Week 18

 

Great Things We Noticed: 

• The M/S SDC Students back in class!  The best thing we've noticed since MARCH!! 
• A particular student showing up to speech FOR THE FIRST TIME this year!!  YAY Tawney and Kim! 
• Your donations to the RUSD Toy Drive! 
• Suzanne's creativity and idea for the Ugly Mask Contest! 
• Community Circle in Doree's classroom!
• Check in google form in Danielle's classroom!
• All cameras on in Katie's classroom during a math lesson!

Nuts and Bolts: 

• If you have any supplies or materials you would like to send out to students, have them in the office by 8:00am on Monday, December 14. 

• Post and Share the 10 Days Before Christmas Break Calendar with your students and families.

• The December Wellness Calendar can be found HERE
• Check out the latest RUSD Arts Newsletter with lots of opportunities and resources. More info.
• The Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest is designed to inspire creativity in youth, ages 4-15, and help them imagine the future of mobility. Cash prizes for winners. Submissions due Jan. 31. More info

• ELA Co-Lab - FLYER HERE 
• RIMS AVID Weekly Newsletter (Updated each week)
• Share with your grades 3-6 students: Sign up to participate in new online dance program, Conga Kids @ RUSD (grades 3-6). Sign up.
• RUSD is very excited to be partnering with Conga Kids to provide an online dance program through Conga Kids. Dance lessons will explore dances of the African Diaspora (that count towards PE minutes!), and include supplemental worksheets, high quality asynchronous video lessons, teacher support, and more. Get started by attending one of two teacher info sessions (optional): Jan. 12 @ 3:30pm or Jan. 13 @ 2pm. 
• Together Journal **Please post and share with your students, staff and community**
• Open to all RUSD students, staff, and families, the RUSD Arts and Wellness departments invite you to participate in the RUSD Together Journal, an online districtwide arts journal to share thoughts and experiences. The theme for Nov. 30 - Jan. 22 is “Family and Friends from a Distance.” Submissions are welcome in any art form: visual art, music, spoken word, dance, poetry, creative writing, theater, or mixed media, and a new theme will be announced every two months. Select submissions will be shared at bit.ly/rusdarts and other RUSD platforms. Submissions due for this theme on Jan. 22. More info: bit.ly/togetherjournal

Dr. Hansen's Call To Action: 

Common RUSD Goal:

To create inclusive and equitable learning environments for all

Our Call to Action:

1. Continue to reflect on your own mindset regarding race and privilege.

2. Begin to dismantle inequities for all students and staff (policies, practices, procedures).

3. Listen to the voices of students, families, and employees (what are their stories?).

4. Go out and ACT NOW!

If you are looking for something to read over the break check out THIS Anti-Racism Book List.

This video was posted at the beginning of the school year, but still has good tips for communication with our students.

Wellness Resources: 

As we head into the Holiday season I wanted to re-share all the resources available to our families and staff.  Please let me know if you have any questions or need help accessing the resources available: 

Care Solace - Counseling Resources 

http://riversideunified.org/departments/pupil_services/care_solace

Wellness Coaching and Wellness Calendar 

http://riversideunified.org/staff/Wellness

Employee Assistance Program

http://riversideunified.org/departments/risk_management___employee_benefits/employee_assistance_program__eap_   

Virtual Wellness Center

https://sites.google.com/riversideunified.org/rusdvirtualwellnesscenter/home?authuser=0

Upcoming events: 

12/14 and 12/15 - M/S SDC Students on Campus 8:30-11:30

12/14 - Teacher Material Distribution 9:00-3:00

12/14 - Elementary Virtual Staff Meeting 8:00 and 3:00 

12/14 - RUSD Employee Strengths Session  8:00 and 3:30

12/14 - I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas... But I Live in SoCal... Hawaiian Dress Up Day

12/15 - School Site Council 3:10

12/15 - Candy Cane Day - Dress in Red and White 

12/15 - RUSD School Board Meeting - 5:30 

12/16 - DELAC - 9:00-11:00

12/16 - RUSD Wellness Workshop 8:00 and 3:30

12/16 - All Staff Meeting - 3:00

12/16 - Tree Topper Day - Where your Holiday Hat

12/17 - RUSD Leadership Meeting 3:30-5:00

12/18 - 'Twas The Day Before Break.... Wear PJ's or Athleisure Wear 

12/20-1/4/2021 - Holiday Break 

Week 17

Great Things We Noticed: 

• We are a part of the CTE Middle Schools Grant and kudos to Kevin for stepping up to join in the planning for our participation!
• Tonja, James, Morgan, Devin, Francisca, Monica getting ready for students on MONDAY!!  We are so excited to have students back on campus - thanks goes out to the SPED Team for their hard work!
• Hillery welcoming a visiting author to her class and having her students prepare questions in advance!  
• Adrian, Carla, Josephina, Karla, and Michelle for putting together Virtual Recess for our students.
• You all getting your Math and ELA assessments done! 

Nuts and Bolts: 

• If you are on campus please take a moment to stop by the office and welcome our new Campus Supervisor support Jacqueline Christi.
• Don't forget to drop off cash or toys to the front office for the RUSD Toy Drive - We will be dropping off at the drive through on 12/8 - We need donations by 12/7 - THANK YOU! 
• The December distribution day will be the Monday, December 14 - all day for all grades.  Please have items for distribution to the front office by Friday, December 11.  
• Post and Share the 10 Days Before Christmas Break Calendar with your students and families.
• The December Wellness Calendar can be found HERE
• Check out the latest RUSD Arts Newsletter with lots of opportunities and resources. More info.
• The Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest is designed to inspire creativity in youth, ages 4-15, and help them imagine the future of mobility. Cash prizes for winners. Submissions due Jan. 31. More info
• Trimester 2 Writing Assessments
• Here are some other updates:
• You should have received all the writing materials through email. The score upload date is January 8.
• K-2: The suggested platform for the K-2 writing is Seesaw. 
• Teachers will be provided with a link to the assessment within Seesaw to assign to their students. 
• Teachers will also be provided with a Jamboard activity to use for collaborative conversations. Audio of the stimulus text will be provided for students that are not able to access the text on their own.
• 3-6: Students will be receiving the same “stimulus texts”, but one of three genres prompts based on last name.
• The prompts will be provided as Google Docs for teachers to assign. The teachers will also be provided with a Jamboard activity for pre-writing. 
• Audio of the stimulus text will be provided for students that are not able to access the text on their own.
• ELA Co-Lab - FLYER HERE 
• RIMS AVID Weekly Newsletter (Updated each week)

Dr. Hansen's Call To Action: 

Common RUSD Goal:

To create inclusive and equitable learning environments for all

Our Call to Action:

1. Continue to reflect on your own mindset regarding race and privilege.

2. Begin to dismantle inequities for all students and staff (policies, practices, procedures).

3. Listen to the voices of students, families, and employees (what are their stories?).

4. Go out and ACT NOW!

Auditing your class library gives you a good idea of what people and genres are represented. THIS article by Edutopia includes and easy to use "bingo card" to use while you audit your classroom library selections.

Representation matters and in order for your classroom to be a space where everyone is affirmed and included, your students must see themselves and their lived experiences in the books and curricula.

Focus:

Teacher Clarity:

When students know what they are expected to learn, they are more likely to learn it. At some point during your lesson, students should know what they are supposed to LEARN - Not just what task they are supposed to complete. Learning intentions do not have to be expressed at the beginning of the lesson. There are a number of reasons why you would withhold the learning intentions for a lesson until a later point, for example, activating students prior knowledge or building context around a topic.

Teacher clarity includes learning intentions and these four practices:

1. Clarity of organization: Lesson tasks, assignments and activities include links to objectives and learning outcomes.

2. Clarity of explanation: Information is relevant, accurate and comprehensible to students.

3. Clarity of examples and guided practice: The lesson included information that is illustrative and illuminating as students gradually move to independence, making progress with less support from the teacher.

4. Clarity of assessment and student learning: Seeking out and acting upon feedback you receive from students, especially through their verbal and written responses.

Teacher clarity is a potential accelerator of students' learning. Start with these questions:

1. What am I learning today?

2. Why am I learning it?

3. How will I know that I learned it?

Upcoming Events:

12/7 and 12/8 - Hara and Underwood's students on campus 8:30-11:30

12/7 - Deck the Halls day - Wear Red and Green!

12/8 and 12/10 - Lunch Distribution 11:15-12:45

12/8 - Baby It's Cold Outside - Hot Cocoa in the Lounge

12/8 - Team Leader Office Hour 3:00-4:00

12/9 - Do You Hear What I Hear? - Wear Bling or Bells

12/9 - Hawthorne ELAC 10:30-11:30

12/10 - Dashing for Donuts in the Lounge!

12/11 - Don we now our PLAID apparel! - Wear Flannel of Plaid

Birthdays:

11/26 - Rowena Couture (Cafeteria)

12/1 - Liz Gomez (Cafeteria Manager)

12/9 - Monica Esteva (IA Hara Mod/Severe)

12/11 - Michelle Simmons (Hearts Coordinator)

Week 14

 

Great Things We Noticed! 

• Getting a day off in the middle of the week! 
• Kevin using Pear Deck to check for understanding! 
• Becky using the Chat Waterfall technique "drop it like it's hot"!
• Anna collaborating through the chat feature! 
• Beth bringing out the success criteria for RDW!  
• Ron setting goals with his students! 
• Kristi spending time with students during the break!
• Kim's students using their "math hands" to show what they know! 

Nuts and Bolts: 

• We will have a Thanksgiving treat for you on Tuesday and Thursday (same treat different days)!  It's our way of showing our gratitude for the work you have done! This is for ALL of our staff and teachers so stop by on Tuesday or Thursday for a Thanksgiving treat. 
• We have new incentives for students in our incentive "store" - including some really cool SPIRIT STICKS!  
  
  
  
• Request your free 2021 Teacher Calendar Here from Woodburn Press
• We are prepping for our PD with Janet Sewell and need information about writing instruction during distance learning - Please complete the survey HERE by FRIDAY 
• We would love to come and read a Thanksgiving book to your class - Find the schedule HERE
• Cinema Culturas Showcase Nov. 20-30 featuring 23 RUSD Students **Share with students & staff** 
• Cinema Culturas Storytelling and Film Student Competition “Keep on Dreaming in Challenging Times” will be showcased at Cinema Culturas Film Festival, Nov. 20-30. This international collaboration will feature 23 RUSD students from Kennedy, Mt. View, Franklin, RVS, Ramona, Earhart, Poly, Chemawa, STEM, Gage, Washington, King, and North. Please share this special showcase with students, families and staff! And congrats to our 23 RUSD students! Poster (English) | Poster (Spanish) | Video Promo | RUSD student winners
• NAACP Youth Council Virtual Social Justice Play: Auditions for Actors, Singers, and Dancers Auditions are currently being held for the Riverside County NAACP Youth Council virtual play, Silent Tears, which will be performed LIVE ONLINE Via Zoom Webinar on December 12, 2020, at 7:00pm. The social justice play is looking for Actors, Singers, and Dancers. Sponsored by Empower You Edutainment and the City of Riverside. Auditions are by appointment only and end November 21, 2020. Please call or text 213-359-8639 or 951-640-1650 for an appointment. More info
• Green Schools Art Contest through SoCal Gas All students ages 9-11 are invited to participate in an art contest about energy conservation. Program includes a short video lesson for teachers, $200 donation to participating schools who have a minimum of 40 student participants, cash prizes for winners, and free energy efficient parts and free installation. More info (Green School Program Link).
• Trimester Two Google Classroom codes and meets.  We know some of you have changed classroom codes, meets, and live times.  Please add all information here.
• Virtual Recess is a GO! Please take a minute and attend with your students the first time... we want them to feel comfortable going into the meet - thank you!  Karla Ramirez sent you all an email with the link.
• All staff should be completing at home health screenings before coming to work and remaining home if they are sick.   If you have any cold or flu symptoms do not come to campus, rest and take care of  yourself at home. Subs are available for certificated and some classified employees.  
• ELA CoLab:
• Join the ELA Team for collaboration on Wednesdays at 11:00 and 3:00 FLYER
• Employee Wellness Calendar:  https://bit.ly/34j9yxk
• RIMS AVID Weekly Newsletter (Updated each week) 
• History/ Social Studies Newsletter: https://sites.google.com/rusdlearns.net/rusd-hss/home
• Elementary Teacher Newsletter 

Focus: Writing

The Writing Standards are grouped in a way that clarifies the purpose of writing instruction for each lesson.  

What does the research say?

Prewriting Ideas 

• Brainstorming Web
• Tree Organizer
• Sequencing Chart

Click here for more information.

Building Prompts Using RAFTS

Other Writing Ideas:

Because, But, So Sentence Expansion Activity - Students complete a sentence with three different conjunctions.  It's anchored in context.  Model first with non-content examples. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbJ0kzjR9lo&ab_channel=AaronGrossman

Sentence Kernels 

Dr. Hansen's Call to Action: 

Common RUSD Goal:

To create inclusive and equitable learning environments for all

Our Call to Action:

1. Continue to reflect on your own mindset regarding race and privilege.

2. Begin to dismantle inequities for all students and staff (policies, practices, procedures).

3. Listen to the voices of students, families, and employees (what are their stories?).

4. Go out and ACT NOW!

Webinar Series on SEL and Equity

San Diego County Office of Education will be partnering with Panorama Education to host a 3-part virtual learning series focused on Enhancing Equity with SEL. Throughout the series, they will focus on how to leverage social-emotional learning (SEL) to address inequity

that exists among students, staff, and families. This is a space to ask questions and share resources.

To participate, please save your seat. Be sure to register for each specific learning session that you would like to

attend:

• Register for Session 1 on Wednesday, November 18 at 1:30pm PT: Understanding Implicit Bias in the Context of SEL
• Register for Session 2 on Wednesday, December 2nd at 1:30pm PT: Centering Equity in Adult SEL
• Register for Session 3 on Wednesday, December 9th at 1:30pm PT: Trauma-Informed Care Through an Equity Lens

If you aren't able to make it to a session you're interested in, register regardless and we'll send you a recording afterwards.

Upcoming Events: 

Gratitude Week 

11/17 - Coffee with the Principals 8-9

11/17 - School Site Council 3:10

11/17 and 11/19 - Lunch Distribution 

11/17 and 11/19 - Supply Distribution 11-1

11/18 - ELAC Meeting 9-10

11/18 - Staff Meeting 3-4

11/19 - Principal's Meeting 8:30-12 (Carrie)

Birthdays

11/20 - Eddie Bernal (Campus Supervisor)

Week 13

 

Great Things We Noticed: 

• Reading to students in Ioana's class! 
• You!  Scheduling and meeting with families!
• Teachers getting classrooms ready! 

Nuts and Bolts: 

• We are prepping for our PD with Janet Sewell and need information about writing instruction during distance learning - Please complete the survey HERE by FRIDAY 
• We would love to come and read a Thanksgiving book to your class - Find the schedule HERE
• Trimester Two Google Classroom codes and meets.  We know some of you have changed classroom codes, meets, and live times.  Please add all information here.
• Longi is planning a Virtual Recess with our supervisors!  If you have popular Go Noodle or virtual activity you do with your students send them her way.  
• Here is a post about the some popular Go Noodle Videos
• All staff should be completing at home health screenings before coming to work and remaining home if they are sick.   If you have any cold or flu symptoms do not come to campus, rest and take care of  yourself at home. Subs are available for certificated and some classified employees.  
• Playworks - Longi attended a playworks training.  Click here to access the folder of games and appreciation claps!  If you would like, Longi would love to come and play a game with your students.  Email some dates and times!
• ELA CoLab:
• Join the ELA Team for collaboration on Wednesdays at 11:00 and 3:00 FLYER
• Employee Wellness Calendar:  https://bit.ly/34j9yxk
• RIMS AVID Weekly Newsletter (Updated each week) 
• History/ Social Studies Newsletter: https://sites.google.com/rusdlearns.net/rusd-hss/home
• Elementary Teacher Newsletter 

Focus: 

Janet Sewell will be sharing some tips on Writing during our November 18th Staff Meeting and I wanted to share this video regarding Engagement Strategies found in our Wonders Curriculum. 

Preview YouTube video Engagement Strategies: Wonders

Dr. Hansen's Call to Action: 

Common RUSD Goal:

To create inclusive and equitable learning environments for all

Our Call to Action:

1. Continue to reflect on your own mindset regarding race and privilege.

2. Begin to dismantle inequities for all students and staff (policies, practices, procedures).

3. Listen to the voices of students, families, and employees (what are their stories?).

4. Go out and ACT NOW!

REGISTER HERE to participate in the Inland Area Writing Project/Leading While Female book study opportunity. 

Upcoming Events: 

Open Enrollment/Intra and Inter-District Transfer window - November 1-8 

11/9 - Office Hours Carrie and Longi 11:30-12:00

11/9 - RUSD Employee Strengths Session - 8:00 and 3:30

11/9 - Elementary Virtual Staff Meeting - 8:00 and 3:30

11/10 and 11/12 - Lunch Distribution 11:15-12:45

11/10 - RUSD School Board Meeting 5:30-7:30

11/11 - Veterans Day - No School

11/12 - Leadership Meeting - Carrie and Longi 3:30-5:00

11/12 - District AAPAC Meeting - 6:00-7:30

Week 12

 

Great Things We Noticed: 

• Dodgers WIN! 
• Student of the Month presentations, we love visiting your classrooms!
• Our students who were AWESOME in the community video! Give them a shout out if they are in your class: Bella Moore, Isabella Rivera, Eddie Rivera, Roger Granados, Ashlynn Wallace, Thomas Wallace, Joaquin Ramirez
• Judid and Tina getting their Donors Choose projects delivered!
• Classroom walk throughs!  We always enjoy seeing our students and teachers doing amazing things! 

Nuts and Bolts: 

• Longi is planning a Virtual Recess with our supervisors!  If you have popular Go Noodle or virtual activity you do with your students send them her way.  
• Here is a post about the some popular Go Noodle Videos
• REPORT CARD GUIDANCE: 
• Report Cards due to Principals 11/2/2020 at the latest (earlier is better)
• Let us know when your report cards are done so we can review
• Reports cards will be prepared (printed and stuffed in envelopes) and sent to the warehouse by 11/5
• The last day for your attendance will be 11/2
• Report cards remain the same template with minimal modifications including:
• The addition of the statement “Grades reflect work submitted in a virtual environment.”  
• N/A mark has been changed to “Not Applicable, standard not assessed”
• Parent Teacher Conferences - If you need a translator, please click here to sign up.
• Please note the following: 
• Preparations for reopening continue, even without an exact date
• November 5 and 6 are set aside for in-person teachers to set up rooms.  The expectation is that In-Person teachers will use this time to prepare classrooms for the return of students to campus. 
• All staff should be completing at home health screenings before coming to work and remaining home if they are sick.   If you have any cold or flu symptoms do not come to campus, rest and take care of  yourself at home. Subs are available for certificated and some classified employees.  
• Playworks - Longi attended a playworks training.  Click here to access the folder of games and appreciation claps!  If you would like, Longi would love to come and play a game with your students.  Email some dates and times!
• Since 1995, Western has offered educators in western Riverside County the opportunity to apply for grants for water-related projects. The Lois B. Krieger Water Project Grants for Educators (Krieger Grant) program helpsnfund creative classroom projects that seek to further a better understanding of water and the vital role it plays in the community. The program continues to have a wide-ranging impact on students and educators in Western’s service area.  All teachers in Western’s service area, in both private and public K-12 schools, are eligible to apply. Through the Krieger Grant program, educators and students have the opportunity to become actively engaged in educational and water-related classroom projects. Funding can be used for virtual or in-person water education. Krieger Grants are awarded in various amounts. Teachers can receive up to $1,000* for water-related classroom projects.
• The 2021 grant cycle is open. Apply now through Friday, Nov. 6, 2020.
• Apply Here
• ELA CoLab:
• Join the ELA Team for collaboration on Wednesdays at 11:00 and 3:00 FLYER
• Art to GO! Lessons now available! 
• Weekly pre-recorded lessons will be provided for each grade level (TK-K, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6) beginning the week of October 5 through the end of April. 
• Lessons will be uploaded by Thursday afternoon
• Lessons will be available at this site: https://sites.google.com/view/art-to-go-virtual/home
• Find ed tech tips and tricks and information on all the Google Updates on the ILE You Tube Channel: 
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxaWXjiICDDlDQitAXHuPaA/videos
• Angelica is putting together a LUNCH BUNCH, find the flyer HERE - please share with your students. 
• Employee Wellness Calendar:  https://bit.ly/34j9yxk
• RIMS AVID Weekly Newsletter (Updated each week) 
• History/ Social Studies Newsletter: https://sites.google.com/rusdlearns.net/rusd-hss/home
• Elementary Teacher Newsletter 
• Supplemental App for Math
• Dreambox is now available for all TK-6 teachers and students
• Intro to Dreambox for Teachers

Focus: 

Teacher Credibility/Trust

Teacher Credibility is defined as the idea that teachers need to be seen as believable, convincing, and capable of persuading students that they can be successful.  when students believe that they can learn from their teachers the effect size on their learning is 1.09 (the potential of increasing the rate of learning by over a year!).  Teachers and students that have a healthy growth-producing relationships have a higher credibility with students, so once again establishing strong relationships is important.  

There are four specific actions a teacher can take to establish teacher credibility: trust, competence, dynamism and immediacy. As with many other things it all begins with trust...

Here are some things to remember when it comes to establishing trust with your students: 

1.  Students need to know that you can about them as individuals. 

2.  Students need to know that you are honest and reliable.  

To increase the speed in which you establish trust with your students think about the following recommendations: 

• Benevolence:  Having confidence that one's well-being and that something you care about will be protected by others increases trust.  The assurance that other's won't exploit your vulnerability or take advantage of your  mistakes helps make us feel safe and establish trust.  
• Don't spend all your time trying to catch students in the wrong 
• Be honest about the impact a student's behavior has on you as an individual
• Honesty:   Your character, integrity and authenticity matter to your students.
• If you make a promise, work to keep it
• Tell students the truth about their performance (they know when they have not done their best)
• Openness:  The extent in which you share information with your students creates reciprocal trust. 
• The lack of physical proximity and the fact that we might be in each other's homes might invite questions that would not have been asked at school.  Answer honestly when you can and being clear about the reason when there are questions you cannot answer.  
• Reliability:  Consistency of behavior and knowing what to expect makes students feel safe and confident.  The increases the rate in which they build a trusting relationship with you.
• Be on time for Meets, follow through on feedback with your students to show reliability.
• Competency:  The ability to perform as expected and according to established expectations. 

Dr. Hansen's Call to Action: 

Common RUSD Goal: To create inclusive and equitable learning environments for all

Our Call to Action:

1. Continue to reflect on your own mindset regarding race and privilege.

2. Begin to dismantle inequities for all students and staff (policies, practices, procedures).

3. Listen to the voices of students, families, and employees (what are their stories?).

4. Go out and ACT NOW!

Take a few minutes to watch Cindy Solomon speak on COURAGE: 

Upcoming Events: 

Lunch Distribution Tuesday and Thursday 11:15-12:45

11/1 - Daylight Savings Time Change 

11/2 - Report Cards Due 

11/3 - Election Day 

11/4 - End of Trimester 1

11/4 - Hawthorne Leadership Team 3-4

11/5 - Wellness Workshop 3:30-4:30

11/5 and 11/6 - PTC Days and Classroom Set Up Days