Tiger Family Newsletter August 2023
All the important deets to stay in the know!
A Note From Mrs. Gold
May It Be of Benefit
Hello Tiger Families, and Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year!
If you are new to Shasta Meadows and to me, your principal, I hope that this first newsletter gives you a feel for who we are as a school community (and just what kind of fun, family, student-focused, learning-centered craziness you've gotten yourselves into). If you have been a part of the SM team, then you already know this is going to be another awesome ride!
With gratitude,
Mrs. Gold
Find Out Who Your Child's Teacher Is
Due to privacy laws, we cannot post lists of student names and their teacher as we did in the past. To find out who your child's teacher is, go to the Parent Portal. See the photo to the right or click this LINK to see it larger for exactly how to check the teacher's name. This information will be available on the Parent Portal on Friday, August 11th after 5pm.
Schoolwide Focus
FOCUS: THE LEADER IN ME
District-wide this year we are bringing in the principles of the 7 Habits of Leaders to both staff and students. You may hear your child refer to "The Leader in Me" (LIM), or "The 7 Habits", or you may not hear them use those titles, but you may simply observe them taking ownership of their actions, being more proactive and results-minded, or being more collaborative.
Last year, we began the process of setting goals (including individual progress goals that students set), and we saw amazing results with incredible reading scores in our elementary grades, and this year we plan to continue along the goal-setting path knowing what an impact it can have of students' personal and academic success!
Want to receive texts from School Messenger? Text Yes to 67587
Back to School Night, Employment Opportunities & Menus
Back to School Night 8/24 @ 5:30 PM
Please mark your calendars for Back to School Night '23 which will be Thursday, August 24th. Once teachers are back, we will set the exact time, but we typically start at about 5:30 p.m. Stay tuned for details.
Job Opportunities
Our school district and our very own site, Shasta Meadows, continues to have multiple openings. If you would like to join us in serving children and families, we have openings in the areas of aides/teaching support, cafeteria help, after school programs, and our preschool program. Our afterschool program in particular is in critical need of staff, so if you are interested or if you know someone who is, please contact sestrada@eesd.net.
August/September Menus
The August/Sept menus have arrived! Click the link to see what's being served.
Also, here is flyer from Cal Fresh with information about how to receive assistance with food if there is a need.
School Communication
If you are new to Shasta Meadows, please know that there are several ways that we try to keep you "in the know"-
- Monthly Newsletter (Tiger Talk) which is sent out via email and phone call near the first weekend of the month.
- Sunday phone call/email/text: sent each Sunday at 1 p.m. You must choose to Opt-In to texting by texting YES to 67587. If you are not receiving the Sunday communication, please check your PowerSchool parent portal to be sure we have your correct contact information.
- Teachers send newsletters from their classrooms. Some send them weekly and some monthly. Some send them via Bloomz or another platform; others print them and put them in your child's Tiger folder. Teachers will share their specific communication plans at Back to School Night.
Meet Our Community Connector
Julie Davis joined us in January of last year, and we are so excited to have her continue her work here this year. The role of the Community Connector is just what it sounds like. They make connections between the school and families, students, staff, and our community. Have you been trying to get an appointment with a physician? Julie might be able to help. Do you need community resources such as clothing, food, family or individual counseling, or parenting classes? She's your go-to! Julie is here to support families however they might need it. She has many years of experience working in schools (she worked here years ago) and her children even went to Shasta Meadows. Welcome "home," Julie!
Summer Improvements
Our maintenance staff (site custodians, district-level maintenance, and technology departments) were busy this summer (as always). They have outdone themselves accomplishing many important projects. After PowerScholars dismissed in mid-July, in addition to the regular summer deep cleaning, they installed our new Book Vending Machine, repaired the cafe flooring, painted outdoor trim, shampooed carpets, waxed floors, and installed new Touch Screen boards in every classroom!
Thank you to all of the employees who worked so hard this summer to prepare us for a successful new school year!
Need Bussing or After School Care?
If you need bus transportation for your child or if you are interested in the after-school program, ACE, you must sign up for these services through your Power School Parent Portal.
For help requesting transportation (bussing) for your child, go to EESD.net and choose Departments, Transportation Services and click on "Step One: Complete the Transportation Request Form" for step-by-step instructions, or follow THIS LINK.
For help registering a student for the ACE afterschool program, go to EESD.net and choose Parent Resources, PowerSchool Parent Help, then scroll down to ACE Application, or click THIS LINK.
PICK-UP & DROP-OFF PROCEDURES
The preferred drop-off and only pick-up location is our north/gym parking lot. Please drive into the lot using the most northern entrance and pull all of the way forward. An adult will escort your child(ren)to your car. Students will be in the Kindergarten play area and will be instructed to look for their family car. We have found that it really helps with efficiency if you speak to your child and ask them to sit on the bench and be looking for their car. As always, please remain in your car. If you need to leave your car, please park in an open parking spot and walk to the campus using our crosswalk for your safety.
Please do not use the bus loop to pick up your child. We need to keep this area clear so our busses can load and be on their way.
Thank you in advance for your patience and grace as we dismiss hundreds of children each day in a matter of 15 mins.
Forms, Schedule, & Calendar
Beginning of the Year Forms
"In the old days"...that is, when I had children of school age, parents received giant packets of papers during the first week of school, and then I was given the homework of getting them all filled out and returned (not an easy task, as I had 4 children). You are in luck because this is 2023 and forms are now ONLINE!
The following forms must be completed and submitted for each student:
- Handbook Agreements (a link to the Handbook is included)
- Emergency Contact Information
- Health Information
- Housing Questionnaire
- Educational Benefits Form
- Chromebook Loan Agreement
- Student Accident Insurance/Health Insurance
- Google Apps Parent Information Sheet
- Cellphone/Smart Watch Agreement (if applicable)
For a step-by-step how-to for completing these forms online, click HERE.
Daily Bell Schedule
To help you remember start times for regular days and minimum days (every Monday), you can click HERE for our Daily Bell Schedule.
Here are our start and end times:
EVERY MONDAY is a minimum day:
4-5th grades 7:40 a.m. - 12:48 p.m.
TK-3rd grades 7:50 a.m. - 12:47 p.m.
REGULAR DAYS:
4-5th 7:40 a.m. - 1:46 p.m.
TK-3rd 8:05 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
School Year Calendar
Our school year calendar is available on our website, but I've also included it HERE for your convenience. Every Monday is a minimum day so that staff may collaborate and engage in professional development.
HOW TO ACCESS YOUR CHILD'S STATE TESTING SCORES (from any year)
PTO Meetings
How to Contact Teaching Staff
Kinder Team
To reach your child's TK or Kinder teacher, you may email them at:
Transitional Kindergarten:
Mrs. Uronen- juronen@eesd.net
Kindergarten:
Mrs. Larson- mlarson@eesd.net
Mr. Silva- dsilva@eesd.net
K/1 Class:
Ms. Brennan- ebrennan@eesd.net
1st-Grade Team
Ms. Hickle-
Mrs. Dippery-
Ms. Brennan- K/1 Class
2nd Grade Team
Mrs. Howland- ahowland@eesd.net
Mr. Saiki- ssaiki@eesd.net
2nd-grade Special Day Class:
Ms. Luff- sluff@eesd.net
3rd-Grade Team
Mrs. Hunt - mhunt@eesd.net
Mrs. Dennison- kdennison@eesd.net
3rd-grade Special Day Class:
Ms. Luff- sluff@eesd.net
Mrs. Long- klong@eesd.net
4th-Grade Team
Mrs. Bauder- rbauder@eesd.net
4/5 Class Mrs. Graham- mgraham@eesd.net
4th-gr Special Day Class:
Ms. Luff- sluff@eesd.net
Mrs. Long- klong@eesd.net
5th-Grade Team
Mrs. Graham- mgraham@eesd.net
Jacob McManus- jmcmanus@eesd.net
5th-grade Special Day Class:
Mrs. Long- klong@eesd.net
Shasta Meadows Elementary
Email: sgold@eesd.net
Website: shastameadows.eesd.net
Location: 2825 Yana Avenue, Redding, CA, USA
Phone: 530-224-4180
Facebook: facebook.com/ShastaMeadowsElementarySchool
Twitter: @Shasta_Meadows