Star News
Ruby Bridges Elementary- Where the STARS come to shine!
Ruby Bridges 11th Annual Cultural Voices Oratorical-February 26, 2020
Dear Ruby Community,
I write to invite you to our upcoming 11th annual Cultural Voices Assembly, facilitated under the direction of our Title 1 Coordinator and Reading Interventionist, Kristin Furuichi Fong. Modeled after the Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical in Oakland Unified, this is an all-school assembly where all of our classes celebrate our rich diversity by presenting a song, poem, or a dramatic reading – some grade levels even present altogether!
Our school day celebration will be held on Wednesday, February 26th in our multi-use room, and will begin at 8:45 am. It will run approximately 1 hour.
Also, on the evening of February 26th, Alameda Unified School District will host a Black History Month Program here at Ruby Bridges. We will open with dinner at 6:30 pm and and enjoy an evening of student presentations, guest speakers, and community acknowledgements. We invite our families and other community members to attend and celebrate our rich diversity here at Ruby Bridges. District Office representatives and School Board members will be in attendance.Thank you in advance to our student presenters and guests. Thank you teachers for working with our students.
Please click for flyer below.
When: Wednesday, 2/26/20 Time: 6:30-8:30 pm, Where: Ruby Bridges MPR, How: Student performances, guest speakers, community/student awards- All are welcome. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm.
The 2020 Golden Sneaker Contest is happening February 24th through March 6th, 2020.
We are getting excited for the 2020 Golden Sneaker Contest! The Golden Sneaker Contest is a fun way for schools in Alameda County to encourage students to choose healthy travel options to school for a couple of weeks!
The Golden Sneaker Contest is a two-week classroom competition that encourages students, parents, teachers and administrators to take the healthy route to school by choosing active or shared transportation options such as:
- Walking
- Biking
- Skateboarding, or any other human-powered wheels!
- Carpooling with other families at your school, or
- Riding public transit — like the bus or BART
How Does the Golden Sneaker Contest Work?
Students in each class keep track of their active and shared travel to school each day with a simple tally chart. At the end of the two weeks, the class with the highest percentage of class participation will receive the Golden Sneaker Award — a trophy made from shoes donated by the Golden State Warriors — and a classroom prize.
http://alamedacountysr2s.org/our-services/plan-an-event/golden-sneaker-contest/
Mr. LaBarre's 2018/19 class are our reigning champions and their trophy is on display in the office.
Who will take the trophy this year? My wheels are ready, are yours?
Trimester 2 Awards- February 27th and 28th!
Friday, February 28, 2020
Grades 1st-3rd: 8:40-9:20 am
Grades 4th-5th: 9:40-10:20 am
We will also acknowledge many of our Preschool, TK, and Kinder Stars on Thursday, February 27th, 2020.
Preschool: 9:30 (classroom)
TK: 11:00 (classroom)
Kinder: 10:15 (Kinder yard)
Black History Month
"Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history."
Please plan to join the Ruby Stars in celebration of Black History Month! Continuing this month and throughout the year, students will learn about the many cultures that make us fantastically diverse.
Also, mark your calendars for the 11th Annual Ruby Bridges Cultural Voices Assembly on February 26, 2020 at 8:45 a.m. Students have been working hard on presentations in tribute to African Americans and their many contributions to the United States and the world.
Read more at:
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month
https://www.readingrockets.org/calendar/blackhistory
https://www.familyeducation.com/entertainment-activities/black-history-month
Attendance Spirit Week Success!
Thank you to Student Council, Ms. Kim, Ms. Choi, and all hands behind the scenes. Each student who met the goal of attending for the entire week was rewarded with Warriors gear, and boy was there Warriors gear!
We are looking forward to another fun attendance week soon. Keep your listening tool handy!
Garden Committee
Are you interested in your student having access to a garden program at Ruby Bridges?
If so, the PTA and Team Ruby need your interest and support.In partnership with several East Bay organizations, we believe a garden program here at Ruby Bridges could support the following:
Our STEAM program,
Our science curriculum,
Support our students social emotional learning
Teach valuable life skills,
Enhance our beautiful campus
If you are interested, please consider joining the Garden Committee. We will meet several times before the end of the school year and develop a vision that is sustainable, compliant with AUSD requirements, and accessible to ALL Ruby Bridges students.
Please send an an email to RubyBridgesPTA@gmail.com. Once at least three people have signed up, the PTA will arrange the first meeting.
Ruby Wear, Spirit Wear!
Apparel and Accessories are now on sale ONLINE! Show your school spirit by sporting gear featuring the Ruby Bridges All Star design and the NEW Ruby Bridges School Scape Design.
To order visit: https://aglschoolspirit.com/collections/ruby-bridges
If you need assistance with ordering, please email Johanna Schmid, RBE Family Liaison at jschmid@alamedaunified.org
Please note: All orders are printed on-demand, sizes cannot be exchanged once garment has been completed. Orders take 5-7 business days to complete.
Thank you Mrs. Cline for coordinating.
Heritage Night- 3/19/20 @ 6:15 p.m.- Sponsored by RB PTA
Life Skill Focus for February: Forgiveness
"Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning."
-Desmond Tutu
Forgiveness for Kids
"The act of sincerely forgiving someone is a powerful choice that demonstrates self-love and empathy for others. It allows the person who chooses to forgive, the opportunity to release negative energy and not become overwhelmed by anger. The ability to manage emotions in a productive way doesn’t come easy for most. The act of forgiveness is an important skill that needs to be learned and regularly put into practice."
- Recognize and support – Acknowledge instances that leave your child feeling angry. Don’t discredit your child’s feelings, kid’s need validation just like adults. Sometimes just the fact that you showed support and allowed your child to own their feelings can be enough to put the youngster at ease.
- Let go of stress – Let your child release the feelings of frustration. There is nothing wrong with feeling angry. The buildup of such negative emotions will create stress for the child. When a difficult scene arises, shift your kid away to a place where the child can vent. Several minutes of screaming, stomping or pounding on something soft will release the bad energy and help restore calm.
- Have a dialogue – When your child has regained composure, encourage a simple discussion with the person involved in the conflict. Teach them to speak their minds and stand up for themselves. Try to come up with forgiveness games for children as a way to lighten the mood.
- Inspire empathy – Analyze and explain the situation in a way that allows your child to consider the other person’s feelings. Encourage activities to teach forgiveness and caring for others.
- Say “I forgive you” aloud – Saying the words out loud will help rid the child of some negative feelings and help move the healing process forward. The goal is for the child to realize that relationships are important and that we all make mistakes. Forgiveness for kids can be learned and will become a rewarding habit.
https://www.kidsu.ca/teaching-kids-about-forgiveness/
What example of FORGIVENESS is in the video below?
Toolbox: Please and Thank You Tool- I treat others with kindness and appreciation.
Taking Time Tool-I take time-in and time-away.
ELPAC Testing- February 2020
The ELPAC is the test that is used to measure how well students in kindergarten (K) through grade twelve understand English when it is not their primary language. Information from the ELPAC helps your child’s teacher provide support in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Who will be administered the ELPAC?
The Summative ELPAC is given to students who are identified as English learners.
When will it be administered for 2019/20?
February 2020- May 2020
How can I prepare my child?
- Read to your child, or have your child read to you, on a regular basis.
- Use pictures and ask your child to tell you what they see in the picture or what is happening in the picture.
- Provide your child with opportunities to use language outside of school.
- Talk with your child’s teacher about your child’s listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to help support your child’s progress.
- Use the practice tests available at this link: https://www.elpac.org/
Who can I contact with questions?
Please contact your child's teacher or our VP, Ms. Kim, with questions. She can be contacted at: jinkim@alamedaunified.org
More information about the ELPAC can also be found on the California Department of Education ELPAC web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/elpacpgtu.pdf
CAASPP scores- State Testing Results
Parent/Caregiver information on CAASP Scores:
Parents and caregivers are likely receiving communications from Educational Testing Service to deliver videos explaining students CAASPP reports. Parents have reached out wondering what these are and if they are spam. They are not spam. They are helpful in understanding the reports. Please be sure to let your families know that these are helpful videos that can help them to better understand their children’s CAASP scores.
CAASPP Samples:
English: https://prod.spotlight-education.com/v-Keh45mPXRPLw.mp4
Tagalog: https://prod.spotlight-education.com/v-KRHJp4PegPzy.mp4
Hmong: https://prod.spotlight-education.com/v-KRHJd5qTcXBb.mp4
Spanish: https://prod.spotlight-education.com/v-KRHI8I2YdF5m.mp4
Vietnamese: https://prod.spotlight-education.com/v-KRHJuigqDCNU.mp4
Chinese: https://prod.spotlight-education.com/p-KRYksbFluNhK
ALL LANGUAGES IN ONE VIDEO:
Feb.24th- Mar. 6th- 2020 Golden Sneaker Contest
Feb.25th - SSC meeting- Media Center- 3:15-4:30 p.m.
Feb.26th -11th Annual Ruby Bridges Cultural Voices Assembly- 8:45 a.m.
Feb.27th - 9 AM Lockdown Drill
Feb.28th - End of Trimester
March 11th-13th- Report card conferences- Minimum days
March 19th- Heritage Night @ 6:15 p.m.
March 20th- PTA Family Cafe- Room 301
March 25th-27th- Fifth grade Science Camp
March 30-April 3rd- Spring Break, No School
Ruby Stars show the 4 Bs- Be safe, be responsible, be respectful, be a friend!
Ruby Bridges students, faculty, and families believe all students can be STARS by following the 4Bs ! Following the AUSD Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) system, we strive to Be: Safe, Responsible, Respectful, and a Friend to All. These expectations are taught, modeled, learned, and practiced at Ruby Bridges.
School-wide PBIS focus areas and behavior expectations:
Arrival and Dismissal- walking to and from safely
Cafeteria/respect property- remain seated; clean behind self
Basic behavior- indoor voices, following the 4 Bs, waiting calmly
Courtyard/line- 3 point touch following recess; walk calmly to line
Acknowledgements for following the 4 Bs:
Star Cards and lunchtime drawings
Positive acknowledgement
Shout outs during morning announcements
Classroom incentives
Assemblies
Nut Free Classrooms
Toolbox Tools
This month we are reviewing the first four tools: breathing tool, listening tool, empathy tool, safe, quiet place tool.
Please ask students about the tools.
Visit our Twitter page: @RB_Stars
How to reach the Stars:
Email: Dpharr@alamedaunified.org
Website: https://rubybridges-alamedausd-ca.schoolloop.com
Phone: 510-748-4006
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RubyBridgesElementary
Twitter: @RB_Stars