SD Met Family Updates
One student at a time
September 21, 2023
Back to School Night was a success!
Thanks to everyone who joined us for Back to School Night! We had many families in attendance, and we appreciated the opportunity to share everything that the Met is doing to support our students!
SCHOOLWIDE NEWS
MetUp Club Rush!
TOMORROW, Friday, September 22, will be our FIRST MetUp of the year! For all students and families new to the Met, MetUps are once-a-month schoolwide gatherings where we focus on community building and connect as a school through student-led activities. This MetUp is themed around friendship! We will have our own SD Met Club Rush, where all students can explore the 10 different clubs at the Met, followed by the chance to attend two different activities led by the clubs they are most interested in!
All students will be dismissed at 1:45 on Friday, Sept. 22. Please make pickup arrangements accordingly.
As part of our Big Picture model and our Met vision of supporting both academic and social-emotional learning, we intentionally schedule unique programs such as MetUps and Leaving to Learn days so that students are engaging in collaboration, community exploration, relationship-building, and learning opportunities that go beyond the core curriculum. To that end, please note that all MetUp days are REQUIRED days for students, and attendance is not optional. Thank you for supporting your student in accessing the full Met experience!
Student Led Conferences - Oct. 4,5 and 6
As part of the Met's vision of personalized learning and family engagement, we host Student-Led Conferences (SLC) twice a year at the midpoint of each semester. Our Fall SLCs take place on Oct. 4,5 and 6, which coincides with the release of student Progress Reports on Oct. 4.
SLCs and Progress Reports are an important opportunity for students to lead a conversation about their goals and growth, and for parents to assess their students’ success and partner with teachers on support strategies if students are struggling, with ample time for improvement before final grades are issued at the end of the semester. These conversations are a crucial part of how we support student learning and connect with families. As such, every student is expected to have at least one parent, guardian, or other close family member in attendance at their SLC.
For any student who has a D or an F in any of their classes, the SLC is a chance to discuss the student's needs and make a plan for improving performance before grades are finalized at the end of the semester. Teachers and advisors collaborate to discuss and implement support strategies for those students. Input from parents/guardians is extremely valuable for this support process.
Advisors are supporting their students on SLC preparations, and will be reaching out to families to schedule a specific date and time for their SLC. If you will require interpreting services in Spanish, please let your student’s advisor know, and we will arrange for a Spanish-speaking staff member to join your SLC.
Because of the importance of SLCs, we are having a modified schedule that week to allow more time during the day for families to attend. Please note the following class schedule for those three days:
Wednesday, 10/4 - Classes from 8:30am to 12:25pm. SLCs may be scheduled from 12:30pm onward.
Thursday, 10/5 - Students are expected to continue attending internships. SLCs may be scheduled outside of the student’s internship time.
Friday, 10/6 - Classes from 8:30am to 12:25pm. SLCs may be scheduled from 12:30pm onward.
We look forward to having you join us for your students' SLCs!
LCFF Form: Support our Funding!
We still need some parents/guardians to submit their LCFF Forms online!
One of the most important ways you can support your child's education at the Met is by filling out the LCFF Form that arrived via email in the last two weeks. By completing the LCFF Form, you help determine how much state funding our school receives for instructional programs, services, and materials. Your participation directly impacts the Met's ability to best serve every student, including your own.
Please check your email (including spam/trash folder) for a message from Survey Monkey and respond at your earliest convenience. The form includes ONLY TWO QUESTIONS and takes only a few minutes to complete. Thank you for your support!
COLLEGE AND CAREER CORNER
FAFSA Announcement
Due to the major overhaul of the FAFSA it will not open this year until sometime in December 2023. The updates have not been finalized and we have still not been given an actual release date, but they are required by law to release it prior to 12/31/23.
Letters of Recommendation for Early Action or Early Decision applicants
If you are applying for Early Action or Early Decision, you will need to complete your applications by November 1st or November 15th. If you need a letter of recommendation from Mr. Moravec, your teachers, or any other recommenders, you should give them AT LEAST 2 weeks advance notice, preferably more. If you would like Mr. Moravece to write you a letter, please complete this form and submit it to him when you request the letter.
WIDER COMMUNITY NEWS
Latin(x/e) Heritage Month
Latin(x/e) Heritage Month, also known as Hispanic Heritage Month, is observed from September 15 through October 15 and recognizes the culture, history, struggle, contributions, and achievements of Latin(x/e) Americans.
Please explore the Latin(x/e) Heritage Month Resource Guide from our district's Equity & Belonging Division, which provides materials to learn more about Latin(x/e) culture, including background on where the Latin(x/e) term originated, and books from notable authors.
Suicide Awareness Month Resources
September is National Suicide Awareness Month. In keeping with the spirit of raising awareness and protecting our community, here are some supports and resources that you can access and actions we can take now to support ourselves and help others around us.
Know the Signs: Learn how to recognize the warning signs and how to respond by visiting Know the Signs website.
Find the Words: If you are concerned about someone, ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide. Why? Asking directly will create that safe space to address any thoughts they are already having. This can be difficult to do, but being direct provides an opportunity for them to talk and connect.The Find the Words section of the Know the Signs website suggests ways to help prepare you to have the conversation and build the connection to essential support.
Reach Out: You are not alone in this. Before having the conversation, become familiar with some resources to offer. Visit the Reach Out section of the Know the Signs website for a listing of resources including crisis lines, programs, and more to help you take action in supporting others.
Met's WOW Celebrated!
The Met is featured in an Education Reimagined article about our Week of Welcome (WOW)! Check it out: Not Your Typical Back to School Days
Low Cost Computers
The San Diego County Office of Education and Computers2Kids are hosting an event for families to purchase affordable computers on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at San Marcos Elementary School 1 Tiger Way, San Marcos CA 92069 (Drive Thru Event).
STUDENT ALERTS
Makeup Picture Day - Fri, Oct. 6
For any students who missed our first Picture Day, our partners at Lifetouch Photography will be back on Friday, Oct. 6, to do makeup pictures. School photos are required for photo IDs and will be used in our Yearbook as well. Students who need their picture taken on Oct.6 will need to dress appropriately and will have their picture taken in the Annex.
Senior Portraits: Class of 2024
Seniors should contact Prestige for their senior portraits. All seniors are encouraged to take senior portraits so they can be included in the Met Yearbook. Students should contact Prestige directly to set up an appointment for a sitting. There is a modest charge but there is no obligation to purchase photos.
Any questions can be directed to Kathy Baker (school: 619-388-2282, cell: 619-850-2104, email: kbaker@sandi.net).
Yearbook
Be sure to purchase your yearbook NOW to get the best savings early. Here is the link to our SD Met Jostens ordering page.
SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL
Site Governance Team
The Met's Site Governance Team exists to create more shared decision making among teachers, parents, students and office staff. We advise on instructional programs, the budget, site safety, the discipline plan, and more. This year two parents were nominated to join the SGT. Please vote for one or both of these parents here - https://forms.gle/hNU2TDpszZtDstTLA
School Tours
REMINDERS
Attendance Reminder
Make sure to report student absences, early dismissal or tardies by contacting Ms. Suzana Valis by emailing svalis@sandi.net or calling (619) 388-2529.
When students are granted early dismissal from the school’s instructional time, a dismissal pass (blue slip) will be prepared for them. The blue slip will be taped to the clipboard where they sign-out (located just outside of the office).
Please remember to take the school’s schedule into account when making appointments so as to avoid interrupting instructional time.
PowerSchool Parent Portal
All parents are highly encouraged to get access to the PowerSchool Parent Portal (sign in here), where you can look up your student’s grades, attendance, and other information. Please contact Ms. Suzana Valis at svalis@sandi.net if you need an Access ID and Password, or if you have any other questions.
IMPORTANT DATES
The Academic Calendar for 2023-2024 is linked here. Please refer to this for holidays, grading periods, Exhibition dates, Student-Led Conference dates, and other important information. Here are some important upcoming dates:
September 22 - MetUp (Dismissal @ 1:45)
September 27 - DEMI Math Assessment in Math classes; 12 graders take it in Advisory
September 27- Foundation Meeting (see website for details)
October 4 - Quarter 1 ends, progress reports issued
October 4-6 - Student Led Conferences- (Dismissal @ 12:30)
October 6 - Make-Up Picture Day
October 13 - Non-Instructional Day (No School)
October 20 - MetUp
November 7 - Progress 2 (P2) ends, grades updated
November 10 - Veterans Day (NO SCHOOL)
November 17 - MetUp: Potluck
November 20-24 - Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)
SD Met Support Staff
Attendance and Absences
To call in an excused absence, late arrival, or early departure
Suzana Valis - svalis@sandi.net
Records and Transcripts
To request student records or transcripts
Suzana Valis - svalis@sandi.net
Counselor
For questions about counseling services, college admissions, and Mesa College
Jason Moravec - jmoravec@sandi.net
Internship Coordinator
For questions about our internship program
Gini Mann-Deibert - gmann-deibert@sandi.net
PowerSchool Access
For questions about PowerSchool access for students and parents
Suzana Valis - svalis@sandi.net
Nursing and Wellness
For health concerns and reporting medications
Paulette Deyo Stohlmann, School Nurse - pdeyostohlmann@sandi.net
Enrollment and General Information
For enrollment information
Sylvia Hoffman - shoffman1@sandi.net
Principal
Robert Fung - rfung@sandi.net
Contact Us
Website: https://sdmet.sandiegounified.org/
Location: 7250 Mesa College Drive, Room K-203, San Diego, CA 92111
Phone: 619-388-2299
Twitter: @wearesdmet