Welcome Back to School!
August 7, 2022
Week 1
Welcome Back Cougars and Huskies!
Dear Altadena Eliot Arts Families,
I hope you've enjoyed some fun in the sun and happy times with loved ones. It has been a super busy summer for us on campus as we plan for a wonderful new school year. There are just a few must knows before we launch into the 2022-2023.
- Tuesday we have our elementary popsicle party on the playground from 1-2:30. Please join us! Enter through the large gate off El Molino.
- Thursday is the first day of school! Elementary times are 7:45 am - 2:15 pm and Middle School times are 8:15 am - 3 pm. It is imperative that you please follow our drop off and pick up procedures outlined in our Family Handbook https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hIvz8wb7rsTWZ9GnlM1Xevrav074XtvoR7_oCWW-2Rs/edit?usp=sharing
- Kindergarten families, I'll be sending you a separate email with first day instructions :)
- Rapid Antigen testing is required for all students before returning to school. You may pick up your test at Altadena's auditorium from 8-10 and 1-3 pm Monday and Tuesday. You may pick up your test kit at Eliot's campus Monday and Tuesday 8 am - 3 pm.
- Join me for coffee with the principal on Friday at 9 am outside in Eliot's Rose Garden.
- Please read this weekly newsletter in its entirety to stay up to date on all happenings at our school.
We look forward to seeing you all soon. It's a great year to be a Cougar and a Husky!
Yours in Service,
Dr. Scheckel, Principal
PUSD COVID-19 UPDATE
Since the early days of COVID, PUSD has had to pivot and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. At last night’s meeting, the Pasadena Unified Board of Education approved revisions to COVID safety protocols. The following revisions are now in place at all PUSD schools.
Outdoor in-person meetings/activities with parents/guardians, community members, staff, and students are now allowed with masking strongly recommended.
Indoor in-person meetings/group activities with parents/guardians, community members, staff, students are allowed with masking required for all.
Masks are strongly recommended for students and staff indoors in classrooms and other shared spaces.
Parent group meetings such as (PTA, SSC, ELAC, AAPC) are allowed in person and may be held outdoors or remotely if the respective parent leadership agree.
IEP meetings with parents/guardians may be held in-person or remotely, whichever supports greater parent/guardian participation.
Back to School nights will proceed as planned with masks required for all.
Visitors and volunteers are allowed on campus if they self-attest to being fully vaccinated or to having a negative COVID test within the past 48 hours. They must also conduct a symptom screening prior to entering campus and masking is required. All visitors and volunteers must abide by Board policies, regulations, and school rules. Board Policy - Visitors BP 1250.
Back-to-School Nights will be allowed in-person with mandatory masking.
The following protocols remain in place:
Masks are strongly recommended for students and employees in classrooms and indoors. Masks are required in larger group activities such as assemblies.
Masks are required:
on PUSD buses (with accommodations for students)
at testing and vaccination clinics
during field trips when required by the venue
for 10 days after exposure to COVID-19 and after a positive test result
Reentry Testing Before arriving for the first day of school, PUSD is asking every student and employee to take an at-home rapid antigen test on August 10 or 11. Parents/guardians can pick up rapid antigen test kits (containing 2 tests) at their child’s school/children’s center August 8-10. More information https://www.pusd.us/Page/9801
Rapid Antigen Tests The California Department of Public Health has endorsed the emergency use of over-the-counter COVID-19 tests beyond their FDA authorized expiration. Please follow instructions carefully. If a distinct line in the color specified in the instructions does not appear in the “C” control window, the test may be invalid.
Vaccine Clinics Getting vaccinated and boosted is still the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death. PUSD is holding vaccination clinics for ages 3 and older at the PUSD Primary Clinic (351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena)
Tuesday, August 9, 2022, 1:00-2:45 pm
Wednesday, August 10, 2022, 1:00-2:45 pm
Pre-register at MyTurn.CA.gov or register on site. Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines available. We also accept limited walk-ins.
Ventilation Air purifiers are in place in classrooms and indoor common areas. Filters were changed over the summer, and all lead custodians were trained on how to change both carbon and HEPA filters.
Personal Protective Equipment Masks and hand sanitizers are in stock and available to students and staff.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and flexibility as we strive to keep our students and staff safe and healthy.
PT(S)A Corner!
Let's Get Involved in our School!
It's been way too long since we've been connected all together as a community and this year, your parent leadership wants to change that! High functioning schools have engaged, involved parents. Meet Linda Sapin, our elementary PTA President and Michael McCarthy, our middle school PTSA President.
Step 1, join our PT(S)A membership! These parent groups are school advocates with a heart for service for our school! Anyone in the family can join, kids too! Join one, join both! Joining the PTA is simple.Log onto:
https://jointotem.com/ca/altadena/altadena-arts-magnet-pta
https://jointotem.com/ca/altadena/charles-w-eliot-middle-pta
Cafe con Scheckel
Fri, Aug 12, 2022, 09:00 AM
Eliot Arts Magnet, Lake Avenue, Altadena, CA, USA
Annual Fund!
Please consider making a recurring donation of $45 to one or both of our Annual Funds! Our annual funds help to create a bridge for special services and arts programs at each of our campuses. Our annual funds are separate. Altadena's annual fund is chaired by Ms. Tasiah LeConte and Eliot's annual fund is chaired by Ms. Wendy Silva. Please join their committees and consider making a donation today!