March, Sunday 21

 

I hope you all had a restful weekend and were able to catch up on rest after the time change. There are only 5 days of school until Spring Break. Not only will these 5 days go very quickly, but the rest of the year is going to fly by! This year has flown by, it feels like we just started in November. (Funny, not funny) Take advantage of this time you have left with your students and make the most of every moment! 

Read a Thon: We are going to do a Read-A-Thon this year as our one big fundraiser. I will make a video for you to show in class so everyone gets the same information. The info will go home the Friday before Spring Break. There is a BINGO sheet for the kids to work on during Spring Break to earn raffle tickets. I am going to give you the bullet points and share the documents. I think everything will make sense after my video.

Dates: 4/6-4/16 (Book Fair is 4/12-4/16)

Goal: $75/child ~Total Goal=$30,000

Prizes: All prizes will be by raffle so all students have a chance to win. Big prize is taping me to a wall if we reach $30,000. Those who tape me to the wall will also be chosen by raffle. 

Read-A-Thon Documents

How to Spend Money: I would like your thoughts on how to spend the money from the Read A Thon. Something that comes to mind are books for the book room. What other things do you have in mind? Please share your thoughts with me. 

The Book Fair is coming: 4/12-4/16 It will be run just like it was last time. It also lines up with the second week of our Read-A-Thon. Stay tuned for more details. 

Pennies for Patients: It is going to be busy when we get back from Spring Break. We will also have Pennies for Patients. Cathy was kind enough to adjust the dates to accommodate the Read-A-Thon. More information to come The overlap of these two events was 100% my fault! Thank you for being flexible, Cathy!! 

Character Trait of the Week: This week we are looking for Empathy. 

Spirit Day: This Friday we will wear Stoneridge Gear.

Have a wonderful week! 

March 14, 2021

One year. It has been one year. I will never for get the Friday we had all kids eating lunch outside because we were trying to keep kids spaced out. In the middle of walking around and talking to the kids, I got an email that said 'Tell teachers to gather curriculum and send it home with the students." And that was all I got. Teachers were asking me what was happening and how long we would be out. I had no idea but I honestly thought we would be back after Spring Break. Ha! Little did we know our world would change forever.  I know I sound like a broken record, but think about all of the fears and unknowns you have overcome. How different did your virtual classroom feel this school year compared to Spring? So different. And the fear we all had surrounding coming back in person. We did it and it has been awesome. I think I am especially reflective because many schools are just dipping their toes into coming back. The teachers are pushing back and everyone is scared. And that is when I take a second and acknowledge how lucky we are. I truly appreciate all of you and your hard work to make this as smooth as possible. And now, it is time to start preparing and planning for next year! Phew. What a whirlwind!

Updates: 

RFS: For the Request For Support (RFS) process, if you have a student please fill out the form. We will schedule a meeting and talk about what you have done and brainstorm some other ideas. I know there has been what feels like push back for more information but we are all trying to A) Figure it out and B) Do what is asked by the district. We decided that we do not want you to avoid, or not fill out a form, so we after you put in a request, we will briefly meet no matter what and create a plan. We will then schedule a follow up to check on progress. I hope that make sense! If not, please ask. 

Chains on Gates: Starting next weekend, the chains will be back on the gates. We are having too many issues with people on campus and the chains will help deter them from entering. We will only lock them on Fridays. 

Surveys, surveys and more surveys! Please fill out the following surveys.

Mindfulness Survey: If you haven't already, please fill out this mindfulness survey. Whether you enjoyed it or not, the survey will provide helpful feedback. Mindfulness Survey

Staff Device Inventory: This was shared by the district. 

To ensure your device is included in future refresh cycles, we need your help completing the below form no later than April 9, 2021.

Staff Device Inventory

Grade Level Survey: Next year is going to bring a lot of changes and opportunities. Please fill out this survey with your top three grade levels. Grade Level Survey

Coming Up This Week:

Wednesday, 3/17 @ 3:30pm- PLC Leadership Meeting (Tentative)

Character Trait of the Week: Flexibility!

Spirit Day Friday: Opposite Day (Teachers dress like students and students like teachers) 

Have a great week!

Sunday, March 7

 

I don't know about you, but I think it is time to bust out the shades! Not only because the weather has been beautiful (never mind the rain in the forecast this week) but we will have all classes back on campus next week and vaccines are happening. Great things are coming. Each step takes us closer to the classroom we used to know and the social opportunities we used to have. It feels good! 

Next Year: I know all of you are anxious to know more about next year. I am too! Right now there is a ton up in the air which makes it nearly impossible to plan. I hope there is more info soon, but I would not expect much for awhile. I will be sending out a survey asking for your top 3 grade level preferences. Keep an eye out. 

Yearbooks: As you know, we will have a yearbook this year and it is going to be awesome! Luisa and Candi are taking it on and hitting it out out of the park. I keep telling Luisa she is going to regret making it so great! It truly is going to be a special yearbook. I shared the ordering info with parents, but I am also going to share it with you so you can pass it along in case they missed it. 

Link: ybpay.lifetouch.com

School ID#: 12183821yearbook

Staff Meeting this Week: We do have a staff meeting this week. We are going to start early and it will likely go until 3:30. It will be from 2:15-3:30. We start with some CAASPP info then,  we have a really cool opportunity to receive some mindfulness training. The district has partnered with a group to offer mindfulness trainings and we are going to be the first staff to get it. I am thrilled! 

Character Trait of the Week: Last week was Perseverance. This week we are recognizing Honesty. 

Spirit Day: This Friday, we will wear Stoneridge Gear. Next week, we will do something fun! 

I LOVE this image below and what it says. Please make a point to do #3!!! 

 

Bam! And there you have it. February is done and dusted. I cannot believe how this year has both flown by and felt quite long at the same time. In a couple weeks, we will hit the one year mark since that fateful day when we sent the kids home with their things and had no idea what the future would bring. Well, now we know what the world had in store for us and I don't think we would have predicted any of it. Simply nuts. Take a minute and give yourself some props. Props for all of the obstacles you have faced and tackled head on, for all of the 180 degree turns you have made and kept going, for all of the planning you have thrown out the window only to plan again. You are incredible and all I can say is 'Thank you!' 

This week we have our data meetings. I look forward to meeting with your PLC's. 

Read A Thon: I am still working out the details of our Read A Thon. My goal is for it to be both fun and make a little money! I hope to have it worked out by the end of this week. 

Character Trait: The trait we recognized last week was Creativity. 

Next week we will be recognizing students who demonstrate Perseverance. 

Spirit Day: Friday will be another awesome spirit day and this one is going to be fun! 

This Friday, wear your best Zoom Attire. That means you look great on top and wear whatever you want on the bottom! 

Sunday, February 21

 

Another historical event that our students have witnessed. Amazing! I love that the rover was named 'Perseverance' because if ever there was an example of perseverance it is this Mission to Mars. So many trials and so many failures that ultimately led to success. I am a fan of Bobby Bones and he wrote a book called 'Fail Until You Don't.' Such a great reminder that it is ok to fail, just keep trying! 

It is conference week! The parents are so excited to meet with you. I am sure they will share concerns due to distance learning. Just focus on the growth the students are making since being back in the classroom. 

Conference Week Schedule

I am working to get our meal duties here to help with the earlier recess. I am hoping that between whoever is available and myself, we will be able to cover your recess. 

Data Discussions: I will be sending each PLC an invite to our data discussion time. It will be for about 30 minutes and we will look at the DATA WALL. We will brainstorm both progress and room for progress and how we can address it. 

Read A Thon: I am working on a Read A Thon. Stay tuned for more information but I am planning to make it a really big, fun event! 

Have a great week meeting with parents! 

Sunday, February 14

 

Happy Valentine's Day Stoneridge! I hope you have a special day with your family. Enjoy your bonus day off on Monday! 

Conference Week is Coming, Feb. 22-26! Here is the daily schedule. 

Conferences are coming, so that means Report Cards are too! 

Timelines: Please have your report cards entered by Wednesday, 2/17. Review and make changes by Friday, 2/19. Report cards will be emailed to parents Sunday, 2/21. 

Please see this document for a 'how to' ~ Report Cards

Exciting News! Two of our 5th graders were top spellers in the district Spelling Bee. They are Rakhshan Rafiq in Mrs. Reidt's class and Gavin Cabriga in Mrs. Holm's class. A huge congratulations to both of them!! Way to go!

Unfortunately, they have canceled the next rounds, so that will be it this year. If anything changes, I will let you know. 

PTC: Just so all of you know, I have dissolved the PTC for the remainder of the year. You will still get your allocations. I think that it is important for us to regroup and get things set up for success next year. If you have questions regarding money, or PTC, please ask me. 

Brooks Out: It looks like I will likely be out Tuesday and Wednesday. As always, reach out with questions!

Staff Meeting-IMPORTANT: We are scheduled to have a staff meeting this Wednesday, but seeing as how it is the day report cards need to be entered and we have had two Mondays off, I am going to cancel the meeting and give you the time to work on report cards. 

Character Trait of the Week: Looking for students who show Bravery both in and out of the classroom- It may be presenting in class, asking a question or standing up for what is right. 

Spirit Day: This Friday will be Crazy Sock Day! 

If you have ideas for upcoming Spirit Days, let me know. I am going to try to do one every Friday.

Have a great day off tomorrow! Fill it with some Self-Care💖

Sunday, February 7

 

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!! If nothing else, take the time to relax, eat too much and have some fun! Enjoy some self care and find joy in the fact there is no school tomorrow. 

Hey, have you heard? As soon as we adapt to a new guideline, it changes? Ready for the latest?

As a result of the new California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance document (1/14/21), there have been many questions regarding interpreting the distance between classroom chairs.  CDPH Safe Schools 4 All, Technical Assistance Team now recommends measuring the distance of chairs in the classroom from the center of the back of a chair to the center back of the next chair.  Please see the example pictures below. 

So, what has changed is they are now measuring from mid chair to mid chair. I strongly urge you to leave your rooms as they are according to the 4ft guidelines. It gives you some wiggle room in case kids were to move a bit. Let me know if you have questions. 

GATE Testing:

2021-2022 GATE Identification

Testing for GATE identification typically occurs in January, however, this year (20/21 school year) the district will not be conducting GATE testing.  If there are any changes in this decision, the website will be updated to reflect the testing dates.

Contact Laurie Milton at 771-1600, extension 50129 with questions

Class on Quarantine: There is a slight change to the way we have been doing things when your class is out on quarantine. You need to be in a Zoom with all of your students every day of quarantine. I had been giving you a transition day to get everything ready, but you do need to have some sort of Zoom on that first day. That being said, it can be as simple as a 5 minute check in with those students that are able to log on. 

Parent Communication: See below for what is included in communication from the district. Please include this is your parent communication. It is essential to keep our students here on campus. 

1) If a student is not feeling well or has COVID-19 symptoms, the must immediately quarantine and contact their school so our nurse can follow up with additional information.

2) As a cautionary measure, if a family member is awaiting a COVID-19 test, awaiting results, or potentially exposed to a positive case, we ask you to self-quarantine your children until results are in. 

Coming Up This Week:

Character Trait this week- Cooperation (Remember to grab 4 things from the basket in my office. 

Wednesday- Leadership Meeting at 3:15pm

Friday- Sprit Day: Wear Red or Stoneridge Gear

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and tomorrow!