As we head into December and the final month of the semester, it is important to consider that this will be a very busy time for our students, staff and families. Please do your best to mark your calendars with special school and family events making time for students to complete all of their school work and any missing assignments they may have prior to winter break. December always goes by so quickly! The semester will end on December 20th and students will be expected to have completed all outstanding assignments by that time.
While this newsletter is brief, please make sure that you review it in its entirety so that you are aware of any special events that may be occurring during the month of December. If we do not have the opportunity to see you in person prior to winter break, the staff and I would like to wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday season filled with love, joy, and peace.
Sincerely,
Ms. Strausbaugh, Principal
WELLNESS WEEK
Wellness Week will be held December 9th - 13th. Students will participate in a Health & Wellness Faire on Thursday, Dec. 12th during lunch. The lunch period will be extended so that students will have enough time to participate in the various events/activities. More details regarding the activities of the week can be found below. If you would like your student to participate in the Bicycle Skills Course, you must complete the linked permission form and have your child bring it with them December 12th.
WINTER SOCIAL
The Winter Social is scheduled for December 13th @ 7:00pm. This is our only evening social, and it is always very well attended. Students may NOT leave the social early. Students are expected to remain for the duration of the event. If your child is interested in attending, please make certain that they listen to the morning announcements regarding ticket sales and when/where to pick up as well as turn in their permission slips. Ticket sales/permission slip collection will occur Dec. 3rd - 6th and Dec. 9th -12th during lunch and for 15 minutes after school. Please note: Students who purchased a Socials Pass during MAZE for this school year are STILL REQUIRED to turn in a signed permission slip in order to be eligible to attend the social. The deadline to turn in the permission slip is the same for all student, regardless of whether a Socials Pass was purchased or a single Social ticket purchased. Permission slips are necessary for planning purposes and in order to get an accurate count of attendees. NO PERMISSION SLIP = NO ADMITTANCE
WINTER CONCERT
EARLY DISMISSAL - DEC. 20th @ 12:53pm
We have a minimum day planned for Friday, Dec. 20th, and students will be released at 12:53pm. Please mark your calendars and make arrangements for student pickup as there will be no special AC Transit bus service for Thornton students that day. Additionally, the office will close at 2:00pm in preparation for winter break.
ENRICHMENT CLASSES
Please take a moment to review the Spring Course Catalog. We will be starting our next set of enrichment classes in February. Students will be sent an email with a registration near the end of December. Registrations are on a first-come-first serve basis. Space is limited so please map out your class interest now and be prepared for the release of the registration form.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
During the winter break from school, we are grateful to everyone for helping to restore a routine for showing up to school while supporting students and families.
We appreciate everyone’s efforts to avoid taking extra time off during the winter break. As long as your child is healthy, please encourage showing up to class when school is in session.
Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn as well as to connect to their peers and teachers.
We thank:
- Our students and their families who do their best to show up daily even when it isn’t easy.
- Our teachers who go above and beyond to make school a welcoming and safe place for all students to learn.
- Our administrators who help us work together to ensure we create a physically and emotionally safe and engaging learning environment.
- Our many, many healers and helpers - the support staff and community volunteers who provide the extra hands and attention our children need.
We appreciate each one of you. May these days off be restful and healing.
- If your family or your child needs support, please reach out to their school counselor for help.
- We look forward to seeing you again when school resumes on January 6, 2025.
Thank you for partnering with us!
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Should you need to leave town before or after Winter Break, please apply for independent study. This ensures your student stays on top of their classwork while having their absences excused. The deadline to apply for independent study surrounding this year’s Winter Break is December 6th, 2024. For a complete list of the guidelines, please visit this link.
EARLY PICK-UP
If you need to pick up your student early from school, we ask that you please send your student with a note to the office in the morning. The note can be simple and should include the student's name, the reason for early pick-up, and the time they will need to leave. Using this system we can minimize interruptions to teachers and classes. For any early pick-up, you MUST come to the office with a PHOTO ID. We will not release any student to someone who is not on the emergency contact list. If the student is not picked up within 10 minutes of the designated time, they will be sent back to class to wait. Please call and let us know if you will be late picking up your student.
***Students are not permitted to leave campus and walk home unsupervised during the school day. An adult who is listed in the emergency contact list must come pick the student up from the office.
END OF SEMESTER CLASS CHANGES
The semester ends on December 20th. Second semester will begin at the return of winter break. ALL students will need to check their schedules in Aeries to verify the classes that they will attend when they return from winter break. Many students will have elective and PE class changes at the semester. ALL 6th graders will change their elective wheel to the quarter 3 class. You can review your schedules now to determine the class changes you may have when you return from break. Don't forget to print a new schedule and have it ready to go on January 6, 2025!
LUNCH CART
If students forget items such as their lunch or PE clothes, these items may be placed on the cart outside the office for your student to pick up. There is no need to check into the office. Students who have forgotten items should check the cart during brunch, lunch, or any passing period. Classes will not be interrupted to inform students of dropped-off items. In an effort to maintain a secure and safe environment for all students, please drop off the items and please do not hand items to the student directly. This creates a safety concern as adults may only enter any part of the campus upon checking into the office and receiving a visitors badge. Please be reminded that the lunch cart is unsupervised. Items are left at your own risk.
ATTENTION 6TH GRADE PARENTS
Just a reminder: California State law requires that all immunizations be up to date for your child to enter 7th grade. This includes the Tdap vaccine, which protects against whooping cough and is given around age 7 or older. To ensure a smooth transition into the 2025-2026 school year, please check with your child's physician to confirm that all vaccinations are current and turn in copy to Ms. Luna the Registrar. Don’t wait—make sure your child is ready for the new school year!
