Thursday Message for October 25th, 2024

Thursday Message for October 25th, 2024
Hortencia Corral

ROAR CARD 

Congratulations to the following Roar Card Winners who were recognized at last week’s Friday Flag: Melina Moctezuma, Gilbert Brown, Logan Van Tassel, Carl King, Thiago Paredes, Riley Cook, Aaron Campos, Sarah Soto, Alana Brooks, Gabi Cruz. 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 

 

BOO GRAMS

The Student Council will be selling Boo Grams from October 25 - 31st before school for $1. Boo Grams will be delivered to their friends on Thursday, October 31. 

 

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

Thursday, October 31st, students at Adams will be able to wear Halloween costumes to school. Students should look for costumes that are safe and appropriate for school. Students may not depict characters that are violent and can not carry props that are considered weapons. Students can not wear masks that cover their entire face. All students will be required to participate in a regular day of learning and exercise, so plan accordingly when selecting what to wear to school, including appropriate shoes. TK and Kinder students will have an opportunity to take a walk/parade around the students in grades 1-6 right at 8:30 am. If parents want to join us for this parade, you may meet us on the upper-grade playground at 8:30 am. 

 

FALL FESTIVAL AND OFRENDA

Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun at the Fall Festiva last night. More importantly, thank you to the many volunteers who helped put the evening together! It was well attended and a fun time for all. If you did not get a chance to check out the Ofrenda in the cafe please feel free to stop by and see it anytime. Just sign in at the office first. Thank you to Amba Coyt and her helpers for making it happen this year. Mrs. Leo also supports this tradition with the addition of student art projects. All will remain on display through November 1. 

 

HELMETS FOR SALE

There is a limited supply of bike helmets as well as bike locks and lights still for sale in the PE classroom, Room 36. Helmets are $12 and locks and lights are $10 each.

 

LOST AND FOUND 

Please stop by the lost and found to claim your items! We have many sweatshirts, jackets, water bottles and lunch boxes. All remaining items will be donated on Friday November 1st.

 

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS DONATIONS

We are still seeking donations for each classroom to have on hand in the event of an emergency. If you would like to donate enough (nut-free) energy bars or water bottles for your student’s class, please reach out to the teacher to communicate your desire. We only need one set per class. The number needed is different in each class, based on the number of students enrolled. Thank you for considering this important donation. During the last week of school the items will be shared with the students, so they do not go to waste. 

 

OCEAN GUARDIAN AMBASSADORS

Adams Elementary School is celebrating our 9th year as an Ocean Guardian School. Funding for the Ocean Guardian School comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This year, we will again offer the Ocean Guardian Ambassador after-school program. This will be open to all 4th - 6th grade students at Adams Elementary who have an interest in the ocean, marine science, conservation, and stewardship and have not participated in a previous Ocean Guardian Ambassador program. These Ocean Guardian Ambassadors will meet approximately one Wednesday a month from November 2024 - May 2025. 

This after-school program is FREE and will include many fun activities, such as kayaking, tide pooling, hiking, and a boat trip out to the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National Park to conduct a stewardship project. The majority of the stewardship and conservation activities will occur offsite. For those activities that will take place at various locations, we will need parents to volunteer as adult chaperones and drivers for this group of Ambassadors.

  

We will be able to accept 30 students total (4th-6th grade). Paper applications are at the front office for 4th-6th grade students and completed applications will be due on Monday,  October 28th, 2024. Student selection will be based on a completed paper application and a weighted lottery, with priority given to students in their last year at Adams who have not participated in the program before.

Ocean Guardian Application 

 

AHA!

The Aha! team is so looking forward to sharing the Aha! After School & Community Parent Group on Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Aha! Parent Group flyers (in English & Spanish) attached below!

 

FREE TUTORING THROUGH THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

All Californians can now get free 24/7 online tutoring and homework help, thanks to a new initiative announced by Gov. Newsom. The pilot program, which has no age limit, offers support in math, language arts, and other core K-12 subjects in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. Watch this news story for more details. Free 24/7 online tutoring now available for CA students of all ages, thanks to new state initiative

Visit this website for tutoring options. 

https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/helpNow.asp?a_id=F2FFCA1B&ss=&r=

 

CHAUCER’S BOOKSTORE GIFT CARD SALE & READING NIGHT

We’re excited to partner with our beloved local bookstore, Chaucer’s, where 25% of all gift card sales and purchases made on Chaucer’s Night, Thursday, November 7th, will directly benefit Adams!

 

Gift Card Sale                                                     Order forms for Chaucer’s gift cards were sent home in Thursday folders. Be sure to return your order and payment by November 1. These gift cards are perfect for teacher appreciation, holiday gifts, special occasions, or simply treating yourself!

Chaucer’s Night                                                     Join us at Chaucer’s (3321 State Street) on Thursday, November 7th from 6-8 pm for a fun-filled evening. Support your child’s classroom by purchasing books from their teacher’s wishlist—or pick out something special for yourself!

CALM CORNER

There is a growing body of research coming to the conclusion that smartphones are bad for children’s mental health. To summarize this article: the later a child gets a phone, the better. Females are more at risk than males: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/sapien-smartphone-report 
 

 

REMINDERS:

 

PARKING LOT PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We could use a few more volunteers in our parking lot space in the mornings. Every morning from 8 to 8:30 am we rely on three volunteers to ensure our students’ safety getting out of the car and off the school bus. A few parents who have stepped up are working three to five days and need a break. Working on our campus brings a sense of joy and pride to the children of our volunteers. If you can pick up one shift a week please email bibigolm@hotmail.com and kfresch@sbunified.org to let us know.

 

GATE TESTING

Gifted and Talented Education [GATE] testing will take place at Adams in early November for second-grade students. Third- fifth-grade parents may also ask for their child to be tested or teachers may refer students for GATE testing if they are  1) in 3-5th and not already GATE identified AND 2) in grades 4-5, but did not take the test in 2023-24. Click here for the referral. Referrals are due by or before 10/31 with NO exceptions. This test gives us valuable information about how to best serve your child.  If you do NOT want your child tested, sign the opt out form. Otherwise, all second graders take the test. The test takes between 45-90 minutes and is designed to test a child’s natural ability.  The best way to prepare is to get a good night’s sleep and a meal. In December, parents are notified if their child either qualifies for GATE, doesn’t qualify for GATE, or are borderline. Questions? Contact Ms. Corral at hcorral@sbunified.org

 

November

7   Chaucer’s Night

11 No School Veterans Day 

13 PTA General Meeting (virtual)

14 Picture makeup day

15 Minimum day 

18-22 Parent Conference Minimum day 

25-29 No School