“Coffee with the Principal” – 10/3/11
Questions and Answers
(typed and possibly paraphrased from the notes)

Did you miss coffee Q&A with Principal Rhine this week? If so, you can view notes from the discussion here.

1. If Lakeview closes, will the boundaries for Crocker change? Will we get new students?

Beth’s answer: It’s a good possibility that we will. We have one extra classroom and can accommodate more students. I do not have any details at this point; no information from the district.

If they close the five elementary schools currently on the list, I believe 882 regular students are affected. (I can’t remember the number of special education students but it was approximately 30.) Some schools that might be affected by Lakeview closing are Crocker, Glenview, and probably Cleveland.

2. How many students do we have?

Beth’s answer: 395 students; The closures will not affect us this school year, 2011-2012.

3. Can the PTA fund a classroom teacher?

Beth’s answer: Technically yes, but the PTA money is “soft” as there is no guarantee it will be there every year. I believe our budget would have to pay for the teacher if the PTA didn’t continue to fund the position and our budget doesn’t have the money. We would be subject to the district guidelines for hiring and the union contract for the position. We would not be able to hire any specific teacher and someone would most likely be assigned to the position.

4. What’s the legal class size limit?

Kindergarten – 27 students
1st – 3rd: 30 students
4th – 5th – 31 students

5. When are plans to be finalized for new students coming to the school?

Beth’s answer: I haven’t heard anything definite yet. The school board still has to commit to closing Lakeview.

We had a discussion about how we can welcome new families into the Crocker Community, help transition to new school. Ideas: Welcoming committee, buddy families, picnic…

6. How would this impact our staff?

Beth’s answer: If we open up a new classroom, we would need a new teacher. Other than that, no word on teachers being bumped from site to site. A list of
teachers prioritized by hire date was created last year when many teachers across the district received pink slips. Many things will still need to be settled within the district and the union, such as possible teacher bumping, before we know what will happen at Crocker.

6. Do we have a sister school?

Beth’s answer: Yes, we do, it’s Emerson Elementary over in the Temescal Neighborhood.

Discussion followed about what we can do to support them. Beth will talk to the principal and find out if there is something in particular that we can help with, something concrete vs. just giving them a check. We could add an option in our Book Fair to donate to other schools, i.e. Emerson.

7. What does a sister school relationship consist of?

We brainstormed things that we could do – donate carnival games not being used, invite them to the carnival and share proceeds, have a carnival at their site, offer clean-up work or garden days. PTA could have a community service committee to partner with Emerson. We could encourage inter-school pen pals, or invite them to an Open House here.

8. Can there be a schedule for lunch locations?

Beth’s answer: The staff is notified via staff bulletin on Sunday evening/Monday morning. We moved inside for lunches this week due to the unpredictable weather and the bees, who learned to come at lunch time for food! We all like to eat outside more and will try to continue to do this. A parent offered to help out setting up yellow jacket traps. (Yeah!)

9. Can there be acoustical enhancements to the MPR?

Beth’s answer: There are some in place already, plus the wooden paneling. With 120+ children in one room, there is going to be some noise. Overall, they are doing a good job in the cafeteria.

10. If and when there are school closures, is it possible for parents from Crocker to assist in transitions for families who would be assigned to Crocker?

Beth’s answer: Absolutely.

Christine Hatcher, a Crocker parent and a Teacher-on-Special Assignment at Lakeview came by. She shared with us some of the conversations at Lakeview. If Lakeview closes (and other schools, too), those families will have priority placement for schools in the fall. She and the principal are having conversations with families about making sure the new school is the right “fit” for their children. Some families from Lakeview may not opt to send to Crocker. 60% of the Lakeview students are from outside of the Lakeview neighborhood and may opt for other schools that are closer to their home or with a better “fit” for their families and children’s needs.

Hi Crocker Community,

Please remember to check the Lost and Found this week. It is VERY FULL and I will have to donate clothes by next Thursday 10/7. The Lost and Found is located just inside the doors near the outside water fountains in the play yard.

Also, PLEASE go through your child’s closet and label all outerwear.  Many kids are wearing more jackets and vests this time of year and very little is labeled.

If you are interested, there are may websites
that sell labels for clothing (such as http://labeldaddy.com/, www.prontolabels.com). The labels cost a bit, but may be cheaper than replacing several new jackets/sweatshirts! A sharpie pen with first initial and last name
works fine, too.

Thanks, Deb Collard

The ticket sale deadline has been extended!  Please encourage your family, neighbors, friends and co-workers to attend the Tour.  Advance tickets are $40 vs. $45 when purchased the day of the Tour.

Please turn in ticket sales forms to the front office no later than FRIDAY.  Tickets will be held at WILL CALL at the school between 9:30-3:30 on Sunday.

Hope to see you all there this Sunday. It’s going to be a great event!

Thank you-

Carla Higgins & Anna Scott

Home Tour Co-Chairs, 2010-2011

hometour@crockerschool.org

THIS Thursday Sept 23, 6:30-8:15pm, School Library

Please come to this very informative PTA meeting to kick off the school year.  Find out what we are doing at Crocker! Here is the agenda:

• Mia Settles – guest speaker – OUSD 5-year plan
• Parent Involvement at Crocker
• Edible Garden and Equity Committees Plans for the year
• News from Principal Beth Rhine
• PTA Programs and Fundraiser Overviews
• Budget Review
• Library and navigating the Crocker website
• AND MORE!!!

Pizza and babysitting will be provided.  Please RSVP president@crockerschool.org for babysitting.

5th Grade Parent Information Meeting

Alliance Redwoods Overnight Trip

Wednesday, September 22nd at 6:30 p.m.

Carrie Oretsky’s classroom, Room 22

Parents and guardians, find out what’s happening in your child’s classroom. Please join our teachers and other parents for Back To School Night.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday, September 15, at Back to School Night. Because it is an adult only event, childcare can be an issue. Reach out to someone in the school community and either share childcare or offer childcare if you already have some in place. Back to School Night is the time for parents/guardians to find out what is happening in the classroom and it’s important for everyone to be there. You will hear about the classroom curriculum, projects, field trips, and the expectations for the year. You will also hear about ways to support your child at home. It’s also a nice time to meet other families and to make those community connections.

When: Wednesday, September 15, 2010

6:30 to 7:15 pm individual teacher to present in your child’s classroom for grades k to 2
7:15 to 7:45 pm everyone is invited to meet the principal in the multipurpose room
7:45 to 8:30 pm individual teacher to present in your child’s classroom for grades 3 to 5

Please respect the teachers’ time and agree to make this an informational, question and answer time about the content of the school year. If you need to hold a conference about your child, please contact your child’s teacher via email, telephone message, or a note.

Crocker Highlands Elementary School

August 30, 2010

Dear Crocker Highlands’ Families,

Summer sure goes by quickly!  Here we are again, ready to start another great school year.  A lot of work has gone into getting the school ready, and we are excited about our students coming back to school.

Together, teachers, students, and parents/guardians make a strong Crocker family.  We appreciate your support as your child enters the classroom, learns, and grows throughout the year.  Let’s all commit to have a good school year, setting everyone – students, as well as teachers – up for success.

One of our goals this year is to build a strong community at Crocker Highlands.  I encourage families to get to know each other so that we can build new friendships and support each other.  Our Annual Spaghetti Feed is a great time to meet new people and visit with old friends.  It’s scheduled for Friday, September 10^th, starting at 5:30 p.m.  It’s a wonderful time to have a delicious dinner and visit with the Crocker community.  Another upcoming school event is Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, September 15^th. The primary presentations (K-2^nd) are from 6:30 – 7:15; the upper grade presentations (3^rd – 5^th) are from 7:45 – 8:30.  In between, from 7:15 – 7:45 is our time to get together, all of us, in the Multi-Purpose Room.  I’ll do a brief presentation, as well as the PTA.  Back-to-School Night is an important time for parents/guardians to meet in the classrooms, and teachers will review curriculum, projects, and grade level expectations.

Please help us to be good neighbors.  The traffic flow around the school is clockwise; the passenger door always opens to the curb for safety reasons.  Make sure to park legally; be aware of blocking driveways.  And, as tempting as it might be to bring your dog up to school, pets are to remain off campus.  If you must bring your dog up to campus for some reason, please keep him/her on a leash across the street from the school.  Be considerate of children and adults who might be allergic and/or who might be uncomfortable around animals.

This will be the only letter that I send home via paper copy.  I would encourage families to sign up for the school bulletin via the Crocker website, http://crockerschool.org/.  School information is also posted on the website, so be sure to check it out regularly.  A couple of our Crocker dads have put a lot of time and energy into updating our website and posting all current information.

We are ready to begin the 2010-2011 school year. The teachers have been hard at work for several weeks.  At Crocker Highlands, the staff, faculty, and administration are honored that you entrust us with your precious ones. The hours that your children are with us each day are so important.  Here’s to a great school year!

Sincerely,

Beth Rhine, Principal

Dear Incoming Kindergarten Families,

Welcome to Crocker Highlands! We look forward to you and your child becoming part of our wonderful school community.  I would like to introduce our Kindergarten team for the 2010-2011 school year.  Anna Henry has been teaching kindergarten at Crocker for many years and is a well-loved veteran teacher on the staff.  Molly Shannon has been on the Crocker staff for several years teaching 4th grade and decided she wanted to broaden her teaching experience and try a new grade.  And to round out the team, Nica Uk is returning to Crocker this year.  Some of you may know her from last year when she subbed for a teacher on maternity leave and then worked with our kindergarten classes.  I am so excited about our kindergarten team, and they are excited to work together, too.  They have already been meeting and planning curriculum. They even went on a field trip to the California Academy of Sciences together this summer!

The first three days of school for all students are minimum days, 8:40 – 1:40.   A full school day can be a challenge for the younger students, particularly after a long summer.  Therefore, in order to make it a gentle transition for our new kindergarten students, we have adjusted their schedule for the first two weeks:

Monday, August 30 – Friday, September 3: Minimum Days (8:40 – 1:25)

Monday, September 6th – Labor Day Holiday for all students

Tuesday, September 7 – Friday, Sept. 10: Optional Minimum Days (8:40 – 1:35)

We understand that not everyone has the flexibility to accommodate minimum days through the second week of school, so for those students who stay, they will have playtime and rest time until the regular dismissal.  We have found that for some, going from preschool to a full day of kindergarten is a challenge.  We want to help the transition by starting off with shorter days, and easing into the full day routine.

On that first day of school, we are inviting all kindergarten families to meet downstairs in the multi-purpose room (cafeteria) at 8:45 a.m. Students and parents will meet their teachers and go to the classrooms.  At 9:05, the new kindergarten students will say goodbye to the parents.  Parents are then invited to stay for a welcome reception with the principal, Beth Rhine, and the PTA co-presidents, Wendy Ghorai and Nicole Radlow in the library.

Information about the classroom routines and expectations will be sent home on the first day of school.  The kindergarten handbook will also be posted on the Crocker Highlands website (http://crockerschool.org/) by the middle of August, so be sure to check it out.  Kindergarten is an exciting time for everyone and we want to make sure everyone – students, families, and teachers – are successful!

For those of you whose children were unable to attend the Kindergarten Round-Up last May, we are having a second one on August 24th at 2:00. (For those of you new to Crocker, Round-Up is an informal orientation for your child where he/she meets the teachers, gets his/her picture taken, etc.) Please bring your child to school and meet at the small play structure on the playground.  The teachers will meet you there and then you have an hour to relax and go get a cup of coffee!

If you have any questions, please email me, elizabeth.rhine@ousd.k12.ca.us.
Hope to see you at the “New Family Picnic” on August 29th!

Thank you!

Beth Rhine,PrincipalCrocker Highlands

Other important dates:

• Sunday, August 29 – New Parent Picnic
• Monday, August 30 – September 1  – Minimum Days
• Friday, Septemember  3- Whole School Assembly
• Monday, September 6 – Labor Day Holiday (no school)
• Wednesday, September 8 – Spaghetti Feed 
• Tuesday, September 9 – PTA Meeting (General Session)
• Wednesday, September 15 – Back to School Night