Escalon Unified School District

Staff Spotlight.... Cris Astabie, Instructional Assistant Mrs. Cris Astabie has been a member of the EUSD team for more than 20 years with seven of those years at El Portal Middle School. While her positions have varied, her passion for students has been a constant. Mrs. Astabie began her EUSD career at Dent Elementary as a part-time instructional assistant that included lunch supervision duties. She then moved into positions where she provided l-to-1 support for specific stu...dents with the EUSD Special Day (SDC) program. Most recently, Mrs. Astabie took a position that placed her in the EPMS SDC classroom as an all-day instructional assistant. She could not have anticipated the impact COVID would have on the position, but she has quickly adapted to meet students needs. When asked what she enjoys most about her work, it becomes evident that she is a relationship-based person. She cites her interactions with colleagues as being extremely rewarding as they have "taught me so much more than I could have ever imagined." She also holds dear the relationships she is able to build with students. "The relationships I have made with these students and watching how much they grow is overwhelmingly satisfying," she said. For more on Mrs. Astabie see the April 2021 Newsletter on our website at: www.escalonusd.org

Egg Drop is a fun way for our Van Allen 2nd graders to explore the NGSS standards.

Van Allen first graders participate in the Rainbow STEM challenge: Ask questions based on observations to find more information about the natural and/or designed world. Asking questions, making observations, and gathering information are helpful in thinking about problems. The shape and stability of structures of natural and designed objects are related to their functions.

PIT Class Continues to Work! Shown in the classroom on the Escalon High School campus are members of this year’s PIT, Peer Interaction Team. From left, first year member Carsyn Hood, second year member Christine T. Cruz and first year member Cassie Sanchez. Perhaps now, more than ever, the Peer Interaction Team, PIT, is needed.... A longstanding program at Escalon High School, PIT develops leadership skills among class members, who also work with younger students in a type of mentoring-buddy relationship. It marks its 35th anniversary this year. And while current PIT teacher/advisor Sue Gentry said the pandemic has added another layer of difficulty to the program, it is one that continues to be a valuable part of the EHS curriculum. PIT began in the spring of 1986 in the wake of an on campus suicide involving a Vista student, Gentry explained of the group’s history. After counseling hundreds of high school kids in the aftermath of this tragedy, district officials concluded that a high school support group or class would be beneficial. Among the leaders pushing for this project were district counselor Michael Simone, district psychologist Pat Rogers, and teacher Rusty Fachner. Initially, the program saw the selection of 20 high school students, who began training that spring 35 years ago, with counselor Simone leading the group. Teacher Steve French was brought in to observe the training and was offered the chance to teach a class that would begin the next fall, Gentry said. Mr. French was enrolled in the counseling program at CSUS (California State University Stanislaus) at the time. For more on this story visit the Escalon Times website at: https://www.escalontimes.com//students-helping-students-p/