Mustang Memo
January and February 2021
Connecting and Communicating with Teachers
As you balance your work schedule, family life, distance learning, and the everyday activities that come along, I know that it may seem difficult sometimes to connect and communicate with your child's classroom teacher.
Here are some helpful tips on how to connect and communicate with the teacher:
1. Email: Type in your teacher's firstnamelastname@antiochschools.net
2. Call the Mission Elementary Office and leave a message- 925 - 779 - 7435
3. Remind App - Sign up for the classroom remind page, and text the teacher directly
4. Message the teacher directly on Microsoft Teams.
Please avoid asking the teacher questions while they are teaching in a LIVE Microsoft Teams meeting. The instructional time is extremely valuable for both the students and teacher.
Sincerely,
Ms. Laituri
Principal
Tech Tips!
1. My Locker:
AUSD MyLocker is the one stop shop for apps that AUSD is using. You will find Microsoft Teams, Seesaw (kinder - 3rd grade), IReady, Connect Ed, and so much more. This is a single sign on platform.
Locked out of MyLocker?
Call the Mission Elementary Office and ask if they can reset your MyLocker password.
2. Seesaw: (Kindergarten - 3rd)
Seesaw is a platform teachers post work to for students to complete on line and submit online.
Locked out of Seesaw?
Contact the teacher for a password reset.
Call the Mission office to see if the principal is available to reset the password.
3. If you need other tech support, you cannot log into your district assigned computer, please contact tech support at:
email : support@antiochschools.net
or call English: 925 - 779 - 7676 Spanish: 925 - 779 - 7674
FRIENDLY REMINDER: HELP CREATE A CARING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT!
PARENT CONFERENCES ARE COMING! Mark Your Calendar!
Teachers will be contacting parents/guardians by email and phone calls to schedule the virtual meeting. You will receive a Microsoft Teams meeting invite by email. The email will contain a link that says "JOIN MEETING." On the day of your child's conference, you will click this link to be admitted into the conference.
*Monday will stay an Independent Learning Day. (All grade levels)
1st grade - 5th grade Schedule: Tuesday through Friday schedule will look a little different
* Live Microsoft Teams meeting with the teacher will be held between 8:15am - 11:15am.
* Lunch time is scheduled for 11:15am - 12:00pm.
*Office Hours: 11:15 - 11:35
*Students between 1st grade through 5th grade will continue the day with independent learning/work assigned by the teacher between 12:20pm - 2:15pm.
Kindergarten schedule will be:
* Live Microsoft Teams meeting with the teacher will be held between 8:15am - 11:15am. (With scheduled breaks)
*Office Hours: 11:15 - 11:35
The schedules above are to accommodate for earlier conference to ensure all families are able to have quality conference time.
We look forward to discussing your child's academic progress during distance learning.
Grab and Go Lunch! Yum!
All Mission Elementary students receive a free lunch/breakfast. The Grab and Go lunches are available for all children 18 years and under.
Antioch Unified School District Calendar 2020 - 2021 School Year
What's Going On In The Mustang Pastures?
Kindergarten News!
We have been learning our color songs and how to spell color words. We are also learning to write our names and numbers. In reading, we have learned about the names and sounds of the letters: I, F, N, A and M and have practiced writing them. The high-frequency sight words we have learned are: a, I, if, it, an, can, at, in, be and we. In math, we are counting to 30 and writing numbers to 10. We have enjoyed learning about pumpkins and firefighters through Scholastic News.
First Grade News!
First Grade has been very busy becoming readers and mathematicians! We know all our letter sounds, we blend, and we are working on adding to 20. In our spare time, we made some amazing MONSTER art and practiced our writing and speaking skills to go with it. First grade is Fabulous! We also want to welcome Ms. McCauley back from maternity leave and give a huge shout out of thanks to Ms. Mello for starting out the year with the students.
Fourth Grade News!
Students and teachers were excited to learn about the training officers and K-9s experience in order to protect the citizens of Antioch. Students were excited to know that the K-9s get to go home everyday with the officers to be with their families.
Thank you Antioch Police Department for taking the time to virtually visit Mission's 4th grade classes!
Third Grade News!
Educational Website:
The following sites offer some free services that are full of fun educational games that focus on Math and English Language Arts.
What is Productive Struggle?
Part of the learning process is the productive struggle!
So, what is PRODUCTIVE STRUGGLE?
Productive struggle is allowing the child to make mistakes, ask questions, experience critical thinking, and to rely on and expand their own thinking process.
Sometimes we want to "give the answer" to support the students/child when they are struggling, but part of learning is to allow for growth and 'ah-ha' moments!
When students are able to go through the process of productive struggle, teachers are able to assess student learning, in order to understand what skills and strategies students need support in.
So... how can you help your child?
1. Encourage your child to ask the teacher questions and clarification if confused
2. Tell your child to "Try your best!"
3. Have your child reread and read aloud the directions, passages, problems
4. Ask your child to tell you what their thought process is/was
5. Ask your child what part of the lesson do they understand
6. Ask your child exactly what is it they don't understand, and provide guiding questions
7. Have an adult read aloud the directions or passage in order to help with better comprehension, but do not give the answer to your child.
We are in this PRODUCTIVE STRUGGLE together!
What is I-READY?
What is I-READY?
I-Ready is an on line program where students take three diagnostic tests in the school year, and complete virtual lessons, answer comprehension questions and quizzes, and play learning games.
The first diagnostic test at the beginning of the year analyzes and establishes your student's learning level. Once the test is complete, the program creates a "My Path" for your student to focus on areas of growth in Math and English Language Arts. It is extremely important that students do not receive help with I-Ready, as accurate data will be collected, and lessons will be created to help support your student's learning.
Teachers will also assign specific lessons that align with the curriculum they are studying in the class. Throughout the lessons and diagnostic tests, small group lessons are formed to help focus teaching / learning strategies for your student.