April 27, 2011 - Placements & Enrichment

Dear Parents,

Placements for Next School Year

Soon the teachers and I will begin to look ahead to class assignments for next year. Much time and effort is put forth by the staff to create balanced classes. Every year, we are asked many questions about how students are placed in classrooms from year to year. The intent of this letter is to share the most frequently asked questions and provide you with answers.

Question:            What is the process for creating new classes each year?

Answer:            At the end of each year, the staff and principal get together and create balanced heterogeneous classes using the following criteria: academic performance (math, reading, and language arts), student behavior, leadership, gender,  and additional needs identified by this year’s classroom teacher.

Question: If parents know their child best, why shouldn’t they make the decision for placement of their child?

Answer:            Because classrooms are very complex, interactive places of learning, and group dynamics play a significant part in the overall effectiveness of the classroom learning environment. When classes are put together, a high priority is placed on matching complimentary personalities of student to student and student to teacher.

Question:            Should I ask my child who he/she wants for a teacher?

Answer:            This is not a good idea. If a child is asked and the request is not granted, the child may not

understand why and can feel an overwhelming sense of disappointment and even rejection.

Question: Do you purposefully place students with their friends?

Answer:            No, we do not. Our goal is to create a school climate in which all students feel like they

belong and can foster existing friendships or form new friendships with whomever is in their class.

Question:            If a parent makes a request to this year’s teacher, or the principal, will they be assured of getting the teacher requested?

Answer:            No, parents are not to request a teacher by name. If they do and a student does not get the teacher requested, this usually causes disappointment and anger which can lead to an unhappy situation for the child as well as the teacher. All parents want a teacher who is caring, sensitive to individual needs, knowledgeable, and can provide engaging, academic challenges in a non-threatening learning environment. If a child has a learning need, this information may be put on a “Student Educational Information” form. Please submit completed forms to the office. Completed forms for the upcoming year will not be accepted after May 20. Only the specific information relating to your child’s specific need will be considered when making placements.

Thank you for your continued support in working with the staff here at Walt Disney Elementary. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or your child’s teacher.

After School Enrichment Classes 

We recently opened registration for two quality after school enrichment classes here at Walt Disney. While the Video Production class sold out in one day, there is still space in our Spectrum of Science workshops. Download the flyer here and register soon directly through Spectrum of Science.

March 28, 2011 - Rainbows, Ballgames, and Enrichment

Earlier today, we had three members of the Contra Costa County Search and Rescue team present to a group of our GATE students the importance, preparation, and benefits of their job. Our students had the opportunity to utilize their questioning skills. Our guests answered questions ranging from "How did you get started?" to "How much do you earn in your career?" Our students were probably most enamored by  the third member of the Search and Rescue team, the canine member. One of the members was a search and rescue dog who showed her stuff while meeting our students. A special thank you to 4th/5th grade teacher Mrs. Becky Rodriguez and parent volunteer Eve Ridgers for organizing this opportunity for our GATE students. It is part of a series, called "Lunch Bunch," when guest speakers present different professions within our community. Earlier in the school year, students listened to a college professor share details about his job.

Help Save the Rainbow Program at WDES

We have a wonderful program, called the Rainbow program, available to all Walt Disney students. While all of our teachers and staff know the value of the Rainbow program, I recognize that if your child has needed the Rainbow program, you may not know about the benefits, or even that it exists. The fact is that we may lose the Rainbow program due to lack of funding for the 2011-2012 school year. Please review the following information about Rainbow and see if you can help.

Why Rainbow?

In today’s fast-paced, stress-filled, not-enough-hours-in-the-day world, even children can feel the pressure. We know that children who feel comfortable and connected at school and who possess positive social skills and competence in solving problems experience greater success in academics and throughout life.

What is Rainbow?

The Rainbow Program provides children with nurturing individual attention and small- group learning opportunities led by a specially trained paraprofessional under the supervision of a credentialed professional. The Rainbow Program (under various other names) has been in existence across the country since 1957. Currently most of the elementary schools in San Ramon offer the Rainbow Program. Each year data is collected that demonstrates the effectiveness of the Rainbow Program. Year after year the data demonstrates that with the seemingly simple proactive support of the Rainbow Program, children show immediate benefits in the short-term, and also demonstrate long-term benefits, including academic success and pro-social decision making. The Rainbow Program is unique in that it is designed as a pro-active, preventative opportunity for children, instead of intervening after problems have already been demonstrated.

Why Support Rainbow?

The Rainbow Program at Walt Disney was made possible by a three year matching-funds grant from the State of California. Together with the financial contributions of San Ramon Valley Unified School District and Walt Disney site funds, the grant has provided the start-up costs, materials costs, and most importantly, the personnel costs of our two wonderful Rainbow Paraprofessionals (Mrs. Denise Bringer and Mrs. Corrie Sharp), professional supervision provided by our School Psychologist (Mrs. Linda Taylor), and additional consultation with our Mental Health Consultant (Mrs. Julie Dolle`). 2010-2011 is the final year of our three year grant. For the coming year, the program will need additional financial support to make up for the monies that had been part of the grant. Walt Disney parents have already been generous in their support of the Rainbow Program and we hope that with additional financial support we will be able to retain our full staffing level and continue seeing children five days per week in the Rainbow Room. To listen to a podcast of student testimonials of the Rainbow program, click here.

Thank you for helping us to provide this unique opportunity to start our children out on a positive journey of learning and belonging in their school community. If you would like to make a private donation towards our Rainbow program for 2011-2012, or if your employer has grant opportunities for community programs such as Rainbow, please contact Joe Nguyen or Linda Taylor right now.

If you would like further information about the Rainbow Program, please feel to contact Linda Taylor at (925) 479-3914.

Walt Disney's Night at the Ballpark

Last year was our first year of this PTA family fun night at the Oakland Athletics game. For our first year, we did well in dominating two entire sections of seats at the Oakland Coliseum. This year's event will be on Friday, April 29, as the Oakland Athletics host the Texas Rangers at 7:05 pm. Download the following order form to join fellow Walt Disney families and staff enjoy a baseball game. You can also order tickets to additional games (listed on the form). The Oakland Athletics will donate 50% of all ticket prices back to Walt Disney's PTA.

SRVUSD Summer Enrichment Program

Our district is providing a 4 week summer enrichment program for students. It is important for students to be involved in some form of academic learning during the summer months to avoid academic regression. We know there are many summer opportunities within our community, including just having students be involved in reading/writing/math opportunities at home. A wonderful option is to take advantage of the SRVUSD Enrichment Program. Go to the Summer Enrichment program website to learn more details and register your students. Registration opens on Monday, March 28, and is on a "first come, first served" basis.

Shared Definition of "Bullying"

Recently our staff worked on coming up with a shared definition of “bullying.”  Our school district has a renewed focus on sending a clear message that bullying behaviors are not accepted on our campuses. I would like to ask that our students, and parent community play a role in sending this same message. In order to work together, I felt it was critical to have a common definition of what “bullying” is, and perhaps just as importantly, what bullying is not. As a staff, we came up with the following draft definition for “bullying”:

Aggressive behavior that is intentional, repeated over time and involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can take many forms, such as hitting, teasing or name-calling, verbal threats, intimidation through gestures, social exclusion and sending or posting insulting messages or pictures by cell phone or online.

Note that bullying is repeated over time. An isolated incident can be very hurtful and against school rules, but is not considered bullying. It is very important to note that our teachers explicitly teach anti-bullying lessons as a part of our “Second Step” curriculum in grades K through 5^th grade. Strategies such as using “I messages” and expressing ourselves through our words help lesson the presence of bullying at Walt Disney. Additionally, students are given praise and WOW slips for demonstrating positive character traits such as responsibility and respect while at school. 

If your child does encounter bullying please support us in modeling the following behavior to your child:

• Encourage your child to communicate to the bully “Stop or I will report.”
• If the behavior persists, please report (or have your child report) bullying to your child’s teacher. Teachers and/or I will follow up on incidents of bullying with the appropriate measures.

I invite you to post a comment to provide any input or feedback you may have on our shared definition of “bullying.” We will soon work with PTA  to finalize our definition.

February 17 - "Reading for Meaning"

The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.  ~James Bryce
 
The purpose of reading is to be able to decode the words on a page and make meaning out of the words. Reading specialists will explain that a mature reader masters the 5 components of reading -- phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. The more we can expose children to print and sounds, the better most children will develop these early building blocks to read. As early readers develop into mature readers, phonemic awareness and phonics skills become more automatic. For some readers, their memory of specific sight words aid greatly in their ability to read. Regardless, the purpose of reading, whether it be reading a novel, newspaper, or the internet is to comprehend the author's message at a deep level.

We often hear from parents, how can I help my child develop his or her comprehension skills? It is important to work with your child's teacher. Do not be afraid to communicate your observations about your child's reading strengths or weaknesses. Do you know what level books your child is reading at school (instructional level) or should be reading at home (independent level)? If not, do not hesitate to ask. If you are concerned about comprehension, your teacher can share with you age appropriate strategies that he/she uses in the classroom to exercise your child's comprehension "muscles."

Consider using the following strategies to give your child a "reading rich" environment that will support his or her reading abilities:

• Read together at home -- let your child see you read. It sends a positive message about the importance of reading.
  
• Partner read or read to your child -- in addition to having your child read independently or reading to you, partner reading (child reads a page, parent reads a page) and reading to your child models how a mature reader sounds.
  
• Make reading fun -- allow your child choose a book or magazine that is interesting. If your child likes a specific topic, read about that topic. Non-fiction materials or articles on the internet about a specific topic are great. Another way to make reading fun is to infuse technology. Consider using web resources such as Tumble Books or Starfall. To view more online reading resources, visit the WDES Library website.
  
• Ask your child one or two comprehension questions (don't overdo it) after reading. This will help your child to better understand what he or she reads. Here are some resources for effective comprehension questions:  Book Talk Questions 1, Book Talk Questions 2.

One More Day of Bidding!
If you have not heard about our DESEF online auction or the live auction event, you must have been staying away from our school, our emails, and any piece of paper with the words Walt Disney Elementary written on it for the past month. We hope that we have not driven anyone away with our advertising. The reality is that we greatly depend on the funds we will raise in this year's auctions to maintain our programs, and therefore staffing, for the 2011-2012 school year. Our Dragon Academy, classroom paraprofessionals, library, technology program and equipment, and Meet the Masters art program are just a few of the programs that are directly funded by this money. If our state continues to cut funding to education, we will depend on this private fundraising even more.

There are some great deals to be had on the online auction (See the San Ramon Patch article). Bidding ends Friday (tomorrow), February 18. Due to community feedback, some of the items starting bid prices are being lowered. Go to our auction website to place your bids, sponsor a program, or buy tickets to the March 12 live auction event.

January 30, 2011 - "A Light at the End of the Tunnel?"

Budget Update & Auction Event  

We are in a similar position as last year, discussing the potential ramifications of (another) year of budget cuts to education from Sacramento. You may have read or heard that Governor Brown released an initial state budget that proposes no significant budget cuts to education for 2011-2012. This is the “light at the end of the tunnel” that we have been waiting for in education. However, this budget is dependent on a June ballot measure to increase tax revenue to the state. School districts in the state, including SRVUSD, are preparing to enter the summer with two different budgets – one if the June measure passes, and one budget if the measure does not pass. 

 

Here in SRVUSD, we have resources that allow us to raise funds privately. While I wish that we did not have to depend on private funds and go to our community, the reality is that this resource allows us to keep some programs afloat for our students.

We are very fortunate to work in a district and school where we have parents and staff working side by side to raise private funds. While our Parent Teacher Association (PTA) does do some fundraising, our Disney Elementary School Education Foundation (DESEF) is the main fund raising group in our community. DESEF’s number one fundraising event is getting ready to start this Friday with the online auction. The live and silent auction dinner is scheduled for Saturday, March 12. We have had a dedicated group of individuals working tirelessly to plan and execute this year's auction events. There is an incredible lineup of products and experiences that will be offered either in the online, live, or silent auctions. A special "thank you" to our DESEF auction committee for their dedication and countless hours.

Here is the website for the online auction and for purchasing tickets to our "Disney in the Carribean" auction event/dinner/casino night -- auction website. 

Microwave Oven?
One of our microwave ovens in the staff lunch room recently went out. If you have an available microwave that you would like to donate, please let me know or call the front office. Thank you so much! 

January 19, 2011 - The "New" Disney Diary

Happy New Year Disney Dragons! To read or listen to my latest Principal's message, click here. I tried something new this month by creating and posting a podcast of my message.

It has been a while since I have last posted on the Disney Diaries, as I have been considering the role of the Diaries within our school community. This year, we have the Disney Digest email blast that PTA has been managing that pushes out announcements that pertain to PTA, DESEF, and focuses on important events and opportunities within our school and district community. You have probably also noticed that I am using a format called "Principals' Post-it" for announcements that come from my office. Of course, we still have our Dragon's Den newsletter that comes out every other month with a comprehensive look at everything happening at Walt Disney Elementary. So, where does that leave the Diary, a blog that I started last year to really push out information? Do I take the Diary offline?

After some thought, I have decided to take a little bit of a risk and design the Disney Diary to be a true blog that will provide the community the opportunity to post comments in response to my postings. I will turn on the "comments" feature which will allow viewers to post comments, suggestions, ideas, etc. to the school and/or to each other. I will not post messages every week, but as needed. I may include in postings an opportunity to hear input from the community about our programs, opportunities, vision, etc.  Many parents have the opportunity to attend PTA, DESEF, Site Council meetings to give input, but we recognize that most of our parents can or do not make it out to these meetings. While we encourage maximum parent involvement, perhaps the "new"Disney Diaries blog will provide a channel for your thoughts and comments.

I believe that you will begin seeing more Disney students participating in blogging as a part of their curriculum in the coming years, so let's start modeling this skill among the adults. I invite you to become a regular follower of the Disney Diaries and participate in the blog. To get us started, I'd like to establish norms for what "good bloggers" do in their posts:

• This blog is not a substitute for communicating directly with your child's teacher, Principal, WDPTA, DESEF, or School Site Council. 
• Assume that all contributors have good intentions
• Be respectful at all times in your communications

Here we go...

It's Time!
Once again the Walt Disney Elementary Education Fund is now selling tickets for it's Annual Live Auction on March 12th at the Canyon View Dining hall and you are invited.  All profits will be benefiting the Children at Walt Disney Elementary school.  The proceeds will be used to help pay for many of the programs and items the state no longer funds. Such as Paraprofessionals (teachers aides), Librarian, Computer Lab educator, student reading and math skills intervention programs, such as the Dragon Academy. New technology like the Apple Mac books bought last year from the Auction proceeds and classroom Audio aids. Your support will help keep those programs going and help continue funding the need for future programs at Walt Disney.

Our theme this year is "Disney in the Caribbean", so wear your island dresses and best tropical shirts. We will be serving up Mai Tai’s, Hurricanes, Margaritas and plenty of wine at our full bar.  Enjoy listening to Derek Smith's Steel Drum Trio while dining on the Buffet Dinner and dessert.  Invite your friends and family, there will be casino style gaming, raffles, games, prizes, silent auction and of course the main event, the Live Auction.

This year there will be wonderful items to bid on such as a Hawaiian vacation, Mexico getaway, San Diego retreat, great buy in parties and who wouldn't want their child to be principal for a day, or a veterinarian for a day, or Mayor for a day?  All of those will be available.

Tickets are now selling for $55 dollars per person until February 18th, which is when the price goes up to $65 per person, so purchase your tickets soon. When you are ready to purchase your tickets, follow this link, http://auctions.readysetauction.com/disneyelementaryscho/home or drop your check made out to DESEF off at the Walt Disney office.

February 4th, our online Auction will begin with over 300 items!!  There is something for everyone. Tell a friend or Facebook it, and help spread the word.  We need your support.

October 26, 2010

Dear Disney Parents/Guardians:

I wanted to send out a quick reminder that this Friday, not only do we have our Halloween parade at 1:35 pm on campus, but also our very first WDPTA Walkathon at 2:30 pm and then WDPTA's free Boo-fest. These are wonderful events to let the kids dress up in their costumes and have a fun night with the WD community. There have been a load of dedicated volunteers led by Matt Macedo organizing our walkathon and Boo-fest. If the rains come on Friday, we will move the walkathon to an alternate "rain route" and shorten the walkathon, but it will happen rain or shine. Our PTA is depending on the walkathon as its main fundraiser (replacing product sales that were done in the past) to fund programs such as Art-a-Palooza day, character education programs, assemblies, and community building events throughout the school year. 

Make a Few Clicks on the Computer and Raise $$$ for Walt Disney

Bing will announce the 15 finalists  on the What Schools Need contest and ask America to vote to determine the 4 winners – 1 grand prize winner will get $100,000 for their school, and the 3 first prize winners in each grade category will get $50,000 for their schools. 

While we did NOT submit an application to the "What Schools Need" contest, there is a guaranteed way to raise $3,000 for Walt Disney Elementary. During the 10-day voting period  starting Oct 27th (tomorrow)  through Nov. 5th, the first 30,000 people who vote each day will receive a $3 gift code that to apply to any classroom project of their choice on DonorsChoose.org not just the finalists.   That’s $30 per email over the 10 days.

The voting website is  

http://ourschoolneeds.discoverbing.com

Currently we have 4 current Donors Choose grant applications from Walt Disney teachers (2 teachers). Click here to see these grants. The balance of these grants are approximately $3,800.  That means we are targeting 130 people (or emails) to commit to voting once a day for 10 days. 

$30 x 130 emails= $3900  of materials/equipment for Walt Disney teachers and students....all for a few clicks.  

Restoration of two “Budget Cut Days” means that school WILL be in session on February 18, 2011

The San Ramon Valley Unified School District has restored two of the four “budget-cut” (furlough) days for the 2010-2011 school year, one instructional day and one staff development day.

The school day that has been reinstated is: Friday, February 18, 2011

Monday, March 21st will now be a staff development day instead of a “budget cut” day which means that students will not attend school on this day but teachers will participate in professional development at their schools.      

This change is due to the district’s promise to its employee groups to return to the negotiation table to discuss any significant changes in its financial picture.  Enrollment growth, as well as some new federal stimulus funds, did improve the financial status of the district. The district in consultation with the employee groups agreed to restore two budget cut days to all employees.