LCMS Newsletter
March 2021
Note from Kelly Hatton, Principal
Hello, Las Colinas' Families,
As we approach spring, there seems to be a sense of hope and happiness in the air. As educators have now been prioritized for vaccinations, our team has been sharing their feelings of renewed safety and excitement.
Looking to the future, we are hopeful that our students will be returning to campus sooner rather than later. As plans unfold, our Interim Co-Superintendents (Mr. Tauer and Dr. Rasmussen) and the rest of the PVSD Cabinet, will be communicating details with you. I will be following up with site-appropriate details.
With gratitude,
Kelly Hatton, Principal
Important Dates:
03/01 - FACT (Special Education Functional Skills Class) returns to campus
03/10 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm via Zoom
03/26 - Coffee with Kelly, 8:30-9:15 via Zoom
04/05-04/09 - Spring Break
Our New Marquee
Thanks to our community and Measure C, the Las Colinas’ campus keeps getting more and more updated and beautiful. Our new marquee was recently installed, and we finally figured out how to update it! :)
Thank you, Alex Su!
In recognition of an outstanding student, and his generous and kind family, we wanted to take a moment to highlight LC student, Alex Su, for his philanthropic work in our community. Alex collected masks from organizations with the plan of donating masks to our entire staff. What a great example of generosity, kindness and community building!
Well done, Alex!
S.T.A.N.D. Club
During a recent “Superintendent’s Roundtable,” a connection was made between Las Colinas and the local “Saving Lives Camarillo” Coalition Coordinator, Alyson Lucas. Together with LC teacher, Robin Belvedere, our students are being given the opportunity to participate in a new club called “S.T.A.N.D.” This club was created by the coordinated efforts of Las Colinas and Saving Lives Camarillo. Per the flyer, “Students Together Against Negative Decisions,” aka “S.T.A.N.D., “is a club for students to advocate for positive decisions among youth. Club members strive to create positive peer pressure to keep students vape-free, healthy, happy and doing good for their community.” To provide students with outlets during this difficult time of the pandemic, this club is inviting all students to participate in an Art and Essay contest on the topic of, “How has Covid affected you?” Entries close March 15th. (These flyers were sent to all student gmail accounts.)
Picture Days - If you missed them!
Hello Parents,
If your student was unable to attend our Picture Days here at the school, please call Monarch Photography (805)843-4111 for an appointment to be photographed for the yearbook. Pictures can be taken until March 11, 2021.
Thank you,
Jessica Alvarado
Senior Office Assistant/ASB Bookkeeper
Las Colinas Middle School
805-383-5320 Ext.1953
Any questions about pictures or yearbooks can be directed to Jalvarado@pleasantvalleysd.org
Las Colinas - Renaissance Program
****The list of those qualifying for Renaissance is being finalized. Soon, your student will be receiving an email if he/she qualified. Please remind them to keep a look out in their gmail account.****
Las Colinas' Renaissance Program rewards sixth through eighth grade students who attain or improve academic standards. Renaissance is more than just another academic program. It is a process, a change in attitude, an entirely new way of thinking that brings academic achievement to the forefront in schools. It helps students experience the true joy of learning and increases the involvement of parents and businesses. Renaissance students are periodically rewarded with special activities and treats.
The criteria for being a Renaissance student are as follows:
Honor Roll:
3.5 or above GPA (7/8th Grade)
3.5 or above GPA (6th Grade)
Most Improved: Only for the 2nd, and 3rd.
Improved GPA over the previous reporting period by 0.5 and higher than a 2.0 GPA; No "U’s" on report card.
GPA's are calculated at the end of each quarter.
Spelling Bee
This year, the Scripps National Spelling Bee is using an online testing platform. All students were invited to participate. Those who were excited to compete joined our Las Colinas Spelling Bee Google Classroom with Mrs. Green. There they had access to the word lists, reading lists, and tutorials. Twice, students participated in a Google Meet and students quizzed each other. During the week of December 7th, students took the online test. Congratulations to Jai Ventkat Nair, Steven Conrad, Darcy Turner, Nathan Yuan, and Jeremy Slack for moving on to the school-wide level. Nathan Yuan is our LC Spelling Bee Champion who will go on to represent Las Colinas in the SAGE Publishing county-level bee. Great job to all who participated!
8th Grade Parents
OUHSD CTE Pathways Roadshow
In coordination with OUHSD’s Career Technical Education department and Las Colinas, our 8th grade students and teachers participated in a 400-strong virtual CTE Pathway Roadshow. Students were able to choose five pathway presentations in which they would attend by joining specific Zoom break-out rooms. OUHSD teachers and student leaders presented information on each of the CTE pathways, and our students and teachers were encouraged to ask questions and learn about topics such as Architecture, Business Finance, Education, Video and Broadcasting and Commercial Photography. It was an awesome display of teamwork and innovation! The kids loved it.
Drop- in English Language Arts and Math Tutoring
ELA - Mrs. Brockett - Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30
Math - Mr. Castaneda - Fridays, 2:30-3:30
Please have your child access the Zoom links for these tutoring sessions by visiting their ELA and/or math teacher's Google Classroom. You may also contact the office for information.
Important Information (Click "buttons.")
Office Hours
Please contact our office to make an appointment to meet with us by calling 805-383-5320 or by emailing Tania Luna. You may also contact Assistant Principal, Jessie Green at jgreen@pleasantvalleysd.org and Principal Kelly Hatton at khatton@pleasantvalleysd.org. We are happy to help you!!
"Grab N' Go" Free Meals for all Children 2-18
PVSD continues to provide free meals during Distance Learning on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am - 1pm for all children ages 2-18 at the following school sites:
Las Posas School - 75 Calle La Guerra
PVSEA - 700 Temple Ave.
Ranch Rosal School - 3535 Village at the Park Dr.
"Coffee with Kelly"
Please join us Fri., Mar. 26 from 8:30-9:15
Each month, you are invited to gather with Principal Hatton to discuss campus topics. The next "Coffee with Kelly" will take place on Friday, March 26 from 8:30-9:15 am. A Zoom link will be emailed out to families as we get closer to the date.
Thank you to all who attended the February "Coffee with Kelly." In addition to discussing campus topics such as Promotion, Return to Campus, Vaccinations and Picture Days, we shared strategies that are helping us as parents balance it all during these times of Covid-19.
Some ideas shared... Spend time in the outdoors whenever possible; place a bowl of healthy snacks on the counter for kids to access on their own; keep away from technology after work/school hours as much as possible; take time to play board games with your kids; create opportunities to be surrounded by quiet, and share with your family that you will need this specific time to re-energize; use apps such as the Calm app; and use a Fitbit or Apple Watch to help provide you with reminders to get up and move as well as to keep track of steps/activity.
PTSA
Please join us!
Hello Las Colinas Families.
Our Las Colinas PTSA continues to work on supporting our students, teachers and staff.
Membership Renewal or becoming a New Member is easier than ever - sign up through our electronic system, Totem, use this link: https://jointotem.com/ca/camarillo/lc-ptsa
If anyone is interested in overseeing the Las Colinas PTSA Newsletter this year, please let us know.
PTSA Meetings will be on Zoom for now. All are welcome at all meetings!
New Day & Time of meetings - The SECOND Wednesday of each month @7:00 PM.
Look for us on Facebook- Las Colinas Middle School PTSA & Instagram - Las Colinas PTSA For more information e-mail:
Las Colinas President Dan Kuykendall: dkdistrict@yahoo.com with any questions
PTSA Meeting Dates (all 7 pm) (Zoom invites will be emailed before meetings.)
03/10
04/14
05/12
06/09
Communications
*Weekly Parent Emails
*Monthly Newsletters
*LCMS Website
*Monthly "Coffee with Kelly"
*Twitter Updates of Campus Happenings
*Facebook Updates of Campus Happenings
*Marquee Posts