MILLIKAN HIGH SCHOOL

2800 Snowden Avenue, Long Beach, California (562) 425-7441

September 24, 2005

Hello Millikan Family and Friends,

This year has started with a bang and it is hard to believe that we are nearing the completion of the school year’s first month. I think that we were all hoping for a slow steady jog to begin with, but we seem to have started off at a fast paced run. Fortunately, I am happy to report that the students are living up to all of our expectations.

The students have been collecting donations for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort. On a daily basis for nearly two weeks, funds were collected on the rally stage by the ASB officers during nutrition and lunch. I am not sure about the grand totals but I know that one club, Sweet As Kandee, donated $500.00. Our very own Kidette team hosted a car wash recently and donated $600.00 directly to the Red Cross. The charitable donations from these two groups is more evidence that our students are generous, giving and caring.

On August 25^th and 26^th, over 1000 incoming freshmen participated in Millikan High School’s Link Crew. Link Crew is a freshman transition program that welcomes freshmen and makes them feel comfortable throughout the first year of their high school experience. Built on the belief that students can help students succeed, Link Crew trains members of the junior and senior class to be link leaders. As POSITIVE role models, Link Leaders are motivators, leaders and teachers who guide the freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful in high school.

A year with the Link Crew begins with a spirited and interactive freshman orientation at the start of the school year. After a general assembly, the link leaders lead their crew of nine to ten freshmen through a series of fun, positive activities designed to help them all get to know each other as well as learn important campus information. These activities spark discussion and thought regarding the upcoming responsibilities, choices and challenges of being in high school. The goal of the day is to welcome the freshmen to their new campus and encourage them to think about the path they will take during the next four years.

Over 95 juniors and seniors volunteered their time to attend 12 hours of training, as well as leading the Link Crew sessions. These outstanding young men and women are to be commended for their efforts.

Other heroes of the day were our fantastic custodial staff, counselors, administrators, Millikan Varsity Cheer, and RAM Band Drumline for their participation.

A special “You Rock” goes to Lolo Saldana, Loretta George, Eric Slater, Bari Stevens-Chapman, and Debbie Mrazik for coordinating and running the program.

The National Conference for Community and Justice hosts four Building Bridges Camps for our students every year. These camps are held at Camp Pilgrim Pine near Yucaipa. The camps start on Friday morning and end on Sunday afternoon. Students are taken to camp where they dialogue about the need for acceptance of diversity. It is my belief that these camps help Millikan High School create a safe and secure campus for our students.

Staff Assistant, Theodore Vallente, was presented the Second Annual Anthony B. Rogers Volunteer of the Year Award by the National Conference for Community and Justice. This award was given to Theo for his work with Poly High School’s (Poly North Camps) and the Building Bridges Camps. Theo recently facilitated a Speaking in Class program for the Associated Student Body of Millikan High School. Thank you Theo for all you do for our students.

Well, it’s a new year and a good time to network and get to know students and staff on a different level. Human Relations offers this type of fun and much more. The next training for Youth Leaders & Adult Staff is Tuesday, September 27^th. Only students who have been to camp may participate in Y.L. training. I encourage any student who has already been to camp to participate in this training. For more information, pick up a flyer from the Audio Visual room 149, next to the Library.

Show your school spirit by attending Millikan’s annual Spaghetti Dinner tailgate party Friday Oct. 7^th from 4:30 to 6:30 in the quad. Enjoy an Italian dinner and entertainment for $5.00 and buy opportunity drawing tickets for $2.00. Prizes include helicopter ride, I Pod, Sony CD/DVD, Islands and Claim Jumper Restaurants - $25.00 gift certificate and much more. Buy your tickets in the Band Room 505, (562) 425-7441 *4142.

Best wishes,

Jeff

“The strength of the United States is not the gold at Fort Knox or the weapons of mass destruction that we have, but the sum total of the education and the character of our people.” Claibourne Pell U.S. Democratic politician (1918-)