Sunset View Newsletter
Week of August 30, 2021
Message from Jennifer
Here we go! Tomorrow is the first day of school and I don't know about all of you but I have all the jitters and excitement that come along with that. We had a great staff kick-off meeting last year where we released all of the stress from last year and prepared to start this year with a clean slate. We have so many exciting things to focus on this year; our district-wide Literacy Acceleration Plan, our Leader in Me Pilot, growing STEAM into our 4th grade classrooms, and so much more! We are ready to go!
Last Thursday, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch sponsored by KidsFirst and catered by Surf Side Deli. We are so grateful for our parent and community support, we could not do what we do without you. Thank you so much for the love and encouragement you are sending our way, it truly fills our buckets!
I want to thank you all for your patience, understanding, and flexibility as we open this week. Guidance changes by the day, and although we may be opwning under more restrictions than we hoped, I am just so excited that we get to do this all in person! I anticipate having to make adjustments as the week goes on and we see how things go with drop-off, pick-up, lunch, etc. We had great practice and learned many lessons in the Spring, so we are prepared to fine tune as needed. I am always open to feedback, so please never hesitate to reach out.
This Week's Top Three Asked Questions
1. 31 to 33 students in the 4th grade classrooms seems high. Is this normal?
The ratio in SDUSD is 1:35 for 4th grade classrooms. Our school has had 30-35 students in each of our 4th grade classrooms the last several years. In addition, we've had to create a 3/4 combo class the last several years to address overages, which we were able to avoid this year.
2. Will there be Running Club?
Yes, just not right away. Our priority is to get our students onto campus and keep them safe, healthy, and in school using the structures and protocols we have in place. I am currently working with Coach Brucker to establish the best way to phase in Running Club. I will provide updated information as we get closer to doing so.
3. When does school lunch begin and what do I need to do if my child wants school lunch?
School lunch begins Monday, August 30th. Lunch is free for every child again this year. Our cafeteria orders enough for all students to receive a lunch, so you do not need to notify the school.
If you are interested in receiving the free go home meal, please fill out the survey linked here Meal Services @ SVE 2021-22 .
Coffee with the Principal - Virtual Event
Join Zoom Meeting
https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/87169509164
Meeting ID: 871 6950 9164
Lunch Supervisors Needed
We need your help! We are currently looking for parents, grandparents, college students, etc. who are willing to help supervise our lunch times. It is actually a fun job and is one of my favorite parts of the school day! Hours would be 12:40pm-2pm (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri). This would be a paid position. Please let me know (joconnor@sandi.net) if you are interested.
Information for All Students
Updated Mask and COVID Test Information from SDUSD
Below is updated information from SDUSD that went to families last week.
Good Evening San Diego Unified School Community,
San Diego Unified is making two important policy changes today to help protect our students, staff, and families from the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Taken together, we believe these changes will help keep more students in school, even as our community continues to face this public health emergency.
Masks required:
Masks will now be required on campus both indoors and outdoors. Certain exceptions for some activities - eating, athletics, physical education, and performing arts events - will apply. Also, students will be able to take mask breaks multiple times throughout the day. For more details, please see our updated FAQs on our district website.
Test in school to stay in school:
All families are now required to make a choice on Covid testing at the start of the new school year. Every family must complete the below form and submit their response online at this time. Free Covid testing in school not only helps prevent the spread of the virus, but it also helps more students stay in school and continue their education.
Covid-19 Testing Acknowledgement Form
(Note: A PowerSchool Username and Password will be required to complete this form. If you do not have the Access ID and Password for your student, please contact your school site’s office following the first day of school on August 30th.)
Instructions on how to submit the form click below:
Background:
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) now allows students to stay in school in many cases, even when they’ve been in close contact with a classmate who has tested positive for Covid-19. Previously, all students in close contact with a positive case were required to quarantine at home for 14 days. Now, in most cases, students can remain in school so long as they take part in regular testing and so long as they were wearing a mask at the time of possible exposure. In other words, testing and wearing a mask, even outdoors, will allow more students to stay in school to continue learning.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation with these new procedures.
Sincerely,
San Diego Unified
Before School
1st-4th grade students may arrive any time after 8:45 a.m. unless they are participating in the morning SAY program. Individual Teachers will send specific information about where to line up prior to the first day of school. Parents of students in 1st-4th grade, please plan to say your goodbyes at the gates, as we must continue to limit the number of people on campus.
Students in bungalow classrooms on the lower part of the campus should use the gate in the alley next to the auditorium to enter and exit to avoid crowding at the upper gates.
Play Structures: We ask that children and their siblings not play on playground equipment in the morning before school begins. When students arrive they are to go to their line-up location. TK/Kinder students will report to the exterior door of their classroom at 8:55 a.m.
After School
Students are released from their classrooms at 3:35 p.m. each day except on Thursday and all other minimum days when students are released at 12:45 p.m.
TK/Kindergarten pick-up is at the exterior classroom door. Please remember, all TK/Kinder students will be released at 12:45p.m. each day the first week of school.
1st grade teachers will walk their classes out to the flag pole to meet parents
2nd - 4th grade students will be released from their classrooms and meet their parents outside the school gates.
Food Services
Please complete this Meal Services @ SVE 2021-22 so we can get an idea of how many take home meals we need.
Updating "OK to Pick Up" Permissions
If you need to add someone to the “OK to pick up” list that is not already entered in Powerschool, please contact Varsana. You can either come into the office or send her an email at vtikovsky@sandi.net with the name of your child, the name of the person picking up, their relationship, phone number and your permission for the person to pick up your child.
Back to School Night
Volunteers
Please take a look at the district guidelines for volunteer requirements.
https://sandiegounified.org/a-to-_z_index/volunteer_opportunities
Here are the biggest changes to the guidelines and requirements.
School visitors/ volunteers must follow the school’s health and safety procedures such as signing-in, daily health check procedures, wearing a mask, and wearing the Visitor/ Volunteer badge at all times while on campus.
Essential volunteers who are fully vaccinated do not have to test weekly. Those not vaccinated do have to have a weekly COVID test.
Visitors who are unable to wear a face mask must arrange for an alternate family member to conduct business on their behalf; all volunteers must comply with the mask requirements.
Attendance
Please do not send your child to school when they are sick.
When your child must be absent for any reason, please call the office at 858-988-2000 by 9:30 a.m. every day of non-attendance, giving the exact reason for the absence. You can also email Varsana Tikovsky at vtikovsky@sandi.net.
Any child arriving after 9:00 a.m. must stop in the office and pick up a tardy slip. This is disruptive to your child and the entire class. Let's set good habits early in the school year to arrive on time.
Parking
We have very limited parking around Sunset View Elementary. Please be kind to our neighbors by keeping their driveways open and free. The staff parking lot is only for staff and we kindly request that you do not enter the lot. We also strongly encourage you to model good habits for your children by using the crosswalks. Please pass this important message along to anyone who may be picking up your children (grandparents, child care provider, etc.). Your child's safety is always top priority and never an inconvenience. We appreciate your help.
LCFF
Your child’s school needs this information to help ensure it receives all the state funding to which it is entitled. It will not affect your child receiving free meals at this school as all children will have free access to meals this school year.
The LCFF online form is available on the Parent Portal, and NOT on the student’s portal. To create a Parent Portal account, you will need:
A valid email address
Access ID and Password from your student's school
If you do not have the Access ID and Password for your student, please contact the school to make the request. You will need an Access ID and Password for each student you wish to link to your account.
Click here to access the Parent Portal
Click here to sign into the PowerSchool Parent Portal
How To:
Konstella Access
Konstella is our school communication tool. This tool allows you to interact with your child's teacher, view and sign-up for events, and more! Please ensure you are signed up. Click on the video below for a brief introduction.
I'm Glad You're Here!
Sunset View Elementary
Email: joconnor@sandi.net
Website: https://sunsetview.sandiegounified.org/
Location: 4365 Hill Street, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: 858-988-2000