Teacher Toy Drive
Staff Club is collecting new, unwrapped toys in the main office for its annual drive. Teachers began donating toys on Dec. 1. Deputy Rick Adams will distribute the toys to local families in need.
Although the drive was started for teachers, students are also allowed to donate. The drive will run until Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Ms. Margo Butera
Former Librarian Ms. Margo Butera said goodbye to TCHS on Dec. 5 to become the Arcadia District and High School Librarian. During her two years on campus, she has improved the Media Center in several ways.
Thanks to her, the library received four grants, including one that launched the OverDrive eBook program. She started the first ever TCHS Book Fair, where the author Moro Rogers was a guest. She also introduced the Scary Story Contest, Historic Rap Battle, Multicultural Poetry and the Bookmark Contest.
Canned Food Drive
Students and staff collected over 2,200 cans in the Canned Food Drive from Nov. 6 to 20. In first place, History teacher Ms. Sandee Kidd’s class collected 1,182 cans, winning a pizza party. In second place, VI Teacher Mr. Slaymaker accumulated 184 cans with a class of three students. All of the donations were sent to the People for People Food Pantry for Thanksgiving.
Ms. Carina Quan joins TCHS staff
This school year, Ms. Carina Quan replaced Special Education Teacher Ms. Jennifer Potter, who left to become a Resource Specialist at La Rosa. Previously, she taught at a vocational school in the San Fernando Valley for five years. She now teaches in Room 305.
Fun Food Friday
Wearing a poster shaped like an onigiri, Junior Michelle Fung advertised Expression Club’s booth during Fun Food Friday on Dec. 5. Clubs sold food in the quad during Rams and lunch. Items like In-N-Out burgers and fruit tarts made a comeback. World Wildlife sold chicken satay, Habitat for Humanity sold macarons and Quill Connect Club sold Chipotle bowls: all new items to the Fun Food Friday menu.
Holiday Strings Concert
The annual Holiday Strings Concert on Dec. 9 featured the Freshman Orchestra, Advanced Orchestra and Honors Orchestra. Band and Orchestra Directors Phil Bailey and Bert Ferntheil and their ensembles performed arrangements of popular tunes and holiday songs.
Honors Orchestra ended the night with a medley of old and new holiday tunes, including “Silent Night,” “Christmas Symphony,” “Mexican Christmas” and “Courage.” Honors Orchestra will be performing next on Dec. 16 at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse in the TCHS Holiday Concert.
Holiday Boutique
Festive treats and decorations filled the Senate Room for the Self Contained Student Developmental Class’ Annual Holiday Boutique. Students and teachers browsed the handmade items on Dec. 11 and 12 from the start of school to 3 p.m.
Merchandise included special handmade items that displayed each student’s creative abilities. Individualized Instructor Ms. Mary Jane Card and her students raised over $1000 last year.