March 2024 Update

March 3, 2024

Dear E-2 Families,

There are a lot of exciting things going on in our classroom, at Reed, and in San José Unified School District. 
Here are a few quick updates for you.

• Classroom News
  • I am now reaching out to families with whom I would like to meet for conferences; every family who would like to meet and discuss their child’s progress is more than welcome to sign up for a meeting. Click on the link here and please indicate the day, time, and mode of conferring you would prefer by writing your child’s name in the appointment slot and including my WebEx link or your contact information alongside it. Questions or comments? Please reach out through ParentSquare.
  • Class work for the next few weeks will focus on the following:
    • Reading nonfiction, especially historical nonfiction and science texts.
      • This includes reading our Social Studies and Science texts.
    • Writing opinion essays to convince a reader by supporting a claim.
    • Math Modules 8 (more fractions and division) and 9 (yet more fractions and a focus on measuring capacity) will be completed by the end of March. Module 10 (decimals!) will follow in early April. 
    • Remaining Second Step lessons focus on Taking Responsibiltiy for your Actions, Dealing with Peer Pressure, and reviewing all Second Step Skills.
  • ArtVistas parent volunteers will be working on our class’ mask projects on Friday, March 22. We urgently need more volunteers to make this happen! Please reach our to me if you are able to volunteer for this fun activity. SJUSD requires volunteers to apply through the district before working at school sites. To apply, follow this link. For more information on the volunteering process, click here. 
  • Our second-to-last BioSite field trip of the year will be on Wednesday, March 27th. Reminder to students that when you are on this trip, you are still at school; Reed ROCKS expectations are in place, including being Considerate of and Kind towards our Pioneer High School student teachers. I was disappointed when presented with two yellow (disciplinary) slips after the last Bio Site trip. As an educator, I personally feel there is no reason why any of our fourth graders should make it difficult for their high school student teachers to make BioSite a fun, educational experience for all, and I am looking into what standard procedures for consequences are in place when a yellow slip is given. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or follow up about our behavior expectations, whether at school or on a field trip. 
  • Speaking of Field trips: The fourth grade team, Principal Ponzio, and our front office staff have been working hard organizing the Sacramento bus trip on May 1st.As we started planning this later in the year, we are being creative and proactive in ensuring that all students can attend the trip and that we see as much of the Capitol as we can. I will be sending home more information and sign up forms in the next few weeks. For now, here are some brief updates:
    • We have reserved one bus for the trip. Three students will be driven by their parents, and additional parent chaperones will be driving themselves and meeting their students at our destination.
    • The requested donation for students who take the bus will be $50.00.  Scholarships are available and absolutely no student will miss this trip due to lack of funds.
    • If you are able to volunteer, we could use the family support! Again, information on registering to volunteer can be found here. 
• Reed Elementary Events
  • Spring Picture Day: March 13th. More information will go home later this week.
  • Minimum Days for conferences: March 14th and 15th (*Note that this is a correction from my prior post). All students will be dismissed at 1:00 PM on that Thursday and Friday.
  • We’re hiring! From our principal: “Would you like to work at Reed as an Instructional Associate or know someone who would be interested in working as an Instructional Associate? We are currently hiring. Click the green link for more information: Instructional Associate Job Description. Interested persons can apply at go.sjusd.org/jobs. Any questions can be directed to Principal Ponzio at jponzio@sjusd.org
  • Girls on the Run begins Monday, March 4th! 3rd-5th grade girls are eligible to join. Team Reed will meet Mondays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:45 on the blacktop by the 3rd-5th grade line up area.  Girls who are interested but not quite sure if they’re ready are welcome to attend TWO training sessions before March 14th to see if they would like to sign up. Financial Aid for the program is available through Girls on the Run and our coach, Ms. Seyan. Click here to register your girl. Please email Ms. Seyan at sseyan@sjusd.org with any questions.
    • Fun fact! The photo on the “Programs” page linked above is of Reed’s 2023 team!
• San Jose Unified’s Family Newsletter
  • The Family Engagement  page is a hub for all resources for families, including parent organizations, after school programs, and accessing educational records.
  • Our School Board is considering presenting a School Improvement Bond to local voters. To learn more and to indicate your views on where school facility improvements are needed, visit this page. 
  • Here’s a report from the California Collaborative on District Reform that includes San Jose Unified’s “collaborative and productive” approach to School Board governance.
  • FREE tickets to a Bay Area Panthers  game? Yes, please! Visit this page to learn more and get your family’s free tickets to an indoor football game.

I’m so grateful to be part of such an active, engaged, and generous community here at Reed. As always, please reach out to me with any of your suggestions, concerns, and questions through ParentSquare.

Warmly, 
Ms. Seyan