Academics, Programs, & Services

Piedmont elementary schools’ visual art program is designed and taught by certificated Visual Arts teachers. The curriculum builds a strong foundation by developing skills and processes outlined in the National Visual Arts Standards: Creating, Responding, Presenting, and Connecting. Each project or lesson joyfully nurtures student engagement in all four standards via Project Zero’s Studio Habits of Mind: Develop Craft; Envision, Express, Stretch and Explore, Engage and Persist, Observe, Reflect, Understand Arts Community.

Students Develop Craft by learning and practicing new art mediums, including painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, sculpture and ceramics. Students Engage and Persist through problem solving, Envisioning their ideas and considering next steps. Students Observe artwork, Reflect, and make connections to their own experiences, the world around them, and art history. Students are encouraged to Stretch and Explore, learning that mistakes are opportunities for growth and that curiosity is key to making art. Students gain visual literacy skills, learning to Express their ideas through their artwork. Our art teachers thrive on creating inviting spaces and engaging opportunities to build art skills in the studio and beyond.

 

Brittney Price, K-5 Art Specialist bprice@piedmont.k12.ca.us

The Havens Library is a safe and welcoming space for all students to explore their understanding of self and of the world through literature, informational texts and other materials.

Library Hours for Family Check Out: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-3:15 and Wednesday from 1:45-2:00. Closed on Fridays. Family members are welcome to establish a library account in order to augment the books checked out by your student. This also allows access to our many electronic books, available on the library’s catalog.

Library Recess: We are open to 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students for all morning and lunch recesses. Open to 4th & 5th grade students  Monday and Friday mornings and all lunch recesses except for Wednesdays. The library serves as a calm alternative to outdoor recess. Our students come to read, craft, puzzle, play board games, and utilize our mini makers center. 

Library Staff: In the library you will find two part-time credentialed teacher librarians, who teach the state and nationally recognized library curriculum. We endeavor to support our students as they grow their reading, thinking, and digital citizenship skills and passions. The teacher librarians and library assistants work closely as a team in our support of the Havens students and staff.

Teacher Librarian Laura Remer, Tuesday & Wednesday  lremer@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Teacher Librarian Tiffany Cothran, Monday & Thursday tcothran@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Library Assistant Alex Donnelly, adonnelly@piedmont.k12.ca.us

The Library Program: Piedmont Unified School District’s TriSchool Elementary Libraries:

Promote Reading – through storytelling, exposure to different genres, guest authors and illustrators, and individual reader’s advisory.

Use Technology – Use technology to enhance student learning and research.

Support Classroom Curriculum – with resources for teachers and students.

Help Students Develop Information Literacy Skills –  by teaching them how to find, analyze, and use information in meaningful ways.

The Library Collection: Our collection is curated by the teacher librarian, and  includes over 14,000 titles, which include print and digital materials. You can access digital resources, as well as the library’s online library catalog, through our Tri-School Library Homepage and Havens Catalog.

Parent volunteers are an important element of our school library program, by helping the library staff during class visits, with research projects, and at the Spring and Fall Book Fairs. To learn more, contact our current HPC library liaisons on the HPC website.

Helping each child develop a love for reading and writing is one of the primary goals in Piedmont. Whether your child is already an avid reader or reluctant to pick up a book, we have wonderful resources to enhance their learning of literacy skills.

In grades K through 3, Reading into Phonics, published by Sadlier is our adopted foundational literacy curriculum which covers skills such as phonics, phonemic awareness, and spelling. In grades 4 and 5, our adopted curriculum for word work, spelling and other foundational skills is Spellography.

For Kindergarten through Grade 5, Fishtank ELA Curriculum is used to teach reading and writing in Piedmont.

The Fishtank ELA curriculum aims to develop students into critical readers, writers, and thinkers. We hope to widen their perspectives so that they can better understand themselves and the world around them.

The Guiding Principles of the curriculum are:

• Building knowledge to nurture critical thinking.
• Centering diverse, relevant, and rigorous texts.
• Prioritizing student voices and ideas to build agency.
• Learning to write, writing to learn.

 

Assessments

Three times a year, our K-5 students are assessed using DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) to track their progress in reading, as well as screen for reading disabilities. If a student needs more support to reach a benchmark in literacy skills, we have a robust Literacy Intervention program where interventionists work in small groups, or one-on-one, to reinforce the concepts being taught in the classrooms.

Learning practices that foster a growth mindset and curiosity are integral to the classroom mathematics community.  Students are encouraged to take risks, make mistakes, explore, communicate, problem solve, reason and justify their thinking so that they are able to make sense of mathematics at the deepest levels.  Through these experiences, students develop an appreciation for the beauty and creativity inherent in the field of mathematics.

All three elementary schools use Bridges in Mathematics, including Number Corner, as its core curriculum.  Bridges is a comprehensive K-5 curriculum that equips the teachers to fully implement the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in a manner that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners.Through the use of various strategies and the use of manipulatives, students are supported in developing problem-solving skills as well as their confidence in their math concepts!

Teachers also enrich their classroom math programs with problem-solving resources from the Silicon Valley Math Initiative and other highly-engaging curricula.  These programs, along with the Bridges curriculum provide many avenues for differentiation to meet student needs.

The Math Resource program provides supplemental support for students needing support, time, and attention, all in a small group or individualized setting. The math intervention teacher works collaboratively with classroom teachers to keep in step with the curriculum being taught at any point during the school year. 

 

The Piedmont Elementary physical education curriculum is based on the California State Standards. Not only does this guide our teaching but it also directs the grading of students. Following is the grading supplement that explains what students learn at each grade level as well as the areas we evaluate for report cards. Please let us know if you have any questions about the grade reporting or your child’s physical education.

Havens Elementary: Erin Ashton - eashton@piedmont.k12.ca.us & 

Chad Hamilton - chamilton@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Adaptive Physical Education Specialist: Raul Jorcino - rjorcino@piedmont.k12.ca.us 

PHILOSOPHY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

“The purpose of physical education is to encourage the exploration and mastery of physical, mental and social skills in order to enjoy a lifetime of physical activity. Physical education provides the opportunity to teach students about movement, strategies, teamwork, problem solving and health related fitness.”

GOALS

The goal of physical education is to develop physically literate individuals. 

“Physical literacy is the ability to move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person.” - shapeamerica.org

CALIFORNIA STATE STANDARDS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTING

5th GRADE

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/

FitnessGram Performance Standards

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/documents/pft15hfzstd.pdf   

What is FitnessGram?

FitnessGram® is the most widely used youth physical fitness assessment, education and reporting tool in the world. Based on Healthy Fitness Zone® standards, created by the FitnessGram Scientific Advisory Board, FitnessGram uses criterion-based standards, carefully established for each age and gender.

People come in all shapes and sizes, but everyone can benefit from regular physical activity and healthy levels of physical fitness. FitnessGram evaluates the five components of health-related fitness: Aerobic Capacity, Muscular Strength, Muscular Endurance, Flexibility, and Body Composition.

FitnessGram uses scientifically determined standards that are based on how fit children should be for good health. Most children can achieve the health-related fitness standards if they perform sufficient amounts of physical activity on a regular basis. The standards are set specifically for boys and girls and take into account changes with age.

The FitnessGram assessment is based not on athletic ability, but levels of fitness needed for good overall health. No matter what your children grow up to become, they will live happier, more productive lives if they are healthy–and physical fitness is vital to overall health. FitnessGram provides valid and reliable information about your child’s level of fitness. The FitnessGram test (and report) includes a number of different assessments since health-related fitness has multiple components. Some children may score high on muscular strength but need to improve their aerobic capacity score. By having a complete report, you (and your child) will know more about their overall level fitness and how it can be improved.

PUSD is thrilled to be expanding its esteemed Early Intervention Preschool Program at Havens by offering children an opportunity to attend PUSD as a preschooler.  The PUSD Early Intervention Preschool program has supported the community’s youngest learners with disabilities since 2014 and is now enrolling a limited number of general education preschool-age students to create an Inclusive classroom.

Benefits of attending an inclusive preschool:

• Excellent adult to student ratios (1:4)

• Exceptionally qualified and trained staff and specialists in the classroom

• Through meaningful interactions and shared experiences, children will learn the value of acceptance, empathy, and respect for diversity in others

 

Smithsonian Science for the Classroom is the only high-quality curriculum proven to raise standardized test scores in science, reading, and math. It is designed to engage students in phenomenon- and problem-driven learning that connects students firsthand to the world around them. It was developed in consultation with teachers and content experts and was field tested in a range of schools with diverse populations. It draws on the latest findings and best practices from education research and supports teachers with point-of-use support.

Each year, students have units in Earth and Space Science, Life Science, Engineering, and Physical Science. The curriculum provides many hands-on, engaging activities to develop students into scientists.

 

One of our primary goals at the elementary level is to create a safe, inclusive, kind, and respectful environment. Children at every grade level are given guidance on how to be a good friend, school citizen and student.

Inevitably problems will arise; this is part of growing up! When they do, teachers and staff are available to help students navigate through difficult situations. In addition, Beach is fortunate to have a school counselor, for those who need extra support and guidance.

Children at all grade levels learn age-appropriate examples of appropriate tools to help them understand how to be a good friend and classmate. We utilize Second Step curriculum and lessons from the Welcoming Schools curriculum at all grades to support this learning.

 

For information please see the district's Special Education page.

Havens Elementary’s technology curriculum teaches students to use digital tools to access, manage, evaluate and synthesize information in order to solve problems individually and collaboratively. The technology curriculum is integrated with all curricular areas, and is used as an instructional tool in reading, writing, math and science instruction.

The school’s technology program also emphasizes digital literacy and citizenship, including units developed by commonsensemedia.org to address these topics in an age-appropriate way. Lessons focus on thinking critically, behaving safely and participating responsibly with digital media.

Technology is a critical component to student advancement because it supports inquiry, communication, and analysis. Our implementation of technology resources is grounded in research, tied to curriculum, and focused on positively impacting student learning. Informing our approach are best practices of 21st century skills, ISTE’s NETS skills, and critical thinking derived from work around Bloom’s Taxonomy to create engaged and literate learners. Educational Technology aims to improve student achievement through providing:

1- equitable access to technology, through adequate student/computer ratios, security, maintenance and reliability

2- opportunities for students and staff to acquire 21st Century skills

3- support to state curricular standards by enhancing instruction planning, delivery, practice, assessment, and communication

Computer lab periods are scheduled for all 1st – 5th grades. 3rd, 4th and 5th grades are also outfitted with chromebooks for each student in the classrooms. Library workstations are also available for student use.

 

OUR TECH PROGRAM

We are very fortunate to offer music instruction at all grade levels.

Vocal Music

A music specialist provides vocal music instruction for students weekly in grades K-3. Kodaly and Orff methods of music teaching are practiced in the classroom.  Our Spring Concert serves a demonstration of a year’s worth of music education.

Adrian Behrendt, Vocal Music Teacher, abehrendt@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Instrumental Music

5th Graders will receive instruction from Shauna Revelli (orchestra) and Mary Rees (Symphonic Band) for 60 minutes a week, in groups of 12-18 students.

Orchestra: 5th grade string class will be a continuation of what they learned in 4th grade.  They will be able to choose between three string instruments - violin, viola, or cello. We will begin using the Suzuki Method to build a strong foundation, focusing on developing a beautiful tone and correct playing posture right from the start.

In this class, 5th grade students learn how to make a great sound, play together with their classmates, and learn to read music. Most importantly, we'll have a ton of fun along the way! Learning an instrument is a rewarding experience, and I am looking forward to making some amazing music with you.

For more information, please contact Ms. Revelli srevelli@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Symphonic Band: 5th-graders participate in either Band or Orchestra for one hour each week.

Band students can choose among four wind instruments — flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone. They will learn to make a good tone
on their instrument, play several familiar tunes and some new ones, read music notation, and
perform in two concerts. I look forward to making music with you! For more information, please contact Ms. Rees.

Ms. Rees, Band Teacher — mrees@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Theater Arts

4th graders will have Theater Arts with Amy Moorhead for 60 minutes a week.