Village Explorer Weekly Update

Hey Village Explorer Student and Families,

I hope you all are enjoying your last few weeks of summer! The office is open and we are working hard on getting the school ready for the students! Please read ALL the information in this week's Family Newsletter below. Each weekly newsletter will have new information at the top and important repetitive information below. Please read each newsletter closely so you stay informed and up to date.

Our first day of school is Thursday August 24. Bus service from the Cays and Naval Amphibious Base along with optional free breakfast (7:40 AM for students only) will begin the first day of school. Our teachers will greet students in their designated area (see "Getting to and from Village Elementary" section below) between 8:00 and 8:10 AM to escort them to their classrooms.

Please see the August Back to School Newsletter for all information regarding the start of school.

Have a great week!

Peter Kuhns

Principal

Dear Village Parents and Community Members,

Principal Kuhns and I have been working hard to get the Everyone a Reader (EAR) reading program up and running for this upcoming school year. For those who are unfamiliar with the program, Village Elementary School Offers the "Everyone a Reader" program has volunteer tutors who work one-on-one with students who need additional reading support. This easy step sets students up for success and ensures volunteers have a big impact on the children who need a helping hand. Need more information? Here is a flyer about the program (different than the sign up above):Everyone a Reader Volunteer Flyer.

All initial volunteers have to attend a one time 2-4 hour training day to get started and fingerprints and TB test cleared with our district.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in volunteering with at our school, please fill out this Google sign up here: https://forms.gle/qJ2sfRNAqae2DpCfA).

Please let me know if you need more information or have questions.

Lindsey Cummins

Second Grade Teacher & EAR Site Coordinator

Village Elementary School

600 6th Street, Coronado, CA 92118

(619) 522-8915 x 5201

Child Nutrition Services Announces FREE BREAKFAST AND FREE LUNCH MEALS for all Enrolled Students for the 2023-2024 School Year!

Beginning school year 2022-2023, and continuing through school year 2023-2024, California will become the first state to implement a statewide Universal Meals Program for school children. Education Code 49501.5 requires public school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools serving students in grades TK-12 to provide two meals free of charge (breakfast and lunch) during each school day to students requesting a meal, regardless of their free or reduced-price meal eligibility. Meal applications will not be needed to receive the free daily breakfast and/or lunch meal.

Although meals will be free for all, the state continues to require school districts to distribute and collect free/reduced-price meal applications. Free/reduced-price meal applications allow the district to collect essential data needed to qualify for additional school funding intended to support academic programs for your student. Additionally, free/reduced eligibility can qualify households for things such as discounted internet services, P-EBT benefits, discounted rates on your energy bill, and more. Households are encouraged to apply online at www.myschoolapps.com.

We will continue to take proper precautions with increased sanitation and cleaning procedures. This will include, but not limited to, students’ ability to sanitize hands prior to getting food, sanitizing hands prior to exiting the line, CNS staff sanitizing the salad bar and all contact surfaces between grades and changing tongs between grades as well

Here in the Child Nutrition Services Department, we go a step beyond to ensure your child is getting the most health conscious and appealing food we can provide. All items we serve are made with whole grains. We serve only 100% beef and chicken products, with minimal to no fillers, by-products, or textured vegetable proteins. For a better understanding of our program, school site menus, and what we have to offer, please visit our website here. The "Why Eat School Lunch" Brochure on the website is a great resource to understand our regulations for the program because we can't just serve anything!

At the Elementary School level, each student will be able to come through the line and get one free breakfast and/or lunch meal per day. This includes the choice of one entrée, one milk, and whatever fruits/vegetables they would like from the salad bar. Breakfast will be served from 7:40am-8:00am while school is in session. Only those students receiving breakfast may enter the school grounds before the gates open.

No second meals will be allowed for purchase at any school site to ensure all students are able to get a first meal if they desire. If students are still hungry, the salad bar is buffet style, and they may go through for seconds on any of the fresh fruit/vegetable options for the day.

Payments for a la carte sales may be made by cash or check in the "CNS Deposit" box at each of our school offices. For your convenience, credit card charges can be made online by logging on to www.myschoolbucks.com and setting up an account. This system has changed over from EZschoolpay.com for the coming school year. If there was a balance on your student’s account from last school year, it has already been transferred to the new system. However, you must register for MySchoolBucks to continue adding money to your student’s account. Here, you can view your child’s account balance anytime and receive reminder emails. In addition, those who have a smart phone can download the MySchoolBucks app to make payments and check balances for your child's meal account even easier.

We hope you enjoy what we have to offer and please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Charity Campbell,

MS, RD, SNS

Director, Child Nutrition Services

(619) 522-8907 x2085

charity.campbell@coronadousd.net

Mobile Device Protection Plan for Families With CUSD Chromebooks

If your student has a CUSD issued Chromebook, you are encouraged to review and consider purchasing the OPTIONAL Mobile Device Protection Plan (MDPP) for the 2023-2024 school year. The annual plan is designed to cover accidental damage of CUSD Chromebooks including screen breakage. In addition, the plan will protect against spills, fire, flood, natural disasters, and theft/loss. Mobile hotspots, power cords, cables, and other accessories are not covered. Intentional damage, improper device storage, and misuse are also not covered.

The cost of the plan is $20 per device per year. The plan must be purchased annually within two weeks of the beginning of each school year to be valid (or within two weeks of the student’s enrollment if registering mid-year). To maintain coverage, a new plan must also be purchased if a student is provided with a replacement device due to damage/loss of their previous device. This money will be used to create a dedicated pool of funding to replace or repair covered technology. All money collected through the program will go into a special account that can only be used to replace or repair technology that is covered in the plan. We highly recommend this low-cost protection plan. To purchase a Mobile Device Protection Plan for your student, please use the instructions at the following link: Mobile Device Protection Plan Purchase Instructions.

• Click here to register your new or returning student.

• If you know your family is moving or not returning to Village, please email Amanda Ellison at amanda.ellison@coronadousd.net.

• Beginning August 7th, NEW FAMILIES please come to the office to bring in birth certificate, immunization records, and two current proofs of residency.
• Beginning August 7th, CURRENT FAMILIES come to the office to turn in TWO current proofs of residency. Our office hours are 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3PM starting August 7th.

Required Forms:

• Birth Verification - New students only (certified copy of birth certificate, passport, baptismal certificate duly assessed, or affidavit-only when none of the other acceptable documents are available per CA Ed Code 48002)
• Verification of Student Residency - ALL students, completed form & 2 proof of residence documents (acceptable documents listed on attachment)
• Immunization Requirement - New students must provide a complete immunization record & 7th graders must provide proof of a Tdap booster
• School Entry Health Exam - Kindergarten & 1st grade only
• Oral Health Assessment - Kindergarten students only

• August 7: Office Reopens
• August 7-11: Complete registration paperwork at Village Office (see above)
• August 8th: Principal's Coffee Chat. 9:00-10:00 AM at Village Hall
• August 15th: Principal's Coffee Chat. 9:00-10:00 AM at Village Hall
• Monday, August 21: OFFICE CLOSED IN AM FOR STAFF MEETINGS/First Day of Work for All Staff
• Tuesday, August 22, 3-5 PM at District Office, 201 6th Avenue: Ice Cream Social for New CUSD Families
• Wednesday, August 23: Self-Guided Campus Tour, 12:00-3:00 PM
• Thursday, August 24: First Day of School CUSD (regular school schedule)
• Thursday, August 31st, 4:00-5:15 PM: Back-to-School Night

1. Complete registration by bringing documents to the office (see "Registration" section above) and pick up calendars and classroom suggested supplies lists.
2. If you are Cays residents and your student will take the bus to school, click here for more info on bus transportation.
3. Join the PTO here!
4. Read about our school's 1:1 Device Program for grades 1-5 here.
5. If your child has allergies, health concerns, or medicines to take at school, see our "Health and Wellness" section below for guidance in dropping off medication at our office.
6. Log on to view your child's teacher/class assignment on Tuesday, August 22, after 4PM--see section on "Classroom Placements" below).
7. Save the Date for Back-To-School Night, Thursday, August 31st, 4:00 - 5:15 PM (please arrange for childcare if possible)
8. Plan ahead to volunteer at Village! Note: most volunteers do NOT need to be fingerprinted to volunteer during the school day. Fill out an application here.
9. Set an alarm to remind yourself that school gets out at 1:40 PM EVERY WEDNESDAY for grades K-5!
10. Enjoy your remaining days of summer--rest, relax, have fun, sleep well, and get excited for the new school year!

Back-to-School Night is on Thursday, August 31st from 4:00 - 5:15 PM.

Back-to-School Night is an opportunity for parents and guardians to meet teachers, learn about grade-level curricula, and orient to our campus and staff. Our teachers will offer three 20-minute presentations to account for families with siblings. Back-to-School Night is best attended by adults only; however, we understand that not all families have childcare. Children in attendance must remain with you at all times and will not be permitted on playground spaces.

August 24, 2023: First Day of School/School Board Meeting

August 31st, 2023: Back to School Night 4:00 - 5:15 PM

September 4, 2023: NO SCHOOL/Labor Day Holiday

September 14, 2023: School Board Meeting

September 29, 2023: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS/Teacher Workday

October 9, 2023: NO SCHOOL/District Fall Holiday

October 12, 2023: PTO Bingo for Books

October 13, 2023: Coronado High School Homecoming Parade and Game

October 19, 2023: School Board Meeting

October 30-November 3, 2023: Family/Teacher Conferences (all students) /Early Release at 1:40pm

November 9, 2023: PTO Movie Night

November 11, 2023: NO SCHOOL/Veterans’ Day Holiday

November 16, 2023: School Board Meeting

November 20-24, 2023: NO SCHOOL/Thanksgiving Recess

December 1, 2023: Coronado Holiday Parade

December 14, 2023: School Board Meeting

Friday December 22-January 5, 2024: NO SCHOOL Winter Recess

January 15, 2024: NO SCHOOL/Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

January 22-26, 2024: Great Kindness Challenge

January 25, 2024: End of Semester 1 – Report Cards sent home

January 25, 2024: PTO Movie Night

January 26, 2024: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS/Teacher Workday

January 29, 2024: Start of Semester 2

February 25, 2024: PTO Movie Night

February 16, 2024: NO SCHOOL/Lincoln Presidents Day Holiday

February 19, 2024: NO SCHOOL/Washington Presidents Day Holiday

February 27, 2024: Open House

March 4-8, 2024: Read Across America Week

Friday March 29-April 5, 2024: NO SCHOOL Spring Recess

April 17-19, 2024: Family/Teacher Conferences (by invitation/request)/Early Release 1:40pm

April 24, 2024: Administrative Professionals Day

May 6-10, 2024: Certificated Staff Appreciation Week

May 6-31: State Testing in Grades 3, 4, 5

May 20-24, 2024: Classified Staff Appreciation Week

May 27, 2024: NO SCHOOL/Memorial Day Holiday

June 13, 2024: Last Day of School/5th Grade Promotion/Early Release at NOON

Families should expect to be able to access classroom teacher assignments online after 4PM on Tuesday, August 22nd. Thank you for understanding we cannot consider specific teacher and/or change requests.

Synergy ParentVUE and StudentVUE

• Synergy requires a login by parents, students, and teachers.
• The Synergy database holds important information regarding your students, including addresses, email, and attendance.
• Have your Synergy ParentVUE Password Emailed to You
• Login to Synergy StudentVUE and ParentVUE
• Activate your Synergy ParentVUE Account

CUSD WEBSITE:

https://coronadousd.net/Parents--Students-/CUSD-Account-Login-Instructions--Information/index.html

Coronado Unified School District has an agreement with outside care provider Champions to provide before- and after-care for Village Elementary School students at our school site (note that Champions is an outside contractor using our facilities).

Please see the Champions website for more information, or call 619-865-1577.

ONLY STUDENTS ACCESSING the CHAMPIONS CHILDCARE PROGRAM SHOULD BE DROPPED OFF OR ARRIVE TO SCHOOL PRIOR TO 7:40. Village provides supervision on campus at breakfast from 7:40-8 AM and outside at gates from 8:00-8:10 AM.

To assist us with safety and security, we have a School Crossing Guard at the crosswalk across our staff parking lot at arrival and dismissal. Our crossing guard will direct vehicles, pedestrians, and bikes/scooters and your compliance is appreciated. Practicing patience, grace, and feeling a sense of shared responsibility as you drive to and from school will help ensure the safety of ALL.

5th grade Curbside Hosts will assist at arrival in the mornings by opening car doors, greeting, and helping students onto campus.

Your Child Will Arrive to School One of Three Ways/Times:

1. Walking, Biking, Scootering, Driving in Time for Before-School Breakfast: Your child should be dropped off or arrive at school between 7:40 and 7:50 AM for entry to Village Hall for breakfast.
2. Walking, Biking, Scootering, Driving in Time for School: If your child is NOT having breakfast, they should arrive between 8:00 and 8:10 AM to walk through designated grade-level gates and to classroom line-up areas.
3. Via Champions Childcare If your child is enrolled in before- and/or after-school care with Champions, your child will be escorted to and from campus/class by childcare personnel.

School Arrival Locations and Protocols: Students who do not access breakfast before school will enter campus through the following gates between 8:00 and 8:10 AM:

• Preschool: Gate between Village Hall and Upper Playground on H Avenue
• TK-1st Grade: Lower Playground Gate on 6th street
• 2nd Grade: Gate on the corner of H avenue and 6th Street
• 3rd Grade: Lower Playground Gate on 6th street
• 4th Grade: Gate between Village Hall and Upper Playground on H Avenue
• 5th Grade: Gate on the corner of H avenue and 6th Street

• Gates close at 8:10 AM; students who arrive after 8:10 will check in at the office.
• We know that working and busy family schedules create challenges, but please DO NOT drop off children prior to 7:40 AM for breakfast or prior to 8:00 AM if they are not accessing breakfast. Students who arrive prior to 8AM will join breakfast service.
• DO NOT TURN OFF OR LEAVE YOUR CAR in the drop-off line. PARK YOUR CAR if you wish to walk your child to campus/gates.

School Dismissal Locations and Protocols:

• TK students will dismiss at 11:50 from the lower playground gate on 6th Street.
• Kindergarteners will be at their gate for dismissal five minutes earlier than other grades (2:50 PM MTTHF and 1:35 on Wednesdays)
• Students 1-5 will dismiss from the same gates as arrival at 2:55 PM
• The District School Bus will pick up students right after dismissal at 2:55 PM along the curb in front of school.
• Parents of students in grades TK through 1st must park and meet students/teachers IN PERSON
• Students in Grades K-5 Dismiss at 1:40 EVERY WEDNESDAY.

Walking/Biking/Scootering:

• Please follow the safest and most direct route to and from school (using crosswalks!) and follow directions of the school crossing guard.
• Safety helmets are required for biking/scootering/skating to school.
  
• Bikes/scooters/skateboards should always be locked at the racks adjacent to staff parking; bikes, scooters, and skateboards are not permitted on campus.

IN CASE OF RAIN OR INCLEMENT WEATHER, students will enter gates and report directly to classrooms between 8:00 and 8:10.

Pets/dogs are not permitted on school grounds for reasons of health and safety, unless they are part of a prearranged instructional program. Families who walk dogs to school must remain with their (leashed) pet outside on the sidewalk.

Health Office/Medications:

If your child will require medication at school, please remember to bring in medication authorization forms, (see attached link for specific forms and information) and medications on 8/22 and 8/23. Thank you for bringing your child's authorization forms and medications prior to the 1st day in order to help us prepare for a smooth transition and the 1st day of school.

Medical Forms

Medication Authorization and Plan

School Entry Immunization Requirement - All Grades

Seizure Action Plan

School Entry Health Exam - Kindergarten & 1st Grade Only

Asthma Symptom Action Plan

Oral Health Assessment - TK & Kindergarten Only

Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan

Questions? Email Health Technician Heather Springfield at Heather.Springfield@coronadousd.net

Care Solace

Our district has partnered with Care Solace to help staff, students, and their families quickly connect to verified mental health and substance use treatment providers in our community. Our counselors can help connect you directly to their support, you can call them at 888-515-0595, or search anonymously at www.caresolace.com/coronadousd.

Their Care Companion team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language. Your Care Companion will make phone calls on your behalf to find and book appointments with providers who are matched to your needs. Care Solace has access to thousands of providers or programs that work with all insurances, Medicaid, or offer sliding scale or private payment options. For more information or questions please reach out to Clinical Counselor Sophia Frost at Sophia.Frost@coronadousd.net.

We encourage healthy school community members to attend school regularly, and on time.

Please report your child's absence as soon as you are aware by:

• Calling Attendance Clerk Amanda Ellison at 619-522-8915 (press 2)
• Emailing Attendance Clerk Amanda Ellison at amanda.ellison@coronadousd.net
• You may alert your child's teacher about absences, but absences MUST be reported to the office first.

We understand that individual and family circumstances may affect attendance and encourage honesty about why your child is missing school so that we may provide support and help sustain academic progress. Please do your very best to schedule trips and appointments for days we are not in school.

For more information about excused and unexcused absences, extended absences and Independent Study Contracts, family reunifications, etc., please see the attendance section on our website.

We love having volunteers on campus! Your presence enriches the educational program, increases supervision of students and contributes to school safety while strengthening our schools’ relationships with our community.

If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please send or drop off required documents to the Human Resources Department of the district office or human.resources@coronadousd.net.

To become a volunteer the following procedures and documents must be completed. You can access these documents simply by clicking the links below.

• School Volunteer Application
• Verification of a negative Tuberculosis Test (TB) within the past four years
• Live Scan of Fingerprints (FBI and DOJ) - required ONLY if volunteering with children NOT within sight of a teacher

• School Website
• Student Handbook
• Parent Directions for Using CANVAS Learning Management System

Village Elementary School is SO fortunate to have the full-time services of our very own MFLC (Military Family Life Counselors)! Our MFLC is available to help students through the emotions and transitions associated with military life. Here is the latest communication from our Military Liason Mindy Hayes (mindy.e.hayes.naf@us.navy.mil)

• Coronado Unified School District: www.coronadousd.net
• Read the latest CUSD Newsroom communications from Superintendent Mueller at www.coronadousd.net
• First Day of 2023-2024 School Year: Thursday, August 24
• 2023-2024 online registration for new & returning students: https://coronadousd.net/Parents--Students-/Online-Registration-for-2023-24/index.html. Plus, download a copy of the District Calendar.
• Governing Board Meeting Recordings – click here, Next Meeting: August 24, 4 pm
• Safe Harbor Coronado Aloha Club Welcome Bags - To welcome new military families to Coronado, the NBC School Liaison Program partners with an amazing local organization called Safe Harbor Coronado. Through their Aloha Club, they connect new families with existing ones in the community to serve as a resource and help build connections throughout the year. They also offer a "Welcome Bag" delivered to your door. To sign up visit https://safeharborcoronado.org/new-to-coronado.
• CMS Cheer Squad Coming This Fall! – Open to all 6th-8th grade students. No experience needed. Watch https://inslandersportsfoundation for August registration or email nadoislandercheer@gmail.com for more information.
• Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 22, 3-5 pm at the CUSD District Office - A casual event designed for all TK-12th grade families new to CUSD to meet area military and civilian community resource representatives while also meeting other new families and school administrators, plus enjoying an ice cream treat.
• Champions Preschool Now Enrolling: Infant, toddler, and preschool care available. For full details and pricing visit: https://www.discoverchampions.com/our-locations/coronado/ca/002753
• VES Principal’s Coffee Chat: August 15, 9-10 am, Village Hall, 600 Sixth Street

For information about military-sponsored activities for youth, visit the Fleet and Family Services website here.

Email: peter.kuhns@coronadousd.net
Website: https://village.coronadousd.net/
Location: 600 6th Street, Coronado, CA, USA
Phone: 619-522-8915
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoronadoVillageElementary