The Triton Tribune - Parent Edition
Be Kind ~ Be Awesome ~ Make The Right Choices
Volume 2 ~ Issue 29~ March 8, 2021
Amazing Triton Parents/Guardians and Students,
“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” Maya Angelou
March 13, 2021 was an unforgettable day for me in my first year as principal. Prior to this day, the news plastered Coronavirus and COVID-19 incessantly on our TV screens. And as the number of cases exploded, education officials were forced to close the doors of all schools. I remember being pulled into meetings as the district contemplated its decision. It was not an easy decision.
I believe that our resilience has been the shining star in this pandemic. We learned new ways to live our lives in spite of the havoc that this virus has caused. As parents, we had to learn how to support our children to succeed in this thing called distance learning. And while we have learned to be adaptable, it has not been easy. Some of you have been touched by COVID, some to the point of death. Yet, we prevailed. We learned new technologies and its applications. We learned how to communicate virtually. Who would have thought that "Zooming, Teaming, Meeting" would be so significant in how we connect? Most importantly, many of us connected with our own families in more meaningful ways as the pandemic forced us to slow down. We have been changed by COVID-19 but we have not been reduced by it.
Now here we are, almost a year later, and we are on the verge of return. The same angst that many of you felt then may be percolating again for very different reasons. Some of you may feel that we are not ready for a safe return while others are ready to send your children to school. And because there are many aspects of re-opening that we cannot control, it is easy to succumb to feelings of frustration and helplessness. I want to encourage that if you are in doubt, nervous or anxious of this re-opening decision, please talk about this as a family. Reach out to your ELM Admin team. Know that we are working really hard to learn how to return safely. In preparation, I sent a team to visit Hillsdale Middle School (same population size) to learn how they have been able to successfully remain in school since August. The team came back excited knowing that a safe return is doable. We will be presenting our Ten Percent Re-Opening Plan to FAC on Tuesday, March 9 and in turn, we will present it to staff at our Faculty Meeting. On March 16, I will be presenting this plan to you in my next Coffee with the Principal. As we wait for April 12, 2021, I want us to focus on the positive aspect of the re-opening: some students and some teachers will be on campus for the first time this year. That is exciting to me. I am thankful that we have enough teachers who volunteered so that we are in a place to bring back 10%. Other schools are not so fortunate. However you view this re-opening, let's choose to not be reduced by our differences, rather, let's continue to focus of working together to provide our children with the best quality education that we can regardless if we are back in school or continuing in distance learning.
Please read the newsletter in its entirety as there are a lot of information regarding upcoming events.
Let's have amazing week!
Mrs. Finley
Know that the ELM administration is in the process of creating a plan to implement when a decision is made. This plan will be discussed with FAC for collaboration and advisement on March 9. This plan will be shared with all staff at the March 12 faculty meeting. We will also share this plan with our community at a Coffee with the Principal on March 16. Please see the flyer below for times and TEAMS meeting links.
Below are some documents for your information.
SUHSD Board of Trustees February 26 Special Meeting
SUHSD School Re-opening Dashboard
Click on this LINK to access Govenor Newsom's Pandemic Resilience Roadmap.
Click on this LINK to access Senate Bill 86.
What Do I Do if I Have Grades that I Don't Like?
Students, please take advantage of the tutoring opportunities that are available for you.
The Most Important Action You Can Take:
Other than attending some or all the support below, the most important act you can do is to talk to your teacher. They are the ones who knows best how to help you succeed. I know that for some of you this is scary. However, you can ask any of your counselors, assistant principals, Ms. Quinn and me to facilitate a conversation with your teachers. Do not wait to do this. Right now, you have time to re-adjust your path of success.
YOU GOT THIS!!!
Calling all 8th Grade Tritons to submit a picture for the panoramic picture!
Let's make this happen.
To register, there are two things that you must do: 1) Select Classes and 2) Complete the Registration process:
SELECTING CLASSES (PRIORITY DEADLINE IS MARCH 12):
Counselors have completed their presentations to current 7th graders (incoming 8th graders) and to incoming 7th graders. It is important that you and your child select his/her/their courses as soon as possible. Below are the forms you need to complete:
- 2021-2022 Elective Course Description
- 8th Grade Course Selection Form
- 7th Grade Course Selection From
- Compacted Math/Integrated Math Request Form (7th grade only)
- ASB Application Form (7th and 8th grades)
- ASB Application Requirement Outline (all who apply MUST read this)
REGISTRATION PROCESS:
Our registration web page [LINK] is now LIVE. Please watch the attached video that explains the page. It is important to understand in which category your child fits so that you click on the correct link. Once you have made that identification, all you will need to do is to click on that descriptor and complete the steps outlined. Your child will fit in one of the categories below. We have also indicated what date you can start. The Online Registration Process (OLR) will open on March 15 BUT only current 7th graders will be able to begin the OLR as they will receive their district email first before then.
In which category does your student fit?
- I am a 7th grader going into 8th grader
- I am a new student (7th or 8th grade) - No other sibling in the district
- I am new student (7th or 8th grade) with a sibling in the Sweetwater District
- I am a new student (7th or 8th grade) and we live with another family (Joint Residency)
- I am a student who lives outside the ELM boundary and want to attend here (Transfer)
Here is the link to OLH's Registration Information. Please attend the Future Eagle Parent Meeting on March 11. See Flyer Below.
Purple Pride Announcement
This video is brought to you by ELM's Purple Pride Club. We want to promote awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ community and ALL people. Please contact Cindy.Reynoso@sweetwaterschools.org or Andrea.Arroyo@sweetwaterschools.org if you'd like to know more about the club. Thanks for watching!
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