Dear Farnham Families,
As we enter the exciting fall season, our campus is buzzing with decorations and preparations for the highly anticipated Pumpkin Walk! This fun event is a highlight for our students, and we can’t wait to share the festive spirit with everyone. I love this event because it brings many former Falcons back to campus to volunteer. It is heartwarming to see them all supporting this time-honored tradition. Please consider signing up for a volunteer slot (more information below).
With Halloween around the corner, we ask for your support in helping our students stay focused and energized by keeping sugary snacks out of lunchboxes and backpacks. While we know sweets are everywhere during this time of year, please remember that they are not allowed at school. Limiting sugary treats sets our students up for success and ensures they stay focused and ready to learn throughout the day.
Next Thursday, Halloween, our students are invited to come in their costumes. We will have a morning assembly on the back playground stage at the start of the day. Grown-ups are welcome to attend, but please sign in at the office before heading to the blacktop. Our spooky and sparkly Falcons will be lining up with their classes and sitting on the ground to watch each group go across the stage and pose. If you attend, please be sure to stand behind the classes outside of the parade route.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting the well-being and success of our students!
Be well,
Amy O’Hehir
Principal, Farnham Elementary
P.S. Please scroll to the end of the newsletter to see what is happening at Farnham!
Students who choose to dress up on Halloween should wear costumes that do not interfere with their ability to work in the classroom setting. The costumes should be worn over their street clothes so students can easily change out of their costumes. More details follow below:
Costume Guidelines
If your child’s costume has a fake weapon or any other prop that must be carried in the hand of the student, please leave this part at home, as this type of prop is not allowed at school.
Please avoid costumes that require masks, extravagant make-up, or sprayed hair.
Costumes are not allowed to have dangerous objects (e.g., toy swords, toy guns, chains, skates, or spray cans).
Students should wear school clothes under the costume.
Costumes should not be too scary (so that our younger students are not frightened)
No weapon, blood, or gore may be part of the costumes.
Costumes should be of appropriate length (not too short, too tight, or see-through).
Costumes should not include things on the hands or face (e.g., masks) that interfere with writing or sight.
Students should plan to wear shoes that will be safe for outdoor recess and PE activities.
Costumes should be tasteful, modest, and appropriate for a school environment and follow the basic guidelines of school dress code standards.
We thank you in advance for helping your child follow the rules about costumes. We know that the children look forward to showing off their costumes safely so that no little ones are scared.
A NOTE FROM YOUR HSC BOARD:
We are in the final countdown to both the Pumpkin Walk and the end of our Giving Campaign, both happening tomorrow, October 25.
Pumpkin Walk: If you want your child to participate on the inflatables, please complete the waiver ahead of time. Thinking of helping out, but haven't gotten around to it yet? We still have slots that need to be filled, so volunteer now! Even 30 minutes of your time is appreciated.
Giving Campaign: We are getting closer to our goal of $40,000. We'd like to one again thank our generous donors who have gotten us to 65% of our goal. Every little bit helps, so please consider giving today!
We look forward to seeing many of you at the Pumpkin Walk!
Upcoming Events
10/25 - Pumpkin Walk from 3:30-7:30pm
11/5 - HSC Meeting in the Library at 6:00pm
Free One-On-One Behavioral Coaching
Brightline provides web- and app-based platforms that offer all California residents, regardless of insurance coverage, free one on one support with a live coach, a library of multimedia resources, wellness exercises, and so much more. These new CalHOPE platforms complement existing services offered by health plans, counties and schools by providing additional care options and resources for parents and caregivers, children, youth and young adults in California.
Designed with input from more than 1,000 unique and diverse stakeholders, there are two platforms - BrightLife Kids for parents and caregivers, young children, and adolescents, and Soluna for teens and young adults.
BrightLife Kids and Soluna will offer:
- Free Coaching: Pre-clinical and sub-clinical coaching sessions through in-app chat or video appointments with qualified behavioral health coaches. Telephone coaching will also be available in all Medi-Cal threshold languages.
- Educational Content: Age-tailored educational articles, videos, podcasts, and stories.
- Assessments and Tools: Stress-management tools and clinically validated assessments to understand and monitor behavioral health over time.
- Care Navigation Services: A searchable directory and live care navigation support to connect users to their local behavioral health resources, including connecting users with their health plan, school-based services or community-based organizations that can provide clinical care options and care coordination services.
- Peer Communities: Moderated forums and programs to connect users with other youth or caregivers.
- Crisis and Safety Protocols: Crisis and emergency safety resources for platform users experiencing a mental health crisis or who require immediate assistance (e.g., 988).
Website: https://www.hellobrightline.com/brightlifekids/
Visit our Lost and Found to find your child's jackets, lunchboxes and water bottles! The Lost and Found is located in front of the cafeteria, so students are able to check for lost items during the school day. Before and after school, please check this area with your child for any lost items. LOST AND FOUND WILL BE DONATED November 1st.
Please label all items with your child's first and last name! Labeled items will be returned to your child's classroom.
ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT! Enroll Online Today.
https://tinyurl.com/FarnhamAlice
Start Date: December 3rd, 2024
Rehearsal Days/Times: Tuesdays AND Thursdays, 2:30pm-4:30pm
Mandatory Tech Rehearsals: March 3rd-5th, 2025, times TBD ~ 4 hours after school
Performances: March 6th-7th, 2025, times TBD
Cost: Free**
**This year's production is funded by the Cambrian School District with designated CA state funding, enabling us to offer free participation.
The Board of Trustees has scheduled its Board Office Hours for the upcoming year. All staff, parents, and community members are welcome to attend regardless of what site the meeting is held at. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet some of our Board members and ask any questions you might have.
Tuesday, November 12th: 6-7pm, Price
Monday, December 9th: 8-9am, Fammatre
Tuesday, January 22nd: 8:30-9:30am, District Office
Friday, March 7th: 7:45-8:45am, Sartorette
Monday, April 14th: 6-7pm, Steindorf
Tuesday, May 13th: 7:30-8:30am, Farnham
Cambrian School District is pleased to offer all students complimentary snack at morning recess and lunch meals at lunch recess. Meals will be available for pickup in the cafeteria during scheduled meal periods. Please consider taking advantage of our FREE school meals by clicking here and signing up. It extends your grocery budget, saves time planning and preparing meals, and is comforting and familiar for kids to have school meals. In addition, every meal served is reimbursed by the USDA and funds go toward Child Nutrition staff wages. Please note that you are not taking food away from someone who needs it more – we have plenty to go around!
SJ Public Library Halloween Booktacular Giveaway
SJPL's annual Halloween Booktacular Giveaway starts Monday, Oct. 21st through Thursday, Oct. 31st. Kids and teens can stop by any SJPL location and pick out one free book, AS WELL AS one free spooky comic or graphic novel (while supplies last)!
https://www.sjpl.org/blogs/post/halloween-booktacular-giveaway/
EARN DOUBLE BOX TOPS
This week, when you buy Box Tops products and scan your receipts with the Box Tops app, you'll earn DOUBLE Box Tops for your designated school. Excludes bonus offers.
Farnham Bike Rodeo
Farnham partnered with the City of San Jose to turn our blacktop into a bike course. Students learned all about navigating the streets safely.
Farnham Elementary School
Website: farnham.cambriansd.org
Location: 15711 Woodard Road, San Jose, CA, 95124
Phone: 408-377-3321