Voyager Family News
Week of January 27, 2020
Strand Spotlights and Info: Great Kindness Challenge, Late-Start Thursday, Family Math Night, & 5th Grade Colonial Day!
We have a LATE-START Day on Thursday, January 30; school starts at 10:00 AM. The bus will pick up at the Coronado Cays at 9:40 AM and there will be NO RUNNING CLUB on Thursday.
The Great Kindness Challenge is the week of January 27-31, and we invite our families to participate at home as we celebrate and practice kindness at SSES! Find great resources and sign your family up to join at the GKC website. Here are some of the dress days and events we have planned:
o Spirit Dress Days: Tuesday: Team Kindness (sports gear); Wednesday: Comfy Kindness (pajamas); Thursday: Peace, Love, and Kindness (tie dye/flower power/hippie)
o Kindness Takes Flight: Students in all grades colored feathers at the beginning of the year, and we have incorporated them into a beautiful "wings" mural for students to stand in front of for photos. Our mural will be outside at dropoff and pickup Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (and at Open House and Luau). A PTO volunteer will photograph students who wish to be photographed on Wednesday morning at dropoff.
o Kindness Cards: Kindness cards will be available at recess and in classrooms for students to write to each other, staff, and family members. Recipients may submit them to us for placement on a bulletin board.
Family Math Night on Thursday, January 30 from 5:00-6:30 PM in Strand Hall: Come enjoy free dinner from your PTO, math bingo and other fun math activities, and learn about our new math curriculum, Bridges! The classroom with the highest participation rate will win a popcorn party. See flyer below in PTO section.
SSES will participate in the "Global School Play Day" on Wednesday, February 5 this year (see the GSPD website for more info and this blog post to watch a compelling TED Talk on the importance of play). Our students will follow their regular schedule and grade levels may conduct some regular lessons/activities, but students will have opportunities throughout the day for unstructured play, as research indicates that play time with peers helps children develop skills of self regulation, collaboration and cooperation, and problem solving. We will also host a morning double-recess dance party for all grades! Classroom teachers will send you more information, including invitations and guidelines for students to bring in non-electronic or motorized toys and games to play with peers.
Coronado has a new environment-focused nonprofit called Emerald Keepers, with many events and opportunities for our students and families. See flyers below for more information, including an opportunity at the public library before Late Start on Thursday.
Our Health Office provides shoes, socks, undergarments, and clothes to students who need them due to weather, accidents, etc. We are in need of all items in all sizes for our students. Please consider donating gently used clothing and shoes to the health office!
- Please order your yearbook and help our Voyager Yearbook PTO volunteers gather photos of all our students and classes! To order a book, visit this website. Yearbooks are $25 with a discount of $5 ($20) if you are a PTO member (use code SSESPTO2020). If you have photos to include in this year's yearbook, please download the "ImageShare" app, with Project number 025811. The upload code is SSE20. See more info in PTO section below.
- The 2020 Census is hiring in Coronado! There are not enough applicants in Coronado and Silver Strand currently to ensure enough workers for an accurate count. The Census provides more than a snapshot of a community’s demographics. The Census count determines the allocation of nearly $800 billion among 130+ different programs. Those programs provide funding for schools (Title 1 (Silver Strand Elementary), special education, Head Start, school lunches), medical, roads, SNAP, housing, social block grants, and so much more! It takes a community to get an accurate count, and the Census need Coronado USD’s help! See flyer below or apply at https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html
- The theme for next week is KINDNESS: Silver Strand will participate in the Great Kindness Challenge next week! We are challenging all Voyagers and their families to demonstrate kindness in brave and creative ways. Here are a few ideas: give compliments, show patience with friends and family members, stick up for someone or make them feel better when they’re sad or frustrated.
2020 Census Worker Opportunity in Coronado
MAP Testing
In January and February, your child will take a MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® on a computer. We give students MAP Growth tests to determine their instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year (and from year to year) in Mathematics and Reading for grades 2nd-5th and for Kindergarten and 1st grades, in math.
MAP Growth tests are unique in that they adapt to your child’s level of learning. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This results in a detailed picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.
Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it’s easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores that are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, and then plan instruction accordingly.
MAP Growth reports also provide typical growth data for students who are in the same grade, subject, and have the same starting performance level. Each school year, students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade take the tests. Following each testing period, you will receive a report showing your child’s growth, which you can review with your child’s teacher for more insight.
We are truly excited to focus on your child’s individual growth and achievement. For more information about the MAP Growth test, visit: NWEA.org/Parent-Toolkit.
Emerald Keepers Environmental Non-Profit News and Events
- Late-Start Thursday Workshop on Marine Science at Coronado Library for 3rd-5th Graders 1/30, 8:30-9:45 AM. See flyer attached below for more information!
- Poster Contest for students K-5, due February 21. See attached flyer for more info!
- Visit the website https://www.emeraldkeepers.org/ for more information and events and opportunities!
Calendar Events
This Week and Next:
Mon 1/20/20: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday/No School
Fri 1/24: Great Kindness Challenge Kickoff at Friday Flagpole (wear SSES Spirit Gear for all-school photo); Report Cards sent home with students
1/27-31: Great Kindness Challenge at SSES with Spirit Dress Days (Tuesday: Team Kindness--wear sport/athletic gear; Wednesday: Dreaming of a Kinder World/Comfy Kindness--wear pajamas or comfy clothes; Thursday: Peace, Love & Kindness--wear tie dye, flower power, "hippie")
Thurs 1/30: Late-Start: all students start at 10:00AM; Math Night at SSES 5:30-7 PM
Fri 1/31: 5th Grade Colonial Day at VES; 3rd Grade Bring a Parent to Lunch (12:15PM)
Mon 2/3: Screening of "Like" movie, about the impact of social media on our lives, 6:30 PM in the CHS CoSA Theatre.
Thurs 2/6: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
And Beyond:
Fri 2/14-Mon 2/17: Presidents' Weekend/No School
Thurs 2/27: Spring Open House
Fri 2/28: 2nd Grade Bring a Parent to Lunch (12:15)
Thurs 3/5: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
Fri 3/13: PTO Family Fun Night: Freaky Friday Dance
Wed 3/18, 4:30-9 PM: CSF Telethon at CHS
Thurs 3/19: Late-Start: all students start at 10:00AM
Fri 3/27: 1st Grade Bring a Parent to Lunch (11:50)
3/30-4/3: Spring Break Holiday/No School
Tues 4/7-Thurs 4/9: Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences (Students Early Release)
Thurs 4/9: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
Fri 4/10-Mon 4/13: District Holiday/No School
Fri 4/24: Kindergarten Bring a Parent to Lunch (11:50) and 25th SSES Luau!
Thurs 5/7: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
5/25: Memorial Day Holiday/No School
6/4: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
6/11/20: 5th Grade Promotion/Last Day of School/Early Release
PTO News and Updates
SSES Water bottles are on sale now! Proceeds from your purchase will help fund water filling station upgrades at Silver Strand. Link: http://bit.ly/strandwaterbottles
Put your child's Name in Lights on the Silver Strand's Marquee Sign! We now have a convenient online form to easily schedule your Birthday, Welcome or Farewell message! The cost is $20 and your donation supports the SSES PTO! Schedule online now: http://bit.ly/NAMEINLIGHTS
Silver Strand PTO Board
- President: Lori Blauert
- Vice President: Nellie Ritter
- Treasurer: Leslie Broussard
- Secretary: Leigh-Ann Williamson
- Parliamentarian: Lisa Emme
Silver Strand PTO
Email: silverstrandpto@gmail.com
Call or Text: 619-537-8782
In addition to building community, supporting curriculum, and enriching students' school experience, the Silver Strand PTO is responsible for Family Fun Nights, Holiday Shoppe, Yearbook and Luau to name a few. Our fundraising efforts provide for school field trips and enrichments clubs. We are unable to do what we do without the support of Silver Strand families, teachers and staff.
After-School Enrichment Clubs
Our winter after-school clubs start the week of 1/19!
We have some FUN offerings that include: Yoga, Jump Rope, Soccer, Coding, Photojournalism (Creative Arts Club is FULL)
All info is found on individual flyers, located in Peachjar (bottom left of our school webpage).
Contact Karen Pierro with any questions: karen.pierro@coronadousd.net
Our SSES PTO is proud to sponsor and coordinate after-school enrichment clubs for students in grades K-5 from 3-4 PM Monday through Thursday (note that these clubs are not part of the CUSD/SSES instructional day, and clubs are run by private organizations/non-CUSD employees). SSES Teacher Karen Pierro works with our PTO as a coordinator/liaison.
Coronado SAFE Events and Activities
Coronado SAFE supports healthy families and children through workshops/"coffee talks," school programs, speakers, and counseling. See flyers below for upcoming events.
We recommend attending the "Like" documentary with your fifth grader (see flyer below): Buy Tickets by clicking here
Coronado Schools Foundation Events & Updates
The Henry Community Give Back Event- Jan 29 & Jan 30
Mention CSF when dining at The Henry at the Community Give back events on Jan 29th from 5-9pm and Jan 30th from 7-10am (late start day for CUSD.) 15% of The Henry's proceeds will be given back to CSF when you tell the server or the coffee bar window server you are ordering to support CSF during these events. Reservations encouraged for dinner on Jan 29th. Remember to say "CSF" when ordering!
Military Connections: Focus on Anchored4Life
Silver Strand Elementary School is SO fortunate to have the full-time services of our very own MFLC (Military Family Life Counselor), Marie Millard! Our MFLC is available to help students through the emotions and transitions associated with military life.
Thank you to our community advisory members, MFLC, and students who attended the Anchored4Life Club training in October! Our students learned how to help their peers who are experiencing transitions. The Anchored4Life program at our school focuses on helping new students adjust to Silver Strand, lifts up students whose loved one is leaving for or returning from deployment and sending our warm wishes with students who are relocating. The Team Leads provide care package "Kits" with a theme designed to support each of the four transitions. The kits contain comforting items, coping skills, DVDs to help kids understand that they are not alone and helpful tools for parents. If your child will be experiencing one of these transitions this year, please inform their teacher or the MFLC to receive a free transition kit. The MFLC's information is always available in the Silver Strand office with the other resource materials.
You will also see our Anchored4Life Team Leads around campus this year presenting uplifting messages, helping with service projects and growing in their leadership skills. We are excited to be partnering with Anchored4Life to provide this service to all of our students.
Military Spouse Support Meetings:
Village Wed. Nov. 20 8:30-9:30 Building Resiliency in Children
Strand Wed. Feb. 19 8:30-9:30 Supporting Your Child Through Deployment
ECDC Wed. May 20 8:30-9:30 Transitions
For information about military-sponsored activities for youth, visit the Fleet and Family Services website here.
Morning Dropoff and Afternoon Dismissal in 2019-20
Our new bell schedule means ALL students TK-5th Grade start school at 8:10 AM (same as this past year), and ALL Kindergarten-5th Graders will release at 2:55 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and at 1:40 on Wednesdays (Transitional Kindergarten release at 11:50 each day).
Adult supervision outside school in the morning does not begin until 7:50 AM; please do not plan to drop your child off prior to this time unless they are participating in band/choir/other officially supervised school activities.
IN THE MORNINGS: TK and Kindergarten students line up outside the gate to the right of our office door each morning by 8:05 AM to be picked up by their teachers and escorted to class. First graders enter the same gate and proceed to class at the first bell. All other grades enter the gates to the left by Strand Hall when the first bell rings to line up by class on the blacktop.
IN CASE OF RAIN OR INCLEMENT WEATHER, students will report to Strand Hall and line up in designated areas in the Hall.
At the end of the school day, Kindergarten teachers escort their students to the PRESCHOOL GATE for parent pickup ahead of other students, so parents of kindergarteners should plan for their students to be ready to reunite with you 5-10 minutes before 2:55 (or 1:40 on Wednesdays).
We encourage those students/families who can walk/bike/scooter to do so!
Crosswalk Safety
Dropoff/Pickup Safety
School and Classroom Volunteers: What You Need to Know!
We thank you for your time, assistance, and enthusiasm, SSES volunteers! Please ensure you are aware of the following:
- ALL parents who enter campus and have interactions with other students, even while just helping at a party, MUST have verification of a negative TB test (within past four years) and have submitted our School Volunteer Application.
- Please contact Kelley Englehart in Human Resources (kelley.englehart@coronadousd.net) with questions about clearance to be a volunteer. Kimberley Junk in the SSES office can help as well.
- The Live Scan of Fingerprints must be completed if your role as a volunteer takes you out of the classroom with children/out of sight of the teacher.
- If you have concerns about your child you would like to address with his/her teacher, please make a separate appointment to discuss versus initiating a discussion during your volunteer time.
- Please respect confidentiality of students and staff and refrain from photographing other students or reporting or describing behaviors you observe to other parents/community members. Please share any concerns directly with the teacher.
- Volunteers are very helpful! But determining tasks and planning for volunteers takes time, too, and our teachers use their own discretion in inviting volunteers into the classroom. Please reach out to your child's teacher or room parent to learn more about opportunities to help.
Thank you for being a valuable part of the Voyager Family!
2019-20 Parent and Student Handbook
Community Agreements and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
How Does Coronado Unified School District Communicate with Families?
Stay Connected with Silver Strand Elementary School!!
Check out and "like" our Facebook page to see photos of student events and programs! https://www.facebook.com/Silver-Strand-Elementary-School-176775765849277/