The District is excited to announce a powerful resource tool for teachers in Ellevation called Ellevation Strategies Instruction. Last year, the District implemented Ellevation, which streamlined and automated the District’s Reclassification and Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) monitoring processes. The Ellevation platform provides teachers access and data for their current ELs in their classroom. 

Ellevation Strategies Instruction is a set of research-based instructional practices and activities. The instructional activities can support teachers planning instruction (Designated & Integrated ELD) for ELs. It is a powerful resource to help you reach and teach your ELs in your class. A member of the EL Task Force and EL Subcommittee said, “We’ve got to get this in the hands of teachers now, they can use this.”

Ellevation Strategies Instruction offers:

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Did you know about 9-8-8? There will be a 3 digit suicide hotline, modeled after 9-1-1. The current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), receives millions of calls per year.

What? Jamboard is a whiteboard through Google which students can use to collaborate, write, draw, brainstorm and more! Jamboard is a tool straight from Google that students can access through their waffle!

What Now? Try exploring Jamboard by yourself or with your students. You’ll be able to share the link with your students and your students can share the link with you, all through Google Classroom!

How Can I Use It? You can make an assignment in Google Classroom and have students share a Jam with each other and collaborate! They can brainstorm, outline a project, work out a Math problem, make an Art project and so much more! Jamboard has opened up so many possibilities for us! Use one during Zoom so students can write on it using their Chromebook, use it as a CFU with students writing on sticky notes, use the shapes to have students talk about angles, equilateral side, or just basic geometry identification!

How long have you worked in TUSD? I have worked for TUSD for 23 years.

 

What is your job title? Right now I am the Registrar Secretary at Cunningham Elementary. I have worked at Crowell Elementary, TJHS, Roselawn, Turlock High and I think this is my 14th year here at Cunningham. I've had various positions and have enjoyed most of them. I thought I'd miss working with the students when I started working as a secretary. Little did I know how many students frequent the office at an elementary school.

 

Where did you work prior to TUSD? I worked several different places before TUSD. My first job was as a swim instructor when I was about 13 years old followed by several other jobs. The most important job had to be working at Safeway in Clovis where I met my husband over 40 years ago. He was a checker and I was a courtesy clerk. I thought he was the funniest guy I'd ever met. He still thinks he is.

 

Any info you would like to share about your job? Average day? I have loved working for TUSD and enjoy all the friendships I have developed with coworkers and families. I can't really explain what an average day looks like right now. Every day is different. Never in a million years did I think my first priority at work would be helping parents and students successfully log into and stay on a Zoom class. But, we are doing it and I am so very proud of our families and their determination to make this work.

Things you are most proud of? I am without a doubt most proud of my children. They have always brought me joy and continue to amaze me with their life choices and love of life. I could go on about them forever. They are my reason.

Challenges? I've had many challenges in my so many years of life. This pandemic of course is what comes to mind right now, but all the challenges that have made me who I am consist of so many different things. Life, love and losses are a few that stand out.

What are you reading? I am currently reading Untamed.

Any favorite shows you’re watching on TV? My go to TV shows are all of the Law and Order series especially Special Victims Unit, Friends, Modern Family and Jeopardy. We are watching Ozark right now and I can't say that I like it, but I keep on watching.

Fave movies? Grease is my all-time favorite movie. I dreamed of being Sandy.

Anything surprising we may not know about you? I'm pretty much an open book, I wear my heart on my sleeve (unfortunately) and cry watching sappy commercials.

Anything about your personal life you’d like to share? I love to swim, dance, garden, and of course spend time with my children and grandchildren. Not particularly in that order.

We love this fun YouTube series! Check out "Cooking with the Clipper's Crew" on the TUSD Walnut YouTube Channel. Shout out to Pitman High School's Tristan (12^th grade) and Riley (9^th grade) for helping out their mom, Susan Clipper.