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The 2011-12 School Year!!! We are pleased to announce we have been nominated as a California Distingusihed School (CDS). There are only 4 schools in SVUSD to receive this nomination. I will be attending a CDS meeting next week to discover more about our application process.SCIENCE FAIRWe are excited to announce Science Fair 2011. Click Here For MORE INFO.

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Conference Scheduler

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Conference Scheduler

Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling (Grades 1-6)This will be our 3rd year using the parent teacher conferencing online scheduler. Please note that the online scheduler will open for parents on Saturday, October 29 at 12:01 a.m. The scheduler will then auto close on Monday, November 7. All teachers have loaded their schedules into the scheduler. When you login you will see each teachers schedule that is assigned to your student or students and you will then be able to simply choose the best date and time that works for you for each teacher. The system is first come first serve. Once a parent chooses a time and date it becomes unavailable for others. There is a picture of the screen on the back of this letter to give you an idea of the process. To access the system please head to our website: http://fre.svusd.org. Click on the Parent Conference link and then click on the link:https://www.canyoncreeksoftware.com/scheduler/ca/saddleback/index.cfm (You may want to bookmark this page for convenience so that when the window opens you can easily get to it quickly). All you need to enter is your childs first name, last name and birth date. The website is very easy to navigate and the arrows will walk you through scheduling your conferences. At the end of the process you simply enter your email address and auto confirmations will be sent to you. I have included step-by-step instructions below on how to access the system on October 29.Step-By-Step Parent/Guardian InstructionsVisit the schools homepage http://fre.svusd.org and select the Online Scheduler icon/link. You may also go directly to the online website scheduler website at: https://www.canyoncreeksoftware.com/scheduler/ca/saddleback/index.cfmFrom the Online Scheduler Home PageChoose your students school from the drop down list and click GOEnter the school password: bobcatEnter your students Student ID. If you do not know their Student ID, use the LOOKUP STUDENT ID button to access the system.Verify the students birth date A list of your students teachers will be displayed. Check the box next to the name of each teacher(s) you would like to meet with.If you have more than one student in the school you can see all the teachers schedules at one time by answering YES to this question Do you want to schedule conferences for another student? then repeat the steps above for your other students. If you only have one student, answer NO to that question.You will then see the available time slots for each teacher you selected.Select the times that work best for your schedule. Enter your email address (recommended) if you would like an email reminder sent to you. (Your email address is kept private.)Once you have finished you can confirm your appointment details and print your conference schedule.Write down the Confirmation Number (you will need this number if you need to cancel your appointment(s). Need help? Contact the schools Online Scheduler™ specialist: Susan Hernandez E-mail: hernandezs_svusd.org Phone: 470-4885Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for Monday, November 14 through Friday, November 18 and grades 1 through 6 will observe the minimum day schedule. Lunch will be served for those who wish to buy or bring one. There will be no change in the Kindergarten schedule. (Kindergarten conferences were held the week of October 17.) School Hours AM Recess Lunch/Recess PM RecessGrades 1 & 2 8:30-1:35 10:15-10:30 11:45-12:30 1:00-1:15Grades 3 & 4 8:30-1:35 10:00-10:15 11:20-12:00 12:55-1:15 (Grade 3 only)Grades 5 & 6 8:30-1:35 10:30-10:45 12:15-12:55Attending the scheduled conference is very important. If you or your child becomes ill and you cannot attend, please call the school office and leave a message for the teacher.
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Ed MacNevin, Principal

Shannon Schlicht, Vice-Principal

GATE

General Info. | FAQ's | More About Our Program | Resources

GATE

aboutourGATE

General Info. | FAQ's | More About Our Program | Resources

Dear FRE GATE Parents, Each year many parents ask if FRE uses a different curriculum to teach our GATE learners. Differentiation is occurring at FRE for our GATE learners. It may not be obvious to the average parent on how differentiation occurs in the classroom. It is important to note that GATE is not a specific curriculum that simply moves faster or provides more homework than a non-GATE classroom (though both of those items can be a part of the GATE teachers arsenal to differentiate). Research indicates that there are 4 ways that teachers differentiate curriculum for the GATE learner.Four Areas of Differentiation1. Acceleration2. Depth3. Complexity4. NoveltyLet me break each area down a little more for you and also give you some typical FRE strategies and activities used by our teachers in each area. These classroom tools and strategies were an outcome of our staff development and discussion sessions this year. They are not in any grade level or subject order.1. Acceleration*Language Arts teachers routinely supplement the grade-level anthology with a greater number and variety of literary works*Social Studies and Science teachers provide students the opportunity to participate in related challenging activities*Math acceleration in math occurs judiciously and is based upon the knowledge and skill level of the students.FRE Acceleration Strategies: Sunshine Math; resource books are used as needed; higher level novels & discussions that are at different levels of questioning according to Blooms Taxonomy http://www.officeport.com/edu/bloomq.htm; individual learning packets; content at level of attainment; work with intellectual peers; compact content, faster pace by combining pages leaves more time to go deeper into a subject. Mountain Language (6th grade) 2. Depth & 3. Complexity * Teachers challenge students to reach beyond isolated facts to an understanding of the big idea or broader concept.* Depth requires students to move from the concrete to the abstract, and from the familiar to the unfamiliar.* Complexity involves making relationships between ideas an interdisciplinary approach that connects and bridges to other disciplines.FRE Depth & Complexity Strategies: Individualize deadlines/conference individually. Enrichment-variety of materials or references to elaborate on basic concepts (Westward movement-short stories/poems). Give time and provide structure for independent exploration of varied areas of study. Instruction in skills/structures needed for independent research, interdisciplinary relationships, allow students to choose products and outcome criteria. Sophistication-larger systems, ideas, concepts related to basic content, range of materials in variety of disciplines. Examine topics by determining facts, concepts, generalizations, principles and theories related to them. Use of mentors for specialized skill instruction. Compare past, present, future events related to topic. Study time for areas of high interest. Projects- open ended; Space Science PowerPoint; High Math- challenge packets. Sunshine Math on occasion. Logical thinking. Mathfax-a national math competition based on a pretest. Houghton Mifflin and switch to novels. Use packets for follow up work. Wordly Wise Vocabulary in the spring. Power Point for California Counties. Student publishing on the computer. Crossmatic puzzles in Sunshine Math. Activities beyond comprehension like Readers Theater where students write their own script or rewrite a chapter that could have occurred. Literature Circles and Jr. Great Books. Choices for final projects based on interest. 4. Novelty*A strategy of differentiation that is student-initiated.*Students feel comfortable expressing divergent thinking without fear of ridicule or being different.*An environment that encourages risk taking, collaboration, and multiple solutions to problems.FRE Novelty Strategies: Different material (impact of science on modern society, ethics on modern government), provide choice, encourage self-initiated exploring, observing, questioning. Study problems-encourage novel solutions. Provide open-ended questions and activities. New implications among and within disciplines. Encourage risk taking, collaboration, and multiple solutions. Bringing guests speakers in. Colonial Day, Walk through the American Revolution, Oral History Day, Egypt Day, Early Man Greek Olympics. Science field trips-Trabuco Field Study; author studies- read 3 books and compare- contact author. *** It is important to note the tools listed above are a compilation of tools and strategies used by our FRE over the years and they may or may not be used next year. I am confident GATE teachers will share their classroom practices with you at Back To School Night next year.The guests (non-GATE students) in the GATE classes are screened carefully by our placement committee so that they will be successful with our GATE identified students. All of our teachers at FRE are fortunate to have plenty of high-level advanced students in their classes. The teachers work to meet the needs of their higher-level students just like our GATE teachers does. Many students who took the GATE test missed admittance only by 1-5 points. We are fortunate at Foothill to have a community where parents work with their children and place academics as a priority. Thanks,Mr. Mac
GATEFAQ

General Info. | FAQ's | More About Our Program | Resources

FAQs for GATEQ: My child passed the GATE test, should I consider transferring my child to a GATE SDC school?A: GATE SDC schools are designed so that schools with fewer numbers of GATE students can opt to have their child placed with a larger peer group that are GATE identified. Studies suggest that most GATE students thrive when they are placed with similar GATE identified students. At FRE we are fortunate in having a high achieving school as evidenced by our API score that is over 900. This means that we have many GATE and high achieving non-GATE students in all of our classrooms. In fact many of our GATE clusters are so large in most grade levels that our GATE cluster classrooms are almost entirely comprised of GATE identified students. In cases where our GATE class is too large to place in one classroom, we divide the group in half so that two large clusters of students can be grouped and differentiated by the classroom teacher. It is also important to consider the social aspects of moving your child to a GATE SDC school. Q: Can my child come back to the GATE cluster class at Foothill if we elected to attend the SDC class? A: Both the District SDC class and Foothill Ranch are required to meet state guidelines for student/teacher ratios. Students may already be assigned and the GATE cluster classes so these classes might be full for the current school year.Q: What GATE SDC school is assigned to FRE? A: La Madera Regional School. Q: Is the curriculum at a GATE SDC school different than a GATE cluster class?A: I always recommend speaking to the GATE SDC principal to discuss the topic of curriculum at the SDC school. GATE SDC students in SVUSD are held accountable for the same State standards that GATE cluster students are expected to know. These state standards can be found at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/index.asp. Check the district website, http://www.svusd.org/p_subject.asp?sid=8127, for more information or contact the District GATE Office through the SVUSD phone number, 949-586-1234. At FRE our teachers in our GATE classes follow our SVUSD pacing guides. They may pace faster than a non gate cluster class but not necessarily. Please read the information tab about the FRE program and how our teachers differntiate the curriculum for more information. Q: Should I speak to next years GATE teacher this year about my child?A: We do not recommend speaking to next years teacher this year about your child. Each year new teachers may be assigned to teach the GATE cluster. Also note that because of the state budget crises and staffing I may or may not be able to share with parents who the GATE teachers are ahead of time like I did last year. Q: How are GATE teachers Selected?A: GATE teachers in SVUSD are not required to possess any GATE certificates or GATE credentials. Teachers are selected based on their genuine interest in teaching GATE learners which may or may not include a GATE certificate. Experience and teaching style are also considered by the principal in assigning a GATE cluster to a teacher.Q: If I request the SDC for my student, can he/she stay on the cluster group list at my home school also?A: At this time in the school year (Spring), the student can remain on the list for SDC and the school site may also place the student on a list for the cluster for next year. Many schools ask the parents of newly identified students if they are going to the SDC class or staying at their current school, especially if space for all the GATE students is at a premium.Q: Can my student start at the SDC class and have a place "saved" for him/her in the cluster class at my home school in case he/she does not like the SDC class?A: No. You cannot be concurrently enrolled at two schools. A student may always return to their home school, however they will be placed in a class on a space available basis when they return, and this may not be in the cluster class if it is full.Q: Would a non-GATE student be moved out of the cluster class to make room for my student if they returned to the home school after starting at an SDC?A: No. Once students have started the school year, a non-GATE student would not be moved out of a cluster class to allow a returning GATE student to have that spot.Q: Will the GATE office require a cluster school to place all the GATE students together in one class?A: In an SDC the students are all placed in a single class and any additional students who have requested the class are placed on a waiting list. If spaces become available, the students on the waiting list are offered the spot. The GATE office manages the waiting list. At a cluster group school, the school staff and principal determine the organization of the classes. If there are a large number of GATE students at a grade level, the group may be split between two classes. Another option would be for one class to be filled with GATE identified students. The remaining GATE students would then be grouped as a cluster in another classroom. Which students are in the cluster and which are in the full GATE class is determined at the school site, not by parent request.Q: Does the GATE office determine which teachers teach the cluster group classes?A: No. The principal of the school determines the cluster group assignments for his staff based on his judgement of the skills and interests of his teachers.
GATEGEN

General Info. | FAQ's | More About Our Program | Resources

Program Summary

SVUSD makes a concerted effort to find and serve appropriately all students who meet the qualifications as being gifted and talented. Students have the opportunity each year to be recommended to participate in the Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE). A variety of program options are implemented to provide the specialized materials, teaching strategies, learning environments and expectations that are necessary for the appropriate education of these students.

At the elementary level, students who are identified for G.A.T.E. may attend their neighborhood school and be placed in a GATE Cluster Class with other gifted students at their grade level. They are provided differentiated activities and enriched and expanded instruction in a regular classroom setting. Another choice is the G.A.T.E. Special Day Class offered at five regional sites. The five elementary schools which are regional sites provide a full-time differentiated program taught by teachers with experience and competencies appropriate for gifted students.

At the intermediate level, 7th and 8th grade GATE students participate in honors English and social science classes. Mathematically advanced students may qualify for pre-algebra, algebra and geometry classes as appropriate. The intermediate schools are La Paz, Los Alisos, Rancho Santa Margarita and Serrano.

In grades 9-12, Honors and Advanced Placement classes are provided. The full diploma International Baccalaureate and Model United Nations programs are available at Mission Viejo High School and Laguna Hills High School. Trabuco Hills High School and El Toro High School are in the process of applying for certification as International Baccalaureate sites. Students in these programs can graduate with college credits and can accrue up to one year of credit at entry to some universities. Academic competitions such as the Academic Decathlon are available to interested students at all secondary schools.

Identification

In order to begin the identification process, all students are observed by their teachers. This is followed by candidate screening and documentation of selected candidates who pass the screening. The documentation process includes gathering pertinent data from individual intelligence testing, questionnaires, and group achievement testing. When documentation has been completed for all candidates, the District GATE Identification and Placement Committee meets and makes its recommendation. Parents receive the committee's recommendation by mail.

Beginning in seventh grade, students who have earned a G.P.A. of 3.75 and whose achievement testing data indicates a very high total battery score can be considered for GATE. Beginning in ninth grade, students who have earned a G.P.A. of 3.85 can be considered for GATE. Those students are documented by a review of their grades and total battery achievement test scores together with required information from their teachers. Again, the District GATE PlacemeCommittee makes a recommendation and parents are notified.

PTA FRKF

PTA & Foothill Ranch Kids Foundation

PTA WEBSITE | FRKF WEBSITE

Our State economy will pose another challenge for us again this year. We are so fortunate to have our PTA and our Foothill Ranch Kids Foundation to keep us afloat with cutting edge practices. I am excited to work with these two fundraising organizations. It is a true pleasure to have the steadfast PTA that raises money for the traditional programs at FHR while also having the Foothill Ranch Kids Foundation to target some of our more restrictive needs including corporate donors during these hard times. This year, especially, I hope you enjoy the fruits of these two organizations efforts. While most schools had to cut back on programs like computer lab aides and library media clerks, these two organizations, along with your generous support, have worked to maintain these programs and others. Please support us in the upcoming months as we work to preserve and enhance programs for this year and next for our young scholars.

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