Cheetah Chatter
César E. Chávez Elementary School
NOVEMBER 2021
1510 W. 14th Street, Eugene, Ore. 97402
School Office Hours 7:30 am-3:00 pm541-790-5300
A MESSAGE FROM MS. PEARSON
Dear Chávez Families,
Happy Autumn! This month, we look forward to meeting via Zoom for Parent-Teacher Conferences. This is an important part of the home-school connection, and I would like to personally invite you all to participate. Times are flexible in order to accommodate your schedule. Please contact your child's teacher to make your conference appointment.
Between Conferences and Thanksgiving Break, we have fewer school days in November than in most months. Remember that student Seesaw accounts are alive and well, and teachers are adding new activities and choice boards frequently. Students can log into Dreambox for math practice, and our AVID Corner below has some ways to practice writing at home, too.
FInally, I want to remind you all that we have many resources for families at Chávez. We are fortunate to partner with several local organizations who support our families with food, clothing, shoes, and more. Please reach out to your teacher or Ms. Angie if you need help. We are now taking names for our Holiday Meals and Christmas Presents donation lists.
November is a time to take a pause and reflect on the things in your life you feel grateful for. Sometimes it is the smallest things that stand out, like the joy a student shows when they find a pumpkin in the patch, or a simple "How are you?" from a friend. I wish you and your family a wonderful November.
With Gratitude,
Ms. Deirdre Pearson, Principal
Mornings at Chávez
Drop Off Reminders
- School starts at 7:55am.
- Students may enter the building as early as 7:45am.
- Outdoor supervision begins at 7:30am. Please do not leave your children at school unsupervised.
Rainy Mornings
- Please plan ahead by sending your child to school with rain gear and a jacket with a hood as needed.
- Need help buying a better rain jacket? Please reach out to your teacher or our Family Resource Coordinator Ms. Angie if you are in need of assistance with clothing this fall.
NOVEMBER DATES TO KNOW :
Upcoming Dates To Know:
Nov 1-5 Scholastic Book Fair
Nov 9 - 4J Parent/Family Covid Info Webinar 5:50-6pm
Nov 9 - Conferences* via Zoom
Regular school day
Conferences 3:30-7:30
Nov 10 - Conferences* via Zoom
No school
Conferences 7:30am-7:30pm
Nov 10 - PACK Meeting 5:00 via Zoom (email chavezcheetahPACK@gmail.com to receive Zoom meeting invite)
Nov 11, 12 - No School Days
Nov 17 - Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
Nov 19 - Picture Re-take Day
Nov 22 - Site Council Meeting
Nov 23 - Papa's Pizza Fundraiser
Nov 25, 25 Thanksgiving Holiday
*Contact your teacher to schedule your conference.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
ATTENDANCE CORNER- Ways to support your child's attendance at school
1. Take an active role. Stay involved with your child's daily experiences at school by asking how the school day went, and then listening carefully to what your child shares with you — both the successes and struggles. Make it a point to meet your child's teacher(s) and friends.
2. Locate potential sources of anxiety. If your child frequently appears upset or reluctant to go to school and cannot tell you why, schedule an appointment with his or her teacher or a member of your child's student support team (School Social Worker Ms. Shannon or Student Success Coordinator Neil Callahan) to talk about possible sources of the anxiety.
3. Keep updated on school events and announcements. Read the school documents that your child brings home and take note of important announcements and dates, such as back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences.
REMINDER: IPADS NEED TO BE CHARGED AT HOME & BROUGHT TO SCHOOL DAILY!
JOIN THE PACK!
Our Parent/Family group is up and running!
The next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 10th at 5:00pm via Zoom.
Email chavezcheetahPACK@gmail.com to receive Zoom meeting invites, newsletters, and updates.
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day - Nov 17th
Let's celebrate Ruby Bridges' courage as a civil rights hero by walking to school together! Lane African American Black Student Success program invites all students to join them at Lane ESD's Westmoreland Campus (1717 City View St) from 7-9 for grab n' go breakfasts and swag, with chaperoned walking groups to Chávez, Adams, ATA, Kennedy, Churchill, Chinese Immersion and McCornack leaving throughout the morning. Check the attached poster for times for your school. Contact Vanessa Clemons @ vclemons@lesd.k12.or.us with any questions.
QUESTIONS? JOIN US FOR AN UP-TO-DATE COVID 19 WEBINAR
J Parent Info Session: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 5:30–6 p.m. Eugene School District 4J is committed to the health and safety of our students and staff. The district is holding a parent information webinar on November 9 to keep families up to date about COVID-19 and schools.
District staff will cover frequently requested information including COVID-19 vaccines, testing, contact tracing, quarantine requirements, case notification, and how families can change between in-person and online learning programs.
What would you like to know? The webinar will cover frequently asked questions provided in advance; it will not be a live Q & A. If you have questions you would like to see covered, please submit them online by Sunday, Nov. 7, at www.surveymonkey.com/r/SHCCP8V.
The webinar will be recorded and posted on the district website to watch later at your convenience.
Learn more | Submit a question | Invite friends | Zoom link for webinar
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GIVE TO THE SCHOOL?
PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION OF SNACKS FOR YOUR STUDENT'S CLASSROOM.
THANK YOU! WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT!
Grab a slice & support our school!
WELLNESS & SELF-CARE
Site Council News
Time to Vote For Your Parent/Family Representative!
Voting will be held virtually during Conferences, or you can vote now by clicking on this link:
Site Council is the governing body of our school. It is made up of parent representatives serving staggered two-year terms, teacher representatives, one classified representative, and the principal.
Site Council meets regularly to discuss school curriculum, school structure, staff development plans and training options, the school calendar, and other concerns parents and teachers may have. Serving as a member of Site Council is an excellent way to make a difference in our school and to be involved in important issues and decisions.
Two parent representatives are needed, and we have one vacancy for the 2021-22 school year. Site Council reps are required to be elected by their peers.
COUNSELING CORNER WITH SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER MS. SHANNON
Working with your students continues to be a such a joy! I'm so glad they're here. I love the community we're building!
This month, I've continued classroom visits in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades, and will be adding 3rd-5th grades in November using the Sources of Strength curriculum to promote student resilience and wellbeing. Feel free to email me if you're interested in learning more!
Also upcoming in November, I'll be starting small groups for students who may benefit from additional support in areas such as managing big feelings or getting along with others. I've spoken with teachers about who's on their mind and also welcome your input as parents and caregivers. Stay tuned for permission slips which I hope to have ready by parent-teacher conferences. Groups can be offered on a rolling basis, so it's not a now-or-never scenario!
Across the building, teachers are continuing to deliver our SEL (Social Emotional Learning) curriculum, SecondStep, with the main focus in November being empathy (and for 1st graders, problem solving skills). I love when students can connect their SEL with real life issues, and have been impressed with our students' empathy, kindness, and increasing ability to be assertive and solve problems thoughtfully. Chávez Cheetah students are truly inspiring!
Though originally designed for distance learning times, I'll continue to update my virtual office where you'll find a variety of resources, especially in the caregiver corner. Please feel free to reach out to me if you would like to discuss your student or family's needs. I'm available via email: sell_s@4j.lane.edu or by phone at 541-790-5383 (direct office line).
Finally, if you've not yet filled out a Parent Collaboration survey, I'd still love to hear from you! With curriculum night, parent-teacher conferences, a couple shorter weeks in November, and a little upcoming trip I'm taking to visit my newborn nephew, I'm thinking a parent night (via Zoom for now) in December is more realistic. I'll put out the word via teachers and in the next Cheetah Chatter.
Wishing you well,
Ms. Shannon
Shannon Sell, LCSW (she/her – why pronouns matter)
School Social Worker I Chávez Elementary School
Eugene School District 4J
sell_s@4j.lane.edu I 541.790.5383
SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS FROM MS. BREEYA, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
AVID CORNER
One of our AVID priorities for the 2021/22 school year is writing. We are working hard to incorporate writing into each subject: reading, math, science, social studies, and more! Ask your child what they have been writing about at school.
A few ideas to reinforce strong writing skills at home include encouraging your child to: write in a daily journal, help write out the grocery shopping list, create and write a recipe, write a letter to a friend or family, or write a story.
What are some other creative ways to get writing? We would love to hear them!