Pride Newsletter
February 22 - March 1
Good Afternoon Pride,
Thank you for your support in kicking off our first A Culture of Kindness campaign! We are loving having students show us their kindness sheets and asking what is their favorite act of kindness. It has been exciting to see their lanyards fill up with their badges! Remember that students can trade pins, and that pins can be redeemed from any SSA or VP. Kindness is contagious - so sprinkle it around like confetti!
As you are planning your summers, note that the district is providing a PLC training opportunity for Leadership Teams on July 27th and July 28th. Start thinking if you would like to participate, and let your grade level lead know. We will be having sign ups at the next leadership meeting on March 9th.
Please ALWAYS check the Ponderosa Master Calendar frequently and regularly for important events. If you ever have a question about an upcoming event, please let us know! If you do not have access to the Ponderosa Master Calendar, please let Vianney know and we will send you a link to add it to your calendar.
Kindly,
Ponderosa Team
Panorama Surveys:
School Climate survey: It is that time of the year to start preparing to distribute the Panorama survey on School Climate. Remember that this is different than the regular Panorama survey that we give three times a year, which focuses on social emotional learning. Important to note:
-Window: March 13-24th
-Permission Slips ARE NEEDED for students to take
You can collect these in two ways:
1) Office is printing class sets and putting in your boxes
2) Share electronic form digitally on your platforms, and we will also send on Parent Square.
Here is a handy place where you can keep track (and we will be updating with digital form responses).
Social Emotional Learning survey: In our recent leadership meeting, we shared a break down of our SEL Panorama survey from December. We decreased in most areas by a few points. Please work as a grade level to analyze the data for each question, select 1-2 areas to focus on as a grade level, and reflect on strategies to best support your students. Here are some ideas of morning activities, but also reach out to COST for additional ideas.
AR Incentives Trimester 2:
At the end of trimester 2, please fill out this form so that prizes can be arranged for your class! Thank you Kim and Christina for putting this together and heading this committee!
Link to AR Incentive Trimester 2 Google Form
February Awards:
Please fill out by Tuesday, February 21st!
Water Awareness Poster Contest:
The 2023 MWDOC Water Awareness Poster Contest presented by the Municipal Water District of Orange County has begun! Teachers and students can tune in to Simple Art at Home to learn about the art contest, drought, water conservation, and more. Open to kindergarten through sixth grade students. This website has more information. Teachers send artwork to Laura Houston by March 6th.
“acsd.us” Domain Expiration
Attention all users, the “acsd.us” domain will expire by March 15, 2023. If you are still using this for login or email, you will need to update your information.
Yearbook Class Pictures - Upload photos:
Please be sure to upload your photos here: Link to SHARED DRIVE. SAVE THE DATE: March 15th we will have class picture day. The committee will reach out to you soon with sign up sheets.
LAMINATOR: Please place work to be laminated in FACE’s box with instructions! Designated volunteers will laminate in room 17 and return work when ready!
ST Weekly Progress Report: Please see link for weekly progress. Link. Please encourage students to work on ST math at home daily and also allow scholars time in class to make progress in meeting their goals.
Reaching the office: If you need to reach the office, please use extension 8926.
Reminders
Our next OPAL Walkthrough will be rescheduled. As soon as we know our new date, we will communicate to all staff.
Domain 2: Connections
- 2.1 Relates instructional concepts to social conditions in the students’ community.
- 2.3 Builds on students’ life experiences and interests to make the content relevant and meaningful to them.
Community Schools
“Community School." We will continue to discuss what a community school is and how to support you with any parents that may have questions.
At this week's Family Day of Pride, please share Cindy's video and complete the activity with families:
Please show the video, give everyone think time, and then create a circle map or tree map, however you want to organize the ideas. Our Community School Site Implementation Committee will use these to look for trends and formulate some student input and ideas for what we can do to make Ponderosa a Community School. Hope you all enjoy it! VIDEO
Community Schools Coordinator Ariana Mejia has a new AESD email; armejia@aesd.org.
MENTAL HEALTH
For any student referrals, please fill out the CoST Student Referral Form: Link Here.
Curriculum & Instruction
***3rd-6th Grade teachers: You should have received an email from TOMS (Test Operations Management System) asking you to sign your security affidavit for ELPAC testing. Please click on the link provided to you on the email to electronically sign and submit the required security forms.
The ELPAC testing window is just around the corner! Here are some ELPAC Resources that can help prepare our scholars. Lindsey and Jessica will present updates at the March 7th staff meeting.
***3rd-6th Grade Teachers:
After students complete IABs, some of the questions need to be hand scored so that it shows completed in TOMS and in SMART. Here are some IAB resources that can be of help to you.
Please make sure to go back and administer the test for any students that were absent or may need to retake the test due to rushing through it.
EB Reclassification Procedures Reminders:
For a student to appear on the Reclassification Candidates Roster, within the last 12 months they must have 1 Bridging on ELD Observational Rubric in addition to 3-4 other pieces of OPTEL evidence. Here are some resources to help you out:
K-6th Grade Teachers: ELD Observational Rubrics (5 students per week)
DLI Spanish Proficient Reclassification Criteria Reminders:
For a student to appear on the Reclassification Candidates Roster, within the last 12 months they must have 4 instances of OPTEL evidence
To request coaching support, please fill out this google form.
Staff Shout Out
To Miss Yesenia - Thank you Miss Yesenia for your support and flexibility this year! - Miss Arellano
To Teri Montelongo - Teri is so creative and generous with her ideas, all of upper grade benefits from her talents. - Kim Bagacina
To Mr. Richard - Going above and beyond to help our scholars be heard! - Teri Montelongo
To Ms. Baez - Creating a nurturing and accepting classroom in sixth grade while covering for Mrs. Martin - Teri Montelongo
To Ruby Tambio - Ruby is always so helpful. She will go out of her way to make sure that every is okay. She is such a kind and helpful person. She makes the classroom more welcoming for the staff. - Christina Kelley
To Maestra Espinosa - For always having such a positive, cheery attitude no matter the day or time! - Karina Varela
To Mrs. Gebraeel - She shows so much kindness to the students and staff members. She is always willing to help with a happy heart! - Allison Bizleboots
Fill out form here every week or as often as you want! (Identify a specific person, not a general group.)
Upcoming Events:
Dates:
2/23 Awards Assembly - Rescheduled to 3/2/23
2/23 Fire Drill 1:00-1:30 - may be rescheduled due to rain
2/24 Family Day of Pride
2/24 PBIS Dance Party - may be rescheduled due to rain
2/24 Optional Staffing Meeting @ 2:15
February 27-March 3 - Read Across America
2/28 Staff Meeting - Writing with Katie
3/1 First Day of Women's History Month
3/2 Awards Assembly
3/3 Third Grade Mother Colony Field Trip
3/6 Report Cards Due
3/7 Waterology Assembly - TK-2nd
3/7 Staff Meeting - ELPAC and SBAC Training and Updates
3/7 DLI Biliteracy Pathway for Parents
3/8 Contractual PLC
3/9 Third Grade Mother Colony Field Trip
3/9 Site Leadership Meeting