Happy Sunday Allen Families! Can you believe it’s already February?
Please see the latest updates from Allen Elementary and the Chula Vista Elementary School District at https://allenelementary.org/.
Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week
Thank you Allen families for participating in the Great Kindness Challenge this past week! If you want to download the certificate, type in your child’s name, and print it out please do so here:
Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week in the short YouTube video below:
Join the Allen PTC and Make a Donation: Visit the PTC website at AllenPTC.org to become a member of the PTC and make a donation. 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 by shopping at smile.amazon.com this Holiday season! AmazonSmile has the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping as the Amazon you know and already use. AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of all eligible purchases to the Allen Elementary PTC when you shop. Make sure to shop on smile.amazon.com and choose Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club Inc as your charity. Thank you!
AmazonSmile customers can now support Ella B. Allen Elementary School’s PTC in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.
- Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
- Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into ‘Settings’
- Tap ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process
Please choose Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club Inc by clicking this link for your Amazon purchases: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/95-4403426
A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:
The Core Value this week is Respect. This week’s Common Courtesy is “I apologize for…“
If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3 pm, Monday through Friday. Anyone coming to the school must follow all safety protocols, including wearing a facial covering. We will ask you to remain outside. Please contact the office directly at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.
A friendly reminder that school starts online for all students at 8:50 am. Attendance and student engagement continue to be tracked and monitored, according to state law and AB 77 and SB 98. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 if your child is having trouble accessing class online.
A Look Ahead:
Monday, February 1, 2021 – First Day of Black History Month
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 – Groundhog Day and First Day of Curbside Library Check-out (12 to 2 pm)
Friday, February 5, 2021
- National Wear Red Day: National Wear Red Day is a day in February when many people wear red to show their support for the awareness of heart disease
- Virtual Family First Friday at 8 am [Click link here]
Monday, February 8, 2021 – Parent Meetings
- English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) at 3 pm [Link to virtual meeting]
- School Site Council (SSC) at 3:30 pm [Link to virtual meeting] * Note that if you join early, you’ll be joining the ELAC meeting.
- Parent Teacher Club (PTC) at 6 pm [Link to virtual meeting]
Tuesday, February 9, 2021 – CVESD DAC/DELAC meeting at 12 noon [Click online meeting link here]
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 – CVESD Board of Education meeting at 6 pm [Click link here]
Thursday, February 11, 2021 – Kids Heart Challenge and Jump Rope for Heart at 10:10 am (Click link here.)
Friday, February 12, 2021 – NO SCHOOL: Presidents Day Weekend (Lincoln Day)
Monday, February 15, 2021 – NO SCHOOL: Presidents Day Weekend (Washington Day)
Possible Preschool Program – Parent Survey
Ella B. Allen Elementary School is currently exploring the option of adding a free, public preschool program to its campus. Nothing is set in stone; however, we are looking at ways to better serve the community and are considering adding this program to the school for the 2021-2022 school year (around July 2021).
We would like all Allen families who have children that might attend a preschool to complete this survey. We also welcome all interested families in this preschool program to complete this survey as well. Please share this survey if you know a family outside of our school or district that would consider this program. The survey is only a few short questions and should take less than 5 minutes to complete. This survey is expected to close on Saturday, Feb 6, 2021. Thank you for your time.
Please find the survey link here: Preschool Survey Link
Zone Transfers
Zone Transfer forms (ZTs) must be completed each year in order to have your child continue at Ella B. Allen Elementary School. Families who live in the Chula Vista Elementary School District, but whose neighborhood school isn’t Allen must complete the form and email it to: allenschool@cvesd.org. Families who live outside of the Chula Vista Elementary School District must follow the Interdistrict Transfer process instead here. If you have any questions or need assistance completing the form, please feel free to contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If your child will not be returning to Allen, please let us know that as well. Parents of current sixth grade students on a zone transfer do not need to do this step.
Curbside Library Check Out Begins
Ella B. Allen Elementary School students are now able to check out library books online by Thursdays and pick them up curbside on Tuesdays! Students can access the library catalog online and place up to two books on HOLD.
Students must have a signed library agreement, found in the Family Handbook online at allen.cvesd.org or https://allenelementary.org/, and must turn in any overdue books to be eligible to check out books.
Instructions for reserving books online:
- Go online to https://allenelementary.org/
- Go to the “Students” tab at the top and click on “Library” in the drop-down menu.
- Click on the Destiny Library Catalog link.
- Select ALLEN ELEMENTARY.
- Click LOGIN at the link in the top right corner.
- Click on Chula Vista Elem SSO (the big blue bar on the left side of the page) to log in.
Username: studentID@live.cvesd.org
Example: 654321@live.cvesd.org
Password for K-1 students: lowercase letter of first name, lowercase letter of last name, student ID, equal symbol
Example for Jane Dominguez is: jd654321=
Password for other students (grades 2-6): Uppercase letter of first name, lowercase letter of last name, full birthdate
Example for Jane Dominguez, born on September 5, 2011 is: Jd09052011
- Search for books by title, author, genre and click DETAILS next to the book when you find the book you want. Select “Hold It” in the top right corner next to the book title. You will be notified via your student’s district email address that the book is available for you to pick up. Please note that some copies of books may not be available as multiple students may have placed a hold on the book. We will check out selections to student accounts that are reserved by Thursdays.
Note: Each Tuesday you may drop off books you’ve already enjoyed and pick up new books that were reserved by the previous Thursday night. Any holds placed after Thursday night will be ready the following Tuesday.
Safety Reminders
- Anyone coming to the school must follow all safety protocols, including wearing a facial covering.
- For the comfort and safety of students, all books are sanitized before distribution at curbside pick up.
Curbside Library Check Out is Tuesdays, 12 noon to 2 pm
- Books must be reserved by Thursday evenings online.
- Please ensure confirmation that your book is ready before driving to school to pick it up on Tuesdays.
The Great Kindness Challenge 2021
Ella B. Allen Elementary School is proud to be a “kindness certified school” in 2021 for participating in The Great Kindness Challenge! Students, staff, and families downloaded the kindness checklists and kept track of all the acts of kindness they completed.
Using the kindness checklist, Allen’s staff and students worked to complete all 50 challenges. Did your child complete this challenge? If so, please speak to your child’s teacher and download a certificate here:
Jump Rope For Heart & Kids Heart Challenge
Jump Rope for Heart (part of the Kids Heart Challenge) is coming soon! The event will be on Thursday, February 11, 2021. Students and families can register here. All students will join and participate in an online school jump from 10:10 am to 10:25 am. Please remind your children to wear red and start looking around the house for a jump rope. Email photos of your family participating in Jump Rope for Heart to our amazing secretary, Ms. Reza at michelle.reza@cvesd.org. Photos received may go on the Allen School Blog (allenelementary.org) or on our Twitter account (@EaglesBonita). Parents, kindly note when emailing the photos that you give explicit permission for these photos to be shared on social media to michelle.reza@cvesd.org and they can be added to the school’s blog and social media accounts.
Be “Heart Smart” and join CVESD schools for the American Heart Challenge! Join us on Friday, February 5th as a wave of red washes over the Chula Vista Elementary School District. From our District offices, to school sites, to our virtual classrooms/offices, please “Rock the Red” and unite for a common goal: eradication of heart disease and stroke. Share your story around heart health. Donate to fight heart disease. Text CVESDGIVES to 41444 or visit CVESDgives.
Licensed Childcare through the YMCA
The Chula Vista Elementary School District is proud to partner with the South Bay Family YMCA to offer licensed childcare at select sites beginning January 11! The Y’s Character Builders childcare program is designed to support distance learning curriculum and provide grade-appropriate activities throughout the day. Students will meet in a classroom-like environment for their school-required live sessions and assignments. Afternoon enrichment activities will allow kids to engage safely in imaginative play and physical activities that stretch both mind and body. This program will likely not occur on Allen’s campus, but will happen at a nearby school.
Program runs 7:30 am – 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Weekly Cost $238 for Y Members / $280 for Non-Members. Click here to view updated flyer. Scholarships available for qualifying families (see flyer here for information). Please email Program Director Miriam Martinez at mmartinez@ymcasd.org for availability.
Intensive Support Program
A voluntary intensive support program may be coming to Allen Elementary in the coming weeks for a very limited number of students. Per guidelines from the state of California, priority for this in-person, voluntary support program will be given to students who are:
- Foster and homeless students
- Students with IEPs and 504 plans
- Students identified as English Learners
- Students who are significantly below grade level
Additional details will be shared with families who qualify for this intensive support in the coming weeks.
COVID-19 Corner: Health and Safety Updates
The COVID-19 virus continues to impact our community. Please wear a mask, wash your hands, sanitize frequently used surfaces, and do not congregate with people living outside of your immediate household.
Please see the latest updates regarding public health and safety from the County of San Diego, including information about COVID-19 testing and vaccination, here. With the arrival of the vaccine designed to prevent COVID-19, our District is happy to share a fact sheet that details why the vaccines are safe and effective.
Visit covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/ for more information.
We encourage all Allen staff, students, and families to get tested for COVID-19. Please also stay home, leaving only to get tested or seek medical attention, if you experience any symptoms of 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
There are a number of testing sites in the South County, thanks to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. It is highly encouraged for families to make an appointment for COVID-19 testing in advance. You may wish to reference 211sandiego.org or the County’s website here.
The CVESD Caring Crew and YOU!
We would like to remind our entire community that following the four pillars of health can prevent the spread of COVID-19. As we prepare for the eventual return of some students to campus in phases, our District and school will be enforcing the four core principles (also known as four pillars) for the prevention of COVID-19. These include:
- Daily Health Screenings
- Mask Wearing
- Physical Distancing, and
- Frequent Hand Washing.
Please speak to your children about the importance of following these four core principles.
Please also watch the short YouTube video below to see what the school and district are doing to prepare for the return of students to campus once it is safe to do so.
Meal Distribution Program
- Meal distribution occurs every Tuesday from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm for all students. Pick up the 5 days worth of meals at the front of the school. Please follow all safety directives, such as wearing a mask or facial covering that covers the mouth and nose. This free service is available for all families that attend a school in the Chula Vista Elementary School District..
Would you like your child to eat school meals this year? The school encourages all families who may need assistance to apply for free and reduced meals via the district website. These forms must be completed again every year, so please do not wait to fill them out! Find the forms and information at the district link here.
Meetings for Parents and Legal Guardians
Allen School needs parents and 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.
English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting will be held on Monday, February 8th at 3 pm and will be held online. The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings. Click here or please email michelle.reza@cvesd.org for the meeting link at least one day prior to access this online meeting.
School Site Council (SSC)
Allen School’s next SSC Meeting is Monday, February 8th at 3:30 pm and will be held online. Click here or please email michelle.reza@cvesd.org for the meeting link at least one day prior to access this online meeting.
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. Until further notice, meetings will be held online. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.
Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting
Allen’s PTC meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. Until further notice, all meetings will be held online via this link. The next PTC meeting is Monday, February 8th at 6 pm. Please also check out the new PTC website to become a member and make a donation: AllenPTC.org
Virtual Family First Friday Meeting
The first Friday of every month is reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Virtual Family First Friday will be on February 5, 2021 at 8 am. Click here to access this meeting on February 5th. We encourage parents and legal guardians to join an online meeting with a cup of hot coffee or tea and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year. The link will be in an email shared with parents. You may also email michelle.reza@cvesd.org for the meeting link at least one day prior to access this online meeting.
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 CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, February 10 at 6:00 pm.
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 February 9, 2021 from 12 noon to 2 pm. You can access the meeting here at the district’s website.
Below is 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.
Be well Eagles! We love you and we miss you.
Ella B. Allen Elementary School 