Teacher Grade and Telephone Extension: Telephone Number: 788-7462
Arnaiz, Christine -3rd x41010
Barron, Kelly -SH/SDC x41023
Bekkedahl, Jessie -TITLE 1 x41039
Bristow, Kristen -3rd x41013
Burns, Ric -SH/SDC x41025
Butler, Kelvin -4th x41015
Coleman, Carol -ELD x41034
Condron, Jason -5th x41020
Cortez, Marcos -6th x41038
Cruz, Juanita -Preschool x41001
Danko, Kim -KG x41002
DeHaro, Griselda -6th x41021
Eaton, LeAnna -5th x41026
Faulkner, Elizabeth -KG x41037
Filkins, Jody -2nd x41009
Folger, Wendy -1st x41004
Garcia, Margarita -4th x41040
Garner, Debbie -2nd x41006
Gonzalez, Guillermina -2nd x41012
Gonzalez, Mary Beth -3rd/4th x41014
Hopper, Jackie -RSP x41028
Johnson, Christina -1st x41027
Moreno, Tracy -2nd x41011
Nieto, Tonia -5th x41018
Pro, Patricia -SDC x41024
Schechtman, Kristen -1st x41008
Sherbon, Jenny -3rd x41019
Smith, Christina -SPEECH x41029
Tenette, Julie -4th x41022
Turner, Heather -5th x41016
Wagner, Jeanne -SDC x41041
Watring, David -6th x41007
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Hang on! We're Improving Our Program
There is always room for improvement, right?! Innovations, research and technology have helped schools continue to get better at the job we do. The measures of success that we currently use under the No Child Left Behind legislation require significant growth with all student demographic groups every year. Emerson has both good news and bad news to report as a result of our 2009-10 test scores.
Here is some bad news first: we did not make much growth school-wide in math; we did not reach our goals for our students with disabilities; and we did not move our English Learners far enough along for them to meet meet their Adequate Yearly Progress targets. There is no excuse for this, we dropped the ball. We should have met every goal.
Some good news: when we set our goals last year we looked at a trend for our African American population (and Emerson is one of the only schools in RUSD with a large enough population to have what is considered to be a "significant" subgroup) that was in an academic decline. We identified a plan to focus additional resources on our target population, and we effectively increased the percentage of African American students who scored Proficient from 46% to 56.8% in Language Arts. We saw similar gains in math with our African American students.
More bad news: because of the way the Adequate Yearly Progress is measured, if a school misses meeting its goals in even one subgroup for three consecutive years, the school is placed in Program Improvement. This is why you were sent the requisite letter in the mail this week.
And some good news: In every grade level, 2nd -6th grades in both language arts and math (with one exception-5th grade math) Emerson made achievement gains! For example, in 2008-09 in 3rd grade, we had 39% of our students score Proficient or Advanced, but last year 48% scored Proficient or Advanced in language arts. School-wide we increased our proficiency in language arts by 12% points, which definitely made us smile.
More bad news: The growth wasn't enough! We did not meet either of our district-wide goals for increasing proficiency by 15% school-wide; nor did we make a 20% increase with our English Learner sub-group.
But there is more good news: we did make our Academic Progress Index goal! In fact, on this State measure, we grew 17 points to an all-time Emerson high of 788. But, in the big picture, the API measure is not what we are aiming for. We want to make our federal targets-the AYP.
So, yes, in the big picture, Emerson has entered "Program Improvement" like hundreds of other schools across the State. We are not happy about it and we are implementing a plan to "freeze" in our status by making huge academic growth this year. We desperately want more students (all students) to be successful. We are working on aggressive plans to meet all of our goals with every subgroup this year. I'll share more information with you about our plan in the days ahead. Hang on!
Here is some bad news first: we did not make much growth school-wide in math; we did not reach our goals for our students with disabilities; and we did not move our English Learners far enough along for them to meet meet their Adequate Yearly Progress targets. There is no excuse for this, we dropped the ball. We should have met every goal.
Some good news: when we set our goals last year we looked at a trend for our African American population (and Emerson is one of the only schools in RUSD with a large enough population to have what is considered to be a "significant" subgroup) that was in an academic decline. We identified a plan to focus additional resources on our target population, and we effectively increased the percentage of African American students who scored Proficient from 46% to 56.8% in Language Arts. We saw similar gains in math with our African American students.
More bad news: because of the way the Adequate Yearly Progress is measured, if a school misses meeting its goals in even one subgroup for three consecutive years, the school is placed in Program Improvement. This is why you were sent the requisite letter in the mail this week.
And some good news: In every grade level, 2nd -6th grades in both language arts and math (with one exception-5th grade math) Emerson made achievement gains! For example, in 2008-09 in 3rd grade, we had 39% of our students score Proficient or Advanced, but last year 48% scored Proficient or Advanced in language arts. School-wide we increased our proficiency in language arts by 12% points, which definitely made us smile.
More bad news: The growth wasn't enough! We did not meet either of our district-wide goals for increasing proficiency by 15% school-wide; nor did we make a 20% increase with our English Learner sub-group.
But there is more good news: we did make our Academic Progress Index goal! In fact, on this State measure, we grew 17 points to an all-time Emerson high of 788. But, in the big picture, the API measure is not what we are aiming for. We want to make our federal targets-the AYP.
So, yes, in the big picture, Emerson has entered "Program Improvement" like hundreds of other schools across the State. We are not happy about it and we are implementing a plan to "freeze" in our status by making huge academic growth this year. We desperately want more students (all students) to be successful. We are working on aggressive plans to meet all of our goals with every subgroup this year. I'll share more information with you about our plan in the days ahead. Hang on!
Friday, September 17, 2010
President Encourages Video Gaming?
As a result of this national emphasis, there is a National STEM Video Game Challenge. BrainPop is a partner in it and this is a link to more information http://www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/Press-Releases-48.html.
Please encourage your children's interest in STEM!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Congratulations, Mrs. Scott, We'll Miss You!
Mrs. Paula Scott announced today to her students and their families that she will begin a new journey. She included in her letter a favorite quote from Martin Buber, "All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." Mrs. Scott's journey will be taking her to Chemawa Middle School to teach U.S. History. We will feel sadness in losing her, but we will be happy that she is able to achieve a professional goal.
Paula Scott has been teaching at Emerson for 10 years and has held numerous leadership roles such as Team Leader, GATE Coordinator, support provider for new teachers, as well as our resident language arts and GATE expert on campus, frequently providing inservices during staff meetings.
Paula Scott has been teaching at Emerson for 10 years and has held numerous leadership roles such as Team Leader, GATE Coordinator, support provider for new teachers, as well as our resident language arts and GATE expert on campus, frequently providing inservices during staff meetings. As her principal, I often have the privilege of visiting her class and I'm always overwhelmed by the level of rigor, differentiation, engagement. She helps students make connections that lead to high levels of learning. She pushes all of her students to learn, both gifted students as well as those who are arrive to her class scoring below basic.
While the Emerson community will miss Mrs. Scott, we are proud that she has attained a professional aspiration. Emerson wishes Mrs. Scott the best in her new endeavor!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Volunteers UNITED in Garden
United Way volunteers teamed up on Patriot Day,September 11, in the Eastside Community Garden. The French Club from Poly High, the Sigma Nu Fraternity from CSUSB, as well as several other garden regulars like Sheila, Wes, Harold and Tony, teamed up to clean up from the summer and start a fall crop with transplants such as lettuce, broccoli, and cabbage.
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| "Thanks!" to all of the volunteers who worked in the Eastside Community Garden on the Day of Caring! |
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
After School Program Announced
Today on the California Department of Education website, it was announced that Emerson has been selected to receive the HEARTS after school program. While this notification is preliminary, it is potentially a huge to boost many of our families who currently pay for after school child care.
For us as a school, it is an opportunity to extend the learning day by offering one additional hour of instruction every day. For may students, this will make a huge difference in their academic success.
We have a lot of unanswered questions at this point, but as soon as we receive official word about the program, we'll start to identify staff and students for the daily, free, after school program. Stay tuned...there's more to come!
For us as a school, it is an opportunity to extend the learning day by offering one additional hour of instruction every day. For may students, this will make a huge difference in their academic success.
We have a lot of unanswered questions at this point, but as soon as we receive official word about the program, we'll start to identify staff and students for the daily, free, after school program. Stay tuned...there's more to come!
Lock Down Delays Dismissal
On Friday afternoon at about 2:22 p.m. we received a call from the Riverside Police Department that they were investigating a report of a dangerous object in the park across the street. They told us to lock the school down and not allow students to be released.
RPD investigated the report and determined that the allegation was unfounded. At about 2:45, they notified us that we could release the students form school.
I was very grateful to the patience that you all demonstrated during this lockdown which delayed our normal release from school at 2:40.
RPD investigated the report and determined that the allegation was unfounded. At about 2:45, they notified us that we could release the students form school.
I was very grateful to the patience that you all demonstrated during this lockdown which delayed our normal release from school at 2:40.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
9/11 Day of Caring
The United Way supported our Eastside Community Garden last year during the Day of Caring. On Saturday, September 11, 2010, volunteers are planning to return to work in the garden. You can help too!
Volunteerism is a characteristic that you may want to teach your children. This event is a great opportunity to work along with your child while showing them that you value volunteerism.
Join the crowd in the breezeway at City Hall between 7 - 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 11. Here is the link to register. Last year all of the volunteers received a free LIVE UNITED T-shirt.
We have ordered supplies for planting our fall crop (lettuce, cabbage, broccoli etc.) on that day. I look forward to seeing you!
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