• Principal Weekly email

    Posted by Jay Marden on 8/29/2022 12:20:00 PM

    Good Afternoon River Parents,


    With one week left in our fundraiser, we've crossed the 50% threshold in terms of dollars raised to fully fund our PTA enrichment programs. We will continue to communicate the importance of these programs, which include field trips, assemblies, festivals and additional funds for teachers to support classroom needs. If you have not made a contribution, please do so quickly! Big or small, any donation is appreciated! It might be a stretch goal, but we would love to see 100% participation. Please contribution via Venmo (@CarmelRiverPTA) or drop a check off at the office made payable to the Carmel River School PTA. Below are the participation rates per grade level:


    Character Education - Perseverance Assembly today
    Today, our students gathered in our Ottertoreum for an assembly dedicated to communicating the value of Perseverance. Throughout the school year, we will formally and informally communicate the importance of this trait, both in lessons and in our day to day interactions with students. We will emphasize the importance of "growth mindset," which teaches the importance of grit and the neurological benefits derived from learning from mistakes and pushing through challenging situations to meet one's goals. Here' a link to the presentation the students experienced today:
    assembly

    Staff Introduction to students - check out video!
    Last week, we held a "welcome back, rules and expectations" assembly for our students. At the assembly, we introduced our entire staff through a video and songs that we knew the kids would thoroughly enjoy. Please take a few minutes to see this video - the students loved it!
    staff video

    Carmel River School Spirit Wear
    If parents would like to purchase Carmel River School Otter attire, there's a great deal of new spirit gear for sale in the office and through our fall Fancloth campaign. Today marks the last day that you can order during our campaign to outfit your child with Otter wear!. You can find the Fancloth link here.  You can, however, still purchase Otter wear in our school office. Please know that we give each student an "Otter Buck" each Friday when they show their school spirit by wearing any Otter clothing item.

    After School Program sign ups are in full swing!
    Below is the link to PTA, After School Enrichment (ASE) registration.  Registration is open until August 31st.  The signups are on a first come, first serve basis.  Cash or checks, made payable to the Carmel River School PTA, must be brought to the school office within 48 hours of registration to secure enrollment. Classes are filling up quickly!  If a class fills up before you are able to enroll, please email Brittany Schicketanz. You may also email her if you wish to be on a waitlist or have any questions: bschicketanz@carmelunified.org 

    https://form.jotform.com/222353482633050  

    Welcome Dinner - reserve on your calendar!
    River Dads will be hosting a Welcome Back Dinner on Friday, September 9, 5:00 to 7:00 pm on the lower playground. The dinner is free for all River families. They will serve pizza, salad, a dessert and beverages. Please join us for this fun evening, which will involve all families in a students vs. parents kickball game!

    Important dates:

    • September 1 - School Picture Day
    • September 5 - Labor Day, no school
    • September 6 - Morning Mile begins
    • September 9 - Minimum Day, River Dads Welcome Back Dinner
    • September 15 - PTA Meeting, 3:15
    • September 16 - CHS Homecoming Parade, students invited to spectate


    I look forward to seeing many of you this evening at our New Parent Party!

    Jay Marden
    Principal 

    Comments (-1)

  • Monday morning announcements

    Posted by Jay Marden on 2/22/2021 9:40:00 AM

    Good Morning River Parents,

     
    Please click on the following link for this week's student announcements with Mr. Otter:
     
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1riw8kM_L4Xf9MzpZirVp_AnI61S9MQqB/view?usp=sharing
     
     
    Very big news!!!
     
    While we await formal word that we may resume part time, in-person instruction, as a county our adjusted case rates of COVID have trended consistently in the right direction that should make a return to school possible in the next couple of weeks. While I wish this meant that we could invite all the students back to school at once, our education program must be in a "hybrid" model because we still must maintain, per California Department of Public Health guidelines, six feet of distance between students in classrooms. Regardless, this does mean that we are planning to bring those students whose parents chose the in-person option for two days a week of instruction beginning on Monday, March 8. I will add that no school district on the peninsula is prepared to bring students back so quickly. 
     
    To refresh parents' minds in terms of what the hybrid model will entail, I will host a Zoom presentation this Thursday at 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The meeting will focus on the in-person program and not distance learning for families that have decided to remain in that option. It is important, however, for ALL parents to be aware that a significant percentage of students will change teachers as a result of the distance learning and in-person options made available -this is unavoidable. The best example I can provide is that if a teacher remains in distance learning and their families choose in-person instruction, then there obviously must be a change in teacher assignment. 
     
     
    It is imperative that families who have chosen the in-person option attend the Zoom meeting to be fully aware of the protocols that must be followed as a result of the change to in-person instruction. As a reminder, students in the hybrid/in-person model will attend school either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. Much of what will be shared is the result of COVID safety precautions that must be followed. The meeting will be recorded as well for any parent who cannot attend this Thursday's Zoom to view at a later time.
     
    The following dates and schedule reflect how we will transition to our new classes:
    March 1 - teachers meet with current classes in distance learning
    March 2 - teachers meet with current classes for last time in distance learning
    March 3 - specialists will host a specialist "extravaganza," a menu of classes for student to participate in will be distributed/communicated as the teachers take the day to create new Google Classrooms for their new classes and tech. programs are updated/changed during the day
    March 4 - teachers will meet with their new classes in distance learning
    March 5 - teachers will meet with their new classes in distance learning
    March 8 - teachers and students who remain in distance learning continue,
    teachers and students who will participate in the in-person model begin instruction at school
     
    The new teacher/classroom assignments will be communicated this Friday afternoon, February 26, including the days students will attend school each week in the hybrid/in-person model.
     
    It is important to note that if the county or state communicates any late directive that postpones our plan to start on March 8, then we will still proceed with the above plan including change of teacher assignments so that we are able to pivot very quickly when any such potential edict is lifted.  
     
    Parent/Teacher Conferences by request only
    Given that we are busy preparing for the transition to new classes, teachers will only host conferences for those parents who make a request directly of the teacher during the week of March 8-12. Teachers, however, are completing assessments and report cards during the transition to document student performance. Report Cards will still be shared with parents. Additionally, instead of conducting conferences with all parents, each teacher will complete a profile of each student who is leaving their class to join another teacher/class. The profile will focus on each student's academic and socio-emotional strengths and challenges to assist the new teachers in understanding their performance and needs. 
     
    Have a great week, and please reach out to me or your child's teacher if you have any questions.
     
    Jay Marden
    Principal

     

    Comments (-1)

  • Carmel River School News

    Posted by Jay Marden on 5/15/2020 5:10:00 PM

    Good Morning River Parents,

     

    Please click on the link below for this week's student announcements. There are some fun events for students to enjoy!

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sldR8A6JR24il_3ACfmUw3Mn8EVmMNKU/view?usp=sharing

     

    Flat Otter - bring him wherever you go!

    As mentioned in the student announcements, we are inviting our students to bring Mr. Otter's friend, "Flat Otter," with them wherever they go. Whether it's the beach, a bike ride, a hike or any location that students are excited to share, please open the link below, print out Flat Otter, then color and cut along the lines. After students visit various locations with Flat Otter, they are welcome to upload photos and/or video to the folder provided. We'll then assemble a montage of Flat Otter's incredible journey!

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kRp1xcOHPlmkekA7XvXgU8nk4uXqqO2ewXtmSreKP8g/edit?usp=sharing

     

    Parade this Thursday at River School

    River staff will assemble this Thursday, 11:00-12:00 pm, on Monte Verde St. and 15th St. (both streets border school) to cheer and celebrate students and families who drive by in their vehicles. Please follow this route:

    South to North on Monte Verde St. (one direction please) and then right on 15 St. in front of school. 

    This will be our first encounter with our students in several weeks so please join us. We would love to enthusiastically cheer for each passing family/car! Please do not exit your vehicle,  but you are encouraged to drive slowly by. Of course, we must maintain social distance. 

     

    Sign up for one on one tutoring

    While teachers continue to organize and facilitate individual and small group academic support for students either through their direct assistance or the assignment of an instructional aide, we'd like to provide families with additional support at their request. Specifically, parents may sign their child up for a 25 minute tutoring session, Tuesday through Friday, within a 9:00 to 12:00 pm. window. Parents may also sign students up for more than one session a week, but will have to submit one form for each session. Once a parent registers their child for support,  instructional aides will contact students/families either through a Zoom invitation or a phone call, but Zoom is preferable given the visual support that can be offered. The appointment will also generate an email to each student's teacher so that teachers are aware of the family's request on behalf of their child. Please click on the link below to register your child for a session:

    Week of 05/12/20-05/15/20 

     

    NEWS from the MUSIC Room!  

    End of year Composer test!!  Mrs. Barca-Hall is so excited to announce that our Music Memory Composer test has been put into a Google Forms Quiz!!  All students can take this test at home and it will tell you what your percentage is! We will even give a shout out to the top scorers in Mr. Marden's May 26 message!  

    Here's the link:  https://forms.gle/sMgiUJgjtNxu5TRK8

    Haven't listened to the last four composers yet?  Mrs. Barca-Hall will be hosting 2 Composer Luncheons this week on Tuesday and Thursday 12:30-1 for all students to attend.  We will listen to Schubert and Rachmaninoff on Tuesday and Girodani and Prokofiev on Thursday.  

    Zoom info: https://zoom.us/j/94997076405

    Meeting ID: 949 9707 6405 password 93923

    Can't make the luncheon? Check out the video at https://mrsbarcahall.edublogs.org/music-memory/

    Instrument Returns:                                                                                                     

    It is our wish for all band and string players to continue to play their instrument in the fall at either CMS or River school.  But, if your student is not continuing you will need to return the instrument this today or Wednesday (May 11 and 13).  Please communicate with Mrs Barca-Hall your plan via email ebarcahall@carmelunified.org

    Erinn Barca Hall

     

    News from the Children's Garden...                                                                  

    Rumors are circulating that River School students are doing some exceptionally fine gardening at home. If you would like to share a photo or two of your favorite plant or space, Mrs McCormick and your schoolmates would love to see it! Please email it to Mrs McCormick mmccormick@carmelunified.org with a brief phrase about what it is, and we will post it to the garden web page. Can't wait to see what you're doing at home! And check out the garden web page for more information about what's going on in our garden right now.

    Maryann McCormick

     

    Grading Policy for Elementary School                                                                    

    Earlier this week Superintendent, Dr. Dill-Varga emailed parents information about a new Administrative Regulation (AR), regarding how students in CUSD will be graded for end of year report cards/transcripts. The language pertaining to elementary students states:

    During school closure related to the COVID 19 crisis, grading for the spring of 2020 school year will be altered from our traditional systems. This plan is in line with the guidance provided by the California Department of Education to ensure students are held harmless during this crisis. 

    Elementary: Students at the elementary level will not be evaluated for 3rd trimester on their report cards, instead an N/A (not assessed) will be placed in the box next to each standard assessed during the trimester. Teacher comments will be placed in the narrative box on the report card.

    While teachers have created instructional plans and resources for students to follow and utilize during the closure, one of the greatest challenges for all educators in this climate is to assess student learning. As a district, we currently feel that we cannot accurately and substantively assess student learning remotely. In a normal grading period, before each trimester concludes, staff engage students in various assessments that are conducted in person through whole group, small group and one on one administration. In addition, student grades and performance in this environment is influenced by too many factors outside family and district control, hence the need for the above AR.

    When we return in the fall, we will perform a number of pre-assessments to determine student learning needs.  The assessment results will guide instruction and lead to appropriate support for all students in need.  Assessment will not only target academics, but each student's socio-emotional and behavioral needs as well. Given the expertise of our teaching staff, I have a high degree of confidence that student learning will be expedited and "holes" that have been created during the closure will be successfully filled. 

     

    Zoom with Elementary Parents                                                                              

    This past Thursday, approximately 50 elementary parents joined CUSD administrators and teachers in a meeting to discuss lessons learned during the closure. The meeting also served as a forum to brainstorm instructional plans for school when it resumes, especially if remote learning is involved. A theme of the discussion seemed to assert itself, which is a desire for CUSD to focus on the articulation of tech. programs and platforms that lead to greater commonality of experience within and across grade levels. CUSD administration realizes and supports this goal, but also recognizes the need for on-going flexibility for teaching staff to employ strategies and tools that they have found invaluable during the closure. CUSD staff are currently working on a long term plan that encompasses both criteria in case our education program continues to incorporate remote learning. We will not know the outcome for several weeks.

     

    Weekly calls to students…

    Please continue to sign up for a phone call on the link provided in previous emails and know that I am very happy to spend the time with your child. I believe it' an uplifting, brief moment we can share together.

     

    Reminders...

    CUSD Technology Assistance

    For specific technical support with your child’s Chromebook, you can now directly enter a help ticket to request assistance from one of our technicians. Use this link to see the instructions and the trouble ticket web address. We are providing Chromebooks to students who need them, and we are looking for solutions for families who have no or poor internet access. Please let us know if you have these types of needs by using this form. You may also email me directly (jmarden@carmelunified.org) if you need a Chromebook, and I'm happy to deliver one to you.

     

    FOCUS needs you!                                                                                                                

    Come join the FOCUS Board! FOCUS supports quality education within the Carmel Unified School District and since its founding has provided close to $3,000,000 in grants that support academic and social-emotional student success. Several FOCUS Board members have students leaving CUSD in 2020 or 2021. We need parents to join the Board so that they can shadow in the 2020/2021 school year for the positions of President and Treasurer.  We will also be losing our Secretary this year, so we need to fill that position for the 2020/2021 school year. If you are interested, please contact Kath Uyeda at: kuyeda@zcheetah.com.

     

    Have a nice week!

    Jay Marden

    Principal 

     

    Comments (-1)

  • Carmel River School News

    Posted by Jay Marden on 4/27/2020 8:00:00 AM
    Good Morning River Families,

     
    It was a beautiful weekend. I trust everyone was able to enjoy the sunshine. Please take a few minutes this morning to show this week's announcements to your children, which I hope helps support your efforts to monitor and assist your child with their schoolwork. I commend all of you for taking on this daunting task given all that you're contending with. 
     
     
     
    River loss
     
    Many of you are aware that we lost a beautiful soul last week in former River student Kiara Hinze who was an eighth grade student at CMS. She passed away at home with her family by her side. Attached, you'll find a request from the family to drop off a rock painted in memory of Kiara to the home address provided. Our hearts are full with grief for the family. Kiara was a true blessing to this world and the grace with which she faced her illness was so very humbling.
     
    With the blessing of the time we now have with our children - a silver lining in this cloud - take every opportunity to show your children how loved they are, there's no greater gift. 
     
     
    Miss Becca Show
     
    This past Friday, I provided River families with the link to our Miss Becca (talent) Show, and here it is again if you missed it. Many thanks to Karey Shafer, Lindsay Dpenha, Kati Enea and Stacy Meheen for producing the show - it's incredible!
     
     
     
    Spirit Day - Yellow Submarine!
     
    Also on Friday, our students participated in "Spirit Day" as students forwarded their photos to me in celebration of sunshine. Please click on the link and enjoy the photos to the accompaniment of the Beatles "Yellow Submarine," thank you Mrs. Barca-Hall for producing the video.
     
     

    Assistance from the Technology Department:

    For specific technical support with your child’s Chromebook, you can now directly enter a help ticket to request assistance from one of our technicians. Use this link to see the instructions and the trouble ticket web address.

    We are providing Chromebooks to students who need them, and we are looking for solutions for families who have no or poor internet access. Please let us know if you have these types of needs by using this form.

     

    CUSD has great news to share! 

    Carmel Unified School District just learned that we will receive a national award from the US Department of Education. We were nominated by the California Department of Education for consideration and have been announced as a 2020 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School District Sustainability Awardee.  We are one of only 11 districts across the nation to be so honored:

    https://storage.googleapis.com/pt04-2/messages/attachments/616fb7c090b89e67a93594d820f6a2cad9431169/EDGRS_District_Release_final_4.22.2020.pdf

    According to CUSD Superintendent Dr. Barb Dill-Varga, “Empowering students and their families to learn about, love, and protect our beautiful Monterey Peninsula is one of the joys of my position. I am honored to work alongside and support our District’s Environmental Responsibility Team, led by Carmel Middle School teacher Darrell Steely. Teachers, administrators, students, and parents who worked on this team also deserve the credit for shining a light on the innovative environmental literacy learning experiences implemented for all of our students and the district’s ongoing commitment to implement green practices throughout our 600 square mile district. Our main goal is to develop future leaders who understand their connection to and responsibility for our environment. Partnering with us are organizations and nonprofits who care about the environment and our students, too. We also could not have accomplished this work without our supportive Board of Trustees. I am proud of and inspired by all our impactful work and this incredible national recognition."

     

    Friends of Carmel Unified Schools (FOCUS) Board Positions for next year open

    Come join the FOCUS Board! FOCUS supports quality education within the Carmel Unified School District and since its founding has provided close to $3,000,000 in grants that support academic and social-emotional student success. Several FOCUS Board members have students leaving CUSD in 2020 or 2021. We need parents to join the Board so that they can shadow in the 2020/2021 school year for the positions of President and Treasurer.  We will also be losing our Secretary this year, so we need to fill that position for the 2020/2021 school year. If you are interested, please contact Kath Uyeda at: kuyeda@zcheetah.com.

     

    Student Calls

    Please remember that I place calls to students on Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week. It truly is my pleasure to do so, and the children seem to equally enjoy the communication. 

     

    Have a nice week, and please reach out to us if you need any assistance with your child and/or their schoolwork.

    Jay Marden

    Principal

    Comments (-1)
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