Star News
Ruby Bridges Elementary- Where the Stars come to shine!
Winter Break is Approaching- December 23rd- January 3rd
Enjoy Winter Break. We return January 6, 2020.
What an exciting time of year! Winter break is quickly approaching! Here are a few links that you may want to try out over the break with your child.
Dictionary.com is the world's leading online source for English definitions.
Eduplace - educational link to our reading textbooks with word games
Pre-K-8 elementary educational resources for teachers, students, and parents.
FunBrain is an educational browser game website for children and adults.
The Exploratorium is a museum of science, technology, and arts in San Francisco. Its mission is to create inquiry-based experiences that transform learning worldwide.
Thesaurus.com is the world's largest and most trusted free online thesaurus brought to you by Dictionary.com.
Play fun math and science games, videos and activities with Peep and his friends! Explore our preschool curriculum and at home activities.
Starfall is a children's website that teaches basic English reading and writing skills.
FOSS (Full-Option Science System) is a research-based science curriculum for grades K—8 developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley. FOSS is also an ongoing research project dedicated to improving the learning and teaching of science.
Monday Morning Meeting, 12/16/19, 8:20, at the Amphitheater- Pledge-4th Grade
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. More information to follow in the next Star newsletter.
For full details please go to https://alamedaeducationfoundation.org/robotics/
https://alamedaeducationfoundation.org/ruby-bridges-elementary-sweeps-local-robotics-competition/
ATTENDANCE COUNTS- EVERYDAY!
Moving into December, I'd like to ask for your continued support by:
- Keeping our Stars healthy so they can attend school
- Setting an early and regular bedtime for maximum rest
- Checking in with your student and providing homework support
- Communicating with your child and/or child's teacher about progress
- Encouraging appropriate school behavior and use of Toolbox tools
- Sending your child to school everyday and on time. When present, students have the opportunity to learn, when not present, they are missing out.
According to Attendance Works:
Over 8 million U.S. students miss nearly a month of school each year. Read more...
Absenteeism and its ill effects start early. One in 10 kindergarten and first grade students are chronically absent. Read more...
Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back. Read more...
By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. Read more...
Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence. Read more...
Students who live in communities with high levels of poverty are four times more likely to be chronically absent than others often for reasons beyond their control, such as unstable housing, unreliable transportation and a lack of access to health care. Read more...
When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating. Read more...
Attendance improves when schools engage students and parents in positive ways and when schools provide mentors for chronically absent students. Read more...
Parking in Handicapped Spaces- Parking Lot Safety
Hello Star Families,
This is a reminder that disabled/handicapped parking is for those displaying a current placard. In partnership with Alameda Police Department, your vehicle can be cited without proper identification displayed. Also, in prioritizing student safety, there is no double parking. Please pick your child up from the curb. Do not allow your child to run into the street to meet your vehicle. Let's work together to keep our Stars safe.
December Awards- This Friday!
Lifeskill: Empathy
4Bs: Be responsible, Be respectful, Be safe, Be a friend
Admin will visit classrooms to share awards. Schedule to be shared via Remind and Aeries.
Nutrition Services
Life Skill Focus for December: Empathy
"Empathy is about finding echos of another person in yourself" Mohsin Hamid
Our life skill for the month of December is: EMPATHY
Empathy- To understand and care about others
According to The President and Fellows of Harvard College, "Empathy is at the heart of what it means to be human. It’s a foundation for acting ethically, for good relationships of many kinds, for loving well, and for professional success.Empathy begins with the capacity to take another perspective, to walk in another’s shoes."
How can parents cultivate empathy? The following are five guideposts based on research and the wisdom of practitioners.
https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/resources-for-families/5-tips-cultivating-empathy
1. Empathize with your child and model empathy for others.
2. Make caring for others a priority and set high ethical expectations.
3. Provide opportunities for children to practice empathy.
4. Expand your child's circle of concern.
5. Help children develop self-control and manage feelings effectively.
We are also reviewing the following tools:
Empathy tool: I care for others and myself
Listening tool: I listen with my ears, my eyes, and my heart
Safe, quiet, place tool: I remember my quiet safe place
Breathing tool: I calm myself and check-in
Here's how you can help us teach about empathy at home:
https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/key-strategies-teach-children-empathy
What examples of empathy are in the video below?
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:
12/17- School Site Council Meeting- 3:15-4:30 p.m. Media Center
12/19- Popcorn Wednesday
12/20-PTA Family Cafe, 8:20 a.m.
12/23-1/3- Winter Break
1/9- Spirit Day-Sports Day
1/10- No School for Students
1/20- MLK Holiday
1/27-1/31-Kindness Week
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