Weekly Family Update #40
May 23, 2021
Principal's Message
Hello Falcon Families,
Congratulations to our Breakfast of Champions winners for the month of May. Each month we highlight one of the 6 Character Counts Pillars. I am so proud of all of our Falcons for persevering through this difficult year. We are in the home stretch, one month to go. I encourage our Falcons to keep it up! Finish strong, summer is on the horizon.
Upcoming Calendar Items
May 26: PUSD’s Career and Technical Education Expo
May 31: No School Memorial Day
June 4: Students who are in-person come to school. No Async Friday. This is a regular instruction day, no asynchronous (This is because of the Monday holiday, the weekly schedule shifts Tuesday-Friday)
Thanks for all you do for our Oak Valley Community! Go Falcons!
Beaming with Falcon Pride,
Mr. Young
Colin Young
Principal
Oak Valley Middle School
Schedule for the Week of May 24-28
PTSA Breakfast of Champions Character Award Winners
Each month we highlight one of the 6 Character Counts! pillars; staff selects two students each year who embody those characteristics. Mr. Young delivered a certificate, yard sign, and a little breakfast treat to each winner.
Thank to the PTSA for sponsoring this event each year!!
May's Winners are:
Grant G.
Derek T.
Parker R.
Ashray R.
Max K.
Jacob T.
Jacob M.
Timo A.
Travis O.
Karthik P.
Gavin B.
William K.
Ninaad K.
Alara I.
Nanda R.
Mandolin C.
Abigail W.
Lilianna E.
Sophia C.
Olivia S.
Samantha H.
Savannah H.
Ryan F.
Gabriella C.
Landon W.
New Information
Today Is The Last Day to Order Your Yearbook
California School Parent Survey 2020-2021
Poway Unified School District is conducting a survey of parents as part of our school and district continuous improvement process. Additionally, the results are used to meet the requirements of the state mandated Local Control Accountability Plan(LCAP). We value parent input greatly and appreciate your participation in the short survey. This survey is specific to our school and will be used for site and district input. The Parent survey is aligned with the state mandated California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) taken by the 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th grade students and the PUSD Staff Survey also to be conducted this month. PUSD will be using these student, staff and parent surveys to gain a better understanding of the parents’ view of our school and how we can best support our students and PUSD families. The attached document provides some additional information and the link for you to access the survey. We are asking parents to please complete this survey no later than June 4, 2021.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACCESSING THE SURVEY
If you have more than one child at this school, you will only need to complete one survey for this school. Please fill out just one survey about the school using your oldest child as a reference.
You can access the survey using the following URL HERE.
For more information, we have a resource page that you can find HERE.
Textbook/Chromebook Return Volunteers Needed
(Masks will be required)
Help! We Need Water!
If you would like to donate a case of water to help those students who forget or who need a refill, please drop one off at the Welcome Center any time during the week.
Thanks so much for your support!!
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
We invite you to join us in the celebration as we honor the cultures and experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Throughout the month of May, our school will be sharing resources and information on AAPI Heritage Month. This week I encourage all families to visit Collections Section of the Smithsonian Institute website. There you will find the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage website that links you to all sorts of exhibits throughout the many museums of the Smithsonian Institute. There are tons of virtual resources for families to access including art pieces, musical performances, and so much more!!
You can find the museum website HERE.
Please come the library and browse our collection of books related to AAPI Heritage Month!
Join us as we learn about, champion, and celebrate, what makes us uniquely different as individuals and what binds us together as one Falcon Family. This is what makes us exceptional Falcons
Continuing Information
Adjusted Schedule for Week of May 31st
Due to the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday, May 31st, we will have an adjusted school schedule the week of May 31st.
- 5/31: Memorial Day. No school.
- 6/1: Odd Day
- 6/2: Even Day
- 6/3: Odd Day
- 6/4: Even Day. In-person students to come on campus.
There will be no Asynchronous Day this week. Please make note on your calendars.
Face Covering Reminder
Dear PUSD Families,
California has made amazing progress in the fight against COVID-19. According to the California Health and Human Services Agency: with more than 34 million vaccines administered, our state has among the lowest case and positivity rates in the nation. With your help, we have reopened our schools, kept them open, and prevented the spread of COVID-19.
On Monday, May 17, the Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, made this statement that the state will not be changing its face covering guidance to align with the new CDC recommendations for vaccinated people at this time. As a result, face coverings are still required in all PUSD office spaces and learning and teaching spaces in our schools and classrooms, including outdoor spaces (except when eating/drinking).
Dr. Ghaly also stated that on June 15, California plans to implement the CDC’s guidelines around masking to allow fully vaccinated Californians to go without a mask in most indoor settings. We have not received clarification yet on how this will apply to school and office settings.
To reiterate, until June 15, when California plans to fully reopen the economy, California will keep its existing guidance around masks in place. Thus, nothing will change for PUSD until June 15th, at the earliest. If more specific guidance is released for our schools and offices, we will share that with you. Thank you for adhering to the most current requirements for use of face coverings to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all staff and students.
Thank you,
The Poway Unified School District
Free Summer Youth Enrichment Program
FREE Summer Youth Enrichment Program (YEP) – Registration opens Tuesday, May 4th
Due to additional COVID funding, our annual youth enrichment programs are FREE for PUSD students, with a $29 registration fee. This is a rare opportunity – classes normally cost $150 and up per student! Sessions include cooking, art, photography, programming and web design, intro to 6th grade band and more. Registration opens Tuesday, May 4th – check you out the catalogue of course offerings HERE.
Click HERE to enroll starting May 4th. Camps are open to all students in grades 1st-8th, with the option to attend one or all three weeks. For more information, email (ereg@powayusd.com).
School Lunch Reminder
Positive Prevention Plus
Please click here or open the attachment below, to read the information regarding the annual Positive Prevention Plus unit that will be taught to 7th & 8th graders beginning May 24, 2021.
The Poway Unified Career and Technical Expo is Coming Soon!
Poway Unified is taking its Career Technical Education (CTE) Expo online! This annual showcase of learning outcomes will feature an unprecedented variety of our pathway programs, including details about early college credit opportunities, and featuring live student testimonials!
The CTE Expo is always a "can't miss" event, and we think you'll enjoy the virtual version even more. By registering early, you'll have access to preview sessions and learn about pathway offerings. (If you've never attended an in-person CTE Expo, check out the video created by PUSD student interns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7Z-6jUCFPU&t=62s)
Our very own Mrs. Parrish and Mrs. Gonzalez will be there presenting!!! Go Oak Valley!
Please take a moment to register now, so you don't miss out, and feel free to share the registration link with anyone that you think might be interested in seeing the incredible work that Poway Unified students are doing in our CTE pathway programs.
Falcon Foundation Dine-Out Thank You!
Thank you to all families who are supporting our monthly “Dine Out” nights. Through your annual fund donations, and by feeding your families, the Oak Valley Falcon Foundation has been able to approve a wide variety of teacher and staff grant requests that supplement learning for all our Falcons. Be sure to follow the Oak Valley Falcon Foundation on Facebook to learn more.
Falcons, Remember to Bring Your ID Card Each Day
Students need to continue to bring their ID cards each day as they will scan into our attendance kiosk each morning upon entry to campus. If you have not picked up your ID card, please come to the library for help.
Caring Connections Counseling (CCC)
8th Grade End of the Year Information
8th Grade Picnic on Friday 6/11
As a special surprise to our 8th grade students, all 8th grade Falcons will have the opportunity to decorate a legacy rock with their name, words of encouragement or a special memory, and place it around campus. Our Forever Falcons will have an opportunity to decorate our campus.
Bring a lawn chair. Bring a beach towel to sit on. Bring a game to play.
We look forward to seeing you there!
More details and RSVP information will be coming later in May.
8th Grade Open Campus for Pictures the Week of June 14th
Smile Falcons!!
8th Grade Yard Sign Distribution Information
Yard signs are ready! If you missed the drive-through pick-up, you can still get your signs at the 8th-grade picnic on Friday, June 11th. We can't wait to see these sprouting up all over our neighborhoods!
Congratulations to all of our Falcons!
Continuing Schedule and Reopening Information
Health Office Notes
Please remember to be proactive and prescreen your student at home prior to leaving for school. If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep them at home. If your child has developed any one of the symptoms below while at school, they must be sent home immediately. Parent(s) will be notified to pick up their student immediately.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Per the CDC Guidelines (use link below of Decision Tree updates as of 2/22/21):
The individual may return based on one of the following:
https://covid-19.sdcoe.net/Portals/covid-19/Documents/Health%20Practices/COVID-19-Decision-Tree.pdf
a) 10 days from the day symptom(s) first appeared, AND improved symptoms and no fever (or fever reducing meds) for the last 24 hours.
b) With proof of negative PCR COVID viral test (no rapid results test accepted for negative results), may return immediately if symptoms are greatly improved AND student has been fever free (without fever reducing meds) for 24 hours.
c) A signed note from a licensed MD, DO, NP, or PA (who manages that condition) must: confirm the chronic diagnosis (i.e., cites labs, date-of record when diagnosed); include provider’s contact information; explain how symptoms are unrelated to COVID-19; and be accompanied by signed consent for school to interact with MD, DO, NP, or PA.
Please call Mr. Ennis in the Health Office at 858-487-2939 ext. 6129 for any questions or concerns.
Health Symptom Screening Information
If at-home screening is not possible, please come to the Welcome Center before entering campus to check your temperature.
More information on the self-screening process can be found below in the Health Office Notes message later in this newsletter.
We will return to our normal morning drop off route now that we are no longer taking temperatures.
On-Campus Students Reminders
For our families that are returning to campus. Please read over our Reopening Plan and Family Handbook carefully. There is lots of important information and reminders in those documents. All on-campus students must return a signed PUSD Health and Safety Agreement in order to be on campus. This form can be found HERE. We will be collecting these forms as students are dropped off and will have blank copies available in the Welcome Center if families need.
Here are some key reminders:
1. Please make sure you return the PUSD Health and Safety Agreement Form when you drop off your student. You can find the form HERE.
2. All students must come to school each day with a fully charged Chromebook.
3. All students will need to bring with them each day headphones, any needed school supplies, PE appropriate clothing (on the day they have PE), water bottle, independent reading book, and a packed lunch.
4. Students must wear a clean mask each day. We recommend bringing a second mask on the day they have PE.
5. Students who are on campus will go to their connections teacher for both connections and office hours. They will be able to zoom into to any classroom to ask questions. Students can also use this time to finish up work.
Learning Preference Change Request
We appreciate your patience.
PE for On-Campus Students
Welcome Back Falcons!
The PE team is so excited to have students coming back to campus – We have missed you!
Some information for an easy transition:
Students will not be dressing out in the locker room or using PE clothes. All Falcons must come to school dressed in appropriate athletic attire and tennis shoes on their PE days in order to receive credit for the daily activities.
Things you might want to send with your student on PE days are:
1. Extra face mask
2. Water bottle
3. Hand sanitizer
4. One warm days, a hat/visor, and sunscreen.
Weekly Bell Schedule and Monthly Calendar
Please see the attached weekly bell schedule HERE and below.
There is also a monthly calendar attached HERE and below. We will follow this same weekly schedule pattern for the reminder of the year, unless the School Board changes our current school model, with the exception of a few weeks where we have to adjust for holidays. Please look at both of these documents closely.
Asynchronous Fridays
Asynchronous Fridays are a day for students to work independently and for teachers to have time to prep, grade and collaborate as seen in the details presented at the last Board Meeting (bulleted below) as well as work with students needing support. This is still a work in progress and staff will continue the conversation to adjust as we move forward.
For Students:
· Review and preview work from the week to deepen learning
· Review feedback and complete corrections
· Independent learning time
· Reduce screen time
· Additional support time with peers and staff
For Teachers:
· Provide timely feedback to students; including grades
· Review assessments and plan based on student needs
· Complete required COVID attendance tracking
· Collaboration
· Professional learning
· Office hours to provide support to individual student
Parent Academy
Oak Valley Middle School
Email: coyoung@powayusd.com
Location: 16055 Winecreek Road, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: (858) 487-2939