Star News
Ruby Bridges Elementary- Where the Stars come to shine!
STEAM Night! It's here! Join the fun this Friday!
The STEAM Team Helpers are busy at work preparing for STEAM Night THIS FRIDAY! You are cordially invited to our annual event, coinciding with the last night of Fall Book Fair.
Please come join us for an evening of making and exploration in the world of STEAM! There will be tables hosted by our partners in learning: RAFT, Camp Edmo, College of Alameda Fab Lab, Girls Inc., ASTI Robotics, and more! There will also be pizza slices for sale. You can join the fun this Friday, October 25th, 6:15-7:30 pm, in the multipurpose room. See you there!
10/21/19 Monday Meeting at the amphitheater-8:20- I am a Ruby Star, You are a Ruby Star, We are Ruby Stars!
Life Skill Focus for October- Compassion; ToolBox: Empathy and Listening Tools
Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.
Henry James
Compassion- to feel and show concern for others
Empathy tool: I care for others and myself
Listening tool: I listen with my ears, my eyes, and my heart
Our life skill for the month of October is compassion. As Ruby Stars grow to embody the 4Bs, teachers will incorporate our life skill into the curriculum, community circles, Toolbox practices, and other SEL opportunities for learning, but we need your help.
Here's how you can help us teach about compassion at home:
https://positivepsychology.com/compassion-for-kids/
What examples of compassion do you notice in the video below? How are the Toolbox tools being used in the video?
Get Ready To Dance- October 31, 2019, Ruby Bridges' Dance-A-Thon
Live DJ! T-shirts for all students! Art making station! Celebration!
We'll be officially ending the Dance-A-Thon II fundraiser on 10/31/19 with a school-wide dance party. All students are invited to participate, and will receive a t-shirt to commemorate the event (students do not need to contribute to the fundraiser to participate, no child will be excluded).
Students who choose not to participate in the dancing or art making will be offered a quiet safe space in the Wellness Center. Family members and younger siblings are invited to join the dancing! Be sure to sign in at the office. Information will be sent home.
Thank you for supporting the PTA! Donations made to the PTA are used to fund important Ruby Bridges Elementary school events and programs. rubybridgespta@gmail.com.
Safety Preparedness-Earthquake Safety for Families
Hello Families,
October continues our focus on earthquake safety. Are you prepared at home? We are preparing at school.
If you are indoors when a earthquake hits:
- Drop down and take cover under a desk or table. Be prepared to hold on until the shaking stops.
- Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to exit.
- Stay away from bookcases and other furniture that can fall on you.
- Stay away from windows and light fixtures.
- If you are in bed – hold on and stay there. Protect your head with a pillow to protect yourself from flying glass and other debris.
- If you are in a wheelchair – go to a safe position and lock the wheels. Stay where you are and cover your head and neck with your arms if you are unable to move quickly to a safe location.
If you are outdoors during an earthquake:
- Drop to the ground in a clear spot away from buildings, trees and power lines.
- If you are driving – pull over, stop and set your parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, trees, signs, buildings, vehicles and other things that may fall on your car.
Avoid making these mistakes during an earthquake
Experts at the University of Washington and most rescuers caution against making these mistakes during an earthquake:
- Do NOT run outside or to other rooms during the shaking. An earthquake’s shaking can cause you to fall down. You may also run into flying and falling objects that could cause serious injury.
- Do NOT stand in a doorway. Doorways in modern homes are not stronger than other parts of the house, contrary to widely-held belief. In a doorway, you’re also at risk of being struck by falling or flying objects, the most common source of earthquake injuries.
Visit: https://www.safety.com/earthquake-safety/ for more information.
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:
Ruby Bridges-Halloween Policy
Per the AUSD Teaching and Learning department, the following guidelines shall apply:
· Students may wear costumes to school according to guidelines established by district’s student dress code policy.
· Costumes shall not be demeaning to any person or group based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, nationality, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or to any individual staff or student at the school.
· No costume can be worn that is unsafe or that may create a safety hazard.
· No weapons or replica weapons are to be brought to school.
· No costumes or masks are allowed that completely hide the identity of the student or would impair a student’s vision or movement (e.g., ability to climb stairs); however, masks may be worn during a parade or other specific activity, provided that safety is not hindered, as determined by the site administrator.
· All restrictions and guidelines regarding obscene materials or prohibited substances remain in effect.
· No student or staff member shall be required to engage in Halloween-related activities if doing so conflicts with their religious faith and/or personal or cultural practice. Students who do not participate in Halloween-related activities shall be provided an alternate educational activity.
Because we already have our Dance-a-thon scheduled for that day, we are NOT going to do a school wide parade. Students can wear their costumes to school as long as it doesn't impede their ability to learn in their classroom. Students will participate in the Dance-a-thon at their allotted time with or without their costumes. If parents would like to attend and take pictures of their child, they can do so. Students can also change into their costumes before the dance party if they would like. Be careful that they don't overheat! Students will ALSO be getting a Dance-a-thon t-shirt at school on 10/31. Students are invited to wear their Dance-a-thon t-shirts during the dance party also.
We are STILL in need of a Marquee Manager... Please donate a little time
Volunteers needed for lunch supervision
The Ruby Stars would definitely benefit from additional recess support during the lunch hour (11:00-12:45 p.m.). Additional hands are welcome in the cafeteria and additional eyes out on the yard. If you answered yes to the questions above, please reach out to Ms. Machrus at: gmachrus@alamedaunified.org
Please note the days and times you are available for supervision or to support a structured lunch recess activity and we will be in contact. We appreciate our volunteers.
Amazing Students!
Ruby Bridges' Book Fair-THIS WEEK- October 21st - October 25th
Dear Parents and Families:
Reading increases knowledge and vocabulary, lowers stress, and supports your child’s emotional growth. But perhaps the best benefit is the lasting bond you create with your child when you read with them.
Please plan to visit the Book Fair with your child to discover new books together!
Save the date!
Book Fair dates: Monday, Oct. 21 - Friday October 25th
Shopping hours: After School
The fair will also be open during Steam Night on Friday October 25th until 8PM!
Online Shopping Option! If you’re not able to attend the Fair, try our new online shopping option. We’ve partnered with The Scholastic Store™ to offer over 6,000 products that ship direct to your home (with free shipping on orders of $25 or more)! Visit our homepage to shop online.
Proceeds from the fair go to putting books in our library and in our classrooms for our students to read. We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair!
Updates to Morning Drop Off Policy
Ruby Parents/Guardians,
I write to thank you for your support with our new morning drop off policy- Parents of students 1st-5th grade, non SDC, say goodbye and give hugs on the blacktop, allowing students to leave the yard with the teacher (8:20).
As partners in our Stars journey, we will continue to prioritize student safety and learning and ask for your support as we focus on school safety, bell to bell instruction, and building student independence.
Understanding this is a new routine, and that this change may present a variety of emotions for some parents/guardians, it's what's in the best interest of our students and student safety that this change has been implemented. The same request is being made to parents of tardy students (1st-5th grade, non SDC). All students that arrive late should check into the main office and will be directed and/or escorted to class as needed. Parents (1st-5th grade, non SDC) are being asked to give goodbyes in the office. If you have specific questions about your child and need to talk with the teacher, please email, leave a message for, or set up appt. to meet with him/her. Instructional day begins at 8:20 for teachers and students.
Ruby Bridges is not alone in this change. Many other elementary schools have similar policies, as student safety and instruction will always be a priority. Please see Framework for Safe and Successful School Environments, Section 5) Balance Physical and Psychological Safety- as a reference point for school safety. You may also reference https://www2.ed.gov/documents/school-safety/school-safety-report.pdf. Thank you for your continued support!
10/21-10/25 Fall Book Fair
10/25 STEAM Night-6:15 p.m.
10/26 PTA Sat. Play Date
10/29- Global Makers Day
10/31 PTA Dance-A-Thon 9-11 a.m.
11/1- Spirit Day- Mustache Day
11/8- End of Trimester 1
11/11- Veteran's Day- No School
11/14- Ruby Bridges Day
11/18-11/22- Fall Conferences, dismissal at 12:30
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.
September-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 focusing on the emapthy tool- I care for others and myself, and listening tool- I listen with my ears, eyes, and heart.
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