Where to go...Principal’s Welcome Newsletter
August 2008
*Please note the following CHANGE in our schedule:
School now begins at: 8:15 a.m.
Primary Grade Dismissal: 2:15 p.m.
Upper Grade Dismissal: 2:45 p.m.
Minimum Day & Every Wednesday Dismissal for all students: 1:00
Calendar of Events
August
29 Class Lists Posted @ 4:00 p.m.
September
1 Labor Day – No School
2 Kindergarten Orientation in MPR @ 2:00 pm
3 1st Day of School - Wednesday – Minimum Day – 1:00 p.m. Dismissal
3 Parent Coffee @ 8:15 a.m. in front of the office
4 School Board Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
11 PFA meeting @ 6:30 p.m. in the MPR
12 Back to School BBQ: 5:30-8:00 p.m.
17 Back to School Night: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
18 School Board Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
19 Fall Fundraiser Assembly
19-30 Fall Fundraiser
24 School Site Council Meeting @ 1:30 p.m. in the library
October
2 School Board Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
1,8,15 Informal Conferences
9 PFA Meeting @ 6:30 p.m. in the MPR
16 School Board Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
16 Picture Day
17 Mid-trimester Progress Reports
24 Fitness for Life @ Mountain View
25 Village Venture
27-31 Red Ribbon Week
29 School Site Council @ 1:30 p.m. in library
31 Halloween Parade @ 8:45 a.m
Principal’s Message:
I would like to let you know that I am very excited to be a part of the Mountain View School Community. I welcome each of you back to Mountain View, and a warm welcome to our new families. I look forward to working with you throughout the year, and invite you to take part in our school activities. Please mark your calendars with key upcoming events, and join the learning and fun with our Mountain View Family.
We really need your help, and I invite you to join our PFA. We still have an opening on our board for President. We want to have a fresh start this year and begin with a positive outlook, as everything that we do is for our children. Your participation supports our field trips and assemblies, and the end result is that we are providing more opportunities for our students.
The first day of school is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3rd at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday will be our normal minimum day with ALL grades released at 1:00 p.m. Mark this on your calendars and please make any necessary arrangements to have your student(s) picked up on time. Again, please make sure your student(s) is picked up at the conclusion of the day. Orientation of our Kindergarten students and parents is Tuesday, September 2nd at 2:00 p.m. in our Multipurpose room.
As you look over the information below, you will see we are looking forward to an exciting and challenging year. Make a commitment to become an active member of the PFA, a room parent, a member of the School Site Council, or a volunteer in the classroom. Together we will positively affect the education and social development of your daughter/son.
Clara Arocha
Principal
Starting the Year…..
Student Birthdays:
We do not celebrate individual student birthdays in the classroom or during the school day. I will acknowledge student birthdays during morning announcements and each celebrant will be invited to the office for a Birthday Book of their choice. Students with birthdays during the summer will be recognized as “half birthdays” during the school year. If you would like to donate a book to our library in honor of your child’s birthday, it would be greatly appreciated by our librarian, Mrs. Goss.
Bullying Prevention Program
Bullying is a form of violence that involves the intentional and repeated exposure to negative actions from one or more students. Mountain View Elementary, in its commitment to foster positive and effective learning environments, has partnered with the Clinical Community Psychology Doctoral program at the University of La Verne to examine the impact of bullying on campus. With the consent of parents, graduate student researchers will gather data through surveys, interviews, and observation. A major goal of this assessment is to highlight the ways in which parents, teachers, staff, and students are already providing a safe and healthy atmosphere. Additionally, results of this assessment will provide direction for further interventions addressing physical, verbal, and relational bullying. With an environment that is free from violence, intimidation, threats, and fears students will be better able to focus on academics and enjoy a better overall school experience.
Classroom Facelift:
Six of our classrooms received new carpeting during the summer! What a difference. Next summer the remainder of the classrooms and the office will also receive new carpeting.
Class Lists:
Class lists will be posted in the showcases outside the office Friday, August 29th @ 4:00 p.m.
Getting 3rd-6th Graders Organized:
If you have a third through sixth grade student, look for the student handbook to come home some time during the first week of school. The handbooks are designed for students and parents to review school policies and expectations (insert), as well as for students to record their daily assignments. This will enable parents to collaborate with teachers on homework and stay current regarding up and coming school events by referring to the monthly calendar sections.
New Faces and New Grade Levels:
We are fortunate to welcome three new staff members to Mountain View. Paulina Sampere is joining our Kindergarten team. Stephanie Tschetter will team-teach with Suzanne Miller in Kindergarten and Stephanie Votaw is going to team teach with Beth Coronado in 3rd grade.
Back to School Night:
Be sure to attend your child’s Back-To-School night presentation on Wednesday, September 17th. Teachers will preview their programs and curriculum twice: at 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. for the convenience of families with students in various classrooms. This follows the welcome, staff introductions, general information, and slide show in the multipurpose room at 7:00 p.m. If you have a sixth grade students: a 30-minute orientation from 8:30-9:00 p.m. will detail the four-day Outdoor Science Camp scheduled for February. Make sure to attend! This is not a time for conferencing with the teacher about the specific needs of your child. Please schedule a separate appointment with the teacher for that purpose.
Is there something unfamiliar in your home – be on the lookout?
As parents, we know how frustrating it can be to purchase school clothes, jackets, supplies, etc, and a few weeks or even days later realize they are no longer with your child. We also know how children often times misplace or mistake their things with someone else’s and by accident bring something home that isn’t theirs. Please check your child's things and make sure they are clearly marked with a name. If something is brought home that doesn’t belong to your child, please return it to school. We will make sure it is returned. Your support in this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Classroom Interruptions:
In an effort to minimize interruptions in the classrooms, we ask that routine matters, such as where to meet after school and/or who the student will be going home with, be planned and handled prior to coming to school. On those rare occasions when it is necessary or an emergency, the office will try to relay telephone messages to your student(s). In addition, on those occasions when the lunch has been forgotten, please bring the lunch to the office with the student’s name and room number marked on the outside so that s/he may pick it up at lunchtime. We want to avoid classroom interruptions as much as possible. Thank you.
Medications at School:
When children are taking medication at school, the medication will be stored in the health office and dispensed at the prescribed time. A parent’s release form, available in the office, must be signed by both the parent(s) and doctor, and be on file in the office. The medication bottle must have the prescription label, complete with the student’s name and doctor’s name.
Also keep in mind that school personnel are not allowed to dispense aspirin or any “over-the counter” medications without the above conditions having been met. If your student requires aspirin, cough drops, cough syrup, etc., a doctor must prescribe it and the medication must be kept in the nurse’s office - not in the student’s backpack or desk.
Parents Waiting After School:
We need to cut down on class disruptions as much as possible. Please wait for students in front of the school or at the tables in the lunch area until dismissal time. Younger siblings and friends must also wait in front of the school, not by the classrooms. This is less disruptive to classes in session. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Also, students dismissed at 2:15 p.m. are not allowed to wait on campus for students who are dismissed at 2:45 p.m., as there is no supervision.
Claremont Police Department Advisory:
The Claremont Police Department has asked us to inform parents who drop off their children at school that it is illegal to stop in a traffic lane and let their children exit the car and walk to the curb. This is covered under sections 22400(a) and 22500(h) of the California Vehicle Code. Not only is it illegal, it is unsafe to stop your car in the traffic lane. This is also true of anyone stopping in the driveway to drop off/pick up students. We are concerned about the safety and well being of your children. The police department will be citing drivers for this violation and the minimum fine is $25.00. Please use the curb where it is safe and legal to drop off/pick up your children.
Emergency Cards:
We know that the beginning of the school term is filled with an endless stack of forms to fill out, but please don’t forget to complete and return the 2008-2009 Student Emergency Card.
Claremont After School Programs - CLASP
Students in grades 3-6 are invited to register for Claremont After School Program (CLASP), which provides after school care, one on one tutoring, and organized activities on Tuesday and Thursday throughout the year. The tuition is $50 per month and includes a snack. Partial scholarships are also available. The CLASP Program has been a great experience for those students who have been fortunate enough to attend. Applications are available in the school office. Classes begin September/October and continue throughout the school year. The Center is located at the Claremont Presbyterian Church, 1111 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont. If interested, contact Mrs. Kijak at 909-450-3078 as soon as possible – spaces are limited.
Attendance Hotline:
Call the Hotline if your child will be absent from school (398-0310). If you know in advance that your child will be out for a lengthy absence (5 days or more), please arrange for a homework contract.