Moving forward successfully hinges on preparation. This is true whether a child is entering kindergarten, a senior is graduating from Carlsbad High or an adult is proceeding to the next phase of life.
CUSD's aligned curriculum and shared strategies among sites help make these transitions as smooth as possible for each student. This spring, kindergarten orientations were held at all nine elementary schools so families could discover the rich learning environment that will nurture their little ones as they embark on the beginning of their educational journey. Next fall, schools will hold welcoming kindergarten rituals to make these new learners feel at home and ready to achieve.
Six years hence, when they enter sixth grade, these children will experience a major transition from elementary to middle school. Here is a look at an internal partnership that helps students wing their way from Aviara Oaks Elementary (AOE) Eagles to Aviara Oaks Middle (AOM) Falcons.
Short Hop; Big Leap
With connected campuses, the move requires just a short hop, but in reality, it's a big leap, academically and socially.
AOE Principal Kimberly Huesing explains, "We set the stage for advanced instructional success in fourth grade by grouping students for differentiation based on assessments, placing them in appropriate Math groups. Students may have one teacher for Language Arts and another for Math. Our fourth- and fifth-grade teachers rotate for Science instruction. This block method familiarizes students with moving to different teachers and rooms, as they will at AOM. It also maximizes learning time. Program benefits are reflected in standardized tests and successful transition to middle school."
AOM Principal Megan Coelho notes, "We have increased the number of advanced sixth-grade math sections to accommodate the higher learning levels achieved in lower grades."
Both sites emphasize the District's character program. Principal Huesing says, "We incorporate the traits in our school goals, building in a character package at the elementary level to help equip children with productive problem-solving and conflict resolution strategies." Principal Coelho relates, "I definitely see the results of this character education in our sixth-graders. They make good choices and come to school ready to play safely, be friendly and act cooperatively. They are prepared to learn."
Set to Soar
Each spring, AOM invites fifth-graders and parents from AOE and the other two "feeder" sites, Pacific Rim and Poinsettia, to orientations. AOM students lead campus tours and speak to the excited but sometimes anxious kids about what to expect. Site administrators help parents handle the transition by providing information and reassurance.
Middle school is a "big deal" to kids. It offers more independence, with children walking unescorted from class to class, and "perks" such as expanded food choices. It also can be intimidating, so each fall, student-members of AOM's Kindness and Respect for Everyone (KARE) Committee look out for sixth-graders, making sure each incoming student has someone to sit with and talk to at lunch.
With these and other student-centered, standards-aligned, achievement-based transition programs in place, it's no wonder that exiting AOE fifth-graders soar successfully from Eagle to Falcon.
Moving Forward
June is a month of transitions. With a brand-new 470-space parking lot completed in late May, Carlsbad High will be a beautiful destination for the June 14th graduation ceremonies.
Also, the Carlsbad Unified School District has selected Suzette Lovely as its new District Superintendent (see story below), who will take the helm after I retire on June 30th. I will work closely with the her to ensure a smooth, successful transition and then I, too, will be moving to the next phase of my life.
It has been both a pleasure and an honor to have served the District and the community.
CUSD's aligned curriculum and shared strategies among sites help make these transitions as smooth as possible for each student. This spring, kindergarten orientations were held at all nine elementary schools so families could discover the rich learning environment that will nurture their little ones as they embark on the beginning of their educational journey. Next fall, schools will hold welcoming kindergarten rituals to make these new learners feel at home and ready to achieve.
Six years hence, when they enter sixth grade, these children will experience a major transition from elementary to middle school. Here is a look at an internal partnership that helps students wing their way from Aviara Oaks Elementary (AOE) Eagles to Aviara Oaks Middle (AOM) Falcons.
Short Hop; Big Leap
With connected campuses, the move requires just a short hop, but in reality, it's a big leap, academically and socially.
AOE Principal Kimberly Huesing explains, "We set the stage for advanced instructional success in fourth grade by grouping students for differentiation based on assessments, placing them in appropriate Math groups. Students may have one teacher for Language Arts and another for Math. Our fourth- and fifth-grade teachers rotate for Science instruction. This block method familiarizes students with moving to different teachers and rooms, as they will at AOM. It also maximizes learning time. Program benefits are reflected in standardized tests and successful transition to middle school."
AOM Principal Megan Coelho notes, "We have increased the number of advanced sixth-grade math sections to accommodate the higher learning levels achieved in lower grades."
Both sites emphasize the District's character program. Principal Huesing says, "We incorporate the traits in our school goals, building in a character package at the elementary level to help equip children with productive problem-solving and conflict resolution strategies." Principal Coelho relates, "I definitely see the results of this character education in our sixth-graders. They make good choices and come to school ready to play safely, be friendly and act cooperatively. They are prepared to learn."
Set to Soar
Each spring, AOM invites fifth-graders and parents from AOE and the other two "feeder" sites, Pacific Rim and Poinsettia, to orientations. AOM students lead campus tours and speak to the excited but sometimes anxious kids about what to expect. Site administrators help parents handle the transition by providing information and reassurance.
Middle school is a "big deal" to kids. It offers more independence, with children walking unescorted from class to class, and "perks" such as expanded food choices. It also can be intimidating, so each fall, student-members of AOM's Kindness and Respect for Everyone (KARE) Committee look out for sixth-graders, making sure each incoming student has someone to sit with and talk to at lunch.
With these and other student-centered, standards-aligned, achievement-based transition programs in place, it's no wonder that exiting AOE fifth-graders soar successfully from Eagle to Falcon.
Moving Forward
June is a month of transitions. With a brand-new 470-space parking lot completed in late May, Carlsbad High will be a beautiful destination for the June 14th graduation ceremonies.
Also, the Carlsbad Unified School District has selected Suzette Lovely as its new District Superintendent (see story below), who will take the helm after I retire on June 30th. I will work closely with the her to ensure a smooth, successful transition and then I, too, will be moving to the next phase of my life.
It has been both a pleasure and an honor to have served the District and the community.