Foothill MS Community Memo
December 8, 2020
Going into the last month of 2020 I wanted to share a few updates. This Friday will be the next Virtual Visit w/Vaiana; please be sure to join if you're available at 8am. Not sure what new news I'll have but I'm happy to answer questions or hear what you'd like to share. Below are links for the Contra Costa County news updates and the Superintendent's Friday letter, both contain updated information. You will also find information regarding yearbooks, as well as the importance of ParentSquare and having your own account. You should have received a message this afternoon from the Superintendent about his recommendation for delaying the opening of schools. Here is the message.
Last year we presented the movie, Screenagers, Next Chapter, for our community. Dr. Delaney Ruston continually updates their website with a plethora of resources. This week they pushed out 12 Documentaries to Watch With Your Family.
From last Spring to now, we have morphed a great many things in education, and still today, our system and process is unpredictable. Now we have entered the next phase of restrictions, as a county and state, providing still a great many unknowns. What we do know is that we need to provide the best to our students, and to assist each other in moving forward both with content and curriculum, as well as building our community. We encourage your communication and continual participation.
The school day is from 8-3 with direct instruction happening from 9-11:05 and 12:10-2:15 (Monday and Thursday), and 9-11:05 and 12:10-1:10 (Tuesday and Friday); while also meeting on Wednesday, 9-10:00. All of this means it's a good idea to have your child awake and preparing for the day around 8am. Teachers are available for students every afternoon at 2:15, except Wednesdays at 1:15. Our traditional day was 8:10-2:30, so it's important that we keep students focused that school is their job. With that said we are a team--have them email teachers, counselors, and our admin team for support, answer questions, etc. This includes you as well.
I am grateful for the ability to serve the Foothill Community, and to continue working with students, families, and staff. Hope to see you on Friday morning. Take care and be well.
~Mrs. Vaiana
Looking Ahead at Dates for FMS and MDUSD
Wednesday, December 9, 4-9pm: Mooyah Dine and Donate (flyer and info below)
Friday, December 11, 8am: Virtual Visit w/Principal Vaiana (Zoom link posted Monday in the Griffin News on the school's webpage)
Monday, December 14, 6pm: MDUSD School Board Meeting
2020-2021 Yearbooks are For Sale!
Yearbooks are finally for sale!
- They are $55 now - through Saturday, December 12.
- The price will go up to $60 starting Sunday, December 13.
- On January 8, 2021 they go up to $65.
To purchase, go directly to the the Herff Jones Yearbook order page. Our school code is 6047. When ordering, the page will prompt you to enter your student's name. We do not have the students names pre-loaded so you will have to add it yourself. Other than that, ordering is pretty straight-forward!
We will have student pictures, most likely in January. If this takes until February or later, that is still plenty of time to get everyone included in the yearbook. The yearbook company, with this unusual year of distanced learning, will gather photos and survey your child about things that are different for them. We hope you and your child will help us capture this unique year so we can create an incredible capsule for the school.
8th grade parents, keep an eye out for for separate information on buying personalized ads for your 8th graders. This is definitely a year to remember!
ParentSquare
This isTHE form of communication from MDUSD. It is a web based communication method in which you will decide on the format for receiving--an email, a text message, a phone call. We encourage you to download the app in order to fully engage with all of the features available to you through the app.
This system is designed to keep parents and guardians informed. Features include:
- notification of absences and tardies
- any emergency correspondence
- overall District information, such as the Superintendent's Friday Letter
- teachers will eventually also use this system for communication
- and more...
Foothill's Community Memo will continue to be delivered through the current system (Smore newsletter via email) but next year it will be distributed through ParentSquare.
However, if there is any urgent messaging from Foothill we will utilize ParentSquare as well.
If you have not signed up yet another email invitation will be sent to you today, December 8.
If you need more information, need to change a phone number, etc. please contact our Office Manager, Mrs. Martin, at martine@mdusd.org
MDUSD Counseling Corner Newsletter
The Counseling team is pleased to announce the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Counseling Corner Newsletter!
The monthly newsletter will share seasonal and relevant tips and resources to support, engage, and connect students and families TK-12.
The newsletter and other resources can also be found under the Parent Portal tab on the district website.
Click here to access the newsletter: Counseling Corner Newsletter December Edition- English and Counseling Corner Newsletter December Edition- Spanish
Dine and Donate@ Mooyah, 12/09/2020, 4:00-9:00PM Location: 1815 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Suite D, WC 94598
Home of the Griffins
Website: foothill.mdusd.org
Location: 2775 Cedro Lane, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Phone: 925-939-8600
Twitter: @FoothillGriffin