Sunday, March 15

Happy Sunday Stoneridge! 

First, an important change. Admin is meeting tomorrow at 3pm and they have asked us to change our staff meetings to Tuesday. You are still expected to report tomorrow, but I do not have any specific guidance as to what you should work on. I will send an email if I learn anything different. Also, I do not have a time for our meeting yet but will let you know as soon as I do. 

Please see this message from Brené Brown, my fave. A reminder that we are 'All is this TOGETHER' and some advice for how we can all get through this scary time. 

Surviving this crisis will take a shift in mindset, and that’s tougher than we think - especially when we’re afraid.

Fear and anxiety can drive us to become very self-focused. This global pandemic is a real case of “getting sick together” or “staying well together.”

Our choices affect everyone around us. There is no such thing as “individual risk” or “individual wellness.”

This is the ultimate reminder that we are inextricably connected to each other. Turning away from collective action right now - as tempting as it is - will only generate more pain.

Owning and embracing our global interconnectedness (from a safe distance) and thinking about others as we make choices is, ironically, our only path to safety for ourselves and the people we love.

We can all get really shitty really fast when we’re afraid. I get it. I’m using deep breaths along with my personal mantra: ” Try to be scared without being scary.” Feel free to borrow both - they can help.

It’s also really normal for everyone to be on our nerves: The people who aren’t following the rules, the 10-second hand washers, etc. I get that too. TRUST ME.

But, like it or not, we just can’t give up on people. We’re all we have.

Stay awkward, brave, and kind. Love each other. Spread calm.

xo,

BB

What strange waters we are wading through. We will just take one day at a time and keep moving forward. 

First and foremost, the only thing I know right now is that things are changing by the minute. I started this blog at 2pm and the information has changed 3 times since. 

I know you all have at least a million questions and I am sorry that I do not have many answers right now. 

I am going to send a message to families letting them know we will be sharing more information later this week. If you could please share with your families that breakfast and lunch will be served on Monday and Tuesday at the normal time. I will also share that information, but messages from you are a safer bet. 

If you had a student absent on Friday and they want to get work, let parents know you will be in touch with a time to pick it up sometime this week. That is one of the details we are trying to work out. 

During this time, remain calm, flexible and remember that there are only so many things we can control. Focus on those. Answers to the other things will come in time. 

Don't hesitate to reach out with questions. 

Sunday, March 8

Happy Sunday Stoneridge!!

Rest up and get ready because......

We can do it!!

Thank you to all of you that attended Benefit for the Arts!! And thank you to those who were not able to attend. Regardless, of whether or not you were there, you worked hard to promote the event. It was a HUGE success and totally RAD for sure! 

Now, for some disinfecting news. 
On that note...

Do you notice a theme?? 

Just a reminder to have your students pull the chairs away from desks and tables. You could have them line them up, if you wanted. The custodians are directed to only mop the floors once a week. 

My son's teacher sent a message asking for parents to send in individual supplies for their child so they do not have to use the community items. Another teacher asked for donations of hand sanitizer. Just throwing those out there as ideas for you. 

REMINDER: Tomorrow is the Baked Potato Staff Luncheon!

Coming Up This Week:
Monday, March 9
Baked Potato Luncheon
8:50 Flag Ceremony

Tuesday, March 10
8:00am House Teacher Meeting
4:00pm RTA Executive Meeting

Wednesday, March 11
9:15-12:15pm 2nd Grade Field Trip to Roseville Theater of Arts
3:30pm PBIS Tier 1 Meeting
5:00pm Costa Vida Spirit Night

Thursday, March 12
Brooks Off-site 9-12pm
3:30pm SSP Meetings

Friday, March 13
Phil Tulga Assemblies
9-10am Preschool-2nd grade
10-11am Grades 3-5

Have the BEST week!!! 

March 1, 2020

Welcome to March! It is crazy to think there are ONLY 3 months left. And in those 3 months we have Benefit for the Arts, Open House, the musical, testing, Carnival, the many end of the year activities and more! It is going to FLY! 

In that time, we will also be working on setting our vision for next year and the years to come. Many of you tell me you want to see Stoneridge cohesive and wonderful like it used to be. There is one thing I can tell you, and that is Stoneridge will never be like it used to be. We have new staff, new students and new leadership. That being said, I can ALSO tell you that we are an excellent school and that we will grow to be even better. 

With our grade level changes we have bridged gaps between grade levels by opening relationships, expanded expertise to different grade levels, moved personalities to age groups where they will thrive, and spread the gift of experience to touch more students. 

When I look at our grade level teams, I am thrilled by the potential! 

What I ask each of you is: Are you willing to be part of the story? Part of the group that embraced change, dug in and did the hard work. The group that moved us from where we are now to where we are headed. I have no doubt that each and every one of you is capable.

I have said it many times before--I am excited for what is to come and working to get there with YOU!

This Friday is Betting on the Arts!! Dust off your 80's gear and get ready to party! Please remember to add your availability to the sign up that Stephanie shared. Thank you again to Stephanie and Sara for being the teacher representatives.

This Wednesday is our Data Discussion Day. Here is the Schedule

PLC time this Monday is to look at your daily schedules. In this time, I would like your grade level to revisit the activities you do, including the time for rehearsing/practicing. Is there a place to add back instructional minutes? Also, look at your field trips. What is the tie to the standards? Do more than one grade level go on the same field trip? Next week, I will be sharing a grid to add up weekly instructional minutes.

Coming Up This Week:
Monday, March 2
8:50am Flag Ceremony
4pm AFG Committee Meeting

Tuesday, March 3
3:45pm SSP Facilitators meeting

Wednesday, March 4
MTSS Data Discussion Day
3:30 Staff Meeting- The focus will be PBIS and some FUN to go with it!

Thursday, March 5
3:30pm SSP Meetings

Friday, March 6
3rd Grade: A Touch of Understanding
1:15pm House Meeting
6pm Benefit for the Arts

February 23, 2020

Happy Sunday! 
It is the last week in February-- Already!!!

I want to start my blog this evening with a note about change and perspective.

What is perspective? It is a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. We all carry different perspectives of all things, especially about big changes. On Friday, I announced some big changes. 

I ask that each of you take a minute and reflect on the perspective you have taken about this change. The changes made were intentional, thoughtful and purposeful. With change comes opportunity. 

Is change easy? NO. Absolutely not. But what do these changes mean?

These changes mean some of you will be leaving teams you have been working with for a long time, BUT you will be gaining new teammates whom you have not had the opportunity to work with previously. And the opportunity to develop new relationships and gain new ways of looking at planning, data and students. 

These changes also mean some of you will be teaching a different grade level, maybe even one you have not taught before. In that, you will have the opportunity to take a fresh look at curriculum and work collaboratively with a new group of people.

I have had the pleasure of being at Stoneridge and observing for over a year now. Throughout this time, I have been able to see each teacher's skills and opportunities for growth as professionals. I am extremely confident in each of your abilities to take on these new challenges.

In all, we will work collaboratively to see our site from different vantage points in order to bring our best for our kids and our community.

I am excited for what the future brings!

Storybook Character Day was an incredible day, as always! 
Your grade level stories were so fun and you could hear kids laughing at the stories all over campus.
Thank you to everyone who worked to make 'I Love Reading Month' such a success and thank you to JeriAnn for taking the time to find books for each kid and to lead the door decorating contest!

Pennies for Patients Update:
Make another push in your classes! Pennies for Patients raised $489.05 this week, putting us at $5630.73! Only 1369.27 to go.

Benefit for the Arts is coming!! Seriously, right around the corner! Hopefully, we can get a few more ticket sales before the big day. Your classroom baskets are coming in and they look awesome!

This Friday is our Trimester House Celebration for Amistad! 
We will have outside lunch and it will be a little longer than usual. Like last time, lunch will be from 11:50-1pm. K-2 will eat first then play. Of course, 3-5 will do the opposite. The times are 11:50-12:25/ 12:25-1pm. Any ideas you have our ways to support the transition to/from quad to blacktop are greatly appreciated!  

Coming up this Week:
Monday, February 24
8:00am Stoneridge Technology Meeting
8:50am Flag Ceremony
PLC is for report cards

Tuesday, February 25
4pm RTA Council Meeting

Wednesday, February 26
Minimum Day for conferences, as needed
Brooks Offsite in the morning: TIC = Casey
2:30pm PBIS Meeting
3:30pm PTC Meeting

Thursday, February 27
7:45am Safety Committee Meeting
3:30pm SSP Meetings

Friday, February 28
9:05-10am Wild Things Assembly (Preschool, K-2)
10:05-11am Wild Things Assembly (3-5)
11:50am-1pm House Celebration/ Lunch

February 16, 2020

Happy Sunday!

Last Friday evening at 8pm, I was coaching my son's basketball team. Trust me, there was nothing I wanted to be doing more:) 
In this particular game, we had a rough start. The five starters were letting their nerves get the best of them and the shots were not falling. As they were playing, one of the players on the bench kept making negative comments like, 'Aww, come one! You gotta make that!' and 'What are you doing? Come on, stop him!' 
You know, I was on him! I told him he needed to say positive things to his teammates, or nothing at all. Then, I got really into the game and thought it had gotten better. However, when I called a timeout, three of the players on the court said, 'Jeese, can you tell him to stop. He is not helping.' 
I was surprised any of the players had even heard him because I assumed they were focused on playing. That was a big eye opener for me. 
When they first quarter ended, one players was almost in tears. He said, 'That is how he is at school too.'
Second quarter starts and this group is able to get their feet under themselves and finally put some points on the board. That one particular player is pounding his chest saying, 'That is how you do it! Yeah!' Do you think his teammates were excited to cheer him on? 
Before the game was over, I said a few things to this teammate about what it means to be part of a team and we went on to win. 
The next day, I had a conversation with my own kids. My boys are on each other ALL OF THE TIME and it drives us CRAZY!! We talked about how it makes one feel when they hear the other brother say negative things. I reinforced that we are a TEAM and we need to cheer each other on. And then, all of their issues were solved. Ha!! NOT!!! 
As I reflect on all of this, what I know is that I perform better when I know people are behind me and feeding me positive energy. 
At Stoneridge we are a team. Every single one of us is part of ONE team- working together to support kids. We all have to cheer each other on at all times. Our team members play different roles at different times. Remember the Kobe quote that said, 'I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on the bench waving a towel, handing water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.' We should all strive to be that player on our team. 
Cheer on ALL at ALL times!!! 
I know you have heard it before, but together we achieve more. 

Reminder: Character Dress Up Day is Friday, 2/21. I just finished my shopping. Fingers crossed it comes together!

Benefit For the Arts: It will be here before we know it. I love how you are keeping the competitive spirit alive. Keep sharing the info with your parents. It would be great to meet our goal of 150 tickets before the event. 

Pennies for Patients: Keep pumping it up! We are very close to our school goal and I know we will make it. 

Need Your Help: If you have your class on the blacktop on Friday afternoons, if you could please help by gathering all balls and putting the carts in room 36. Brian will be removing the tether balls after lunch, just to make things easier. 
On that note, keep an eye out for kids sitting or standing on the tether balls. The rope is not strong enough and the balls are breaking off like crazy! 

Also, I am hoping to share your grade level assignment by the end of this week but it may roll into the following week. 

Coming Up This Week:
Monday, February 17: NO SCHOOL!!
Tuesday, February 18: 
4:00pm LITE Meeting at DO

Wednesday, February 19:
Brooks Off Site- Casey TIC
3:30pm Staff Meeting(Room 35)- Jerry Jorgensen presenting

Thursday, February 20:
3:30pm SSP Meetings

Friday, February 21:
Story Book Character Dress Up Day
1:15pm House Rally

Sunday, February 9

 I hope you are all enjoying your 3 day weekend!

Thank you to all of you that have shared your daily schedules. You will be comparing your instructional minutes to the required instructional minutes in the two PLC's in March. 

It also looks like most of you have filled out the Grade Level Preference Form. 

If not, here is the link: If you could teach any grade...

I will be setting up appointments with each of you to notify you of your grade level for next year. We will also be closing out your evaluations, if you were evaluated this year. 

Coming Up This Week:

Monday, February 10

NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, February 11

Brooks Off Site- Christi TIC

4pm RTA Executive Board Meeting

Wednesday, February 12

3:30pm PBIS Tier 1 Meeting

Thursday, February 13

3:30pm SSP Meetings

4:00pm EL Coordinators Meeting at DO

Friday, February 14

💕Valentine's Day! 💕

9:00am Coffee with the Principal

Sunday, February 2

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

February is "I Love Reading Month"

Monday, Feb. 3rd

Read My Shirt Day!

Wear a shirt that other can read(appropriate for school)

Tuesday, Feb. 4th

Oh the Places You Will Go!

Wear a shirt that highlights a please such as Disneyland or a University,,etc.

Wednesday, Feb. 5th

Wacky Wednesday!

Wear your clothes backwards, inside out or mis-matched

Thursday, Feb. 6th

Hats Off to Dr. Seuss!

Wear a Cat in the Hat hat, crazy hat or favorite hat

Friday, Feb. 7th

Reading Fun in the Sun!

Bring your shades, beach blanket, etc.

Friday, February 21st

Story book Character Dress Up Day

Choose a character from your favorite book and bring the book.

This Wednesday, 2/5, is Global Play Day.
It is your choice as to how you integrate play into your day.

iReady Window is open from 2/3-2/21. 

Staff Meeting this Wednesday, 2/5.
There is a staff meeting this Wednesday after school and it is my expectation that you will attend. Please double check your calendar and make changes, as needed. I will be sharing information about potential changes moving forward.

Coming Up This Week:
Monday, February 3~iReady window opens until 2/21
Staff Luncheon- Italian
8:50am Flag Ceremony

Tuesday, February 4

Wednesday, February 5
Global School Play Day
3:30pm Staff Meeting: Room 35

Thursday, February 6
7:45am Safety Team Meeting
3:30pm SSP Meetings
3:30pm ELAC Meeting

Friday, February 7
1:15pm House Meeting
4:00-9:00pm Mountain Mike Spirit Night