Parent Memo 10.5.23
St. Helena Primary School
707-967-2772
Principal's Message
It is going to be very busy this month! We have lots of exciting activities planned for students and families.
I hope you can join us next Thursday, October 12 for our Fiesta de Octubre event at Lyman Park!
We are starting our One School, One Book school read with a kick-off assembly next week!
Halloween is coming and we have two opportunities for parents to come attend Halloween Parades! We'll finish the month with Parent Teacher Conferences and open November with celebrating Dia de los Muertos! We'll also all be exhausted! Fall has arrived!
Pictures from Fiesta Last Year!
Fiesta de Octubre, Thursday, Oct. 12th at 5:30 in Lyman Park
Week of 10/9
Tuesday, 10.10: DELAC (District English Learner Advisory Council Meeting), held in Spanish/English. Hunts Grove Apartments, 5pm
Thursday, 10.12: Fiesta de Octubre, Lyman Park, 5:30-7pm
Friday, 10/13: One School, One Book Reveal! (ask your child what book we're reading)Fiesta Student Performance Schedule
TK/K: La Raspa - Dance, Mexico
1st: Cha Cha Slide - Dance, United States Latino Influence
2nd: Mambo #5 - Dance, United States Latino Influence
3rd: Los Machetes - Dance, Mexico
Art on Display
1st. 3rd-5th Molas (Panama)
2nd: Weaving (Guatemala)
Additional Fiesta Info!
Students are encouraged to wear attire from Latin American countries (if they have it), if not, any outfit will do! Adults can bring blankets and chairs to sit on.
After TK-5 student performances, other guest performers include:
- SHHS Choir Students
- Baile Folklorico del Valle
- Baile Folklorico de Guatemala (2nd/3rd grade students)
- Los Diablos de Oaxacalifornia
In addition, parents will be providing delicious food samples and crafts including:
Food from Guatemala
Homemade cookies
Agua fresca
Handcrafted pinatas (raffle)
All funds collected from these booths will be donated back to PTG for GiveBig! Please bring cash or be able to donate via Venmo if you would like to contribute (no one will be turned down to try food if they can’t donate).
This year, we also have two food carts:
Chocolate Dipper & Herencia Coffee
One School, One Book!
Between October and December, we will be reading two chapters of the book each week. Besides Mrs. Montelli, our Principal, and classroom teachers, members of the school/St. Helena community will also record chapters of themselves reading to our students. We'll schedule some pajama Zoom nights where Mrs. Rocha will re-read some chapters to students so that they can be read to at home. During this time, we'll also plan some fun, school-wide events that go with themes in the book. On December 15th, all students will get to bring a copy of the book home in English or Spanish (depending on your home language). We hope this will help our students continue to develop a love of reading!
SH Parks & Rec Mile Fun Run Oct. 21st
SH Parks & Rec Mile Fun Run Oct. 21st
Halloween Costume Recycling/Collection
Halloween Costumes
Parents, thank you in advance for helping us make sure that Halloween is a fun, exciting day for students. We ask you to help us with the following guidelines:
- Please, no fake weapons
- Please, no blood or gore
- Please no masks that make it unsafe to see when walking (if your child can safely wear a mask, that's fine)
Have you checked out the calendar feature on Parent Square?
Upcoming Important Dates
Monday, 10.16: Teacher Work Day: Monday, October 16th (NO SCHOOL)
- The Boys & Girls Club will be open! Please send a lunch with your student.
- Ipad Distribution/Training (you will be invited if your child is receiving special support at school), 6pm in the Barn
Wednesday, 10.18: School Site Council Meeting, 3:15pm
- Fentanyl Presentation at SHHS, 6pm in the Theater
Monday, 10.23: Special Needs Parent Support Group Meeting, 5:30pm
Saturday, 10.21: St. Helena Harvest Festival
10.30-11.3: Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Minimum Day dismissal - students are dismissed at 12:15pm
- Students will eat lunch at school
Tuesday, 10.31: Halloween Parades at SHPS, 8:35am, Walk to SHHS for High School Parade, 9:40am
10.27: Bring in photos for our Dia de los Muertos Altar
11.2: Come see our Day of the Dead Altar (in the Barn)!
Parent & Guardian Presentation
St. Helena Performing Arts Center
Día de los Muertos
Free ESL & Tech Support Classes
Day of the Dead at SHPS
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As part of the cultural aspect and global awareness of the language, students will be learning about “Día de Los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) during Spanish class. We will be discussing the history, the purpose of the holiday and how it’s celebrated in some Latin American countries. The content will be very basic and will vary from grade level to grade level. The passing of loved ones is a part of life and this celebration provides an opportunity to honor and remember them in a joyful and respectful manner. Students will learn Dia de los Muertos vocabulary and songs en español. Below is a website that provides more background information if you are interested in acquiring more knowledge about it.
https://youtu.be/vXN8qJHy-uM (English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TXphdNYVIE (Español)
We will also be putting up a Dia de los Muertos display, at both the primary and elementary schools. You are more than welcome to stop by and see it on Nov 2nd (more details to come). The altar will represent elements necessary for life on Earth, different types of food, and pictures of deceased family members. You may send a picture of a loved one who has passed away (including pets) so that we can put them up on our altar. You can also send flowers or any other offerings you would like to send to honor your loved one/s.
We are excited about this project and hope that your child is able to participate one way or another. Learning about culture helps us understand other people’s perspectives, patterns of behavior, and contributions to the world at large.
Pictures can be sent with your child before October 27th. They can also be dropped in my mailbox with your child’s name, last name, and the name of the teacher on the back for a safe return. Thank you very much!
Maestra Rubio
St. Helena Primary and Elementary Schools
Dia de los Muertos en SHPS
Estimados padres/tutores,
Como parte del aspecto cultural y la conciencia global del idioma, los estudiantes aprenderán sobre el Día de los Muertos durante la clase de español. Discutiremos la historia, el propósito de la fiesta y cómo se celebra en algunos países de América Latina. El contenido será muy básico y variará de nivel de grado a nivel de grado. El fallecimiento de seres queridos es parte de la vida y esta celebración brinda la oportunidad de honrarlos y recordarlos de manera alegre y respetuosa. Los estudiantes aprenderán vocabulario y canciones del Día de los Muertos en español. Estos enlaces lo llevarán a un video que proporciona más información básica si está interesado en adquirir más conocimientos al respecto.
https://youtu.be/vXN8qJHy-uM (inglés)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TXphdNYVIE (Español)
También pondremos un altar para nuestra comunidad escolar. Habrá un altar en la primaria y otro en la elementaria. Ustedes son más que bienvenidos a pasar y verlos el 2 de noviembre (más detalles vendran). El altar representará elementos necesarios para la vida en la Tierra, diferentes tipos de alimentos y fotografías de familiares fallecidos. Puede enviar una foto de un ser querido que haya fallecido (incluyendo mascotas) para que podamos ponerlas en nuestro altar. También puede enviar flores o cualquier otra ofrenda que le gustaría enviar para honrar a sus seres queridos.
Estamos entusiasmados con este proyecto y esperamos que su hijo pueda participar. Aprender sobre la cultura nos ayuda a comprender las perspectivas, los patrones de comportamiento y las contribuciones de otras personas al mundo en general.
Las fotos se pueden enviar con su hijo antes del 27 de octubre. También se pueden dejar en mi buzón con el nombre de su hijo, el apellido y el nombre del maestro en la parte de atrás para asegurar su devolución. ¡Muchas gracias!
Maestra Rubio
Las escuelas Primaria y Elementaria de Santa Helena