Principal's Blog

The Aerie

2011-06-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

Please visit our school website and view our new literary magazine, The Aerie. This magazine was created by and for students! The Aerie features stories, poems, artwork, and other works of literature.

Visit our school website and download your copy today! www.bit.ly/VictoriaEagles - click on Quick Link "The Aerie"

Happy Reading!

READ! READ! READ!

2011-02-28T13:45:00.000-08:00

March kicks off Victoria's Pleasure Reading month! Students are challenged to complete several tasks this month that are tied to reading. Students completing the challenges will earn prizes!

Week 1: Students are challenged to read an additional 30 minutes at least 4 nights this week. All those successfully completing this task will earn an extra 10 minutes of recess

Week 2: Students are challenged to write a creative story. By doing this, they can earn a "game day" during their lunch period.

Week 3: This may prove to be the most difficult challenge for some! Student are challenged to turn off the T.V. and video games for at least 4 days this week. This will earn students a picnic lunch on the lawn and Popsicle.

Successfully completing all 3 weeks' challenges will earn the student a free book!

Also, if a student goes to the public library any time during Pleasure Reading Month and has their card stamped will receive a piece of candy.

Pictured above are 5 students who have read over 1 million words with our Accelerated Reader Program this year!

Gong Hey Fat Choy

2011-02-06T17:30:00.000-08:00

Gong Hey Fat Choy or Happy Chinese New Year!!

As part of their social studies curriculum, our sixth grade students study Ancient China. They learn about Chinese dynasties, Confucius, the Great Wall, the Silk Road, and Emperor Qin's terracotta army. Additionally, the students learn about the daily lives and cultural of the Ancient Chinese - including celebrating the Chinese New Year.

Each year, Victoria's sixth grade students celebrate the Chinese New Year with a Chinese feast and a parade. They work in small groups to design brightly colored dragons for the Dragon Parade they put on for the rest of the student body. The students get very creative with materials and features - from fire-blowing dragons to those covered with paper plate scales and crepe paper streamers.

Students in other classes join in the celebration by making dragon masks or puppets of their own.

The dragon parade this year was absolutely fabulous!

Delightful Father/Daughter Dance

2011-02-06T11:58:00.001-08:00

Last Friday night, Victoria's PTA sponsored a very special Father/Daughter Dance.

The girls wore pretty dresses and looked like little princesses, while their dads/escorts looked handsome to escort their special dates. With over 120 fathers and daughters in attendance, they "rocked the night away" at the Freddie Finn Dance Studio in Riverside.Daughters wrapped their dads around their cute little fingers as they learned a dance routine to the song "I Don't Need Anything But You" from Annie.

Other dances included the "Chicken Dance", "Macarana", "Conga Line", "YMCA", as well as popular current hits.
The dance studio was decorated beautifully for the ball with pink puffy bows, pink organza fabric drape all around, and white fairy lights everywhere. The PTA served fancy refreshments (all the girls' favorites, including rice crispy treats dipped in chocolate, goldfish, pretzels, and valentine candy) and pink lemonade and punch to whet their whistles - served in fancy champagne glasses.

Each couple left with a professional photograph (like that from a prom) in a hand-painted pink picture frame.

It was an enchantening evening and has left me smiling all weekend!

Victoria's 6th Graders Mummify Chickens!

2011-01-04T15:33:00.000-08:00

The sixth grade curriculum includes the study of ancient civilizations. Victoria’s sixth grade teachers like to include projects/assignments that not only help students master learning objectives, but also make the content memorable. The following is one such example!

The Ancient Egyptians were famous for their embalming methods and mummification – that is, the treatment and preservation of bodies. Our sixth grade students worked in small groups to mummify chickens using similar methods of the Ancient Egyptians.

They bought fresh chickens from the grocery store and removed the innards. The chickens were then thoroughly washed and dried.
Next, students covered the chickens with a mixture of salt and baking soda and placed them in a large zip lock bag. This mixture was changed daily for the first few days, then every two or three days after that, and then weekly.
After about 45 days, the chickens can be removed from their bags. They will be washed and dried again, rubbed with oil and sprinkled with spices, such as rosemary. They will then be wrapped with strips of cloth and coated with lacquer.
To complete the process, students will decorate a 'sarcophagus' (or coffin) and a ‘cartouche’ (name plate) for their mummified chicken.

Thank you to our Victoria teachers for helping to make learning fun!

'Tis the Season for Giving

2010-12-22T19:16:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year. The chill in the air brings out the carolers and mailboxes full of cards. It is during this time of year that many initiate acts of kindness towards others. The students at Victoria are no exception.

The weeks between Thanksgiving and winter breaks students joined the A.O.K. Club (Acts of Kindness) by contributing to our Annual Coin Harvest. The A.O.K. Club collected approximately $550 that was cashed in for gift cards to Stater Bros. Supermarket and Target Department Stores. These gift cards were distributed amongst six Victoria families.

Victoria School was also the recipient of a very generous donation from the grandparents of one of our students. The school leadership team (made up of staff) will assist me in determining how best to use this donation. We are very fortunate to have such tremendous support from our Victoria Family.

Fa La La La La

2010-12-15T15:02:00.000-08:00

I just love this time of year... the sounds of laughter, the smell of homemade goodies, the sight of excited little kids!

Today, Victoria's S.O.A.R. Glee and Drama Clubs performed their programs in front of the student body and will put on an additional show tonight for their parents, family members, and friends.

The Glee Club performed "Crazy Carols" - songs and poetry about school children getting ready for the holidays (above).

The Drama Club performed the show "The Holiday Show" about animals who are learning about various holidays that occur this time of year (see photo below).Thank you to Mrs. Read, Mr. and Mrs. Russell, and Liz Russell (and friends) for offering your time and talents to provide these enriching experiences for the students at Victoria!

Victoria BELIEVES in Reading!

2010-11-18T16:21:00.000-08:00

This year the Victoria Elementary School and PTA has joined with the Riverside County Regional Medical Center in participating in the “Festival of Trees...for the love of a child!”

We are excited to join other schools, groups, and companies in donating a decorated tree to this wonderful community event! The Festival of Trees has become a special Inland Empire holiday tradition and is scheduled over five days during the Thanksgiving week - November 24-28 at the Riverside Convention Center. Proceeds from the event enable the Foundation of Riverside County Regional Medical Center to purchase equipment, especially for the units that serve children.

Bring your family to come see our tree at this free community event. You will find Victoria’s tree in the Elves Forest. The theme of our tree is “Victoria School BELIEVES in Reading!” Dr. Seuss's The Grinch Who Stole Christmas is favorite children's book this time of year. Do you see the Grinch trying to steal our tree? Students added handmade ornaments resembling “mini-book” versions of their other favorite stories. This was not only a wonderful opportunity for our students to contribute to the Riverside Community and help others, but also emphasizes that we know reading is important.

The Press Enterprise states:

The festival also will offer live entertainment, crafts and games for children, baked items and crafts for sale, and visits with Santa Claus.

This is a great place to have your picture taken with Santa ... no lines," Vaughan said.

There also will be special events like a story time with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday and a scavenger hunt during Family Day on Nov. 27.

"It is a great family event. There is always something to see," said Jeri Vaughan, foundation executive director.

Festival of Trees

What: Tree display and fundraiser for Riverside County Regional Medical Center children's units

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 24, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 26, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 28

Where: Riverside Convention Center, 3443 Orange St., Riverside

Admission: Free

Information: 951-486-5520 or rcrmcfoundation.org

Victoria Honors RPD Officers

2010-11-16T11:32:00.000-08:00

Last week students were off school in honor of Veterans' Day. We explained to students that Veterans' Day is not just a holiday when we don't have school, but is rather a day when we honor the men and women who have served to protect our country.

Today, students had the opportunity to honor Officer Bonaminio, who was not only a veteran, but also worked to serve our community. The procession of officers escorting the body of slain Riverside Police Officer Ryan Bonaminio passed by our school this morning. Students lined our fence on Arlington Ave. to show their respects to him and to the other men and women who work to keep our city safe. Many students put their hands over their hearts or saluted the officers as they drove past Victoria on their way to the funeral ceremony. Other students held a brightly-colored banner, decorated with handprints and hearts, stating, "Thank you RPD for keeping our city safe."

We hope that Officer Bonaminio's family, friends, and colleagues may find comfort at this time and know that they have tremendous adoration and support from their community - including the children at Victoria School.

It's Halloween Time!

2010-10-29T18:21:00.000-07:00

Today was our annual Halloween Parade. Students look forward to this event the whole month of October. It is so much fun to see the kids' customes and feel the excitement of the students in the air.

This year our kindergarteners were able to join the rest of the student body, as they are now attending school for the full day. It was great for them to interact with all of the BIG kids.

We saw some very creative costumes!

And what would a parade be without a band? Thank you to Mr. Calavan and our Advanced Band students for the music!

Following our parade, many classes had a party... with lots of candy, cupcakes, and other treats... and then the school staff played a little trick and sent the students home to their poor parents!

Happy Halloween to all! Have fun and be safe!

HEARTS and SOAR - SESSION 2

2010-10-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

GREAT NEWS! Victoria has been funded for the After School HEARTS Program. HEARTS stands for Helping Elementary Achievers Reach the Stars. Its mission is provide a safe and positive learning environment for students after regular school hours. The program consists of daily educational, recreational and enrichment components. HEARTS runs Monday-Friday from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m. starting on Monday, November 1, 2010 through the end of the school year. Students participating in HEARTS must attend daily. Bright pink applications were sent home last week. Additional applications are available in the office.

We are gearing up to begin our second session of SOAR (Structured Opportunities in Academics and Recreation). SOAR gives students the flexibility of attending selected classes verses attending HEARTS daily. Please note: students participating in HEARTS may also sign up of a SOAR class. They will be released to go to HEARTS at 4:00 p.m. following their SOAR class/club. Session 2 of SOAR will run November 1 - December 15 from 2:15-4:00 p.m.. The following classes/clubs will be offered this session:

After School Intervention (continued from session 1): Mondays & Wednesdays (grades 2-6)
Study Skills: Wednesdays (grades 4-6)
Science Club: Mondays (grades 3-5)
Glee Club: Tuesdays (grade 2-6)
6th Grade Math Tutoring: Monday & Wednesdays (grade 6)
Victoria Road Runners: Tuesdays (grades 2-6)
Drama Club: Mondays & Wednesdays (grades 2-6)
Victoria Green Team: Tuesdays (grades 3-6)
Cub Scouts: Mondays (boys in grades 1-5)

Again, students who attend HEARTS may also sign up for SOAR.

If you have any questions, send me an email at lanelson@rusd.k12.ca.us or call the office at 951-788-7441.

SOARing Students' Quilting Club

2010-10-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

Fifteen students participated in the "Kids' Quilting Club" during our first session of SOAR (Structured Opportunities for Academics and Recreation). Students worked with Mrs. Read and volunteers from the Riverside Quilting Guild to learn about blocking layout, precise measurements, seam allowances, fabric pressing, basic stitching and piecing, and hand applique.

Our Kids' Quiling Club will present their quilts on Tuesday Night, October 26th to the Riverside Quilting Guild. Their quilts will then be donated to local hospitals.

If you have an talent or hobby that you would like to share with students at Victoria during our after school SOAR Program, please contact me at (951)788-7441 or via email at lanelson@rusd.k12.ca.us.

Victoria Students Dare to S.O.A.R.

2010-09-23T18:07:00.000-07:00

The Victoria Staff knows that it is important for students to participate in structured activities outside of the regular school day. Therefore, this year we have created our own after school program for our students, titled “S.O.A.R.” (Structured Opportunities for Academics and Recreation)

Not only does our SOAR Program provide structured activities, but it also helps to foster a stronger connection between students and the school. SOAR is currently offered 3 days a week (Monday – Wednesday) until 4:00 pm. Busing is available to students who qualify. Students apply for or are invited to attend any or all days.

Mondays and Wednesdays are devoted to “Academics”. Tuesdays are the “Recreation” days. With enough student interest and volunteers to help us, we would like to extend our program to 4 days a week (adding Fridays).

We’ve divided the school year into five 6-week sessions. Session 1 began on September 20^thand end on October 27^th. Victoria staff and community volunteers have joined together to offer the following opportunities during this session: English Language Arts Intervention, Math Intervention, Science Club, Creative Writing – Poetry, Book Club (reading Eragon by Christopher Paolini), Cub Scouts, Kids’ Quilting Club (will make quilts and donate them to local hospitals), Green Team (gardening and recycling), Eagles’ Glee Club (choir), and Victoria Road Runners (physical exercise/conditioning for the upcoming Mission Inn 5K). We have almost 150 students participating in one or more activity!

Our next SOAR session will begin November 1 and will go for another 6 weeks, ending on December 16^th.

We are looking for enthusiastic people to contribute to our SOAR Program. Do you have an interest or hobby that you’d like to share with Victoria’s students? Do you know of any parents, friends, family, or community members that would be interested in helping us (time, talent, or materials)?

If you said yes to any of the above questions, please contact me via email lanelson@rusd.k12.ca.us or by phone 951-788-7441.

(Please note: All volunteers must get TB and fingerprint clearance.)

Welcome New Kindergarten Students

2010-08-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

This year, for the first time, Victoria has full day Kindergarten!

To help our incoming kinders to transition to kindergarten ... and a long day at school... we offered a Summer Kinder Academy! Our academy was held the week of August 9th - 13th for two hours a day. Students practiced various school procedures (i.e. walking in line, playground rules, sitting on the carpet, etc.), teachers were able to complete pre-assessments/ observations of participating students, and students were reassured that their parents would come pick them up after school and they would not be stuck at school forever. While our new kinders completed activities in class, parents of each incoming student participated in the “Parent School/Home Connection” component of the academy. These informative workshops were designed to build parents' knowledge to support their kindergartener’s academic success. Workshops included:

Building Your Kindergartner's Social and Language Skills
Understanding the RUSD Kindergarten Standards in Language Arts
Understanding the RUSD Kindergarten Standards in Mathematics
Unlocking the California English Language Development Test (CELDT)
English as a Second Language-Improving Your English to Support Your Child
RUSD-Opportunities for Parent Involvement

A thank you to the students, parents, teachers, and presenters that made our first Kinder Academy a huge success.

Victoria Families Come Back-to-School

2010-08-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

Tonight was our annual Back-to-School Night. Despite the 100+ degree weather outside, we had a great night!

Again this year we began the night with a family BBQ/Picnic. Our fabulous PTA slaved over the hot grill and cooked up hamburgers for us. However, rather than eating outside in real picnic fashion, we moved indoors and enjoyed our food in the comfort of the air conditioned cafeteria!

We also had several booths set up inside the cafeteria. The PTA recruited new members and sold Victoria Spiritwear. There was also information describing opportunities for parent involvement, i.e. School Site Council, English Learner Advisory Committee, and Parent Wednesday Workshops. We advertised our after school program that we will start in September and asked parents if they'd like to volunteer to share their talents and hobbies with our kids. (I'll blog more on our After School S.O.A.R. Program in a new post!) RUSD Nutritional Services was there to assist families in completing lunch applications and offered samples from our "Farm Fresh Salad Bar". The YMCA also shared information about their program that meets across the street at the church.

Teachers prepared wonderful presentations to share with families about their classrooms and the grade level standards that they will teach their students this year. They repeated their presentation for families who had more than one classroom to visit tonight.

As many families left to go home, they stopped by the 6th Grade Outdoor Ed. Bake Sale for a sweet treat.

Thank you to all of the teachers for their hard work and dedication to make Victoria an outstanding school. Thank you to all the parents/grandparents/guardians for your continued support. This is going to be another extraordinary school year!

Eagle Scout "Elf" Visits Victoria

2010-06-06T19:35:00.000-07:00

I remember a fairytale story from my childhood with the title The Elves and the Shoemaker. As you may recall from this story, while the shoemaker was fast asleep in bed at night, little elves visited his shop and sewed beautiful shoes and slippers for him. When the shoemaker awoke the next morning, he was surprised and pleased at this nice surprise!

Well, Victoria had a similar experience this weekend. While all of the teachers and students were away for the weekend, Victoria was visited by some "elves" who completed a surprise for us! Andrew Pettit, a former Victoria student (class of 2009), completed his Eagle Scout project at Victoria. Andrew has spent the last year planning and raising money to fund his project – reading benches for us!

With cement, screwdrivers, and shovels in hand, Andrew and his crew of "elves" met here early Saturday morning to begin working their magic! Together they assembled, mounted, and cemented in six sturdy benches – two each under the shady trees in front of rooms 3, 7, and 9.

Students for many years to come will be able to enjoy sitting on these benches while reading in the shade or working outside the classroom while still being under the watchful supervision of their teachers. A huge THANK YOU to Andrew for selecting Victoria to be the recipient of his Eagle Scout Project and to his family and crew of "elves" who helped him!

Congratulation to our Employees of the Year

2010-06-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

Mr. Arturo Juario, Jr. - 6th Grade Teacher

It is with great pleasure that I announce Mr. Arturo Juario as Victoria’s Teacher-of-the-Year for 2009-2010. As part of the Professional Learning Community at Victoria School, Mr. Juario meets with his team during grade level meetings to plan lessons and interventions that target the needs of each student in our sixth grade. He is valued by his colleagues, his students, and their parents.

Mr. Juario is a skilled, professional teacher. He quickly gains the confidence of the parents and students by making it a point to get to know each of them. They view him as a valuable resource and solid educator. He is an outstanding math teacher – often yielding some of the highest scores in the district. In his classroom, he brings his experience and intuition about children together by focusing on each child. Core curriculum is enriched with activities such as the Probability Carnival, the PI Scavenger Hunt, the Dragon Parade, mummifying Cornish game hens, etc. In a very natural and caring fashion, he sets about finding the natural balance of reassurance and challenge each of them need … and they respond. He doesn’t give up nor does he let the students give up on their quest for academic success. For years, he has voluntarily tutored struggling students in math twice a week before school (7-7:30 am). Students leave his classroom well-prepared to meet the challenges and rigor of middle school.

Besides his ability to supply high quality meaningful instruction to students, Mr. Juario’s expertise has allowed us to rely on him in a variety of ways. He is often the “go-to” person for questions relating to math, science, and technology. Art has taken on the challenge of publishing the school’s yearbook the past seven year; it is second to none!

Mr. Juario spends numerous hours working with students and parents in extra activities. He works tirelessly with our Outdoor Ed. Booster Club to raise money for our annual sixth grade science camp, attends all the monthly meetings, and supervises car washes, spaghetti dinners, pancake breakfasts, etc.

Mr. Juario devotes extra effort to working directly with the parents of the students he serves. He effectively communicates with parents and helps them understand how to best help their children within the context of the school environment and at home. He has invited parents into his room and takes the time to explain each child’s varying needs and the strategies that will best assist him/her. His knowledge and expertise have been invaluable in supporting his students and their parents.

Mrs. Jeri Read - Library Media Assistant

The staff at Victoria School has selected Mrs. Read as our Classified Employee-of-the-Year for 2010. Comments from the staff include the following:

“Mrs. Read helped to orchestrate our Target Library Makeover last fall. Rather than taking the easy route and closing down the library during the renovation, Mrs. Read communicated the importance of reading to our students by setting up a ‘mobile library’ so students could continue to check out books every week. Mrs. Read worked alongside the volunteers to make the transition from the old library to the new library as seamless as possible.”

“Mrs. Read goes above and beyond her duties as library media assistant to instill in students a love of learning and a passion for reading. As part of the Victoria staff, Mrs. Read assumes responsibility in increasing student achievement by working with students before and after school. She oversees our AR program – inventing fun incentives. In addition to the library, she oversees the computer lab. Mrs. Read is one of our go-to people for questions regarding technology. We love Mrs. Read!”

“Mrs. Read is amazing! She is a kind, personable, efficient staff member. She shows caring for not only the students, but parents and staff. Students love to come to the library to read with Mrs. Read.”

“Recognizing the overwhelming tasks of the teachers, Mrs. Read has volunteered to input all assessment data in to DataDirector for all grade levels. Thank you Mrs. Read.”

“Mrs. Read always has a cheerful attitude! She is well-organized in her work and great with students. She is seen around campus spreading cheer and enthusiasm for being at school to learn.”

“Mrs. Read is a very kind person who always wears a smile regardless of what is going on around her (bad day, busy day, etc.) She is helpful to the staff, parents, and students.”

Victoria Loves Our Volunteers

2010-06-04T17:58:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, May 25th we held our annual Volunteer Tea. Staff spruced up the Multi-purpose room with tablecothes and freshly-cut roses from our gardens displayed in china tea cups to create an atmosphere appropriate for such a special event. Staff also prepared fancy "tea-party" refreshments to accompany iced-tea and lemonade.

This year, we recognized a total of sixty-six volunteers who gave of their time to help make our school a better place. These volunteers have been seen throughout the school year helping in the classrooms, assisting students in the library or computer lab, chaparoning field trips, making copies, reading with students, organizing activities, working out (exercising/playing) with students before school and at recess (RoadRunners), and in manyother ways.

Mrs. Tammy Schipske (pictured in below, sitting on the right) was selected as Victoria's Volunteer of the Year. This is what one teacher said about Mrs. Schipske:

Tammy Schipske is an awesome volunteer who goes above and beyond the call of duty. She is seen working around Victoria 24/7 (or at least 7.5/5) doing everything and anything needed by any student or any staff members. Her volunteer 'duties' are endless - helping in classrooms and the library, actively participating in P.T.A., laminating for teachers, and doing whatever else is needed. She helps in every way possible and always with a big smile on her face.

We LOVE you Victoria Volunteers! Thank you all for helping us have another successful school year!

Reading is Healthy for Kids

2010-05-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of having the Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Group come back to Victoria yesterday. This time a cast of actors performed the play "Jay and E and the Zig Zag Sea." Kaiser believes that reading helps keep kids healthy, so they are reaching out to students in grades K-2 with this message with this assembly.

Victoria K-2 students listened and watched attentively as Jay, her dog Libro, Bookie Book, and Ignoramus- the pirate took a journey from the local library to the Island of Palabras and back. On this journey they have fun with letters and words while learning the importance of reading.

Students enjoyed this program complete with puppets and music. The laughter of children was heard throughout this program. Thank you Kaiser for bringing this program and its message to our school!

Sixth Grade Science Camp

2010-05-13T17:23:00.000-07:00

I just returned from spending the past several days at Pathfinder Ranch with our sixth graders. What an awesome opportunity for these kids! They are having a wonderful experience and building great memories... but boy are they tired come bedtime!

Everyday students rise and shine at about 6:00 am, eat a wonderful breakfast and then attend 2 classes before lunch and two classes after lunch. Classes included: water ecology, forest ecology, geology, ethnobotany, archeology, herbetology, rock climbing, horseback riding, team challenges, archery, canoeing and fresh water ecology. After dinner and a short free time, the groups come together for an evening event, such as: Night Hike, Mad Science Fair, Lorax and Town Meeting, and Campfire.

This morning, the group took a three-hour hike. Here they are in this picture... can you find them? They are on the very top!!!

This afternoon students got to choose an elective. Many of our courageous kids chose the high ropes course which included a zipline and rock wall. They proved to themselves that they can accomplish amazing feats!

I don't think I'd ever be brave enough for this! How about you?

Stop, Feel, Think, Choose, Act

2010-05-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theater Programs performed "Drummin' Up Peace" for Victoria's third-fifth grade students on Monday. Their play was about four students who received detention for a food fight in the cafeteria. Sadly, this food fight started because a student accidentally tripped another student. While the students were in detention,their principal, Mr. Whistle, assigned the group a project. They were to create a way that they could present the five conflict resolution steps of "Stop, Feel, Think, Choose, Act" to the other students at the school. Although these four students had very different personalities, they were able to build on each other's strengths to create a rap about their assigned topic... and in the meantime, they became good friends.

Tuesday and Wednesday each class participated in a one-hour follow-up activity with the actors. They continued to discuss "Stop, Feel, Think, Act, and Choose." Student groups worked together to write a rap about resolving conflicts. They then stood around a special microphone and recorded their raps on a CD that will be given to their teacher. All students were also given a dog tag necklace with the Drummin' Up Peace logo and the five conflict resolution steps.

On Thursday evening, May 13th, the actors returned for a family night at Victoria. All students and parents were invited to attend. The theater group shared parts of their play, as well as played Victoria's Rap CD. At the conclusion of the evening, students were invited to participate in a drum circle. Parents joined along in the chorus singing, "We stop and think. Go zoom, zoom, zoom. Spreading peace like boom, boom, boom." Students received a "Drummin' Up Peace" gel bracelet for participating.

Thank you to Kaiser for this wonderful education opportunity for our Victoria students!

Drummin' Up Peace

2010-05-06T19:17:00.000-07:00

Next week, Victoria students in grades 3-5 will have a wonderful treat - the "Drummin' Up Peace" program offered through the Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Program.

Drummin' Up Peace is geared especially towards students in grades 3-5 and teaches them the five steps to resolving conflict: Stop, Feel, Think, Choose, and Act. Students will learn empathy, cooperation, and communication.

Students in grades 3-5 will attend a special assembly Monday afternoon (5-10-10), where through the power of drama, comedy, audience interaction, music and drumming students learn ways to "increase the peace". The play is followed by workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday in which the students talk about how they work out conflicts. Then they will create raps about what they've learned. The raps will be be recorded and each class will receive a copy of the CD.

Mark your calendars now to attend the Family Night on Thursday (5-13-10) at 6:00 pm. This night will include actors performing part of the play and leading a drum circle, and the students showing their parents what they've learned.

For more information visit: http://xnet.kp.org/etp/scal/drum.html

Victoria PTA Honors Victoria Staff

2010-05-05T18:28:00.000-07:00

Victoria has the world's greatest P.T.A. Every year (at least since I've been at Victoria- 4yrs), the P.T.A. pampers all staff members for the entire week of Teacher Appreciation. This week is the annual, big event!

With Mrs. Racobs as the committee chairperson, our week began with a wonderful breakfast -complete with bagels, croissants, fresh fruit, and beverages. Tuesday, the P.T.A. washed the cars of staff members. (Yes! You read that correctly!) Wednesday, began with the delivery of beautiful flowers to each staff. Students brought in flowers from their gardens or local flower shop. They were divided up and arranged in vases by the P.T.A. Our pampering continued through lunch with a "Cinco de Mayo" celebration/fiesta. Tomorrow , Thursday, is promised to be a "surprise!" Our week-long pampering will conclude on Friday with a BBQ lunch prepared and grilled by our wonderful P.T.A.

Thank you to all of our P.T.A. members and students for your efforts to show us your love and support. We love you, too!

PTA CARNIVAL A HUGE SUCCESS!

2010-04-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all the parents and volunteers who helped make our Spring Carnival a success. All who attended had a blast! Thanks for making it possible.

CST Test-Taking Tips

2010-04-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

Finally... Here is the video of CST test-taking tips written and performed by students in Mrs. Berkley's Focus Group. Enjoy!

Victoria's Carnival is Coming!

2010-04-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

Next Saturday, April 24th, is Victoria's Annual PTA Carnival. Our PTA is busily getting ready! They have been preparing for months - painting, building, gathering prizes, planning.

Each classroom is in charge of a game booth and a "basket" for the silent auction. Contact your child's Room Mom or the P.T.A if you'd like to contribute or sign up to help work the booth.

Events:
Cub Scout Troop - post colors

Victoria student Nathan S. - Star Spangled Banner

Radio Disney

Three Kid "Rock" Bands

DJ JoJo
US Army with their Hummer and parachute
22' Giant Slide
Bouncing House

Silent Auction

Game Booths:
Wheel of Fortune

Toilet Paper Toss

Cake Walk

Milk Bottle Toss

Go Fishing!

Lucky Door

Duck Pond

Fantasy Booth

Face/Hair Painting

...any many, many more.

Food:
Carne Asada - made by Mr. & Mrs. Chavez
Salsa - made by Mrs. Jacobsmeyer
Nachos
BBQ Hot Dogs & Hamburgers

Popcorn
Ice Cream

Silent Auction Baskets:

Arts and Crafts

Bakers' Dozen

Road to Reading

Pampered Mom

Pasta Night

Picture This!

Fiesta Basket

Movie Night

Chocolate Lovers

Garden

Toy Chest

...and many, many more!!!

Booths:

Victoria's Green Team

Gold Canyon Candles

U.S. Army - letters to the troops
Mrs. Murtaugh class Loofahs
Altura Credit Union

PTA is selling tickets every day before and after school in front of the school.

Tickets are 5 for $1.

Plan now to join us on Saturday!
Bring your family and neighbors for a fun day at Victoria School.

CST PepRally

2010-04-14T09:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we held a pep rally to pump up the students for the upcoming California Standards Test (CST). Our objective was to encourage students to be confident to do their personal best and to apply important test-taking strategies.

We began the assembly with a short skit performed by staff members and friends (see video above). This was a lot fun and the students enjoyed watching the adults from around campus perform.

We followed this by some chants and cheers.

Next, students watched a video that was written and performed by Mrs. Berkley's Focus Group. (I've been having difficulty saving the video captured with my HD Flip - I think the high definition video has made the file too large. I hope to resolve this issue and post that video, as well.) The students did a fabulous job with it!

Then, we got everyone up on their feet to do the CST Chicken Dance! We sang the following words while doing the chicken dance actions (for music, go to http://suzyred.com/chickendance.html)

Gonna ace the test!
Gonna beat the rest!
Gonna ace the test!
'Cause we're the best!
We're going to Problem solve the answers!
We will predict and look for proof!
When things get tough, Relax and draw it!
We'll send our scores Right through the roof!
Gonna ace the test
Gonna beat the rest
Gonna ace the test
'Cause we're the BEST!

Our assembly concluded with a few words about testing. Then each student (grades 2-6) recieved a yellow gel bracelet with the words "I believe in me." The bracelet is to remind students of the yellow brick CST road and to believe in themselves while taking the the test.

As we countdown for the test, students are given a test taking tip of the day each morning over the intercom. Then, throughout the day, if the students can recite the tip to certain staff members, students get a gift card to Golden Spoon Cremery for a free frozen yogurt!

Teachers are also preparing their students with 5-5-5/day. Each day the children review 5 math questions and 5 ELA questions in the CST format, as well as dicuss 5 vocabulary words.

I BELIVE that Victoria will ACHIEVE on the CST.

ON-GOING PARTNERSHIP - TARGET

2010-04-02T18:21:00.000-07:00

Today concluded our "Pleasure Reading" month (see March 2nd post). Just as we did exactly one month ago, the whole school joined together on the field to read for pleasure. This time, Target volunteers joined us to read with the kids. We appreciate this continuing partnership with Target and their support in helping our students learn the value (and fun) of reading!

A SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSE

2010-04-01T20:28:00.001-07:00

Victoria students and teachers prepared a wonderful Open House held on March 31. Students excitedly shared all of the interesting information they have been learning and the fun activities they've completed. Open is a time for then to show off all of their hard work!

Above, Anthony R. shows his mom and sisters how a lung works. Students is Rooms 1 and 2 built working models of a lung using a plastic cup (torso cavity), a straw poked through the bottom of the cup and connected to a balloon (the trachea and lung), some clay (to form a seal between the straw and cup) and a balloon stretched over the mouth of the cup (diaphragm). When they blew in the straw, air would go through the trachea and then lung would fill with air! Life size (or at least 5th grader size) drawings of the human body, including all of the major systems – circulatory system, digestive system, etc. – lined one wall of their classrooms. Who knew learning could be so much fun? Thank you Ms. Santana and Mrs. Younan!

Students and parents who visited Ms. Murtaugh's Special Education classroom helped plant vegetables in their garden. They also got to husk one of their harvested loofahs and take it home. Students planted this trailing vine plant alongside a fence last spring. All summer, I watched them grow. They looked like cucumbers or squash. I learned they were loofahs when the students posted a sign that read, “Please do not eat these. They are loofahs. Loofahs are like a washcloth.” Although loofahs can be eaten before they are mature, when left on the vine they dry up and become like a sponge. I appreciate all of the beauty Room 4’s gardens bring our campus, as well as all of the wonderful learning opportunities for all at Victoria.

This was not only a night to see and hear about all of the amazing things our students are doing and learning, it was also a night for parents to meet other parents. Victoria’s PTA was here selling spirit wear and recruiting help for our upcoming Spring Carnival (to be held on April 21). Outdoor Education also held a bake sale to begin raising money to send next year’s sixth graders to science camp. Mrs. Gonzales and Mr. Kaufhold invited parents to join them in the computer lab where they discussed tips to help prepare our children for the upcoming California Standards Test (CST), including utilizing the computer program Study Island. I love the sense of family that is here at Victoria!

Thank you to all the teachers and students for "showing off their smarts" and for all of the parents and family members who came to our Open House.

Inlandia Chapbook Debut

2010-04-01T19:55:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, March 21, 2010 authors of Mrs. Cruz's deputed their chapbook Journey to Inlandia: a Quest for Knowledge.

After their book was published, students began preparing for this big day by practicing reading aloud with prosody (expression).

On the big day, visitors sat in groups in a room on the second floor of the Downtown Riverside Library as students bounced around the room reading aloud their stories to each group. Their stories all shared bits and pieces of Riverside's history in very creative ways. Many of them involved time travel of some sort. Student did a fabulous job in writing and presenting their work.

Thank you to Mrs. Cruz, all of her students, and all of the visitors who came to support this event!

California Native Waterwise Garden

2010-03-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-11T09:44:00.001-08:00

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

2010-03-10T14:05:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-03-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-02T17:00:00.000-08:00

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.

GameDay at the School

2010-02-22T19:10:00.000-08:00

All students and teachers will be participating in GameDay at the School this week. This is a standards-based physical education program designed for elementary schools. Miss Rachel is training us on how to organize, manage, and teach P.E. specific skills.

Today, students learned basic warm-up and cool down prodecudes and a new game. Our kindergarters learned a game called "Banana Split." First and second graders learned how to play "Minnow Express." Student in grades 3-6 learned "Flag Pull Top Gun."

Students and teachers had fun learning these games and playing them during P.E.!

Jump Rope for Heart

2010-02-19T17:31:00.000-08:00

Today at Victoria we held our annual Jump Rope for Heart event.

Girls jumped.

Boys jumped.

Even teachers jumped!!!

We all had fun, got exercise, and helped raise money for the American Heart Association!

http://www.jumpropeforheart.ca/ (Visit this site and you can "jumpify" yourself)

Kindergarten Registration & Open Enrollment

2010-02-15T13:21:00.000-08:00

Do you know of anyone who will be starting kindergarten in the fall? Do you know of families who would like to attend Victoria, but do not live in our boundaries? If you answered yes to either of these questions, read the very important information below.

Kindergarten Registration for Victoria School will be held the week of March 22-26 at the Riverside Unified School District Central Registration Center (CRC) located at 5700 Arlington Ave.

Items you will need to bring with you:

Completed Registration Packet (you can pick one up from the school office)
Proof of student's birth
Current Immunization Record
Two recent documents verifying your residence address
Verification of Physical Examination and Dental Screening
Parent/Guardian Photo ID

Victoria is also open for Intra-District transfers at all grade levels for the 2010-2011 school year! The time frame for open enrollment is very limited, as paperwork will only be accepted March 15 - April 2. You may download the Intra-District transfer application form along with the transfer letter from the District's website at http://www.rusdlink.org/. Families who are interested in transferring to Victoria may call our office at 951-788-7441 or the CRC at 951-352-1200.

HEARTS FOR HAITI

2010-02-15T08:32:00.000-08:00

Victoria students in grades 3-6 thought globally this Valentine's Day. Rather than spending money to purchase store-bought Valentines, students brought in money to contribute to their "Hearts for Haiti" project. The money collected was donated to the Red Cross and to a Haitian orphanage, along with baby formula and rice cereal. Students collected well over $600.

In lieu of a Valentine's Party, students made Valentines to send the Haitian children at the orphanage with messages in Haitian Creole and French:

Pran swem tèt ou. Bon Valenten = Take Care. Happy Valentine's Day.
Nous pensons à vous. = We are thinking of you.
Nous nous soucions de vous, nous espérons que vous êtes bien. = We care about you. We hope you are okay.

When one student was asked why they were doing this, he replied, "To bring joy." Another responded, "So maybe [the Haitian people] will trust the U.S. Army a little more because we're helping them."

Thank you Victoria students and teachers for making the world a better place by caring about others!

Fluency Focus

2010-02-04T16:23:00.000-08:00

Victoria staff and students are concentrating on reading fluency this year. We know that students who read fluently - comprehend more and score higher on reading assessments. Working to this end, Mr. Kaufhold and Mrs. Gonzales offered a special parent workshop on reading fluency today. Approximately twenty-three families attended one of the two sessions - offered at Victoria School in the morning and at the Casa Blanca Library in the afternoon. Parents received information about reading fluency and how to help their child improve in reading fluency.

If you would like more information about this topic, contact your child's teacher or ask to speak to Mrs. Kaufhold or Mrs. Gonzales. Below is some of the information shared at today's workshop.

Approximately every six weeks, our teachers assess students' reading fluency and compare scores against benchmark goals. End of the year reading fluency goals are:

Grade 1 = 80 word per minute (wpm)
Grade 2 = 124 wpm
Grade 3 = 142 wpm
Grade 4 = 152 wpm
Grade 5 = 168 wpm
Grade 6 = 177 wpm

Fluency is more than reading quickly. "Fluency is the ability to read a text accurately and quickly. When fluent readers read silently, they recognize words automatically. They group words quickly to help them gain meaning from what they read. Fluent readers read aloud effortlessly and with expression. Their reading sounds natural, as if they were speaking." Put Reading First, p. 22

FLUENT READERS:

Focus their attention on making connections among ideas in the text and their background knowledge
Recognize words and comprehend at the same time
Divide words into meaningful chunks so that they are able to read with expression
Score higher on comprehension assessments

NON-FLUENT READERS:

Focus their attention primarily on decoding individual sounds or words
Spend their energies trying to “figure out” the words not the meaning
Read in a slow, deliberate, and labored manner often pausing at inappropriate places
Score lower on comprehension assessments
Fluency and automaticity are often interchanged, however they are not the same thing.

Fluency means reading with accuracy, pacing (automaticity), and expression (prosody). "The fluent reader sounds good, is easy to listen to, and reads with enough expression to help the listener understand and enjoy the material." (Clark, Read All About It, p. 282)

Automaticity is the fast, effortless recognition of words that comes with a great deal of reading practice. "As a result of extended practice, an important change takes place: students learn to decode the printed words using significantly less attention. Because they require so little attention for word recognition, they have enough left over for comprehension." (Samuels, Schermer, Reinking, Read All About It, p. 269)

Prosody is reading with intonation and expression that sounds like normal speech.

What does scientifically-based reading research tell us about fluency practice? (From Put Reading First, pp. 21-31 and Read All About It, pp. 251-287) Repeated and monitored oral reading:

Substantially improves word recognition, speed, and accuracy
Improves reading comprehension
Improves the reading ability of all students throughout the elementary school years
Helps struggling readers at higher grade levels

How can you help your child become more fluent readers?

Read aloud to your child
Have you child read to you
Encourage your child to read books that are at their independent reading level (like their Accelerated Reading or AR level )

Remember, fluency practice isn't just about speed. Practice doesn't make it perfect -- perfect practice makes it perfect!

Rain Is Falling All Around!

2010-01-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

Rain is falling all around
On the housetops, on the ground.
Rain is falling on my nose
On my head, and hands, and toes!

I came into school today (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday - Holiday) to get caught up on some work. While I was working away, the first wave of the rain storm dumped buckets of water on Victoria School. When I got ready to go home, I discovered Lake Victoria! In the short time it rained here, it flooded our parking lot - half way across the front sidewalk!

They say that this is just the beginning of rain. Be sure to wear your rain gear... including rubber boots if you have any!

REEF Grants Help Enrich Education

2010-01-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all the Victoria Riverside Educational Enrichment Fund (REEF) grant recipients! Victoria was awarded a total of nine grants totaling $6,424.

Ms. Nelson – Miss Nelson Is NOT Missing! ($1500) This grant will fund admission for all Victoria students in K-3 to see a live production of the popular book, Miss Nelson is Missing! Students will learn what it means to be coureous audience members and enjoy live theatre.
Kathy Railsback – I Speak. We Speak ($971) This grant will purchase interactive books, flannel board stories, picture cards, music and other hands-on material to help young English Learners and special education students develop phonemic awareness and language development skills
Kathy Railsback - Write Away ($648) This grant will purchase Write-on/Wipe-off whiteboards to help Victoria's kindergarteners learn in all areas of the curriculum with a focus on reading and writing.
Kendra Schwartz – Why Are They Measured in Inches? ($670)Violas are especially important to provide to students, as they generally cost more than violins and are an essential part of the string orchestra. Currently, Victoria School has two violas to loan. This grant will purchase two of the three violas needed for Victoria students.
Kendra Schwartz - and Cello-The Big One! ($500) This grant will purchase one more cello to loan to students because of this partially funded grant request.
Kathye Crumley – Sing to Learn: Musical Memory ($314) Young students in the Special Day Classes will learn a song each week that is linked to the curriculum objectives. Every month, the classes will recored a CD of the songs they have learned, with each student taking home a copy. In May, student will select 10 songs and make a music video to be shared at an assembly.
Melissa Wilson - Instruments for Victoria ($500) Two trumpets will be available for loan to 5th and 6th grade students to participate in the band program at Victoria School becuase of this partially funded grant.
Julianna Cruz – Going Native at Victoria ($821) This project will help transform part of the school into a native, water-wise garden. Fourth and fifth-grade studetns will measure the garden area, research the most water-wise native plants, buy the plants and design the garden demonstrating proper land management.
Juliana Cruz - Victoria Green Team Makes a Difference ($500) Inspired by an Earthwatch expedition, this project will teach students to reduce waste and conserve resources by having them collect green waste at lunch time for a compost to be used in the school's garden and orchard.

A HUGE thank you to REEF for their part of making timelong memories for children in our Riverside schools!

To find out more about REEF and how you can contribute, http://www.riversideschoolsrule.org/

The Most Wonderful Time of Year!

2009-12-22T18:17:00.000-08:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year

With kids jingle belling

And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"

It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's the hap-happiest season of all

With those holiday greeting and gay happy meetings

When friends come to call

It's the hap-happiest season of all!

One of my most favorite times of the year is singing holiday songs with our students. Classes take turns joining me in the multi-purpose room to sing Christmas Carols while I accompany them on the piano. Students take turns selecting carols and some even get to come help ring the jingle bells!

I hope all enjoy their holiday season with friends and family. I will be spending time with my family in Idaho Falls, Idaho - where it will be a White Christmas!

I'll see everyone back at school on Monday, January 4, 2010!

Watch Out Monet!

2009-12-22T17:59:00.000-08:00

Victoria teachers participated in an art activity at our staff meeting on December 9th. Mrs. Gale Bjelland, RUSD Instructional Specialist of Visual and Performing Arts, led us in a watercolor activity using watercolor pencils, water, and paint brushes on watercolor paper. What an awesome media! Things sure have changed from the time of the messy watercolors I used when I was in elementary school. I thought it was so cool, that I bought a set for me for Christmas!

Mrs. Bjelland has also been working to write lesson plans tied to the social studies curriculum for each grade level. Additionally, she has posted online video instruction for teachers to use in their classrooms with their students.

Sweet Sounds

2009-12-22T17:30:00.000-08:00

On December 8th, Victoria strings students joined students from Castle View, Washington, and Alcott to perform at their Winter Conert held at Gage Middle School. Mrs. Kendra Schwartz meets with each class one hour each week during the regular school year. Victoria has two beginning strings classes, one intermediate and one advanced class.

The following night, December 9th, our band students performed at Gage Middle School. These students have been working with Mrs. Melissa Wilson twice a week. Throughout the program, various students played solos. I was so proud of our students!

Spreading Holiday Cheer

2009-12-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

'Though the weather outside was frightful,
The ice cream was so delightful...
To the plaza we did go...

Let it snow, Let it snow, Cold Stone!

Thursday, December 3rd, was Victoria Night at Cold Stone Creamery in the Riverside Plaza. Victoria students and parents lined up to be served by one of our staff members. Many tip$ were given just to hear the teachers sing!

Mrs. West, Mrs. Love, Ms. Bennett, and Mr. Kaufhold worked the first shift from 5-6 pm. They were relieved of their duties by Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Younan, Ms. Santana, and Mrs. Cruz, who worked from 6-7 pm. This is when things really started getting busy! It was so crazy - that at times, each teacher was singing a different Christmas carol - crazy fun! Mrs. Sanchez, Mrs. Schmit, and I finished out the night mixing up the ice cream creations.

This was such a fun night that the PTA is planning another Cold Stone night!

Thank you to all who participated in making this fundraising event a hit!

Be a Scientist!

2009-12-04T18:24:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year again! Time to start thinking about science fair projects. Winter Break is a perfect time to begin one.

I remember one science fair experiment I conducted when I was in the sixth grade. I wanted to determine which material(s) would have the greatest effect on the temperature inside your house.

My dad, who was a high school wood shop teacher (lucky me!) helped me make two models of the same house - complete with windows, a door, an attic, and a shingled roof. Inside each house I put a thermometer and set both houses outside in the sun. I left one house "as is" to be the control. With the other house, I added various materials - one at a time, i.e. solar screens on the windows, insulation in the walls and attic, weather stripping around the door, insulated curtains, and bushes/trees around the outside of the house. Over several days, I collected data (the temperature in each house). Then I tested different combinations of the materials (solar screens and insulation; insulated curtains, solar screens, and weather stripping; etc).

I really enjoyed conducting this experiment! And, to my joy, I won the school science fair and moved on to the district and then county level. My project and I went all the way to a Science Fair in Los Angeles (I think it was the Seer Fair). What a wonderful experience and memory!

I encourage all students to participate in the Science Fair this year. Conducting scientific experiments can be really fun and you might just discover that you'd like to be a scientist when you grow up!

I've added a button on the Victoria School website labeled "Science Fair". Click on this button for more information about science projects and our school Science Fair in January.

Miss Nelson Is Missing!

2009-12-02T17:06:00.000-08:00

On Halloween, I dressed up as Miss Viola Swamp from the book Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard and James Marshall. This children's book is about a teacher, Miss Nelson, and her class of elementary school students. It describes a day when the sweet Miss Nelson is absent from class and in her place is a mean substitute teacher, Miss Viola Swamp.

After an especially rowdy day in Miss Nelson's class, her students discover that Miss Nelson is not coming to school the next day. "Now we can really act up," yells one of the students. However, before they get the chance to make mischief, Miss Nelson's substitute, Miss Viola Swamp, shows up. The students think she is a real witch! Swamp is a strict disciplinarian and gives the students a lot more school work than Miss Nelson ever did. The students miss Miss Nelson is so much that they go looking for Miss Nelson and make unlikely predictions about what may have happened to her. The following day, Miss Nelson returns to class and the children rejoice. At the end of the book, the reader infers that Miss Viola Swamp was Miss Nelson in disguise.

Next time you visit the library, check out this book Miss Nelson Is Missing! Also, take a look at its two sequels: Miss Nelson is Back and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day.

Club AOK Coin Harvest

2009-11-30T09:31:00.000-08:00

This week kicks off our annual A.O.K. Coin Drive. A.O.K. stands for "Acts Of Kindness." Each year students bring in (harvest) coins. The money collected is then used to help Victoria families who may need assistance during the holiday season.
At Victoria, we believe all students and staff should treat others with kindness and respect. Children need specific examples of how they can demonstrate these characteristics. The following list includes other "acts of kindness" that can been given to others:

Respect other’s rights and property
Share with others
Help others feel better when they're hurt or sad
Play with a new student and help him/her make friends so he/she won't feel lonely
Work quietly in class so others can concentrate
Treat others the way you would like to be treated
Politely listen when someone is telling you something
Hold the door for a kid whose hands are full
Use words that show kindness, such as: "please" and "thank you"
Smile at someone

It's Report Card Time!

2009-11-16T12:49:00.000-08:00

Did your grandparents give you a dollar for each A on your report card? Did you spend your high school years hoping you would squeak by with C's in important classes? Did you ever see the dreaded F on a paper, test or your report card?

Like many other districts across the nation, RUSD schools pair standards-based report cards with standards-based teaching. Parents, teachers, and students get more information about achievement towards to grade level standards (what students should know and be able to do by the end of the year).

Because this way of grading is so different from when we were in elementary school, here is some information to help you understand it better. Imagine two different grade books for the same set of students, as shown in the table below. Which one of the two better illustrates what students know and what they still need to learn?

Comparing Traditional and Standards-Based Grade Books

TRADITIONAL GRADE BOOK

Name Homework Quiz 1 Chapter 1 Test

John 90 65 70

Bill 50 75 78

Susan 110 50 62

Felicia 10 90 85

Amanda 95 100 90

STANDARDS-BASED GRADE BOOK

Name Objective 1 Objective 2: Objective 3:

Write an alt. Identify elements Compare/Contrast

ending to story of a story two stories

John Basic Proficient Basic

Bill Proficient Basic Basic

Susan Basic Basic Basic

Felicia Advanced Proficient Proficient

Amanda Basic Advanced Proficient

The standards-based grade book gives a wealth of information to help the teacher adjust instruction. Note that two objectives (1 and 3) may require more class instruction. The notations for Objective 2, on the other hand, suggest that the class only needs practice and one student needs some reteaching.

Students can also see much more information about their learning. In the traditional grade book, Amanda would assume she is in great shape, but standards-based grading reveals that she has not mastered a crucial concept.

Gifted and talented students can be truly challenged in a standards-based classroom because if they show early mastery of fundamental skills and concepts, they can then concentrate on more challenging work that is at higher levels of Bloom's taxonomy or that seeks connections among objectives.

Red Ribbon Week

2009-10-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

This has been a crazy week with math benchmark assessments, the wind, and Red Ribbon Week.

As part of the Red Ribbon Week activities, classrooms decorated their door with their commitment to be DRUG FREE. Students were very creative. Take a look at our video!

Lyrics: (sung to the tune of "Addam's Family")
They're scary and they're spooky
They sometimes make you pukey
They're altogether ookey
So drugs are not for me!

They make your brain all icky
They really make you sicky
And stopping them is tricky
So drugs are not for me!

I'm healthy, as you can see
And life is happy for me
I am and always will be
So proud to be drug free!