California Native Waterwise Garden

Mrs. Cruz was awarded a REEF grant to create a California Native Waterwise Garden with her 4th and 5th grade students.

First, the class researched which California native plants that grow best in this area, including taking a walking field trip to such a garden on Victoria Ave. (This would make a great family field trip if you are thinking of planting a California Native garden at home. There are other waterwise gardens at the Family Literacy Center in Casa Blanca and at the Western Municipal Water District Building.)

Students then began to prepare the soil for their garden. They turned all the soil, put a layer of newspaper down, then put a layer of soil on top. (This is a tip they discovered when doing their research. It helps soil retain water and discourages weeds from reemerging.)

Then the planting began!
A layer mulch was applied to block light and keep weeds from sprouting. The students created a river of rocks, to not only add beauty and interest to the garden, but for drainage as well. A birdbath was also added to the garden to welcome birds.

Next, the students laid down a soaker hose, positioning it so that the water would be controlled around the native plants.

Lastly, enough mulch was added to cover the hose. Mulch does several things. It helps control erosion and helps balance moisture in garden beds. The sun can't bake the soil when mulch is shading it. Mulch, as it decomposes adds organic value to soil and it provided a uniform, finished look to their garden.

Be sure to stop by our California Native Waterwise Garden at Open House on March 31. We look forward to watching our garden grow and mature... just like our students!

(Thank you again to REEF for funding this project. To learn more about REEF and how you can contribute visit http://www.riversideschoolrrule.org/)

VICTORIA AUTHORS SHARE CHAPBOOK

Join Mrs. Cruz's fourth and fifth grade students on their "Journey to Inlandia: a Quest for Knowledge" as they share their stories at the Downtown Riverside Public Library on Sunday, March 21 from 2:00 to 4:00pm. In partnership with the Inlandia Institute, Mrs. Cruz's students have published a chapbook and will share their narratives about people and places from Riverside's history during this community event. Please join us!

For more information about Inlandia Institute, please visit their website at http://www.inlandiainstitute.org/

STUDENTS TO PLAY AT ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL

Several students from Victoria have been participating in an after school elementary orchestra based at Gage Middle School. Students were selected to participate in this group based on their performance and commitment to the strings class. The group is made up of 35 students from Alcott, Castle View, Washington, and Victoria. They have been rehearsing once a week since early January and are preparing for their final concert next week.

The final concert will be on March 17th at Ramona High School for the SCSBOA Band and Orchestra Festival. Students will perform at 5:00 pm and will be critiqued by three judges. Immediately following students will sight-read a new piece of music in a separate room, also in front of a judge. This is a very exciting event for the students and the first time they get to feel what it’s like to be in a large middle school orchestra.

The concert is free and open to the public. Below is a list of students from Victoria who are participating in the Festival Orchestra:

• Aitzin C-R - Cello
• Allison W. - Violin
• Ari P. - Violin
• Erick M. - Cello/Bass
• Frank R. - Cello
• Hazel L. - Violin
• Makenzie N. - Violin
• Maya K. - Violin
• Sean A. - Cello/Bass
• Tassy T. - Viola
• Tonalli O.R. - Viola

PLAY DAY!

All students in grades K-3 had the opportunity to see the production of Miss Nelson is Missing! on March 4 or 5. Students were very excited to see the real Viola Swamp. For most students, this was their first experience of live theater. They felt so grown up going to Riverside Community College and sitting in the Landis Theater.

Thank you Riverside Educational Enrichment Foundation (REEF) for awarding our grant request. For more information about REEF and how you can contribute to this wonderful organization, visit http://www.riversideschoolsrule.org/.

PLEASURE READING MONTH

The month of March is Victoria's PLEASURE READING month.

We kicked off this event at our Principal's Award Assembly on Friday, February 26th. Unfortunately, Ms. Nelson was missing and was no where to be found. However, Miss Viola Swamp (a character from the book Miss Nelson is Missing) showed up instead! Miss Swamp challenged all students to participate in pleasure reading by reading an extra 30+ minutes each night! She warned the children, "The Swamp will be watching you!"

Pleasure reading is a program to encourage students to read more books for enjoyment above and beyond the reading that they already do each day. Prizes will be given to students who complete this program. Victoria School knows that the more kids read, the better readers they become!

On March 2 all the students at Victoria School read with buddies out on the lawn for Read Across America. Older students buddied with younger students. Students sat in pairs or small groups and enjoyed reading books together for 30 minutes. The Poly High School girls' softball team also joined in reading with us. Cat in the Hat made a guest appearance, as well.