1. VV Parent & Teacher Association
Venetia Valley PTA
Venetia Valley PTA
VV Parent & Teacher Association
May 7, 2014
General Meeting

2. AGENDA Topic Presenter Time Allocated Call to Order Renee O’Hare 5 min
2nd Grade!
2nd Grade Teachers
25 min
CTO for SRCS
Shawn Rozell
20 min
PTA Business
15 min
Principal’s Update
Juan Rodriguez
Close of Meeting

3. Kim Press, Diana Mendoza, Megan Sulsberger, Alexa Sakellariou
2nd Grade Team
Kim Press, Diana Mendoza,
Megan Sulsberger, Alexa Sakellariou
& Michelle Rosecrans

4. Introductions and Agenda
2nd Grade Developmental Milestones – Alexa Sakellariou
Thematic Units & Field Trips – Diana Mendoza
English Language Arts & the Common Core Shifts – Megan Sulsberger
Math & The Common Core Shifts – Kim Press
Questions

5. 2nd Grader Attributes Intellectual Developments
In second grade, your child:
Has a longer attention span.
Is serious and reflective in his or her thinking.
Can use logic to solve more complex problems.
Lives more in reality and less in a fantasy world.
Enjoys being challenged, working hard, and completing a task well.
Listens for longer periods of time, absorbing new information.
Expands his or her vocabulary by listening to others.
Learns by listening and taking part in class discussions. 

6. 2nd Grader Attributes Intellectual Developments (continued)
Still uses decoding skills to sound out new words.
Is becoming a more fluent, efficient reader.
Still enjoys (and learns from) someone else reading aloud.
Becomes more comfortable with writing.  
By writing about what he or she reads, the child connects concepts to his or her own experiences.
Understands that writing involves many steps.
Can tell and understand jokes, puns, and sarcasm.

7. 2nd Grader Attributes Social and Emotional Development
By ages 7 and 8, your child is ready for more responsibility and independence. You may also find that he or she:
Enjoys unstructured group play.
Is more sensitive to how kids and adults treat him or her.
Is concerned with how other people react.
May try to solve problems by being aggressive.
Prefers to play with peers of the same sex (girls with girls, boys with boys).

8. Parent Support
Parents can support their developing 2nd grader by encouraging their child to:
Develop a concept of him or herself.
Begin to understand others.
Gain respect for others.
Build relationships with others.
Develop a sense of responsibility.
Third graders can comprehend multiple aspects of a problem while solving it. That means they can have a math problem with both addition and subtraction and they won't get confused.
Third graders can understand and manipulate symbols related to concrete objects. They know, for example, that the minus sign means subtraction and can use it when appropriate.
Third graders are logical, even though they may still jump to crazy conclusions. You will be able to understand even their most imaginative ideas.
Third graders should be able to reverse their thinking. They can trace the mental steps that drew them to a conclusion, and analyze those steps for flaws. This is a crucial development for math.
Third graders are in the process of moving out of the egocentric stage, so they should understand that not everyone sees the world as they see it. But if there’s still a hint of "the world revolves around me,” don’t worry. The more you expose them to other people, especially children, the faster they’ll leave this stage.
A third grader should be able to tell if there is a difference in number, length, volume and substance when comparing two objects. If they watch someone break clay into little pieces and then put the pieces back together, they will realize it's still the same amount of clay.

9. 2nd Grade Thematic Units
2nd grade teachers create and refine thematic units collaboratively
Units connect to the world around us
Engagement and motivation happen when units of study are thematic
Aligned with the Common Core State Standards

10. Themes in 2nd Grade: #1 - Government
How countries make laws.
Similarities between rules and laws
How a bill becomes a Law
Professional Students
Behavior expectations
Character Development

12. #2 - Economics / Health
Understanding economic concepts that consumers and producers buy and sell goods.
Producers and Consumers
Food Production
Food Pyramid / Food Groups
Farmers Market Field Trip

14. Field Trip to Farmer’s Market

15. #3 - Heroes / Biographies
American Heroes accomplished something that has made life better for others.
Biographies on:
Civil Rights Heroes
Heroes helping others gain their freedom
Inventors
Explorers
1-M.L.King Rosa Parks Ruby Bridges
2- Theodore Roosevelt G. Washington A. Lincoln
3 Ben Franklin, Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell
4- Lewis and Clark Neil Armstrong

17. #4 - Rock Cycle / Earth
Earth is made of materials that have distinct properties and provide resources for human activity
Earth’s Layers
Rock Cycle
Metamorphic, Igneous and Sedimentary Rocks
Breakage and Weathering
Fossils

19. Field Trip to Exploratorium

20. #5 - Life Cycles Plants and animals have predictable life cycles.
Animal classification
Animal Life cycles
Rain Forest Habitat
Animal classification- Living things share similarities that allow them to be classified.
Rain forest -different layers of plant and animal habitat

22. Field Trip to Academy of Sciences

23. 2nd Grade English / Language Arts
Whole Class Instruction
Direct Phonics Instruction and Spelling – Houghton Mifflin
Daily 5 and Reading Groups
Thematic Reading - GLAD

24. Writing Instruction Journal Writing / Daily 5
Project Based Writing Linked to Thematic Units
Writer’s Workshop
ELD

25. Common Core State Standards 6 Shifts in ELA
Increase Reading of Informational Text
Text Complexity
Academic Vocabulary
Text-based Answers
Writing from Sources
Literacy Instruction in All Content Areas

26. ELA Common Core Shift #1 Increase Reading of Informational Text
Students can…
Parents can…
Learn more Science and Social Studies through reading
Use “primary source” documents
Learn more by using texts
Provide series of texts on topics of interest
Find books that explain
Discuss informational and non-fiction texts and the ideas within the text
Primary source documents are original documents, written by the person who did the research… such as diaries, speeches, letters, interviews, news footage, autobiographies, official records. Can be creative works such as poetry, drama, novels, music, art. Examples:
MLK, Jr’s I Have a Dream speech. Diary of Anne Frank, Declaration of Independence, The Constitution

27. ELA Common Core Shift #2 Text Complexity
Students can…
Parents can…
Re-read
Read material at comfort level and work with more challenging text
Break down text to understand
Handle frustration with text and keep reading
Provide more challenging texts, and text they want to read and can read comfortably
Read challenging text with them
Model: Show that challenging text is worth reading and discussing
Close reading: a central focus of CCSS. Requires students to get truly involved with the text they are reading. Purpose is to teach them to notice features and language used by the author.
Goal: use what they learn from one text and apply to another.
Use imagery, comparisons, word choice, tone and voice, sentence structure, questions

28. ELA Common Core Shift #3 Academic Vocabulary
Students can…
Parents can…
Learn the words they need to understand to access and engage with content
Learn the words that they can use in college and career
Read more to develop a larger vocabulary
Read often and constantly
Read multiple books about the same topic
Let your children see you reading
Talk to your children; Read to your children; Listen to your children; Sing with your children

29. ELA Common Core Shift #4 Text-Based Answers
Students can…
Parents can…
Find evidence to support their arguments
Form judgments
Become experts through reading
Discuss what the author is trying to do with the text
Talk about the text
Ask for evidence in every day discussions/disagreements
Read aloud or read the same book and discuss with evidence to support conversation

30. ELA Common Core Shift #5 Writing from Sources
Students can…
Parents can…
Make arguments in writing using evidence
Compare multiple texts in writing
Practice writing well
Encourage writing at home
Write “books” together and use evidence/details

31. ELA Common Core Shift #6 Literacy Instruction in All Content Areas
Students can…
Parents can…
Learn more Science and Social Studies through reading
Use “primary source” documents
Learn more by using texts
Provide series of texts on topics of interest
Find books that explain
Discuss informational and non-fiction texts and the ideas within the text
Primary source documents are original documents, written by the person who did the research… such as diaries, speeches, letters, interviews, news footage, autobiographies, official records. Can be creative works such as poetry, drama, novels, music, art. Examples:
MLK, Jr’s I Have a Dream speech. Diary of Anne Frank, Declaration of Independence, The Constitution

32. How can I help my child in Language Arts?
*Read to and with my child for minutes nightly.
*Practice high frequency word lists together; make flashcards for words they do not know how to say, spell, or use in a sentence.
*Provide a variety of reading materials, including fiction and nonfiction books. Support their use of online reading programs such as Starfall, Raz-Kids or Storyline Online.
*Engage your child with what they are reading. Ask them comprehension questions to ensure that they are understanding what they are reading.
*Help you child edit their work for correct grammar and punctuation.
*Do practice spelling tests together each week.

33. 2nd Grade Mathematics
Whole class instruction – EM incorporates whole class instruction of a focus concept, spiral daily practice of several concepts introduced in earlier lessons (Math Boxes), and games that reinforce concepts from current and previous lessons
Fact Fluency – knowing basic math facts with “automaticity” is KEY 2nd grade goal – practiced through classroom games, online games, and the practice problems at the bottom of most math HomeLinks
Teachers give mini-quizes/Exit slips several time per week to determine students needing extra support/review, and students who may be ready for an extra challenge. Often Friday is used for review games and intervention with small groups with similar needs
Math-related literature – thanks to a generous grant from Rotary Club, we own about 50 literature selections chosen by EM that relate to each math unit. Books can be used as teacher read-alouds to make math concepts fun and interesting, or by students for challenge and exploration. Books are shared by the grade level
Whole Class Instruction – Everyday Mathematics, U of Chicago
Fact fluency practice
Math games / Intervention cycles
Math literature

34. Math Games and Exploration

35. Common Core State Standards 6 Shifts in Mathematics
6 Key Shifts:
Focus
Coherence
Fluency
Deep Understanding
Application
Dual Intensity
CCSS concentrates on a clear set of math skills and concepts. Students will learn concepts in a more organized way both during the school year and across grades. The standards encourage students to solve real-world problems.
stressing conceptual understanding of key ideas, but also by continually returning to organizing principles such as place value and the laws of arithmetic to structure those ideas.

36. Mathematics Common Core Shift #1 Focus
Fewer topics covered in each grade (narrow focus)
Increased time spent on each priority topic (deeper focus)
Priority topics create core of knowledge that is foundation of more advanced math
4 priority areas for 2nd grade
(1) extending understanding of base-ten notation
(2) building fluency with addition and subtraction
(3) using standard units of measure
(4) describing and analyzing shapes (2D and 3D)

37. Mathematics Common Core Shift #2 Coherence
Topics connect and build from one grade to the next
Basics learned in younger grade
Build on that foundation in later grades
Example:
K – add / subtract “within 5”
1st – add / subtract “within 10”
2nd – add / subtract “within 20”

38. Mathematics Common Core Shift #3 Fluency
Students develop speed and accuracy with simple calculations
Basic math facts and relationships
Teachers structure class time and/or homework time for students to memorize, through repetition, core functions
Students develop speed and accuracy with simple calculations
Basic math facts and relationships – if = 10, know 6 +4=10, and 10 – 4=6, etc.
Teachers structure class time and/or homework time for students to memorize, through repetition, core functions

39. Mathematics Common Core Shift #4 Deep Understanding
Goal is deep understanding and confidence operating within a math concept before moving on
learn more than the “trick” to get the answer right – be able to explain how
Deeper understanding enables students to apply concepts to new situations

40. Mathematics Common Core Shift #5 Application
Students are expected to use math
Choose the appropriate concept for application
Recognize common elements in different types of problems
Understand that there are multiple ways to solve a problem
Show/explain how to solve

41. Mathematics Common Core Shift #6 Dual Intensity
Combines both “technical” and “practical”, both with intensity
Students are practicing and understanding
Simple drills and calculations with fluency but
ALSO
Apply concepts at a deeper level

42. How can I help my child with math?
Pose “real-life” math problems
Touch and count real money
Play games involving money, such as Monopoly
Have analog clocks in your home
Practice using math vocabulary – more than/less than, units of measurement
Compare scores, prices – ask which is more and how much more
Fact fluency – computer games, flash cards, etc.
Cook – follow recipes, measure ingredients
Pose “real-life” math problems – shopping…If apples are 2 for $1, how many can I buy with $5, If it cost $3 and I pay with $10, how much change?
Touch and count real money – compare coins, learn values and names, practice trading for equivalent value
Play games involving money, such as Monopoly – count, make change
Have analog clocks in your home – practice telling time, elapsed time, time in future or past
Practice using math vocabulary – more than/less than, units of measurement
Play games with math facts to build fluency
Compare scores, prices – ask which is more and how much more
Fact fluency – computer games, flash cards, etc.
Cook – follow recipes, measure ingredients

43. Sean Rozell Chief Technology Officer San Rafael City Schools

44. Student Information System Upgrade Status
What Is It, What Are We Doing, and Where Do We Stand?

45. SIS Explained Anything related to student data ties back to the SIS
Attendance
Grades
Discipline
Address and Emergency Contacts
Schedules
Health Info
Demographics
State Reporting
And anything else we decide to track or report

46. Why Are We Changing Systems?
Getting and Using Data at All Levels of the District
Aeries Limitations
Data System Overload
Multiple Data Platforms Employed to Fill Gaps
Communication
Everyone Pointing to Different Data
Professional Development
Who has the time to become an expert in all those data systems?!

47. How Did We Decide To Go With Infinite Campus?
Technology Advisory Committee 2011/2012
Priorities Process Similar to LCAP Process
SIS Selection Committee 2012/2013
Key Stakeholders from throughout both Districts
Teachers, administrators, counselors, Parents, Attendance/Business Office, Curriculum, IT
RFP 2013
Looked At Many Different Systems With Vastly Different Capabilities
SIS vs. LMS
Infinite Campus Selected By Committee 2013

48. SIS & LMS Explanation Student Info System (SIS)
Learning Mgmt System (LMS)
Basic Student Info
Attendance
Grade Book **
Health Info
Discipline
Parent Portal **
Student Schedules
Master Schedules
State & Federal Reporting
Data Analytics **
“At Risk” Student Identification
Library Services (sometimes)
Student Nutrition (sometimes)
Auto-Dialer (sometimes)
Parent Portals **
Student Portals
Grade Book **
Learning Content Delivery
Assessments
Data Analytics **
Lesson Plan Building
Teacher Collaboration Tools
Student Collaboration Tools
Professional Development Management Tools

49. SIS Implementation Basics
Data Conversion
“Cleaning” Data in Aeries
Data Health Checks After Conversion
Communication to All Stakeholders
Support
Help Desk Support
On-Site Coaching
Professional Development

50. Professional Development Basics
Professional Development Support Provided by Infinite Campus, IT, Curriculum Office and School Site Content Experts/Coaches
Phased Approach to Program Roll-Out
Phase 1—Opening the School Year
Attendance, Gradebooks, Portals, Behavior, etc.
Phase 2—Additional Tools and Features
Report Cards & Transcripts, Data Analytics, Dynamic Reporting, etc.
Phase 3—Master Scheduling
Phase 4—Closing Out the School Year

51. Professional Development Schedule April – May 2014
Establish Roles and Responsibilities for School Site Coaches
Introduce Coaches to Infinite Campus Through Training Websites

52. Professional Development Schedule June 2014
On-Site Training From Infinite Campus During the Week of June 16th
Teacher Coach Training ½ Day Per District
Site Coach Training 1.5 Days Per District
One Day of Training Dedicated to District Content Specialists
Enrollment Office, Nurses, Special Ed Management, Afterschool Coordinators, Librarians, School Messenger Users, others?
Ongoing Training Websites for School Site Coaches

53. Professional Development Schedule July 2014
IT Sys Admin and DBA Training
WebEx Training Provided by Infinite Campus on July 2nd.
Data Health Check and Live Data Sandbox Creation
Ongoing Training Websites for School Site Coaches
Training Websites Now Using Live SRCS Data in Sandbox Environment

54. Professional Development Schedule August 2014
Training For Classified Staff Provided By Infinite Campus and IT During 1st Week In August
Training for Certificated Staff Provided by School Site Coaches on a Site-By-Site Basis
Infinite Campus On-Site for Training and Support During 1st Week of School
Student Training
Goal is Mastering Classroom Housekeeping Functions for Day 1
Attendance, Gradebooks, Portals, Seating Charts, Behavior

55. Professional Development Schedule Sept - Dec 2014
Ongoing Transition Support
Regular “Tips and Tricks” Training by School Site Coaches
Parent Evangelizing and Training
Additional Features and Services Training
Report Cards, Transcripts, Data Analytics, Dynamic Reporting

56. Professional Development Schedule Jan – June 2015
Ongoing Transition Support
Regular “Tips and Tricks” Training by School Site Coaches
Parent Evangelizing and Training
Infinite Campus Providing On-Site Master Scheduling Training in January and February
End-Of-Year Function Support Provided By IT

57. Infinite Campus that shows the basics of the parent portal

58. PTA UPDATE Renee O’Hare, President Monica Stafford, Vice President
Amy Cosby-Frost, Treasurer

59. Venetia Valley Teachers
PTA SHOUT OUT!
Venetia Valley Teachers
Thank you for:
Working with PTA to increase participation in Falcon Fund
100% participation in Falcon Fund
Tirelessly supporting our children
Helping after hours, attending our events and always being there when we need you

60. FALCON FUND. FONDO HALCON
FALCON FUND! FONDO HALCON! GOAL: 100% participation from FAMILIES & TEACHERS/STAFF Donations accepted YEAR ROUND!

61. Falcon Fund Status Through 5/6/2014
267 Families have contributed which= 47% participation
9 additional families making ANY donation would bring us to 50% participation!!!!
100% of teachers have contributed
Amount raised:
$40,705

62. 2013-2014 Approved Budget Revenue Generated this year
Description of Revenue
Revenue Amount
Falcon Fund Donations up to 5/5/2014
$40,705
Spirit Wear Revenue
$6,035
Carnival
$15,801
Library + Book Fair
$9,064
Middle School Music
$1,945
Misc Events: Daddy/Daughter Dance, Movie Night, Taco Night
$1,722
Misc donations (Gaspares, Target, United, Escrip, HeadsUp, Dine for $$, Amazon, Rotary Clubs)
$13,084
TOTAL REVENUE
$88,356

63. 2013-2014 Approved Budget Expenses Paid Through 5/6/2014
Description of Expense
Expense Amount
School Beautification - mural
$613
Teachers Supply Accounts
$11,896
Academic competitions – Spelling Bee, Mathletes
$450
Library: Refunds of lost book fees, supplies, book purchases
$2,567
Book Fair
$5,792
Teacher Lunch: Staff mtg 1st week of school
$138
Middle School Music
$1,854
Kindy Welcome & 1st Day coffee
$90
Bank Supplies, service fee’s
$185
Spirit Wear
$4,647
Carnival
$2,835
Total Expenses Paid
$60,067

64. 2013-2014 Approved Budget Total Approved Budgeted Amount $104,265
-$85,506
WE STILL NEED TO RAISE
$15,909

65. Upcoming Fund Raising Opportunities
Yard Sale
Dine-4-Dollars
Raffle

66. RAFFLE! Check your folders on Thursday
Winner announced at Open House: 5/21
How many: 10 Tickets per child
How much: $5 ea or 5 for $20
Due Date for Return : May 20, 2014
     
1st prize
$ Cash
2nd prize
Northbridge Pool Membership ($500 value)
3rd prize
Jambox (bluetooth speaker) + $25 itunes card
4th prize
In-n-out burger gift pack

67. Neighborhood Yard Sale – 5/24 How Can You Help?
Host a Yard Sale at your home:
Collect & sell goods from families at VV, Friends, neighbors and sell them with proceeds going directly to Venetia Valley
HELP at a Yard Sale:
Can’t host? You can help! 1-2 hour shifts available at multiple locations
Donate to Yard Sale:
Donate sellable goods to one of the posted homes that is hosting

68. Dine-4-Dollars – 5/28 Tomatina San Rafael
DATE: Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Tomatina will generously donate 15% of food and beverage sales from lunch, dinner and takeout
Must have flyer to get the donation!

69. How Can You Help with PTA?
Get Involved!
1 hour makes a HUGE difference, consider volunteering
Sign up to help for at least 1 event per year
Talk to your friends, help them get involved
Join a committee (carnival, book fair, fund raising, etc)
EASY Money:
Amazon:
Escrip:
Target Red Card, Box Tops, Gespares, United Market, matching donations(work)

70. Nominating Committee
Nominations committee NEEDED to elect the new PTA Board for
The purpose of the nominating committee is to recognize and seek qualified nominees for the elected leadership of the PTA.
Open and frank discussion must be held among members of the committee. Discussions are strictly confidential and no information should leave the committee meeting, even after the officers have been elected.
Members of the committee are not excluded from becoming nominees for elected office. During nominating committee meetings, if a committee member is being considered, the member should be excused from the meeting during the discussion regarding that office, but may return for the vote which shall be by ballot.
The nominating committee continues to serve until the annual election meeting.

71. Recruiting for Next year! PTA Board & Committee positions…more to come
Vice President of Communications
Find & schedule helpers for: Mail Blasts, Connect Ed, bulletin boards, road sign
Vice President of Fund Raising
Find & schedule helpers for: Falcon Fund, Special Events
Hospitality chair:
Find & schedule helpers for: Teacher appreciations, Kindy/Middle School welcome
Carnival Co-Chair:
Project manage and gather a committee to work on school carnival
On Call Support:
Help out when needed here and there – copies, stuffing envelopes, writing thank you notes, etc…..could be as little as 1 hour per month if enough sign up to help.
Nomination Committee:
Need individuals to be on the look out for our next set of leaders…2015/2016 school year will need a new PTA executive board

72. Reflecting on 2013-2014 Events Sponsored by PTA: Teacher Support:
Ice Cream Social, Carnival, Book Fair, Daddy/Daughter Dance, Movie Night, Family Game Nights
Teacher Support:
Nearly 12k given to teachers based on Falcon Fund Incentive & Supply grants
Committees:
Parent Advisory Task Force, Heads Up, LCAP Advisory
Garden & Music:
Sponsored 360 hours of K-3 Music
Sponsored 480 hours of K-5 Garden
Falcon Fund:
HIGHEST Parent Participation level in the past 6 years
100% Teacher Participation

73. VV FALCONS SOAR! THANK YOU!
Thanks to all of the parents, teachers & administration for all of the support this year!
VV FALCONS SOAR!

74. Upcoming Dates to Know! May 13: International Story Night & Dinner
Civil War Day (grades 7 & 8)
May 21:
Open House/Grades 4&5, Cadet & Concert Bands
May 24:
Community Yard Sales
May 28:
Dine-4-Dollars – Tomatina (15% of food and beverage sales
from lunch, dinner and takeout)
May 30:
Middle School Science Fair
June 11:
5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
June 12:
K-8 Talent Show
Last Day of School

75. Juan Rodriguez, Principal Mari Kernan, Assistant Principal
Principal’s Update
Juan Rodriguez, Principal
Mari Kernan, Assistant Principal

76. 2013-14 Achievements/Deliverables
The school mission was newly clarified/defined to include specific community priorities
2.5 murals
Front landscape
Successful year one implementation of biliteracy program
district approval for continuation
Successful completion of terms of PESSA grant including PreK partnership/alignment
Initial implementation of 4th and 5th grade balanced literacy program that incorporates Common Core instruction and assessment to enable the school to track student progress within and across grade levels

77. SCIENCE! Science emerged as a priority through
the newly defined school mission
science in the garden
life science in first grade
ecology - green team
year 2 of San Jose Discovery Museum Science Night
year one of Biolblitz
science career speakers at Career Day
middle school STEM professional development and expansion of year 2 course offering

78. College & the Arts College emerged as a goal through
in the school mission
schoolwide teachers shared their pathway to college with each classroom
college tours
staff schoolwide raising the topic
Art emerged as a priority through
the ballet (Nutcracker tickets - Marin Ballet)
opera (Hansel and Gretel, the Magic Flute and Das Rheingold - SF Opera)
play (James and the Giant Peach - The Masque Unit)
dance (Happiness is NOW, Playworks Run for Recess, new Marin Ballet partnership)
improved music instruction under Mr. Dillaway
afterschool enrichment
fiesta dance class
theater

79. Community Community Building emerged as a priority Playworks GirlSmart
iCan club
7th grade mitzvah kitchen
family nights
international potluck night
movie nights
father/daughter dance
science night
family literacy night

80. Stay in Touch! Venetia Valley Home Page: up to date info!
Venetia Valley PTA Home Page:
VVPTA.ORG