HOLA Families Newsletter Sep 11th
Holbrook Language Academy
Message from Principal Orellana
We had such an unprecedented week last week! I am very grateful that all our Jets and Staff were safe during the emergency situation. The safety of all children and staff is my top priority.
Teachers and Office Staff had an amazing response to the emergency situation and for this, I am very proud!
I would like to share some more information so you are all have the same facts.
Here it goes... The excessive heat was the cause of our emergency situation. We had a power outage that disabled all communication, AC, and light. In one room (not a classroom), there was a "popping sound" and there was a burning smell. I checked the room and initiated the first evacuation procedure. Our office team called the firemen to check on the smell and popping sound. They responded within minutes.
During the first evacuation, district personnel responded immediately as well and came to the site to offer support. After a few minutes of evacuation when I learned all rooms were safe, I made the decision to have all students return to their classrooms.
Later on, the district electrician, and PG&E technician were ready to restore the power outage. They shared that this could cause lights to "pop". For this reason, a second evacuation was held.
Our Superintendent decided to close the school and have an early day dismissal due to the power outage. Evacuation concluded and students returned to their classrooms. The district office sent a message to all families to communicate early dismissal and to notify that all children were OK.
Dismissal was done orderly and as fast as possible. We had a couple of parents from our PFC who helped getting the kids from their classrooms (Thank you, Erin and Mabel!) Teachers sent the students to the dismissal area as soon as possible. Our Office Team was also incredible at ensuring that our Jets were dismissed to their families (Thank you, Ms. Jackie and Ms. Ariana!)
Three messages were sent with updates as the systems were restored. Power was restored completely by the afternoon, technicians worked all night to reinstall all light fixtures and to repair AC units. Not all AC units were able to be fixed so students were relocated to AC spaces on the following morning. All students had access to an AC space for the rest of the week.
Three transformers still need repairing so some classrooms do not have AC. While the district is working diligently to this get fixed, they have also provided us with cooling tools as a temporary solution. We also have sufficient spaces for all classes to have access to AC. I am very grateful for the quick and effective response from our district.
As you see, there is so much to be thankful for. As I shared earlier, all children were safe the entire time we had this emergency situation.
I am a proud and grateful Principal.
We look forward to having great weeks ahead!
In gratitude,
- Principal Orellana
#WeAreHolbrook #SomosHolbrook #HOLAseis #HOLAproud
Cafecito con la Directora
Our first "Cafecito con la Directora" will be on Friday, September 16th at 8:30am.
Let's meet in Room 20 to chat and learn more about HOLAseis.
📆 Upcoming Events
September 9 - Game Night!
September 13 - Panda Express Dine and Donate
September 17- School Beautification Day: Green House is Here!
September 23 - Middle School Dance
October 12 - Walk / Bike to school day
October 21 - Fall Fest
Hispanic Heritage Month is HERE!
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
“The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
“The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively.”
From The American Presidency Project: Proclamation 10257—National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2021: “National Hispanic Heritage Month is an important reminder of how much strength we draw as a Nation from our immigrant roots and our values as a Nation of immigrants. I am proud to recognize my four Hispanic Cabinet Secretaries—Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Small Business Administrator Isabel Guzman—who are all leading executive departments that oversee critical components of American life.”
During this month, I invite all HOLA families to read Hispanic Heritage stories together, learn about traditions, celebrations and the important contributions of Hispanics to the American society. Below you have some helpful resources. We, who value cross cultural competence, have this amazing opportunity to celebrate, elevate and honor the Hispanic Heritage.
Here you have some helpful resources to help your Jet and your Jet family learn more about this special month:
Celebracion de la Herencia Hispana (bilingual)
Books for National Hispanic Heritage
Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for our kids
🍪 Updates from the PFC
HOLA Jet Families!
We hope you had a great weekend and ready for a fresh, cooler week!
First, a few important dates to remember:
September 13 - Panda Express Dine and Donate
September 20 - PFC Meeting @ HOLA 6-8pm
September 23 - Middle School Dance
October 12 - Walk / Bike to school day
October 21 - Fall Fest
DINE AND DONATE
We cant wait to see you there! Tuesday, September 13 from 10am - 9:30pm! Don't bother cooking, just go to Panda Express and have some delicious dinner and raise money for Holbrook!
PFC MEETING
Our September meeting will be on campus on September 20 from 6-8pm. Please come and listen and share your ideas and see how you can participate in what is going on at HOLA!
HOLA READERS CLUB
Be apart of something FUN while you read! To learn more about it, click below!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H6SFZGJIL_3LnSDUOil-Psn2WCF-HF3I/edit
🙋🏽 Important Reminders
Continue to help we have a smooth and safe drop off and pick up every day.
School starts at 8:15 am. Make sure your child gets to school before that time. Our gates open at 8:00 am. Supervision of students starts promptly at 8:02am.
Parking
Our HOLA families have parking available to the left of the school. The parking lot in front of the school is for Staff Only. Thank you for helping our teachers and staff have a place to park so they can serve your children.
Holbrook Language Academy
MDUSD Language Magnet School
Email: orellanas@mdusd.org
Website: https://holbrook.mdusd.org/
Location: 3333 Ronald Way, Concord, CA, USA
Phone: (925) 685-6446
Twitter: @HolbrookMDUSD