The Triton Tribune
Be Kind ~ Be Awesome ~ Make The Right Choices
Volume 2 ~ Issue 5 ~ August 24, 2020
Wonderful Triton Staff,
"True life is lived when tiny changes occur." ~Leo Tolstoy~
Thank you for your patience through all the class changes that were made to meet the class balancing deadline in the district. As we move into week 4, we are finally able settle into a normal rhythm of learning, which hopefully provides more structure in your homes during the distance learning portion of the day. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. Teachers have been working hard to try to provide normalcy in your children's school time; it has not been easy but when I hear teachers say, "It was better than last week," then I know that we are moving in the right direction.
Below are information that are significant to Week 4 and beyond.
Virtual Open House - August 26, 2020
- There will be two parts to the Open House: a) Live Broadcast and b) Virtual Videos of each teacher's classroom
- Live Broadcast or Event will begin at 6:00pm. Parents can join by clicking on this link or scanning the QR code found in the picture below or on the website.
- Parents who are not able to access the Live Broadcast due to technical issues, the event will be recorded and posted to the website on the second part.
- After the Live Broadcast, students and their parents will be asked to log on to their Google Classrooms where they will watch a video from either you or your PLC.
- PLCs, please do not forget to upload your video in our Open House Folder [link]. Submit by tomorrow evening.
Triton Traits
This week, we started incorporating our Triton Traits into our daily routine. The Triton Trait in August is KINDNESS. Below is a video that some of our Triton family have shared about what they believe kindness is. Listen to our students as they say really profound things about their belief of what kindness is. Teachers, as part of your SEL in the classroom, create a kindness calendar [link] together with your students. This will demonstrate our intentions of being kind.
Attendance Policy
Please read the information below on Attendance. We have created a general clearance form for all absences. This is a reminder that FAC has agreed on behalf of all teachers on a uniform policy on how to take attendance during synchronous instruction, even if your students miss it due to technical issues. Please go over that new protocol with them. Also, if
students have additional questions about an attendance that has not been cleared in the last three weeks, have their parents/guardians email our attendance clerk, Ms. Corona. Her email is danielle.corona@sweetwaterschools.org.
Academic Grades
In discussion Faculty Advisory Committee this week, we have agreed to be gracious and show leniency on assignments in the last three weeks. Starting this week, teachers will be implementing their grading policy that has been shared with the students this past week. Please ensure that you have included your grading policy in your virtual video for Open House.
Student Video-Conferencing Guidelines Released
This past week, the district released its student video-conference guidelines. The assistant principals will be going over these guidelines during the behavior expectation virtual assemblies during PE starting August 31. One of the new requirements is that students are expected to show their faces during attendance check-in for a few seconds while teachers are taking attendance. While this is a requirement, please find a gracious alternative way in which students can show their faces if they are reluctant during the live sessions, such as waiting until the end of the synchronous portion. There may be students who are embarrassed to show their home lives.
Change in the Friday Schedule District-Wide
The district informed us last week that there will be an additional 10 minutes added to the Friday schedule starting in September. A memo will be sent to you regarding this change.
Student Wellness Safety Protocol
As we move deeper into the school year, students may start sharing some confidential issues that they are currently facing. Students somehow believe in the anonymity of distance learning. If this happens, please follow the protocol outlined below.
Below are information that are pertinent to the week. They appear in this order:
- ELM Virtual Open House
- August Triton Trait: Kindness & Triton of the Week Nominations
- Attendance Policy
- Attendance Information: How to Clear Absences
- Textbook/Instrument/Device Pick-up Information
- SUHSD Video-Conferencing Guidelines
- Yearbook Request for Summer Activities
- Lunch Application Information
- ELM Spirit GEAR on Sale
- ELM Virtual Daily Schedule
- Distance Learning Platform Utiliy Infographics
- ELM Technology Support Line
- A Guide to Student Login Credentials
Finally, please refer to the website for updates. We update it on a daily basis.
Here is the link to the parent newsletter.
Let's have an amazing week!
Mrs. Finley
Triton of the Week Nominations
As we highlight the traits each month, we also want to recognize students for exemplifying them with the Triton of the Week nominations! You can submit your nominations electronically using this form. We ask that you limit your nomination to one (1) student a week and reserve nominations for those who truly epitomize what the Triton Trait of each month is all about. All nominations received by 1:30pm on Fridays will be considered by Admin who will select one 8th grader and one 7th grader to be recognized on the weekly Triton Tribune.
In the advent of distance learning, a new protocol has been established to ensure that students are not marked absent due to technical difficulties. If students do not complete the new protocol by 3:00pm of that day, then parents will have to follow protocols for clearing absences.The protocol is listed below. It is also posted on the website.
How To Clear Absences
- Absences are to be cleared in writing with a parent note or physician/medical note. Notes needs to have student’s name, date of the absence, reason for the absence, and parent/guardian/medical provider’s name and signature.
- Blanket excuses, or notes without a reason provided for the absence will not be accepted: e.g. “Please clear all my student’s absences.”
- Absences must to be cleared within 30 days.
- To clear an absence, click on this link to access the clearance form.
How To Clear Absences as a Result of Missing Synchronous Instruction
- The student must email the teacher via Jupiter Grades by 3:00pm of the same day.
- Once the teacher receives an email stating that the student could not get in due to technical issues, the teacher will change the absent to present.
- If a student misses that window, the protocol for clearing absences must be followed by the parent.
Textbook Pick-up:
Please email your respective administrators to schedule an appointment to pick up textbooks. Since we are on office rotation starting August 24, your assistant principal or psychologist will be able to support you on the day that they are here.
7th Grade Assistant Principal
Mr. Mendel Nafarrete
Email: mendel.nafarrete@sweetwaterschools.org
8th Grade Assistant Principal
Dr. Christianna Adams
Email: christianna.adams@sweetwaterschools.org
School Psychologist
Mr. Ruben Sanchez
Email: ruben.sanchez@sweetwaterschools.org
Instrument Pick-up
You will need to make arrangements with your respective teachers, Mr. Hagen or Mr. Academia, to pick up or tune your instruments.
IPAD Pick-Up or Repairs
Currently, we are still waiting for more IPADs to be sent to the school sites. Once we receive them, we will give students who have not received their IPADs as of yet. If you do not have a personal device from which to work from, please let your respective administrators know. We will contact your teachers for you. In the meantime, your teachers have been asked to provide an alternative means for you to submit assignments, including turning in hard copies.
For repairs, please contact Mr. Doyle, by completing this request for technology help form [link]. When Mr. Doyle receives them, he will address each issue on a first-come first-served basis.
2020-21 School Year Lunch Applications for Free or Reduced Meals
In order to receive free or reduced lunch, all students must complete a 2020-21 lunch application. If you received free or reduced meals last year and have not renewed your lunch application this year, services to you may have already stopped. To make sure that you have secured this support, please complete the lunch application using one of the methods below.
1. Complete the ONLINE lunch application in your Campus Portal.
- This is the preferred method.
- Click on this link to access Campus Portal
- Click on this link to access the PowerPoint Tutorial on how to complete the application.
2. Complete the PAPER lunch application.
- Contact Dr. Adams for a paper copy. Click on this link to email her.
- Click on the link on how to complete the paper application. English [link] Spanish [link].
If you have completed your application and you have been approved, you will need to obtain your child's barcode. To create a student barcode from your Campus Portal, please click on this link to follow the instructions on creating a student barcode.
Eastlake Middle School
Email: easter.finley@sweetwaterschools.org
Website: elm.sweetwaterschools.org
Location: 900 Duncan Ranch Road, Chula Vista, CA, USA
Phone: 619.591.4000
Twitter: @erfinleysd