LCMS Newsletter
May 2021
Note from Kelly Hatton, Principal
Hello, Las Colinas' Families,
Things are getting back to normal here on campus! Although we are still focused on being distanced and masked, our students' enthusiasm, sense of humor and all over energy is back to normal! Spring has sprung! We are happy to see them so happy, but we do ask for your help in reminding them of the importance of following school rules and expectations. (Special help in reminding them to remain 6 feet of distance and keep hands off of others would be particularly helpful.) Thanks for your help!
We are now six weeks away from summer, and we have a lot to cover before we get there. CAASPP state testing is around the corner, and promotions will follow soon after that! We look forward to enjoying the end of this school year with our kids and with you! As always, please do reach out if you have any questions, concerns and/or ideas for us.
With gratitude,
Kelly Hatton, Principal
Mustangs in the Classroom
Students and staff have adapted to the safety guidelines this year, and have continued to thrive even under the most unique of circumstances. We look forward to getting things back to normal, but everyone has made the very best of an interesting year. Because we now have new outdoor learning spaces, many teachers look forward to continuing with the trend of getting kids outside! Both inside and outside, our Mustangs are awesome!
Intramural Sports
Thanks to our PE teachers for organizing some fun lunchtime activities for our students and staff! With ASB funds, we have purchased some new intramural equipment such as Pickle Ball paddles/balls, footballs, small soccer goals and Corn Hole sets. Our students and staff have been playing games at lunch, having a great time together!
PTSA Honorary Service Awards
We are grateful to PTSA, Las Colinas’ parent, Amanda Searle, and her HSA committee for their dedication to our students and our entire Las Colinas team. The committee recently honored last year’s and this year’s HSA honorees. Per Ms. Searle, “Honorary Service Awards (HSA) are an avenue which our Las Colinas PTSA organization recognizes the service and dedication of both individuals and organizations. Contributions to the HSA Program Provide funds for the California State PTA Scholarship & Grant Programs. Recipients are recognized for outstanding service to children and youth. Consideration is given to those who work behind the scenes, organizations that provide continued support to our children and youth, and those individuals who continue to volunteer their time, energy and talents.”
This year, the committee honored our recently retired SAA, Karen Lariviere, with a “Very Special Person” award for her dedication and service during this challenging year as well as her service in the years leading up to now. The committee also very generously honored our ENTIRE Las Colinas’ staff with this year’s “Honorary Service Award” for their outstanding service during this unprecedented year of a world-wide pandemic. What an incredible honor to our well-deserving, incredible team. Please see the below video to learn more about the honorees.
Social-emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum - SECOND STEP
Progress Reports & Report Cards
In order to show you and your child how your student is progressing, progress reports are posted in Parent Connect during each quarter. At the end of each quarter, your child will then have their report card grades posted in Parent Connect
Quarter 4 Progress Reports - Posted to Parent Connect 5/21/21
Quarter 4 Report Cards - Posted to Parent Connect 6/18/21
8th Grade Dress for Success
The Quiet Moment
LC teacher, Linda Kimball, has embedded "The Quiet Moment" into her classroom for several years. She has been inspiring our team to learn more about it. LC teacher, Robin Belvedere, organized a mini workshop through "Saving Lives Camarillo" for teachers recently, and many teachers are excited about providing this mindfulness opportunity to our students. Students have received a brief introduction about it, and some classrooms are beginning to provide students (& staff) with a "quiet moment." To learn more about "The Quiet Moment," please read below and see the parent letter and brief video. Thank you!! We are excited to help our students to manage themselves in a calm way.
Per Alyson Lucas of "Saving Lives Camarillo," "The Quiet Moment is very simple, it is simply one minute of quiet reflection within the classroom, typically with the lights turned off, where students breathe, reflect, and rest with the guidance of their teacher. Personally, I have been touched by the student testimonials that I have heard through talking to LCMS students. It takes a total of three minutes out of teaching time and can be an everyday practice within classrooms, or even employed when a classroom discusses something emotionally heavy, gets rowdy, or is preparing for an exam."
Promotion Ceremony
June 16 - 12:30-3:00 - Last Names A-L
June 17 - 12:30-3:00 - Last Names M-Z (+ VCOE students)
CAASPP State Testing
Our students will be participating in the English Language Arts and Math CAASPP tests with practice tests starting on May 13th. (Please see the testing schedule below.) Testing will take place on campus during their "on campus" cohort days. For students who do not come to campus and are at home for "Distance Learning," Mrs. Green has emailed you with options. If you have any questions about testing, please email Mrs. Green at jgreen@pleasantvalleysd.org.
Standing Ovation Award
Drop- in English Language Arts and Math Tutoring
ELA - Mrs. Brockett - Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30
Math - Mr. Castaneda - Fridays, 2:30-3:30
Students may use the ELA Zoom Tutoring if they need help for any subject that requires reading, writing or projects (English Language Arts, History, or Science) on Wednesdays @ 2:30 PM with Ms. Brockett. Students can drop into the ELA Zoom session at any time between 2:30 PM- 3:30 PM to get help on assignments.
Please have your child access the Zoom links for these tutoring sessions by visiting their ELA and/or math teacher's Google Classroom.
Important Information (Click "buttons.")
"Coffee with Kelly"
Please join us Friday, May 28 from 8:30-9:15 (New date due to state testing.)
We look forward to meeting our new families, and welcoming families we have not seen in a while! Each month, you are invited to gather with Principal Hatton to discuss campus topics. This year we have been meeting virtually. The next "Coffee with Kelly" will take place on Friday, May 28 from 8:30-9:15 am. A Zoom link will be emailed out to families as we get closer to the date.
This month, I will be sharing survey results from the recent staff and family LCAP surveys. We will also be talking about promotion, next year and student expectations including dress code. Your input is always incredibly valuable to our school. Please join us!
PTSA
JOIN US May 12!
Please join us!
Hello Las Colinas Families.
Our Las Colinas PTSA continues to work on supporting our students, teachers and staff.
Membership Renewal or becoming a New Member is easier than ever - sign up through our electronic system, Totem, use this link: https://jointotem.com/ca/camarillo/lc-ptsa
PTSA Meetings will be on Zoom for now. All are welcome at all meetings!
Meetings this year are the SECOND Wednesday of each month @7:00 PM.
Look for us on Facebook- Las Colinas Middle School PTSA & Instagram - Las Colinas PTSA For more information e-mail:
Las Colinas President Dan Kuykendall: dkdistrict@yahoo.com with any questions
PTSA Meeting Dates (all 7 pm) (Zoom invites will be emailed before meetings.)
05/12
06/09
Communications
*Weekly Parent Emails
*Monthly Newsletters
*LCMS Website
*Monthly "Coffee with Kelly"
*Twitter Updates of Campus Happenings
*Facebook Updates of Campus Happenings
*Instagram Updates of Campus Happenings **NEW**
Please FOLLOW us on Instagram (**NEW**)
Please "friend" us on Facebook
Please follow us on Twitter
Important Dates:
5/12- PTSA Meeting, 7pm via Zoom
5/21 - Minimum Day for Students (noon dismissal)
5/24 - Memorial Day - No School
5/28 - Coffee with Kelly, 8:30-9:15 via Zoom
6/10 - 8th Grade Extended Lunch - Cohort A
6/11 - 8th Grade Extended Lunch - Cohort B
6/16 - Minimum Day for Students
6/16 - 8th Grade Walk-Thru Promotion (A-L by specific time frames)
6/17 - Minimum Day for Students
6/17 - 8th Grade Walk-Thru Promotion (M-Z by specific time frames)
6/18 - Minimum Day & Last Day of School