Each at His/Her Highest Potential

It is truly disheartening when I find students who are not attaining their highest potential.  Basic or Below Basic, when they could be Advanced.  Some don't read independently at night, some rarely complete homework and some can't seem to pass quizzes even though they have been engaged in high quality instruction with world-class teachers.  As much as we as a school think that we communicate a message of attaining every child's highest potential, our test scores paint an underwhelming picture.

Passing the high school exit exam (CAHSEE) is one goal that students are working towards.  Planning backwards from that point, a child must be at least Proficient every year starting in Kinder.  When a child is Basic in language arts or math, he/she is at risk of not graduating on time.  High school drop out rates are alarming throughout the nation, and the impact of not being educated is devastating.

Emerson has made academic growth for the past 3 years overall. As we reflect on this general pattern of growth, however we find that we are not doing enough to meet our goals with every subgroup of children.  In response, we have set in motion a comprehensive plan, analyzed data, strengthened our curriculum and instruction, and worked to implement focused interventions.  Despite this, we still find students scoring Below Basic and not meeting their goals for growth.

I have been scheduling meetings with several parents every week, explaining the urgency of making sure that their children catch up and do their best.  But there are so many; and each family has a unique background and story. Every child is so unique.  I've been individually meeting with each teacher, together talking through numerous steps that should ensure each student's success. 

If we decide that, as a community, can't tolerate even one child's failure, what should our response be?   Together don't we need to react as if they are in imminent danger?

Electronics Before Reading?

Lately, the most common conversation that I have with parents often begins something like this: "How long do you require your child to read before letting them turn on their video games?"  Often this question is met with a blank stare, which I often interpret to say "Are you serious, Mr. McCombs, video game time is the most peaceful time of my day! Do you think that I want to enter into a non-virtual battle with my kids for an hour over reading?" 

The next conversation is similar to it: "Do you know if your child has passed a reading quiz lately?"  The parents who know what AR is (Emerson has been using Accelerated Reader for at least 8 years) still don't know how to tell if their child has passed a quiz.  "They have to take and pass a quiz EVERY week," I tell them, knowing that their child has not passed a quiz yet this year. 

A follow up conversation often continues, "Do you know your child's ZPD or reading level?"  Looking down, embarrassed, they rarely do.   I continue, "If you do decide to tell your kids to turn off the electronics and read, what do you have them read?"  Often, they proudly say that they have dozens or even hundreds of books at home to choose from.  Wanting to encourage, I ask how they decide which books are at their child's current reading level.  Looking down again, they admit that most of the books are either picture books that the child looks at, or books that are really easy reads. 

Children who are reading below grade level don't want to be caught by their friends with a thin picture book, but instead with something of Harry Potter thickness.

"Captain Underpants? Diary of a Wimpy Kid?" I suggest a few popular titles.  "No, we don't have those," followed with giggles.

The only way to really keep up with it, if they are reading an hour a day, is to take them to the public library.  Now that the Emerson library is open, they can check out two books per week.  Miss Banuelos can print a list of books in your child's reading level.  "This would be a good start," as we walk to the new library together.  "This as much as I can help you, the rest is up to you.  Remember, no electronics before reading!"

While the Kindle and other similar devices may shuffle this around a bit, the rule will still basically be the same- no playing before reading.

This conversation is so easy for me not only because of daily parent conferences, but as a reminder to myself- my own four kids LOVE electronics. Ready for battle?

Math Night Postponed!

Due to the forecast of showers tomorrow night, we have decided to postpone Parent Math Night for one week. Originally scheduled for the 19th, we will now be holding our Parent Math Night and student assembly on Tuesday, October 26. Dinner starts at 5:00. The student performances begin at 6:00, and the main events start at 6:30.


The book fair is currently underway. Volunteers are needed to open the bookfair before and after school on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you are available, please contact Kara at milogorey@gmail.com 

Perfection on Wheels, Tuesday Night!

http://www.perfectiononwheels.com/

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT to be Made by Principal on Math Night!

As the principal, I have a huge announcement.  It will have an impact every day on every student for the rest of the year.  This BIG CHANGE will impact the freedoms that I have been offering Emerson students for the past 8 years. 

I will make the announcement after the dinner (which starts at 5:30); after students sing (they start singing at 6:00); but before the BMX stunt show (6:30); and just before the  parents leave to go to the Math Night classes.  I apologize in advance for leaving you hanging like this, but I want to make this BIG ANNOUNCEMENT  for the first time in front of the teachers, the students and the parents as well. 

We all have to make important choices.  I hope that you will respect this BIG CHANGE that's coming-and it will probably be good for the school in the long run. 

Riverside Magazine Highlights Mini-United Nations School!

To see a copy of the Riverside Magazine, Follow this link.

At Emerson, a “mini-United Nations"— Jerry Rice

With students from 13 foreign countries, Emerson Elementary in Riverside is a cosmopolitan school that literally gives students a global view.

“Everyone is more aware of world issues, which helps them break out of the local microcosm that they know,” said principal John McCombs. “It helps them expand their knowledge of the world, their understanding of how other people live and what the realities are for people around the world.”

The school was dubbed a “mini-United Nations” a few years ago, but in reality the school has hosted children from many countries for decades. Foreign professors and students who work at or attend UC Riverside often bring their families with them, McCombs says.

Many of the children arrive knowing few, if any words in English. There are 155 English-learners currently at Emerson, out of 750 students.

Special initiatives, including a new iScholars program, help foreign students not only assimilate with their classmates, but succeed. iScholars combines a curriculum for GATE students along with components of advanced language fluency for English learners in the same classroom.

“It’s really exciting to see students come in, move through the different levels of language acquisition, and then be able to score ‘advanced’ on the California Standards Tests for language arts,” McCombs said.

Over the years, Emerson has recognized each student and the country they’re from with a flag. Seventy-five flags now hang along one hallway.

— Jerry Rice