Voyager Family News
Week of October 14, 2019
Strand Spotlights and Info
- The Coronado Schools Foundation Online Silent Auction is open! You do not have to attend the gala to bid on and "win" items, including Principal for the Day at SSES. Bid for Kids here.
- APEX Fun Run is Coming! Our kickoff assembly is first thing Tuesday morning, October 15 (wear sporty/athletic/team gear for a spirit day associated with the kickoff!). The APEX Fun Run is a PTO fundraiser as well as a fitness and leadership program our students experience in the week leading up to the run on October 24. See the poster below for more information about APEX.
- School Site Council: We will be convening our School Site Council for a first meeting on October 30, 3:00-3:45 PM. Our School Site Council is “a school-level group that is charged with improving academic achievement through compliant and efficient use of funds.” Our designation as a Title 1 School requires us to convene a Site Council. Our SSC will meet 3-5 times per year and comprises the principal, three teachers, 1 classified staff member, and five parent/community members. We have learned that staff members may not serve on SSC as parent representatives and will be electing four additional parents (Lori Blauert will serve her second year of her term). While SSC meetings are open to all, we need elected members to serve two-year terms. If you are interested in running for School Site Council, please email Ms. Moore (jennifer.moore@coronadousd.net) with a bio of less than 300 words explaining your background, experience, and interest in serving on SSC by noon on Friday, October 18. We will hold an online election the following week.
- Our District is seeking your input on future programs, experiences, and opportunities for students across CUSD. To gather your feedback, we’re using a tool called Thoughtexchange. All of our voices matter, so your participation is crucial and valued.
Click here to participate. You’ll be asked to respond to one open-ended question, consider and assign stars to some of the ideas shared by others (20 to 30 is ideal), and learn what’s important to the group. Your thoughts and stars are anonymous. You can come back as often as you’d like to participate and, in fact, we ask that you do come back to star some of the new ideas shared since you first participated. The ratings will help us understand the most important areas to focus on for future programs, experiences, and opportunities. Participation will be open until October 14, 2019.
Book Character Pumpkins are due on Tuesday! Bring them in the morning to drop off in the library!
PICTURE MAKEUP DAY IS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 for students who were absent on the first picture day.
Earthquake Drill: Our school will participate in the Great California Shakeout Earthquake Drill on Thursday, October 17 and practice "drop, cover, and hold on." For more information on preparing for earthquakes or responding to one in progress, click here.
Halloween Costume Drive: A Coronado Girl Scout Troop is once again collecting used or new Halloween costumes to donate to the Monarch School of San Diego for underserved children. Look for the bin in our office, which will be available after Halloween as well! See more information below.
This week’s theme is MOVE FORWARD: APEX Fun Run coaches will teach our students that we move forward by focusing on the future, overcoming fears, and understanding that mistakes are opportunities to learn.
Running Club Updates
Run Club Morning Schedule:
- 7:25-7:30 am - Line up at the gate wearing tracker cards. (no supervision before 7:25 am)
- 7:30 am - Gate opens and immediately closes
- 7:30-7:35 am - Runners are escorted to the field. They drop backpacks and line up.
- 7:35-7:55 am - Run begins.
- 7:50 am - Final Lap Call
- 7:50-8:05 am - Runners receive run feet, collect backpacks, sit at class cones until bell rings. (Kinder/TK will have a parent PTO Volunteer help)
- 8:05 am - Parents & Volunteers must be off-campus. Please do not take your child to class as this can be distracting to the class's morning routine.
5th Annual Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest!
Silver Strand is hosting a pumpkin decorating contest for all Preschool - 5th graders that would like to participate! (see photo examples below)
Contest rules are as follows:
1. The theme for the pumpkin contest is, “My Favorite Book Character.” You may pick any character from any BOOK you have read or heard. No TV or cartoon characters please J
2. Pumpkins can be real or plastic and are to be painted or colored with markers, NOT carved unfortunately, (absolutely no carved pumpkins will be accepted – unfortunately, carved pumpkins rot, attract bugs, and smell) Acrylic paints or permanent markers work best. Watercolors tend to run. Yarn, construction paper, pipe cleaners, cloth, wigs, old clothes, etc. may be used to decorate the pumpkin; paste or glue may also be used. If you bring in a real, but UNCARVED pumpkin, please bring it on a non-porous base (foil-covered cardboard, e.g.)
3. There may be only one entry per student, with the info below clearly identified on a 3” x 5” card:
1. Name of the book character, book, and author of the book (front of card)
2. Student’s name, grade, and teacher (back of card – very important!)
4. All entries are due on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. All pumpkins should be brought to the library first thing in the a.m. so they can be displayed (staff members will assist)*No early or late entries will be accepted*
5. Students will vote for a first, second, and third place winner in grades preschool-K, 1-2, and 3-5. Winners will be recognized at flagpole on Nov. 1st. All participants will get a participation certificate.
6. Pumpkins will be displayed in the library during the dates of October 15 – Nov 1st. All pumpkins must be taken home the morning of FRIDAY, NOV 1st. Any remaining pumpkins will be thrown away.
7. Participation is totally voluntary; the project can be done independently by the student or as a family project. Students choosing to participate must provide their own pumpkin and decorating materials.
EXAMPLES:
Good luck,
HAVE FUN and happy decorating!! *Please contact Ms. Pierro for any questions: karen.pierro@coronadousd.net
ATTENTION: COLLECTING GENTLY USED HALLOWEEN COSTUMES!
Girl Scout Troop 5548 is collecting old and gently used Halloween costumes. Take this opportunity to clean out your closets and make a child's Halloween special! The costumes will be donated to the Monarch School for underprivileged children in San Diego. We encourage you or your child to bring in costumes and drop them off in the bin in your school's office. The drive will begin on Monday, October 7th and end on Friday, November 8th, giving you the opportunity to give old costumes for this Halloween, and then donate your recent costumes for the kids next year. If you have any questions, please contact nadohalloweencostumedrive@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!
SSES Voyager Student Leadership Opportunities
Silver Strand Elementary School
Leadership Opportunities
Our goal at SSES is to provide students with a variety of opportunities to develop and practice their leadership skills. We hope that these opportunities will foster a greater sense of community and/or improve self-esteem by:
helping students connect with staff and younger students on campus in meaningful ways,
helping students take on a challenge and grow their character through responsibility and teamwork, and
helping students become champions for each other and encouraging success across our campus
To that end, we are re-envisioning student leadership to ensure that Voyagers can be involved and grow without competitive elections/hierarchies (we believe practicing for those levels of leadership is more developmentally appropriate at middle and high school).
Our students will have opportunities to join:
- Curbside Host Crew (5th Grade)
Friday Flagpole Crew (K-5th Grade): Please use this link to sign up your child (with their awareness and enthusiasm!) to assist with the pledge of allegiance, announcements, and Voyager Crew Cards.
- Mentorship Crew (5th Grade--5th grade teachers are sending notices home regarding these opportunities)
- Spirit Crew (stay tuned; we are collaborating with PTO to form a Spirit Crew to help plan fun days and activities!
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK: OCT 15-18
Calendar Events
This Week and Next:
Mon 10/14: District Holiday/No School
Tues 15-18: School Lunch Week: Get a free dessert with lunch purchase
Tues 10/15: APEX Fun Run Kickoff Assembly and "Sporty" Spirit Dress Day (wear team or sporty gear)
Wed 10/16: PICTURE MAKEUP DAY
Thurs 10/17: School Board Meeting (4PM at District Office)
SAT 10/19: CSF Gala & Auction at Hotel Del Coronado
And Beyond:
Thurs 10/24: APEX Fun Run and Panera Restaurant Night
Fri 10/25: Ice Cream Friday and 4th Grade Bring a Parent to Lunch (11:30 AM)
11/4-8: Parent-Teacher Conferences (Students Early Release at 1:40)
Thurs 11/7: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
Mon 11/11: Veteran's Day Holiday/No School
Wed 11/13: Lamb's Players "SLAM" Assembly (Anti-Bullying)
Fri 11/15: PTO Family Fun Night at SSES: Howdy Hoedown
Fri 11/22: PTO Pies for Teachers
11/25-29: Thanksgiving Holiday/No School
Thurs 11/5: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
12/9-13: Holiday Shoppe at SSES
Fri 12/20-1/3/20: Winter Holiday/No School
Mon 1/6/20: School Resumes
Thurs 1/9: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
Fri 1/17/20: Teacher Workday/No School for Students
Mon 1/20/20: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday/No School
Thurs 1/30: Late-Start: all students start at 10:00AM and Math Night at SSES
Fri 1/31: 3rd Grade Bring a Parent to Lunch (12:15PM)
Thurs 2/6: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
Fri 2/14-Mon 2/17: Presidents' Weekend/No School
Thurs 2/27: Spring Open House
Fri 2/28: 2nd Grade Bring a Parent to Lunch (12:15)
Thurs 3/5: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
Fri 3/13: PTO Family Fun Night: Freaky Friday Dance
Wed 3/18, 4:30-9 PM: CSF Telethon at CHS
Thurs 3/19: Late-Start: all students start at 10:00AM
Fri 3/27: 1st Grade Bring a Parent to Lunch (11:50)
3/30-4/3: Spring Break Holiday/No School
Tues 4/7-Thurs 4/9: Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences (Students Early Release)
Thurs 4/9: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
Fri 4/10-Mon 4/13: District Holiday/No School
Fri 4/24: Kindergarten Bring a Parent to Lunch (11:50) and 25th SSES Luau!
Thurs 5/7: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
5/25: Memorial Day Holiday/No School
6/4: General PTO meeting at SSES, 8:30 AM
6/11/20: 5th Grade Promotion/Last Day of School/Early Release
PTO News and Updates
Our PTO Board:
- President: Lori Blauert
- Vice President: Nellie Ritter
- Treasurer: Leslie Broussard
- Secretary: Leigh-ann Williamson
- Parliamentarian: Lisa Emme
- Luau Coordinator: Heather Pettit
In addition to building community, supporting curriculum, and enriching students' school experience, the Silver Strand PTO is responsible for Family Fun Nights, Holiday Shoppe, Yearbook and Luau to name a few. Our fundraising efforts provide for school field trips and enrichments clubs. We are unable to do what we do without the support of Silver Strand families, teachers and staff. You can join online now! Link: http://bit.ly/2yMRMTL Please let us know on our membership form where you would like to help us with your time and talents.
After-School Enrichment Clubs
Our SSES PTO is proud to sponsor and coordinate after-school enrichment clubs for students in grades K-5 from 3-4 PM Monday through Thursday (note that these clubs are not part of the CUSD/SSES instructional day, and clubs are run by private organizations/non-CUSD employees).
SSES Teacher Karen Pierro works with our PTO as a coordinator/liaison.
The Clubs Schedule is posted here.
Coronado SAFE Events and Activities
Coronado SAFE supports healthy families and children through workshops/"coffee talks," school programs, speakers, and counseling.
Thank you to Coronado SAFE for visiting our kindergarten classrooms to teach them "Turtle Time" self-regulation skills!
Morning Dropoff and Afternoon Dismissal in 2019-20
Our new bell schedule means ALL students TK-5th Grade will start school at 8:10 AM (same as this past year), and ALL Kindergarten-5th Graders will release at 2:55 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and at 1:40 on Wednesdays (Transitional Kindergarten will release at 11:50 each day).
Adult supervision outside school in the morning does not begin until 7:50 AM; please do not plan to drop your child off prior to this time unless they are participating in band/choir/other officially supervised school activities.
IN THE MORNINGS: TK and Kindergarten students will line up outside the gate to the right of our office door each morning by 8:05 AM to be picked up by their teachers and escorted to class. First graders will enter the same gate and proceed to class at the first bell. All other grades enter the gates to the left by Strand Hall when the first bell rings to line up by class on the blacktop.
IN CASE OF RAIN OR INCLEMENT WEATHER, students will report to Strand Hall and line up in designated areas in the Hall.
At the end of the school day, Kindergarten teachers will escort their students to the PRESCHOOL GATE for parent pickup ahead of other students, so parents of kindergarteners should plan for their students to be ready to reunite with you 5-10 minutes before 2:55 (or 1:40 on Wednesdays).
We encourage those students/families who can walk/bike/scooter to do so!
Crosswalk Safety
Dropoff/Pickup Safety
Military Connections
Silver Strand Elementary School is SO fortunate to have the full-time services of our very own MFLC (Military Family Life Counselor), Marie Millard! Our MFLC is available to help students through the emotions and transitions associated with military life.
Nominations and Applications Open for Operation Homefront’s 2020 Military Child of the Year® Awards
ABOUT THE AWARDS
Six Military Child of the Year® (MCOY) Awards are presented to one outstanding child from each service branch: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the National Guard. The awards recognize the recipients for their resiliency, leadership, and achievement during their parents’ service. Each recipient receives a free trip along with two guests to Washington, D.C., a laptop, and a cash award of $10,000.
The seventh award is the Military Child of the Year® Award for Innovation. This award goes to a military child who has designed a bold and creative solution to address a local, regional, or global challenge. The recipient receives a $10,000 cash award, a laptop, a free trip along with two guests to Washington, D.C., and donated business expertise in bringing the solution to market. Booz Allen Hamilton has presented this award and provided the experts for the last four years.
Recipients and their families will arrive in Washington, D.C., on March 30-31, 2020, for events, tours, and activities leading up to the Awards Gala. The gala will be held the evening of Thursday, April 2, 2020.
ELIGIBILITY
All applicants must meet each of the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a legal dependent of a service member or military retiree (Finalists must provide DEERS enrollment form)
- Be between the ages of 13-18 at time of nomination
- Be able to travel to Washington, D.C., to attend the MCOY Gala and other events (March 30 or 31 – April 3, 2020)
- Agree to a background check (if selected as finalist)
- Provide letters of recommendation (if selected as a semifinalist)
- Be willing to participate in media and donor opportunities
WHO MAY NOMINATE FOR THE MILITARY CHILD OF THE YEAR® AWARD
Parents, siblings, teachers, coaches, clergy, neighbors, grandparents, and anyone familiar with the child’s achievements.
HOW TO NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR A MILITARY CHILD OF THE YEAR® SERVICE BRANCH AWARD
Simply go to www.militarychildoftheyear.org and click the Nominations tab. Nomination fields include when and how long a parent has deployed, number of family moves, Gold Star Family or EFMP status, whether a parent is a wounded service member, nominee’s volunteerism, and five short answers as to why the nominee is deserving.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE MILITARY CHILD OF THE YEAR® AWARD FOR INNOVATION
Youth ages 13-18 may apply for the Innovation Award at www.militarychildoftheyear.org during the application period. They are not required to be nominated by another person.
WHEN TO NOMINATE OR APPLY
The nomination and application periods open September 17, 2019, and close December 9, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
QUESTIONS
Please visit our website, www.militarychildoftheyear.org, and click (FAQs) frequently asked questions. The website provides a wealth of program details, including profiles of previous recipients. For further information, contact Jenny Valderas, Director of Family Support Services, (210) 549-4603 or Jenny.Valderas@operationhomefront.org.
Military Spouse Support Meetings:
Village Wed. Nov. 20 8:30-9:30 Building Resiliency in Children
Strand Wed. Feb. 19 8:30-9:30 Supporting Your Child Through Deployment
ECDC Wed. May 20 8:30-9:30 Transitions
For information about military-sponsored activities for youth, visit the Fleet and Family Services website here.
Coronado Schools Foundation Events & Updates
Coronado Schools Foundation Online Auction Is LIVE!
This year’s Online Auction which features more than 250 unique items, including great local deals & steals. Participants can register and Bid for Kids! at https://e.givesmart.com/events/dxK/. All proceeds benefit Coronado Unified schools and students.
Volunteers Needed:
If you’d like to volunteer for the Oct 19th Gala, please sign up here! Job descriptions and times are listed.
Coronado Public Library Events for October
2019-20 Parent and Student Handbook
Community Agreements and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
How Does Coronado Unified School District Communicate with Families?
Stay Connected with Silver Strand Elementary School!!
Check out and "like" our Facebook page to see photos of student events and programs! https://www.facebook.com/Silver-Strand-Elementary-School-176775765849277/