The Star
Ruby Bridges - where the STARS come to shine!
Translation available!
Hello from the principal's desk!
Volume 12, Issue 16
May 2, 2019
Hello Ruby Stars!
Happy May!! It is amazing to think about the end of this school year, so much progress has been made across our whole campus and inside each of our classrooms.
The STEAM Studio, featuring the one and only Mandie Cline has had a tremendous second year. Our goal for next year is to get more of our classroom teachers comfortable doing their own STEAM activities inside their classrooms. To do this we are outfitting mobile “Maker” carts that can travel and bring STEAM to classrooms.
The Wellness Center, led by Intervention Lead Audrey Hyman, along with Student Support Provider Helena Ortiz and paraeducator Gloria Quinones has had an incredible first year. Mrs. Hyman has helped bring Calm down corners, the new Toolbox Social Emotional Curriculum, daily Mindfulness moments, Restorative Practices and Community circles into all of our classrooms. The Wellness Center is open daily during lunch recess for any students looking for a quiet and controlled place to play board games, read or play Legos.
Our STAR time Language Arts rotations have continued, beefed up with the addition of a second Title 1 reading teacher. Led by Kristin Furuichi-Fong, our paraeducator team with Gloria (again) and Stacy Lorish along with new (to the position) teacher Sally Bilheimer, have made sure that ALL students, whether they are two grade levels below or two grade levels ahead are able to get time in their day dedicated to their unique needs. I am particularly excited by the work being done in 3rd grade during this time with Genius Hour, student passion projects that result in a public presentation of all they have learned.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the woman at the logistical and emotional heart of our campus – Glenda Machrus, our office manager. Did you hear that she won Alameda County’s Classified Employee of the Year – under the Office and Technical category? She is moving on to the California State competition! Please stop by her desk and congratulate her, it couldn’t have happened to a more dedicated and capable member of our team.
Other important projects include the new speakers and mounted projector in the MPR, mounted SMART projectors in all classrooms and bond work that finished up this past summer. Our grounds have never been cleaner and our school facility is in great shape.
Lastly our PTA has come out strong led by the capable Karen Bane. They just gave our library $10k to buy new books for all to enjoy! Wow!!
Are you one of those people who ONLY reads my write up and skips the rest of this newsletter? I still have free codes to give away for a $500 per week camp to either Galileo or Camp EdMo to families who qualify for the lunch program. Send me an email if you want it! More info below...
All for now.
#WeAreRubyStars - Jesse Woodward, Principal
Upcoming events at Ruby Bridges
May 1 – Walk and Wheel Wednesdays
May 3 – Spirit Day, Mustaches!
May 3 – AEF, “Salute to Education” 6pm
May 4 – RBE Playdate @ Littlejohn park, 2-4pm
May 6 - Camp EdMo registration opens for returning families
May 9 – Open House, 6:15pm
May 10 – PTA Family Café – 8:30am
May 11 - Robotics competition at Wood. Come cheer on our Robotics team! 10-2pm
May 20-24 – Book Fair is here!
May 23 – Art a la Mode, 6:15pm
May 27 – No school, Memorial Day
Jun 5, 6, 7 – Minimum Days, TK: 11:40, K-5: 12:30 release
Jun 5 – Kinder promotion, 9am
Jun 7 – 5th grade advancement, 9am and LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Did you know we have a Robotics Team?
Come to the weekend playdate!
Scholarships for summer camp available!!!
If you qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch, and want your child to take an awesome science themed summer camp, email Mr. Woodward. We have a few scholarships available for both Galileo and for Camp EdMo this summer! See flyers below.
Trait of the month - HUMILITY
"Never look down on anybody unless you are helping them up."
– Jesse Jackson
Lunch this week
Fri., May 3
Chicken Corn Dog
Bean and Cheese Burrito (V)
Favorite - Burger
Mon., May 6
Veggie Nuggets w/ Roll (V)
Favorite - Cheese Pizza
Tue, May 7
Beef Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes
Grilled Cheese Sandwich (V)
Favorite - Cheeseburger Sliders
Wed., May 8
Pasta w/ Meat sauce
Past w/ Marinara (V)
Favorite - Chicken Nuggets
Thur., May 9
BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH
Chicken and Waffle Sticks
Veggie Chicken and Waffle Sticks (V)
Favorite - Turkey Hot Dog
*A yogurt meal is available daily!
Social Media presence
Email: jwoodward@alamedaunified.org
Website: https://rubybridges-alamedausd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Location: 351 Jack London Avenue, Alameda, CA, United States
Phone: (510) 748-4006
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RubyBridgesElementary/
Twitter: @RB_Stars