AESD Week in Review
A DISTRICT OF UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES
Week of May 2-6, 2016
Superintendent's Message
Good Afternoon Trustees,
On May 5, CSEA and the District reached a tentative agreement on Article 6 – Health and Welfare Benefits. CSEA initially proposed that the unit members move from a tiered benefit system to a super composite, in which the District would pay $1,050 per member. This amount would have cost the District an excess of $544,000 extra per year. With guidance and direction from the Board, the District’s team negotiated a decrease of unit member out-of-pocket costs by $150, while CSEA remained on a three-tier system. Additionally, language related to a “me too” rate sharing between CSEA and ADTA was struck from the article. The District also decreased a proposed buy-out option from $2,000 to $500 for up to 10% of the members who decide to opt out of an insurance plan.
Trustees, thank you for your support in helping us reach this tentative agreement with CSEA.
Some Highlights of my Week:
- Last Thursday and Friday night, I attended the It’s a Gas event. Thursday’s It’s a Gas event honored the classified staff while Friday’s event honored the teachers. Although none of our employees who had perfect attendance and were eligible for these events won the car, we did have a few of our employees win some of the smaller raffle prizes.
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Bradach -Academic Pentathlon
On Saturday, April 30, 2016 D.F. Bradach K- 8 and Mesa Linda Middle School 6th - 8th grade students competed against a total of 14 schools at the High Desert Academic Pentathlon in Apple Valley at Sitting Bull Academy.
The students began their studies for the competition in January to prepare themselves in the categories of literature, writing, math, science, and a super quiz on social sciences. Audience members cheered on their schools during the Super Quiz competition.
The awards ceremony will be on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 6:00pm. We are extremely proud of our students.
George Eagle Talent Show Rocks!
George held its annual George Eagle Talent Show! Thirty-six young scholars showed off their artist talents singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments. This evening was filled with gallantry, inspiration, and family fun! This year’s winners include: Rolando Lopez (1st place), Kira Smith (2nd place), Amaira Ross (3rd place), Xavier May (4th place), and Scarlett Hernandez (5th place). Congratulations to all our young scholars on a job well done! Thank you to Mayor Charley Glasper, Diana Tabet, Debbie Thomas, and Jenna Soto for judging this year's talent show!!
Adelanto Elementary School -Principal, Ramon Rizo
Accomplishments
Task #1: We began this week with all promotion pictures including those of our outgoing 5th graders. These picture sessions also included panoramics of both grades along with our amazing long term subs.
Task #2: This week’s staff meeting was focused on the second part of teacher development working with Thinking Maps. This initiative goes along with our writing focus for this year. The teachers seem to love this process and enjoy working with these maps.
Task #3: We are down to our very last few SBAC make-ups we are closely approaching the 97% of students participating, and very excited about that.
Task #4: This week we are meeting with parent groups for ELAC and SSC. We will be going over student attendance, SBAC, STAR, PBIS, and end of year calendar.
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Talent Show, May 26th
Event #2: Cougar Renaissance Night, Math 20th
Bradach Elementary School -Principal, Julie Hirst
Accomplishments
Task #1: Marketing the Message: Celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week by doing something special for our teachers every day. We even sent out daily themes so parents could participate. Continued to post the great things happening at Bradach and we are highlighting a teacher of the day every day this month.
Task #2: High Expectations: Attended SARB B and held Sart. Met with teachers to go over their final summative review and am working on the classified evals.
Task #3: College Readiness: Presented at the High Desert AVID certification meeting at the SELPA. Continued with our college announcements and classes are working on their college projects. Our academic pentathlon team took 2nd place in the 6th grade essay writing contest, 3rd place in 6th grade math, 2nd in 8th grade Literature and 3rd place in the essay writing contest.
Task #4: Effective Leadership/Instruction: Met with Coop on Tuesday night to finish writing our evaluations. Met with the Think Together supervisor to discuss the issues going on with Maggie and her staff as well as to discuss how I would like the academic portion of Think Together to be more focused next year. Meeting with Ajay to go over the budget for next year. Attended the SPED Pac potluck.
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Classified Appreciation Week May 9-13
Event #2: 5th & 6th grade dance May 13th
Event #3: Young Author’s May 14
Event #4: I am at Science Conference 17th & 18th
Event #5: RFEP Celebration May 20th
Event #6: 7th Grade Dance May 20th
Event #7: Volunteer Tea, College Fair and Pawesome Assembly, 8th grade Prom May 27th
Event #8: Hesperia visits May 9th and 10th to see Daily 5
Columbia Middle School -Principal, Rich Upshaw
Accomplishments
Task #1: AVID CERTICATION Formally Approved 4.13*** AVID Coordinator would like to recommend Columbia to represent High Desert Region for 2016/2017 school year. All High Desert AVID trainings/conferences will be held at Columbia, with District approval.
Last three years Oak Hills High School has been High Desert site location.
Task #2: Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
Task #3: CAASPP testing
Task #4: Final Project Read meeting and teacher observations 15/16
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Make up CAASPP Testing
Event #2: Assembly- End of testing 5.11
Event #3: Site Budget Meeting
Eagle Ranch Elementary School --Principal, Laura Ramos
Accomplishments
Task #1: Our SPED team continues to work closely with administration to make sure all IEPs are current, scheduled, and held. We are continuing to work to maintain the 100% compliance rate. We are also working together for CAASPP/CAA/Smarter Balance Testing. We are also working on transitions for our students headed to middle school.
Task #2: Our staff development time was spent on discussing configuration of 2016-2017 classrooms. We are also preparing for the movement of sixth grade instructional materials off campus.
Task #3: CAASPP make-ups and Science testing continued this week on campus.
Task #4: Our Lady Eagles Basketball team continued to participate in the Victor Valley High School tournament finals.
Task #5: Student Attendance Review Team Meetings were held with administration and families to improve attendance.
Task #6: Third Grade teachers attended “Get Ahead Writing” Professional Development on campus.
Task #7: Our Sunshine Committee hosted a Cinco De Mayo potluck for all staff.
Task #8: Our PTA hosted a DJ Party for fundraiser participants.
Task #9: Our School-Wide final Spelling Bee was held.
Upcoming Events
Event #1: First Grade Field Trip to John’s Incredible Pizza on Monday, May 9th.
Event #2: School Site Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, May 9th at 2:00
Event #3: Think Together Parent Meeting on Wednesday, May 11th at 4:30
Event #4: Second Grade “Get Ahead Writing” Professional Development will be held on Thursday, May 12th.
Melva Davis Academy of Excellenc Principal, Vanessa Jones
Accomplishments:
Task #1: We have 692 accepted students. The letters of admittance are being sent to the students’ homes via AESD District mail on Friday May 6th.
Task #2: MDAE has joined in a partnership with the Victor Valley American Association of University Women. The focus of the organization is to promote equity in education for girls and women. STEAM careers are at the forefront of the 2016-2017 AAUW agenda.
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Letters of Acceptance mailed to selected students –
May 6-13, 2016
Event #2: Open House for MDAE Students and Families – May 23, 2016 @ 5:30pm
Event #3: Parent Middle School Tour – Wednesday May 25th @ 11:00am
George Magnet School, Principal, Carol Coburn
Accomplishments
Task #1: All grades have completed testing and we are wrapping up make-up session with our students. We will have all students completed by May 6. Students were focused during test sessions. Other students were respectful in the hallways around testing classrooms. I am really proud of my staff and students for making state testing a success this year.
Task #2: George held a Volunteer Breakfast this week to celebrate our volunteer for their dedication to our young scholars. Parents were presented with a certificate of appreciation from George. George students made each volunteer a thank you place mat to take home. Rolando Lopez, an 8th grade student, played the piano for the celebration and did an outstanding job.
Task #3: Many classrooms are wrapping up science units. A few classes are learning about the butterfly cycle and writing about what they are learning. Other classes are learning about different ecosystems and how plants and animals survive in that environment.
Task #4: Tomorrow we are taking our Art students to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on a field trip. The purpose of this field trip is to see some important works of art and cultural artifacts. We want to enrich our students learning experiences and help them relate their school experiences to real-life.
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Art Field Trip, Friday, May 6, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Event #2: BOGO Book Fair, Monday, May 9-18 in the PTSA room
Event #3: Safe School Ambassador and 8th Grade Field Trip to the Museum of Tolerance, Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Event #4: 5th-8th Grade Science Camp, May 10-13, 2016
Gus Franklin Jr. --Principal, Mina Blazy
Accomplishments
Task #1: All testing complete; started to check preliminary scores (so excited)
Task #2: Walked the classrooms during the test
Task #3: received book fair supplies and books
Task #4: attended ADAPT training – will start training with parents in the fall
Task #5: Working with teachers to add robotic coding in the lower grades
Task #6: Mrs. Henao is creating a research based PD for lesson planning
Task #7: discussing with teachers our roll out for PBIS in the fall
Task #8: Completed CST/CMA testing
Task #9: Teachers received time to complete their technology inventory and get the names in for their awards ceremony
Task #10: Started Accepting kindergarten for next year; still looking for TK students
Task #11: Completed presentation for writing in mathematics at admin meeting
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Book fair May 9th – May 13th
Event #2: May 6th - Mother's Day Tea Celebration at 2:00p.m. Green classroom; 12:45 pm Castillo
Event #3: May 27th - Father's Day - Day of Fun Celebration at 2:00p.m. tk
Event #4: May 31st - Water Fun Day - Celebrate in classroom and on kinder playground (all day event)
Event #5: June 1st – 5th and 6th grade water park field trip
Event #6: promotion May 30th 5th grade and June 2 6th grade
Event #7: June 1st - Game Day - Kids bring games from home (morning) & Final Awards
Event #8: Assembly in my classroom at 2:00p.m.
Event #9: June 2nd - Movie Day - Celebrate the last day of school
Event #10: 5th -7th grade dance TBD – possibly May 27th
Event #11: May 7th – MESA end of the year competition
Mesa Linda Middle School--Principal, Darlene Mossman
Accomplishments
Task #1: SBAC Testing
Task #2: IEP meetings
Task #3: SAI teacher interviews 4/27/16
Task #4: Academic Pentathlon competition Saturday 4/30 8am – 2pm
Task #5: Academic Pentathlon Awards Night Wednesday 5/4 6pm – 8pm
Task #6: Teacher interviews took place on Wednesday 5/4
Task #7: Leadership meeting
Task #8: School Site Council meeting 5/3/16
Task #9: AcaPenta Celebration for our team 5/5/16 2pm
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Budget meeting with Mr. Mohindra 2pm 5/6/16
Event #2: Jen and I off campus for planning 5/9/16 Designees on board
Event #3: IEPs
Event #4: Feeder school presentation to MKP – Jen and Eric will present 5/10
Event #5: High Desert Partnership meeting 5/10
Event #6: Teacher interviews 5/11
Morgan Kincaid School ---Principal, Kristen Cooper
Accomplishments
Task #1: With the help of the AVID team our presentation for AVID Elementary certification was completed. The AVID team came with me to help speak about our certification presentation at SELPA.
Task #2: With the help of Jennifer Behrmann, GATE testing and make-up GATE testing is completed. Staff has begun STAR testing.
Task #3: I attended the CSEA negotiations planning meeting and insurance information meeting. I will be attending CSEA negotiations today.
Task #4: I attended my site budget meeting. I am beginning to work on my budget planning for the 2016-2017 school year. I am also looking how to reallocate some of my remaining funds from my Title I budget to discretionary or focus money funds so that it can roll over to next year.
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Staff Appreciation Luncheon – May 12th beginning at 10:30
Event #2: Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon – May 18th at 12:00
Ted Vick School- Principal, Vikki Chavez
Accomplishments
Task #1: Collaborated with health aide to work on TDAP students.
Task #2: Presented School Wide AVID data and evidence at County Office.
Task #3: Celebrated Teacher Appreciation with breakfast and coffee cups.
Task #4: Held very successful AVID Family night. Approximately 80 families attended the event and played games and enjoyed popsicles at the end.
Task: 5: Held Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast and present volunteers with certificates of appreciation.
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Book Fair.
Event #2: TDAP Dance May 20.
Victoria Magathan School -Principal, Sandra Loudermilk
Accomplishments
Task #1: Our second group is testing this week. We’ve have a few problems because we were short staffed but we were able to work things out to try to stay on schedule.
Task #2: I met with the Think Together coordinator and we’re working out a plan for next year’s registration process.
Task #3: We are continuing to see which kids will be returning to VME, teachers have agreed to help by reaching out to the parents of the students in their class.
Task #4: The Rotary club bought lunch for our entire staff in appreciation of all their hard work.
Task #5: We had our 6th grade field trip to Brea Tar Pits, our 5th & 6th grade dance, and our DI parent information meeting this week.
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Make up testing will be next week. We will have a surprise event for those students who were here and on time the entire week of testing.
Event #2: Our PBIS team will meet next week to see the next steps for next year.
Event #3: Our first grade tea party will be on Tuesday at 9:00. International night will be Friday at 5:00.
West Creek Elementary School -Principal Deborah Bowers
Accomplishments
Task #1: High Expectations: As we approach the end of the year, our teachers are focusing on making sure behavior expectations are being met. Daily, teachers are teaching students procedures and expectations throughout the classrooms and campus. Administration is supporting teachers by visiting classrooms and reinforcing what the teachers are teaching. During our 5th grade fieldtrip to John’s Incredible Pizza on Tuesday, John’s staff and random people having lunch there complimented are students on their behavior and informed us West Creek was one of the best groups of students they had in their establishment. Students and staff were very proud of the compliments.
Task #2: Boundary Changes: Eileen Bauer worked very hard this week to make sure all students who were affected by boundary changes received a phone call informing the family of the change and sent letters to each family with the same information she called home about. Eileen let the families know which school their child would be attending and that bus service would discontinue for their children if they wanted to attend West Creek next year. There were several families who wish to stay at West Creek and will be completing the proper paperwork. Thank you Eileen for all your hard work!!!
Task #3: Staff Celebrations: Although this week is dedicated to Teacher Appreciate, West Creek has been celebrating the entire staff. Each day, staff members have found small treats with notes of appreciation in their boxes and a breakfast. On Friday, the staff was celebrated with a luncheon. We made sure food service workers, paraprofessionals, proctors, and bus drivers were included in the celebration. One staff member said they enjoyed feeling special with all the kind words. Bus drivers gave us hugs because they enjoyed the effort to include them.
Task #4: PBIS: 5th grade students were rewarded for all their hard work this year with a field trip to John’s Incredible Pizza. A few months ago, teachers were reluctant to take their students on a field trip, but with the encouragement of admin and Mrs. Goslee (PBIS Site Coach) they agreed to take their students. While on the field trip, teachers enjoyed spending time with their students in a relaxed atmosphere and began to see the need for more opportunities to get to know their students. Students expressed the trip was the best time they ever had. Some of our students had never been to John’s and were beyond excited to eat all the food and play the games. 5th graders have been following expectations on campus all week and were rewarded with an extra recess. One 5th grade teacher sent a Thank You message to Mrs. Goslee to thank her for her perseverance in making sure PBIS is on our campus. In the words of the 5th grade teacher, “I don’t always want to be positive and reward students for doing what they should be doing anyway, but the need is there and it works.”
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Please see attached calendar
Chief Academic Officer- Dr. Amy Nguyen-Hernandez
Accomplishments
Last Thursday I participated in the Leadership Academy mock interviews. I really enjoyed being able to hear our teachers who are going through this year’s Leadership Academy as they practiced interviewing. I was able to give feedback to a few of the candidates who “interviewed” with me and then give some general suggestions to the entire group when we debriefed at the end of the mock interviews. The participants were very positive regarding their experience and thanked all the administrators who participated to allow this event to occur.
I am participating with the Business Services department in meeting with each of our site Principals this week to go over their preliminary budgets for next year. Our CBO and Director of Fiscal are leading the meeting and going over the new changes to the budgets for next year. I am working with the Principals to help them understand the categorical funds. We met with 3 Principals on Tuesday and 4 Principals on Wednesday. We will be meeting with the remaining Principals on Friday.
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Tues, May 10: I will be presenting at the Silver Valley Lion’s Club at 6 pm.
Event #2: Wed, May 11 & 12: I will be leading the LCAP Engagement meetings at 9 am & 5 pm in the Board Room each of these two days.
Event #3: Fri, May 13: DELAC Meeting at 9:30 am in the Board Room
Event #4: Sat, May 14: Young Authors’ Event at Melva Davis Academy of Excellence from 9 – 11:30 am.
Chief Business Officer- Mr. Ajay Mohindra
Accomplishments
Task #1: Attended its A Gas for classified and certificated staff with Executive Cabinet at the Victorville Fair grounds.
Task #2: CSEA and District negotiation teams met with our Insurance JPA representative to go over insurance terminology, cost and programs for the upcoming year.
Task #3: Ms. Landry and I met with the City of Adelanto at Ted Vick to discuss safety issues arising from parents driving irrationally and not following laws. City is planning to do a traffic study at that location and possible a crosswalk.
Task #4: Attended SPED Pac Graduation at the district office along with Executive Cabinet.
Task #5: Mr. Woldie and I held budget meetings with Site administrators for the 2016-17 school year and provided them with budget development worksheets and their budget allocation.
Task #6: Participated in the second round of interview for the Dean position for El Mirage.
Upcoming Events
Event #1: Governors May Revise workshop May 17, 2016
Chief Personnel Officer- Mr. Todd Beal
Accomplishments
Task #1: Certificated
References on applicants from previous interviews are being conducted. Site wide transfers are being sorted out and vacancy list is being updated. Elementary School Teacher interviews occurred on May 4, 2016. Contracted teachers for General Education and SAI continue to be processed for the 2015-2016 school year. Certificated substitute/guest teachers continue to be processed for the 2015-2016 school year. Substitute teacher coverage was at 94 percent even though there were school business absences all days this week. Various other Personnel functions addressed on a daily basis.
Task #2: Classified
On May 5, 2016 the Clerk III HR exam occurred. Contracted classified employees continue to be processed for the 2015-2016 school year. Classified substitutes continue to be processed. Processing of volunteers for the 2015-16 year continues. Various other Personnel functions addressed on a daily basis.
Task #3: Risk Management
5/2/16; Insurance 101 presentation from Jason Riley, Trust Manager. Jason presented general information for our CSEA and District negotiating team. Terminology was clarified for all.
5/2/16; Site visit to Ted Vick School for parking lot review with the City of Adelanto. They are exploring options to control the traffic for a safer route to school. This may include another crosswalk, delineators, etc.
5/4/16; Open Enrollment planning meeting with Debbie Reynolds, AF Representative and myself. 5/10/16 is our Mini Health Fair and 5/16/16 starts our Open Enrollment process.
5/4/16; Meeting with the TRC group regarding our Base School testing.
5/4/16; Conference call with Weight Watchers. We have employees that are interested in starting a site meeting for this program. I will share cost and information to see if we can get the required participation to commit.
5/5/16; CSEA negotiations-Positive Thoughts!
5/6/17; Todd and I are attending the IPC meeting in Riverside. Should be good information relative to personnel matters such as subpoenas, public records, EERA information requests, etc.
Task #4: Child Welfare and Attendance
Our final count on Saturday School for this past session was 925 students. We have one session for the year remaining which will be on May 14th.
Our current enrollment is 8,518 students. This is up 8 more students from last week.
We are planning a 4th – 6th grade track meet for boys and girls. The dates will be May 19th and 23rd at Columbia Middle School. The meet will start at 4:00 pm. All Elementary schools will have an opportunity to participate.
Task #5: CSEA Negotiations
N/A
Task #6: ADTA Negotiations
N/A
Upcoming Events
Event #1: 5/10/16 – School Secretary Test
Event #2: 5/11/2016 – Elementary School Teacher Interviews
Event #3: 5/12/16 – New hire substitute teacher orientation
Quote for the Week
Adelanto Elementary School District
Email: edwin_gomez@aesd.net
Website: www.aesd.net
Location: 11824 Air Expressway, Adelanto, CA, United States
Phone: (760) 246-8691