SIERRA VISTA FAMILY NEWSLETTER
TOGETHER WE SUCCEED (September 2020)
September is Approaching And There is Much to Share!
Thank you in advance for reading our Family Newsletter, emails, taking our school phone calls, regularly checking our SV Website (which has been and continues to be updated with new information), and our social media. (All the links are located later in this newsletter).
Here is a link to the 2020/2021 SV School Calendar. Please understand that during this time with online learning and even when we return to hybrid learning with students on campus, many of these activities and events are subject to change to online formats. We want to provide you with a general idea of the year in advance. We committ to continuing to keep you informed as things occur. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C9rpHsfFCznmRV7ToPMsnlmH_PzzmdNY/view?usp=sharing
Dr. Carolyn Hoffman
Your Student's Attendance Counts!
Every day/every class period, teachers are taking live attendance to record your students access to their online learning. Please remember that ALL classes are being held online via live daily class instruction until further notice. Thanks so much for helping to ensure your student is on time and logging into their classes daily.
To help ensure your student's attendance is being taken accurately, we encourage student to use these strategies to ensure they are marked present for their classes 1) say hello to their teacher both orally and via the chat box; 2) answer questions via live instruction both orally and via the chat box; 3) when the teacher is taking attendance, to speak clearly and loudly into thier microphone; 4) ensure they have their camera on during the entire class period; and/or 4) say goodbye to the teacher/class via the chat box.
Please check IC daily and help to monitor your student's attendance. If you notice any issues, please email your student's teacher immediately so they are able to check attendance and make changes with our attendance tech at SV.
PLEASE, if your student is sick or unable to attend class for any reason, OR is having any technical difficulties attending any of their classes, please ensure you call SV and report your student's absence or issues. We are making sure we document everything in IC and can assist with connecting your child to their teachers to stay connected with their online learning. Our office number is 661-252-3113 and you will speak with Crital Arriago or you can email her directly at carriaga@hartdistrict.org
EFFECTIVE: Monday, August 31st, 2020, Attendance Calls Will Be Sent Home During Each Class Period on Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday if your student is marked absent and not present for online learning!
THE ONLINE LEARNING SCHEDULE CHANGED SLIGHTLY TO ASSIST STUDENTS WITH LEARNING. THIS NEW SCHEDULE HAS A FEW TIME ADJUSTMENTS AND GOES INTO EFFECT ON MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST!
SV Annual Back To School Night Will Take Place Online on 9/3/2020!
For our Back to School Night Event:
The event will take place online through individual links that will be provided to all families. Teachers and school staff have created informative videos that highlight key information to help your student SUCCEED in each of their classes during both online learning and when students return to campus.
A school-wide message will be sent home to all families to provide them with access to the Back To School Night links. Information will also be posted on our SV Website.
To assist families and their very busy schedules, SV plans on keeping these BTSN teacher/school video links open during the afternoon and evening on Thursday, Sept 3rd and also throughout the day on Friday, September 4th. We hope these extended hours of availability will help our families with the important information teachers and staff have to share about student learning at SV!
If you would like more personalized/individual time to discussion things with your student's teachers, please know that all teachers, counselors, and SV Staff are available for individual questions via live connections during the FLEX Online learning times Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays! Please email your student's teacher/SV Staff individually if you would like to set up time to speak with a teacher via the phone or an online meeting.
You are also welcome to contact your student's counselor, teachers, or SV staff via email or by calling 661-252-3113 if you have any questions about our BTSN or any other needs you may have to help us support your student so they can SUCCEED.
STUDENT WELLNESS AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS!
Students NEED Their Sleep!
According to Dr. Owens, the director of sleep medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, sleep deprivation negatively impacts brain development. She shares the following strategies that parents can take to help their children develop positive and long lasting sleep habits:
1) Consider ways that devices can be out of the bedroom during sleep time. Maybe it is a compromise and is not every night, but try to make some nights tech-free. Pick a place like in your bedroom, or on a kitchen counter where phones, tablets, and laptops go each night.
2) Consider also committing to having your phone put in the place where your kid’s phone goes — again, maybe this is not every night, but maybe 2 nights a week.
3) Have a set time that tech is off during the school week. And nights when your child says they need their device later for homework, let them know it is their responsibility to get the work done before the decided time. If you stay firm (and loving) over time, they will adjust to getting the work done before the tech-off time. And yes, of course, if now and then, they need more time, exceptions will be granted.
4) Teach your child NOT to hit the snooze button but instead to get up, right when the alarm clock goes off (not a phone but an actual alarm clock). This is because research shows that actual sleep is much more beneficial than the pseudo sleep that happens with hitting the snooze button over and over. Get up and open the shades right away because the light helps turn off melatonin and makes you feel more energized.
To read more about developing positive sleep habits and ways to help your student, please click here: https://www.screenagersmovie.com/tech-talk-tuesdays/setting-a-sleep-routine-for-back-to-school?mc_cid=c8d7ea6ff0&mc_eid=97c2b8a968
This site contains many school and community resources and events to keep your students happy and healthy throughout the year.
What Is a Social Worker? Resources and Supports at Sierra Vista!
What is a school social worker?
School social workers are part of campus staff. School social workers are on campus to provide support to improve individual and system-wide student attendance, engagement, achievement, and graduation. School social workers may work directly with students who experience difficulties in achieving their academic potential due to social/emotional, home, and community barriers and provide program-level support services to secure resources and ensure the success of the student.
Who’s my school social worker at Sierra Vista?
Ana Ayala, LCSW, CWA, PPSC (hablo espanol)
How can I contact my school social worker?
Please communicate with your student's school counselor for direct referral.
Calling All 8th Graders--It's Time To Submit Your Honor Society Application! Don't Delay!
Please remember you must fill out the application using your student gmail, and directions on how to add up points for your GPA, along with other pertinent information, is provided on the application's online form.
Once your membership is confirmed in mid-september, Mrs. Marsh will provide more information regarding community service, and address other important questions. However, feel free to email Mrs. Marsh at any time if you need assistance with the application via her email nmarsh@hartdistrict.org
Just a friendly reminder, that 7th grade students will be eligible to join Honor Society in the spring of 2021!
Is Your Student Experiencing Issues WIth Technology? Here are Some Useful Places to Seek Assistance!
Do you or your student need some help with technology? Click here to find our information sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z8xfAGPs15MleUbMLJzvxJL_6sMSpI_BuMRQPsiIEAQ/edit
Did your student get locked out of their gmail account? Click here to get help resetting it: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd27zNXP70J857SuTpiT_93scizxhEzIso9zo0bHmO4wM8KKQ/viewform
Santa Clarita Public Library's Back To School Resources!
Students, parents, and teachers in your school can access FREE resources with a library card, including live tutoring, test preparation, language classes, and more.
All of these services can be found on our eLibrary
To begin using all of the library's elementary, middle school and high school resources, make sure you get a library card today by visiting SantaClaritaLibrary.com or emailing libraryinfo@santa-clarita.com.
Physical library materials are still available through our Curbside Service, Monday-Friday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm or Saturday 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. You can also request your materials to be placed in our new Locker system, which can be accessed 24/7!
Here is the link to complete the 2020 Census. It only takes a few minutes to complete BUT your participation will ensure that for years to come our students, families, community resources, and partnerships are supported! https://2020census.gov/?cid=20019:census%202020:sem.b:p:dm:en:&utm_source=sem.b&utm_medium=p&utm_campaign=dm:en&utm_content=20019&utm_term=census%202020&msclkid=702baced74cd1e26d967f3a81e6b144a
NEED HELP WITH ACADEMIC SUPPORT?
FLEXTIME ONLINE LEARNING
Counselor Support
Our counselors are here to support your student with social-emotional help, academics, and school success needs. Please email your students counselor if you need anything. They are working hard to help your student SUCCEED!
- Angela Knolls for ALL students last name A-F aknolls@hartdistrict.org
- Justine Saunders for ALL students last name G-ON jsaunders@hartdistrict.org
- Melissa Roth for ALL students last name Op-Z mroth@hartdistrict.org
INFINITE CAMPUS PARENT PORTAL ACCOUNTS
Check teacher websites, emailing teachers, and communicating with counselors will also help support student progress.
Teachers are working hard to update IC weekly! Please log into your parent IC portal to help monitor your student's progress. Reach out to teachers if you have questions or concerns.
Has your student completed their Textbook Contract Card?
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDy6FBM7pKgmmjLEj1A-rYZeBkt1yDKoswe6zsN0L1zs1u3A/viewform
Key Information Items To Help Your Student and Your Family SUCCEED!
Tuesday and Thursday Students Can Come By SV to Pick Up Pre-Ordered Meals 10am -2pm
Please be sure that you have completed a NEW application for lunch/meal support for the 2020-21 school year. These applications do not roll over from year to year and your child must have a new application. Lunch offerings will end early September 2020 AND if you do not complete a new form. Please see the link here for more information or have your child contact their counselor, anyone in the office, or our Health Tech. We want to ensure all our students get food every day at SV. This helps their academic success.
The forms are all completed online https://family.titank12.com/application/new?identifier=82YLNN
If you need assistance in person, please visit our Sierra Vista Main Office, Monday to Friday between 7am and 3pm.
Hart District English Language Advisory Committee Meeting
We value you, your expertise, and your insight about how to help us best support our English language learners at SV.
We are a Title I School for 2020-2021 School Year!
SV Title I School-Parent Compact
English: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SryC-gkw50x3GI8LwMvHyuU6wDruUl2L/view?usp=sharing
Spanish: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mTijtwvZbNBvvYJgeAd9MjsBqPD1daim/view?usp=sharing
Need Assistance? Here are Some Resources to Help Your Family!
http://firstbaptistsylmar.squarespace.com/community-food-program
LACDA Rent Relief Program (deadline August 31)
We Want Everyone To Feel Welcomed!
Online and In-Person Activities and Events at SV are INCLUSIVE! We want all our students and families to get involved and feel welcomed.
Please reach out to Dr. Carolyn Hoffman at choffman@hartdistrict.org if you have any concerns or questions.
Non Discrimination Policy
The William S. Hart Union High School District prohibits unlawful discrimination against and / or harassment of any student, employee or job applicant on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status, ancestry, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, gender or sexual orientation at any district site and / or activity.
When Will My Student Take Their School Picture?
Please have your student keep their temporary ID safe at home. They will need to bring that with them when they return to school.
Don't worry, if you lost that temporary ID, we will help you when we return to campus after online learning ends. Please don't worry!
GRADES MATTER! 1ST QUARTER PROGRESS GRADES 9/13
Here are the grading window details for the 2020-2021 school year!
MARK THOSE CALENDARS!!!
Labor Day Holiday 9/7
Family Math Night--ONLINE MEETING
We will share a link to this meeting as we get closer!
Fall Break--Monday, October 5th
School Offices will be closed
STAY CONNECTED WITH US
CONNECT WITH US!
Twitter @sierravistajhs
Instagram sierravistajhs
See, Hear, Know Something? Please Say Something NOW!
Visit our SV Website Regularly
Our website contains valuable information to keep you informed about SV and contains many of our site and district policies.
Check out our Sierra Vista Life Video to stay informed about all the great things taking place at SV! This link will take you to the SV LIfe shows! Our teachers and counselors and staff have been creating videos to help your student SUCCEED at SV!
Help Us Connect With You By Keeping Us Informed of Any Address/Phone/Email changes!
Sierra Vista Administrative Team
Dr. Carolyn Hoffman, principal
Please feel free to email me at choffman@hartdistrict.org
Mr. Adam Barrios
Welcome to the 2020/2021 school year, Sierra Vista community. I am energized and enthused to join the Sierra Vista team and work with an outstanding team of teachers, staff members, and leadership! In only a few short months I have found the SV community to be caring, supportive, and willing to go above and beyond to help others. It truly is an incredible place to be a part of. Please know I am available at all hours of the day to help and support our school community and can always be reached at abarrios@hartdistrict.org or extension 2035. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing and meeting many of you at our summer check-in days, and I look forward to welcoming our students back to campus as soon as safely possible.
Yours in service, Adam