First WASC Visit

Today was the first WASC visit at ASTI. WASC is the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and they decide whether a school or college is fit to continue teaching students by evaluating the school, its campus, and how well the staff does their job. After a WASC visit, they decide if a school needs immediate reform, and will visit shortly after this one, if a school is borderline; in which they will visit after 3 years. Or finally, if the school is perfect as it is and will visit again after 5 years to check up. The WASC visit at ASTI will last until the 24th and we wish to be evaluated as perfectly fine so please be on your best behaviors during the visit.

Burst of Updates for EVEYRONE

During the first week of May, Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors will be taking the California Standards Test. The modified schedule will be mailed to all students as soon as possible. Also, PTSA will be having 2010-2011 school year elections on MArch 25th. If you are interested in any of the positions, please contact Mr. Fong to be placed on the list of candidates. Finally, from March 21st to MArch 24th, evaluators from WASC will be coming to ASTI and determining the status of the school. Depending on how well we are evaluated, they will come back and review the school in 3 years, 5 years, or within the school year. Please be on the best behavior during the visits.

ASTI will be having a smoothie sale after school starting on the 15th of March. The sale will be for tickets which will be accepted by the smoothie makers who will be present on March 26th to make the smoothies for everyone. The tickets will be only $2.50 and the flavors available are Strawberry, Peach, Mango, and Berry Mix.

Mrs. Corbally is also leading ASTI's Speech Contest to promote nonviolence in Alameda. The Ninth and Tenth graders will write and perform their own speeches and there will be a school-wide speech contest to help and create a team of 3 of the best speakers who will then head to the city wide competition on May 15th. Please keep your eyes and ears open for more information about this.

Can I Get a "YAY" For Haiti Relief and Talon Updates?!

The Haiti Relief Dance last Saturday was a giant success. All attendees were amazed at the electric atmosphere and the superb MCing by our very own, Brianna Youngblood. Leadership was able to raise over $340 for Haitians through this wonderful dance. Thanks to everyone involved in making the event such a hit. ASTI's Journalism class is uploading their missed articles on their improved and wonderfully slick website. You can se all the juicy and awesome articles here.

Recently, Mr. Fong found an interesting article on Early College High Schools and their impact on at risk students. This makes a great read for any parent who is still wondering about the pros and cons about sending their child to an ECHS. You can check it out here.

Open House Family Dinner

Come to the ASTI Open House Family Dinner Bring your whole family or your friends who are like your family for dinner, entertainment and simply a GREAT time! ASTI will be holding its annual Open House Family Dinner this Thursday from 6 to 8:30pm. It will first begin at ASTI with a little open house style introduction as to what is going on at ASTI so far and then things will build in excitement and hype as everyone heads to the Cafeteria for a night filled with amazing student entertainment and a dinner made by our very own ASTI family. If you have not bought your tickets yet, BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!! Pre-Sale Tickets will be sold at lunch and after school until 25 Feb 2010. The costs are: for presale; $5 for kids 8 and Under, $10 for ASTI students & family, $12 for Guests (Non-ASTI students or family). At the Door: $13 for ASTI students and family, $8 for kids 8yrs of age and under, $15 for guests

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’