Dear Temescal Creek Families:
We hope that you have been enjoying a restful and rejuvenating summer break. We have a few more weeks before school starts and we can’t wait to start the new year with you! But first, some introductions from the third grade teaching team.
Lisa Chung-Nguyen (head teacher)
Hello! I hail from Arcadia, a suburb of Los Angeles. I attended UCLA for undergrad and graduated with a major in English Literature and a minor in Education. I then went to Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City where I received my masters in education and taught for three years at the Little Red Schoolhouse in the West Village. I taught for three more years in Los Angeles before transitioning to the Bay Area where this will be my seventh year teaching at The Berkeley School. When I am not learning alongside the kids, I enjoy baking, crafting, trying out new places to eat, taking pictures of my food, reading, and photography. I am looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you into our classroom community.
Jacqueline Sa (assistant teacher)
Hi there! My name is Jacqueline Sa. A little about me: I was born and raised in San Jose. I graduated from UCLA in 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Anthropology and a minor in Education. Teaching is one of my greatest passions because I can empower students to become activists for change and help foster curiosity and learning. When I’m not teaching, I love crafting, reading, and spending time with my loved ones. I am super excited to join The Berkeley School family this upcoming school year, and I cannot wait to meet you all!
This summer, Lisa spent a week with her family in SoCal before traversing the U.S. and braving the heat and humidity of New York, Nashville, and Austin. Jacqueline was one of the camp leaders for the summer camp at KIDS for the BAY.
We always enjoy the anticipation of getting the Temescal classroom set up just so, and then meeting families and all your bright, shining faces as we embark on a magical and pivotal year full of growing independence and lots of “aha” moments.
The theme for 3rd grade is exploring local people, places, and plants of the past and present. Through this local lens, we view the world and consider our role in the web of life and our place in time. Math will begin with a foundation of number sense, and then move into fractions, time, geometry, measurement, as well as multiplication and division. In reading and writing workshop, we will create a supportive community, so everyone is comfortable taking creative risks, and we will publish pieces including a field guide, thankfulness expository, and lots of creative free writing. We will also dedicate a period of time to hands-on Super Science and Art once a week. Third graders are always excited to start learning cursive and we will jump right into that in the first weeks of school and will start keyboarding in the second half of the year.
On to the nuts-and-bolts… we know that you are itching to do some back-to-school shopping! The school takes care of the majority of classroom supplies, but we do request you bring in the following items on the first day of school:
Classroom Supply List
- Roomy, durable non-rolling backpack that fits 8 ½ by 11 folders, lunches, jackets, etc. (Optional: a water bottle to live in the backpack.)
- Sketchbook, 8 ½ by 11 max.
- A 12-pack of Prismacolor colored pencils. These are lovely, high-quality colored pencils that are vibrant, blend well, and will really add to your child’s art experience. We hear they are available at the art stores on University. (Optional: purchase an extra pack to donate to the class supplies.)
- A simple 2-pocket folder to transport work and notes to and from school on Mondays and Fridays. Let your child express his/her personality while choosing this special folder.
- Family photo(s), 3 max.
- Small object from nature, or a photo of your child in a nature setting that illustrates a summer highlight.
- White 1 ½” binder with a clear pocket in the front, spine, and back. Two interior pockets. (Click here for an example)
Please label all personal supplies, as well as lunch boxes, jackets, sweatshirts, etc. with your child’s name. If we see a name on an item we will be sure to get it back to the rightful owner. Otherwise, it will stay in our classroom for a short time, being held up once or twice to be claimed, and then off it will go to the school lost and found (aka The Black Hole), which gets donated after a few months.
Lunch
If not participating in Nourish You, the school’s optional lunch program, we encourage a healthy lunch in trash-free, reusable containers your child can open and close by him/herself. Students are responsible for bringing their own snacks each day. Please note, while our food-allergy policy is under review, University Avenue Campus is a nut-free campus until further notice. Please do not send candy/sugary treats, gum, drinks with a high-sugar content, or excessively packaged food. We also recommend steering clear of food coloring.
Upcoming Important Dates
Temescal Family Potluck – Sunday August 26, 1:00-3:00p
Look out for an email invitation (if you haven’t received it already) inviting you to a Temescal class potluck coordinated by our awesome classroom coordinators Tim Nunes and Miranda Worthen.
Classroom Sneak Peek – Tuesday 8/28, 10:45-11:45a
Drop off your binder and folders, find your cubby, and say hello to your teachers before school starts the next day.
First Day of School – Wednesday, August 29
School begins at 8:30a, which means students should plan to arrive by 8:20a. The gong will ring at 8:27, the front gate will close at 8:30. Students are late if they’re not in their classrooms at 8:30a — no more grace time. Students may come up to the breezeway and inside classrooms at 8:10. Middle School dismissal at the curb begins at 3:35. More info will be coming soon about drop-off, pick-up and extended care options.
Back to School Night – Thursday, September 13, 6:00-8:00p
Families are invited to campus to learn more about what we have in store for your children this year. There is no childcare for this event so please be sure to make other arrangements for your children. Light refreshments will be available and meters are free beginning at 6:00p.
Photo Day – Tuesday, October 23
Our school photographer will be on campus to shoot school photos for all K-8 students.
Digital Safety Family Ed Event, Wednesday, October 24, 7:00-8:30p
Parenting adults of all aged students are encouraged to join us for a Family Education event around our crucial partnership in your children’s mental and physical health, specifically around Digital Safety. Mark your calendar to join us and learn the reasons behind our expectations for student use of technology and internet access, and ways you can best support your student and family’s health.
Keep in Touch
E-mail is in fact the best way to contact us (lchung@theberkeleyschool.org and jsa@theberkeleyschool.org.) We will get back to you asap and within a two-day window. During the day when school is in session, please don’t call the classroom directly. The best way to get us a message during the school day is through the front desk (frontdesk@theberkeleyschool.org or (510) 665-8800, ext. 0.)
Questionnaires
Please fill out this parent questionnaire before the first day of school so we can learn more about your child and family. We’ll mail this student questionnaire home and ask that your child fill it out and bring it to Sneak Peek Day or to school on the first day.
Warmly,
Lisa & Jacqueline
