november 5, 2014 6532 turnstone way, rocklin ca 95765...
TRANSCRIPT
November 5, 2014 6532 Turnstone Way, Rocklin CA 95765 Laura Regan, PrincipalUPCOMING EVENTS
Nov. 03-14 Canned Food Drive Nov. 05 PSP Meeting @ 6:30pm Room 6. Childcare is in room 7. Nov. 05 Renaissance Rally 2:30-3:00 Multi Nov. 06 Family Dinner Night @ Skipolini’s Pizza Nov. 10 No School Professional Development Day Nov. 11 No School Veteran’s Day Nov. 17-21 Conference Week Mini Days - 11:40AM Dismissal Nov. 24-28 No School Thanksgiving Break Dec. 1 Collaborative Inquiry: Mini Day - 11:40 AM Dismissal
Common Core Standards through the Lens of Mathematics: Over the past couple of weeks we have been focusing on the Common Core standards and what it looks like for Rocklin Academy. Our Wednesday Weekly article will continue the conversation of CCSS math. Last week we focused on the first shift of focus. We are focusing on fewer standards and students have the time to develop a deep understanding of the mathematical concepts. This week we will focus on the second shift of coherence. Again, it is our goal to partner with you to support our students in their learning toward college and career readiness.
Common Core Math, Article 3 – Shift 2 Coherence
In relation to the Common Core standards, we want students to see that mathematics is not an isolated concept but rather builds upon previously learned concepts. Researchers who developed the Common Core standards found that when students were reaching high school and college they were able to solve a problem but did not have an understanding of the mathematical concept. They were using skills in isolation instead of seeing how the concepts were connected. The standards were developed with a careful lens to build upon previous learning. Each concept is not a new concept but a continuation of what was already learned. Coherence is embedded into the Common Core standards in two specific ways. One is that the learning is carefully designed across grade levels so that students can build upon concepts that were developed in previous years. For example: a 4th grade student learns to multiply a fraction by a whole number. In 5th grade the learning continues when students begin to multiply a fraction by a fraction. The 6th grade student is then prepared to divide a fraction by a whole number or a fraction. Each grade level is building upon the learning of the previous grade. Students are not learning the rule or the trick to solve the problem but instead are expected to have an understanding of the concept and begin to apply it in a new way. Coherence is also built into the standards in how they reinforce a major topic in a grade by utilizing supporting, complementary topics. For example, in the past a topic of study may have been to create a variety of different graphs. In the CCSS the concept of graphing could be used to reinforce or demonstrate understanding of a concept or word problem. It is not another concept to cover but is embedded into the major topics of study. Below is a great example of what this looks like. Continued on next page…
In our elementary schools we are currently using the Engage NY math modules. In grades K-5 it is called a “Story of Units” and throughout the grade levels and across the grade level, the concept of a unit builds. Students need to have an understanding of what a unit is and then begin to apply that concept to adding, subtracting, multiplying and then dividing. In 6th grade the “story” continues with a “Story of Ratios” where students will continue to build upon their previously learned concepts. This coherence continues up through high school and a “Story of Functions” where it is continuing to build a strong mathematical understanding. The standards are connected logically and are an ongoing “story “not isolated lessons. Here is a short video that discusses the importance of coherence in mathematics by one of the developers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Ieur9qy5k&list=UUF0pa3nE3aZAfBMT8pqM5PA&index=7&feature=plcp
Home/ School Connection:
We understand that completing math homework can at times be a challenge. Students are learning to solve problems and answer questions in a different way. Through our collaboration with other schools and districts implementing Engage NY Math, we have developed a new link on our website to further support students at home. Once on the homepage, click on the tab for Academics then click on curriculum. Below is the link to this page as well. There we have placed a variety of tools to assist your student and parents with math homework. It includes the overview for each grade level module. In addition, each lesson has a tab that will have the problem set from the lesson. It will have a copy of the homework questions and additionally it links you to a video that shows how to solve problems that are found on the homework. We will continue to add tools as they are developed. https://sites.google.com/a/rafos.org/curriculum/ Thank you, Laura Regan Principal
DAYS NOTICE
THANK YOU CORNER
The Harvest Carnival was a huge success this year because of our AMAZING Harvest Carnival Coordinator Dede Aguirre and the Harvest Carnival Committee (Iva Calhoun, Raquelle Carillo, and Angela Montoya) as well as all of the PSP room reps and parent volunteers.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to the Thank You Thursday PSP Chairs, Andrea Streight and Mary Beth TeSelle and the parent volunteers who made a delicious hot soup, muffin and salad lunch for our teachers and staff! It was delicious! All of you are what makes this school so amazing!!
PSP Meeting There will be a PSP meeting on Wednesday, November 5th at 6:30 in Room 6. Childcare will be provided in Room 7.
Family Dinner Night
Rocklin Academy Turnstone’s next family dinner night will be held on Thursday, November 6th at Skipolini’s. This is a great opportunity to support our school and get to know other families.
Family Movie Night Save the date!!! Family Movie Night is December 5 - Ratatouille
Planned Absences / Independent Study
Planning Holiday Travel during school days? Per the Student/Parent Handbook: Parents are to give at least five (5) school days notice prior to a request for Independent Study. Thank you for notifying your child’s teacher and the front office five (5)+ days in advance when planning your child's absence from school!
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT FROM HOME
We have noticed that students are bringing their own personal equipment from home. Please know that Rocklin Academy is not responsible for any lost or stolen property. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of their personal items.
Secretary Board Position Needs to be Filled The PSP board is in need of a secretary for the remainder of the 2014/15 school year. Most of the job can be done from home (1 hour per week) with the exception of the monthly PSP meetings. Below are the secretarial duties:
Write Minutes for the Meetings
Post the board meetings on the website
Write monthly Agendas with the President
Be in charge of the Wednesday Weekly for the PSP
Attend monthly PSP meetings
iMemories Yearbook Contest!
The Yearbook Committee invites all students to create a drawing to promote the 2014-15 yearbook theme “iMemories”. The theme this year showcases technology in the classroom, with the focus on iPads and the educational apps that offer our students a versatile approach to learning.
One winner from each grade will have their winning entry printed in the yearbook.
The most creative entry will also become the COVER of our 2014-15 yearbook!
This year’s theme: “iMemories”
Contest rules Use standard 8 ½ by 11-inch paper in portrait orientation (create a picture taller than it is wide).
Do your best to fill up the entire page
Make the artwork as colorful as possible.
Artists may use crayons, markers, pastels, paint, colored pencils or a mix of these mediums.
Please put your name and your teacher’s name on the back of your drawing.
Only one submission per student. This is not a group project.
Please submit your entry to your classroom teacher or to the RA office by: November 14, 2014 Mrs. Regan will pick the winning entries and our cover. Good luck! RA Yearbook Committee Please contact Danielle Ruden at [email protected] if you are interested in the position.
SACMATH – RESULTS FROM NOVEMBER 1st CONTEST
SacMath held their first contest of the year last Saturday. Teams from 29 different Sacramento-area schools competed. Eight students in grades 3-6 from Rocklin Academy participated, with half of the students competing in a SacMath competition for the first time. The 6th grade team of Karina Andersen, Praveen Swaminathan, Rohan Upadhyay, and Nayana Venukanthan won the trophy for first place in the 6th grade team competition. Karina and Nayana
also won individual awards: Karina placed first among all 6th graders, and Nayana was fifth. Way to go!
The 4th-grade team of Suraj Swaminathan, Prachiti Kamle, Laasya Gangavarapu, and Rishi Upadhyay also won a trophy for third place in the 4th grade team competition. Great job! The next SacMath contest will be held on Sunday, December 14th. If you'd like to join our Tuesday practice sessions, starting in December, please contact [email protected]. (Note: We do not practice everyTuesday.)
Lastly, the SacMath study group will be moving soon to RA Gateway. Get on the email list for updates! You can get more information and sample tests from the SacMath web site at www.sacmath.com.
Bring this flyer with you on Thursday November 6th2014, to ensure
Rocklin Academy Turnstone is getting credit for your patronage.
Come Support
Rocklin Academy Turnstone
at
Skipolini’s Pizza
Take time to enjoy some great food & dessert
in a fun atmosphere!!!
Thursday November 6th, 2014
From 11:00am-9:30pm
Skipolini’s pizza & pasta will donate 15%, and Dolce
Bene will donate 20% of your purchase to the PSP.
Take this day to help out Rocklin Academy Turnstone!
Skipolini’s Pizza & Pasta
6600 Lonetree Blvd
Rocklin, CA
(916) 789-1818
Rocklin Academy - Turnstone
Give Campaign UpdateThe PSP sponsors and coordinates a number of important programs at Turnstone, for example: auxilary hands-on curriculum, field trips, enrichment programs, and technology in the classroom.
The Give Campaign is our main fundraiser to support these programs. With your help, we can provide an exceptional educational experience for evey Turnstone student.
Have Questions?
Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions online at http://gc.turnstonepsp.org or
contact Danielle Ruden (PSP President) at [email protected]
Percent Participation compares the number of contributions to the number of students. For Turnstone, 100% participation equals 372 contributors.Charts Updated: 11/4/14
gc.turnstonepsp.orgLearn more and pledge online:
November 3rd through November 14th
Bring Your Canned Food Donation to your classroom
Classroom pizza party for the class that brings in the most cans
Barrels will also be available in front of the office for can drop off