Supplemental Programs
Numerous supplemental programs and services enhance the district’s basic classroom curriculum. A few of them are summarized on the following pages.
Gifted and Talented Education
Students may qualify for GATE after the third grade state assessments. At each grade thereafter students scores are reviewed for GATE qualification. Most students identified for GATE score in the top 2% on a nationally normed achievement test or demonstrate special talents.
They are challenged with "qualitatively different" instruction and programs that address the needs of advanced learners. Parents of GATE students are urged to take an active role in their children’s education. In fact, many GATE activities are geared for both students and their families. Among special programs for students sponsored by the district’s GATE office are: California Math League Contest, Math Field Day, Scholastic Bowl, Invention Convention, GATE breakfasts with "historic people," National Current Events League, Saturday Arts Academy and "Read Around" at Borders Books & Music. The District GATE Parent Advisory Committee, composed of two parents from each school, meets two/three times a year to plan, implement and evaluate components of the program. Meetings are open to all interested persons. Further information is available from the GATE office.
Counseling, Health and Other Services
Supporting the instructional program are professionals especially trained in counseling, health, speech and language, educational testing and psychology.
Counselors are available in each middle and senior high school to guide students in selection of their courses and educational goals. In addition, they are knowledgeable about selecting a college, university or specialty school, entrance requirements and financial aid, testing and interpretation of results, career planning and personal counseling. Psychologists, speech and language specialists, and school nurses serve on all campuses on a rotating schedule. School nurses, for example, perform vision and hearing testing, scoliosis screening, health education and health counseling for students, staff and parents, communicable disease prevention and control, child abuse consulting and prevention, emergency first aid, and other health screenings as needed.
Nurses also follow up on student referrals, advise staff and parents on health-related issues, and are key links between schools and local health providers.
Regional Occupational Program
ROP provides job skills training for high school students in a number of career areas. It is designed to assist students gain:
Classes are taught by credentialed instructors and located primarily at school and/or job sites provided by business and industry in Burbank, Glendale and La Cañada-Flintridge. Courses include accounting, computer technology, automotive, hospital occupations, banking, radio, media arts, retail sales, recreation, web site design, law occupations, teaching occupations, child development, and graphic arts. Contact a high school counseling office for further details. Career Academies
These are specialty "schools-within-schools" at Crescenta Valley, Hoover and Glendale Highs. Starting in 10th grade, students combine a core academic program with a career focus such as computer technology, health/medical, business/legal, visual and performing arts, financial management, transportation, construction, and cosmetology. Business plays a key advisory role in the curriculum and support of the academies, intended to train students for jobs in demand. School-to-Career
Awareness of careers in the elementary years, exploration in the middle school and experience in high school is the goal of School-to-Career. This program prepares all students with a strong academic foundation and a plan for transition to post-secondary education or career. The district provides administrative leadership to the Verdugo School-to-Career Coalition.
In partnership with Burbank, Glendale and La Cañada-Flintridge city governments, chambers of commerce, businesses and community-based organizations, students and teachers are able to shadow, mentor and/or intern in a variety of occupations. Service Learning
This is an opportunity for students in high schools to engage in community service, which is also connected to course content. Surveys show that students learn by doing — and that’s one of the purposes of Service Learning. The program emphasizes volunteering. Students receive course credit and they learn what it’s like to help make their community a better place. English Language Development
Glendale is home to many families who have come from around the world. As a result, the district is recognized nationally and statewide for developing instructional programs for limited- and non-English-speaking students. The main goal is helping students make the transition from their native language to speaking and writing English as quickly as they are able. Meanwhile, they are encouraged to maintain pride in their cultural heritage. Special efforts are made to involve English language learners’ families in the process, through activities such as information meetings, parent education, and multi-cultural events. This strengthens bonds of understanding between home and school.
Students who are bilingual at the time of graduation from high school receive a special seal on their diploma and a Certificate of Bilingual Competency. Visual and Performing Arts
The arts are an integral part of the district’s instructional program. Schools are often honored for excellence in this subject area, including numerous BRAVO Awards from the Education Division of the Los Angeles Music Center. Arts education in the elementary schools is part of the basic curriculum. In addition, students may join the school chorus and learn to play an instrument. They also are introduced to various visual arts experiences in the classroom program.
The three comprehensive high schools have strong performing arts programs, including dance, drama, technical theater, band, orchestra and choral music. Visual arts offerings include ceramics, design, drawing and painting, and photography. An ArtsWork grant and strong community partnerships provide artists in the classroom, master classes and performances for students at all levels.
Glendale Unified School District believes in the importance of teaching the Visual and Performing Arts from K – 12th grade. The four Art disciplines, Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts, are an integral part of the district’s instructional program. Schools and students are often honored for excellence in the Arts, including numerous BRAVO Awards from the Educational Division of the Los Angeles Music Center. Arts education in the elementary schools is part of the basic curriculum with students introduced to various visual and performing art experiences in the classroom program. In addition elementary students may sign up for instrumental music and choral music. Middle and high school students have the arts available to them as both required and enrichment courses. A variety of visual and performing arts program are available for middle school students. A highlight of the middle schools performing arts event is the GUSD Middle School Honors Orchestra held during the spring semester. The three comprehensive high schools have strong performing arts programs. The performing arts program includes dance, theater, technical theater, band, and orchestra and choral music. An extensive visual arts program is available at all of the high schools. The visual arts include ceramics, design, drawing and painting, photography, cinematography, and graphic design. Advance Placement Studio Art, Art History, and Music Theory courses are also available.
Competitive Athletics
Boys and girls in grades 9-12 may compete in high school competitive athletics. More than 15 sports are offered. Crescenta Valley, Glendale and Hoover are members of the California Interscholastic Federation’s (CIF) Pacific League. They participate in a host of sports ranging from football and soccer to swimming and water polo. Clark Magnet students may participate in sports at their comprehensive high school of residence. Teams and individuals who excel in the Pacific League move up to regional and statewide competition. District schools have produced many CIF Champions and finalists.
Glendale Schools also have an enviable record of producing student athletes who have attained nationwide fame in the Olympics and in collegiate and professional sports such as football, baseball and basketball.
Nevertheless, the district’s primary goal in athletics is that all students should have an equal opportunity to participate up to their potential. Student athletes must maintain a "C" (2.0) average in their studies to remain eligible for competition, according to district policy.
In addition, they must agree in writing that they will not consume any alcoholic beverages or abuse drugs. The agreement also is signed by a parent, who shares responsibility for enforcement.
Drug-Free Schools
Recognized nationally for excellence is the district’s curriculum on dangerous drugs, tobacco and alcohol abuse and violence prevention. Instruction begins in kindergarten when children’s concepts and habits are developing. As students grow into middle and senior high school, programs are more sophisticated and the information more advanced. Emphasis is placed on building students’ resistance skills to dangerous substances and dealing with peer pressure. Students are not just taught to say "no." Instruction reinforces values and provides information that relates to adolescents.
Glendale Character & Ethics Project
Good character and ethical choices and behavior are the focus of a program linking the schools and community. Twelve "guiding words" — one per month — include respect, honesty, self-discipline, citizenship and responsibility. It is one of the unique character and ethics education programs in America and in Glendale is a guiding factor in business as well as in education. Character and ethics education is based on the belief that children who are taught to consider the consequences of their actions will choose to behave in ways satisfying to them and beneficial to society.
Conflict Resolution and Violence Prevention
Glendale Schools work hard to teach students how to resolve disagreements in a peaceful manner. Conflict resolution includes ways to help prevent violence. Students at all grade levels are touched by these efforts during the school year. Specific programs include "World of Difference," "Project Peace," "Conflict Resolution," "Anger Management" and the "Character & Ethics Project." For further details, contact the Educational Services Office. Summer School, Intervention, & Enrichment Programs
A variety of summer school programs ranging from remedial to enrichment is available to students. Summer courses vary in length from four to six weeks. Click here for a list of summer programs available for 2011. |
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