Vista Views
November 14, 2018
Principal's Message
This month's Project Cornerstone lesson encourages students to become UPstanders. In the book Say Something by Peggy Moss, the narrator sees and hears teasing, put-downs, pushing, excluding and other forms of bullying behaviors at her school. Because she’s confused about what to do, she doesn’t do anything at first. However, her responses change as she gains understanding and empathy. It is a call to action to move from the passive role of bystander to the positive, active role of UPstander. Classroom discussions focused on everyone's power to become UPstanders who support and include every student at our school so that everyone belongs and feels safe.
Students will learn that are three steps to becoming an UPstander:
- Speak Up! Let the student being bullied know that you want to help. Tell the bully to stop. Tell an adult if you see bullying.
- Reach Out! Let the student know that no one deserves to be bullied. Let the bully know that you'd rather be friends than enemies.
- Be a Friend! Invite the student being targeted to play with you. Tell the bully that hurting others isn't cool.
You can continue to conversation at home by talking about the classroom discussion and reinforcing your child's power to become an UPstander. Below you'll find some recommended reading that you might want to share with your child. Lastly, the embedded video comes from a wonderful website that includes a variety of interesting resources:
5-Minute Film Festival: Turning Bystanders Into Upstanders Against Bullying
Thank you for partnering with us to help our children develop these important skills and make Alta Vista a supportive environment for all of our students.
News & Information @ Alta Vista
WALK N' ROLL TO SCHOOL
Walk N’ Roll is a program encouraging children to be active by walking, biking, or scootering to school. Students who walk or bike/scooter to school on a specified day are eligible for prize drawings and points. This program is running throughout Los Gatos. It is sponsored by the city and our Home and School Club.
This morning, we kicked off this year's program and were pleased to see many of you participating. The sidewalks were filled with families using their feet rather than their cars to get to school. We even had a visit from Walk n' Roll's mascot, Zippy the Raccoon. Students can continue to earn Walk n' Roll raffle tickets on Thursday and Friday. Winners will be announced on November 26th and will be shared in an upcoming Vista Views newsletter.
We are still looking for volunteers to help us distribute the thank you cards (raffle tickets) on Thursday and Friday morning. If you would like to be a part of this important effort, please contact anisatsimmons@gmail.com or sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b094ba8a72ea02-alta1.
FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT - 11/29
Come and join us for "Science in Wonderland" on November 29th. The Children's Discovery Museum will use the story of Alice in Wonderland to inspire a variety of exciting learning adventures. The fun begins at 6:30 as the cafeteria is transformed into a Wonderland of scientific exploration.
We need your help to make the night a success. Please sign up to volunteer by visiting http://bit.ly/FamilyScience2018 or emailing Mrs. Bergman at bergmanc@unionsd.org.
ALTA VISTA STAR PARTY - 12/5
We are excited to invite you to take a closer look at the stars Wednesday, December 5th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM on the Alta Vista black top. You’ll peer through high‐powered telescopes provided by the knowledgeable volunteers of the San Jose Astronomical Association and learn about our night sky. We'll have a great view of Venus and the moon hanging out together, nebulae, open star clusters, and double stars.
First and fifth grade families are especially encouraged to attend since this event directly supports the grade level Next Generation Science Standards’ (NGSS) unit, Earth and Space.
Amateur stargazers with telescopes or high-powered binoculars are invited to bring their equipment to share with the Alta Vista community. Please plan to arrive before 6:00 to set up your telescopes.
Please check here for tips for the evening. We look forward to sharing this special event with you.
BE SEEN AND HEARD ASSEMBLIES
On Thursday, December 13th, Alta Vista will host a series of Be Seen and Heard© assemblies. They are presented in the interest of student safety and will address the dangers of child sexual abuse, the differences between a safe and unsafe touch and a safe and unsafe secret, the importance of voice, and identifying trusted adults. The topics are scaled to be appropriate for each grade level, and previews of the material can be found at the links included in the flyer below.
As a parent/guardian, you have the right to determine whether or not your child attends this assembly. If you DO NOT want your child to attend the Be Seen and Heard© assembly, please complete, sign, and return the opt-out information on the attached flyer to the school office.
STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS
During the 2018-2019 year, Student Council is organizing Alta Vista’s first ever international year-round service project! We will send used eyeglasses, hearing aids and cell phones to needy communities and developing countries through the Lions Club. We appreciate all donations - just drop them in the box in the front office. Thank you!
AVHSC DINING NIGHT OUT - 12/11
Take the night off from cooking, grab your family and friends, and join us at Super Duper in Los Gatos on Tuesday, December 11th from 5-10pm. Mention Alta Vista and 20% of the profits will be donated back to the Alta Vista Home and School Club, meaning back to your students directly. Hope to see you there!
Moments @ Alta Vista
KINDER
First
Second
Our second graders enjoying their learning unit on bats. Their cross-curricular study included literacy and science activities.
THIRD
FOURTH
FIFTH
Coming Events
Tomorrow: Last Day of Fall Conferences (1:15 Dismissal - 1st through 5th Grades)
11/16 Kinder Feast (AM @ 10:00 & PM @ 1:45)
11/19-11/23 Thanksgiving Break (No School)
11/28 - English Learner Reclassification Celebration (6:00 @ Dartmouth)
11/29 - Family Science Night (6:30-8:00)
12/3 - Fifth Grade Science Camp Information Meeting @ 11:00
12/5 - Second Grade Field Trip to History Park (8:45-12:45)
12/5 - Alta Vista Star Party (6:30-8:30)
Thank You!
Alta Vista School
Email: baileyc@unionsd.org
Website: https://altavista.unionsd.org/
Location: 200 Blossom Valley Drive, LG
Phone: 408.356.6146
Twitter: @TeamAltaVista