Winter 2017
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3 Test score highlights
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6 Budget report
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MATH COUNTS
Task forces improve safety, early learning
TR Talk “How do you think math will help you in the future?” “I think math can help me in the future because if I need help with something very important, like if I need to measure something.” Haylie Heroux 11, 5th grade, Ridgepoint Elementary School
“I really want to be a doctor or pharmacist and you have to [calculate] how much medicine they need … how many pills they need, stuff like that.” Makayla Chrestensen 14, 8th grade, Ridgepoint Elementary School
“I want to be a real estate agent, so I would have to use math to do that. You have to get people to buy houses from you, so you’d need to negotiate prices and stuff.” Arianna Boose 13, 8th grade, Ridgepoint Elementary School
“Right now math is helping me while looking into college — I calculate the tuition, the room and board, all of that. Math in the future can help you with a lot of great jobs.” Mekhi Haynes 17, Senior, Rio Linda High School
“Math is important to all the aspects of life that come after education: … how to pay bills, pay a mortgage and it can even apply to your job or field that you work in.” Jett Jones 17, Senior, Rio Linda High School
Cover Photo by Anne Stokes
2 | Twin Rivers Unified School District | We Are TR!
Superintendent’s Message
TR!
BUILDING A SOLID
FOUNDATION At Twin Rivers, students gain the foundational skills for success
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students, Swun Math is an innovative hen you look at how technology program that will better serve students has changed our economy over and support higher academic achievement. the last 20 years, it’s easy to see We are also offering new opportunities how fundamental math is to progress. for our secondary students. This year, Computer science, engineering, medicine Twin Rivers’ high school students can and all the different technologies that take college-level classes, giving them the build a better future for society require a chance to earn college credits and a taste solid mathematical foundation. Students of college-level coursework. who can master basic concepts early on As a reminder to those same students, — addition, subtraction, multiplication don’t forget to fi ll out college fi nancial and division — are better prepared to aid forms starting at the beginning of pursue advanced levels of math and science 2018, even if you’re in both higher not sure about your education and the “ Students who can post-graduation workforce. The education we master basic concepts plans. Parents, if your child is a senior, provide gives students early on ... are better now is a good time that foundation prepared to pursue to touch base with to be successful your student’s school while they’re here advanced levels of counselor to make at Twin Rivers and math and science in sure they’re on track in their future. To both higher education to graduate. prepare students For parents as they matriculate and the workforce.” interested in checking through our system, Dr. Steven Martinez out the new program we focus on highSuperintendent, Twin Rivers Unified School District — including Swun quality instruction Math — our district and ensure our website offers support and learning curriculum is aligned with Common Core resources that will help you better standards. We’re building the capacity understand what your child is doing in the of our teachers and giving them more classroom. effective teaching tools, such as new curriculum in English language arts and — Dr. Steven a new math program. In particular, we Martinez, have recently implemented the Swun Superintendent Math program in our kindergarten of Twin Rivers through eighth grade classrooms with Unified School supplemental materials. With an emphasis District on high-quality lesson design that engages
Preliminary results from last year’s standardized testing show that while Twin Rivers students showed a slight increase in English language arts achievement, math scores remained the same as the previous year.
%
File photo by Roman Rykun
Results
HIGHLIGHTS FROM STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES Twin Rivers implementing a three-pronged approach to improve scores by Anne Stokes
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STANDOUT SCHOOLS While overall standardized test scores in math and English language arts (ELA) across the district were relatively stable, there were some standout schools that showed improvement in the percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards. Out of 42 school sites, 25 showed an increase in ELA scores and 19 improved scores in math over last year, including:
2015-16
2016-17
Increase
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS Foothill High School
30%
46%
16%
Village Elementary
18%
28%
10%
Michael J. Castori Elementary
19%
28%
9%
Dry Creek Elementary
28%
36%
8%
Del Paso Heights Elementary
11%
18%
7%
Dry Creek Elementary
32%
43%
11%
Woodlake Elementary
16%
26%
10%
D.W. Babcock Elementary
24%
30%
6%
MATH
tandardized testing provides a snapshot of student achievement, helping educators understand what educational programs and curricula are effective. Like many districts, Twin Rivers uses them as a tool to gauge what is working and what needs improvement. According to Dr. Lori Grace, Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership, Secondary, the district’s latest assessment shows the need for educators and administrators to place more emphasis on classroom instruction. “We know the impact great teaching has on student achievement,” Grace says. “In fact, research tells us that highly effective teachers significantly influence how students feel about school and learning. As a district, we will continue to focus on the growth and development of our staff by providing meaningful professional development to directly impact instruction.” According to the district’s 2017 preliminary Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) achievement summary, the percentage of students who met or exceeded standards was: • 31% in English language arts (ELA) (2% increase over previous year) • 24% in math (same as previous year) “There was some improvement here and there at certain grade levels and at certain schools, but as a cumulative effect of our dozens of schools together, we’re not improving in math,” says Dr. Anne Zeman, Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership, Elementary. “We’re redoubling efforts this year in order to show much more significant gains.” To address these challenges, Twin Rivers is focusing on three main areas of improvement:
“We’re redoubling efforts this year in order to show much more significant gains.” Dr. Anne Zeman Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership, Elementary
1. Professional development Twin Rivers teachers are committed to providing students with the best possible educational opportunities. To that end, the district is committed to providing teachers the support and training to do so, including Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs) who provide professional support and coaching.
2. Provision of new resources Throughout the district, schools are implementing new curricular materials in both math and English language arts specifically aligned to Common Core standards. As an additional resource, kindergarten through eighth grade classrooms have implemented the Swun Math program, a new method which has proven successful in similar districts.
3. Direct intervention services for students At Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) schools, additional teachers provide direct educational interventions for students in need of additional support in a small group setting.
Winter 2017 | www.twinriversusd.org | 3
DOING MATH THE SWU New program aims to increase understanding of math across the district by Laura Hillen
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Students in Michelle Bricker’s eighth grade math class are encouraged to collaborate and solve math problems together, which is emphasized in the Swun Math method.
Photos by Anne Stokes
Teacher Sofiya Azarov’s first graders sit in groups while working with base 10 blocks. Each student gets a turn, while their peers observe and help them.
4 | Twin Rivers Unified School District | We Are TR!
of students for an entire lesson has been ighth grade students cluster together, replaced by excited math students, huddled their excitement obvious as discussions in groups and solving problems together. become punctuated with highly Teachers are able to provide direct animated gestures and even laughter. What guidance in the classroom, while receiving has them excited? It’s math. continuous support from the Swun Math Teacher Michelle Bricker’s students are organization. doing Swun Math — a new mathematics “Swun trainers are in the district lesson plan launched this year in K-8 almost every day of the week,” says Andrew classrooms across Twin Rivers Unified Withers, Director of K-12 Professional School District in order to boost math Development. scores. It emphasizes group work and a Twin Rivers teachers can already see the student’s ability to explain their reasoning difference. to peers. “The vocabulary has increased a lot,” “Kids remember what math was like says Sofiya Azarov, fi rst grade teacher before,” says Bricker. “[Swun is] giving at Ridgepoint them confidence Elementary. “Because ... and stop[s] kids “We’ve heard things like … we’re doing it so from giving up in much, [vocabulary] their head.” SWUN has been lifecoming out of Building off changing for [teachers], istheir mouth because of Common Core that they’re excited it’s so natural. And State Standards, [students] actually Swun explores about teaching math understand what an “I do, we do, again. I’ve actually they’re talking you do” model: heard kids cheer.” about.” Teachers begin each As Azarov has class by introducing Dr. Lori Grace Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership, Secondary witnessed in her math concepts, and Twin Rivers Unified School District own classroom, then students solve students are eager problems in groups to collaborate on problems and make sure before tackling problems individually. their peers are learning. As Swun Math “It’s a [lesson design] that actually demonstrates, students can often explore works for students,” says Assistant math concepts more intuitively by talking Superintendent of School Leadership, to one another than they could by just Secondary, Dr. Lori Grace. “And the taking notes or listening to a lecture. coaching model that allows teachers Twin Rivers is determined to see a to learn [and] receive professional districtwide increase in math skills — not just development … makes it unique.” in one department or school. So far, everyone Swun reinforces basic math concepts, is feeling the effects of Swun Math. while encouraging math students to ask “We’ve heard things like Swun has questions and learn how to voice their been life-changing for [teachers], that thoughts and needs. they’re excited about teaching math again,” With Swun Math, teachers are more says Grace. “I’ve actually heard kids cheer.” like facilitators in the classroom, rather than lecturers. Teachers talking in front
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Cover Story
Q&A WITH SI SWUN by Laura Hillen
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nce a struggling math student himself, Si Swun is the mind behind Swun Math. Swun developed the program in order to explore the “why” behind math and boost student confidence. Swun and his Swun Math team have provided ongoing support and coaching to their school district partners since 2010, and have a track record of success across the nation. Twin Rivers is the latest district to use the program to build off Common Core State Standards and increase math understanding, one student at a time.
“If you can explain something to somebody … then you truthfully … know what you’re doing.” Si Swun Creator of Swun Math
What makes Swun Math unique? [It’s very] interactive. We allow kids time to discuss and collaborate … and that’s empowering for [them] to learn how to do that. Teachers no longer are the lecturer but … a facilitator.
How does it help students? [Asking kids what they know and what they don’t] allows them to think outside the box. The next step is … how do you apply this in your
everyday life? If you can explain something to somebody … then you truthfully really know what you’re doing. Kids seem to understand things more when they talk to each other.
How does Swun Math benefit students from many backgrounds? Numbers [don’t] discriminate where you’re from. Numbers are numbers. It’s exciting [to see kids’] outcome, and they’ll use whatever tool they have to express themselves. We call math the universal language because there’s no barrier, … [it’s] such a gateway to a lot of kids. You can bring them out of their shell a little bit, even the shy ones.
What’s next? To go and help the areas that need [us] the most. My goal is to be able to have the opportunity to help [schools], and give kids and people access to the math world. Math is a window of opportunity for kids.
A PARENT’S GUIDE TO MATH Parents play a key role in student success, even if they are not familiar with Common Core math material. “Parents can support their children by encouraging them to do their very best even when the work is difficult,” says Dr. Lori Grace, Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership, Secondary. “I would also recommend parents attend one of the district’s upcoming Swun Math parent meetings.” Twin Rivers Unified School District has introduced Swun Math as a supplemental program to Common Core State Standards, in order to increase student skills in K-8 math and prepare students for upper level math courses that use similar learning styles. Parents and students can access course information and math videos from home on each school’s webpage. Parents can also follow these tips:
Provide a quiet place to work
Have children explain math problems to you
Encourage students to keep trying when a problem is hard
Check homework for completion, not accuracy
Ask questions, even if you don’t know the answers
Tell students it’s OK not to get everything right the first time
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Budget FACILITY INVESTMENTS Twin Rivers Unified School District is improving its facilities with one goal in mind: unparalleled student achievement.
MAINTAINING
With each improvement, the General Services department reports excited feedback from parents, students and teachers. Providing students with a safe, clean and secure environment for learning translates to “Success, Nothing Less!”
BALANCE
This year, the Board of Trustees took an in-depth look at each prospective project and utilized an innovative, interactive platform to prioritize budget allocations based on necessity.
Budget focuses on maintaining only the most successful programs
COMPLETED FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS (FROM 2014-2016)
by Laura Hillen
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Painting projects: $2,431,144.92 Paving projects: $11,046,935.62 HVAC projects: $8,195,805.29 Miscellaneous district projects (tennis courts, relocations, pool) : $14,147,294.70 High school stadium artificial turf projects: $3,515,772.59 Grand total: $39,336,953.12 Stay tuned for more information on 2018’s improvement projects! 6 | Twin Rivers Unified School District | We Are TR!
And if not, does it need to be something fter several years of expanding with new else?” Ingersoll says. programs, Twin Rivers Unified School That doesn’t mean nothing new will District is moving forward with a new be implemented this year, Ingersoll says, fi nancial point of focus — building upon its pointing to the new Swun Math program, current investments. but rather that any recent programs or plans “We’ve invested in great programs for must be determined to be both necessary the students, [who] are always our fi rst and effective. thought when we’re developing any new “We really invested funds into the idea or process for the district,” says Kate teacher salary schedule for the 2017-18 year,” Ingersoll, Executive Director of Fiscal Ingersoll says. Services. “But from Twin Rivers a fiscal end, we’re will also continue tapping the brakes and “We really need to be actions and services slowing down as there asking ourselves … funded through its won’t be an influx of ‘how is this affecting Local Control and new programs.” Since 2013, student achievement?’” Accountability Plan (LCAP), created Twin Rivers has Kate Ingersoll with input from the been utilizing the Executive Director of Fiscal Services, community. This state’s Local Control Twin Rivers Unified School District includes student Funding Formula engagement activities (LCFF) to put new like field trips, athletic clubs, visual arts, programs into action and give its students instructional teachers and more. critical, innovative resources. As this state For information on Twin Rivers’ funding source winds down, Twin Rivers is budget for this year and how the district is honing its strategy to sustain only the best minimizing deficit spending, the community methods and programs moving forward. can access a user-friendly budget book “This year, more than the last few years, we really need to be asking ourselves … ‘how at www.twinriversusd.org/depts/fi scal_ services. is this affecting student achievement [and] is this the biggest leverage to improve [that]?’
WORKING TOWARD THE
News & Happenings
COMMON GOOD
Task forces focus on safety and early learning by Anne Stokes
Early Childhood Education Task Force
Early childhood education can improve a student’s outcomes in school and beyond. Twin Rivers has assembled an Early Childhood Education Task Force to focus on serving youth ages birth through third grade.
Twin Rivers’ ECE task force is developing a five-year strategic plan to increase the early childhood educational opportunities for children from birth through third grade. According to Elizabeth Cunnion, Coordinator for Twin Rivers’ Early Childhood Education, such opportunities can translate into better outcomes for students, including lower drop-out rates. “The purpose was to provide a districtwide coherent approach that supports the academic achievement and the social and emotional competence of all early learners,” she says. Members include: • District representatives
• Liberty Towers
• Board of Trustees
• Child Action, Inc.
• Site Administrators
• Roberts Family Development Center
• Teachers
• First Five Sacramento
• Parents
• Neighborhoods Choice
• Sacramento County Office of Education
• Mutual Assistance Network
• Sacramento Promise Zone
• Greater Sacramento Urban League
• Reducing African American Child Death
• Highlands Community Charter • Sacramento Housing Redevelopment Agency
• Integrative services and inclusion • High-quality locations and facilities
• Family advocacy and community engagement • Increasing and improving workforce capacity
Recommendations: • Ensuring teachers have professional development opportunities • Early intervention for students who need help, and mainstreaming special education students into general education classrooms
Safety Task Force In order to identify the concerns and strategies necessary to ensure the safety of students and staff, Twin Rivers convened a Safety Task Force in June 2016. “The purpose of the team is to identify structures and services that are necessary to support safe school environments and ultimately make recommendations to the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent regarding future work,” says Dr. Sara Noguchi, Associate Superintendent for Innovation, Research and Design. Members include: • District representatives • Board of Trustees • Site Administrators • Teachers • Parents • Sacramento County Probation and Sheriffs departments
Key focus points: • High-quality teaching and learning
Photo by Melissa Uroff
• Making preschool available and ensuring sites are safe learning environments • Connecting families with neighborhood agencies and available resources
• Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services • Sacramento Police Department • California Highway Patrol • Sacramento Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force
Key focus points: • School culture and climate
• Student discipline
• Physical and emotional well-being
• Crisis response and emergency preparedness
• School facilities Recommendations: • Create schools where staff, families and communities have a sense of belonging
• Develop a districtwide discipline model • Pass a facilities bond to support the growing facilities issue
• Recruiting and hiring high-quality teachers
• Develop district expectations for social-emotional learning regarding implementation of strategies
How to participate:
How to participate:
If you’re a parent or community member interested in serving on an ECE advisory committee, contact ECE Director Dr. Julie Montali at julie.montali@twinriversusd.org or look for copies of the ECE Task Force strategic plan in front offices this winter.
Families who would like to get involved can do so through the district’s Parent University online at twinriversusd.org or contact Dr. Noguchi at 916-566-1622.
Winter 2017 | www.twinriversusd.org | 7
Good to Know PSAT: GATEWAY TO COLLEGE SUCCESS Twin Rivers Unified School District 5115 Dudley Blvd. McClellan, CA 95652 916-566-1600 Visit www.twinriversusd.org for:
List of schools
District news
Parent resources
To further help students set their sights on college, TRUSD counselors use many college prep tools, including:
Twin Rivers is turning accessibility into achievement. The district paid the fee for 5,852 eighth through 11th grade students to take the PSAT on October 11. The district also paid the fee for 1,078 seniors to take the SAT. “We have many initiatives in place to support college and career readiness,” says Counseling Coordinator Carol Young. “Offering the PSAT at no cost to families is one of them. The exam is an awesome opportunity for our students. They will be able to opt-in to the College Board’s free Student Search Service, which connects them with colleges and universities they may not be familiar with. Also, depending on their scores, students may be selected to participate in scholarship programs linked to the exam.”
AP potential report: identifies qualified students, suggests class placement Student Search: connects students to relevant scholarships and colleges Khan Academy: offers free and personalized tutoring College Board: outlines scores, assesses student progress The district offers a similar program for seniors and the SAT.
NOVEMBER 2017 11/20-11/24 Thanksgiving Break
DECEMBER 2017 12/19-12/20 Finals/Minimum Day (secondary only)
2017-18 SCHOOL YEAR
12/21-1/5 Winter Break
JANUARY 2018 1/15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 1/26 K-12 Professional Development Day (no school)
FEBRUARY 2018 2/16 President’s Day 2/19 President’s Day
KEEP TRACK OF ALL IMPORTANT TWIN RIVERS DATES AT: www. twinriversusd.org/ calendar
MARCH 2018 3/16 No School 3/26-4/2 Spring Break
MAY 2018 5/28 Memorial Day 5/31 Minimum Day (secondary only)
JUNE 2018 6/1 Last Day of School (minimum day)