WELCOME BACK COYOTES. . .

Excellence in Education

2024-2025

Ramon Contreras

Ramon Contreras & Yvette Schemenauer

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year. This year Mrs. Schemenauer and Mr. Contreras, also known as "SchemyCon", will teach 8th grade together in the J-Pod! This means we will share students as homeroom (HR) and switch (SW) classes. Together we will foster a learning environment for all students to grow, and enrich their academic endeavors.

A little about Mr. Contreras …

Teaching is not what I do, it’s who I am. I decided to go into teaching because there is no greater reward than seeing children succeed. I am honored to be part of the Day Creek team this year and to be able to share your student’s endeavors through 8th grade. This is my fifth year at Day Creek with a total of 10 years of experience in education. I’m looking forward to the new school year and all the wonderful achievements your students will accomplish.  

Some of my favorite things…

  • Color: navy blue & black 

  • Soda: No soda!!! (ok once in a while)

  • Food: Sushi, pasta, chimichangas, Thai food, In n Out

  • Hobby: adrenaline junkie, if it gets my heart rate up, I’m doing it

  • Activity: into staying fit, hiking, watching sci-fi movies

  • Things:  airplanes, binge watch Netflix, Toni Braxton songs

  • School: apples, inspirational quotes, color pens, color dry erase markers

  • Treats: ANYTHING peanut butter, milk chocolate, brownies, cheesecake, but carrot cake is the BEST, fruits, especially with tajin powder on it

  • Drink: iced chai lattes are the BEST, coffee, and water

Favorite Quotes:

“He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool; shun him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a student; teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep; wake him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise; follow him."

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A little about Mrs. Schemenauer. . .

Teaching began for me, way back in the 1900s. (LOL) When my children were young I worked as a homeschool tutor and long-term substitute, and when they were all school-aged I taught full-time in the private school sector. While there I noticed how AMAZING my niece and nephew were doing in the Etiwanda School District (ESD). Connecting with ESD educators to enhance my private school curriculum, I was won over by the "Etiwanda Way"! I started teaching for ESD in 2010, and have loved the community of families and students (with my own children transferring to Day Creek and John Golden Elementary). This is my eighth year at Day Creek and my thirteenth year in eighth grade. I look forward to spending my days with your kids and feel privileged to watch them grow and blossom through their final year of middle school.

Some of my favorite things

  • Color: Purple & Black

  • Favorite item: Starbucks- Grande Americano with TWO pumps of peppermint and soy milk (but who's asking? LOL)

  • Soda: No soda!!! (ok diet 7-up once in a while)

  • Food: Italian, Seafood, Carl's Jr. (because I am from the 1900s) & In n Out

  • Hobby: Running, Hiking, ANYTHING with double doodle Clifford Jeter Schemenauer

  • Activity: doing anything with my family, going to concerts, binge-watching Netflix

  • Things I Love:  YANKEES, Michael Jordan, Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and U2

  • School: starbursts (sharing size), inspirational quotes, kleenex, red vine tubs

  • Treats: ANYTHING coffee and low carb (yup- I am that person)

  • Drink: Water, coffee, coffee, and coffee.

Favorite Quotes:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Some people want it to happen, some wish it, others make it happen." Michael Jordan
" I am not afraid. I was born to do this." Joan of Arc
"Surround yourself with good people. People who are going to be honest with you and look out for your best interests." Derek Jeter

2024-2025 Announcements:

Welcome to the new school year. Please click on the link below for important Back to School information.

August 2, 2024, DCIS Back to School Night:

Schemenauer/Contreras Suggested Classroom Supply Donation List:

Day Creek Counseling:

Calendar

Upcoming Events:

January:

January 6: First Day from winter break-Minimum Day dismissal 1:00 PM

January 10: Progress Reports posted on Aeries

January 17: CJSF meeting 2.2, MPR after school 2:30-3:30

January 20: MLK Day No School

January 24: PTSO Popcorn at lunch

January 27: Minimum Day dismissal 1:00 PM

January 31: Non Student Day

February:

February 4: RCHS Rally for incoming freshmen and parent nigh

February 5: Family Fitness Night/ Dance Team Performance

February 6 : CJSF Community Service Forms due

February 6 : Coffee with the principal 5:00 PM

Day Creek PTSO

Homework Assignments

Etiwanda School District Policy for 8th-grade students is 20 minutes per core subject per day. Homework is assigned nightly and due to the homework sorter for all four core classes at 8 am the following morning, unless otherwise stated. If necessary, unfinished classwork is to be taken home to complete and is due the following morning as well. If either assigned homework or classwork is not completed and turned in, progressive discipline will be enforced. Please refer to parent packets. 

Classroom Learning & Communication

Excellence in Education

We strongly believe students' success will increase when a positive partnership exists between teachers, students, and parents. This year more than ever, communication with you throughout the school year is essential. We hope students will communicate between teacher and parent by taking initiative in their learning this year. Please speak to your teachers if you need any clarification on schoolwork, due dates, policies, or grades.

AERIES GRADE PORTAL:

EMAIL COMMUNICATION:

You may contact us via email if you have any specific questions or concerns regarding your unique experiences. We will respond to emails as quickly as possible within 24 hours:

Universal Acess "PACK" Classes

The UA period adds an extended instructional period to the school day by which students are grouped for one math and one ELA class based on standardized data, district assessments, common formative assessments, and classroom performance. All students are grouped by academic target areas for UA classes. UA classes are designed to meet the unique academic needs of students by offering multiple levels of differentiated flexible classes. UA class changes may occur throughout the year as student levels of performance are realigned with the UA class that provides the best support. 

8th Grade Math PACK class will include:

Intervention PACK:

  • Fundamental/Remedial Warm-Up (i.e. Multiplication/Division with Integers around 16 problems; timed warm-ups)

  • Practice Showing Work

  • Content Review - what’s going on in class

  • Chapter Review before a test

  • Review the worksheet that has three lessons on it

  • Works on skills that are evident based on students’  i-Ready scores/needs

Strategic PACK:

  • Works on skills that are evident based on students’ i-Ready scores/needs

  • Review worksheet

  • Remedial Warm-Up (i.e. Multiplication/Division with Integers around 16 problems)

  • Vocabulary Review

  • Content Review based on what is going on in the math classroom

  • Making it fun with activities based on the current lesson

  • Using a little Pathways with students from binders (i.e. Combining like terms and vocabulary)

Enrichment PACK:

  • Pathways - bridging the gap from 8th grade to Integrated II/IIH

    • Start Pathways lessons based on Pathways binder and Gr.9 Diagnostic Math Assessment needs

    • Students take one to two days to take notes on the lesson

    • Guided Practice

    • Infinite Worksheet on skill

    • IXL  

  • Graphing Calculator-based Inquiry Labs

  • Khan Academy

  • Topics: Conversions, Arithmetic Sequences, Creating and Solving Inequalities, Solving Absolute-Value Equations, Solving Systems of Equations (including Elimination), Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities, Literal Equations, Properties of Exponents, FOIL, Writing in slope-intercept form, Finding volume and surface area, Solving Multi-Step Equations, Distributive Property, Interpreting Parts of an Expression Vocabulary

8th Grade English Language Arts PACK class will include:

  • Reinforcement Activities/Assignments of Grade-Level Standards

  • Writing Techniques & Mechanics

  • Vocabulary 

  • Study & Skills for 8th Grade Greek/Latin Roots Program

  • Listening & Speaking Activities including Skills/Techniques

  • Grammar Review

  • Scholastic SCOPE

  • Critical Thinking

  • Organizational Skills

  • Group Discussions, Extensions, & Kagan Activities

  • Independent Reading (SSR) 

  • Novels

  • Team Building