Bronco Bulletin
March 2016
Dr. Splane, Principal Mrs. Stovall, Assistant Principal
Email: SSchmidt@ogsd.net
Website: http://bernalis.schoolloop.com
Location: 6610 San Ignacio Avenue, San Jose, CA 95119, United States
Phone: (408) 578-5731
Every Student Succeeds Ceremony
Tuesday, Mar 1, 2016, 06:00 PM
Davis (Caroline) Intermediate School, Edenview Drive, San Jose, CA, United States
First game of the NCAA Basketball Tournament!
Thursday, Mar 17, 2016, 07:00 AM
USA
Bernal Jazz Band at Santa Cruz Jazz Festival
Saturday, Mar 19, 2016, 10:00 AM
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
Spring Break
Monday, Mar 28, 2016, 08:00 AM
Bernal Intermediate School, San Ignacio Avenue, San Jose, CA, United States
Annual Statewide Testing
The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP, which has replaced the Standardized Testing and Reporting, or STAR Program, became the new state academic testing program last year. CAASPP is a system intended to provide information that can be used to monitor student progress and ensure that all students leave high school ready for college and career. CAASPP includes computer-adaptive tests in English–language arts and mathematics as well as paper-based tests for science in grades 5 and 8.
Bernal students will take the test in May. To learn about the types of questions on the computer-based test, you and your child can view the practice test online at the California Department of Education (CDE) Smarter Balanced Practice Test Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/practicetest.asp.
Following the spring 2016 testing, students will receive individual score reports. Student score reports will be sent home to parents and will include an overall score, a description of the student’s achievement level for English–language arts and mathematics, and other information. It is important to note that these scores cannot be compared to scores that your child previously received on the STAR Program tests because this test is based on the new Common Core State Standards, involves different types of test questions, and will not be reported using the STAR Program reporting categories. If you would like to exempt your student(s) from CAASPP, a letter must be submitted to the principal.
If you would like more information, please visit the Parent/Student tab of the CDE CAASPP Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/.
R.I.S.E: Respect Integrity Safety Responsibility
February Discipline Data
In the short month of February, the Assistant Principal reported that there was an average of 0.73 behavior events (referrals) per day, compared to the national average of 2.5 behavior events per day! This is a testament to the success of PBIS—The use of common language around the Bernal RISE expectations (Respect, Integrity, Safety, and Responsibility), the consistent, positive, and specific praise given to students from staff to encourage the behavior we wish to see, and the hard work of students to meet these expectations while earning Bronco Bucks!
Speaking of Bronco Bucks, over 1000 Bronco Bucks were spent at the Student Store for prizes to reward students’ positive behavior. We exceeded our goal of 700 Bronco Bucks in February! Keep up the great work, Broncos!
Help Teens Get Sufficient Sleep
Many people say that sleep is overrated. Most people, in general, get less than six hours of sleep at nights. Teen have many challenges on their plate that contribute to their lack of sleep: peer pressure, sports, friends, and hormone changes. Research shows that many teens are consistently sleep deprived. Parents need to encourage their teen child to set a sleep routine that works for their schedule. There are reasons and a few tips that can help to understand the difficulty.
Some of the reasons teens cannot fall to sleep is that a child’s internal clock, called circadian rhythms, shift slights around the time they go through puberty, Judith Owens, MD , MPG, director of the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Boston Children’s Hospital. The teen’s brain does not produce the melatonin chemical needed to fall asleep until later in the evening. The average time teens fall to sleep is about 11 at night. Also, equally important to note is that sleep-deprived teens are a higher risk of mood swing disorders and generally do poorer at school.
Contributing as well to difficulty falling asleep are the electronic toys (cell phones, electronic games, computers, etc.), the light from the various devices interferes with the melatonin produced to help us fall asleep.
Teens need their sleep. Since teen brains are not fully developed, they are not always making the smartest choices. A sleep deprived teen is prone to make even poorer choices when they are working with an average of 6 hours of sleep.
Tips to get 8-hours of sleep each night: (
- Parents: help your child determine what time you need to get to sleep to get a least eight hours sleep!
- Make sure teen in bed at least 10 minutes before that time.
- Avoid sugars and caffeine before bed.
- Avoid exercising before you go to bed.
- Parents: Collect electronic devices a night.
- Clear your mind by using self-talk and/or write any swirling thoughts on a notepad.
- Maintain a sleep schedule.
Sources: WebMd Feature by Roy Benaroch, MD
Nightmare on Puberty Street
We are very fortunate to have been selected to host Nightmare on Puberty St., a free play from Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theater. They have performed for nearly 6 million people across Northern California. Characters in the play depict youth undergoing changes that our students may be experiencing now or in the near future. This play also explores the best way for students to be themselves and what to do if situations become too confusing to handle alone. After the performance, the performer/educators will answer questions about topics from the show. The Nightmare on Puberty St. assembly will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 for all students.
A Parent Permission Letter along with information about the performance was sent home with students on Tuesday, 2/23. We encourage parents to preview the content of the performance, and to have their student(s) return the permission form to their 1st period teacher only if they WILL NOT attend the assembly that day.
Drama Competition
Our Drama club traveled to Sacramento in February for the California Educational Theatre Associations Middle Fest drama competition to compete against over 200 drama students from Northern California. They performed monologues, scenes and original work. Students who participated include Raychelle Frescas, Clarise Groba, Tiffany Miller, Sarah Haws, Naajiha Fahmida, Sydney Leat, Gabriela Balajadia and Rose Lee. Everyone came back with bronze and silver medals. We are all very proud of these talented kids.
Advisory Period
At Bernal, supporting the whole child is increasingly important in today’s fast-paced society. Bernal staff are committed to ensuring not only academic success, but social-emotional success as well. Every Monday at Bernal, students receive an Advisory Lesson from their 5th period teachers. The Monday Advisory lessons, designed and implemented by Bernal teachers, support students in forging positive relationships to peers and the school, building connections and competence around topics that are meaningful and relevant to life outside of school, and infusing learning with fun while combining both social and academic interactions. Below is a list of Advisory Topics that students will engage in throughout the 2015-16 school year. As your student how advisory lessons are going and support the on-going conversation with them as well!
- PBIS - RISE (Character Education)- August/September
- Personal Responsibility - Life/Study Skills (note-taking, organization, etc.)- Sept 14, 21, 28 Oct 5, 12
- Professional/Social Skills and Cyber-bulling and Social Media Responsibility- Oct 19, 26, Nov 2, 9
- Conflict Resolution- Nov 16, 30 Dec 7, 14
- Tolerance/Sensitivity/Cultural Awareness/Racism/Gender Identity- Jan 4,11 Feb 8, 22
- Mental/Personal Health (coping skills, stress management, relationships, mindfulness, substance abuse)- Feb 29, Mar 7, 14, 21
- Global Citizenship (community service)- Apr 4, 11,18
- Leadership/Resiliency- Apr 25 May 2, 9
- School Involvement- May 16, June 6