Principal's Message
Welcome To Fremont Elementary School
John C. Fremont Elementary School is tucked into a quiet neighborhood in the Belmont Heights region of Long Beach. The school, built in 1935, is steeped in history and tradition and reflects the warm feeling of a small community of teachers, parents, students, administrators, support staff, community volunteers and business partners working together. In 1997, Fremont was selected as a California Distinguished School. A highly professional and diverse staff impacts the educational program at the school.
The mission of Fremont staff and parents is to implement educational practices that support student achievement for all students. The principal, staff members, parents and students perceive school as a place to learn and a place of belonging. High standards and expectations for student behavior and achievement are clearly communicated for all students. Students participate in a rich curriculum built on a base of oral language, reading, writing and math skills in alignment of the state common core standards. Fremont fosters respect and support among students, staff and parents. A safe orderly environment is maintained so that children can learn the attributes of good character which are modeled and honored at Fremont.
The goal of Fremont Elementary is to provide meaningful and intentional best practices for all students. To do that, all teachers have attended equity training that allows them to reflect on their practices and address any biases so that all students feel represented and welcome in the classroom and on campus. In addition, teachers have continued to hone their teacher practices by attending district trainings in the areas of literacy, math, and science. On campus, teachers attend grade level meetings on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. In addition, each grade level participates in a full day of grade level planning, training, and professional development. The Grade Level Institute occurs four times per year on a 6-week cycle. They begin in September and finish in April. The purpose of the meetings is to adjust small group instruction and intervention based on recent data sets. In addition, shared lessons and common assessments are formulated to ensure horizontal alignment of pacing and learning experiences for all students. Additional professional development is provided to grade levels as needed or requested.
A source of great pride for Fremont is our Science Lab. Each 1st-5th classroom visits the science lab for hands-on labs that match the Next Generation Science Standards. Science Lab time is a supplement to the science taught in the classroom which uses the district adopted Amplify curriculum. The teachers present topics in earth, life, and physical science and include engineering. The Fremont PTA helps fund and maintain supplies for the science lab. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade also utilize chromebooks as they access grade level curriculum which include ST Math, Core5, and various other programs appropriate for the grade level. Each classroom has a Chrome book cart with up to 35 Chrome books in each cart. Students have access to search the web, create and publish their own stories, research information for classroom activities, and are able to complete and submit assignments through our student management system, Canvas. No year is complete without students visiting the Natural History Museum, Cabrillo Tide Pools, JPL, Griffith Observatory, the zoo, or a cybertrip to some of the California Missions and Native American sites via the internet. Students are exposed to many community resources such as internet sites, webcams, and virtual field trips that allow for all students to have equal access to a broad range of concepts and places.
Fremont has an extremely active PTA. Our hardworking PTA members volunteer and help all student learn by regularly donating their time to assist students. Parents are an integral part of the many happenings that occur daily such as field trips, Art Explorers, quality assemblies, Author’s Day, book fairs, spring carnival, jog-a-thon, fall and spring socials, Talent Show, Home Reading Club, the “Falcon Flyer” monthly newsletter, and a Fremont Elementary School web page under the leadership of the PTA. The Fremont PTA has raised thousands of dollars to provide playground improvement, classroom materials and technology. This year, in an effort to make sure that Fremont continues to grow and foster physical and emotional well-being for all students, Ground Education has partnered with Fremont. Ground Education works with each grade level 6 times a year to plant gardens that are sustainable, edible, and welcoming to all students. Business partners support Fremont in many ways, especially supporting the Fremont Jog-A-Thon and Fremont Carnival. Fremont’s parents are passionate in their efforts to provide classroom assistance. Many parents express the feeling that Fremont is an extension of their family.
Fremont students have the opportunity to participate in a number of programs such as: Drama, Spanish, Robotics, Art, Writing, and Chess. Also, students in grades 3 through 5 have the opportunity to participate in a very active Student Council - which sponsors 2 Kindness Challenge Weeks; Canned Food Drives, and Monthly School-wide activities such as: Lunch with Loved Ones; Twin Day, College Day, Wacky Hair Day, and favorite Author Day. The Student Council utilizes the Loom platform to deliver messages to all parents and students to keep them informed of school events.
Most Sincerely,
Chris Lounsbery
Principal - Fremont Elementary