Dr. Splane, Principal

Mr. Garner, Assistant Principal

Email: rvelasquez@ogsd.net
Website: bernalis.schoolloop.com
Location: 6610 San Ignacio Avenue, San Jose, CA, United States
Phone: 4085785731
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BernalBroncos/
Twitter: @BernalOGSD

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy end of the month! September has come and gone quickly. Your students have gotten quite a bit done in their learning during the month such as: completed their initial language arts and math benchmark assessments (if you would like a copy of your student’s results, please email me), developed their learning team identities, established their Lexile points in reading, signed up for a variety of student clubs, run many miles in PE, conducted labs, and created shared online documents with their classmates. We had our Fall Academic Awards night on September 25. Over two hundred 8th grade students achieved a spring semester grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Families, friends, and relatives packed the gym for the award ceremony and had a great time cheering, snapping selfies and posing for pictures at the end of the evening.

Also, during the month of October is our district-wide disaster safety drill. To provide all Oak Grove schools an opportunity to practice emergency response procedures, our district Superintendent has asked all students and staff to participate in a District-wide emergency preparedness drill on October 17, 2019 at 10:17 a.m.. Please be advised that students will be dismissed at the regular time on this day.

The goals of the training drill are to improve our ability to protect students, save lives, and reduce injuries. They allow us to evaluate our emergency operations plan and improve our response skills. As part of the drill, the students and staff will participate in the activation of our school’s Safe School Plan.

In order to protect students, in case of an actual emergency students will only be released to the parents and/or other adults listed on the student’s Emergency Card. Please ensure that this card has updated and accurate information. It is a good idea to have several trusted adults listed on the card, including one or two who live within walking distance of school. You should assume that in an actual emergency, telephone communication not be possible, and so you should discuss your family meeting place and reunification plans in advance with anyone listed on the student’s Emergency card.

In the event of an actual emergency any approved emergency contact person should do their best to bring identification and should first come to the Request Gate to request the student. While the student is located, the adult will be directed to the Reunion Gate to meet their child and sign them out. This procedure is designed for your child’s protection and for your peace of mind.

Prior to the drill, please discuss your family’s home preparedness plan with your student(s). The American Red Cross has outstanding materials. You can obtain Red Cross materials are available in English or in Spanish from their web site: http://www.redcross.org or by calling your local chapter at 877-727-6771. Your telephone directory also has valuable information on emergency preparedness, and there resources to be discovered on the internet in many languages.

As always, take care of yourselves and each other. We are proud to have you as a member of the Bernal community, where everyone thrives.

Best,

Jamal Splane, PhD

Principal, Bernal Intermediate School

September has raced by and our students have settled into the routines of the school year. This is a great time of year, and students are really getting into the rhythm of learning. It is also a time of year where we have to pay close attention to maintaining strong habits and school and at home. As we start October, I would like to wish everyone in advance a happy and safe Fall break.

We do many things here to try to develop active listening skills and the ability to maintain focus. But it is crucial that students practice this outside of school as well. Parental support at home is a key ingredient in helping our young Bernal Broncos succeed. As October approaches us, new challenges at the middle school level will arise. Kathryn Hoffses,PhD has written an article for Kids Health which outlines ways parents and students can conquer new challenges at school. Here are some highlighted ones that I suggest:

1. Attend Back-to-School Night and Parent-Teacher Conferences

Preteens and teens do better in school when parents are involved in their academic lives. Attending back-to-school night at the start of the school year is a great way to get to know your child's teachers and their expectations. School administrators may discuss school-wide programs and policies, too. Attending parent-teacher conferences is another way to stay informed. These may be held once or twice a year at progress reporting periods. Many middle schools, however, only set up parent-teacher conferences if parental involvement is needed to address issues like behavior problems, falling below grade-level expectations, or alternatively, benefiting from advanced class work. Keep in mind that parents or guardians can request meetings with teachers, principals, school counselors, or other school staff any time during the school year.

2. Visit the School and Its Website

Knowing the physical layout of the school building and grounds can help you connect with your child when you talk about his or her school day. It's good to know the location of the main office, school nurse, cafeteria, gym, athletic fields, auditorium, and special classes. On the school website, you can find information about: the school calendar, contacting school staff, special events like dances and class trips, testing dates, sign-up information and schedules for sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities, & grades and homework assignments

3. Get Involved

Volunteering at your child's middle school is a great way to show you're interested in his or her education. Keep in mind, though, that while some middle school students like to see their parents at school or school events, others may feel embarrassed by their parents' presence. Follow your child's cues to determine how much interaction works for both of you, and whether your volunteering should stay behind the scenes. Make it clear that you aren't there to spy — you're just trying to help out the school community.

Parents can get involved by:

• serving as a grade-level chairperson
• organizing and/or working at fundraising activities and other special events, like bake sales, car washes, and book fairs
• chaperoning field trips, dances, etc.
• attending school board meetings
• joining the school's parent-teacher group
• working as a library assistant
• mentoring or tutoring students
• giving a talk for career day
• attending school concerts, plays, and athletic events

Check the school or school district website to find volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule. Even giving a few hours during the school year can make an impression on your child.

4. Take Attendance Seriously

Middle schoolers should take a sick day if they have a fever, are nauseated, vomiting, or have diarrhea. Otherwise, it's important that they arrive at school on time every day, because having to catch up with class work, projects, tests, and homework can be stressful and interfere with learning.

Middle schoolers may have many reasons for not wanting to go to school: difficult assignments, low grades, social problems, or issues with classmates or teachers. Talk with your child — and then perhaps with an administrator or school counselor — to find out more about what's causing any anxiety.

Do you enjoy school dances, the murals in the gym, fun games at lunch, and school rallies? Do you want to have a beautiful mural painted on the blue wall? How about new benches outside to sit on? If so, please help Bernal fundraise money to help pay for these awesome things for our students!

Bernal is having a POPCORN FUNDRAISER!

Thursday, September 26th - Tuesday, October 15th

All orders forms and money are due 10/15!

Show the popcorn flyer to your friends, family, and neighbors and ask them to support your school!

PRIZES!!! - Please see attached flyer for the treasure chest of prizes! PLUS...sell 15 items and receive a mystery cash envelope! (amounts will range from $2 up to $50)

Please make checks payable to: Bernal School

Our first six-week term ended on Friday, September 27th.

Grades will be mailed home by Friday, October 11th.

Oct. 11th - Pink Day! (Breast Cancer Awareness)

Oct. 18th - College Day!

Oct. 25th - Orange Day! (Anti-Bullying Awareness)

Oct. 31st - Halloween (Wear costumes or Orange & Black). See attachment below for Halloween Costume Guidelines.

Five Star Pizza has generously offered to do a WEEKLY fundraiser for Bernal on Thursdays! They will give Bernal 10% of ALL proceeds earned on Thursdays by Bernal supporters! This includes Dine in, Carry out, and even Delivery! Show the flyer below!

Have an absence? Please attend Bernal's Super Saturday Session on Saturday, October 19th from 8:15am - 12:30pm! Attending the Super Saturday will allow students to make up one absence from this school year.

Permission slips will be sent home on Tuesday, October 8th and must be returned by Tuesday, October 15th.

Students will participate in fun Halloween themed activities such as making slime, Halloween trivia game, blowing up pumpkins, making a 'bowl of brains', etc! Don't miss out on this fun session!

Students need to turn in their permission slip by Tuesday, October 15th and attend the full session so they can:

• Earn 10 Bronco Bucks!

• Be entered into a raffle to earn a pizza party for them and 5 friends!

• Earn an In-n-Out certificate!

• Be entered into a raffle to win a mile pass for P.E.!

Please email Allison Crawford at acrawford@ogsd.net if you have any questions!

*Permission slips may be turned in late (by Thurs. 10/17), but students will NOT be able to order a lunch if it's turned in late. They will need to bring their own lunch.

Parents/Guardians,

HSA has put together a sign up sheet if you would like to bring treats for our teachers during their staff meetings. Please use THIS LINK to sign up! Thank you!

Bernal raised $5,195 through our first annual mattress fundraiser!

Thank you to all of the students and staff who supported this fundraiser! This money will help fund adding a beautiful mural to our blue wall on the blacktop area!

Congratulations to our students attending Washington D.C. who referred people to purchase mattresses and will be getting money deposited directly into the D.C account!

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR 2ND ANNUAL MATTRESS FUNDRAISER!

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Upcoming Meets:

Thursday, October 3rd - Christmas Hill Park

Thursday, October 10th - Christmas Hill Park

A Team Games: (7th - 3:30pm; 8th - 4:30pm)

Oct. 17th 7th Girls Jamboree @ Bernal (3:30-5:30)

Oct. 17th 8th Girls Jamboree @ Britton (3:30-5:30)

Oct. 22nd Bernal @ Quimby

Oct. 24th Bernal @ Martin Murphy

Oct. 29th Bernal @ Brownell

Oct. 30th Sierramont @ Bernal

Nov. 5th Herman @ Bernal

Nov. 7th Bernal @ Britton

Nov. 12th Bernal @ Davis

Nov. 14th Solorsano @ Bernal

Nov. 19th South Valley @ Bernal

Potential playoff games would be 12/3, 12/4, and/or 12/5.

B Team Games: (3:30 start time)

Nov. 5th Bernal @ Herman

Nov. 7th Bernal @ Davis

Nov. 12th Herman @ Bernal

Nov. 21st Davis @ Bernal

See instructions below!

Bernal's Home & School Association is accepting direct donations to help support Bernal students and teachers! The donations are even tax deductible!

Donate online today using THIS LINK or pick up a flyer and envelope in the front office if you'd prefer to donate with cash or a check.

The Bernal library will be open from 10:30am – 3:30pm Monday-Friday for the school year. Students are welcome to come in at lunch and after school to work on homework they have. Computers and printer are available for them to use for school work. It's also a great opportunity for them to use the time and space when they have group projects!

Click HERE for more information about Oak Grove's General Education Bussing Transportation options.