A passion for early childhood education inspired me to earn my bachelor's degree in child development from California State University East Bay.  I furthered my early child education through courses taken at DVC and LMC over the past few years.  I will continue to advance my education to benefit my students.  

I have lived in California for 45 years.  I am a Mt. Diablo Unified School District graduate.  I played competitive softball through out those years.  I currently live with my husband and daughter in the area.  My daughter is a senior at Clayton Valley Charter High School. 

I love reading, swimming, traveling, going to to concerts, and watching football.   

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Schedule:

TK day:  7:55 am - 11:45 am
Lunch:  11:00 am - 11:35 am

*  Parents are to wait outside the gate until dismissal bell rings.

* A staff member will unlock the kindergarten gate when the dismissal bell rings. Family members or caregivers walk to class to pick up their child.

*  Children wait for the teacher to call them before walking  to their family members or caregivers.  

*  Children not pick up after 20 minutes from the dismissal time will be taken to the office.  A staff member will call home to alert a family member or caregiver their child needs to be picked up.

*  Late family members or caregivers will pick up their child from the front office.

*  Any person picking up a child must be listed on the child's contact information.  There is no exception to this.

* Uniform colors are navy blue, light blue, white, or tan only.

* Uniforms consist of pants, leggings, dresses, shorts, skirts, shirts, sweaters, and jackets.

* Uniforms can be purchased through Rio Vista's front office, Walmart, or Target.

*  Clothing should allow children to run, climb, jump, swing, and hang upside down without restrictions.   

* Clothing should allow children to paint, run in the dirt,  play with chalk, and get wet without restrictions or worry.  Please save the party and dress clothes for home.

* Athletic shoes are best to prevent injuries and limit physical restrictions. 

* No flip-flops, shoes without a back or with a heel.

* A jacket, coat, or sweater should be provided in your child's backpack when the weather requires it.

* Families should write either names or initials on the tag of all clothing.

Urine accidents happen on occasion in TK.  Please provide a change of clothes in a zip lock bag with the name of the child written on the bag.  They will keep this bag in their backpacks.  Extra clothes must included clean underwear, shirt, socks, pants, or skirt. Extra clothes can be uniform colors or random clothes. Soiled clothes will be returned to you to be cleaned. New extra clothes will need to be packed as needed.

* We will explicitly teach your child how to use bathrooms at school and schedule bathroom breaks often throughout our day.

* Please teach your child how to wipe after using the bathroom.  We will not be assisting children with this step in toileting.

* Please teach your child how to put on and remove their clothes independently.  We will be happy to help with challenging snaps or buttons.

* Should your child have a urine accident, we will assist them from outside the bathroom door when changing their clothes by handing them clean clothes and gathering wet clothes.

* Please provide a change of clothes in a zip lock bag with the name written on the bag.  They will keep this bag in their backpacks.  Without extra clothes you will be called to bring extra clothes for your child.

* Should your child have a bowel movement accident, we will call home to have you come and assist your child.

* Diapers and pull-ups are not recommended for TK. Teachers cannot change diapers or pull-ups for your child. Your child must be potty trained for TK.

* Include a spoon or fork, if necessary.

* All drinking containers MUST be in a drip-free container.  Please use reusable water bottles.  This gives your child the ability to refill when needed. 

* Write your child's name on all containers, lunch boxes, water bottles, jackets, and backpacks.

* NO GLASS containers.

* Do not send foods containing nuts until we can verify nut allergies.

* Please no candy, soda, energy drinks, colored chips, or hot & spicy chips(such as Flaming Hot Cheetos or Taki's).  This is a school rule.  Items will be taken away from the child and given back to them at the end of the school day. 

* Please talk to your child about not sharing food at school.

* Backpack (large enough to carry all the below items).

* snack or lunch (in a lunch box or bag)

* reusable water bottle

* jacket, coat, sweater, or necessary outwear.

* extra set of clothes in a ziploc bag.

All items should be labeled with your child's name.  Please let me know if you need assistance with getting these items.  

* Food-shared items should be tiny and individual.  Please do not send any food items that must be cut or prepared.

* Store bought food items are preferred.  Keep food ingredient label on.  Individual wrapped treats or foods in a sealed package work the best.  No foods containing nuts or seeds.

* A small party favor to pass out is optional.

* I request that party invitations be given to me privately a week before the occasion.
* I strongly discourage students from talking about parties at school.  This can cause many hurt feelings not being invited to a party at this age. 

A child's development is based on observing them through play, interviews with the child, and documentation.  Each child will have an individualized portfolio that will go home at the end of the year.  The California Preschool Foundations provides the guidelines for typical development.  

Pictures are taken throughout the school year to document growth.  Pictures tell a story in an instant about about what your child is doing and learning at school.  Pictures will be placed around the room to show the children their growth throughout the year.  Pictures might be included in a class newsletter and yearbook too.

As a MDUSD educator, I occasionally use photos or videos to exemplify best teaching practices.  Ideas or photos are ONLY used to show best teaching practices with fellow TK teachers and educators.  Learning scenarios always include children in a positive light.  

Please click on photo release form, print out, sign, and return to me.

Click on the link below:

https://riovista.mdusd.org/

Attendance

Regular attendance is vital for successful learning. Absences when a child is ill or is in danger of spreading any infectious condition are excused if parents notify the office within 72 hours. Parents should make every effort to develop good attendance habits. Tardies are also detrimental to learning. School starts at 7:55 AM. 

Call:

School Hours:   925-458-6101

After Hours:    925-682-8000 ext 7958

You may also email the Secretary, Joanna Malpica, at malpicaj@mdusd.org to report an absence.

Hygiene:  Children will learn proper bodily cleaning procedures to keep them safe and healthy.  

Social-Emotional Learning is:

* Self-awareness

* Self-regulation

* Social and Emotional understanding

* Empathy and caring

* Initiative in learning (agency)

* Group participation

* Cooperation and responsibility

* Positive relationships with their family, teachers, caregivers, and friendships

These skills are a priority in TK, and The California Preschool Learning Foundations provide interactions and strategies that are developmentally appropriate.  Integrating social-emotional learning into everything we do is the best practice.  Learning these skills through play is essential in the early years.

Forgotten or broken rules, misunderstandings, and conflict are part of normal development and create teachable moments.  The primary goal is to work collaboratively with families, and I will notify you to work as partners when needed.  

The teachers and school staff are not responsible for lost or broken items.