The STAR

Ruby Bridges will celebrate Kindness Week January 25-29th (virtually). During this week our Stars will engage in activities that will promote kindness, empathy, and our 4 Be's. Look for more information to come in the next newsletter and via Parent Square.

Family conferences will take place February 10-12th. Make sure to schedule an appointment with your teacher. This is a great time to discuss our Star's progress, strengths, and needs.

Winter Craft Night is coming. During this fun afternoon event, Stars will have the opportunity to make fun and diverse crafts celebrating winter and Black History month.

We will have three afternoons dedicated to this event the week of February 22, 2021. Look for more details in the next Star.

"Optimism is the way you see and think about what is happening around you and to you. It is looking for the good in each situation. It is expecting things to go well. It is thinking good thoughts even when things are going bad. It is having hope. It is believing that you can make things better."

This month we are learning about Optimism.

Throughout January we will focus on the following Toolbox Tools. Our tools help us deal with our feelings and emotions in manageable ways. Ask our stars about the tools.

Personal Space-I have a right to my space and so do you.

Using our Words- I use the right words in the right way.

Garbage Can-I let the little things go.

Ruby Bridges students, faculty, and families believe all students can be STARS by following the 4Bs ! Following the AUSD Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) system, we strive to: Be Safe, Responsible, Respectful, and a Friend. These expectations are taught, modeled, learned, and practiced at Ruby Bridges.

3 Ways to Stay Healthy for the Holidays

· Fend off Germs

· Dehydrate

· Exercise

Germs: Family gathering, airports & travel stops, shopping malls, and even libraries. They’re all places germs like to mingle. So protect yourself. Get a flu vaccine, wash hands A LOT. People can be contagious before they know they’re sick. Even just a sip from someone’s drink puts his or her germs in your body.

Dehydrate: Drink lots of water, less soda & or juices.

Dehydration can be the first sign of being thirsty. A person gets water by drinking & eating. You lose water when you sweat, urinate (pee), have diarrhea or throw up. You can even lose a little water when you breathe.

Exercise: Yoga, sports, running or even having a daily stretch.

• Please don’t interrupt your child unless s/he needs some help during class.
• Please be aware that loud background noise - such as music, appliances, conversations or arguments - can be distracting not only to your own child but to the teacher and other students in the class.
• Please watch your language! Please remember that the camera picks up what’s happening in the room where your child is working. As such, we ask that:
• You be fully clothed while your child is online.
• You avoid distracting behavior, such as dancing, cleaning, exercising, or eating.
• Please do not try to lead or teach in breakout rooms unless you have gone through our volunteer vetting process and are working directly with the teacher to support the class.
• If possible, please try to find a space where your child can work away from distractions and interruptions and possibly where the camera faces a wall.

Every Ruby Bridges student is entitled to a free library card with the Alameda free library. In addition to easy check outs, the library offers a wealth of services including free homework tutoring, online check-outs, grab and go bags, stories online, and book talks. Please contact your child's teacher to ensure they can access a card or contact Alameda Free Library at https://www.alamedafree.org/PROGRAMS-SERVICES/Childrens-Services .

Thank you PTA for supporting this ongoing partnership. Students may also use Soar, in the Clever account, to access the library's catalogs of online books for free. Students will need to select Alameda Unified School District as the school when logging in through Clever.