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K-8 > Elementary
Lunch Program
Schedule
Class Links
Assemblies & Events
Teachers
Curriculum
Our elementary school offers a rigorous academic program to all students. Elementary students are assigned to a single classroom; often students participate in ability grouped rotations beginning in third grade for language arts and math. The goal of rotations is to address each student’s learning needs based on what academics will challenge him/her. These groups are fluid and change often as students master the skills and concepts. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade participate in our integrated arts program taking classes in Spanish, P.E, science, music and art. During the integrated arts block, teachers have professional collaboration and planning time to address the curriculum needs of their students.
K-8 > Elementary > Lunch Program
Our food service program is provided by Children’s Choice, out of Danville. Under the food service plan, lunches cost $4.15 each in the 2007-2008 school year. The fee schedule for the 2008-2009 school year will be available in August. What is unique about Children’s Choice is that parents actually can choose the lunches on-line at www.choicelunch.com, by phone or using pre-order forms. With this system, a child’s name is assigned to each lunch, so there is very little chance we will run out of lunch items the student orders.
K-8 > Elementary > Schedule
Bell Schedule
Please see individual classroom links for more information.
Pick up and drop off information
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K-8 > Elementary >Class Links
Please see the following for more information about your child's classroom schedule procedures and events.
Some TeacherWeb websites are still being developed. Links will be provided here as soon as the sites are available.
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
Integrated Arts
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K-8 > Elementary > Assemblies & Events
Assemblies
Dragon Assemblies are approximately one hour in length and are held once a month. Students from various grade levels recite poetry, play instruments, sing and perform short plays. These assemblies give our students an opportunity to showcase their learning in a fun and entertaining way. Please see your child's classroom link for more specific information on their upcoming assemblies.
Events
Apple Festival for 1st graders
The History Van for third graders
Fourth graders' week at Camp Arroyo
The San Jose Technology Museum
The Lawrence Livermore Hall of Science
Extreme Enrichment Week
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K-8 > Elementary > Teachers
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Alison Baird
Alison Baird grew up in San Diego and attended UC Santa Cruz where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Communications and graduated with honors. She obtained her teaching credential last year from SF State University while co-teaching in a first grade classroom in the city. Alison has worked with children all of her life running a non-profit day care for 2 years, providing group childcare to multiple organizations, and working as a nanny for 2 years. Outside of school, her interests are most outdoor sports from scuba diving to mountain biking. Alison joined the LVCS staff in 2007.
abaird@lvcs.org
Muriel Burns
Muriel attended California State University, Long Beach where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in English. She also holds a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. She has taught first and second grade for over twenty years in the Fremont Unified School District and in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. Muriel, now a Master teacher at LVCS, has been the recipient of numerous recognitions, leadership roles, and certifications including the Livermore District’s Technology Award, CLAD certification, and selection as the Livermore District Mentor for First Grade Technology (1997).
mburns@lvcs.org
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Kathy Ligan
Kathy grew up in Ohio and attended the University of Cincinnati where she earned a Bachelor's degree in both Elementary and Special Education in 1981 graduating Magna Cum Laude. Kathy taught for eight years in the Princeton City School District in Cincinnati, Ohio. She taught third and fourth graders in a culturally diverse environment at Heritage Hill Elementary. Here in Livermore Kathy taught second grade at Arroyo Mocho Elementary. Kathy also worked as a substitute teacher in Pleasanton and Livermore. Kathy's other professional experience includes serving as a school representative at state wide Title 1 conferences, a student council advisor, a grade level team leader, and an active participant on a Princeton District Literacy team that was formed to help implement guided reading and interactive writing in the district.
kligan@lvcs.org
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Michele Wharton
Bio to be posted when it becomes available.
mwharton@lvcs.org
Amy Naylor
Amy attended San Diego State University. After graduating with honors, Amy returned to SDSU where she earned a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. With a specialization in theater and enjoys incorporating drama into her classroom. Amy joined the LVCS staff in the fall of 2005.
anaylor@lvcs.org
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Stacey Rivas
Biography not available at this time.
srivas@lvcs.org
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Tracie Connors
Tracie earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Chico. After graduating, Tracie returned to Chico State and enrolled in the graduate program, receiving her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Tracie was a student teacher in second grade at an elementary school in Chico. Tracie completed her credential with a Master Teacher in a Kindergarten class at a rural K-8 school in Orland, California. Tracie also served as a substitute in the Orland School District. She joined the LVCS staff in fall 2005.
tconnors@lvcs.org
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Laura Morgan
Laura Morgan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular & Cell Biology. She later earned a Master’s degree in Education and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from UC Berkeley in the Developmental Teacher Education Program. Laura has taught for 11 years in the Piedmont and Livermore School Districts. She has taught kindergarten, first, second, and fifth grades, as well as teaching science at both the elementary and middle school levels. She has served as a workshop presenter, on various district level committees, as a grade level chair, and as a Master Teacher to students from UC Berkeley, Chapman University, and Cal State Hayward. Laura has been with LVCS since its inception. She has also worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the Biomedical and Earth Sciences Divisions as well as for LARPD as the Director of their Summer Science Program. She and her husband Joe reside in Livermore and have 3 young sons.
lmorgan@lvcs.org
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Pat Wagle
Patricia brings to LVCS over 40 years experience working with children, first in a recreational setting, then in hospital and therapeutic environments, and most recently in the classroom. She has more than 20 years with the Livermore Unified School District teaching first and second grade at several elementary schools. Pat has held numerous leadership and mentoring positions and has served as grade-level chairman, leadership team member, and chairperson of various committees. Pat holds a multiple subject teaching credential from Simpson College, San Francisco, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Therapy and minor in History/Sociology from California State University, Hayward.
pwagle@lvcs.org
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Lauren Quinn
Lauren attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California where she received her BA in Theatre Arts and a teaching credential. Lauren taught 5th grade and coached the LVCS track team in the 2005-2006 school year. She joined the LVCS staff in 2005.
lquinn@lvcs.org
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Vicki Lo
Vicki graduated from Sacramento State in December 2003 with a Liberal Studies degree with a concentration in Multiculture. In December 2004, she completed the Bilingual/Multiculture Education credential program at Sacramento State. Vicki joined the LVCS staff in the fall of 2005.
vlo@lvcs.org
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Lina Miura
Lina graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Society, and a minor in Education and Applied Psychology. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 2006 with a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with CLAD certification. Lina has had a variety of experience including teaching at an urban charter school in Los Angeles, as well as at a Japanese/English dual-immersion school in Culver City. She joined the LVCS staff in the fall of 2006.
lmiura@lvcs.org
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Jennifer Pennybacker
Jennifer graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Psychology and a Minor in Sociology. During her course work, Jennifer conducted original field research focusing on the interactions and social relationships between boys and girls in an academic environment. Later, Jennifer returned to Cal State Monterey Bay to earn her Multi Subject Teaching Credential. With over 9 years teaching experience throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Jennifer has worked closely with and trained new teachers, as well as instructed Primary Training Programs implemented in her previous schools. She has served on the Curriculum Committee at her previous school and worked closely with staff members to implement and strategize curriculum needs.
jpennybacker@lvcs.org
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Michelle Apodaca
Michelle Apodaca graduated from California State University, Hayward, where she was a liberal studies major with a minor in English. In 2001, Michelle worked for the National Youth Sports Program, a nonprofit summer enrichment program for under privileged children in Hayward. She both counseled and instructed the students in a variety of athletic and academic courses. She also assisted in the organization of staff development workshops and field trips. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree, Michelle returned to California State University, Hayward to earn her Multiple Subject Teaching. After finishing the program, Michelle continued to work in the Dublin and Pleasanton School districts as a substitute, working with grades 2-5. She joined the LVCS staff in fall of 2006.
mapodaca@lvcs.org
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James Brandle
James Brandle earned his B.A. degree in Liberal Studies: Elementary Education and a minor in History from Humboldt State University (Go Lumberjacks!). Prior to teaching James has worked as a sports writer, referee, tutor for K-8 grade students, and even an Outdoor Environmental Education instructor in Alabama. He comes to LVCS most recently from Chico, where he finished his teaching credential in multiple subjects and became CLAD certified. James has been teaching at LVCS since August 2005. He enjoyed his few seasons coaching basketball. His still loves working with Dramatic Dragons, be it director or producer. James will also be presenting at the California Council for History Education this fall. This year James is excited about Lego Robotics, the garden, and the field trips!
jbrandle@lvcs.org
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Heidi Preece
Heidi holds a multiple subject teaching credential from California State University, Hayward, as well as a B.A. degree in Economics and English minor from the University of California, Davis. Heidi brings a wide range of teaching experience to LVCS. In the course of her 16-year career, Heidi has taught elementary science, third and fourth grades in the Livermore District and Dublin Elementary schools. In addition, she has served as a home teacher for students unable to attend school and has operated her own tutoring business for students at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels. In Dublin, Heidi served as Science Chair for two years during which time a district-wide science curriculum was written and implemented. She was recognized as “Teacher of the Year” for her contributions. Heidi has created an interactive and motivational curriculum that includes Writers’ Workshop, Literature Circles, Live Poets’ Society, Monart, and a manipulative-based math program. She has been a member of the LVCS staff since fall 2005.
hpreece@lvcs.org
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Amber Rodgers
Biography not available at this time.
arodgers@lvcs.org
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Aaron Connors
Aaron graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Chico. Aaron has experience team teaching in a fourth grade class at a public school in Butte County. He joined the LVCS staff in the fall of 2005.
aconnors@lvcs.org
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Emily Thomas
Emily graduated from Arizona State University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. After teaching in a fifth grade in Arizona, she moved to California and taught summer school and reading remediation. Emily joined the LVCS family in 2007. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in teaching at California State University, Fresno.
ethomas@lvcs.org
Elaine Partington
Bio to be posted when it becomes available.
epartington@lvcs.org
Jennifer Winter
Jennifer began her association with LVCS as a founding family member, the group that started the school. She helped draft the Charter petition that began our school. Switching gears, Jennifer student taught with Tara Aderman in sixth grade during the 2005-2006 school year and joined the LVCS staff as a full time teacher in the fall of 2006.
jwinter@lvcs.org
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Heather Zischka
Biography not available at this time.
hzischka@lvcs.org
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Jocelyn Yonker
Jocelyn Yonker grew up locally and attended Patten University where
she earned her Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies and graduated
Magna Cum Laude. During this time, she volunteered as a tutor at an
after school program. Prior to entering teaching, she worked for the
Pleasanton Police Department where she assisted the public, aided in
Spanish translation, and maintained office records. She obtained her
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from CSUEB and gained experience
student-teaching at Portola Elementary in Livermore and Hearst
Elementary in Pleasanton. While earning her Master's of Education,
she substituted in various elementary schools, including a long-term
position with Pleasanton Unified School District. Along with Alison
Baird, she helped found the Dragon Bake Club at LVCS. Outside of
school, her interests include family, baking, health/exercise, and A's
baseball; she resides in Walnut Creek. Jocelyn eagerly joined the
LVCS staff in 2007.
jyonker@lvcs.org
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K-8 > Elementary > Curriculum
At LVCS our focus is on the education of the whole child through a core curriculum of English-language arts, mathematics, science, and history-social science including an enriching curriculum of visual and performing arts, physical education, foreign language, technology and life skills education.
Our elementary teams plan collaboratively and employ a variety of teaching strategies to differentiate instruction for their students. Teachers use the framework of backward design to create year long curriculum pacing plans aligned with the California Department of Education Curriculum Standards (CDE standards). We start with the essential learning we want our students to leave each grade level with, design assessments to measure how we will know what they have learned and then create daily instructional plans to implement throughout the year.
The concepts and skills taught are comprehensively assessed each trimester using Individual Data Management Systems (IDMS), a computer based system. This regular cycle of assessment allows our teachers to better target instructional needs for each student.
Teachers conference regularly with parents in the course of the school year and student progress is reported to parents through Individual Learning Plans. Individual Learning Plans (ILP's) incorporate: student progress based on the standards taught each trimester and teacher analysis of areas of individual academic strength,
talent and strategies that will help each student succeed. Our ILP's differ from a conventional report card by measuring student achievement based on California Department or Education (CDE) standards and give specific information on how parents can partner with teachers for student success.
Curriculum PDFs are currently being reworked.
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