Academic Programs

Accelerated Reader (AR) is a progress monitoring software assessment used for monitoring student reading.

AR strives to:

• Personalize and guide independent reading
• Develop lifelong readers and learners
• Increase parental support with web-based, school-to-home communications
• Equip students to meet the rigors of state standards and CCSS

Click here for the Accelerated Reader Book Finder

Click here for parent guides to Accelerated Reader and AR BookFinder.

The Incredible Children’s Art Network (iCAN) is a nonprofit organization founded on the belief that all young people should have access to quality arts learning opportunities and that the arts are essential to the social, emotional, and intellectual development of every child.



The mission of iCAN is to bring high quality arts programs to children in Santa Barbara County, particularly those least likely to receive them. Through sustained creative learning opportunities that emphasize both artistic excellence and access, iCAN seeks to affect positive social change in the communities it serves.



Our in-school Visual Arts Program is based on California’s Visual Art Standards with a curriculum that utilizes specific criteria for identifying and assessing quality in an arts learning setting. This program is active at Monroe Elementary School and seven other Title I elementary schools in Santa Barbara Unified School District.



Key elements of the Visual Arts Program include: highly qualified and dedicated Teaching Artists who enjoy nurturing children’s creativity; regularly scheduled classes that are long enough to cultivate the creative processes; professional development opportunities for Teaching Artists, which engage their creativity and contribute to the overall energy of their classes; and the active support of parents, school officials, interested individuals and community organizations who have helped make this program so special.

In addition to the Visual Arts Program, iCAN’s Music Program is an El Sistema inspired, after-school program at Franklin Elementary School and the Westside Neighborhood Center. One hundred and sixty young musicians are enrolled in the program that meets five days a week. Each year students have multiple opportunities to showcase their talent through musical performances that take place in the Santa Barbara community and on school campuses. This program will begin its fourth full year in the fall of 2014.



For more details on our organization, please visit  www.icansbc.org or follow us on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/icansbc.

 Reflections is a National PTA program designed to enhance and encourage the arts in education. It provides students the opportunity to express themselves and receive positive recognition for their artistic efforts. 

Monroe has had at least one student advance all the way to the state level of competition the last two years. The theme for this year is "Diversity Means......" All students are encouraged to create and submit works of art in any of 6 different areas; literature, photography, visual arts (drawing, painting, collage etc.), musical composition, dance choreography, and film production.

All students work will be displayed at our Monroe Reflections Reception November 7. There are specific rules for entries and entry forms are available in the Monroe Office. 

The deadline for entries is October 28th. If you have any questions? Please Contact Cricket Wood at cricketwood@me.com

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Name:  Shannon Jaffe

Years teaching: 13 years with SBUSD

Favorite things to do:  Spend time with my family and pets, garden, bike, draw/paint, meditate and travel. :)

What are my goals this year: Self care, innovative teaching and supporting my colleagues and students whenever I can and always learning.

If I am not at home or at school where will you find me?:  I might be swimming in the ocean or walking on the Carpinteria Bluffs! 

The Math Superbowl was created to promote the study of mathematics and to honor outstanding math students in Santa Barbara County. Four students in each grade level are chosen to represent their school.

Each participating school selects its top 4 math students in grades 4, 5 and 6. This team of 12 students represents its school at the event. All team members receive a certificate recognizing their accomplishment in being chosen to represent their school.

Preparation includes extracurricular study of advanced math facts, logic, and geometric equations. Awards are presented in three different divisions - school, grade level team and individual - based on the scores of individual and team tests. Each school may use a screening process of its own design in order to select four students from each grade level who will best represent the school at the Math Superbowl.

Monroe's garden education program is sponsored in part by Explore Ecology, and our own PTA and community volunteers.

Garden educator, Michelle Aronson, welcomes students year-round, TK-6th grade, for weekly hands-on classes. Our outdoor classroom sits among the school garden, where Common Core Standards across the curriculum are addressed.  Monroe students help to grow the food which is incorporated into their lunch program.

 

Name:  Liz Caruso

Years teaching: 14 years total; 10 at Monroe

Favorite things to do: Be outside - trail running, cycling, backpacking and paddleboarding. I sometimes also play music ;)

What are my goals this year: Find new ways to inspire my students and receive inspiration from them.  Also, learn how to surf in a manner that doesn’t resemble a newborn giraffe trying to stand up.  

If I am not at home or at school where will you find me?:  In the mountains or at the beach.  

Nombre: Liz Caruso

Años de docencia: 14 años en total; 10 en Monroe

Cosas favoritas para hacer: estar al aire libre: correr senderos, andar en bicicleta, hacer mochileros y practicar remo. A veces también toco música;)

¿Cuáles son mis objetivos para este año? Encontrar nuevas formas de inspirar a mis estudiantes y recibir inspiración de ellos. Además, aprenda a surfear de una manera que no se parezca a una jirafa recién nacida que intenta ponerse de pie.

Si no estoy en casa o en la escuela, ¿dónde me encontrarás ?: En la montaña o en la playa.

Name: Ethan Zolt

Years teaching: Been teaching for 17 years - going into my 6th year in the SBUSD and at Monroe. 

Favorite things to do: Travel, martial arts, surf, hike/spend time in nature, garden, read, exercise. 

What are my goals this year: Help our students stay healthy and Mustang strong.

If I am not at home or at school where will you find me?: 

These days, probably hiking at Stevens/Jesusita. 

Nombre: Ethan Zolt

Años enseñando: He estado enseñando durante 17 años, entrando en mi sexto año en SBUSD y en Monroe.

Cosas favoritas para hacer: viajar, artes marciales, surfear, caminar / pasar tiempo en la naturaleza, jardín, leer.

¿Cuáles son mis metas este año?

Ayudar a nuestros estudiantes a mantenerse sanos y fuertes.

Si no estoy en casa o en la escuela, ¿dónde me encontrarán ?:

En estos días, probablemente caminando en Stevens / Jesusita.

Each Monday, Monty attends the classroom with the best attendance from the previous week.  This week, Monty is in...Room 12!

Here I am enjoying reading and improving my fluency skills in Rm.12 with a 6th Grade tutor directing our group. I learned how to say " hello" in many languages. I added some new social studies terms to my vocabulary and now know the words "urban" and "rural." Monty now knows how to look for map titles and map scales when looking at maps. Monty loves second grade!

Stay tuned to see which class will have the next visit!