OLIVE VISTA MIDDLE SCHOOL

Panda Pride Press14600 Tyler Street, Sylmar, CA 91342 (818) 367-1071

February 2004, Volume XVI Jean Whitaker, Principalhttp://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Olive_Vista_MS

Our Vision: Every student will achieve academic excellence by engaging in challenging and meaningful learning in a safe environment that promotes creativity, respect, self-esteem and personal growth.

STUDENT LED CONFERENCINGBy Herbert Nichols, Technology Teacher and Jackie Ockene-Fogelman, S.A.S. Coordinator

"I know you have been trying hard to keep up with your work and that sometimes you find it difficult. I'm very glad to see that you are not giving up on the challenge." This reaction to the conference was written in an October 29, 2003 letter following sixth grader Ariana Gonzalez's Student Led Conference. It is clear that mother, Tonia Gonzalez, found the conference valuable.

In a traditional parent-teacher conference, the teacher discusses the student's progress from his/her point of view while the parent listens. In Student Led Conferencing, the student shares his/her work and accomplishments with their parents. Pieces of student work are chosen that demonstrate what they have learned over a period of time from the students' own portfolios. Students reflect on how each piece meets a California State Standard, what criteria they have met with that piece, and how they could improve on similar type projects in the future.

As the Conference comes to a close, parents and students discuss the child's goals and each complete a written reflection. Sixth grader, Steven Mendoza, during his Student Led Conference said, "I noticed that my parents were looking at me and their expressions said, ‘Man, that child has really worked hard!’” The parents were correct, he had been challenged to reach his potential.

TECH TIPSBy Robert Benavidez, Technology Coordinator

American students can experience what it’s like to live in the United Kingdom using a new web site from the British government. “BritainUSA 4 Kids” located at http://www.britainusa.com/4kids is loaded with historical and cultural resources designed

to teach young learners about British life. This interactive web site includes a picture gallery where students can explore medieval castles and famous British landmarks, a timeline dedicated to the rich history of the U.K., and information on sports and fashion, as well as useful resources for both students and teachers.Try http://www.exploremarsnow.org if you enjoy space exploration. NASA scientists

contend that it won’t be long before man takes his first steps on the Red Planet. Students can take an interactive tour of the Red Planet in a robotic land rover. For more information, contact Robert Benavidez at 367-1071 Ext. 390.

Mr. Herbert Nichols, 6th Grade teacher, formed a “Partnership in Technology” with Mr. Troy Churchward’s 6th Form Class, Windaroo State School in Australia. Students e-mail each other and complete the same lessons. Windaroo State School is located 45 minutes from Brisbane, Queensland.

OLIVE VISTA COMPLETES RECYCLING AND BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTBy Anthony Davila, Assistant Principal

The school’s Recycling and Beautification Project was sponsored by the Olive Vista School Site Council. OV students brought recyclables like aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles to their homerooms. The Recycling and Beautification Project began January 12, 2004 and ended January 23, 2004. The money received from the recycling will be used for the purchase of an electric billboard. The School Site Council thanks the parents and students who volunteered to collect the recyclables. Contact Anthony Davila

at 367-1071 Ext. 341 for information on the electric billboard.

AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE PROGRAMBy Elly Saletta, Media Center Teacher

The Los Angeles Unified School District receives funds from Title VII to provide additional opportunities for identified American Indian and Alaska Native students. Some of the activities provided will take place during the regular school day. Tutoring and craft sessions will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Title VII considers a child Indian or Alaskan Native if he or she is a member of a tribe, band, or Alaskan Native corporation, or if any of the parents or grandparents are members. Contact Elly Saletta, Olive Vista Library, 367-1071 Ext. 391 to enroll in this program.

OLIVE VISTA PARENTS JOIN LEARNING WALKSBy Connie Santiago, Title I Coordinator

Parent Learning Walks are visits to classrooms to observe learning in progress from Olive Vista’s Single School Plan. Learning Walks are used to share, inspire, and measure progress. The school’s efforts are directed toward aligning instruction to the California Academic Standards for Grades 6, 7, and 8. Tests are used to check for student mastery. During the classroom observation, parents look for evidence of Clear Expectations and Accountable Talk in support of Academic Rigor. Clear Expectations define exactly what the student is expected to learn. Accountable Talk promotes learning and is responsible to the learning community, knowledge, and rigorous thinking. Academic Rigor is the joining of knowledge and thinking. It has a commitment to a knowledge base, is thinking intensive, and has an active use of knowledge. Parents carry copies of the California Academic Standards during the Learning Walk so that they can see if what is taught in the classroom is grade level appropriate.

Parents and school personnel involved in Learning Walks so far include: Mrs. Villatoro, parent; Mrs. Aguilers, parent; Mrs. Arzoloa, parent; Mr. Torres, parent; Mrs. Santiago, Title I Coordinator; Mr. Goldberg, teacher; Mr. Leland, teacher; Mrs. Dortch, Teacher; Mrs. Porter, teacher; Mrs. Rodriquez, District B Parent Representative; and Mrs. Whitaker, principal.

2004 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Monday February 2, 2004 Spring Semester BeginsMonday February 16, 2004 Presidents’ DayMonday – Friday April 5 – 9, 2004 Spring BreakMonday May 31, 2004 Memorial DayThursday June 17, 2004 Last Day of InstructionFriday June 18, 2004 Graduation