Kettering Express
Parent Newsletter - November 2020
Thank you
Thank you for all you do to support Kettering. We are a community no matter how far apart, we are here for each other. Have a safe and fun Thanksgiving break.
Resilience + Gratitude
Dear Kettering Elementary School families,
It goes without saying that this Thanksgiving Season is unlike any other we have experienced. As we continue with these unprecedented times, there is a lot of different expectations, uncomfortable feelings, and uncertain futures that effect on our social emotional selves. It is important to acknowledge this and to address it in a developmentally appropriate way that feels right for you and your family.
As we begin our Thanksgiving break you may be concerned about how your child(ren) is(are) experiencing this different holiday season. While these are not circumstances that any of us would have chosen to find ourselves, our community and our country in, research tells us that resilience and gratitude have been found to be therapeutic, both for children and adults. Helping our children connect the ideas of resilience and gratitude to this very different Holiday Season is one way to support your family.
Here are some practices that are recommended by health and wellness professionals to consider (from www.ConnecticutChildrens.org) , in order to cultivate resilience and gratitude. I hope you find them helpful and supportive of your tireless work to support your child/ren's physical and emotional wellness!
Start a gratitude journal. From now until Thanksgiving, have your child write a sentence or draw a picture of something they’re grateful for each day. Challenge your child to be specific – the more they pay attention to details, the more they’ll start to notice the positive things in their life.
Make a gratitude chain. This crafty take on a gratitude journal gets the whole family involved. Set up a station with pre-cut construction paper, markers, and tape or glue in a high-traffic spot in your home. Ask family members to pause every time they walk by to jot down something they’re grateful for – then fasten it as a link on the chain. On Thanksgiving, plan “gratitude breaks” to read links aloud.
Write or draw Thanksgiving cards. If your child is sad about not getting to see a family member or friend this holiday season, channeling it into writing or art can be soothing for them – and a sweet surprise for the recipient.
Instead of prank calls, make “thanks” calls. Sit down with your child in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and make a list of people who’ve done something nice for them lately. Then set aside time on Thanksgiving for your child to call and say thanks.
Send virtual care packages. Social distancing and self-quarantining means you can’t get together to hug in person, but your child can send the next best thing: a bunch of photos and silly video clips that will spark a smile.
Decorate the front yard with thank-you signs. From essential workers and healthcare heroes to teachers and neighbors, lots of people deserve a special thank-you. Get your child involved in drawing or painting signs to decorate your yard this Thanksgiving season.
Try a twist on kindness rocks. Have your child paint rocks with images and messages that inspire gratitude. On Thanksgiving Day, take a trail walk to work off that turkey, and set the rocks in special places to surprise other hikers.
Find a way to give back. Talk to your child about the causes that matter to them, and the people or things in the community that they’d like to help. Reach out to organizations to see how you can give back, whether that’s making a donation or volunteering in a way that’s safe during COVID-19.
Thank you for all that you continue to do to actively support your child/ren's education, and here's to our continued work together to cultivate resilience and gratitude in our children, and one another!
With continued gratitude,
Rachel Peters
SEE'S CANDY order - Order now for the holiday
Dear Kettering families,
Treat yourself to the yummiest candy on earth, AND support our school at the same time! See's Candies are the perfect gift for someone who enjoys delicious chocolates.
Please Click on this link to help us reach our fundraising goals.
Calendar
See's candy holiday sale and 5th grade fundraiser - see document above - ends December 4th - candy ordered through the link will be sent to your home!
- Thanksgiving Holiday - November 23rd -27th - No School
- Winter Break - December 21st - January 1st - No School
- Full Asynchronous days in December - teachers will let you know what day their grade level has training/planning
Full Day Asynchronous - Teachers at each school in the Long Beach Unified School District will participate in one day of professional development during the month of December that is specific to each grade level. During those days, students will not experience direct instruction using Zoom in a large group setting, but will continue with asynchronous (non-teacher directed) learning activities. Grade level teachers have different days for Asynchronous learning days between 12/1 and 12/11 - Attendance will be taken. Teachers will inform all classroom families.
Wednesday afternoons - (after lunch) Asynchronous learning (no small groups,1:1 intervention or teacher check-in) Professional Development/Teacher Planning December 2nd, December 9th, December 16th
There will be no meal distribution during the Thanksgiving break, November 23 to 27, 2020. After the Thanksgiving break, meal distribution will resume on Monday, November 30.
SSC- SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL
It is time to put together our School Site Council. A School Site Council (SSC) is group of teachers, parents, administrators, and interested community members who work together to develop and monitor a school's improvement plan. It is a legally required decision-making body for any school receiving federal funds. The SSC decides upon the focus of the school’s academic instructional programs and all related categorical resource expenditures for a school.
Parents if you are interested in serving on our School Site Council please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qgthgfdHRGFt6Tk56
Library curbside book pick up - Every Tuesday, November
How to pick up your books:
· Book pick up will be every Tuesday from 11:30-12:30 and 2-3:30pm at the back library door (signs will be posted)
· Be sure to wear a mask and maintain social distancing when coming to pick up books!
· Students are allowed to keep their books for up to 3 weeks. They can return them on Tuesdays from 11:30-12:30 or 2-3:30pm (The books will be quarantined for two weeks before they are available to be checked out again)
Household Income Form
In order to maximize funding for our district, we are requesting that each family complete a Household Income Form. Please log onto your ParentVue account and go to the “Household Income Form”. You will need to verify your student(s) and report your household income. No other information is required. Without this information, our school may not receive the funding it deserves. All information is kept confidential. Thank you for your cooperation.
Blocksi
The district has provided teachers with a G Suite monitoring tool called Blocksi. This new tool will support distance learning and digital pedagogy by allowing teachers to not only monitor the students to support their learning, but also send students to a particular website, block and allow specific sites during synchronous work, and message students. Blocksi meets the CSDPA (California Student Data Privacy Agreement) and all student data collected by Blocksi is encrypted.
Only students with a district provided G Suite for Education account will be able to be monitored. Students will need to log into a Chromebook with their district account or log into the Chrome browser on a personal computer in order for the teacher to be able to monitor their LBUSD G Suite account. Teacher monitoring only occurs during scheduled class sessions.
PTA Board
Your Kettering 2020-2021 PTA Board:
President- Ingrid Lowrey
VP Programs- Barbara Culver
VP Ways and Means - Rose Amadeus
VP Communications- Tracy Smith
Treasurer- Tara Teves
Auditor- Varangana Punchihewa
Financial Secretary- Yolanda Ocampo
Recording Secretary- Mechelle Maier
Historian- Krishelle Austin
Free lunches and breakfast
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday -
There will be no meal distribution during the Thanksgiving break, November 23 to 27, 2020. After the Thanksgiving break, meal distribution will resume on Monday, November 30.
KIDS Corner
How are our Children?
Social Emotional Learning,
These five social and emotional competencies help children to learn about themselves and how to deal with their emotions.
1. Self-Awareness
2. Self-Management
3. Social Awareness
4. Relationship Skills
5. Responsible Decision-Making
Counselor's Corner -Yvette’s Message:
GRACE not GRIEF!! ❤️ YGJONOVICH@LBSCHOOLS.NET
❤️ WORLD KINDNESS DAY BINGO ❤️: Please come pick up a bingo card for each Kettering student in your home. Have them mark each box with a big X once they complete an act of kindness. Then, bring in the completed card to the office for a special prize from Mrs. Gjonovich.
HOLIDAY HELP: If your family is in need of some holiday help/love, then please email me. I have a couple of resources this holiday season that can provide food and gifts to families in need. ❤️
GATE TESTING: All 4th graders are eligible to take the GATE Pre-screen test with me virtually these coming weeks (Nov. 30 - Dec. 18). Parents, you were sent an email with the Google Form to complete. You may allow or decline, but please complete the GForm either way. https://www.lbschools.net/departments/curriculum/GATE/id.cfm NOTE: if your child is GATE identified from 2nd grade, then they do not need to take the test again. Second graders will take the pre-screen with me in the Spring.
BLAST: taking referrals for our college LB BLAST Mentor Program this Spring. They have an awesome virtual program set up to support your students' academics, and an Social Emotional Learning component. Please email me at ygjonovich@lbschools.net so I can send you the link to sign up your kiddo.
ELPAC: new English Learner kiddos will be getting tested virtually if the family has another language in the home other than English. Annual ELPAC testing for current English Learners will be offered in the Spring.
Mental health support: Please call or email me anytime. I can zoom with your kiddo, call them, Facetime them, have them meet me on the front lawn (with physical distance and mask)...anything! Also, if your student has Medi-Cal, then please email me at ygjonovich@lbschools.net for referrals. If you have private insurance, then please contact your child's pediatrician. Here is the link to our COVID-19 Community Resource Guide (right side of page) for other resources: https://www.lbschools.net/District/coronavirus.cfm
Google Check-in form for students: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrAhgiUzUUpYsMA_fRVuHLLEEaL0pBEl8ZYMUdVsDmzZOlQg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Counselor Corner GSite:
https://sites.google.com/s/1XXgrEiOUznfwvqHoJdz4bCs87e8DKyQZ/edit?userId=100602610500473989077
National Blue Ribbon School
We ARE the Best Little School in the District!
Please visit: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1C1WL1TUWd8OOGEBfUVhbDMrBhjp4Qx_zR6-kR77Ulo8/edit?usp=sharing