1. education
2. school

JOSEPH A. GREGORI
HIGH SCHOL
May, 2015
Volume 5, Issue 3
Principal’s Message
Greetings Gregori,
It’s hard to believe that the end of the school year is nearly here. It’s been an incredible year. It is a very busy and exciting time. We
have had a variety of end of the year activities ranging from the Academic Block G awards (see attached list of our winners), Senior
Awards Night, and our JAG Awards to name a few!
All of this brings us to the pinnacle experience for our students, staff, and community – Gregori High’s 3rd Commencement ceremony.
The Class of 2015 has been working diligently to reach this major milestone achievement! For those of you with graduating seniors,
here are a few key items you need to know:

Due to the large number of graduates this year, there are five tickets assigned for each graduate.
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Graduation robes and caps of graduates cannot have additional decorations.
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Graduates can take their commencement picture between 5:00pm and 6:30pm at the back of the gym. Seniors need to line up at
6:30 for the ceremony.
Additional graduation procedures and rule will be sent home with your seniors in the near future. In other news, it has been a great
year for the Gregori Jaguars, here are just a few of our highlights:

Our attendance rate in the district continues to be #1 with over a 96% attendance rate on a daily basis; additionally, we have the
lowest number of discipline incidents of all high schools in Modesto City Schools. We’ve led our district in both of these categories
for five straight years (since we opened in 2010)!
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We are currently waiting to hear the result of our California Gold Ribbon Schools Award visitation. Only the best California schools
that have made tremendous gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board
of Education for all students, including English learners, will be recognized through the California Department of Education.

1476 students qualified for our Renaissance program in the third quarter.
I want to thank all of you for trusting your students with us at Gregori High School. We take that trust seriously, and are always striving
to improve our high school and your families’ experience. For the safety of students, staff, and community, please remember to drive
slowly on and near campus – remember, don’t text and drive – and follow all parking and traffic flow rules in our continued effort to keep
our campus safe.
Lastly, as all of you have probably heard, Principal Jeff Albritton, our “Original Jag”, left Gregori at the end of February to take a district
administrative position. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Albritton for his hard work, vision, and above all else, the care and concern that he had for all students and staff in crafting this amazing place we call home. We wish Mr. Albritton all the best in his future
endeavors!
If I don’t see you before the end of school, I hope that you have a restful summer! If you’re a senior, congratulations and I hope to see
you next year at homecoming!
GO JAGUARS!
Principal (Interim)
From the Associate Principal’s Office
Curriculum and Instruction
IN THIS ISSUE
 Principal’s Message
 Notes from Associate Principal
 Notes from Assistant Principals
 Counselor Updates
 Testing
 Upcoming Events
 Activities Calendar
 Summer Work Permit Info
 CLAW Volunteers Needed
 Fall Sports Info
We’ve completed balloting all students, and the administration and
site leadership team are collaborating and putting together next
year’s master schedule. In addition, we are in the midst of “testing
season” – CAASP / SBAC (all juniors / ELA & math); we just completed the CAHSEE testing in March (all sophomores); NCLB science exam (all sophomores), and we are now embarking on AP
Testing!
This year the AP test orders were for 779 tests distributed among
462 students. Last year a total of 332 students took 524
tests. This is a 28 percent increase in the number of students who
are challenging themselves with rigorous AP test requirements. The purpose of taking these tests in various subject areas
is to pass with a score that will earn the student college credit –
saving that student (and parents!) both time and money.
Students are challenging tests in the following areas: Chemistry,
Environmental Science, Calculus AB, English Literature Composition, Computer Science, Spanish Language and Culture, US History, Biology, Music Theory, US Government/Politics, English Language Composition, World History, Human Geography, Psychology, Art History, European History, Physics, Spanish Literature and
Culture, Statistics, and Italian Language & Culture.
A wide range of students exist in the numbers of Jaguars challenging each test. A high of 116 students are challenging the Human
Geography test, while 1 student is challenging the Italian Language test. In addition to testing at Gregori, Jaguars will be testing
at Modesto Centre Plaza, Enochs, Downey, and Beyer High
Schools. Students have been studying diligently to achieve
scores of 3, 4 or 5 to earn college credit! Our students will begin
taking these tests on May 1st and end on May 15th. Students will
receive their “AP Student Packs” prior to the beginning of testing.
Have a great summer JAGS!
Richard Shahbazian
Associate Principal
From the Assistant Principal’s Office
C Building
Graduation:
We are getting closer and closer to graduation. Here are some rules that must be observed if you plan to attend graduation. These rules will also be posted and printed on the tickets for your reference:






Remain seated until the end of the program.
Guests are not allowed to enter the ceremony area.
Videotaping can be done only from your seats.
No balloons allowed
Bouquets, presents, etc. can be given to graduates AFTER the ceremony concludes.
Please respect the traditional formality consistent with graduation exercises.
Eligibility:
4th quarter grades, attendance and citizenship all can affect eligibility for extracurricular activities in the fall of
2015. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA, and cannot get two or more unsatisfactory marks in citizenship.
For attendance absences will be considered unexcused and may affect extra-curricular eligibility if not cleared
within 7 days after the student returns to school.
CAHSEE:
We are waiting for the results from the March CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) testing. For the 2
days of testing we averaged over 98% attendance. Thank you for continuing to support your child’s education
by getting them to understand the importance of being at school every day.
Safety Hotline:
Just a reminder if you have any information about unsafe events or important safety information at Gregori
High School, please call the Safety Hotline at (209) 550-3432. This is an anonymous message center that
helps us provide a safe learning environment for your students. There is also our Students Speaking Out that
works in cooperation with CrimeStoppers. The 3 ways to report are by phone 1-866-60CRIME, by email
www.stancrimetips.com, or by texting TIP704 to 274637. All of these options are anonymous and helps us
provide a safe learning environment for your students
Thank you for a great 2014-2015 school year and I look forward to next year.
Craig Springer
Assistant Principal
Building C
Digital Media & Business
Visual & Performing Arts
From the Assistant Principal’s Office
N Building
Counselor Caseloads
Please refer to the chart below before contacting a counselor.
Cindy Shepherd - College Counselor
Office phone 209-550-3430 ext. 2499, L-Building [email protected]
Erica Steves - Visual & Performing Arts
Office Phone 209-550-3430 ext. 2428, C-Building [email protected]
Laura Garcia - Digital Media & Business Counselor
Office Phone 209-550-3430 ext. 2429, C-Building [email protected]
Megan Thompson (Filling in for Corrie Johnson) - Global Studies Counselor and TOPS
Office Phone 209-550-3430 ext. 2527, N-Building [email protected]
Alison Kuykendall - Career Technology Counselor
Office Phone 209-550-3430 ext. 2529 N-Building [email protected]
Balloting
By the end of March, counselors will have met individually with all current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students
to ballot for next year’s classes. During this time, counselors reviewed student transcripts and graduation
requirements to ensure students were enrolled in the correct courses.
It is important to remember that a teacher’s recommendation for next year’s class/level placement can
change during the 4th quarter since the placement is based primarily on 1st semester performance.
Summer School
Modesto City Schools Summer School Program will begin on June 4th and conclude on June 30th. Classes
will run Monday thru Friday with a morning session from 8:00am to 11:30am and an afternoon session
from 12:00pm to 3:30pm. Class time will depend on the course being taken.
Counselors called in students to sign them up for summer school beginning April 16th to the 23rd. A list of
students who were placed in classes will be posted in May. If your student did not get placed, there is still
a chance to get on a wait list for open spots. Please contact your counselor if you have questions.
Phillip Jaramillo
Assistant Principal
Building N
Global Studies
Career Technology
VISITORS TO OUR CAMPUS:
All visitors should first check into the
main office (Building A). Once in the
office, visitors must register with the
staff and state the nature of the visit.
A visitor pass will then be issued,
which must be worn at all times
while on campus.
Gregori High School teachers and
campus supervisors have been instructed to question individuals on
campus who are not students or
staff. Please accept these questions
as appropriate actions on the part
of our staff in our effort to maintain
a safe and peaceful campus.
ENGLISH LEARNERS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(ELAC):
If you have a student categorized as
an English Learner, we would like to
encourage you to join us next year
and become involved with our English Learners Advisory Committee
(ELAC).
The purpose of this committee is to
advise the School Site Council and
Principal Goudeau on issues related
to English Learners so that we can
ensure academic success for all EL
students.
The meeting schedule for 2015-16
will be available at CLAW. In addition, several ELAC participants will
be available to answer your questions.
June 2016:
EF Tour Travel Opportunity to Athens,
Florence, and Rome
Is your student interested in travel? In June 2016, there is an opportunity for GHS students (current Freshmen through Juniors) to
experience the global classroom first-hand to gain new perspectives of themselves and the world around them.
If you are interested in your student traveling with this program,
the deadline to sign up is fast approaching. Check out the tour
details on the EF Tours website at eftours.com and enter the following Tour Number: 1618516WY.
Please email Jessica Maravilla at [email protected] for
more information.
ATTENTION ALL SENIORS!
Do you know where you’re going to
school after graduation? MJC, CSU or UC?
If so, stop by the D Building and sign up
for your FINAL TRANSCRIPTS with Mrs.
Brasil! Remember if you do not sign up
in May, your final transcripts will not be
sent in June.
CLAW VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
(CLASSES, LOCKERS AND WELCOME)
IN ORDER FOR CLAW TO RUN SMOOTHLY, WE RELY ON THE HELP OF OUR
PARENT VOLUNTEERS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER AND SPEND THE
DAY WITH OUR ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF, PLEASE CONTACT HOPE
DUFFY AT (209) 550-3420 OR [email protected] TO BE ADDED
TO OUR VOLUNTEER LIST.
IT’S WITH THE HELP OF OUR AWESOME PARENTS THAT MAKE GREGORI THE
AMAZING SCHOOL THAT IT IS!
DATES FOR CLAW ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MONDAY, JULY 27TH – SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS
TUESDAY, JULY 28TH – FRESHMAN AND SENIORS
Flowers, leis and water will be
available for sale at Graduation
by the FFA!
Joseph A. Gregori High School Renaissance Program
Our Pledge to Excellence
Renaissance is a national movement designed to recognize, reward, and encourage academic growth and
excellence in education. Pledge to Excellence donations go directly to Gregori Renaissance students. Students are recognized with tangible rewards and are showcased at school Renaissance rallies throughout the
year.
All students are eligible to earn Renaissance status. Students are rewarded for their level of academic performance, even improved academic performance. Often, Renaissance incentives encourage a low performing
student to work to improve even one grade, thus earning them a Renaissance card. Have confidence that
your TAX DEDUCTIBLE Pledge to Excellence contribution will benefit our Gregori High School Students.
(Please return this portion with your donation)
To make a donation, circle the desired level of participation and mail a check to:
Gregori High School
Attn: Renaissance, 3701 Pirrone Road, Modesto, CA 95356
Blue
Bronze
$5-$20
$21-$35
Silver
$36-$75
Gold
$76-$150
Platinum
$150 and up
Businesses: If you are interested in becoming a business partner with Gregori Renaissance,
please call us at (209)550-3420 or email [email protected].
*If you make a Pledge to Excellence, you name will be displayed on a plaque in the front office.*
Name as you would like it to appear on the Pledge to Excellence Board:
MESSAGES FROM THE GREGORI COUNSELING TEAM
College and Career
WORK EXPERIENCE
Counseling
Mr. Rob Steves
Hey Juniors! Senior year is just two months
away! Students who plan to apply to a fouryear university in the fall should consider taking the SAT and/or ACT this May or June. I
recommend taking one or both tests. Prep
books for both tests are sold online or can be
purchased at Barnes & Noble. Gregori’s
school code is 052031.
ACT Registration: www.act.org
Work Experience (WEX) is available to all juniors
and seniors for elective credit. It also allows the
student to work more hours than a regular work
permit. All work permits issued during the school
year will be good throughout the summer. If a
student needs a work permit for the summer only
or after the school year has ended, please go to
the ROP office on Reno Avenue and they will
issue the work permit. See the next page for
more detailed information.
Have YOU “Navianced” lately? This is a great
place to search careers, colleges, take a personality test or start writing your resume! Students who have misplaced their log-in or password should see me in the C Building.
Rob Steves
Work Experience Specialist
Head Baseball Coach
Joseph A. Gregori High School
209-550-3430 ext. 2540
SAT Registration: www.collegeboard.org
Happy Summer,
Mrs. Shepherd
SUMMER WORK
PERMITS
Beginning May 29, 2015
Work Permits for youth 14-17 years of age, who reside in the
Modesto City Schools District, will be issued at the:
School-to-Career Education Office
1017 Reno Avenue, Bldg. B, Modesto
Request for Work Permit forms may be picked up from
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday – Friday
After the Request for Work Permit form has been completed and signed by the parent/guardian, it can
be returned to the School-to-Career Education Office. Each applicant must bring verification of age
when returning the completed Request for Work Permit form. Documents that may be used for verification of age include any one of the following:
U.S. Birth Certificate
California Driver’s License
California Identification Card
Resident Card
U.S. Passport
Military Identification Card
Request for Work Permit forms left by 3:00 p.m. will be ready for pick up after
noon the following weekday.
If you need further information, you may contact the
School-to-Career Education Office at
(209) 576-4164.
ASB/Leadership Applications are now available for current GHS students in the SBO. Deadline for Elected Positions is on April 23rd, and for Non-Elected Positions on
April 30th.
Freshmen Leadership Applications are available on the
GHS website beginning April 13th. Interview spaces are
limited, first come first served. Application deadline is
May 8.
Prom is May 9, 2015 at the Gallo Center from 811pm. Prom tickets are on sale in the SBO. Guest passes
are also available, please see Alison in the SBO for more
details.
Renaissance and PHAST Club Day on the Green will be
Friday May 1st. Parents interested in volunteering for
this event, please contact Jessica Maravilla at
[email protected].
Don’t let your SENIOR miss the last celebration of the year with their friends. JAGS
GRAD NIGHT will be held on the campus plaza from 10:00PM to 4:00AM, following
graduation, May 29.
All night party includes Former KWIN DJ, games, dancing, taco truck, full casino games,
Spec ops laser tag and archery tag, sports ball, rock wall, Gamez on Wheelz, HIGH VOLTAGE BAND, Basketball, Ping Pong, Bouncin Bins favorite bounce obstacle course, surf rider and lot’s of incredible PRIZES. All is included for one low price $50.00. Your last
chance to celebrate with your class.
Forms are in the SBO or go to www.gregorisobergrad.com
Seniors can take advantage of our promoter special; Get 5 friends to sign up and pay and
your five friends will receive a $5.00 gift card to Jamba Juice and you will receive a
$50.00 Visa Gift Card.
The Sober Grad team welcomes faculty and parent volunteers the night of the
event. Please contact us at [email protected] and like us on Facebook!
2015 ACADEMIC BLOCK G RECIPIENTS
Below is the list of our 2015 Block G Recipients.
Congratulations Jags!
Aldava, Ciera
Anderson, Jillian
Andrews, Mackenzie
Apellanes, Josemaria
Astorga, German
Badillo, Ched
Bailey, Jacob
Baily, Emma
Banh, Vanessa
Barandica, Dominic
Bartlett, Alyssa
Bath, Banmit
Becerra, Kelly
Bhandal, Amritpreet
Bowman, Malia
Bowman, Chynna
Britton, Andrew
Britton, Christian
Burciu, Ligia
Burdette, Javier
Campos, Angela
Carlson, Samantha
Carrillo, Dominic
Castaneda, Yuehesi
Chan, Kristina
Chapman, Chloe
Cheang, Ysabel
Cook, Karrigan
Coss, Aztly
Crilly, Nicholas
Dahuya, Rosheil
Dahuya, Roel
Dahuya, Rendale
Dieker, Kenneth
Dillon, Mackenzie
Doxey, Jessica
Dumlao, Kai
Eldredge, Sophie
Evins, Ryan
Eyison, Princess
Fox, Emily
Gill, Harmon
Goldman, Cameron
Goldman, Alexander
Goudeau, Tanner
Granberg, Stephen
Grover, Shelby
Harrison, Grant
Hawkins, Victoria
Hayes, Elisabeth
Hijaouy, Zakaria
Hijaouy, Lina
Howard, Amelia
Humeston, Alyssa
Hutchison, Jacob
Jamison, Hunter
Janitz, Tyler
Jensen, Alex
Jensen, Nathaniel
Khan, Saba
King, Ashley
Kleinfelder, Emily
Labaria, Albert
Logan, Bryce
Lynch, Jake
Mai, Haomin
Mak, Sarah
Manning, Jennifer
Martin, Lindsey
Martinez, Cristian
Martinez, Matthew
Mauthe, Alexander
McBay, Ashley
Merenda, Alexander
Meyer, Micaela
Monder, Simran
Mutchler, Kaitlyn
Neeley, Abigail
Neeley, Hannah
Olivarez, Michael
Ortega, Rick
Pesout, Shaina
Pham, Vy
Potter, Nick
Presses, Janae
Price, Chris
Ramirez, Miguel
Ramsdell, Kassandra
Rhodeman, Andrew
Rios, Chelsey
Rodriguez, Victoria
Runyan, Jackson
Salvador, Ricardo
Samano, Alex
Seah, Matthew
Seiuli, Anastasia
Sibala, Dhiraj
Sidhu, Sophia
Spencer, Noah
Stapley, Samuel
Sucala, Adrianna
Sucala, Bianca
Swan, Brianna
Taggar, Elizabeth
Tan, Aron Christopher
Tanner, Emma
Turn, Daniel
Van Dyke, Courtnee
Vaughn, Juliet
Villanueva Navarro, Aritzahi
Yepiz Yepez, Ulises
Young, Hannah