Messages from the EG Staff

Ms. Kim – Guide

Happy Monday, learners and families. Welcome to Week 3 of Workshop Cycle 2! 

This is our midpoint of the project and learners are beginning to feel the pressure of assignments and deadlines. With that comes stress, which can often leave our learners feeling overwhelmed. Let this be a reminder that I hear you and I am here to support you in whatever you need. Here are some tips I give learners who may be struggling with their academics: 

• Seek help! (Attend office hours; talk to your guides and care team) 
• Communication is key! (If you don’t communicate your stresses or what you are having problems with, often the issue won’t get resolved) 
• Make a checklist every day (This can help you visualize what you are missing, what you need to catch up on, and make you feel accomplished when you finish items on a checklist) 

Remember, our staff at Empower want to see our learners succeed and grow. Don’t be afraid and reach out to any one of us if you have any questions! We are here to help

Ms. Marian – Guide

WHODUNNIT? Is the theme for the Bio/Chemistry workshop this semester. The learners are being introduced to Chemistry concepts and participating out loud during their scheduled workshop time. If I can help with understanding concepts and building knowledge, please make an appointment with me during flipped time. This week, our learners who read during my workshop have been very willing when they are called on. This has made class more interesting, and I am very proud of each of you! I am very excited to see how our processes continue to grow.

To my Advisory: I have recently set up an Advisory class in Google classroom and I have invited learners by email. Please check in to Advisory so I can get to know you better. I am here to help you, if I can. 

If you and your parent/guardian have not signed up for Learner Led Conferences please click here to sign up.

Bob – Education Specialist

Have you tried to read and understand Shakespeare? It can be difficult, owing to the fact that it was written over 400 years ago, and composed in iambic pentameter poetry. The challenge is to understand the action! What is going on? Who’s doing what to whom? Understanding the action is the first and most important thing to decipher, before you can appreciate the beautiful words. If you have a chance to see a good live production performed by a professional theater group, you will learn to love these classic works. When performed, the play comes alive, and the actions and conflict will be clear and exciting. Give a talented group of actors a chance to make Mr. Shakespeare one of your favorite writers.

Brian – School Counselor

March is the time when seniors are scrambling to figure out which colleges or universities they will be attending, and wondering how they will pay for it. These questions will be answered and more information will be provided by attending our college presentation on Thursday, March 31, during their Advisory. San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) will be presenting their college program on our campus to our juniors and seniors. The purpose of this presentation is to offer different opportunities for learners to access information on higher education, financial aid, and different career paths/options at SJVC.

SJVC provides hands-on learning with experienced instructors that will help students learn what they need to know in order to start their career in less time. During the presentation, SJVC will explain how they strive to close the gap between college and career, providing several options in higher education.

Mr. Sean

Something inspiring happened this week with one of our learners. On Tuesday, while on a walk one of our staff members and our learner encountered two individuals in need of food. Without hesitation, our learner asked if he and the staff member could go back to Headquarters. The learner gathered the food that was not eaten at lunch and put it into two separate bags for these individuals. He walked over, handed the food to them, and wished them a good day. I was lucky enough to witness this incredible act of kindness and started to reflect on the work our school is doing for our community. 

We have created projects to help nonprofit organizations, bring awareness to pollution in our community, and have volunteered time at the various businesses in our area. The effects of these actions are influencing our learners in a positive way. They are taking it upon themselves to spread kindness to the most vulnerable populations within our community.

Ms. Rosie – Office Manager

We are working hard on some year-end activities. These activities include prom, grad night, fundraisers and graduation. We will be selling school T-shirts soon. We welcome any suggestions, help or donations.  Please be on the lookout for information for these activities.  My email address is roselia.calderon@empowergenerations.org.

Tanya – Guide

The “Never Again” genocide studies project is well under way. In week one of the project, learners focused on learning to think like a historian. Last week, learners put those skills into practice. They focused on defining the term genocide, we explored the UN’s Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and began learning about the 10 stages of genocide. We also began learning about the events that led to the Holocaust.

This week, we will be studying the 10 stages of genocide in depth. Genocide is a human phenomenon that can be analyzed and understood, and consequently, may be prevented. According to academic and activist Gregory H. Stanton, genocide is a process that develops in 10 stages. The stages do not necessarily follow a linear progression and may coexist. Prevention measures may be implemented at any stage. By the end of the week, learners will be able to explain how each of the 10 stages of genocide and how they can be applied to the Holocaust.

Rob – Care Team

Each year, students in grades five, seven, and nine participate in the California Physical Fitness Test, also called the PFT. California has chosen the FITNESSGRAM® as the annual physical fitness test for students in California public schools. The PFT results provide one measure that students and their families can use, along with other information, to monitor overall fitness. Schools may also use these results for the purpose of evaluating their physical education program.

This year, your child will take the Physical Fitness Test (FITNESSGRAM®).

Our learners will start testing on April 11. Prior to this date we will prepare by practicing three weeks in advance every day at 1:30pm. Mondays will consist of abdominal strength. Tuesdays will consist of upper body strength. Wednesdays will consist of trunk strength and  flexibility. Thursdays will consist of the mile run. If you have any questions about your child’s participation in the PFT, the FITNESSGRAM®, or the test results, please contact Mr. Rob at Robert.sterling@ileadinnovationstudios.org.

The FITNESSGRAM® includes six test areas:

• Aerobic Capacity
• Abdominal Strength and Endurance
• Trunk Extensor Strength and Flexibility
• Upper Body Strength and Endurance
• Flexibility 

Most of the fitness areas of the FITNESSGRAM® have two or three test options so all students, including those with special needs, have the chance to participate. For each fitness area of the FITNESSGRAM®, students are scored as meeting the “Healthy Fitness Zone” or “Needs Improvement.”

You are an important part of your child’s education. To help your child get ready for the test, you can:

• Talk about the PFT with your child. Make sure your child is not anxious and is ready to do their very best.
• Tell your child that you and their teacher are both there to help, every step of the way, and want them to do their best to finish what they can.
• Help make sure your child engages in 60 minutes of activity every day.
• Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before testing.

To learn more about the PFT, go to the California Department of Education Parent Guides to Understanding Web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp.

Jeanette – Guide Support/Care Team

Reel Physics is in the swing of things! During Week 2, learners developed and analyzed motion graphs. They have increased their scientific vocabulary in order to better describe motion and will be moving forward next week to take a closer look at Newton’s Laws of Motion. 

In addition to our motion analyses, the Reel Physics cohorts will have the opportunity to interview and work with a Hollywood stuntman! This will be an optional activity coming up in the near future and help us see how motion works in film as well as what makes stunts realistic or not. Keep an eye out for sign-ups!

Mr. Troy – Care Team

I tried to find a definitive answer to the doors versus wheels debate; however, I was only able to find out how many people voted for what. 750,000 say they are more wheels, and around 500,000 say more doors. 

“There are no Team Wheels and Team Doors. That is a fundamental misunderstanding of this situation we find ourselves in. There is a Team Wheels, and then there is a Team People Who are Mistaken,” author John Green said on TikTok.

Ms. Dani – Care Team

In continuing with Women’s History Month, can you tell me who the most famous female in the world is? Oprah Winfrey is the most popular woman in the world globally, and her net worth is estimated to be around $2.6 billion. Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, and she was born to a teenage mother living under poverty conditions. Despite coming from a financially weak family she managed to be a strong and powerful woman today who was not only a host on television but has also produced several shows. Furthermore, she is also an actress, author, and philanthropist.