

Arts Magnet News!
August 22-26, 2022

Week 5, 9/5-9/9, 2022
Dear Altadena Eliot Arts Families,
It's time to enjoy the final weekend of summer, hopefully near a body of water with people you enjoy!
School is closed on Monday in honor of Labor Day. Especially in recent history, I feel even more grateful for our essential workers and educators. Please thank a health care professional or a teacher this week. They are heroes!
We are kicking things up into high gear when we return.
- At the elementary campus our arts partners begin and on Thursday we have our first school tour at 9:00 am beginning in the Parent Room!
- In middle school we have our Back to School Night on Thursday, September 8! Students are dismissed at 11:45 am! Come at 5:30 pm to visit our vendor tables and to sign up for parent committees. At 6pm, join us in the auditorium where you will hear a short presentation by our leadership team and get to clap for our teachers and staff. Then you will travel the daily route of your student by visiting classrooms periods 1-6.
In accordance with our PUSD COVID Safety Plan, our students eat inside and outside during breakfast and lunch. The cafeteria doors remain open to the outside and our air purifiers are kept on. Some families prefer to have their children eat outside exclusively rain or shine. If that is your preference, please inform your child's teacher in elementary and we will make sure your child always eats outside. In middle school the students choose where they like to eat and most sit outside. Your child's health and safety are our first priority. The team at both sites makes informed decisions, with guidance from our district and Pasadena Public Health based on COVID safety guidelines, extreme weather and air quality.
We are deeply saddened that one of our Eliot students has experienced the tragic loss of both of her parents last weekend. The family has set up a Go Fund Me page for the student as she navigates a life without a mom or dad. If you are able to help, please visit https://gofund.me/1d2a724a and consider giving generously. Our hearts are with Sadie during this very sad time.
Hug those you love tightly, tell them how much they mean to you and be kind. It's tough out there in the world for everyone.
Yours in Service,
Dr. Scheckel, Principal
"Can We All Get Along?"
Eliot parent and documentary film maker, Pablo Miralles invites everyone to see probably the last local screening of his documentary, "Can We All Get Along?" about the segregation of John Muir High School and the larger context of public school in Pasadena. Listed on KCET's What to Watch List, you don't want to miss this incredible film. Saturday night, September 3 at 7pm. Free, air conditioned, and all are welcome! If you have not had a chance to see this film, I encourage you to attend. You won't be sorry.
Elementary School Tour this Thursday!
Middle School Back to School Night Thursday!
PTA Reflections Art Contest!
PTA Reflections Contest!
“Show Your Voice!”
That’s the theme for the 2022-23 Reflections Art Program, which has been bringing the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969. California State PTA and its members, families and kids are on the forefront of this amazing program, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education. Visit https://capta.org/programs-events/reflections/ for morre information.
Reflections encourages students of all ages to:
- Unleash creative talents and be inspired
- Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork
- Experience the fun and joy of making art
- Tap into critical thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme
- Receive positive recognition for their original works of art.
Click here to see the California winners of the 2021-2022 Reflections Art Program. Here is a promotional video: https://youtu.be/0oOU3kyk28Y and this is from a teacher explaining the whole program https://youtu.be/xntygaUdOW0
NUTRITION, NUTRITION, NUTRITION!
What to Eat, Send and Bring to School!
We know you sometimes want to host a celebration for your child's birthday in their classroom, or maybe you'd just like to know more about our PUSD approved list of snacks. If so, please read the attached PUSD List of Approved Snacks.
Grandparents/Grandfriends Day is Coming!
French Book Fair!
Virtual French Book Fair - Sept 12-26
Bonjour Families,
We are excited to announce the AAM FDLIP Virtual French Book Fair from September 12 to 26. Only purchases made during this time frame will count towards the book fair.
We are once again partnering with the independent French bookstore, Bonjour Books DC in Kensington, MD to offer a wide selection of French-language books for all grade levels. Our book fair coordinator this year is Stephen Raynor (stephen.raynor@gmail.com).
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ONLINE SHOPPING:
Book Fair Online Shopping Instructions:
1. Shop for BOOKS: We offer a wide selection of French-language books for all ages and grade levels online at www.bonjourbooksdc.com. Free shipping is available for all orders over $30.
2. Shop for GIFTS. We carry a large selection of gifts and goodies on our website. All sales count toward the book fair!
3. Show your appreciation amour for your child’s teacher!
a. Check to see if they have created a gift registry here.
b. If you don’t see their name, consider purchasing a gift card for them here!
4. Click the checkout button and follow instructions.
a. For orders of at least $30: FREE shipping to home is available.
5. In the "Discount Code" box, enter ALTADENA. Please note no discounts will be applied to your order. This code allows us to track book fair earnings.
6. Continue to the payment method and complete your checkout.
7. Need help? Email bonjourbooksdc@gmail.com or send a text message to 240-383-9163.
PLEASE NOTE: While we update stock frequently, information is not always 100% accurate. If an item shows in stock, it may in fact be out of stock, and vice versa. All in-stock items will be shipped within approximately 2 weeks. All backordered items will be shipped to home in approximately 4-5 weeks after the end of the book fair. Items purchased from gift registries will also be shipped to home and you (or your child via backpack:-)) will need to deliver them to your child’s teacher.
PUSD COVID-19 UPDATE
Since the early days of COVID, PUSD has had to pivot and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. At last night’s meeting, the Pasadena Unified Board of Education approved revisions to COVID safety protocols. The following revisions are now in place at all PUSD schools.
Outdoor in-person meetings/activities with parents/guardians, community members, staff, and students are now allowed with masking strongly recommended.
Indoor in-person meetings/group activities with parents/guardians, community members, staff, students are allowed with masking required for all.
Masks are strongly recommended for students and staff indoors in classrooms and other shared spaces.
Parent group meetings such as (PTA, SSC, ELAC, AAPC) are allowed in person and may be held outdoors or remotely if the respective parent leadership agree.
IEP meetings with parents/guardians may be held in-person or remotely, whichever supports greater parent/guardian participation.
Back to School nights will proceed as planned with masks required for all.
Visitors and volunteers are allowed on campus if they self-attest to being fully vaccinated or to having a negative COVID test within the past 48 hours. They must also conduct a symptom screening prior to entering campus and masking is required. All visitors and volunteers must abide by Board policies, regulations, and school rules. Board Policy - Visitors BP 1250.
Back-to-School Nights will be allowed in-person with mandatory masking.
The following protocols remain in place:
Masks are strongly recommended for students and employees in classrooms and indoors. Masks are required in larger group activities such as assemblies.
Masks are required:
on PUSD buses (with accommodations for students)
at testing and vaccination clinics
during field trips when required by the venue
for 10 days after exposure to COVID-19 and after a positive test result
Reentry Testing Before arriving for the first day of school, PUSD is asking every student and employee to take an at-home rapid antigen test on August 10 or 11. Parents/guardians can pick up rapid antigen test kits (containing 2 tests) at their child’s school/children’s center August 8-10. More information https://www.pusd.us/Page/9801
Rapid Antigen Tests The California Department of Public Health has endorsed the emergency use of over-the-counter COVID-19 tests beyond their FDA authorized expiration. Please follow instructions carefully. If a distinct line in the color specified in the instructions does not appear in the “C” control window, the test may be invalid.
Vaccine Clinics Getting vaccinated and boosted is still the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death. PUSD is holding vaccination clinics for ages 3 and older at the PUSD Primary Clinic (351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena)
Tuesday, August 9, 2022, 1:00-2:45 pm
Wednesday, August 10, 2022, 1:00-2:45 pm
Pre-register at MyTurn.CA.gov or register on site. Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines available. We also accept limited walk-ins.
Ventilation Air purifiers are in place in classrooms and indoor common areas. Filters were changed over the summer, and all lead custodians were trained on how to change both carbon and HEPA filters.
Personal Protective Equipment Masks and hand sanitizers are in stock and available to students and staff.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and flexibility as we strive to keep our students and staff safe and healthy.
Join Us for our First PT(S)A Meeting of the Year!
Dine out for Dollars!
Middle School Ceramics!
Stage Combat Lesson in Drama Class!
PT(S)A Corner!
Let's Get Involved in our School!
I am Michael McCarthy, this year's middle school PTSA President. We're back on campus and so far, so good! Please join us for our first PTSA meeting on Tuesday, September 13 in the Eliot Arts Library at 6pm.
It's going to take all of us to make Eliot the school we want it to be! Please join PTSA with the following link or QR code:
https://jointotem.com/ca/altadena/charles-w-eliot-middle-pta
Thanks to everyone who purchased PE clothes during Husky Days. The money we raised will go towards appreciating our teachers and creating fun events for our students and their families.We need your voice to make this the best year ever, so please join us!
Michael
Please consider joining both PT(S)As!
What is PTSA?
The Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA) is part of a national organization that engages and empowers families and communities to advocate for all children. At Altadena Eliot Arts Magnet, we support teachers and campus-wide projects and activities, give students, parents and guardians a voice and opportunities to improve the school environment, and work to improve the connection between our school, our families, and our community. Every student, parent, guardian, teacher, and staff person is invited to join PTSA. Members are encouraged but not required to attend three Association meetings during the school year; meetings and other activities are open to the entire school community.
Altadena Eliot Arts Membership Meetings for 2022-2023 are every 2nd Tuesday each month. Our first meeting will be held in the Eliot Library on September 13 at 6pm.
Step 1, join our PT(S)A membership! These parent groups are school advocates with a heart for service for our school! Anyone in the family can join, kids too! Join one, join both! Joining the PTA is simple.Log onto:
Annual Fund!
Please consider making a recurring donation of $45 to one or both of our Annual Funds! Our annual funds help to create a bridge for special services and arts programs at each of our campuses. Our annual funds are separate. Altadena's annual fund is chaired by Ms. Tasiah LeConte and Eliot's annual fund is chaired by Ms. Wendy Silva. Please join their committees and consider making a donation today!
AAM's Annual Fund
Eliot's Annual Fund
Spring Musical!
School Tours!
Calendar
September
- 2 Fire Drills - Both
- 3 Integrated Schools Pasadena @ 10 am - Both
- 5 Labor Day Schools Closed - Both
- 6 Rose Bowl Aquatics Program Begins for 3rd grade - AAM
- 8 School Tour AAM @ 9am
- 8 Back to School Night - Eliot @ 6pm, School Dismissed at 11:45 am
- 9 Cougar Values Awards Assembly @ 7:50 am - AAM
- 13 AAM SSC @ 3pm VIRTUAL
- 13 Joint PT(S)A Meeting in Eliot Library @ 6pm - Both
- 15 School Tour Eliot @ 8:30 am - Eliot
- 17 Design Team Meeting in Eliot Library @ 9 am - Both
- 21 Back to School Night @ 5:30 pm - AAM
- 22 Eliot SSC @ 3:45 VIRTUAL
- 23 Staff Professional Development Schools Closed - Both
- 25 Rosh Hashanah Begins
- 27 CHIPOTLE Dine out for Dollars!
- 30 Free Dress Friday - AAM