iPods in School?

As the principal, I often receive phones, toys and other gadgets that have been confiscated as distractions. But instead of confiscating iPods, we'll be supplying them!

Every fourth and fifth grade teacher will receive a MacBook and a class set of iPods which will be used as learning tools .

The iPods will be used in a variety of ways and will function as an internet-connected computer for a variety of applications. The "apps" available for iPods have grown exponentially; many school districts are successfully using them to focus students' natural enthusiasm. Emerson teachers are being trained this summer by an Apple education expert about the plethora of ways that the iPods can increase learning, motivation and engagement in the classroom.

A portion of our Measure B (which is paying for the new buildings) funds was set aside for new technology. Additionally, we will have new interactive smart boards (a far cry from the old chalk boards) in every classroom.

We'll still be vigilant to prevent distractions; but we're learning that gadgets can increase learning, not distract from it.

Emerson Family, RUSD Sue CA

When a state's school funding system is broken, what is the impact on the children and families? Through a child's eyes, when their favorite teachers have been laid off, the impact is personal, measurable, and damaging.

As a school, we did not list the teachers names, host a big farewell, or intentionally draw attention to the 13 pink-slipped teachers' names, but the children often knew. Teachers tried to avoid the questions and responded that they were not sure which grade they were teaching or which room they would be in next year. They subtly tried to redirect the focus back on what was in the child's ability to control. Despite an affirmation such as "I know that you'll do great next year whoever your teacher is!" students were often perplexed about why so many of their beloved teachers would not be returning to Emerson in the fall.

Some of the pink slips have been rescinded and some of the teachers will return to Riverside schools; some will return to Emerson. In the fall we will have 10 "new" teachers who, by no choice of their own, are being uprooted from another school to come to fill our vacant teaching positions. The children will most likely fall in love their new teachers who will become part of the Emerson family, but the hurt lingers.

Riverside Unified School District and the Ramirez family, along with other families and school district in California have decided that the state's school funding formulas have been damaging to their families and must be changed. The Robles-Wong, et al. v. California lawsuit has been reported in national and international newspapers. As the principal of Emerson I applaud the Ramirez' family's resolve to take on the State of California to fix our broken school funding formulas. After all, we want our children to focus on California Content Standards, not worry about their teachers' jobs.

Summer Reading Program Begins

Americorps Academic Assistants from the University Eastside Collaborative read with students from Alcott, Highland, Hyatt, Emerson, and Castle View today as the Summer Reading program kicked off.
The generous staff from Bordwell Park's Stratton Community Center served up all of the meals they had to the crowd of at least 75 students. The summer FEEDS program attracted numerous children, aged 2-18, for the free lunch.

Staff members from Emerson checked out books to children who were there from almost every surrounding elementary school. "Thanks!" to Rosie, Sheila, Cassandra, and Celida for helping to get the program off to a great start.

The reading program in the park was conceived after Andy Melendrez asked a simple question: "What can we do to get our children reading this summer?" Together we planned to integrate both city and school resources together to help motivate and facilitate reading all summer long.

Tomorrow they'll have more lunches available. Go for the free lunch, stay for story time!

Kids Love Fishing

Summer Reading

The Riverside Public Library's bookmobile made a stop by Emerson today to help promote the Public Library's Summer Reading program. The bookmobile will be making stops at several parks including Bordwell Park and Bobby Bonds this summer to help keep our children reading all summer.


Mrs. Banuelos will be there every day starting at 11 a.m. Lunch starts at 11:45. This is not a "drop off" program; parents should attend with their children.

We are going to try to motivate the students to read by promoting the Public Library's incentive program. It has a pizza coupons, other prizes as well as a free pass to Castle Park for students who complete the program. On top of that, we will be continuing our incentive program (funded by you, the PTA), which will include small toy prizes.

Today in the students' backpacks, a promotional flier will be sent home that includes some outstanding events, such as magic shows, that will take place at the Cybrary, the downtown library, and other library locations as well.

How can you ensure summer reading achievement?
1.) Participate in the free summer lunch and reading programs.
2.) Encourage your child's friends to join you at the park for reading and lunch.
3.) Participate in the Library's programs (and take friends with you!)
4.) Require you children to read and take AR quizzes all summer long.
5.) Build in some additional incentives for reading: such as pass a quiz/read a book to earn park playground time.
6.) Require one hour of reading every day before any electronics are turned on!

Announcing the iScholars Program

Emerson is proud to announce a new program called iScholars, which will begin in the fall of 2010. Similar to the GATE Special Day Class that Emerson has offered for many years, iScholars will focus on the needs of gifted, talented and advanced learners.

Specifically, the class will be made up of identified GATE students, advanced English Learners as well as other advanced, gifted and talented students as space allows. An intentional effort will be made to identify students who have leadership skills, high achievement, and creativity which previously have not been significant factors in determining class placement. Selection of students for the class will take place at the end of each academic year using GATE and EL program identification criteria, performance data as well as a Behavioral Checklist that will identify a lottery pool of students to participate in the program. Students who are successful in the program may be invited to maintain their program participation in subsequent years.

The curriculum for the class will be based on the same California Content Standards, as well as a renewed and intentional emphasis of the Scope and Sequence of Depth and Complexity: Differentiating for Gifted and Advanced Learners (RUSD 2007). This document is available in my office for your review. A team of teachers is currently making plans for the program and will continue their planning work throughout the summer. Initially, some of the program plans include a foreign/second language component, participation in projects such as History Day, Science Fair, and Reflections. Depth and complexity will be explored through a system that uses icons, or thinking tools, to describe what students will do with the content.

The lottery drawing will occur on June 9, at 3 p.m., outside of the front office, followed by an informational meeting in the library. If you would like to have more information about the iScholars program, please attend an informational meeting on June 9 at 3:30 p.m. in room 14 in the library.