Greatness Grows Here
Live Oak Community, Vol. 1 Ed. 8
Put First Things First
Doctor's Note:
Happy Spring Everyone!
I hope all of the Live Oak families enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating spring break. It is hard to believe we are now embarking on our final 10 weeks of school; CA State Testing, Open House, Don Dornan games, Benchmark 3 assessments, yearbooks, PIQE (Parent education classes), new PTA elections for the 16-17 school year, and much, much more!
As you may or may not know Live Oak participated in (along with every school in FUESD) the 2016 Leader in Me national symposium on March 24 called “STAND for Greatness”. I was overwhelmed with pride and joy to see our school shine, teachers sparkle, and more importantly witness a fully student-led event, which included speeches, performance, tours of the classrooms and a showcase of our academic endeavors/achievements.
When you attend our spring Open House, your entire family will enjoy seeing remnants of the symposium throughout our campus and classrooms (we are preserving all of our work for your viewing pleasures). At the first day of the symposium our district leader, Dr. Candace Singh, provided an opportunity for over 500 attendees to watch a video. As tears fell from my eyes, I was gently reminded (again) of how powerful our words are… to one another, to our students, to those we come in contact with each and every day. I hope you all will take the time to vocalize to each student (and to one another) how much “I believe in you”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxfAvkkUHfA&sns=em
Speaking of Habit 8 (Finding Your Voice) and the power of words, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of the parents who participated in the district “Parent Feedback Survey”. The results are posted in this edition of our SMORE for your review. It is our absolute commitment to strive toward greatness and excellence in everything we do. In closing, we would love for you to enjoy this overview of all the “Greatness” happening at LOE this year, thus far:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8nPmAgN8nw
Happy April Everyone,
Dr. Wendy Kerr
Think Win-Win
Everyone can win...
Parent Feedback Survey
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of the parents who participated in the district “Parent Feedback Survey”. Although we always strive for excellence at L.O.E., we are aware that we have areas of growth and will address those along our journey.
Here are the results of the “YES” category:
1. When I am on my school campus I feel:
- Welcome in the office 92%
- Valued by the administration 86%
- Respected by school staff 85%
2. I feel the communication between school and home is timely for:
- Academic progress 83%
- School events 85%
- Community events/information 85%
- Email/texts 74% (please make sure your info is accurate in Infinite Campus)
- Social media (Twitter, Facebook, school website) 60%
3. I believe my child receives sufficient instruction in the following areas:
- Mathematics 94%
- Reading 90%
- Writing 90%
- Science 79%
- History/Social Studies 78%
- P.E. 86%
- Technology 81%
4. I feel that the school offers sufficient parent information and workshops. 84%
5. I feel my child’s school is a safe place. 90%
6. I have the following to support learning at home:
- Computer, not a smartphone 71%
- Internet/wi-fi, not cellular on a phone 76%
- Tablet with internet access 79%
7. I receive communication in my primary language. 100%
Be Proactive
You're in charge...
Attendance Matters!
“If children aren’t in school, they don’t learn. Improving school attendance improves success in school. “
A key ingredient for ensuring success in school is helping children — at the beginning of their academic careers — get into the habit of attending school every day. While going to school regularly will not by itself ensure that children learn, missing extended periods of school, especially when children are acquiring the basic academic skills that lead to becoming proficient readers, certainly puts a child at risk.
The research shows:
- All children, regardless of socio-economic background, do worse academically in 1st grade if they are chronically absent (missing 10 percent or more of school including excused and unexcused absences) in kindergarten. A recent study in California found that only 17 percent of children chronically absent in both kindergarten and 1st grade were proficient readers by the end of 3rd grade as compared to 64 percent of their peers who attended regularly (missing less than 5 percent of school.)
- Going to school regularly in the early years is especially critical for children living in poverty, who are less likely to have the resources to make up for lost time in the classroom. Among poor children, chronic absence in kindergarten predicts the lowest levels of educational achievement at the end of 5th grade.
Information taken from a brief entitled: Chronic Elementary Absenteeism: A Problem Hidden in Plain
Begin with the End in Mind
Have a plan...
Synergize
Together is better...
Student-Led Conferences
Live Oak Elementary enjoyed another round of student-led conferences at the end of our last trimester in March. This is LOE’s first year holding these school-wide, student-led conferences and the feedback has been great! The success of this conference format has been attributed to increased student accountability, increased student empowerment in the learning process, and improvement in the lines of communication between all stakeholders (parents, teachers, and students).
Students discuss grades, achievements, goals, areas of strength, and areas that need work during these conferences. Our Leadership Notebooks are a focal point of our discussions as they are a beautiful portfolio of our student’s hard work.
At Live Oak, children are learning to take responsibility for their learning. By assessing their performance in class, and taking ownership of their own progress, students are realizing their own potential for greatness!
GATE
Students in GATE have enjoyed many opportunities for extracurricular activities this year at LOE! Most recently, students who participated in the Leadership and Literacy Colloquium had their projects displayed during our National Leadership Symposium on March 24th. We are so proud of our kiddoes for going that extra mile!
Student Lighthouse is proud of LOE for a fantastic symposium. We are energized from spring break and ready to plan school events for the rest of the school year. Our mission is "Helping grow hearts and minds by being leaders all the time!"
Gardening Club
Physical Education
Physical Education has been busy and fun filled the last three months. We held our Don Dornon school field day, where all 4th, 5th and 6th graders competed in four different events. The events included the 50m dash, 200m run, standing long jump and softball throw. Based on those times and scores students will be chosen to compete in the district Don Dornon Field Day on May 7th. The 5th grade students have been working hard to complete their state mandated Fitnessgram testing. We were able to finish before our students went on spring break. Great Job 5th graders!!!! Students will receive the results from these tests later this year.
During regular PE class time students have been learning many fun activities like jump rope, flying disc, volleyball, aerobic games, dance, hula hoop and balances and stunting. Ask your student about some of the super skills they have learned.
We have 8 weeks of Physical Education class left in this school year and a lot still to learn. Please remember to send you student to school on PE days with appropriate clothes and shoes. Also, as it warms up please try to send your student with water to keep hydrated. Thank you for your continued support.
Lawren Hunter
Physcial Education SpecialistLibrary
Read Across America week celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday and literacy took place this year February 29 through March 4. Activities were planned
each day focusing on reading and fun! “Fox In Sock” crazy sock day, “Thing One and Thing Two” Twin Day, “ Hairdos from Who-ville” were enjoyed by all grade levels. On March 2 the students were read to by many volunteers, parents and community members (Including Dr. Kerr’s own mother). Members of the Fallbrook Rotary came and read to the third grade classes and presented them each with a book about Benjamin Franklin. Also during that week there was a “Buy One Get One Free” Scholastic Book Fair running. I was very pleased to see so many students excited about buying BOOKS! Increasing literacy and reading scores is a school-wide goal at LOE this year, so every word, page, and book our students read takes them one step closer to reaching their personal reading goal, as well as our grade level and school-wide literacy goals!
There will be one more Book Fair this year May 9th to May 13th taking place in the library. If you would like to volunteer (and I really appreciate the help) at the fair please email me at landersen@fuesd.org
The Reader Leader Club did an awesome job writing and announcing the AR Reader Leaders for the awards assemblies on March 18. The Club members are: Aislinn Morales, Nicholas McCarver, Cara McCarver, Azure Nasfell, Tatum Gillihan, Shea Morgan, Dacey Bender and Kenna Mackey.
One of their favorite club activities is reading to the lower grades which is definitely a win-win for everyone. I am amazed at what our kiddos are doing in many areas outside and inside of the library!
The 2nd trimester “AR Pizza Lunch with the Principal” took place on April 7 and the very popular “Kids Take Over the School” will be on Wednesday May 25.
USMC Fun!
STEM at LOE
Sharpen the Saw
Balance feels best....