Cesar Chavez Elementary highlights vocabulary, robotics, family engagement and intervention efforts
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Cesar Chavez Elementary principal Amel Mercado and assistant principal Andreina Ocho presented school goals and programs to the board on March 13, describing language-and-vocabulary-focused instruction, Lego robotics, career day and an intervention model that deploys students for 40–60 minute targeted instruction blocks.
Cesar Chavez Elementary presented a site update to the Greenfield Union School District board on March 13, outlining goals for language development, positive school culture, family engagement and academic interventions.
Principal Amel Mercado and Assistant Principal Andreina Ocho described the school’s “PLN plan,” a set of strategies focused on vocabulary and language supports across subjects so students better comprehend reading and math. “One of those goals is to really help focus our students… about the vocabulary, the language, that they're learning,” Mercado said.
The presentation highlighted several ongoing activities: kindness and spirit weeks, college-and-career events, Read Across America with a visiting author, and a Lego/Open‑house project that combines robotics, collaboration and language practice. Mercado said the school takes advantage of community volunteers for career day so students can “see what it is that happens at the college level” and imagine future careers.
On instruction, school leaders described professional development and teacher collaboration — including PLCs and GLAD training — aimed at improving teacher efficacy. The school uses a daily intervention block during which students are grouped by need and move to targeted instruction for about 40 minutes to an hour, the presenters said.
After‑school offerings include soccer, coding club, music, leadership, and an ELA Academy and sixth‑grade tutoring. The site also emphasized family engagement through regular “cafecitos,” parent events, PTA activities and bilingual presentations of programs such as Leader in Me.
The school recognized staff contributions during the presentation. Principal Mercado acknowledged school psychologist Gabby Villagomez and special-education staff for supporting students and filling roles during short staffing.
Board members praised the presentation. Trustees and the interim superintendent noted visible implementation of trainings when they visit classrooms and encouraged continued community collaboration. The school’s open house and Lego showcase were noted as upcoming opportunities for families to see student work.
The district did not take formal action during the presentation; the item was informational.