 books worth $1,277,359 HH 26,840 books worth $1,174,267 SP 8,795 books worth $483,104 Money made (50% in book profit) at Book Fairs: HW (third book fair) made $761.76 HH (second book fair) made $767.30 SP (first book fair ever) made $1,043.11


 APRIL IS SCHOOL LIBRARY MONTH

Stop by your library and check us out! Joint Staffs Help Each Other & Celebrate The Library staffs of HW, HH, & SP worked together again this past year for all 5 walk-thru events at the 3 campuses. Although it was A LOT of work, the overall results were praised by all involved, so it will be tried again this fall at all 3 sites (that is, assuming we live thru the check-in sessions this spring!) The Library staffs from all 3 schools were able to meet for lunch together at Christmas (and Mrs. Wheaton was able to join us) where we had a cookie exchange – yummy!! Mrs. Bennetts & Mrs. Wheaton also attended an informative conference on March 9th at Fresno Pacific where delicious foods were served along with provocative ideas.


Study abroad and hosting opportunity

World Link Inc. Exchange is currently seeking student applicants (15-24) interested in a one year language study abroad, fully funded by U.S. Dept. of State. Host families for incoming exchange students are also needed. For more information, visit: www.worldlinkinc.org

Thursday, April 19, 2012

HHS Drama goes "Back to the 80s" this weekend

The Hanford High Drama Club presents "Back to the 80's" The Musical April 20 and 21!

Mrs. Payoyo directs this adapted play based on the 1980's movie "Back to the Future". This "totally awesome" musical features your favorite 80's Solid Gold hits like "Footloose", "Every Breath You Take", "Love is a Battlefield" and much, much more!

Come follow your favorite Back to the Future characters, Biff, Marty McFly, George and Lorraine McFLy and, of course, Doc Brown. This rocking musical features the music of Queen, Madonna and Michael Jackson.

You are sure to have a great time while going "back in time" with the HHS Drama Club! So pull out those leg warmers, tease that hair and come on down to the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center April 20 and 21! Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

HW brings home 10 medals from Skills USA competition

Congratulations to the Hanford West Skills USA Team! HW sent 28 students to the Skills USA Competition in San Diego and came home with 10 medals.

Individual:
  • Angel Bautista: Bronze, TIG Welding 
  • Alan Chin: Gold, Graphic Communitcations 
  • Austin Costa: Silver, Precision Machining 2 
  • JB Dillard: Silver, Precision Machining 1 
  • Marlene Felix: Gold, TIG Welding 
  • Tor Gudmundsson: Gold, Food and Beverage Service 
  • Joseph Lambert: Silver, TIG Welding 
  • Jimmy Porter: Gold, Precision Machining 2 
Team:
  • Dane Gonzales: Silver, Web Design 
  • Kelsey Lopez: Silver, Web Design

Monday, April 16, 2012

HHS Percussion wins Valley title

by Janet Levine
HHS Band Director  

Congratulations to the Hanford High School Winter Percussion members, who are 2012 Open Class Champions for the SJVCGPR valley circuit! The HHS Percussion group took first place March 31 against other area schools for the valley title.

Congratulations as well to the HHS Winter Guard for their successful season. They performed their show entitled "Overkill", and had a very strong performance earning them a 3rd place finish in their class.

We are very proud of all our students and appreciate the hard work and dedication they put forth all season. We would also like to thank the staff and band boosters for all their help and support.


Monday, April 2, 2012

HJUHSD art students featured

HJUHSD Art Students Participated in the California Art Education Association's Youth Art Exhibit last month, hosted by Arte Americas in Fresno. This year's theme was “Preserving the Arts”. Congratulations to the HJUHSD art students who were featured in the exhibit:

Award winners:
Jennie Gutierrez - 1st place 3D, Hanford High
Sammi Blue -3rd place 3D, Hanford West High

Exhibitors:
Hanford High 3-D: Mattea Green, Kylee Drennen, Alyssa Grabow-Oliveira, Megan Prewitt
Hanford High 2-D: Sydney Gallegos
Hanford West 2-D: Ilse Reyes, Kelsey Lopez, Casandra Carrillo, Tayla Akins and Asia Blevins
Hanford West 3-D: Madisyn Jeske, Lauren Novencido, Alison Unruh, Sierrah Esparza