Jensen Ranch
August 2, 2019
Welcome Back!
My apologies as there is a lot of information packed in this week's Focus to ensure we are ready to start the year.
Some Updates:
- Our main playground will only have one 1st-5th grade playground structure (closest to the science room) ready to use the first week of school. The second structure is going to have the rubber fill put in and should be ready by the 2nd week of school.
- The preschool program will NOT be moving to Jensen this school year. There were several logistical issues that were not able to be resolved for 19-20. Pending final enrollment, a determination will be made regarding the use of Room 9 for the school year.
- Alicia Mendoza, our office technician/attendance clerk, has taken the secretary position at Canyon Middle School. Yeah for Alicia, sad for us. Interviews for this position will be held on Aug. 21.
- Schedules are being updated and will be ready by the end of next week. As they become available, you will find them in the Google Share Drive under "Jensen Ranch Staff".
- Curriculum and materials will be sorted through next week and will be ready by Thursday afternoon for pick-up in the MPR. If materials are ready prior to Thursday, an email will be sent out.
- Our first staff meeting is Mon., 8/12 from 9:30-12:00 in the science room. Bring your laptop.
- You should have already received your Keenan Safe Schools Online Training email and link to the mandatory trainings. All online Keenan trainings are due by Fri., Sept. 20th.
- We will be receiving an upgrade to our internet wiring/service in the coming month. All the construction work on Villareal is preparing the conduit to run the new fiber optics wiring to speed up Jensen's internet access. Our internet service should not be impacted during this time.
- The PTA Budget Board meeting is next week. I will let you know what the proposed teacher/class budget is later next week. The budget will be presented to the association for approval at the first PTA meeting.
- You will get an update on your site classroom budget for 2019-2020 in the next Friday Focus.
- The first run of the grade level websites will be shared in the next Friday Focus.
Again, I will create a basic grade level template and if you have a page or want to create one we can add that in as a link.
Preliminary class lists will be ready by Wednesday. Enrollment is still being processed districtwide.
Elementary Assessment Calendar for 2019-2020
Please review the 2019-2020 Elementary Assessment Calendar and work with your grade level team as you work on your curriculum planning. This is a live link so if there are updates or changes it will be reflected on this document.
New Staff
- Arturo Cerda-PE
- Louise Copp-Psychologist
- Jodee Silva-RSP
- Humma Sheikh-RSP Para
There are still two positions to be filled for the 19-20 school year:
- TBD-Attendance/Office Technician -interviews on 8/21
- TBD-Inclusion Para (4th Gr.) -interviews have been held, position to be offered next week
MTSS 2019-2020: Refine ELA, Pump-Up PBIS, Begin Math
ELA
Last year we focused on ELA-Literacy for MTSS work. You developed essential standards and formative grade level assessments to better support your monitoring of student progress and the formation of your grade level RTI groups. We learned a bit more about how we can use Illuminate to support our work and we will continue that this year.PBIS
This year we are going to have a district-wide Tier 1 PBIS refresher year. Student Services staff & counselors will be delivering trainings at all sites to re-engage with our Tier 1 PBIS, SEL & behavioral health interventions.
Math
This year, grade level teams will be developing the essential standards and formative grade assessments in math. It is essential that we are utilizing and basing our core instruction using the EnVision (K) and Eureka Math (1-5) curriculum. In order for grade-level teams to develop common essential standards that include academic vocabulary and strategies, grade level teams must be using common instructional materials and practices. Supplemental materials may be used, but EnVision and Eureka curriculum/instructional materials are to form the core of our instructional program. This will ensure that all our students from grades K-5 are receiving a common and consistent experience in math no matter whose classroom they are in. This is essential especially with our combo classes, job shares and maternity leaves-Grade level teams will be working smarter if they are working together! SVMI and other math support initiatives offer invaluable resources to elevate your instructional practices and engage students in learning and exploring math concepts. We will be using Illuminate to enter our math data (formative and formal) to support flexible grouping of students during our math RTI times.
Site Leaders Needed for EL & MTSS
EL Site Coordinator
One of the site leadership positions that was not filled by a certificated staff member last year must be filled this year. Someone must pick-up this position. Last year, Alicia assisted with the data side, but we need someone to be the lead on the academic side. This is a paid position, one that I filled to my best ability but could not be paid for. EL is a state-required program and we can be found out of compliance by the state if we do not fulfill the necessary state-mandated duties. Obviously, none of us want that for Jensen Ranch since was are a school of excellence. More information will be forthcoming.MTSS
This continues to be a bridge year for our MTSS work (RTI and PBIS).
- There will be 7 two-hour monthly meetings (instead of 8 meetings).
- Members will participate in at least 2 of the 4 PBIS day-long meetings focused on PBIS training (Sept. 5th and Feb. 24th)
- Members will help co-plan and co-lead the Elem. Cross-Site Grade Level Collaboration Days (11/5, 2/18, and 3/17)
School Site Council Parent/Guardian Members Needed in 19-20!
HELP WANTED! JOIN THE SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC)!
- Approximately 5 meetings a school year (1hr 15 minutes after school)
- Nominal "homework" for meetings
- Must be able to serve for at minimum 2 years (2019-2021)
- Work with the principal, teachers, parents/guardians to improve our school.
- Topics from 2018-2019: Student and Staff School Climate Surveys; School Safety Plan; community traffic safety; LCAP; School Plan; MTSS
- If we receive more than 2 interested candidates, a vote for 2 SSC members will be held at Back to School Night (Th., 8/15)
If interested, please contact Mrs. Disher: jdisher@cv.k12.ca.us
Week at a Glance
Click Here for the Jensen Master Calendar. You have access to it on your Google calendar under the "Other Calendars" section under your "My Calendars" section. This is the year to begin using your Google calendar to keep up to date!
The Employee Online Portal Now Live!
Do you want to know how many sick days you have left? Your Benefits?
The Employee Portal is now live! CVUSD has moved out of Beta and is ready for employees to use this fantastic window to your employee data.
The Employee Online Portal is an online interface to most of your HR information. You can see your benefits, sick leave, paychecks, and more. The link will take you to the Alameda County hosting site. Please follow the directions to register and create your account. Don't forget to create a secure password!
Employee Online Portal (from our district website under Staff Resources)
IssueTrak-Technology or Facility Problem?
IssueTrak - Use this link for all Technology Support Requests
"Good" IssueTrak tickets have specifics and detail:
a) What is the problem? - be specific
b) What have you tried to do already? What was the result? - be specific
c) Is there a best time to get your device or access your room? - let us know, we will try and accommodate.
Just for Fun
Stay up to date and connected to our Jensen Ranch team through a more private venue. Many of us are using FB over the weekends, holidays and breaks. Use this page to share updates, post school and event reminders, pass on a great idea, celebrate an awesome lesson or moment or seek advice. You may want to just share something funny or meaningful. Avoid using the names of students or parents/community members as the focus is on us as a school staff as a learning and sharing community. This is not a place to vent or complain! Keep it positive:)
If you're on FB and would like to join just let Lisa know.
If you're not on facebook that's ok! No major life-changing decisions are made or shared on FB-it's just for fun.
Mark Your Calendars!
2019-2020
Wed., 8/7 2019-2020 Walk-Through Registration Day
Th., 8/8 New Teacher Training @ District Office
Th., 8/8 New Teacher Training @ Site (2 hrs.- afternoon/coordinate w/ Lisa)
Fri., 8/9 District Optional PD Day
Sun., 8/11 Kindergarten Play Date @ Palomares Park 3-5 p.m.
Mon., 8/12 CVUSD Welcome Back @ CVHS 7:45-9:00 a.m.
Mon., 8/12 Kindergarten Welcome 9-9:40 a.m. in Rooms 1 & 2
Mon., 8/12 Certificated Staff Meeting 9:30 a.m.-Noon in Science Room
Tues., 8/13 First Day of School 2019-2020 School Year
Th., 8/15 Back to School Night 6-7 p.m. (start in MPR)
Fri., 8/16 Friday Flag
Tues., 8/27 PTA Welcome Back Potluck 6 p.m. and PTA Meeting 7 p.m.
Mon., 9/2 No School-Labor Day
Th., 9/5 5th Grade Folkfest @ 5:30 p.m.
Tues., 9/10 Picture Day
Fri., 9/20 Online Keenan Training Deadline
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
Check the online school calendar for updates by going to the Jensen Ranch school website.
Reminders & Resources
NON-JENSEN STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
Click Here to list the names/information of any regular non-Jensen student volunteers that you are expecting to help in your classroom during our school day. While on campus, the student will be under your direct supervision and it is expected that you have been in communication with the student’s family and that they know the student is on our campus to volunteer.
PBIS and the PAW PLEDGE
Use the lesson plans in the staff PBIS Handbook as a guide and adapt as necessary to your grade level. Reinforce these lessons as needed with your students throughout the school year!
Resources:
Electronic Copies of JR PBIS Lesson Plans
SECOND STEP LESSON TRACKER
The lesson tracker should be updated by the last school day of each month. Once the 19-20 tracker is available it will be posted here.
PD OPPORTUNITIES FROM ED SERVICES
Please Click Here/TBD for 2019-2020 to see what professional development opportunities are being hosted by Educational Services & Special Education. Please contact the host of each event for any questions or additional information.
MYSTERY SCIENCE MATERIALS
Please see this link for the reimbursement procedure, budget amount, and materials list.
MTSS
CVUSD MTSS Team Drive of Resources 2019
RTI-From Amy Valvo
The book leveling website is amazing! Often times, we are unsure what level some of the books are in our classroom. Please use the link to search over 60,000 titles with my username and password. Extending Learners w/ Book Clubs
Resources:
This website will give you access to nearly 60,000 titles and their corresponding levels:
https://www.fandpleveledbooks.com/login.aspx
Username: avalvo@cv.k12.ca.us Password: rti
www.readworks.org and www.newsela.com (Both great, free resources for reading passages)
SOCIAL STUDIES FRAMEWORK-NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL STUDIES
https://www.socialstudies.org/sites/default/files/c3/C3-Framework-for-Social-Studies.pdf
TROUBLE TICKETS
https://help-cvusd.issuetrak.com/Login.asp
If you have an issue and it is still a concern but it has been updated to “Closed” status, please communicate with Jeanine. You may still need to update/resubmit the request or we may be
BEHAVIOR/SOCIAL EMOTIONAL
The Six Tenants of Classroom Management
Ideas for Emotional Regulation in the Classroom
EL RESOURCES
OCCUPATIONAL RESOURCES (OT)
Occupational Therapist Support & Resources
NEW DIGITAL RESEARCH RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS: California State Library
https://www.library.ca.gov/services/to-public/k-12-online-content-project/
About Us
Email: lmaclean@cv.k12.ca.us
Website: https://jensenranch.cv.k12.ca.us/
Location: 20001 Carson Lane, Castro Valley, CA, USA
Phone: 1(510)537-6365
Facebook: facebook.com/lisamacleanprincipal/
Twitter: @JensenJaguars