The Monthly Howl
Principal/VP Newsletter ~ September 2022
Heading into September...
Dear Families,
Thank you for the wonderful return to school this school year! The 2022-2023 school year is off to a very positive start! It was fantastic to see so many families at our Back to School Night, and we look forward to more family events this coming year.
Program Updates:
This year, we are bringing back Mindful Life Project, which is a program focused on emotional regulation and mindful strategies to assist with problem solving, calming, and conflict management. Coach Sunee is retuning to run this program this year, and we are very excited!
We are very excited to be opening up a student Wellness Room in the next month or so, which will be a space on campus for students to go if they need some time to calm down, regulate their feelings, or learn about emotional wellness.
Both of these programs fit in nicely with our Second Step Program, which is a classroom curriculum focused on Social-Emotional Learning, wellness, peer relationships, and character development. Students will engage in weekly lessons in this area to help them find success at school and in their relationships with others, both in elementary school and beyond.
Additionally, we are also continuing with our HERO, Inc. Program this year with a new coach, who also goes by Coach A. HERO is a structured recess and physical activity program that focuses on physical activity as well as key skills such as sportsmanship, taking turns, playing on a team, and leadership.
Finally, Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) is on campus this year, finally bringing a daily After-School Program to Jack London. Due to staffing challenges, we have opened this program with two classes and will continue to expand and open up invitations to more students as more BACR staff are hired over time. Please stay tuned for more information – we hope to grow this program this year and open it up to more and more students.
More information about programs and events willl be coming home soon.
Be sure to scroll and read all the way to the end of this newsletter, as it is full of information and updates.
Here's to a great year,
Dr. Roat & Ms. Torres
New Faces Have Joined the Wolf Pack:
Ms. Jeans - K/1 Combination Class
Ms. Howe - TK
Ms. Gonzales - 5th Grade
Ms. Robinson - 4th Grade
Craig Pearson - Resource Specialist
Shelly Hartman - Administrative Assistant 1
Upcoming Spirit Days:
October 12th - Stop Bullying Day
College Wear Wednesdays
Spirit Wear Fridays
Second Step Update
Month 1 - Welcome to School! We are safe, respectful, and responsible!
This month, our schoolwide theme is our school as a welcoming place where every student feels like he or she belongs. In our morning announcements and school assemblies, we’ll be reminding students to welcome others and act and speak in safe, respectful, and responsible ways.
We’ll also begin teaching the Second Step program, which includes lessons that support these behaviors.
We can all support our students by modeling how to welcome and include others others, and by acting and speaking in safe, respectful, and responsible ways.
Please tell your child’s teacher if you have questions about specific ways you can help your child with these behaviors at home.
Mindfulness
Mindful Life Project is Returning!
Here is some information on Mindful Life Project, as well as some mindful sits that can be done from home:
Mindful Life Project - Main Website
Mindful Life Project - Mindful Sits
While the program gets going for the school year, here are a few other resources that you might use at home to encourage mindfulness and calm:
Common and Colbie Caillat Sing "Belly Breathe" with Elmo
Weather The Storm | Guided Meditation for Kids | Breathing Exercises
Counselor Update
Welcome back to school Jack London wolves! I am Ms. Orozco and I will be your school counselor this year. I am excited to return to Jack London working with students, families and staff. As a school counselor, my job is to support the social/emotional, academic and college/career development of our students. I look forward to meeting you and working with our students to have a successful school year. In case you would like to get a hold of me, here is my contact information: VioletaOrozco@antiochschools.net 925-779-7455 ext. 40230.
Attendance and participation are the keys to learning. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Attendance is a team effort, and we hope that together we can keep our students engaged and learning, every single school day.
Ways to help your child be engaged:
- Establish ongoing communication with your child's teacher to build a strong, trusting relationship
- Make school attendance a priority.
- Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day. Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
- Do not let your child stay home unless truly sick. Complaints of headaches or stomachaches may be signs of anxiety.
- Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe from mistreatment. Make sure he/she is not missing class because of behavioral issues and school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, please contact your child’s teacher.
- Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or counselor if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
- Know the school’s attendance policy.
- Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
Parents please be patient and kind with yourself, your child, and their teacher. We are all in this together and we are here for you if you need support!
Safety Updates
We practice monthly fire drills.
This practice helps us prepare for real emergencies.
Fire Drills always include an evacuation of the school.
Safety is an ongoing focus at Jack London. Throughout the year, we will practice a variety of skills and drills to make sure all students and staff are prepared in the case of a real emergency.
We teach our Jack London Wolves:
-A Fire Drill is a procedure we practice and will use in the case of a real fire or emergency. The goal is to get all students and staff outside quickly and safely. It is very important to listen to and follow staff instructions at all times, to ensure everyone's safety.
Fire Drill Procedures:
-An alarm will sound. Your teacher will give instructions about lining up to leave the classroom.
-Your class will walk, without talking, to your assembly area outside.
-Students will sit in line quietly as teachers take role outside.
-The Principal and Vice Principal will check in with all teachers to make sure all students are present and accounted for.
-At the end of the drill, an “all clear” bell/annoucement will sound. This means it is safe to return to your classroom. Listen to your teacher for instructions.
-If a Fire Drill alarm sounds during recess or lunch, walk quietly to your class’s assembly area and sit in your line. Your teacher will meet you there.
Upcoming Dates - Mark Your Calendar!
September 7 - Jack London Chipotle Fundraiser
September 16 - Progress Reports go home & FALL PICTURE DAY!
October 3-7 - No School - Fall Break
October 10 - Students return to school - Regular Release Times
October 28 - Make-Up Fall Picture Day
October 31 and November 1 - No School - Teacher Work Day/Staff Development Days
November 4 - 10 - Conference Week - Minimum Day Release at 11:15 for TK-6
November 11 - No School - Veteran's Day
November 18th - Minimum Day Release at 11:15 for TK-6
November 21-25 - No School - Thanksgiving Break