Matador Weekly Update

Good evening Mira Loma Families,

Our fifteenth week of school was highlighted by our International Studies (IS) Students and IB MYP Art students visiting the Tea Gardens and Japantown in San Francisco as part of their Asian Culture and Literature Unit on Wednesday, December 4th. It was a beautiful day in the city! Thank you to Mrs. Ochoa, Mr. Bender, Mr. Abbott, Mrs. Char, and Mrs. Garzona for chaperoning and planning the field trip!

On Tuesday of this week, our French Club and Mr. Negretot, hosted our Mira Loma Alumni and Friends (MLAF), as they made a generous donation to the Annual Toy Drive. Thank you to our French Club Members, Mr. Negretot, and our Mira Loma Alumni and Friends for supporting our school and for your donation to a much needed cause. We sincerely appreciate your partnership and support!

On Thursday of this week, Mrs. Volzer, along with our ML Connect Students and a Student Leadership Panel, hosted an 8th Grade Visitation and Campus Tour Event. The event was a great success and I would like to pass along a special thank you to all students and parents who attended. In addition, thank you to Mrs. Volzer, our ML Connect Students, and our Student Panel Leaders for your work organizing a wonderful event, presenting, answering questions, and leading campus tours!

On Thursday evening of this week, I had the opportunity to watch our Girls and Boys Basketball teams compete against Westlake Charter School. All teams played competitively, with the JV and Varsity Boys winning very close games, and the Girls Varsity team losing by a narrow margin in a hard-fought contest. Congratulations to all players and coaches for representing Mira Loma well!

On Friday of this week, Student Government held our annual Winter Rally in the Large Gym. Congratulations to the students who performed and represented Mira Loma! Unfortunately, some of our students who had prepared activities for the rally were not able to perform. Out of an abundance of caution, the rally was stopped early due to some students who let off stink bombs in sections of the bleachers and students who were throwing objects onto the floor during a performance. These actions are not tolerated at Mira Loma High School, they are disruptive to our school culture, and they are disrespectful to our performers, and our students and staff, who worked tirelessly to organize a rally for our school. Our school leadership will continue to have discussions about how to address current behavior issues and also explore strategies to prevent these types of incidents at future rallies. Thank you to our Student Government students and our Activities Director, Mr. Posner, for your time and dedication in planning the rally.

We encourage families to continue to have discussions with your children about school safety and how to report if they have knowledge of a concern. Recently, our administration has seen an increase in communication from students and families when concerns are noticed, allowing us to intervene and resolve issues before they can escalate. This partnership is essential in keeping our campus safe. Please see the yellow “Safety First” icon below for additional information about how to report a concern. We look forward to continuing our conversations about school safety and growing our partnerships with students and families, in an effort to keep our campus safe.

Our Winter Sports season is upon us with Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, and Wrestling all beginning competitive action this week! I would like to take this opportunity to thank athletes, coaches, and parents for dedicating your time and energy to representing our school in a positive manner and we look forward to your partnership during the Winter Sports season. Your commitment and participation is much appreciated and valued!

Please reference our Mira Loma Student Government Newsletter below for important information and upcoming events.

Thank you for your partnership and dedication to Mira Loma High School and I wish you all a safe and wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Kaden Bahner

Principal

Mira Loma High School

Go Matadors!

December 9-Food Box Distribution, 3:40pm

December 10-Student Safety Forum at Lunch

December 11-Safety Meeting, 7:45-8:15am

December 11-Winter Concert

December 17-School Site Council Meeting, 3:45pm

December 17-Snacks & Studying, 4-6pm

December 18-PTO Meeting, 6:30pm

December 18-20-1st Semester Final Exams, Dismissal at 1:15pm

December 23-January 6-No School

Boys Basketball

December 7 @ Mira Loma, 1:30pm (JV) 4:30pm (V)

December 9 @ Sac Adventist, 5:00pm (JV) 8:00pm (V)

December 10 @ Woodland, 4:30pm (F) 6pm (JV) 7:30pm (V)

December 12-14 @ Victory Christian, Varsity Tournament

December 12-14 @ Mesa Verde, JV Tournament

Girls Basketball

December 7 @ Mira Loma, 12pm (JV) 3pm (V)

December 9 @ Sac Adventist, 3:30pm (JV) 6:30pm (V)

December 12 @ Encina, 7pm (V)

December 13 @ El Camino, 4pm (F) 5:30pm (JV) 7pm (V)

Boys Soccer

December 6 @ Mira Loma, 4pm (V)

December 13 @ Mira Loma, 4pm (JV) 6pm (V)

Girls Soccer

December 10 @ Marysville, 4:30pm (JV) 6:15pm (V)

December 12 @ Wheatland, 4:30pm (JV) 6:15pm (V)

This past week, multiple safety drills were performed for staff and students. Students were notified regarding the drills to help prevent anxiety and fear. There were drills for an earthquake, a fire, a shelter in place, and a lock down. Students and staff took the drills seriously and the process went very well. The school site was able to identify areas of improvement where safety response can be improved.

Please continue to talk with your student about the importance of campus safety.

We invite each of you to join our next safety meeting on Wednesday, December 11th at 7:45am in the Mira Loma Flex Space. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Vice Principal Steven Roman.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree

The non-profit will provide free toys and Christmas gifts to children under the age of 12. There may be clothes, Legos, tablets, arts and crafts and more for kids. Food baskets are also available in Sacramento County, and those can be provided to both single households or families with children as well. Senior citizens can also get a meal or small gift.

• Location is 213 Orange Grove Avenue, North Highlands, CA 95660, 2550 Alhambra Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95817. Phone: (916) 678-4010

• Another social services is 3755 N Freeway Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95834. Call (916) 563-3700

• There are other assistance programs, both year round and during the holidays. More on Sacramento Salvation Army assistance programs.

• The Salvation Army also runs Angel Tree from 10370 Old Placerville Rd, Sacramento, CA 95827. Call (916) 563-3700.

Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Toy Project
This program is not for residents of the city, but only for the unincorporated areas of the county. Toys and Christmas gifts are available as the result of donations from non-profit agencies, peace officers, volunteers, and local businesses. Toys are given out first come and served to those that qualify. Dial 916-361-4571.

Sacramento USMC Marine Free Toys for Tots Foundation
New toys are given to children and teenagers under the age of 14. The Christmas gifts will be new and unwrapped. Dolls, games, shoes, books, and other presents may be given out. There may be electronics, tablets, sporting equipment and many other presents. Immigrants and single moms or dads can also register. Apply at http://sacramento-ca.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/Default.aspx

Union Gospel Mission Sacramento - UGM SAC
Main address - 400 Bannon St., Sacramento, California 95811. Phone: (916) 447-3268
The charity only has food and meals. There are Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas basket programs. The food is for seniors, the working poor, and homeless among others.

Loaves & Fishes
1351 N C St, Sacramento, CA 95811. Phone: (916) 446-0874
Meals are served at the holidays. There may be referrals to some gift-giving services. There may also be some small prizes/gifts given out.

Saint Ignatius Loyola Parish
3235 Arden Way, Sacramento, California, 95825. Call 916-482-9666
Holiday assistance includes Thanksgiving meals, food baskets, and more. Volunteers may be able to provide some minimal Christmas help too.

Now Faith Church of Deliverance
721 N B St., Sacramento, CA 95811. Dial (916) 444-1800
Various holiday assistance is offered as part of TfT. The charity has volunteers that help the low income, poor, and needy. Christmas gifts, school supplies, groceries, holiday food, turkey meals, and more.

Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center
Main address is 450 West El Camino Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95833
The only zip codes are 95833, 95834, 95815, 95835, as well as 95838. The charity helps seniors, low income families and individuals. There are free gifts for kids under the age of 15 as well as holiday food or groceries. Call 916-927-1303.

Holiday help from Catholic Charity churches
Free meals, food, Christmas gifts, Adopt a Family, meals on thanksgiving day and other holiday assistance is offered. Clothes, video games, and top Christmas toys may be offered based on donations. Various churches help infants, seniors, teenagers, and single moms or migrant workers among others. Continue with Catholic charities Sacramento County holiday programs.

This Is Pentecost (TIP) Fellowship Ministry
Location is 6489 47th St., Sacramento, CA 95823. Main Phone: (916) 422-4962
A faith based group that gives out free toys to teenagers and younger. They partner with the Toys for Tots. Free unwrapped Christmas gifts in Sacramento County are for the low income, working poor, and families in poverty. Books, toys, games, clothes and more.

Sacramento Food Bank
They are a regional non-profit. Various social services are offered, including free ingredients for a holiday meal, including at Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Small gifts, clothes, and Christmas toys or gift certificates may be offered too. More information on Sacramento Food Bank assistance programs.

Love Action Int
Physical address - 5848 Santa Fe Way, North Highlands, CA 95660. Dial (916) 796-9846
Free Christmas or Thanksgiving toys, trucks or games for boys, dolls and games for girls, electronics, and other free Christmas toys. Parents may be given gift certificates too.

Additional Sacramento County area holiday programs (Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas)
Many other groups provide help, often in partnership with the United Way. There may be free gift cards or clothes. Or stocking stuffers or Christmas tree decorations. The unemployed, working poor, migrant workers and others can get free Xmas help. Call 916-498-1000 or a charity below.

• River City Food Bank has free holiday meal groceries and ingredients. The address is 1800 28th Street, Sacramento, CA 95816. Call 916-446-2627

• Holy Cross Conference - SVdP, Sacramento Diocesan Council. Call 916-373-3318

• Gifts From The Heart (GFTH) Program - They only provide help to seniors or children who are part of the Divisions of Child Protective Services or Senior and Adult Services. A number of agencies, corporations and stores work on this service with the county government.

• Good Shepherd Conference - Saint Vincent is a free clothing closet (with seasonal items too) at 9539 Racquet Court, Elk Grove, CA, 9575. Phone - 916-572-7553

Twin Lakes Food Bank
The non-profit is at 327 Montrose Dr, Folsom, CA 95630.
Christmas baskets are only for residents of Granite Bay, Folsom, and El Dorado Hills. Dial 916-985-6232 for more information or intake.

Neil Orchard Senior Activities Center - Cordova Recreation & Park District
Address is 3480 Routier Rd, Sacramento, California 95827. Call (916) 366-3133
Senior citizens, no matter their income, can be given a free holiday meal with their peers.

This list was created by and can be found by visiting https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/sacramento_free_holiday_assistance.html.

You can also visit 211 Sacramento Holiday Programs search tool - Holiday Programs | 211 Sacramento for more holiday assistance!

The San Juan Unified food closet is located at the Central Enrollment Center (3700 Garfield Ave. in Carmichael) Room 14 and serves families who are in need of non-perishable food items.

Hours:
Open: Monday through Friday (8:30 am - 2:00 pm)
Closed on non-school days and holidays. Questions? Call (916) 979-8878.

CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps), provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-income.

The Sacramento Food Bank can help families with food, diapers, legal services and other community resources.

To clear absences, please call 916-971-7459 or email miralomaabsence@sanjuan.edu.

When reporting absences/tardies, it is important to include your child's first and last name as well as their six-digit student ID number. This will help ensure accurate identification. Parents must clear absences within 5 school days. Absences not cleared within 5 school days will be recorded as a Cut.

Excused Tardies-Verified medical appointments, late bus, SARB, DMV (must provide a receipt) or illness are excusable reasons for tardies.

To request an early dismissal, please call 916-971-7459

Parent/Guardians must contact the Attendance Office at least 30 minutes prior to an early dismissal. Failure to do so may result in a long wait time. Dismissal slips are not sent to classrooms 30 minutes prior to the end of the school day. Early dismissals are not accepted via email or Parent Portal. Parent portal is for clearing full day absences.

Donations Needed:

Our Tax ID number is: EIN: 68-034374. Donate here: https://miralomaibpo.square.site.

PTO Website:

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