12 Days Before Winter Break

This week for the 12 Days Before Winter Break, the leadership team has some fun things planned. There are two dress down days and you will receive your gift from us.

In addition, on Tuesday, we hope you participate in our Snowball Fight activity.  The leadership team is curious— how many snowballs (cotton balls) can you scoop into a bowl in 30 seconds while being blindfolded?  The person who has the most “snowballs” in the bowl wins a prize. 

Lastly, because we think you are SODA-lightful,  create a festive beverage on Friday.  

Staff Holiday Party

Thank you for providing your feedback regarding the staff holiday party date. It was extremely close (only 1 person more), but majority voted for Friday, January 31.

If you able to attend, please RSVP by clicking HERE. As a reminder, this is for staff only—no spouses. Please RSVP by Friday, December 13. We truly hope you are able to attend.   

ABCDE Goal-Attendance

 One of our school goals is to decrease our total number of student absences by 3% from 8,406 in the 2023-24 SY to 8, 154 in the 2024-25 SY.  At this time, I want to congratulate 1^st, 3^rd, 4^th, 5th, and 8^th grade for having a decrease in absences (year to date).

Although, we aren’t currently on track to make our goal, I am still optimistic that we can achieve it by the end of the year.  It will take a collective effort to accomplish this. Taylor has been working diligently making phones and placing students on A-CAPs that have reached the chronically absence threshold. I have already had four mandatory parent meetings with those families who have been in violation of their A-CAPs.

Please continue to do your part by contacting families of students who have reached 2 and 4 absences and promoting our attendance initiatives.

Student Birthdays

 

Please make sure that you are following our school policy regarding student birthdays. On page 55 of our Parent and Student Handbook it states, students’ birthdays will be recognized during the last 15 minutes of the school day. So, please inform families that they cannot bring in pizza and other treats during lunch. 

Reunification PD

 

Our ½ day next Wednesday is our annual reunification training. All staff (hourly, salary, SFE, and Aramark) need to attend to learn/review our reunification plan and visit the reunification location. See the schedule below.

·      11:45-12:15     Lunch on your own

·      12:15-1:15       Extra Prep (You’re welcome)

·      1:15-2:15         Reunification Review (Gym)

·      2:15-2:30         Travel to reunification location

(BHS Athletic Wing)

·      2:30-3:00         Run through at reunification site

Please bring your red emergency bag containing an updated emergency contact list to the gym presentation. We will need staff to carpool because they have limited parking. You need to park at their Early Childhood Center which is directly across from the Athletic Wing.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Retention Reminders

 

Don’t forget to give your dean the completed phase 1 retention packet with the parent signature by Friday, December 13.  If we don’t receive the paperwork by the deadline, then those students cannot be retained. 

Gift of Time

As an extension of our holiday gift to staff, the leadership team will be cancelling our December staff meeting. We hope you enjoy this gift of time.

6^th grade will still provide snacks that we can enjoy throughout the day on Tuesday.    

Affirmations

 

Steve for assisting me on so many things, but most recently, the technology presentation.

Kim J for cleaning the staff lounge because you saw it was dirty and for noticing our equipment was broken.  

Jen H for assisting with the perfect attendance rewards. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

Robyn for keeping amazing documentation.

Taylor, Stephanie, and Stacey Ramirez for assisting me with my Valentine’s day attire.  

Steve for my sweet treat. It was wonderful walking into my office to the nice surprise.  

Kim J for providing me extra underground spirit day ideas.  

Robyn, Stacey Reed, Alex, Jen D and Morgan for creating an EL and homeless MICIP goal. I appreciate your collaboration.     

Monique for providing a colleague with a resource so quickly.  

Ellen, Stacey Reed, Andria, Sarah G and Crystal for sending the most High Fives on your team.

Tracy for being willing to register us a Green School.

Stacey Ramirez for spray painting everything. My visions would be nothing without you.

Christina for keeping our school safe!  

Lisa for taking on additional responsibilities by volunteering to sub. We appreciate you!  

This Week

 

Sunday, December 8:

    ·     Jen H’s Birthday

Monday, December 9:

    ·     Winter Wonderland: Wear white, blue, silver, or gray-FREE

Wednesday, December 11:

    ·     ½ Day of School

    ·     Reunification PD

    ·     Holiday Shop (December 11-13)

Thursday, December 12:

    ·     Ugly Holiday Sweater: Wear a holiday sweater or just an ugly sweater-FREE

    ·     Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Bill of Rights)-Turner

Friday, December 13:

    ·     Payday Breakfast-Leadership Team

    ·     IAT Meetings (K-8)

Saturday, December 14:

    ·     Jen D’s Birthday

Happy Birthday

 

Jen H: December 8

Jen D: December 14

Important Dates

December 17: PLC Meeting

December 19: Snowed In: Wear your snow day attire—pajamas or comfy clothes-FREE

December 20: Spirit Day $1.00

December 20: 3^rd Grade Social Media Post Due

December 23-January 3: No School-Winter Break

December 28: John’s Birthday

December 30: Emma’s Birthday

January 6: School Resumes (Welcome Back)

 

*If you have an event to add or something has been forgotten, please let me know!