The Triton Tribune Parent Edition
Be Kind ~ Be Awesome ~ Make The Right Choices
Hello Wonderful Triton Families,
“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it's less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you've lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that's good.” ~Elizabeth Edwards~
We are almost at the end of this incredulous year and I have to say that I am so proud of our Triton community. Together, we have withstood a pandemic that created a new reality for all of us. We have a choice to look what the COVID pandemic has taken or we can look at the good it brought us. By successfully coming through this pandemic, we have left an indelible mark in history as we are forever connected to this moment in time. As Elizabeth Edwards said, we can choose to "put together something that is good." We can choose to focus on our children's academic learning loss or we can choose to focus on what they gained instead. As we prepare for promotion, I want us to collectively choose to look at our children as the most resilient individuals of their generation. Even though you might not believe it yet, speak it as though you do. Say it to your children as though you mean it. Our future looks great because the future leaders of our nation will have lived through one of the most tested times in history; this means that they can handle pressure and know they will come out fine. Bravo Tritons!
On Friday, May 21, eighth grade parents received notice that all eighth (8th graders) will be allowed to participate in promotion ceremonies. It is important to know that we need to encourage all our students to finish strong especially as they take their EOCs/finals this week. Please read the promotion section below. It includes everything you need to know about promotion. The biggest change is that there will be four ceremonies with approximately 200 students each. Many of you are asking about the guest count. Each student is allowed to have up to four (4) guests. There is no exception to this rule. To help us finalize our plans, if your family does not plan on participating, please complete the survey located in that section.
Before we end the school year, seventh grade parents, if you have not completed your registration for the 2021-2022 school year, please come to the school so that we can help you finish. We have in-person support on Wednesdays and Fridays. Here is the link to make an appointment.
Dr. Aguirre also announced last Friday that we will be returning to in-person schooling for the 2021-2022 school year. This is exciting news for all of us. When I receive more information, I will share with you.
Finally, as the year comes to close, we will be closing the PTSO ELM Facebook page as we prepare to officially open our own ELM Facebook page. This is in the hopes of truly being able to increase our social media activity and to promote a positive atmosphere in our Triton community. We are also working on our own mobile app that you will be able to download on your phone. That will also be released during the summer. We are excited about this new endeavor.
Please read the newsletter in its entirety as there are a lot of information for the week and the rest of the school year.
Let's have a fabulous week!
Mrs. Finley
Changes to daily schedules with respect to dates were made to accommodate all end-of-year activities surrounding eighth grade promotion. We received approval from the district and ELM Faculty Advisory Committee on June 11, 2021. We apologize for the inconvenience it may cause your families. The last day for eighth graders has not been announced. As of now, all students’ last day of school is June 4, 2021. If we hear any updates, we will add to the newsletter.
Additionally, here is the link to the the textbook/IPAD collection process. Only eighth(8th graders) will return their IPADs; seventh graders will keep their IPADs. We will follow a drive-through protocol. If it is necessary for you to walk-in to the office, please email an administrator in advance so that we can make an appointment for you. Awards / Certificates / Yearbooks will also be distributed on that day.
If you are going on vacation PRIOR to your date and time, for textbook returns, please make an appointment with our library technician, Ms. Meza by emailing her at sandra.meza@sweetwaterschools.org. For IPAD/charger block return, please make an appointment with our IT person, Mr. Doyle by emailing him at stevendoyle@sweetwaterschools.org.
Please contact administration if you have any questions.
This year, we will hold our 17th ELM Promotional Ceremony on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at Eastlake High School. Below are several important links to documents containing promotion details. The first document is my official letter regarding promotion. It is now available in both English and Spanish. It contains all the details of promotion including maps of the stadium and our ingress/egress pattern. Included is the waiver for participation, which will serve as your ticket into the venue. Remember, students and all adults each need a completed waiver. Minors' names, such as siblings, will be added on one of the parents/guardians' waiver. These waivers MUST be completed and signed BEFORE you arrive. This will expedite the check-in process. You will not be allowed to stand in the check-in line if these documents are not done.
Many of you have called regarding the number of guests and who counts. Each student is allowed up to four (4) guests. No exceptions. A baby counts. While I understand that some of you come from multiple households, know that I do not have the authority to change that count. This is to ensure that we are celebrating with COVID safety protocols in place. Thank you for understanding.
To better prepare for promotion, we would like to know if your 8th grader will not be participating in promotion. Below is the link to a survey to let us know if this is the case. If your child(ren) is/are attending, then you do not need to fill out the survey.
In the past, we held a rehearsal for promotion. To ensure that we will not shut down promotion as a consequence of potential exposure to COVID-19, there will not be a scheduled practice. Instead, we will create a video showing students and parents how the whole day will proceed. This video will be created this week and made available by the week of May 24, 2021. Parents, please watch this video with your 8th grader to ensure they know how to proceed on that day.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the administrators who will be able to answer all your questions.
- ELM Promotion Letter English Version
- ELM Promotion Letter Spanish Version
- District Waiver for Participation English Version (must be completed PRIOR to arrival)
- District Waiver for Participate Spanish Version
- SUHSD Graduation/Promotion Rules and Protocols
- CDPH COVID-19 Guidance: Outdoor Seated Live Events and Performances
- ELM Promotion Student Participation Survey (only complete if student is not participating)
Below are all the locations for free COVID vaccinations for you. This available to everyone. Please remember that if you go during class time, you need to let your teachers know so that they don't mark you absent. Your attendance code will be EP.
Staff,
This community support is for you and your families, your students and their families. I encourage you to take advantage of this free testing service as your bubble has increased by being here on campus. You can take this test as often as you like. Also, encourage the students who are physically here on campus. Please complete the forms below if you want to take advantage of this opportunity.
Eastlake Middle School
Email: easter.finley@sweetwaterschools.org
Website: elm.sweetwaterschools.org
Location: 900 Duncan Ranch Road, Chula Vista, CA, USA
Phone: 619.591.4000
Twitter: @erfinleysd