@ Alta Vista
September 28, 2018
News & Info @ Alta Vista
WALKTHROUGH VISITS ON MONDAY
Just a reminder that District Office staff and teachers from Oster and UMS will be walking through classrooms on Monday. We will start at 8:30 and wrap up by 10:00. Our focus this year will be on engagement and differentiation through small group instruction. No need for a dog and pony show -- just the good teaching that happens in your classrooms every day.
SUBSTITUTE SHORTAGE
As you all know, the state of California is experiencing a substitute shortage and we are definitely feeling it in Union. Vicki works tirelessly to personally reach out when we are facing an unfilled position. So far, due to the flexibility of many of you, we've been able to make things work. But to help avoid unfilled positions, always remember to request a sub as soon as you know you will be out. Last minute notifications put the largest strain on the system. Thanks for your help.
IMPORTANT YARD DUTY REMINDERS
We're noticing an increased number of conflicts and poor student behavior choices at recess. When on yard duty, please be present and engaged with the students. You should circulate around your area of responsibility so that you have a clear view of those "hard to see" spaces. Please refrain from using your phone (calls, texts, or email) when on yard duty. Lastly, limit chatting with other adults on the playground. I'm guilty of this, but will try hard to stop being a distraction.
STUDENT SNAPSHOT MEETINGS
The increasing demand for substitute teachers makes it extremely difficult to schedule multiple subs to have a Snapshot Day. Instead of taking one day and meeting with every grade level, we are going to try a different approach. Snapshot Meetings will be held before school and at 1:45 on Wednesdays. Once your grade level is ready to discuss your students of concern at a Snapshot Meeting, please check the available dates and times on this document. Send Cathy an email to request one of the available times.
PRIMARY PLAYGROUND
There has been a number of questions about students playing around the trees at recess and lunch. As a believer in less rules (when possible), we're going to try letting them play freely in this area. We want this to be a success, so please remind students of the following rules:
- Rocks, sticks, etc. cannot be thrown or used as weapons.
- Nothing should be thrown into the neighbors' yards (over the fence).
- The space behind the MakerSpace is off limits.
With these reminders, hopefully students will use the area by the trees appropriately.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE
Our "Run, Hide, Defend" training with the San Jose Police Department had to be moved to November, but I'm sure you can use the time to work with your teams to gear up for Guided Reading or plan some motivational Math centers (check out the videos below). Have a wonderful Wednesday. For those of you heading to Oxnard - drive safely!
REMINDER: INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PLANS ARE DUE BY OCTOBER 15TH
Need help completing your ILP? Have questions about goals? Stop by my office.
STEAM NIGHT - TUESDAY
Alta Visa STEAM Night is on Tuesday! Food trucks (Crepes, Mexican Grill, and Kona Ice) will arrive at 5:00. Activities begin at 5:30 and we'll close up at 7:00. Stop by, join the fun, or help at a center. We'd love to see you there!
Math Workshop Videos
Want to learn more about starting math centers in your classroom? Check out "Not So Wimpy Teacher" on YouTube. Her videos are full of tips and tricks to make it work in your classroom.
Moments @ Alta Vista
Caryn's first graders celebrating Character Day.
Fourth grade went "old school" to explore vibration.
Mikayla's class also celebrated Character Day.
Kindergarten has rolled out all of their Daily 5 activities. Want to take a peek?
Mary Fran's Makerspace Minions were working it at lunch.
Bundling 1000 straws is definitely a team effort when you're in second grade.
Mark Your Calendars
10/1 - District Office/Principal Classroom Walkthroughs 8:30-10:00
10/1 - School Site Council @ 3:00
10/2 - Tech Committee Meeting @ 3:00
10/2 - Alta Vista STEAM Night 5:30-7:00
10/3 - IEP: Elissa W @ 3:00 (Marika, Jeena, Kari, Caitlin)
10/4 - IEP: Oliver L @ 3:00 (Lisa, Jeena)
10/5 - IEP: Luke S @ 3:00 (Kari, Caitlin)
10/8 THROUGH 10/12 - SPIRIT WEEK
10/8 - Count On Me Character Assembly - K-2 @ 9:00; 3-5 @ 9:45
10/8 - IEP: Shreyas N @ 3:00 (Tanya, Jeena, Cathy)
10/9 - PM Kindergarten & First Grade Field Trip (Heritage Theater)
10/9 - Staff Meeting @ 3:00 (District Office Road Show)
10/9 - AVHSC Meeting @ 6:30
10/10 - AM Kindergarten Field Trip (Heritage Theater)
10/10 - IEP: Giovanny LA @ 2:30 (Carol, Michelle C., Jeena, Carla, Cathy)
10/11 - Book Fair Begins
10/11 - IEP: Carla R @ 3:00 (Abbey, Karla, Jeena, Caitlin, Cathy)
10/12 - Picture Make Up Day
10/12 - Fifth Grade Field Trip (Lawrence Hall of Science)
10/13 - Monster Dash Walk-a-thon
Tech Tip from Lisa
GETTING THE AIRPLAY MENU UP IN IOS VERSION 12
Once you update your iPad to v.12 of iOS you will need to use a different finger motion on the screen to get the menu to come up that includes the Airplay options. In the older iOS versions you flipped up from the bottom of the screen to get the menu that includes Airplay. Now you need to flip down from the top, right corner of the screen to get the menu. Please let me know if you have any questions.