Foothill MS Community Memo
October 18, 2021
Good evening Foothill Community!
Welcome to Fall and all the fun surrounding the season. Last Friday we had more than half the students attend our Fall Fest which was a wonderful opportunity for students to socialize and play a few games. Thank you to everyone who was able to participate. The Leadership class will continue to offer activities at lunchtime for students to keep everyone connected.
Now the second quarter is off and running make sure your students are working with their teachers on any questions or support they may need. After the teachers they may meet with one of our counselors (Ms. Phalon or Ms. Wesley) for support, and then finally our admin team (me or VP Ms. Stull). Please remind them that our Advisory period is designed just for this support. Students are able to meet with any of their teachers during that time to make-up work, get assistance with lessons or assessments, check-in, and more. They need to speak with the teacher ahead of time to get a pass to go to the other Advisory class. Once they have had their attendance taken in their assigned class they then report to the other teacher.
Below you will find an assortment of details about upcoming events and good information for all parents and guardians to be informed. Take care and be well.
Appreciatively your Principal,
Mrs. Vaiana
Check out Foothill MS in the national news!
US News & World Report recently published their first-ever rankings of public middle schools, and the news is good for Foothill Middle: Our school placed among the top 30% of middle schools in the state of California, making it a U.S. News Best Middle School.
"13 Walnut Creek Schools Among Best For Grades K-8: U.S. News
Looking ahead at Important Dates (Foothill MS and MDUSD)
Tuesday, October 19:
- make-up Picture Day
Wednesday, October 20:
- PFA Meeting @7pm; sign up on Konstella for link for Zoom
Friday, October 22:
- Spirit Day: Real Kids Wear Pink
Picture Day details
Students that are participating in the make-up picture day:
- They were not here on picture day due to absence (August 19 or 20).
- They enrolled in school after the August picture days.
- They have a *picture packet and are dissatisfied with their picture.
*The student MUST bring their picture packet to school to hand back to Studio One Photographers if the student wants a retake.
If your child lost their ID, the student needs to go to the Foothill Office (during brunch or lunch) and give the office staff their name. We will let students know when to pick up their replacement ID. The replacement cost is $5.00 which can be paid on the Foothill MS Webstore or the student can bring $5.00 cash to the Foothill Office when picking up the replacement ID.
Perspective Article about your kids and Instagram
A few years ago we had an evening presentation and panel discussion from Dr. Delaney Ruston, who created the documentary films, Screenagers and Screenagers Next Chapter. Here is an article highlighting information about Instagram that you may find interesting. "The Talk To Have About Instagram At Home Right Now".
Friday, October 22: Real Kids Wear Pink
Real Kids Wear Pink is a challenge to all students- no matter the age- to wear pink on the annual real Kids Wear Pink day to fight back against breast cancer. Kids can make a difference in the fight against cancer in our own community.
TUPE (tobacco use prevention education) info on new VAPE/e-cigarettes
We have recently become aware of new e-cigarette/vape devices on the market that are concerning. Companies are now developing disposable devices with a larger capacity and high nicotine strength. Students across the county have confirmed that these products are being used by young people and one of our TUPE team members even found one (Flum) discarded at the park next to the Contra Costa County Office of Education.
- Puff Plus is 2.5 mL, 5% nicotine strength (50 mg of nicotine per mL) = 125 mg of nicotine = 125 cigarettes worth of nicotine
- Puff Flow is 6.5 mL, 5% nicotine strength (50 mg of nicotine per mL) = 325 mg of nicotine = 325 cigarettes worth of nicotine
- Flum is 8 mL, 5% nicotine strength (50 mg of nicotine per mL) = 400 mg of nicotine = 400 cigarettes worth of nicotine. That is 20 packs (yes, 20 PACKS) of cigarettes worth of nicotine in one (yes, ONE) device.
For context, Juul is 0.7 mL and the original Puff Bar is 1.3 mL. Also, because these are closed, disposable devices, they can (and do) come in youth-friendly flavors. One primary concern is that these large devices make it easier for someone to use it constantly throughout the day without it running out like other vapes, which may contain only 1 mL of e-liquid.
Red Ribbon Week: October 25 - October 29
Monday, October 25: I'm proud to be drug-free! Wear red
Tuesday, October 26: Team up against drugs! Wear sports gear
Wednesday, October 27: Drugs = Drop outs Wear school colors/college wear
Thursday, October 28: My future is bright! Wear sunglasses
Friday, October 29: Don't be tricked, drugs are no treat. Wear your costume for Halloween
Friday, October 29th, is our Halloween Celebration Day
As fun as this will be, please support our SOAR values:
The costume you select should not portray a stereotyped image of a culture or group of people.
Costumes should not be offensive to any racial, ethnic or religious group, any people with disabilities or illnesses, or any other group of people.
Here are a few rules to keep in mind as you plan for Halloween:
STUDENTS MUST FOLLOW COUNTY GUIDELINES AND WEAR FACE COVERINGS.
Your costume mask is not a replacement for the required County face coverings.
Foothill dress code is still in effect on October 29th, Halloween Celebration Day.
(Check the Foothill Student Handbook online)
You may wear a hat with your costume, but it cannot BE your costume.
Keep it G rated!
You must be able to move freely and safely.
You must be able to participate in class.
Wear your costume to school...do not dress once you arrive on campus.
Props do not work at school. Please do not bring anything that you must carry.
DO NOT bring anything that remotely resembles a weapon of any kind: no toy guns, fake knives, pretend swords or any pretend weapons. Consequences may occur.
Costumes should not include items with sound effects, lights or other components, which would disrupt the classroom-learning environment.
Leave extra make-up, glitter and attachments at home.
NO AEROSOL CANS ON CAMPUS!
Any questions? Ask your teacher before Halloween!
Do you have a few hours to volunteer in person at our school? Lunch time w/the Griffins
Do you have a few hours to volunteer in person at our school? Our Foothill team needs your help during lunch time to monitor the lunch line and to monitor the ball distribution for the blacktop. It's a quick 1.5 hours - from 11:45 am to 1:15 pm (Wednesdays are 11:30 am - 1:00 pm). Sign up below for a day or two that work for you!
Before signing up to volunteer, please ensure that your Volunteer Status with the district is up to date. In order to volunteer on campus you must meet two requirements:
- You must be an approved volunteer with MDUSD (which includes a TB test and fingerprinting). Instructions can be found here: MDUSD Volunteer Instructions. The district will let the school know when you have completed the volunteer approval process. AND
- You must be fully vaccinated. If you haven't already, email a picture of your vaccination card to Ms. Stull in the Foothill office: stullc@mdusd.org.
REPOST: Intradistrict Transfers for 2022-2023 Grades 6-12
Atttendance One-Pager
Foothill MS Student Handbook.
Home of the Griffins
Website: foothill.mdusd.org
Location: 2775 Cedro Lane, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Phone: 925-939-8600
Twitter: @FoothillGriffin