The Navigator Way
Towngate Elementary “Lighting the Way to Student Success”
No School January 18th, 2021

Who is Dr. Martin Luther King?
Attention Parents! We would like your input on the Distance Learning process for your children. Please complete the survey below.
It's School Violence Prevention Week also known as Peace Week

Watch the New Counselor Video from Mrs. Arias!

Navigators,
You INSPIRE US! Even when exhausted you continue to persevere and motivate. If no one has told you lately, we want you to know you are doing a phenomenal job Navigators! We hope you find this newsletter full of simple ideas to help bring laughter and joy to your lives. Feel free to reach out to us should you need assistance. If we can do anything to support your work or be a sounding board as you maneuver through these unchartered waters please don't hesitate to ask. Cheers to 2021 and this fantastic world of EDUCATING and LEARNING!
Reminders!
- School starts @ 8:30 am via zoom
- Grab and Go Lunch 11 am to 1 pm
- Need Distance Learning help? Stop by the school from 11 am to 1 pm.
January 13Korean American Day We celebrate Korean American Day to honor and highlight our friends of Korean descent who have made immeasurable contributions as small business owners, military service members, faith leaders, doctors, artists, and elected officials for over a century. | January 13National Sticker Day We love stickers. They are all around us and a part of everyday life, though we don’t often realize it. January 13 is National Sticker Day and it’s the perfect day to go crazy with your love of them! | January 14National Dress Up Your Pet Day Celebrate by dressing up your furry family member in comfortable pet clothing — maybe even get matching outfits, if you want to get crazy. |
January 13
Korean American Day
We celebrate Korean American Day to honor and highlight our friends of Korean descent who have made immeasurable contributions as small business owners, military service members, faith leaders, doctors, artists, and elected officials for over a century.
January 13
National Sticker Day
We love stickers. They are all around us and a part of everyday life, though we don’t often realize it. January 13 is National Sticker Day and it’s the perfect day to go crazy with your love of them!
Join us for the STEAM UNITY Expo on January 30th!
Join the Parent Project
Tutoring Opportunity for 4th and 5th Grade Students!
Congrats to our student's of the month!

Pick up your child's award from 11 am to 1 pm during Grab and Go Lunch!
Towngate Navigators are Super readers!

Together our students have read over 9,300 books and spent more than 2,200 hours reading them!
Below are the MOST popular books this week at Towngate!



Congratulations to our December Perfect Attendance Students! Towngate has 528 students who have been in class each and every day during the month of December!!



Student's pledge to end Bullying with us!


After-hours Technical (Chromebook) Assistance Now Available
HelpDesk will be 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
On Friday, they will be open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for the HelpDesk and 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. for Chromebook assistance. As a reminder, the number to the help desk is 951-571-7676
For after-hours Chromebook deployment, parents can come to the District Office (25634 Alessandro Blvd.) .
Parents with technical issues beyond what is mentioned above will need to fill out the Google Form for Tech Support to request that someone call them back.

To our students, families, teachers, staff and community... WE LOVE YOU!
TownGate Schoolwide Schedule

Grab and Go Lunch M-F from 11:00 am-1 pm. No lunch card needed



School Counselor- Mrs. Arias
Distance Learning Platform: Google Classroom
Google Classroom Code: q7efnr5
New SEL Lesson/activity posts weekly on Mondays
Office Hours: (M-F 8-9:30, 12:30-2:00)


Setting Goals
Young students tend to focus on the moment or what's going on this week rather than thinking about what they want to become or achieve in the next week, month, or year.
By helping students learn how to set goals for themselves, we can focus their energy in positive directions and encourage behaviors that will lead them to their goals. Students who have goals and are determined to achieve them are less likely to act out, give up, or do something that could jeopardize their dreams.
Practice the Skill of Setting Goals
Introduce the Skill
- Have students give examples of goals that apply to different aspects of their lives. Examples can include sports, health, school, etc (running a mile, dribbling a basketball, eating healthier, spending more time with family or friends, improving their reading level, getting better grades, mastering a game or skill, etc.)
- Brainstorm why setting goals is important
Describe the Appropriate Behavior
- Decide on your overall values and lifestyle desires (Think about and answer these questions: Where do I want to go in life? What kind of person do I want to be? What kind of friendships do I want? What kind of job or career do I want to pursue?)
- List the resources you need to fulfill these lifestyle options (Create a mental inventory of the people or materials that can help make your goal more attainable)
- Examine the intermediate steps in accomplishing your overall outcome (For example, if your goal is to attend college, find out what the admittance requirements are)
- Establish short and long term goals that will help you accomplish the steps necessary for the desired outcome.
Put these steps in the appropriate terms for your grade level - use the SMART goals acronym or simplify the above steps
- Set a goal
- Make a plan
- Reflect
SMART Goals
- S = Specific
- M = Measurable
- A = Attainable
- R = Relevant
- T = Time-Bound
Please speak with your child about appropriate online conduct and behavior use the Towngate Matrix for Distance Learning below


AVID Expectations

AVID Focus Skill is Collaboration


Moreno Valley Now has Free WIFI

Experiencing Technical Difficulties Logging into Chrome, Clever, or Zoom?
Logging into Clever

EveryoneOn.org
EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit to inform families about low cost internet offers, computers and digital literacy training locations available. Visit the EveryoneOn website and enter your zip code to find low-cost internet and computer options.
SBX Youth and Family Services
SBK Youth and Family Services is a local Inland Empire community-based organization working with families to connect affordable home internet and/or provide free hot-spots.
- Text “Connect” to 951-406-4466 for more information.
- Call 951-406-4466
- SIGN UP www.SBXinc.org/low-cost-internet
Spectrum
(855) 243-8892
With school systems across the US closing down in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Spectrum is offering free access to internet and Wi-Fi for 60-days for new Pre-K to 12, college student and teacher households who don't currently have internet or Wi-Fi service. This discount will be applied as a credit for your first two months of internet services. They will waive any installation or pre-payment fees to help get you started.
You can qualify for this offer if you:
- Have a student of qualifying age at your service address with remote education needs
- Have not subscribed to our internet services within the past 30 days
For more information, click here.
Please Wear a Mask When Coming to the School

Don't miss out on these great MVUSD opportunities!!
Pandemic EBT benefits have been extended
Children who got P-EBT benefits over the summer of 2020 can get more P-EBT benefits for the months of August and September. Families do not need to do anything. Under the P-BET extension, each eligible child will receive a new P-EBT card with new P-EBT benefits for the months of August and September 2020. These new P-EBT cards will be mailed directly to eligible families without families having to apply online. View flyer for more information in English or Spanish.
SmartBus to Provide WiFi for Students
The SmartBus is here! If you are having trouble connecting to the Internet, you can now connect through MVUSD's SmartBus system. There are 17 buses parked throughout the community. Please refer to the guidelines and bus schedule in this flyer: SmartBus Wifi Connection.
Alpha Phi Alpha 33rd Annual Oratorical Contest
The annual contest is open to all students in grades 1-12. Participants are grouped into three categories: first through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade, and ninth through twelfth grade.
Read application, which is due by January 15, 2021, for additional information. For questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Charles Brown at charlesbrownjr9@gmail.com.
Art Contest: Life In Moreno Valley Before 1984
Moreno Valley City Councilman David Marquez is pleased to present an art contest dedicated to promoting local civic awareness and history. The city of Moreno Valley formed in December of 1984. Using their existing knowledge about the past of Moreno Valley or new and researched information, local youth in grades 2-12 are invited to develop a poster depicting life in Moreno Valley before the city formed.
Deadline to enter is February 1, 2021. See flyer for more details.
Paper Tutoring
Paper Tutoring is available to all students in grades 4 to 12. Students can access Paper through Clever 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please watch the video in the flyer for more details. For questions, please contact your site, which will have a Paper account manager.
View flyer for additional information and video in English or Spanish.
Community Free Food Drive-Thru
Thursdays
Rising Star Business Academy Parking Lot
23750 Alessandro Blvd.
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Power Speaks Louder food drive provides free boxes of produce, dry goods and essentials Thursdays from 10 a.m. until supplies last.
For more information, view video or flyer.
The Parent Project
This program is composed of eight weekly sessions that offer straightforward, practical step-by-step action plans for parents raising teenagers.
Goals:
· Increase communication
· Reduce family conflict
· Reduce inappropriate behavior
· Improve school attendance and performance
The program began on October 1, but you can still register for the remaining sessions, which run through December 10 from 6-8 p.m.
See attached flyer in English or Spanish for more information and to register.
Flu Shots
Riverside County community-based clinics are now open. There is no pre-registration required, no cost for the vaccination and flu shots will be given in a drive-thru fashion. Please view flyer for locations and times.
Anteater Science 2020 Workshops
Science and fun for the whole family. Check out this flyer for a schedule of monthly Zoom workshops.
All workshops will be from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Community Resources
Click here for our Moreno Valley Unified School District Community Resources Directory, which provides contact information for helpful resources ranging from alcohol and drug assistance to suicide prevention.
Safe Family Justice Centers of Riverside County can help if you are or know the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or child or elder abuse. For more information in English or Spanish, click here.
College Board Scholarships
Complete the FAFSA® for the chance to win $1,000 through College Board Opportunity Scholarships.
The College Board Opportunity Scholarships program guides you through important college planning steps and offers a chance to earn money for each step you complete, like completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)! The more effort you put in, the more opportunities you have to earn a scholarship. Class of 2021 students, complete five of the six actions (Build, Practice, Strengthen, Complete and Apply) and you're eligible to earn $40,000. Scholarships will be awarded through monthly drawings to students who complete each action.
Start earning chances to win scholarships today.
United Lift Rental Assistance Fund
Riverside County is providing $33 million in rental assistance, funded by the CARES Act and CDBG. Eligible residents in Riverside County can apply for $3,500 in rental assistance. Rental assistance is open to all residents regardless of immigration status. There are no income limits for applicants and you do not need to be behind on your rent to qualify.
Applications are open at www.unitedlift.org.
Click here for additional information.
Pandemic Financial Assistance
Riverside County residents whose employment was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic may receive up to $800 in assistance thanks to a state grant received by the Riverside County Workforce Development Division.
Type of Assistance Available:
- One-time assistance between $400 and $800, depending on the participant's income
- Funds may be used to pay for
- Costs to return to work; including telework equipment (e.g., computer), childcare, or transportation
- Housing expenses
- Utility expenses
Please view flyer for eligibility and application information.
MVUSD Learning Continuity and Attendance Plans Online
This year, the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) was replaced with the Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan. The district’s Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan has been posted to the district’s website in English and Spanish for public review.
Free Virtual High-Intensity Interval Trainings - Updated Schedule
Moreno Valley Pop Warner Football and Cheer invite students to participate in weekly training sessions. The program is free, but space is limited! Click here to view available dates of free weekly zoom lessons in high-intensity interval training for student-athletes who would like to engage in physical activity at home during this distance learning period.
Child Care
The Riverside County Office of Education has compiled child care resources for parents. This includes an online referral system.
Cub Scouts of America
In Scouting, boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade start with their best right now selves and grow into their very best future selves. It’s fun, hands-on learning and achievement that puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today – and for life.
Find more information about joining a local Cub Scout unit today.
Anti-Bullying Institute’s Virtual Resources
The Anti-Bullying Institute (ABI) continues to serve students, educators and parents by providing kindness and bullying-prevention resources. ABI has introduced several new virtual programs and activities, including an IGTV and YouTube mini video series, as well as virtual kindness and shoutout cards.
ABI also offers the following bullying-prevention resources:
Take 30 Webinars - a professional development webinar series on various bullying-prevention topics
Printable materials, such as kindness affirmation cards
Virtual parent and cyber-bullying classes.
Learn more at antibullyinginstitute.org.
Coronavirus Testing
Moreno Valley residents can get tested at CVS pharmacies for coronavirus infection. Testing is reserved for those showing COVID-19 symptoms or people in other high-risk categories, not for antibodies. Appointments are required at all three sites:
- Cottonwood Golf Center, 13671 Frederick St., Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Appointments scheduled by phone at 888-634-1123 or online at https://lhi.care/covidtesting. Must meet eligibility requirements.
- CrossWord Christian Church, 21401 Box Springs Road, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call to make an appointment: 1-800-945-6171. Open to all, regardless of symptoms.
- CVS Pharmacy, Lakeside Terrace Center, 26180 Iris Ave., daily, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Make an appointment online at www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing. Must meet eligibility requirements.
California Parent and Youth Helpline
California Parent and Youth Helpline
The California Parent and Youth Helpline provides support and resource referrals to parent and youth during the current COVID-19 pandemic, 7-days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Call or text 1-855-4APARENT (855-427-2736) for services in English, Spanish and other languages. For more information, visit: https://caparentyouthhelpline.org/.
Children’s books to Help Talk About Racism
Recent incidents that have sparked calls and protests for racial justice can be confusing for students. Here is a list of age-appropriate books dealing with racial issues that may be useful for you and your child.
Enjoy the connections below to favorite books and authors!

Need Resources? Academic? Community? Family Ideas?


Protect Your Loved Ones and Build Relationships During COVID 19
Although you may not be able to meet in person with young people, there are still ways for teachers and program staff to build valuable developmental relationships.
Download the free checklist, Building Developmental Relationships During the COVID-19 Crisis, for 19 ways to connect with young people during this time.
Know How it Spreads
- There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
- The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Take steps to protect yourself
Clean your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Take steps to protect others
Stay home if you’re sick
- Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a facemask if you are sick
- If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
- If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
Clean and disinfect
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
Navigator Character Pledge
Navigator Character Pledge
We are RESPECTFUL, SAFE, and RESPONSIBLE, INCLUDE OTHERS, and LEARN every day! I promise to RESPECT myself, others, and my school. I promise to be SAFE by following all rules and directions. I am RESPONSIBLE for my best in reading, math and the rest. I promise to INCLUDE OTHERS and not leave anyone out. I pledge to LEARN all I can and do my best to be all I am!
Towngate Elementary School
TownGate Navigators... Sailing to Success!
Principal- Veronica Zarate Vzarate@mvusd.net
Assistant Principal- Khaleelah Lewis-Wilkins klewis@mvusd.net
