Principal's Newsletter
November 6, 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion families,
I hope everyone is well. Our school report to the RCSD Board of Education was well received on October 25th. We were able to convey what makes our school such a special place for learning in two languages! I also want to share the recently School Site Council approved Student/Parent Handbook 2023-24. It was great seeing how our community came together for both the "Día De Los Muertos" and Trunk Or Treat events(enjoy the photos below). Thank you to all of the volunteers that made it happen! We had a good turnout for Student Goal Setting Conferences and I appreciate parents and teachers patience with the new format. We are gathering feedback district wide about how the Goal Setting Conferences went in order to make improvements for next year. We will be finishing Trimester 1 next week on November 8th. Teachers will be finalizing the Report Cards/Progress Reports and we will be sending them home with the students on Friday, November 17th.
New TK/Kindergarten Registration 2024/25 and Tours
The School District Enrollment and School of Choice for 2024/25 TK/Kindergarten opened on November 2nd and continues through Friday, January 19th at 3:00pm. It is important that both the Registration/Enrollment Form for your home school(based on your address) and the School of Choice Form for Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion must be completed by January 19th. Current PreSchool students here on our campus and siblings of students who are currently enrolled here and at Kennedy in the Spanish immersion strand have priority acceptance as long as the forms are completed on time by January 19th. Please complete this Adelante Selby Sibling 2024/25 Form so we can alert the District to prioritize your acceptance for next year.
Please help get the word out to family, friends, and neighbors about our weekly informational TK/Kindergarten Tours that meet in person at the school office every Thursday at 8:40AM and the tours will continue through the end of January. Please register for a TK/Kindergarten Tour with this form: TK/Kindergarten Tour Registration. Promoting our school by "word of mouth" from parents and community members is the best way to "market" our school and immersion program to prospective new parents. When promoting our school, keep in mind that mastering two or more languages has enormous benefits for our students, both native speakers of English and native speakers of the target language(Spanish) at a dual language immersion school. Other talking points when talking about our school are that research has confirmed the benefits of biliteracy and bilingualism that are demonstrated as brain and cognitive functioning, academic, economic, and social advantages, as well as cross-cultural competency and supporting a stronger family cohesion and connection to their family heritage.
2023 Walk-A-Thon “Walk On The Wild Side - Caminemos Hacia Una Aventura” Fundraiser
The Walk-A-Thon is an annual Unidos PTO school fundraiser taking place on Friday, November 17th. Students will have the opportunity to raise money for their favorite activities including Danny G, Garden, and Field Trips by reaching out to family and friends and collecting donations. Each year, a Walk-A-Thon T-shirt is created, class prizes are given, and most importantly, students get exercise dancing, skipping, or walking laps to their favorite tunes while parents, faculty, and the Alebrije cheer them on – it’s a great community event!
We’ve raised almost $5,000 towards our goal of $30,000!
Cash and check donations can be returned with the paper form sent home in your child’s weekly folder to their teacher or the front office. Online donations can be made through your child’s individual webpage that was sent via 99Pledges - or Click on this link and search for your child’s name. Please share your child’s page with family and friends - every dollar counts! Any amount raised will also earn your child a 2023 Walk-A-Thon T-shirt (dress code approved)! All pledge forms and money and online donations are due by Friday, November 17th.
The class that earns the most donations receives $100 towards their class Amazon wish list and each student will receive a $5 gift card to Corner Yogurt.
Congratulations to Morgan Chan from Maestra Suzie’s 3rd Grade Class on winning the Walk-A-Thon T-shirt design contest. Morgan’s design will appear on this year’s shirt! Any student that raises money will receive a free Walk-A-Thon shirt!
The Walk-A-Thon will take place Friday, November 17th, (During the School Day). Parents are encouraged to attend the event and cheer on the students!
If you have any questions, please contact Ann Hynecek at walkathon@unidospto.org
If you would like to bring sliced oranges for the students Click Here
Thank you for your support,
– Unidos PTO Y Adelante Selby
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 Adelante Selby will join schools throughout the country in celebrating Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. Families are encouraged to walk to school, or to the bus stop, or park a block or two away and walk onto campus. Pick up a flag from the school office this week that you can use on your walk to school. Students are also encouraged to make handmade signs and wear purple to help commemorate the day. Parents and caregivers are invited to gather, if you can, at any entrance before school begins on November 14th to help welcome the students with words of love and encouragement to start the day.
Background of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day honors the legacy of Ruby Bridges, civil rights icon who helped to desegregate schools in the United States. The day was recognized by the California State Legislature to honor the courageous legacy of Ruby Bridges, who at age six in 1960 became the first Black child to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans. Ruby and her mother were escorted daily by U.S. Marshalls to school, where a crowd of people yelled at her. Every day, despite many threats and protests, Ruby bravely walked to school and did not miss a day of school.
Ruby’s courage helped make it possible for children all over the country to choose the schools they attend no matter the color of their skin. Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day began here in San Mateo County in 2018 when students at Martin Elementary in South San Francisco asked, “Why isn’t there a day for Ruby?” The day has expanded to a national movement of over 340,000 participating students across 1,400 schools.
Join Us to Walk to School: Come meet us at one of the following rally points and walk together with us:
7:45am - Meet @ Woodside Plaza along Massachusetts Ave. in front of the Wells Fargo. Contact: Casia Ravi, (650) 450-8221
7:55am - Meet @ Beresford & Himmel. Contact: Chris Cahill, (209) 405-1492
Monthly Wellness Tips From Our Mental Health Counselors
The District Mental Health Counselors have started a new monthly newsletter. This month they talk about Bullying. To find out more about bullying, please click on the: LINK.
Our Mental Health Counselor on site is Vickie Neves and parents can refer their children to her services using this link: Adelante Selby Support Services Referral Form (academic/counseling support)
4th-5th Dance Performance - Thursday, November 30th, Show Starts At 6:30 PM
Come and enjoy the hard work your 4th and 5th graders have been putting in for the last trimester. Watch as they show off their awesome moves and incredible stage presence! Buy your tickets for $5 at unidospto.org/dance or in person on 11/13 before school and 11/15 & 11/27 after school outside the library. Student performers should be dropped off at Carrington Hall, Sequoia High School by 5:15pm for rehearsal. The doors open for the audience by 6:00pm and the show starts at 6:30pm!
4th-5th Dance Performance Flyer
School Library
Diane Ocon is our wonderful Librarian and she has a newsletter in order to help keep families informed about what is going on in the Library: Adelante Selby Library Newsletter
Unidos PTO Membership Toolkit, Spirit wear Information, Volunteer Info
If you have not done so already, please sign up to be a member of Unidos using this link: Unidos Membership Toolkit
We sold a LOT of spirit wear at MAZE day, but you can order online using this link: https://www.unidospto.org/spiritwear.
Unidos will be recruiting parent volunteers at Back To School Night on September 14th! District Volunteer Requirements must be completed prior to volunteering at school or on field trips:https://www.rcsdk8.net/careers/volunteer
Familias Unidas
Here is the LINK to the latest newsletter from Familias Unidas. The newsletter highlights that they were recently recognized with the "Welcoming Star Award" from Redwood City Together for the parenting classes. Thank you for helping so many of our families over the years who have benefited from the family engagement classes with a focus on student learning and achievement.
Child Nutrition Services: Breakfast and Lunch Menus
A healthy body fosters a healthy and focused mind. Well-rounded meals served in RCSD school cafeterias are created using USDA nutrition guidelines as well as “kid-approved” recipes. Whole grains, milk, fresh produce, protein, and healthy fats containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are the stars of the breakfast and lunch menu items. Studies show that good eating habits and healthy behaviors are connected to academic achievement. Meals provided by Child Nutrition Services help to shape lifelong healthy habits. All students have the opportunity to eat breakfast and lunch for free again this year through our Child Nutrition Services.
Here are the menus for August(you can use the same links for the September Menu which is not available yet):
Sequoia Healthcare District and the Parent Venture Education Workshops
Parents/caregivers, educators, mental health professionals, and community members welcome! Free admission. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available.
What Happened to You? A Conversation on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, Brain and Trauma Expert, Co-Author, What Happened to You?
Thursday, November 9, 2023, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Virtual Event (Live)
Register: https://bruceperrymd2023smcoe.eventbrite.com
For over thirty years, Bruce Perry, MD, PhD, has been an educator and researcher in children’s mental health and the neurosciences. His work on the impact of abuse, neglect and trauma on the developing brain has impacted clinical practice, programs, and policy around the world.
Dr. Perry's groundbreaking book, What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing (2021), co-authored with Oprah Winfrey, is a #1 New York Times bestseller with over 1 million copies sold.
Parent Forum #27 (English) – How to Talk with Your Kids About Violence and War
Eran Magen, PhD, Founder, Parenting for Humans
Friday, November 10, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:00pm PT, Virtual Event (Live)
Register: https://parentforum27english2023.eventbrite.com
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6508543154?pwd=WSsxWktscjlreXozUmp3UkpDVkg5Zz09
In these unsettled times, how can you talk with your kids about violence and war? Join us for an all-new Parent Forum (English) with Eran Magen, PhD, population health psychologist and founder of Parenting for Humans.
COVID-19 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
Parents are to complete a self-reporting form when a student tests positive for COVID-19 (link below). Our office staff is happy to assist you in filling out the form if help is needed. Once you complete the reporting form, you will receive an automatic response with the isolation guidelines. We do ask that you continue calling the school office to report your child's absences.
Self-Reporting Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjT9TpUXTf0y3VMe5wQVsniMkUB4MWDkd2NlAQJ-BqWYKhPQ/viewform
Office Hours
Our school office hours are 8:00-4:00pm. All visitors to our school during school hours (not for Drop Off or Pick Up times) must come through and sign in at the school office.
Please visit our school website , Adelante Selby Facebook Page and our PTO/Unidos webpage and social media accounts: unidospto.org, Facebook and Instagram for more information.
Regards,
Director Warren
Important November Dates
- Nov 7: Unidos PTO Meeting 5:30-7:30pm: Library or Google Meet
- Nov. 8: Trimester 1 ends
- Nov. 9-10: No School
- Nov. 9: Second Harvest Food Distribution 2:45-4:00PM: Front Lot--ALL ARE WELCOME!!
- Nov. 13: ELAC parent meeting STEAM Lab: 8:45AM
- Nov. 14: Ruby Bridges Walk To School Day Event: Try Your Best To Walk or Bike To School!
- Nov. 15: Picture Make Up Day: Retake Bad Photo Or If Absent
- Nov. 15: School Site Council Meeting: Room 404 at 3:00PM
- Nov. 17: Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser Event in the AM
- Nov. 17: 1st Trimester Progress Reports/Report Cards sent home with students.
- Nov 21: Early Release Dismissal at 1:25pm(TK: 12:45)
- Nov. 22-24: No School for Thanksgiving
- Nov. 30: Second Harvest Food Distribution 2:45PM-4:00PM Front Lot--ALL ARE WELCOME!!
- Nov. 30: 4th and 5th grade Dance Performance at Carrington Hall, Sequoia High School: Students Dropped off by 5:15PM for rehearsal and doors open at 6:00PM with show starting at 6:30PM