CPAP September Newsletter
Continuous Progress Alternative Program
September Newsletter Highlights
- Message from Principal Juergens: NEW Paraeducator Support Structures
- Paraeducator Support Survey Results
- Spotlight on 2nd grade
- August 2020 Financial Picture
- Welcome New Staff
- Spanish Contact Information, Schedules, Zoom Links
- August Board Meeting Minutes
- September Calendar
- Volunteer Need: 5th grade CPAP Board Class Representative
Message from Principal Juergens on Paraeducator Support
I want to thank the 150 parents, teachers, and paraeducators that participated in this year’s Vista Grande and CPAP Paraeducator Support Surveys. Vista Grande and CPAP paraeducators are funded entirely by families - we are district leaders in the number of paraeducator hours we provide all students.
Our staff has been working hard to optimize our paraprofessional program, especially in a time of distance learning. Drawing on data, research, best practices, and survey feedback, we have transitioned to a multi-tiered system of support. Already in action, all paraeducators are now providing 3 tiers of support:
- Tier 1 Support – the Whole Class: Paraeducators work with the whole class, in small groups, and one-on-one to support students. They assist the teacher with reading, writing, math, spelling/phonics/grammar instruction as well as running records/assessments in reading, writing, and math.
- Tier 2 Support – Small Group Intervention: Paraeducators will provide targeted support in small groups to address different student strengths and areas of need.
- Tier 3 Support: Intensive, Individualized Support for Struggling Students: Paraeducators will provide very specific support to individual students.
As we strive to optimize paraeducator support and student learning, we have also implemented monthly paraeducator/teacher staff meetings, ensured all paraeducators receive regular professional development, and will administer paraeducator support surveys annually.
Access the results of this year's Paraeducator Support Surveys below.
Sincerely,
Principal Juergens
Spotlight on Second Grade
Suzanne Twirbutt "Mrs.T" 2nd Grade classroom paraeducator
Jessica Montevago - 2nd grade teacher
Karen O'Connell - 2nd grade reading paraeducator
CPAP August 2020 Financial Picture
CPAP closed out the 2019-20 school year with:
104% parent donations as a percentage of budgeted amount
87.3% parent donations as a percentage of total donations possible
CPAP closed out August 2020 with:
80.5% parent donations as a percentage of budgeted amount (compared to 96.1% last year at this time)
71.1% parent donations as a percentage of total donations possible (compared to 80.6% last year at this time)
We're behind. Unlike many other parent organizations across SRVUSD, CPAP did not reduce any paraeducator hours or offerings this year. We cannot sustain existing program offerings without donations from our families. We will make program reductions for 2021-22 if donations do not meet annual budget goals. If you missed CPAP's donation window during Fall Registration, please contact vgcpap@gmail.com.
Welcome New CPAP Staff!
Ramani Perugupalli, Kindergarten Classroom Paraeducator
This is Ms. Perugupalli's 5th year as classroom paraeducator. As a parent, she spent 12 years volunteering in Fremont and SRVUSD schools. During that time, she realized how much she enjoyed supporting teachers and students in the classroom. Now that her own daughters are grown, she's enjoys focusing her time on helping young learners grow and develop their own love of learning.
Kavita Maheshwary, First Grade Classroom Paraeducator
This is Ms. Maheshwary's 3rd year as a paraeducator. She has worked with Kindergarten and K-1 combination classes. Ms. Maheshwary took a break from the corporate world to raise her two daughters. During that time, she was very involved in their classrooms. Now that her own children are grown, she enjoys working as a paraeducator, helping students grow and learn. She finds great satisfaction in providing instructional and individualized support to children and reinforcing the skills they need to function more independently in school and life.
Uthra Natarajan, K-1 Reading Paraeducator
Ms. Natarajan has been a paraeducator for 5 years. Prior to coming to Vista Grande, she was a paraeducator at Coyote Creek Elementary. Ms. Natarajan left her work in Information Technology to spend more time with her children. She’s been volunteering in Fremont and SRVUSD schools for the past 15 years. In her spare time she teaches yoga and mentors high school students, preparing them for the National Geography Bee and training them to tutor elementary students. She finds great joy in working with students of all ages.
CPAP Spanish Class Schedule
- Kindergarten: Mondays 1:30 - 2:30 pm
- 1st Grade: Mondays 2:50 - 3:50 pm
- 2nd Grade: Fridays 2:50 - 3:50 pm
- 3rd Grade: Tuesdays 2:50 - 3:50 pm
- 4th Grade: Wednesdays 2:50-3:50 pm
- 5th Grade: Thursdays 2:50-3:50 pm
September Vista Grade/CPAP Calendar
September 7
- No School - Labor Day
September 10
- Vista Grande Student Material Pickup, 2-5 pm
September 15
- Minimum Day - Staff Development Day, 11 am dismissal for all
September 16
- PTA Meeting, 7-9 pm
- CPAP Board Meeting, 7-9 PM: meet.google.com/esz-zehy-gzf
- Get to know our teachers through monthly board meetings. Ashley Jenkins, CPAP's 1st grade teacher, will speak on September 15.
September 23
- Falcon Fund Meeting, 7-8 pm
September 24
- Vista Grande Student Materials Pickup, 2-5 pm
October 2
- No School - Floating Work Day
We need a 5th grade parent on the CPAP Board
We need a 5th grade parent to serve on the CPAP board. This parent would attend monthly board meetings and serve as a liaison between the 5th grade class and the board.
If you are interested, please email vgalternative@gmail.com. Thank you!
Program Philosophy and Components
New Student Application
Applications for grades K-5 can be turned into the Vista Grande school office at any time.
Applications for the incoming 2021-22 Kindergarten class are due Friday March 12 to qualify for the 2021-22 Kindergarten Lottery.
Resources
- Teacher Talks
- Eureka Math Support
- Spanish K-5 Scope & Sequence
- Board Minutes
- Newsletter Archive
- Leveled Summer Reading Book Lists
- Math Facts
- Kindergarten Readiness