Principal's Newsletter

Dear Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion families

I hope everyone is well. It was Community School Coordinator's Week last week and we had fun recognizing Jose Luna(see photo below). We are fortunate to have such a robust Community School program that supports all students and families in a variety of ways. It was cute seeing all the students participating in the Crazy Socks Spirit Day last Friday--many of them were very creative this year!

The upcoming month of October is a very busy month for our school with the Student Goal Setting Conference week, the Scholastic Book Fair, the Finding Nemo Kids Musical performances, and two of our favorite community building events at the end of this month Día De Los Muertos and Trunk or Treat. I want to SHOUT OUT Parent Volunteer Elizabeth Flegel for all the time and effort it took publishing this year's School Directory--MUCHAS GRACIAS!

Student Goal Setting Conferences

Student Led Goal Setting Conferences will be much earlier (September 30th in the PM, and October 1st - October 4th in the PM which are ALL Super Minimum Days with Early Dismissal: TK:11:30am; Kindergarten 11:35; 1st-5th grades at 11:45am) which is prior to the end of the first Trimester and before Report Cards are sent home. The expectation is that we help students construct knowledge about their individual strengths and how to use those skills to tackle areas of growth and challenges. We want to empower students to take ownership of their learning. We want to encourage students to collaborate and communicate with teachers and parents about their academic and social growth The plan is for students to be more actively involved and reflective at the student goal setting parent/teacher conferences. Most of the conference conversation will involve students discussing their thoughts and reflections on their learning, focusing on just one goal. Teachers will provide some additional information about the student’s current progress and strengths. The conference will cover the work that will take place in the classroom and also suggestions for how the family can support the student in reaching the goal at home. .Teachers will be communicating with parents about the schedule sign ups (some have already started).

School Picture Day October 9th

School Picture Day is coming soon on Wednesday, October 9th with Dorian. Students may come in Free Dress for their photo. If you would like to order photos from Dorian we will send home Picture Day flyers this Thursday or go to mydorian.com . Here is the tentative Picture Day Schedule. Unidos PTO will sending out a sign up form for Parent Volunteers.

Help Prioritize Services for Students: RCSD District Budget Renewal Initiative

Your voice is needed to help our district prioritize services for our students. This fall, we will go through a process of deciding what services will continue in our school and across the school district. You can be a part of these decisions by joining the Budget Renewal Initiative Committee, which will help evaluate potential budget adjustments and ensure diverse perspectives are considered. The budget reductions will be implemented starting in 2025-26 due to additional COVID recovery one-time funds coming to an end next summer. Committee applications close Monday, September 30.

Learn More and Apply for this Committee

I want to bring parents attention to the importance of students attending school daily and on time. We know that regular attendance is crucial so that students can achieve to their maximum potential and especially in two languages. Our school has a goal to improve attendance and we want to decrease the number or percentage of students that are considered "chronically absent". Our district considers any student "chronically absent" if they have 9 or more absences(excused or unexcused) in a school year. So it is critical that parents and families plan family vacations around the school calendar and only keep their children home from school when they are sick. If students have doctor or dentist appointments, they still should attend school. Independent Study is for students that will be absent 5 or more consecutive days and the contract needs to be approved at least 2 weeks prior to the absences. Parents must come to the office to get the Independent Study Contract and it then needs to be approved beforehand so that teachers have time to put together all of the work students are expected to complete upon return to school. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and bringing your child(ren) to school every day and on time!

School Site Council 2024/25

The School Site Council's main responsibility is to oversee the development and monitor the progress of the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)which includes the budget. We had a good first meeting and after our training we elected officers:

• Chairperson: Yessica Gallagher(parent)
• Vice Chairperson: Damien Fuentes(parent)
• Secretary: Lauren Berlin(parent)
• Parliamentarian: Marina Fashchenko(parent)

The other Council Membership includes: Parent: Jen Brown Serio, Teachers: Narda Garcia, Adriana Gomez, and Maria Orozco; Classified Representative: Jessenia Linares; and from the Administration: Warren Sedar.

The School Site Council meets monthly on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:30pm. Our next School Site Council Meeting is Wednesday, October 23rd at 3:00pm in the STEAM Lab.

After School Programs for 2024/25

If interested in more information about after school programs please contact the following coordinators via email:

• REACH enrolling over 200 students in K-5th grades: Contact: kjimenez@redwoodcity.org
• Siena Youth Center with 80 students in 1st-5th grades: Contact: mrtenorio@stfrancisrwc.org
• YMCA with 40 students TK- 2nd grades: Contact: Eliana.Gonzalez@ymcasv.org

Additionally, Casa Círculo provides after school classes and opportunities for many of our students

Exciting news! Our Scholastic Book Fair truck is arriving today and we’ll be setting up for the Book Fair this week in the Library. Students will be bringing home a Scholastic flyer this week, giving them a sneak peek at bestsellers and new releases. To build excitement, we also have a fun counting game in the library that all students will participate in it during library time called “How Many Leaves Did the Old Lady Sneeze?” based on the book, There was an old lady who swallowed some leaves!

Also, don’t forget to create your eWallet to ensure a smooth shopping experience for your child. You’ll be notified through Class Dojo or via the Scholastic flyer when your child’s class will be visiting the book fair next week (Oct 1-4) and also you can shop with your child before after your parent conference meeting! Click here for book fair shopping hours.

Click HERE for a list of books in Spanish that I believe our students will love.

The Direct Drive has Ended!

Thank you Adelante Selby Families! Together we raised $55,000 from 100 families - with donations ranging from $20 to over $5,000! Your support makes a difference at our school.

Family Testimonial

I didn't understand why one had to donate money to my children's school when they started attending. I thought it was the school district's obligation to provide all the services. It wasn't until I went to a PTO meeting that they explained to me that these services were extra and that the districts don't have a lot of funds. So it was the parents' obligation. I understood that at school we all benefit from these services. Those who have more can give more and those of us who don't have much can do so in various ways. In payments, giving our time inside and outside of school. Our time is also worth money. For my part, I was able to give money but when my two children started, I began to give more of my time to compensate for what I couldn't give with money.

— Parent of two students

Thanks to our amazing families (like you!) Unidos PTO is able to support so many important programs: Dance, Garden, Classroom Assistants, Yard Duty, Field Trips, School Equipment, Teacher Appreciation, Community Events, and more. Thank you for your generosity!

Sincerely,

The volunteers at Unidos PTO

P.S. If you weren’t able to donate, it’s not too late to do so at UnidosPTO.org/Donate, Venmo or Paypal (@UnidosPTO), Zelle (treasurer@UnidosPTO.org), or in the school office. Also, please don’t forget to ask your employer if they match charitable donations, or even make charitable donations directly.This is the LAST WEEK of Unidos PTO’s “Direct Drive”, when families are asked to consider donating in support of PTO programming (Dance, Garden, Classroom Assistants, Yard Duty, Field Trips, School Equipment, Teacher Appreciation, Community Events, and more). Unidos PTO has received $25,000 toward their goal of $75,000. Thank you!

Please consider donating today if you have not already: UnidosPTO.org/Donate,VenmoorPaypal(@UnidosPTO),Zelle(treasurer@UnidosPTO.org),or in the school office.

See the photo below!

Lost and Found By The Front Office

We already have quite a bit of Lost and Found items in the large wooden box and clothing stand by the office. Please stop by and claim any lost item: sweaters, sweatshirts, lunch boxes, and water bottles by this Thursday, September 26 in the PM. Parents another reminder that it is very helpful to label/put your child's name on your child's lunch box, water bottle, and sweaters/jackets as students sometimes forget and leave them outside. On the last Friday of each month(THIS FRIDAY, September 27), reminder we put the unclaimed items out on the blue tables from 7:30-9:30am which are FREE to anyone. We then recycle the leftover items without names into the green bin in the front parking lot.

BIRTHDAYS

Our district works hard to create balanced lunches that include whole grains, protein, fruits and vegetables. As such, please do not bring sugary treats to school to celebrate your child's birthday(e.g, cupcakes). You are welcome to send healthy alternatives or non-edible items such as pencils, erasers or fidget toys. Typically, teachers will take the last Friday of the month to celebrate students birthdays for the entire month.

Share Feedback with the New School Meal Director: Sept 25 @ 8 p.m.

Come meet the new director of Child Nutrition Services, Richie Wilim, and hear about what changes he has already started and what’s to come. It is also a great place to share feedback with him about what your priorities are and what you've been hearing from your students. Do your students have strong opinions about the new pizza? Do you hope to see more scratch cooking? Have you noticed the online menu doesn't always match what's served at school? This is all great feedback for Richie. Meeting details are below, or you can add the meeting to your calendar by clicking this link: https://calendar.app.google/hSu5yUctHUgAtWAc7

This event is hosted by the Healthy School Meals Coalition. Sign up for our email list here.

Here is the meeting info:

Topic: Healthy School Meals Coalition Meeting
Time: Sep 25, 2024 08:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89134491032?pwd=TlgxMuxxgP6ROEApd1vO0aD4YfK8VA.1
Meeting ID: 891 3449 1032
Passcode: 519643

Parent Venture: Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World

Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD, Therapist, Author, Speaker

Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Virtual Event (Live)

Register: https://joannfinkelstein2024suhsd.eventbrite.com

In her new book, Sexism & Sensibility, Harvard-educated psychologist Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD, offers an invaluable guide to understanding and dismantling sexism for parents trying to raise confident and powerful girls in a culture that often demeans them.

Parents/caregivers, students, educators, health professionals, and community members welcome! Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission.

This presentation is sponsored by Sequoia Union High School District, Sequoia Healthcare District, Peninsula Health Care District, and The Parent Venture.

Questions? Contact Charlene Margot, MEd, Co-Founder and CEO, The Parent Venture (The Parent Education Series), at cmargot@parentventure.org.

International Walk & Roll to School Day - Oct. 9

Consider swapping your commute to school for a day! Join us on Wednesday, October 9th in walking, biking or rolling to school. Can't do it the whole way? Park a bit further out and walk/bike in. Are you interested in joining or helping lead a group of Adelante Selby students in walking or biking to school? Two groups are in the works, and we'd love to add more if anyone else would like to help lead one. Contact Casia Ravi casiaravi@gmail.com

More details coming soon!

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.

Helpful Information Can Be Found In The Links Below:

Regards,

Director Warren

• Thursday, September 26: Food Distribution: Front PArking Lot 2:45-4:30pm All Welcome!
• Friday, September 27: Cafecito Con El Director 8:30-9:45: STEAM Lab or Amphitheater
• Friday, September 27: Free Dress Day(every last Friday of the month)
• Friday, September 27: Lost and Found Clothing Put on Blue Tables 7:30-9:30am FREE; leftover unlabelled clothes will be recycled in the Green Bin in the Front Parking Lot at 9:30am.
• Monday, September 30: No School For Students: Teacher Professional Development AM/Goal Setting Conferences in the PM for scheduled students/parents.
• Tuesday, October 1-4: Goal Setting Conferences: Super Early Dismissal All Week: 11:45am
• Tuesday, October 1-4: Scholastic Book Fair in the Library
• Wednesday, October 9: School Picture Day
• Wednesday, October 9: International Walk To School Day!
• Monday, October 14: Indigenous Peoples Day: No School
• Monday, October 21: ELAC Parent Meeting, 8:45am: STEAM Lab
• Wednesday, October: 23: School Site Council Meeting: 3:00pm: STEAM Lab
• Friday, October 25: Finding Nemo Kids Musical: 7:00pm: MIT Auditorium
• Saturday, October 26: Finding NEmo Kids Musical : 1:00pm: MIT Auditorium
• Thursday, October 31: Trunk or Treat: 2:30-4:00: Front Parking Lot
• Friday, November 1: No School
• Saturday, November 2: Dia De Los Muertos Event 11:00-2:00pm