Superintendent's Friday Update
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From the Desk of Dr. Smith | |
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I am extremely pleased to share that both Alta Loma Junior High School and Vineyard Junior High School were recently named 2023 California Schools to Watch by the California League of Educators! Only 78 middle schools in the entire state are given this recognition and BOTH of our junior highs were awarded with this prestigious title. To put this in perspective, there are approximately 8,000 middle schools in the state of California, and both of our schools were selected as part of the elite 78 receiving this honor. Schools that are selected are done so because they have demonstrated excellent strategies to support the whole child through academic excellence, social equity, developmental responsiveness, and systems that foster innovation. This doesn't happen without the support of students, staff, and families.
Both of our schools will be celebrated twice this year. First comes the California Schools to Watch Celebrations in Monterey, with district leaders being recognized on March 9 and school teams being recognized on March 10 as California Schools to Watch. Representatives from the California Department of Education and the California Middle Grades Alliance, partners in the state-level program with the California League of Educators, will all be part of these events.
Second, and possibly most exciting of all, is that our two junior high schools are also being named 2023 National Schools to Watch and will also be receiving recognition this summer in Washington, DC! I am an incredibly proud superintendent to know that our junior high students and their families are in exceptional hands while attending Alta Loma Junior High School or Vineyard Junior High School. Congratulations and well-deserved Warriors and Vikings!
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National School Counseling Week is celebrated each year during the first full week of February. In 2023, we celebrate the unique contribution of our school counselors and we focus public attention on the unique contribution they make within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counseling Association (ASCA), highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. The 2023 theme is School Counselors: Helping Students Dream Big.
Their critical support helps to close achievement gaps in learning, improve attendance and build resiliency. Their contribution helps not just students but also parents, family members, teachers and other staff members. Preparing each student to succeed in an ever-changing world furthers students' educational, personal and social growth. I would like to take this moment to highlight the tremendous impact our school counselors have on helping students achieve success in school and preparing them to lead fulfilling lives thereafter. Please join me in thanking and honoring our ALSD counselors, as well as school counselors throughout our community!
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Talking to Your Children About Violence | |
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In the aftermath of high-profile acts of violence, as parents and educators we are often left with the grim task of helping children of various ages process these types of incidents. High-profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved ones are at risk. They will look to us for information and guidance on how to react. Together, we can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears. Below is a list of talking points that Alta Loma School District has created so that staff feels empowered to address these difficult topics with students. I thought that parents might like to validate the same talking points at home for maximum benefit and support to our children:
- Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
- Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient; children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.
- Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate. Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day. Upper elementary and junior high aged children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.
- High school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.
- Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.
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Superintendent's Community Cabinet | |
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Upcoming District Events
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Monday February 13 - Lincoln's Birthday (No School)
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Wednesday, February 15 - Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:00 pm, District Support Center
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Thursday, February 16 - Superintendent's Community Cabinet, 6:00 pm, District Support Center
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Friday, February 17- End of Trimester II
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Monday, February 20 - Presidents Holiday (No School)
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Tuesday, February 28 - Elementary Parent Conferences (Grades 1-6 Modified Day)
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Wednesday, March 8 - Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:00 pm, District Support Center
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Saturday, March 11 - Festival of the Arts, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Vineyard Junior High
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Sunday, March 12 - Daylight Saving Time starts
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Thursday, March 16 - Superintendent's Community Cabinet, 6:00 pm, District Support Center
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Great Things Happening At Our Schools | |
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Our Deer Canyon Student Council has been working hard this week selling Valentine Grams at lunch recess. All of the proceeds from sales will go right back to our school with the purchase of playground balls for each grade level.
Our 6th grade Student Council members have also been giving their time during their recesses to work and play with our Kinder and TK students. They are such a positive example of SOARing Eagles and we appreciate them sharing their positivity and taking the time to mentor our youngest Eagles. Thank you to our teacher advisors Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Zomer, and Mr. Svensson for guiding these students to be such strong leaders for Deer Canyon.
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Additionally, last week we honored our students who participated in our PTA Reflections program. This year’s theme was “Show your Voice'' and several of our students did just that with beautiful pieces of visual and performing arts. We are so proud of them. #EaglePride
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PTA brings fun and excitement to campus! This week is jam packed with PTA supported fun and kindness!
Monday kicked off the Friendship Grams sales. For a dollar, students may send a sweet Friendship Gram to a fellow Husky. Students are writing kind messages which will be delivered with a sweet treat on Valentine’s Day.
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Students were also treated to an amazing schoolwide assembly Tuesday morning. Wheels Squared was brought in by PTA to talk with students about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, following their dreams, being kind, and being good community members. A big thank you to PTA and all families who have supported the efforts of PTA for providing these fun opportunities.
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VGS enjoyed celebrating our students who participated in Reflections, sponsored by our ALSD PTA Council. The theme this year was “Show Your Voice.” Our Grizzlies submitted entries in the areas of photography and visual arts. This was a fun evening to bring our students and their families together to celebrate our students’ creativity together.
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Our Student Senate sponsored Wacky Wednesday this week. We love to see how creative students can be and show their school spirit. These events just remind us how strong our feeling of community is. Claws up Grizzlies!
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Hey Vikings - Get ready to start your STEAM engines! Our future Viking engineers explored the design process by building CO2 dragsters in the elective STEAM class, taught by Mrs. Holt.
Students began by following constraints to design a dragster which they built out of a block of Balsa wood. They learned how to use various tools such as hand saws, sanding tools, and drill presses to construct their cars. Once they were built, they incorporated their creative skills by personalizing their cars with painting. On race day, they challenged their classmates in a fast-paced drag race as they watched their CO2-powered dragsters rip down the race track.
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Our 8th grade students got a taste of high school this week when the Los Osos counseling team and several former students visited Vineyard, and during the Los Osos High School rally.
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Banyan Bulldogs have had an exciting couple of weeks! On Friday, the students enjoyed an incredible BMX Assembly. Our Bulldogs were amazed by the awesome tricks performed! Thank you PTA for a great assembly! | |
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Once again our Student Senate has been working hard on campus. Last week they sold Smencils during recess and lunch. This week, they have been gearing up for Valentine’s Day by selling Valentine Grams. Students are excited to be able to send a special note to a friend to celebrate and spread kindness to Banyan students.
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