Titan Weekly
November 28, 2021
Hello Titan Families,
I hope all of our Titans had a wonderful, restful Thanksgiving break. We have three weeks left in the semester and we are pushing to finish the first half of the year strong! If your Titan needs academic support, scroll down to see info on free tutoring at Toll.
We are looking forward to our next after school sports season with football and volleyball team tryouts. Both teams are co-ed and any student can tryout for either team. Look for games to start in mid-January.
Football tryouts will be held Monday 11/29 from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and on Tuesday 11/30 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cleats are recommended but not required. Email Coach Barchan -lbarchan@gusd.net with any questions.
If students are interested in trying out for the Volleyball Team please come to an informational meeting on Monday, December 6 in Room 1308 at snack. This is a mandatory meeting for all interested in attending tryouts on Tuesday, December 7 and Wednesday, December 8. Email Coach Fabanish kfabanish@gusd.net with any questions.
And exciting news! Toll Foundation will be kicking off their Annual Fund drive on Tuesday. Look for a special announcement that day with more details.
We ask that all families monitor themselves for symptoms of infectious illness, such as flu or COVID-19. Flu season is upon us and we want to make sure you are taking steps to stay healthy and safe. Here are a few reminders:
Take advantage of our daily on-site COVID-19 testing (www.gusd.net/COVIDTesting)
Do not send your children to school if they are sick.
Call your doctor or local pharmacy for flu vaccinations. The yearly flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting yourself from the flu.
It's still a great day to to be a Titan. We are so glad you are here!
Ms. De Ladurantey
What's in this edition of the Titan Weekly?
- Malt Shop info
- Counselors Corner
- ASB News - Food Drive and Movie Night
- PTA Meeting this Thursday
- Tutoring & Student Supports at Toll
- Yearbook Info
- COVID Testing in GUSD
- Important documents - Club Meeting Schedule, Toll Bell Schedule and Family Handbook
The Malt Shop is Open!
Great news! Our PTA now has the Toll Malt Shop up and running. Kids can come afterschool on Monday and Wednesdays to buy snacks (most $1-$2) cash only
We remain open for one hour. Sorry due to Covid restriction there is no eating or sitting inside the Malt shop. We are also restricted from selling certain items until half hour after school releases due to state regulations. Thank you for your patience as we navigate the reopening!
Counselors' Corner
How To Take the Stress Out of the Holidays
The holidays are upon us and aren’t we all excited? Well we are, but we also know that the season can be especially hard for people who are lonely or alone. But it is not only the lonely that struggle during the holidays. If we are completely honest, big families can also experience stress during this jolliest of the seasons. But why are the holidays so fraught with stress? The reason is -at least partially- that the holidays can sometimes feel like a test of how happy and successful your family is. Even favorite traditions can turn into a test of stamina and that can induce stress.
Here are some tips to help minimize stress and make the holidays more fun and fulfilling.
1. Be open to change
Have an open discussion with your children about the holiday traditions and decide as a family which ones you love and which might need some changes so they are more fun and memorable for everyone. This is especially important when family dynamics have changed because of divorce, a new marriage or sibling, or a death in the family.
2. Be realistic
Factoring in your children’s limitations when you make plans will reduce stress on everyone. For instance, kids who are anxious about meeting new people will need support and realistic expectations. Kids who have trouble with organization will need help to succeed at gift-giving. Children who tend to be impulsive need structure to minimize disruptive behavior. Not overestimating your kids’ patience and ability to focus will help you enjoy yourself more, too.
3. Prep kids for changes in routines
A change in your family’s normal schedule can be unsettling for everyone especially children. Prepare the kids for changes in their routines — what to expect and what you expect of them. If you’re traveling, bring familiar toys and books, and make sure you have quiet one-on-one time to check in with them.
4. Give yourself a break
Don’t stretch yourself too thin trying to create the “perfect” holiday season. Decide what is important, prioritize, and say “no” to what you can’t handle. You are welcome! 😊
5. Be sure to laugh
Children pick up their parents’ stress and tension, so they’re more likely to be irritable if you are. Have a sense of humor, enjoy your kids for who they are, and keep in mind that what you’ll all remember when it’s over is likely to be the unexpected moment when everybody was relaxed, not the brilliantly choreographed party, dinner, or outing.
References
Child Mind Institute (2021). How To Take The Stress Out Of The Holidays. Retrieved from ChildMind.org
https://childmind.org/article/how-to-take-the-stress-out-of-the-holiday
ASB News
ASB is hosting a Food Drive to benefit the GUSD Food Pantry starting Monday, November 29 - Monday, December 13. Please see the flyer below for details.This is a great way to help our community while students earn Spirit Points for their Core.
ASB, PTA, and Toll Foundation are hosting a Movie Night, Friday, December 11 on the blacktop. Come join us and watch Home Alone. Tickets go on sale Monday, November 29, for $10 you get entrance to the movie, popcorn, and water. Additional snacks and drinks will also be sold during the show.
Show your Core Pride with a custom button. Staff and students interested in buying a Core or Titan button please come to 1308 before or after school to purchase one or email Ms. Fab at kfabanish@gusd.net. Each button is $2.
Birthday Packages are here! Please fill out the Google Form to submit a request for a package and for instructions on how to pay. Students and families can purchase birthday packages to celebrate their birthday Titan.
Toll PTA News
Toll PTA Association Meeting Thursday, December 2nd at 6:00 PM via Zoom
With Guest Speaker: Dr. Regine Muradian (Flyer below for more info)
Dr. Muradian specializes in working with anxiety related issues for high achievers, children, adolescents, and parents.
www.https://www.reginemuradian.com
Email titanstrongpta@gmail.com to register for the Zoom.
Please join Toll PTA by the end of this month to qualify for our Amazon and/or Starbucks gift card raffle (we run them monthly)! https://jointotem.com/ca/glendale/eleanor-j-toll-pta any questions please contact: TollTitanPTA@gmail.com
COVID Testing at Toll & Holiday Testing Hours
Every weekday from 7:30-11am and 12-4:30pm Toll hosts a COVID testing site right at the corner of Concord and Glenwood Road in front of or inside our Malt Shop. If you would like your child to be tested weekly while at school, please complete this form.
Students whose parents opt-in for this weekly testing will be assigned a day and can be tested before school and during lunch.
COVID Testing Holiday Schedule
Testing will ONLY be available at the district office on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday December 20, 21 and 23 from 7:30am to 4:30pm and from 5-m to 8pm.
Testing will ONLY be available at the district office the week of January 2 to 6, 2022 from 7:30am to 4:30pm and from 5-m to 8pm.
Starting on January 10, all testing will resume normal operation.
Important Toll Documents
Eleanor J. Toll Middle School
We are so glad you're here.
Website: www.gusd.net/toll
Location: 700 Glenwood Road, Glendale, CA, USA
Phone: (818) 244-8414
Twitter: @TollTitans