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Luis Valdez Leadership Academy
LION ROAR
Message from Your Principal
Dear Amazing Lions,
I hope you woke up smiling and are working diligently toward a successful end of the year. Oh how much I have enjoyed seeing several of you on campus during our Wednesday sessions! There is so much information, so please do not skip this beat and read through this entire Lion ROAR!
I appreciate YOU. I really have appreciated my time with you at LVLA. I am officially sharing that this will be my last year serving as Principal of LVLA. This is not a forever goodbye, as I will continue to be a part of our TFHE organization and I am excited that I will continue to be a part of all the great things to come at our school. Our organization is currently seeking the most perfect principal and you will meet and know of them soon. I thank you for allowing me to serve you over the last 2 years. It has been a rewarding and learning experience and I will continue to cheer for our school always.
Collectively, you are curious and passionate and are aware of the many issues that plague our world, and I am confident that you will take charge to make changes. I know that with focus, discipline and collaborative effort, no matter the challenges, you will have what you need to continue to be great leaders at LVLA and in our community. I hope you know you are strong beyond imagine. You navigated through a pandemic. You are powerful and you have the ability to improve yourself and our society. I hope that you recognize your greatness and that you have deep self-love and confidence in yourself. As we continue on our journey, most importantly, I want you to remember that kindness matters. Be KIND. Be LOVE. Fight against violence, fear and division, even if you find it prevailing in the media. Fight against it. Level up and build each other up. Congratulate each other in your wins (and loses) and encourage greatness among each other. LOVE each other.
I can’t explain how much I enjoyed hearing your thoughts, your wonderings, your suggestions, your ideas, and learning about you. Thank you for being YOU. Thank you for rising above. Thank you for your honesty, support, and flexibility over these past 2 years, it was been an absolute pleasure serving you. Through our short in-person time, I have developed the upmost love for you, your family, and our LVLA team. Never did I imagine starting at a new school and a pandemic hitting. I had hoped to have spent more time with you in person. We navigated through wins and loses and I could not have done it without our essential campus staff: Ivan, Mr.Monroy, Mr. Mireles, Ms.Bonilla, and Ms.Uribe. Together we learned the way through a pandemic and were available for our students and families every step of the way. An immense gratitude for our teaching staff and counselors, for learning how to teach and support virtually and never giving up, even when your tanks were on empty. A special appreciation to our TFHE support staff, directors, and CEO, Dr. Segura for outstanding leadership and unwavering support.
LVLA Accomplishments in the last two years:
- WASC accreditation mid-cycle report and visit, success!
- Two successful monitoring visits from ESUHSD
- Adoption of Instructional Curriculum in ELA, Math, Social Studies and World Language
- Welcomed Class of 2023
- Welcomed Class of 2024
- Quad and campus upgrades (new outdoor furniture and spaces)
- Additional safety features added (cameras, security, flood motion lighting)
- Debris-free entrance, continuous communication with City
- Violence-free campus, zero incidents!
- Successful Class of 2020 Graduation
- Successful Class of 2021 Graduation
- Solid 98%+ Attendance Rate in 2020/2021
- Hosted just about 30 Cafecitos (virtual and in Person) with your parents
- Partial Reopening of campus on April 21, 2021
- Return of Sports - during COVID Pandemic
- New Lion Investment Club
- Top 12% Best of High School Ranking, both State and Nation Wide Per the U.S. News and World Report 2021!
- Surviving the COVID pandemic school closure together.
Thank you for growing with me and allowing me to grow with you. Thank you. Now let's finish off 2020/2021 STRONG. In Lak'Ech, Lion.
Your Principal,
Ms.Gonzalez
408-913-5009
CAMPUS UPGRADES
ACADEMICS and OPPORTUNITIES
GRADE MIRRORING SOLUTION 2020/2021
GRADE MIRRORING 2020/2021
You have 3 weeks to ensure you pass Semester 2, and this will impact Semester 1. If you earned an I, D, or F in Semester 1, pass with a C- or better in Semester 2 and you will be granted a grade change.
Credit Recovery
Cyber High and Edgenuity (Credit Recovery)
If you received notice of enrollment in Cyber High or Edgenunity, please read the information carefully. You may have attended an information meeting, so please contact Ms. Gonzalez, Ms. Canales, or Mr. Martinez if you have any questions. If you missed the information meeting, contact Ms. Gonzalez, Ms. Canales or Mr. Martinez. You may have been enrolled in a class for credit recovery and it is of upmost importance to progress.
Grades and Support
Sign up for support in Math! Schedule a tutoring session, or sessions, they can be the days and times you would like. Tutor Alberto Mendez is a great math tutor and can support you. Follow the link to sign up!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PIAc5KHTZOXSaGAIkQRnk9qnFQR8gJF1/view
Important Dates
College Declaration Day: Friday, May 21, 2021
AP Tests: May 18-June 10, 2021 (Digital and In-person)
Semester 2 Finals Grade 12: May 27 & 28, 2021
Senior Check Out: May 28, 2021
Memorial Day: May 31, 2021 (NO SCHOOL)
Semester 2 Finals Grades 9-11: June 3 & 3, 2021
Last Day of School: June 4, 2021
Class of 2021 Graduation: June 5, 2021
AP EXAMS - SPRING 2021
TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES!!!
Ready to explore, build your confidence, learn different cultures, adapt to globalization, immerse in a 2nd (or 3rd) language, Network and meet new people! These are all reasons to Travel Abroad and LVLA is going places! Join in!
TRAVEL ABROAD:
Japan Experience: Summer 2022 (OPEN - email Ms. Gonzalez)
Galapagos Islands: OPEN - See Informational meeting info below!
Ecuador: OPEN - See Informational meeting info below!
ACADEMIC COUNSELING CORNER
Hello students,
Hope you are having a good day and enjoying the nice sunny weather.
In March you had the opportunity to select classes for the next academic year. Please show your parents what classes you selected for the next academic year. You can do so by logging into Power School and selecting the schedule of classes.
En marzo tuvieron la oportunidad de seleccionar clases para el próximo año académico. Por favor de compartir con sus padres las clases que seleccionaron. Puede hacerlo a través de Power School y seleccionar horario de clases.
If you signed up to take an AP class next academic year please ensure to download the appropriate test, calendar the date and continue studying!
Math Tutor Mr. Alberto Perez is available, sign up for session here: https://calendly.com/albertotutor/tutoring
If you have any questions please reach out to me at scanales@tfhe.org.
Kind Regards,
Ms. Canales
12th Grade Space - Class of 2021
KEEP GOING, WE ARE ALMOST TO THE FNISH LINE! A few reminders:
- Ensure to e mail me and your Advisor college acceptances
- Senior Check out is May 28, 2021. All grades must be cleared for Graduation. Check out will include Senior Exit Survey and Sports and Textbooks (if applicable) Clearance.
- Review the Class of 2021 Google Classroom (Classroom Code ai5oqfo) for updates, scholarships and more.
- Official transcripts will be prepared for submission to your college/university
- It's OFFICIAL! Graduation is at PAYPAL PARK (formally Avaya Stadium) on June 5th @ 6:30PM!
Let's Go Class of 2021.
THEY GOT IN!! CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2021!
Marisa A.
Evergreen Valley College
San Jose City College
Ariana A.
San Jose City College
Galilea A.
Evergreen Valley College
Briselda A.
UC Berkeley
UC Davis
San Francisco State University
CSU East Bay
Sophia A.
Jocelyn A.
Alejandro A.
CSU Monterey
West Valley College
Carlos A.
Evergreen College
Fernanda A.
UC Riverside
Joanna A.
West Valley College
Yessenia A.
Guadalupe B.
CSU San Diego
CSU Fresno
Crystal C.
Yahir C.
CSU East Bay
CSU San Francisco
Evergreen Valley College
Ashley D.
Alondra D.
CSU San Jose
William F.
CSU San Francisco
CSU Northridge
CSU San Jose
San Jose City College
Iris Flores
University of Portland
University of Oregon
UC Riverside
CSU San Francisco
CSU Los Angeles
CSU Sacramento
CSU Dominguez Hills
Efren F.
Daniel G.
Homero G.
Estefany G.
San Jose State
East Bay
Demely G.
Lizbeth G.
Santa Clara University
CSU Chico
UC Davis
UC San Diego
Dominican University
Northeastern University
University of the Pacific
CSU Dominguez Hills
Louisiana State University
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
CSU Long Beach
Miriam G.
Paloma G.
UC Berkeley
UC Davis
UC Riverside
CSU East BayCSU Sacramento
CSU Humbolt
Abby Sobrato Scholarship Awardees
The Abby Sobrato Scholarship was established by John Matthew Sobrato in memory of his mother. A teacher herself, she inspired him to go into teaching and always pushed for equal opportunity for everyone. This scholarship seeks to honor those values and provide expanded opportunities for students attending Latino College Prep Academy (LCPA), Luis Valdez Leadership Academy (LVLA) and B. Roberto Cruz Leadership Academy (RCLA) in San José, California, through significant scholarship support that will facilitate college access and success. The selection committee looks for students who demonstrate academic potential, involvement in community or school activities and contributed to their campus in a meaningful way. Congratulations Lions!
Students Rising Above (SRA) Scholarship Recipients
COLLEGE and CAREER
Please view THIS calendar to see all the support services that will be available!
Scholarships for Seniors
Abby Sobrato - May 30th (3 scholarships remaining)
Club Estrella Scholarship - May 28th
CLLCF Scholarship - June 1st
CACESF Scholarship - June 30th
- Financial Aid Info Session; May 20th @ 12 pm - Open to 9th-11th grade
Check out your CCR Google Class, it lists opportunities and information!
Class of 2021 Google Classroom Code: ai5oqfo
Class of 2022 Google Classroom Code: benbxzz
Class of 2023 Google Classroom Code: 2itlnz6
Class of 2024 Google Classroom Code: ejdwevg
From the Desk of Mr. Mireles, Office Manager
Lions, visit the LVLA website here! Tons of information available there!
Work Permits - Lions you are Scholars first! If you will be applying for a job, please be sure your GPA is above a 2.5 and you're actively attending your classes (we can work with you).
We do not issue work permits until you secure a job. For more information follow the link.
For information about Cap and Gowns, Stoles and Cords please email me at cmirelies@sjlvla.org.
For Chromebook/CB Charger and Hotspots please email me at cmirelies@sjlvla.org.
For AP Textbooks please email me at cmirelies@sjlvla.org.
Please follow the link for information about Senior Portraits!
TUNE SQUAD - ATHLETICS!
Why Hello Ladies and Gents,
Soccer went off in full swing and both our Gentlemen's and Women's Teams are doing great! A stand up congratulations to our Lady Lions, as they are leading and heading toward a possible championship! Both teams played legit games against LCAP and our Ladies landed their first win against LCPA in the history of LVLA! Our Cheer team was also there bringing all the spirit and love! Cannot wait to see where we head next! Our Gentlemen are also playing hard and prepping for their next win!
Continue to be kind and stay safe familia.
Take care,
Coach
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Lion! May the day be bright and sweet and filled with all that your heart desires. Enjoy this upcoming trip around the sun! Happy Birthday..we LOVE YOU!
APRIL
Aylin A. (20th)
Mireya G. (21st)
Saul C. (24th)
Italy V. (24th)
Lizbeth G. (25th)
Vanessa O. (25th)
Manuel R. (25th)
Emanuel C. (26th)
Gabriela I. (29th)
Jennifer C. (30th)
Uziel V. (31st)
Brayan R. (31st)
MAY
Jannifer E. (2nd)
Diana C. (5th)
Gerardo M. (5th)
Ariana J. (6th)
Juan A. (7th)
Miguel G. (7th)
Angel G. (10th)
Lesly R. (10th)
Dianne G. (12th)
Josue V. (12th)
Michelle R. (13th)
Homero G. (17th)
Jossmely T. (17th)
Ariana A. (18th)
Leonardo G. (19th)
The Foundation for Hispanic Education Updates
Hello LVLA Students,
We hope that you are doing well and finishing the year strong! Thank you for completing surveys provided over the last several months. For your required completion, here is the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Survey #2.
Here you will find a survey allowing you to assess your current school services, as well as provide feedback for areas of strength and improvement. The results will be used in our required plans to our district and the state for the next three academic years.
Also, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school sites or us at mfarfan@tfhe.org. Wishing you a great month of May!
Kind Regards,
The Foundation for Hispanic Education Team
Hola Estudiantes de LVLA,
¡Esperamos que te esté yendo bien y termines el año fuerte! Gracias por completar las encuestas proporcionadas durante los últimos meses. Para su finalización requerida, aquí está la Encuesta #2 del Plan de Responsabilidad y Control Local (LCAP).
Aquí encontrará una encuesta que le permitirá evaluar sus servicios escolares actuales, así como proporcionar comentarios sobre las áreas de fortaleza y necesidades. Los resultados se utilizarán en nuestros planes requeridos para nuestro distrito y el estado durante los próximos tres años académicos.
Además, si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en ponerse en contacto con los sitios de su escuela o con nosotros a mfarfan@tfhe.org. ¡Te deseamos un gran mes de mayo!
Atentamente,
El equipo de The Foundation for Hispanic Education
PARENT PIECE
Hello LVLA Families,
Thank you for joining us for our Parent workshops and LCAP meetings!
If you are in need of one-on-one support or referrals to local resources, please email me at tmartinez@tfhe.org or set up an appointment with me at https://calendly.com/tmartinez-tfhe.
Thank you,
Tania Martinez
Community Outreach Liaison
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 @ 4:00 PM: School Site Council
Link: https://meet.google.com/sfo-bajg-iwd https://meet.google.com/tqx-bkoh-mav
Or dial: (US) +1 585-491-9535 PIN: 348 195 916#
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 @ 6:00 PM: Monthly College & Career Parent Workshop
Link: https://meet.google.com/gpp-mniv-xgm
Or dial: (US) +1 334-472-8211 PIN: 522 101 362#
Thursday, May 20, 2021 @ 4:00 PM: School Site Council
Link: https://meet.google.com/zwm-atxj-icm
Or dial: (US) +1 470-839-8484 PIN: 173 053 764#
Thursday, May 20, 2021 @ 6:30 PM: LCAP TOWN HALL #2
Link: https://meet.google.com/vzu-ojkj-uup
Or dial: (US) +1 443-671-4734 PIN: 774 031 260#
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 @ 5:00 PM: College/Career Support for Students Parent Workshop #5
Link: https://meet.google.com/oxz-npkz-btm
Or dial: (US) +1 915-308-4252 PIN: 493 687 178#
Thursday, May 27, 2021 @ 5:30 PM: Virtual Cafecito with the Principal
Link: https://meet.google.com/sfo-bajg-iwd
Or dial: (US) +1 475-549-0429 PIN: 378 838 603#
Friday May 28, 2021 @ 8:30 AM: Virtual Cafecito with the Principal
Link: https://meet.google.com/nth-yubf-suv
Or dial: (US) +1 929-277-6285 PIN: 454 230 645#
Visit www.sjlvla.org or https://www.tfhe.org/apps/pages/community_engagement for ongoing and school information!
RESOURCES
MENTAL HEALTH TEAM RESOURCES
Support and individual check-in time is available to all. Support can be provided upon referral, as needed. Please let any staff member know if you would like to speak to someone.
24-Hour Crisis Line 408.294.0579
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The following resources are available to help people who may be experiencing distress or heightened anxiety right now:
- 24/7 Behavioral Health Services Department Call Center: (800) 704-0900
- Crisis Text Line: Text RENEW to 741741
- Suicide and Crisis Hotline 24/7: (855) 278-4204
- Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT)
- Adults-BHSD MCRT: (800) 704-0900
- Children and Youth-Uplift Family Services Mobile Crisis Response: (408) 379-9085
- If you are experiencing an emergency call 9-1-1 immediately.
COVID-19 Updates from Assembly Member Aah Kalra (a dedicated page) https://a27.asmdc.org/covid-19-updates-and-resources
COUNTY of SANTA CLARA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/bhd/Pages/home.aspx
There are TONS of Resources such as:
What's Popping Substances and You
Virtual Yoga
Virtual You Navigating Wellness Online Ages 12-25 Call 408-961-4700 for more info!
ALUM ROCK COUNSELING CENTER
Offering Sessions such as:
Mindfulness Monday
Color and Vibe
Among Us Game Night
Calendar of Events: https://alumrockcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Virtual-You-Calendar-of-Events-January-2021.pdf
Food Distribution:
Mondays: Our Lady of Peace (2800 Mission College Blvd Santa Clara, CA 95054)
Tuesdays: Our Lady of Refuge (Closest to LVLA) (2165 Lucretia Ave San Jose, CA 95122) (5PM-7PM)
Wednesdays: St. Martin of Tours (200 O'Connor Dr. San Jose, CA 95128) (9AM-11AM)
Thursdays: St. John Vianney (4600 Hyland Ave San Jose, CA 95127) (9AM-11AM)
Fridays: St. Lucy's Campbell (2350 S Winchester Blvd Campbell, CA 95008) (10AM-12PM)
Saturdays: Santa Teresa Parish (794 Calero Ave San Jose, CA 95123) and TFHE (Story Road 12:00 - 1:00PM)
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Our 2020-2021 school attendance goal is 98.5%. We are almost there! Logging on to every class isn't enough. Be a trendsetter. Turn on your mics and cameras. You must participate and engage with your teachers and classmates. And make sure you complete and submit ALL your assignments because that will help your score too!
Please remember to call the school if you ever have access, technology, or connection issues.
Information Technology
Self-Mastery - Unlocking Your Full Potential
Ways to Level Up Your Life, Starting Right Now!
JUST DO IT.
1) Write down everything need to do today. Everything.
2) Try a new vegetable. They won’t hurt, I promise.
3) Stop slouching! Pull your shoulder blades back and pick your chin up. You’ll project more confidence, and your lower back will stop hurting from sitting improperly all day.
4) Write down three goals. Write down three things right now that you need to accomplish in order for your day to feel productive. Do the first thing, and then then second, and then the third. Simple.
5) Stop drinking soda.
6) Drink more water.
7) Eat breakfast. Eggs and old fashioned oatmeal, good. Sugary cereal with a big glass of OJ (pretty much sugar water), bad.
8) Ride your bike.
9) Stop making excuses
10) Sign up for that class, club, program...
11) Take 15 minutes to clean off your desk/bedroom/space. Clutter can cause all kinds of stress and makes life way more complicated than it needs to be. Unclutter your space, unclutter your mind.
12) Sign up for your local library! Rediscovered the library near you.
13) Give yourself 15 minutes of “me time.” Lock yourself in your room, put on your favorite song, turn off your phone, and just do NOTHING.
14) Smile more. A genuine one.
15) Call somebody and tell them that you love them. Your wife/husband, boyfriend/girlfriend, kids, parents, grandparents, whoever. You probably don’t say it enough, and you know how great it is to hear it. Spread the love!
People That Changed the World
Gitanjali Rao
Scientist, Activist and Youth Organizer
Age 15
15 year old Gitanjali Rao is an Indian-American inventor, author, scientist and engineer, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) promoter. She won the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge in 2017 and was recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 for her innovations. Rao was named TIME Top young innovator in 2020 for her innovations and "innovation workshops" she conducts across the globe and, on December 4, 2020 was featured on the cover of TIME magazine and named their first "Kid of the Year".
Learn More
Gitanjali Rao (wiki): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gitanjali_Rao_(scientist)
Meet 15 YO Gitanjali Rao: https://youtu.be/WrC5GGZhfyQ
School Contact Information
Instagram Follow us @sjlvla
Website: www.sjlvla.org
Location: 1855 Lucretia Avenue, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: 408-384-4015
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjlvla