Jensen Ranch
September 22, 2019
Jensen Jaguar Families!
This week is Fall Conferences. Information has been shared below on the acronyms MTSS, PBIS, RTI, and ILP. This will provide some additional background going into your Parent-Teacher Conferences. There is also a section on Second Step, our Social Emotional program. Please familiarize yourself with these programs and supports.
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Please take a moment to review the attendance and new CVUSD Independent Study information below.
Some Updates/Reminders:
- Tues., 9/24, Wed., 9/25, & Th., 9/26 Kinder Release @ Noon and 1st-5th gr. Release @ 12:30 p.m.
- Fri., 9/27 No School-Conferences all-day
Please save the following links:
School Website https://jensenranch.cv.k12.ca.us/
Jensen PTA Website http://jensenranchpta.us/
Facebook @lisamacleanprincipal and @JensenRanchPTA
Twitter @JensenJaguars
In Partnership-
Ms. MacLean, Principal
Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences
As you prepare to attend your child's conference, take some time to jot down any questions you may have. It's good to let the teacher know if you have specific questions or concerns so she can address them in the course of the conference or at least she will be able to follow-up with you afterward. Keep in mind that you and your child's teacher have the same goal: To help your child succeed in school. When you meet with your child's teacher for Parent-Teacher Conferences, the conferences will be back to back so please be on time and respectful of the schedule. Conferences focus on learning, although behavior and social concerns might be discussed. Your child's teacher will review your child's progress, including strengths and areas in need of improvement. Even if you know all is well, attending conferences shows your kids that you're interested in how they do in school and allows you and your child's teacher to build a collaborative working relationship. If your family has specific needs such as a translator or time for two separate family conferences, please communicate these needs with your child's teacher.
No U-Turns on Carson!
We all need to do our part to keep our streets safe around Jensen Ranch Elementary School. Carson Lane is double striped and that means there are no U-Turns on Carson Lane anywhere the double stripes occur. At any time, the CHP can ticket drivers who fail to follow these basic traffic safety rules.
Carson Lane is a two-lane road and there is only one lane of traffic in each direction. On several occasions, vehicles entering and leaving our school grounds have driven on the wrong side of Carson Lane to avoid lines of traffic, cutting off other drivers and otherwise creating an unsafe situation for themselves, other drivers and pedestrians.
The White Curbs are Passenger Loading Zones. There is a white curb painted on Carson in front of the school and there is a white curb in the drop-off zone. These areas are for student drop off and pick-up only and not for parking.
Be safe. Be smart. Be a role model!
Sign at Jensen Entrance on Carson
No U-Turns
No Parking in White Loading Zones on Carson
MTSS, PBIS, RTI and ILP
- MTSS - Multi-Tiered System of Support: MTSS is an instructional “umbrella” framework that supports students academically, behaviorally & socially and encompasses PBIS and RTI. MTSS uses ongoing data to specifically target multiple levels of academic and behavioral and social-emotional instruction for all students - at all levels. All Jensen students are supported through MTSS.
PBIS - Positive Behavior Intervention and Support: It is a school-wide strategy for helping all students achieve important social and learning goals. We know that when good behavior and good teaching come together, our students will excel in their learning.
As part of our PBIS program, we establish several clear rules for the behavior we expect in all areas of our school. We explicitly teach those expectations to the students and reward them frequently with positive notes and prizes for their great behavior. The expectations for all student behavior are clear throughout our campus. Ask your child about the Jensen PAW Pledge. Ask your child, “What are the rules at Jensen?” “How do you follow those rules?” “What happens when an adult sees you following the rules?” Second Step is part of our PBIS program.
- RTI - Response to Intervention: RTI is a multi-step approach to providing services and interventions to struggling learners at increasing levels of intensity. RTI allows for early intervention by providing academic and behavioral supports rather than waiting for a child to fail before offering help. At Jensen, all students are provided with Tier 1 instruction in their classroom from their teacher, both academic, behavioral and social/emotional. Tier 2 supports targeted students with specific interventions to address essential learning goals that have not yet been met. The Tier 2 instruction generally can take place in the classroom, but students may also go to Jazzy's Learning Lab in the Library or in the case of behavioral/social-emotional supports, may work with the school counselor or principal. Tier 3 is the most intense level of intervention on the continuum. At Tier 3, the goal is remediation of existing academic, social, or emotional problems and prevention of more severe problems. Tier 3 instruction generally takes place in Jazzy's Learning Lab or with the school counselor. Tier 2 and Tier 3 instruction often last from six to eight weeks and provides around 50 to 100 minutes of additional instruction per week on specifically targeted skills.
- ILP - Individual Learning Plan: If your student is participating in Tier 2 or Tier 3 RTI support, your teacher will work with you to develop an ILP for your student. An ILP is a collaboratively written document which outlines your student’s current level of ability and identifies specific goals for future attainment. ILP’s ensure students have access to a meaningful curriculum suited to their particular needs.
Don't let educationese get in the way of you being your child's best advocate. If you aren't sure what something means, just ask us!
Second Step
As part of our PBIS supports, Castro Valley elementary schools use the Second Step program to address:
- Social-Emotional Learning
- Bully Prevention
Child Protection
Second Step is a program rooted in social-emotional learning (SEL) that helps transform schools into supportive, successful learning environments uniquely equipped to encourage children to thrive. More than just a classroom curriculum, Second Step’s holistic approach helps create a more empathetic society by providing education professionals, families, and the larger community with tools to enable them to take an active role in the social-emotional growth and safety of today’s children.
You are encouraged to access the Second Step document below for more information on the ongoing lessons and to support your child's learning at home!
Thank You Parent Site Representatives
Thank you to the following individuals who are serving as parent representatives to various site and district committees and programs this school year:
School Site Council:
Sarah Dias
Oren Jaffe
Irina Neymark
Hiba Rteil
Ari Sandoval
CVUSD LCAP Advisory Committee:
Venkatesh Mysore
Superintendent's Parent Leadership Team:
Marina Lyubimov
September is Attendance Month!
CA Education Code requires that students attend school 180 days unless they are ill or are on short term independent study due to extenuating circumstances.
Absences due to vacation are considered unexcused absences and cause your child to miss valuable instructional time. Please also note that extended unexcused absences of three days or more are referred to the School Attendance Review Team (SART). Although we understand the importance of family trips and vacations, we ask families to please plan trips during school holidays and vacations so that your child will not miss valuable instructional time.
Tardies also impact your student. Walking in late to class day after day can affect your child's self-esteem as well as a loss to instructional time. If you are having trouble getting your child out the door in the morning, please contact Ms. MacLean. Together we work on a plan to support your family. If you personally are having a hard time getting out the door in the morning, please take the necessary steps to adjust your schedule, make a family plan and communicate any needs/issues with the school. We can only achieve success when we work together and each do our part!
Independent Study
Please click the link to review the updated CVUSD board policy on independent study.
- Independent studies must be 5 days and no more than 10 days.
- No Independent Studies are granted during the first 10 days of the school year.
- No Independent Studies are granted for the last 15 days of the school year.
- A minimum of 10 days prior notice is required to request an Independent Study. An Independent Study form must be completed no less than 10 days prior to the requested Independent Study.
- Students granted Independent Study will be expected to complete daily written assignments in all subject areas which are due the first school day following the end of the contract.
September 15 begins national recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. As with the recognition of all groups, we will take some time to recognize the culture, history, and contributions of Latinos today and throughout history. Our library will highlight a book display and include library read alouds. We are hoping to add additional activities so if you have any ideas, please let us know!
Hispanic Heritage Month is the period to recognize the contributions, culture and history of Hispanic Americans and Latinos from across the globe. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. They all declared independence in 1821. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Public Law 100-402 authorizes and requests the President to issue an annual proclamation designating September 15 through October 15 as “Hispanic Heritage Month”
Jensen Ranch PTA Updates
Dear Jensen Ranch Families,
The Jensen Ranch PTA has partnered with Square1Art (square1art.com/shop) to create a unique opportunity to celebrate your child’s artistic accomplishments while raising much-needed funds for our school.
This fundraiser is time-sensitive, so please make sure to turn in your child's artwork before the deadline, since no late work can be accepted.
These are easy steps to create your child’s unique artwork and transform it into a keepsake:
- Have your child create an artwork only on the paper provided (in your child’s Friday Folder). For the artwork use these materials: markers, tempera paint, intense watercolors, oil pastels, paper collage, acrylic paint, craft paper, colored duct/masking tape, tissue paper, sharpie markers.
- DO NOT USE: colored or lead pencils, photographs, gel/glitter pens, scratchboard, chalk, 3D materials, metallic, fluorescent, or neon anything.
- Have your child SIGN and DATE his/her masterpiece.
- Make sure header is completed and legible.
- Turn in your child’s artwork to your teacher by Friday, October 4th. No late work can be accepted.
- In October you will receive your child’s custom catalog featuring his/her artwork. Order keepsakes containing your child’s masterpiece, AND Jensen Ranch will earn profit from every order.
- All online and paper order forms must be turned in by Friday, November 8th. No late orders can be accepted.
- Your keepsakes will arrive the first week of December.
Thank you for your continuous support! Together we can help support the school, build your child’s self-esteem, and create lasting keepsakes from your child’s artistic achievements.
For some art ideas go to https://www.square1art.com/-resources/lesson-plans-that-work/
For questions email jensenranchpta@yahoo.com
JRE PTA Board 2019-2020
Jensen PTA Good Eggs Fundraiser
A new fall fundraiser is coming to JRE beginning October 1st! For the first time, our school is partnering with Good Eggs, an online grocery marketplace, that delivers fresh local produce, school lunch, dinner essentials, and much more, right to your doorstep! JRE will even earn 5% back on every order placed in the months of October and November! There are also bonuses for new families who sign up! Visit schools.goodeggs.com today and enter our school code: jensen2019
Shop now, shop often, and please share Good Eggs with your friends and family!
Become a PTA Member!
Become a voting member of the Jensen PTA! The cost is $20 per person and your membership affords you the right to vote on critical programs and events run by the PTA at our association meetings. PTA members can also serve as program chairs and board members.
https://jointotem.com/ca/castro-valley/jensen-ranch-pta/join/register
Jensen Ranch Yearbooks On Sale
Potential Parcel Tax Measure
Click Here to Access the CVUSD Local Funding Page for More Information
High-Quality Education
Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) provides an excellent education that prepares students to graduate ready for competitive colleges and 21st-century careers. This is possible thanks to strong academic programs, excellent teachers, high-performing students and a supportive community.
Planning for the Future
As we look to the future, we know we cannot rely on the state to provide the level of funding our schools need. Our District is among the lowest funded in Alameda County and has already made $1.8 million in ongoing cuts in the past two years. Additionally, the Bay Area is one of the most expensive places to live in the country, and many of our teachers live right here in Castro Valley. By retaining and attracting the highest quality teachers, we can improve student achievement and continue providing an excellent education to students.
Potential Local Funding Measure
To provide dedicated funding for our schools to support programs and teachers, the Castro Valley Unified School District Board of Education is considering placing a local parcel tax measure on an upcoming ballot. Although no final decisions have been made, a measure may cost $96 per parcel per year and generate $1.5 million annually for six years.
Funds from a measure could:
- Retain and attract highly qualified teachers
- Preserve strong academic programs in reading, writing, science, technology, engineering, arts and math
- Prepare students for college and careers
- Support the health and well-being of all students
- Keep schools clean and well-maintained
Fiscal Accountability Provisions of Potential Local Measure
- All revenue from the measure would be spent right here in our District to support local schools and could not be taken away by the State
- A citizens’ oversight committee and annual audits would ensure that all funds are spent as promised
- No funds could go to administrator salaries
- Seniors would be eligible for an exemption from the cost
Mark Your Calendars!
2019-2020
9/24-9/26. Early Release-Fall Conference Days (Kinder @ Noon, 1st-5th @ 12:30 p.m.)
Fri., 9/27 No School-Fall Conference Day
Fri., 10/4 Principal's Coffee & Tea 8:30-9:30 a.m. MPR
Th., 10/10 Jensen Ranch School Board Presentation @ 7 p.m., CVUSD Board Room
Tues., 10/15 PTA Meeting 7-8 p.m., library, childcare available
Th., 10/17 The Great Shake-Out
Fri., 10/18 PTA Walkathon afterschool
Tues.,10/22 Make-Up Picture Day
Fri., 10/25 PTA Fall Halloween Carnival
Fri., 11/1 Principal's Coffee & Tea 8:30-9:30 a.m. MPR
Fri., 11/8 Last Day of 1st Trimester
Fri., 11/11 No School-Veterans Day
11/13-11/14 Early Release Days for Report Cards (Kinder @ Noon, 1st-5th @ 1:50 p.m.)
Tues., 11/19 PTA Meeting 7-8 p.m., library, childcare available
Fri., 11/22 1st Trimester Report Cards Sent Home
11/25-11/29 No School-Thanksgiving Break
12/23-1/3 No School-Winter Break
Early Release Fridays @ Noon for all students each Friday!
Check the online school calendar for updates by going to the Jensen Ranch school website.
About Us
Secretary Jeanine Disher
Attendance Coming Soon!
Email: lmaclean@cv.k12.ca.us
Website: https://jensenranch.cv.k12.ca.us/
Location: 20001 Carson Lane, Castro Valley, CA, USA
Phone: (510) 537-6365
Facebook: facebook.com/lisamacleanprincipal/
Twitter: @JensenJaguars