Thursday, April 13, 2017

April 13, 2017

April 13

Thank you so much for a wonderful surprise party on Sunday!! It was such a beautiful event. I loved every minute of it!! I am so lucky to work with a positive and supportive staff both at the site and district office!! Thank Sarah and Kristin for a heartwarming video.

PRINCIPAL VIDEO

504 Review:

Section 504 requires recipients to provide to students with disabilities appropriate educational services designed to meet the individual needs of such students to the same extent as the needs of students without disabilities are met. An appropriate education for a student with a disability under the Section 504 regulations could consist of education in regular classrooms, education in regular classes with and supplementary services.

Just a quick review on 504’s. I know our clear credential classes were a long time ago for some of us and it is hard to remember everything. Every year at our first staff meeting I do a quick review and it is easy to miss if you think you do not have a student who has a 504. If you have a student who has a 504 I meet with you 1:1 to go over the 504 and the nurse meets with you if there is a medical plan before school starts. I even have it on my calendar so I know that it gets done. I also know at the beginning of the year it is very busy and it is hard to remember everything. A 504 is a function of general education. It does not work like an IEP, it does not have a case manager. I am the coordinator where I meet and facilitate a meeting to update the 504 yearly. Once the 504 is given to the teacher it is the teacher’s responsibility to make sure it is followed because a 504 is part of general education. Because a 504 is part of general education it has to be attached to your sub plans every time and the medical plan if the 504 refers to it. If you have any other questions regarding 504’s please let me know.

T4S Sweep Data

LOTS to celebrate!! We went up in several areas ESPECIALLY in DOK 2 and 3 levels. We had 3 areas where we had 0% from the fall and went up by 33% and 50%!! WOOHOO!! UGH we went down in learning objectives. That one is frustrating because I know we can get 100%!!

UC Davis Math Project: Attached here is a link for the UC Davis Math Project which is starting a new series of classes. Our teachers have benefitted from these classes for many years. Please pass this on in your next staff newsletter.

Spring Cleaning:

The time is fast approaching for the end of the school year. These walks are really about safety first and clean, uncluttered student environments second. A little every week will make it easy and less time consuming in the end. TAKE A LOOK AROUND YOUR CLASSROOM. What can you get rid of????

Divide, destroy and donate

The end of the year is the best time to clean for the summer. So divide your classroom into sections and choose a different section to clean every day, that way the task doesn’t feel so overwhelming. In those sections, make a choice of what needs to be destroyed (papers with names and personal information, tests, etc.) and what could potentially be donated to a student, another teacher, or another school. (Did you really use that stack of Anne of Green Gables books this year? No. You didn’t.) This also is a great time to decide if there is anything to give to a student—perhaps a book inscribed by you, or a project that was never returned. You’ll feel great leaving your classroom ready for next year.

IMPORTANT TO READ ABOUT FOOD POLICY FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR

Observable Fish Moments at SV:

Be There: Thank you for my surprise party on Sunday!!

Play: All in Day- thanks for coming out this morning and welcoming our students with a smile!!

Choose your attitude:

To actually choose how you respond to life, not just react, you must be intentional. Ask yourself throughout the day, "What is my attitude right now? Is it helping the people who depend on me? Is it helping me to be most effective?" NO EXCUSES!!

Make Their Day: When was the last time you had lunch with a student? Make their day by eating with a student and finding out much more about them :)

Friday, April 7, 2017

April 7, 2017

This is my 6^th year as the Principal of Suisun Valley. I feel very honored that I was chosen among my colleagues and other elementary principals in our region as elementary Principal of the year. I am even more honored that my staff took time during our staff meeting to celebrate as well. I am so lucky to work with a great group of teachers that keep the culture on our campus focused on the positive. Our jobs are very hard and demanding and it makes it much easier to come to work every day when you have a positive culture on campus like we do here at Suisun Valley. I LOVE our school, staff, students and parents and feel lucky every day that I work at Suisun Valley!!

During our SSC we addressed some of the questions teachers had about our current Academic Support position. Mrs. Merodio was in attendance, so she could answer those questions in person. She currently has been providing direct contact to at least 53 students and by the end of the year has supported at least 200 students. She provides Tier 3 intervention to 1^st – 8^th graders. Tier 3 intervention requires for groups to be small so that it can make the biggest impact. Her contract every year is from the first day of school to the end of April. She holds an open support/drop in time before school starts for students or staff. During this time she supports students in writing/reading or if they need help working on class projects. She also does check ins and check outs with numerous students on campus. She continues to plan with teachers by co-teaching or co-planning in reading or writing. She attends SST meetings. At the beginning of the year she works with the Kinder team to work on CELDT prep and our EL population. She said is willing to help/support with writing in math if the math problem is supplied by the classroom teacher. SSC has approved Academic Support for ELA for 2017-18. I know some would have liked both or only math as our Academic Support teacher. We are still going to work on building a relationship with SCC, so their students can help work with our students during class time.

Our SBAC data does show that we do need support in ELA. Overall our SBAC ELA was 58% and SBAC Math was 42%. However, we had 5 grade levels go decline in ELA and had two grade levels decline in math.

So.... Spring is here. Can you tell yet? Please help us reinforce the rules and remember to teach your character trait lesson for the month. Daily class meetings help with daily tattle telling that happens when students come in from recess. Check out this article HERE

IMPORTANT TO READ ABOUT FOOD POLICY FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR

Family Newsletter and Calendar

April Newsletter and Calendar

Observable Fish Moments at SV:

Be There: LOTS OF POSITIVES CLICK HERE

Play: Thank you Sarah for making our HAPPY video last year!! Still love watching it.

Choose your attitude:

Make Their Day: When was the last time you had lunch with a student? Make their day by eating with a student and finding out much more about them :)

Friday, March 31, 2017

March 31, 2017

The last three years we have really focused on writing. We have implemented school wide prompts and have really gained valuable feedback that have led to crucial conversations on how we can support our students and each other. The video below is very well done and touches upon the feedback that Mrs. Merodio has given us on writing. She does a great job working with our 1st-8th graders and across all grade levels she is noticing a pattern. They need help with organizing their thoughts. This video gives a great example on a very visual process for students to organize their writing. Please watch this video!! Check out this video .

Writing aligned to the Common Core and the needs of English Learners

As we continue to focus on the needs of our English learners, it is important to continue to examine how instruction is differentiated. This article from Larry Ferlazzo and Katie Hull Sypnieski provides an overarching view of writing. The article discusses the three types of writing in the Common Core: Argument/Opinion, Information/Explanation, and Narrative. The author's highlight the integration of reading with writing, especially for Argument and Information writing.

The article provides some specific implications for English learners and writing.

Create meaningful opportunities to communicate ideas rather than focus on grammar and conventions
Provide support for citations
Provide modeling and guidance
Provide many sentence starters and graphic organizers
Use collaborative writing projects
Support students in self-assessment and goal setting

The article is part of a series. Part 2 provides more specific strategies including 12 guiding questions to help students when writing.

California Science Test (CAST)

The California Science Test (CAST) is an online test based on the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). All local educational agencies (LEAs) with eligible students in grades five and eight will administer a pilot CAST. LEAs with eligible students in high school (i.e., students in grades ten, eleven, or twelve) will be pre-selected and only one grade will participate in the spring 2017 pilot. The CAST pilot uses the current California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress test delivery system and will only be administered online. Students will not receive scores for the pilot test; however, student participation data will be collected and reported for accountability.

Who takes the CAST pilot? Participation in the CAST pilot is required for all students in grades five and eight, and for the pre-selected high school grades with the exception of eligible students who will take the California Alternate Assessment for Science pilot.

View the CAST Informational Video (8:19) to learn more about CAST’s alignment to the California NGSS.

HERE IS FUN VIDEO TO WATCH THAT TTEACHERS CREATED ABOUT SBAC.

FUN VIDEO

No Excuses is COMING to Fairfield-Suisun and we WILL be there! This two day event will focus, reiterate, and reinforce what we, at SV, already believe: All students can succeed! Let me know ASAP if you want to attend July 31 and August 1 at RHS (local!) and counts for Buy Back for next year!! All our newer teachers: This is an AWESOME opportunity!! All not so newer teachers: This is an AWESOME opportunity!

RANDOM T4S Sweeps are scheduled for March April 3-7 (M-F).

Observable Fish Moments at SV:

Be There: Thank you Janice Whan for supporting our site as our APM!!

Play: Thank you Mr. M for making our morning walk interactive and fun!

Choose your attitude:

Make Their Day: Fill out a good news referral and make a student’s day. Make a positive phone call home.

THROUGH THE FISH PHILOSOPHY,

WE BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH,

THE STUDENTS WE TEACH AND THE PEOPLE WE LOVE.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

March 17, 2017

We will continue on our path to refine our six systems (Culture of Universal Achievement, Standards Alignment, Data Analysis, Assessment, Collaboration and Interventions) to meet the ever-changing needs of our students/community. It is an honor to work with such a great staff that is truly committed to our children and community.

JUST A QUICK REMINDER OF OUR NEU COMMITMENT

RANDOM T4S Sweeps are scheduled for March 29-31 (W-F) and April 3-7 (M-F).

Observable Fish Moments at SV:

Be There: Thank you for being their for our parents and students during conference week.

Play: Thanks Carole and Lindsay for having your students perform their spring sing. LOVE IT!!

Choose your attitude:

Make Their Day: Fill out a good news referral and make a student’s day.

THROUGH THE FISH PHILOSOPHY, WE BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH, THE STUDENTS WE TEACH AND THE PEOPLE WE LOVE.

Friday, March 10, 2017

March 10, 2017

March 10

Overall our academic discourse in mathematics was AMAZING!! We were able to visit 9 classrooms. Thank you Kami, Jennifer, Carole, and Robin for helping us learn more about academic discourse at every staff meeting. We definitely have gone up in our DOK 2 levels and slowly climbing in DOK 3. An area of focus will be how to get students to build on ideas of others and evaluate information presented by connecting, adding evidence, and/or providing a counter example.

We have several students who have food allergies. Every classroom MUST go over proper hand washing after they eat CLICK HERE for more details.

BEHAVIOR IS A MESSAGE (APPELSTEIN, 1998). WHEN CHILDREN AND YOUTH MISBEHAVE, OFTEN IN VERY SERIOUS WAYS, SUCH AS SETTING FIRES, COMMITTING VIOLENT ACTS OF AGGRESSION, OR CUTTING THEMSELVES – IT’S AS IF THERE IS A NEON LIGHT FLASHING OVER THEIR HEADS, ANNOUNCING: I NEED HELP! I NEED HELP! FORTUNATELY, ADULTS CAN RESPOND TO THESE CALLS FOR HELP WITH AN EFFECTIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGY. STRENGTH-BASED PRACTICE IS A PROVEN APPROACH TO GUIDING OFF-TRACK LIVES THAT POSITIVELY TRANSFORMS OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

TALK LESS and MAKE KIDS TALK MORE!!!

Now that I have your attention, this is a GREAT article (HERE) to read and get strategies, super easy, for you to implement in your classroom and turn into GREAT habits!

RANDOM T4S Sweeps are scheduled for March 29-31 (W-F) and April 3-7 (M-F).

Observable Fish Moments at SV:

Be There: Thank you Janice, Katie, and Heather for planning a very FUN AR party!! Thank you Fern for leading two 2 hour IEPs in one day!!

Play: I look forward to seeing everyone at our social today at 4:30 at STARZ!! Fun times!!

Choose your attitude:

Make Their Day: Fill out a good news referral and make a student’s day.

Friday, March 3, 2017

March 3, 2017

March 3, 2017

ATTENDANCE: We had two days where we ONLY had 5 students absent and one day we ONLY had 3 absent in the whole school!! AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

Integrated and Designated ELD. What is the difference?

I attended a PD on Wednesday night to learn the difference between the two.

Image result for integrated and designated eld

Integrated ELD is . . . .	Designated ELD is . . . .
· ELD throughout the day and across disciplines · Uses CA ELD standards as a guide to support EL · How English works to make meaning · Interactive and engaging · Scaffolded · Build both content knowledge and academic English · Build on prior knowledge,	· Is protected time during the school day using CA ELD standards to build content learning in English · Emphasis is on oral, reading, and writing. · How English works in both spoken and written language · Content plays a key role in designated ELD · Teach language through content

We will be evaluating our SPSA at our next staff meeting . Please take the time to look it over so we will be ready to work. We will then gather any feedback to help guide our SPSA plan for the following year =) I KNOW you're excited about that!!

Here is a link to our SPSA 2016-2017:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B01G0KBLi4LvZU1SQnhGaEo4TGM/view

Children love to dig through a giant plastic container of bricks and start creating and building – houses, super heroes, castles and airplanes will appear before your eyes in no time! Brick building is a great hands-on activity that encourages creativity, promotes team work and enhances children’s self- esteem. At BrickSpace, we use these wonderful LEGO® bricks and educational products to facilitate building classes that introduce science, technology, engineering, mathematics (S.T.E.M.) concepts in a fun way! Brick building enhances children’s critical thinking, communication and fine motor skills. Through our building classes, we challenge children to use their imagination and their knowledge of engineering and science to problem solve: they design, build, test and evaluate using set criteria. Children can expect to “fail” safely and they are encouraged to come up with solutions to their problem. Through their building successes, kids build confidence and will develop the desire to learn more. We will be offering a parent/student engagement class after school on March 9 2:45-4:15. We will be providing snacks and drinks for those who attend. Please make sure you include this in your weekly newsletters. We also offer classes to our 3rd-8th graders during lunch time once a month.

Grades 3-8: Please start practicing SBAC

Good Morning Teachers,

It's a good time to start having students explore the CAASPP Practice & Training Tests. This will help prepare them for the CAASPP summative that they will be taking in just over 8 weeks. CDE has just released the California Science Test (CAST) Training Test as well. Please go to www.fsusd.org/assessment and click on the green button "SBAC Practice & Training Tests" to access the site. Students and teachers can access as a Guest at school or home. Once you get logged as Guest, you'll need to select a grade. Be sure to select Grades 5, 8, or 10 if you want to take the California Science Test (CAST). The training test for the California Science Test (CAST) is now available on the Online Practice and Training Tests Portal Web page at http://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/

SBAC and CAST testing window will be May 8 - 19

MAP testing will be from May 22 - June 2

If you need help with any of the steps, contact the Help Desk at 399-5100.

Family Newsletter and Calendar

March Newsletter and Calenda r

I would like to introduce Sharryl Carter a para educator (itinerant) will be at Suisun Valley site supporting a student in 7th grade. The following is from Sharryl: I am pleased to meet everyone. I love the way this site is set up as far as the agricultural aspect, and I also appreciate how involved your students are.

COLLEGE ESSAY CONTEST - begins Feb. 27

Have your students pick up a packet from the front office if they are interested in competing in our college essay contest. K-8 will be asked to write an essay explaining why they want to go to college. The winners of the contest will have their essays published on the school website and read their essay at the College Week Assembly. A drawing will be held for a Kindle Reader one for K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Each grade level winner (there will be one for each grade) will receive a $10.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble. Let’s get excited about college!!

Observable Fish Moments at SV:

Be There: Thank you Carole, Kristin, and Kit for working well together last Friday to make sure a student was safe!! Way to work as a team!!

Play: The students had so much fun reading yesterday!!

Choose your attitude: BE POSITIVE!!! BE KIND!!!

Make Their Day: FInd a student on campus that you don't know and introduce yourself and check in with them.

THROUGH THE FISH PHILOSOPHY, WE BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH, THE STUDENTS WE TEACH AND THE PEOPLE WE LOVE.