Allen Update (31 May 2023)

A friendly reminder that all visitors and family members coming to our campus for End of the Year events (such as 6th grade promotion and our Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten Celebrations) must check in at the front office and scan a government-issued ID to enter campus.  No exceptions will be made.

Please plan ahead and allow extra time for parking and scanning your ID when coming to our campus for these events.

Please do not block driveways and fire lanes.  Please observe all posted traffic signs as well as directions from staff, safety patrol, and law enforcement.

Please do not bring balloons, bouquets, and large signs to End of the Year events at Allen.  These block the view of others. Thank you!

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Sunday Update (28 May 2023)

Hello Allen Families and Staff,

Don’t forget that there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, May 29, 2023 due to the Memorial Day holiday.

This week is our final week of the academic year. There are only 4 more days of school left. Our school office is open until June 13, 2023. We are happy to help with Verification of Residency in the school office.

Throughout the month of June, Allen Elementary and the Chula Vista Elementary School District celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month! We celebrate the diversity in our community.

Please read this letter from our Superintendent regarding the ICOC at CVESD:

If you have questions for our staff or need assistance, please call at at (619) 479-3662. Office hours are 8 am to 3:30 pm, M-F.

Have you downloaded the Family Handbook for 2022-2023? Kindly review this periodically with your child.

https://allenelementary.org/family-handbook/

Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week

Healthy school and wellness policy reminders: There is no sharing of food or drink allowed at school. Please do not send any junk food (such as gum, candy, chips) or sugary drinks to school. Sports drinks, such as Prime and Gatorade, are not allowed because they are not part of our district’s wellness policy. These drinks, although advertised as good for your health, are not healthy for children and often have chemicals that adversely affect children.

Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for this upcoming week at the YouTube link below:

Please download our Q4 Calendar of Events here:

Do you receive School Messenger emails and communication from our district? Be sure to check www.cvesd.org and bookmark our district’s website and follow its social media:

Please see our 2022-2023 Family Handbook here: Link to Family Handbook

A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:

Allen’s Core Values
Allen’s Common Courtesies

The Core Value for this upcoming week of school is Perseverance. The Common Courtesy for this week is Good morning/Good afternoon…

Students may earn an Allen Eagle Ticket for demonstrating the Core Values and Common Courtesies each day. Students can redeem these tickets at the Eagle’s Nest Store at the end of each quarter of the school year. Our staff is always looking for ways to celebrate our students!

Kindness counts! Wondering how to support children if they experience a problem with another student? We suggest:

  • Use “I feel…” statements to express yourself clearly.
  • Set boundaries by saying “I don’t like that…” or “Please stop!”
  • Move away from the student you have conflict with and…
  • Seek help from an adult nearby.

Our staff prides itself in actively monitoring students at all times. What our staff has noticed is that students are learning how to interact with one another and having some problems or conflict. This is not bullying. It may be due to trauma and other sudden social-emotional issues with a child. What is bullying? See the helpful graphic below:

If you have a concern about another child’s behaviors impacting your child, we suggest you first contact your child’s teacher. Afterwards, please see this page here. It’s our District’s Anti-Bullying page.

If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.

A Look Ahead:

Monday, May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – Dan Way’s Field Day at Allen [Primary Field Day 9 – 10:30 am; Upper Field Day 1:15 – 2:45 pm]

Thursday, June 1, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:15 am – Please, no balloons, no bouquets, and no large signs/objects that may block the view of others.
  • First day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Friday, June 2, 2023 – Allen Spirit Day and Pajama Day

  • Family First Friday 8 to 9 am (free Nitro Monkey tea and coffee and PTC Spirit Gear Booth at front of school)
  • Kindergarten Celebration at 10 am
  • TK Celebration at 10:30 am
  • Last Day of School (2 pm dismissal for all students TK-6)

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 – Last Day School Office is open at Allen (closes at 3:30 pm until July 10, 2023)

Wednesday, June 14 – Friday, July 7, 2023 – School Offices are closed for Summer Break

Monday, July 10, 2023 – School Office reopens for regular hours: 8 am – 3:30 pm, Monday – Friday

Monday, July 17, 2023 – Family Orientation and PTC Back to School Night – details coming soon!

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – First Day of School (all students in grades TK-6 dismiss at 2 pm)

Thursday, July 20, 2023 – TK and Kindergarten students dismiss at 2 pm (same schedule for every Friday)

Friday, July 21, 2023

  • Family First Friday (8 – 9 am) with free coffee for adults and the return of the PTC Spirit Booth
  • Dismissal at 2 pm for all students in grades TK-6

Monday, July 24 – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – TK and Kindergarten students dismiss at 2 pm

Friday, July 28, 2023 – Dismissal at 2 pm for all students in grades TK-6 (same schedule for every Friday)

Allen’s End of the Year Events 2023

Thank you to our entire school community for supporting our End of the Year activities! Teachers, staff, parents, and student have all contributed to a fun and amazing end of the academic year.

See photos below from our annual Allen Music Festival, an event of the Allen PTC:

First Grade Project photos:

Chef Special Pasta Day in the school cafeteria:

Here are some photos from the annual Variety Show:

6th grade field trip to Belmont Park:

Optimist Awards:

Other special EOY photos:

Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony

Please read the letter below from our principal, Mr. Greenwell, regarding our upcoming promotion ceremony! A friendly reminder that we ask you to refrain from bringing bouquets, balloons, and large signs to the ceremony as they block the view of others. Please leave these items at home or in your car.

Sixth grade promotion will be Thursday, June 1st at 9:15 am at Allen Elementary. This outdoor event will be held in the Allen Courtyard. More information will be shared by Mr. Manaig, Ms. Linderman, and Mr. Richardson.

Class Placement for 2023-2024

Per the Allen Family Handbook, “requests for specific teachers are not permitted. However, parents may provide educational information (in written form) about their child before May 1st, in order to assist teachers and school administration with classroom placement. Once classroom rosters are created, students are not moved to another classroom unless student enrollment numbers dictate the necessity to do so.”

Allen Elementary is a small school that feels like a family for many of our students. Most grade levels consist of two classrooms per grade level and may involve a combination classroom (also called a combo class). It is not possible to honor specific classroom requests for these reasons. Class placement will be shared at our Family Orientation and PTC Back to School Night on July 17, 2023 and also emailed to parents before school starts. Please check your SPAM or JUNK folders for this message. For privacy reasons, we cannot post class lists, nor can we share the placement of another child with you.

Bell Schedule for 2023-2024 School Year

Students in TK through sixth grade dismiss at 3:10 pm, Mondays through Thursdays and at 2 pm on all Fridays and minimum days.

***Please note that TK and Kindergarten students will be on a minimum day schedule for assessment purposes on the following days: Wednesday, July 19 through Thursday, July 27, 2023. Dismissal for TK and Kindergarten students will be at 2 pm each day those days. Please note that every Friday is a 2 pm dismissal for all students in grades TK-6.

Beginning Monday, July 31, all students in grades TK-6 will be on a full day schedule with dismissal at 3:10 pm, Monday through Thursday. All Fridays and minimum days have a 2 pm dismissal.

Traffic Loop Reminders

Please follow all traffic laws and rules when dropping off and picking up your child from school.

Here are some helpful traffic and safety reminders:

Please do not block driveways. Do not use staff parking spots in front of the 100 and 200 buildings to drop off and pick up your child. For the safety of all, do not stop in front of the school to drop off and pick up your child.

The traffic loop is split next to our beautiful new mural on the west side of our campus. Please do not block the bus lane. All parent drop off and pick up should be in front of the 800 building and then exit the traffic loop on the left side of the bus lane. Please do not park in the loop or leave your car unattended.

Follow directions from staff, safety patrol officers, and law enforcement.

Return Allen Elementary Books

Kindly return all Allen Elementary library books at the front office of the school as soon as possible. Many students still have books checked out from this school year. All books must be returned to the library before the end of the school year. Thank you!

Yearbooks

Yearbook ordering has ended. If you pre-ordered your yearbook, those will be distributed at the end of this week. A small number of additional yearbooks may be available for sale on a first-come, first serve basis. Please write your child’s first and last name in permanent marker on it. Allen Elementary is not responsible for lost, damaged, or destroyed yearbooks. We ask that students write their name on their yearbooks in permanent ink and supervise the signing of yearbooks when given time to do so.

Lost and Found

Please check the lost and found rack and table in front of the MPR: There are a lot of jackets, hoodies, lunch bags, and water bottles that have been left behind at school: We would like these items to be returned to their rightful owners!

Remember to use a permanent marker to label all personal items with your child’s first and last name. Items not claimed at the end of each quarter will be donated, including after June 2.

Free, San Diego County Fair Tickets

The San Diego County Fair offers free admission to all kids aged 12 and younger every Friday of the Fair! For kids aged 6-12, this is a savings of $14 per child. Children aged 5 and younger are always admitted free. The fair runs Wednesday, June 7 through Tuesday, July 4. For more information, click here.

FREE Full-Day Summer Program

The District’s Junior Academy Program has partnered with the YMCA of San Diego County to offer students in TK-6th grade a FREE full-day Summer program. Registration for this program has already occurred, but this information is available for families that are already registered.

The Junior Academy Program offers a wide variety of academic and fun enrichment activities, field trips, and meals (breakfast, lunch, and snacks). The Junior Academy Program is funded through the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. All families are welcome to apply for this fantastic opportunity, with priority given to our neediest students (homeless and foster students). After the highest priority students are registered, students will be enrolled on a first-come, first-serve basis.  

Junior Academy Program:

  • Dates: June 7 through July 7, 2023
    • Closed: June 19, July 3, and July 4
  • Locations: Chula Vista Hills, Cook, Harborside, and Jeffers
  • Hours of Operation: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm

Enrollment Information:

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Expanded Learning Program Specialist, Priscilla Garza, at priscilla.garza@cvesd.org.

Southwestern College YES Academy

Are you looking for additional learning opportunities for your child over the summer break? If your child is in grades 4 through 12, consider enrolling them in one of Southwestern College’s many courses for a nominal fee. See that document below:

San Diego County Library Summer Resources

The San Diego County Library system is an amazing community resource. Not only can children check out amazing books, but there are also a plethora of online resources and community events held at the public libraries over the summer!

Check out the County’s website here: https://www.sdcl.org/

Free, MTS Youth Opportunity Pass

The SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass program is designed to make transportation easier for San Diego County children (those 18 years of age and under), as well as encourage ridership.

Free MTS and NCTD rides under the Youth Opportunity Pass program will continue to be available until June 30, 2023.

To take part in the program, children 18 and under will have to sign up for a Youth PRONTO app account or a Youth PRONTO card. Information on PRONTO can be found at https://bit.ly/3rv3ONd.

Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament

Everyone in our community is invited to the Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament, called the Heroes for Children Golf Classic. See the flyer below for more information:

CVESD Community Expo on July 29, 2023

Our second annual Community Expo is coming up in July 2023. This FREE event will offer valuable resources for our families and will be a fun-filled, family-friendly event with interactive games, free food (while supplies last), and much more!

Please save the date…

  • Date: Saturday, July 29, 2023
  • Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Location: District office at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Zone Transfers & Registration Information

If Allen Elementary is not your school of residence, please complete this Zone Transfer (or ZT) process ASAP to keep your child at our school, or families risk losing their child’s spot at our school if a new family moves into the neighborhood. Please also remember that a Zone Transfer or Intradistrict Transfer may be denied if a child’s behavior or attendance require improvement.

NEW STUDENT registration began on February 15 online for the following:

  • Kindergartners who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023.
  • NEW students in grades 1st through 6th 
  • All registrations will take place online. There will be no paper packets. To register please visit our district website beginning on February 15: www.cvesd.org

Allen Elementary has plenty of space in our Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten classes for next year, but has limited openings in our upper grades. Please contact our office for questions about space availability at (619) 479-3662. More information is posted on our district’s website at www.cvesd.org.

  • Please note:
    • TK students will not need a renewal zone transfer link as they will need to register at their neighborhood school for Kindergarten. Our district’s Early Childhood Education department supports Preschool and TK enrollment. Please contact them directly at (619) 425-9600 Ext.181725.
    • The Renewal Zone Transfer Form is independent of the “New Zone Transfer Form.”
    • Students who will be transitioning to Sweetwater Union High School District for seventh grade (middle school) do not need to notify CVESD about this, but will need to complete registration processes with that district via https://www.sweetwaterschools.org/.

Have you changed your address, email address, or phone number since the start of the school year?

Please notify the office at allenschool@cvesd.org in case we need to contact you in an emergency. Not returning to Allen Elementary next year? Please let us know as soon as possible by sending an email to michelle.reza@cvesd.org and joyce.baptista@cvesd.org.

Enrollment for continuing students started this past week. You should have received an email from DoNotReply@cvesd.org for each student on Monday, May 22. Continuing enrollment is due by June 14, 2023.

Preschool and Early Childhood Education

Are you considering enrolling your child in preschool? Look no further! Allen Elementary offers a free preschool program for qualifying families that live in San Diego County. Learn more and enroll your child today at http://cvesd.org/preschool.

Our Early Childhood Education department can explain to families the difference between preschool programs, Transitional Kindergarten (or TK) programs, and Kindergarten. Contact them by phone at (619) 409-6604.

Free Campus Clinic Health Services

Families may come to the school office, Monday- Friday, between 8 am and 3:30 pm to receive a free COVID-19 home antigen test. The testing is not required. Please report all positive cases to our school office at (619) 479-3662.

Campus Clinic has partnered with the Chula Vista Elementary School District and Allen Elementary to provide free or low-cost services to staff and students for the convenience of our community. Services offered include:

  • Vision and Hearing screenings as part of Preventative wellness visits
  • Annual Well Visits 
  • Anxiety and depression screenings
  • Mental health services including group therapy
  • Diagnostic testing (flu, strep, COVID-19, etc)
  • Immunizations

A new mental wellness program is now available. This program is designed for students aged 8 years & older. Campus Clinic allows parents to schedule one-on-one visits with a licensed provider. Parents are encouraged to attend the first visit via telehealth, and then schedule 12 additional 30-minute sessions between their student and the provider either in person at the designated location in the school or via telehealth.

Families do have the opportunity to continue these visits through summer & holidays as well. Visits are billed through insurance (the cost of the program is generally covered by insurance providers including Medi-Cal & private insurance companies).

This program will be rolled out at Allen Elementary soon. See the flyer below:

Weekly, voluntary COVID-19, flu, and RSV testing will continue on our school campus via Campus Clinic each week. Parents and legal guardians must opt-in to the program and no child will be tested without proper consent. If families would like to watch a video on the registration process, they can visit: https://campusclinic.org/how-to/. For community testing at the kiosks, individuals will need to register on-site. You only need to register one time for a test through the kiosk. Again, for this free testing support, please email: support@campusclinic.org.

This combo test is designed to provide results for symptomatic individuals for some of the most common illnesses, such as Flu A, Flu B, RSV, and COVID-19. This testing is provided at no-cost or free to families, but Campus Clinic is required by the state of California to collect insurance information. Campus Clinic will also be providing other essential public health services on our campus in the coming weeks.

MedLab2020 may call or email families to verify insurance information for individuals who have tested with Campus Clinic previously. MedLab2020 is the lab that Campus Clinic partners with to process COVID-19 PCR & flu combo tests administered through weekly in school testing, as well as at the four kiosks throughout the district. They are part of the letterhead on most of the results sent out. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to the Campus Success Team.

Campus Clinic now provides access to licensed healthcare providers available via telehealth for follow-up visits and care. Following a positive flu or COVID test result, patients will receive a link in their email that gives them the opportunity to schedule with a provider to receive further care or ask any questions they may have.

Learn more about this and other additional services on the website: campusclinic.org. Allen Elementary is proud to partner with Campus Clinic! Watch the video below:


If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information above, please call or email our Campus Success team.

Campus Success; 8:00am -4:00pm PST
855.286.2577
support@campusclinic.org
www.campusclinic.org

Health and Safety

There are currently no mandate for COVID-19 vaccines, nor a mandate for masks in the state of California. Please understand that the state of California may (in the future) require children to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to attend a public school, just as they already do for other diseases (polio, mumps, rubella, etc..). This decision is not a school-based or district-based decision, but rather a state government decision.

Masks, although not required at this time, are encouraged for all staff, students, parents, and visitors while indoors on campus.

  • There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses in any public place where people are present. The school and district strive to reduce this impact to staff, students, and families.
  • It is a current public health recommendation for all eligible people to get COVID-19 booster shots.

If your child has a chronic health condition, such as allergies or asthma, please contact the school office and download the form below to have your child’s doctor complete and send it back to the school’s nurse. We recommend doing this in advance of a child showing symptoms.

If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If any person (regardless of vaccination status) presents with symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, that person will be immediately sent home. All schools in CVESD must follow the latest County of San Diego COVID-19 Decision Tree (see below) for persons with symptoms associated with COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 and should stay home:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

*** Please see the latest COVID-19 Decision Tree here: LINK to Newest Decision Tree

Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) Corner

Visit the PTC website at AllenPTC.org to become a member of the PTC and make a donation to support the latest initiative at the school. Allen’s PTC is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the school’s educational mission through funding programs and initiatives.

Please help support Allen’s PTC and our school by joining as a member of the Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club.

The standing PTC Meeting link is here: PTC MEETING LINK 2022-2023

Meetings for Families & Staff

Allen School needs parents and legal guardians to support our school through important parent groups, such as the PTC (Parent Teacher Club), the School Site Council (often referred to as SSC), and the English Language Advisory Committee (often referred to as ELAC). The site-based groups work with the Principal, staff, and other community members to ensure that community voice is part of the shared decision making process of a public school.

Family First Friday Meeting

The first Friday of every month is usually reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Family First Friday will be on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 8 am to 9 am. This meeting will be in person at school with a coffee cart available in front of the school. Our Allen PTC will also have their monthly Spirit Gear Booth with great items for sale!

We encourage parents and legal guardians to join this meeting with a free cup of hot coffee or a cold cup of cold brew on nitro and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year and meet other amazing Allen families.

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting will tentatively be on August 7, 2023 at 3 pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings.

School Site Council (SSC)

Ella B. Allen’s next SSC Meeting will tentatively be on August 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm. Please note that if you join early, you’ll be attending the ELAC meeting already in progress. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

All SSC members are welcome to attend ELAC meetings for additional information.

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) is composed of five elected parent/community representatives and five elected staff/teacher representatives. The role of the SSC is to develop, approve, and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement.

With a few exceptions, meetings are held the second Monday of every month. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.

Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting

Allen’s PTC usually meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Link: via this link. The next PTC meeting is June 5 at 6 pm. Please also check out the new PTC website to become a member and make a donation: AllenPTC.org

CVESD Board of Education Meeting

The district’s Board of Education meetings are also being held online and generally occur the second Wednesday of each month. The next regularly scheduled CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, June 14 at 6 pm. Limited in-person access is permitted, but check the district’s website for more information on this.

To access these public meetings, please click the link here: https://www.cvesd.org/board_of_education/board_meetings

CVESD DAC/DELAC Meeting

District Advisory Council (DAC)

The DAC is composed of parent and staff representatives from each School Site Council. It meets regularly during the school year in open public forum to share information, study instructional issues, approve school planning schedules, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on specific items. District meetings take place once a month, mid-afternoon. Most meetings occur on Tuesdays from 12 – 2 pm, with a parent training beforehand. This is an elected position to serve a one-year term.

District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

The district will continue to conduct all meetings online until further notice, including all DAC/DELAC meetings. DAC is the District Advisory Committee. DELAC is the District English Learner Advisory Committee. Both of these groups are designed to support and inform parents in a shared communication setting with the district. Parents learn with other parents and district leadership at the DAC/DELAC meetings.

The next DAC/DELAC Meeting will be in August 2023 (date: TBD) at 12 noon. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

The link below contains a schedule of all DAC/DELAC meetings for the upcoming school year. I recommend all parents download this schedule if they are interested in learning more about theses district meetings: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/dac-delac

CVESD B-LAC Meeting

District Black Learners Advisory Council (B-LAC)

The B-LAC is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The B-LAC provides and monitors the ongoing support for Black/African American students and families in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure unbiased practices/policies, equitable educational outcomes, and equal access to a quality education. The group meets regularly during the school year, once a month. Most meetings occur on Thursdays from 6 – 7 pm. The next meeting will be at the start of the 2023-2024 school year and will be in person at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913). For more information and to download the schedule of these meetings, clink the link: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/black-learners-advisory-council—b–lac

CVESD BAC Meeting

District Budget Advisory Council (CVESD BAC)

The District’s Budget Advisory Council (BAC) is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The BAC monitors the financial statements and fiduciary obligations of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD). Although it usually only meets 5 – 6 times a year, the BAC’s meetings are useful in understanding how state and federal monies support student learning at a local level. May 25 at 6 pm is the next BAC meeting. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

Academic Calendar for the 2023-2024 School Year

Our Board of Education has approved our 2023-2024 School Calendar. Please also use this document to plan and schedule family outings, vacations, and other important appointments in preparation for the upcoming school year. Excellent attendance is important in student success! Find that document in the file below…

Students in our district will end the current academic year on Friday, June 2, 2023. The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The last day of the 2023-2024 school year is

Allen Elementary is proud to be a Kindness Certified School again in 2023!

Be well Eagles! As a California public school, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and get the COVID-19 vaccine (and/or booster shots), as well as to test regularly. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our number 1 concern!

🦅  Allen Eagles: Together, we SOAR!

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Sunday Update (21 May 2023)

Hello Allen Families and Staff,

Throughout the month of May, Allen Elementary and the Chula Vista Elementary School District celebrate AAPI Heritage Month!

Most students at Allen have finished district and state testing. If you child has not completed this testing, they will need to do so before the end of the academic year. Children will be required to finish academic and state requirements before attending fun end of the year activities, including field trips and class celebrations. Although not every child will test every day, please remind your child to use a quieter voice and be respectful at school as they move about the hallways, including at recess and lunch, for the students who still need to complete this.

If you have questions for our staff or need assistance, please call at at (619) 479-3662. Office hours are 8 am to 3:30 pm, M-F.

Have you downloaded the Family Handbook for 2022-2023? Kindly review this periodically with your child.

https://allenelementary.org/family-handbook/

Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week

Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for this upcoming week at the YouTube link below:

Please download our Q4 Calendar of Events here:

Do you receive School Messenger emails and communication from our district? Be sure to check www.cvesd.org and bookmark our district’s website and follow its social media:

Please see our 2022-2023 Family Handbook here: Link to Family Handbook

A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:

Allen’s Core Values
Allen’s Common Courtesies

The Core Value for this upcoming week of school is Honesty. The Common Courtesy for this week is Thank you.

Students may earn an Allen Eagle Ticket for demonstrating the Core Values and Common Courtesies each day. Students can redeem these tickets at the Eagle’s Nest Store at the end of each quarter of the school year. Our staff is always looking for ways to celebrate our students!

Kindness counts! Wondering how to support children if they experience a problem with another student? We suggest:

  • Use “I feel…” statements to express yourself clearly.
  • Set boundaries by saying “I don’t like that…” or “Please stop!”
  • Move away from the student you have conflict with and…
  • Seek help from an adult nearby.

Our staff prides itself in actively monitoring students at all times. What our staff has noticed is that students are learning how to interact with one another and having some problems or conflict. This is not bullying. It may be due to trauma and other sudden social-emotional issues with a child. What is bullying? See the helpful graphic below:

If you have a concern about another child’s behaviors impacting your child, we suggest you first contact your child’s teacher. Afterwards, please see this page here. It’s our District’s Anti-Bullying page.

If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.

A Look Ahead:

Monday, May 22, 2023 – Spirit Week Day 1 – Color Day: Wear your grade level’s color today!

  • Animal Projects for 1st grade in courtyard at 9 am
  • 5th grade Projects at 11 am

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – Spirit Week Day 2 – Twin Day: Dress up like a friend and wear matching outfits.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023 – Spirit Week Day 3 – Anything But a Backpack Day: Bring your items to school in anything but a backpack.

  • Allen Elementary’s Variety Show at 5:30 pm in the MPR
  • CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, May 25, 2023 – Spirit Week Day 4 – Superhero and Cartoon Character Day: Wear your favorite superhero or cartoon character outfit today!

  • Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades 3, 4, 5, and 800 building at 9 am
  • Sixth grade field trip to Belmont Park
  • Optimist Awards at Allen at 6 pm

Friday, May 26, 2023 – Final Spirit Week Day 5 – Dapper Day: Wear your fanciest outfit.

  • Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades TK-2 at 9 am

Monday, May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 – TBD

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – Dan Way’s Field Day at Allen

Thursday, June 1, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:15 am
  • First day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Friday, June 2, 2023 – Allen Spirit Day and Pajama Day

  • Last Day of School (2 pm dismissal)
  • Kindergarten Celebration at 10 am
  • TK Celebration at 10:30 am

Monday, July 17, 2023 – Family Orientation and PTC Night – details coming soon!

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – First Day of School (all students in grades TK-6 dismiss at 2 pm)

Thursday, July 20, 2023 – Kindergarten and TK students dismiss at 2 pm

Friday, July 21, 2023 – Family First Friday (8 – 9 am) with free coffee for adults and the return of the PTC Spirit Booth

Allen Music Festival 2023

Thank you to everyone who attended the annual Allen Music Festival, an event of the Allen PTC. This event helps raise funds for our school’s arts and music programs. Check out the photos below!

Sweetwater Authority Water Poster Contest

Allen Elementary had several winning entries in the Sweetwater Authority’s most recent contest. The “Being Water Wise Is…” poster contest gives K-6 students the chance to demonstrate how water is a precious and essential resource. By creating water-related art, students enhance their understanding of the importance of water. Regional winners will be published in Metropolitan Water District’s Art Calendar. Check out the winning posters from Allen Elementary below!

https://www.sweetwater.org/gallery.aspx?AID=31

Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony

Please read the letter below from our principal, Mr. Greenwell, regarding our upcoming promotion ceremony!

Hanover Survey

The Chula Vista Elementary School District prioritizes our school communities’ opinions, perceptions, and needs. The District is partnering with Hanover Research to conduct a short survey to help us understand how the current school year has been and the priorities and needs for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. The confidential survey link was sent out via email on Tuesday, May 9, and will stay open until May 23, 2023.

Please be on the lookout for the link and take the time to participate in the short survey.

Allen Student Council’s Spirit Week 2023

Our Student Council planned an optional spirit week for May 22 – May 26, 2023. Details are below… We encourage all staff, students, and parents to participate!

FREE Full-Day Summer Program

The District’s Junior Academy Program has partnered with the YMCA of San Diego County to offer students in TK-6th grade a FREE full-day Summer program.

The Junior Academy Program will offer a wide variety of academic and fun enrichment activities, field trips, and meals (breakfast, lunch, and snacks). The Junior Academy Program is funded through the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. All families are welcome to apply for this fantastic opportunity, with priority given to our neediest students (homeless and foster students). After the highest priority students are registered, students will be enrolled on a first-come, first-serve basis. If selected, families will receive an email to secure their spot by Friday, May 5, to complete the online registration form by Friday, May 12.  

Junior Academy Program:

  • Dates: June 7 through July 7, 2023
    • Closed: June 19, July 3, and July 4
  • Locations: Chula Vista Hills, Cook, Harborside, and Jeffers
  • Hours of Operation: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm

Enrollment Information:

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Expanded Learning Program Specialist, Priscilla Garza, at priscilla.garza@cvesd.org.

Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament

If you enjoyed Allen Elementary’s PTC Charity Golf Tournament, you will love the Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament, called the Heroes for Children Golf Classic. See the flyer below for more information:

Attendance Matters!

Attendance is important! Allen Elementary celebrates excellent attendance as it sets students up for success! Allen has one of the latest start times of any school in the area.

Students attending Allen on a Zone Transfer may be denied if a student has a poor attendance record or behavior concerns.

Did you know that if your child is out of school for five or more days, you can request an independent study contract? If an independent study contract is completed, your child receives attendance credit. For more information, you can contact Ms. Baptista in the front office at (619) 479-3662.

  • LET’S CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR ATTENDANCE AT ALLEN!
  • Students should only miss school if they are sick. Those with symptoms can return with a negative COVID-19 test, no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, and symptoms improving. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BE SYMPTOM-FREE to attend school. We have plenty of rapid tests at school… just ask in the office. If you have a special circumstance and need an independent study, please let us know.
  • Please make sure your child is at school by 8:45 am and lined up on the blacktop. If they arrive to campus after 8:50 am, they will be marked tardy.
  • We begin to secure campus at 8:50 am. Parents/guardians must exit promptly at 8:50. Thank you.
  • Students can arrive as early as 8:20 am when our school’s gates open. There is no supervision for students prior to 8:20 am.
  • FREE breakfast is served from 8:20 am to 8:45 am. All meals are eaten at the lunch arbor outside, rain or shine. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the day’s weather and according to the district’s dress code.
  • If your child is absent, it is very important to call the office to report the reason for the absence.
  • Absences that are not reported will be considered UNEXCUSED. After 3 unexcused absences and/or tardies you will receive a truancy letter.
  • If you pick up your child early and/or they are tardy for personal reasons, this is considered unexcused by the state of California.
  • Remember to bring a doctor’s note. Vacations, dentist, and doctor visits should be scheduled during our breaks whenever possible.
  • If your child misses school, they are missing out on important learning! 
  • Our school staff will be scheduling SART (School Attendance Review Team) meetings with parents/guardians, calling home, and doing home visits for students who are chronically absent (missing 10% of school or excessive tardies).
  • Thank you for helping to get your child to school every day and one time!

Volunteers Still Needed

  • Allen’s PTC needs volunteers to help run its events. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 or our PTC President at galbertinibennett@gmail.com.
  • Allen is expanding its Garden Committee! If you would like to help out maintaining our gardens, please leave your information with the front office staff.
  • We need parent and community volunteers to help monitor student safety on the sidewalks around our school at drop off and dismissal time! Our Eagle Eye volunteers work with school staff to serve as an extra set of eyes to keep kids safe outside of our school gates. Any interested volunteers should contact Mr. Greenwell or Ms. Reza in the office or call (619) 479-3662.

All volunteers are allowed to volunteer inside the classroom and school buildings after having completed the required training with the school principal and meeting the District’s volunteer requirements. See below for these requirements:

REQUIRED ITEMS:

  • Proof of TB
  • RAPTOR I.D. Scan
  • Fingerprint Clearance – DOJ & FBI

Note that COVID-19 testing requirements have been lifted by CDPH. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 to be put on the volunteer list and to schedule a volunteer training with the school principal.

Zone Transfers & Registration Information

If Allen Elementary is not your school of residence, please complete this Zone Transfer (or ZT) process ASAP to keep your child at our school, or families risk losing their child’s spot at our school if a new family moves into the neighborhood. Please also remember that a Zone Transfer or Intradistrict Transfer may be denied if a child’s behavior or attendance require improvement.

NEW STUDENT registration began on February 15 online for the following:

  • Kindergartners who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023.
  • NEW students in grades 1st through 6th 
  • All registrations will take place online. There will be no paper packets. To register please visit our district website beginning on February 15: www.cvesd.org

Allen Elementary has plenty of space in our Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten classes for next year, but has limited openings in our upper grades. Please contact our office for questions about space availability at (619) 479-3662. More information is posted on our district’s website at www.cvesd.org.

  • Please note:
    • TK students will not need a renewal zone transfer link as they will need to register at their neighborhood school for Kindergarten. Our district’s Early Childhood Education department supports Preschool and TK enrollment. Please contact them directly at (619) 425-9600 Ext.181725.
    • The Renewal Zone Transfer Form is independent of the “New Zone Transfer Form.”
    • Students who will be transitioning to Sweetwater Union High School District for seventh grade (middle school) do not need to notify CVESD about this, but will need to complete registration processes with that district via https://www.sweetwaterschools.org/.

Preschool Enrollment and Early Childhood Education

Are you considering enrolling your child in preschool? Look no further! Allen Elementary offers a free preschool program for qualifying families that live in San Diego County. Learn more and enroll your child today at http://cvesd.org/preschool.

Free Campus Clinic Health Services

Families may come to the school office, Monday- Friday, between 8 am and 3:30 pm to receive a free COVID-19 home antigen test. The testing is not required. Please report all positive cases to our school office at (619) 479-3662.

Campus Clinic has partnered with the Chula Vista Elementary School District and Allen Elementary to provide free or low-cost services to staff and students for the convenience of our community. Services offered include:

  • Vision and Hearing screenings as part of Preventative wellness visits
  • Annual Well Visits 
  • Anxiety and depression screenings
  • Mental health services including group therapy
  • Diagnostic testing (flu, strep, COVID-19, etc)
  • Immunizations

A new mental wellness program is now available. This program is designed for students aged 8 years & older. Campus Clinic allows parents to schedule one-on-one visits with a licensed provider. Parents are encouraged to attend the first visit via telehealth, and then schedule 12 additional 30-minute sessions between their student and the provider either in person at the designated location in the school or via telehealth.

Families do have the opportunity to continue these visits through summer & holidays as well. Visits are billed through insurance (the cost of the program is generally covered by insurance providers including Medi-Cal & private insurance companies).

This program will be rolled out at Allen Elementary soon. See the flyer below:

Weekly, voluntary COVID-19, flu, and RSV testing will continue on our school campus via Campus Clinic each week. Parents and legal guardians must opt-in to the program and no child will be tested without proper consent. If families would like to watch a video on the registration process, they can visit: https://campusclinic.org/how-to/. For community testing at the kiosks, individuals will need to register on-site. You only need to register one time for a test through the kiosk. Again, for this free testing support, please email: support@campusclinic.org.

This combo test is designed to provide results for symptomatic individuals for some of the most common illnesses, such as Flu A, Flu B, RSV, and COVID-19. This testing is provided at no-cost or free to families, but Campus Clinic is required by the state of California to collect insurance information. Campus Clinic will also be providing other essential public health services on our campus in the coming weeks.

MedLab2020 may call or email families to verify insurance information for individuals who have tested with Campus Clinic previously. MedLab2020 is the lab that Campus Clinic partners with to process COVID-19 PCR & flu combo tests administered through weekly in school testing, as well as at the four kiosks throughout the district. They are part of the letterhead on most of the results sent out. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to the Campus Success Team.

Campus Clinic now provides access to licensed healthcare providers available via telehealth for follow-up visits and care. Following a positive flu or COVID test result, patients will receive a link in their email that gives them the opportunity to schedule with a provider to receive further care or ask any questions they may have.

Learn more about this and other additional services on the website: campusclinic.org. Allen Elementary is proud to partner with Campus Clinic! Watch the video below:


If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information above, please call or email our Campus Success team.

Campus Success; 8:00am -4:00pm PST
855.286.2577
support@campusclinic.org
www.campusclinic.org

Health and Safety

There are currently no mandate for COVID-19 vaccines, nor a mandate for masks in the state of California. Please understand that the state of California may (in the future) require children to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to attend a public school, just as they already do for other diseases (polio, mumps, rubella, etc..). This decision is not a school-based or district-based decision, but rather a state government decision.

Masks, although not required at this time, are encouraged for all staff, students, parents, and visitors while indoors on campus.

  • There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses in any public place where people are present. The school and district strive to reduce this impact to staff, students, and families.
  • It is a current public health recommendation for all eligible people to get COVID-19 booster shots.

If your child has a chronic health condition, such as allergies or asthma, please contact the school office and download the form below to have your child’s doctor complete and send it back to the school’s nurse. We recommend doing this in advance of a child showing symptoms.

If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If any person (regardless of vaccination status) presents with symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, that person will be immediately sent home. All schools in CVESD must follow the latest County of San Diego COVID-19 Decision Tree (see below) for persons with symptoms associated with COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 and should stay home:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

*** Please see the latest COVID-19 Decision Tree here: LINK to Newest Decision Tree

Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) Corner

Visit the PTC website at AllenPTC.org to become a member of the PTC and make a donation to support the latest initiative at the school. Allen’s PTC is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the school’s educational mission through funding programs and initiatives.

Please help support Allen’s PTC and our school by joining as a member of the Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club.

The standing PTC Meeting link is here: PTC MEETING LINK 2022-2023

Meetings for Families & Staff

Allen School needs parents and legal guardians to support our school through important parent groups, such as the PTC (Parent Teacher Club), the School Site Council (often referred to as SSC), and the English Language Advisory Committee (often referred to as ELAC). The site-based groups work with the Principal, staff, and other community members to ensure that community voice is part of the shared decision making process of a public school.

Family First Friday Meeting

The first Friday of every month is usually reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Family First Friday will be on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 8 am to 9 am. This meeting will be in person at school with a coffee cart available in front of the school. Our Allen PTC will also have their monthly Spirit Gear Booth with great items for sale!

We encourage parents and legal guardians to join this meeting with a free cup of hot coffee or a cold cup of cold brew on nitro and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year and meet other amazing Allen families.

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting will tentatively be on August 7, 2023 at 3 pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings.

School Site Council (SSC)

Ella B. Allen’s next SSC Meeting will tentatively be on August 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm. Please note that if you join early, you’ll be attending the ELAC meeting already in progress. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

All SSC members are welcome to attend ELAC meetings for additional information.

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) is composed of five elected parent/community representatives and five elected staff/teacher representatives. The role of the SSC is to develop, approve, and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement.

With a few exceptions, meetings are held the second Monday of every month. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.

Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting

Allen’s PTC usually meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Link: via this link. The next PTC meeting is June 5 at 6 pm. Please also check out the new PTC website to become a member and make a donation: AllenPTC.org

CVESD Board of Education Meeting

The district’s Board of Education meetings are also being held online and generally occur the second Wednesday of each month. The next regularly scheduled CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, May 24 at 6 pm. Limited in-person access is permitted, but check the district’s website for more information on this.

To access these public meetings, please click the link here: https://www.cvesd.org/board_of_education/board_meetings

CVESD DAC/DELAC Meeting

District Advisory Council (DAC)

The DAC is composed of parent and staff representatives from each School Site Council. It meets regularly during the school year in open public forum to share information, study instructional issues, approve school planning schedules, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on specific items. District meetings take place once a month, mid-afternoon. Most meetings occur on Tuesdays from 12 – 2 pm, with a parent training beforehand. This is an elected position to serve a one-year term.

District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

The district will continue to conduct all meetings online until further notice, including all DAC/DELAC meetings. DAC is the District Advisory Committee. DELAC is the District English Learner Advisory Committee. Both of these groups are designed to support and inform parents in a shared communication setting with the district. Parents learn with other parents and district leadership at the DAC/DELAC meetings.

The next DAC/DELAC Meeting will be in August 2023 (date: TBD) at 12 noon. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

The link below contains a schedule of all DAC/DELAC meetings for the upcoming school year. I recommend all parents download this schedule if they are interested in learning more about theses district meetings: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/dac-delac

CVESD B-LAC Meeting

District Black Learners Advisory Council (B-LAC)

The B-LAC is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The B-LAC provides and monitors the ongoing support for Black/African American students and families in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure unbiased practices/policies, equitable educational outcomes, and equal access to a quality education. The group meets regularly during the school year, once a month. Most meetings occur on Thursdays from 6 – 7 pm. The next meeting will be at the start of the 2023-2024 school year and will be in person at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913). For more information and to download the schedule of these meetings, clink the link: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/black-learners-advisory-council—b–lac

CVESD BAC Meeting

District Budget Advisory Council (CVESD BAC)

The District’s Budget Advisory Council (BAC) is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The BAC monitors the financial statements and fiduciary obligations of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD). Although it usually only meets 5 – 6 times a year, the BAC’s meetings are useful in understanding how state and federal monies support student learning at a local level. May 25 at 6 pm is the next BAC meeting. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

Academic Calendar for the 2023-2024 School Year

Our Board of Education has approved our 2023-2024 School Calendar. Please also use this document to plan and schedule family outings, vacations, and other important appointments in preparation for the upcoming school year. Excellent attendance is important in student success! Find that document in the file below…

Students in our district will end the current academic year on Friday, June 2, 2023. The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Allen Elementary is proud to be a Kindness Certified School again in 2023!

Be well Eagles! As a California public school, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and get the COVID-19 vaccine (and/or booster shots), as well as to test regularly. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our number 1 concern!

🦅  Allen Eagles: Together, we SOAR!

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Sunday Update (14 May 2023)

Hello Allen Families and Staff,

Throughout the month of May, Allen Elementary and the Chula Vista Elementary School District celebrate AAPI Heritage Month!

State and district assessments continue for this last week. While some grade levels have finished, others are only halfway done. It is important that your child attends school everyday and on time during testing season as students are far more likely to do better testing with the rest of the students in their class. Although not every child will be testing every day, please remind your child to use a quieter voice and be respectful at school as they move about the hallways, including at recess and lunch.

Kindly contact the school principal before your child’s testing begins if you have any questions or concerns about state and district assessments at (619) 479-3662.

Our school’s testing schedule is below:

If you have questions for our staff or need assistance, please call at at (619) 479-3662. Office hours are 8 am to 3:30 pm, M-F.

Have you downloaded the Family Handbook for 2022-2023? Kindly review this periodically with your child.

https://allenelementary.org/family-handbook/

Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week

Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for this upcoming week at the YouTube link below:

Please download our Q4 Calendar of Events here:

Do you receive School Messenger emails and communication from our district? Be sure to check www.cvesd.org and bookmark our district’s website and follow its social media:

Please see our 2022-2023 Family Handbook here: Link to Family Handbook

A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:

Allen’s Core Values
Allen’s Common Courtesies

The Core Value for this upcoming week of school is Caring. The Common Courtesy for this week is Please.

Students may earn an Allen Eagle Ticket for demonstrating the Core Values and Common Courtesies each day. Students can redeem these tickets at the Eagle’s Nest Store at the end of each quarter of the school year. Our staff is always looking for ways to celebrate our students!

Kindness counts! Wondering how to support children if they experience a problem with another student? We suggest:

  • Use “I feel…” statements to express yourself clearly.
  • Set boundaries by saying “I don’t like that…” or “Please stop!”
  • Move away from the student you have conflict with and…
  • Seek help from an adult nearby.

Our staff prides itself in actively monitoring students at all times. What our staff has noticed is that students are learning how to interact with one another and having some problems or conflict. This is not bullying. It may be due to trauma and other sudden social-emotional issues with a child. What is bullying? See the helpful graphic below:

If you have a concern about another child’s behaviors impacting your child, we suggest you first contact your child’s teacher. Afterwards, please see this page here. It’s our District’s Anti-Bullying page.

If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.

A Look Ahead:

Thursday, May 18, 2023 – Allen Volunteer Appreciation Event at 8 am in Media Center/Library

Friday, May 19, 2023 – Allen Music Festival (adults-only, 21+ event) at CV Golf Course, 6 to 10 pm

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

  • Allen Elementary’s Variety Show at 5:30 pm in the MPR
  • CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, May 25, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades 3, 4, 5, and 800 building at 9 am

Friday, May 26, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades TK-2 at 9 am

Monday, May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 – Spirit Day (TBD)

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – Dan Way’s Field Day at Allen

Thursday, June 1, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:15 am
  • First day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Friday, June 2, 2023

  • Last Day of School (2 pm dismissal)
  • Kindergarten Celebration at 10 am
  • TK Celebration at 10:30 am

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – First Day of School (all students in grades TK-6 dismiss at 2 pm)

Thursday, July 20, 2023 – Kindergarten and TK students dismiss at 2 pm

Friday, July 21, 2023 – Family First Friday (8 – 9 am) with free coffee for adults and the return of the PTC Spirit Booth

El Pollo Grill Fundraiser

Join us at either location of the El Pollo Grill as a portion of the funds raised when you mention “Allen Elementary’s 6th grade fundraiser” supports our end of the year activities! Note that you may show them a digital copy of the flyer, but they will not accept a paper version.

Hanover Survey

The Chula Vista Elementary School District prioritizes our school communities’ opinions, perceptions, and needs. The District is partnering with Hanover Research to conduct a short survey to help us understand how the current school year has been and the priorities and needs for the 2023-24 school year. The confidential survey link will be sent out on Tuesday, May 9, and will stay open until May 23, 2023.

Please be on the lookout for the link later this week and take the time to participate in the short survey.

Yearbooks

Yearbooks are now for sale for the 2022-2023 school year! Please purchase yours in advance by ordering it online. Click the flyer below to see the cost and scan the QR code to purchase your yearbook in advance. You can also use this link: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/allenelementaryschool

Soft cover yearbooks are $22 and hard cover yearbooks are $30.

A very limited number of yearbooks will be printed this year so be sure to reserve your copy now! Please order all yearbooks before May 15, 2023!

FREE Full-Day Summer Program

The District’s Junior Academy Program has partnered with the YMCA of San Diego County to offer students in TK-6th grade a FREE full-day Summer program.

The Junior Academy Program will offer a wide variety of academic and fun enrichment activities, field trips, and meals (breakfast, lunch, and snacks). The Junior Academy Program is funded through the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. All families are welcome to apply for this fantastic opportunity, with priority given to our neediest students (homeless and foster students). After the highest priority students are registered, students will be enrolled on a first-come, first-serve basis. If selected, families will receive an email to secure their spot by Friday, May 5, to complete the online registration form by Friday, May 12.  

Junior Academy Program:

  • Dates: June 7 through July 7, 2023
    • Closed: June 19, July 3, and July 4
  • Locations: Chula Vista Hills, Cook, Harborside, and Jeffers
  • Hours of Operation: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm

Enrollment Information:

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Expanded Learning Program Specialist, Priscilla Garza, at priscilla.garza@cvesd.org.

Allen Music Festival

Friday, May 19, 2023 from 6 pm to 10 pm is the return of our annual Allen Music festival! This will be at the Chula Vista Golf Course. Join us for an adults-only (21+) event off campus featuring local brews, live bands, dancing, and great food!

This event serves as an important fundraiser to help support our school’s programs by funding field trips, arts instruction, materials, and playground equipment for our school!

Buy your tickets now at www.allenmusicfestival.com! We strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance.

Please contact the PTC if you’d like to volunteer for this event.

SciTech Challenge and Family Science Night

Thank you to everyone who visited our Family Science Night on Friday! Thank you to the Fleet Science Center and our volunteers for helping lead the hands-on activities that evening.

A HUGE shout out to our school’s Sci Tech teams!  One team from Allen won an honorable mention and another won 2nd place overall at Saturday’s Sci Tech Challenge.  Students had to design a structure over 4 feet tall that would sustain a simulated earthquake of 1 minute.  Thank you to Ms. Farlow for coaching this group! Read more from the article in the San Diego Union Tribune here:

Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament

If you enjoyed Allen Elementary’s PTC Charity Golf Tournament, you will love the Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament, called the Heroes for Children Golf Classic. See the flyer below for more information:

Attendance Matters!

Attendance is important! Allen Elementary celebrates excellent attendance as it sets students up for success!

Students attending Allen on a Zone Transfer may be denied if a student has a poor attendance record or behavior concerns.

Did you know that if your child is out of school for five or more days, you can request an independent study contract? If an independent study contract is completed, your child receives attendance credit. For more information, you can contact Ms. Baptista in the front office at (619) 479-3662.

  • LET’S CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR ATTENDANCE AT ALLEN!
  • Students should only miss school if they are sick. Those with symptoms can return with a negative COVID-19 test, no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, and symptoms improving. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BE SYMPTOM-FREE to attend school. We have plenty of rapid tests at school: just ask in the office. If you have a special circumstance and need an independent study, please let us know.
  • Please make sure your child is at school by 8:45 am and lined up on the blacktop. If they arrive to campus after 8:50 am, they will be marked tardy.
  • We begin a secure campus at 8:50 am. Parents/guardians must exit promptly at 8:50. Thank you.
  • Students can arrive as early as 8:20 am when our school’s gates open. There is no supervision for students prior to 8:20 am.
  • FREE breakfast is served from 8:20 am to 8:45 am. All meals are eaten at the lunch arbor outside, rain or shine.
  • If your child is absent, it is very important to call the office to report the reason for the absence.
  • Absences that are not reported will be considered UNEXCUSED. After 3 unexcused absences and/or tardies you will receive a truancy letter.
  • If you pick up your child early and/or they are tardy for personal reasons, this is considered unexcused by the state of California.
  • Remember to bring a doctor’s note. Vacations, dentist, and doctor visits should be scheduled during our breaks whenever possible.
  • If your child misses school, they are missing out on important learning! 
  • Our school staff will be scheduling SART (School Attendance Review Team) meetings with parents/guardians, calling home, and doing home visits for students who are chronically absent (missing 10% of school or excessive tardies).
  • Thank you for helping to get your child to school every day and one time!

Volunteers Still Needed

  • Allen’s PTC needs volunteers to help run its events. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 or our PTC President at galbertinibennett@gmail.com.
  • Allen is expanding its Garden Committee! If you would like to help out maintaining our gardens, please leave your information with the front office staff.
  • We need parent and community volunteers to help monitor student safety on the sidewalks around our school at drop off and dismissal time! Our Eagle Eye volunteers work with school staff to serve as an extra set of eyes to keep kids safe outside of our school gates. Any interested volunteers should contact Mr. Greenwell or Ms. Reza in the office or call (619) 479-3662.

All volunteers are allowed to volunteer inside the classroom and school buildings after having completed the required training with the school principal and meeting the District’s volunteer requirements. See below for these requirements:

REQUIRED ITEMS:

  • Proof of TB
  • RAPTOR I.D. Scan
  • Fingerprint Clearance – DOJ & FBI

Note that COVID-19 testing requirements have been lifted by CDPH. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 to be put on the volunteer list and to schedule a volunteer training with the school principal.

Zone Transfers & Registration Information

If Allen Elementary is not your school of residence, please complete this Zone Transfer (or ZT) process ASAP to keep your child at our school, or families risk losing their child’s spot at our school if a new family moves into the neighborhood. Please also remember that a Zone Transfer or Intradistrict Transfer may be denied if a child’s behavior or attendance require improvement.

NEW STUDENT registration began on February 15 online for the following:

  • Kindergartners who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023.
  • NEW students in grades 1st through 6th 
  • All registrations will take place online. There will be no paper packets. To register please visit our district website beginning on February 15: www.cvesd.org

Allen Elementary has plenty of space in our Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten classes for next year, but has limited openings in our upper grades. Please contact our office for questions about space availability at (619) 479-3662. More information is posted on our district’s website at www.cvesd.org.

  • Please note:
    • TK students will not need a renewal zone transfer link as they will need to register at their neighborhood school for Kindergarten. Our district’s Early Childhood Education department supports Preschool and TK enrollment. Please contact them directly at (619) 425-9600 Ext.181725.
    • The Renewal Zone Transfer Form is independent of the “New Zone Transfer Form.”
    • Students who will be transitioning to Sweetwater Union High School District for seventh grade (middle school) do not need to notify CVESD about this, but will need to complete registration processes with that district via https://www.sweetwaterschools.org/.

Preschool Enrollment and Early Childhood Education

Are you considering enrolling your child in preschool? Look no further! Allen Elementary offers a free preschool program for qualifying families that live in San Diego County. Learn more and enroll your child today at http://cvesd.org/preschool.

Free Campus Clinic Health Services

Families may come to the school office, Monday- Friday, between 8 am and 3:30 pm to receive a free COVID-19 home antigen test. The testing is not required. Please report all positive cases to our school office at (619) 479-3662.

Campus Clinic has partnered with the Chula Vista Elementary School District and Allen Elementary to provide free or low-cost services to staff and students for the convenience of our community. Services offered include:

  • Vision and Hearing screenings as part of Preventative wellness visits
  • Annual Well Visits 
  • Anxiety and depression screenings
  • Mental health services including group therapy
  • Diagnostic testing (flu, strep, COVID-19, etc)
  • Immunizations

A new mental wellness program is now available. This program is designed for students aged 8 years & older. Campus Clinic allows parents to schedule one-on-one visits with a licensed provider. Parents are encouraged to attend the first visit via telehealth, and then schedule 12 additional 30-minute sessions between their student and the provider either in person at the designated location in the school or via telehealth.

Families do have the opportunity to continue these visits through summer & holidays as well. Visits are billed through insurance (the cost of the program is generally covered by insurance providers including Medi-Cal & private insurance companies).

This program will be rolled out at Allen Elementary soon. See the flyer below:

Weekly, voluntary COVID-19, flu, and RSV testing will continue on our school campus via Campus Clinic each week. Parents and legal guardians must opt-in to the program and no child will be tested without proper consent. If families would like to watch a video on the registration process, they can visit: https://campusclinic.org/how-to/. For community testing at the kiosks, individuals will need to register on-site. You only need to register one time for a test through the kiosk. Again, for this free testing support, please email: support@campusclinic.org.

This combo test is designed to provide results for symptomatic individuals for some of the most common illnesses, such as Flu A, Flu B, RSV, and COVID-19. This testing is provided at no-cost or free to families, but Campus Clinic is required by the state of California to collect insurance information. Campus Clinic will also be providing other essential public health services on our campus in the coming weeks.

MedLab2020 may call or email families to verify insurance information for individuals who have tested with Campus Clinic previously. MedLab2020 is the lab that Campus Clinic partners with to process COVID-19 PCR & flu combo tests administered through weekly in school testing, as well as at the four kiosks throughout the district. They are part of the letterhead on most of the results sent out. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to the Campus Success Team.

Campus Clinic now provides access to licensed healthcare providers available via telehealth for follow-up visits and care. Following a positive flu or COVID test result, patients will receive a link in their email that gives them the opportunity to schedule with a provider to receive further care or ask any questions they may have.

Learn more about this and other additional services on the website: campusclinic.org. Allen Elementary is proud to partner with Campus Clinic! Watch the video below:


If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information above, please call or email our Campus Success team.

Campus Success; 8:00am -4:00pm PST
855.286.2577
support@campusclinic.org
www.campusclinic.org

Health and Safety

There are currently no mandate for COVID-19 vaccines, nor a mandate for masks in the state of California. Please understand that the state of California may (in the future) require children to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to attend a public school, just as they already do for other diseases (polio, mumps, rubella, etc..). This decision is not a school-based or district-based decision, but rather a state government decision.

Masks, although not required at this time, are encouraged for all staff, students, parents, and visitors while indoors on campus.

  • There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses in any public place where people are present. The school and district strive to reduce this impact to staff, students, and families.
  • It is a current public health recommendation for all eligible people to get COVID-19 booster shots.

If your child has a chronic health condition, such as allergies or asthma, please contact the school office and download the form below to have your child’s doctor complete and send it back to the school’s nurse. We recommend doing this in advance of a child showing symptoms.

If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If any person (regardless of vaccination status) presents with symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, that person will be immediately sent home. All schools in CVESD must follow the latest County of San Diego COVID-19 Decision Tree (see below) for persons with symptoms associated with COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 and should stay home:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

*** Please see the latest COVID-19 Decision Tree here: LINK to Newest Decision Tree

Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) Corner

Visit the PTC website at AllenPTC.org to become a member of the PTC and make a donation to support the latest initiative at the school. Allen’s PTC is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the school’s educational mission through funding programs and initiatives.

Please help support Allen’s PTC and our school by joining as a member of the Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club.

The standing PTC Meeting link is here: PTC MEETING LINK 2022-2023

Meetings for Families & Staff

Allen School needs parents and legal guardians to support our school through important parent groups, such as the PTC (Parent Teacher Club), the School Site Council (often referred to as SSC), and the English Language Advisory Committee (often referred to as ELAC). The site-based groups work with the Principal, staff, and other community members to ensure that community voice is part of the shared decision making process of a public school.

Family First Friday Meeting

The first Friday of every month is usually reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Family First Friday will be on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 8 am to 9 am. This meeting will be in person at school with a coffee cart available in front of the school. Our Allen PTC will also have their monthly Spirit Gear Booth with great items for sale!

We encourage parents and legal guardians to join this meeting with a free cup of hot coffee or a cold cup of cold brew on nitro and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year and meet other amazing Allen families.

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting will tentatively be on August 7, 2023 at 3 pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings.

School Site Council (SSC)

Ella B. Allen’s next SSC Meeting will tentatively be on August 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm. Please note that if you join early, you’ll be attending the ELAC meeting already in progress. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

All SSC members are welcome to attend ELAC meetings for additional information.

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) is composed of five elected parent/community representatives and five elected staff/teacher representatives. The role of the SSC is to develop, approve, and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement.

With a few exceptions, meetings are held the second Monday of every month. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.

Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting

Allen’s PTC usually meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Link: via this link. The next PTC meeting is June 5 at 6 pm. Please also check out the new PTC website to become a member and make a donation: AllenPTC.org

CVESD Board of Education Meeting

The district’s Board of Education meetings are also being held online and generally occur the second Wednesday of each month. The next regularly scheduled CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, May 24 at 6 pm. Limited in-person access is permitted, but check the district’s website for more information on this.

To access these public meetings, please click the link here: https://www.cvesd.org/board_of_education/board_meetings

CVESD DAC/DELAC Meeting

District Advisory Council (DAC)

The DAC is composed of parent and staff representatives from each School Site Council. It meets regularly during the school year in open public forum to share information, study instructional issues, approve school planning schedules, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on specific items. District meetings take place once a month, mid-afternoon. Most meetings occur on Tuesdays from 12 – 2 pm, with a parent training beforehand. This is an elected position to serve a one-year term.

District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

The district will continue to conduct all meetings online until further notice, including all DAC/DELAC meetings. DAC is the District Advisory Committee. DELAC is the District English Learner Advisory Committee. Both of these groups are designed to support and inform parents in a shared communication setting with the district. Parents learn with other parents and district leadership at the DAC/DELAC meetings.

The next DAC/DELAC Meeting will be on in August 2023 (date: TBD) at 12 noon. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

The link below contains a schedule of all DAC/DELAC meetings for the upcoming school year. I recommend all parents download this schedule if they are interested in learning more about theses district meetings: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/dac-delac

CVESD B-LAC Meeting

District Black Learners Advisory Council (B-LAC)

The B-LAC is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The B-LAC provides and monitors the ongoing support for Black/African American students and families in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure unbiased practices/policies, equitable educational outcomes, and equal access to a quality education. The group meets regularly during the school year, once a month. Most meetings occur on Thursdays from 6 – 7 pm. The next meeting is May 18 at 6 pm and will be in person at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913). For more information and to download the schedule of these meetings, clink the link: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/black-learners-advisory-council—b–lac

CVESD BAC Meeting

District Budget Advisory Council (CVESD BAC)

The District’s Budget Advisory Council (BAC) is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The BAC monitors the financial statements and fiduciary obligations of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD). Although it usually only meets 5 – 6 times a year, the BAC’s meetings are useful in understanding how state and federal monies support student learning at a local level. May 25 at 6 pm is the next BAC meeting. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

Academic Calendar for the 2023-2024 School Year

Our Board of Education has approved our 2023-2024 School Calendar as well. Please also use this document to plan and schedule family outings, vacations, and other important appointments in preparation for the upcoming school year. Excellent attendance is important in student success! Find that document in the file below…

Students in our district will end the current academic year on Friday, June 2, 2023. The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Allen Elementary is proud to be a Kindness Certified School again in 2023!

Be well Eagles! As a California public school, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and get the COVID-19 vaccine (and/or booster shots), as well as to test regularly. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our number 1 concern!

🦅  Allen Eagles: Together, we SOAR!

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Sunday Update (7 May 2023)

Hello Allen Families and Staff,

On behalf of the entire school staff, we wanted to thank you to our community for your generosity and thoughtfulness during our PTC’s Staff Appreciation Week. We were overwhelmed with the outpouring of signs of affection for our team (sweets, food, notes, etc…).

We certainly felt very appreciated.

Throughout the month of May, Allen Elementary and the Chula Vista Elementary School District celebrate AAPI Heritage Month!

State and district assessments continue into next week. It is important that your child attends school everyday and on time during testing season as students are far more likely to do better testing with the rest of the students in their class. Although not every child will be testing every day, please remind your child to use a quieter voice and be respectful at school as they move about the hallways, including at recess and lunch.

Kindly contact the school principal before your child’s testing begins if you have any questions or concerns about state and district assessments at (619) 479-3662.

Our school’s testing schedule is below:

If you have questions for our staff or need assistance, please call at at (619) 479-3662. Office hours are 8 am to 3:30 pm, M-F.

Have you downloaded the Family Handbook for 2022-2023? Kindly review this periodically with your child.

https://allenelementary.org/family-handbook/

Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week

Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for this upcoming week at the YouTube link below:

Please download our Q4 Calendar of Events here:

Do you receive School Messenger emails and communication from our district? Be sure to check www.cvesd.org and bookmark our district’s website and follow its social media:

Please see our 2022-2023 Family Handbook here: Link to Family Handbook

A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:

Allen’s Core Values
Allen’s Common Courtesies

The Core Value for this upcoming week of school is Responsibility. The Common Courtesy for this week is Excuse me…

Students may earn an Allen Eagle Ticket for demonstrating the Core Values and Common Courtesies each day. Students can redeem these tickets at the Eagle’s Nest Store at the end of each quarter of the school year. Our staff is always looking for ways to celebrate our students!

Kindness counts! Wondering how to support children if they experience a problem with another student? We suggest:

  • Use “I feel…” statements to express yourself clearly.
  • Set boundaries by saying “I don’t like that…” or “Please stop!”
  • Move away from the student you have conflict with and…
  • Seek help from an adult nearby.

Our staff prides itself in actively monitoring students at all times. What our staff has noticed is that students are learning how to interact with one another and having some problems or conflict. This is not bullying. It may be due to trauma and other sudden social-emotional issues with a child. What is bullying? See the helpful graphic below:

If you have a concern about another child’s behaviors impacting your child, we suggest you first contact your child’s teacher. Afterwards, please see this page here. It’s our District’s Anti-Bullying page.

If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.

A Look Ahead:

Monday, May 8, 2023 – Parent Meetings online and in person (in school’s MPR)

  • ELAC at 3 pm [ELAC LINK here]
  • SSC at 3:30 pm [SSC LINK here]
  • PTC at 6 pm PTC Link HERE]

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

  • CVESD DAC/DELAC 12 noon to 2 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista
  • Allen Basketball versus Valley Vista at 4 pm at Rohr Park

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 – Second grade field trip to the Zoo

Thursday, May 11, 2023 – Allen Soccer versus Valley Vista at Clearview Elementary School at 4:15 pm

Friday, May 12, 2023 – Family Science and Engineering Night at Allen from 5 to 6 pm

Thursday, May 18, 2023 – Allen Volunteer Appreciation Event at 8 am in Media Center

Friday, May 19, 2023 – Allen Music Festival (adults-only) at CV Golf Course, 6 to 10 pm

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

  • Allen Elementary’s Variety Show at 5:30 pm in the MPR
  • CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, May 25, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades 3, 4, 5, and 800 building at 9 am

Friday, May 26, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades TK-2 at 9 am

Monday, May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

Thursday, June 1, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:15 am
  • Kindergarten field trip to the Zoo
  • First day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Friday, June 2, 2023

  • Last Day of School (2 pm dismissal)
  • Kindergarten Celebration at 10 am

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – First Day of School (all students in grades TK-6 dismiss at 2 pm)

Thursday, July 20, 2023 – Kindergarten and TK students dismiss at 2 pm

Friday, July 21, 2023 – Family First Friday (8 – 9 am) with free coffee for adults and the return of the PTC Spirit Booth

Hanover Survey

The Chula Vista Elementary School District prioritizes our school communities’ opinions, perceptions, and needs. The District is partnering with Hanover Research to conduct a short survey to help us understand how the current school year has been and the priorities and needs for the 2023-24 school year. The confidential survey link will be sent out on Tuesday, May 9, and will stay open until May 23, 2023.

Please be on the lookout for the link later this week and take the time to participate in the short survey.

Yearbooks

Yearbooks are now for sale for the 2022-2023 school year! Please purchase yours in advance by ordering it online. Click the flyer below to see the cost and scan the QR code to purchase your yearbook in advance. You can also use this link: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/allenelementaryschool

Soft cover yearbooks are $22 and hard cover yearbooks are $30.

A very limited number of yearbooks will be printed this year so be sure to reserve your copy now! Please order all yearbooks before May 15, 2023!

Family Science Night

Family Science Night is free fun for the whole family at Allen on Friday, May 12, 2023 from 5 to 6:30 pm! See the flyer below for more information.

Allen Music Festival

Friday, May 19, 2023 from 6 pm to 10 pm is the return of our annual Allen Music festival! This will be at the Chula Vista Golf Course. Join us for an adults-only (21+) event off campus featuring local brews, live bands, dancing, and great food!

This event serves as an important fundraiser to help support our school’s programs by funding field trips, arts instruction, materials, and playground equipment for our school!

Buy your tickets now at www.allenmusicfestival.com! We strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance.

Please contact the PTC if you’d like to volunteer for this event.

SciTech Challenge

A HUGE shout out to our school’s Sci Tech teams!  One team from Allen won an honorable mention and another won 2nd place overall at Saturday’s Sci Tech Challenge.  Students had to design a structure over 4 feet tall that would sustain a simulated earthquake of 1 minute.  Thank you to Ms. Farlow for coaching this group! Read more from the article in the San Diego Union Tribune here:

Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament

If you enjoyed Allen Elementary’s PTC Charity Golf Tournament, you will love the Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament, called the Heroes for Children Golf Classic. See the flyer below for more information:

Attendance Matters!

Attendance is important! Allen Elementary celebrates excellent attendance as it sets students up for success!

Students attending Allen on a Zone Transfer may be denied if a student has a poor attendance record or behavior concerns.

Did you know that if your child is out of school for five or more days, you can request an independent study contract? If an independent study contract is completed, your child receives attendance credit. For more information, you can contact Ms. Baptista in the front office at (619) 479-3662.

  • LET’S CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR ATTENDANCE AT ALLEN!
  • Students should only miss school if they are sick. Those with symptoms can return with a negative COVID-19 test, no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, and symptoms improving. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BE SYMPTOM-FREE to attend school. We have plenty of rapid tests at school: just ask in the office. If you have a special circumstance and need an independent study, please let us know.
  • Please make sure your child is at school by 8:45 am and lined up on the blacktop. If they arrive to campus after 8:50 am, they will be marked tardy.
  • We begin a secure campus at 8:50 am. Parents/guardians must exit promptly at 8:50. Thank you.
  • Students can arrive as early as 8:20 am when our school’s gates open. There is no supervision for students prior to 8:20 am.
  • FREE breakfast is served from 8:20 am to 8:45 am. All meals are eaten at the lunch arbor outside, rain or shine.
  • If your child is absent, it is very important to call the office to report the reason for the absence.
  • Absences that are not reported will be considered UNEXCUSED. After 3 unexcused absences and/or tardies you will receive a truancy letter.
  • If you pick up your child early and/or they are tardy for personal reasons, this is considered unexcused by the state of California.
  • Remember to bring a doctor’s note. Vacations, dentist, and doctor visits should be scheduled during our breaks whenever possible.
  • If your child misses school, they are missing out on important learning! 
  • Our school staff will be scheduling SART (School Attendance Review Team) meetings with parents/guardians, calling home, and doing home visits for students who are chronically absent (missing 10% of school or excessive tardies).
  • Thank you for helping to get your child to school every day and one time!

Volunteers Still Needed

  • Allen’s PTC needs volunteers to help run its events. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 or our PTC President at galbertinibennett@gmail.com.
  • Allen is expanding its Garden Committee! If you would like to help out maintaining our gardens, please leave your information with the front office staff.
  • We need parent and community volunteers to help monitor student safety on the sidewalks around our school at drop off and dismissal time! Our Eagle Eye volunteers work with school staff to serve as an extra set of eyes to keep kids safe outside of our school gates. Any interested volunteers should contact Mr. Greenwell or Ms. Reza in the office or call (619) 479-3662.

All volunteers are allowed to volunteer inside the classroom and school buildings after having completed the required training with the school principal and meeting the District’s volunteer requirements. See below for these requirements:

REQUIRED ITEMS:

  • Proof of TB
  • RAPTOR I.D. Scan
  • Fingerprint Clearance – DOJ & FBI

Note that COVID-19 testing requirements have been lifted by CDPH. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 to be put on the volunteer list and to schedule a volunteer training with the school principal.

Zone Transfers & Registration Information

If Allen Elementary is not your school of residence, please complete this Zone Transfer (or ZT) process ASAP to keep your child at our school, or families risk losing their child’s spot at our school if a new family moves into the neighborhood. Please also remember that a Zone Transfer or Intradistrict Transfer may be denied if a child’s behavior or attendance require improvement.

NEW STUDENT registration began on February 15 online for the following:

  • Kindergartners who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023.
  • NEW students in grades 1st through 6th 
  • All registrations will take place online. There will be no paper packets. To register please visit our district website beginning on February 15: www.cvesd.org

Allen Elementary has plenty of space in our Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten classes for next year, but has limited openings in our upper grades. Please contact our office for questions about space availability at (619) 479-3662. More information is posted on our district’s website at www.cvesd.org.

  • Please note:
    • TK students will not need a renewal zone transfer link as they will need to register at their neighborhood school for Kindergarten. Our district’s Early Childhood Education department supports Preschool and TK enrollment. Please contact them directly at (619) 425-9600 Ext.181725.
    • The Renewal Zone Transfer Form is independent of the “New Zone Transfer Form.”
    • Students who will be transitioning to Sweetwater Union High School District for seventh grade (middle school) do not need to notify CVESD about this, but will need to complete registration processes with that district via https://www.sweetwaterschools.org/.

Preschool Enrollment and Early Childhood Education

Are you considering enrolling your child in preschool? Look no further! Allen Elementary offers a free preschool program for qualifying families that live in San Diego County. Learn more and enroll your child today at http://cvesd.org/preschool.

Free Campus Clinic Health Services

Families may come to the school office, Monday- Friday, between 8 am and 3:30 pm to receive a free COVID-19 home antigen test. The testing is not required. Please report all positive cases to our school office at (619) 479-3662.

Campus Clinic has partnered with the Chula Vista Elementary School District and Allen Elementary to provide free or low-cost services to staff and students for the convenience of our community. Services offered include:

  • Vision and Hearing screenings as part of Preventative wellness visits
  • Annual Well Visits 
  • Anxiety and depression screenings
  • Mental health services including group therapy
  • Diagnostic testing (flu, strep, COVID-19, etc)
  • Immunizations

A new mental wellness program is now available. This program is designed for students aged 8 years & older. Campus Clinic allows parents to schedule one-on-one visits with a licensed provider. Parents are encouraged to attend the first visit via telehealth, and then schedule 12 additional 30-minute sessions between their student and the provider either in person at the designated location in the school or via telehealth.

Families do have the opportunity to continue these visits through summer & holidays as well. Visits are billed through insurance (the cost of the program is generally covered by insurance providers including Medi-Cal & private insurance companies).

This program will be rolled out at Allen Elementary soon. See the flyer below:

Weekly, voluntary COVID-19, flu, and RSV testing will continue on our school campus via Campus Clinic each week. Parents and legal guardians must opt-in to the program and no child will be tested without proper consent. If families would like to watch a video on the registration process, they can visit: https://campusclinic.org/how-to/. For community testing at the kiosks, individuals will need to register on-site. You only need to register one time for a test through the kiosk. Again, for this free testing support, please email: support@campusclinic.org.

This combo test is designed to provide results for symptomatic individuals for some of the most common illnesses, such as Flu A, Flu B, RSV, and COVID-19. This testing is provided at no-cost or free to families, but Campus Clinic is required by the state of California to collect insurance information. Campus Clinic will also be providing other essential public health services on our campus in the coming weeks.

MedLab2020 may call or email families to verify insurance information for individuals who have tested with Campus Clinic previously. MedLab2020 is the lab that Campus Clinic partners with to process COVID-19 PCR & flu combo tests administered through weekly in school testing, as well as at the four kiosks throughout the district. They are part of the letterhead on most of the results sent out. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to the Campus Success Team.

Campus Clinic now provides access to licensed healthcare providers available via telehealth for follow-up visits and care. Following a positive flu or COVID test result, patients will receive a link in their email that gives them the opportunity to schedule with a provider to receive further care or ask any questions they may have.

Learn more about this and other additional services on the website: campusclinic.org. Allen Elementary is proud to partner with Campus Clinic! Watch the video below:


If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information above, please call or email our Campus Success team.

Campus Success; 8:00am -4:00pm PST
855.286.2577
support@campusclinic.org
www.campusclinic.org

Health and Safety

There are currently no mandate for COVID-19 vaccines, nor a mandate for masks in the state of California. Please understand that the state of California may (in the future) require children to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to attend a public school, just as they already do for other diseases (polio, mumps, rubella, etc..). This decision is not a school-based or district-based decision, but rather a state government decision.

Masks, although not required at this time, are encouraged for all staff, students, parents, and visitors while indoors on campus.

  • There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses in any public place where people are present. The school and district strive to reduce this impact to staff, students, and families.
  • It is a current public health recommendation for all eligible people to get COVID-19 booster shots.

If your child has a chronic health condition, such as allergies or asthma, please contact the school office and download the form below to have your child’s doctor complete and send it back to the school’s nurse. We recommend doing this in advance of a child showing symptoms.

If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If any person (regardless of vaccination status) presents with symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, that person will be immediately sent home. All schools in CVESD must follow the latest County of San Diego COVID-19 Decision Tree (see below) for persons with symptoms associated with COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 and should stay home:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

*** Please see the latest COVID-19 Decision Tree here: LINK to Newest Decision Tree

Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) Corner

Visit the PTC website at AllenPTC.org to become a member of the PTC and make a donation to support the latest initiative at the school. Allen’s PTC is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the school’s educational mission through funding programs and initiatives.

Please help support Allen’s PTC and our school by joining as a member of the Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club.

The standing PTC Meeting link is here: PTC MEETING LINK 2022-2023

Meetings for Families & Staff

Allen School needs parents and legal guardians to support our school through important parent groups, such as the PTC (Parent Teacher Club), the School Site Council (often referred to as SSC), and the English Language Advisory Committee (often referred to as ELAC). The site-based groups work with the Principal, staff, and other community members to ensure that community voice is part of the shared decision making process of a public school.

Family First Friday Meeting

The first Friday of every month is usually reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Family First Friday will be on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 8 am to 9 am. This meeting will be in person at school with a coffee cart available in front of the school. Our Allen PTC will also have their monthly Spirit Gear Booth with great items for sale!

We encourage parents and legal guardians to join this meeting with a free cup of hot coffee or a cold cup of cold brew on nitro and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year and meet other amazing Allen families.

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting will be on May 8, 2023 at 3 pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings.

School Site Council (SSC)

Ella B. Allen’s next SSC Meeting will be on May 8, 2023 at 3:30 pm. Please note that if you join early, you’ll be attending the ELAC meeting already in progress. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

All SSC members are welcome to attend ELAC meetings for additional information.

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) is composed of five elected parent/community representatives and five elected staff/teacher representatives. The role of the SSC is to develop, approve, and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement.

With a few exceptions, meetings are held the second Monday of every month. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.

Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting

Allen’s PTC usually meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Link: via this link. The next PTC meeting is May 8 at 6 pm. Please also check out the new PTC website to become a member and make a donation: AllenPTC.org

CVESD Board of Education Meeting

The district’s Board of Education meetings are also being held online and generally occur the second Wednesday of each month. The next regularly scheduled CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, May 24 at 6 pm. Limited in-person access is permitted, but check the district’s website for more information on this.

To access these public meetings, please click the link here: https://www.cvesd.org/board_of_education/board_meetings

CVESD DAC/DELAC Meeting

District Advisory Council (DAC)

The DAC is composed of parent and staff representatives from each School Site Council. It meets regularly during the school year in open public forum to share information, study instructional issues, approve school planning schedules, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on specific items. District meetings take place once a month, mid-afternoon. Most meetings occur on Tuesdays from 12 – 2 pm, with a parent training beforehand. This is an elected position to serve a one-year term.

District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

The district will continue to conduct all meetings online until further notice, including all DAC/DELAC meetings. DAC is the District Advisory Committee. DELAC is the District English Learner Advisory Committee. Both of these groups are designed to support and inform parents in a shared communication setting with the district. Parents learn with other parents and district leadership at the DAC/DELAC meetings.

The next DAC/DELAC Meeting will be on May 9, 2023 at 12 noon. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

The link below contains a schedule of all DAC/DELAC meetings for the upcoming school year. I recommend all parents download this schedule if they are interested in learning more about theses district meetings: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/dac-delac

CVESD B-LAC Meeting

District Black Learners Advisory Council (B-LAC)

The B-LAC is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The B-LAC provides and monitors the ongoing support for Black/African American students and families in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure unbiased practices/policies, equitable educational outcomes, and equal access to a quality education. The group meets regularly during the school year, once a month. Most meetings occur on Thursdays from 6 – 7 pm. The next meeting is May 18 at 6 pm and will be in person at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913). For more information and to download the schedule of these meetings, clink the link: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/black-learners-advisory-council—b–lac

CVESD BAC Meeting

District Budget Advisory Council (CVESD BAC)

The District’s Budget Advisory Council (BAC) is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The BAC monitors the financial statements and fiduciary obligations of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD). Although it usually only meets 5 – 6 times a year, the BAC’s meetings are useful in understanding how state and federal monies support student learning at a local level. May 25 at 6 pm is the next BAC meeting. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

Academic Calendar for the 2023-2024 School Year

Our Board of Education has approved our 2023-2024 School Calendar as well. Please also use this document to plan and schedule family outings, vacations, and other important appointments in preparation for the upcoming school year. Excellent attendance is important in student success! Find that document in the file below…

Students in our district will end the current academic year on Friday, June 2, 2023. The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Allen Elementary is proud to be a Kindness Certified School again in 2023!

Be well Eagles! As a California public school, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and get the COVID-19 vaccine (and/or booster shots), as well as to test regularly. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our number 1 concern!

🦅  Allen Eagles: Together, we SOAR!

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Sunday Update (30 April 2023)

Hello Allen Families and Staff,

Happy May 2023! We celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in month of May!

State and district assessments continue into the first two weeks of May. It is important that your child attends school everyday and on time during testing season as students are far more likely to do better testing with the rest of the students in their class.

Please see the letter below regarding our state and district testing that contains the school’s testing calendar.

Please also read the letter below from our Superintendent of schools. Kindly contact the school principal before your child’s testing begins if you have any questions or concerns about state and district assessments at (619) 479-3662.

Our school’s testing schedule is below:

Please read the letters above regarding testing and contact the school principal if you have any questions or concerns at (619) 479-3662.

If you have questions for our staff or need assistance, please call at at (619) 479-3662. Office hours are 8 am to 3:30 pm, M-F.

Have you downloaded the Family Handbook for 2022-2023? Kindly review this periodically with your child.

https://allenelementary.org/family-handbook/

Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week

Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for this upcoming week at the YouTube link below:

Please download our Q4 Calendar of Events here:

Do you receive School Messenger emails and communication from our district? Be sure to check www.cvesd.org and bookmark our district’s website and follow its social media:

Please see our 2022-2023 Family Handbook here: Link to Family Handbook

A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:

Allen’s Core Values
Allen’s Common Courtesies

The Core Value for this upcoming week of school is Respect. The Common Courtesy for this week is I apologize for…

Students may earn an Allen Eagle Ticket for demonstrating the Core Values and Common Courtesies each day. Students can redeem these tickets at the Eagle’s Nest Store at the end of each quarter of the school year. Our staff is always looking for ways to celebrate our students!

Kindness counts! Wondering how to support children if they experience a problem with another student? We suggest:

  • Use “I feel…” statements to express yourself clearly.
  • Set boundaries by saying “I don’t like that…” or “Please stop!”
  • Move away from the student you have conflict with and…
  • Seek help from an adult nearby.

Our staff prides itself in actively monitoring students at all times. What our staff has noticed is that students are learning how to interact with one another and having some problems or conflict. This is not bullying. It may be due to trauma and other sudden social-emotional issues with a child. What is bullying? See the helpful graphic below:

If you have a concern about another child’s behaviors impacting your child, we suggest you first contact your child’s teacher. Afterwards, please see this page here. It’s our District’s Anti-Bullying page.

If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.

A Look Ahead:

Monday, May 1, 2023

  • Principal’s Day
  • First Day of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
  • Staff Appreciation Week begins (see more information below)
  • Spirit Week Day 1 – Wear Allen Spirit Gear or green

Tuesday, May 2, 2023Spirit Week Day 2 – Decades Day: Wear an outfit from another decade!

Wednesday, May 3, 2023Spirit Week Day 3 – Wacky Hair Wednesday: Style or color your hair today!

Thursday, May 4, 2023

  • Spirit Week Day 4 – May the 4th Be With You Day: Wear a Star Wars themed outfit!
  • Allen Soccer versus Tiffany at Tiffany Elementary School at 4:15 pm
  • Allen Basketball versus Clearview at 6 pm at Santa Venetia Park

Friday, May 5, 2023

  • Spirit Week Day 5 – Fan Friday: Wear your favorite team’s shirt or jersey!
  • Family First Friday 8 am to 9 am (free coffee for adults and PTC Spirit Gear Booth in front of school)

Monday, May 8, 2023 – Parent Meetings online and in person (in school’s MPR)

  • ELAC at 3 pm [ELAC LINK here]
  • SSC at 3:30 pm [SSC LINK here]
  • PTC at 6 pm PTC Link HERE]

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

  • CVESD DAC/DELAC 12 noon to 2 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista
  • Allen Basketball versus Valley Vista at 4 pm at Rohr Park

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 – Second grade field trip to the Zoo

Thursday, May 11, 2023 – Allen Soccer versus Valley Vista at Clearview Elementary School at 4:15 pm

Friday, May 12, 2023 – Family Science and Engineering Night at Allen from 5 to 6 pm

Friday, May 19, 2023 – Allen Music Festival (adults-only) at CV Golf Course, 6 to 10 pm

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

  • Allen Elementary’s Variety Show at 5:30 pm in the MPR
  • CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, May 25, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades 3, 4, 5, and 800 building at 9 am

Friday, May 26, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades TK-2 at 9 am

Monday, May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

Thursday, June 1, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:15 am
  • Kindergarten field trip to the Zoo
  • First day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Friday, June 2, 2023

  • Last Day of School (2 pm dismissal)
  • Kindergarten Celebration at 10 am

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – First Day of School (all students in grades TK-6 dismiss at 2 pm)

Thursday, July 20, 2023 – Kindergarten and TK students dismiss at 2 pm

Friday, July 21, 2023 – Family First Friday (8 – 9 am) with free coffee for adults and the return of the PTC Spirit Booth

Yearbooks

Yearbooks are now for sale for the 2022-2023 school year! Please purchase yours in advance by ordering it online. Click the flyer below to see the cost and scan the QR code to purchase your yearbook in advance. You can also use this link: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/allenelementaryschool

Soft cover yearbooks are $22 and hard cover yearbooks are $30.

A very limited number of yearbooks will be printed this year so be sure to reserve your copy now! Please order all yearbooks before May 15, 2023!

District and State Testing 2023

Our testing schedule is below:

Spring Carnival – April 28th

A big thank you to all who attended and supported our school’s Spring Carnival. Thank you to our PTC for sponsoring this event. Check out some photos from last Friday below:

Staff Appreciation Week & Spirit Week

Allen Elementary’s staff and teachers work very hard to support our school community. Our amazing PTC is putting together an optional Staff Appreciation Week:

In addition, the first week of May is also our Spirit Week! We encourage staff and students to dress up to celebrate!

Allen Music Festival

Save the date for Friday, May 19, 2023 from 6 pm to 10 pm! Our annual Allen Music festival returns at the Chula Vista Golf Course for an adults-only (21+) event off campus featuring local brews, live bands, dancing, and great food!

This event serves as an important fundraiser to help support our school’s programs by funding field trips, arts instruction, materials, and playground equipment for our school!

Please contact the PTC if you’d like to volunteer for this event and check back at the blog for more information soon!

Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament

If you enjoyed Allen Elementary’s PTC Charity Golf Tournament, you will love the Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament, called the Heroes for Children Golf Classic. See the flyer below for more information:

Attendance Matters!

Attendance is important! Allen Elementary celebrates excellent attendance as it sets students up for success!

Students attending Allen on a Zone Transfer may be denied if a student has a poor attendance record or behavior concerns.

Did you know that if your child is out of school for five or more days, you can request an independent study contract? If an independent study contract is completed, your child receives attendance credit. For more information, you can contact Ms. Baptista in the front office at (619) 479-3662.

  • LET’S CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR ATTENDANCE AT ALLEN!
  • Students should only miss school if they are sick. Those with symptoms can return with a negative COVID-19 test, no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, and symptoms improving. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BE SYMPTOM-FREE to attend school. We have plenty of rapid tests at school: just ask in the office. If you have a special circumstance and need an independent study, please let us know.
  • Please make sure your child is at school by 8:45 am and lined up on the blacktop. If they arrive to campus after 8:50 am, they will be marked tardy.
  • We begin a secure campus at 8:50 am. Parents/guardians must exit promptly at 8:50. Thank you.
  • Students can arrive as early as 8:20 am when our school’s gates open. There is no supervision for students prior to 8:20 am.
  • FREE breakfast is served from 8:20 am to 8:45 am. All meals are eaten at the lunch arbor outside, rain or shine.
  • If your child is absent, it is very important to call the office to report the reason for the absence.
  • Absences that are not reported will be considered UNEXCUSED. After 3 unexcused absences and/or tardies you will receive a truancy letter.
  • If you pick up your child early and/or they are tardy for personal reasons, this is considered unexcused by the state of California.
  • Remember to bring a doctor’s note. Vacations, dentist, and doctor visits should be scheduled during our breaks whenever possible.
  • If your child misses school, they are missing out on important learning! 
  • Our school staff will be scheduling SART (School Attendance Review Team) meetings with parents/guardians, calling home, and doing home visits for students who are chronically absent (missing 10% of school or excessive tardies).
  • Thank you for helping to get your child to school every day and one time!

Volunteers Still Needed

  • Allen’s PTC needs volunteers to help run its events. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 or our PTC President at galbertinibennett@gmail.com.
  • Allen is expanding its Garden Committee! If you would like to help out maintaining our gardens, please leave your information with the front office staff.
  • We need parent and community volunteers to help monitor student safety on the sidewalks around our school at drop off and dismissal time! Our Eagle Eye volunteers work with school staff to serve as an extra set of eyes to keep kids safe outside of our school gates. Any interested volunteers should contact Mr. Greenwell or Ms. Reza in the office or call (619) 479-3662.

All volunteers are allowed to volunteer inside the classroom and school buildings after having completed the required training with the school principal and meeting the District’s volunteer requirements. See below for these requirements:

REQUIRED ITEMS:

  • Proof of TB
  • RAPTOR I.D. Scan
  • Fingerprint Clearance – DOJ & FBI

Note that COVID-19 testing requirements have been lifted by CDPH. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 to be put on the volunteer list and to schedule a volunteer training with the school principal.

Zone Transfers & Registration Information

If Allen Elementary is not your school of residence, please complete this Zone Transfer (or ZT) process ASAP to keep your child at our school, or families risk losing their child’s spot at our school if a new family moves into the neighborhood. Please also remember that a Zone Transfer or Intradistrict Transfer may be denied if a child’s behavior or attendance require improvement.

NEW STUDENT registration began on February 15 online for the following:

  • Kindergartners who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023.
  • NEW students in grades 1st through 6th 
  • All registrations will take place online. There will be no paper packets. To register please visit our district website beginning on February 15: www.cvesd.org

Allen Elementary has plenty of space in our Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten classes for next year, but has limited openings in our upper grades. Please contact our office for questions about space availability at (619) 479-3662. More information is posted on our district’s website at www.cvesd.org.

  • Please note:
    • TK students will not need a renewal zone transfer link as they will need to register at their neighborhood school for Kindergarten. Our district’s Early Childhood Education department supports Preschool and TK enrollment. Please contact them directly at (619) 425-9600 Ext.181725.
    • The Renewal Zone Transfer Form is independent of the “New Zone Transfer Form.”
    • Students who will be transitioning to Sweetwater Union High School District for seventh grade (middle school) do not need to notify CVESD about this, but will need to complete registration processes with that district via https://www.sweetwaterschools.org/.

Preschool Enrollment and Early Childhood Education

Are you considering enrolling your child in preschool? Look no further! Allen Elementary offers a free preschool program for qualifying families that live in San Diego County. Learn more and enroll your child today at http://cvesd.org/preschool.

Free Campus Clinic Health Services

Families may come to the school office, Monday- Friday, between 8 am and 3:30 pm to receive a free COVID-19 home antigen test. The testing is not required. Please report all positive cases to our school office at (619) 479-3662.

Campus Clinic has partnered with the Chula Vista Elementary School District and Allen Elementary to provide free or low-cost services to staff and students for the convenience of our community. Services offered include:

  • Vision and Hearing screenings as part of Preventative wellness visits
  • Annual Well Visits 
  • Anxiety and depression screenings
  • Mental health services including group therapy
  • Diagnostic testing (flu, strep, COVID-19, etc)
  • Immunizations

A new mental wellness program is now available. This program is designed for students aged 8 years & older. Campus Clinic allows parents to schedule one-on-one visits with a licensed provider. Parents are encouraged to attend the first visit via telehealth, and then schedule 12 additional 30-minute sessions between their student and the provider either in person at the designated location in the school or via telehealth.

Families do have the opportunity to continue these visits through summer & holidays as well. Visits are billed through insurance (the cost of the program is generally covered by insurance providers including Medi-Cal & private insurance companies).

This program will be rolled out at Allen Elementary soon. See the flyer below:

Weekly, voluntary COVID-19, flu, and RSV testing will continue on our school campus via Campus Clinic each week. Parents and legal guardians must opt-in to the program and no child will be tested without proper consent. If families would like to watch a video on the registration process, they can visit: https://campusclinic.org/how-to/. For community testing at the kiosks, individuals will need to register on-site. You only need to register one time for a test through the kiosk. Again, for this free testing support, please email: support@campusclinic.org.

This combo test is designed to provide results for symptomatic individuals for some of the most common illnesses, such as Flu A, Flu B, RSV, and COVID-19. This testing is provided at no-cost or free to families, but Campus Clinic is required by the state of California to collect insurance information. Campus Clinic will also be providing other essential public health services on our campus in the coming weeks.

MedLab2020 may call or email families to verify insurance information for individuals who have tested with Campus Clinic previously. MedLab2020 is the lab that Campus Clinic partners with to process COVID-19 PCR & flu combo tests administered through weekly in school testing, as well as at the four kiosks throughout the district. They are part of the letterhead on most of the results sent out. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to the Campus Success Team.

Campus Clinic now provides access to licensed healthcare providers available via telehealth for follow-up visits and care. Following a positive flu or COVID test result, patients will receive a link in their email that gives them the opportunity to schedule with a provider to receive further care or ask any questions they may have.

Learn more about this and other additional services on the website: campusclinic.org. Allen Elementary is proud to partner with Campus Clinic! Watch the video below:


If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information above, please call or email our Campus Success team.

Campus Success; 8:00am -4:00pm PST
855.286.2577
support@campusclinic.org
www.campusclinic.org

Health and Safety

There are currently no mandate for COVID-19 vaccines, nor a mandate for masks. Please understand that the state of California may (in the future) require children to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to attend a public school, just as they already do for other diseases (polio, mumps, rubella, etc..). This decision is not a school-based or district-based decision, but rather a state government decision.

Masks, although not required at this time, are encouraged for all staff, students, parents, and visitors while indoors on campus.

  • There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses in any public place where people are present. The school and district strive to reduce this impact to staff, students, and families.
  • It is a current public health recommendation for all eligible people to get COVID-19 booster shots.

If your child has a chronic health condition, such as allergies or asthma, please contact the school office and download the form below to have your child’s doctor complete and send it back to the school’s nurse. We recommend doing this in advance of a child showing symptoms.

If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If any person (regardless of vaccination status) presents with symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, that person will be immediately sent home. All schools in CVESD must follow the latest County of San Diego COVID-19 Decision Tree (see below) for persons with symptoms associated with COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 and should stay home:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

*** Please see the latest COVID-19 Decision Tree here: LINK to Newest Decision Tree

Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) Corner

Visit the PTC website at AllenPTC.org to become a member of the PTC and make a donation to support the latest initiative at the school. Allen’s PTC is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the school’s educational mission through funding programs and initiatives.

Please help support Allen’s PTC and our school by joining as a member of the Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club.

The standing PTC Meeting link is here: PTC MEETING LINK 2022-2023

Meetings for Families & Staff

Allen School needs parents and legal guardians to support our school through important parent groups, such as the PTC (Parent Teacher Club), the School Site Council (often referred to as SSC), and the English Language Advisory Committee (often referred to as ELAC). The site-based groups work with the Principal, staff, and other community members to ensure that community voice is part of the shared decision making process of a public school.

Family First Friday Meeting

The first Friday of every month is usually reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Family First Friday will be on Friday, May 5, 2023 from 8 am to 9 am. This meeting will be in person at school with a coffee cart available in front of the school. Our Allen PTC will also have their monthly Spirit Gear Booth with great items for sale!

We encourage parents and legal guardians to join this meeting with a free cup of hot coffee or a cold cup of cold brew on nitro and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year and meet other amazing Allen families.

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting will be on May 8, 2023 at 3 pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings.

School Site Council (SSC)

Ella B. Allen’s next SSC Meeting will be on May 8, 2023 at 3:30 pm. Please note that if you join early, you’ll be attending the ELAC meeting already in progress. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

All SSC members are welcome to attend ELAC meetings for additional information.

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) is composed of five elected parent/community representatives and five elected staff/teacher representatives. The role of the SSC is to develop, approve, and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement.

With a few exceptions, meetings are held the second Monday of every month. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.

Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting

Allen’s PTC usually meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Link: via this link. The next PTC meeting is May 8 at 6 pm. Please also check out the new PTC website to become a member and make a donation: AllenPTC.org

CVESD Board of Education Meeting

The district’s Board of Education meetings are also being held online and generally occur the second Wednesday of each month. The next regularly scheduled CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, May 24 at 6 pm. Limited in-person access is permitted, but check the district’s website for more information on this.

To access these public meetings, please click the link here: https://www.cvesd.org/board_of_education/board_meetings

CVESD DAC/DELAC Meeting

District Advisory Council (DAC)

The DAC is composed of parent and staff representatives from each School Site Council. It meets regularly during the school year in open public forum to share information, study instructional issues, approve school planning schedules, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on specific items. District meetings take place once a month, mid-afternoon. Most meetings occur on Tuesdays from 12 – 2 pm, with a parent training beforehand. This is an elected position to serve a one-year term.

District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

The district will continue to conduct all meetings online until further notice, including all DAC/DELAC meetings. DAC is the District Advisory Committee. DELAC is the District English Learner Advisory Committee. Both of these groups are designed to support and inform parents in a shared communication setting with the district. Parents learn with other parents and district leadership at the DAC/DELAC meetings.

The next DAC/DELAC Meeting will be on May 9, 2023 at 12 noon. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

The link below contains a schedule of all DAC/DELAC meetings for the upcoming school year. I recommend all parents download this schedule if they are interested in learning more about theses district meetings: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/dac-delac

CVESD B-LAC Meeting

District Black Learners Advisory Council (B-LAC)

The B-LAC is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The B-LAC provides and monitors the ongoing support for Black/African American students and families in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure unbiased practices/policies, equitable educational outcomes, and equal access to a quality education. The group meets regularly during the school year, once a month. Most meetings occur on Thursdays from 6 – 7 pm. The next meeting is May 18 at 6 pm and will be in person at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913). For more information and to download the schedule of these meetings, clink the link: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/black-learners-advisory-council—b–lac

CVESD BAC Meeting

District Budget Advisory Council (CVESD BAC)

The District’s Budget Advisory Council (BAC) is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The BAC monitors the financial statements and fiduciary obligations of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD). Although it usually only meets 5 – 6 times a year, the BAC’s meetings are useful in understanding how state and federal monies support student learning at a local level. May 25 at 6 pm is the next BAC meeting. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

Academic Calendar for the 2022-2023 School Year

The 2022-2023 School Calendar is available online! Click this link to download it. Please reference this when planning vacations or scheduling appointments with your children that may require them to miss school. Excellent attendance is important in student success!

Academic Calendar for the 2023-2024 School Year

Our Board of Education has approved our 2023-2024 School Calendar as well. Please also use this document to plan and schedule family outings, vacations, and other important appointments in preparation for the upcoming school year. Find that document in the file below…

Students in our district will end the current academic year on Friday, June 2, 2023. The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Allen Elementary is proud to be a Kindness Certified School again in 2023!

Be well Eagles! As a California public school, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and get the COVID-19 vaccine (and/or booster shots), as well as to test regularly. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our number 1 concern!

🦅  Allen Eagles: Together, we SOAR!

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Sunday Update (23 April 2023)

Hello Allen Families and Staff,

State and district assessments continue this week. It is important that your child attends school everyday and on time during testing season as students are far more likely to do better testing with the rest of the students in their class.

Please see the letter below regarding our state and district testing that contains the school’s testing calendar.

Please also read the letter below from our Superintendent of schools. Kindly contact the school principal before your child’s testing begins if you have any questions or concerns about state and district assessments at (619) 479-3662.

Our school’s testing schedule is below:

Please read the letters above regarding testing and contact the school principal if you have any questions or concerns at (619) 479-3662.

If you have questions for our staff or need assistance, please call at at (619) 479-3662. Office hours are 8 am to 3:30 pm, M-F.

Arab American Heritage Month is celebrated in April. April is also Autism Acceptance Month and the Month of the Military Child! Allen Elementary and the Chula Vista Elementary School District celebrate and honor the diversity in our community!

Have you downloaded the Family Handbook for 2022-2023? Kindly review this periodically with your child.

https://allenelementary.org/family-handbook/

Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week

Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for this upcoming week at the YouTube link below:

Please download our Q4 Calendar of Events here:

Do you receive School Messenger emails and communication from our district? Be sure to check www.cvesd.org and bookmark our district’s website and follow its social media:

Please see our updated 2022-2023 Family Handbook here: Link to Family Handbook

A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:

Allen’s Core Values
Allen’s Common Courtesies

The Core Value for this upcoming week of school is Perseverance. The Common Courtesy for this week is Good morning/Good afternoon.

Students may earn an Allen Eagle Ticket for demonstrating the Core Values and Common Courtesies each day. Students can redeem these tickets at the Eagle’s Nest Store at the end of each quarter of the school year. Our staff is always looking for ways to celebrate our students!

Kindness counts! Wondering how to support children if they experience a problem with another student? We suggest:

  • Use “I feel…” statements to express yourself clearly.
  • Set boundaries by saying “I don’t like that…” or “Please stop!”
  • Move away from the student you have conflict with and…
  • Seek help from an adult nearby.

Our staff prides itself in actively monitoring students at all times. What our staff has noticed is that students are learning how to interact with one another and having some problems or conflict. This is not bullying. It may be due to trauma and other sudden social-emotional issues with a child. What is bullying? See the helpful graphic below:

If you have a concern about another child’s behaviors impacting your child, we suggest you first contact your child’s teacher. Afterwards, please see this page here. It’s our District’s Anti-Bullying page.

If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.

A Look Ahead:

Monday, April 24, 2023 – Room 501 visits the Health Station

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 – Allen Basketball versus Salt Creek at 5 pm at Rohr Park

Thursday, April 27, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Photos in AM
  • Allen Soccer versus Discovery at Discovery Elementary School at 4:15 pm
  • Allen Basketball versus Chula Vista Hills at 5 pm at Santa Venetia Park

Friday, April 28, 2023 – Spring Carnival at Allen from 4:30 – 7 pm (see below for details)

Monday, May 1, 2023

  • Principal’s Day
  • First Day of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
  • Staff Appreciation Week begins (see more information below)
  • Spirit Week Day 1 – Wear Allen Spirit Gear or green

Tuesday, May 2, 2023Spirit Week Day 2 – Decades Day: Wear an outfit from another decade!

Wednesday, May 3, 2023Spirit Week Day 3 – Wacky Hair Wednesday: Style or color your hair today!

Thursday, May 4, 2023

  • Spirit Week Day 4 – May the 4th Be With You Day: Wear a Star Wars themed outfit!
  • Allen Soccer versus Tiffany at Tiffany Elementary School at 4:15 pm
  • Allen Basketball versus Clearview at 6 pm at Santa Venetia Park

Friday, May 5, 2023

  • Spirit Week Day 5 – Fan Friday: Wear your favorite team’s shirt or jersey!
  • Family First Friday 8 am to 9 am (free coffee for adults and PTC Spirit Gear Booth in front of school)

Monday, May 8, 2023 – Parent Meetings online and in person (in school’s MPR)

  • ELAC at 3 pm [ELAC LINK here]
  • SSC at 3:30 pm [SSC LINK here]
  • PTC at 6 pm PTC Link HERE]

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

  • CVESD DAC/DELAC 12 noon to 2 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista
  • Allen Basketball versus Valley Vista at 4 pm at Rohr Park

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 – Second grade field trip to the Zoo

Thursday, May 11, 2023 – Allen Soccer versus Valley Vista at Clearview Elementary School at 4:15 pm

Friday, May 12, 2023 – Family Science and Engineering Night at Allen from 5 to 6 pm

Friday, May 19, 2023 – Allen Music Festival (adults-only) at CV Golf Course, 6 to 10 pm

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

  • Allen Elementary’s Variety Show at 5:30 pm in the MPR
  • CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, May 25, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades 3, 4, 5, and 800 building at 9 am

Friday, May 26, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades TK-2 at 9 am

Monday, May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

Thursday, June 1, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:15 am
  • Kindergarten field trip to the Zoo
  • First day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Friday, June 2, 2023

  • Last Day of School (2 pm dismissal)
  • Kindergarten Celebration at 10 am

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – First Day of School (all students in grades TK-6 dismiss at 2 pm)

Thursday, July 20, 2023 – Kindergarten and TK students dismiss at 2 pm

Friday, July 21, 2023 – Family First Friday (8 – 9 am) with free coffee for adults and the return of the PTC Spirit Booth

Yearbooks

Yearbooks are now for sale for the 2022-2023 school year! Please purchase yours in advance by ordering it online. Click the flyer below to see the cost and scan the QR code to purchase your yearbook in advance. You can also use this link: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/allenelementaryschool

Soft cover yearbooks are $22 and hard cover yearbooks are $30.

A very limited number of yearbooks will be printed this year so be sure to reserve your copy now! Please order all yearbooks before May 15, 2023!

District and State Testing 2023

The Chula Vista Elementary School District began testing students on the following assessments on April 17, 2023. Our testing schedule is below:

Spring Carnival – April 28th

Friday, April 28, 2023 from 4:30 to 7 pm is Allen’s Spring Carnival! Admission is FREE to attend and play games. Food, drinks, desserts will be for sale. There will also be a craft fair with items for sale as well. We need volunteers to help run booths! Please contact Gina Bennett, our PTC President, to coordinate a shift.

Campus Safety Update – April 2023

CVESD and Allen Elementary take safety very seriously. We continuously monitor our campus: We work with community partners, such as the Chula Vista Police Department and the Chula Vista Fire Department, to improve safety and security on and around our school campus. Please read the letter from April 22, 2023 regarding our latest efforts to bolster security on our campus and contact the school principal with any questions.

DAC/DELAC Leaders Needed

CVESD needs parent leaders to step up to the plate to serve on the Executive Boards for DAC/DELAC.

Immunization Clinics

Free immunization clinics are now available for families on Sundays. See the flyer below:

Staff Appreciation Week & Spirit Week

Allen Elementary’s staff and teachers work very hard to support our school community. Our amazing PTC is putting together an optional Staff Appreciation Week:

In addition, the first week of May is also our Spirit Week! We encourage staff and students to dress up to celebrate!

Rise Against Hunger

See the photos below from our Rise Against Hunger event with the Chula Vista Sunrise Rotary Club on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Together, we packaged over 13,000 meals for people in need of nutritious meals across the globe!

Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament

If you enjoyed Allen Elementary’s PTC Charity Golf Tournament, you will love the Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament, called the Heroes for Children Golf Classic. See the flyer below for more information:

Attendance Matters!

Attendance is important! Allen Elementary celebrates excellent attendance as it sets students up for success!

Students attending Allen on a Zone Transfer may be denied if a student has a poor attendance record or behavior concerns.

Did you know that if your child is out of school for five or more days, you can request an independent study contract? If an independent study contract is completed, your child receives attendance credit. For more information, you can contact Ms. Baptista in the front office at (619) 479-3662.

  • LET’S CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR ATTENDANCE AT ALLEN!
  • Students should only miss school if they are sick. Those with symptoms can return with a negative COVID-19 test, no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, and symptoms improving. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BE SYMPTOM-FREE to attend school. We have plenty of rapid tests at school: just ask in the office. If you have a special circumstance and need an independent study, please let us know.
  • Please make sure your child is at school by 8:45 am and lined up on the blacktop. If they arrive to campus after 8:50 am, they will be marked tardy.
  • We begin a secure campus at 8:50 am. Parents/guardians must exit promptly at 8:50. Thank you.
  • Students can arrive as early as 8:20 am when our school’s gates open. There is no supervision for students prior to 8:20 am.
  • FREE breakfast is served from 8:20 am to 8:45 am. All meals are eaten at the lunch arbor outside, rain or shine.
  • If your child is absent, it is very important to call the office to report the reason for the absence.
  • Absences that are not reported will be considered UNEXCUSED. After 3 unexcused absences and/or tardies you will receive a truancy letter.
  • If you pick up your child early and/or they are tardy for personal reasons, this is considered unexcused by the state of California.
  • Remember to bring a doctor’s note. Vacations, dentist, and doctor visits should be scheduled during our breaks whenever possible.
  • If your child misses school, they are missing out on important learning! 
  • Our school staff will be scheduling SART (School Attendance Review Team) meetings with parents/guardians, calling home, and doing home visits for students who are chronically absent (missing 10% of school or excessive tardies).
  • Thank you for helping to get your child to school every day and one time!

Volunteers Still Needed

  • Allen’s PTC needs volunteers to help run its events. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 or our PTC President at galbertinibennett@gmail.com.
  • Allen is expanding its Garden Committee! If you would like to help out maintaining our gardens, please leave your information with the front office staff.
  • We need parent and community volunteers to help monitor student safety on the sidewalks around our school at drop off and dismissal time! Our Eagle Eye volunteers work with school staff to serve as an extra set of eyes to keep kids safe outside of our school gates. Any interested volunteers should contact Mr. Greenwell or Ms. Reza in the office or call (619) 479-3662.

All volunteers are allowed to volunteer inside the classroom and school buildings after having completed the required training with the school principal and meeting the District’s volunteer requirements. See below for these requirements:

REQUIRED ITEMS:

  • Proof of TB
  • RAPTOR I.D. Scan
  • Fingerprint Clearance – DOJ & FBI

Note that COVID-19 testing requirements have been lifted by CDPH. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 to be put on the volunteer list and to schedule a volunteer training with the school principal.

ThoughtExchange – We Need Your Voice!

This is the final week to share your input on our district’s annual ThoughtExchange! We need to hear from every parent/legal guardian at our school. This year, we are asking the question: What are some things we are doing well, and what could improve the educational experience we provide students through the LCAP? 

As you’re aware, the LCAP shapes our District’s goals and guides our budgeting priorities. Please join in on the conversation from Feb. 1 through May 1, 2023. Please note that any negative comments and comments with profanity directed at an individual will be deleted. Constructive criticism on how to improve our school and district (and better serve students) is always welcome!

Feel free to reach out to our office team if you have any questions at (619) 479-3662. Allen Elementary’s budget priorities are discussed at every ELAC, SSC, and PTC meeting as well.

Link to survey: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/629912727

Zone Transfers & Registration Information

If Allen Elementary is not your school of residence, please complete this Zone Transfer (or ZT) process ASAP to keep your child at our school, or families risk losing their child’s spot at our school if a new family moves into the neighborhood. Please also remember that a Zone Transfer or Intradistrict Transfer may be denied if a child’s behavior or attendance require improvement.

NEW STUDENT registration began on February 15 online for the following:

  • Kindergartners who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023.
  • NEW students in grades 1st through 6th 
  • All registrations will take place online. There will be no paper packets. To register please visit our district website beginning on February 15: www.cvesd.org

Allen Elementary has plenty of space in our Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten classes for next year, but has limited openings in our upper grades. Please contact our office for questions about space availability at (619) 479-3662. More information is posted on our district’s website at www.cvesd.org.

  • Please note:
    • TK students will not need a renewal zone transfer link as they will need to register at their neighborhood school for Kindergarten. Our district’s Early Childhood Education department supports Preschool and TK enrollment. Please contact them directly at (619) 425-9600 Ext.181725.
    • The Renewal Zone Transfer Form is independent of the “New Zone Transfer Form.”
    • Students who will be transitioning to Sweetwater Union High School District for seventh grade (middle school) do not need to notify CVESD about this, but will need to complete registration processes with that district via https://www.sweetwaterschools.org/.

Preschool Enrollment and Early Childhood Education

Are you considering enrolling your child in preschool? Look no further! Allen Elementary offers a free preschool program for qualifying families that live in San Diego County. Learn more and enroll your child today at http://cvesd.org/preschool.

Free Campus Clinic Health Services

Families may come to the school office, Monday- Friday, between 8 am and 3:30 pm to receive a free COVID-19 home antigen test. The testing is not required. Please report all positive cases to our school office at (619) 479-3662.

Campus Clinic has partnered with the Chula Vista Elementary School District and Allen Elementary to provide free or low-cost services to staff and students for the convenience of our community. Services offered include:

  • Vision and Hearing screenings as part of Preventative wellness visits
  • Annual Well Visits 
  • Anxiety and depression screenings
  • Mental health services including group therapy
  • Diagnostic testing (flu, strep, COVID-19, etc)
  • Immunizations

A new mental wellness program is now available. This program is designed for students aged 8 years & older. Campus Clinic allows parents to schedule one-on-one visits with a licensed provider. Parents are encouraged to attend the first visit via telehealth, and then schedule 12 additional 30-minute sessions between their student and the provider either in person at the designated location in the school or via telehealth.

Families do have the opportunity to continue these visits through summer & holidays as well. Visits are billed through insurance (the cost of the program is generally covered by insurance providers including Medi-Cal & private insurance companies).

This program will be rolled out at Allen Elementary soon. See the flyer below:

Weekly, voluntary COVID-19, flu, and RSV testing will continue on our school campus via Campus Clinic each week. Parents and legal guardians must opt-in to the program and no child will be tested without proper consent. If families would like to watch a video on the registration process, they can visit: https://campusclinic.org/how-to/. For community testing at the kiosks, individuals will need to register on-site. You only need to register one time for a test through the kiosk. Again, for this free testing support, please email: support@campusclinic.org.

This combo test is designed to provide results for symptomatic individuals for some of the most common illnesses, such as Flu A, Flu B, RSV, and COVID-19. This testing is provided at no-cost or free to families, but Campus Clinic is required by the state of California to collect insurance information. Campus Clinic will also be providing other essential public health services on our campus in the coming weeks.

MedLab2020 may call or email families to verify insurance information for individuals who have tested with Campus Clinic previously. MedLab2020 is the lab that Campus Clinic partners with to process COVID-19 PCR & flu combo tests administered through weekly in school testing, as well as at the four kiosks throughout the district. They are part of the letterhead on most of the results sent out. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to the Campus Success Team.

Campus Clinic now provides access to licensed healthcare providers available via telehealth for follow-up visits and care. Following a positive flu or COVID test result, patients will receive a link in their email that gives them the opportunity to schedule with a provider to receive further care or ask any questions they may have.

Learn more about this and other additional services on the website: campusclinic.org. Allen Elementary is proud to partner with Campus Clinic! Watch the video below:


If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information above, please call or email our Campus Success team.

Campus Success; 8:00am -4:00pm PST
855.286.2577
support@campusclinic.org
www.campusclinic.org

Health and Safety

There are currently no mandate for COVID-19 vaccines, nor a mandate for masks. Please understand that the state of California may (in the future) require children to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to attend a public school, just as they already do for other diseases (polio, mumps, rubella, etc..). This decision is not a school-based or district-based decision, but rather a state government decision.

Masks, although not required at this time, are encouraged for all staff, students, parents, and visitors while indoors on campus.

  • There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses in any public place where people are present. The school and district strive to reduce this impact to staff, students, and families.
  • It is a current public health recommendation for all eligible people to get COVID-19 booster shots.

If your child has a chronic health condition, such as allergies or asthma, please contact the school office and download the form below to have your child’s doctor complete and send it back to the school’s nurse. We recommend doing this in advance of a child showing symptoms.

If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If any person (regardless of vaccination status) presents with symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, that person will be immediately sent home. All schools in CVESD must follow the latest County of San Diego COVID-19 Decision Tree (see below) for persons with symptoms associated with COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 and should stay home:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

*** Please see the latest COVID-19 Decision Tree here: LINK to Newest Decision Tree

Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) Corner

Visit the PTC website at AllenPTC.org to become a member of the PTC and make a donation to support the latest initiative at the school. Allen’s PTC is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the school’s educational mission through funding programs and initiatives.

Please help support Allen’s PTC and our school by joining as a member of the Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club.

The standing PTC Meeting link is here: PTC MEETING LINK 2022-2023

Meetings for Families & Staff

Allen School needs parents and legal guardians to support our school through important parent groups, such as the PTC (Parent Teacher Club), the School Site Council (often referred to as SSC), and the English Language Advisory Committee (often referred to as ELAC). The site-based groups work with the Principal, staff, and other community members to ensure that community voice is part of the shared decision making process of a public school.

Family First Friday Meeting

The first Friday of every month is usually reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Family First Friday will be on Friday, May 5, 2023 from 8 am to 9 am. This meeting will be in person at school with a coffee cart available in front of the school. Our Allen PTC will also have their monthly Spirit Gear Booth with great items for sale!

We encourage parents and legal guardians to join this meeting with a free cup of hot coffee or a cold cup of cold brew on nitro and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year and meet other amazing Allen families.

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting will be on May 8, 2023 at 3 pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings.

School Site Council (SSC)

Ella B. Allen’s next SSC Meeting will be on May 8, 2023 at 3:30 pm. Please note that if you join early, you’ll be attending the ELAC meeting already in progress. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

All SSC members are welcome to attend ELAC meetings for additional information.

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) is composed of five elected parent/community representatives and five elected staff/teacher representatives. The role of the SSC is to develop, approve, and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement.

With a few exceptions, meetings are held the second Monday of every month. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.

Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting

Allen’s PTC usually meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Link: via this link. The next PTC meeting is May 8 at 6 pm. Please also check out the new PTC website to become a member and make a donation: AllenPTC.org

CVESD Board of Education Meeting

The district’s Board of Education meetings are also being held online and generally occur the second Wednesday of each month. The next regularly scheduled CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, May 24 at 6 pm. Limited in-person access is permitted, but check the district’s website for more information on this.

To access these public meetings, please click the link here: https://www.cvesd.org/board_of_education/board_meetings

CVESD DAC/DELAC Meeting

District Advisory Council (DAC)

The DAC is composed of parent and staff representatives from each School Site Council. It meets regularly during the school year in open public forum to share information, study instructional issues, approve school planning schedules, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on specific items. District meetings take place once a month, mid-afternoon. Most meetings occur on Tuesdays from 12 – 2 pm, with a parent training beforehand. This is an elected position to serve a one-year term.

District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

The district will continue to conduct all meetings online until further notice, including all DAC/DELAC meetings. DAC is the District Advisory Committee. DELAC is the District English Learner Advisory Committee. Both of these groups are designed to support and inform parents in a shared communication setting with the district. Parents learn with other parents and district leadership at the DAC/DELAC meetings.

The next DAC/DELAC Meeting will be on May 9, 2023 at 12 noon. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

The link below contains a schedule of all DAC/DELAC meetings for the upcoming school year. I recommend all parents download this schedule if they are interested in learning more about theses district meetings: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/dac-delac

CVESD B-LAC Meeting

District Black Learners Advisory Council (B-LAC)

The B-LAC is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The B-LAC provides and monitors the ongoing support for Black/African American students and families in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure unbiased practices/policies, equitable educational outcomes, and equal access to a quality education. The group meets regularly during the school year, once a month. Most meetings occur on Thursdays from 6 – 7 pm. The next meeting is April 20 at 6 pm and will be in person at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913). For more information and to download the schedule of these meetings, clink the link: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/black-learners-advisory-council—b–lac

CVESD BAC Meeting

District Budget Advisory Council (CVESD BAC)

The District’s Budget Advisory Council (BAC) is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The BAC monitors the financial statements and fiduciary obligations of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD). Although it usually only meets 5 – 6 times a year, the BAC’s meetings are useful in understanding how state and federal monies support student learning at a local level. April 26 at 6 pm is the next BAC meeting. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

Academic Calendar for the 2022-2023 School Year

The 2022-2023 School Calendar is available online! Click this link to download it. Please reference this when planning vacations or scheduling appointments with your children that may require them to miss school. Excellent attendance is important in student success!

Our Board of Education has approved our 2023-2024 School Calendar as well. Please also use this document to plan and schedule family outings, vacations, and other important appointments in preparation for the upcoming school year. Find that document in the file below…

Students in our district will end the current academic year on Friday, June 2, 2023. The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Allen Elementary is proud to be a Kindness Certified School again in 2023!

Be well Eagles! As a California public school, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and get the COVID-19 vaccine (and/or booster shots), as well as to test regularly. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our number 1 concern!

🦅  Allen Eagles: Together, we SOAR!

Comments Off on Sunday Update (23 April 2023)

Filed under Uncategorized

Sunday Update (16 April 2023)

Hello Allen Families and Staff,

Some of our state and district assessments begin this week. It is important that your child attends school every day on time during testing season as students are far more likely to do better testing with the rest of the students in their class.

Please see the letter below regarding our state and district testing. Kindly contact the school principal before your child’s testing begins if you have any questions or concerns about state and district assessments at (619) 479-3662.

Our school’s testing schedule is below:

Please read the letter above and contact the school principal if you have any questions or concerns at (619) 479-3662.

If you have questions for our staff or need assistance, please call at at (619) 479-3662. Office hours are 8 am to 3:30 pm, M-F.

Did you know that April is Public Schools Month? The Masons of California declared April as the Annual Public School Month in 1920 in order to support our public schools and make the difference for public education.

Arab American Heritage Month is celebrated in April. April is also Autism Acceptance Month and the Month of the Military Child! Allen Elementary and the Chula Vista Elementary School District celebrate and honor the diversity in our community!

Have you downloaded the Family Handbook for 2022-2023? Kindly review this periodically with your child.

https://allenelementary.org/family-handbook/

Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week

Below is a letter from our school’s principal that was sent out to families on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Kindly read it if you have not yet done so.

Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for this upcoming week at the YouTube link below:

Please download our Q4 Calendar of Events here:

Do you receive School Messenger emails and communication from our district? Be sure to check www.cvesd.org and bookmark our district’s website and follow its social media:

Please see our updated 2022-2023 Family Handbook here: Link to Family Handbook

A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:

Allen’s Core Values
Allen’s Common Courtesies

The Core Value for this upcoming week of school is Honesty. The Common Courtesy for this week is Thank you.

Students may earn an Allen Eagle Ticket for demonstrating the Core Values and Common Courtesies each day. Students can redeem these tickets at the Eagle’s Nest Store at the end of each quarter of the school year. Our staff is always looking for ways to celebrate our students!

Kindness counts! Wondering how to support children if they experience a problem with another student? We suggest:

  • Use “I feel…” statements to express yourself clearly.
  • Set boundaries by saying “I don’t like that…” or “Please stop!”
  • Move away from the student you have conflict with and…
  • Seek help from an adult nearby.

Our staff prides itself in actively monitoring students at all times. What our staff has noticed is that students are learning how to interact with one another and having some problems or conflict. This is not bullying. It may be due to trauma and other sudden social-emotional issues with a child. What is bullying? See the helpful graphic below:

If you have a concern about another child’s behaviors impacting your child, we suggest you first contact your child’s teacher. Afterwards, please see this page here. It’s our District’s Anti-Bullying page.

If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.

A Look Ahead:

Monday, April 17, 2023 – State and District Assessments begin at Allen Elementary (see schedule)

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

  • Rooms 101, 201, 202, and 204 (TK and Kindergarten) visit at the San Diego Zoo
  • Allen Basketball versus Camarena at 6 pm at Rohr Park

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 – CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, April 20, 2023

  • 5th Grade Filed Trip to Star of India
  • Room 502 visits the Health Station
  • Allen Soccer versus Heritage at Heritage Elementary School at 4:15 pm
  • Allen Basketball versus EastLake at 6 pm at Santa Venetia Park
  • CVESD B-LAC Meeting at 6 pm at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913)

Friday, April 21, 2023 – Eid al-Fitr

Saturday, April 22, 2023 – Rise Against Hunger at Allen (8 am – 12 noon) in MPR – Adults must attend with their children.

Monday, April 24, 2023 – Room 501 visits the Health Station

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 – Allen Basketball versus Salt Creek at 5 pm at Rohr Park

Thursday, April 27, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Photos in AM
  • Allen Soccer versus Discovery at Discovery Elementary School at 4:15 pm
  • Allen Basketball versus Chula Vista Hills at 5 pm at Santa Venetia Park

Monday, May 1, 2023

  • Principal’s Day
  • First Day of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
  • Staff Appreciation Week begins
  • Spirit Week

Thursday, May 4, 2023

  • Allen Soccer versus Tiffany at Tiffany Elementary School at 4:15 pm
  • Allen Basketball versus Clearview at 6 pm at Santa Venetia Park

Friday, May 5, 2023 – Family First Friday 8 am to 9 am (free coffee for adults and PTC Spirit Gear Booth in front of school)

Monday, May 8, 2023 – Parent Meetings online and in person (in school’s MPR)

  • ELAC at 3 pm [ELAC LINK here]
  • SSC at 3:30 pm [SSC LINK here]
  • PTC at 6 pm PTC Link HERE]

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

  • CVESD DAC/DELAC 12 noon to 2 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista
  • Allen Basketball versus Valley Vista at 4 pm at Rohr Park

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 – Second grade field trip to the Zoo

Thursday, May 11, 2023 – Allen Soccer versus Valley Vista at Clearview Elementary School at 4:15 pm

Friday, May 12, 2023 – Family Science and Engineering Night at Allen from 5 to 6 pm

Friday, May 19, 2023 – Allen Music Festival (adults-only) at CV Golf Course, 6 to 10 pm

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

  • Allen Elementary’s Variety Show at 5:30 pm in the MPR
  • CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, May 25, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades 3, 4, 5, and 800 building at 9 am

Friday, May 26, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades TK-2 at 9 am

Monday, May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

Thursday, June 1, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:15 am
  • Kindergarten field trip to the Zoo
  • First day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Friday, June 2, 2023

  • Last Day of School (2 pm dismissal)
  • Kindergarten Celebration at 10 am

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – First Day of School (all students in grades TK-6 dismiss at 2 pm)

Thursday, July 20, 2023 – Kindergarten and TK students dismiss at 2 pm

Friday, July 21, 2023 – Family First Friday (8 – 9 am) with free coffee for adults and the return of the PTC Spirit Booth

Yearbooks

Yearbooks are now for sale for the 2022-2023 school year! Please purchase yours in advance by ordering it online. Click the flyer below to see the cost and scan the QR code to purchase your yearbook in advance. A very limited number of yearbooks will be printed this year so be sure to reserve your copy now! Please order all yearbooks before May 15, 2023!

District and State Testing 2023

The Chula Vista Elementary School District will begin testing students on the following assessments on April 17, 2023. It is the
responsibility of each school to create a testing schedule. Schools will notify parents/guardians of their specific grade level
testing schedules. Our testing schedule is below:

Please read the letter below and contact the school principal if you have any questions or concerns at (619) 479-3662.

Rise Against Hunger

Chula Vista Sunrise Rotary Club and community volunteers will package over 12,000 meals to be distributed to children and families in countries worldwide. Each meal combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and a flavoring mix including 21 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packets. Each meal costs only 29 cents and has a shelf life of two years. Allen Elementary’s Student Council will be serving as volunteers for this, but we need more!

This big event will be held at Allen Elementary on Saturday, April 22 from 8 am to 12 noon and they need volunteers of all ages! Parents must attend with their children. Please download the flyer below for more information or scan the QR code to sign up!

Day of the Child

The Chula Vista Elementary School District is proud to partner with the Chula Vista Community Collaborative to share a great family event known as the Day of the Child. This free event is Saturday, April 22 from 10 am to 3 pm at Memorial Park in Chula Vista. See the flyer below for more information:

DAC/DELAC Leaders Needed

CVESD needs parent leaders to step up to the plate to serve on the Executive Boards for DAC/DELAC.

Immunization Clinics

Free immunization clinics are now available for families on Sundays. See the flyer below:

Staff Appreciation Week at Allen Elementary

Allen Elementary’s staff and teachers work very hard to support our school community. Our amazing PTC is putting together at Staff Appreciation Week:

Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament

If you enjoyed Allen Elementary’s PTC Charity Golf Tournament, you will love the Bonita Optimist Golf Tournament, called the Heroes for Children Golf Classic. See the flyer below for more information:

Attendance Matters!

Attendance is important! Allen Elementary celebrates excellent attendance as it sets students up for success!

Students attending Allen on a Zone Transfer may be denied if a student has a poor attendance record or behavior concerns.

Did you know that if your child is out of school for five or more days, you can request an independent study contract? If an independent study contract is completed, your child receives attendance credit. For more information, you can contact Ms. Baptista in the front office at (619) 479-3662.

  • LET’S CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR ATTENDANCE AT ALLEN!
  • Students should only miss school if they are sick. Those with symptoms can return with a negative COVID-19 test, no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, and symptoms improving. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BE SYMPTOM-FREE to attend school. We have plenty of rapid tests at school: just ask in the office. If you have a special circumstance and need an independent study, please let us know.
  • Please make sure your child is at school by 8:45 am and lined up on the blacktop. If they arrive to campus after 8:50 am, they will be marked tardy.
  • We begin a secure campus at 8:50 am. Parents/guardians must exit promptly at 8:50. Thank you.
  • Students can arrive as early as 8:20 am when our school’s gates open. There is no supervision for students prior to 8:20 am.
  • FREE breakfast is served from 8:20 am to 8:45 am. All meals are eaten at the lunch arbor outside, rain or shine.
  • If your child is absent, it is very important to call the office to report the reason for the absence.
  • Absences that are not reported will be considered UNEXCUSED. After 3 unexcused absences and/or tardies you will receive a truancy letter.
  • If you pick up your child early and/or they are tardy for personal reasons, this is considered unexcused by the state of California.
  • Remember to bring a doctor’s note. Vacations, dentist, and doctor visits should be scheduled during our breaks whenever possible.
  • If your child misses school, they are missing out on important learning! 
  • Our school staff will be scheduling SART (School Attendance Review Team) meetings with parents/guardians, calling home, and doing home visits for students who are chronically absent (missing 10% of school or excessive tardies).
  • Thank you for helping to get your child to school every day and one time!

Volunteers Still Needed

  • Allen’s PTC needs volunteers to help run its events. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 or our PTC President at galbertinibennett@gmail.com.
  • Allen is expanding its Garden Committee! If you would like to help out maintaining our gardens, please leave your information with the front office staff.
  • We need parent and community volunteers to help monitor student safety on the sidewalks around our school at drop off and dismissal time! Our Eagle Eye volunteers work with school staff to serve as an extra set of eyes to keep kids safe outside of our school gates. Any interested volunteers should contact Mr. Greenwell or Ms. Reza in the office or call (619) 479-3662.

All volunteers are allowed to volunteer inside the classroom and school buildings after having completed the required training with the school principal and meeting the District’s volunteer requirements. See below for these requirements:

REQUIRED ITEMS:

  • Proof of TB
  • RAPTOR I.D. Scan
  • Fingerprint Clearance – DOJ & FBI

Note that COVID-19 testing requirements have been lifted by CDPH. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 to be put on the volunteer list and to schedule a volunteer training with the school principal.

ThoughtExchange – We Need Your Voice!

Our annual ThoughtExchange for community input on the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is still open! We need to hear from every parent/legal guardian at our school. This year, we are asking the question: What are some things we are doing well, and what could improve the educational experience we provide students through the LCAP? 

As you’re aware, the LCAP shapes our District’s goals and guides our budgeting priorities. Please join in on the conversation from Feb. 1 through May 1, 2023. Please note that any negative comments and comments with profanity directed at an individual will be deleted. Constructive criticism on how to improve our school and district (and better serve students) is always welcome!

Feel free to reach out to our office team if you have any questions at (619) 479-3662. Allen Elementary’s budget priorities are discussed at every ELAC, SSC, and PTC meeting as well.

Link to survey: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/629912727

Zone Transfers & Registration Information

If Allen Elementary is not your school of residence, please complete this Zone Transfer (or ZT) process ASAP to keep your child at our school, or families risk losing their child’s spot at our school if a new family moves into the neighborhood. Please also remember that a Zone Transfer or Intradistrict Transfer may be denied if a child’s behavior or attendance require improvement.

NEW STUDENT registration began on February 15 online for the following:

  • Kindergartners who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023.
  • NEW students in grades 1st through 6th 
  • All registrations will take place online. There will be no paper packets. To register please visit our district website beginning on February 15: www.cvesd.org

Allen Elementary has plenty of space in our Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten classes for next year, but has limited openings in our upper grades. Please contact our office for questions about space availability at (619) 479-3662. More information is posted on our district’s website at www.cvesd.org.

  • Please note:
    • TK students will not need a renewal zone transfer link as they will need to register at their neighborhood school for Kindergarten. Our district’s Early Childhood Education department supports Preschool and TK enrollment. Please contact them directly at (619) 425-9600 Ext.181725.
    • The Renewal Zone Transfer Form is independent of the “New Zone Transfer Form.”
    • Students who will be transitioning to Sweetwater Union High School District for seventh grade (middle school) do not need to notify CVESD about this, but will need to complete registration processes with that district via https://www.sweetwaterschools.org/.

Preschool Enrollment and Early Childhood Education

Are you considering enrolling your child in preschool? Look no further! Allen Elementary offers a free preschool program for qualifying families that live in San Diego County. Learn more and enroll your child today at http://cvesd.org/preschool.

Free Campus Clinic Health Services

Families may come to the school office, Monday- Friday, between 8 am and 3:30 pm to receive a free COVID-19 home antigen test. The testing is not required. Please report all positive cases to our school office at (619) 479-3662.

Campus Clinic has partnered with the Chula Vista Elementary School District and Allen Elementary to provide free or low-cost services to staff and students for the convenience of our community. Services offered include:

  • Vision and Hearing screenings as part of Preventative wellness visits
  • Annual Well Visits 
  • Anxiety and depression screenings
  • Mental health services including group therapy
  • Diagnostic testing (flu, strep, COVID-19, etc)
  • Immunizations

A new mental wellness program is now available. This program is designed for students aged 8 years & older. Campus Clinic allows parents to schedule one-on-one visits with a licensed provider. Parents are encouraged to attend the first visit via telehealth, and then schedule 12 additional 30-minute sessions between their student and the provider either in person at the designated location in the school or via telehealth.

Families do have the opportunity to continue these visits through summer & holidays as well. Visits are billed through insurance (the cost of the program is generally covered by insurance providers including Medi-Cal & private insurance companies).

This program will be rolled out at Allen Elementary soon. See the flyer below:

Weekly, voluntary COVID-19, flu, and RSV testing will continue on our school campus via Campus Clinic each week. Parents and legal guardians must opt-in to the program and no child will be tested without proper consent. If families would like to watch a video on the registration process, they can visit: https://campusclinic.org/how-to/. For community testing at the kiosks, individuals will need to register on-site. You only need to register one time for a test through the kiosk. Again, for this free testing support, please email: support@campusclinic.org.

This combo test is designed to provide results for symptomatic individuals for some of the most common illnesses, such as Flu A, Flu B, RSV, and COVID-19. This testing is provided at no-cost or free to families, but Campus Clinic is required by the state of California to collect insurance information. Campus Clinic will also be providing other essential public health services on our campus in the coming weeks.

MedLab2020 may call or email families to verify insurance information for individuals who have tested with Campus Clinic previously. MedLab2020 is the lab that Campus Clinic partners with to process COVID-19 PCR & flu combo tests administered through weekly in school testing, as well as at the four kiosks throughout the district. They are part of the letterhead on most of the results sent out. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to the Campus Success Team.

Campus Clinic now provides access to licensed healthcare providers available via telehealth for follow-up visits and care. Following a positive flu or COVID test result, patients will receive a link in their email that gives them the opportunity to schedule with a provider to receive further care or ask any questions they may have.

Learn more about this and other additional services on the website: campusclinic.org. Allen Elementary is proud to partner with Campus Clinic! Watch the video below:


If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information above, please call or email our Campus Success team.

Campus Success; 8:00am -4:00pm PST
855.286.2577
support@campusclinic.org
www.campusclinic.org

Health and Safety

There are currently no mandate for COVID-19 vaccines, nor a mandate for masks. Please understand that the state of California may (in the future) require children to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to attend a public school, just as they already do for other diseases (polio, mumps, rubella, etc..). This decision is not a school-based or district-based decision, but rather a state government decision.

Masks, although not required at this time, are encouraged for all staff, students, parents, and visitors while indoors on campus.

  • There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses in any public place where people are present. The school and district strive to reduce this impact to staff, students, and families.
  • It is a current public health recommendation for all eligible people to get COVID-19 booster shots.

If your child has a chronic health condition, such as allergies or asthma, please contact the school office and download the form below to have your child’s doctor complete and send it back to the school’s nurse. We recommend doing this in advance of a child showing symptoms.

If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If any person (regardless of vaccination status) presents with symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, that person will be immediately sent home. All schools in CVESD must follow the latest County of San Diego COVID-19 Decision Tree (see below) for persons with symptoms associated with COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 and should stay home:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

*** Please see the latest COVID-19 Decision Tree here: LINK to Newest Decision Tree

Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) Corner

Visit the PTC website at AllenPTC.org to become a member of the PTC and make a donation to support the latest initiative at the school. Allen’s PTC is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the school’s educational mission through funding programs and initiatives.

Please help support Allen’s PTC and our school by joining as a member of the Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club.

The standing PTC Meeting link is here: PTC MEETING LINK 2022-2023

Meetings for Families & Staff

Allen School needs parents and legal guardians to support our school through important parent groups, such as the PTC (Parent Teacher Club), the School Site Council (often referred to as SSC), and the English Language Advisory Committee (often referred to as ELAC). The site-based groups work with the Principal, staff, and other community members to ensure that community voice is part of the shared decision making process of a public school.

Family First Friday Meeting

The first Friday of every month is usually reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Family First Friday will be on Friday, May 5, 2023 from 8 am to 9 am. This meeting will be in person at school with a coffee cart available in front of the school. Our Allen PTC will also have their monthly Spirit Gear Booth with great items for sale!

We encourage parents and legal guardians to join this meeting with a free cup of hot coffee or a cold cup of cold brew on nitro and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year and meet other amazing Allen families.

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting will be on May 8, 2023 at 3 pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings.

School Site Council (SSC)

Ella B. Allen’s next SSC Meeting will be on May 8, 2023 at 3:30 pm. Please note that if you join early, you’ll be attending the ELAC meeting already in progress. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

All SSC members are welcome to attend ELAC meetings for additional information.

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) is composed of five elected parent/community representatives and five elected staff/teacher representatives. The role of the SSC is to develop, approve, and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement.

With a few exceptions, meetings are held the second Monday of every month. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.

Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting

Allen’s PTC usually meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Link: via this link. The next PTC meeting is May 8 at 6 pm. Please also check out the new PTC website to become a member and make a donation: AllenPTC.org

CVESD Board of Education Meeting

The district’s Board of Education meetings are also being held online and generally occur the second Wednesday of each month. The next regularly scheduled CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, April 19 at 6 pm. Limited in-person access is permitted, but check the district’s website for more information on this.

To access these public meetings, please click the link here: https://www.cvesd.org/board_of_education/board_meetings

CVESD DAC/DELAC Meeting

District Advisory Council (DAC)

The DAC is composed of parent and staff representatives from each School Site Council. It meets regularly during the school year in open public forum to share information, study instructional issues, approve school planning schedules, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on specific items. District meetings take place once a month, mid-afternoon. Most meetings occur on Tuesdays from 12 – 2 pm, with a parent training beforehand. This is an elected position to serve a one-year term.

District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

The district will continue to conduct all meetings online until further notice, including all DAC/DELAC meetings. DAC is the District Advisory Committee. DELAC is the District English Learner Advisory Committee. Both of these groups are designed to support and inform parents in a shared communication setting with the district. Parents learn with other parents and district leadership at the DAC/DELAC meetings.

The next DAC/DELAC Meeting will be on May 9, 2023 at 12 noon. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

The link below contains a schedule of all DAC/DELAC meetings for the upcoming school year. I recommend all parents download this schedule if they are interested in learning more about theses district meetings: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/dac-delac

CVESD B-LAC Meeting

District Black Learners Advisory Council (B-LAC)

The B-LAC is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The B-LAC provides and monitors the ongoing support for Black/African American students and families in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure unbiased practices/policies, equitable educational outcomes, and equal access to a quality education. The group meets regularly during the school year, once a month. Most meetings occur on Thursdays from 6 – 7 pm. The next meeting is April 20 at 6 pm and will be in person at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913). For more information and to download the schedule of these meetings, clink the link: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/black-learners-advisory-council—b–lac

CVESD BAC Meeting

District Budget Advisory Council (CVESD BAC)

The District’s Budget Advisory Council (BAC) is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The BAC monitors the financial statements and fiduciary obligations of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD). Although it usually only meets 5 – 6 times a year, the BAC’s meetings are useful in understanding how state and federal monies support student learning at a local level. April 26 at 6 pm is the next BAC meeting. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

Academic Calendar for the 2022-2023 School Year

The 2022-2023 School Calendar is available online! Click this link to download it. Please reference this when planning vacations or scheduling appointments with your children that may require them to miss school. Excellent attendance is important in student success!

Our Board of Education has approved our 2023-2024 School Calendar as well. Please also use this document to plan and schedule family outings, vacations, and other important appointments in preparation for the upcoming school year. Find that document in the file below…

Students in our district will end the current academic year on Friday, June 2, 2023. The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Allen Elementary is proud to be a Kindness Certified School again in 2023!

Be well Eagles! As a California public school, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and get the COVID-19 vaccine (and/or booster shots), as well as to test regularly. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our number 1 concern!

🦅  Allen Eagles: Together, we SOAR!

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Sunday Update (9 April 2023)

Hello Allen Families and Staff,

Happy Easter to all who celebrate in the Allen Elementary School community!

Please see the letter below regarding our state and district testing.

Our school’s testing schedule will be shared with families in the coming week and will also be posted on the school blog at www.allenelementary.org.

Please read the letter below and contact the school principal if you have any questions or concerns at (619) 479-3662.

If you have questions for our staff or need assistance, please call at at (619) 479-3662. Office hours are 8 am to 3:30 pm, M-F.

Arab American Heritage Month is celebrated in April to recognize Arab American histories and cultures, and to pay tribute to Arabic cultures & the many contributions of Arab Americans to the United States. Allen Elementary and the Chula Vista Elementary School District celebrate and honor the diversity in our community!

Have you downloaded the Family Handbook for 2022-2023? Kindly review this periodically with your child.

https://allenelementary.org/family-handbook/

Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week

Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for this upcoming week at the YouTube link below:

Please download our Q4 Calendar of Events here:

Do you receive School Messenger emails and communication from our district? Be sure to check www.cvesd.org and bookmark our district’s website and follow its social media:

Please see our updated 2022-2023 Family Handbook here: Link to Family Handbook

A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:

Allen’s Core Values
Allen’s Common Courtesies

The Core Value for this upcoming week of school is Caring. The Common Courtesy for this week is Please.

Students may earn an Allen Eagle Ticket for demonstrating the Core Values and Common Courtesies each day. Students can redeem these tickets at the Eagle’s Nest Store at the end of each quarter of the school year. Our staff is always looking for ways to celebrate our students!

Kindness counts! Wondering how to support children if they experience a problem with another student? We suggest:

  • Use “I feel…” statements to express yourself clearly.
  • Set boundaries by saying “I don’t like that…” or “Please stop!”
  • Move away from the student you have conflict with and…
  • Seek help from an adult nearby.

Our staff prides itself in actively monitoring students at all times. What our staff has noticed is that students are learning how to interact with one another and having some problems or conflict. This is not bullying. It may be due to trauma and other sudden social-emotional issues with a child. What is bullying? See the helpful graphic below:

If you have a concern about another child’s behaviors impacting your child, we suggest you first contact your child’s teacher. Afterwards, please see this page here. It’s our District’s Anti-Bullying page.

If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.

A Look Ahead:

Sunday, April 9, 2023 – Easter Sunday

Monday, April 10, 2023 – Parent Meetings (in person in MPR and online)

  • ELAC at 3 pm [ELAC LINK here]
  • SSC at 3:30 pm [SSC LINK here]
  • PTC at 6 pm PTC Link HERE]

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

  • CVESD DAC/DELAC 12 noon to 2 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista
  • Allen Basketball versus Muraoka at 5 pm at Rohr Park

Thursday, April 13, 2023

  • Masonic Awards at 9 am (Sixth Grade only)
  • La Jolla Playhouse POP Tour during school – 3rd through 6th grade students only
  • Allen Soccer versus Clearview at Clearview Elementary School at 4:15 pm

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

  • Rooms 101, 201, 202, and 204 (TK and Kindergarten) visit at the San Diego Zoo
  • Allen Basketball versus Camarena at 6 pm at Rohr Park

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 – CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, April 20, 2023

  • 5th Grade Filed Trip to Star of India
  • Room 502 visits the Health Station
  • Allen Soccer versus Heritage at Heritage Elementary School at 4:15 pm
  • Allen Basketball versus EastLake at 6 pm at Santa Venetia Park
  • CVESD B-LAC Meeting at 6 pm at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913)

Friday, April 21, 2023 – Eid al-Fitr

Saturday, April 22, 2023 – Rise Against Hunger at Allen (8 am – 12 noon) in MPR – Adults must attend with their children.

Monday, April 24, 2023 – Room 501 visits the Health Station

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 – Allen Basketball versus Salt Creek at 5 pm at Rohr Park

Thursday, April 27, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Photos in AM
  • Allen Soccer versus Discovery at Discovery Elementary School at 4:15 pm
  • Allen Basketball versus Chula Vista Hills at 5 pm at Santa Venetia Park

Monday, May 1, 2023

  • Principal’s Day
  • First Day of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
  • Celebration of School Staff Week begins
  • Spirit Week

Thursday, May 4, 2023

  • Allen Soccer versus Tiffany at Tiffany Elementary School at 4:15 pm
  • Allen Basketball versus Clearview at 6 pm at Santa Venetia Park

Friday, May 5, 2023 – Family First Friday 8 am to 9 am (free coffee for adults and PTC Spirit Gear Booth in front of school)

Monday, May 8, 2023 – Parent Meetings online and in person (in school’s MPR)

  • ELAC at 3 pm [ELAC LINK here]
  • SSC at 3:30 pm [SSC LINK here]
  • PTC at 6 pm PTC Link HERE]

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

  • CVESD DAC/DELAC 12 noon to 2 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista
  • Allen Basketball versus Valley Vista at 4 pm at Rohr Park

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 – Second grade field trip to the Zoo

Thursday, May 11, 2023 – Allen Soccer versus Valley Vista at Clearview Elementary School at 4:15 pm

Friday, May 12, 2023 – Family Science and Engineering Night at Allen from 5 to 6 pm

Friday, May 19, 2023 – Allen Music Festival (adults-only) at CV Golf Course, 6 to 10 pm

Wednesday, May 24, 2023 – CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, May 25, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades 3, 4, 5, and 800 building at 9 am

Friday, May 26, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades TK-2 at 9 am

Monday, May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

Thursday, June 1, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:15 am
  • Kindergarten field trip to the Zoo
  • First day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Friday, June 2, 2023

  • Last Day of School (2 pm dismissal)
  • Kindergarten Celebration at 10 am

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – First Day of School (all students in grades TK-6 dismiss at 2 pm)

Thursday, July 20, 2023 – Kindergarten and TK students dismiss at 2 pm

Friday, July 21, 2023 – Family First Friday (8 – 9 am) with free coffee for adults and the return of the PTC Spirit Booth

New Science Curriculum Coming in 2023-2024

The Chula Vista Elementary School District is adopting a new science curriculum for kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Twig Science was approved for adoption at the February 2023 Board of Education meeting.

The new science curriculum is an interactive and hands-on science program that will immerse students in the exciting world of science and natural phenomena. The curriculum covers various scientific topics with a strong emphasis on interactive activities for students, digital resources for teachers, and real-world examples.

In December 2021, the District began the evaluation process for adopting a new science curriculum. A Science Curriculum Adoption Subcommittee was formed in early 2022, which consisted of teachers, Chula Vista Educators leadership, principals, and District leadership. During these meetings, non-negotiables were determined, materials were reviewed through a structured paper screening process, and two programs moved forward for the pilot process.

Twig Education logoAfter teachers could pilot and review each program, schools came to a consensus about the program they agreed to be the best science curriculum. The curriculum was examined with a focus on student learning, teacher support, and assessment. The Twig Science curriculum was determined as the best fit for the District and students.

The new curriculum will be rolled out in a six year process. The District will work closely with Twig Science and District staff members as the curriculum is rolled out to students. Training and professional development will be available throughout the implementation process and beyond.

The District is excited about the new possibilities for staff and students as it embarks on an engaging and innovative approach to science instruction. The new curriculum adoption shows the District’s commitment to providing high-quality and innovative education for all students.

Rise Against Hunger

Chula Vista Sunrise Rotary Club and community volunteers will package over 12,000 meals to be distributed to children and families in countries worldwide. Each meal combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and a flavoring mix including 21 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packets. Each meal costs only 29 cents and has a shelf life of two years. Allen Elementary’s Student Council will be serving as volunteers for this, but we need more!

This big event will be held at Allen Elementary on Saturday, April 22 from 8 am to 12 noon and they need volunteers of all ages! Parents must attend with their children. Please download the flyer below for more information or scan the QR code to sign up!

YMCA Junior Academy and DASH

DASH enrollment for the school year 2023-2024 has now closed!

–      Enrollment Dates: March 17-April 7

–      Results will be posted on April 19, 2023

–      Priority will be allotted to our Unduplicated Students who fall in any one of these categories:

  • Foster Youth
  • McKinney Vento (Homeless) Act
  • English Language Learners
  • Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students

For further details on what our program entails this year, please visit our website: https://www.ymcasd.org/programs/child-care/before-and-after-school/dash-chula-vista-elementary-school-district

Attendance Matters!

Attendance is important! Allen Elementary celebrates excellent attendance as it sets students up for success!

Students attending Allen on a Zone Transfer may be denied if a student has a poor attendance record or behavior concerns.

Did you know that if your child is out of school for five or more days, you can request an independent study contract? If an independent study contract is completed, your child receives attendance credit. For more information, you can contact Ms. Baptista in the front office at (619) 479-3662.

  • LET’S CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR ATTENDANCE AT ALLEN!
  • Students should only miss school if they are sick. Those with symptoms can return with a negative COVID-19 test, no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, and symptoms improving. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BE SYMPTOM-FREE to attend school. We have plenty of rapid tests at school: just ask in the office. If you have a special circumstance and need an independent study, please let us know.
  • Please make sure your child is here by 8:45 am and lined up on the blacktop. If they arrive to campus after 8:50 am, they will be marked tardy.
  • We begin a secure campus at 8:50 am. Parents/guardians must exit promptly at 8:50. Thank you.
  • Students can arrive as early as 8:20 am when our school’s gates open. There is no supervision for students prior to 8:20 am.
  • FREE breakfast is served from 8:20 am to 8:45 am. All meals are eaten at the lunch arbor outside, rain or shine.
  • If your child is absent, it is very important to call the office to report the reason for the absence.
  • Absences that are not reported will be considered UNEXCUSED. After 3 unexcused absences and/or tardies you will receive a truancy letter.
  • If you pick up your child early and/or they are tardy for personal reasons, this is considered unexcused by the state of California.
  • Remember to bring a doctor’s note. Vacations, dentist, and doctor visits should be scheduled during our breaks whenever possible.
  • If your child misses school, they are missing out on important learning! 
  • Our school staff will be scheduling SART (School Attendance Review Team) meetings with parents/guardians, calling home, and doing home visits for students who are chronically absent (missing 10% of school or excessive tardies).
  • Thank you for helping to get your child to school every day and one time!

Volunteers Still Needed

We need parent and community volunteers to help monitor student safety on the sidewalks around our school at drop off and dismissal time! Our Eagle Eye volunteers work with school staff to serve as an extra set of eyes to keep kids safe outside of our school gates. Any interested volunteers should contact Mr. Greenwell or Ms. Reza in the office or call (619) 479-3662.

All volunteers are allowed to volunteer inside the classroom and school buildings after having completed the required training with the school principal and meeting the District’s volunteer requirements. See below for these requirements:

REQUIRED ITEMS:

  • Proof of TB
  • RAPTOR I.D. Scan
  • Fingerprint Clearance – DOJ & FBI

Note that COVID-19 testing requirements have been lifted by CDPH. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 to be put on the volunteer list and to schedule a volunteer training with the school principal.

ThoughtExchange – We Need Your Voice!

Our annual ThoughtExchange for community input on the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is still open! We need to hear from every parent/legal guardian at our school. This year, we are asking the question: What are some things we are doing well, and what could improve the educational experience we provide students through the LCAP? 

As you’re aware, the LCAP shapes our District’s goals and guides our budgeting priorities. Please join in on the conversation from Feb. 1 through May 1, 2023. Please note that any negative comments and comments with profanity directed at an individual will be deleted. Constructive criticism on how to improve our school and district (and better serve students) is always welcome!

Feel free to reach out to our office team if you have any questions at (619) 479-3662. Allen Elementary’s budget priorities are discussed at every ELAC, SSC, and PTC meeting as well.

Link to survey: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/629912727

Zone Transfers & Registration Information

If Allen Elementary is not your school of residence, please complete this Zone Transfer (or ZT) process ASAP to keep your child at our school, or families risk losing their child’s spot at our school if a new family moves into the neighborhood. Please also remember that a Zone Transfer or Intradistrict Transfer may be denied if a child’s behavior or attendance require improvement.

NEW STUDENT registration began on February 15 online for the following:

  • Kindergartners who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023.
  • NEW students in grades 1st through 6th 
  • All registrations will take place online. There will be no paper packets. To register please visit our district website beginning on February 15: www.cvesd.org

Allen Elementary has plenty of space in our Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten classes for next year, but has limited openings in our upper grades. Please contact our office for questions about space availability at (619) 479-3662. More information is posted on our district’s website at www.cvesd.org.

  • Please note:
    • TK students will not need a renewal zone transfer link as they will need to register at their neighborhood school for Kindergarten. Our district’s Early Childhood Education department supports Preschool and TK enrollment. Please contact them directly at (619) 425-9600 Ext.181725.
    • The Renewal Zone Transfer Form is independent of the “New Zone Transfer Form.”
    • Students who will be transitioning to Sweetwater Union High School District for seventh grade (middle school) do not need to notify CVESD about this, but will need to complete registration processes with that district via https://www.sweetwaterschools.org/.

Preschool Enrollment and Early Childhood Education

Are you considering enrolling your child in preschool? Look no further! Allen Elementary offers a free preschool program for qualifying families that live in San Diego County. Learn more and enroll your child today at http://cvesd.org/preschool.

Free Campus Clinic Health Services

Families may come to the school office, Monday- Friday, between 8 am and 3:30 pm to receive a free COVID-19 home antigen test. The testing is not required. Please report all positive cases to our school office at (619) 479-3662.

Campus Clinic has partnered with the Chula Vista Elementary School District and Allen Elementary to provide free or low-cost services to staff and students for the convenience of our community. Services offered include:

  • Vision and Hearing screenings as part of Preventative wellness visits
  • Annual Well Visits 
  • Anxiety and depression screenings
  • Mental health services including group therapy
  • Diagnostic testing (flu, strep, COVID-19, etc)
  • Immunizations

Weekly, voluntary COVID-19, flu, and RSV testing will continue on our school campus via Campus Clinic each week. Parents and legal guardians must opt-in to the program and no child will be tested without proper consent. If families would like to watch a video on the registration process, they can visit: https://campusclinic.org/how-to/. For community testing at the kiosks, individuals will need to register on-site. You only need to register one time for a test through the kiosk. Again, for this free testing support, please email: support@campusclinic.org.

This combo test is designed to provide results for symptomatic individuals for some of the most common illnesses, such as Flu A, Flu B, RSV, and COVID-19. This testing is provided at no-cost or free to families, but Campus Clinic is required by the state of California to collect insurance information. Campus Clinic will also be providing other essential public health services on our campus in the coming weeks.

MedLab2020 may call or email families to verify insurance information for individuals who have tested with Campus Clinic previously. MedLab2020 is the lab that Campus Clinic partners with to process COVID-19 PCR & flu combo tests administered through weekly in school testing, as well as at the four kiosks throughout the district. They are part of the letterhead on most of the results sent out. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to the Campus Success Team.

Campus Clinic now provides access to licensed healthcare providers available via telehealth for follow-up visits and care. Following a positive flu or COVID test result, patients will receive a link in their email that gives them the opportunity to schedule with a provider to receive further care or ask any questions they may have.

Learn more about this and other additional services on the website: campusclinic.org. Allen Elementary is proud to partner with Campus Clinic! Watch the video below:


If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information above, please call or email our Campus Success team.

Campus Success; 8:00am -4:00pm PST
855.286.2577
support@campusclinic.org
www.campusclinic.org

Health and Safety

There are currently no mandate for COVID-19 vaccines, nor a mandate for masks. Please understand that the state of California may (in the future) require children to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to attend a public school, just as they already do for other diseases (polio, mumps, rubella, etc..). This decision is not a school-based or district-based decision, but rather a state government decision.

Masks, although not required at this time, are encouraged for all staff, students, parents, and visitors while indoors on campus.

  • There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses in any public place where people are present. The school and district strive to reduce this impact to staff, students, and families.
  • It is a current public health recommendation for all eligible people to get COVID-19 booster shots.

If your child has a chronic health condition, such as allergies or asthma, please contact the school office and download the form below to have your child’s doctor complete and send it back to the school’s nurse. We recommend doing this in advance of a child showing symptoms.

If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If any person (regardless of vaccination status) presents with symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, that person will be immediately sent home. All schools in CVESD must follow the latest County of San Diego COVID-19 Decision Tree (see below) for persons with symptoms associated with COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 and should stay home:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

*** Please see the latest COVID-19 Decision Tree here: LINK to Newest Decision Tree

Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) Corner

Visit the PTC website at AllenPTC.org to become a member of the PTC and make a donation to support the latest initiative at the school. Allen’s PTC is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the school’s educational mission through funding programs and initiatives.

Please help support Allen’s PTC and our school by joining as a member of the Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club.

The standing PTC Meeting link is here: PTC MEETING LINK 2022-2023

Meetings for Families & Staff

Allen School needs parents and legal guardians to support our school through important parent groups, such as the PTC (Parent Teacher Club), the School Site Council (often referred to as SSC), and the English Language Advisory Committee (often referred to as ELAC). The site-based groups work with the Principal, staff, and other community members to ensure that community voice is part of the shared decision making process of a public school.

Family First Friday Meeting

The first Friday of every month is usually reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Family First Friday will be on Friday, April 7, 2023 from 8 am to 9 am. This meeting will be in person at school with a coffee cart available in front of the school. Our Allen PTC will also have their monthly Spirit Gear Booth with great items for sale!

We encourage parents and legal guardians to join this meeting with a free cup of hot coffee or a cold cup of cold brew on nitro and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year and meet other amazing Allen families.

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting will be on April 10, 2023 at 3 pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings.

School Site Council (SSC)

Ella B. Allen’s next SSC Meeting will be on April 10, 2023 at 3:30 pm. Please note that if you join early, you’ll be attending the ELAC meeting already in progress. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

All SSC members are welcome to attend ELAC meetings for additional information.

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) is composed of five elected parent/community representatives and five elected staff/teacher representatives. The role of the SSC is to develop, approve, and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement.

With a few exceptions, meetings are held the second Monday of every month. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.

Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting

Allen’s PTC usually meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Link: via this link. The next PTC meeting is April 10 at 6 pm. Please also check out the new PTC website to become a member and make a donation: AllenPTC.org

CVESD Board of Education Meeting

The district’s Board of Education meetings are also being held online and generally occur the second Wednesday of each month. The next regularly scheduled CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, April 19 at 6 pm. Limited in-person access is permitted, but check the district’s website for more information on this.

To access these public meetings, please click the link here: https://www.cvesd.org/board_of_education/board_meetings

CVESD DAC/DELAC Meeting

District Advisory Council (DAC)

The DAC is composed of parent and staff representatives from each School Site Council. It meets regularly during the school year in open public forum to share information, study instructional issues, approve school planning schedules, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on specific items. District meetings take place once a month, mid-afternoon. Most meetings occur on Tuesdays from 12 – 2 pm, with a parent training beforehand. This is an elected position to serve a one-year term.

District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

The district will continue to conduct all meetings online until further notice, including all DAC/DELAC meetings. DAC is the District Advisory Committee. DELAC is the District English Learner Advisory Committee. Both of these groups are designed to support and inform parents in a shared communication setting with the district. Parents learn with other parents and district leadership at the DAC/DELAC meetings.

The next DAC/DELAC Meeting will be on April 11, 2023 at 12 noon. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

The link below contains a schedule of all DAC/DELAC meetings for the upcoming school year. I recommend all parents download this schedule if they are interested in learning more about theses district meetings: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/dac-delac

CVESD B-LAC Meeting

District Black Learners Advisory Council (B-LAC)

The B-LAC is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The B-LAC provides and monitors the ongoing support for Black/African American students and families in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure unbiased practices/policies, equitable educational outcomes, and equal access to a quality education. The group meets regularly during the school year, once a month. Most meetings occur on Thursdays from 6 – 7 pm. The next meeting is April 20 at 6 pm and will be in person at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913). For more information and to download the schedule of these meetings, clink the link: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/black-learners-advisory-council—b–lac

CVESD BAC Meeting

District Budget Advisory Council (CVESD BAC)

The District’s Budget Advisory Council (BAC) is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The BAC monitors the financial statements and fiduciary obligations of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD). Although it usually only meets 5 – 6 times a year, the BAC’s meetings are useful in understanding how state and federal monies support student learning at a local level. April 26 at 6 pm is the next BAC meeting. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

Academic Calendar for the 2022-2023 School Year

The 2022-2023 School Calendar is available online! Click this link to download it. Please reference this when planning vacations or scheduling appointments with your children that may require them to miss school. Excellent attendance is important in student success!

Our Board of Education has approved our 2023-2024 School Calendar as well. Please also use this document to plan and schedule family outings, vacations, and other important appointments in preparation for the upcoming school year. Find that document in the file below…

Students in our district will end the current academic year on Friday, June 2, 2023. The first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Allen Elementary is proud to be a Kindness Certified School again in 2023!

Be well Eagles! As a California public school, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and get the COVID-19 vaccine (and/or booster shots), as well as to test regularly. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our number 1 concern!

🦅  Allen Eagles: Together, we SOAR!

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Sunday Update (2 April 2023)

Hello Allen Families and Staff,

Welcome back from Spring Break, Allen Families! Students return from Spring Break on Monday, April 3, 2023. Students in grades TK-6 will attend class from 8:50 am to 2 pm that day.

If you have questions for our staff or need assistance, please call at at (619) 479-3662. Office hours are 8 am to 3:30 pm, M-F.

Arab American Heritage Month is celebrated in April to recognize Arab American histories and cultures, and to pay tribute to Arabic cultures & the many contributions of Arab Americans to the United States. Allen Elementary and the Chula Vista Elementary School District celebrate and honor the diversity in our community!

Have you downloaded the Family Handbook for 2022-2023? Kindly review this periodically with your child.

https://allenelementary.org/family-handbook/

Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week

Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for Spring Break at the YouTube link below:

Please download our Q4 Calendar of Events here:

Do you receive School Messenger emails and communication from our district? Be sure to check www.cvesd.org and bookmark our district’s website and follow its social media:

Please see our updated 2022-2023 Family Handbook here: Link to Family Handbook

A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:

Allen’s Core Values
Allen’s Common Courtesies

The Core Value for this upcoming week of school is Responsibility. The Common Courtesy for this week is Excuse me.

Students may earn an Allen Eagle Ticket for demonstrating the Core Values and Common Courtesies each day. Students can redeem these tickets at the Eagle’s Nest Store at the end of each quarter of the school year. Our staff is always looking for ways to celebrate our students!

Kindness counts! Wondering how to support children if they experience a problem with another student? We suggest:

  • Use “I feel…” statements to express yourself clearly.
  • Set boundaries by saying “I don’t like that…” or “Please stop!”
  • Move away from the student you have conflict with and…
  • Seek help from an adult nearby.

Our staff prides itself in actively monitoring students at all times. What our staff has noticed is that students are learning how to interact with one another and having some problems or conflict. This is not bullying. It may be due to trauma and other sudden social-emotional issues with a child. What is bullying? See the helpful graphic below:

If you have a concern about another child’s behaviors impacting your child, we suggest you first contact your child’s teacher. Afterwards, please see this page here. It’s our District’s Anti-Bullying page.

If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.

A Look Ahead:

Monday, April 3, 2023 – Classes resume (with a 2 pm dismissal for all students in grades TK-6)

Tuesday, April 4, 2023 – 9:30 am Second Grade Dental Presentations

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

  • Q3 Awards for grades TK-2 from 9 am to 9:45 am in the courtyard
  • Passover

Thursday, April 6, 2023 – Q3 Awards for grades 3-6 and 800 building from 9 am to 9:45 am in the courtyard

Friday, April 7, 2023

  • Family First Friday 8 – 9 am (with free coffee for adults) and our PTC Spirit Booth at the front of the school
  • Good Friday
  • Smarty Plants Assemblies for students during school hours

Sunday, April 9, 2023 – Easter Sunday

Monday, April 10, 2023 – Parent Meetings (in person in MPR and online)

  • ELAC at 3 pm [ELAC LINK here]
  • SSC at 3:30 pm [SSC LINK here]
  • PTC at 6 pm PTC Link HERE]

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 – CVESD DAC/DELAC 12 noon to 2 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, April 13, 2023

  • Masonic Awards at 9 am (Sixth Grade only)
  • La Jolla Playhouse POP Tour during school – 3rd through 6th grade students only

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 – TK and Kindergarten at the San Diego Zoo

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 – CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, April 20, 2023

  • 5th Grade Filed Trip to Star of India
  • Room 502 visits the Health Station
  • CVESD B-LAC Meeting at 6 pm at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913)

Friday, April 21, 2023 – Eid al-Fitr

Saturday, April 22, 2023 – Rise Against Hunger at Allen (8 am – 12 noon) in MPR

Monday, April 24, 2023 – Room 501 visits the Health Station

Thursday, April 27, 2023 – Sixth Grade Photos

Monday, May 1, 2023

  • Principal’s Day
  • First Day of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
  • Celebration of School Staff Week begins
  • Spirit Week

Friday, May 5, 2023 – Family First Friday 8 am to 9 am (free coffee for adults and PTC Spirit Gear Booth in front of school)

Monday, May 8, 2023 – Parent Meetings online and in person (in school’s MPR)

  • ELAC at 3 pm [ELAC LINK here]
  • SSC at 3:30 pm [SSC LINK here]
  • PTC at 6 pm PTC Link HERE]

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 – CVESD DAC/DELAC 12 noon to 2 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 – Second grade field trip to the Zoo

Friday, May 12, 2023 – Family Science and Engineering Night at Allen 5 – 6:30 pm

Friday, May 19, 2023 – Allen Music Festival (adults-only) at CV Golf Course, 6 to 10 pm

Wednesday, May 24, 2023 – CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista

Thursday, May 25, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades 3, 4, 5, and 800 building at 9 am

Friday, May 26, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades TK-2 at 9 am

Monday, May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

Thursday, June 1, 2023

  • Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:15 am
  • Kindergarten field trip to the Zoo
  • First day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Friday, June 2, 2023

  • Last Day of School (2 pm dismissal)
  • Kindergarten Celebration at 10 am

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – First Day of School (all students in grades TK-6 dismiss at 2 pm)

Thursday, July 20, 2023 – Kindergarten and TK students dismiss at 2 pm

Friday, July 21, 2023 – Family First Friday (8 – 9 am) with free coffee for adults and the return of the PTC Spirit Booth

New Science Curriculum Coming in 2023-2024

The Chula Vista Elementary School District is adopting a new science curriculum for kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Twig Science was approved for adoption at the February 2023 Board of Education meeting.

The new science curriculum is an interactive and hands-on science program that will immerse students in the exciting world of science and natural phenomena. The curriculum covers various scientific topics with a strong emphasis on interactive activities for students, digital resources for teachers, and real-world examples.

In December 2021, the District began the evaluation process for adopting a new science curriculum. A Science Curriculum Adoption Subcommittee was formed in early 2022, which consisted of teachers, Chula Vista Educators leadership, principals, and District leadership. During these meetings, non-negotiables were determined, materials were reviewed through a structured paper screening process, and two programs moved forward for the pilot process.

Twig Education logoAfter teachers could pilot and review each program, schools came to a consensus about the program they agreed to be the best science curriculum. The curriculum was examined with a focus on student learning, teacher support, and assessment. The Twig Science curriculum was determined as the best fit for the District and students.

The new curriculum will be rolled out in a six year process. The District will work closely with Twig Science and District staff members as the curriculum is rolled out to students. Training and professional development will be available throughout the implementation process and beyond.

The District is excited about the new possibilities for staff and students as it embarks on an engaging and innovative approach to science instruction. The new curriculum adoption shows the District’s commitment to providing high-quality and innovative education for all students.

VAPA Newsletters for Q3

Please review the Visual Arts and Music Newsletters below for Q3. You may need to scroll through the documents to find your child’s grade level. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Godoy (Music) or Ms. Gilman (Visual Arts).

Rise Against Hunger

Chula Vista Sunrise Rotary Club and community volunteers will package over 12,000 meals to be distributed to children and families in countries worldwide. Each meal combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and a flavoring mix including 21 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packets. Each meal costs only 29 cents and has a shelf life of two years. Allen Elementary’s Student Council will be serving as volunteers for this, but we need more!

This big event will be held at Allen Elementary on Saturday, April 22 from 8 am to 12 noon and they need volunteers of all ages! Parents must attend with their children. Please download the flyer below for more information or scan the QR code to sign up!

YMCA Junior Academy and DASH

This is the last week for DASH enrollment for the school year 2023-2024 has now opened! Here are some key points to know before applying for DASH for 2023-2024:

–      Enrollment Dates: March 17-April 7

–      Results will be posted on April 19, 2023

–      Priority will be allotted to our Unduplicated Students who fall in any one of these categories:

  • Foster Youth
  • McKinney Vento (Homeless) Act
  • English Language Learners
  • Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students

For further details on what our program entails this year, please visit our website: https://www.ymcasd.org/programs/child-care/before-and-after-school/dash-chula-vista-elementary-school-district

If you are interested in joining our DASH program for the 2023-2024 school year, please apply here: https://hipaa.jotform.com/230617115892153

Families with a 6th Grade Student

Do you have a current sixth grade student at Allen? This message is for you!

We wanted to share this important information from Bonita Vista Middle School.

Check out the flyer to learn the 3 steps to become a student at BVMS:

Please contact the Bonita Vista Middle School office at (619) 397-2200 for questions or for help with registering at another Sweetwater Union School District middle school.

Attendance Matters!

Attendance is important! Allen Elementary celebrates excellent attendance as it sets students up for success!

Students attending Allen on a Zone Transfer may be denied if a student has a poor attendance record or behavior concerns.

Did you know that if your child is out of school for five or more days, you can request an independent study contract? If an independent study contract is completed, your child receives attendance credit. For more information, you can contact Ms. Baptista in the front office at (619) 479-3662.

  • LET’S CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR ATTENDANCE AT ALLEN!
  • Students should only miss school if they are sick. Those with symptoms can return with a negative COVID-19 test, no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, and symptoms improving. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BE SYMPTOM-FREE to attend school. We have plenty of rapid tests at school: just ask in the office. If you have a special circumstance and need an independent study, please let us know.
  • Please make sure your child is here by 8:45 am and lined up on the blacktop. If they arrive to campus after 8:50 am, they will be marked tardy.
  • We begin a secure campus at 8:50 am. Parents/guardians must exit promptly at 8:50. Thank you.
  • Students can arrive as early as 8:20 am when our school’s gates open. There is no supervision for students prior to 8:20 am.
  • FREE breakfast is served from 8:20 am to 8:45 am. All meals are eaten at the lunch arbor outside, rain or shine.
  • If your child is absent, it is very important to call the office to report the reason for the absence.
  • Absences that are not reported will be considered UNEXCUSED. After 3 unexcused absences and/or tardies you will receive a truancy letter.
  • If you pick up your child early and/or they are tardy for personal reasons, this is considered unexcused by the state of California.
  • Remember to bring a doctor’s note. Vacations, dentist, and doctor visits should be scheduled during our breaks whenever possible.
  • If your child misses school, they are missing out on important learning! 
  • Our school staff will be scheduling SART (School Attendance Review Team) meetings with parents/guardians, calling home, and doing home visits for students who are chronically absent (missing 10% of school or excessive tardies).
  • Thank you for helping to get your child to school every day and one time!

Parent Volunteers Still Needed

We need parent volunteers to help monitor student safety on the sidewalks around our school at drop off and dismissal time! Our Eagle Eye volunteers work with school staff to serve as an extra set of eyes to keep kids safe outside of our school gates. Any interested volunteers should contact Mr. Greenwell or Ms. Reza in the office or call (619) 479-3662.

All parent volunteers are allowed to volunteer inside the classroom and school buildings after having completed the required training with the school principal and meeting the District’s volunteer requirements. See below for these requirements:

REQUIRED ITEMS:

  • Proof of TB
  • RAPTOR I.D. Scan
  • Fingerprint Clearance – DOJ & FBI

Note that COVID-19 testing requirements have been lifted by CDPH. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 to be put on the volunteer list and to schedule a volunteer training with the school principal.

ThoughtExchange – We Need Your Voice!

Our annual ThoughtExchange for community input on the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is still open! We need to hear from every parent/legal guardian at our school. This year, we are asking the question: What are some things we are doing well, and what could improve the educational experience we provide students through the LCAP? 

As you’re aware, the LCAP shapes our District’s goals and guides our budgeting priorities. Please join in on the conversation from Feb. 1 through May 1, 2023 (extended from April 1, 2023). Please note that any negative comments and comments with profanity directed at an individual will be deleted. Constructive criticism on how to improve our school and district (and better serve students) is always welcome!

Feel free to reach out to our office team if you have any questions at (619) 479-3662. Allen Elementary’s budget priorities are discussed at every ELAC, SSC, and PTC meeting as well.

Link to survey: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/629912727

Zone Transfers & Registration Information

It’s that time again! Everyone attending Allen Elementary on a CVESD Zone Transfer should have received an email with a specific link to renew the Zone Transfer for their child for the 2023-2024 school year.  Please complete this Zone Transfer (or ZT) process ASAP to keep your child at our school, or families risk losing their child’s spot at our school if a new family moves into the neighborhood. Please also remember that a Zone Transfer or Intradistrict Transfer may be denied if a child’s behavior or attendance require improvement.

NEW STUDENT registration began on February 15 online for the following:

  • Kindergartners who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023.
  • NEW students in grades 1st through 6th 
  • All registrations will take place online. There will be no paper packets. To register please visit our district website beginning on February 15: www.cvesd.org

Allen Elementary has plenty of space in our Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten classes for next year, but has limited openings in our upper grades. Please contact our office for questions about space availability at (619) 479-3662. More information is posted on our district’s website at www.cvesd.org.

  • Please note:
    • TK students will not need a renewal zone transfer link as they will need to register at their neighborhood school for Kindergarten. Our district’s Early Childhood Education department supports Preschool and TK enrollment. Please contact them directly at (619) 425-9600 Ext.181725.
    • The Renewal Zone Transfer Form is independent of the “New Zone Transfer Form.”
    • Students who will be transitioning to Sweetwater Union High School District for seventh grade (middle school) do not need to notify CVESD about this, but will need to complete registration processes with that district via https://www.sweetwaterschools.org/.

Preschool Enrollment

Are you considering enrolling your child in preschool? Look no further! Allen Elementary offers a free preschool program for qualifying families that live in San Diego County. Learn more and enroll your child today at http://cvesd.org/preschool.

Free Campus Clinic Health Services

Families may come to the school office, Monday- Friday, between 8 am and 3:30 pm to receive a free COVID-19 home antigen test. The testing is not required. Please report all positive cases to our school office at (619) 479-3662.

Weekly, voluntary testing will continue on our school campus via Campus Clinic each week. Parents and legal guardians must opt-in to the program and no child will be tested without proper consent. If families would like to watch a video on the registration process, they can visit: https://campusclinic.org/how-to/. For community testing at the kiosks, individuals will need to register on-site. You only need to register one time for a test through the kiosk.

In alignment with our district’s commitment to keeping your children healthy and in school, we are excited to expand Campus Clinic’s health services by adding the flu combo test to our weekly COVID-19 testing program. This combo test is designed to provide results for symptomatic individuals for some of the most common illnesses, such as Flu A, Flu B, RSV, and COVID-19. This testing is provided at no-cost or free to families, but Campus Clinic is required by the state of California to collect insurance information. Campus Clinic will also be providing other essential public health services on our campus in the coming weeks.

MedLab2020 may call or email families to verify insurance information for individuals who have tested with Campus Clinic previously. MedLab2020 is the lab that Campus Clinic partners with to process COVID-19 PCR & flu combo tests administered through weekly in school testing, as well as at the four kiosks throughout the district. They are part of the letterhead on most of the results sent out. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to the Campus Success Team.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information above, please call or email our Campus Success team.

Campus Success; 8:00am -4:00pm PST
855.286.2577
support@campusclinic.org
www.campusclinic.org

Again, for this free testing support, please email: support@campusclinic.org.

Health and Safety

Vaccines for children are now available. There is currently no mandate for vaccines, nor a mandate for masks. Please understand that the state of California may (in the future) require children to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to attend a public school, just as they already do for other diseases (polio, mumps, rubella, etc..). This decision is not a school-based or district-based decision, but rather a state government decision.

Masks, although not required at this time, are encouraged for all staff, students, parents, and visitors while indoors on campus.

  • There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses in any public place where people are present. The school and district strive to reduce this impact to staff, students, and families.
  • It is a current public health recommendation for all eligible people to get COVID-19 booster shots.

If your child has a chronic health condition, such as allergies or asthma, please contact the school office and download the form below to have your child’s doctor complete and send it back to the school’s nurse. We recommend doing this in advance of a child showing symptoms.

If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If any person (regardless of vaccination status) presents with symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, that person will be immediately sent home. All schools in CVESD must follow the latest County of San Diego COVID-19 Decision Tree (see below) for persons with symptoms associated with COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 and should stay home:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

*** Please see the latest COVID-19 Decision Tree here: LINK to Newest Decision Tree

Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) Corner

Visit the PTC website at AllenPTC.org to become a member of the PTC and make a donation to support the latest initiative at the school. Allen’s PTC is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the school’s educational mission through funding programs and initiatives.

Please help support Allen’s PTC and our school by joining as a member of the Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club.

The standing PTC Meeting link is here: PTC MEETING LINK 2022-2023

Meetings for Families & Staff

Allen School needs parents and legal guardians to support our school through important parent groups, such as the PTC (Parent Teacher Club), the School Site Council (often referred to as SSC), and the English Language Advisory Committee (often referred to as ELAC). The site-based groups work with the Principal, staff, and other community members to ensure that community voice is part of the shared decision making process of a public school.

Family First Friday Meeting

The first Friday of every month is usually reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Family First Friday will be on Friday, April 7, 2023 from 8 am to 9 am. This meeting will be in person at school with a coffee cart available in front of the school. Our Allen PTC will also have their monthly Spirit Gear Booth with great items for sale!

We encourage parents and legal guardians to join this meeting with a free cup of hot coffee or a cold cup of cold brew on nitro and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year and meet other amazing Allen families.

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting will be on April 10, 2023 at 3 pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings.

School Site Council (SSC)

Ella B. Allen’s next SSC Meeting will be on April 10, 2023 at 3:30 pm. Please note that if you join early, you’ll be attending the ELAC meeting already in progress. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.

All SSC members are welcome to attend ELAC meetings for additional information.

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) is composed of five elected parent/community representatives and five elected staff/teacher representatives. The role of the SSC is to develop, approve, and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement.

With a few exceptions, meetings are held the second Monday of every month. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.

Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting

Allen’s PTC usually meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Link: via this link. The next PTC meeting is April 10 at 6 pm. Please also check out the new PTC website to become a member and make a donation: AllenPTC.org

CVESD Board of Education Meeting

The district’s Board of Education meetings are also being held online and generally occur the second Wednesday of each month. The next regularly scheduled CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, April 19 at 6 pm. Limited in-person access is permitted, but check the district’s website for more information on this.

To access these public meetings, please click the link here: https://www.cvesd.org/board_of_education/board_meetings

CVESD DAC/DELAC Meeting

District Advisory Council (DAC)

The DAC is composed of parent and staff representatives from each School Site Council. It meets regularly during the school year in open public forum to share information, study instructional issues, approve school planning schedules, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on specific items. District meetings take place once a month, mid-afternoon. Most meetings occur on Tuesdays from 12 – 2 pm, with a parent training beforehand. This is an elected position to serve a one-year term.

District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

The district will continue to conduct all meetings online until further notice, including all DAC/DELAC meetings. DAC is the District Advisory Committee. DELAC is the District English Learner Advisory Committee. Both of these groups are designed to support and inform parents in a shared communication setting with the district. Parents learn with other parents and district leadership at the DAC/DELAC meetings.

The next DAC/DELAC Meeting will be on April 11, 2023 at 12 noon. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

The link below contains a schedule of all DAC/DELAC meetings for the upcoming school year. I recommend all parents download this schedule if they are interested in learning more about theses district meetings: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/dac-delac

CVESD B-LAC Meeting

District Black Learners Advisory Council (B-LAC)

The B-LAC is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The B-LAC provides and monitors the ongoing support for Black/African American students and families in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure unbiased practices/policies, equitable educational outcomes, and equal access to a quality education. The group meets regularly during the school year, once a month. Most meetings occur on Thursdays from 6 – 7 pm. The next meeting is April 20 at 6 pm and will be in person at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913). For more information and to download the schedule of these meetings, clink the link: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/black-learners-advisory-council—b–lac

CVESD BAC Meeting

District Budget Advisory Council (CVESD BAC)

The District’s Budget Advisory Council (BAC) is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The BAC monitors the financial statements and fiduciary obligations of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD). Although it usually only meets 5 – 6 times a year, the BAC’s meetings are useful in understanding how state and federal monies support student learning at a local level. April 26 at 6 pm is the next BAC meeting. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.

Academic Calendar for the 2022-2023 School Year

The 2022-2023 School Calendar is available online! Click this link to download it. Please reference this when planning vacations or scheduling appointments with your children that may require them to miss school. Excellent attendance is important in student success!

Our Board of Education approved our 2023-2024 School Calendar as well and we are pleased to share that it aligns well with Sweetwater as well. Please also use this document to plan and schedule family outings, vacations, and other important appointments. Find that document in the file below…

Students in our district will end the current academic year on Friday, June 2, 2023.

Allen Elementary is proud to be a Kindness Certified School again in 2023!

Be well Eagles! As a California public school, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and get the COVID-19 vaccine (and/or booster shots), as well as to test regularly. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our number 1 concern!

🦅  Allen Eagles: Together, we SOAR!

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