TEAM Lucia Mar Newsletter 2-26-16

Student
...featuring student work.
These Arroyo Grande High School students studied Wayne Thiebaud and his
Impasto painting method. They then used the grid method to redraw a section
of his Painting, The Three Machines. Then they painted their section with
colors of their choice, using the Impasto Method.
Arroyo Grande High School ~ Mrs. Draine
CARRIE HICKMAN, ITINERANT SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
Congratulations to Carrie Hickman, Itinerant Special Education
Instructional Assistant, our Spotlight on Employee Excellence!
Carrie is a positive energy force. She is collaborative, effective and
efficient. Carrie has a knack for recognizing student needs. Working
at many schools, she understands that we are a team, working together for one purpose - student success!
Congratulations on being chosen for this employee spotlight!
AGHS Eagles Mock Trial
Congratulations to Arroyo Grande High School! For the 3rd year in a row, AGHS’ mock trial team took
home the championship.
The students compete before a judge acting as attorneys and witnesses in the mock trial. The
competition was stiff this year with the team facing some tough questions from the judge, but they
were able to impress and come away with the win!
Central Coast New Tech, Paulding and Judkins also competed.
Surprise
Phone
Call...
LMUSD
TUBE
Nipomo High School senior Rick Gaussoin was called
into Principal Denno’s office only to receive a phone call
from Congresswoman Lois Capps. She informed Rick,
as his mother and sister looked on, that he had been
accepted in the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Congratulations Rick!
LMUSD
INNOVATION
GROVER HEIGHTS
There has been a shift in culture at Grover Heights Elementary.
Thinking Maps and data tracking have been two of the most Riley Riusaki, 5th grade, with his MAP results &
important and necessary aspects.
Calista Stoner, 6th grade, showing a Thinking Map
Our professional development, led by our TOSA (Teacher On Special Assignment, who plans and
implements staff development) and leadership team, has been the catalyst to the many skills both
teacher and students have learned through Thinking Maps. We have the ability to teach and learn
about narrative writing at a rate which our individual classes and students need. This empowers both
teacher and student. Teachers and students at Grover Heights have often commented, across grade
levels, that they have seen an increase in writing skills and a willingness to write. This is exciting news
for us!
When teachers and students know they are making progress, they are motivated and continue to
seek other ways to advance. Thinking Maps, data tracking, and one on one goal setting conferences,
are part of the cultural shift, helping to inspire confidence in students. Students and staff see, feel,
and embrace the growth academically, socially, and emotionally. This will always be a goal at Grover
Heights and I believe we have the staff and community to see it through. Go Team Dragon!
Dana Elementary’s staff held
a Thinking Maps Parent Night
as part of their ongoing parent
participation program. Teachers
shared what they are doing
with Thinking Maps and how it
translates to writing in all areas
of their curriculum. There were
130 participants in sessions held
for K-1, 2-3, 4-6 and Spanish
speaking presentations.
Photo by: Kelly Logue
TEAM Lucia Mar
The Daley Report!
Happy Friday to you!
This past week we celebrated Margaret Harloe Day at Harloe Elementary. Margaret
Harloe started teaching in our District in 1926 and taught here until she retired in
1958. She loved teaching and after her retirement said that she wished she could start all over again- she
loved every minute of teaching!
The Arroyo Grande School Board decided in 1953 that a new
elementary school was needed. They wanted to name the new
school after someone in the school system and since Margaret Harloe
taught in Arroyo Grande for so many years, they thought it would
be appropriate to name the new school after her. The school was
completed and ready for classes in September of 1955.
From getting to know so many of you, I know that this District is
about people working each day to make an impact like that! As
Photo: Margaret’s daughter Norma
Cabinet has been out at schools, people tell us the sense of family
celebrating with Harloe students
in our District is growing! We call it TEAM Lucia Mar, and it is really
about being the kind of District where people feel valued, they feel safe to share their ideas and concerns,
and they trust that others will believe the best about them.
Together we are working on many things: facilities, curriculum, special education, communication….It is a
long list! I appreciate that so many are gracious and supporting others as we work together on “getting it
right.” Thank you!
Margaret Harloe was a lady who made a difference. Her legacy lives on through the school that is named
after her. There are many “Margaret-like” people, working at our schools every single day!
What a great place to be!
CURRICULUM
CURRENTS
In the true spirit of TEAM Lucia Mar, TK-6th grade
teachers were able to spend an afternoon together
on the recent minimum day. Teachers in grades
4th-6th met at Shell Beach Elementary to score the
District Writing Assessment (DWA). Their time was
devoted a study of writing rubrics, practice reading
student work to analyze and evaluate content, and
then score student writing to measure the progress all of our kids are making in the area of writing. It
was valuable for everyone to have the chance to see what writing looks like throughout the district.
Teachers in the TK-3 grades met at Harloe Elementary to
review the work in assessment and math currently being
done by teacher committees. The goal of this time was to
gain input from all teachers to ensure the committees have
teacher perspectives as they continue their good work. These
were quality discussions and the input given by those teachers
piloting Bridges and Eureka Math was outstanding for all to
hear. Some of the teacher groups were able to get into student writing to see the positive gains of the
Thinking Maps Writing implementation.
The feeling at the end of the day was that we need time and training to continue to be successful. In
all cases, we left with a feeling that not only does Team Lucia Mar need to keep up this collaboration,
any time we were are to spend with our peers is informative and valuable.
PAYROLL DEPARTMENT
RESTRUCTURE
Our Payroll Department has been adjusted following
the addition of another Payroll Technician. All three
payroll technicians will now split the alphabet and
prepare both Certificated and Classified Payroll
for their portions of the alphabet. This will result in
improved cross training and coverage in the event of an absence. Previously, Melodie Dean prepared
Classified Payroll and Cindy Stahl prepared Certificated. Michelle Molnar, who previously oversaw Position
Control, has moved into the newly created third payroll position. She was well prepared for the move as
she previously oversaw Position Control. Cynthia Alarcio-Henkel joined the Payroll Department to take
over Position Control.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING - FEBRUARY 16, 2016
Each of our schools create a Single Plan for Student Achievement,
which is then submitted for Board approval. These will be presented over
the next several months. Branch, Dana, and Grover Heights presented
theirs at the meeting.
CliffordMoss has been working with the District providing pre-election
consultation services. Bonnie Moss presented information on feasibility,
strategies, and more.
The Board has been considering a Trustee Rearrangement. The Board looked at different draft map options.
This will be back before the Board.
Next Board Meeting is March 1, 2016. Read the complete Board Highlights HERE!
NHS GIRLS
WRESTLING
TEAM:
Nipomo High’s Girls Wrestling Team had 10 wrestlers compete at the CIF Championships at Roosevelt
High School in Eastvale. One wrestler, Alexis Garcia, has qualified for the state championships
on February 26th and 27th. Alexis finished 2nd in the heavyweight division and is the 5th ranked
heavyweight in the state.
AGHS SPORTS:
Girls’ Water Polo played Martin Luther King in Irvine for
the CIF Southern Section Division 3 Championship.
Boys’ Basketball lost to Marina (Huntington Beach) 55-43.
Girls’ Basketball defeated Buena (Ventura) to advance
to the quarterfinals, but lost to Mark Keppell (Alhambra).
Boys’ Wrestling: Isaiah Hughes was the 170lb weight
class CIF SS champion. Isaiah Rocha was the 140lb
weight class CIF SS runner up. They both compete
this Friday and Saturday at the CIF Masters meet in
Ontario.
Photo courtesy: raphotos.com
Photo courtesy: raphotos.com
Boys’ Soccer defeated Corona Del Mar 2-2, but then
lost to Santa Maria in a second round match up.
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Lucia Mar Unified School District
Serving 18 schools in our district
602 Orchard Street | Arroyo Grande | CA | 93420-4000