Beaver Tales
May Edition (Volume 128, Issue 10)
School Update
As promised, we have some exciting news to share about next year and some of the enhancements that are being made in the area of curriculum, culture, and teaching resources.
Curriculum
Math: At the K-5 level we are continuing to utilize the Eureka Math program. Our 6th grade will be joining the 7th and 8th grade middle school program and implementing CPM (College Preparatory Math). This lines up our 6th-8th grades with the same math and reading program.
Writing: We are implementing a K-8 focused writing curriculum called Beginning Writers. This program will supplement the reading programs and help students build strong writing skills.
Science: We are implementing the hands-on Building Bridges Science program K-8. For the first time in nearly 8 years, this will give us a Science program that addresses the National Science Standards.
Culture & Leadership
Leader in Me/Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: We are returning to a full implementation of the Leader in Me program. This program, in addition to PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) will help our students develop strong leadership skills. You will find lots of information about this program on our website. We will also continue the Peaceful Playground strategies.
Staffing/Support/Technology (Using one-time COVID funds)
Universal Access: We have added hours to our paraprofessionals work day. This allows for time each day being allocated to grades K-5 when our paraprofessionals will support intervention and challenge needs within each classroom. We have also been able to hire a teacher to continue supporting the Home Study program and to work with students in grades 6-8.
Classroom Tech: Most of our classrooms are receiving new touchscreen instructional monitors and document cameras. This is giving our teachers more resources to teach the curriculum in a way that is more interactive. All students, K-8, will also continue to receive a personal chromebook.
Schedules: The music and Innovation Labs are back to their normal routines and schedules. We have also transitioned to three (instead of the four we had last year and two in prior years) recess and lunch periods. With our increased enrollment, this reduces the amount of students on the playground at any one time and groups K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 together.
Wednesday Minimum Days: The staff have requested that the School Board consider continuing our Wednesday minimum day's on a pilot/trial basis for one more year. This will allow staff the additional time to implement the enhancements listed above and continue addressing COVID-related needs. The weekly minutes lost on these Wednesday's would be made up by extending the school days on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays. In addition to staff reducing their lunch period from 45 minutes to 35 minutes, school would begin at 8:10 am instead of 8:20. K-3 students would be released at 2:30 and 4-8 students released at 3:00. On the Wednesday minimum day all students would be released at 12:10. To accommodate the Wednesday minimum day, we are also expanding our daycare program with additional staff available on Wednesdays.
Yearbook Sales
8th Grade Graduation and Events
We are planning an in-person 8th grade graduation scheduled for Wednesday, June 2, at 7:00 pm. As in the past, the ceremony will be held at Crosspointe Church. In order to meet social distancing and in-door requirements, each student will be allowed to invite 5 family members to attend. We will also be live-streaming the event for other family members.
Seventh grade parents have received an email asking for help setting up and decorating for the ceremony. Please contact the office if you are interested.
Two additional 8th grade events are planned:
- Mr. Donnelley is planning a breakfast for the students the morning after graduation. For this event we are asking only students attend.
- On Friday, June 4, we are planning an 8th grade BBQ on the field. Parents will be able to attend with 8th graders dismissed right after the BBQ.
We are excited that we have been able to re-institute these activities. While still not quite as "normal" as preCOVID, we are getting closer.
Key Dates in May/June
School Board Meeting, Tuesday, 5/18 @ 6:00 pm
No School/Memorial Day, Monday, 5/31
June Minimum Days: 6/2, 6/3, 6/4
8th Grade Graduation: Wednesday, 6/2 @ 7:00 pm
8th Grade BBQ: Friday, 6/4
Last Day of School for All Students: Friday, 6/4
School Board Meeting: Tuesday, 6/15 @ 7:00 pm
School Board Meeting (To approve Budget): Friday, 6/18 @ 8:00 am
2021/2022 School Year Calendar
Board Meeting Information (Board Meetings now begin at 6:00 pm)
Business conducted during the last Board Meeting:
- Review of one-time COVID expenditures to include enhancements to curriculum, culture, and technology.
- Approval of staff appreciation resolution.
- Discussion on revision of 21/22 calendar to include Wednesday minimum days.
- Approval of contract to re-roof admin/classroom wing.
- Superintendent's evaluation completed with report of satisfactory performance.
Business to be conducted at the upcoming Board Meeting (May 18 @ 6:00 pm at NCC):
- Consideration of approval of revised 21/22 calendar to include Wednesday minimum days.
- Approval of superintendent's contract
Resources for Parents
Contact Information
Board Members
Jim Brimble, Board President
Kim Christofferson, Clerk
Nezzera Tackett, Member
Erika Callegari, Member
Lyndse Bullard, Member
Email: nccs@northcowcreek.org
Website: northcowcreek.org
Location: 10619 Swede Creek Road, Palo Cedro, CA, USA
Phone: (530) 549-4488