Anza Elementary School… Paving the way in the 21st Century

Principal Cindy Knight shared Anza’s plans to enhance learning with computer science and robotics with Governing Board President Tamara Otero.  Anza students already are learning how to Code and navigate through blended learning environments.  This video starts with a conversation with upper grade students about the arrival of new technology and the impact of “access”.  Congratulations to the Anza team on a very successful 2013-14!

Cajon Valley Middle School Leadership Joins El Cajon City Council

Students at Cajon Valley Middle School Leadership Class and Club Live students spoke out for teens at the El Cajon City Council meeting this past Tuesday May 27th. Our goal was to educate both teens and civic leaders about the growing use of vaping with teens in our community. Students spent the past month researching this topic, meeting with leaders in the community and writing and producing public service announcements as part of our campaign for change. We are part of a year long program through the California Writing Project called Upstanders, Not Bystanders. Students have taken on several topics this year including cyber bullying, Mix It Up Lunch Day and now Drug Awareness and civic action. We are very proud of our young leaders.

http://prezi.com/yiryauaextz_/cajon-valley-middle-school/

http://www.californiawritingproject.org/dldupstanders-bystanders.html

Gold Dust or Bust @ Vista Grande Elementary School

Please join us for an entertaining evening as our fourth graders present the story of the great stampede of forty-niners to the California goldfields. From Sutter’s Mill to

Mad Mule Gulch, Sacramento to Fiddletown, the land’s gone nuts
with Gold Fever!

Wednesday, June 4th

Evening Performance: 6:30pm

Day Performances:  9:15am & 11:00am

This video starts with a glimpse of day-1 practice for the upcoming fourth grade musical tribute to Early California Days.  Come out and see the fourth graders knock it out of the park!  Governing Board President Tamara Otero and Principal Brian Handley then join kids in their vegetable garden… Vista Grande is an environment where “growth happens”…

Hillsdale Showcase Night – May 21, 2014

Hillsdale’s Second Annual Showcase night was another great success.  Students from the Music and Drama Departments performed, Video production students presented their podcasts and our History Day Champions performed “Disney Unfair”.  This was an evening filled with student displays of work, club information booths, food booths, carnival games, campus tours and our silent auction.  Showcase Night is a great opportunity for families to get together and enjoy the community and family of Hillsdale.  We hope you can join us next year.

Bostonia K-Kids Featured on Ronald McDonald House Page

Bostonia Elementary School’s Kiwanis K-Kids Club placed 3rd in the Miracle Mile of Quarters competition with their awesome “quarter”back design. How did they celebrate? They went across the street to San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House to drop off hundreds of travel-size toiletries, games, stickers, and art supplies for our families. Way to go!

 

History Comes Alive in Jodi Willhite’s 7th Grade Class @ Montgomery Middle School

On Tuesday, May 20, Fran Weekley came and spoke about England (both current and medieval culture). She works for the International Cottages In Balboa Park, the House of England. She had great things to show the kids and some interesting stories. It was fun to compare American English and English English.

On Friday, May 23, The Archers of Ravenwood presented information and tools used during Medieval and Renaissance times. The kids were fascinated with the costumes, tools, and weapons. It always makes the students excited for their Renaissance Faire. This presentation is great because it is so interactive. The kids get to try on clothing, hold tools, and handle some of the chain mail. I am so grateful for you paying for this experience for the students. I believe it is always money well spent!

When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school…

When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life.  When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I wrote down ‘happy’.  They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.

–John Lennon

This video is shared by principal Mike Serban from Naranca Elementary.  This is just one sample of many that PS 22 (Public School 22) in New York has put on the web.  Naranca uses videos like these to start their monthly assemblies to help kids get into a mood and mindset conducive to both participate and listen during the assemblies.  Reflecting on Lennon’s quote… What do we want kids to be when they come to school?  Many words come to mind, but let’s not forget… “happy”!

Naranca Elementary School

How does a team implement school-wide blended learning… without school-wide technology?  Visit Naranca and see how flexible grouping, personalized learning, and student-centered goal setting create the optimal conditions for teaching and learning.  Principal Mike Serban attributes Naranca’s success to how well grade level teams collaborate, design, and align their curriculum and resources around shared goals.  The backdrop of this video begins with first grade students practicing for their performance.

Magnolia young patriots celebrate Memorial Day with a salute to US Military and Veterans

The second graders at Magnolia School performed a patriotic salute to Memorial Day and the military.  As part of their project-based learning, the students researched the four military branches and learned the military songs.  They also researched the origins and meaning of Memorial Day.  The students then wrote, edited, and presented their project to appreciative students and parents. In a poignant song, the students sang about heroes and held up photos of Magnolia family members who have served in the military both past and present.  Also featured in this blog is a video of kids practicing for the performance as well as footage from my recent visit.  Thank you Principal Amanda Silva and the Magnolia Team for sharing.