Back To Basics

We are a box of crayons, each one of us is unique but when we get together ... the picture is complete!

As we gather around this season of gratitude, I want to gobble up the chance to say how THANKFUL I am for each of you! Your energy, creativity, and heart make our school a place where students thrive and smiles are contagious.

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough." – Anonymous
This quote reminds me of how lucky we are to have such an amazing team that gives their all every day. You truly make a difference!

May your holiday be stuffed with laughter, sprinkled with joy, and topped with sweet moments with loved ones. Thank you for being the reason our school feels like family.

With appreciation and pumpkin-spice cheer, Casey

Below are a couple of issues that have come up that I want to provide reminders or updates to our policies:

• No food the day before a break. I know I stated that if you took the trash out you could do it but that did not get done for all classes and the front office could not handle the amount of parent drop offs of items. For this reason, we will no longer do anything on the day before a break that will have parents dropping items off. It is already busy in the front office with early pick-ups on these days. We are not able to then accommodate tons of drop offs.
• VERY IMPORTANT- If you have an outside RBT please know that they are not permitted to be alone with their student or perform restraints or seclusions. If the student needs to be removed from the room the dean must be called to assist. They may not for any reason put a student in an office or bathroom area and then hold the door shut from the outside. This is a seclusion and must be reported to the state. If they are aggressive or destroying the classroom the RBT can assist the dean/admin. to place the student in the refocus room where two of the staff remain in the room with the student while another staff member remains outside.
• We have had some issues with doors latching on campus. Please check that the doors latch behind you when you enter and exit. Also, remember to report any door that you find propped open as this is a safety violation. Thank you for assisting us with keeping everyone safe.
• ALL TEACHERS MUST HAVE A FORMAL BY 12/12. If you have not schedules one email Jares & Corbett immediately with several dates and times.

1. Shout outs from District Science Walk:

• 5th grade teachers planning together is evident; each teacher implementing lessons with fidelity and a focus on students understanding energy as it relates to motion (aligned to target).

• Note: all 5th grade teachers we saw were asking probing questions, listening for understanding (not just compliance)

• All students were actively engaged in the active learning experience and knew what to do (marble rolling down a ramp and pushing various objects); measurements; relationship to energy collision and transfer; filling out data tables with a clear understanding about how

• Clear anchor charts about types of energy referred to throughout lesson

• Great activity in one classroom assessing individual student understanding of types of energy by drawing/writing on sticky notes and placing under each type

• 3rd grade teachers planning together; students using ISN to process their understanding through questions and discussion

• These third graders know their science! Great discussions on solar energy

2. Shout out to 4th grade for their PLC planning and to Ms. Huggins for sharing their planning documents. Check out the documents below.

3. Shout out to Ms. Trowbridge for sharing how she is tracking her progress learning with her class.

1. Feedback from district science walk:

• Follow up with teachers on verifying content understanding and active learning implementation—teachers share their strategies with each other

• AVID instructional walks to see strategies in action and practice

• Work with teachers on providing opportunities for students to annotate text in their workbooks instead of copying questions down in their ISN

2. 3rd-5th grade please see Xello information below. Remember that we must get to at minimum 80% on each lesson. If a student does not complete the lesson on the assigned pioneer time they will need to complete it the next week during pioneer time.

Romero >> Cusano

Head >> Rivera

Connolly >> Frost

Tovar >> Burchfield

Couvertier >> Salgado

Ferguson >> Ortiz

5th Miles/Lopez >> 4th Ramos

5th Jones/Wiggins >> 4th Medina

5th Conidis >> 4th Jeffries

5th De La Torre >> 4th Cavell

5th C. Torres >> 4th Rosso

5th Matos >> 4th Huggins

5th J. Torres >> 4th Quiteno

2nd Terrell >> 3rd Trowbridge

2nd Foster >> 3rd Moran

2nd Quitian >> 3rd Kenward-Smith

2nd Horn >> 3rd Anzlovar
2nd Walker/Burvenich >> 3rd Roon

2nd Henecke >> 3rd Storms

You received directions in your box along with a hard copy of your roster verification reports and a FOCUS class list of who was enrolled in your class on 10/10. Please use these reports to complete the verification. If you have questions or concerns please email them to me and I will get you the answers. If you are unable to log in let me know and I will verify your log in information for you.

The district has also provided the following video to assist you understanding why you need to complete this process and how to complete it:

https://youtu.be/4Tnw51jFbZg

Mission Possible: Practice doesn’t make perfect. Quality, not quantity, drives mastery. Please remember the power behind Progress Learning lies in:

1. Intentionally using Progress Learning as a resource to support the teacher with their delivery of explicit instruction. This means the instructional video is teacher led, with pauses for students to collaborate, and share their thinking.

2. Intentional, consistent exposure to question stems closely aligned to PM3. Think daily bellringers, daily exit tickets, daily exposure.

3. Progress Learning is least effective when you put students on a computer while teacher does something else. While it may be an effective babysitter, it will not move outcomes when used this way.

Cooperative learning is one of Marzano’s nine high-yield instructional strategies, shown to improve student achievement significantly (average effect size: 0.73, percentile gain: 27). It involves organizing students into small, structured groups to work toward a common academic goal. The key is intentional design, not just putting students together.

Essential Components of Cooperative Learning:

1. Positive Interdependence – Students feel they “sink or swim together.”
2. Face-to-Face Promotive Interaction – Students help and encourage each other.
3. Individual & Group Accountability – Each member contributes to the group’s success.
4. Interpersonal & Small Group Skills – Communication, trust, leadership, conflict resolution.
5. Group Processing – Reflecting on how well the group worked and how to improve.

Best Practices:

• Groups should be small (3–4 students).
• Use heterogeneous grouping (mixed ability) rather than homogeneous.
• Apply consistently but not excessively (e.g., once per week).
• Structure tasks carefully so all students participate meaningfully. [tb2cdn.sch...asters.com]

Elementary Classroom Examples

Here are simple, age-appropriate cooperative learning activities aligned with Marzano’s principles:

1. Think-Pair-Share

   • How it works: Teacher asks a question → students think individually → pair up to discuss → share with the class.
   • Example: After reading a story, ask: “What was the main problem in the story?” Students think, discuss with a partner, then share answers. [slideshare.net]

2. Jigsaw

   • How it works: Divide a topic into parts → each student becomes an “expert” on one part → teach their group.
   • Example: In a science unit on animals, each student learns about one animal (habitat, diet) and then teaches their group. [slideshare.net]

3. Round Robin

   • How it works: Students sit in small groups → teacher poses a question → each student takes turns sharing ideas.
   • Example: “Name one way to save water.” Each student shares one idea in turn. [slideshare.net]

4. Tea Party

   • How it works: Students form two circles facing each other → discuss a question with a partner → rotate and repeat.
   • Example: “What is your favorite part of the story?” Rotate partners every 2 minutes. [slideshare.net]

The Four Corners strategy is an active, discussion-based learning technique that promotes engagement, critical thinking, and collaboration. It is part of AVID’s structured discussion strategies and aligns with WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Reading).

How It Works:

1. The teacher poses a question or statement with four possible responses (e.g., Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree).
2. Each corner of the classroom is labeled with one of these responses.
3. Students move to the corner that represents their opinion or answer.
4. Students discuss their reasoning with peers in the same corner.
5. Groups share their position statements with the class, and students may change corners if persuaded by others’ arguments. [modelteaching.com], [civicslearning.org]

Benefits:

• Encourages movement and kinesthetic learning.
• Builds communication and reasoning skills.
• Supports perspective-taking and respectful debate.
• Works well for open-ended questions and opinion-based prompts. [teacherstr...tegies.org]

Elementary Classroom Examples

Here are age-appropriate ways to use Four Corners in elementary grades:

1. Reading Comprehension

   • After reading a story, post:
     “The main character made the right choice.”
     Corners: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree.
     Students move, discuss why they chose their corner, and share evidence from the text.

2. Math Problem-Solving

   • Question: “Which strategy is best for solving this addition problem?”
     Corners: Draw a picture, Use a number line, Count on fingers, Use mental math.
     Students choose a corner, explain their reasoning, and compare strategies.

3. Science Predictions

   • Prompt: “Plants grow faster in sunlight than in shade.”
     Corners: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree.
     Students predict, then later revisit after an experiment.

4. Social-Emotional Learning

   • Statement: “It’s always better to work in a group than alone.”
     Students move to corners, share personal experiences, and listen to others’ perspectives.

We are doing something a little different this year. We hope you will all join us for this celebration. We will also be doing a white elephant and other fun games. We wanted to let you know early so that you could add it to your holiday party calendar.

This event is for staff and significant others.

Below I have included information for our holiday celebration and for our December spirit month. If you are new to our staff this is only for staff not students.

I placed secret Santa information for staff in your boxes. If you would like to participate, please complete the form and return it to me by the faculty meeting.

I also run a staff kids secret Santa. If you would like for your child to participate have them, see me before or after school and I will give them the form to join in on the fun.

December 3rd & 10th- All Paras Diaper/Toileting PD

December 4th- All Pro Dad

December 4th- Grade Level PLT

December 9th- Discover After School Providing Staff Treat

December 10th-MTSS All Grade Levels

December 11th- Front Office Staff Cocoa Bar

December 15th-OM Due

December 16th-SAC/PTO 4pm in Media Center

December 17th- Faculty Feast

December 18th- Grade level PLT

December 18th- K Polar Express Day

I am attaching two one pagers to make it as easy as possible to disseminate the expectations for Progress Learning and Liftoff. I know that the roll out for this has been both fast and superficial. Please know, Casey and I are working to provide you with future Tidbit Tuesdays and resources in the newsletters to help you with this. I'm sorry that it is a hectic roll out, but it IS a district expectation that also will help move our babies, if used with intentionality.

Please "like" this email after you have reviewed BOTH one-pagers. If you have any questions, please reply sender, and include Casey. Her and I can clarify expectations, as needed. We would much rather help answer your questions than find out in a few weeks or months that you were confused and didn't reach out. Just know, this is a learning process for us, so we might also have to research your question first and get back to you.

Fifth Grade/Marcie: Make sure to send your students to media block with their laptops, effective tomorrow (11/6/25). They will start working on the Physical Science Liftoff Diagnostic in Media Block tomorrow while she does library check out with groups of students.

Staff to Student: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=P_MwfbuLhUaAS5r80tFljXWABW4XwupPrZTRySSEq8BUMFU2WEdXUFdVNUxDTTFOWDNLNzI0RkI3NC4u

Staff to Staff: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=P_MwfbuLhUaAS5r80tFljXWABW4XwupPrZTRySSEq8BUNVczQ1lCME5KSFFLM1lKR0w2T0dRTFI1Ny4u

I know that a lot of information was provided during pre planning. Below are a few reminders:

• If you write a referral you need to send an email to both Ms. Jares and Mr. Dela Fuentes to let them know. They are not notified when a referral is entered.
• If a child makes a threat to themselves, you need to IMMEDIATELY contact Ms. Friend. If a child makes a threat to others you need to IMMEDIATELY contact Ms. Jares. If you call and they do not answer, call the front office and tell them you need them to be radioed because you have a TA.
• The hallway doors and the back cafeteria doors may be propped open during the school day, but they need to remain locked so that if they are closed in an emergency, they are already secure. If you get to school in the morning and have to unlock one of these doors to enter then you need to make sure it is relocked.
• Reminder that if you arrive after the car line has started (approximately 7:50am) you can't pass the car line. You will need to remain in the car line. If you want to be able to drive around the parents waiting, you will need to arrive prior to 7:50am.
• Students may not bring toys to school. This includes Labooboos, Pokemon, electronics, etc.
• Please enforce dress code. If we do not address issues now, then parents will think it is ok to send them in inappropriate items. Reminder that they can't wear crocs or sandals.
• Take attendance immediately each morning. This is necessary because a call will be placed home that there child is not at school at 9am. This is very upsetting to parents and they call the school angry wanting to know where there child is.

When sending me pictures for the yearbook or newsletter please make sure that they have a photo consent. Although I try to know as many students as I can I do not know all of them, so I am not able to check photo consents.

PK/VPK

Alonso https://plicbooks.com/go/RAYWVA

Sackevich https://plicbooks.com/go/A75Q9L

Jaramillo https://plicbooks.com/go/NGF9FR

K

Connolly https://plicbooks.com/go/EKDTQZ

Couvertier https://plicbooks.com/go/PB6YYQ

Ferguson https://plicbooks.com/go/VKFWHZ

Head https://plicbooks.com/go/P448AH

Romero https://plicbooks.com/go/XY15KK

Tovar https://plicbooks.com/go/6NFMY3

1st

Burchfield https://plicbooks.com/go/814WJ6

Cusano https://plicbooks.com/go/DC2EJT

Frost https://plicbooks.com/go/PVQ7C5

Ortiz https://plicbooks.com/go/UKLLW1

Rivera https://plicbooks.com/go/7YEHBL

Salgado https://plicbooks.com/go/77PTMM

2nd

Burvenich https://plicbooks.com/go/X5CR6K

Foster https://plicbooks.com/go/TBTHPA

Henecke https://plicbooks.com/go/4GFV4R

Horn https://plicbooks.com/go/8DJKXX

Quitian https://plicbooks.com/go/PFDZT1

Terrell https://plicbooks.com/go/2CJBA6

Utman https://plicbooks.com/go/TJJGDY

Walker https://plicbooks.com/go/NAWFZ6

3rd

Anzlovar https://plicbooks.com/go/CDLTY3

Kenward Smith https://plicbooks.com/go/5D44T5

Moran https://plicbooks.com/go/EPX6RA

Quiteno https://plicbooks.com/go/XXXETX

Roon https://plicbooks.com/go/QRRXRD

Storms https://plicbooks.com/go/WGYZ7M

Trowbridge https://plicbooks.com/go/UYWQEA

4th

Cavell https://plicbooks.com/go/8WL1ZH

Huggins https://plicbooks.com/go/NDC5QR

Jefferies https://plicbooks.com/go/RJCX7K

Medina https://plicbooks.com/go/UAGFZV

Ramos https://plicbooks.com/go/2UAJPT

Rosso https://plicbooks.com/go/7VR1KD

Woodring https://plicbooks.com/go/ZE5BQ9

5th

C Torres https://plicbooks.com/go/U1ZFVF

Conidis https://plicbooks.com/go/28TW55

De La Torre https://plicbooks.com/go/28TW55

J Torres https://plicbooks.com/go/WYN3ZJ

Jones https://plicbooks.com/go/Y7XZL8

Lopez https://plicbooks.com/go/4BH4PB

Matos https://plicbooks.com/go/86292L

Miles https://plicbooks.com/go/EU4UYF

Wiggins https://plicbooks.com/go/2WFDUJ

Other Files

AVID https://plicbooks.com/go/ZH5FUG

Art https://plicbooks.com/go/EEYMDF

Music https://plicbooks.com/go/EP6VUQ

PE https://plicbooks.com/go/8AYMKK

STEM https://plicbooks.com/go/VQAV5C

Candid https://plicbooks.com/go/VZ8XFW

DHH https://plicbooks.com/go/7L4RK3

Safety Patrol https://plicbooks.com/go/GLANQ4

Spirit Week https://plicbooks.com/go/CCBVHW

TOY https://plicbooks.com/go/9RLYRT

1. Make sure that you check to make sure the door engages when your class enters and exits the building.

2. You must wait for the gate to close behind you when you enter the parking lot.

3. Wear your ID at all times. We have a lot of new staff. They do not know who you are and you may not know them yet. We need to stop everyone without an ID for the safety of the students and staff.

4. When you are arriving and leaving do not stop the car line to cross. Please wait until the line is stopped for the students to cross. This is for your safety. We do not want anyone to get hit.

5. No door is ever allowed to be propped open. If you see a door propped open close it.

6. When sending students in pairs or triads without an adult you must call the adult who will receive them prior to sending them.