The Hidden Gem
El Carmelo Elementary School August 5, 2020
Welcome Back!
Dear El Carmelo Families,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! I hope that your family is healthy, and that you have been able to enjoy the summer season.
We are starting the school year with Distance Learning. El Carmelo Teachers have spent many days this summer growing their practice when it comes to teaching and engaging students online. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with our Learning Management System, Schoology. This is the platform that the Palo Alto Unified School District is using for students to communicate with teachers, access their lessons and submit assignments. We will use Zoom for face to face whole class, small group and one on one lessons.
Please see the PAUSD website for reopening information.
Below you will find information to help you start the school year.
- Coffee with the Principal
- Technology and Materials Pick-up
- Class Placement Notification
- First Day of School
- Accessing Schoology
- Sample School Schedule
- Back to School Night
Be Well,
Danaé
Coffee with the Principal Thursday, August 6th at 5:30PM
The PTA Council hosted an Elementary Town Hall Meeting on Monday, August 3rd. MANY of your questions were answered at this event. Please take some time to watch/listen as the questions asked came directly from PAUSD parents like you. The event was recorded and is available online.
To make the most of the meeting, I will take questions asked here. I will try my best to answer as many questions as possible.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://pausd.zoom.us/j/94840050204?pwd=aW8yd29udTNoYWRiTzlIUGtEbjFjdz09
Meeting ID: 948 4005 0204
Passcode: Dragons
Technology and Materials Pick-up
Technology and Materials Pick-up
The PAUSD is loaning a device to all students. At El Carmelo, students in kindergarten and first grade will be using an iPad. Students in grades 2-5 will be using a Chromebook.
All returning students entering grades 1, 4 and 5 may already have a device from the spring.
- Returning students in grades 1, 4 and 5 that need a device, please complete this form.
Returning students in grades 2 and 3 with an iPad from the spring, will exchange the device for a Chromebook.
- If you need a Chromebook, please complete this form.
All new students to El Carmelo will receive a device and materials on Friday, August 14th.
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With the generous support of the El Carmelo PTA, we have purchased school supplies for every student to ensure each child is prepared for the first six weeks of school. THANK YOU!
We will be distributing devices and materials for each student during the week of August 10th. For safety, most families will pick up devices and materials for all children once.
*Returning families with incoming kindergarten students will need to come on Friday as well.*
- Place a card indicating the grade levels for all of your children in the car window.
- Indicate that you have twins for example: Twins third grade.
- When you have stopped the car, open the trunk, and we will put the materials for each child in the trunk.
Returning El Carmelo Students
Tuesday, August 11, 2020: Retuning El Carmelo students in grades 2 and 3 device exchange, iPad for a Chromebook and materials pick-up. Please put the grade levels for all of your children in the car window.
Returning Third Grade Time:
- 8:30-8:50AM, Students with the last name A-H
- 8:50-9:10AM, Students with the last name I-P
- 9:10-9:30AM, Students with the last name Q-Z
Returning Second Grade Time:
- 10:00-10:20AM, Students with the last name A-H
- 10:20-10:40AM, Students with the last name I-P
- 10:40-11:00AM, Students with the last name Q-Z
Thursday, August 13, 2020: Returning El Carmelo students in grades 1, 4 and 5 device and materials pick-up. Please put the grade levels for all of your children in the car window.
- 8:30-8:50AM, Students with the last name A-H
- 8:50-9:10AM, Students with the last name I-P
- 9:10-9:30AM, Students with the last name Q-Z
New El Carmelo Students, Kindergarten to Fifth Grade
Friday, August 14, 2020: All new El Carmelo students, kindergarten to fifth grade device and materials pick-up. Please put the grade levels for all of your children in the car window.
- 8:30-8:50AM, Students with the last name A-H
- 8:50-9:10AM, Students with the last name I-P
- 9:10-9:30AM, Students with the last name Q-Z
Location: Please drive into the El Carmelo Elementary School parking lot near the MP Room. The entrance is located on El Carmelo Ave.
Safety: Please wear a mask and observe 6ft social distancing.
Class Placement Notification
First Day of School
Monday, August 17th at 8:30AM
The First Day of School
Our first day of school will begin online via Zoom at 8:30AM. Parents and students log into Schoology to access the Zoom link. Each teacher will have a classroom Schoology course where teachers will communicate with students and parents. You will find assignments, teacher feedback, Zoom links to synchronous instruction, a calendar when assignments are due and more. This is the platform to access the classroom and instruction.
The first day and few weeks of school will focus on establishing a classroom community, building relationships and cultivating a sense of belonging through interactive experiences. Teachers will guide students through Schoology, Zoom and what their school day will include.
Below is a sample schedule for the week for grades 1-5 and kindergarten. Our schedule is being finalized and teachers will share the weekly and daily schedule with students and parents via Schoology.
Accessing Schoology
Distance Learning will include teachers using a variety of technology tools to instruct students; including Seesaw, Google Slides, video recording and Zoom. Parents and students can access Schoology by logging in to the ID Portal clicking the ID Portal on the El Carmelo website or the PAUSD website.
Familiarizing Yourself with Schoology
I highly recommend that all parents take the “PAUSD Schoology Backpack” course in your Schoology account. You can watch this course with your children as well. Teachers will be walking their students through Schoology several times throughout the first few weeks of school.
How do I access Schoology Danaé?
Click here to learn more.
Back to School Night is Tuesday, September 1, 2020
El Carmelo Elementary School
Email: elcarmeloattendance@pausd.org
Website: https://elcarmelo.pausd.org/
Location: 3024 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, CA, USA
Phone: (650) 856-0960
Twitter: @elcarmeloschool