IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
VIKING EXPLORER
Community/Parent Newsletter
January 2015
News From Irvington High School
From the Administration:
Welcome to the 2015! As we say goodbye to first semester and begin to think about next year,
we want to encourage you to reach out to us for support. Also, please let us know if there is
anything you think we could be doing better here at Irvington.
Changes to State Assessments:
 STAR testing has been officially eliminated by California Department of Education.
 STAR has been replaced by the CAASPP California Assessment of Student Performance
and Progress.
 CAASPP is the new Smarter Balanced Assessment.
Who is testing now?
o All 9th grade students will be taking the FUSD English benchmark online between
January 26-February 5th. Testing will be with their English teacher.
Who will test in March:
o All 10th grade students will take California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)
March 17 and March 18
 Who will test in April?
o All 10th grade students will take paper-pencil version of the Science test.
Who will test this year in May?
o AP Testing window remains to be May 4th-May 15th
o All 11th grade will take the computer based CASPP for ELA and Math
o The EAP will be "attached" to CAASPP. How? The district is currently working
on this.
o Our current CAASPP window is May 18th-May 29th (When we developed our
planner we kept in mind the week of May 25th -after all benchmarks have been
completed).
Changes to PE variable unit policy:
Irvington is no longer permitted to assign variable units for Physical Education. Students who
are deficient in units will be given and
From the Counseling Office:
1. A big thank you to all of the parents who donated to the holiday gift bag
drive. Counselors were able to brighten the days of nearly 100 students this
year. Students were extremely grateful. For more information on supporting IHS
students visit: http://www.fmtusd.org/Page/22061
2. Registration for the 2015/2016 school year will begin the week of February 16th:
Counselors visit all English classrooms to distribute registration materials and discuss the
registration process/graduation requirements/college requirements.
February 23rd-March 17th: Counselors meet with each student individually to enter
course requests/answer questions/make sure course prerequisites have been satisfied. This
is done during the school day through their English class. *Counselors are unavailable for
parent appointments during the registration window (Feb 16-Mar 17th) due to being in
classrooms/meeting individually with students. For more information visit the counselor's
registration page: http://www.fmtusd.org/Page/21791
From the Campus Supervisors:
Parking Reminder for all drivers:
 There is no Drop-off , Pick-up or Parking in the rear of the school. Access to those areas
are by special permit only.
 Horseshoe Parking (Front of school) is not available to students, only visitors.
 The Horseshoe parking lot is closed at the end of school for the safety of our
students. Access is limited to Buses and vehicles with a DMV Disability Placard.
 Students: You must have a parking permit to park in the Main Lot. Please see the
Campus Supervisor section on Irvington .org to download the form or see the Campus
Supervisors in Room 4
Please see the attached map for more guidance.
LOST & FOUND
What has 20 umbrella's, 19 water bottles of different brands, a camp chair and stroller? If you
said Room 4 Lost & Found you are correct. We are at the end of the semester and it is time for
these items to be moved on. Everything we have in stock will be donated to charity on
February 13th. Make sure your son or daughter has their Swimsuit, Jacket, textbook or
hoodie. We also have unclaimed phones and a camera among other items. Contact us by email
with inquiries mhartmangruber@fremont.k12.ca.us, or call 510-656-5711 x46487. It all goes to
charity on February 13th.
GO VIKINGS!
Please email me the achievements of teachers or students and I will include them in my
monthly newsletter! I look forward to hearing about all of the great things going on in the
Irvington Community!
NEWS FROM FREMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT!
From the Office of the District Nurse:
With the Alameda County Public Health Department’s (ACPHD) recent report of five
confirmed cases of measles within the county so far in 2015, the Fremont Unified School
District (FUSD) is providing families with information regarding the illness.
FUSD reminds families there are currently no known cases of measles within the District. The
ACPHD is investigating and will notify the District immediately with any reports of confirmed
cases or suspected exposures.
Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly-contagious illness caused by a virus that causes fever,
cough, runny nose and watery eyes, as well as a rash. More serious cases of measles can cause
diarrhea, middle ear infection, pneumonia, or encephalitis (brain infection). Measles is spread
person-to-person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares food/drink. If your child
demonstrates any of the above symptoms, please do not send child to school and contact your
physician immediately.
Immunization is the best protection against measles. There are typically two doses given: one at
12-15 months, and a second time as soon as 28 days later. Many children receive their second
dose before kindergarten. FUSD, as well as all California public schools, requires both doses be
administered prior to enrollment.
Please contact FUSD Student Support Services at 510-659-2534 with questions or for more
information.
From the Office of Curriculum and Instruction:
Math Pathways
Fremont Unified School District has decided to rename a number of our math courses to align
with the design of Common Core Math and our textbooks. Therefore, Common Core Math 1 is
a 6th grade course. 7th grade Common Core Math 1 has been renamed as Common Core Math
2. 8th grade Common Core Math 2 has been renamed Common Core Math 3. The 7th grade
Accelerated Course has been changed from Common Core Math 1/2 to Common Core Math
2/3. The 8th grade Accelerated Course has been changed from Common Core Math 2/
Common Core Algebra to Common Core Math 3/ Common Core Algebra. Also, the 9th grade
course has been changed to Common Core Math 3.
The New Common Core Assessment
Please see the attached letters for information on the new Common Core State Standards
Assessment, the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CASPP).
UPCOMING EVENTS!
January 24- Drama Show in Valhalla Theatre (2:00 and 7:00 show times)- FREE!
January 29- Senior Panoramic Picture (during advisory)
January 30 & 31- Ritmo Latino in Valhalla Theater
February 6- PTSA Irvington Idol
February 7- IHS Boosters Crab Feed
February 9- Student Elections
February 16- No School
February 17-20 Multicultural Week
If there is anything you would like to see included in the month Viking Explorer please email me!
Sarah Smoot
Principal
Irvington High School
ssmoot@fremont.k12.ca.us
510-687-6486