Parent and Family Engagement
Newsletter
November 2020
Board of Education
Dr. Marsha Locke, President
Darrell A. Peeden, MPP, Vice President
Susan Smith, Clerk
Jesús M. Holguín, Member
Cleveland Johnson, Member
Superintendent
Dr. Martinrex Kedziora
GREETINGS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
I hope you and your families are staying healthy and safe. We have had a busy month and we have even more opportunities for parents coming up. We hope the resources below give you opportunities to continue to engage with your child’s school and in their education. We are thankful for our wonderful parents and appreciate your continued partnership.
Dr. Martinrex Kedziora
Supreintendent of Schools
ENGLISH LEARNER NEWS
Lilia Villa
Martha Cepeda-Medina
English Language Learners’ Department items:
1. Parent Spanish Book Clubs
Despite the pandemic continuing to wreak havoc in the lives of families within our community, a number of MVUSD’s parent Spanish book clubs remain committed and undeterred. Out of the 28 existing parent books clubs representing all grade-level spans, an estimated 15 clubs are meeting regularly via Zoom. Presently, there are approximately 150 active members. While some book clubs meet weekly, others meet on a bi-monthly basis. A number of others are in the process of working out schedules due to their children having their virtual learning in the morning which is when they used to meet in person. Over time, book clubs have become small learning communities where parents read, laugh, learn and support one another. These active parents serve as positive role models not only for their children (by modeling their love for reading and learning) but also for parents across the county and state. MVUSD's leadership is extremely proud of these parents for championing the importance of reading to learn and to understand. Following is a comprehensive list of district schools with existing parent Spanish book clubs:
District level:
District Book Club (founding club)
Men’s Book Club
Elementary Schools:
Armada Elementary School
Bear Valley Elementary School
Butterfield Elementary School
Chaparral Hills Elementary School
Cloverdale Elementary School
Creekside Elementary School
Edgemont Elementary School
Hendrick Ranch Elementary School
Honey Hollow Elementary School
La Jolla Elementary School
Midland Elementary School
Moreno Elementary School
North Ridge Elementary School
Seneca Elementary School
Serrano Elementary School (2 book clubs)
Sugar Hill Elementary School
Sunnymead Elementary School
Middle Schools:
Badger Springs Middle School
Landmark Middle School
Mountain View Middle School
Sunnymead Middle School
Vista Heights Middle School
High Schools:
Canyon Springs High School
Moreno Valley High School
Valley View High School
Should you be interested in joining your site's Spanish book club, please contact your school principal.
2. English/Spanish Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program
The Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program offers an exceptional approach to learning a second language. It is the optimal program for English language learners and students who speak English or any other language. Teachers deliver curriculum and activities in two languages, English and Spanish. Parents choosing to enroll their child in DLI must commit to no less than six years (K-5th grade). However, we strongly encourage families’ continued participation in the program until high school graduation. Since MVUSD follows the 90/10 model, beginning with kindergarten, teachers deliver 90 percent of instruction in Spanish and 10 percent in English. Spanish instruction decreases by 10 percent each year until fourth grade when English and Spanish are utilized at 50 percent each. According to more than 40 years of research, students who participate in DLI outperform their peers in English-only classrooms by as early as third grade.
The 90/10 Model
Due to its increasing popularity, the DLI program is now available at the following school sites:
Armada Elementary School, K-5
Butterfield Elementary School, K-5
Creekside Elementary School, K-2 (currently in its third year)
Cloverdale Elementary School, K-1 (currently in its second year)
Honey Hollow Elementary School, K-1 (currently in its second year)
Sunnymead Elementary School, K-5
Badger Springs, 6-7 (currently in its second year)
Mountain View Middle School (currently in its second year)
Sunnymead Middle School, 6-7 (currently in its second year)
Services and Supports for DLI Students
Recruitment for DLI
3. Imagine Learning
Did you know that every English Language Learner in the district in grades TK-5 have access to Imagine Learning? Imagine Learning is an adaptive literacy program for TK through sixth grade students. Through playing games and completing short lessons, students improve their foundational skills. For optimal results, students should spend at least 20 minutes daily working on Imagine Learning activities. Imagine Language & Literacy is instructional software designed to build language and literacy skills. To improve language and literacy achievement, Imagine Learning features instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, grammar, and language development. Research indicates that Imagine Language & Literacy has a positive effect for literacy development among English language learners in grades K-5, for all students in grades K and 1, and for struggling readers in grades 2 and 3 (Cassidy, Smith, and Thomas, 2017). For optimal results, students should spend at least 20 minutes daily working on Imagine Learning activities. Imagine Learning can be accessed through your child’s CLEVER account. Please click here and scroll down to “Imagine Literacy At Home” for step-by-step instructions on how to access your child’s account.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION NEWS
Jason Ramirez
Shelley Crandall
Hello MVUSD parents!
At our most recent Special Education Community Advisory Committee Meeting, we had presenters from Inland Regional Center (IRC) and Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) share information regarding services for children with disabilities. We have provided a brief description of their services below, along with some factsheets and information, which we hope you will find helpful.
The IRC website indicates, “Inland Regional Center is a springboard to greater independence for people with developmental disabilities in the Inland Empire. We are a non-profit agency that has provided support to people with intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy since 1972. Today we provide case management and service coordination for more than 39,800 Consumers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.”
Does your child have a developmental disability? Have you contacted IRC to see if they qualify? Please see the IRC Factsheet attached, or you can visit their website at inlandrc.org. Click on the tab "Apply for Services" to start the application process or call (909) 890-3000 if you have questions.
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) website indicates, “The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) works in partnership with consumers and other stakeholders to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.
DOR administers the largest vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs in the country. Vocational rehabilitation services are designed to help job seekers with disabilities obtain competitive employment in integrated work settings. Independent living services may include peer support, skill development, systems advocacy, referrals, assistive technology services, transition services, housing assistance, and personal assistance services.
We believe in the talent and potential of individuals with disabilities. We invest in the future through creativity, ingenuity, and innovation. We ensure our decisions and actions are informed by interested individuals and groups. We pursue excellence through continuous improvement. We preserve the public’s trust through compassionate and responsible provision of services.”
Please see the attached Department of Rehabilitation Fact Sheets for information about qualification for DOR services and what the ‘Student Services’ option is all about. Your child may be eligible if they are between the ages of 16 to 21, have a disability (504 or IEP) and are enrolled in school! MVUSD has teamed up with DOR to provide the Student Services Options for all eligible students who qualify. If you have further questions, you may call our DOR representative, Angelina Walker at (951) 505-2830.
Inland Regional Center Information - English
Información Inland Regional Center - Español
Department of Rehabilitation Fact Sheet
Department of Rehabilitation Fact Sheet - Español
Special Education Resources:
Parent Resource Folder - Resources to enhance your child's IEP
Creating a Family Routine Guide
Daily Routine Schedule
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Kym Taylor
Lisa C. Broomfield
Dear Parents,
We invite you to get involved and attend our monthly meetings and planned events. If you have questions about the African American Advisory Council (AAAC) please contact
Kymberly Taylor, African American Parent Involvement Specialist at ktaylor@mvusd.net
or Lisa C. Broomfield, Director of Categorical Programs at lbroomfield@mvusd.net .
At this month’s meeting of the African American Advisory Council (AAAC) we had almost 150 participants! Our Special Guest Speaker was Dr. Judy D. White, Superintendent of Riverside County Office of Education. If you missed the meeting the link to the recording is below. We would like to encourage everyone to download the zoom ap to your phones and other devices so you never miss a meeting again! Our next meeting is not until January and we look forward to having at least 150 participants again. Please bring a friend to the meeting.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 ensured African American people in the United States could vote. Please exercise your right to VOTE!
CONGRATULATIONS!
To
Edgemont Elementary School
and
Bridges Learning Center
for being selected AAPACs of the month
Dr. Judy D. White Drive thru Retirement
Parent Digital Resources
To access the information select the following link: