Elementary

Welcome to the CSDR Elementary webpage. We take great pride in providing our students with the best educational experience possible. We strive to continue to build an ideal school environment where students feel safe, comfortable, challenged, and always engaged. Students and staff have plenty of opportunities to celebrate core values and each other’s achievements. Teaching and assessments are standards-based, instruction is data-driven, and collaboration is purposeful. Our goal is to align our instructional programs with CSDR’s mission statement to ensure that all our students’ educational and personal development is maximized.

Students in the Elementary department are taught using state-approved curriculum that adhere to the California State Core Curriculum Standards. Our teachers and staff work closely with curriculum and teacher specialists to ensure that we have a strong educational program that addresses each child’s unique academic, social, and emotional needs. Our students learn bilingually using both ASL and English. Content is taught through both academic and social ASL and English for students to develop better competencies in both their first and natural language (ASL) as well as their second language (written English). This is critical to their academic success in all content areas.

Our aim is to guide our students through their education and teach them the values of kindness, respect, fairness, responsibility, and most importantly, the lifelong love of learning. These are skills that we want to instill to help our students be successful throughout life:

• The value of wanting to learn what is being taught
• The self-discipline to practice concepts repeatedly
• The guidance to always do the best work possible
• The attitude that if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again
• The belief that their education is a priority in their life
• Being organized and neat in their work
• Being a responsible student

We emphasize the importance of working closely together with our students’ families to support our students. Families help teach our children values and character. The school’s role is to reinforce the values, character, and work ethic that children learn and develop at home. Research shows that the most important variable in a child’s success in school is the family’s involvement in their children’s education.

There is never a shortage of things to get involved with at CSDR! Here is a sampling of some of the things we do during each school year:

Students are recognized for academic achievements, displaying their best efforts in class, exhibiting excellent character, and being a role model for others at the end of semester Cubs Honor Assembly. Students and teacher look forward to this assembly at the end of each semester, to congratulate and celebrate one another for their outstanding accomplishments as Elementary students!

Each year, students take part in national ASL competitions, whether it is to showcase their storytelling abilities, their poetry skills or their mastery in Deaf art. The ASL competition season starts at the department level with winners becoming national level entries. With the support and help of their teachers and CSDR ASL specialists, students work on their entries – editing and perfecting, throughout the year. There is nothing more prideful than seeing CSDR students excel in the area of language and culture!

Elementary students experience the excitement of sharing their writing with an audience during Author’s Chair. Using the latest technology, students project their work on a screen for everyone in the department to see. The writing has already gone through editing and revisions in the classroom, allowing students to receive positive feedback on their final drafts. There are many benefits to this special event. For example, it provides a purpose for students to be creative and to do their best work. It also teaches students the concept of authorship and pride in their creations. Students learn how to share work in front of an audience, and the audience participants learn to show proper recognition to the authors. It is a fun event for everyone involved!

As one of the core academic areas, CSDR hosts an annual Science event in order to provide opportunities for students to rekindle their imaginations and apply scientific method to conduct research. In the past CSDR has held Science Fair competitions and even an on-campus Science camp. Moving forward, the Elementary Department will be timing our Science Fair competition with the CSDR Middle School program so that students see their own future in Science.

Nothing can be more fun than a friendly competition among peers to help develop a healthy sense of sportsmanship. All grade levels participate in a spelling bee competition to prepare them for the big one once they arrive in 4th and 5th Grades. Spelling bees help promote literacy as it engages students in reading and writing. Students not only increase their vocabulary but also develop cognitive abilities, learning strategies and confidence.

Mathematical creativity and mastery is the purpose for a Math Olympiad that is held in the spring. The goal of the Math Olympiad is to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills and nourish student’s love for math. Mathematical concepts taught throughout the school year are put to test. Students are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and possibly a medal.

Elementary Department students have proudly been involved in the 100 mile club for several years now. During the week, students are offered the opportunity to run and earn the coveted 100 Mile status. Students proudly wear their 100 Mile shirts and display their accomplishments as they achieve them. Students are recognized at our monthly assemblies when they hit the 25, 50, 75 and 100 mile mark! Because running and fun are encouraged in our department, the Elementary Department hosts a Turkey Trot each year as a way of fundraising for the department. If interested, mark your calendar; it is always the Friday before our Fall break!

As a way of preparing our 5th graders for school beyond elementary, the some very special responsibilities and opportunities bestowed unique to them. Each semester, students are involved in Student Council, they run the Elementary Department Character Counts! Assemblies and host their very own department-wide events (Movie day, bake sales, etc). As a way of celebrating their elementary accomplishments, their year ends with a very special End-of-the-Year trip that is just for fun and just for them!

As you can see, students at CSDR have unique experiences that give them plenty of opportunities to really thrive and excel. Our Cubs are simply the best!