Freida and Char at the Pearson Math Training

I stopped by Mark Twain Elementary School this morning to see how the Pearson math training was going and found Mrs. Freida Coe highly engaged in learning about all the teaching tools available in the enVision math program. I wasn't surprised to find that she had already created a sample product to help her students learn geometry terms. Her students will love making the product and will be able to use it as a reference tool to enhance their learning. She is anxious to share her learning with the Rivera teachers at their first staff meeting. Very exciting things continue to happen during the summer months. Stay tuned!

A Busy First Week of Summer Break

Just because the students are gone doesn't mean that the Rivera Staff have left! Some of the work that occurred in the first week of summer vacation includes the following:

• Our second and third grade teams spent a half day of collaborative planning for the upcoming year. Other grade level teams have scheduled their collaborative planning sessions throughout the summer.
• Mrs. Coe and I participated in a Summer Planning Committee that was comprised of teachers, principals, and district staff. The committee was led by Judi Paredes, Assistant Superintendent, Renee Hill, Director of Elementary Education and Educational Accountability, Janie Rhoades, Director of Program Improvement, and RUSD support staff Christy Ekman, Ellen Parker, Dawn Smith and Patti DeRobles. Outcomes from this planning committee will be shared with principals and teachers prior to the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.
• Many teachers are attending RUSD Standards-Based Planning training that is being offered in July and August.
• We are holding an academy at Rivera for our English Learners during the weeks of July 6-17.

Please be assured that the Rivera Staff is continually working to improve the service we provide to our students, parents, and community at large.

enVision author visits Rivera

In May, the author of our mathematics series, Dr. Randy Charles, visited Rivera Elementary School. He spoke with district principals about the program and then spent time visiting classrooms and interacting with students. He was very impressed with the level of engagement and enthusiasm for math here at Rivera!

My Inaugural Blog

Dear Rivera Family-



Exciting things are happening this summer, beginning with the introduction of our new blog!



Many of our teachers are meeting to attend trainings, meet in grade level teams to plan for the upcoming year, and generally preparing for an awesome 2009-2010 school year. As a lifelong learner, I am also attending trainings to refine my skills as an administrator, and to help our teachers refine their instructional practices. We do all of this on behalf of our students, who deserve the finest instructional program available.

Please check this blog often for the most current updates and happenings at Rivera. Once the year begins, my goal is to provide updates 2 to 3 times per week. Please give me feedback on how you like this site and the type of information you would like to see.

Have a fabulous and restful summer!



Char Gebeau

Principal, Rivera Elementary