Trojan Times Newsletter

Vol. 4

Castle Park High School

Once a Trojan, Always a Trojan

Student life:
Winter Time in the Land of Troy

Winter Wonderland

Last spirit week of 2022

CPH had fun celebrating their last spirit week of 2022 by showing off their school pride over the week. Students wore ugly sweaters, holiday accessories, and their PJ's on campus! Students also displayed their spirit by caroling in the office for our Admin team.

Winter Assembly

ASB worked hard to put on the winter assembly that included games and performances from our students!

Photos courtesy of Mr. Dunkle and CPH Yearbook.

Winterfest

Trojans had their first ever Winterfest and it was a success! We had a fun event with our Trojan Brigade, cheerleaders, color guard, and dance company, in addition to many activities available for all ages. We were joined by CPM who displayed their talent with their rock band, "Stuck in Detention", cheerleaders and color guard.

November Canned Food Drive

ASB organized a canned food service project for Laurels for Leaders to demonstrate our schools commitment to make our community a better place. The food will be distributed to those in need at approximately 200 distribution sites across the county, as well as through 500 nonprofits with feeding programs. Thank you to everyone who brought in items to be donated, your thoughtfulness is greatly recognized.

Spotlight to Trans Awareness Week

Standout Trojan

Elijah Fergus

Elijah joined GSA (Genders and Sexualities Alliance) in 2020 as a Freshman in high school. Since then he has proved to be a true leader who advocates for the wellbeing of every student, especially those who may feel voiceless or misunderstood. In 2021, Elijah was a student representative who presented the concerns of LGBT+ students at a meeting with members of the school board. He spoke with eloquence and maturity as he expressed the desire for more inclusive school practices and a curriculum that reflects the experiences of the LGBT+ community. In 2022, Elijah was voted the president of GSA and has taken it upon himself to organize and lead club meetings and campus-wide events such as Transgender Awareness Week. He recently contacted local organizers to schedule a guest speaker to teach students and staff more about the legal rights of LGBT+ students. He is an amazing student and a natural leader. We are lucky to have him as a Trojan here at Castle Park High School!

-Ms. Katie Nelson

English 9, AP Literature, Drama Teacher, and GSA Advisor

Standout Staff

Coach Torralba

Coach Torralba is a CPH alumni who has returned to his alma mater and been a part of the staff for the past 4 years. He coached the Girls Basketball team for one year and has been the Varsity Head Coach for Boys Basketball for the last three years. In addition to being an amazing asset to our athletics and coaching staff, he does a great job helping the campus with student behavior and runs lunch detention, as well as after school restorative workshops. After asking a few students why they thought Coach Torralba was their favorite staff member, here is what they said:

"He is always there for his student athletes and helps us when we need him and is always positive to us and believes in us!"

"He’s the sweetest person ever and gives really motivational/ good advice."

Thank you Coach for all you do at CPH, we are happy that we get to recognize you this month, good luck during the rest of your season. Once a Trojan, always a Trojan!

Teacher of the Year 2022

Mr. Gilberto Benitez

Congratulations Mr. Benitez for being recognized as CPH's 2022 Teacher of the Year!

Congratulations Mrs. Hernandez!

After 37 years at Castle Park High School, Mrs. Hernandez is retiring. She will be greatly missed on campus, she has without a doubt left a legacy in the Land of Troy. We wish her all the best as she enjoys her well deserved retirement, thank you for all the years you have dedicated to our students!

Winter Sports are here!

Winter sports have finally arrived! Both coaches and athletes have been working very hard since November to get a kick start in their season. Remember that there is a strict no-cut policy for all girls and co-ed sports. No experience is necessary and all are welcome to try out. Students can still get cleared for the following sports in the ASB:

(Follow their Instagram's for more updates this season!)

If there are any questions about joining a sport or getting cleared, students can stop by the ASB or ask our Athletics Director, Coach A. Instructions on how to get cleared can be found HERE.

Meet Your Winter Season Head Coaches:

Maya Lyda

Girls Basketball

Arturo Torralba

Boys Basketball

Adrian Rodriguez

Co-ed Roller Hockey

Angelica Franklin

New Girls Soccer

Victor Vargas

New Boys Soccer

Mark Esquivel

Girls Water Polo

Louie Hernandez

New Girls Wrestling

Bobby Schertzer

Boys Wrestling

Facility Improvements Happening at CPH

Projects in Progress:

December 2022 Update

  • Stadium updates: The review of the first phase of design has been completed. Comments from site representatives have been conveyed to the architectural team and revisions are being incorporated. Further refinement of stadium elements will continue as engineering reports are finalized in the coming months.

  • There will be a Design Options Presentation at Coffee with the Principal on January 24th with the design architects at 9am in the Student Union.

  • Building & Site Improvements: Representatives from CPH, Planning & Construction, and an architectural firm met last week to review the school’s current academic programs, classroom use, facility needs, and site goals. This information will be used to develop options for future improvements.

  • Maintenance: The scope for the asphalt repair is being finalized for submission to Purchasing for public bid, maintenance will begin over Winter Break. The scope for the campus paint was submitted to Purchasing the week of 11/28 for public bid.

  • Maintenance has completed 27 work orders this month.

  • Castle Park High has currently hired another custodian and gardener to help with the maintenance and cleanliness of the school. The FIT report has been completed and work orders are currently being submitted.

RFEP Reclassification Graduation

Congratulations Trojans!

Earlier this month, Mrs. Hernandez and Mrs. Grove held the RFEP Reclassification Graduation in the Student Union. A ceremony was held for students who have mastered the English language and are now considered fluent speakers. According to the California Department of Education, "Reclassification is the process whereby a student is reclassified from English learner (EL) status to Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) status. Reclassification can take place upon the student meeting all the criteria." We are proud of the students that have surpassed those expectations are recognize them for their hard work.

Upcoming Parent Meetings:

Questions? Feedback?

SUHSD Board Policy 0410

Sweetwater Union High School District "programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying against an individual or a group based on actual or perceived age; gender, gender identity or expression, or genetic information; sex, actual or potential parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently on the basis of sex; race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, immigration status; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.”

SUHSD Board Policy 0410