PRINCIPALS THURSDAY MESSAGE JANUARY 9, 2025

ROAR CARD 

Congratulations to the following Roar Card Winners who were recognized at last week’s Friday Flag: Genesis Irinio, Lalo Arreola, Iker Paredes, Adam Catalan, Aria Villareal, Ruby Ramirez, Tanya Colin, Amara Cobian, Valeria Navarrete, Janey Madlani. Thank you for making Responsible, Organized, Academic, and Respectful  choices! Each week we will celebrate students and staff at Friday Flag and announce them here to parents.

 

NEW INFORMATION THIS WEEK 

 

EMLAC MEETING NEXT WEDNESDAY IN THE CAFE

Sorry for the short notice but something special is coming. Our next Emergent Multilingual Learner Advisory Committee (EMLAC) meeting is Wednesday 1/15/25 at 6:00 pm. It has been moved to this coming Wednesday to accommodate a visit from the Director of EML Services for SBUSD, Dr. Deborah Martinez. SBUSD is starting the process of writing an EML Master Plan. It will be a guiding document for services for multilingual students in structured English programs like ours. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how SBUSD plans to support our multilingual Tigers. The meeting will be held in Spanish. Please let Ms. Corral know if you will need interpretation into English, hcorral@sbunified.org. Look at Parent Square for more information about childcare to come. 

 

RECLASSIFICATION TRAINING POSTPONED.

Our reclassification training has been postponed and will NOT be held on Monday due to the EMLAC meeting change. More information to come. 

 

SAVE THE DATES FOR OUR WINTER CONCERTS

The students have been working very hard to present wonderful performances for you! We hope that you will be able to join us in the Adams School Cafeteria on the following dates:

 

TK-3 Winter Concert - Wednesday, January 22, 9 am

Approximate performance times:

TK/K 9:00 a.m

1st Grade 9:10 a.m

2nd Grade and 1/2 combo 9:20 a.m.

3rd Grade and 2/3 combo 9:30 a.m.

 

4-6 Winter Concert - Thursday, February 6, 9 am

Approximate performance times:

4th grade 9:00 a.m.

5th grade 9:15 a.m.

6th grade 9:40 a.m.

 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Did you make a new year’s resolution to get more involved at school? Here are two opportunities to help with some of our upcoming events:

 

Reading Counts Committee

Time commitment: 3-4 hours, January-February

Responsibilities: Copy & distribute reading logs & instructions, help solicit student rewards, log results & distribute reward

Event dates: February 20-28

 

Maker Faire & Science Night

Time commitment: 8-10 hours, January-April

Responsibilities: Help plan event details, outreach to community organizations about participating, communication with community organizations and event volunteers

Event date: April 9

 

Email president@ptaadamssb.org if you are interested in getting involved.

 

INCOMING TK AND KINDERGARTEN TOUR AND PARENT INFORMATIONAL MEETING 

Tell your friends and neighbors to join us for an informational meeting about what Adams programs look like for our little Tigers who want to enroll for the 2025-2026 school year. We will host a meeting on January 14, 2025 at 10:00 am. The School Tour will include other grades represented in attendees. 

 

MONTESSORI INTEREST PARENT MEETING 

On Tuesday, January 14, the Montessori teachers and principal will hold an informational meeting in person at 6:30 PM in the library. This is a parent-only meeting. We will share details about what a Montessori classroom looks like and the lottery process for the 2025-2026 school year.

 

CALM CORNER 

The Power of Positive Self-Talk for Children’s Mental Health

Positive self-talk is a simple yet powerful tool that helps children build confidence and resilience. It involves replacing negative thoughts with encouraging, constructive ones, which can boost self-esteem and improve mental health. For example, instead of saying, "I can't do this," a child can learn to say, "This is hard, but I can try my best." According to the American Psychological Association, positive self-talk helps children develop a growth mindset, where they see challenges as opportunities to learn rather than reasons to give up.

Parents and teachers can encourage positive self-talk by modeling it themselves and offering praise for effort rather than perfection. Activities like journaling or creating a list of personal strengths can help children recognize their abilities and focus on what they can control. Research from the Child Mind Institute shows that children who practice positive self-talk are more likely to feel calm, stay motivated, and face difficulties with confidence. By teaching this skill early, we empower children to navigate life’s ups and downs with a healthier perspective.

Sources:

• American Psychological Association. (2020). How Positive Thinking Shapes Behavior and Well-Being.

• Child Mind Institute. (2022). The Benefits of Positive Self-Talk for Kids.

GATE RESULTS

Results for the Gifted and Talented Education test were mailed to all second grade parents and to those parents whose students tested in December. Please call Kenya Catalan, the Family Engagement Liaison at Adams if you have any questions or concerns. 

 

THEATER PRODUCTION PRACTICE

Theater Club starts this Friday, after school until 4:30.  Second and 3rd graders can report to the music room directly after school and 4-6 graders can meet us in the cafeteria.If you have not yet turned in your $30 Theater Club contribution please do so on Friday.  You may bring cash or a check written out to Adams School PTA. Thank you!

 

WISHING WELL DONATIONS

The Wishing Well is out! Student Council would like to ask that you bring coins to donate to the Red Cross for the LA COUNTY FIRE VICTIMS. Thank you.

 

REMINDERS FROM PREVIOUS THURSDAY MESSAGE

 

INCOMING TK/KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL 

The new student enrollment period is approaching from December 2 - January 30, 2025.  Therefore, all incoming TK and Kindergarten students, minimum age is 5 years by September 1, and Transitional Kindergarten, minimum age is 5 years old between September 2 - June 2, must enroll.  If you have any questions regarding enrollment please contact our front office.

*The transfer window is also upon us from December 2 - January 30, 2025, until 5 pm, and you must drop off the applications at the district office.

 

MONTESSORI LOTTERY AND TRANSFER PROCESS

Current Adams enrollees: Parents need to communicate with the current classroom teacher their desire to have their student participate in the Montessori program for the 25-26 school year, preferably before leaving for winter break on December 13, for entrance as a first through sixth-grade student. Students who would be new to Adams: Parents apply for transfer to Adams stating Montessori as the reason/interest for the transfer. The district transfer window is December 2 to January 24, 2025. 

 

MONTESSORI APPLICATION PROCESS REQUIREMENTS

ALL interested families: Parent submits a personal written Letter of Interest and current school report card, to the Principal, Kelly Fresch, before noon on Friday,  January 24, 2025. This letter can be written in /English or Spanish. See the front office staff for specifics about the timeline, lottery process, and letter contents. The student’s current teacher needs to fill out a student survey, also to be submitted by January 24. The Student Services Department will conduct the Montessori Lottery on a specific day after January 24, 2025 at the SBUSD.

 

January

10 Considered Curbside Coffee Pop Up 7:45 am 

14 School Tour New Families 

15 EMLAC Meeting in the Cafe 6:00PM

20 No School: Martin Luther King Jr

21-24 5th Grade Camp Whittier Trip

22 Primary (Grades TK-3) Winter Concert 9 AM