Garden Road Family Newsletter #22

January 16, 23 & 30 Variety Show Rehearsals

January 20 No School - Martin Luther King Day

January 22 Dining Out - Nutmeg Bakery 8:00 - 1:00

January 27 No School for Students - Professional Growth Day

February 3 PTA Meeting

February 4 and 5 Variety Show Assemblies

February 6 and 7 Variety Show (evening)

February 7 Friday Flag

Dear Garden Road Families,

This week, tryouts for the Variety Show concluded. Students are excited to see the Variety Show performance in February. I hope you all have a restful three day weekend. As we celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, we will have time to relax and recharge with our families.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT AMBASSADOR KNOWLEDGE & NETWORK UPCOMING EVENTS:

Join Life Planning Specialist Wendy Smith for an insightful presentation on why creating a plan matters, how to take the first steps, and where to find support along the way. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with fellow parents, gaining valuable insights and support. Start building a strong foundation for your child's future today! Flier found here.

On February 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., Valley Elementary School will host PUSD's first-ever IEP Basics training exclusively in Spanish. In collaboration with the Exceptional Family Resource Center, this event is designed to support PUSD Spanish-speaking families of students with IEPs. More details are available in the event flier.

2025-26 School Year Enrollment Communication

It’s hard to believe it but it’s already time to begin to think about the 2025-2026 school year!

Here are some important dates to mark on your calendars:

• Transfer Requests - beginning on February 1st at 8:00 am, we will accept transfer requests for students who live in the Poway Unified boundaries and would like to attend a different Poway school. This includes incoming siblings of current students, as well as students who have not yet enrolled. Transfer requests can be made on the Poway Unified website by clicking THIS link. The transfer window closes on March 31st at 5:00 pm.

• Continuing Student Registration - from February 28 - March 31st, all parents whose current students will continue in Poway Unified for the 2025-26 school year need to complete online continuing registration. Look for more information coming soon.

• New Student Enrollment - beginning on April 1st at 8:00 am, new student enrollment opens on the Poway Unified website. We are excited to welcome our new students!

More details can be found on the Poway Unified website at www.powayusd.com.

TK-4th Grade Families -

Sue Melnick

Principal

As soon as we share the first photo of our kid, we're establishing their digital footprint. As kids get older and start creating their own content or engaging with others online, they need to understand the tracks they're leaving behind and what those tracks might reveal. Parents can help guide kids toward creating the kind of footprint they can be proud of. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Be a role model: Before you post a photo of your kid on social media, ask if it's OK to share. Not only will you give them control over their own digital footprint, but you'll also be showing them what you expect them to do with others' photos.

Use privacy settings: Go through all the settings on new apps to make sure you both know what information your kids are sharing. Especially in the beginning, it's better to share very little.

Question everything: Before you sign any forms or register for a new online service for your kid, check the privacy policy to see what kind of information you're giving the school or company and who they're sharing it with. Sharing some data might be required, but you may be able to opt out of others. Talk with your kid about why it's important to protect your personal data.

Use a celebrity as an example: With older kids, choose a celebrity or another famous person and look through their Twitter or Instagram posts with your kid. Discuss your impressions of them based on what they post. Ask your kid what kind of image they'd like to project online.

Regards,

Tuhina Lal

Library Media Tech

TLAL@powayusd.com

​(858) 748-0230 x 2160

Garden Road Mission: We are empowered learners, who lead ourselves and others, to contribute to a better world.

Email: smelnick@powayusd.com

Website: https://gardenroad.powayusd.com/

Location: 14614 Garden Road, Poway, CA 92064

Phone: 858-748-0230