Health and Safety: Please continue to opt into our pool testing to help keep campus safe and healthy. We currently have over 560 students and staff in our pool. With the next break coming up in December, we want to do everything possible to keep our community healthy. To Sign Up First, click here. Then, enter this access code: BOREL2021
The District will be extending their COVID Testing efforts with Virus Geeks through January 3rd. We will continue to have testing on Friday's at Foster City Elementary, and have added Drive-Thru Testing located at Abbott Middle School on Saturdays. Virus Geeks has confirmed they are able to detect all COVID variants known. See QR code below for calendar.
|
Volunteer Sign Ups: We are always looking for volunteers who would like to help out during lunch and after school. It really helps to keep campus safe and secure when we have caring adults help with supervision. If interested, please sign up here.
We are Here to Help: We hope you enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving Break. We realize these recent years have been difficult for many families. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything this time of year or anytime. We want you to connect with us and help support our families.
Consistency Helps: During our staff meeting this week, we took time to review some policies so that we can be aligned and consistent in our practices to best support student success. We know that when we are consistent across the board, students know what to expect and that helps them focus on their work and build healthy, trusting relationships with us. Therefore, I thought it important to share a couple policy reminders with you also so you can help us with consistency.
Phone policy: We expect phones and all electronics to be off and away all day. We found some students have a very difficult time unplugging from their phones and earbuds in particular. If staff sees a device in use, they ask the student to turn it in. The device gets turned into the office and here’s what happens each time.
1st: Student completes a reflection sheet and is given the device back at the end of the day
2nd: Reflection again, but the device is given to parent or guardian who must come in to pick up the device
3rd: Device is no longer allowed on campus. We ask the parent to keep the device at home.
Please note that if you need to be in touch with your child during the school day, just give us a call and we can deliver the message.
Also, if you allow your child to have a device and be on social media, please consistently review it. We have found that some students are engaging in content that is not true, helpful, inspiring, necessary or kind. We encourage parents to set limits on technology use so that students do other healthy activities and get a good night’s rest. If you find content that is not appropriate from another child, please take and save a screenshot and then encourage your child to block the user for a while.
Tardy: We expect students to be in class on time each period. We extended out passing periods so that students don’t have to rush. If a student is habitually tardy to school and class we have a staff member reflect with them and have them make up the time missed after school so they do not get behind on their studies. We encourage parents to help establish routine wake up and bedtimes for students.
Math Update: The District Education Services team brought a Pathways to Algebra draft proposal to the board in November, and the board will be voting on it at the next board meeting on December 16. You'll find a video at the top of the Math Pathways One-Pager
|
Project Pantry fundraiser with Ladle and Leaf
Once again, Borel is teaming up with this amazing company to help our community. Ladle and Leaf offers delicious soups, sandwiches, salads, heat and serve entrees. If you'd like to participate in this fundraiser, go to Ladle and Leaf and order! Pick up is Friday, Dec.10 from 4:00 to 4:45 in the Borel parking lot.
There are two ways to support Project Pantry and the community.
1. Order food and in the CODE box, type in Borel.
2. If you don't want to order you can go to the bottom of the page, where there is a place to buy soup for a family.
Thanks in advance!
|
Yearbooks are on sale:
There are two ways to purchase a yearbook:
Pay online!
Or you can drop off a check or cash to the front office.
Yearbook only:
now to 12/31/21 $40.00
1/1/22 - 6/1/22 $45.00
|
Priority Enrollment (P1) is just around the corner! P1 will be from Nov 30, 2021-Feb 11, 2022. This year we created multiple documents and tutorials to assist the families with the enrollment process (ie: tutorial videos, flyers, slides, pamphlets, etc.). All items are available in 3 languages (English, Spanish, Chinese). Families can complete the entire process electronically, appts are NOT necessary unless they are missing documents or need assistance with completing the enrollment.
Please note: P1 will start on Nov 30, but the SchoolMint form will be turned on Nov 10 for the families to start completing the form. The form will be available on our District website. The Intra District Transfer form will be available starting Nov 30.
-
Enrollment Information - Information on dates and processes
-
School Locator - Click here to view your School of Residence
-
Proof of Residency Documents - Required Documents to Enroll
-
IntraDistrict Transfer Information - Policy on Transfers within the District
-
InterDistrict Transfers - Policy on Transfers coming from outside the San Mateo Union High School District (InterDistrict Transfers requests are made through your home school district)
|
Hunt, Gather, Parent: A Conversation with Michaeleen Doucleff & Ned Johnson
Michaeleen Doucleff and Ned Johnson, National bestselling authors
Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PST, Online Event (Webinar)
National bestselling authors Michaeleen Doucleff and Ned Johnson discuss how parents can raise happy, helpful, and well-adjusted children.
Parents/caregivers, students, educators, mental health professionals, and community members welcome! Free admission. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available.
Parent Forum #11 (English) – How to Be Your Child’s Favorite Conversation Partner
Eran Magen, PhD, Founder of Parenting for Humans
Friday, December 10, 2021, 12:00pm – 1:00pm PST, Online Event (Live)
for Humans. How can you become your child's favorite conversation partner? Whether it's spending more time together or
sharing the events of the day, we all want more meaningful conversations with our kids.
Parents, caregivers, educators, mental health professionals, and community members welcome! Free admission.
|
Parent Pondering:
The Center for Racial Justice in Education emphasizes that this time of year can exacerbate cultural demarcations of otherness, including the racialization of cultural traditions and celebrations that are not practiced within dominant US culture. They note that feelings of anxiety, sadness, and depression are common and can be amplified for families of color and marginalized communities and encourage educators to be mindful of how this holiday season is impacting young people in their schools. Their Racial Justice Guide to the Winter Holiday Season for Educators and Families provides resources for developing inclusive understanding of holidays and celebrations and strategies for supporting all students.
|
Please be sure to keep a copy handy.
|
Parents you may receive other benefits by filling out the free lunch application form by accessing the above link.
|
District Podcast
You have several ways to listen to the content provided by the District. You can listen on our oneSMFC podcast page, or you can download and subscribe to the oneSMFC podcast by searching for oneSMFC on Spotify or Amazon Music. (Google and Apple will be added soon.)
|
|
Upcoming Important Dates:
Dec. 7
District-wide Safety Drill 9:15am
Dec. 9
Walking Fieldtrip to Aragon for Music Students 8:10-10:45 am
|
If your child will be absent, please call the school's attendance line 650-312-7669 directly to report their absence.
Please contact Kristie Bales at: kbales@smfc.k12.ca.us to send in medical appointment notes.
|
Dine and Donate: see flyer below to the left.
|
DINE & DONATE at SLICES
December’s Dine & Donate will be at Slices starting Thursday, 12/2 through Wednesday, 12/15. 20% of all full priced items purchased will be donated to Borel PTA. Just mention the Borel Middle School Fundraiser when ordering or at pick-up that day. Calling in your order is recommended. Please note, this can not be combined with 3rd party delivery apps. Questions? Please contact Cindy at vendorfundraising@borelbobcats.org. Tell a friend!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Student and adult volunteers needed for 6th grade Prospective Tours around campus Wednesday 12/8, 1:30 - 2:30pm. Please sign up HERE for Tours. Also Parent Volunteers needed for the 6th and 7th grade Winter Dance on Thursday 12/16, from 3pm - 4:30pm . Please sign up HERE for Dance. Community service hours can be earned. Thanks for your energy and time!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Get a jump-start on your holiday shopping! Borel has partnered with the following vendors where a certain amount of the proceeds goes back to our school. Checkout Shutterfly, Sports Basement (select Borel as the beneficiary) , Amazon and Farm Fresh. More details on all your Vendor Fundraising can be found HERE. Questions? Please email Jen at fundraisingevents@borelbobcats.org.
PTA ASSOCIATION MEETING
Our next PTA Association meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 6:30 PM. The virtual meeting information will be posted a day prior to the meeting on our PTA web page which is linked HERE.
BOREL BOOSTERS 2021-2022
As of last week, we are 77% of our goal of $140,000. We want to acknowledge the many families that have already donated, a list of which can be found HERE. This is the only Borel fundraiser that supports the entire student body with funds going to those areas that help to Build a Brighter Future for every single Bobcat. Donate HERE and join the PTA. Every contribution big or small helps a lot. Questions, email Shirley at boosters@borelbobcats.org.
WELLNESS NEWSLETTER
In November’s Wellness Newsletter, our Wellness Ambassador, Tiffany Klein Wightman, MD, FAAP, shares her thoughts on adolescent dietary habits and how habits formed during this vulnerable time can lead to diet related health problems. She offers some guidelines when talking to your kids about the importance of nourishing their bodies. Her newsletter is linked HERE.
DECEMBER’S PARENT MIXER
Borel parents, we are looking forward to seeing you at our parent mixer this Saturday, December 4th from 4:30 - 7:30 PM, at FIELDWORK BREWING in San Mateo, 3030 So. Delaware Street. If you are interested in attending, please let us know by your RSVP HERE or sending an email to communications@borelbobcats.org.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!
Link up with our community of Borel parents on Facebook! Search for us at Borel Bobcat Boosters. This is a great way to get Borel community news and tips relevant to you and your student as well as interact with current Borel parents. Questions, please email communications@borelbobcats.org
|
"San Mateo Library and Aragon HS Robotics Present: Intro to Robotics! Join us for a 2 day hands-on workshop using the LEGO Mindstorm Robot Inventor Kit. Working in teams of 2, participants will learn the basics of engineering and programming and have a chance to drive around the Aragon HS Robotics’ FTC competition bot! Join us Friday December 3rd, 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM and Saturday, December 4th, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. For teens in the 8th - 12th grade. Signup and attendance both days are required. Sign up here: https://smplibrary.as.me/robotics"
|
Aragon HS Band Concert - Friday Dec 3rd
Come join us for a night of LIVE MUSIC with the Aragon High Schools Band Ensembles. Located in the Aragon Theater, Friday, Dec 3rd at 7pm. The concert is $10 for all Adults, $5 for Seniors, and FREE for ALL elementary and middle school students! Our music directors have a few surprises planned!
|
Navigating the New Normal
Supporting Ourselves and Our Children with Managing Stress and Transitions
Wednesday, December 8th
6:30-7:15pm
sessions in both English and Spanish!
The SMFC PTA Council is excited to host StarVista for a 45-minute workshop for families to help kids and parents manage the current stressors facing us in life and school alongside Covid-19. We welcome your questions in advance!
RSVP and question submission form (in both English and Spanish):
|
|