Voyager Family News
March 30, 2020: Spring Break Edition
Strand Spotlights and Info:
Dear Voyager Families, we wish you health and safety and meaningful family time during school closure and quarantine. We are grateful for your support and understanding during these unique circumstances. We feel fortunate to be part of the amazing Voyager Family of students, staff, and families.
Silver Strand Luau: We are so very sad to report that our SSES PTO and Principal Moore have made the difficult decision to cancel our Silver Strand Luau scheduled for April 24. We are so grateful for our PTO volunteers, parents, and staff who were preparing for this amazing event, along with a slate of amazing vendors and services. We fully intend to reschedule and hold our 25th Luau, but are not in the position to designate a new date at this time. Thank you for your donations and volunteerism--we look forward to mobilizing our forces in support of family togetherness and our wonderful school community SOON! We will have SO MUCH to CELEBRATE!
Please read our District's latest Newsletter here. This newsletter includes our District-wide Distance Learning Plan, information about meals available for pickup at SSES beginning Monday, April 6, and the technology needs survey, which you should fill out by April 3 if your student/family needs to borrow a district device.
News and Updates:
Our teachers were very busy last week preparing for the launch of distance learning on April 6 and are excited to reconnect with their students! We will be sharing our plans toward the end of Spring Break. Enjoy your week!
Ms. Moore will be providing a schedule for pickup of any paper packet work or classroom supplies specific teachers have let you know they are making available for students. Please expect Friday, April 3 and Monday, April 6 to be opportunities for pickup--more details on times and logistics to follow.
Principal Jenny Moore will be available by email should you have any questions during our closure: jennifer.moore@coronadousd.net. Please expect responses within 24 hours.
Let's stay connected! Ms. Moore will continue to post daily fun connections and challenges on our Silver Strand Elementary School Facebook page. Stop by to check it out and send photos for us to post!
Our new after-school Enrichment Club on coding is being made available remotely for students by The Whole Child Learning Company!
1st-5th grade students welcome
Starting 03/31 each Tuesday from 3-4pm, $15.00 per hour due here: paypal.me/wholechildsd
$1.00 per enrolled student will be donated back to the Silver Strand PTO.
*Please put your child's name and grade in the comments section on PayPal. Please email kristina@wholechild.com with any questions!
See the section on Learning Resources below for available online portals and opportunities. Our Computer Lab page on the school website has login information for your students and academic websites your students use can be found here. Military-connected students may access https://military.tutor.com/home for free K-12 education support.
All school facilities are closed during this time, including fields, playgrounds, and sports facilities. Please remind your family members that they may not access our grounds for their own health and safety and that of staff members who may need to be onsite to support distance learning.
WE STILL WANT TO PUBLISH OUR YEARBOOK and need your help with photos! Please send photos, including those of your children's activities during Quarantine, to strandyearbook@gmail.com
This week’s theme is SPRING! Please find ways to enjoy the beauty of nature all around us! Our world is beautiful right now!
Thank you for participating in our Staff and Family Car Parade!
Learning Resources During School Closure
Distance Learning Resources and Accounts sponsored by our School District:
Ticket to Read: www.tickettoread.com All K-2 grade students have accounts. Username format FirstL### Password: csd4700####
Compass Learning: https://www.thelearningodyssey.com/ All K-5 grade students have accounts. Username format FirstL### Password: csd4700#### The school is silver
RAZ Kids: https://www.kidsa-z.com/main/Login All K-5 grade students have accounts. The login format is different by grade level. If you need your login info, email your teacher.
Edutyping: https://www.edutyping.com/student All 2-5 grade students have accounts. The school code is corona75 and Username format FirstL### Password: csd4700####
Xtramath: https://xtramath.org/#/signin/student_other All K-5 grade students have accounts/pins.
Sumdog: https://www.sumdog.com/user/sign_in All 1-5 grade students have accounts.
Our Computer Lab page on the school website has additional login information for your students and academic websites your students use can be found here. Military-connected students may access https://military.tutor.com/home for free K-12 education support.
Here's a link to many available resources: http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com
SDCOE Distance Learning Resources/Opportunities
SDCOE Content Coordinators have developed a list of resources specific to subject matter to support distance learning. Please click the links below to view resources that have been curated for each discipline.
Content Areas
Arts: Dance, Arts Integration, Music, Theater, Visual Arts
More great resources:
PBS LearningMedia | Teaching Resources For Students And Teachers
Tips and Etiquette for Using Online Meeting Platforms (like Zoom)
Dear Families,
You may have begun using Zoom as a way to connect with friends and family groups via video/app. Some teachers may use this feature to connect with your child.
We have some suggestions for safely/appropriately using this tool:
- Your child should not be alone with an adult in an online meetup platform. If your child benefits from one-to-one support from a teacher, counselor, or (other role), plan to be present and available throughout the session.
- Ensure your child and anyone else in the home who may appear on video is appropriately attired.
- Choose a place in the home that is relatively distraction-free and quiet. Discourage pets and other family members from participating unless it's appropriate to do so.
- Have all supplies your child may need readily available.
- If the meeting is academic in nature, please refrain from eating on screen.
- Take the opportunity to teach your child camera/video conference ettiquette--maintain attentiveness and eye contact, remain in view, refrain from entertaining/distracting others.
Minors (under 18) should not create a Zoom account. But important to know is that they don’t need a Zoom account to JOIN a meeting. Therefore, if teachers invite students to a meeting, they will provide the Zoom invite code, and if a teacher wants to hold office hours, they will provide students with the Zoom invite code.
Great video: Joining a Zoom Meeting - 1 min video link
Help Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Diseases
To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including the coronavirus and flu, follow these important tips:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Individuals with chronic health issues and/or individuals experiencing severe symptoms should be evaluated by a medical professional.
- Get vaccinated every year.
Additionally, the California Department of Public Health does not recommend the use of face masks for general prevention and says that handwashing provides better protection from infectious diseases.
The Coronado Unified School District will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. If you have questions about these topics, please contact CUSD Office of Student Services at 619.522.8900 x 1032. We thank you for your cooperation and support.
Sincerely,
Niamh Foley
CUSD Director, Student Services
Calendar Events
3/16-4/3: School Closure
3/30-4/3: Spring Break Holiday/No School
Mon 4/6: CUSD Distance Learning Resources Commence
Fri 4/10-Mon 4/13: District Holiday/No School
TBD:
Thurs 5/7: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
Wed 5/13: 5th Grade Families invited to CMS Spring Faire Open House, 5:30-7 PM
Fri 5/15: CMS Orientation and Tour for 5th Graders, 9:30-11 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
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.
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
Spring Session of Enrichment Clubs is slated to start the week of April 13. Stand by for more information.
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.
Coronado Schools Foundation Events & Updates:
Telethon Postponed: Thank you to our Voyager Band and TK/Kindergarten Team, who assembled this morning for filming of their acts. We hope to share their performances soon.
Coronado Schools Foundation is in complete alignment with all communication and directives from Coronado Unified School District, and prioritizes the health and safety of our community, and particularly our children. To that end, we have decided to postpone our annual Telethon, that had been scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2020 from 5-9 pm in the CHS Auditorium. Working with district officials, we will announce a rescheduled date just as soon as that has been determined.
Telethon is one of Coronado Schools Foundation’s largest fundraising events of the year, and all proceeds raised through Telethon go directly back to our schools to fund the STEM and Arts Pathways programs impacting the education of every child enrolled in our district. We ask our business partners, community members, donors, and colleagues to work strategically with us to ensure that our rescheduled Telethon is again another exceptional success for our schools. If you feel compelled to give at this time, visit csfkids.org/telethon and click on DONATE. All donations will be acknowledged LIVE on air.
Coronado Schools Foundation’s mission is to raise and manage funds to provide exceptional learning experiences for all Coronado Unified School District students. We thank you for your partnership in this time of public uncertainty and applaud each one of you for continuing your commitment to the educational enrichment of our children.
BUS POLICIES & INFORMATION
- Parents and guardians are responsible for their children up to the moment they board the bus, and as soon they disembark. Behavior at the bus stops is responsibility of parents/guardians.
- A parent/guardian or responsible person designated by parent/guardian must meet ALL kindergarteners and students with special needs at the DOOR of the bus (not in vehicles) when it arrives at the bus stop after school in the Cays.
- The bus driver will not open doors after closing them for departure to accommodate late passengers. Thank you for your understanding.
- Guests and friends who are not Cays residents and registered bus riders may not ride the school bus.
- For more information about bus policies and applications, click here.
Emerald Keepers Environmental Non-Profit News and Events
- Visit the website https://www.emeraldkeepers.org/ for more information and events and opportunities!
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:
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/