SEMS Golden Eagles Newsletter

Dear San Elijo Middle School Families,

We have A LOT going on in the next few weeks and it kicks of with Spirit Week THIS WEEK! This newsletter is a bit longer than others, but it's because we have so much going on! Please take a moment to read through...and if you haven't already, click on the link to get your Chromebook insurance...it could save you hundreds of dollars.

In addition, thank you for your continued support in following all the procedures for a safe and timely drop off/pick up for our students. It always amazes me that we are able to get 1400 students out safely in to the community! As always, we strongly encourage picking up in the pick up line. If you arrive at 2:35, you will have a quick and easy pick up process.

-Tricia Storey

Monday

• Cross Country, Flag Football, and Volleyball Practice/Try Outs

Tuesday

• ELAC Meeting at 1:30pm
• Cross Country, Flag Football, and Volleyball Practice/Try Outs

Wednesday

• ASB Candidates Meet and Greet at Lunch

Thursday

• PTO Meeting at 1pm
• Cross Country, Flag Football, and Volleyball Practice/Try Outs

Friday

• ASB Voting
• Fun Friday's at Lunch w/ Mr. Vega

The School Site Council is an elected group of parents, teachers, students and staff who work together to improve San Elijo Middle School’s educational programs. School site councils were developed in response to California law, which requires them to allocate and monitor the School Improvement Grant, Gifted and Talented Education funding, as well as to develop and oversee the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).

Parents interested in serving nominate themselves and then are elected to the positions for a two-year term. Duties include attending before school meetings approximately 7 times a year.

We currently need 3 additional parents on our School Site Council.

Parent elections will be held electronically – keep an eye out for the voting email. Self-nominations can be made by submitting the form below by September 13, 2024. For more information or questions contact Principal Storey at patricia.storey@smusd.org.

Order your Chromebook Insurance today! All the information is linked in below here. You will need to know your 'asset tag' in order to complete the process. This is the number underneath the blue bar code on the bottom of the Chromebook. This is what will tie that computer with your child's name. PLEASE CLICK THE DISTRICT WEB STORE TAB when purchasing insurance. The SEMS tab takes you to the Elementary site. We have requested a fix, but the company has not done it yet.

Brochure

Online Store (for credit card payments)

Paper Application (for checks only)

Website

Spanish Website

Homeroom Competition is starting....The class in each grade level that has the highest donation amounts will earn lunch and Kona Ice at the fountain! We rely so much on your generous donations to support our after school tutoring opportunities, celebrations for both students and teachers, and departmental funds that supply materials for the classroom. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Parents are welcome to sign up to be added to the SEMS parent volunteer list. There will be a few opportunities to help on campus this year and we always need parent support! Sign up lists for those events are sent to those on this list. Please don't let the new volunteer process deter you...it's actually quite simple and we have until October to enforce the clearance...so you have time:-)

Our California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF) Fall Membership Drive begins Tuesday, September 10. CJSF is an Honor Society for Middle School students. Fall Membership is open to 8th grade students only.

A link to the online application will be posted on our SEMS homepage, in the NEWS section, on the CJSF Membership tab. Students can also use the QR code posted around campus to connect to the application. Students must be logged into their smusd.org account to access the form.

Fall membership is based on grades and citizenship marks earned during Spring Semester. Students will use their June Report Card to complete the application. Students can view their Report Card in StudentVue, on their Documents tab. If you earn good grades, you should join CJSF!

Membership is for one semester, so students must apply to join CJSF again each semester. Applications will be accepted until Monday, September 23 at 3 p.m.

Students will hear three CJSF announcements on SEMS-TV over the next two weeks.

CJSF Membership requirements are on the application. Information about CJSF and Honor Roll is posted on the Counseling Department webpage at https://sanelijomiddle.smusd.org/departments/counseling/cjsf_membership.

September is Suicide Prevention Month

We recognize the critical need to address the challenges of suicidal ideation among our youth. The impact of this issue extends throughout our community, and affects us all.

The first step toward intervention and support is awareness of suicidal warning signs, which include the following changes:

Behavioral: Withdrawal, giving away personal belongings, self-destructive behaviors, increased substance use, sudden mood improvement after depression.
Verbal: Expressing feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or being a burden. Talking about death, dying, or wanting to die.
Emotional: Drastic and sudden mood swings, overwhelming sadness, despair, emptiness, loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities.
Situational: Recent loss of a loved one, bullying, a breakup, or other significant life changes,
Physical: Changes in sleep patterns, appetite or decreased personal hygiene and self-care.
Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating or making decisions, preoccupation with death, dying, or the afterlife, intense guilt or shame.

When you notice these warning signs, you should initiate a non-judgmental conversation about suicide, safety-plan, and encourage professional help through therapists, counselors, and helplines.

Find parent resources from Directing Change and SDCOE or watch a free webinar with information about suicide prevention for parents: https://fb.watch/hr7Emudzpd/

Support and Crisis Resources:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call/text 988 24/7
• Teen Line: 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm PST. Call: 800-TLC-TEEN (852-8336) or Text “TEEN” to 839863 teenline.org/youth
• The Trevor Project: 24/7 services for LGBT youth ages 13-24. 1-866-488-7386 or Text “START” to 678-678
• Parental Stress Line: A confidential, 24/7 hotline for parents 1-800-632-8188
• Care Solace: Complimentary and confidential service provided by San Marcos Unified School District to help you find a mental health or substance use provider. Call 888-515-0595 or visit caresolace.com/sanmarcos

SEES is hosting their Annual Monster Bash on October 19th and needs Student Volunteers! If any of your students are interested, please sign up HERE.

Getting into the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever. It helps to reduce stress, make it easier to connect with friends and teachers and support learning. We are here to help! Please call us if you need assistance with attendance at 760-290-2814.

Did You Know?

· Many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.

· Missing just a day or two every month can make it harder to learn.

· All families have hopes and dreams for their children. Being in school every day will enable children to do well in school, and graduate from high school ready for work or college.

What Can You Do?

· Develop a regular bedtime and morning routine.

· Encourage your child to lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

· Make sure your child has the required shots before school starts.

· Avoid missing school unless a child is truly sick and seek help if chronic illness is a challenge.

Check with our school nurse or office staff if you are not sure about when to keep your child at home due to illness.

· Reach out for assistance if you are having trouble getting your student to school.

· Arrange medical appointments when school is not in session.

· Avoid extended vacations when school is in session.

Absences add up! Missing just 2 days a month=missing 10% of the school year!

Homework Time

Homework Time began on Tuesday, September 3rd. It is held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. in the library. This is a quiet space for students to work on assignments.

After School Tutoring/Extracurriculars

Drop-in after school tutoring begins on Monday, September 9th. Guitar class Session 1 starts on Tuesday, September 17th and requires sign-up ahead of time; spots are limited. Click here or the button below for the offerings. Email Assistant Principal Cheryl Sestito for questions or assistance: cheryl.sestito@smusd.org

Involúcrese en ELAC - Comité asesor de padres de estudiantes de inglés

Durante las reuniones NOSOTROS:

• Aprenderemos sobre la importancia de la asistencia escolar.

• Revisaremos el plan escolar con el director.

• Crearemos y distribuiremos la Evaluación de necesidades.

• Elegiremos un representante DELAC para asistir las reuniones mensuales del distrito.

Beneficios de su participación:

• Apoye la educación de su hijo en su camino a la adquisición del inglés.

• Desarrolle habilidades de liderazgo.

• Conozca al plantel escolar y el equipo de liderazgo.

• Comprender cómo funciona el sistema escolar

Fecha de la reunión: martes el 10 de septiembre de 2024

Hora: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Ubicación: San Elijo Middle School, en la biblioteca

Información de contacto: Cheryl Sestito (cheryl.sestito@smusd.org)

Join Our School’s ELAC English Learner Advisory Committee

During the meetings WE will:

• Learn about the importance of school attendance.

• Review the school plan with the administration.

• Create and distribute the Needs Assessment.

• Elect a DELAC representative to attend monthly district meetings.

Benefits of your participation:

• Support your child's education on their path to English acquisition.

• Develop leadership skills.

• Get to know the school staff and leadership team.

• Understand how the school system works

Meeting Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Time: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Location: San Elijo Middle School, in the library

School Site Contact: Cheryl Sestito (cheryl.sestito@smusd.org)

Click below to learn more about our upcoming Panorama and Future Ready surveys, to be given in your child's History class between September 16th and September 27th.

ParentSquare App & Notification Settings

ParentSquare is the primary communication platform for all school communication throughout SMUSD, utilizing email, text, and app notifications. We encourage parents to download the free mobile app and view their Notifications settings on when and how they are notified.

For a quick Parent 101 ParentSquare video overview, please click here.

New Volunteer Clearance Process

We take the safety of our students and staff seriously, and a part of this is ensuring everyone who is on a school campus is cleared and approved to be present. As a result, there is a new volunteer clearance process with different requirements for different types of school or classroom volunteer commitments. We have outlined each of these volunteer levels with their requirements, please click here for more information or see the flyer here.

Student Accident Insurance

Did you know the average cost of an ambulance ride in CA is $549? This is why SMUSD has partnered with a third-party to provide optional student accident insurance, for as little as $14 for the year. Voluntary student accident insurance is highly-beneficial if an accident was to occur while attending or participating in school-sponsored activities. For details and more information, see the flyer here or visit www.studentinsuranceusa.com.

Want to keep up to date on all the happenings on campus?

Check out our Instagram page sems_golden_eagles (scan the qr code).

For more updates, please also follow our PTO on social media (Instagram, Facebook) or through PTO linktree website or SEMS PTO website. The PTO's Instagram page gives a weekly look at all the upcoming happenings on campus!

Exploration, Discovery, and Growth through Connections, Complexity, Collaboration, and Character

Email: patricia.storey@smusd.org
Website: https://sanelijomiddle.smusd.org/
Location: 1600 Schoolhouse Way, San Marcos, CA. 92078
Phone: 760-290-2800