Dear SHPS Community,

We are almost at 50 days of being in school and I continue to be in awe of the ways we support our students here at SHPS. A team of teacher representatives attends an Administrative Support Network once a month, where we develop action plans for our grade-level Professional Learning Communities. This means that teachers in each grade level are constantly analyzing - "What is it that we want students to learn? How will we teach it? How will we know if they've learned it? What will we do if they are struggling to learn?" While your students attend their "specials" each week (Spanish, Music, B-STEAM & PE), teachers meet for 80 minutes to work on these plans. I can promise you that each staff member at SHPS is very deliberate about what each student needs - with both academics & social-emotional needs.

I look forward to meeting some of you in person next week during Parent-Teacher conferences. Remember to check the schedule below - we have NO SCHOOL MONDAY & SUPER MINIMUM DAYS Tues-Fri.

Thanks to the parents who attended our School Site Council meeting last month. We need to hold "Official Elections". The parents who attended wanted to be on the committee and now we need to "officially" elect them. Please vote for all of the parents who are volunteering their time for SSC here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScH1m8Yi53O3akABW4tnhIFgOcUzTg6QEH6PM-2J2OYnlXWzw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

What is School Site Council? The School Site Council (SSC) is intended to be a decision-making body that represents all stakeholders of the school community. ... As the school leadership team and SSC develop, monitor, and revise the Single Plan for Student Achievement, the SSC allocates resources to support the plan.

What is ELAC? We also held our first ELAC meeting last month. We are looking for one District ELAC rep as well as site reps. Please let me know if you'd like to be our DELAC rep. As soon as we finish tallying the responses to our District survey, we will set up the next ELAC meeting.

We want to be able to show parents how to help their children academically at home. Please join us for two upcoming Parent Workshops this month: Math and Reading (dates below).

Your child's teacher will share a lot of important information next week during Parent/Teacher conference time.

If your child is out with COVID-like symptoms, please get them tested right away so that can return to school. SHUSD has partnered with N3 Labs and your child can now be tested M, W & Friday mornings in front of Vintage Hall. Remember to also come by the school to pick up an Independent Study packet so that your child can work on schoolwork while they are out. Registration for N3 Labs is below.

In the event that we are notified of a student in the class who is COVID 19 positive, the rest of the class can be placed on "Modified Quarantine". As long as students remain asymptomatic, wear their masks, and are being tested within the school setting they may stay IN SCHOOL from the date of exposure. They may also ride the bus to and from school as long as they remain asymptomatic, test negative at school, and wear their masks. During this time, they cannot attend the Boys & Girls Club or any after-school extra-curricular activities. We will test students here at school, but only with your permission. If you haven't already done so, please fill out this permission (one time only) in case your child's class goes on Modified Quarantine" (link below).

Remember to call us if your child is out with COVID symptoms so that we can help you access testing as well as provide information about their Independent Study work packets & Ipad check-out.

1. Please join our PTG meetings, the first Tuesday of each month, at 5:00 pm either live in the Elementary School Auditorium or via Zoom.

2. REMINDER: The PTG would like you to volunteer! We have many opportunities for parents to support our schools and PTG. Take a look at the Sign Up Genius for volunteer opportunities this month (Harvest Festival!) and during the school year. Please consider volunteering. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F4AADA72AA0FA7-shes1

3. The District-wide Directory will soon make its debut! It is filled with tons of helpful information for you! A "one stop shop" to find important district information and family phone numbers and/or emails to connect with one another. Please consider completing the directory survey so you can be a part of the school directory. We will continue to add family information to the directory as we receive it. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqpYU5p4Jyg26hRNOKiaJONrU3GPfF-KqetafooNPI_TLxhg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Our teachers have finished lessons on identifying emotions and are ready to move on to teaching students how to regulate their “uncomfortable” emotions. This skill falls under the CASEL Core Competency of Self-Management. In addition to these lessons, students will have access to items and/or activities that will help them calm down when they are experiencing these intense, uncomfortable emotions.

A new addition to our SEL program this year will be the utilization of Rainbow Kits in our TK-1st grade classrooms. These kits consist of activities where students learn about positive social identities and different types of families. They also help students learn how to respect diversity and create deep, caring human connections. As always, if you’d like to know more about our SEL program at SHPS, feel free to reach out to Dana Sabin at dsabin@sthelenaunified.org

https://www.sthelenaunified.org/Page/214

Monday, 10.11: Teacher Work Day: No School
The Boys and Girls Club is open on the 11th for students who are already registered. They will charge $5 for the day if you need care. Students need to bring a water bottle, snack & lunch.

Week of 10.12-15: Parent-Teacher Conference Week, Minimum Days. Student dismissal: 12:15 all week. Students WILL eat lunch at school.

Parent Education Nights

Wednesday, 10.20: Family Math Night (on Zoom), 5:30pm

Wednesday, 10.27: Reading at Home (on zoom), 5:30pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/8499641680

Meeting ID: 849 964 1680

One tap mobile

+16699009128,,8499641680# US (San Jose)

Friday, 10.29: Halloween Parade, 9:15am (students can come in costume)

11.1-11.5: Dia de los Muertos Celebration & cultural altar

11.18: Picture Make-Up Day

We were so happy to have local author, Maria Villagomez here a few weeks ago to read her book, "Mi Abuela" with students. In addition, our staff has a surprise flash mob planned soon for students! This is a surprise but it involves a popular song!

Día De Los Muertos is one of the most important traditions originating in Mexico & now celebrated around the world. The tradition focuses on celebrating and remembering friends and family who have passed away. One of the most important elements of Día De Los Muertos is the altar. The altar usually has photos of the deceased and samples of their favorite food, drink, or clothing.

With the help of our Spanish teacher, Maestra Rubio, we will be creating a cultural Day of the Dead altar. Your child is welcome to bring in a photo of any loved one (including pets) who has passed away so that we can celebrate their time on this earth. Photocopies are safest. If you send in an actual photo, please have your child's name and room # on the back of the photo so that we can return it to them. If they don't have a picture, they can also draw a picture/write their name on a piece of paper.

https://www.sthelenaunified.org/domain/48

Transportation / Bus Application Information (sthelenaunified.org)

https://bgcshc.org/st-helena-clubhouse