THURSDAY MESSAGE SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

ROAR CARD 

Congratulations to the following Roar Card Winners who were recognized at last week’s Friday Flag:

Gwen Patterson, Layla Rubio, Luis Munoz, Shantal Juarez, Roberto Santamaria, Fabian Bartolo,Makayla Ayala, Yasmani Aguilar, Gael Suriano, Adriel Villalba. 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 

 

IMPORTANT PARENT SURVEY

SBUSD is committed to using data to inform decisions, which includes seeking input for students, families and staff.  As the window opens for students in grades 3-12 to respond to the climate/culture survey, there is also an opportunity for staff and families to share their experiences. Please take a moment and provide your anonymous feedback about your experiences.  Click the appropriate link below: 

Family link: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/sbunified/familyfall2024/surveys

The survey window is September 23-October 10.  If you would like to fill out the survey in person you can meet with Kenya Catalan, our FEL, and she can help you.

There will be another opportunity in the Spring to share your feedback.

 

SPECIAL ED PARENT MEETING

Our first parent informational meeting for parents of students on an IEP will be held on Zoom on Wednesday, October 2nd at 8:45 am. At this meeting we will share information about the new staff members, how students are supported in the mainstream setting and during Power Hour, and provide details about the newly adopted language arts curriculum for students in the mild moderate program. Interpreters will be available at this meeting. 

 https://sbunified.zoom.us/j/92256957452 

 

UPCOMING PICTURE DAY 

All students will have their annual school photo on either Thursday, October 3rd for TK, Kinder, 2nd, 3rd and the Lower Montessori Class and Friday, October 4th for 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th grade and the upper Montessori Classroom. Please send your student to school in their Sunday Best on their photo day. Envelopes will be sent home for ordering TODAY. 

 

FRESCH COFFEE AND TITLE I PARENT MEETING

SAVE THE DATE! On Friday, October 4th, 2024, at the Principal’s Fresch coffee, I will share information about, What it means to be a Title I School. As a Title I school we are eligible for federal funding and I will take this opportunity to share with the school community how our funds are spent to support student achievement. 

 

WALK AND ROLL TO SCHOOL DAY OCTOBER 4TH

Next Friday, October 4th, is Walk and Roll to School Day! Let’s kickstart the day with some fresh air and fun! Whether you walk, roll, ride the bus, or carpool, you’ll be helping the environment AND getting some exercise.  Plus, we’ll have prizes for everyone who joins in the fun! Grab your sneakers, hop on your wheels, and let’s roll into school together! 

 

EMLAC OFFICERS ELECTION

Our Emergent MultiLingual Advisory Committee [EMLAC] board members hold general meetings in which all of the items below are discussed and explained. It is time to elect new officers and we thank those parents who are volunteering to run for office. We are sending out paper and digital ballots for each of the open positions for EMLAC. If you are a parent of an Emergent Multilingual student, keep an eye out for the paper ballot in the Thursday folder or the digital one on Parent Square.

Any parent who is a parent of a multilingual student is part of EMLAC.  Multilingual parents are responsible for understanding the following themes, which are explained in our meetings:

• The importance of attendance.

• How to get involved so your child knows school is important to you.

• Reclassification, including students with IEPs: What is it and what does it measure?

• English Language Development: What special instruction do our students get?

• English Learner Proficiency Assessment for California- What is it and what does it test?

• That EMLAC provides feedback and recommendations for School Site Council and the school budget 

 

SCHOOL PRIDE DAY: TOMORROW FRIDAY 

Students may dress like a teacher tomorrow, September 29th, for our school’s first school pride day of the year. The last Friday of the month is typically a school pride day where the student council encourages all of the school to dress up. Dress in professional clothes and try to find accessories or school items that make you look like a teacher. Tell your student to join in fun!

 

TIGER LOVE CAMPAIGN EXTENDED

We’ve extended our Tiger Love Fundraiser by one more week—now through October 4th! So far, we’ve raised $22,103 and are just over halfway to our $40,000 goal, but we’re only at 49% participation. Let’s get every family involved to hit our goal! Remember, a donation of ANY amount enters students into a drawing for awesome prizes, and every class that reaches 75% participation by THIS FRIDAY (tomorrow) will get extra recess time next week!

You can donate online at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/aes or look for a second donation envelope in your student’s Thursday folder today. Let’s show our Tiger Love!

 

FALL FESTIVAL PLANNING PARTY - OCTOBER 1ST ON ZOOM

Get ready for one of the best events of the season – our Fall Festival is happening on Wednesday, October 23rd, and we need YOU to help make it unforgettable! Whether you're crafty, creative, or just love seeing kids smile, we’re calling on parents from every grade level to jump in and run a fun activity or craft. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions and help gather supplies! Sound fun? Join us for a Zoom planning party on Tuesday, October 1st, from 5:30–6:30 PM! We’ll be there to chat, brainstorm, and get everything rolling. Plus, we’ll have live Spanish/English interpretation so everyone can join in. Mark your calendar and get ready to be part of something special!

 

CALM CORNER
Making art is physiologically calming. In fact, ”engaging in an art project for as little as 45 minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol, no matter your skill level”! New research suggests that participating in creative activities like painting can help to lower stress and improve mental well-being. 

Here are some activities to try at home:

• painting

• drawing

• modeling with clay

• sculpting with Play-Doh

• coloring

• collaging

• building with Legos

• scrapbooking

Source: Magsamen, S., & Ross, I. (2023). Your brain on art: How the arts transform us. Random House

 

REMINDERS:.

 

AHA!

The Aha! team is so looking forward to sharing the Santa Barbara Unified School District Parent Group on WEDNESDAY evening, October 2nd! Details & Information for the Aha! x SBUSD What's In Your Survival Kit? Self-Care for the Superheroes in Disguise, Parent Group:

What: Join Aha! to discover positive parenting strategies that set children up for success, including better school performance, relationships, mental health, and well-being in adulthood. We’ll review simple, easy-to-implement skills to foster connection and joy even on tough parenting days. 

October Topic: What's In Your Survival Kit? Self-Care for the Superheroes in Disguise

Where: The Parent Group will take place on Zoom!  - Zoom Meeting LINK: www.tinyurl.com/AHAparentclass

When: Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 - 6:30pm-7:30pm

*Please Note: Translation will be provided!* 

 

EMERGENCY SUPPLY DONATIONS REQUEST

As part of our commitment to keeping our students safe and prepared for emergencies, we kindly ask for your help. We are requesting donations of the following items to be stored in the classroom in case of an emergency: Case(s) of bottled water and dry snacks (such as granola bars, nuts, or dried fruit) These items will be used to ensure that all students have access to essential supplies during an emergency situation. Your contributions will greatly assist in making our drill successful and ensuring we are well-prepared. Please reach out to your classroom teacher to identify specific needs so that multiple parents do not purchase the same items. 

 

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH 

Did you know that only 5% of young readers are authored by or about LatinX people. As we honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, click here to read a great article that includes a list of books for you and your family to explore during Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 - Oct. 15. Which book or books will you read? In addition, the Vibrant Food Celebrated in National Hispanic Heritage Month and Where to Eat It is highlighted here in this link. Delicious! 

https://blog.opentable.com/2020/national-hispanic-heritage-month-latinx-food-cuisines-restaurants/

 

October

3-4 School Picture Day

4 Walk or Roll to School Day

4 Fresch Coffee With the Principal 

23 Fall Festival