From the Abernethy Office

We are now in week 3 of school and it is definitely feeling like we are in our groove! Students are busy in their classrooms, we have started our 4th and 5th grade recess choir club with Ms. Devicq, Mr. Hartmann's running club just finished day #2, Safety Patrol started today and the number of students going home sick each day is increasing.

Yes, the cold and stomach bug are going around. I just want to take this time to remind families how we can keep each other healthy this year. We want all our students and staff members to be at school each and every day, however it will take a team effort to help make that even the slightest bit possible. Students and staff should be excluded from the school setting if they exhibit:

1. FEVER: a measured temperature equal to or greater than 100.4°F orally. • MAY RETURN AFTER fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicine.

2. COUGH: persistent cough that is not yet diagnosed and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider OR any acute (non-chronic) cough illness that is frequent or severe enough to interfere with participation in usual school activities. • MAY RETURN AFTER symptoms improving for 24 hours (no cough or cough well-controlled.)

3. DIFFICULTY BREATHING OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH not explained by situation such as exercise: feeling unable to catch their breath, gasping for air, breathing too fast or too shallowly, breathing with extra effort such as using muscles of the stomach, chest, or neck. • MAY RETURN AFTER symptoms improving for 24 hours. • This symptom is likely to require immediate medical attention

4. HEADACHE WITH STIFF NECK AND FEVER. • MAY RETURN AFTER fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicine AND symptoms resolve. • This combination of symptoms may indicate a serious condition. Advise student’s guardian to seek medical attention.

5. DIARRHEA: three or more watery or loose stools in 24 hours OR sudden onset of loose stools OR student unable to control bowel function when previously able. • MAY RETURN AFTER 48 hours after diarrhea resolves OR after seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider or LPHA for specific diarrheal diagnoses.

6. VOMITING: at least 1 episode that is unexplained. • MAY RETURN AFTER 48 hours after last episode of vomiting OR after seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider.

It was so great to see all the families, friends and students at our Back to School Picnic last Friday!

Thank you to all who came out to mix and mingle, have dinner and say hello to other Abernethy family and friends. This was an idea that came from a meeting that we had at the end of last year with our Abernethy's Parent JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) group.

Do you want to get involved with our JEDI group? Please email me and I will be happy to send you more information and other meeting dates!

• Each year parents and/or guardians are asked to review and update the information on file for their children (students). This information can be reviewed, edited and submitted online via PPS ParentVUE.

  Verify Online

  Benefits of verifying online via ParentVUE:

  • Complete yearly verification of your student's information
  • You can update your communication and language preferences
  • Ensures your school has the most up to date information
  • Saves paper and time

September 15 marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Every year from September 15th to October 15th, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month as a way to honor the distinctive histories and cultures of Hispanics in the U.S. and the myriad ways in which they have contributed to America’s development. The 2023 National Hispanic Heritage Month theme, “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America”, highlights the contributions of Hispanics to America’s economic, political, and social grow!

It may seem interesting that Hispanic Heritage Month starts mid-month, on September 15. This date is not one that is pulled out of the blue; it commemorates the independence day of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico follows shortly after, celebrating its independence on September 16. This kickoff date serves as an important reminder of the strong cultural ties and historical context that is the foundation of the Hispanic community in the United States.

To begin our month long celebration, we will start by looking at Hispanic and Latino Authors and Illustrators.

Here is a link to some Hispanic Heritage Author/ Illustrator Studies. You may know some of the books, however, on each slide you will find a link to the Author or Illustrator's website that has more information on their work.

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, Sept. 15 and ends at sundown, 10 days later on Sept. 17, with Yom Kippur.

Rosh Hashanah, the “head of the year” is the Jewish New Year and is celebrated on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Since the Jewish day begins at night, the holiday commences on the evening of Friday, September 15th.

Rosh Hashanah Traditions

The traditional way to wish someone a Happy New Year in Hebrew is by saying “Shana Tova.” In Hebrew this means “A Good Year.” There are many traditions associated with Rosh Hashanah, including the following:

• Attending synagogue and spending time with family and friends.
• Reflecting on the year before and repenting for any wrongdoings and then reflecting on the year ahead to start afresh.
• Wear white and new clothes, symbolizing purity.
• Sounding of the ram’s horn, shofar, on both mornings.

It has been fun being out with all grade levels for recess this year! Each grade level brings on a different level of excitement. This week I want to highlight the 4th and 5th grade recess!

Four Square definitely is what brings the most noise and excitement! Our Futsal court is still getting some use, especially with Ms. Hartle's guidance on boundaries and rules. Our field is providing a great big space to play soccer.... without using any sidelines and students are enjoying walking around and finding spaces to hang out and talk.

The Abernethy Eagle Track Club is up and running!

Mr. Hartmann is ready to go every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 - 8:30!

It is not too late to register!

Eagle Track Registration

Every Wednesday the Abernethy Bike Bus provides a consistent, fun and safe way for kids and parents to bike together to school. We find that it builds student confidence, builds social skills, gets exercise and reduces traffic. For many families it transforms the trip to school into an event to anticipate and enjoy.

- Choose either the Clinton Greenway Route or the Lincoln-Harrison Greenway Route (see attached flyer map and times)

- We need adult volunteers to help organize & keep kids safe from cars. Join our Volunteer Bike Bus Leader WhatsApp Group. No previous group riding experience required.

Clinton Bike Bus Route schedule (join in at any point along the route):

• Gather on Clinton just west of Cesar Chavez at 8:10am
• Departs Cesar Chavez and Clinton at 8:15am, heading West.
• Departs Clinton St Plaza (26th) at 8:25am
• Ladd's Circle at 8:30am
• 1 lap around Ladd's circle to celebrate and cheer; cruise into school on Elliot to the gazebo at 8:35am to give kids time to lock bikes and line up.
• (Optional) Join the Clinton Route Parents: Abernethy Bike Bus WhatsApp Group for occasional important communications.

Lincoln-Harrison Bike Bus Route schedule (join in at any point along the route):

• Gather next to Joe Bike at 8:15am
• Departs Joe Bike at 8:20am, heading West.
• Departs St. David of Wales Church at 8:25am
• Ladd's Circle at 8:30am
• 1 lap around Ladd's circle to celebrate and cheer; cruise into school on Elliot to the gazebo at 8:35am to give kids time to lock bikes and line up.
• (Optional) Join the Lincoln Route Parents: Abernethy Bike Bus WhatsApp Group for occasional important communications.

SAFETY

• Helmets required!
• If your child does not already ride to school on their own, please plan on biking with us for the first rides to make sure they can bike safely in a group.
• At road crossings where we'll stop the group to gather, post up adult and make sure cars wait while we cross en masse.
• Please ride behind the Bike Bus Driver-- the one with the speaker playing the tunes.

No bike bus home-- you can team up with families on your block to get small groups of kids home. If you're interested in consistently organizing & leading a larger bike bus home, let us know.

Questions? Concerns? Let us know! -Aaron & Jake (Abernethy parents & kids-on-bikes enthusiasts)

Aaron: 650-390-3405

Jake: 503-489-9567

Friday September 15th - Rosh Hashanah begins

Friday September 15th - Hispanic Heritage Month Begins

Thursday and Friday - September 21 & 22 - School Photos - Times TBA

Thursday - September 21 - PTA Community Meeting - 6:30 - 8:00pm

Tuesday September 26 - Lock Down Drill Lock, Lights, Out Of Sight - (more information to come)

Thursday September 28 - Back To School Night - 5:30 - 7:00pm

• TAG Presentation 5:00 - 5:30
• Cafeteria Presentation 5:30 - 6:00
• Classroom visits 6:00 - 6:25 and 6:30 - 6:55

PTA General Meeting - September 21st - 6:30pm - 8:00pm

The PTA hosts general community meetings throughout the school year in the Abernethy auditorium. All families are invited to attend and childcare is available in the cafeteria for in-person meetings. There will be a way to watch the meetings live online but you’ll need to be there in person to speak, vote and participate.

Note: only PTA members may vote on motions. Community members must sign up for PTA membership at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date. Roll call is taken at each meeting. Members must be present to vote. Sign up here today.

What is the PTA? You are! The Abernethy Elementary School PTA is for anyone and everyone– parents, teachers, staff, grandparents, neighbors, friends– who have an interest in supporting our school. Be part of the solution! Our mission is to enrich our children’s educational experience through PTA programs, events, and classroom support. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.

Sign up here to join the Abernethy Elementary School PTA

Becoming a PTA member is a great way to get involved with the school community and find out firsthand from the PTA board, committee members, and the school administration what is happening in our school and district.

Sign up for Konstella

The PTA uses a platform called Konstella to coordinate events, volunteer opportunities, celebrations and fundraisers. If you haven’t already, please:

1. Download the Konstella app

2. Register using Abernethy’s code: IKYCP9

3. Place your child in her classroom so that you are kept in the classroom communication loop (instructions).

Volunteer opportunities

Some of our key volunteers have kids that are moving on up to middle school. We need your support! Send a note to board@supportabernethy.org if you’re interested or have questions about any of the positions.

Volunteer to lead improvements to the Abernethy grounds

• We need help working with PPS, the PTA and the community to improve our student’s outdoor space.

• Context: Back in 2020 the Abernethy PTA had budgeted seed money to replace the turf at the back of the school. We’ve been holding onto that seed money until we are in a stable condition with health, safety and school leadership. We’re now asking for volunteers to lead a committee on how to spend those funds on our playground. The areas which we are looking to improve are the turf space, the ramp to the gazebo, and drainage of the bark chips (which can get quite muddy with the rain).

Volunteer to lead our Equity & Inclusion Committee

• Let us know if you are a person who likes to work with people and can engage our community in conversations and learning about equity and inclusion. Most of this role can be done remotely but you would need to be onsite during some events.

Volunteer to co-lead our PTA Annual Appeal

• Maybe you prefer to work behind the scenes? This role is for a person who wants to make a significant impact on the financial viability of Abernethy’s programs and help for a concentrated period of time, not all year. Email beth.schuenemann@supportabernethy.org for more information.

Volunteer to co-lead Mini Grants

• Interested in helping coordinate our mini grants program? In this role you will work with our school leadership, PTA, and volunteers to review and track applications as well as communicate with applicants throughout the process. Most of the role can be done off campus, and is wrapped up by January! Email mark.lawson@supportabernethy.org for more information.

Volunteer to be a Classroom Lead

• Want to be more involved at the classroom level for volunteer coordination and classroom celebrations? More details on the role here. Fill out this Google form if you’re interested!

• Abernethy's Annual Tour de Ladd Bike-and-Scoot-a-thon Fundraiser is coming soon!

• Volunteer sign ups, donation pages and a schedule of grade level times will all be sent out shortly

Welcome to a new school year from the TAG Office!

The Talented and Gifted (TAG) office supports students, teachers, and schools with systems and structures for the TAG referral process, acceleration, and professional development for supporting student learning needs. If you have a question about TAG that your child’s teacher, school TAG facilitator, and principal are not able to answer, please use Let’s Talk to communicate with the TAG office. This is the best way to ensure your questions are answered in a timely manner.

The dates below are estimates based on the current school calendar and are subject to change due to disruptions such as snow days.

• Identification happens in the fall and winter.
• Single Subject Acceleration in Math and Whole Grade Acceleration windows open March 1.
• The ACCESS Lottery opens in mid-February

Abernethy wants to ensure that all students feel included in all that we do. If ever you feel you need assistance for any reason, please fill out this confidential form or reach out to Jenny Morgan, our school Counselor.