Foothill community memo
September 17, 2020
Your student and you have made it through the first 1/8th of the school year! This newsletter contains a variety of learning opportunities for parent/guardians through workshops; websites to keep you informed of air quality, conditions, and resources within our County; details on Progress Reports; and more. I've included details for adding yourself to the PFA newsletter (on Konstella this year), and the link for ordering Spirit Wear--last day is Friday, September 18.
It is essential that a parent or guardian contact our attendance secretary, either by phone or email for any absences your student has or will have. The chart below provides the procedure, resources, and information.
There is a nomination form below for our School Site Council (SSC), which is the school community’s representative body; made up of school staff, parents/community members, and at the secondary level, students. The primary responsibility of the SSC is to participate in the development and monitoring of the Single Plan for Student Achievement, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, monitor the use of supplemental funding available to the school site, seek input from school advisory committees, and reaffirm or revise school goals. We are looking for three people--and will push out voting if we should receive more than five interested persons.
If you have any questions please reach out. Take care and be well.
With sincere appreciation,
Principal Vaiana
2020-2021 FMS School Site Council Meeting Dates
The council will at meet at 3:00 online on these dates:
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
You're Invited! Vape Pens and Teens: What Our Community Needs to Know
This webinar will provide an overview of the latest tobacco products used by young people. Adult and youth presenters will discuss the history of electronic smoking devices (vape pens), as well as the current products on the market. We will cover how they work, how the tobacco industry targets young people, health effects, and what we are still learning about these popular and dangerous devices.
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Audience: Parents and other adults
There is no cost to attend, although registration is required.
For questions, contact Marissa Frias mfrias@cccoe.k12.ca.us
Progress Reports
Important facts:
- Progress Reports are required for students receiving below "C"
- In Aeries/HomeLink under Grades you will see the yellow highlight for the first 1/8 of the year.
- Most importantly are the comments on the far right side.
- This is a current snapshot right now to what may be going on in the class, a point to check on work submission, completion, etc.
- Your student and you should send questions and concerns to the teacher.
General information:
(Board Policy 5121/Administrative Regulation 5121)
Grades shall be reported each marking period as follows:
A (90-100%) Outstanding Achievement 4.0 grade points
B (80-89%) Above Average Achievement 3.0 grade points
C (70-79%) Average Achievement 2.0 grade points
D (60-69%) Below Average Achievement 1.0 grade points
F (0-59%) Little or No Achievement 0
I Incomplete 0
*(comment code “R”) Parent notification in writing or by a documented conference is required when a student is receiving a grade of D or F or is experiencing difficulty with grade level standards. Each secondary student in danger of failing shall be notified in writing. This applies to each grading period. A student cannot receive an F without prior written notification.
Parent eTraining and Parent Academy Continue
After much positive acclaim, our Adult Education Parent eTraining continues, with new September sessions planned. These trainings are free of charge, available in English and in Spanish, and are open to all MDUSD parents, covering three subject areas: “Zoom Basics,” “Google Classroom,” and, “Seesaw Basics.”
Separately, our Parent Academy continues with its successful sessions, which are also free of charge and open to all MDUSD parents in both English and Spanish. The Parent Academy’s September sessions include the following subjects:
- Accessing Academics in Distance Learning Platforms
- Facilitating Virtual Playdates
- Participating in a Virtual IEP
- Overcoming Fear Factors: Self Care, Meditation & Mindfulness
- Social/Emotional Skills at a Socially Distant Time
Parent/Guardian Communications from PFA
Did you know that Foothill PFA Communications are all in one place on KONSTELLA?
The Foothill PFA (parent faculty association) uses Konstella as our primary communication tool. No more separate enews via Constant Contact or sign ups via Sign Up Genius. We are doing it ALL with Konstella: parent directory, calendar items, PFA and school announcements, Ed Fund donations, and occasional volunteer sign ups. YOU choose how much information to make available to other Foothill parents such as your email address, phone number, and/or your home address. You can keep this information private, as well. All parents are members of the PFA - SIGN UP now to keep in the loop!
REPOST: Donations and Spirit Wear
Thank you for contributing to Foothill by supporting your student's education. This includes time and energy as well as financially. As a public school we depend on the contributions for elective classes with supplies, software and licensing for curricular areas, and technology. Additionally donations made to our PFA, support having an additional counselor four days a week, provide staff for our library for students to have access, and money for technology support with devices and our webpage. All this is possible thanks to parents and guardians.
Here is the link to purchase Spirit Wear and make a donation to our classes and programs funded by the PFA. You may also access through the front page of our website.
Home of the Griffins
Website: foothill.mdusd.org
Location: 2775 Cedro Lane, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Phone: 925-939-8600
Twitter: @FoothillGriffin