Week 34

 

Great Things We Noticed: 

• Jennifer and Angelica leading us through Trauma Informed Practices!
• IP Students back 5 days a week! 
• Everyone's patience!
• Christina, Erin and Dawn working together to support all of our students!
• Christian getting the blue top ready for students to play on!
• Carla helping Christian get the Kinder playground area ready!

Nuts and Bolts: 

• Elementary Newsletter 
• Elementary Family Life Education (4th -6th Grade)
• The Family Life Information letter (English/Spanish) is going out to the parents/guardians of all 4th-6th grade students. Parents/guardians should receive this letter by Monday April 26, which is 2 weeks prior to instruction beginning and when the Parent Preview site will go live. Please make sure to refer to the Family Life Information doc. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ashley Fulmer.
• Schedules 
• Recess
• Before students come out to recess, please have them sanitize their hands.
• Please walk your students out to recess and meet them on the playground to pick them up.  
• Students have been doing a great job keeping their distance and staying in their area.
• Blue top is now open for the classroom that is in Area #2.
• Lunch
• Before students come out to play for lunch, please have them sanitize their hands.
• Please remind your students to freeze when they hear the bell and walk to line when the whistle blows.
• Please pick up students on time as we have a little time frame to get all tables wiped down before the next group.
• Elementary Summer Program
• There are hard copies in your box for our homeless, foster, and students with all 1's.  Please send these home with your students.  If they return them, please give them to Longi.  
• If you would like additional copies of the packet, please let me know and we can put them in your box.

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

Upcoming Events:

4/26-4/30 - Student of the Month Presentations - Please fill out SOTM Form!

4/26 - Longi Co-Admin Meeting 9-11:30

4/27 - School Site Council: 3:10

4/28 - Carrie at PGS - 12:30-2:00

4/30 - Carrie Non-Duty Day

5/3 and 5/4 - Carrie and Longi in Principal Secretary Interviews 8-3 and 8-12

5/7 - Carrie Non-Duty Day

Birthdays:

5/1 - Jenette Gaspar - Preschool Aide

5/2 - Morgan Carroll - Instructional Aide - Hara SDC

Week 33

 

Great Things We Noticed: 

• Catching up with out virtual teachers! 
• Our supervisors and subs helping set up our classrooms! 
• Our IP Teachers Working hard to get ready for 5 days a week! 
• Our SPED Team navigating challenging situations with grace and expertise! 
• Teachers and office staff getting progress reports done and sent out on time! 

Nuts and Bolts: 

Virtual Escape Rooms Breakout EDU licenses:

• All RUSD teachers now have premium access to Breakout EDU until June 2022! Digital Breakout EDU allows you to engage your students in a virtual Breakout room. To access your premium Breakout EDU account follow these directions. If you would like to attend a voluntary PD on Breakout EDU sign up in Kickup. Currently ILEhas two PD dates:
• Tuesday, April 20th 3:30-4:30
• Tuesday, April 27th 3:00-4:00
• If you would like to request a site-based professional development or if you have any questions please contact Christalle Hart at chart@riversideunified.org.
• Find the Phase 4 Schedules HERE
• 6th Grade STEAM Camp Kick Off
• On Monday, 4/19, 6th grade teachers will receive detailed information about STEAM Camp and a kick-off video that they can share with their students. 
• STEAM Camp will be from May 3-7. Kits are being put together now and will be out to sites soon.
• Elementary Teacher Newsletter
• Elementary Music Band & Strings Schedules for Phase 4
• As in-person students transition to on-campus learning, the Elementary Music Program will be providing additional online band sectional classes for students to attend if possible. Elementary Music will stay on line for the rest of this school year. Instrument collection will take place the week of May 3-7, 2021, please help remind your student musicians.
• The RUSD You Are Enough Wellness Webinars, in collaboration with national speakers and community partners, focus on social-emotional wellness and its connection to nutrition and physical health.  Programming begins April 20 and continues through May 19. Webinars are scheduled throughout the month with the highlight event, Don’t Freak Out featuring David Kozlowski and Heidi Swapp from the Light the Fight Podcast, scheduled for April 28, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Join us and help spread the word!

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

Cultural Acknowledgments for April:

• Rama Navami (Apr 21) - (Hindu) - Celebrates the birthday of Rama, king of ancient India, hero of the epic Ramayana, and seventh incarnation of Vishnu.
• Ramadan (Apr 13-May 13) - (Islamic) Observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad.
• Vaisakhi (also spelled Baisakhi) (Apr 14) - (Sikh) The festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community as the Khalsa (community of the initiated). On this day, Sikhs gather and celebrate Vaisakhi at their local Gurdwaras (Sikh house of worship) by remembering this day as the birth of the Khalsa.
• Festival of Ridvan (Apr 20-May 1) - (Bahá’í) Annual festival commemorating the 12 days when Bahá’u’lláh, the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, resided in a garden called Ridván (Paradise) and publicly proclaimed his mission as God’s messenger for this age. The first (April 20), ninth (April 28), and twelfth (May 1) days are celebrated as holy days when Baha’is suspend work.
• Earth Day (April 22) - celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
• Armenian Martyrs’ Day (Apr 24) - Memorializes the genocide of approximately 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 in Turkey.
• Theravada New Year (Apr 27) - (Buddhist) In Theravada countries the New Year is celebrated on the first full moon day in April.
• Lag B’Omer (Apr 30) - (Jewish) Celebrates the end of a divine-sent

Upcoming Events: 

4/20 - 8:00 and 3:30 - RUSD Employee check-in

4/21 - Administrators Professionals Day 

4/21 - Staff Meeting 3-4 

4/22 - RUSD Employee Wellness Workshop:  Connecting to our Inner Courage

4/23 - Fire Drill 

Birthdays

4/19 - Danielle Pudey (VP 3rd Grade)

4/19 - Natalie Brower (RSP Teacher)

4/19 - Stephanie Haas (IP - Kindergarten)

4/25 - Cheryl Bates (IA 4-6 Mod/Severe)

Week 32

Great Things We Noticed: 

• Art lessons with our 4th, 5th and 6th graders!
• Steve and family welcoming a new Grandchild! 
• The awesome job Christian is doing keeping our campus CLEAN!
• Getting through ELPAC! 
• Longi getting to teach in Beth's class! (I had so much fun!)
• 100 students changing from VP to IP for 2021/22 school year! 
  
  
  

Nuts and Bolts: 

• GRADE LEVEL CHOICE for 2021/2022 - ALL TEACHERS please fill out by FRIDAY 4/9 - https://forms.gle/7DktR89FjRwNeF219 
• Progress reports DUE not later than WEDNESDAY! 
• Keep pushing the summer program.  Find the list here and please add on for third round if you have any students who are not on the list but would benefit.
• Elementary Teacher Newsletter 
• RUSD Elementary/Middle/High School Visual Art Show RUSD Visual Arts is excited to be hosting the Second Annual Virtual Student Art Exhibition this spring! This exhibition is open to all elementary students, and all secondary students currently taking a visual art class in RUSD.
• Please use the link below to open a shared drive where we will be collecting digital images of the amazing work your students have created this year. https://bit.ly/RUSDVISUALARTSHOW2021
• Once in the shared drive, select the appropriate slideshow for your student's grade level, make a copy of a blank slide and then fill it out including your student's name, medium used, your name and school site on the slide. (See example in slides) 
• ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, APRIL 16th. Thank you!
• If you have any questions, please email: Brett Mosher or Beth Morrow
• We are looking forward to another great virtual art show.
• Western Municipal Water District Water is Like Art Contest
• Each year, Western Municipal Water District (Western) hosts the Water is Life Contest for students in grades K-12. The Contest provides an artistic avenue for students to express their understanding of water use efficiency and how they are staying water-wise. More information can be found here Submissions due Thurs. Apr. 15
• New! Riverside Art Museum "Live" Virtual Classes RUSD Arts is pleased to offer a limited number of "live" virtual art classes for any interested elementary classrooms this spring through the Riverside Art Museum. Classes take place during synchronous instruction so students can interact with RAM teaching artists. More info
• Virtual Escape Rooms Breakout EDU licenses:
• All RUSD teachers now have premium access to Breakout EDU until June 2022! Digital Breakout EDU allows you to engage your students in a virtual Breakout room. To access your premium Breakout EDU account follow these directions. If you would like to attend a voluntary PD on Breakout EDU sign up in Kickup. Currently ILEhas two PD dates:
• Tuesday, April 20th 3:30-4:30
• Tuesday, April 27th 3:00-4:00
• If you would like to request a site-based professional development or if you have any questions please contact Christalle Hart at chart@riversideunified.org.
• April is Autism Acceptance Month
• “Celebrate Differences” - April is now referred to as Autism Acceptance Month (formerly referred to as Autism Awareness Month). Read here for information from the Autism Society of America related to resources, strategies, and information for students with autism and their families.
• Conga Kids Unit 4 Lessons Now Available!
• Conga Kids Unit 4 learning about Old and New School Hip Hop is here! Check out the links for the lessons and companion guide.
• https://sites.google.com/riversideunified.org/congakids/home
• Click here for access to the Unit 4 companion guide.
• Conga Kids Dance Intensive
• Following successful, ongoing implementation of the Conga Kids Online Program in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classrooms across RUSD, Conga Kids is thrilled to provide an extended offer of live google classroom lessons for interested teachers culminating in an optional performance opportunity for your students. Please contact Brian Gallagher bgallagher@riversideunified.org for more information.
• Employee Wellness Offerings 
• Too Good for Drugs
• Great news!! When we opened the school year we implemented several social-emotional lessons to prepare our students for the changes ahead. These lessons fulfill the requirements of the site safety log that are typically fulfilled by the "Too Good for Drugs" (TGFD) curriculum. This is for the 20-21 school year only. This means that teachers are not required to teach the TGFD curriculum this year.
• However, teachers may choose to teach this curriculum if they would like. If they choose to teach the lessons or if you have teachers that have taught the lessons already, please direct them to record the lesson/s on the form. The 2020-2021 TGFD lesson form may be accessed HERE. As a reminder, TGFD lesson form is due no later than May 14, 2021 as a scan to Marilyn Stadler (mstadler@riversideunified.org).  OR scan to Longi or Carrie and we will forward for you! 

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

Join our Grade Level Leaders on Tuesday for Chapter 3 of Shattering Inequities!

Upcoming Events: 

4/13- RUSD Employee Check-In 8:00 and 3:30

4/13 - Grade Level Leadership 3:00-4:00

4/13 - District AAPAC Meeting 6:00-7:30

4/14 - Progress Reports due for review

4/15 - School Board Meeting - Study Session 5:30

Birthdays

4/10 - Cindy O'Keefe (Principal's Secretary)

4/11 - Anna McVey (4/5 Teacher)

 

Week 31

 

Great Things We Noticed: 

• In-Person Instruction 2 days a week! 
• Ms.  Gallegos live streaming her instruction for her students at home! 
• Paulina pulling some epic April Fools pranks! 
• Teachers helping with ELPAC and getting the testing DONE! 

Nuts and Bolts: 

• GRADE LEVEL CHOICE for 2021/2022 - ALL TEACHERS please fill out by FRIDAY 4/9 - https://forms.gle/7DktR89FjRwNeF219 
• Information will be given to you this week regarding the Elementary Summer Program.  I will provide you with a list of students to invite.  The Elementary Summer Program will be held at Hawthorne.  I need your help in cascading the information to your parents as they need to fill out the application online.
• It is very important that you sign in each day when you are on campus. This helps us with contract tracing and making sure we have accurate numbers. Here is the link in case you need it https://forms.gle/wXJeFGReFU3eKMgY6
• Elementary Teacher Newsletter 
• Elementary Hybrid Resources - Use these resources to help you during Phase 2 and Phase 3.
• A fantastic opportunity has come our way... for the 2021-2022 school year Larissa Pineda will be leading a Book Study through Dr. Katie Novak's book "UDL Now!".  As many of  you know I had the opportunity in the Fall of 2019 to fly to Massachusetts and visit Dr. Novak's school district, I got to see UDL in action.  I can say, without a doubt, that using the UDL system to design and assess student learning is the way to face the challenges we will have over the next few years.  
• Here are the tentative details: 
• 1.  Book Study for "UDL Now!" by Dr. Kate Novak
• 2.  Combination of Synchronous and Asynchronous work 
• 3.  Starts in May with one session to introduce everyone and go over details
• 4.  Asynchronous work in the RISE Platform over the summer 
• 5.  Synchronous sessions throughout the 2021-2022 school year (with drop ins by Dr. Novak!)
• 6.   Sessions are 1 hour in length and will tentatively start at 3:00
• 7.  Teachers will be compensated on a timecard for this learning opportunity
• I highly encourage you and your teammates to sign up and learn more about UDL and how it can impact student learning.  If  you are interested fill out this Google Form:  Universal Design for Learning Book Study.   If you have further questions let me know or contact Larissa Pineda at lapineda@riversideunified.org
• Link for Virtual and Home Based Flyers and Applications
• RUSD Elementary/Middle/High School Visual Art Show RUSD Visual Arts is excited to be hosting the Second Annual Virtual Student Art Exhibition this spring! This exhibition is open to all elementary students, and all secondary students currently taking a visual art class in RUSD.
• Please use the link below to open a shared drive where we will be collecting digital images of the amazing work your students have created this year. https://bit.ly/RUSDVISUALARTSHOW2021
• Once in the shared drive, select the appropriate slideshow for your student's grade level, make a copy of a blank slide and then fill it out including your student's name, medium used, your name and school site on the slide. (See example in slides) 
• ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, APRIL 16th. Thank you!
• If you have any questions, please email: Brett Mosher or Beth Morrow
• We are looking forward to another great virtual art show.
• Spotlight: RUSD Teacher/Staff Arts Showcase
• Calling all artists! Do you sing? Dance? Play an instrument? Perform spoken word? Paint? Write silly poems?
• RUSD Arts invites you to share your artistry for Spotlight, an RUSD Employee Arts Showcase. Submissions due Mon. Mar. 5, 4pm. More info.
• Western Municipal Water District Water is Like Art Contest
• Each year, Western Municipal Water District (Western) hosts the Water is Life Contest for students in grades K-12. The Contest provides an artistic avenue for students to express their understanding of water use efficiency and how they are staying water-wise. More information can be found here Submissions due Thurs. Apr. 15
• New! Riverside Art Museum "Live" Virtual Classes RUSD Arts is pleased to offer a limited number of "live" virtual art classes for any interested elementary classrooms this spring through the Riverside Art Museum. Classes take place during synchronous instruction so students can interact with RAM teaching artists. More info
• Elementary Music Band & Strings Schedules for Phase 3 
• As in-person students transition to on-campus learning, the Elementary Music Program will be providing additional online sectional classes on alternate days for those students to attend on their asynchronous days. ALL ELEMENTARY BAND CLASSES WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY ONLINE NOT ON CAMPUS 
• Band Phase 3 Schedule || Strings Phase 3 Schedule

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

A Great Article about how SEL lessons fosters feeling of inclusion and equity in classrooms:

https://www.edutopia.org/article/connecting-sel-and-equity-hybrid-learning-classrooms

Upcoming Events: 

4/5-4/8 Voluntary Transfer Process for Virtual and Home Based Programs 

4/9-4/19 - Interviews for Voluntary Transfer Virtual and Home Based Candidates

4/6 - RUSD Employee Check In 8:00 and 3:30

4/7 - ELAC Meeting 10:30

4/8 - K-12 Principals Meeting 8:30-12:00

4/8 - RUSD Employee Wellness Workshop - Play + Creativity 8:00 and 3:30

4/10 - RUSD Virtual Job Fair 7:45-12:00