Imagine walking into a large, mostly empty room and sitting down to interview in front of a panel of administrators, teachers, and current leadership students. That is exactly what students interested in becoming next year’s class or ASB officers did this week. A few years ago, Ms. Fee had the excellent idea of shifting the selection process from a pure student vote, where popularity can sometimes drive outcomes, to a model that is 50 percent student vote and 50 percent formal interview. This approach allows us to ask meaningful questions about why students want the position, what strengths and weaknesses they bring, and how they would handle challenging situations. I was thoroughly impressed with the thoughtfulness, humility, and confidence of the students who stepped forward. Our current and future leaders are helping make Del Oro the special place that it is.
Other highlights from the week:
Back-to-Back National Champs
If you see a varsity competition cheerleader this week, be sure to congratulate them on their national championship performance this past weekend. This marks their second consecutive year bringing home the national title.
And there is more to celebrate. Our JV squad took home third place at the same national tournament.
We are proud of the hard work, discipline, and energy these athletes bring to our campus. Go Eagles!
FFA Students Compete in Chico
Ms. Penner and Ms. Dvorak took a group of FFA students to Chico last weekend to compete in an AET Farm Records contest. Students were tested on their knowledge of agricultural recordkeeping and their ability to accurately enter a real-world farm scenario. They must maintain detailed records, develop a budget, and correctly record transactions. It is impressive work that requires precision, focus, and a strong understanding of both agriculture and business.
Check out some of the ribbons they brought home. One of our teams earned 2nd High Team in Farm Records, and Varissa Miller placed 5th Overall Individual in Farm Records. Great work, Eagles.
Softball, Book Clubs, and The Anxious Generation
The student panel portion of the Department of Education’s four-part book series on The Anxious Generation took place Wednesday night at Sierra College.
Scarlett Shiles, Avyn Browers, Delany Osborne, and Addison Montgomery formed the panel and shared their experience of giving up their cell phones and social media for a month last year. It was a sold-out affair, and they did AMAZING! They represented the softball program, Del Oro High School, our community, and the digital detox so well, I could not be any prouder!
Japanese Exchange Students
We were thrilled to welcome 20 Japanese exchange students to Del Oro this week. They have been on campus, participating in their ESL class and visiting various Del Oro classrooms. They have been hard at work preparing presentations about life in Japan, which they will share with our World Studies classes next week.
They were also able to head to both San Francisco and Sacramento to continue exploring and learning.
Opportunities like this remind us how valuable it is to connect across cultures and learn from one another.
Not the Most Positive Update
Our boys’ bathroom in the 800 building was locked for most of the week due to vandalism. I included the mildest example: chocolate milk smashed on the ground, but the damage has been more serious: soap dispensers shoved into toilets, full rolls of paper towels flushed, and vapes clogging the plumbing. Here are some gross pictures shared by our custodial staff this week. We have taken proactive steps, including locking the bathroom doors in the open position during the day, conducting regular checks by Admin and Student Intervention Specialists, and assigning strict consequences when we identify those responsible. We need your help. Parents, please talk with your students about appropriate behavior. Students, if you see vandalism, report it right away so we can narrow the timeline and address it quickly.
Tuesday Night Athletic Excitement: The admin team and athletic department have a text group chat we use to send updates when we are supervising sports. We'll send scores, highlights, video, photos, etc., so we can all live vicariously through whoever is on duty for the night. Last Tuesday, we were split up: me at Christian Brothers for the Girls' Basketball Section Semifinal game, and Mr. Rickabaugh at home for the Frosh, JV, and Varsity Volleyball games v. De La Salle. Take a look at the video to see what I consider one of the most tense moments that I have witnessed in athletics in a long time.
As always, let me know how I can help.
Nick Zerwas Del Oro Principal nzerwas@puhsd.k12.ca.us
Upcoming Events
2/27: Teen Dating Violence Assembly - 1 in 3 teenagers experience teen dating violence. The Placer County DA's office will be here to empower students with the facts and resources to combat the dangers.
The Placer Union High School District (PUHSD) is committed to ensuring equal, fair, and meaningful access to employment and education services and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. PUHSD understands and will address the intersectionality of identities and how they can lead to unique forms of discrimination or harassment. PUHSD prohibits discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, or bullying in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics of age, ancestry, color, ethnic group identification, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical information, national origin, disability, parental status, political affiliation, pregnancy and related conditions, race, religion, retaliation, sex, sexual orientation, military or veterans status, homelessness, foster status, or any other basis prohibited by California state and federal nondiscrimination laws consistent with Education Code 200 and 220, Government Code 11135, and Title IX. If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, or bullying, you should contact Title IX Coordinator (Students) Steve Caminiti, 13000 New Airport Road, Auburn, 530.886.4402, scaminiti@puhsd.k12.ca.us; Title II (Students) and Section 504 Coordinator Carrie Warda, 13000 New Airport Road, Auburn, 530.886.4433, cwarda@puhsd.k12.ca.us; and/or Title IX and Title II Coordinator (Staff) Elena DalFavero, 13000 New Airport Road, Auburn, 530.886.4426, edalfavero@puhsd.k12.ca.us.
