The Monthly Howl

Happy Fall, Jack London Families,

As the days grow colder, please be sure to label student jackets and sweaters that come to school. This will help lost items make it back to their owners. Our Lost and Found is located in the front of the school and is starting to grow in size. Please check it often for any lost items!

As we enter cold/flu season, please continue to communicate with the school office if your child is home ill (see flyer below for cold/flu guidance). Please remember to call the attendance line every day your child is out to confirm their absence. If he/she is out for more than 3 days, a doctor's note is required.

Upcoming Important Dates:

• THIS Friday, October 4th - Minimum Day - TK-6th Grade Dismissed at 11:35
• Also - 10/4 - Heritage Spirit Day - Flyers coming home soon!

• Fall Break: October 7-11 - No School
• Monday, October 14 - Teacher Work Day - No School
• October 15 - Students return to school
• Great California Shake Out 10/17 at 10:17am - Safety Drill for Students and Staff
  
• October 25 - PTO Fall Event - More Information to come!
• October 30 - School Site Council Meeting #1 - 3pm on Teams (link below)
• October 31 – Minimum Day for TK-6 (Halloween - See Flyer Below for Costume Details)
• November 1 – Staff Development Day - No School for Students
• November 7 – Makeup Picture Day
• November 11 - No School - Veteran's Day
• November 18-22 - Conference Week - Minimum Day Release at 11:35am for TK-6th
• November 25-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Please read all the way to the end of the newsletter so you are up-to-date!

Thank you,

Dr. Roat and Ms. Torres

Last year, AUSD schools underwent and Equity Audit from the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST). Students, staff, and parents were invited to participate in Focus Group Interviews, and the NCUST Team observed in classrooms. The school and district were provided with the results of the audit, which were examined by site leadership.

Our site team has developed a plan to focus on Positive Transformational Culture as a school staff. To begin, we have been holding Professional Developments focused on Transformational School Culture, with an emphasis on teacher collaboration; care and knowledge of our students; high expectations for our very capable Jack London scholars, and creating spaces that emphasize and encourage academic success.

This work is just beginning, and it goes hand-in-hand with the newly revised AUSD Mission Statement: TO ENSURE ALL SCHOLARS LEARN AT GRADE LEVEL OR ABOVE.

Antioch Unified School District's Social Emotional Initiative includes Restorative Practices, social-emotional curricula and support, and a focus on mental wellness.

Care Solace is a free program for AUSD staff and families, and it can be used to connect families with mental health services and providers. See the flyers below in English and Spanish.

Learn more about the AUSD Social Emotional Initiative on the district website: Social Emotional Initiative | Antioch Unified School District (antiochschools.net)

Congratulations to our newly elected Jack London School Site Council members!!!

Whitney Lucas

Josephine Nadha

Christianna Colon

Mandeep Kaur

All parents/guardians are invited to join us for the first School Site Council Meeting of the school year: October 30, 2024 at 3:00pm on Teams.

We will review the council's purpose; elect officers; review the School Plan and budget. We will also schedule the remaining meetings for the school year.

Click here to join the meeting on 10/30/24 at 3pm: Join the meeting now

Or, dial in by phone: +1 657-201-8845,,391335442#

Congratulations to our newly elected Student Council Officers:

President: Riley Higgs

Vice President: Sabrina Khelifi

Secretary: Jazlynn Alcala

Treasurer: Sofia Alvarado

Thank you to those who displayed strong leadership skills and went through the election process.

We are so proud of all the students who ran for office and gave heartfelt speeches this week. We have so many intelligent, strong student leaders on campus. Well done to all!

BIRTHDAYS

Sometimes parents/guardians like to provide a special treat for their child’s classmates on their birthday. If doing so, please follow these guidelines:

• Please communicate your plans with the classroom teacher in advance.
• Send all items with your student in the morning, to reduce interruptions to the classroom. Please note that balloons, flowers, presents, etc., are not allowed in the classroom as they cause distractions to our learning environment.
• Please note that class time will not be taken for birthday celebrations, and treats will likely be given out at lunch or at the end of the school day.
• We strongly recommend a nutritional snack or even small trinkets such as pencils, erasers, or stickers rather than food since so many children have food allergies. This also promotes healthy habits for students.
• All edible treats must be store bought and individually packaged. Please do not send cakes or ice cream, which require cutting/preparation. All items should be easy for the teacher to hand out.
• Please provide the same item/treat for every child in the classroom.
• Please do not send party invitations to school (for birthday parties at home) unless the entire class is included.
• If your child does not celebrate birthdays or your family follows specific cultural traditions, please speak with your child’s teacher as early in the year as possible so these traditions can be honored.
• If your child follows a special diet, you might consider leaving acceptable treats with the teacher at the beginning of the year, so that your child can still celebrate special days with treats he/she can eat safely.
• Please contact your child’s teacher with specific questions.

CAFETERIA

Breakfast and lunch are served daily and are free for all students. Pupil supervisors are available to assist students in the cafeteria, as well as ensure a smooth and managed flow of students. Grade levels are scheduled for blocks of time during lunch to help facilitate arrival, departure, and quality eating time for students.

If children bring lunch from home to eat at school, they may ask for milk or juice. Per the Jack London drink policy, water, milk and 100% fruit juice are permitted at lunch. Sugary, dyed, and caffeinated beverages, including soda, are not permitted.

CELL PHONE AND SMART WATCH POLICY

Students are discouraged from bringing cell phones, smart watches, and electronic devices to school. Cell phones can quickly become an issue/distraction at school. Please be aware of and review these cell phone rules with your child.

Cell phones may be brought to school as a safety precaution for use to and from school only. During the academic day, all cell phones must be turned OFF and kept in the student’s backpack. All smart watches must be in watch-only mode or off and in backpacks. Exception: A student may receive permission from staff to use a cell phone, and it must be used in the presence of school staff. The school and staff are not responsible for damage to or loss of cell phones or smart watches. Text messaging, taking videos or pictures, or abuse of cell phones is forbidden at all times. Students who violate these policies/rules will have progressive consequences (see below).

Consequences for Violation of Cell Phone/Smart Watch Policy:
1. Warning and review of policy.

2. Phone confiscated for the day (student picks up phone at dismissal) and parent phone call.

3. Phone confiscated for the day (parent picks up phone) and parent phone call.

4. Phone banned from school OR check in/out from office each day.

DOGS / PETS ON CAMPUS

Dogs and other animals are not allowed on campus at any time. Specifically, according to the state’s education code, dogs are prohibited from school campuses, whether or not the dogs are leashed. This includes school events. We have several students who are either afraid of, or allergic to, certain types of pets. This policy keeps our campus safe and friendly. If families are including a dog walk at the same time they are picking up or dropping off their child, we request that you meet or say goodbye off campus. If you notice a dog on campus, leashed or not, please inform the school office. It is our intention to keep our campus safe. Service animals are exempt from this state law. If you are to bring a service dog on campus, we must have paperwork on file in the front office.