Principal's Newsletter
December 17, 2019
Principal's Message
Dear Adelante Selby families,
According to research (Howard & Christian, Thomas & Collier, Lindholm and Leary) there are three major advantages for students in two way immersion programs such as ours here at Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion school. The first advantage is that students develop full verbal, reading, and writing proficiency in two languages. This allows them to see their first language in a comparative perspective, which in turn helps them analyze and refine their language use. A second advantage is that students not only achieve at levels that are similar to or higher than those of their peers enrolled in English only programs on standardized assessments in Reading and Math, but in addition they are able to read and write at grade level in another language. This in turn positively affects academic performance and cognitive ability. The third advantage is more attitudinal in that students in dual language programs develop positive attitudes about students of other language and cultural backgrounds as well as positive attitudes about themselves as learners. For example, researchers have found dual language students showed a great deal of diversity in friendship choices and they are more comfortable interacting with members of other ethnocultural groups. In a very real sense, students in dual language programs become more self-confident because they are better prepared to engage in a global society that values multiculturalism and bilingualism. As one parent noted to me recently, "My child has the opportunity to be bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural. There are social and cognitive benefits to bilingualism. He gains a second language, a broader vocabulary, and multiple views of the world."
The Seussical Kids musical was a wonderful event where students had the opportunity to develop their talents and perform on stage in front of large audiences and a full theater at the MIT auditorium. Since September, the students worked hard learning their parts and rehearsing in preparation for the performances. Parents and community members were very much involved in supporting the effort with incredible set and costume designs which were remarkable! Parents also helped with make up, selling tickets, making the program, and taking photos. We are also fortunate to have teachers who are willing to help like Maestra Elanor with the sound crew (which included some Adelante alumni) and Maestra Rita, the producer. We had Danny Giray, our Dance instructor, as the Choreographer and music teacher Maestra Lydia as the Ensemble director. Finally, the partnership with the San Carlos Children's Theater and Director Lisa Bock has been very successful! I want to thank everyone involved for supporting Seussical Kids and the students who participated--Bravo!!
Recently, the School Site Council met and approved our ByLaws, Parent Involvement Policy, and reviewed our School Plan for Student Achievement. Our next meeting of the School Site Council is on Wednesday, January 29th at 3:00pm in the Library. All meetings are open to the general public.
Our School Site Council membership is as follows:
- Gracie Centeno--Chairperson
- Michelle Smith--Vice Chairperson
- Jessica McCarthy--Secretary
- Daryl Norcott--Parliamentarian
- Marcela Salazar--Council member
- Vilma Leiva--Classified Staff
- Anna Dwivedi--Teacher
- Yesenia Bravo--Teacher
- Suzanne Ruiz-Dunlap--Teacher
- Warren Sedar--Principal
I want to wish everyone a warm holiday season and vacation filled with family, friends, and lots of food!
Please visit our school website , Adelante Selby Facebook Page and our PTO/Unidos webpage and social media accounts: unidospto.org, Facebook and Instagram for more information.
Regards,
Director Warren
Holiday Scenes
Happy Holidays from Adelante-Selby!
Adelante-Selby Girl Scouts Hot Chocolate and Holiday Cookies!
Atherton PD Toy Drive!
Seussical Kids Musical!!
Whoville Members Singing
Seussical Cast Taking a Well-Deserved Bow--Bravo!!
Horton and Gertrude Performing!
Jungle Citizens Performing!
Ensemble Kids Posing!
Marcela Applying Mayzie's Makeup Backstage!
Leslie and Danny G Backstage with performers!
Ensemble Kids singing about Friendship!
Horton Going Up the Tree to Take Care of the Egg!
JoJo Singing
Director Warren Surrounded by the Ensemble Singers!
Danny G Showing off Seussical Shirts!
Parent Leadership/Education
Familias Unidas Graduation
Sparkpoint Holiday party
Familias Unidas Graduation
December Events
- School Tours for new families every Thursday at 8:30am start in Room 204
- 12/19: Holiday Spirit Dress/Free Dress
- 12/20-1/7: Winter Break, No School
January Events
- School Tours for new families every Thursday at 8:30am start in Room 204
- 1/8 Classes resume
- 1/20 No School MLK Jr. holiday
- 1/24 Family Bingo night 6:00pm
- 1/27 ELAC meeting 8:45, Room 204
- 1/29 School Site Council Meeting 3:00pm, Library
- 1/31 Principal's Coffee 8:30, Library