Bella Vista Staff Bulletin
12/08/2014 v.1 issue 14
Quote of the Week
We Learn!
Renewing Our Work on Academic Discussions
Since last year, our District has promoted the use of academic discussions in all classrooms as one of several Common Core instructional shifts. OUSD is a leader in this area.
Academic discussions:
- are purposeful, sustained conversations about any content area
- require students to work together to co-construct knowledge and negotiate meaning in order to attain high levels of thinking and deep understanding about a topic
- are characterized by high student engagement and participation, as students
discuss relevant topics that allow for multiple and diverse perspectives
During the November 3 Instructional Rounds, a team of observers visited 17 classrooms and found little evidence of academic discussions. To accelerate and sustain our implementation of academic discussions, our Instructional Leadership team will:
- lead a PD session in January focused on academic discussions
- invite teachers to share academic discussion strategies and tools
- conduct classroom walkthroughs in February and use PLC time to provide feedback and promote mutual accountability among colleagues
Teachers can begin planning now for academic discussions by previewing the District’s Quality Academic Discussion Resource Guide on Google
We Live!
2015-2016 Student Enrollment Process
It’s that time of year! Families across Oakland will spend the next six weeks making important decisions about where they want their children to go for elementary, middle and high school.
- All teachers of 5th grade students will receive Options forms and guides to share with families during this week’s parent conferences.
- For families considering our school for TK or Kindergarten, we are hosting two information sessions/open houses. The first event is on Monday, December 15, at 9:00 a.m.
- Since our enrollment is projected to decline next year (more about that in January),
it’s more important than ever that we reach out to families to share with them why they
should attend our school.
For more information on the Options Enrollment
process, click here to go to the OUSD Website.
REMINDER: Holiday Activities
- The PTA’s Season of Giving campaign invites families to contribute non-perishable items to barrels across campus that will be donated to the Alameda County Food Bank.
- The PTA will distribute a limited number of holiday food boxes to families based on recommendations from teachers or family requests.
- Our 2nd annual Holiday Story Night, on Tuesday evening, December 16, features a
performance inspired by the movie Frozen, storytelling from staff members and music.
- EBAYC will sponsor a Holiday Photobooth, where students can purchase photo gifts for family and friends. Orders are due on Friday and photos will be taken next week.
We Achieve!
Preliminary Results from District Fall Assessments
- 65% of Kindergarten students scored at/above benchmark on the DIBELS First Sound Fluency assessment
- 50% of all students in grades 1-5 scored at/above the fall benchmark on the F&P Reading Records assessment.
- 22% of students in grades 2-5 are already reading at/above grade level based on end-of-year criteria.
- 58% of students in grades K-5 scored at/above proficiency on either the performance task (grades K-2) or short answer section (grades 3-5) of the fall math assessment.
Scholastic Book Warehouse
Popcorn Fundraiser!
Popcorn Palace orders have arrived! Families can pick up their orders from room 16 before school or after school through Thursday, December 11.
THIS WEEK
Mon., Dec. 8
street sweeping
- 10:20 Student Council Meeting
- 2:55 OEA Faculty Meeting
Tues., Dec. 9
street sweeping
- 3:15 Staff Fitness Group
Weds., Dec. 10
- MINIMUM DAY (report card conferences)
- 1:45 Classified Staff Meeting
- 7:00 17Y Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council meeting (Auditorium)
Thurs., Dec. 11
- MINIMUM DAY (report card conferences)
- 4:15 School Site Council Meeting (room 11)
Fri., Dec. 12
- MINIMUM DAY (report card conferences)
- DEADLINE TO SUBMIT EBAYC HOLIDAY PHOTOBOOTH ORDERS
-
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NAMES FOR HOLIDAY FOOD BOXES
- 8:30 Safety Patrol Monthly Meeting
- 1:00 TK/K Motor Skills (Auditorium)
Sat., Dec. 13
- 8:00 PBIS Cohort PD (Lakeview Campus)
- 9:30 Teacher Field Trip to the Scholastic Book Fair Warehouse (Fremont)
Next Week
Mon., Dec. 15
LESSON PLANS DUE FROM: Chen, Garcia, Hansen, Morente, V. Nguyen, O’Brien, Rajanikanth, Schooling, Stone, Tai, Thai, Ung
- 9:00 2015-2016 Parent Information Session for TK/K (Auditorium)
- 12:20 Photo Sessions for EBAYC Holiday Photobooth (during reces
Tues., Dec. 16
- 6:00 2nd Annual Holiday Story Night
Weds., Dec. 17
MINIMUM DAY
- 1:45 Staff Holiday Potluck (Bring your Secret Santa gifts, if you participated!)
Thurs., Dec. 18
Principals’ Meeting (Ms. Phillips is off campus)
Student of the Month Assemblies
- 12:55 Grades 3-5
- 1:35 Grades TK-K
- 2:05 Grades 1-2
Fri., Dec. 19
Bella Vista Elementary School
Email: nikki.seaberg@ousd.k12.ca.us
Website: tinyurl.com/bellavistaoakland
Location: 1025 East 28th Street, Oakland, CA, United States
Phone: 510-436-4900