November 2011: Student Video Contest: Thousands of Dollars in prizes!

Open to Students grades 6-12!

Sponsored by C-Span, "StudentCam" is an annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think seriously about issues that affect our communities and our nation. Students are asked to create a short (5-8 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the competition theme: “The Constitution and You" Select any provision of the U.S. Constitution and create a video illustrating why it’s important to you.

Your documentary may focus on any section of the Preamble, Articles, or Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. You should not focus your documentary on failed or proposed amendments that have yet to pass.

Choose a provision, grab a camera, and get started on your documentary today! Video submission deadline is January 20, 2012.

Video requirements are:

• The competition is open to all students in grades 6-12.
• Students may compete individually or in teams of up to 3 members.
• All documentaries must contain C-SPAN footage that relates to the chosen topic.
• C-SPAN’s philosophy is to show varying sides of an issue. Winning StudentCam documentaries will also show varying sides of the chosen topic.
• Documentaries must be between 5-8 minutes.
• Entries must contain credits or a works cited list.
• All documentaries must be uploaded and received at C-SPAN by midnight on January 20, 2012.

Learn more at www.studentcam.org

HSS Teacher iPad Loan Opportunity:

We are looking for two secondary History-Social Science teachers interested in working on the continuing project of developing and revising PVUSD power content standards and district common assessments. In compensation for their ongoing efforts, these two teachers will receive — on loan — a new iPad2! Read the program description and apply today!

November 2011: Semester 1 Summative Assessments:

Teachers: District common assessments will arrive at your school sites in time for the assessment testing window of December 5-9. Answer sheets can be printed out from Data Director, and completed answer sheets need to be scanned into Data Director by December 16.

October 2011:

Teachers: Learn about the California Regional Environmental Education Community! Attend a FREE workshop November 3 in Hollister or November 10 in Santa Cruz.

August 22, 2011:

Due to several factors, the testing window for the fall Skills Pre-Assessment has been pushed back, from August 29–Spetmebr 2, to September 12–16. Our apologies for the change.

Summer 2011:

History/Social Studies teachers worked this summer to revise the PVUSD HSS Power Standards, and also review and revise the PVUSD District Common Assessments.