Star News
Ruby Bridges Elementary- Where the Stars come to shine!
Safety Preparedness-Earthquake Safety for Families
Hello Families,
October continues our focus on safety. Beginning this week, students will participate in our first school-wide earthquake drill for the 2019-20 school year, participating in the Great California Shakeout- a statewide drill focused on earthquake preparedness and safety. Students will practice in class drills for earthquake safety beginning at 10:17 a.m..
An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of underground rock. Earthquakes can cause buildings to collapse and cause heavy items to fall, resulting in injuries and property damage.
Earthquakes can:
- Happen anywhere. Higher risk areas include California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Mississippi Valley.
- Happen without warning.
- Cause fires and damage roads.
- Cause tsunamis, landslides and avalanches.
If an earthquake happens, protect yourself right away. Drop, Cover and Hold On!
- If you are in a vehicle, pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
- If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
- If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings.
- Do not get in a doorway.
- Do not run outside.
Below is a checklist of things to do if a earthquake were to happen while we were in school:
- Drop to your knees and hands.
- Get under your desk and cover your head and neck with your arms.
- Stay away from glass, windows, and heavy bookcases.
- Don’t rush to the exit.
- If outside stay away from trees, buildings, and power lines.
- Remember to remain quiet when assembling outside.
- Listen carefully to adults for directions.
Visit:https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsvWbw-aa5QIVRRx9Ch3zmAYDEAAYASAAEgJi9_D_BwE
Updates to Morning Drop Off Policy
Ruby Parents/Guardians,
I write to thank you for your support with our new morning drop off policy- Parents of students 1st-5th grade, non SDC, say goodbye and give hugs on the blacktop, allowing students to leave the yard with the teacher (8:20).
As partners in our Stars journey, we will continue to prioritize student safety and learning and ask for your support as we focus on school safety, bell to bell instruction, and building student independence.
Understanding this is a new routine, and that this change may present a variety of emotions for some parents/guardians, it's what's in the best interest of our students and student safety that this change has been implemented. The same request is being made to parents of tardy students (1st-5th grade, non SDC). All students that arrive late should check into the main office and will be directed and/or escorted to class as needed. Parents (1st-5th grade, non SDC) are being asked to give goodbyes in the office. If you have specific questions about your child and need to talk with the teacher, please email, leave a message for, or set up appt. to meet with him/her. Instructional day begins at 8:20 for teachers and students.
Ruby Bridges is not alone in this change. Many other elementary schools have similar policies, as student safety and instruction will always be a priority. Please see Framework for Safe and Successful School Environments, Section 5) Balance Physical and Psychological Safety- as a reference point for school safety. You may also reference https://www2.ed.gov/documents/school-safety/school-safety-report.pdf. Thank you for your continued support!
10/14/19 Monday Meeting at the amphitheater-8:20- I am a Ruby Star, You are a Ruby Star, We are Ruby Stars!
Great California Shakeout- October 17, 2019
On Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 10:17 a.m., Ruby students will participate in the Great California Shakeout
Please talk to your student in preparation of this drill and reference information on how you can prepare for earthquakes at home.
Lost and Found
Dear RB families,
Are you missing a jacket? A lunchbox? Random items? If so, come visit the Lost and Found! We will be putting all lost and found items by the courtyard, next to the front office, every first of the month: 10/01, 11/01 and 12/02. Any items that are not claimed by Thursday, December 19th, will be donated to a local charity. We will also do the same for Christmas, Spring, and Summer breaks. Thank you in advance for your help and cooperation.
Dance-A-Thon- October 31, 2019; 9 -11 a.m.
Live DJ! T-shirts for all students! Art making station! Celebration!
We'll be officially ending the Dance-A-Thon II fundraiser with a school-wide dance party. All students are invited to participate, and will receive a t-shirt to commemorate the event (students do not need to contribute to the fundraiser to participate, no child will be excluded.)
Students who choose not to participate in the dancing or art making will be offered a quiet safe space in the Wellness Center. Family members and younger siblings are invited to join the dancing! Be sure to sign in at the office. Information will be sent home.
Thank you for supporting the PTA! Donations made to the PTA are used to fund important Ruby Bridges Elementary school events and programs.rubybridgespta@gmail.com.
Life Skill Focus for October- Compassion
Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.
Henry James
Compassion- to feel and show concern for others
Our life skill for the month of October is compassion. As Ruby Stars grow to embody the 4Bs, teachers will incorporate our life skill into the curriculum, community circles, Toolbox practices, and other SEL opportunities for learning, but we need your help.
Here's how you can help us teach about compassion at home:
https://positivepsychology.com/compassion-for-kids/
- Volunteer at a homeless shelter or at an animal shelter. While it may be painful to witness the suffering of the homeless population for some, it is a powerful way to show children that they can make a difference. Shelters everywhere rely on the volunteerism of citizens to better serve this community.
- Read books with compassion themes. There are many books for children with kindness and compassion as central themes. The more the topic is discussed, the greater the opportunities to practice in real life.
- Discuss suffering. Though it may prove to be a difficult conversation, helping children notice the suffering of others is a first step in cultivating the action needed to alleviate that suffering.
- Ask children who they would want to help in the world. They’re likely noticing more suffering than you might realize.
- Read about helpers. Help your child understand the helpers in their world and how their work in compassionate endeavors are valued.
What examples of compassion do you notice in the video below?
STEAM Night! Join the fun!
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:
Ruby Bridges' Book Fair October 22nd - October 30th
Dear Parents and Families:
Reading increases knowledge and vocabulary, lowers stress, and supports your child’s emotional growth. But perhaps the best benefit is the lasting bond you create with your child when you read with them.
Please plan to visit the Book Fair with your child to discover new books together!
Save the date!
Book Fair dates: Monday, Oct. 21 - Friday October 25th
Shopping hours: After School
The fair will also be open during Steam Night on Friday October 25th until 8PM!
Online Shopping Option! If you’re not able to attend the Fair, try our new online shopping option. We’ve partnered with The Scholastic Store™ to offer over 6,000 products that ship direct to your home (with free shipping on orders of $25 or more)! Visit our homepage to shop online.
Proceeds from the fair go to putting books in our library and in our classrooms for our students to read. We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair!
We are STILL in need of a Marquee Manager... Please donate a little time
Volunteers needed for lunch supervision
The Ruby Stars would definitely benefit from additional recess support during the lunch hour (11:00-12:45 p.m.). Additional hands are welcome in the cafeteria and additional eyes out on the yard. If you answered yes to the questions above, please reach out to Ms. Machrus at: gmachrus@alamedaunified.org
Please note the days and times you are available for supervision or to support a structured lunch recess activity and we will be in contact. We appreciate our volunteers.
Lunch Applications
10/17 Great California Shake Out!
10/18 PTA Family Cafe- 8:20 Red Tables
10/21-10/25 Fall Book Fair
10/25 STEAM Night-6:15 p.m.
10/26 PTA Sat. Play Date
10/29- Global Makers Day
10/31 PTA Dance-A-Thon 9-11 a.m.
11/1- Spirit Day- Mustache Day
11/8- End of Trimester 1
11/11- Veteran's Day- No School
11/14- Ruby Bridges Day
11/18-11/22- Fall Conferences, dismissal at 12:30
English Language Development-ELD
English Language Development (ELD) is, "Instruction that focuses specifically on helping English learners develop English language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The purpose of ELD is to move students along the continuum of language development and bring them, ultimately, to native or near-native fluency in English."
In AUSD, EL (English Learners) received designated language instruction 30 minutes daily, four times weekly. All EL students are assessed annually using the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) .
Ms. Noor helps support ELD for our emerging students.
Mindfulness
Ruby Bridges uses Inner Explorer to support Mindfulness practices. Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.
"Daily practice teaches kids the practical techniques to appropriately handle difficult emotions such as stress, anxiety, anger and more.”
Updated Arrival and Dismissal Procedures (10/7/19)
- All students meet in the Multi Purpose Room (MPR) beginning at 7:40.
- Kinders also meet in the MPR until 8:00 and are then walked to K yard.
- All students 1st-5th remain in the MPR until supervision for morning recess at 8:05.
- NO students should be on the yard prior to 8:05.Recess 8:05-8:20.
- At 8:20 all students dismissed to classrooms with teachers. Parents should not accompany students.
Dismissal
- Kinders are picked up from the Kinder yard at dismissal.
- For 1st-5th dismissal, front gates and playground gate reopen at 2:45 (M,T, Th, F).
- ALL parents are asked to wait in the entry quad or blacktop area until the bell rings.
- Back gates should not be left ajar for any reason. Back gates are for dismissal only, NOT for entry.
NO DOUBLE PARKING! When dropping off or picking up student please use a designated area or park on the street. Student safety is a priority!
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.
September-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
Ask your child about the tools!
Social Media:@RB_Stars; facebook@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