9th Team Building: License Plates

For this activity, students were asked to get into groups of two or three people. Each student was given a blank license plate and the assignment to make a license plate for a classmate. (Students were not allowed to make a license plate for themselves.) Once they completed the license plate design on the front, they were asked to write on the back side of the paper why they made their partner the license plate that they did.

This activity gave students a chance to be creative for someone else. The license plates turned out very well, showing the great diversity of AVID students within the class.

9th Test-Taking Tips

The 9th grade AVID students in Mrs. Neubert's class looked at different test-taking tips. The class was broken into groups, and each group was given a different type of test-taking tips (e.g. short answer tips, multiple choice tips, preparing for the test tips, etc.). Each group had to make a poster and present their tips to the class.

Students took Cornell Notes on the tips.

Knott's Berry Farm

Students enjoying the rides.

Students taking a rest from all of the fun.

Students eating together!

Knott's Berry Farm had a private party for AVID students in the Orange County area on Friday, November 14, 2008 from 7:00 pm to 1:00 am. About 80 students from Savanna High School participated in the party. All rides were up and running for the students to enjoy. In addition, there were places designated for dancing parties and huge gatherings.

Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Neubert captured pictures of SHS students at restaurants, on rides, and walking around. Even though the park was very crowded, students had a positive experience at the park.

An added benefit of this private party was the amount of money earned for AVID scholarships. Because so many students from Savanna and other schools participated, over one thousand dollars was earned for scholarships.

Soka University Visits Savanna

This morning, a representative from Soka University, Ramon, came to Savanna High School to share information about this new college with AVID students.

Soka University is a new college, created in 2001. It is a private university located in Aliso Viejo that has an emphasis in Liberal Arts. The tuition is comparable to other private universities, but this tuition also includes a 4 - 6 month study abroad as well as a laptop computer for each student. There are more than 30 countries represented at Soka. Class sizes are small, the average being 13 students per class. The ratio of students to faculty is 9 to 1.

Students are encouraged to go online to www.soka.edu to find out more information about this university. In addition, on Saturday, November 22nd, Soka University will be opening up for students to check out. There will be club presentations, information given out, and a free sample of the food. Students should take advantage of this opportunity to see Soka University on their own.

Field Trip to UCR

A presentation to students on college life. Handouts were given to each student.

One of the tour groups taken around the campus.

Another tour group taken around campus.

Today, freshman, sophomore, and junior AVID students were taken on a field trip to the University of California, Riverside. They were given a tour of the campus grounds, buildings, classrooms, the library, and the food court. After the tour, students were shown an informative video created by UCR students on college life. They were also given information on UCR and a review on the requirements to get into this college. After the tour and presentation, students had the opportunity to sample college food.

PSAT

The PSAT, the Preliminary SAT test, was administered today to all freshman, sophomore, and junior students. The test is composed of three sections: Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing. It takes about two hours and ten minutes to complete. Each of the three sections is scored on a scale of 20 to 80 points, which add up to a maximum composite score of 240 points. This parallels the SAT, which is graded on a scale of 200 to 800.

AVID students are encouraged to take the PSAT each year, beginning in the freshman year. Research has shown that each time students take the SAT, the score increases by a significant amount of points. Therefore, taking the PSAT will help students increase their score on the SAT. In addition, it gives students a chance to see what the SAT will be like, and in what areas they need work.

Our Tutors

For the 2008-2009 school year we are lucky to have three college tutors and one peer tutor. Our college tutors are: Anna Diaz Villela, Jill Taylor, and Aabida Mayet. We also have one of our 12th grade AVID students, Xitlali Tapia, as a peer tutor to the 9th grade AVID students.

Anna Diaz Villela, a Savanna High School graduate class of 2006, attends California State University, Fullerton. She is majoring in Spanish. In her free time she enjoys playing soccer and being with her family. She loves helping in the high schools and especially its students. Her advice: Take advantage of tutorial time because they are very helpful. And yes, having an organized folder with notes and a detailed planner/agenda will be necessary for college and your future.

Jill Taylor is a junior at California State University, Fullerton. She is studying for BFA concentration in photography. She graduated from Diablo Valley College in 2006, earning her AA in Liberal Arts. Being an AVID tutor has been her favorite job. She loves helping students and making a difference. She also enjoys creating art, taking photos, spending time with her family, and going to concerts. Her advice: Take advantage of tutorial time. Ask questions in areas that you are struggling in. Any questions about college, feel free to ask the tutors. That’s what we are here for.

Aabida Mayet, a former Savanna High School AVID student and graduate class of 2007, attends California State University, Fullerton. She has an emphasis in teaching. She loves coming to Savanna to tutor and catch up with students and help them. She loves cooking and spending time with her family. She wants to be a high school math teacher. Her advice: Take advantage of AVID because it is helpful. The only thing is you only get as much out of it as you put in. Take tutorials seriously because they will help you out in your other classes.