Premier Start 2025: Full Schedule

10:35am PDT

Strengthening Family Partnerships for PK-2 & Elementary Release Teachers

Monday August 4, 2025 10:35am - 11:20am PDT

Strong family partnerships are key to student success. In this session hosted by our Student and Family Services Department, you’ll learn practical strategies for fostering meaningful relationships with families, promoting positive attendance habits, and creating inclusive support systems for students experiencing homelessness or in foster care. Gain insights into district resources and learn how you can play a vital role in ensuring every student feels seen, supported, and set up for success.

Presenters

Antonio Gipson

Truancy Prevention Specialist, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District

Holly Collins

Coordinator of Family and Student Services, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District

Marbeya Ellis

Family Resource Center Manager, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District

Monday August 4, 2025 10:35am - 11:20am PDT
Room 37

Breakout Session

Grade Level Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2, Elementary Release, TK

12:10pm PDT

MTSS Foundations for PK-2 & Elementary Release Teachers

Monday August 4, 2025 12:10pm - 12:55pm PDT

Room 32

Join our district MTSS Coordinator Connie Huntington for an engaging overview of who we are as a district—our schools, our students, and the supports we provide to ensure every learner thrives. This session will introduce the MTSS framework, including how we use data to support student success, an introduction to our SST process, and interactive role-playing or problem-solving scenarios using our Behavior Intervention Toolbox. Come ready to collaborate, reflect, and prepare to meet students’ needs from day one.

Presenters

Connie Huntington

MTSS Coordinator, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District

I'm a former classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District who now serves as a Coordinator of Educational Services, supporting Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) across schools. I work alongside site and district leaders to strengthen... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 12:10pm - 12:55pm PDT
Room 32

Breakout Session

Grade Level Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2, Elementary Release, TK

1:05pm PDT

Navigating Human Resources for PK-2 & Elementary Release Teachers

Monday August 4, 2025 1:05pm - 1:50pm PDT

Room 31

Join us in exploring all things Human Resources:

What is salary credit and how do I advance on the salary schedule?
How can I use the Employee Portal?
Why is it important to communicate with my credential analyst?
How should I prepare for an absence?
What is the teacher evaluation timeline?

Presenters

Ken Whittemore

Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District

Monday August 4, 2025 1:05pm - 1:50pm PDT
Room 31

Breakout Session

Grade Level Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2, Elementary Release, TK

10:10am PDT

Tech Tools for Elementary Release Teachers

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:10am - 11:10am PDT

Room 32

Session Slides

This session is designed specifically for elementary release teachers and offers practical strategies for integrating technology into your daily routines. You'll explore tools such as Clever for easy student access, Inner Explorer and Go Noodle for mindfulness and movement, and other teacher-recommended apps that support engagement across subject areas. We'll also walk through how to create class newsletters and use ParentSquare and other tools to build strong communication with families from the very start.

Presenters

Cameron Cash

Physical Education Teacher, Dover Elementary School

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
Room 32

Breakout Session

Grade Level Elementary Release

12:00pm PDT

Elementary Art & Music: Navigating Curriculum

Tuesday August 5, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

Room 31

Session Slides

Review standards, grading practices, sample units, and creative approaches for art and music instruction in elementary settings.

Presenters

Cyndi Chancellor

Music Teacher, Laurel Creek Elementary School

I am currently an elementary music and band teacher at Laurel Creek Elementary School. I graduated from the University of the Pacific and earned a Master's Degree from CSU, Stanislaus. I started teaching in 1988 in Stanislaus County, and then transferred to F-SUSD in 2000. I have... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 31

Breakout Session

Grade Level Elementary Release

12:00pm PDT

Elementary PE: Navigating Curriculum

Tuesday August 5, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

Room 37

Session Slides

Review standards, grading practices, sample units, and creative approaches for physical education.

Presenters

Cameron Cash

Physical Education Teacher, Dover Elementary School

Tuesday August 5, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 37

Breakout Session

Grade Level Elementary Release

9:15am PDT

Elementary Art & Music: First Day of School

Wednesday August 6, 2025 9:15am - 10:30am PDT

Room 12

Session Slides

Create a welcoming environment, developing routines, and plan initial communications with families.

Presenters

Amy Haltom

Music Teacher, Suisun Elementary School

Amy Haltom is currently completing her sixth year of teaching general music at Suisun Elementary School, where she teaches students in first through fifth grade. Previously, she taught strings in a variety of settings for over 20 years. She was awarded Teacher of the Year for her... Read More →

Wednesday August 6, 2025 9:15am - 10:30am PDT
Room 12

Breakout Session