ELD Summer Academy - Session 2

Mr. Kaufhold and sixteen EL students met each day last week at the Casa Blanca Branch Library for our second session of our Summer ELD Academy.

I am very proud of these students for coming everyday to learn with Mr. Kaufhold!

Thanks again to Mr. Kaufhold and all the students who participated in either session. I can tell that you are serious about learning!

Summer Staff Lounge Make-Over Project

Each summer, I take on a project at school to make it a better place. I enjoy watching programs on HGTV ... and what better place to try some of the ideas than at school! This year I decided to "Make-Over" the Teachers' Lounge as a surprise for the staff. Our "Lounge" has not been a place for staff to relax. It was more like a chaotic workroom with tables and chairs for staff to eat lunch. I wanted to create a place for the staff to get away from the demands of the classroom and rejuvenate, so after lunch they would be relaxed and ready to return to their students with a smile. Here are some BEFORE pictures:

AFTER: Because this space also houses our copy machines, I tried to divide the space to make a "Lounge" and a "Copy Center." All the paper, forms, and other supplies seen in the before pictures are now in the Teachers' Workroom (in the adjoining room).

What do you think? Would you like to eat lunch in our lounge now?

Planning Ahead...

Today, Mrs. Read came to school to begin packing up books in preparation for our Library Makeover! We've been working with Target and Heart of America to plan the new layout of the library and to select new books to add to our shelves. Mrs. Read can hardly wait for the October 16th re-opening of her library!

Mrs. Gonzales and I met to discuss our plans for the 2009-10 school year. We discussed the CELDT test that our English Learners will take August and September. We also talked about other ideas that will help increase student achievement.

Several other teachers (Mrs. Jenkins, Ms. Truesdale, Mrs. Younan, and Ms. Phelps) came to school today to begin preparing their classrooms for August.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

We planted some flowers in the front of the office. Hopefully they will make it through the heat of the summer and be beautiful to welcome students and staff in August.

You can plant a garden at home, too!

What You'll Need:

• 4' x 3' garden patch
• Shovel
• Bagged compost
• Bagged mulch (optional)
• Plants
• Trowel
• Hose
• Water can or Small sprinkler

Step 1: Choose a garden spot that gets six or more hours of sun a day.
Step 2: Pull weeds, and dig up soil until it crumbles.
Step 3: Spread a one-inch layer of bagged compost over the soil and mix it in.
Step 4: Buy plants at a garden center. Buy small, healthy annuals.
Step 5: Set your plants on the bed and arrange them. Give the young plants plenty of room.
Step 6: With your trowel, dig a hole for each plant.
Step 7: Turn the pot over, and tap the plant into your hand. Loosen the root ball with your fingers, and set the roots into the soil.
Step 8: Water your plants with a sprinkler every few days.

For more fun outdoor activities and games for kids, check out:
Kids' Crafts
Kids' Activities
Outdoor Activities for Kids

What do principals do in the summer?

A few weeks ago my eight year old niece asked how come I still have to go to school! Well, even with no students, much happens over the summer at school.

The summer months give principals an opportunity to review achievement data, further develop implementation plans for school improvement, and prepare staff development activities for the fall. We also make class lists, order supplies like crayons and pencils, and get everything ready for the students and teachers to return in August.

In addition to the reflection and planning process, I have interviewed and hired two new staff members - Stefanie Santana and Hans Kaufhold. Ms. Santana joins the fifth grade team and comes to us from Rivera Elementary. Mr. Kaufhold has been hired to be our Intervention Resource Teacher. He has taught at Franklin Elementary and most recently served as a Staff Development Specialist with the District. I am very excited about their addition to our staff.

Over the summer, many of our teachers meet in grade level teams to plan for the upcoming year. I also attend trainings and meet with collegues to refine my skills as an educator and school leader. The teachers and I want to design the best instructional program possible for our students.

If you have questions regarding schedules, enrollment / registration, or anything related to Victoria, please email me at lanelson@rusd.k12.ca.us. Please give me feedback on how you like this site and the type of information you would like to see.

As I told my neice in response to her question - school's never out for the principals...