Principal's Newsletter

Dear Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion families,

I hope everyone is well. We had an excellent turn out for our Back To School Night this year with approximately 85% of all students parents attending. Our teachers did a great job explaining the curricula, expectations, rules and routines, homework, how to support your child at home, and opportunities to volunteer(click on this LINK for the District Volunteer Guidelines). Here is the Back To School Night Video message that Pati and I recorded for the evening with a Welcome Message, a little overview of our school's mission, overall expectations, and an important message from our Unidos Co-Presidents Erica Day and Marina Fashchenko. Parents and community members please remember to make a generous donation to our Unidos Direct Drive if you have not done so already!

Our wonderful PE+ program and our full Enrichment rotation have all now begun:

Enrichment Schedules for Trimester 1

We are fortunate to have a high quality Spanish Immersion program where students are learning in two languages, but were you aware that our students also participate in a robust Enrichment program? The Enrichment Classes rotate by Trimester:

• Modern Dance with Danny Giray(Danny G): Our 4th and 5th graders started last week with Danny G and the Dance Class. The weekly Dance Classes will do a special culminating night performance at Carrington Hall on the Sequoia High School campus. The students will have the experience of performing on a real stage in front of an audience full of family and friends.
• Garden Class classes began with Maestra Susan Forker for Kinder and 1st grade classes. Students gather for a teaching point in the outdoor classroom class in the garden and are then typically given tasks to do with partners. They also get a chance to eat some of the harvest!
• STEAM: STEAM classes with Maestro David Hopper began last week for the 2nd/3rd grade classrooms. Students will engage in a variety of hands on activities throughout the trimester, but will primarily focus on programming the SPIKE Lego robots.

Additionally,

• 1st Trimester Music: The vocal music enrichment began last week for 4th and 5th classrooms with Maestra Gabrielle Kitchen. Students will be going on alternate weeks for music class.

Finally, we want to make sure that everyone is aware that your donations to Unidos PTO directly fund Enrichment at Adelante Selby for Dance, Garden, as well as supporting field trips and supplies for classrooms. Please make a donation to our Direct Drive today if you have not done so already!

I want to highlight Latinx Heritage Month(September 15-October 15) when we observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The theme for 2024 is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Finally, Day of the Races or Día de la Raza, which is October 9, falls within this 30-day period. Clearly, teaching and learning about culture at our school is an essential component of our Dual Language Spanish Immersion model and happens throughout the school year(not just during Latinx Heritage Month)as language and culture are inextricably connected. Learning a language gives the learner a “key” to the culture of the people who speak that language. Language is taught through a cultural lens because this allows students to view the world openly and to gain an understanding of other cultures at a deeper level. Dual language immersion programs offer students a way to become global citizens starting at a young age and to be able to view their education from a cultural and multilingual lens.

Here are some good resources for Latinx authors, stories to read, and videos to watch with your child(as age appropriate), and a few activities to highlight Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month and all year long:

• Vamos a Leer: Teaching Latin America Through Literacy: Our Favorite Authors & Sites:You’ll find links to the websites of some authors of children and young adults who authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States in their writing. Books by many of these authors are featured in posts and/or Educator’s Guides on Vamos a Leer. To find those resources, enter the author’s name in the search bar to the right. You’ll also find a list of blogs, websites, publishers, and awards which we appreciate and think will be useful resources for our readers. Although some have been discontinued in recent years, their content remains relevant.

• Latino Americans PBS Learning Media: What are the stories of U.S. Latinos and how do they inform the broader American narrative? From southern Florida to the San Juan Islands of Washington state, from the pre-history of the nation through today's most contentious issues, Latino experiences illuminate our country’s history and its struggle to live up to its ideals. This collection of lesson plans, videos and classroom resources invites teachers and students to explore the history, people and issues chronicled in the PBS series, Latino Americans. Along the way, it engages students in dramatic real-life stories and offers primary texts that serve the goals of the Common Core.
• Scholastic Hispanic Heritage Month Books: Hispanic and LatinX Heritage Month is September 15th to October 15th! Scholastic is celebrating with books centering on Hispanic and Latino voices, experiences, and joy that will resonate far beyond a single month of the year.
• Scavenger Hunt of Latinx Influencers in Computer Science: English ; Español
• Colorful Papel Picado: Youtube How to Make Papel Picado

i-Ready Testing in Grades 1st-5th

Last week we began assessing(testing) students in Grades 2nd-5th grades using a diagnostic test called i-Ready. Students in Grades 1st-5th are assessed in Math in Spanish using i-Ready and Grades 2nd-5th are assessed in Reading in English using i-Ready. The i-Ready Diagnostic will be given twice this school year (Fall and Spring) district wide. The assessment information will help teachers plan and design instruction and also help to group students. The diagnostic will also tailor and differentiate i-Ready lessons for students based on the results in Reading. Students may access the i-Ready lessons via Clever. It is recommended that students complete 60-100 minutes weekly of the i-Ready lessons. Here is a short video from Curriculum Associates for parents: iReady video for parents.

Take Home Reading Program K-3rd Grades

Our Take Home Reading program has started this week for Kindergarten through 3rd grades! Your children will be bringing home a book bag with four books and a log sheet every Monday, which should be returned on Fridays. This program is designed to provide our children with a variety of age-appropriate books in Spanish and encourage the development of their reading skills. This is a parent volunteer-run program, so thank you to all the parents who are making it possible! Students will rotate book bags and will have the opportunity to read a variety of Spanish books throughout the year.

Adelante Selby School Play/Musical: Finding Nemo KIDS

Adelante Selby and San Carlos Children’s Theater are producing this year’s school play musical! Third through fifth graders will make up the main cast, while kindergarteners, first & second graders will make up the chorus that performs at the beginning of the show. All actors who have completed registration will be cast.

Disney’s Finding Nemo KIDS: With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.

Director/Vocal Director - Caitlin Berka, Choreographer - Danny Giray, Chorus Director - Lidia Orduña-Ruiz

Sign up online at: https://sancarloschildrenstheater.com/adelante-selby-school-nemo-registration/

Rehearsals will be on Mondays and Wednesdays with performances on October 25th and 26th. LAST CHANCE: Registration closes today on September 9th and rehearsals begin today on September 9th.

Questions: Contact Kerianna & Jacob Creedon at adelanteselbyplay@gmail.com

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

We need your help as we may have a few vacancies for parent representatives on our School Site Council this school year. The School Site Council is comprised of five elected parent representatives, three teacher representatives, one classified representative, and the school principal. 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. The School Site Council meets monthly on Wednesdays from 3:00-5:00pm. If you are interested in being on the School Site Council this year, please email Director Warren ASAP: wsedar@rcsdk8.net. Our first School Site Council Meeting is Wednesday, September 18th at 3:00pm.

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

As you may have noticed, our Scholastic Book Fair is coming soon! It will take place during Goal Setting Conference Week, from October 1st to 4th @ the library. Students will be visiting the book fair with their classrooms at a scheduled time. Please check your child’s scheduled time on Class Dojo or in the Scholastic magazine, which will be handed out one week prior to the fair. You can also set up your eWallet [here] for easy shopping. We’re looking for volunteers to help make this event a success—please sign up [here] to volunteer (Level 1 clearance required).

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!

Come join us for pizza at La Quinta Pizza on September 11, and it won't just be a good idea, it'll be for a good cause and with good friends. Mention "Adelante Selby Dine Out" and portion of the proceeds will benefit Unidos PTO. La Quinta is open from 4 PM until midnight, and the benefit is available the whole time.

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. 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, 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

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 12: Food Distribution: Front Parking Lot 2:45-4:30pm All Welcome!
• Friday, September 13: Intruder Alert Drill: 9:05am
• Monday, September 16: ELAC Parent Meeting 8:30-9:45: STEAM Lab
• Wednesday, September 18: School Site Council Meeting 3:00pm: Library
• 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 Planning Day
• 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