Star News
Ruby Bridges Elementary- Where the STARS come to shine!
Happy New Year, A New Journey Begins!
Welcome to 2020! I hope you were able to enjoy some time with family and friends during the winter break. School resumes tomorrow and I know the Ruby staff and I are looking forward to your child(ren's) return. A few reminders as we move into the new year:
- The temperature outside has definitely dropped so be sure to send your children to school with some extra layers of clothing. Make sure to label all items.
- ELPAC testing (for English learners) will begin soon, see specific details below.
- DROP OFF/PICK UP- Numerous parents have been observed dropping off or picking up students in the middle of the drive lane. THIS IS NOT SAFE and we are working with students to make safe choices. Please pick your child up from the curb OR walk them safely off campus, using the crosswalks. Lets work together to support student safety!
- ATTENDANCE- School begins at 8:20 a.m., please arrive to school on time, every minute missed in the classroom is valuable educational time lost for your child. Our current attendance rate to date is 94.9%. We can improve this rate by: having students at school each day and on time, establishing healthy routines and bedtimes, and by making school a priority. Please see our attendance clerk, Ms. Jones, with questions.
A Round of Thanks:
Thank you Ruby Stars for your commitment to learning!
Thank you to the Ruby staff for their commitment to teaching and for making school safe and fun!
Thank you Ruby community for your support- seen and unseen!
Thank you to our awesome PTA, ELAC, and SSC for their support in so many ways!
Thank you Ms. Kim- awesome admin. partner!
Again, welcome to 2020 and looking forward to seeing the Stars tomorrow morning.
Monday Morning Meeting, 1/6/20, 8:20, at the Amphitheater- Pledge- 3rd Grade
Life Skill Focus for January: Optimism- Tool of the Month: Personal Space Tool
“Optimism is the foundation of courage.” – Nicholas M. Butler
Our life skill for the month of January is Optimism:
"Optimism is the way you see and think about what is happening around you and to you. It is looking for the good in each situation. It is expecting things to go well. It is thinking good thoughts even when things are going bad. It is having hope. It is believing that you can make things better.
In fact, being optimistic can make you happier, healthier and more successful in all that you do. It can help you overcome problems. It can keep you focused on your goals. It can make you less stressed. It can help you have more fun. It helps you to learn more from any situation. It can make you more enjoyable to be around."
How can you be more optimistic? Here are a few ways to get started:
- The next time something bad happens to you, try to see the good that may come out of it.
- Try to hang out more with people who are positive.
- Be grateful. Think about all the good things in your life. Journal your thoughts.
- Focus your energy and thoughts on things you can control, not things that are out of your control.
What example of optimism is in the video below?
Toolbox: Personal Space Tool- I have a right to my space and so do you.
Alameda Education Robotics Program
Are you interested in Robotics? Coding? Technology? Learning new things? Then join the Ruby Bridges Robotics Team! We are the 2018-19 Champions!
Robotics teaches critical thinking skills, problem solving, teamwork, time management, and can provide a gateway into growing technological fields.
There is a $20 registration fee that covers the cost of equipment, structures (missions) on the playing field, and T-shirts for the each team member. Scholarships are available.
Open to students in Grades 4-8.
An information session (with Coach Dafne Simjee) will be held for students on our school site during the week of January 6, 2020.
For full details please go to https://alamedaeducationfoundation.org/robotics/
https://alamedaeducationfoundation.org/ruby-bridges-elementary-sweeps-local-robotics-competition/
ELPAC Testing- February 2020
The ELPAC is the test that is used to measure how well students in kindergarten (K) through grade twelve understand English when it is not their primary language. Information from the ELPAC helps your child’s teacher provide support in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Who will be administered the ELPAC?
The Summative ELPAC is given to students who are identified as English learners.
When will it be administered for 2019/20?
February 2020- May 2020
How can I prepare my child?
- Read to your child, or have your child read to you, on a regular basis.
- Use pictures and ask your child to tell you what they see in the picture or what is happening in the picture.
- Provide your child with opportunities to use language outside of school.
- Talk with your child’s teacher about your child’s listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to help support your child’s progress.
- Use the practice tests available at this link: https://www.elpac.org/
Who can I contact with questions?
Please contact your child's teacher or our VP, Ms. Kim, with questions. She can be contacted at: jinkim@alamedaunified.org
More information about the ELPAC can also be found on the California Department of Education ELPAC web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/elpacpgtu.pdf
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:
1/8-Popcorn Wednesday
1/9-Spirit Day-Sports Day
1/10-No School for Students
1/15-Popcorn Wednesday
1/17-PTA Cafe- 8:20 a.m.- Wellness Center-Room 301
1/20-MLK Holiday- No School
1/22-African American Family Forum- 6:30-8:00 p.m. Multi-use room
1/23-Kindergarten Tours at Ruby Bridges
1/27- Fire Drill
1/27-1/31-Kindness Week
1/28-School Site Council- Media Center- 3:15-4:30 p.m.
1/29-ELAC Meeting -8:30 a.m.- Wellness Center- Room 301
1/31-1ooth Day of School
2/4-Spring Picture Day
2/4-PTA General Meeting 6:15 p.m.-Media Center
2/7-Minimum Day for students
2/7- Spirit Day-Twin Day
2/17-2/21- President's Week- No School
2/26-11th Annual Ruby Bridges Cultural Voices Assembly- 8:45 a.m.
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.
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
This month we are reviewing the first four tools: breathing tool, listening tool, empathy tool, safe, quiet place tool.
Please ask students about the tools.
Visit our Twitter page: @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