Dr. Splane, Principal

Mrs. Berg, Assistant Principal

Email: rvelasquez@ogsd.net
Website: bernalis.schoolloop.com
Location: 6610 San Ignacio Avenue, San Jose, CA, United States
Phone: 4085785731

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy Month of February! I hope you and yours have been staying healthy and for the most part, flu-free! There is a nasty flu virus going around this winter and many of our community have fallen ill at the hands of the flu. Always remember to use safe practices recommended by the Center for Disease Controls, such as:

· Avoid close contact with people that are sick.

· Stay home when you are sick (always following school and district guidelines)

· Cover your mouth and nose. ...

· Clean your hands. ...

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. ...

· Practice other good health habits.

For more information, see the following: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm

Ms. Fennern and the Bernal bands had another wonderful Big Band Bash on January 26. Many parents and community members attended. Delicious food was served and enjoyed by all. Ms. Julie Bounds, the Santa Teresa High School Band (including many former Bernal band members) also delighted the crowds with a few sets of enjoyable music.

In addition, a reminder, Bernal’s Home School Association and Principal are requesting donations for the concession stand at the February Valentine Dance! Our next all school dance is coming up on Friday February 9th. The dances are a great time for all who attend. The kids love the music but REALLY love the concessions! We offer pizza (little Caesars) soda, water, popcorn, and chips. The HSA provides the pizza but we are kindly asking for donations of water, soda, and individual chip bags. Donations can be dropped off anytime in the next couple of weeks to the front office. Please clearly label donations FOR FEBRUARY DANCE. The kids especially love COKE and ORANGE soda.

Bernal's 3rd Super Saturday Session on February 3rd

We're hosting our 3rd Super Saturday Session this Saturday, February 3rd from 8:15am-12:30pm! Permission slips were handed out on Monday, January 22nd and must be turned in ASAP! Attending the Super Saturday will allow students to make up one absence from this school year. Check out the fun our students have had at the past two sessions!: 12/9/17 Session, 1/20/18 Session

Honors Night

Students who have achieved a high standard of excellence in his/her academic work during the first semester of the 2017/2018 school year will be recognized for their success at an Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is to honor our many outstanding students in the following categories: Honor Roll (GPA-3.00 to 3.49), Principal’s List (GPA-3.50 to 3.99) Principal’s List (GPA-4.00). See below for more details about Bernal's Honors Night on Wednesday, March 7th.

As Always, take care of yourselves, and each other,

Jamal D. Splane, Principal

2/2: Backwards Day

2/9: Free Dress Day (Valentine's Dance)

2/16: Fitness Day

So far, Bernal has held two Super Saturday Academy Sessions this year and they have been successful and a lot of fun for the students! Attending a Super Saturday Academy Session will allow students to make up one absence from this school year.

As a reward for attending a session, student will:

• Earn 10 Bronco Bucks!

• Be entered into a raffle to earn a pizza party for them and 5 friends!

• Earn an In-n-Out certificate!

• Be entered into a raffle to win a mile pass for P.E.!

Please encourage your child to attend the Super Saturday Academy Sessions (if they have any prior absences) to participate in exciting experiments, hands-on activities, and/or engineering challenges, and so much more! Here are two videos that capture the exciting learning that took place at the first two sessions:

12/9/17 Session

1/20/18 Session

Mark your calendars for future Super Saturday sessions as well!

February 3rd, March 10th, April 28th, and May 19th

Please email Allison Crawford at acrawford@ogsd.net if you have any questions!

Soccer and Volleyball Start Date - January 29th

Girls and Boys Soccer (start times 3:30)

2/27 @ Bernal

Girls and Boys Volleyball (start times 3:30)

2/13 Girls Jamboree @ Britton

2/15 Boys Jamboree @ Britton

2/27 @ Bernal (boys play first)

B Volleyball (co-ed)

2/27- Herman @ Bernal

Students who have achieved a high standard of excellence in his/her academic work during the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year will be recognized for their success at an Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is to honor our many outstanding students in the following categories for semester 1 grades: Honor Roll (GPA-3.00 to 3.49), Principal’s List (GPA-3.50 to 3.99) Principal’s List (GPA-4.00). Invitations letters will be given to students being recognized as we get closer to the event.

EVENT: Honors Night

DATE: Wednesday, March 7, 2018

PLACE: Bernal Intermediate School, Main Gym

TIME: 7th Grade 6:00 P.M.

TIME: 8th Grade 7:15 P.M.

If you would like to volunteer to help, please reach out to our counselors: Martha Bejar (mbejarchavez@ogsd.net) and Tara Reed (treed@ogsd.net)

Congratulations to the following students for being the top 10 earners of Bronco Bucks during January! Keep showing RISE behavior to earn your Bronco Bucks! :-)

1. Christopher G. - 80 points

2. Nevah O. - 78 points

3. Jayne G. - 70 points

4. Lena H. - 68 points

5. Leonardo A. - 63 points

6. Dayna L. - 57 points

7. Noah G. - 51 points

8. Asia C. - 47 points

9. Leonardo B. - 41 points

10. Sergio H. - 40 points

Bernal 8th Grade Boys Basketball Win First Game of the Season

The 8th grade boys basketball team won its first game of the season by beating Willow Glen Junior High School 57 – 48 at the 26th Annual Evergreen Shoot – Out Basketball Tournament. Kai M. scored 17 points in the game to lead the Bronco scoring. Kai was also named to the All-Tournament Team. Jason K. scored 16 points in the game. The victory was a very exciting win for the 8th grade team because it was not only their first win of the season, it was also the first game that they had won in two years.

Bernal 8th Grade Boys Basketball Win Second Game of the Season

The 8th grade boys basketball team won its second game of the season by beating Solarsano Junior High School 48 – 31 on Tuesday in Gilroy. Christian A. and Kai M. each scored 11 points to lead the Broncos in scoring while Shem Mogbi scored 8 points in the game to contribute to a well balanced scoring effort by the Broncos.

Attention Parents of 8th graders attending Santa Teresa High School next year!

Freshman Orientation Night at STHS:

When: Wednesday, February 7, 2018 from 6-8pm

Where: Santa Teresa High School Theater

Who should attend: All 8th students and their parents who are attending STHS next year.

Parent Campus Tours at STHS:

When: 2/1, 3/1, 4/19, 5/3, at 9:00am

Where: Santa Teresa Library

Who: PARENTS of 8th grades students who will be attending STHS next year. (NO students should attend, as they should be in school during this time)

If you'd like to RSVP or have any questions, please contact Elvin Jackson, the Parent Community Involvement Specialist for Santa Teresa at (408) 347- 6233 or jacksone@esuhsd.org

Event: Oak Grove's Middle School Open House for incoming 9th graders and their parents.

Date: Tuesday, February 13th

Time: 6 to 7 p.m.

Location: Oak Grove High School's main gym

This open house is intended to showcase Oak Grove's academics and other school programs to our potential incoming freshmen and their parents. Teachers, students, and counseling team will be available to answer questions about academics, programs, college and grad requirements, etc.

Light hors d'oeuveres will be served during the event.

January 30, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Oak Grove School District’s Child Nutrition Services Department is committed to providing all students with nutritious, well balanced meals to nourish their minds and bodies for learning.

This letter is to notify families of a meal price increase on regular priced lunches for both students and adults.

Lunch Meal price increase will be effective March 1, 2018.

Oak Grove School District School Lunch Prices

Jun 2007 - Feb 2018 (previous prices):

Student $2.75

Adult $3.25

New Prices Effective March 1, 2018

Student $3.00

Adult $3.50

- No change in Breakfast Meal price -

Free or Reduced Meal Applications

If you have not applied yet for free or reduced priced school meals, we encourage you to go to our website – www.ogsd.net – to complete an online application or you can pick up a paper application at your student’s school. Once an application is received and processed, a letter of determination will be sent to the provided address. If a student is approved for free or reduced meal prices, their status is effective the day of approval.

The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is an evidence-based parent, youth, and family skills-building curriculum that helps prevent teen substance abuse and other problem behaviors while improving parent/child relationships. Advent Group Ministries is offering this free program designed for parents and their children ages 6 to 11 or 12 to 17*. After a complimentary family meal, parents and youth meet in separate groups for one hour then come back together to practice the skills they’ve learned. Sessions are highly interactive and include role-playing, discussions, learning games and family projects.

When: Every Thursday beginning January 11th (11 weeks total)

Where: Bernal Cafeteria/Forum

Program Schedule: 11 weeks

5:30—6:30 pm: A complimentary family dinner is part of the weekly program.

6:30—7:30 pm: Families view a short video. Parents and children then break into separate groups to discuss the video.

7:30—8:30 pm: Parents and children come back together to practice the skills they’ve learned.

Register: For more information, or to register your family for SFP, please contact Rocio Gonzalez rgonzalez@adventgm.org

Strengthening Families Program Flyer - English

Strengthening Families Program Flyer - Spanish

FEBRUARY MEETINGS:

1. February 1st
2. February 8th
3. February 15th

Students who attend with their families, will receive 30 BRONCO BUCKS for each session attended!

Our hats go off to the many students and staff from Bernal Intermediate that volunteered during the Christmas Holidays at St. Julie's Catholic Church Food Pantry. Volunteers met at St. Julies on Saturday morning, December 16th, at 9:00 AM and helped fill bags of food for families in need around our community. Bernal Intermediate teachers Mr. Judnick, Ms. Bylsma, Mr. Medina, and Mr. Mancias showed up to help as well as Mrs. Medina, and Mr. Guevarra’s wife and two daughters. Mr. Guevarra was out of town that weekend, although he did manage to volunteer at the November 11 food-bagging event.

Emerson R., a Bernal 8th grade student, volunteered for the second time this year (the other being on November 11). Emerson decided to volunteer at St. Julies because “it beats staying at home and playing video games. Besides, at least this way I am doing something that helps other people out.” Vanessa P. had similar sentiments. “I really enjoyed doing something that benefitted other people in our community”. Evan G, another Bernal student, said that even though St. Julie's is not his church, he still wanted to help because “it feels good to help others out, especially during the Holidays.”

Mr. Tom Connolly, the director of the St. Julie's Food Pantry, was very appreciative of all of the help that he received from the Bernal students. “Not only did the students sort the food out and then place it in the bags, they also helped carry the heavy boxes from the storage room to the pantry,” said Mr. Connolly. “It saved me a lot of time,” he said.

The Bernal staff would also like to thank all of our students and teachers that volunteered at the Food Pantry. It is great to see our students and teachers giving back to our local community!

The Bernal Intermediate 2017 Canned Food Drive was a huge success. According to Mr. Judnick, Bernal students and staff donated close to 800 pounds of food to the St. Julie's Food Pantry. There was so much food donated that “instead of each family receiving two bags of food at Christmas time this year they were able to give each family four bags of food,” Mr. Judnick said. He also noted that “the St. Julie's Food Pantry staff were very pleased to see the Bernal students help put the food into the bags as well as donating close 800 pounds of food during the Canned Food Drive.” The St. Julies Staff also want to give the Bernal students a big thank you for all of their help this year. They've asked if Bernal is planning on having another canned food drive next year and Mr Judnick said “Oh yeah. Next year we will try to more than double the amount of food that we collected this year. Our goal will be to collect 2,000 pounds of canned foods!”

Mr. Bui’s 8th grade advisory class and Ms. Bylsma’s 7th grade advisory class collected the most cans for their respective grade levels. Dr. Splane awarded Mr. Bui’s and Ms. Bylsma’s classes with a pizza party for collecting the most cans of food.

The annual Oak Grove School District Cultural Arts Expo is this Friday, February 2nd, 4:00-7:00 pm. It will take place at the Edenvale Community Center, 330 Branham Lane East, San Jose CA 95111. We are excited to see what our talented artists from Oak Grove School District have created this year. There will be a display of visual and performing arts including singing, dancing, and musical performances by Oak Grove students. Food trucks will be present for you to enjoy! The event is free, but a $5 donation per family to support the arts will be greatly appreciated. Please be sure to attend!

Parent Volunteers needed! We would like the parent community to support the district in putting together this fantastic show. Please give us 2 hours of your time between 10am and 4pm on Thursday, February 1st . We need help with mounting artwork onto the display boards before the show and take down after the show on Friday, Feb. 2nd. Please contact Raji Musinipally at rmusinipally@ogsd.net or call 408- 227-8300, ext. 100263 to help

California students take several mandated statewide tests. These tests provide parents/guardians, teachers, and educators with information about how well students are learning and becoming college and career ready. The test results may be used for local, state, and federal accountability purposes.

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Assessments

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) computer adaptive assessments are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics tests are administered in grades three through eight and grade eleven to measure whether students are on track to college and career readiness. In grade eleven, results from the ELA and math assessments can be used as an indicator of college readiness.

California Science Tests (CAST)

The new, computer-based CAST measures student acquisition of the California Next Generation Science Standards. It is administered in grades five and eight, and once in high school. The new computer-based CAST replaces the California Standards Tests (CST) for Science.

California Alternate Assessments (CAA)

The computer-based CAA for ELA and CAA for mathematics is administered to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades three through eight and grade eleven. Test items are aligned with the CCSS and are based on the Core Content Connectors. The instructionally embedded CAA for Science is administered in grades five and eight, and once in high school.

Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS) for Reading/Language Arts

California offers the optional STS for Reading/Language Arts, which are multiple-choice tests that allow Spanish-speaking English learners to demonstrate their knowledge of the California content standards. The California Spanish Assessment (CSA) will replace the optional STS. The CSA will be a computer-based assessment that is aligned with the California CCSS en Español.

Pursuant to California Education Code Section 60615, parents/guardians may annually submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all of the CAASPP assessments.

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California

California will transition from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) in 2017–18. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It consists of two separate English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners and the other for the annual summative assessment to identify students’ English language proficiency level and to measure their progress in learning English.

Physical Fitness Test

The physical fitness test (PFT) for students in California schools is the FitnessGram®. The main goal of the test is to help students in starting lifelong habits of regular physical activity. Students in grades five, seven, and nine take the fitness test.

California Department of Education | January 2018

A Parent Guide to Understanding the CAST

The California Science Test or CAST is part of the state testing program called the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress or CAASPP. The CAST will be field tested in 2017‒18 and be operational in 2018‒19. The CAASPP System is designed to give information to teachers, students, and their families about what students know and are able to do. It also indicates whether they are on track to be ready for success in college or career when they graduate from high school.

Click this link or download the pdf below to get more information about the CAST.

Please see the attached document below to learn how to calculate your GPA. Monitoring your own GPA is a good habit to adopt as it will help you set academic goals.

Need extra support with Math?

Math tutoring is held on Mondays thru Thursdays from 2:30 – 3:30pm in room 212 by Mr. Mancias. It is open to ALL students!

Need extra support with Language Arts?

Language Arts tutoring is held on Tuesdays from 2:30-4pm and Wednesday from 2:30-4:30pm in room 219 with Ms. Sisco. It's open to all students!

Apply to get affordable internet access at home:

https://www.internetessentials.com/apply

We need the help of community members to ensure our students are safe during lunch and after school. Please see Mrs. Berg if you would like to learn more and to sign up!

Click here to volunteer!!!!