Updated September 29, 2008 11:00 PM  C.S.T.

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CVHS PTSA Programs  
Department Grants ● ELL Liaison/Translator ● Beautification Day Dance Chaperones
SELF ● Community Service ● Cougar Growl Shape it Cougars
Reflections ● Parent Orientation ● Merchant Rebate Program ● Library Volunteers
● Spirit Wear Above and Beyond Awards ● Modernization Oversight ● Paw Print Shop
Teacher Appreciation Spirit of the Cougar Lunch Education Fair ● Press Relations
● Scholarship Dessert with the Principal  Lessons in Financial Education  
Additional CVHS PTSA Programs
July 4th Street Faire Website / List Serve Teacher late start breakfasts
MV Walk Against Drugs Back to School Night Hospitality College Night Hospitality
Journey Safe Walk-a-thon ELL Translator Fun with Chalk
Founder's Day Celebration Parent/student/community programs Relay for Life
Cap and Gown Distribution PE Clothes Distribution Senior Awards
Student Directory Welcome Back Breakfast  
Legislation Open House hospitality  
   
   
 
For more information about any of these programs please send an e-mail to  capoptsaboard@cox.net
 

Program Descriptions



Department Grants

Department Grants are one way Capo PTSA provides resources directly to the classrooms. The PTSA sets aside funds that teachers apply for to obtain materials such as books, videos and computer equipment that will enhance the classroom experience for the students. Donations can be made specifically to the Department Grant fund.

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SELF
Special Education Linking Families (SELF) is a committee that was formed by the Capistrano Unified School District PTA to facilitate parent involvement as liaisons between the local school site and the district. Our committee is composed of representatives from each school site in our district. We are here to help bridge the gap between regular education and special education.

Workshops are being offered at CUSD Offices from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

  • October 22

  • November 12

  • January 14

  • February 25

  • March 25

  • April 22

  • May 27

For special needs resources visit, http://www.cucptsa.com/index.asp?scid=14.. 

 

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Press Relations
The purpose of Press Relations is to promote our school community by allowing the community at large to learn more about what a great place Capo High School is, and also serves to build our own school community.
We collect news worthy information and check with the proper administrative staff in order to determine the appropriateness of such news and distributing the press releases to local news such as the Orange County Register, Saddleback Valley News, and any other local news distribution that may be appropriate. 

News that are deemed appropriate, may be news that highlights school programs in academic, character building, and volunteering, school rankings in various areas, school awards, exceptional teachers and students, and finally upcoming and current events. News can also be turned in to the Cougar Growl or the school’s website. 

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Beautification Day
February 27, 2010 8 am -12 noon

Help clean up the campus and get service hours, too! Landscaping help is needed for our extensive planting project this year. Bring wheelbarrows, shovels, outdoor gloves, clippers, rakes, etc.

The program is a success because we all work as a team to bring school pride and spirit to CVHS for the students, staff and community. If you have any questions about this program, please contact Carol Bennett at capoptsaboard@cox.net.

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Dance Chaperones

Being a dance chaperone is fun experience. You get to see the kids having a good time and it's a brief opportunity to experience their world. Because security and teachers are present, being a chaperone is more about just being available than actual supervision. Chaperones help take tickets, sell snacks, and help with lost sweaters or access to lockers. After a few dances, the kids get to know your face and eventually your name and they know they can ask you for help if they need something. We're there to help the students have a fun and safe time. Oh, and you have to be able to appreciate really loud music!

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Dessert with the Principal
Several evenings per school year the CVHS principal, Deni Christensen, provides parents an opportunity to discuss issues in a small, casual setting. During this time he talks about items that are of interest to parents and students through informal discussion. This school year "Dessert with the Principal" will be held in the CVHS Mall at 6:30 PM on the following dates:

    * Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Focus on Freshmen
    *Tuesday, January 7, 2009
    *Tuesday, April 22, 2009 

 This is a great time to get to know Mrs. Christensen and discuss ideas and issues that are important to you.

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Community Service

The Community Service program at CVHS will provide a listing of local community service opportunities to students and their families. Listed will be local agencies which can help students fulfill community service hours, give a brief description of the agency and the types of duties volunteers would perform. Please check this list of community service opportunities and contacts.

 

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Cougar Growl

“The Cougar Growl” is Capistrano Valley High School’s premier newsletter that has provided our capo families with the most up to date school information for many years. Our Principal’s Message from Deni Christensen and our PTSA President’s Letter by Sharon Campbell discuss current events as well as our student’s accomplishments. School clubs, athletic, music and drama activities and improvements to our school both physically and academically are high lighted with each edition. For the 2008-09 school year we can look forward to a Fall, Winter and Spring edition to be published. “The Cougar Growl” will be sent to your home and posted to this website to keep you informed about our great CVHS!

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Shape it Cougars

Are you ready for the challenge?  Shape it Cougars week is October 26 through October 29.  Enjoy

  • Daily Fruit Cart,

  • Healthy Eating Ideas,

  • Yoga Class, and

  • Tug a War Tournament. 

Participate in the Yoga Class or the Tug a War Tournament and receive a free yogurt coupon from FROZ Yogurt. Buy some fruit and visit the nutrition display for a chances to win some great raffle prizes! 


Join the fun, and BE FIT and BE HEALTHY!!

 

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Paw Print Shop

The copy room was named the "Paw Print Shop" by a PTA president years ago , but volunteers have fondly been dubbed "the Copy Mamas" (we've never had dads work in the room.....just doesn't work with dad-type schedules).   The Capo copy center provides light copying for the administrators, faculty, and staff throughout the year (manuals, workbooks, and large quantity orders are done at the district graphics department). The week is currently broken down into 15 time slots. Volunteers commit to a 1.5 hour weekly shift making copies for school use. The staff member leaves a work order, the "Copy Mamas" make the copies within the next few days, and leave them for the teachers to pick up. The beauty of this system is that the staff doesn't have to waste time standing in line/making copies, and can use their time in a more productive manner. Volunteers have the opportunity to see what is being taught in the classroom and occasionally interface with faculty.  For more information or to volunteer send an e-mail to capoptsaboard@cox.net

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Reflections

The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by pre-selected theme, while increasing community awareness on the importance of the arts in education.  Click here for complete stories and forms.The theme for 2009 - 2010 is "Beauty is ...".

 

Please consider entering your original art work inspired by the theme in any of six areas: photography, musical composition, literature, visual arts, dance choreography and film production.

The deadline for entries is Monday, October 12 at 2:45pm to the CVHS library. 

 

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Library Volunteers

As everyone hopefully knows by now, volunteering by parents is vital to the smooth running of school activities. Often the staff is overwhelmed with work and the volunteers can make a strong difference in the lives of our students.

I am the coordinator for CVHS Library volunteers, who are most vigorously needed at the beginning of the year for help with textbook organization and distribution. There are two wonderful librarians on staff, Elaine Rico and MaryAnn Kretch who are extremely knowledgeable and capable people. But could two people really handle textbook distribution for thousands and thousands of kids and books? No Way!  The job is HUGE and starts several weeks before our students even get to school.  If you want to really make a difference and be of tremendous value to both the school and to your own children, please  consider becoming a member of the PTSA at registration.  You can check off the many choices of volunteer opportunities - library being one of them - and feel good about being an active participant in the success of the high school experience.  In many way these days, the PTSA volunteers are the shoulders upon which the school world can properly function. Yes - you are THAT important!

Thanks in advance for all the assistance in the year to come!

Dara Linson
CVHS PTSA Library Coordinator

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Teacher Appreciation
Teacher and staff appreciation was created to say "Thank you for helping our children succeed in High school"

And since we all have very busy schedules we have several opportunities throughout the year for parents to get involved, all you have to do is send some healthy or not so healthy treats for our teachers and staff to show that we appreciate their hard work. I do the rest, I set up a table in the teachers lounge with the goodies and a banner that says "thank you", at the end of the day I go back to clean up and return dishes to the front office if necessary.

Watch for the scheduled days.

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Freshman Parent Orientation

Freshman Parent Orientation is held on the campus the same date and time as the Freshman Orientation. When you drop your student off for Orientation the CVHS PTSA hosts a parent welcome and orientation so that you too will have an opportunity to become more familiar with our school. This is a great time to meet the principal, head of guidance and other parents. We provide tips on drop off and pick up and who to contract for information in addition to other useful information to know for the new four years. Learn about how you and your your student can get involved. At the end there will be a question and answer period.

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Modernization Oversight

The Capistrano Valley High School Modernization committee was formed in 2006 to ensure that campus modernization projects proceed as promised. The committee advocates for facility equity within CUSD and monitors and prioritizes project so that campus improvements proceed according to schedule.

The committee successfully advocated for several projects. One example is the new 2-story classroom building, which was designed to include a brick facade that matches the facade of the other buildings. The committee prioritized improving landscaping and the improvements needed to lighting and flooring. Interior lighting is in the process of being upgraded throughout the school and the aged flooring will be replaced this summer. The CVHS campus is thirty years old and requires improvements to meet current building codes. The long anticipated sprinkler system improvements are another example of a committee priority.

In order to ensure equity at high schools throughout CUSD it has been noted that a theater is needed at CVHS. CVHS is the only high school in CUSD and South Orange County without a theater and this is considered a basic high school amenity. This amenity will allow CVHS students to perform in plays, musical and vocal performances and other school events in an appropriate facility. The CVHS PTSA, Newhart PTA, Castill PTA have all passed resolutions supporting a theatre at CVHS. It is a priority of our committee is to request additional PTAs consider endorsing this resolution on May 14, 2007. The CVHS PTSA resolution is posted below.  Please follow this link to the "HMC Architects’ Facility Needs Assessment Overview of Capistrano Valley High School" from September 2007 for additional details.

The committee has prioritized implication of the EPA"s "Tool"s for School's" Program. This program educates stakeholder in how to successfully advocate for improved air quality in portable and permanent classrooms. Tool for Schools encourages student, staff and parents to work as a team to ensure a healthy and safe school environment.

Performing Arts Facility Resolution

WHEREAS, That Capistrano Valley High School is a comprehensive high school that was open in 1977 serving the students of South Orange County,

WHEREAS, That Capistrano Valley High School is the only High School in South Orange County that does not have a performing arts facility,

WHEREAS, That Capistrano Valley High School drama students and staff must perform in the CVHS “mall” which also serves as the cafeteria, center of the school and meeting space for all organizations,

WHEREAS, That Capistrano Valley High School orchestra, band, chorus and other performing groups must perform in the “mall” an acoustically challenged space,

WHEREAS, The PTA was established to advocate locally for students,

WHEREAS, The California PTA supports art education for all students; now therefore be it,

RESOLVED, That the Capistrano Valley High School PTSA support and advocate for a performing arts facility at Capistrano Valley High School,

RESOLVED, That the Capistrano Valley High School PTSA supports the prioritizing of funding by the Capistrano Unified School District to ensure that a performing arts facility is built at CVHS as a matter of priority to ensure equal education to all CUSD students.

Barbara Casserly May 14, 2007
President Date
Capistrano Valley High School PTSA

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Spirit of the Cougar Lunch

At the end of each semester, teachers are asked to select one student from their classes to recognize for their hard work and achievement. It may be a student who worked hard to pull grades up or one who goes the extra mile to do better. Teachers invite student to a PTSA hosted lunch. The student's name is announced and they have their photograph taken with the teacher who invited them. The goal of the program is to recognize students for their efforts.

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Above and Beyond Awards

Above and Beyond Achievement Awards

At the end of the year a PTSA committee works with the CVHS principal to select students, teachers and staff members who went Above and Beyond in serving the PTSA during their years at Capistrano Valley  High School.  Nominations are submitted to the committee by staff,  parents or students.  Recipients are announced at the CVHS Achievement Awards Ceremony in June.

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Education Fair


Each spring the Capistrano Unified School District sponsors an Education Fair which is held in San Juan Capistrano. The Education Fair is a day for community members to learn about community resources, school readiness information, and participate in educational activities. This event recognizes that there are more than 40 languages spoken in our district and this program reaches out to all the Capistrano Unified School District English Language learners. The CVHS's PTSA participates in this annual event and encourages other CVHS organizations to participate where practical.

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ELL Liaison/Translator


The PTSA ELL (English Language Learner) Liaison provides a bridge between PTSA and ELAC (English Learner Advisory Committee). By having a familiar face from PTSA attend the ELAC meetings, to inform our ELL parents of PTSA events and activities they can assist with, we hope to increase their involvement so they can become active participants in activities at CVHS. Through this person we can maintain open lines of communication and support one another when common needs and /or goals arise.

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Merchant Rebate Program


The Merchant Rebate Program is the easiest and most beneficial way you can help CVHS.  CVHS earns dollars while you do your normal shopping at participating stores.  Our biggest rebate stores are Albertson’s, Ralph’s, Pavilions/Von’s and Macy’s.  Participation in the program is free and must be done every year. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mary Beth Anderson at mb.anderson@cox.net.

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This web site is sponsored by the Capistrano Valley High School Parent Teacher Student Association and is not at CUSD or CVHS Expense.

www.CapoPTSA.org

©  Capistrano Valley High School PTSA
26301 Via Escolar,  Mission Viejo,  CA  92692
(949) 364-6100