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Rio Vista principal showcases inclusion learning‑center model, announces retirement
Summary
Rio Vista Elementary Principal Beverly Garnica reported cohort ELA gains, described a new learning‑center inclusion model that collapsed the site SDC into fluid intervention groups, and recognized two long‑serving staff members. Garnica said she will retire in June.
Principal Beverly Garnica presented a detailed update on Rio Vista Elementary at the March 4 Fillmore Unified School District board meeting, highlighting changes to special education service delivery, measurable cohort gains in ELA and a school culture built around “learning for all.”
Garnica described a newly implemented learning‑center model in which special education staff, reading intervention teachers and instructional aides operate fluid intervention groups by standard across grades 1–5. She said the school collapsed its prior Special Day Class (SDC) configuration so ed specialists can work across general education classrooms; the model provides 30–40 minutes a day of math intervention (varies by grade) and 40 minutes a day for language arts.
Garnica told the board the school’s CAASPP and cohort data show measurable improvement in ELA over time: the site reported an almost 7 percentage‑point gain in overall ELA over two years, a nearly 13 percentage‑point gain from third to fourth grade for a cohort, and a 10 percent gain for fifth grade from the prior year; she said one fifth‑grade cohort gained about 26.4 percent over two years. She said math gains lagged and remain a priority.
Garnica credited teacher professional learning communities (PLCs), targeted interventions and increased student ownership of learning for the improvements, saying, “Learning for all means each and every student and each and every staff member.” She described teachers’ work to raise the rigor of common formative assessments and to align them with state assessment demands.
The principal recognized two longtime Rio Vista staffers: Maria Ramirez, a yard supervisor and kindergarten/TK specialist, and Sonya Ibarra, a counselor. Program attendees and trustees praised both staff members. Ibarra spoke briefly: “We love working at Rio Vista, and we love our students.”
Several Rio Vista student ambassadors spoke at the meeting about after‑school clubs, the new track, and school culture. Beverly Garnica told the board this was likely her final presentation before retiring in June; she said she expects to participate in the school’s traditional end‑of‑year “tunnel of tears” celebration.
Ending: Trustees thanked Garnica for her years of service. The board did not take action on the site update; principals and district staff will monitor learning‑center outcomes as a site model going forward.
