Star News
Ruby Bridges Elementary- Where the STARS come to shine!
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Full name: Michael King Jr.
Born: 15 January 1929
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Occupation: Minister and activist
Died: 4 April 1968
Best known for: Campaigning for the rights of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s
1) Martin Luther King Jr was born in the United States of America to African American parents. At birth he was named Michael King, but his father later changed his name to Martin Luther King Jr.
2) When Martin Luther King was growing up, life was hard for African Americans. The Southern United States operated under the ‘Jim Crow laws’ that kept black and white people separated in what was called ‘segregation’. Black people had different schools, toilets and even sections of the bus to white people. They were also denied the right to vote in elections.
3) Martin Luther King had his first experience of segregation at just six years old, when he was told he wasn’t allowed to play with his white friend anymore – his friend’s father wouldn’t allow it!
4) His first major role in the Civil Rights Movement came in 1955, after an African American lady – Rosa Parks – was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a bus. This sparked outrage in the African American community and Martin helped to organize a boycott of the city’s buses. After 381 days of protest, a court finally ruled that such segregation laws should no longer be recognized.
5) Martin was a great believer in peaceful protest, inspired by the Indian activist Mahatma Gandhi. His protests used no-violent tactics, even when the protesters themselves were met with violence from the police.
6) In 1963, Martin gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, at a famous rally named ‘March on Washington.’ Over 250,000 people gathered in the country’s capital to hear Martin and other activists speak about the importance of civil rights. It has become one of the most famous speeches in history and focuses on Martin’s dream of a society where black people and white people live together in harmony.
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/history/martin-luther-king-jr/
Above text from: https://www.natgeokids.com/za/discover/history/general-history/martin-luther-king-facts/
What tools and lifeskills do you think Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used? What 4Bs did he have to practice on a daily basis?
Kinder Tours
Ruby Bridges welcomes all TK/Kinder families for our upcoming tours on January 23, 2020 and January 30, 2020.
Please sign in at the main office and meet our Ruby Star Guides in the cafeteria for tours beginning at 9:00 a.m.. Tours will conclude at 10:00 a.m. We look forward to having you visit.
Thank you Student Council.
Kindness Week is coming!
"The Great Kindness Challenge is a proactive and positive bullying prevention initiative that improves school climate and increases student engagement. The Great Kindness Challenge is one week devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible on campus. Using the provided checklist of 50 kind acts, students accept the challenge and show the world that KINDNESS MATTERS!"
Are you up for the challenge?
Thank you to our School Culture and Climate Committee for planning.
Ruby Spirit Wear
Apparel and Accessories are now on sale ONLINE! Show your school spirit by sporting gear featuring the Ruby Bridges All Star design and the NEW Ruby Bridges School Scape Design.
To order visit: https://aglschoolspirit.com/collections/ruby-bridges
If you need assistance with ordering, please email Johanna Schmid, RBE Family Liaison at jschmid@alamedaunified.org
Please note: All orders are printed on-demand, sizes cannot be exchanged once garment has been completed. Orders take 5-7 business days to complete.
Thank you Mrs. Cline for coordinating.
ELPAC Testing- February 2020
The ELPAC is the test that is used to measure how well students in kindergarten (K) through grade twelve understand English when it is not their primary language. Information from the ELPAC helps your child’s teacher provide support in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Who will be administered the ELPAC?
The Summative ELPAC is given to students who are identified as English learners.
When will it be administered for 2019/20?
February 2020- May 2020
How can I prepare my child?
- Read to your child, or have your child read to you, on a regular basis.
- Use pictures and ask your child to tell you what they see in the picture or what is happening in the picture.
- Provide your child with opportunities to use language outside of school.
- Talk with your child’s teacher about your child’s listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to help support your child’s progress.
- Use the practice tests available at this link: https://www.elpac.org/
Who can I contact with questions?
Please contact your child's teacher or our VP, Ms. Kim, with questions. She can be contacted at: jinkim@alamedaunified.org
More information about the ELPAC can also be found on the California Department of Education ELPAC web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/elpacpgtu.pdf
Life Skill Focus for January: Optimism- Tool of the Month: Personal Space Tool
“Optimism is the foundation of courage.” – Nicholas M. Butler
Our life skill for the month of January is Optimism:
"Optimism is the way you see and think about what is happening around you and to you. It is looking for the good in each situation. It is expecting things to go well. It is thinking good thoughts even when things are going bad. It is having hope. It is believing that you can make things better.
In fact, being optimistic can make you happier, healthier and more successful in all that you do. It can help you overcome problems. It can keep you focused on your goals. It can make you less stressed. It can help you have more fun. It helps you to learn more from any situation. It can make you more enjoyable to be around."
How can you be more optimistic? Here are a few ways to get started:
- The next time something bad happens to you, try to see the good that may come out of it.
- Try to hang out more with people who are positive.
- Be grateful. Think about all the good things in your life. Journal your thoughts.
- Focus your energy and thoughts on things you can control, not things that are out of your control.
What example of optimism is in the video below?
Toolbox: Personal Space Tool- I have a right to my space and so do you.
Alameda Education Robotics Program
Are you interested in Robotics? Coding? Technology? Learning new things? Then join the Ruby Bridges Robotics Team! We are the 2018-19 Champions!
Robotics teaches critical thinking skills, problem solving, teamwork, time management, and can provide a gateway into growing technological fields.
There is a $20 registration fee that covers the cost of equipment, structures (missions) on the playing field, and T-shirts for the each team member. Scholarships are available.
Open to students in Grades 4-8.
An information session (with Coach Dafne Simjee) will be held for students on our school site during the week of January 6, 2020.
For full details please go to https://alamedaeducationfoundation.org/robotics/
https://alamedaeducationfoundation.org/ruby-bridges-elementary-sweeps-local-robotics-competition/
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:
1/20- Dr. MLK Jr. Holiday- No School
1/22-African American Family Forum- 6:30-8:00 p.m. Multi-use room
1/23-Kindergarten Tours at Ruby Bridges
1/27- Fire Drill
1/27-1/31-Kindness Week
1/28-School Site Council- Media Center- 3:15-4:30 p.m.
1/29-ELAC Meeting -8:30 a.m.- Wellness Center- Room 301
1/31-1ooth Day of School
1/31- Monthly awards for Toolbox, Lifeskill, 4 Bs
2/4-Spring Picture Day
2/4-PTA General Meeting 6:15 p.m.-Media Center
2/7-Minimum Day for students
2/7- Spirit Day-Twin Day
2/17-2/21- President's Week- No School
2/26-11th Annual Ruby Bridges Cultural Voices Assembly- 8:45 a.m.
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.
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 reviewing the first four tools: breathing tool, listening tool, empathy tool, safe, quiet place tool.
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