Dear Families,
Health Update: Lots of questions and concerns recently about communicable viruses, specifically COVID-19. Rest assured we are focused on precautions here at Stork. To date, you should have received two emails from the Alta Loma School District detailing our District’s commitment to keeping our schools safe, healthy, and of course, up and running. In the unlikely event we are directed by San Bernardino County Office of Public Health to have any closures, a plan is being implemented to address the issue of lost instructional time and/or school days. Teachers have been asked to be ready to post lessons and assignments through Google Classroom. Although never as effective as direct classroom instruction from our talented and skilled teachers, this would be an effective way to not miss out on too much of the curricula. Here’s a link to a video we showed at our March Superstar assemblies:
https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/
Class Placement: We are nearing the time of year we build our classes for the 2020-21 school year. Please remember we do not accept teacher requests. If you have specific concerns about your child’s class placement due to their learning style or other educational needs, you may certainly submit that in writing to the office. Once placed, we begin the school year and ask that each student spends a minimum of two weeks in their assigned class before we consider moving students to another class. Oftentimes, after two weeks pass, the transition time is complete and the student has settled nicely into a comfortable routine. Therefore, what seemed a “bad fit” the first day or two of school becomes a good fit and the student is well on their way to a successful year.
State Testing: We are well in the throes of preparing for the CAASPP in grades 3-6 and the CAST in grade 5. Our testing window begins April 7th and continues into the first week of May. We ask that you do everything you can to make sure your child is here on testing days. Make-up tests are difficult to schedule, and it is not the best testing environment for your child as they are most comfortable in their own classroom. We also ask that you make sure your child arrives on time to school. If you must schedule appointments, please consider the schedule noted below and check with your child’s teacher for their specific testing dates. We also encourage you to make sure your child gets to bed early the night before testing and receives a healthy, nutritious breakfast. A healthy snack is recommended for recess time. All of these things will ensure your child is able to perform their very best on the days of the test.
This year we are excited to offer positive incentives for attendance throughout the testing season. Our testing incentive program, “Slam the Exam,” offers students a raffle ticket for their attendance each day they are testing and an additional ticket for effort and engagement reflected during their testing sessions. Students who have perfect attendance through their testing window will receive a bonus three tickets. Prizes will be raffled daily, with grand prizes being drawn at our May Superstar Assembly. Prizes include movie tickets, various community coupons and gift cards, and an Apple Ipad.
Schoolwide AR Goal Update!
As a school, we are aiming for 200,000,000 words! At 74% of the way through the school year, we have read 203,944,641 words. Don’t forget about our Millionaire’s Club. It will be another amazing celebration for those who make it. Thank you to our generous PFSA for supplying AR parties, and the end of the year Millionaires’ Lunch. So far, we have Michael C., Elias A., Caren S., Madison H., Sara M., Courtney C., Emily M., Quinn P., Alexandra J., Sasha M.R., Ethen A., Jakob P., Nha-Vi D., Deacon H., Izabella N., Trevor N., Micah G.T., Nora D.,, Aizen O., Zachery S., Kaylee B., Chase C., Trinity H., Owen W., Audrey L., Jonathan L., Audrey M., Callie P., Mason S., Jubran H., Urijah S.,and Hayden B.! Many others are close, so keep reading Superstars.
Sincerely,
Phil Suttner
