Making Connections
September 29, 2024
Weekly Messaging from Connect Academy
Here What's Happening in September
September 30: Non Student Day
October 2: School Custodian Day
October 9: Minimum Day for Design39Campus
October 14: Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 20: Passport 39
October 31: Halloween
Principal's Ponderings
We’ve all been there—asking our teenagers the classic, “What did you do at school today?” only to receive a one-word response like “Nothing” or (my favorite) “I don’t remember.” Our inquiries are well-intentioned, but they often fall flat and leave us wondering if we’ll ever know what’s happening in our students’ lives
The truth is, it’s not that our kids don’t want to share—it’s that the question itself is a bit... well, lame. It’s too broad, too generic, and doesn’t give them much direction on what to talk about. So, how can we move beyond this conversation killer and open the door to more meaningful dialogue?
Below are some questions that might help you dig a little deeper, uncover those stories, and hear about your child’s day in a way that’s both engaging and enjoyable for you both:
- What was the best part of your day?
- Did you learn something that surprised you today?
- When did you feel loved today?
- What’s one thing you did today that made you proud?
- Did anything make you laugh today?
It’s all about finding the right questions to let our kids open up and share more of their world with us. I hope these spark some great conversations at home!
Teacher's Tomes
Dear Connect Academy Families,
We hope this newsletter finds you well! We are excited to share some updates and important information for the upcoming month.
Important Dates to Know!
P.E. Log #3 is due on Thursday October 3rd. To get full credit, students must have 400 minutes, a completed reflection, and student and parent signatures.
Monday, September 30th is a Non-Student Day - This is a great opportunity to catch up on assignments if your student has missing assignments to complete. This helps them deepen their learning and improve their grades!
Library Starts on Wednesday!
We are thrilled to announce that our school library will be available this Wednesday for all students from 10:30-11:00 am. Students will have the opportunity to browse the shelves, check out books, and participate in engaging reading activities. Be sure to mark your calendars and encourage your child to visit the library.
Velocity Science Lab Next Week
Next week, our students will be participating in an exciting 2 Part Velocity Science Lab. They will have the chance to explore the principles of motion and experiment with increasing and decreasing velocity of a paper airplane.
Virtual Field Trips for 7th and 8th Graders
Our 7th and 8th grade social studies classes are embarking on virtual field trips next week. The 7th graders will be using Google Earth to view ancient Roman architecture, art, and engineering. The 8th graders will be visiting the historic Jamestown settlement to learn about the early American colonial era.
Looking forward to another great week! Can’t wait to see everyone on Tuesday!
Best regards,
Mr. Gizzo & Mrs. Matos
Counseling Connections
Mr. Bibby's Tip of the Week: Prioritize Sleep for Academic Success
Getting enough quality sleep is crucial for both academic performance and overall well-being. Research shows that students who maintain a consistent sleep schedule perform better in school, retain information longer, and are more alert during the day. Here are some AVID strategies to help students manage their sleep routines:
Create a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Encourage students to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This builds a routine that helps their bodies know when it's time to rest.
Limit Screen Time Before Bed: Exposure to screens before bed can interfere with falling asleep. Advise students to put away phones, laptops, and tablets at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
Set a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Suggest activities like reading a book, listening to calming music, or practicing mindfulness before bed. This can help wind down the mind and body.
Avoid Caffeine Late in the Day: Caffeine can interfere with sleep, so it’s best to limit its intake, especially in the afternoon or evening.
Stay Organized to Reduce Stress: Help students keep their homework, extracurricular activities, and social commitments organized. Less stress often leads to better sleep.
Equitable Spaces
Please Join the Design39Campus Community for Passport39
Redundant Repetitious Reiterating Repeated Recurrent Routine Reminders
What's Up With Poway Unified?
PUSD Substitutes Needed: With flu, cold, and COVID season upon us, we are once again in need of qualified substitutes to support PUSD and our campus in the event of an LED absence.
If you or someone you know are interested in applying to become a substitute teacher with Poway Unified School District, please click here.
Food and Nutrition Updates and Reminders: School breakfast and school lunch are FREE for all enrolled students, every school day. Meals must still be entered into the cafeteria computer by individual student account.
Even though meals are free, families are still highly encouraged to complete the application for free and reduced-price meal eligibility. School site funding depends in part on the number of students eligible for free/reduced-price meals. Families that qualify for free/reduced-price meals may qualify for other benefits, as well. The meal application is available online at MySchoolApps.com.
Printer-friendly PDF menus are available on the PUSD Food and Nutrition webpage. At the top of the page, click or hover over School Menus + and then Printable PDF Menus.
Interactive, web-based menus containing nutrient and allergen details are available at MySchoolMenus.com, as well as via links from the F&N webpage.