Bernal Intermediate School
Mrs. Berg, Assistant Principal
Principal's Message
Greetings Parents and Guardians,
I hope this newsletter finds you all happy healthy and continuing to pursue your goals for this year. We are into the month of March and continue the work toward our school vision of providing students and staff a safe school climate; cultivating an atmosphere of teamwork and togetherness between all stakeholders including teachers, students, and parents; providing instruction in the classroom that’s rigorous relevant to all experiences; and building a sense of belonging and connectedness to school.
Our parent and staff school site council met a couple of weeks ago and looked at preliminary data which evaluated how students are progressing in English Language Arts and Math from our first benchmark assessment in September to our second benchmark assessment December. Early results indicate we are making extraordinary progress in both areas for all students. Also, our Home School Association is working hard continuing to sell school spirit wear, preparing for our spring book fair, as well as helped to plan and run a very successful Valentine’s Day school dance a couple of weeks ago before the winter break.
In addition, Bernal just ended up a very successful month of February celebrating and recognizing all of the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans throughout our history up to and including today. Our advisory program this week is wrapping up a discussion within each classroom of various events of significance throughout the civil rights era.
I would like to give a special shout out to our English Language Development (ELD) department for making extraordinary progress with our students that are second language learners. We are reclassifying students that are designated as English learners into a classification of Fluent English proficient. This status as learner helps students’ overall ability to perform better in all areas of study. The numbers of students this year that have been reclassified is outstanding. Special shout out goes to English language development teacher Leesa Mandel, English language development instructional aide Juana Amarena, affectionately known to all at as Ms. Gio, as well as our instructional coach extraordinaire Allison Crawford. Our second language learners have felt very proud of their accomplishments this year.
Another special shout out goes to our special education teachers. Our students with disabilities have been making remarkable gains in both English Language Arts as well as Mathematics. A special shout out goes to special education teachers Cynthia Paigen, Roxanna Chita-Williams, Juliet Kulig, and Jill Vaughn. I can’t forget speech language therapist Chloe Gu, who supports goals for our special education student as well. It has been a true team effort; emblematic of one of our pillars of purpose, which is teamwork.
I could give more shout outs but for now that’s gonna be it. As always take care of yourselves and each other have a great month of March!
Dr. Splane
Principal
Term 4 Ends Friday, March 2nd!
March Spirit Days
March 2nd - Bernal Spirit Wear Day
March- 9th - Dress Like a Teacher Day
March 16th- Wear GREEN for St. Patty's Day
March 23rd- Celebrity Look Alike Day
March 30th - No School
Honors Night
Students who have achieved a high standard of excellence in his/her academic work during the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year will be recognized for their success at an Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is to honor our many outstanding students in the following categories for semester 1 grades: Honor Roll (GPA-3.00 to 3.49), Principal’s List (GPA-3.50 to 3.99) Principal’s List (GPA-4.00). Invitations letters will be given to students being recognized as we get closer to the event.
EVENT: Honors Night
DATE: Wednesday, March 7, 2018
PLACE: Bernal Intermediate School, Main Gym
TIME: 7th Grade 6:00 P.M.
TIME: 8th Grade 7:15 P.M.
If you would like to volunteer to help, please reach out to our counselors: Martha Bejar (mbejarchavez@ogsd.net) and Tara Reed (treed@ogsd.net)
Bernal Spring Book Fair: March 12th - 16th
Dear Bernal Parents and Guardians,
The Scholastic Buy One, Get One Free Book Fair will be in the Bernal Library March 12-16th. We will be setting up and hosting the teacher and staff Preview Day on Friday, March 9th. The HSA is looking for volunteers to help with the set up, daily running, and take down of the fair. Please use the link below to sign up to help at the fair. We are also looking for a current 7th grade (or incoming 7th grade) parent/guardian that would be interested in being the book fair chairperson next year. This person could be the co-chair with Emily for this fair to 'learn the ropes.' Please email bernalhsapres@gmail.com for more information.
Please keep an eye out for messages on donations for candy and the Teacher Preview Day as well.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a4ba4af2babf49-adult
Thanks for all your help in supporting our school.
Spring Break!
March Sporting Events
Soccer (start times 3:30)
3/1 @ Davis
3/5 @ Leyva
3/13 @ Solorsano
3/15 @ Bernal
3/20 @ Britton
3/22 @ Bernal
3/27 @ Bernal
Volleyball (start times 3:30)
3/1 @ Davis
3/13 @ Solorsano
3/15 @ Bernal (boys play first)
3/20 @Britton
3/22 @ Bernal (boys play first)
3/27 @ Bernal (boys play first)
B Volleyball (co-ed)
3/6 - Bernal at Herman
3/7 - Bernal at Davis
3/15 - Davis at Bernal
Bernal Dance Team
Top 10 Bronco Buck Earners in February
1. Lexi P - 82 points
2. Sasha S. - 67 points
3. Katherine P. - 65 points
4. Asia C. - 59 points
5. Alina C. - 57 points
6. Christopher G. - 56 points
7. Dayna L. - 52 points
8. Nevaeh O. - 52 points
9. Kaitlyn K. - 52 points
10. Corey A. - 51 points
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Santa Teresa High School Freshman Orientation and Parent Campus Tours
Attention Parents of 8th graders attending Santa Teresa High School next year!
Parent Campus Tours at STHS:
When: 2/1, 3/1, 4/19, 5/3, at 9:00am
Where: Santa Teresa Library
Who: PARENTS of 8th grades students who will be attending STHS next year. (NO students should attend, as they should be in school during this time)
If you'd like to RSVP or have any questions, please contact Elvin Jackson, the Parent Community Involvement Specialist for Santa Teresa at (408) 347- 6233 or jacksone@esuhsd.org
Meal Price Increase Effective March 1, 2018
January 30, 2018
Dear Parents and Families,
Oak Grove School District’s Child Nutrition Services Department is committed to providing all students with nutritious, well balanced meals to nourish their minds and bodies for learning.
This letter is to notify families of a meal price increase on regular priced lunches for both students and adults.
Lunch Meal price increase will be effective March 1, 2018.
Oak Grove School District School Lunch Prices
Jun 2007 - Feb 2018 (previous prices):
Student $2.75
Adult $3.25
New Prices Effective March 1, 2018
Student $3.00
Adult $3.50
- No change in Breakfast Meal price -
Free or Reduced Meal Applications
If you have not applied yet for free or reduced priced school meals, we encourage you to go to our website – www.ogsd.net – to complete an online application or you can pick up a paper application at your student’s school. Once an application is received and processed, a letter of determination will be sent to the provided address. If a student is approved for free or reduced meal prices, their status is effective the day of approval.
Statewide Testing Notification
California students take several mandated statewide tests. These tests provide parents/guardians, teachers, and educators with information about how well students are learning and becoming college and career ready. The test results may be used for local, state, and federal accountability purposes.
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Assessments
The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) computer adaptive assessments are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics tests are administered in grades three through eight and grade eleven to measure whether students are on track to college and career readiness. In grade eleven, results from the ELA and math assessments can be used as an indicator of college readiness.
California Science Tests (CAST)
The new, computer-based CAST measures student acquisition of the California Next Generation Science Standards. It is administered in grades five and eight, and once in high school. The new computer-based CAST replaces the California Standards Tests (CST) for Science.
California Alternate Assessments (CAA)
The computer-based CAA for ELA and CAA for mathematics is administered to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades three through eight and grade eleven. Test items are aligned with the CCSS and are based on the Core Content Connectors. The instructionally embedded CAA for Science is administered in grades five and eight, and once in high school.
Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS) for Reading/Language Arts
California offers the optional STS for Reading/Language Arts, which are multiple-choice tests that allow Spanish-speaking English learners to demonstrate their knowledge of the California content standards. The California Spanish Assessment (CSA) will replace the optional STS. The CSA will be a computer-based assessment that is aligned with the California CCSS en Español.
Pursuant to California Education Code Section 60615, parents/guardians may annually submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all of the CAASPP assessments.
English Language Proficiency Assessments for California
California will transition from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) in 2017–18. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It consists of two separate English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners and the other for the annual summative assessment to identify students’ English language proficiency level and to measure their progress in learning English.
Physical Fitness Test
The physical fitness test (PFT) for students in California schools is the FitnessGram®. The main goal of the test is to help students in starting lifelong habits of regular physical activity. Students in grades five, seven, and nine take the fitness test.
California Department of Education | January 2018
California Science Test (CAST)
The California Science Test or CAST is part of the state testing program called the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress or CAASPP. The CAST will be field tested in 2017‒18 and be operational in 2018‒19. The CAASPP System is designed to give information to teachers, students, and their families about what students know and are able to do. It also indicates whether they are on track to be ready for success in college or career when they graduate from high school.
Click this link or download the pdf below to get more information about the CAST.
Strengthening Families Program
The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is an evidence-based parent, youth, and family skills-building curriculum that helps prevent teen substance abuse and other problem behaviors while improving parent/child relationships. Advent Group Ministries is offering this free program designed for parents and their children ages 6 to 11 or 12 to 17*. After a complimentary family meal, parents and youth meet in separate groups for one hour then come back together to practice the skills they’ve learned. Sessions are highly interactive and include role-playing, discussions, learning games and family projects.
When: Every Thursday beginning January 11th (11 weeks total)
Where: Bernal Cafeteria/Forum
Program Schedule: 11 weeks
5:30—6:30 pm: A complimentary family dinner is part of the weekly program.
6:30—7:30 pm: Families view a short video. Parents and children then break into separate groups to discuss the video.
7:30—8:30 pm: Parents and children come back together to practice the skills they’ve learned.
Register: For more information, or to register your family for SFP, please contact Rocio Gonzalez rgonzalez@adventgm.org
Strengthening Families Program Flyer - English
Strengthening Families Program Flyer - Spanish
FEBRUARY MEETINGS:
- March 1st
- March 8th
- March 15th
- March 22nd
Students who attend with their families, will receive 30 BRONCO BUCKS for each session attended!
Math Tutoring
Math tutoring is held on Mondays thru Thursdays from 2:30 – 3:30pm in room 212 by Mr. Mancias. It is open to ALL students!
Language Arts Tutoring
Language Arts tutoring is held on Tuesdays from 2:30-4pm and Wednesday from 2:30-4:30pm in room 219 with Ms. Sisco. It's open to all students!
Get Affordable Internet Access at Home
Volunteers Needed for Noon Duty & After School Crosswalk Support!
We need the help of community members to ensure our students are safe during lunch and after school. Please see Mrs. Berg if you would like to learn more and to sign up!
