Bulldog Dish: Week of September 26, 2023

Principal’s Message Hello Bulldog Families,    I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable weekend. Thank you for bringing your child/children to school every day they are healthy.  We were #1 last week for our attendance district wide. Go Bulldogs! Thank you for your continued support because we know that  every day matters.   A friendly reminder to have your child/children wear their kindness shirts to school on Wednesdays. Thank you to our wonderful PTC for purchasing the kindness shirts for all our Bulldog students. SCE is commitment to promoting kindness and every Wednesday will be designated as "Kindness Wednesday.   Cecilia Johnson Resilience Brilliance District Award   Congratulations to Cecilia Johnson for representing Santa Clarita Elementary School as the recipient of the Resilience Brilliance Award. Cece is a kind and supportive student. She quickly identifies kids who may be feeling left out or sad and invites them to be her friend. If she sees another student upset, she is the first to offer up a tissue and some kind words.  Everyone in her class knows that Cece will stand up for those who need it. She is a bright light and she is a true upstander. Cece makes everyone feel welcome and she is supportive of all students - even those who are new and she doesn't really know yet.  She makes an active choice to do kind deeds for others and has a positive attitude every day. Her interactions with other students and adults are always with kindness and compassion. Cece is very deserving of the Resilience Brilliance Award and her compassion and kindness does not go unnoticed. Please ensure your child attends school everyday unless ill.  Every day they miss impacts their school growth and development.  New content is taught daily and when your child misses instruction, they return to school with gaps in their learning, which could cause anxiety, frustration, and learning loss.  We will continue calling families and/or setting up meetings with families to discuss excessive absences/tardies. Thank you in advance for your support!     A friendly reminder, if you have any questions or need assistance, please call our office at 661-294-5340.  You can also email Mr. Villanueva, office manager, at  nvillanueva@saugususd.org  Congratulations to our Friday GREAT ATTENDANCE Winners!! Taylor C. in Mrs. Marin's 2nd Grade Class Payton E. in Mrs. Clark's 4th Grade Class Aiden C. in Mrs. Savage's 2nd Grade Class Johann C.  in Ms. Larmon's 3rd  Grade Class Delilah R. in Mrs. Marin's 2nd Grade Class Marvelous G. in Mrs. Solórzano's 5th Grade Class Anthony A. in Mrs. Larsen's 6th Grade Class   Lily F. in Ms. Larmon's 3rd Grade Class Gia P.  in Mrs. Savage's 2nd Grade Class  Londyn A. in Mrs. Nordskog's 5th Grade Class  Our Schoolwide Goal is 98% Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts  Great job, Bulldogs. We had 98% or higher in 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, and 6th Grade!!   Attendance  Matters How it works...out of 180 school days... Congratulations to our Friday PBIS Raffle Ticket Winners!! Isabella  in Room 3 in Ms. Larmon's 3rd Grade Class Elizabeth in Room 8 in Mrs. Savage's 2nd Grade Class  Aliyah in Room 8 in Savage's 2nd Grade Class  Natalia in Room 10 in Mrs. Marin's 2nd  Grade Class Elisabeth   in Room 8 in Mrs. Savage's Grade Class Violet in Room 3 in  Ms. Larmon's 3rd  Grade Class Taylor in Room 10 in Mrs. Marin's 2nd Grade Class  Jelani in Room 3 in Ms. Larmon's 3rd Grade Class Jennifer in Room 8 in Mrs. Savage's 2nd Grade Class    Our  theme for the 2023-2024 academic school year is Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts.   Thank you so much for reading our posts and  appreciating our messages. This is an indicator of our  parent  interactions. Go Bulldogs!  With gratitude, Dr. Villanueva   School News Mrs. Hecker Preschool Teacher   Hi!  I am Kelly Hecker, and I teach one of the special education preschool classes here at Santa Clarita Elementary.  I have worked here since 2016.  I enjoy working with children and watching them grow throughout the school year but definitely miss them once they move on to TK/K.  While at home, I help care for our 6 children and enjoy baking.  We also love taking family trips to the zoo and aquarium. In the Classrooms   School Social Worker  Newsletter   INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHAT YOUR CHILD IS LEARNING IN SCHOOL? Parents send their children to school each day and anticipate with excitement the answer to, "How was your day?", "What did you learn in school today?" In our last several staff meetings our teams have been creating learning cycles for what we call "essential standards"- what is essential or necessary for students to know and understand in order to learn at high levels.  PLEASE CHECK OUT THE GRADE LEVEL STANDARDS LINKS BELOW: English Language Arts/Literacy: Grades K–2  (PDF) , 3–5  (PDF) , 6–8  (PDF) , 9–12  (PDF) Mathematics: Grades K–2  (PDF) , 3–5  (PDF) , 6–8  (PDF) , 9–12  (PDF) The California PTA also has parent-friendly guides for each grade:  https://www.pta.org/home/family-resources/Parents-Guides-to-Student-Success Listed below are a few open-ended questions to ask your child: 1. Tell me about the best part of your day. 2. What was the hardest thing you had to do today? 3. Do you think math [or any subject] is too easy or too hard? 4. Who was kind to you today? Who were you kind to today? 5. Can you show me something you learned (or did) today? National Hispanic Heritage Month  Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th. Hispanic Heritage Month began as a way to promote the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic-Americans. Communities mark the achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans with festivals and educational activities. This week we would like to recognize  Elizabeth Acevedo.  Elizabeth Acevedo is a  Dominican -American poet and author. Her parents are  Dominican  immigrants and she was raised in  Harlem ,  New York . She is the youngest child and only daughter. In September 2022, the  Poetry Foundation  named her the year's  Young People's Poet Laureate . Elizabeth Acevedo is the  New York  Times-bestselling author of  The Poet X , which won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, the Pura Belpré Award, the Carnegie medal, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and the Walter Award. She is also the author of numerous other titles including  Family Lore ;  With the Fire on High,  which was named a best book of the year by the New York Public Library, NPR, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal; and  Clap When You Land , a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor book and a Kirkus finalist. Acevedo has been a fellow of Cave Canem, Cantomundo, and a participant in the Callaloo Writer’s Workshops. She is a National Poetry Slam Champion, and resides in Washington, DC with her husband. The NED Show is Coming to Santa Clarita Virtually on Friday, September 29, 2023   NED’s Kindness Adventure   tells the story of NED’s journey to Nairobi, Kenya. Although fearful of cultural differences, NED learns that a kind heart and a caring attitude can break down barriers. This assembly will support our initiatives for developing a positive and caring school climate by inspiring students to choose kindness, accept differences, and respect others.  http://www.KindnessAdventure.com The ONE CHIP Challenge Warning   One Chip Challenge   Please click on the link below, and read the article regarding the dangers of students trying the "One Chip Challenge." Please speak to your students about this, and make sure they do not try this at home, at school, or anywhere. It is very dangerous.  One Chip Challenge Article Students in grades 2nd-6th  have completed their iReady diagnostic for English Language Arts and Math.  They will now work on their individual path that was designed for them based on the outcome of the diagnostic. Students should be completing a minimum of thirty minutes each week in both Math and English Language Arts. Please have your student log in and show you how many minutes they have completed each week! Recycling Program  Santa Clarita Elementary School is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge again this school year. Please see the information below on what we will be recycling.  Monday, September 25, 2023 Download our ParentSquare App Steps for becoming a volunteer.   If you are interested in volunteering, please make  sure you complete the following steps:  Get a TB test from a medical provider, which you will need for your volunteer application.   Complete the SUSD parent volunteer application at https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/Njk0OmVuLVVT . You will be  applying for level 1 volunteer. Applying for level 2 volunteer      will require fingerprinting clearance.    Attend a parent volunteer training with Dr. Villanueva School Valet Map     ATTENDANCE MATTERS Chronic absenteeism  refers to any student who has been  absent 10% or more of the days since school started, whether the absences were excused or unexcused.     Please ensure your child attends school everyday unless ill.  Every day they miss impacts their school growth and development.  New content is taught daily and when your child misses instruction, they return to school with gaps in their learning, which could cause anxiety, frustration, and learning loss.   We will continue calling families and/or setting up meetings with families to discuss excessive absences/tardies. Thank you in advance for your support!   Missing daily instructional minutes impacts learning!     Missing 4 days of school means the student will be missing a minimum of 480 instructional minutes in ELA and Math  Missing 6 days of school means the student will be missing a minimum of 720 instructional minutes in ELA and Math    Santa Clarita Elementary School's daily attendance rate for the week of   September  18  was   98.01%   Awesome job, Bulldogs!!  We had a  increase  of 2.23% from the pervious week.   Our goal is 98% and we achieved it last week!  Congratulations  to Mrs. Marin's 2nd grade class  and Mrs.  Solórzano's  5th and 6th grade class for having 100% attendance last week.  Awesome job.     Remember, every day counts!   Mrs. Marin's class and Mrs.  Solórzano's  class will have the  attendance  trophy  along with our  attendance  Bulldog in their classroom for the week. Keep up the great work.  Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts  Independent Study Contract (ISC):  If your child will be traveling or  out for an extended amount of time (3 or more days) we can place him/her on an ISC where we will provide your child with work for the days out of school. Upon returning to school with the completed  work assigned, your child will receive full credit for attendance.    Please make sure to inform the office as soon as possible if  you are requesting an ISC. One-week notice is required. Around The Campus See Something, Say Something Campaign If you SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING   * Please remember to keep our students, staff, and community safe *Look out for one another *If you see something, say something *Please don't walk through the parking lot during arrival or dismissal *Please keep pets off campus. *Please follow all traffic laws, and be careful!   Dress Code   We also want to remind our families of dress code expectations.  Shoes worn to school must be closed-toed and have a back to the shoe. Mid-riff shirts are also not to be worn at school (any shirt that shows the mid-section). Large hoop earrings are also not to be worn at school.  Shorts and skirts are to be at the fingertip length. We appreciate your support!                                      Hot Days and Clothing Please make sure your student brings a water bottle to school daily. It is very hot out there. We also need students to wear sunscreen and clothes that are light and comfortable.  Students must wear closed-toe shoes (Tennis shoes are preferred). If students are going to wear pants with holes on them, the holes must be small and minimal. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring our students are dressed appropriately for school.   Cell Phone Policy Please note that while at school, cell phones are to be turned off and in backpacks during school hours.  If a student needs to use a phone during the school day, they are welcome to use the classroom phone or school office phone. They may use their phone as soon as they exit the school gates.  Please note that the school is not responsible for lost or stolen property. You can review our district’s policy on cell phones at school in our parent & student handbook. Our handbook also includes information on bicycle safety, classroom parties, visits, and volunteering, as well as behavior and communication expectation. Why PBIS? Maybe you have wondered why our schools use the PBIS model when working with student behavior.  This graphic from pbis.org is a good overview of the reasons why PBIS is used nationwide.             We feel that it is important to regularly remind families about the purpose of  PBIS .   PBIS  stands for Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports. It seeks to reduce or eliminate poor behavior schoolwide through the encouragement of positive behaviors.  PBIS  decreases office discipline referrals, increases instructional time, and improves student achievement.  Our students are always encouraged to follow our 3Rs, Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Ready to Learn (as seen above) to help our students remember expected behaviors on campus. How can you support PBIS at home?  Here are a couple of tips: Define, teach, and routinely acknowledge family expectations Discuss how you want to live as a family and identify some “pillars” (important, building-block concepts) that represent what you value. Talk about what those pillars look like and sound like in every-day routines. To help the family remember and be consistent, choose only 3-5 and create positive statements about them. Here are a few examples: Speak in a respectful voice. Be responsible for actions. Be safe; keep hands, feet, and objects to self. Identify a couple of “hot spots” to begin. Challenging behaviors often occur within routines.  Perhaps mornings or mealtimes create hot spots for the family. After discussing 1-2 ways to be respectful, responsible, and safe in the morning, teach what each looks like. Have fun with it! Set up “expectation stations” for practicing the plan and assign each family member one pillar to teach to the rest. Behaviors that get attention get repeated. Notice when a child does the right thing and say something about each success: “I noticed you stopped to pick up your shoes in the hallway. Thanks for putting them away and keeping the walkway safe for others.” The easiest way to change a behavior is to point out what a person does right! Remember this catchy phrase, “5:1 gets it done” to ensure five positive interactions for each negative interaction. When the expected behavior becomes routine, the reinforcement can fade away. Bulldog Scoop & Information                       Early bird price is $5 off original price on either a hardcover or softcover. Deadline to get this price is Friday, December 15, 2023  - Last Day before winter break. A flyer will also come home soon with your student, be on the look out. Hardcover $25 - Early bird $20 Softcover $20 - Early bird $15 Yearbook Shop Link https://www.barksdalestorefront.com/shop/ Please click below to post your 1st day pictures to our padlet. Pictures may be used for our school Yearbook and/or social media. 1st Day Padlet Snack, Lunch, Footwear, and Clothing  Students can bring their own snack and lunch each day, or they may get their lunch from the cafeteria for free. Breakfast will not be served before school, however, second chance breakfast will be offered during morning recess. It does take time to get a snack or lunch, and some children prefer to eat their food from home.   You can find lunch menus here. All children should bring a refillable water bottle to school each day to stay hydrated. Wearing a hat and/or sunscreen can be helpful during these sunny, hot days. Closetoed shoes are a must at school, and sneakers or tennis shoes are the preferred footwear.  Students play on the blacktop every day and have physical education frequently. Therefore, dress shoes, boots, and footwear other than athletic shoes are not recommended. Children should dress comfortably to play outside each day.  Please make sure all undergarmets and bellies are covered. Meal Applications https://www.schooldaycafe.org/   Second Chance Breakfast is served during recess at SCE Important Dates to Remember  September   September 5: Principal's Volunteer Training 9:30 AM  September 6: ELAC Meeting 8:30 AM MPR  September 8: Vision/Hearing Screening For 2nd & 5th Graders Only  September 11: Patriot Day Assembly Center Circle 8:15 AM September 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month Begins   September 15: Awards Assembly Center Circle Grades 2nd-6th 8:15 AM  September 16: U.S. Constitution and Citizenship Day  September 25: Picture Day   September 25: School Site Council Meeting MPR 4:00-5:00 September 25: Coffee with the Principal: Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSP) MPR 5:15 September 29: Ned's Kindness Adventure Assembly  24-28 RED RIBBON WEE GOVERNING BOARD:     Katherine Cooper · Anna Griese · Cassandra Love · Christopher M. Trunkey · Matthew Watson      SUPERINTENDENT:       Colleen Hawkins, Ed.D.   RESPECT | INTEGRITY | LEARNING | TEAMWORK | ENTHUSIASM N   EVERY WEDNESDAY IS Early release for all grades: 1:37 FIRS T DAY OF SCHOOL!     October 2nd-6th No  School

Tuesday, Sep 26 2023

Saugus Union Schools are Some of the Healthiest Scho...

Hello Saugus Family! On September 26th, Alliance for a Healthier Generation announced that Saugus Union School District had 15 schools among the 781 schools across 36 states nationwide to be awarded and named America’s Healthiest Schools for the 2022-2023 school year.  All schools in the Saugus Union School District were recognized for at least 2 out of 9 wellness related categories to be recognized as one of America's Healthiest Schools. Additionally, Saugus had 9 out of 14 schools, nationwide, to receive the “all star” award - awarded 9 out of 9 categories. The recognition is awarded by Alliance for a Healthier Generation which provides a wide variety of resources that promote student and family health. The America’s Healthiest Schools program recognizes schools that prioritize healthy policies and practices amid numerous challenges facing schools today -- learning loss and declining youth mental health due to traumatic events, such as school shootings, vaping and nicotine addiction, curriculum changes, and school meal insecurity. Schools had to apply and submit evidence of excellence in areas such as family and community engagement, food access. health education, physical activity, social emotional learning, staff well being, tobacco free schools and health services.   SUSD schools that received the All Star award are: Bridgeport, Cedarcreek (2nd year), Emblem, Mountainview, Plum Canyon, Rosedell, Santa Clarita and West Creek (2nd year).  Schools that received awards in two or more areas are: Charles Helmers, Highlands, James Foster, North Park, Rio Vista, Skyblue Mesa, and Tesoro del Valle The Saugus School District would like to extend a special thank you to Samantha Ford, teacher on special assignment, for her dedication and leadership for SUSD’s wellness programs and with our schools receiving this recognition for a second year.   The Governing Board and ​District ​Leadership are very proud of the efforts ​each of our schools put towards ensuring that student wellness is at the foundation of our teaching and learning environment.  We know that our staff, teachers, ​classified, and administrators, have been doing this work in collaboration with our parent community for years.  We are so excited to be recognized for a second year for excellence in this area!  Thank you to all involved and congratulations to all of the team ​for their work. About Alliance for a Healthier Generation Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a leading children's health organization that advances equitable whole child health. Driven by our passion to ensure that every mind, every body, and every young person  is healthy and ready to succeed. America’s Healthiest Schools remains one of the country’s longest- running, nationwide recognition programs honoring schools for achievements in supporting whole child  health equity for students, teachers, and staff. Any school can connect with Healthier Generation to access trainings, resources, and technical assistance by visiting HealthierGeneration.org. Visit HealthierGeneration.org/HealthiestSchools to view all 781 America’s Healthiest Schools for the 2022-2023 school year.

Tuesday, Sep 26 2023

HE Happenings 9/25/23

Principal's Message September 25, 2023 Dear Families, Please remember that the parking lot at Helmers is closed during student arrival and dismissal.  Thank you for parking on the street for your child to safely exit and walk on the sidewalks to school.  We know that we love our fur babies, however there are no pets allowed on campus with the exception of service animals. In addition, for everyone's safety please refrain from riding bikes and scooters on campus. Please dismount from the bike or scooter before entering the school grounds.  Thank you for making safety a priority. Today our students will enjoy   an all school live stream event called NED’s Kindness Adventure. The purpose is to teach and inspire our students in choosing  kindness, respect  and  acceptance.   Here are some follow up home resources from the Kindness Adventure website.   You may want to use these with your child as they are designed to go hand in hand with the program. Each Monday, staff and students view the  Monday Morning Assembly.   I encourage parents and caregivers to also view the assembly to learn more about our daily happenings at Helmers. With gratitude, Mrs. Velikorodnyy, Principal mvelikorodnyy@saugususd.org 294-5345 Resilience Brilliance Award On September 19 at the Saugus Union School District Board Meeting, first grader Gavin Cajigal was honored with the Resilience Brillance Award.  Gavin uses his strength, self-awareness, and compassionate heart to work through difficulties.  He takes on a problem, solves it, and uses it as a learning experience. Gavin has worked hard to have a growth mindset and persevere. Congratulations, Gavin, for representing Helmers as our Resilience Brilliance recipient! Playworks' Recess Reboot I am excited to share that our school is partnering with Playworks to help reboot our recess!  We are proud to partner with Playworks to make recess a fun, inclusive time for every student in our community. Playworks is the leading national nonprofit using play to help transform schools. A Playworks recess creates a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills.  Our Playworks trainer will be at Helmers and North Park from October 10-13.  Playworks’ main focus will be to help us assess and set goals for our school recess, provide staff with additional professional development, as well as launch and demo best practices that will help bring safe and healthy play to our school.  Be sure to ask your child about the new games and opportunities at recess! Recordings for Parent Viewing Construction Q and A with Dr. Colleen Hawkins and Mr. Nick Heinlein September Parent Principal Chat: SEL Screener and School Safety Plan Hispanic Heritage Month: Cesar Chavez Attendance Matters Please bring your child to school every day he/she is healthy.  Please call Nurse Haylee if you are not sure about bringing your child to school. Congratulations to Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Gould's classes for the best attendance last week. They will have the big husky in their classrooms for the week.  In addition, for every day of 100% attendance, classes earn a letter in the word LEARNING. Once the class spells LEARNING, they earn a free recess.        Grade Last Week This Week TK 96.50 94.00 K 95.17 94.83 1 97.14 96.51 2 98.57 97.14 3 96.56 97.81 4 96.21 95.17 5 98.57 98.57 6 96.90 97.46 Postive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) We are pleased to announce that Helmers earned the 2023 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Gold Award for implementing PBIS with consistency and success! This is a collaborative effort of all staff to ensure Helmers provides all students with instruction and opportunity in positive behaviors and supports. Congratulations, Helmers! Parent Education Nights at Helmers Please come! Childcare provided for students in grades TK-6 Because of parent requests for more information on grade level content and how to support student learning at home, our amazing teachers are providing a grade level Parent Education Night.  Please plan to attend your child's grade level.  Free childcare is provided in the library for Helmers' students TK-6. Grade Date and Time Location TK August 22, 5:00-6:00 P.M. Helmers' MPR K August 31, 5:30-6:30 P.M. Helmers' MPR First September 19, 5:00-6:00 P.M. Helmers' MPR Second August 24, 5:00-6:00 P.M. Helmers' MPR Third September 27, 5:00-6:00 P.M. Helmers' MPR Fourth September 20, 5:00-6:00 P.M. Helmers' MPR Fifth September 13, 5:00-6:00 P.M. North Park's MPR Sixth September 6, 5:00-6:00 P.M. North Park's MPR Construction Update A two story building with 12 classrooms, student and adult restrooms, small offices, and a science lab is currently under construction on the Helmers' campus.  We look forward to completion in late 2023 as our fifth and sixth grade students and staff will return to our site.  Site grading and backfill are in progress this week as well as exterior painting and perimeter fence post footings. Volunteer Information Click here to watch the volunteer orientation. Click here to register online. Join the PTA! Can you help us reach 500 Members?! We have a wonderful PTA that works to create events and opportunities to support our students and families.  Please join the PTA! It does not commit you to anything, but it does give support to this organization, our children, and our school.   Click here. Also, e ach Friday at Helmers staff and students wear Helmers' spirit wear to encourage school spirit and community.  We invite your child to join the fun! The Husky Store is currently closed, but look for it to reopen again soon. School lunch is free this year! Students can bring their own snack and lunch each day, or they may get it from the cafeteria for free.  It does take time to get a snack or lunch, and some children prefer to eat their food from home. If our TK and K students are able to bring a lunch from home, it greatly assists them in eating lunch.   You can find lunch menus here.   All children should bring a refillable water bottle to school each day to stay hydrated. PTA Reflections' Contest All entries are due 9/27 by 3:00 P.M. Upcoming Events September 25: PTA Membership Drive Begins September 27: Reflections' entries due October 2-6: Fall Break: No School October 13: 6:00: Reflections' Gala at Helmers October 20: 6:00: Trunk or Treat at Helmers October 23-27: Red Ribbon Week October 23-November 3: APEX Fundraiser October 31: 8:00 A.M.: Halloween Parade at Helmers November 1: Staff Development: Pupil Free Day November 2: TK-4 Grades APEX Fun Run (8:15 A.M. TK-1 and 9:15 A.M. 2-4) November 3: 5-6 Grades APEX Fun Run (8:15 A.M.) November 3: 12:20 Grades 3-6 Minimum Day Dismissal November 10: Veterans Day: No School November 13-17: Parent Teacher Conferences Governing Board:   Katherine Cooper-  Anna Griese-  Cassandra Love- Christopher M. Trunkey - Matthew Watson                     Superintendent:  Colleen Hawkins, Ed.D. Saugus Union School District Office Number 661.294.5300 Flyers Attached for upcoming community events.

Monday, Sep 25 2023

Panther Weekly Press September 19, 2023

9/19/23 Issue 7 PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE Good evening Plum Canyon Families    We had such an amazing Constitution Day Walk through at Plum Canyon. Please make sure to aske your child(ren) what they learned.   We also had a wonderful Walk to School Day with many families walking to school and the students truly enjoyed a visit from Midnight.    Just a few Reminders:   We know that we love our Fur Babies, however there are NO Pets allowed on campus with the exception of Service Animals. Thank you for making safety a priority.     Driving Safety The safety of our children is of utmost importance. In order to ensure that our students are safe, we have to follow all of the traffic and safety rules during arrival and dismissal. You may not: Block our neighbors' driveways Double park Block intersections Enter the parking lot since it is intended for after school care program caravans Please be considerate of our neighbors and surrounding streets.   Dismissal During dismissal please remain behind the concrete seated areas. Please remind your child(ren) to avoid walking on the wall, running, or hanging from the concrete seated area. If you have any questions please contact us.     Early Release Wednesday Every Wednesday is an Early Release Day. Please be patient and considerate as all our students dismiss at the exact time at 1:54pm.      If you have any questions please contact us.    PICTURES ARE READY! Ordering is easy! View and order your child's portraits at shoobphotosouth.com Each child was sent home with a unique access code on Picture Day. If you cannot find the code, call the office and we can give it to you! Proofs will also be sent home later this week with full details.  Get free shipping on orders of $24.99 or more. Offer ends on 10/21/2023 at 11:59pm ET.   PTA REFLECTIONS CONTEST Calling all Artists!! Enter Reflections Now!! PTA is excited to announce this year's Reflections Art Program with the theme: "I am Hopeful Because…” All Students are invited to share their creative talents and submit their own original artwork in any of 6 categories (Dance Choreography, Literature, Photography, Film Production, Music & Visual Arts **There is also a Special Artist category for students who identify as having a disability and receive IEP or 504 services) Deadline for submissions HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO October 9, 2023 @ 11:59pm. All Entries will be due via online entry form located here: https://forms.gle/ELnGpzW7DFJtCLMdA ***Physical art (visual arts & Photography prints) will be collected in the MPR October 10th 7:45-8:15am - completed online entry form required. View this video to learn more about the Reflections Art Program and how to enter: https://youtu.be/Df-aPeRGJn8?si=D61JAFO5QMFvxQMZ A Celebration Art Gala will be hosted by PTA October 16th @ 5:30pm in the MPR! Red Carpet Attire Optional. Complete Rules and Entry Guidelines can be found Here https://capta.org/resource/participant-forms/ . Questions? Please reach out to Reflections Chair Michelle Harkness at  ReflectionsPlumCanyon@gmail.com Save the Date! Reflections Art Gala and Awards will be held on October 16, 2023 @ 5:30pm PLUM CANYON CONSTRUCTION The City of Santa Clarita Annual Road Rehabilitation Program will be in construction near your area with a tentative start date of  October 3, 2023 .   Plum Canyon will be resurfaced using an overlay treatment between Skyline Ranch Road to  Bouquet Canyon Road as part of the 2022-23 Annual Overlay and Slurry Seal Program.   Overlay is a new layer of asphalt that is applied to existing roadways, which may include removal or replacement of portions of the existing asphalt. The new asphalt is then placed in single or multiple layers depending on the thickness of the overlay. This process restores the street and keeps it smooth.   What to Expect •             Traffic impacts such as delays or detours •             Possible noise from construction equipment   Additionally, the following link on the City’s website provides a list of our current citywide projects with a map and street names. However, this does not include a schedule. https://www.santa-clarita.com/city-hall/departments/public-works/capital-improvementprojects/road-rehab-annual-overlay-and-slurry-seal-project WALK TO SCHOOL DAY PBIS  Our PBIS Student store is in full swing. We have had many classes visit in order to purchase the variety of items available. Many of our students have demonstrated high levels of Positivity, Responsibility, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence and are regularly being recognized for it. Please see the slideshow below for more information about items your student can select using their purple PRIDE tickets.  https://www.canva.com/design/DAFtjLrp7j0/Zk8JgGGCLXuQSz8kOI756w/watch PTA has set up a wishlist of items that can be purchased as donations to our student store. This is an ongoing wishlist and will be updated often. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/11YD1N1UINSWO?ref_=wl_share ATTENDANCE Please join Plum Canyon as we take on our 2023-2024 School Year Attendance Goal of  96%  . Let's be great and get to school everyday Plum Canyon Panthers!!! Would you like your own parking spot during pickup and drop off? Principal Hamilton and Assistant Principal Ticas will be giving up their parking spots each week! Any parent who's student has 96% or higher attendance rate the week prior will be entered into a raffle. Our two winners selected to win a reserved spot for the entire week.                 Matteo Spinelli  and Eleanor Yang Weekly Attendance Report  September 4, 2023 - September 15, 2023     Grade 9/4/23-9/8/23 9/11/23-9/15/23 Top Class/% TK 90.3% 96.82% Pfenning 97.39% Kinder 94.50% 94.13% Barnes/Rieck 96.42% 1st Grade 93.02% 94.77% Berns 99.28% 2nd Grade 93.58% 97.17% Cook 99.28% 3rd Grade 96.93% 95.41% McElroy 100% 4th Grade 99.30% 96.64% Edwards 98.06% 5th Grade 98.02% 96.28% Stangl 100% 6th Grade 98.35% 96.79% Dominguez 100% ELAC NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH National Hispanic Heritage Month National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15th to October 15th. National Hispanic Heritage Month began as a way to celebrate and promote the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic-Americans. We at Plum Canyon would like to celebrate Elizabeth Acevedo.   Elizabeth Acevedo is a Dominican -American poet and author. Her parents are Dominican immigrants and she was raised in Harlem , New York . She is the youngest child and only daughter. In September 2022, the Poetry Foundation named her the year's  Young People's Poet Laureate . Elizabeth Acevedo is the New York  Times-bestselling author of The Poet X , which won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, the Pura Belpré Award, the Carnegie medal, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and the Walter Award. She is also the author of numerous other titles including Family Lore ; With the Fire on High,  which was named a best book of the year by the New York Public Library, NPR, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal; and  Clap When You Land , a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor book and a Kirkus finalist. Acevedo has been a fellow of Cave Canem, Cantomundo, and a participant in the Callaloo Writer’s Workshops. She is a National Poetry Slam Champion, and resides in Washington, DC with her husband. NOTES FROM MS. CHIA! HOT CHIP CHALLENGE DANGER   One Chip Challenge Warning Please click on the link below, and read the article regarding the dangers of students trying the "One Chip Challenge." Please speak to your students about this, and make sure they do not try this at home, at school, or anywhere. It is very dangerous.  One Chip Challenge Article VOLUNTEER TRAININGS Principal's Volunteer Training Google Meet joining info Video call link:  https://meet.google.com/car-yhpm-bgi   Or dial: ‪(US) +1 347-560-4966‬ PIN: ‪966 100 824‬# Thursday, August 17, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, September 5, 2023 - 5:00-6:00pm Tuesday, September 12, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, September 26, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, October 17, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, November 7, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, December 5, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, January 16, 2024 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, February 13, 2024 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, March 12, 2024 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, April 9, 2024 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, May 14, 2024 · 10:15 – 11:00am  TRUNK OR TREAT https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DADAF2FAAFFC16-monster COMMUNITY FLYERS UPCOMING EVENTS September 15th -October 15th ~ National Hispanic Heritage Month September 18th ~ Constitution Day/Walk to School Day September 21st ~ ELAC Meeting @ 9AM September 22nd ~ Fire Drill September 26th ~ Volunteer Training @ 10:15AM September 27th ~  Coffee with the Principal @ 8:20AM September 28th ~ School Site Council Meeting @ 4PM                                                                                                           October 2 - October 6, 2023 Fall Break Plum Canyon 23-24 School Calendar 23-24 School Lunch Calendar CONTACT US If you ever have any questions, we are here for you! Please contact us.  Our office is open from 7:30am to 4pm each day. Our office number is 661-294-5365.

Wednesday, Sep 20 2023

Bulldog Dish: Week of September 18, 2023

Principal’s Message Hello Bulldog Families,    I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable weekend. Thank you for bringing your child/children to school every day they are healthy.  We are very excited to be receiving the PBIS Sliver Award. The California PBIS Coalition is pleased to recognize Santa Clarita Elementary School for successful PBIS implementation at the Silver level. Our school is a recipient within the California PBIS Coalition's System of Recognition, reflecting excellence in the measurement of fidelity as well as our efforts in implementing the core features of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Please ensure your child attends school everyday unless ill.  Every day they miss impacts their school growth and development.  New content is taught daily and when your child misses instruction, they return to school with gaps in their learning, which could cause anxiety, frustration, and learning loss.  We will continue calling families and/or setting up meetings with families to discuss excessive absences/tardies. Thank you in advance for your support!     A friendly reminder, if you have any questions or need assistance, please call our office at 661-294-5340.  You can also email Mr. Villanueva, office manager, at  nvillanueva@saugususd.org  Congratulations to our Friday GREAT ATTENDANCE Winners!! Ashton D. in Mrs. Nordskog's 5th Grade Class Sophia D. in Mrs. Savage's 2nd Grade Class Alessandra G. in Ms. Larmon's 3rd Grade Class Camden S.  in Mrs. Marin's 2nd Grade Class Dustin L. in Mrs. Solorzano's 6th Grade Class Jenna H. in Mrs. Larsen's 6th Grade Class Akira M. in Mrs. Larsen's 6th Grade Class   Viviana O. in Mrs. Clark's 4th Grade Class Maitreya L.  in Mrs. Nordskog's 5th Grade Class  Jelani T. in Ms. Larmon's 3rd Grade Class  Our Schoolwide Goal is 98% Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts  Attendance  Matters How it works...out of 180 school days... Congratulations to our Friday PBIS Raffle Ticket Winners!! Francien in Room 3 in Ms. Larmon's 3rd Grade Class Natalie in Room 8 in Mrs. Savage's 2nd Grade Class  Sophia in Room 8 in Savage's 2nd Grade Class  Isabella in Room 3 in Ms. Larmon's 3rd  Grade Class Elisabeth   in Room 8 in Mrs. Savage's Grade Class Jamie in Room 3 in  Ms. Larmon's 3rd  Grade Class    Our  theme for the 2023-2024 academic school year is Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts.   Thank you so much for reading our posts and  appreciating our messages. This is an indicator of our  parent  interactions. Go Bulldogs!  With gratitude, Dr. Villanueva   School News INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHAT YOUR CHILD IS LEARNING IN SCHOOL? Parents send their children to school each day and anticipate with excitement the answer to, "How was your day?", "What did you learn in school today?" In our last several staff meetings our teams have been creating learning cycles for what we call "essential standards"- what is essential or necessary for students to know and understand in order to learn at high levels.  PLEASE CHECK OUT THE GRADE LEVEL STANDARDS LINKS BELOW: English Language Arts/Literacy: Grades K–2  (PDF) , 3–5  (PDF) , 6–8  (PDF) , 9–12  (PDF) Mathematics: Grades K–2  (PDF) , 3–5  (PDF) , 6–8  (PDF) , 9–12  (PDF) The California PTA also has parent-friendly guides for each grade:  https://www.pta.org/home/family-resources/Parents-Guides-to-Student-Success Listed below are a few open-ended questions to ask your child: 1. Tell me about the best part of your day. 2. What was the hardest thing you had to do today? 3. Do you think math [or any subject] is too easy or too hard? 4. Who was kind to you today? Who were you kind to today? 5. Can you show me something you learned (or did) today? National Hispanic Heritage Month  Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th. Hispanic Heritage Month began as a way to promote the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic-Americans. Communities mark the achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans with festivals and educational activities. This week we would like to recognize Roberto Clemente,   Roberto Clemente was a baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Born in Puerto Rico, he began his baseball career when he finished high school. He signed with the Pirates and had a successful career as a right fielder, with a powerful throw to the infield. He led the National League in batting four times and played in the World Series in 1971. One of his major career accomplishments was becoming the first Latin American to have 3,000 hits. Also known for his humanitarianism, he worked hard to provide goods and supplies to others. He was killed in a plane crash in 1972 on one of his humanitarian trips. A year after his death, he became the first Latino inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.   This video is an introduction to Hispanic Heritage Month.  https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=RCN1hAEZHnw&t=1s   The NED Show is Coming to Santa Clarita Virtually on Friday, September 29, 2023   NED’s Kindness Adventure   tells the story of NED’s journey to Nairobi, Kenya. Although fearful of cultural differences, NED learns that a kind heart and a caring attitude can break down barriers. This assembly will support our initiatives for developing a positive and caring school climate by inspiring students to choose kindness, accept differences, and respect others.  http://www.KindnessAdventure.com The ONE CHIP Challenge Warning   One Chip Challenge   Please click on the link below, and read the article regarding the dangers of students trying the "One Chip Challenge." Please speak to your students about this, and make sure they do not try this at home, at school, or anywhere. It is very dangerous.  One Chip Challenge Article Students in grades 2nd-6th  have completed their iReady diagnostic for English Language Arts and Math.  They will now work on their individual path that was designed for them based on the outcome of the diagnostic. Students should be completing a minimum of thirty minutes each week in both Math and English Language Arts. Please have your student log in and show you how many minutes they have completed each week! DESSA-Mini   The DESSA-mini  provides universal screening and progress monitoring of social and emotional competence when completed by teachers and parents . We will be using this tool three times this year to proactively identify and support students with social emotional skills. This screener measures a student's skills in areas such as personal responsibility, social awareness, decision making and self-management. Recycling Program  Santa Clarita Elementary School is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge again this school year. Please see the information below on what we will be recycling.  Monday, September 25, 2023 School Valet Map   Valet Procedures  Please remember to follow our drop-off and pick-up procedures to ensure everyone's safety. Safety is our priority for all. Please follow the guidelines below to ensure that our students, staff and families are safe. When you are dropping your child off via the valet, please pull all the way forward right before the sidewalk ends where you will see a cone with a sign stating "Stop Here".    You will have to remain in the valet line all the way through, please do not cross over to the left lane to exit. Cones will be placed as a reminder. Please use the crosswalk in our parking lot and please do not cross between the cars. This is extremely unsafe! Students will only cross the parking lot at the crossing walk. Please do not ask students to cross anywhere else between the cars in the parking   Starting at 7:40 students will enter through the double gates by the primary yard.  When dropping off and picking up your child through the valet line, please have your child enter/exit vehicle on the passenger side.    Thank you .  Download our ParentSquare App Steps for becoming a volunteer.   If you are interested in volunteering, please make  sure you complete the following steps:  Get a TB test from a medical provider, which you will need for your volunteer application.   Complete the SUSD parent volunteer application at https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/Njk0OmVuLVVT . You will be  applying for level 1 volunteer. Applying for level 2 volunteer      will require fingerprinting clearance.    Attend a parent volunteer training with Dr. Villanueva School Valet Map     Parents picking up their children on foot should wait on the grass area. I have included pictures below for your reference. Please let your child/children know that you are waiting for them on the grass. You can also let your child's teacher know.         Please remember that the valet line is only one line on the lane along the curb. Please do not use the second lane from the curb for valet. This lane is used for through traffic ONLY. Parking or using this second lane for valet is PROHIBITED.  Please do not park or use the fourth lane from the curb for valet. This lane is also for through traffic.  Students will ONLY cross the parking lot at the Cross Walk. Please do not ask students to cross anywhere else between the cars in the parking lot.  Please use the appropriate speed limit. Safety is always first! Exiting onto Decoro Drive is a RIGHT hand turn only.   ATTENDANCE MATTERS Chronic absenteeism  refers to any student who has been  absent 10% or more of the days since school started, whether the absences were excused or unexcused.     Please ensure your child attends school everyday unless ill.  Every day they miss impacts their school growth and development.  New content is taught daily and when your child misses instruction, they return to school with gaps in their learning, which could cause anxiety, frustration, and learning loss.   We will continue calling families and/or setting up meetings with families to discuss excessive absences/tardies. Thank you in advance for your support!   Missing daily instructional minutes impacts learning!     Missing 4 days of school means the student will be missing a minimum of 480 instructional minutes in ELA and Math  Missing 6 days of school means the student will be missing a minimum of 720 instructional minutes in ELA and Math    Santa Clarita Elementary School's daily attendance rate for the week of   September  11th  was   95.78%   We had a decrease of 2.3% from the pervious week.   Our goal is 98% and we achieved it last week!.   Congratulations to Mrs.  Solórzano's  5th and 6th grade class for having 98.96% attendance last week!! This is two weeks in a role for Mrs.  Solórzano's   students .  Congratulations  to Mrs. Marin's 2nd grade class for having 98%  attendance  last week and Mrs. Savage's 2nd grade class for having 97.% attendance last week. Awesome job.     Remember, every day counts!   Mrs. Marin's Class and Mrs. Savage's class will have the  attendance  trophy  along with our  attendance  Bulldog in their classroom for the week.  Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts  Independent Study Contract (ISC):  If your child will be traveling or  out for an extended amount of time (3 or more days) we can place him/her on an ISC where we will provide your child with work for the days out of school. Upon returning to school with the completed  work assigned, your child will receive full credit for attendance.    Please make sure to inform the office as soon as possible if  you are requesting an ISC. One-week notice is required. Around The Campus See Something, Say Something Campaign If you SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING   * Please remember to keep our students, staff, and community safe *Look out for one another *If you see something, say something *Please don't walk through the parking lot during arrival or dismissal *Please keep pets off campus. *Please follow all traffic laws, and be careful!   Dress Code   We also want to remind our families of dress code expectations.  Shoes worn to school must be closed-toed and have a back to the shoe. Mid-riff shirts are also not to be worn at school (any shirt that shows the mid-section). Large hoop earrings are also not to be worn at school.  Shorts and skirts are to be at the fingertip length. We appreciate your support!                                      Hot Days and Clothing Please make sure your student brings a water bottle to school daily. It is very hot out there. We also need students to wear sunscreen and clothes that are light and comfortable.  Students must wear closed-toe shoes (Tennis shoes are preferred). If students are going to wear pants with holes on them, the holes must be small and minimal. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring our students are dressed appropriately for school.   Cell Phone Policy Please note that while at school, cell phones are to be turned off and in backpacks during school hours.  If a student needs to use a phone during the school day, they are welcome to use the classroom phone or school office phone. They may use their phone as soon as they exit the school gates.  Please note that the school is not responsible for lost or stolen property. You can review our district’s policy on cell phones at school in our parent & student handbook. Our handbook also includes information on bicycle safety, classroom parties, visits, and volunteering, as well as behavior and communication expectation. Why PBIS? Maybe you have wondered why our schools use the PBIS model when working with student behavior.  This graphic from pbis.org is a good overview of the reasons why PBIS is used nationwide.             We feel that it is important to regularly remind families about the purpose of  PBIS .   PBIS  stands for Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports. It seeks to reduce or eliminate poor behavior schoolwide through the encouragement of positive behaviors.  PBIS  decreases office discipline referrals, increases instructional time, and improves student achievement.  Our students are always encouraged to follow our 3Rs, Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Ready to Learn (as seen above) to help our students remember expected behaviors on campus. How can you support PBIS at home?  Here are a couple of tips: Define, teach, and routinely acknowledge family expectations Discuss how you want to live as a family and identify some “pillars” (important, building-block concepts) that represent what you value. Talk about what those pillars look like and sound like in every-day routines. To help the family remember and be consistent, choose only 3-5 and create positive statements about them. Here are a few examples: Speak in a respectful voice. Be responsible for actions. Be safe; keep hands, feet, and objects to self. Identify a couple of “hot spots” to begin. Challenging behaviors often occur within routines.  Perhaps mornings or mealtimes create hot spots for the family. After discussing 1-2 ways to be respectful, responsible, and safe in the morning, teach what each looks like. Have fun with it! Set up “expectation stations” for practicing the plan and assign each family member one pillar to teach to the rest. Behaviors that get attention get repeated. Notice when a child does the right thing and say something about each success: “I noticed you stopped to pick up your shoes in the hallway. Thanks for putting them away and keeping the walkway safe for others.” The easiest way to change a behavior is to point out what a person does right! Remember this catchy phrase, “5:1 gets it done” to ensure five positive interactions for each negative interaction. When the expected behavior becomes routine, the reinforcement can fade away. Bulldog Scoop & Information                       Early bird price is $5 off original price on either a hardcover or softcover. Deadline to get this price is Friday, December 15, 2023  - Last Day before winter break. A flyer will also come home soon with your student, be on the look out. Hardcover $25 - Early bird $20 Softcover $20 - Early bird $15 Yearbook Shop Link https://www.barksdalestorefront.com/shop/ Please click below to post your 1st day pictures to our padlet. Pictures may be used for our school Yearbook and/or social media. 1st Day Padlet Snack, Lunch, Footwear, and Clothing  Students can bring their own snack and lunch each day, or they may get their lunch from the cafeteria for free. Breakfast will not be served before school, however, second chance breakfast will be offered during morning recess. It does take time to get a snack or lunch, and some children prefer to eat their food from home.   You can find lunch menus here. All children should bring a refillable water bottle to school each day to stay hydrated. Wearing a hat and/or sunscreen can be helpful during these sunny, hot days. Closetoed shoes are a must at school, and sneakers or tennis shoes are the preferred footwear.  Students play on the blacktop every day and have physical education frequently. Therefore, dress shoes, boots, and footwear other than athletic shoes are not recommended. Children should dress comfortably to play outside each day.  Please make sure all undergarmets and bellies are covered. Meal Applications https://www.schooldaycafe.org/   Second Chance Breakfast is served during recess at SCE Important Dates to Remember  September   September 5: Principal's Volunteer Training 9:30 AM  September 6: ELAC Meeting 8:30 AM MPR  September 8: Vision/Hearing Screening For 2nd & 5th Graders Only  September 11: Patriot Day Assembly Center Circle 8:15 AM September 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month Begins   September 15: Awards Assembly Center Circle Grades 2nd-6th 8:15 AM  September 16: U.S. Constitution and Citizenship Day  September 25: Picture Day   September 25: School Site Council Meeting MPR 4:00-5:00 September 25: Coffee with the Principal: Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSP) MPR 5:15 September 29: Ned's Kindness Adventure Assembly  24-28 RED RIBBON WEE GOVERNING BOARD:     Katherine Cooper · Anna Griese · Cassandra Love · Christopher M. Trunkey · Matthew Watson      SUPERINTENDENT:       Colleen Hawkins, Ed.D.   RESPECT | INTEGRITY | LEARNING | TEAMWORK | ENTHUSIASM N   EVERY WEDNESDAY IS Early release for all grades: 1:37 FIRS T DAY OF SCHOOL!     U.S. Constitution and Citizenship Day September 16th    Monday, September 25 MPR 4:00-5:00 Monday, September 25 in the MPR at 5:15 PM Come learn about our Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSP)  

Tuesday, Sep 19 2023

HE Happenings 9/18/23

Principal's Message September 18, 2023 Dear Families, Have you filled out the Household Income Questionnaire  yet? The information is confidential and provides important funding at Helmers for our students.  In addition, the school with the highest percentage of participation will receive additional money for students to have a fun, educational assembly. We only need 75 more families to participate.  Please click here to respond today! Thank you to our hometown heroes for joining us for Patriot Day last Monday. It was a special morning, and we are grateful for the men and women who protect us and our freedoms every day! Each Monday, staff and students view the  Monday Morning Assembly.   I encourage parents and caregivers to also view the assembly to learn more about our daily happenings at Helmers. We know that we love our fur babies, however there are no pets allowed on campus with the exception of service animals. In addition, for everyone's safety please refrain from riding bikes and scooters on campus. Please dismount from the bike or scooter before entering the school grounds.  Thank you for making safety a priority.   With gratitude, Mrs. Velikorodnyy, Principal mvelikorodnyy@saugususd.org 294-5345 Social Media Challenges Parents and Caregivers, please beware of harmful challenges that continue to encourage our young people to do hurtful and harmful things to themselves or others.  Most recently, the hot chip challenge has been in local and national news due to children getting sick and fatally ill from eating incredibly hot chips. I address these challenges on the Monday Morning Assembly and remind students that if anyone dares you to do something that could hurt you or others, it is a no.  Please speak with your children about these matters as well, and please notify me if you are aware of these challenges occurring at school. Thank you. Recordings for Parent Viewing Construction Q and A with Dr. Colleen Hawkins and Mr. Nick Heinlein September Parent Principal Chat: SEL Screener and School Safety Plan Hispanic Heritage Month: Artist Frida Kahlo Attendance Matters Please bring your child to school every day he/she is healthy.  Please call Nurse Haylee if you are not sure about bringing your child to school. Congratulations to Ms. Dunn and Mrs. Gould's classes for the best attendance last week. They will have the big husky in their classrooms for the week.  In addition, for every day of 100% attendance, classes earn a letter in the word LEARNING. Once the class spells LEARNING, they earn a free recess.     Grade Last Week This Week TK 98.17 96.50 K 96.98 95.17 1 95.31 95.62 2 96.43 96.57 3 95.70 95.56 4 96.98 96.21 5 95.98 98.57 6 95.07 96.90        Postive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) We are pleased to announce that Helmers earned the 2023 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Gold Award for implementing PBIS with consistency and success! This is a collaborative effort of all staff to ensure Helmers provides all students with instruction and opportunity in positive behaviors and supports. Congratulations, Helmers! Parent Education Nights at Helmers Please come! Childcare provided for students in grades TK-6 Because of parent requests for more information on grade level content and how to support student learning at home, our amazing teachers are providing a grade level Parent Education Night.  Please plan to attend your child's grade level.  Free childcare is provided in the library for Helmers' students TK-6. Grade Date and Time Location TK August 22, 5:00-6:00 P.M. Helmers' MPR K August 31, 5:30-6:30 P.M. Helmers' MPR First September 19, 5:00-6:00 P.M. Helmers' MPR Second August 24, 5:00-6:00 P.M. Helmers' MPR Third September 27, 5:00-6:00 P.M. Helmers' MPR Fourth September 20, 5:00-6:00 P.M. Helmers' MPR Fifth September 13, 5:00-6:00 P.M. North Park's MPR Sixth September 6, 5:00-6:00 P.M. North Park's MPR Construction Update A two story building with 12 classrooms, student and adult restrooms, small offices, and a science lab is currently under construction on the Helmers' campus.  We look forward to completion in late 2023 as our fifth and sixth grade students and staff will return to our site.  This week the restroom plumbing should be completed and the installation of the retractable door in the science lab should be installed.  Exterior painting, installation of fire sprinklers, site grading for more fence posting is scheduled for later this month as well.  In addition, work has resumed on the smaller play yard behind the TK modular. We also were excited to see the construction trailers moved off site this week.  Volunteer Information Click here to watch the volunteer orientation. Click here to register online. Join the PTA! Can you help us reach 500 Members?! We have a wonderful PTA that works to create events and opportunities to support our students and families.  Please join the PTA! It does not commit you to anything, but it does give support to this organization, our children, and our school.   Click here. Also, e ach Friday at Helmers staff and students wear Helmers' spirit wear to encourage school spirit and community.  We invite your child to join the fun! The Husky Store is currently closed, but look for it to reopen again soon. School lunch is free this year! Students can bring their own snack and lunch each day, or they may get it from the cafeteria for free.  It does take time to get a snack or lunch, and some children prefer to eat their food from home. If our TK and K students are able to bring a lunch from home, it greatly assists them in eating lunch.   You can find lunch menus here.   All children should bring a refillable water bottle to school each day to stay hydrated. PTA Reflections' Contest All entries are due 9/27 by 3:00 P.M. Your child can start working on Reflections now! https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections Upcoming Event September 19: 7-8 A.M.: Goodies with a Grown-up at Helmers September 25: PTA Membership Drive Begins September 27: Reflections' entries due October 2-6: Fall Break: No School October 23-November 3: APEX Fundraiser Governing Board:   Katherine Cooper-  Anna Griese-  Cassandra Love- Christopher M. Trunkey - Matthew Watson                     Superintendent:  Colleen Hawkins, Ed.D. Saugus Union School District Office Number 661.294.5300 Flyers Attached for upcoming community events.

Monday, Sep 18 2023

Cedarcreek Weekly Updates

Cedarcreek Elementary  Cougars R.O.A.R.     R espect self and others   O wn your actions   A ct safely  Show R esponsibility   Mission Statement  We are committed to high levels of learning for ALL students.  Principal’s Message Dear Cedarcreek Families,         I hope you had a nice weekend. I am so excited to share that last week our attendance increased tremendously. In fact, for two days in a row, we only had 3 students absent in the whole school! Wow! Now that is what I call success! In fact, our overall attendance percentage for the week increased by 2.29%. I am so excited. Thank you for your support. For ensuring that our students are in school everyday, on time, and ready to learn. Please see our weekly attendance below by grade level:                     Weekly Attendance  It was a tough competition! The top three grade levels were first grade  with 98.75% followed by  fourth grade  with 98.37% and kindergarten with  98.02% . Our overall attendance was 97.41% . We were close to our 98% goal!  TK- 94.12%  K- 98.02% 1st- 98.75%  2nd- 97.74% 3rd- 94.91% 4th- 98.37% 5th- 97.62% 6th- 97.74% Attendance Matters Parent Workshop on September 28 at 6pm in the MPR: Please join our first parent workshop of the school year. This workshop will provide parents/guardians with information regarding the long-term advantages of education and tools to assist their student attend school. Light refreshments will be provided as well as childcare.  PBIS Silver Award Cedarcreek Elementary earned the PBIS 2023 Silver Award. This is a remarkable achievement in our school community. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of both our educators and equally and importantly, our families.  One Chip Challenge   Please click on the link below, and read the article regarding the dangers of students trying the "One Chip Challenge." Please speak to your students about this, and make sure they do not try this at home, at school, or anywhere. It is very dangerous.  One Chip Challenge Article Please see the attached flyers. Sincerely, Mrs. Soni                        Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have at msoni@saugususd.org or 661-294-5310. You can also message me via ParentSquare. School Events Coffee with the Principal on Wednesday, September 20th at 8am in the MPR Please join me at my next Coffeee with the Principal to find out about the DESSA Mini. A universal social emotional screener our teachers will be using this school year.    PTA Meeting on September 19 at 7pm via Zoom  Message from our PTA President:  Please join us for our first Parent Teacher Association meeting of the year. It will be held via Zoom. We will be discussing our Harvest Festival plans and seeking for parent volunteers!  See you there! Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85935370941?pwd=UCO1SZzUiVMafb4zqp7smhqqtKxTqe.1 Meeting ID: 859 3537 0941 Passcode: 969682 Find your local number:  https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kcjyjm0Plf      Picture Day-September 26  Attendance Spirit Week 9-18-9-22  We encourage our students to attend school everyday, and keep it fun at Cedarcreek! Please mark your calendars for our attendance spirit week.                                                                                                                               Around The Campus Patriot Day on 9/11   Mrs. Westbrook's Kindergarten Class Students participated in an apple investigation lesson. They really enjoyed the hands on learning!                                                       Important Information  Upcoming Events September 19th -PTA Meeting at 7:00 pm via Zoom September 20th   - Coffee with the Principal at 8:00 am MPR  September 26th -Picture Day  September 28th at 6pm  -Attendance Matters Parent Workshop MPR  *Childcare provided  Daily Bell Schedule    7:40  Gate Opens  7:40  Breakfast  8:10   School Begins  2:14   TK-2 Dismissal  3:04   3-6 Dismissal  *On Wednesdays dismissal is at 1:54 pm for ALL students (TK-6 Grade). 2023-2024 Calendar and Bell Schedule   *See Attachements  Cedarcreek PTA -Become a member of our PTA - Follow us on Instagram at:  cedarcreek_elementary

Monday, Sep 18 2023

9.18.23 Tesoro Times: September is National Hispanic...

Principal Message Dear Tesoro Families, Below in the attendance section, you will find celebrations for those with positive attendance and information on the importance of attendance.  We know that by being at school it will positively impact students' learning and ultimately their future.  Please make every effort to have your child at school daily.   With gratitude,  Dr. Aguilar Give Us a HEART!   Thank you so much for reading our posts and appreciating our messages.   This is an indicator of our parent interactions! We APPRECIATE YOU!  Patriot Day Assembly - THANK YOU!  Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Patriot Day at Tesoro! Fifth-grade students did a great job performing! We are so lucky to have our community heroes right here at Tesoro! Check out our padlet  and feel free to add to it and spread the joy!  September is Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually in the United States from September 15 to October 15. This month-long celebration is a time to honor the contributions and influence of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the country's history, culture, and society. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and honor the vast contributions of Hispanic Americans throughout history. One of the most common ways to do this is through literature. Check this book out:  Dreamers By Yuyi Morales Meet Author and Illustrator Yuyi Morales CLICK ON THE BOOK TO THE RIGHT FOR A READ-ALOUD!  ENJOY!  Click to see trailer for the book Dreamers  Congratulations TESORO for the GOLD PBIS State Recognition! We are so proud to announce that Tesoro has received the GOLD Implementation Award from California PBIS. We are thankful for our fearless leaders Ms. Ray and Mrs. Sayers for leading the work!  We also thank all our staff at Tesoro for continuing this very important work! We are grateful for our staff members and families who also work collaboratively to build consistency using this framework. We look forward to another school year of successful implementation!  Goal: School-Wide Average: 98% Thank you for your help!!  Check out our  POSITIVE ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK! Thank you, Parents!!! AMAZING job 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade parents and students!  District Ranking 6 out of 15.   Classes with 100% Attendance: NONE We had ZERO  classes with 100% attendance last week...Mrs. Eichman's class and Mr. Greenfield's class were soooooo close!  Congratulations to the classes that spelled ATTENDANCE! Ms. Ray Mr. Greenfield Mrs. Herring Excellent Job!  A Note about Unexcused Absences What is an unexcused absence?   What is an Unexcused Absence?  An unexcused absence is an absence that does not meet state or district guidelines . Unexcused absences also occur when the parent cannot produce any documentation or explanation of the student's absence.   Call the office EVERY DAY your child is absent to AVOID an UNEXCUSED absence.  Bring a doctor's note if your child misses 3 consecutive  days!  Ask for an Independent Study contract 5 days BEFORE the absence!   If you know you’re going to be gone for 3 or more days, please call the office at 661-294-5380 or email jgomez@saugususd.org and we can help you get the process started.  THANK YOU! We need your HELP!! Focus on Learning TOGHEHTER: Fourth Grade  It was great seeing so many parents at our Friendly Friday event with Mrs. Shirley and Mr. Greenfield. Parents worked on math concepts with their child! It was such a great experience to see the wonderful moments of learning opportunities this event brought to our classroom communities! Thank you to our teachers and parents working it out TOGETHER!   The ONE CHIP Challenge Warning The “One Chip Challenge” is a single chip that’s made by the food company Paqui, a subsidiary of Hershey. The chip boasts a Scoville level — a range that determines spiciness — of being anywhere between 1.6 million to 2.2 million Scoville Heat Units. For reference, a jalapeño is measured to be between 2,000 and 8,000 SHU’s.  Please talk to your child about the dangers of the One Chip Challenge. Students can become extremely sick and end up hospitalized. Tesoro Staff Spotlight Meet the Amazing Mrs. Bloom!  Why do you work in your position?  I truly enjoy working with the children on the playground.Making sure that they are safe, happy and enjoying playing the activities on the playground. I have been doing this for 16 years. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?  I love working out and being at home  What do you look forward to this year at Tesoro?  Seeing the staff and being with the kids Who has made a difference in your life?  My dad. He was my rock!!  We are so glad you are here Mrs. Bloom!  Principal Coffee Chat: Join Us on September 19th @ 8:15 a.m. We invite you to our next Principal Coffee Chat on September 19th at 8:15 a.m. in the MPR! We will discuss the DESSA mini and talk about our social-emotional learning lessons that take place in the classroom. Come meet our Social Worker as well!  We had a great turnout for our first Principal/Parent Chat in  August.   We are so grateful for those who took time out of their busy day to come and hear about our school happenings!  This month we will introduce information about the DESSA mini that we will be using with your students this year.  The DESSA-mini provides a universal screening and progress monitoring of social and emotional competence when completed by teachers and parents. We will be using this tool three times this year to proactively identify and support students with social-emotional skills. This screener measures a student's skills in areas such as personal responsibility, social awareness, decision-making, and self-management.  Here’s a graphic depicting the 8 skill areas that the DESSA mini will measure. KINDNESS WEDNESDAYS We will encourage students to engage in random acts of kindness to ensure that we not ONLY remind our students to be kind but also encourage them to PRACTICE it  as well! Thank you for your partnership in this HEART WORK!  Snack & Lunch  Students can bring their own snack and lunch each day, or they may get it from the cafeteria for free.  It does take time to get a snack or lunch, and some children prefer to eat their food from home.   You can find lunch menus here.   All children should bring a refillable water bottle to school each day to stay hydrated. PTA Reflections Contest  Your child can start working on Reflections now!  https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections   Interested in Volunteering?  Steps for becoming a volunteer   If you are interested in volunteering, please make  sure you complete the following steps:  Get a TB test from a medical provider, which you will need for your volunteer application.   Complete the SUSD parent volunteer application at https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/Njk0OmVuLVVT . You will be applying for level 1 volunteer. Applying for level 2 volunteer  will require fingerprinting clearance.    Notify the office when you have completed steps one and two. Attend a parent volunteer training with Dr. Aguilar Contact the teacher to be included in the volunteer schedule when you have completed all steps.  We are here to help answer any questions.  Flyers  Contact Us   Tesoro del Valle Contact Information   School Office  (661) 294-5380 Juanita Gomez (Office Manager) at  jgomez@saugususd.org   Mark Your Calendars!  Important Dates to Remember! September 17th: Constitution Day September 19th: SUSD Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.  September 21st: Fall Picture Day September 22nd: Hearing and Vision screening for TK, K, 2nd and 5th Oct. 2nd -6th: Fall Break - No School Attached is the 2023-2024 school calendar for your reference.

Monday, Sep 18 2023

Panther Weekly Press September 12, 2023

9/12/23 Issue 6 PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE Good evening Plum Canyon Families    We had such a wonderful Day of Celebration. We were able to take the time to honor our very own heros. Please take a look below.  Plum Canyon has been awarded the GOLD for our PBIS Implementation. Congratulations to our students, staff, parents and community!!     Just a few Reminders:   We know that we love our Fur Babies, however there are NO Pets allowed on campus with the exception of Service Animals. Thank you for making safety a priority.     Driving Safety The safety of our children is of utmost importance. In order to ensure that our students are safe, we have to follow all of the traffic and safety rules during arrival and dismissal. You may not: Block our neighbors' driveways Double park Block intersections Enter the parking lot since it is intended for after school care program caravans Please be considerate of our neighbors and surrounding streets.   Dismissal During dismissal please remain behind the concrete seated areas. Please remind your child(ren) to avoid walking on the wall, running, or hanging from the concrete seated area. If you have any questions please contact us.     Early Release Wednesday Every Wednesday is an Early Release Day. Please be patient and considerate as all our students dismiss at the exact time at 1:54pm.      If you have any questions please contact us.    WE GOT THE GOLD!!!! The California PBIS Coalition is pleased to recognize Plum Canyon Elementary School for successful PBIS implementation at the GOLD level. Our school is a recipient within the California PBIS Coalition’s System of Recognition, reflecting excellence in the measurement of fidelity as well as our efforts in implementing the core features of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. PATRIOT DAY Thank you to all who participated in this memorable event! ATTENDANCE Please join Plum Canyon as we take on our 2023-2024 School Year Attendance Goal of  96%  . Let's be great and get to school everyday Plum Canyon Panthers!!! Would you like your own parking spot during pickup and drop off? Principal Hamilton and Assistant Principal Ticas will be giving up their parking spots each week! Any parent who's student has 96% or higher attendance rate the week prior will be entered into a raffle. Our two winners selected to win a reserved spot for the entire week.    Summer Rinker and Marco Girardi ​ Weekly Attendance Report  August 28, 2023 - September 8, 2023 Grade 8/28/23-9/1923 9/4/23-9/8/23 Top Class/% TK 95% 90.3% Mills 92.85% Kinder 96.33% 94.50% Crunelle 97.22% 1st Grade 95.54% 93.02% Domaradzki 99.07% 2nd Grade 95.67% 93.58% Cook 99.10% 3rd Grade 95.57% 96.93% Smith/Leon 99.10% 4th Grade 96.99% 99.30% Edwards 99.19% 5th Grade 96.67% 98.02% Kuiper 99.21% 6th Grade 95.47% 98.35% Ferrone 100% VOLUNTEER TRAININGS Principal's Volunteer Training Google Meet joining info Video call link:  https://meet.google.com/car-yhpm-bgi   Or dial: ‪(US) +1 347-560-4966‬ PIN: ‪966 100 824‬# Thursday, August 17, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, September 5, 2023 - 5:00-6:00pm Tuesday, September 12, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, September 26, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, October 17, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, November 7, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, December 5, 2023 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, January 16, 2024 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, February 13, 2024 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, March 12, 2024 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, April 9, 2024 · 10:15 – 11:00am Tuesday, May 14, 2024 · 10:15 – 11:00am  COMMUNITY FLYERS UPCOMING EVENTS September 13th ~ Meaningful Connections Parent workshop @ 5PM September 15th -October 15th ~ National Hispanic Heritage Month September 18th ~ Constitution Day/Walk to School Day September 21st ~ ELAC Meeting @ 9AM September 22nd ~ Fire Drill September 26th ~ Volunteer Training @ 10:15AM September 27th ~  Coffee with the Principal @ 8:20AM September 28th ~ School Site Council Meeting @ 4PM October 2nd - October 6th Fall Break Plum Canyon 23-24 School Calendar 23-24 School Lunch Calendar CONTACT US If you ever have any questions, we are here for you! Please contact us.  Our office is open from 7:30am to 4pm each day. Our office number is 661-294-5365.

Wednesday, Sep 13 2023

Bulldog Dish: Week of September 11, 2023

Principal’s Message Hello Bulldog Families,    I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable weekend. Thank you for bringing your child/children to school every day they are healthy. We were #1 last week for our attendance district wide. That makes it two weeks in a role for us placing #1. Go Bulldogs! Thank you for your continued support because we know that  every day matters.   Thank you to all our hometown heroes for joining our for our Patriot Day Assembly. It was truly an honor to celebrate you.  Thank you to our wonderful 2nd graders for performing during our assembly.   Please ensure your child attends school everyday unless ill.  Every day they miss impacts their school growth and development.  New content is taught daily and when your child misses instruction, they return to school with gaps in their learning, which could cause anxiety, frustration, and learning loss.  We will continue calling families and/or setting up meetings with families to discuss excessive absences/tardies. Thank you in advance for your support!     A friendly reminder, if you have any questions or need assistance, please call our office at 661-294-5340.  You can also email Mr. Villanueva, office manager, at  nvillanueva@saugususd.org  Congratulations to our Friday GREAT ATTENDANCE Winners!! Jernii W. in Mrs. Nordskog's 5th Grade Class Brian W. in Mrs. Marin's 2nd Grade Class Markus P. in Mrs. Larsen's 6th Grade Class Lucas B.  in Mrs. Solorzano's 5th Grade Class Kamran M. in Mrs. Marin's 2nd Grade Class Matthew E.  in Mrs. Clark's 4th Grade Class K.J. C. in Mrs. Larsen's 6th Grade Class Caden J.  in Mrs. Savage's 2nd  Grade Class Jeremy G. in Mrs. Clark's 4th Grade Class  Our Schoolwide Goal is 98% We reached our GOAL of 98% last week. Great job, Bulldogs!  Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts      Attendance  Matters How it works...out of 180 school days... Congratulations to our Friday PBIS Raffle Ticket Winners!! Mona in Room 8 in Mrs. Savage's 2nd Grade Class Natalie in Room 8 in Mrs. Savage's 2nd Grade Class  Maria in Room 3 in Ms. Larmon's 2nd Grade Class  Halyn in Room 8 in Mrs. Savage's 2nd Grade Class Andy in Room 19 in Mrs. Solórzano's 6th Grade Class Cecilia in Room 3 in  Ms. Larmon's 3rd  Grade Class London in Room 8 in Mrs. Savage's 2nd Grade Class     Our  theme for the 2023-2024 academic school year is Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts.   Thank you so much for reading our posts and  appreciating our messages. This is an indicator of our  parent  interactions. Go Bulldogs!  With gratitude, Dr. Villanueva   School News The NED Show is Coming to Santa Clarita Virtually on Friday, September 29, 2023   NED’s Kindness Adventure   tells the story of NED’s journey to Nairobi, Kenya. Although fearful of cultural differences, NED learns that a kind heart and a caring attitude can break down barriers. This assembly will support our initiatives for developing a positive and caring school climate by inspiring students to choose kindness, accept differences, and respect others.  http://www.KindnessAdventure.com Students in grades 2nd-6th  have completed their iReady diagnostic for English Language Arts and Math.  They will now work on their individual path that was designed for them based on the outcome of the diagnostic. Students should be completing a minimum of thirty minutes each week in both Math and English Language Arts. Please have your student log in and show you how many minutes they have completed each week! DESSA-Mini   The DESSA-mini  provides universal screening and progress monitoring of social and emotional competence when completed by teachers and parents . We will be using this tool three times this year to proactively identify and support students with social emotional skills. This screener measures a student's skills in areas such as personal responsibility, social awareness, decision making and self-management. Recycling Program  Santa Clarita Elementary School is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge again this school year. Please see the information below on what we will be recycling.  BPST  Assessment   2nd Grade   The BPST assessment will begin on August 21, 2023. The BPST assesses a student's ability to identify consonant, consonant digraph, and short vowel sounds. It also assesses the student's ability to read words with short and long vowels, vowel digraphs, r-controlled vowel patterns, and multisyllabic words.  Our teachers use the date from the BPST to target their instruction. Please don't hesitate to contact your student's teacher if you have any questions.  Monday, September 25, 2023 School Valet Map   Valet Procedures  Please remember to follow our drop-off and pick-up procedures to ensure everyone's safety. Safety is our priority for all. Please follow the guidelines below to ensure that our students, staff and families are safe. When you are dropping your child off via the valet, please pull all the way forward right before the sidewalk ends where you will see a cone with a sign stating "Stop Here".    You will have to remain in the valet line all the way through, please do not cross over to the left lane to exit. Cones will be placed as a reminder. Please use the crosswalk in our parking lot and please do not cross between the cars. This is extremely unsafe! Students will only cross the parking lot at the crossing walk. Please do not ask students to cross anywhere else between the cars in the parking   Starting at 7:40 students will enter through the double gates by the primary yard.  When dropping off and picking up your child through the valet line, please have your child enter/exit vehicle on the passenger side.    Thank you .  Download our ParentSquare App Steps for becoming a volunteer.   If you are interested in volunteering, please make  sure you complete the following steps:  Get a TB test from a medical provider, which you will need for your volunteer application.   Complete the SUSD parent volunteer application at https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/Njk0OmVuLVVT . You will be  applying for level 1 volunteer. Applying for level 2 volunteer      will require fingerprinting clearance.    Attend a parent volunteer training with Dr. Villanueva School Valet Map     Parents picking up their children on foot should wait on the grass area. I have included pictures below for your reference. Please let your child/children know that you are waiting for them on the grass. You can also let your child's teacher know.         Please remember that the valet line is only one line on the lane along the curb. Please do not use the second lane from the curb for valet. This lane is used for through traffic ONLY. Parking or using this second lane for valet is PROHIBITED.  Please do not park or use the fourth lane from the curb for valet. This lane is also for through traffic.  Students will ONLY cross the parking lot at the Cross Walk. Please do not ask students to cross anywhere else between the cars in the parking lot.  Please use the appropriate speed limit. Safety is always first! Exiting onto Decoro Drive is a RIGHT hand turn only.   ATTENDANCE MATTERS Chronic absenteeism  refers to any student who has been  absent 10% or more of the days since school started, whether the absences were excused or unexcused.     Please ensure your child attends school everyday unless ill.  Every day they miss impacts their school growth and development.  New content is taught daily and when your child misses instruction, they return to school with gaps in their learning, which could cause anxiety, frustration, and learning loss.   We will continue calling families and/or setting up meetings with families to discuss excessive absences/tardies. Thank you in advance for your support!   Missing daily instructional minutes impacts learning!     Missing 4 days of school means the student will be missing a minimum of 480 instructional minutes in ELA and Math  Missing 6 days of school means the student will be missing a minimum of 720 instructional minutes in ELA and Math    Santa Clarita Elementary School's daily attendance rate for the week of   September  4th  was   98.08% .   Awesome job!!   Our goal is 98% and we achieved it last week!.   Congratulations to Mrs.  Solórzano's  5th and 6th grade class for having 98.96% attendance last week!! This is two weeks in a role for Mrs.  Solórzano's   students .  Congratulations  to Mrs. Marin's 2nd grade class and Mrs. Savage's 2nd grade class for having 98.61% attendance last week. Awesome job.     Remember, every day counts!   Mrs.  Solórzano's  class, Mrs. Marin's Class, and Mrs. Savage's class will have the  attendance  trophy  along with our  attendance  Bulldog in their classroom for the week.  Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts  Independent Study Contract (ISC):  If your child will be traveling or  out for an extended amount of time (3 or more days) we can place him/her on an ISC where we will provide your child with work for the days out of school. Upon returning to school with the completed  work assigned, your child will receive full credit for attendance.    Please make sure to inform the office as soon as possible if  you are requesting an ISC. One-week notice is required. Around The Campus See Something, Say Something Campaign If you SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING   * Please remember to keep our students, staff, and community safe *Look out for one another *If you see something, say something *Please don't walk through the parking lot during arrival or dismissal *Please keep pets off campus. *Please follow all traffic laws, and be careful!   Dress Code   We also want to remind our families of dress code expectations.  Shoes worn to school must be closed-toed and have a back to the shoe. Mid-riff shirts are also not to be worn at school (any shirt that shows the mid-section). Large hoop earrings are also not to be worn at school.  Shorts and skirts are to be at the fingertip length. We appreciate your support!                                      Hot Days and Clothing Please make sure your student brings a water bottle to school daily. It is very hot out there. We also need students to wear sunscreen and clothes that are light and comfortable.  Students must wear closed-toe shoes (Tennis shoes are preferred). If students are going to wear pants with holes on them, the holes must be small and minimal. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring our students are dressed appropriately for school.   Cell Phone Policy Please note that while at school, cell phones are to be turned off and in backpacks during school hours.  If a student needs to use a phone during the school day, they are welcome to use the classroom phone or school office phone. They may use their phone as soon as they exit the school gates.  Please note that the school is not responsible for lost or stolen property. You can review our district’s policy on cell phones at school in our parent & student handbook. Our handbook also includes information on bicycle safety, classroom parties, visits, and volunteering, as well as behavior and communication expectation. Why PBIS? Maybe you have wondered why our schools use the PBIS model when working with student behavior.  This graphic from pbis.org is a good overview of the reasons why PBIS is used nationwide.             We feel that it is important to regularly remind families about the purpose of  PBIS .   PBIS  stands for Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports. It seeks to reduce or eliminate poor behavior schoolwide through the encouragement of positive behaviors.  PBIS  decreases office discipline referrals, increases instructional time, and improves student achievement.  Our students are always encouraged to follow our 3Rs, Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Ready to Learn (as seen above) to help our students remember expected behaviors on campus. How can you support PBIS at home?  Here are a couple of tips: Define, teach, and routinely acknowledge family expectations Discuss how you want to live as a family and identify some “pillars” (important, building-block concepts) that represent what you value. Talk about what those pillars look like and sound like in every-day routines. To help the family remember and be consistent, choose only 3-5 and create positive statements about them. Here are a few examples: Speak in a respectful voice. Be responsible for actions. Be safe; keep hands, feet, and objects to self. Identify a couple of “hot spots” to begin. Challenging behaviors often occur within routines.  Perhaps mornings or mealtimes create hot spots for the family. After discussing 1-2 ways to be respectful, responsible, and safe in the morning, teach what each looks like. Have fun with it! Set up “expectation stations” for practicing the plan and assign each family member one pillar to teach to the rest. Behaviors that get attention get repeated. Notice when a child does the right thing and say something about each success: “I noticed you stopped to pick up your shoes in the hallway. Thanks for putting them away and keeping the walkway safe for others.” The easiest way to change a behavior is to point out what a person does right! Remember this catchy phrase, “5:1 gets it done” to ensure five positive interactions for each negative interaction. When the expected behavior becomes routine, the reinforcement can fade away. Bulldog Scoop & Information                       Early bird price is $5 off original price on either a hardcover or softcover. Deadline to get this price is Friday, December 15, 2023  - Last Day before winter break. A flyer will also come home soon with your student, be on the look out. Hardcover $25 - Early bird $20 Softcover $20 - Early bird $15 Yearbook Shop Link https://www.barksdalestorefront.com/shop/ Please click below to post your 1st day pictures to our padlet. Pictures may be used for our school Yearbook and/or social media. 1st Day Padlet Snack, Lunch, Footwear, and Clothing  Students can bring their own snack and lunch each day, or they may get their lunch from the cafeteria for free. Breakfast will not be served before school, however, second chance breakfast will be offered during morning recess. It does take time to get a snack or lunch, and some children prefer to eat their food from home.   You can find lunch menus here. All children should bring a refillable water bottle to school each day to stay hydrated. Wearing a hat and/or sunscreen can be helpful during these sunny, hot days. Closetoed shoes are a must at school, and sneakers or tennis shoes are the preferred footwear.  Students play on the blacktop every day and have physical education frequently. Therefore, dress shoes, boots, and footwear other than athletic shoes are not recommended. Children should dress comfortably to play outside each day.  Please make sure all undergarmets and bellies are covered. Meal Applications https://www.schooldaycafe.org/   Second Chance Breakfast is served during recess at SCE Important Dates to Remember  September   September 5: Principal's Volunteer Training 9:30 AM  September 6: ELAC Meeting 8:30 AM MPR  September 8: Vision/Hearing Screening For 2nd & 5th Graders Only  September 11: Patriot Day Assembly Center Circle 8:15 AM September 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month Begins   September 15: Awards Assembly Center Circle Grades 2nd-6th 8:15 AM  September 16: U.S. Constitution and Citizenship Day  September 25: Picture Day   September 25: School Site Council Meeting MPR 4:00-5:00 September 25: Coffee with the Principal  MPR 5:15 September 29: Ned's Kindness Adventure Assembly  24-28 RED RIBBON WEE GOVERNING BOARD:     Katherine Cooper · Anna Griese · Cassandra Love · Christopher M. Trunkey · Matthew Watson      SUPERINTENDENT:       Colleen Hawkins, Ed.D.   RESPECT | INTEGRITY | LEARNING | TEAMWORK | ENTHUSIASM N   EVERY WEDNESDAY IS Early release for all grades: 1:37 FIRS T DAY OF SCHOOL!     Awards Assembly  Friday, September 15th Grades 2nd-6th 8:15 Center  Circle   U.S. Constitution and Citizenship Day September 16th    Monday, September 25 MPR 4:00-5:00

Tuesday, Sep 12 2023