The Triton Tribune Parent Edition
Be Kind ~ Be Awesome ~ Make The Right Choices
Volume 2 ~ Issue 7 ~ September 8, 2020
Wonderful Triton Students and Parents and Guardians,
"You know, I'm fairly intelligent, but I don't think my grades reflected that" ~Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions Running Back~
Happy Labor Day! I hope that you enjoyed your three-day weekend and took time to rest. I hope that your family was safe from the firestorms this past weekend. We continue to pray for those who have been affected by them.
As the first progress report approaches, I know that many of you feel the stress of grades. This is one of the most difficult transition into middle school. Some of you are seeing and Ds and Fs for the first time. And distance learning complicates them. Know that many teachers are working hard to get the work graded, including the late submissions. Also, know that my admin team are working hard with teachers who may be on the strict side with grades during the first six weeks of school. We have consistently communicated and discussed the concept of grace on grades. Know that for me, the most important achievement by students in the first six weeks is for students to learn self-advocacy and organization. Parents, the most important message your children need to hear from you is that you still love them in spite of their grades. Progress reports are temporary snapshots of the final semester grades. Currently, we are working on providing a "tutoring place" via TEAMS for students to attend after school in order to complete missing assignments. This was a support we provided on campus; now, we have to provide this support via a video-conferencing tool. Additionally, if students are still having difficulty submitting work, please make sure they complete the Genius Bar Teachers Support Form so that they can get help immediately.
Below are information that are significant to Week 6 and beyond.
Celebrating Patriot Day, September 11
This Friday, we will be remembering the 19th anniversary of 911. Many children do not know the significance of this day. We will be remembering this day by holding a Spirit Activity where we are asking everyone to wear Red, White, Blue or a combination. Click on this link to submit a photo of you wearing your patriotic colors. Teachers have been asked to take time during Period 1 to discuss this event. Below is a video that I have recorded to introduce the 911 activity on Friday. Please take time to share your memory of 911 with your children.
Lunch Application: September 14
If you qualified for free or reduced lunch last year and have yet to renew your application, please scroll down the newsletter and find the directions on how to apply this year. Even if you don't think you qualify, I encourage you to apply as every year, the income threshold for the application changes annually. The deadline is September 14, 2020.
Coffee With the Principal: September 17 at 10am and 6pm
There will be a Coffee With the Principal the week of progress report. I will be sending a TEAMS invitation in next week's newsletter. Each TEAM meeting will be able to host 300 attendees. I look forward to seeing you all at either time.
Progress Report #1: September 18
Next week, teachers will be submitting grades for the first grading report. PLEASE DO NOT PANIC. Remember, these progress report grades are ONE snapshot of progress. They are not permanent. Know that I am working with teachers on the grading of work these past four weeks. I know how stressful many of you feel but I want to encourage you to have conversations with your children about grades and how they do not define who they are as individuals. I will be discussing grades in the upcoming Coffee With the Principal. In the meantime, encourage your children to self-advocate by communicating with their teachers.
Below are slides and video information that are pertinent to the week. They appear in this order:
1. This Week's Schedule: 9/8-8//1
2. Understanding the Attendance Policy
3. Remembering and Honoring 9/11
4. August Triton Trait: Kindness
~Kindness Boomerang Video~Tritons of the Week Nomination
~Kindness Quotes
5. Lunch Application Information
6. ASB Activities Announcement
~Patriot Day Spirit Activity on 9/11
~Purple Pride Club Announcement
~Dungeons and Dragon Club Announcement
~Throwback Thursday Video
7. Important Updates for Next Week
8. Attendance Clearance Form
9. ELM Restorative Practice Parent Referral Form
10. Genus Bar Teachers Support Form
11. ELM Technology Support Line
Finally, please refer to the website for updates. We update it on a daily basis.
Let's have a wonderful and safe week!
Mrs. Finley
2020-21 School Year Lunch Applications for Free or Reduced Meals
In order to receive free or reduced lunch, all students must complete a 2020-21 lunch application. If you received free or reduced meals last year and have not renewed your lunch application this year, services to you may have already stopped. To make sure that you have secured this support, please complete the lunch application using one of the methods below.
1. Complete the ONLINE lunch application in your Campus Portal.
- This is the preferred method.
- Click on this link to access Campus Portal
- Click on this link to access the PowerPoint Tutorial on how to complete the application.
2. Complete the PAPER lunch application.
- Contact Dr. Adams for a paper copy. Click on this link to email her.
- Click on the link on how to complete the paper application. English [link] Spanish [link].
If you have completed your application and you have been approved, you will need to obtain your child's barcode. To create a student barcode from your Campus Portal, please click on this link to follow the instructions on creating a student barcode.
9/11 - Patriot Day Spirit Activity - Wear your Red, White or Blue!!
Here is another opportunity for you to participate in Spirit Days. On Friday, September 11, we will honor the victims and first responders of 911 by wearing red, white and blue. To submit your patriotic photo, please click on this link. I cannot wait to see your picture representing our nation pride.
Purple Pride Club Announcement
To know more about the club, click on this link to access the club's video introduction.
Dungeons and Dragons Club
Date: Thursday, September 17
Time: 2:40pm
Location: Google Classroom (code: peu76q3)
Eastlake Middle School
Email: easter.finley@sweetwaterschools.org
Website: elm.sweetwaterschools.org
Location: 900 Duncan Ranch Road, Chula Vista, CA, USA
Phone: 619.591.4000
Twitter: @erfinleysd