November- Self- Care Check In- Thank Yourself...
1. MAINTAIN YOUR RITUALS and ROUTINES
2. ZONE OUT TO SOMETHING UPLIFTING
3. SHUT OFF THE NEWS (AND SOCIAL MEDIA) ONCE IN A WHILE
4. MAKE TIME FOR MINDFULNESS
5. GET SOME FRESH AIR
6. REACH OUT TO LOVED ONES
7. MAKE TIME FOR A HOBBY
8. GIVE YOUR HOME SOME TLC
Join us- Evening of Learning
Ruby Bridges teachers and staff will be presenting workshops
to help families support students with learning at home.
READING! SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING! STEAM! MATH! ZOOM!
Thursday, November 12th from 6:30-8:00 pm.
BIKE RAFFLE: All families who attend will be entered in a raffle for a new bike! Two bikes will be given away: 1 for TK-2 & 1 for 3rd-5th
WHERE: On Zoom: Please use this link:
Who's calling you? Meet the RB Office Team
Health Assistant- I am Loni Carrasco. I’ve worked here at Ruby Bridges since 2008, as an after school Instructure known then as LEAPS, but now known as CAMP EDMO today. In 2012, I became an ESL Paraprofessional worked inside the classroom setting assisting teacher ‘s. In 2014, I then became a Special Ed. Paraprofessional Instructure because I still wanted to help our students succeed. In 2018, I then became the school’s nurse here at Ruby Bridges Elementary School. I am proud to say that I am dedicated to seeing our students be successful. I thrive to be able to see our students become better & reach for the STARS every day.
Ms. Machrus, Office Manager-I am currently the Ruby Bridges Elementary office manager. I have worked at Ruby for over a decade. Nothing brings me more pride than to see our children succeed. It sincerely warms my heart when our children come back to visit. I may not always remember their names or have time to chat but seeing those faces always brings back memories. I am grateful to be surrounded by such passionate staff and the wonderful diversity of all of our families. I am also very fortunate to have the honor of watching our
stars grow!
Ms. Jones, Attendance clerk-Hello, I'm Sue Jones, the Ruby Bridges Attendance Office Assistant. I'm the one you call when your child will be out for the day. I've worked at Ruby Bridges for 10 years, first as a Special Education para, then as the health clerk before moving to the attendance desk. I love working with our vibrant, caring school community. When not at school, I can be found playing with the dogs, planning next year's gardens, and discovering new places to eat.
Hello Ruby Stars! My name is Johanna Schmid, Parent and Family Liaison (not pictured). I am very excited to be part of the Ruby Bridges family and I am looking forward to serving our community. My background is in Social Welfare and I have volunteered in non-profit organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa County. In my free time I enjoy hiking, cooking and exploring with my 5 year old and husband. We are very excited to be welcoming our second child this February 2021.Thank you for giving me the opportunity to partner with you and promote your children's social emotional and academic growth.
*Fun fact about me: I enjoy exploring and rating different playgrounds with my 5 year old.
Native American Heritage Month
The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges."
Some fun Native American reading:
“Baby Speaks Salish” by Emma Noyes – An educational picture book by a local writer and artist who’s a member of the Sinixt band of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
“Bigfoot and Lightning Bug” by Donnell Barlowe – This picture book is based on stories the author remembers from her grandmother.
“Fry Bread” by Kevin Noble Maillard – This award-winning picture book depicts modern Native American family life.
“We Are Water Protectors” by Carole Lindstrom – A picture book inspired by indigenous-led movements across North America to protect water.
“Apple: Skin to the Core” by Eric Gansor – This YA memoir-in-verse takes its title from a common slur in Native American communities for someone who’s “red on the outside, white on the inside.”
https://www.ncai.org/initiatives/native-american-heritage-month
Read-a-Thon
Ruby Bridges Read-a-Thon begins November 16 - December 7, 2020. In an effort to promote literacy and fun, students will engage in individual and class reading goals to highlight reading AND fundraise for our school.
Thank you PTA for this HUGE endeavor and for providing grade level books for all students. More details to come soon....
Notes from the Health Assistant
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.
Zoom Safety
- 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.
Alameda Free Library
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.
National Park Service for 5th Graders
How it works- Many 4th graders missed out on using their Every Kid Outdoors Annual 4th Grade Pass during the 2019-2020 school year. A new voucher is now available for 5th grade students for the rest of the school year!
With this voucher, 5th graders and their families will have free access to national parks and other federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior from October 28, 2020 through August 31, 2021.
Get your voucher
Download the 5th grade voucher (1.04MB PDF).
School Site Council/ ELAC-Meeting on Monday, 11/9/20
SSC and ELAC meeting on Monday, November, 9, 2020, 4-5:15 pm. Please join us. Invite and Zoom link sent via Parent Square.
November Life skill- Patience
Patience: Means to wait, "Practicing patience builds appreciation and work ethic. Kids who learn to work for what they want and learn to delay gratification do better in adulthood. Patient people often have stronger relationships. They’re more focused on their goals and ready for challenges. They understand the value of time. Patience is truly a virtue and a life skill. Patience is a key to success. We all benefit from increasing our patience."
https://www.livingwellspendingless.com/patience-is-a-virtue/
Toolbox
We have learned the following Toolbox tools:
The Breathing Tool- I calm myself and check in.
The Quiet, Safe, Place Tool- I remember my quiet, safe, place.
The Listening Tool- I listen with my ears, eyes, and heart.
The Empathy Tool- I care for others, I care for myself.
4 Be's
Have you completed your 20/21 Free and Reduced Lunch Application?
Lunch Application Here- CLICK
AUSD offers free or reduced-price meals to students whose families are low income. Under this program, which is subsidized by the National School Lunch program, students can receive breakfast for 30 cents (or free) and lunch for 40 cents (or free), depending on their family's income level. Information about which students participate in this program and their family's income is strictly confidential.
Your children also may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if:
- Your family receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Your family receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Your family is homeless or has migrant workers or your child is a runaway
- Your child is enrolled in an eligible Head Start, Even Start or pre-kindergarten class
- Your child is a foster child
Even if you think you don't qualify, please complete the included application here:
Lunch Application Here- CLICK
Ruby Bridges Elementary School- Home of the Stars!
Email: dpharr@alamedaunified.org
Website: https://rubybridges-alamedausd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Location: 351 Jack London Avenue, Alameda, CA, USA
Phone: 510-748-4006
Twitter: @RBStars