SME eBlast 10/16/2022
Important announcements from the SME Principal, PTA and AFB!
Message from Dr. Marchesso
October 19th is Unity Day!
Unity Day is an annual event occurring during National Bullying Prevention Month that promotes joining together to create healthier communities through kindness, acceptance of difference, and inclusion. This will be PUSD’s fourth year in a row participating in Unity Day. On Wednesday, join me in wearing orange to show your support of bullying prevention.
Great Shake-out
On Thursday, October 20th at 10:20, we will be participating in the Great Shakeout Earthquake drill. Please note that at this time, no one will be answering phones or the doors. Please plan accordingly if you need to pick up your students or drop something off. The drill should be over by 11:00 am.
Masking Policy
I also wanted everyone to know that PUSD's mask policy has not changed. Masks are strongly recommended for staff and students and are required for visitors while inside the buildings.
New Traffic Patterns
I have been working closely with the City of Sierra Madre and the Sierra Madre police department regarding our traffic patterns before and after school. Beginning on October 31st, Hermosa Avenue will be a one way only street between Laurel and Highland Ave. There will be no right or left turns from Highland to Hermosa. More information and maps will be sent out over the next two weeks.
PUSD Health and Wellness Policy
As we start to come back to a new normal, I wanted to provide everyone with the PUSD Health and Wellness policy that much followed during school hours. Here are few points I would like to highlight:
- The District strongly encourages the use of non-food items for fundraising, rewards, and celebrations.
- The Superintendent or designee shall encourage school staff to avoid the use of non-nutritious foods as a reward for students' academic performance, accomplishments, or classroom behavior.
- School staff shall encourage parents/guardians or other volunteers to support the district's nutrition education program by considering nutritional quality when selecting any snacks which they may donate for occasional class parties.
- Class parties or celebrations shall be held after the lunch period when possible.
You can read the document in its entirety below.
PTA Announcements
Today is the last day to get your minutes logged for our Read-A-Thon! Please take this week to tally up your child’s logged minutes and collect pledges. All envelopes and online donations are due this Friday, October 21st in order to be eligible for prizes. Please remind sponsors they can pay with a credit card online and that the proceeds go directly to SME.
Coffee with the Principal - Monday, October 17th at 8:00 a.m. at the pergola. Come hear from Dr. Marchesso while enjoying some coffee and pastries!
PTA Hybrid Association Meeting - Wednesday, October 19th at 6:30 p.m. Join us at the Art Discovery Room or log in via Zoom. Please register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElcu2opzkvGtBv0erGUVoV6T8hVZw4QmdC. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PTA Restaurant Night at Islands in Pasadena - Thursday, October 20th. Help raise money for SME PTA programs like the talent show and field trips by dining at Islands restaurant in Pasadena. Plan to have dinner with another family and make it even more special!
Support our School!
Do you shop at Ralph's? Link your account to help raise money for SME. https://www.ralphs.com/i/community/community-contribution-program
SEED Announcements
SEED works for every student and family to feel respected, supported and represented at Sierra Madre Elementary School.
This month SEED is recognizing LGBTQ+ History. Please check out our resource guide to find reading materials and films from a LGBTQ+ perspective, resources for LGBTQ+ youth and biographies of LGBTQ+ leaders.
The SME community has an opportunity to participate in a Dia De Los Muertos altar built to honor deceased loved ones and beloved pets for the holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. See the SEED flyer for details and the DIa De Los Muertos resource guide for more information
Looking for ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage? Check out the many Pasadena Parks and Recreation events happening through the month of October! https://www.cityofpasadena.net/parks-and-rec/community-event/latino-heritage-celebrations/
If you value diversity, equity, and inclusion and want to get involved with the planning of diverse monthly celebrations please join a SEED meeting and catch our monthly resource guides in the Sunday Smore. For email updates, email us at smeseedinfo@gmail.com.
Annual Fund Boosters (AFB)
Annual Fund Update
AFB will have a meeting on Friday at 8:30am in the library for the happenings around school this upcoming week!
Thank you to the 160 families - that's 30% - who have donated so far this fall.
Our goal is 100% family participation to ensure we have the 14 vital staff and programs that every SME student needs and enjoys!
The students of every participating family will receive a squishy mesh ball as a kid prize. AFB is pausing on distributing prizes during PTA's Read-a-thon; Dr. Marchesso will be handing out prizes again in November.
Our "All In For Fall" campaign goal runs until December. A suggested donation of $400/student (or $40/month per student) will help make the $220,000 goal. Please donate at https://bit.ly/2LzqUOL at a level that is meaningful to your family.
You can also follow SME AFB on Facebook @SierraMadreAnnualFund and Instagram @SierraMadreElementaryAFB
Staff Spotlight
PEN's 12th Annual Poker Tournament
Sierra Madre Elementary School
Email: marchesso.jodi@pusd.us
Website: sme.pusd.us
Location: 141 West Highland Avenue, Sierra Madre, CA, USA
Phone: 626-396-5890