Dear Students and Families:

Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year! Our commitment at Clayton A. Record Elementary School is to provide a safe, positive, intellectual learning environment that will empower students to become creative problem solvers, critical thinkers, and inspired learners prepared for middle school, high school, college, and life in the twenty-first century.

As I enter into my second year as principal of Record Elementary, I would like to continue setting high expectations for our students in regards to academic performance within the classroom, participation in rigorous tasks that encourage critical thinking and are designed to push our scholars to becoming college and career ready. I am asking each student and their families to make a commitment to being an AVID Scholar. I ask that we follow our positive school wide expectations and display scholarly behavior each and everyday. This can be done by being an active participant in learning and acting responsibly as an individual within our school learning community.  Doing so will enable all to have a successful and enjoyable school year!

Our school goals for the 2016-2017 school year will continue to be a focused on reading and writing and the essential connection between. We will also be continuing our efforts to consistently monitor reading for all students. This will assist in ensuring that we provide a balanced literacy block daily in every classroom Transitional Kindergarten through Fifth grade.

We will also be continuing on the journey of becoming and AVID Elementary school this school year focusing on building consistency across all grade levels. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. We will be supporting AVID’s mission to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. Common Core State Standards (CCSS) will continue to be fully implemented this year. CCSS makes for a more rigorous approach to learning as students will be challenged to develop their analytical skills, communicate their learning verbally, in writing, and/or in a presentation.  Every student will have the opportunity to work on a Chromebook using it as a learning tool. Students will be participating in Google Classroom, Typing Clubs, Accelerated Reader, Imagine Learning, READ 180/System 44, Flocabulary with multiple opportunities to research and learn online.

AVID Elementary ensures all students will:

• Experience Writing to learn, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading to learn skills (WICOR Lesson Framework)
• Utilize organizational skills both inside and outside the classroom
• Develop student success skills for lifelong learning
• Successfully make the transition to middle school and courses of high rigor

AVID Elementary classrooms encourage:

• Organizational tool accountability and responsibility
• Use of folders/agenda/planner to foster “plan ahead” mentality
• Goal setting skills
• Time management skills
• Note taking strategies (STAR)
• Inquiry method
• Collaborative learning
• Effective reading strategies for comprehension
• Building community with open communication

At Clayton A. Record Elementary we model excellence both inside and outside of the classroom. We are focused on positive, scholarly behavior and effective communication. We are “eager for knowledge” and focused on the 3 Record Rancher R’s Respect, Responsibility, and Ready. These traits truly allow us to “shine” supporting one another and treating each other how we would like to be treated.  

Parents, please make time to:

• Ask your student(s) specific questions about their time at school.  For example, “What was the most interesting thing you learned in class today?” or “Tell me about your guided reading group today?”
• For grades TK-2^nd grade ask your student for their folder daily so that you can check materials and make sure you are seeing the folder coming to and from school each day. For grades 3^rd grade-5^th grade you will need to check and sign planners with periodic binder and note checks. This is an integral part of beginning our AVID Elementary Program.
• Communicate with your student(s) teacher and staff members to establish a successful home/school connection. We are here to help support with anything that you may need.

We are looking forward to a positive, exceptional school year at Record Elementary!  I encourage all students to be a part of our school culture; remembering what it means to be Scholarly, to be a Super Rancher, and a Record ‘Star’ shining bright for all to see. Parents, please help us by reinforcing school expectations at home. With your help, Record will continue to be a school community in which every person feels respected, valued, and is encouraged and challenged to achieve at the highest levels.

I encourage you all to be active in our PTA, come take part in our Coffee with the Principal, School Site Council and ELAC meetings.  Our partnership is essential for our continued success. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me via email or phone and know that my door is always open.

I am excited for the opportunity to work with you and your student(s) this year and to provide a productive, safe learning environment that supports student success.  Once again, welcome to Clayton A. Record Elementary School! I am honored to serve as your principal.

Go Ranchers!

Shelley Mendez