• WE look forward to Tara Hills Science Night

    WE Science club meets every Friday with Ms. Johnson (our teacher of the month) to prepare our Elementary schools with a Science Night. These aren't just any evenings. Instead of the younger set watching and wondering, WE Science has set up booths and zones where the little guys and gals get to do the experiments themselves. We are going to go to all of our feeder schools this year and look forward to seeing the excitement that science can bring. If you want to be part of the WE Science team, make sure you come by Room D303 on Fridays. Another thing that WE does is teach students what it means to be a teacher. We are happy to share our knowledge and enthusiasm with the next generation.

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Digital Citizenship Week at Pinole Valley

    A full week of lessons and reflections for the annual Digital Citizenship Week. We are very conscious of the fact that this is a moving target as technology continues to evolve and change along with our students. We have students enrolled in computer science courses, but the etiquette and expectations of what is expected and accepted is always in motion. We are creating a video piece on what it means to be a good digital citizen. We know that the students of today are going to be the ones to craft our policies in the future, and that there are philosophical as well as logistic issues about how to provide access and freedom without violating community norms and crossing over into other's space. With more and more work being done on tablet and via the internet, we will need these lessons and agreements more than ever before

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Tennis Squad plays for Title

    It comes down to today's match hosting Jesse Bethel for the Lady Spartans. The tennis team is having their best season in years, and today we are hosting the Jaguars at the Pinole Tennis Center with the opportunity to clinch the flag for the Blue and Gold. It has been a great run regardless, but how cool would it be to finish the year with the flag? Boys interested in taking part in the best sport at the net, should be getting ready now for the Spring season. We are starting our Winter Sport tryouts on November 4, and hope that everyone wanting to play Soccer or Basketball or Wrestle keeps their grades up so that they can suit up. We are convinced that a strong body along with a strong mind is great preparation for the challenges after high school too. Also today, it is Open Mat time in the gymBoys w for Wrestling conditioning, then tomorrow, it is Cross country in action and Water Polo hoping to sweep and get a post season berth as well. Come on out and cheer us on!

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Spartans get into the Holiday Spirit(s)

    We are getting ready for a great end of October. We have our Day of the Dead ceremonies that will be on the day before Halloween where we will have food, drink, music and the winners of our contests Art, Poetry and Essays (due October 22). We are going to honor our predecessors and those who have passed, with some of the elements that they enjoyed on earth. While this is happening we will honor another tradition, that of a student built, student run and student staffed Haunted House. This will be our fifth year running but the first time that our Spartan House of Horrors (also known as the Dance Room) will be constructed on the new campus.. The Band will be parading in their best costumes, the Choir will be singing and performing at the Dia de los Muertos, and we will be happy haunting until the last pumpkin is carved.

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Engineers Build on Previous Knowledge

    Mr. Robert's class of sophomores, taking Principles of Engineering are building some not-so-simple machines. Pictured here is a machine that does three things. The students make the machine while doing the calculations. It is done with a group, so many hands are engaged in making the pulleys, levers and lifts do their thing. As students advance, their machines and the demands will grow more elaborate. But it is a distinct pleasure to see them at work, and hear them articulate what their creations are all about. We start Engineering in Grade 9 with an Introduction course, and continue through with Civil Engineering and Computer Integrated Management. It is from these builders that the structures of the future will be born.

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • PSAT and SAT prep

    Wednesday, October 16 is our big day. We are giving the entire senior class the SAT test. The real test. We turn over the normal school day to make this happen, and will spend the week leading up to the test sharing test tips and techniques. The class of 2020 is not alone. On the same day, every junior and sophomore will be taking the PSAT. For the 2021 students, this will be their second opportunity, for the sophs, this is their opportunity, if they score well to become National Merit Scholars. The students will be given sufficient time and resources to have the best testing environment. We are also going to have activities that day for our freshmen. Providing some study and life skills in multiple workshops. It's not too late to get ready for testing, and we are confident that it will be a meaningful and enlightening academic experience

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Honoring Ms. Johnson, October Teacher of the Month

    Ms. Johnson was honored at yesterday's faculty meeting as October teacher of the month. She is being celebrated for her many accomplishments, not the least of which is her great joy in teaching. Ms. Johnson is a math teacher who gives her students the confidence to ask questions when they are unsure. The classes are very student-centered, meaning that there is as much time hearing student voice as the teachers. Also, as Engineering academy lead, Ms. Johnson's lab is where students get hands on experience in everything from building to planning. And there are a lot of mistakes made between the blueprints and the final project; and that is a learning experience too. Ms. Johnson runs our robotics program and is instrumental in organizing study trips that take our students all around the Bay Area and into many walks of life. We are so happy to have her on our team!

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • School Site Council Meeting Tuesday

    How do we spend our money? We do it with the blessing of our monthly School Site Council. Voting members include the principal, teachers, staff, students and parents. We make sure that we are supporting the district initiatives, to raise test scores, to promote a healthy and strong school culture and to support strong teachers. We go over our goals and make sure we put our money where our values are. The meetings are the second Tuesday of the month, and open to all, even non-voting members. We will publish our notes for full transparency, and hope that we spend your tax dollars to support our students and wisely The Site Council works throughout the year to gather information and data to show that where we spend our money has the maximum benefit for students. We meet regularly since there are always opportunities to do better by our students.

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Spartans beat Bethel earn Bye

    A huge road win Friday night at Jesse Bethel puts the Spartans in a second place tie in the Tri County Athletic League. Big Blue fell behind early but rallied in the second half, led by the stout defense of Athlete of the Week, Tiheim Keaton and the rest of the squad. With the 32-21 road win, Pinole Valley now controls its destiny the rest of the way. With all that momentum it would be great to get back out there this Friday but it is our bye week, a great time to celebrate and get ready for the last regular season road game--at Albany October 18. We also want to recognize the boy Water Polo team who turned back Concord High this weekend. The girls volleyball team travels to Kennedy-Richmond today for a make-up game, and we have Tennis and Cross Country in action this week as well. Track conditioning on the field starting Tuesday. A big week to be a Spartan Player!

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Engineers have a Sweet Study Trip Friday

    As the culminating activity of Manufacturing Week, our Engineering team is going to Crockett on Friday to visit an actual factory in action. Thanks to Ms. Johnson and the team at C & H Sugar, our crew will get a tour and a day inside the space that some have described as having a "Willy Wonka" vibe. Apparently the Spartans have the Golden Ticket to go into the building and see how everything works. In addition, the Engineering team is finishing up their first manufacturing projects--working on door stop production for classrooms who have need. There have been some hiccups in completing the work, which as Ms. Johnson points out is "actually a very good teachable moment" in that not everything goes according to plan. Except, we hope for Friday's study trip, which we hope is smooth sailing (no chocolate river, right?)

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Mason Montano is a "Best Of" Writer

    Spartan Ink publishes daily. And senior Mason Montano is doing pretty much the same. Our music editor just won recognition beyond Pinole Valley today, when Mason's piece about Charlie XCS won a prestigious Best of School Newspaper Online (SNO) award and can now be read nationwide. Mason's music writing has been described as "precise, persuasive and engaging". He is at work on more reviews and analysis pieces about music. We are thrilled that Mason is being honored and we are not surprised. He will not be Pinole Valley's secret anymore. Go to Spartan Ink online or check the link under resources to read past stories and what's hot now. Spartan Ink is your go-to place for the latest scores and highlights in the sporting life of the school as well. We have the class daily during third period and then once a week, Spartan Ink meets as a club for those who want to participate as freelance writers.

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Choir Day Today!

    Today our Concert choir takes its show out on the road. We are traveling to Stewart School for a performance designed to entertain and inform. We are confident that our feeder school(s) will want to join the fun. Then after school today, it is the all district choir with our own Mr. Lim in the choir room starting at 4:00 p.m. Raise your voice and let it be heard musically. Not enough music for you? Friday is our Karaoke Day at lunch. Choose your best song and let's hear your sing

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Senior Night is the Best Night for Spartan Volleyball

    The gym was rocking on Tuesday night as the Spartan volleyball seniors were being honored, but the cheers got even louder when the girls knocked off undefeated Jesse Bethel 3-1 to take a share of first place in the TCAL division. The emotions ran high as the Spartan squad looked to be needing a fifth set, trailing 24-20 in the fourth, and only one point away from the tie-breaker. The girls rallied though and made their senior night a winning night. Meanwhile, Spartan water polo girls moved into first place with a smashing 16-4 win over Albany. The boys team is climbing the ranks too, and beat Jesse Bethel 20-9. The next big day for sports is Thursday when the girls tennis team, volleyball team and water polo return to action, along with Cross Country making its season debut

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • African American Student Union trip to San Francisco

    What's better than a day at school? A day at two schools of higher learning! Tuesday is the day that our African American Student Union went with Ms. Lamons to the City College of San Francisco and the University of San Francisco to find out what higher education has to offer a kid from West Contra Costa. The study trip is just one of many that our AASU takes part in, and this is just one in a series of visits that we will make to local colleges and universities. We get a lot of value out of meeting school representatives and former Spartans who are or have completed the journey that awaits our current crew. The best part, in addition to the connections made, is the exposure to a whole new world, one that we envision will make for a brighter future

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Breast Cancer Awareness this and every Wednesday in October

    We are going to honor those who have battled and those that continue to battle Breast Cancer this Wednesday. The Pink Out for October starts tomorrow and continues each and every Wednesday this month. If you don't have a pink shirt, wear a pink ribbon and make sure that you tell the world that you are an ally in the fight for breast cancer awareness and the research needed to make it disappear. Leadership and Pinole Valley stand in support!

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

  • Super Sports Tuesday

    It is Senior night for girls volleyball. The class of 2020 is being honored tonight at the game against rival Jesse Bethel. The Spartan girls have only one league loss and it is to the Jaguars who bring their JV and Varsity teams to the big gym tonight. Meanwhile, the girls tennis team is on the road trying to improve their second place status. The four singles players and three doubles teams will try to sweep the Bruins in TCAL action tonight. While this is going on the boys and girls Water Polo teams are going to Contra Costa College for their matches. The boys start at 4:00 and take on Jesse Bethel while the girls try to move into first place alone as they battle Albany High at CCC starting right after the boys game. We are also holding football practice and cross-country right after school, so it is a good time to be a Spartan uspporter

    Comments (-1)
    No Headlines to display

Recent

By Month