Dolphin Digest
January 20, 2023
Monday, January 23: Tri Two Progress Reports Due
Monday, January 23: New Teacher Learning Team
Tuesday, January 24: Safety Drill
Tuesday, January 24: Leadership Team Meeting
Wednesday, January 25: Tri Two Progress Reports Viewable in Q
Thursday, January 26: Schoolwide Collaboration
Friday, January 27: 100th Day of School
Friday, January 27: Awards Assembly
(See PBIS Newsletter with times and links)
Friday, January 27: Last Day of Nest
Monday, January 23 - Wednesday, January 25: TK-2 Author Visit
Golden Tray Winners
1st grade: Montgomery
2nd grade: Hanson
3rd grade: Foster-Davis
4th grade: Teasdale
5th grade: Marini
Progress Notices Due
- Progress reports are due Monday, January 23 at 11:59 pm.
- Parents can view Progress Reports in Parent Portal on Wednesday, January 25.
- Teacher instructions are available in Q: Menu > Marks > Instructions and Support ...
PKS Survey Results
View survey results and comments here.
3-in-1 Safety Drill coming this week
This coming week we will be doing our 3-in-1 Safety Drill. The drill consist of a Shelter-in-Place, Fire Drill and then a Lockdown. The goal is to get the kiddos out of the classroom and lined up quickly, then once the announcement is made, promptly get the kiddos back in class for the Shelter in Place. When the announcement comes on again, we go into a Lockdown.
Remember, Shelter in Place must have the doors locked, shades shut, but kiddos continue to work like normal. Lockdown has doors locked, shades shut, and student take shelter in the classroom silently under a desk until the Lockdown has ended.
Please provide direct instruction to students on Monday or Tuesday morning about the specifics of the 3-in-1 drill so they are prepared to fully and appropriately participate.
Thursday Collaboration
Staff will meet to reflect on our sitewide data. Slide deck and zoom link will be included in Thursday's email.
Guest Teacher Available
Jennifer Adams is available to sub again this year (she can be here at the start of the start of the day now!) she can be reached by call or text 916-969-9507.
As a reminder, Danielle Rivas is our dedicated sub she cannot accept a job in the future. Please do not enter her name for future jobs. She can accept jobs that are within 24 hours.
Indoor Staff Meeting Update: Changes to Safety Measures
Beginning Feb. 1, school sites will no longer be required to offer a virtual option for all-staff meetings.
In dialogue with our bargaining unit partners, the district agreed to monitor COVID-19 transmission rates and to re-evaluate this ongoing safety measure after winter break. Because our schools have not experienced a dramatic spike in cases similar to the one experienced this time last year - an increase so intense it threatened the ability of in-person instruction to continue - the district will update its COVID-19 Safety Plan to eliminate the requirement for virtual and hybrid staff meeting options. This change is also in alignment with the state as it continues to wind down emergency pandemic measures.
This change is not effective until Feb. 1 so that our sites and staff have time to prepare.
Please keep in mind that the pandemic has not ended, and that the state still strongly encourages the use of face coverings when indoors. It is imperative that anyone who feels ill remain home until their symptoms have greatly improved. Staff with medical conditions who request accommodations are still encouraged to contact Human Resources. Those who test positive for COVID-19 are still required to quarantine and will not have their sick leave docked.
As we have throughout the pandemic, we will continue to monitor conditions, and work collaboratively with our employee groups, to make adjustments to our safety protocols when necessary.
Covid Leave Update
Members will not have their contractual sick leave allotment docked when a member is unable to work in-person because of the following reasons listed below.
- Is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking a medical diagnosis (either from a doctor or via an approved COVID-19 test);
- Is subject to a quarantine or isolation period related to COVID-19 (though a general stay-at home order does not count for this purpose);
- Has been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19;
- Is attending an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine;
- Is experiencing symptoms related to a COVID-19 vaccine that prevent the employee from working; Is caring for a family member who is subject to a quarantine or isolation period and/or has been advised to self-quarantine; or
- Is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed or unavailable due to COVID-19.
Employees are no longer required to complete the Emergency Paid Sick Leave form. Covid Leave has been added to the drop-down menu in Smart Find Express.
In cases where a member experiences multiple incidents, Human Resources will hold harmless a member’s sick leave balance upon receipt of requested documentation including but not limited to doctor notes, written notice of school or place of care closure, and other related materials.
This agreement is in place through June 30, 2023. SJTA SLA is complete and other bargaining units are in process.
CAASPP Testing Dates
CAASPP testing window is March 27-May 26. Specific testing details will be shared in February.
Attendance Reminders
- Attendance is due at 9:15am
- Students who arrive after the 7:45am bell should be marked T (tardy) when they arrive.
- Students who arrive after 8:15am will be "stamped" and added to the tardy list
- Please forward messages from parents about absences to Nalani and Christine
I-Ready Diagnostics
I-Ready is now opened up for the second round of diagnostics. The window is from January 10th - February 17th.
Please continue to work on/complete the diagnostics. Also, if you want to re-assign the diagnostic due to rushing, etc. you can do so by following the steps below:
Please review the newsletter for resources, tips, and news.
To reassign the i-Ready diagnostic (if the student has already finished) we complete that on the AEP end and you can let us know by filling out this form. On the other hand, if the teacher notices the student just clicking through while the test is still underway then the teacher resets the diagnostic with the following steps (see below).
To watch a video explaining the steps, click here.
Independent Study
Independent Study is available to students for a maximum of 14 days in one school year. Below is the information and forms. Completed agreements need to be shared with Christine and Nalani prior to the independent study beginning.
Submitting a Time Card?
Time must be submitted in quarter increments
- 15 minutes = .25
- 30 minutes = .50
- 45 minutes = .75
- 60 minutes = 1.0
- 75 minutes = 1.25
Please complete the top section of the SAAF the first time you submit a timecard for that particular activity.
Process for Classroom Volunteers
If you have a volunteer already in place who has not met with Cassidy to sign the Volunteer Code of Conduct, please email Cassidy to schedule a time for your volunteer to come in.
Due to improved health conditions, San Juan Unified is now welcoming eligible volunteers back to our schools. Allowance of volunteers may change as health conditions and related guidance change. All interested volunteers, including retired staff members and previous volunteers, must go through the process below.
- Parents and community members who are interested in volunteering should reach out to the classroom teacher to determine if there is a need for volunteers.
- If the teacher indicates that they have a need for a volunteer, the volunteer can apply for approval from San Juan Unified to work at Howe Avenue. All interested volunteers must go through this application process. Click on the "Volunteer Verification" button to apply
- Once the background check is completed, and health requirements are met, volunteers will meet with Principal Butler to review the Volunteer Code of Conduct and establish a work schedule. Volunteers must adhere to the work schedule established with Principal Butler, and may not be on campus unless actively volunteering.
Employee Personal Property
It is the responsibility of the employee to register personal property each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). The district will not replace personal property if it is not registered.
1. If you incur a loss, please call Risk Management (971-7036) to report the loss and to request a district claim form. Do not use a district loss report form. Incomplete forms will be returned.
2. If you have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, the district requires that you file a claim with your company to determine what portion of the claim it will cover. The district will not assume responsibility for personal property losses which are covered by the employee’s private insurance. A copy of the claim or a letter from your insurance company must be sent to the district’s insurance office for your file.
3. The district’s current insurance coverage for personal property is limited to $1,000 per occurrence. Employees are encouraged to purchase private insurance to cover personal property if the value exceeds $1,000.
4. It is the responsibility of the employee to provide reasonable security for personal property at all times (lock your desk, door, windows, etc.)
5. Personal property is not covered during the summer months, unless the employee is under contract for employment during the summer, the property is registered, and is being used.
6. Claims are approved or denied based on district procedures, current district insurance policy coverage, and in accordance with the collective bargaining unit contracts.
7. The employee is responsible for reporting losses to the District’s Dispatch Office and to the Sheriff’s Department. Be sure to include the report number(s) on your claim form.
8. Additional sheets may be used, if needed. Make certain to include all requested information.
9. For questions or more forms, please call Risk Management at 971-7036.
Field Trip Information
Field trip resources are available online. Please use the field trip checklist to assist you with all the fine details of planning.
If you have a field trip coming up, you will need to submit the following items to the school office as your class boards the bus.
- Field Trip Cover Sheet for the Office
- A copy of all student permission slips – you will take the originals with you
- A signed chaperone code of conduct for each volunteer (not necessary for district employees)
When your class returns from the field trip, please give Kim Lanh your original permission slips. We are required to keep the permission slips on file.
San Juan Unified's Injury and Illness Prevention Program
employee safety handbook
workers' compensation program,
hazardous communication plan
precautions to prevent infectious diseases
Covid-19 prevention program
heat illness prevention plan
custodian's monthly property checklist
If you ever have a question regarding any of the topics above, please consult red binder which is located in the cabinet right outside the door of Cassidy's office. All staff have access to reading the contents of the binder.