Cub Connection
January 21, 2024
CELC News & Updates
Dear CELC Familles,
We are excited to be a part of a Great Kindness Challenge this week. Students from all over are participating in celebrating kindness. Join CELC for dress up days (see below) all week. In addition to our spirit days, teachers will be doing kindness lessons/activities in the classrooms.
Did you know that CELC has an Attendance Team? Miss Camryn, Mrs. Barkely, and Mrs. Ripke are here to support families with challenges and celebrate outstanding attendance.
Student attendance is of utmost importance for academic success and overall school well-being. Regular attendance not only contributes to the continuity of a student's learning journey but also plays a crucial role in their social and emotional growth. Consistent attendance ensures that students actively engage with the curriculum, interact with their peers, and benefit from valuable classroom experiences. Moreover, it fosters a sense of responsibility and discipline, preparing students for future commitments. In addition, attendance directly impacts school funding, as absences, whether excused or unexcused, results in financial losses. Last year, AUSD lost over 1 million dollars in funding due to attendance rates. Recognizing the significance of attendance, AUSD schools promote regular attendance and incentivize outstanding attendance to help foster a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.
Many of our students' absences are not due to illness and there is a pattern of higher absences on Mondays and Fridays. Here are tips and suggestions to help attendance rates:
- Schedule appointments during school breaks or in the afternoons on Wednesdays (CELC early release days).
- Plan vacations/trips during school breaks.
- If your child is going to be out for 3 or more days, request an independent study contract (ISC). ISCs help a student's learning stay on track and it also counts for attendance credit/funding.
- If your child is not feeling well, use the guidelines below to help decide whether they should attend school or not.
- Reach out to the CELC Attendance Team if you have needs/challenges that affect the ability to get your student to school. We are here to support families.
The CELC Attendance Team monitors absences daily, weekly, bi-weekly and 30 day periods. Beginning Monday, January 22nd, the K classroom and TK classroom with the best attendance rate for a two week period will be presented with a trophy. This trophy will be displayed in their classroom for the following two weeks. This will be repeated every two weeks. Students with perfect attendance (for a two week period) will be entered into a drawing for a Jersey Mikes sandwich. Students with improved attendance will also be recognized. The Attendance Team is working with the PTA to choose an assembly to celebrate outstanding attendance. Stay tuned for more news and updates regarding attendance incentives and celebrations.
Updates and reminders:
- A huge thank you to our PTA for sponsoring our upcoming events including Spring Fling, Dr. Seuss Day, 100's Day, and butterfly (K) and ladybug (TK) studies.
- Please see upcoming community events in the "Community Events" section below.
- Please check the lost and found for missing items. It is located outside of the multi-purpose room.
- For the safety and security of students and staff, gates are locked during school hours.
- Please use the front gate for entering and exiting the campus. the side gates are for employees only and must remain closed.
As a reminder, breakfast is served from 8:35 am to 8:55 am daily. It is free for all students. Parent may join their child at the tables.
Students are expected to follow school rules at all times. Please help support safe, responsible, and respectful behavior while you are on campus with them before and after school.
ATTENTION: If your student is going to be absent for an extended period, please make sure to request an Independent Study Contract from the office at least one week in advance. This will ensure that your child's teacher has ample time to prepare assignments, and your student can receive attendance credit during their absence.
For transportation questions, please visit AUSD's website at https://www.alpineschools.net/page/transportation
We look forward to a week filled with an extra dose of kindness.
Sincerely,
Tamara Ripke, Proud Principal
Great Kindness Challenge
Student Attendance
Attendance Matters
Please report any absences to your child's teacher and the office. Please let the office know the reason that your child is out and any symptoms if they are sick. Email Mary Barkely, our amazing Clerk or call the office at 619-659-8250.
Does Attendance in Early Grades Matter?
Answer: ABSOLUTELY
FACT:Did you know that if your student misses one day of school per month, it equates to 10 days a year, which is equivalent to two weeks annually? Over the course of 13 years of schooling, this adds up to missing an entire year of school.
See image below. For more information, visit https://www.attendanceworks.org/.
Guidelines for Student Illness
AUSD LCAP
The Governor's budget for education mandated that every school district in California needs to update its Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). The Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is a component of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). The LCAP is intended to be a three-year plan to improve student achievement by setting annual goals for the district in eight priority areas. Each of the priorities has established data requirements to track district progress improving student achievement. The LCAP requires Districts to gather input from students, teachers, parents, and community members to determine the goals, actions, and budget priorities for the District. Our District staff worked together with all of our stakeholder groups to gather input and craft the draft of our Local Control Accountability Plan. Below are AUSD's 2023-24 LCAP Goals. The District is in the process of reviewing the goals and completing the annual review.
Goal #1: Effective Instruction and Curriculum - Provide equitable access to high-quality classroom curriculum and instruction in an inclusive environment that promotes student success.
Goal #2: Safe and Respectful Environments - Ensure all school sites are safe and have healthy and welcoming climates for staff, students, and their families so that all students feel connected and are motivated to attend and ready to learn.
Goal #3: Equitable and Culturally Responsible Systems - Ensure systems and processes eliminate barriers to student success and are equitable and culturally responsive to the needs of our students and their families.
You may also view the full LCAP by clicking the button below
SORA
Did you know that Alpine Union School District has a valuable online resource available to all students — the Sora digital library? Sora provides access to a huge collection of books, including audiobooks, and can be accessed at any time. Here's how your child can make the most of this resource:
1. Accessing Sora:
Log into their Google account
Navigate to Clever (lower left side of Chromebook)
Click on the Sora app
Once in Sora, log in using your Google credentials. This is a one-time requirement, and subsequent logins will be automatic.
Note: If you're unsure about your student’s Google login information, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
2. Exploring the San Diego County Public Library:
In addition to our library, students can also access books from the San Diego County Public Library through Sora:
After logging into Sora, click on the down arrow next to Alpine Union School District (under EXPLORE) on the top left-hand side
Search for San Diego County Library and click on San Diego County Library Digital Media
Choose your desired book
Click "borrow"
Select Alpine Union School District
Click on the blue bar
Click on your student's email address again
Click on borrow again
Access the book by clicking on “shelf” at the bottom of the screen
We highly encourage students to make the most of this resource.
CELC PTA
A Message From the PTA
Hello CELC families! Here is the latest news and updates:
Thank you for your ongoing support! We are looking forward to an amazing 2024. We are looking forward to 100's Day, Spring Fling, and Dr. Seuss Week.
Sincerely,
CELC PTA
English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
Teacher Training and Support
Did you know that our 100% of our teachers our trained to teach reading by using a proven, multi-sensory approach called Orton-Gillingham (OG)? We are proud to be leaders in early literacy! For more information about OG and our training visit Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE) and read below.
CELC Volunteers
Weekly Forecast
Around Alpine Video- Season 2, Episode 8
In this episode of 'Around Alpine Union,' we want to shine a spotlight on our amazing Native American students! Join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures within our community. By sharing these insights, we hope to foster a deeper sense of unity and understanding among all students, staff, and community members. Please join us on Sunday, February 4th for the 7th Annual American Indian Cultural Education Gathering at JMMS from 11 am - 3 pm. #UnityInDiversity #AlpineUnion #Inclusivity
AUSD's Portrait of a Learner
Cubs in the Community
CELC Bell Schedule
Dismissal gates open at 1:30 pm on Wednesdays and 2:45 pm all other days. If you would like your student released early, please sign them out in the office.
TK rooms 2 and 4 are currently using the little playground for their afternoon recess.
School Rules
CELC's Motto
Smiles for Miles
Our Cubs are Comical!!!
Humor helps the heart! Join us in spreading "Smiles for Miles!"
Answer from last week: It Waves
Thank you to our adorable Cubs for making us smile! Stay tuned for next week's Comical Cubs!
Extended Student Services (ESS)
AUSD Spirit Days
Show Your Spirit
Mondays- Wear a College Shirt or College Colors
Wednesdays- Mid-Week Mindfulness- wear a shirt with a kind message
Fridays- Wear a school shirt or school colors or RED for (Remembering Everyone Deployed)
Child Nutrition Services
January Breakfast/Lunch Menu
AUSD STUDENT CALENDAR
Dates to Note
1/22-1/26 Great Kindness Challenge
1/25 CELC and MVLA SSC Meetings
2/1 100th Day of School
2/4 AIPC Cultural Gathering at JMMS
2/12 Holiday- no school
2/19 Holiday- no school
3/9 AEF STEAM Fair
Community Events
AUSD AIPC Event
All AUSD families are invited to our upcoming 7th Annual American Indian Cultural Gathering on February 4th from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Join us for an afternoon filled with cultural performances and presentations. It's an excellent opportunity for our school community to come together and learn more about the contributions of American Indian communities. We look forward to seeing you there!
AEF STEAM FAIR
AUSD is excited to announce the first-ever Alpine Education Foundation (AEF) STEAM Fair to be held on March 9 at Joan Macqueen Middle School. The Fair is open to all students TK-8 grade. Do you have a student interested in showcasing an invention or exploring a scientific topic? Do you have a student who makes art or has an innovative product to sell? The Alpine Education Foundation is seeking students to participate in the Steam Fair. Students can participate by submitting a science fair project to present to a panel of judges or hosting a vendor booth to showcase or sell their creations. The event will also feature games, activities, music, and more! Please visit AEF4kids.org to learn more and sign up. STEAM Fair. Thank you to AEF for your continued support and dedication to our AUSD students. See the flyer below for more information.
CELC/MVLA Office Staff
Mary Barkley, Clerk
Tamara Ripke, Principal
Stephanie Green, Administrative Assistant
Camryn McInerney, School Social Worker
Connect with Us
M-F 8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Email: sgreen@alpineschools.net
Website: https://www.alpineschools.net
Location: 8818 Harbison Canyon Road
Phone: (619) 659-8250
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Creekside-Early-Learning-Center-414783265277455/