Vista Views
February 6, 2019
News & Information @ Alta Vista
COZY COLLECTION @ ALTA VISTA
Although the Great Kindness Challenge officially ended last week, Alta Vista is continuing our acts of kindness throughout the month of February with a Cozy Collection. We are collecting new or gently used coats, mittens, scarves, socks, shoes, and blankets to help keep those who are less fortunate than us warm during the winter months. To get everyone in the spirit, Student Council has created a grade level competition, with points being awarded for each donation. This is the perfect opportunity to clean out those closets and donate items that are no longer being used. Thank you for helping us to help others.
FAMILY DANCE ON FRIDAY
Alta Vista's Family Dance is here! There are only 17 tickets left, so there's still time to join the fun. You won't want to miss the photo booth, the snacks, the desserts, and of course the music. Tickets can be purchased through MSA (code: AltaVista). Home and School Club could still use a few more treats to add to the night's festivities. Please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FAAAD2BA6F49-alta if you'd like to donate some brownies, pretzels, water, or juice.
PARKING SAFETY AND KINDNESS
We continue to have many near misses every day, with students nearly being hit as they make their way to school. Multiple parents have reported children stepping out between parked cars to cross in the middle of the street. Other parents have shared pictures of cars parking on corners, making it unsafe for students to cross at the appropriate intersections. PLEASE follow all of the traffic regulations and do not encourage your children to cross in the middle of the block. We want everyone to be safe!
DOGS ON CAMPUS
Although we love to see students and families using our playgrounds and fields after school and on the weekends, we are having an increasing problem with dogs on campus. Unfortunately, this creates an unsafe and unsanitary environment. Mr. Manny has to spend part of each day cleaning up after neighborhood pets. Please help us to spread the word that dogs are not allowed on any Union School District campus. Thank you.
VALENTINE SPIRIT DAY AT ALTA VISTA
We are celebrating Valentines Day with a Spirit Day on February 14th. Please encourage your child to show his/her love by wearing pink, purple, or red! <3
CAR BREAK IN NEAR SCHOOL
As many of you read on NextDoor, a parent had her car broken into while parked across the street from the office. Although available neighborhood video did not provide enough information to help in apprehending the suspect, it did show that the entire incident happened in just a few seconds. Whenever you are coming on campus, please remove all of your valuables from your car (even that iPad, wallet, or purse that you think is hidden under the seat). We want to do everything we can to prevent this from happening again.
KINDNESS CHALLENGE MOMENTS @ ALTA VISTA
Bookmarks for Little Buddies
Cozy Collection Kick Off
Choose Kind
Adding Links to the Kindness Chain in K2
Thank You Notes
Tips From 1st Grade
CORNERSTONE CORNER
This book illustrates the importance of attitude and behavior in building character. Students will understand that the end result isn’t as important as trying your best and to trust in yourself and listen to your own judgment to make a good decision. Honesty makes trust bloom. In the discussions and lesson, these developmental assets and character traits were defined as:
1. Courage-Acknowledge your accomplishments, even if they fall short of the goal.
2. Honesty-Telling the truth even when it’s not easy.
3. Integrity-Having a personal moral code and sticking to it no matter what. Doing the right thing and feeling good about it.
4. Responsibility-Taking ownership for your own behavior.
5. Perseverance-Working hard at a task until the end.
There are several ways you can extend this lesson at home:
- Create a family circle of trust where all members feel safe.
- Notice, name and celebrate when:
- You or your child say or do something as an UPstander.
- Tell the truth when it is hard to do so.
- Point out when you or your child accomplish a goal.
- Celebrate small and large accomplishments especially when you try your best.
- Look for examples of family, friends, and neighbors who model positive values.
- Make a family list of what you say and do to promote your family’s positive values.
Keep your expectations realistic and allow for mistakes. Making and then learning from mistakes enables your child to understand how to live life with integrity and honesty. Your children watch everything you do and say—it’s how they learn to behave. You are the most important role model in your child’s life! Your own behavior is, as always, the best teaching tool.
UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT INFORMATION
"EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE" SURVEY
Union School District continues another school year of academic accomplishments, supportive teachers and staff, and community activities such as family nights, walk-a-thons, and music festivals. As part of our efforts for continuous improvement, we are conducting a survey to gather information about what you think and feel about your child’s school and our district.
Our 2018-19 "Education for the Future" Survey will take about five to ten minutes to complete and is available online February 1st through February 15th for your convenience. If you do not have access to a computer, you may access a computer in the school’s office. If you have children that attend two different schools, please complete one survey for each school site.
Please remember that the survey is completely confidential. Answers are tabulated by an outside company and the survey results will be analyzed by district and site staff to identify areas of success and areas for growth.
As a parent in the Union School District, your input and ideas about our school district are important. You can help us do the best possible job of educating our students by taking a few minutes to complete this survey.
To get started, please go to the following link or go to the Alta Vista website and click on the link found on the home page: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UnionPAR_AltaVistaElem
COMMON SENSE MEDIA PARENT NIGHT
Union School District is hosting a parent night led by Jamie Nunez of Common Sense Media. Jamie will address cyberbullying and digital drama and provide strategies to help you support your children as they navigate the digital world. This session is a repeat of the session offered on November 27, 2018. It is open to all Union School District parents and is appropriate for parents of children in any grade level. We hope you can join us!
Monday, February 25th
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Oster Elementary - Cafeteria
1855 Lencar Way
San Jose, CA 95124
To register, please go to: bit.ly/USDCSMParentNight.
If you cannot attend in person, you can watch a livestream of the presentation on YouTube here: bit.ly/CSMUSD. The livestream will broadcast from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on the evening of Monday, February 25th.
Alta Vista Coming Events
2/7 - FIRST GRADE FIELD TRIP TO FUJITSU PLANETARIUM
2/7 - DARTMOUTH STEM FAIRE (6:00-8:00)
2/8 - ALTA VISTA FAMILY DANCE (6:30-8:30)
2/11 - USD BOARD MEETING @ 6:00
2/12 - HOME & SCHOOL CLUB MEETING @ 6:30
2/14 - ALTA VISTA VALENTINES SPIRIT DAY
2/18 through 2/22 - Presidents' Week Break (No School)
Alta Vista School
Email: baileyc@unionsd.org
Website: https://altavista.unionsd.org/
Location: 200 Blossom Valley Drive, LG
Phone: 408.356.6146
Twitter: @TeamAltaVista