Cheetah Chat
August 9, 2022
Welcome to Leo R. Croce Elementary
I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all new and returning students for the 2022-2023 school year. You are part of an amazing learning community where you are valued and appreciated.
We are already off to a great start. Teachers have been preparing their classrooms, the office staff is registering new families, preparing class rosters and ordering materials, our custodians have spent the summer deep cleaning all areas of campus, and our fabulous PTA is revving up to welcome families, offer school-wide events, and provide volunteer opportunities.
Many of our families look forward to back to school shopping. Please keep in mind that teachers will be providing your child/ren with the materials needed in the classroom. Backpacks for all students should be large enough to hold a Chromebook, binder, and folders. This does not mean that your child will be toting all three to and from school each day! Just keep in mind the size of the backpack when making your purchase.
At Leo R. Croce Elementary, we strive towards a culture of positivity and kindness, while maintaining high, yet attainable, expectations in academics and behavior. It is our pleasure to partner with you in fostering a love for learning in your child/ren. Let's make it a great year!
New Team Members
Jessica McDonald will be working with our Resource students this year.
Tessa Ortner and Mary Kramer have joined our Preschool Team. Both will be teaching 3 and 4 year olds in Language Acquisition and Social Skills (LASS) classrooms.
A number of paraprofessionals have been hired to support students in Preschool, as well as the Integrated Learning Program. We are pleased to welcome Ranjani Seetharaman, Herbert Russell, Casey Grasseschi, Meena Pachiyappan, Jacqueline Macias, and Mercedes Blazo.
All of our new hires have impressive resumes and a passion to share their knowledge with our Cheetahs.
Facilities Update
If you drove past the school this summer or tried to gain access to the playground and field, you may have noticed a new construction project. Our playground received a complete makeover. First, our back parking lot was removed to make way for a larger playground as well as a shaded area for students to gather during recess. Then restripping and painting began. We now have sensory paths, cricket pitches, futsal, and cornhole, among the standard hopscotch, tetherball, and basketball courts.
Pre-COVID, our very generous PTA opened a Makerspace for students to visit with their teachers to foster learning through inquiry. This space has been relocated to our former computer lab and many teachers have donated their time this summer to getting all the materials labeled and organized. If you are interested in donating materials, please select something from this list. Since most of the materials being used are consumable, we can never have enough!
Croce Walk Through and Social
If you are unable to attend the event on Wednesday, August 17th and/or you would like your child to become familiar with our campus before the start of school, the gates will be unlocked on Saturday, August 20th and Sunday, August 21st from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Class Assignments
We thank you in advance for holding positive conversations with your child to help him/her understand that placement with a best friend or preferred teacher is not always possible. Please know that it can take a few weeks for a child to acclimate to a new teacher, grade level, and peer group. Our team of highly educated teachers are eagerly looking forward to providing a quality education to your child while supporting him/her through this adjustment period.
Teachers will be releasing welcome letters on Friday, August 12th at 4:00 p.m. If you do not receive the letter by 5:00 p.m. that evening, it indicates that we do not have your current or correct email address in our system. Please contact Marilyn Burns at mburns@LVJUSD.org to update your information.
PowerSchool Enrollment Updates
Shortly, you will receive an email from our District with a unique access code for each child and directions to complete PowerSchool Enrollment Updates (formerly Infosnap). If you need assistance, please email mburns@LVJUSD.org or kimday@LVJUSD.org.
First Week Schedule
Please mark your calendars!
Monday, August 22
- Teacher Work Day, campus is closed
Tuesday, August 23
- First Day of School!
- 1:30 Dismissal for all TK-5th Graders
- 1:30 Dismissal for all TK-5 Students
Thursday, August 25
- 1:30 Dismissal for all TK-5th Graders
- 1:30 Dismissal for TK-K Students
- 2:50 Dismissal for 1st-5th Graders
Beginning Friday, August 26th we will be following our regular bell schedule.
All 1st-5th graders will be dismissed at 2:50 p.m.
Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes are dismissed at 1:30 p.m. every day.
All TK-5th grade students are dismissed at 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday.
Parent Volunteers
While we are still in the transition phase, we do know that the following steps will need to be taken before you can volunteer on campus or drive for a field trip.
- Current TB test (valid for 4 years)
- Car insurance, if you have any intention to drive on a field trip
- Use of Private Vehicle for Transporting Students District Form
Upon your first volunteer visit to campus you will need to provide a valid picture ID in the form of a Driver's License, Passport, or California ID card to complete the Megan's Law clearance requirement.
Next Week's Topics
- The Importance of Attendance
- Croce Bell Schedule
- Yearlong District School Calendar
- Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures
- Universal Breakfast & Lunch Program
- Parent Volunteers
Bedtime Story with Principal Angelo
Please join Mrs. Angelo on Monday, August 22rd at 6:16 p.m. for a Bedtime Story with Principal Angelo. The link to the story will be sent via email and text from Blackboard.
Staying Informed
Follow Leo R. Croce Elementary on Facebook to keep in touch with upcoming events and daily happenings
Follow Mrs. Angelo on Instagram as principal.angelo
Visit the Croce Elementary School website
Join the Croce PTA and follow them on Facebook at Leo Croce PTA and Instagram at LeoCrocePTA on Instagram