EMS Special Bulletin
November 9, 2022
Dear Excelsior Families,
In today's Special Bulletin we have our newest students of the week, the direct link to register for tomorrow's virtual TUPE Presentation on Vaping and Teens, information for our 8th grade families on our sex ed curriculum, MAP testing, and special thanks. As always, please email me directly at jkeith@byron.k12.ca.us if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jamie Keith
EMS Principal
Please join us in congratulating our EMS Students of the Week (11/7 - 11/18)!
6th Grade
- Juliette Nava (nominated by Ms. Long) - Juliette has a great positive attitude towards school and always puts forth her best effort.
- Alexa Reiser (nominated by Ms. Pridgen) - Alexa consistently does what is expected of her as a student and then some. She is always prepared, participates in all group discussions, helps other students in need, is kind to everyone in class (always champions the underdog). She truly values her education and I appreciate all of her hard work. Keep up the good work Alexa!
7th Grade
- Max Long (nominated by Ms. Madere) - Max arrives to class with a friendly greeting. He is eager to participate, pays attention, and wants to learn math. He has a great sense of humor and knows the appropriate time to use it. Max is always looking to make my day better on test days by attaching a joke to his test. I nominate Max Long for student of the week.
- Mari Talo (nominated by Ms. Lindell) - I'm nominating Mari Talo for Student of the Week this week because of the kindness she shows and spreads throughout our school. Mari goes out of her way to make people feel good about themselves and make people feel seen. She gives honest and thoughtful compliments. Thank you Mari for contributing so much positivity on our campus!
8th Grade
- Jaxson Blake (nominated by Ms. Jorge) - I would like to nominate Jaxson Blake because he is always participating, has a fantastic attitude, and is kind to everyone around him!
- Lauren Carlson (nominated by Ms. Hund) - Lauren is always 'present' here on campus at EMS. She holds herself to a high standard as both a student and a human being. Lauren is always ready to participate with 100% effort for everything from her school work to helping out a teacher, friend or classmate. Lauren represents the best of what we want EMS students to stand for.
- November 9th - Girls Basketball at Delta Vista Middle School
- November 10th - Platinum Breakfast; Cross Country at Adams Middle School
- November 11th - Veterans Day, no school
November 10th at 6:00 PM - Vaping & Teens 101 Webinar
The Contra Costa County Office Of Education's TUPE (Tobacco Use Education Program) is hosting a virtual webinar for parents and families - Vaping & Teens 101. This Webinar is designed for parents & families to learn about the latest products used by young people, the impact, and ways to support young people.
Description: Live Webinar presentation from adult and youth presenters, with simultaneous Spanish interpretation, and optional Q&A session (7:00-7:30 p.m.) will provide an overview of the:
- latest tobacco products used by young people,
- the impact of vaping (tobacco & cannabis) on young people,
- and ways that adults can support young people in their lives.
This event is virtual and requires prior registration. You can register online by going to:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vaping-teens-101-a-webinar-for-parents-families-tickets-396709056467
Sex Ed Curriculum
In Byron Union School District, comprehensive sexual health education is implemented in grade 8 as a part of the Health elective. All curricula follow CA Education Code requirements, including new topics required by the CA Healthy Youth Act.
Sexual health education aims to prevent teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease as well as assist students with developing interpersonal skills, responsible behavior, and goal setting. The curriculum emphasizes decision-making and refusal skills, identifying healthy and unhealthy relationships, and communicating with trusted adults about sexual health.
RIGHTS, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY (3RS) CURRICULUM
Rights, Respect, Responsibility (3Rs) is being piloted by Byron Union School District and complies with CA Healthy Youth Act requirements and National Sexuality Education Standards. The 3Rs lessons were authored by Advocates for Youth, who is funded and supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and who collaborates with the California Department of Education to implement medically accurate sexuality education state-wide. This curriculum was open to public review and presented at a Board of Trustees meeting and well as parent preview night.
GRADE 8
Classroom-based 3Rs Lesson Plans and Presentations (English | Español)
Links to Videos and Online Resources within Lesson Plans
OPT OUT OF INSTRUCTION
Parents or guardians may excuse their child from the sexual health instruction for this school year by providing an electronic, printed, or hand-written note in their preferred language to their child's teacher. The note should simply state that they are excusing their child from the instruction, include their child's name, and be signed by the parent or guardian. There is no need for any explanation or reason to be stated in this note.
Letter to Parents/Guardians Regarding Sexual Health Instruction and Curriculum Review (English | Spanish): School sites will send a letter to parents/guardians that explains their right to review the curriculum prior to instruction and their right to excuse their child from the instruction. The letter includes the following information:
Comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention instruction is provided by trained classroom teachers or community-based health educators.
All content complies with California Healthy Youth Act and CA Education Code requirements.
When the instruction will be implemented at their child's school.
When parents/guardians can review instructional materials at their child's school.
That parents/guardians may notify the school in writing if they wish to excuse their child from the instruction.
WEareBYRON Wednesday's! We all wear purple (students and families are encouraged to join us too!)
Staff photo #1 - WEareByron!
Staff photo #2 - WEareByron!
Purple shirt delivery!
MAP Testing Continues This Week!
Our second round of MAP testing for the year began on November 2nd. Students are taking the Reading exam in their English Language Arts class and the Math exam in their Math class. Generally, it takes 2-3 class periods for a student to complete their exam. Students who have not completed their exams by next Monday will be pulled in during their elective or PE class to finish their exams.
What can parents/families do to support us?
For any exam - MAP, statewide testing (such as CAASPP), etc., help ensure that your student has a good nights sleep prior to testing days and has had a healthy breakfast each morning. Additionally, since these exams are designed to measure student growth, please encourage your student to give their best on the exam to ensure that their growth is accurately measured.
Why MAP?
We rely on multiple measures of data--including data from external tests--to show that we are meeting the needs of our students. The MAP Growth assessments give our school critical data to help us use our time and resources effectively to improve student learning.
How is MAP data used in the classroom?
MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students. Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it’s easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores that are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, and then plan instruction accordingly.
How does it work?
MAP Growth tests are unique, and it adapts to your student's responses to measure your student’s skill level. If your student answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of what your student knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.
How are students measured?
MAP Growth exams are nationally normed, standards based assessments. This means that student scores provide typical growth data for students who are in the same grade, subject and have the same starting performance level. Scores reports include percentiles, allowing you to see your student's achievement level as well as growth over time as they take the assessment throughout the year.
Are the scores used for placement?
Yes - we utilize the scores from our MAP exam to assist us with student scheduling for interventions. In our 6th grade reading and math groups, MAP exam scores are one of the measures that determines student placement. For our 7th and 8th graders, MAP scores are also one of the data points used for placement in our Reading or Math support classes.
For more information about MAP Growth, visit NWEA.org/familytoolkit.
Veteran's Breakfast & Huddle
Veteran's Breakfast
Veteran's Breakast
Veteran's enjoying our Huddle presentation
With gratitude!
Additional thanks to Mr. Ortega and both the Wind Ensemble and Choir for their wonderful performances!
We also appreciated all the wonderful art provided by Ms. Tickner and her art classes!
Excelsior Middle School
Email: jkeith@byron.k12.ca.us
Website: https://ems-busd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Location: 14301 Byron Highway, Byron, CA, USA
Phone: 925-809-7530
Twitter: @EMSFalcons