Volunteering Opportunities

Thank you again to all of you who helped out at Information Night a few weeks ago. It was a tremendous success and we are expecting lots of applications. In the next few weeks there are going to be two other opportunities to help out with recruitment if you are interested. The first is next Friday, the 18^th at 11:30 – 12:30. We’ll be visiting Chipman Middle School to give an overview of ASTI, answer questions, and pass out applications. If you are an alumnus of Chipman and would like to help out, come see Mr. Fong in the office. The second opportunity to volunteer is on Saturday, February 20^th from 9-2. (we may only need to be there from 9-1) This day we’ll be conducting interviews on ASTI campus. We’ll need students to fill the following roles: Interviewers, greeters and parent/guardian aides, guides, and proctors for the diagnostic exam. If you are interested in helping out on Interview day, come and sign up at my desk. You can obtain community service hours for all the time you spend helping out at recruitment.

School Loop Updates

School Loop and Communication between School and Home:

This semester our staff will begin to integrate School Loop into their course management. Teachers – to varying degrees – will be using School Loop to post assignments, course documents, announcements, and grades. I will begin using School Loop for all weekly updates and announcements instead of the weekly e-mail format from last semester. If you have not yet registered for School Loop please do so by following the steps below:

**Please be sure to register as a ‘Parent’ if you are a parent/guardian.

1. Go to http://asti.alamedausd.ca.schoolloop.com/

2. Click the ‘Register’ button

3. If needed, select the appropriate language

4. Click ‘Parent registration’

5. Fill out all appropriate information and click ‘Register’

New Semester, New Round of Applicants.

Last Thursday was ASTI's annual Info night for incoming freshmen applicants. It was a huge success with over forty ASTI students there to field questions from the audience and a huge crowd of interested families. Mr. Fong hosted the event and all ASTI teachers spoke about ASTI and put in their two cents about what it was like to work here. We were even graced with the president of College of Alameda who said a few words about what it is like to have high school students from ASTI on their campus. With Info night over with, it is now time for us, the ASTI community, to spread the word about the new application process. We need all the help we can get to spread the word about ASTI outside Alameda and in Oakland.

ASTI Doing it BIG

As some of you may have already heard, ASTI was recently awarded a ‘Bronze Medal’ in the annual US New & World Report Rankings. This is the first time we’ve been selected by US News and it is very significant to be among this nationally recognized group. As an Early College High School we don’t quite fit into their measurement system (they use AP/IB classes as a major category – our students take college courses) but it is still quite an honor. Below I am including a link to a recent cover story in the Alameda Sun about this recognition: click here.
And some additional links to US News and World Report if you are interested in how the rankings work and seeing other schools who were selected click here and here.
Lastly, April 16th (Friday) is The Alameda Education Foundation’s ‘Salute to Education: Celebrating Innovation in our Schools.’ It will be held at the Rockwell Wine Co., 2301 Monarch St, in Alameda at 6pm. For more information go here.

Beginning the year with Motivation

This Friday was ASTI's second annual Motivation Day. We had two panels, one with ASTI alumni and another with business men and women discussing how they got to where they are today. The day was focused on motivating and invigorating ASTI students for the new semester and to have their desires, goals, and dreams in the back of their heads.
This week marked the start of the Juniors' ACT prep. The ACT is a test similar to the SAT but with a totally different style of question and format. Over the course of the next few weeks, the ASTI Juniors will meet with an instructor who will help them learn the test taking skills and mindset to dominate the ACT. Good luck to them all.
Finally, college classes are beginning next Thursday and to everyone at ASTI taking college classes and in need of textbooks, Mr. Fong is implementing a new system which will make textbook check out more convenient. Please check in with Mr. Fong on Tuesday to get the exact details on the new system and how to take advantage of it.

Finals Week and Spring Semster

Finals week is but a day away and there will be a couple of changes to the regular schedule. Monday will be a regular day and Tuesday will follow the modified schedule as usual. But for Wednesday through Friday, class will be held from 8AM to 12:30PM. Wednesday will be 3rd and 4th period finals, Thursday 1st and 2nd, and Friday 5th and 6th. The first period will last until 10:10AM and the second one will start at 10:20AM. District provided lunches will not be available during Wednesday through Friday so please have accommodations ready. And finally, all teachers will be at school until 3PM during the modified schedules and all students are welcome to stay.
Upon our return to school after the three weeks of Winter Break, class at ASTI will officially start on January 11th, and College of Alameda classes will begin on the 21st. There will be no school on the 18th due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
And a final reminder for students taking college classes, classes will not meet for the usual lectures, everything is on finals schedule so only meet with your class when your instructor says so.
Good luck to everyone on their finals and enjoy your winter break.

Nearing the end of the Semster

There is only two weeks left in this Fall semester of 2009. Also, finals are on their way, so everyone would not slack off in their studying in the slightest. Everyone at ASTI wishes you luck on your performances on the impending tests.
Last night was PTSA's First Annual Silent Auction. It was a huge success with over 100 guests and the plethora of volunteers who helped set up and clean up. The performances were amazing, from Mr. Predovic and the Primetime Players to the PTSA board's special performance. Thanks to everyone who helped, performed, and supported the auction.
This Monday will be another of Interact's Association meetings. Please attend and learn about the new projects they have in store for everyone.