Get ready, we have lots of great things happening at Emory between now and spring break!! Thanks in advance for your hard work and dedication to our students!!

Read Across America:

We kick off our week-long celebration of reading with a Reading Rally in the Cafeteria at 8:05 a.m. on Monday, Feb 26. The Padres Pad Squad will join us. Please pick up your classes, drop off backpacks and immediately report to the cafeteria. Thanks to RoseAnn, Karina and Aranzazu, we have a variety of activities to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss and our love of reading!!

Staff Meeting:

On Wednesday, February 28, we were scheduled to visit Central for a network Wednesday. The decision has been made for us to meet at Emory as a staff (1:45-3:15).We will address a variety of topics- primarily, to provide input into the development of the Emory School Site Plan and the District Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).

ELPAC:

Access Practice Tests

Visit this site to view the ELPAC practice tests. ELD teachers, please consider presenting portions of these to our students.  

Assessment Schedule

 Teachers who are Administering the ELPAC- before March 1, test sound.

To access TOMS visit elpac.org

Log into elpac toms

Audio along the left

              Play the Sample

 Scroll to the bottom

              Listening Module

Summative

your grade span and

standard test

District On- Demand Writing and Benchmark Assessments:

On Tuesday, March 6th, you will administer the Narrative On-Demand writing prompt. (I emailed you the instructions). Using the same prompt will allow you and your teams and students to have conversations around progress. As a reminder, all grade levels must administer at least one of the Illuminate Benchmark assessments or an Interim Block Assessment (3-6 only) before we leave for spring break. Please let em know if you need any assistance.

Newsela:

Resource for grades 3-6

During PLC this week, we discussed providing opportunities for students to marathon read on their chromebooks. Many of you already use Newsela. You may be aware of this, but the free version of Newsela allows students to annotate text (non-fiction only). I WOULD NOT use this solely for marathon reading, however, if you are already signed up, this is a good resource to use.

https://newsela.com

“Newsela’s Leveled Texts are the most unique, automatically differentiated material you’ll find. We incorporate our own process to infuse the texts with important features that help students grasp complex concepts more effectively across all subjects, regardless of reading level.”

Soaring to Success:

Names and write ups are due to Eunice Monday, Feb 26.

Burress Bulletin Board Update:

We have been asked to update the Emory Bulletin Board in Burress Auditorium.

Please send me interesting work samples, such as:

Student art, Student writing, Student projects, Photos of student art, projects, other.

Please also send me any suggestions for things you think we might highlight about our school.

T.C. Test Prep Units:

Reading Test Prep Unit

Writing Test Prep Unit

Embedded Supports Request:

CAASPP Testing Teachers

See email from Erin to request embedded designated supports for your students on the CAASPP tests. It may take up to 24 hours from the time I submit the Excel sheet for your students to see the supports on their practice tests (as long as you’re having them log in with their SSID).  If you are making requests, please email Erin the form by Friday, March 2nd

Placement Cards:

Spring Learning Academy:

I hope that you enjoyed a long and relaxing weekend. Thank you for your hard work preparing report cards for our students!

Staff Meeting/ELPAC:

We DO meet as a staff this Wednesday, Feb 21 at 1:45 in room 23. Please bring your laptops. Jennifer Oliveira will present information about the new ELPAC assessment which we (Emory Teachers) will administer whole group to English Learners in grades 2-6 on March 6-9 from approximately 8:20-9:20 each morning. The District will send a team of credentialed teachers to administer the entire assessment to grades TK-1 and the speaking section to grades 2-6. To better prepare for the ELPAC, please start covering up your bulletin boards, charts and anything that students can read in English, this includes ELA (Readers and Writers Workshop), Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Network Wednesday-Now Emory Staff PD:

On Wednesday, February 28, we were scheduled to visit Central for a network Wednesday. The decision has been made for us to meet at Emory as a staff (1:45-3:15). We will address a variety of topics- primarily, to provide input into the development of the Emory School Site Plan and the District Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).

PLC:

I will visit your PLCs this week to work with your grade level on a variety of exciting things :).

Grades K-2

LLI Group Check ins (Also Grade 3)

Plan for TC Coach Beth’s visit March 5-7 (host classrooms, preferred PD topics)

Update and Post Reading/Writing Calendars

Grades 3-6

Access the Teachers College Treasure Chest

Plan to get an Overview of the 2018 Reading Test Prep Unit

Reading Test Prep Unit

Update and Post Reading/Writing Calendars (consider Test Prep Timeline and Interim Block/Comprehensive Assessments)

This is an additional resource Writing Test Prep Unit

Report Card Update:

District On- Demand Writing Assessment:

On Tuesday, March 6th, you will administer the Narrative On-Demand writing prompt. Using the same prompt will allow you and your teams and students to have conversations around progress. Directions will be the same as the one completed in August.

Benchmark Assessments:

from Jennifer Oliveira’s email…

Which one should we give? 

Depending on your current unit of study in reading and/or writing, as well as past units, you and your team can decide which SBUSD performance task seems appropriate to give- narrative, informative, or opinion/argument. 3-6^th grade can also choose to give the CAASPP Interim Assessment IAB, or block assessments.

When do we have to give it?

According to our Assessment Calendar, you can administer the Performance Task between January and Spring Break. 

Where can we find the resources? 

All of the resources are in Illuminate labeled “Optional [grade level] ELA Performance Task”. You can clear your filters and search for “optional”, “opinion”, “narrative”, or “informational”. Then click Download Materials.

Burress Bulletin Board Update:

We have been asked to update the Emory Bulletin Board in Burress Auditorium.

Please send me interesting work samples, such as:

Student art, Student writing, Student projects, Photos of student art, projects, other.

Please also send me any suggestions for things you think we might highlight about our school.

Read Across America Feb 26-March 2:

Thanks to RoseAnn for her leadership in coordinating this fun week for our students. We will kick off next Monday, February 26 with a visit from the Pad Squad during flag salute. Thank you to those of you who have submitted the names of your reader leaders! If you have not already done so, please submit names to RoseAnn ASAP. 

Quote of the Week (more like laugh of the week):

Staff Professional Development:

We DO NOT meet as a staff this week. Mark your calendars….. Staff PD Feb 21 

District On- Demand Writing Assessment:

On Tuesday, March 6th, you will administer the Narrative On-Demand writing prompt. Using the same prompt will allow you and your teams and students to have conversations around progress. Directions will be the same as the one completed in August.

Benchmark Assessments:

from Jennifer Oliveira’s email…

Which one should we give? 

Depending on your current unit of study in reading and/or writing, as well as past units, you and your team can decide which SBUSD performance task seems appropriate to give- narrative, informative, or opinion/argument. 3-6^th grade can also choose to give the CAASPP Interim Assessment IAB, or block assessments.

When do we have to give it?

According to our Assessment Calendar, you can administer the Performance Task between January and Spring Break. 

In TK-2, will we receive copies?

Since you and your team are making the decision about which assessment you’ll give, you’ll need to make whatever copies you’ll need. NO

Where can we find the resources? 

All of the resources are in Illuminate labeled “Optional [grade level] ELA Performance Task”. You can clear your filters and search for “optional”, “opinion”, “narrative”, or “informational”. Then click Download Materials.

How are scores reported?

You will not have to input any scores into Illuminate but do take the time to score the work, or work with your students to determine their progress. You can use the TC Writing Progressions to score the writing portion, but use the scoring guides in the directions to score constructed responses. If you are giving the CAASPP Interim Assessments, hand score any items, discuss with your team, and feel free to share with students.

Report card window opens 2/5/18

Fountas and Pinnell:

Thank you for your hard work assessing your students and entering the data into Illuminate.

Staff Meeting:

We DO NOT meet as a staff this week. Mark your calendars….. Staff PD Feb 21 

ELPAC:

School Site Council:

SSC meets this Wednesday at 1:30 in the lounge. Thank you to Cindy P, Angelica, Shelly and Christy for representing us.

ELD Roster Updates:

Thank you for quickly helping me update our ELD rosters. Click here to access the updated rosters. A copy has been placed in your mail box.

Attendance Protocols:

Beginning Monday, February 5^th, you must, again, take student attendance following each transition (return from lunch, return from recess, start of ELD, end of ELD etc). If you identify that a student is missing, you should immediately contact the school office. As always, please be in the hallways supervising students as they transition to and from ELD. As always, you must take attendance each day by 9:00 a.m. We will develop a missing student search team and update our protocols for the search procedures.

If you have any questions, concerns or great ideas, please let me know. I will host an optional Open House on Tuesday, February 6 at 7:30 in the lounge to begin our conversation and we will discuss further at an upcoming staff meeting.

Kindness Coins:

 Choose nutritious time-saving foods such as air popped popcorn – you can distribute popcorn bags for the kids to decorate!  Whole grain tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole, or whole wheat pita bread with hummus, are also easy and fun.

• Toss together a simple trail mix made with whole grain cereal, pretzels, mini dark chocolate drops, and dried fruits for an energizing mix.
• Make it fun! Presentation is everything when serving nutritious party foods for kids. Try cutting finger foods such as mini sandwiches or fruits into fun shapes using cookie cutters. Another idea is to cut small pieces of different fruits and put them on a stick, like a rainbow fruit Kebab.
• Build a colorful fruit and vegetable tray. Aim for a variety of colors and textures – this ensures kids are getting a wide range of nutrients. Serve with a low-fat ranch or yogurt dip.
• Other options include dark chocolate dipped strawberries or bananas, granola bars, apple slices with honey, squeezable yogurt or apple sauce, and pure fruit popsicles.
• Don’t forget to serve a hydrating drink. Instead of soda or other sweetened beverages, serve 100% fruit juice, or try infusing water with fresh fruit, such as strawberries, oranges or lemons.

With these tips, you can make the next celebration an opportunity to teach your child that eating healthy can be fun – and delicious.

Quote of the Week: