IN THIS
Escalon Unified
Learning & creating memories at Dent...
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December 2023: Vol. 11, Issue 5
Gateway students sew seeds of knowlege at farm field trip...
Key learnings from the LULAC conference...
EHS students honor
Veterans...
Van Allen Elementary, riding the tides of the holidays...
ISSUE
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 1
JanallyJuárez, Second Grade DLI Teacher, and Jeremiah Godfrey, Technoloygy Coordinator, are recognized for supporting EUSD students...
Farmington's fall festival features students' creativity...
TODAY
EPMS celebrates positive behaviors...
We will serve and connect with all students.
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 3
by Principal George Megenney
I hope you all had a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday… celebrating with all those you hold dear. In the spirit of this holiday season, I want to extend my thanks to all of you for everything you do for our students and schools. As we approach the upcoming holidays, it is my wish that each of you enjoy the seasonal bounty of blessings and good tidings that make these days truly special. We are a community with many gifts and talents, which we share daily, with one another, and most importantly with our students. From the classroom, to our living room and all points in-between, our collective efforts to support our students are visible and clear. Our teachers and staff across every department continue to give it their all. Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to accomplishing our mission, vision and goals! Parents, of course, are such a critical part of all we hope to accomplish on behalf of our Escalon students. Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious gift. I am grateful to our wonderful, talented, creative, inquisitive, optimistic, resourceful and resilient students. Often, they make us laugh, sometimes they make us cry, but they always inspire us! Of course, I believe the faces of our students best express the true meaning of this holiday season. They radiate a sense of enthusiasm, hope and joy for life and the endless opportunities that await them. To the parents, teachers, staff and friends of the Escalon community, please continue to enjoy a joyous holiday season. We will break for the holidays on Wednesday, December 21st — returning to school on Thursday, January 4th, 2024.



Season's Greetings Escalon Community,
Farmington Students' Grow Their Creativity
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 2
Escalon Unified TODAY
Yours in partnership, Ricardo "Ricky" Chavez

During Autumn, our elementary schools typically spend time celebrating the arrival of fall with school-wide festivals and other activities intended to create a positive environment for our students. This year Farmington students were able to participate in a fun and festive activity designed to tap into their creativity, and one where parents could participate as well. Thanks to a donation by a local farmer, all students received a small pumpkin intended for decoration at home to be followed by display in the school’s library. Students were encouraged to decorate their pumpkins as characters from their favorite books or stories. A contest to determine the student body’s top three best liked pumpkins was also a part of the fun, with all students having an opportunity to select their favorite. The winners were announced during Farmington’s Annual Fall Festival during which the library was open for visiting parents to enjoy all the differently decorated pumpkins.

Back to Page 1
Message from the Superintendent
El Portal Celebrates Students Positive Behaviors with PBIS Event
By Principal Mike Gaston
Many THANKS to our 
PBIS Committee! Co-Chairs: 
Mrs. Beth Yanagi & 
Mrs. Heather Oliveira

Committee Members: 
Asst. Principal Jefferson, 
Mrs. Nicole Vilmur, 
Ms. Cassie Babb &
Mr. Jeremy White
This month, students who had no office referrals (for disciplinary reasons) and had no missing assignments were recognized by El Portal Middel School (EPMS) teachers, staff and administrators. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a research-based approach to creating a safe and conducive learning environment for students. It focuses on acknowledging and reinforcing positive behaviors while providing support and interventions for those in need. This proactive approach is designed to prevent behavioral issues and promote a positive school climate. Over the past few weeks, our students have demonstrated outstanding behavior and commitment to our core values of being Respectful, Responsible and Safe. This event took weeks of planning — both during and after contractual working hours. The PBIS event was hosted on a beauitful fall day in November. All qualifying students enjoyed carnival games and the opportunity to win some prizes! A great time was had by all! This amazing event would not have been possible without the support of our dedicated parent volunteers… working alongside our EPMS teachers, staff and, of course, our awesome students!

"Jeremiah is a very strong team player and super knowledgeable about databases specifically," 
said Jose Sanchez, EUSD Director of Technology. "He's a great person to bounce ideas off of and is always willing to jump in and lend a hand."
Maestra Janally Juárez has been serving students in Collegeville Elementary’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) for the past five years. During that time, she has worked as both a second and fourth grade teacher. 
She stands as a shining example of excellence as a classroom teacher — consistently demonstrating tenacity, determination, a desire to constantly improve, and a willingness to help her peers. Janally brings additional diversity to Collegeville as a first generation Salvadorian-American. She is the first in her family to graduate from college, and serves as a positive role model for students and the wider community. “In my family, education has always been viewed as something positive… so naturally being a teacher is held with great honor in my family,†Janally said. “I'm known as ‘la profesora’ in my family, and I hold my title very dear to me.†Janally began her journey in education as a bilingual aide in the Manteca Unified School District and also worked in an after-school program in Stockton, CA. “I am able to speak my first language and my second language throughout the day," she said. 
"I can draw on my Latin and American cultures to build connections with my students. And in doing so, I am able to become the teacher I wish I had growing up!†Collegeville’s students and staff are fortunate to have Maestra Juárez (‘la profesora’) as part of their team!

Janally Juárez,
Second Grade 
DLI Teacher
We also celebrate our Spotlight Staff on our Facebook Page, check it out to leave them a message about how they've positively affected your life. Special thanks to Maira Rodriguez for the Staff Spotlight photography.
We are lucky to have Jeremiah as part of the IT team that keeps our technology current, safe and secure for all our schools.
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 4
"The best part of my job is the opportunity to serve our amazing staff, helping implement more technology in the district... and providing our teachers the best resources available," 
Jeremiah said.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Jeremiah Godfrey has been with the Escalon Unified School District since 2020... working as part of the Technology team. As the EUSD Technology Coordinator, Jeremiah supports all of the distirct's software, hardware and database updates. Jeremiah has been invaluable at El Portal Middle School where the IT team is updating the wiring and network equipment in the library and surrounding classrooms. In his free time, Jeremiah loves making music, watching horror movies, playing video games and spending time with his wife and their 4-year-old daughter.
Inspiring Students Surprised by Their Teachers
Jeremiah Godfrey, 
Technology Coordinator
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 5
Vista Students Gain Valuable Insight 
at LULAC Youth Leadership Conference
By Principal Gustavo Arzac
Recently, our Vista leadership students had an enriching experience at LULAC (The League of United Latin American Citizens) Youth Leadership Conference hosted at San Joaquin Delta College. This conference, tailored for local high school students, aimed to inspire the pursuit of higher education and explore potential career pathways. Our students were privileged to engage with multiple guest speakers (including an inspiring keynote address) and participate in a variety of informative workshops. LULAC organizes an annual youth conference to provide students with access to diverse workshops, resources and services. This year, as in previous years, the conference was held at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton -- bringing together youth from all school districts in San Joaquin County. While the majority of attendees are young Latino students with ambitious dreams, the conference is open to all students and leadership classes. The event began with local role models, from the president of San Joaquin Delta College to Assembly members, sharing words of wisdom. The keynote speaker, former NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez, shared personal stories of overcoming obstacles and emphasized the importance of perseverance. The collective messaging aimed to motivate students to stay in school, graduate, pursue further education and their dreams. The speakers highlighted key statistics, such as the correlation between annual income and post-secondary education; as well as the fact that 80% of skilled jobs in our county won't require a four-year degree but will necessitate some form of post-secondary education. The main theme was encouraging students to prepare for future opportunities, emphasizing that the future holds many opportunities if you have a higher education. After lunch, students took a deep dive into workshops exploring specific professions and resources. With a choice of 28 workshops and six forums (covering topics like career exploration, college admissions, financial aid, teen parenting, and substance abuse) students gained valuable insights. Presenters were able to work closely with small groups which allowed for engaging question and answer sessions. Overall, this conference proved to be a transformative experience for our students, exposing them to exceptional guest speakers, a remarkable keynote speaker and positive role models. It broadened their horizons regarding resources and career opportunities while addressing community issues affecting their daily lives. The event also enhanced their awareness of available services, eliminating barriers to education, employment, and overall success for both them and their families. 

by Principal Jason Furtado
November at Escalon High holds a special significance as we come together to honor the men and women who have selflessly served our great nation. This year, our students at Escalon High School went above and beyond to ensure that our Veterans received the recognition they deserve throughout the entire day on November 9th. Our First Responder students crafted a thoughtful presentation, paying tribute to Veterans from all branches of service — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. The senior classes actively participated in interactive activities such as fitness sessions, military trauma simulations and heartfelt Veteran tributes. On the same day, EHS hosted its annual Veterans Day Assembly in the new gymnasium. The assembly kicked off with an inspiring "Armed Forces Salute" performance, featuring songs representing each military branch. We were honored to have Army Veteran Tonia Reyes as our guest speaker, delivering a captivating speech for all our students. Post-assembly, many of our students and staff took the time to express their gratitude personally to the attending veterans for their dedicated service to our country.
As we move forward, let's continue to celebrate our achievements and honor the spirit of service that defines our community.

In EHS SPORTs News:
The Escalon Cougar football team continued their winning streak with a triumphant victory over the formidable Sacramento High, securing a 57-32 win. The Cougars then took on West Park High (Nov. 17), winning 48-28. On Friday (Nov. 24) EHS beat Patterson High for the Section Title in a tight game, 36-35. 

Sadly, on December 1st, the EHS Varsity football team was defeated by Acalanes HS (in the NorCal Bowl) -- ending a stellar season for our Cougars! We are so proud of your fantastic run and can't wait to see you again in 2024! 

In EHS AGRICULTURE News:
Our Ag students recently returned from the national convention, showcasing remarkable achievements. In the food science competition, Madison Smith received a gold medal and an impressive 24th overall finish in the nation. Several other students were honored with silver emblem awards for their outstanding efforts, contributing to the EHS Food Science team's commendable 13th place overall ranking in the nation. Congratulations to the Ag department and our talented food science students for their remarkable success.
Escalon High School Students Pay Tribute to Veterans
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 6
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 7
by Principal Anthony Varni
This time of year in education is a complete whirlwind as I am sure you all would agree! Completing the first trimester is an accomplishment all on its own! Students have their routines down, the classroom expectations have been established and conferences with parents have been conducted. It is time to breathe and enjoy the next chapter of our school year. We are in a nice “groove†and are starting to connect with our classes and grade-level teams. Students are soaking up knowledge like sponges and are gaining confidence. With all the learning happening in our classrooms, this is also the time of year for extras. This means field trips, class performances and a second round of benchmark assessments. Certain points in a school year just feel “different.†This time between Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday is one of my favorite checkpoints of our school year. There is so much anticipation for so many things! Students are excited about the before-mentioned events but can also tell that our school faculties have growing anticipation too. What is it that we are looking forward to? Yes, the holiday breaks are much needed and desired, but we also anticipate seeing our students' reactions to this time of year. There is something special about the writing topics we choose, the art projects designed and the parent gifts/crafts that we create. All of these events take time, planning and effort. Kids are learning, busy creating memories and joy to carry our spirits into the new year. All the preparation that it takes to start a new school year has shifted to the preparation between seasons. I appreciate being able to work in a profession where we get to create these moments for our students and celebrate together as a community. It is important to pause and reflect on all that it took to get us to this part of our school year. Our jobs are not easy, and getting to this point took hard work and many hours. Let’s celebrate the fact that we have the opportunity to make this season special for our students academically and emotionally. Let’s enjoy one another, the work that we get to do, and continue striving for greatness this school year! 

It's Beginning to Look a lot like BUSY!!!
7th - 9th Grade Spelling Bee Winners
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 8
District
Spelling Bee Winners
Make sure you don't miss out on any of the great things our students, staff, and community are doing by connecting with us through all of of our communication options. Click on the social icon to go to that platform. Sign up. and Connect!
Joseph O'Birean, 
1st place winner
with Spellmaster 
Mr. Johannsen
Ashanti Fernandes, 
2nd place winner with Spellmaster & Principal 
Mr. Zambrano
Left to Right: Grace O'Brien (4th place), Klaas Schuiling (1st place), 
Isaiah Nowell (2nd place), and Danielle Haveman (3rd place).
4th - 7th Grade 
Spelling Bee Winners

The District Spelling Bee was held on November 15th, with the top two spellers in each category Grades 4th - 6th and Grades 7th - 9th, advancing to the County Spelling Bee scheduled for December 4th. Seven students from Van Allen Elementary and Gateway Academy qualified in the 4th-6th grade category and all of them did a great job as they tackled a list of challenging spelling words. After several rounds, the finalists were declared as the district's top 4th-6th grade spellers. Joseph O'Brien, a 6th grader from Gateway Academy, secured the top slot; while the second place honors went to Ashanti Fernandez, a 5th grader from Gateway Academy. Third place, and first alternate,went to Jayden Bautista Hernandez, a 5th grader from Van Allen Elementary; and fourth place, and second alternate, went to Pippa Schuiling, a fourth grader from Gateway Academy. In the 7th - 9th grade category,Gateway Academy's Klaas Schuiling took first place and Gateway's Isaiah Nowell took second; Danielle Haveman took third (first alternate) while Grace O'Brien was fourth (second alternate).
Seven students from Van Allen Elementary and Gateway Academy qualified in the 4th - 6th grade category, and all of them did a great job as they tackled a list of challenging spelling words. After several rounds, the finalists were declared as the district's top 4th - 6th grade spellers. Joseph O'Brien, a 6th grader from Gateway Academy, secured the top slot; while the second place honors went to Ashanti Fernandez, a 5th grader from Gateway Academy. Third place (first alternate) went to Jayden Bautista Hernandez, a 5th grader from Van Allen Elementary; and fourth place (second alternate) went to Pippa Schuiling, a fourth grader from Gateway Academy. In the 7th - 9th grade category, Gateway Academy's Klaas Schuiling took first place and Gateway's Isaiah Nowell took second; Danielle Haveman took third (first alternate) while Grace O'Brien was fourth (second alternate).
NEMO
Dent Modernization & Expansion Project
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 9
Gateway's Fall Field Trip: Zinc Family Farms
by Principal Joel Johannsen
Farmer Brandon
EHS Track & Field Renovation
We capped off the fall season with a walking field trip to Zinc Family Farms with the opportunity to explore the wide variety of crops and plants they grew this summer. Students saw some five varieties of mint, ground cherries, tomatoes, peppers, grapes, lemons, pomegranates, different herbs, and more. As it was still harvest time, our students were able to pick and sample a variety of these treats. Farmer Brandon gave our students an amazing tour of the gardens and carefully explained the different plants/ crops and how they can be used. For example, yarrow root can be used to help a toothache. This is our second year working with Farmer Brandon and Zinc Farms — and we toured the farm twice last year in the fall and spring as part of our enrichment program. Last year, not only did we tour the facility... but Farmer Brandon also gave us several chicken eggs for us to incubate for him. We ended up with eight chicks that hatched and were returned to the farm. One of the highlights of this trip to Zinc Farms was the chance to reunite with one of our hatchlings… a baby rooster named Nemo. Last year Nemo hatched with a severe leg splay, couldn’t walk and wouldn’t be able to survive if he was returned to the flock. Undeterred, Gateway staff consulted with a local veterinarian and watched several YouTube videos to figure out how we might be able to rescue Nemo. Based on what we learned, we then applied a splint on Nemo’s bad leg to see if we could get it to straighten back out — and boy did it work! Nemo is now “way huge†as one first-grade student put it. We felt so proud and happy to see Nemo running free in the garden area — absolutely loving life. More importantly, the students learned that through research and investigation, problems can be solved and obstacles can be overcome.

Navigating the Storm: 
Sailing the Holiday Season's Turbulent Waters
...after
November is synonymous with thankfulness. It’s as if our founding fathers somehow knew that far into the future, the holiday season would become this incredibly stressful period that occurs once every year — and set a perennial reminder into our calendar to be thankful no matter what. In the educational setting, routine is king. It takes several weeks — if not a couple of months — for the structure of the classroom to sink into the very bones of our students. Rules and routines make for smooth days when students have internalized a teacher/school community’s expectations, and are reinforced by peers who are essentially in the same boat. Then the holiday season hits. The festive air infiltrates the carefully established routine like a gust of wind, leaving educators grappling with the challenge of maintaining student focus amidst a multitude of distractions and interruptions to the learning schedule. However, within this turbulence lies an opportunity to instill a profound lesson — the importance of gratitude. As students navigate the excitement and chaos of the holiday season, integrating activities that prompt reflection on things to be thankful for can be positive and illuminating. Whether it’s a gratitude journal, a classroom thankfulness tree, or daily expressions of appreciation, these practices not only ground students during the whirlwind of festivities; but, also cultivate a mindset of appreciation, acknowledgement, and most importantly — compassion, that extends far beyond the holiday season. In essence, November serves as a timely reminder that amidst the maelstrom, cultivating gratitude can be the north star that guides both educators and students through the holiday storm. As we navigate the delicate balance between routine and festivity, it becomes crucial to acknowledge the importance of giving oneself, and each other, grace. Recognizing that deviations from the routine are inevitable during this season allows for a more flexible/opportunistic approach to both teaching and learning. In doing so, we maintain an intense focus on improving student outcomes in our search for teachable moments amidst the chaos… while simultaneously embracing the enriching experiences that the holiday season brings.

before...
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 10
By Principal Julio Zambrano
Student 
 Services 
 Blast
Wednesday, 12/13
Thursday, 12/14
(see below)
Depression: Guiding Your Child Through Depression
Wednesday, December 13, 5:30 - 6:30 pm Depresión: Cómo Apoyar a su Hijo Durante la Depresión
Thursday, December 14, 6 - 7 pm
Register 
HERE 
today!
Mental Health Corner
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 11
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 12
Student Services 
 RESOURCES
Escalon Unified Contacts
Collegeville Elementary 941-2007 6701 S Jack Tone Rd, Stockton CA 95215 Dent Elementary 838-7031 1998 Yosemite Ave, Escalon CA 95320 El Portal Middle School 838-7095 805 1st Street, Escalon CA 95320 Escalon High School 838-7073 1528 Yosemite Avenue, Escalon CA 95320 Farmington Elementary 886-5344 25233 E Hwy 4, Farmington CA 95230 Van Allen Elementary 838-2931 21051 E. Hwy 120, Escalon CA 95320 Gateway Academy 838-7177 17590 South Van Allen Road, Escalon CA 95320 Vista High School 838-1450 1204 Escalon Avenue, Escalon CA 95320
Nicholas Caton, President Kate Powell, Vice President John Largent, Clerk


Sal Reyes, Member Martha Coelho, Member Ricardo "Ricky" Chavez, Superintendent
DECEMBER DATES to remember
Escalon Unified TODAY, Page 13
EUSD Board Mtg. (7 pm)
Early Release: PLC collaboratioN
No School, winter break begins...
First day back to school! 
(... winter break finishes) 

Board & Superintendent
Main Office Phone 838-3591 Main Office FAX 838-6703 Bus Garage 838-3165 Curriculum Office 838-3591 Maintenance/Operations 838-3165 Food Services 838-3170
DEC 12:
dec 13:
dec 21 :
jan 4, 2024:
Escalon Unified Schools