Village Explorer Weekly Update

Village Explorer Families,

I hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable weekend. It was wonderful to see so many of our Village families and staff having a great time at the Harvest Hoedown on Friday night. I would like to give a special thanks to Megan West, Meaghan Eastham and their amazing PTO crew for bringing back this iconic event to our school. It was so much fun and a great way to build our community and make memories for our children.

As you know in last week's newsletter, we referenced an incident where a student left our campus through an emergency push gate. There have since been news articles and social media posts about this incident. Although our missing student protocol was followed immediately upon learning that there was a missing student, this incident revealed gaps in our protocol that have since been addressed. The following adjustments were immediately put in place:

• If a student is identified as missing, the Coronado Police Department is contacted immediately even if an active search of the campus is ongoing.

• Our security cameras are checked immediately on report of a missing student to verify that nobody has left our campus through our emergency exits.

• Parents are notified of the missing student after 10 minutes if the student is not found.

• To prevent students from hiding in the restroom and evading supervision, restrooms on our playgrounds are now locked during transitions and times when they are not actively in use.

• There are now alarms on all of our push gates to alert staff members of a potential elopement in addition to signs on all emergency gates warning that an alarm will sound. CUSD is working on installing a more permanent and weatherproof alarm system.

We also recognize that the safety of students on our campus is a shared responsibility between the students and our staff. We are communicating the following message in our classrooms:

• It is not safe to hide in the restrooms with the intent of evading supervision. We trust that students are actually using the restroom when they say they are.

• It is not safe to wander throughout our campus unsupervised. It is imperative that if students find themselves separated from the line that they immediately find an adult to help them or return to their classroom. In this instance, it was clear that the students were intentionally trying to run and hide from the supervision of adults.

• It is never safe to leave our campus through an emergency push gate. These gates remain unlocked from the inside in the event of a fire and cannot be locked due to safety regulations. These gates are locked from the outside, and the student will find themselves locked out if they play with the gate. Please pay attention to the signs and alarms on these gates.

• If for any reason, a student finds themselves outside of our campus, the student is to call for help by the gate and the nearest adult will let them back in.

• It is imperative that students are honest with the adults in charge of supervising them. Although it can be scary to admit a mistake, being dishonest about the location of another student (when knowledgeable of their location) can cause a significant delay in our response time and put the safety of students at risk.

We appreciate you reinforcing this same message at home with your child.

As we start another week of school, I just want to reiterate that we care deeply about the well-being of each one of our students at Village Elementary. This incident has been a learning experience for all of us and I am confident that it will make us a better, safer, and more connected community. Have an amazing week.

• October 25th: Flag Assembly (8:15-8:30)
• Week of October 28th: Family Teacher Conferences (Minimum Day schedule all week)
• November 1st: Flag Assembly (8:15-8:30)

This is a reminder that any items remaining in our lost and found bin will be donated at the end of the month (October 31st). Please check outside Village Hall during dismissal each day to locate any lost items.

October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month

Village Elementary School has the unique and incredible opportunity to know and love a few individuals with such a rare disorder in one school.

Rett Syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls. It is estimated that one in 10,000 girls is born with Rett Syndrome. After birth, girls with Rett syndrome have 6 to 18 months of apparently normal development before experiencing severe, rapid regression of skills learned resulting in problems with language and communication, learning, coordination, eating and other brain functions. Girls can ultimately lose the use of their hands, walking ability and speech. Other signs and symptoms that can develop include breathing abnormalities, seizures, scoliosis, and sleep disturbances. Rett syndrome can be characterized as having Cerebal Palsy, Autism, Parkinson’s and anxiety disorders all rolled into one. It is a neurological disorder that affects all motor functions in the individual causing many challenges in everyday living.

All challenges aside, these individuals have the determination and resiliency to live their lives to their fullest extent, seizing every opportunity to find joy and spread love amidst the obstacles that they face. We appreciate your understanding and grace, your inclusion and hope that we share for all that lies ahead. To celebrate these individuals and the beautiful qualities they possess is our honor and for this we wear purple.

For more information about Rett Syndrome and to see how they are actively working for a cure, please visit www.ReverseRett.org

We appreciate all of the volunteers working at our school on a daily basis! In order to make the sign in process more streamlined, please fill out this form for any days that you will be volunteering in the upcoming week, and we will have your pass pre-printed out for you.

Our Village Elementary School Anchored 4 Life student leadership team is sponsoring a community service project. We are collecting donations for Movers for Military, a program that supports homeless veterans and their families by providing clothing and basic care items. If you would like to participate, please see the donation list of gently used and new items, on the flier below. Collection boxes will be located in the front office October 15 through November 4.

This year, one of our goals is to reduce Chronic Absenteeism from 11% to 5%. The effects of Chronic Absenteeism on a student are significant and more information is located here. Absenteeism whether excused or unexcused also has a financial impact on our school as we do not receive the daily revenue from students who are absent. The graph below shows our progress each month of being above 95% Average Daily Attendance. We will also include roughly how much revenue the school has lost due to absences. If we reach our monthly goal, each student will receive a popsicle at lunch.

Total Absences: 843

Revenue lost due to absences: $46,365

We have reached our goal in the following months:

• September!

Hello Military Families -

There are many wonderful things going on within all our school communities. I hope you have the opportunity to participate in some way so you can experience the magic taking place at your school site.

• Coronado Unified School District: https://coronadousd.net
• Read the latest CUSD Newsroom communications from Superintendent, Karl Mueller at www.coronadousd.net.
• 2024-2025 Online Registration for New Students: https://coronadousd.net/Parents--Students-/Online-Registration-for-2023-24/index.html. Plus, download a copy of the District Calendar.
• Bus Transportation Request Form (SSES, NAB residents attending VES, & CMS): click here
• 2024-2025 Preschool Online Registration: https://coronadopreschool.com/Admissions/Admissions-and-Application/index.html
• Free Breakfast and Lunch Meals for ALL Enrolled Students for the 2024-2025 School Year – check with your school site for implementation details.
• Governing Board Meeting Recordings – click here, Next Meeting: November 21, 4 pm
• CMS Military Club: Wednesdays, 1:45-2:45 pm in Granzer Hall. Open to ALL 6th, 7th & 8th grade students.
• CHS On-Campus College Visits: 2024 list continuously updated
• CHS College Application Workshops in Room 202 (Now-Nov): https://chs.coronadousd.net/Academics/CHS-Counseling/index.html
• Post 9/11 GI Bill Presentation: October 24, 6 pm in the CHS Multi-Purpose Room – all military-connected students and parents encouraged to attend
• Safe Harbor Coronado Aloha Club Welcome Bags - To welcome new military families to Coronado, the NBC School Liaison Program partners with an amazing local organization called Safe Harbor Coronado. Through their Aloha Club, they connect new families with existing ones in the community to serve as a resource and help build connections throughout the year. They also offer a "Welcome Bag" delivered to your door. To sign up visit https://safeharborcoronado.org/new-to-coronado.
• CUSD Awarded $1.25 Million DoDEA Grant for Computer Science: https://coronadousd.net
• Create for a Cause at CHS Lunch: November 6 & 13, CHS Library Conference Room – Create handmade bracelets, bags, and cards for youth in need.

I am here to help with any school-related questions or Navy resource inquires. Please reach out via email or phone call.

• School Website
• Student Handbook
• Parent Directions for Using CANVAS Learning Management System

We want you to be "in the know"! Read our weekly email, and please check our website to stay up to date on school news, programs, and upcoming events.

Check out and "like" our Facebook page to see photos of student events and programs!

August 19th: Staff Return Date

August 22nd: First Day of School

August 28th: Back to School Night (4:00 PM)

September 2nd: Labor Day (No School)

September 12th: PTO Bingo for Books

September 27th: Professional Learning Day

October 4th: CHS Homecoming Parage

October 14th: Fall Holiday (No School)

October 18th: PTO Harvest Ho-Down

October 28th: Family Teacher Conferences (all week)

November 8th: Veterans Day Celebration

November 11th: Veterans Day (No School)

November 25-29th: Thanksgiving Break

December 13th: PTO: Holiday Movie Night

December 23rd- January 3rd: Winter Break

January 20th: MLK Day (No School)

January 23rd: Semester 1 Ends

January 24th: Teacher Work Day

January 25th: Pancake Breakfast

February 10th: Lincoln Day (No School)

February 17th: President's Day (No School)

February 28th: PTO Winter Dance

March 21st: PTO Jog-A-Thon

March 31st-April 4th: Spring Break

April 15-27: Family Teacher Conferences

April 24th: PTO: Talent Show

May 5th-7th: Staff Appreciation Week

May 12th-23rd: CAASPP Testing

May 26th: Memorial Day (No School)

May 30th: PTO: Movie Night

June 5th: Volunteer Appreciation Assembly

June 12th: Last Day Of School

Email: peter.kuhns@coronadousd.net
Website: https://village.coronadousd.net/
Location: 600 6th Street, Coronado, CA, USA
Phone: 619-522-8915
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoronadoVillageElementary